I stumbled upon a Kurt Warner article, and it got me to look at the 1994 Packers preseason QB room. Brett Favre, Mark Brunell, Ty Detmer and Kurt Warner opened the preseason on the roster. That room produced 342 wins in the NFL, 934 TDs and two Hall of Famers. Much more than Joe Montana/Steve Young (211 wins, 505 TDs and two HOF). Do you recall another team that had such an amazing preseason QB room? This really made me appreciate all the more how strong Ron Wolf was at building a team in addition to Mike Holmgren’s ability to tutor.
That was a special group, and those guys didn’t get here by accident. Wolf and his front office knew how to unearth talent at the game’s most important position.
The Bears won the division with a 2-4 record against the division. In the past 20 years, the next worst division record by this division’s winner was 3-2-1 as Green Bay finished 8-7-1 in the 2013 season. Otherwise, 4-2, 5-1 or 6-0. Is that 2-4 mark an omen or an opportunity for Chicago?
It is whatever the Bears make it. But I know this…based on how Ben Johnson carried himself, Chicago better keep winning. If the Bears do, Johnson will look like a genius. If they don’t…well…they better keep winning.
Greetings and good morning, friends. It’s bologna season, so hopefully I can be forgiven for possibly breaking a rule about how the meat is made. Is the comment, “If the first three do their jobs exceedingly well, the fourth’s job is exceedingly easy” really accurate? Is it easier to write when things are going well, or do adversity and challenge assist the muse? Also, any particular starts you’re especially psyched out of your mind about? An idea where you’re just like…yeah?
Writing is writing. It’s what we do. Even when things aren’t going well, I still enjoy connecting with fans and explaining everything that’s happening with the team. Adversity makes achievement taste that much sweeter.
Hi II, I’ve always wanted to get an II question answered from an international location and this is my last chance since I return to the U.S. in a couple days. Do you think some of our fourth-quarter losses are because our endurance is worse than our opponents’? If so, then maybe it’s because of too many second half three-and-outs, or maybe other teams train harder. How does a conditioning coach know they pushed the players the right amount to succeed at the end of the game?
I don’t think it’s an issue with conditioning or physical endurance, Bill. I think it’s a young football team still learning how to win. Thank you for making Inbox a part of your routine, even when abroad.
Preston from Tallahassee, FL
In most any sport, the atmosphere enables and the lack of does the same. I’m curious about your thoughts on whether the GBP’s struggle in recent years with “big games” comes, in part, from the number of season ticket holders who sell their seats to opponents’ fans? I have long believed there is a legal way to prevent it whether is a change of terms from “selling” to “leasing.” Insist in the season-leasing agreement sub-leasing must be to those on the waiting list first. There has to be a way.
I mean, it doesn’t help. The Packers need to play better at Lambeau Field, particularly as the weather starts to dip. But the fans have a part to play, too. Being at U.S. Bank Stadium and Ford Field the past few years, I can tell you those fans desperately want to beat the Packers, and they have no qualms making that known.
Just spent the last part of the week (Wednesday thought Saturday) in the hospital. I’m trying to recover from having my aorta repaired. Energy level sucks. Having no contact with the Packers, did I miss anything important? I hate to go to the hospital but having had some chest pain in the past, I knew something was wrong as they had to drain a liter of blood from my lung sac. It really sucks to grow old. Go Pack Go.
I’m sorry to hear that, Thomas, and hope you feel better. It was a quiet NFL Annual Meeting, so you did not miss anything too significant. You can catch up on what LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst and Ed Policy had to say here.
I have to state a little issue I have with Taylor from Hopkins, MN, who said maybe II should be published less often to improve the content. I look forward to reading both of you every day, and part of the reason is because it feels like a bunch of Packer fans sitting around a table enjoying talking about the team they love. Don’t change, keep up the great work!
Don’t take it personally. I think Jim was just having a rougher day than usual.
Speaking of NFL refs. Do you think a “Hard Knocks” season on NFL refs would bring to light just how hard of a job it is? Especially the umpire position. I for one would not want to be in the middle of 200-300 pound men running at full speed trying hit someone while doing my job. Do you think the NFL would consider it?
I’ve never doubted how difficult it is to be an official. I’ve just grown a bit tired of the officials telling me how difficult it is to be an official.
What are your thoughts on the Patriots game next year? What’s Foxborough like? The in-laws are Patriots fans, so we’re trying to go.
Foxborough is not the easiest NFL stadium to get in and out of, but it’s one of the league’s best venues. If you guys have time and a little patience, I think you’ll enjoy it. For us, that road trip is always a treat.
Do you believe eventually Lambeau Field will have to change its name? Help me understand why?
No. Please read my story from the NFL Annual Meeting.
Margeaux from Tallahassee, FL
Good morning, Wes! What would your response have been to Jeffrey from Eveleth, MN?
Hi, guys. I rarely get published and have never been selected for the big hallmarks like first or last question. But I have “won the internet” twice… Hod-dingnagian nickname for Wes and current tariff rates on signing Canadian QBs. So, I got that going for me.
…which is twice as nice.