Inbox: It serves a playmaking purpose

Paul from Phoenix, AZ

Wes, what is the definition of "future players," from your response: "Most of the Packers' future players were not present or not practicing..."?

I owe the Inbox an apology. Last year, we've started using an automatic cloud storage system to store our Word documents and content. I was against this because I have my own 15-year-old, tried-and-true process for storing every word I've ever written. Anyway, when I got my new computer this past winter, I had to get on board with cloud computing. Spoff warned me about how glitchy the system can be, and that it doesn't always save properly. Well, it finally bit me in the butt Wednesday. It turns out the system didn't save my final version of Inbox – it spaced out roughly 75% of the way through. So, for a little more than two hours, you were treated to a mostly unedited version of what I wanted to publish – including a few questions I wanted to cut out during final editing. Evidently, when I edited the word "Malarkey" it threw the entire system out of whack (Thank you for that, Craig from Port Charlotte). We figured this out at approximately 11 a.m. CT and uploaded the correct version. No future players were mislabeled during the writing of this Inbox.

Ryan from Bloomer, WI

Wes, inquiring minds want to know. Give us an update on your first impressions and experience in your first locker-room visits and player interactions in over two years. Do any of these young players know that you are kind of a big deal? Do they know that you are very important and have many leather-bound books and your apartment smells of rich mahogany?

I highly doubt that. Like I said with rookie minicamp, it didn't feel that unfamiliar to me. Apparently, some folks were doing stories strictly on the media being back in the locker room. To me, it was another day at the office. It was cool to talk with Tyler Davis and some players I'd never seen before in-person, but I try to keep a little perspective here. There are more important matters going on in the world than whether Wes is allowed in an NFL locker room.

Jon from Temecula, CA

I see a lot of questions about having Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon on the field at the same time. But have we forgotten about Josiah Deguara's play taking out two Vikings with one block? I want to see Deguara and Dillon punishing defenders at the second level. Using a fullback to lead block for The Quadfather sounds brutal. It's not an every-down play, but boy can that set a tone. Our WRs have been unselfish with their willingness to block. Let's pay them back and soften up that secondary with our heavy hitters.

Deguara definitely plays with an edge. He and Dominique Dafney were both on the roster for a reason last season. That F-tight end is a vital position in Matt LaFleur's offense. It's a selfless position, but the potential is there to make an impact on any play. Jones talked in the past about how much he enjoys running behind a fullback. It serves a playmaking purpose.

Donny from Green Bay, WI

I think of the years invested in Robert Tonyan, Yosh Nijman, and now potentially Tyler Davis. Am I biased or do the Packers do a real good job of developing players and especially being patient?

I think the Packers are one of the best when it comes to fitting the right peg to the right hole. The synergy between the front office and coaching staff has enabled many under-the-radar prospects to find footing in the NFL.

Dan from Kenosha, WI

Wes, when seeing the development of a player like Rashan Gary, who was rated the number one recruit out of HS, was labeled an underachiever in college, and is becoming a dominant force as a pro…is that more attributable to scheme difference (LB vs. DE) or are the coaches at Michigan thinking, "Wow, we did not get the most out of that guy when he was here!" Do you think that is ever a thought coaches have?

I'm sure college coaches think about it, but you also need to remember how young Gary is. He played as a true freshman at Michigan and was just 21 when he got drafted. Gary is like that smart kid in your class moving up a grade over his football peers. I think he's grown into both his body and developed a firm understanding of his responsibilities here. The game is slowing down for Gary and his elite potential is transforming into elite production.