“At that point, it appeared that the 1956, ’57 and ’58 drafts, which wound up producing six future Pro Football Hall of Famers, were going to be one all-encompassing washout.” What a line by Cliff! It’s nice to know all the handwringing and lack of patience with draft picks isn’t just a recent affliction.

The Packers training camp has 15 practices including Family Night and a joint practice in Indy. This takes place over five weeks and the three practices of the first week are in shorts. Yet all I hear about is the all-consuming “grind” of training camp. I don’t see it and haven’t for many years. What am I missing?

It’s definitely not what it used to be, with two-a-days having gone the way of the dodo. But many of the days on the camp schedule without a public practice still include a closed practice. The daily routine is meetings, practice (open or closed), more meetings, and then an evening walk-through. The players’ days are still quite long, just not as physically demanding as yesteryear.

Sharon from Stewartstown, PA

More a comment. I sincerely doubt most of today’s readers of the Insider Inbox realize that Bart Starr, Johnny U and most quarterbacks called their own plays! That really separated the good, great and greatest.

Indeed, but it was also a lot easier for a QB to call his own plays when he wasn’t dealing with the defense utilizing three different personnel packages in one series of downs, or up to five or six on one given drive.

Steven from Balsam Lake, WI

One thing I’d like to add about this offseason and dead zone as we head towards training camp … it sure is nice to not be hearing anything about the kicking game, both kicker and punter. It is great to have those positions set. Brandon McManus was such a terrific find last season.

It’s the first time since 2020 the Packers are heading into a season without a question at either spot. Don’t take it for granted.

Gordon from Newport Beach, CA

It would appear the Packers’ current punter is adequate, perhaps good. Statistically, what could make him great this season?

Daniel Whelan isn’t just good he’s very good. In two years, he’s posted two of the top three gross punting averages in team history, and he’s placed 40 punts inside the 20 against just 10 touchbacks. That’s effective work. I think his next step is to pin returners along the sideline more, without losing distance, which is the toughest task. Every time that ball is in the middle of the field, there’s significant risk. On balance, the punt unit was having a stellar season last year until the Bears fooled it on the 94-yard score in Week 18, for which Bisaccia took the blame due to lack of prep. A repeat of last year minus that black eye would be just fine.

Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL

In your tenures, is the upcoming Packers/Steelers game the most intriguing regular-season game you will have covered?

No. In the regular season, for me nothing will top the drama and intensity of Monday Night Football in 2009 at the Metrodome. I was sitting in that roller rink’s open-air press box, between the first and second decks, just a few seats down from Ted Thompson. The number of fans giving Ted the verbal business – and not in a jovial or joking manner – as they filed into their seats pregame is something I’ll never forget. He sat there and didn’t react to any bit of it.

I’ve seen Chuck Fusina’s name mentioned several times over the last few days in Inbox. Funny story, when Favre went to the Vikings in 2009 I researched who else had worn No. 4 for the Packers and saw Chuck Fusina’s name. I took my Brett Favre jersey and left the “F” but put tape over the “AVRE” and wrote in “USINA.” I wore that jersey to several games and had numerous conversations with various people who had no idea who Chuck Fusina was, but thought my jersey was pretty funny.

Gregg from Arlington Heights, IL

Maybe I am late to the party, but do you know how many members of II are reading your column worldwide? And, how many of those people become addicted to II, needing their daily fix? It’s crazy, the laughter never stops. And, I find I admonish myself whenever I’m forced to miss a day. Help me. Please, help me. I have fallen and I don’t want to get up.