Good morning, Insiders! How does equipment work for something like rookie minicamp? Does Chase Claypool get to add a Packers helmet and practice jersey to his personal collection or do players have to return the equipment before they leave?
It used to be a more hectic weekend for the equipment department when the Packers would practice in helmets and shells. With the format shifting to more of a jog-through, tryout players no longer need to get fitted with helmets, pads, etc.
While reading the Rob Demovsky ESPN report about Tyrod Taylor coming to Green Bay as QB2, the article stated Taylor was “one of only five players still in the NFL from the 2011 draft.” That made me wonder, who is the oldest player in the NFL? Answer: If Philip Rivers stays in retirement, it is (drum roll, please) Aaron Rodgers. That’s assuming he plays another season in Pittsburgh.
Kevin from San Francisco, CA
I was curious how one becomes an NFL scout and did some reading on Sam Seale. Insiders will be intrigued to know he starred in track and played RB in college, then was drafted by the Raiders for his athleticism and given No. 88 as a WR to start the season. Sam switched positions early that year and played DB the remainder of his career, picking up a new No. 43 the following year. Perhaps his versatility learning multiple positions helps him identify talent.
Scouting is an artform. Beyond just watching tape, the profession is dependent on connections and institutional knowledge. It’s who you know, what they know and using all available resources to find talent your coaches can mold into elite players. I’ve never had a chance to ask Sam Seale what the secret to his success has been, but I’m sure he’d say it starts there.
David from Howards Grove, WI
With Brandon Cisse reportedly still unsigned but already participating in rookie minicamp, is there a “try before you sign” clause for second-round picks? We saw a similar delay last year with Anthony Belton, so how does this actually work? At what point does an unsigned draft pick have to put pen to paper before the team says, “Sorry, no more drills for you”? Is there any real risk here for the player or the Packers, or is this mostly just the annual dance over guaranteed money?
I guess there could be some risk because of how guaranteed contracts have become a sticking point in negotiations with second-round picks, but it’s my understanding that unsigned draft picks sign agreements with their team to negotiate in good faith before participating in the offseason program.
Brian from Twain Harte, CA
It used to be that mostly only the first-round draft picks did not sign their contracts right away, to determine how the money was going to shake out with their fellow first-round picks. Now it seems like a common practice among second-round picks. How long do you think it will be before this trend extends to the third round and beyond?
To quote Max Verstappen when asked who would win if everyone raced backwards: “I don’t know…and I don’t care.” It ain’t 2009 no more, my friend. With how the CBA is structured, the rookie contracts will get done.
How would NFL rosters be different if, by stipulation, all player contracts were fully guaranteed?
Contract lengths would definitely get shorter.
Tyler from Cross Plains, WI
Hey guys, saw an article showing the Eagles’ first-round draft picks since 2021, and not a single one of them transferred during their college careers. Very interesting given the landscape of college football these days, and not sure how long they can keep that going but shows how much value the Eagles put into that. I would think other teams would use that information to help predict who the Eagles will target in Round 1.
Everything is a pattern until the pattern changes, though.
Jonathan from Richmond Hill, GA
Has anyone considered creating a facility with giant fans to mimic windy game weather? And with climate control to simulate below freezing temperatures? Where is the sports science on this? Why aren’t we giving our kickers the best training when they are so crucial to the game?
There’s no need for it. Packers kickers face the challenge of kicking at Ray Nitschke Field in practice. Both Rich Bisaccia and Mason Crosby spoke in the past on the difficulty of kicking at Nitschke with how the wind comes off the Don Hutson Center. If that wasn’t enough, the kickers also can go inside Lambeau at any time and experience one of the NFL’s most turbulent venues.
