Clipton of Pasadena, CA
What do you think about a QB salary cap? It’s the toughest position in sports and they should be paid for it, but with each new contract they aim for higher percentages of cap space so that SB’s best “window” is during a rookie QB’s first contract. That’s not a good business model. Trevor Lawrence’s $55 million annually represents about 20% of the cap. Make that percentage a team’s QB limit. The NFLPA shouldn’t object because they represent all players and a QB limit means more money for more players.
We have already discussed this. The union will (strongly) oppose any cap on any individual’s contract other than the overall salary cap itself. Proposals like these will never happen without a major, and I mean huge, concession in collective bargaining negotiations by the owners. Salaries for top players at all positions continue to rise, starting with QBs. That makes the union happy, because all the players can aspire to earn a lot of money. The NFLPA doesn’t care who wins championships or how teams manage their money. That is your problem, which cannot be solved by artificial restriction.
Thank you so much for all you do to educate, entertain and inform the Packer Nation. That being said, can you give us an idea of how QB rating is calculated?
It’s too much math for this space, but there are two statistics that impact passer rating more than any other: yards per attempt and TD/interception ratio.
Mike from New Orleans, LA
Can you tell us about a player who didn’t have a stellar interview in his first year, but who became a true professional?
My answer to this is always Nick Collins. He didn’t like giving interviews and struggled with it early in his career, perhaps in part because at Bethune-Cookman he wasn’t exposed to the same level of media coverage as other college prospects from major programs. I don’t know for sure, I’m just speculating. But as he became a Pro Bowl player and a leader on defense, he became more comfortable being a spokesman for his side of the ball, and he was very informative breaking down good and bad plays/games.
Zak from Huntington Beach, CA
Are there potential future journalists/analysts on the list? I just looked at John Kuhn’s Wiki page and was surprised to see that his college degree is in chemistry, rather than something more closely related to his current job as a Packers commentator. During his playing days, did any of you ever have conversations with him about his desire to work in that field?
I did a story on John during his playing career when he attended the NFL “broadcast training camp” for players, which was held at NFL Films, I believe. He was definitely interested in the media business before he finished playing.
Dave from Lakewood Ranch, FL
I watched a replay of Super Bowl XI between the Raiders and Vikings. During the broadcast Curt Gowdy mentioned that between PATs, FGs and punts the Vikings blocked 16 kicks during the season. Can you imagine any team getting close to that number now?
No way. With special teams much more specialized than they used to be, teams spend time and energy studying film, tweaking schemes, and personnel to prevent any one team from dominating in an aspect like that. Sixteen? Mercy.
Spoff, I love your diverse mix of questions and answers, you walk us through the Dead Zone. I smiled at your reference to Bud Keyes, the Packers’ 10th round pick out of Wisconsin in 1988. Bud was our goalie when I worked as a bartender at Madhatter’s on University Ave. in Madison during the days leading up to the 1986-87 NIL. . A humble guy, willing to do the dirty work and with a knack for quickly quelling occasional disturbances. To this day I have never heard an explanation of Don Morton’s Veer Offensive. Your opinion on Veer?
The results spoke for themselves. As much as the Veer prevented anyone from seeing the Pride of Platteville, Paul Chryst, play QB for the Badgers (he was moved to TE), I view Wisconsin’s disastrous signing of Don Morton as similar to the Draft pick of Tony Mandarich’s Packers. Colossal mistakes that preceded the institutionally changing hirings of Barry Alvarez and Ron Wolf.
While I am as excited as I have been for a season, I hope to make progress, but I recognize that it may not show in the record. How many young teams have not played as expected? Buffalo? Cincinnati? Miami? It is not always a straight line.
While I agree in theory, in the case of the Packers I don’t see how not improving on last year’s 9-8 regular season record could in any way be considered progress.
George from Kennebunkport, ME
The first eight games of our schedule feature three new offensive coordinators, four quarterbacks with very little NFL game film, and seven teams with significantly improved offensive weapons. The potential for unexplored looks and trends seems quite large. How difficult is this as we install a new defensive scheme?
It’s no bigger than any other challenge other shows have presented. After the first eight games, the Packers face the defending NFC North champions twice, the No. 1 overall draft pick twice, the defending NFC champions and another 2023 playoff team… This one It’s the NFL, and there’s no shortage. . All those other teams look at the Packers and say, “They’ve got a new defensive coordinator and a young quarterback who looks authentic.” It seems like a daunting combination to me.
Joe from Liberty Township, OH
I’ll always remember the absolute joy of Reggie White and Charles Woodson winning the Lombardi Trophy before they retired, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player as consumed with joy and relief as Jayson Tatum when the Celtics won. title. I wouldn’t let go of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Do you remember Reggie in ’96 but not Michael Jordan in ’91? There was pure catharsis in those emotions, and he was 28 when he won the first one. Tatum is 26 years old.
Kenton from Rochester, MN
I hope the time is finally right (Dead Zone) to answer this question: Whatever happened to those fun Lego highlights from the Packer games? We didn’t receive any last year; Are there possibilities for this year? If memory serves, they were created by a German Packer fan in his basement. Can they be revived somehow? I think this would be the season to do it. Thanks for all that you do.
Long story short, Lego sent our legal department a cease-and-desist letter after I profiled the top German master. I must leave it at that, but I have never regretted writing another article.
Good morning II, without a doubt only two comments. 1. I WAS OWNER on Packers trivia. I knew everyone they were talking about, but I couldn’t remember the details. 2. Fun Dead Zone Activity: “Random Day.” Take all the emails you receive, choose about 20 at random, without discarding the bad ones, and respond to them. That would give us a good idea of the “average” emails they receive before their careful selection. Sounds fun, huh?
Greg from Sydney, Australia
Hi guys! Did you see that googly in the middle and leg get crushed halfway by four? Welcome to USA Cricket
It’s definitely time for me to go.
David from Janesville, WI
Gentlemen, with Mike planning to go to some Brewers games during the dead zone, maybe he can score a guest appearance at the booth. If I remember correctly, playing play-by-play baseball was one of his interests when he was a younger Spoff. Hey, if Snoop Dogg spent a couple of innings up there making calls, they should make room for Mike!
Ha, no, it’s okay. I’m perfectly fine seeing my team anonymously with my own scorecard. I’ll be back at the end of next week. Happy Friday.
Keynote USA
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