Inbox: That was enjoyable

Didn’t Vic promise us extra midday video games after Aaron Rodgers retired? I suppose we nonetheless have to attend for No. 12 to hold up his cleats earlier than we are able to all go to mattress at an inexpensive hour.

Vic did not depend on the Packers nonetheless being a perennial playoff contender as soon as Rodgers was gone. But 5 out of 9 residence video games at evening – probably six with the Week 18 finale – is lots. Very minimal Lambeau sunshine this season.

Curious if the teaching employees does a deep dive into the schedule at this early stage. Whether it is for recreation planning, apply methods, or every other logistical issues.

Logistics principally, like setting the apply/assembly schedule for the quick weeks and different non-Sunday gamedays.

John from Stevens Point, WI

Somehow “Wednesday Night Football” would not have the identical ring to it as MNF, SNF, and even TNF. The NFL performs video games on each evening/day of the week now besides Tuesdays. How lengthy earlier than that occurs (Tuesday video games)? Something within the NFL’s analysis should be driving this. What is driving this enlargement into one other day of the week?

The driver is filling extra broadcast home windows the place the NFL will get an unique viewers. That drives rankings numbers, which drives up the TV cash. Pretty easy components, actually.

Jennifer from Middleton, WI

I admit, Spoff, I needed to chuckle after I noticed the Thanksgiving Eve recreation. You did, in reality, jinx your self. However, was it not the very best week for it since you might be off the subsequent day? You’ll get residence in all probability 3 or 4 a.m. and might get an evening’s price of sleep earlier than rolling from mattress to sofa for the early recreation kickoff with out the pull again to the laptop computer (Wes will get the quick finish on it being his II day). I hope Mrs. Spofford will look upon you kindly and permit you such a morning.

I knew I might jinx it, however as you and others have identified, it is the very best state of affairs getting a protracted weekend off after the West Coast evening recreation. I do not get out of the morning II, although. I at all times write the primary column after a recreation, no matter when the sport is performed.

Not a query, however simply faux my inflection goes up on the finish: I detest the worldwide video games after they come, however seeing Thomas from Germany’s remark has me sympathetic and even rethinking my stance. If we’re actually constructing an intercontinental fan base, and if the publicly owned Packers are at a fiscal drawback to privately owned groups, possibly that worldwide base is a approach to additionally attain a broader market and generate some further income.

Matt from Sioux Falls, SD

With the Packers having solely eight properties video games subsequent season, can the NFL drive the Packers abroad as the house staff? Wouldn’t they need to be the visiting staff for this to occur subsequent 12 months?

That could be my expectation.

There is an angle on the slicing of McManus that hasn’t been talked about. Spoff got here shut in “Unscripted” when he mentioned the disastrous playoff recreation wouldn’t be forgotten by the followers. If McManus was stored and repeated his playoff efficiency, Gute and ML would have been closely criticized for not fixing an apparent downside. I do not assume they might preserve him as a result of that danger, in addition to the stress McManus would have confronted on his subsequent playoff kick would have been off the charts. Agree?

McManus might have already been feeling that stress after lacking a kick in Philly the earlier January, who is aware of? Regardless, I do not assume it impacts a veteran of his longevity greater than a youthful kicker, and I believe the entrance workplace would take a look at it equally. I see your level, however I believe the attitude is totally different with a 12-year professional versus a kicker 8-10 years youthful. With the soccer brass loudly touting competitors each earlier than and after the draft, I’m undecided we’ll ever know precisely why the transfer was made now.

It appears that over the previous decade or so, the underside of the roster has been a revolving door with people being signed or elevated from the apply squad. What influence does that need to particular groups play, since it’s these gamers’ space of contribution? I might assume that may lend to inconsistency with the underside of the roster continually altering.

It can, however each staff offers with it, so it isn’t an excuse. Churning the underside of the roster within the fixed seek for higher gamers is a needed evil, since you by no means know when these particular groups guys should step in and play from scrimmage, and in case you’ve handed up alternatives to enhance the roster, it might probably actually price you.