Terrance from Sun Prairie, WI

Who will be a surprise on defense this year?

Colby Wooden. He had a nice offseason and I think the added weight will help him.

Which one of the rookies has been the most enjoyable to interview and why?

Oh, there have been numerous but I gotta give a shout out to MarShawn Lloyd, who was generous with his time to help me with the **post-draft feature I wrote on his family**. He reminds me of Aaron Jones – kind, approachable and super respectful. I also enjoyed talking with Kitan Oladapo at rookie minicamp and heard great things about Evan Williams, though I haven’t had a chance to interview him yet.

Dear Wes, I have seen posts of AJ Dillon working out and getting for the upcoming season. He has been a valuable running back for this team since being drafted and positive leader on and off the field. Even with injuries last year, AJ had a down year. The negativity from some fans and media is a little over the top in my opinion. He loves Green Bay, his team, and community. He would be my choice for one to watch to have an outstanding season. Thanks!

Dillon has been a consummate professional through it all. His re-signing flew under the radar this offseason, but I truly felt like Dillon had unfinished business in Green Bay. Dillon said he’s in the best shape of his life and I believe him. He definitely looked leaner this spring. He’s also reliable in many of the overlooked aspects of his position, including pass protection and special teams. Dillon is ready and willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him. I think that says everything about him, especially at this juncture of Dillon’s career.

How would you rate the Packers’ receiving corps against other years?

Top down, it’s the deepest I’ve ever covered. The Packers have had All-Pros and Pro Bowlers but nothing quite like this from Nos. 1-8.

How did Alex McGough look at receiver during the underwear league?

McGough (hamstring) unfortunately was one of the few injury casualties of the offseason program, so we didn’t really get to see him at receiver yet. He’ll look to come back healthy next month and give it his best shot.

Jake from Colorado Springs, CO

I’m hoping to be able to take my two young sons to see the joint practice with the Broncos in Denver this August. I see the practice will be on August 16. Any idea when the time will be announced, and how one might go about angling for a few autographs effectively at this type of event? Thanks!

According to the Broncos’ website, **practices start at 10 a.m. local** with gates opening at 9. Tickets are complimentary but required for entry. I have no clue about autographs. Maybe check Reddit.

Larry from Canandaigua, NY

Do we have a mean and nasty snot-bubbler on the O-line? If so, whom might it be? Really enjoy your work. GPG

I don’t know if he’s a traditional “snot-bubbler,” but Elgton Jenkins plays with an edge that we rarely discuss. You don’t get under Aaron Donald’s skin the way Jenkins did by accident.

Wes, aside from signing Jordan Love to a contract, what is the most important thing the Packers must do before training camp?

Joe from Liberty Township, OH

The Packers are regularly criticized for not already having a new deal in place with Jordan Love. Yes, they’ve had since early May and had the ability to negotiate prior to that, but both sides have to agree. Joe Burrow got more money by waiting for Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert to sign their deals. Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence recently signed new contracts, but Tua and Dak are still out there. Maybe Love’s team is waiting for them to set the bar even higher.

I have no knowledge of negotiations, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if we don’t hear a peep until a contract is signed, sealed, and delivered. Whatever happens, don’t confuse silence with stillness.

Gary from Fayetteville, NC

Hi Mike and Wes! With all the questions about capping quarterbacks’ pay, it occurs to me there is a certain equalizing effect on not capping their pay…very few teams have a quarterback of elite level as they are hard to come by, so the teams that have their guy must pay dearly hence they can’t keep all the other top talent they may have. That, in turn, allows other teams without “the guy” to afford those players, thus keeping things a little more even. Does this make any sense to you guys?

It does…and it also seems the teams with “the guy” at quarterback often outperform those without.

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

Wes, who was the first Packers player featured in your first article? What were your questions, what were the answers, and what did you learn about your job that you could use moving forward?

I wrote a smattering of articles on the Packers during my first six years at the Press-Gazette, which makes it difficult to identify one single story. What I vividly recall from my first training camp in 2012 was writing my first story on Jarrett Bush getting the first shot at the starting perimeter cornerback job that Charles Woodson vacated with his move to safety in the base defense.

Dead-zone comment: Late-round network draft coverage has always bothered me. The draft is for many is the single BIGGEST day in their lives and I had to listen to the NFL Network crew complain about the aroma and “finishing on a high note.” Some don’t even get their names mentioned. I don’t expect complete analysis of each pick, but there is near-complete ignorance of some picks. I find myself feeling for these late-rounders. Kudos to you for giving us the understanding they all have stories.

We’re all human. The only thing that bothers me is when analysts act like fortune-tellers…and they can act that way because their commentary usually goes in one ear of the audience and out the other. Cliff did a great job **calling everyone to the carpet last month**.

Mike from Franksville, WI

Funny you think of the Raiders as the in-laws to Ron Wolf’s Packers, because I’ve always thought that part of the reason John Madden loved Brett Favre so much was because Brett reminded him of his quarterback, Kenny Stabler. Both were devil-may-care southern boys who had an exciting, win-at-all-cost style of play teammates loved.

And both teams won…a lot.

Thomas from Jacksonville, FL

C’mon, man! No one has mentioned the St. Louis (now Arizona) Cardinals, 1898, as one of the great original NFL teams. The Giants didn’t exist until 1925, Steelers and Eagles, 1933.

You have no idea how far my pettiness runs for any team named the “St. Louis Cardinals.”

Rick from Trempealeau, WI

Wes, you jokester. I gotta admit I about spit my coffee when I read “These games should be about rewarding far-flung fans and expanding the global footprint of American football more than the almighty dollar.”

I know, I know…but a staff writer can dream.

I like Lori from Brookfield questions. There is an obvious follow-up question. What kind of BREAD?

What happens on the grass!? What happens on the grass!? Don’t you mean what happens on the Desso Grassmaster system of Kentucky bluegrass interwoven with millions of artificial grass fibers? Or FieldTurf artificial grass over a bed of tiny rubber pellets when on the road?

Sure, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing…