The best piece of knowledge I gained from II is not football related. It came from Vic about the use of the word THAT. Vic told me to use THAT as rarely as possible when I write. I make a conscious effort not to use THAT unless absolutely necessary. When I read, I reread sentences to remove THAT and it always makes the sentence better. Unless you’re Forrest Gump… That’s all I have to say about that.
In response to the sign, Vic replied, “If the people who know them best wouldn’t sign them, why should we?” That simple statement completely changed my perspective on free agency. I know there are many reasons why good players get cut, but if you’re buying at the high end of the market, you should be asking yourself, “Why are they available?”
Paul from Montreal, Canada
From Vic, in response to the call to sign every free agent on the market: Remember, no one knows a free agent better than the team that decided not to re-sign him.
Woody from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
The most useful piece of knowledge I got from II came from Vic after the game, but I won’t talk about that. By the end of the game I was completely beside myself and angry (I don’t know why). I didn’t sleep much that night. I don’t remember exactly what Vic said in “Ask Vic”, but it created a transformation in me and I’ve enjoyed football ever since, win or lose.
Ever since I started reading Ask Vic, I’ve always really enjoyed learning more about the salary cap and how it works. Even now, thanks to Insider Inbox, there are new details to understand. Besides the actual X’s and O’s, it’s probably the best way to understand how an organization and team operates throughout the year.
I asked Vic to explain to me the difference between a dime and a nickel. He was kind enough to answer without making me feel ignorant.
Kevin from Louisville, Kentucky
It’s not so much “football knowledge,” but what I gained from II, starting with Vic, was perspective and the patience to wait and see how things play out. It has greatly enhanced my appreciation of the Packers and football in general. Better yet, it can also be applied to life…and even a pot of chili.
There’s no way I can describe a single football piece of information that’s been collected in the inbox. It’s the constant stream of questions and answers that provide deep insight into how a team is put together and the incredibly detailed preparations that coaches and players go through every week from training camp to the final whistle of the season. These things have given me a deeper appreciation for Packers football and football in general.
The “football knowledge” I gained in II that increased my enjoyment was perspective. It’s a game, after all, and whatever I might yell at the television, or whatever I might say from sitting in my chair, or 20/20 hindsight can’t help the Packers in real time, or at any other time for that matter.
The knowledge I gained from II that has improved my appreciation of the game is a better understanding of the information the offense gathers from the defense’s pre-snap reads, such as how a receiver on the move reveals whether a defense or defender is playing zone or man-to-man.
The knowledge gained from II that added to the fun? Mike and Wes, the business side of Mark Murphy, the human side of Brian Gutekunst, the knowledge of football and doing a hard job. The efforts of the coach and the trainers, the personalities of the players, the behind the scenes of the locker room, the history, the Mondays after a loss. Endless. Oh! The help from the II team and the photo side.
Ricky from Washington, DC
Don’t expect TOTAL CONSISTENCY from your team. When I was a young fan and the Packers lost, it often ruined my week before it even started. By learning to relax and understand that losses are part of the journey, my overall enjoyment of football has increased dramatically. This came in very handy last year during the slow start to the season; I didn’t enjoy it too much.
What I enjoyed most about Inbox was the complexity of the salary cap — and how difficult that and free agency have made it to keep a team intact and repeat success (like how doing everything in one year makes the train whistles). Vic’s anecdote about Chuck Noll retiring because he wasn’t going to coach a team with a graduating class is the ultimate quote for me on free agency.
I learned three things from Insider Inbox: “that” is generally useless, when to use “whom,” and Oxford commas are awesome. Also, it’s not so much a matter of knowledge as it is of perspective. When I watch a game with other fans, it seems like many don’t realize that the other team is also getting paid. Also, it’s just a game. Remembering that helps me enjoy the wins more, and at the same time, it makes it easier to move on from the losses.
I don’t let a loss ruin my day anymore. Vic preached that it was our job to watch. I actually enjoy watching now. It allows me to be more objective and realistic about my expectations. I still scream at the TV, but my wife and kids love me after the game. Thanks for all you do for Packer Nation!
This is not from II, but from a writer/editor of II. Mike’s “What You May Have Missed” column during the season always rounds out the game experience for me and leaves me feeling richer and more informed. This column combined with II, even without the other incredible content, puts it above all other NFL team sites. Thank you.
It’s the simple things, receivers are commonplace, you can’t sign everybody, the salary cap, and you pay it, you cap it.
Etienne from St. Joachim de Tourelle, Canada
For II, I gained clarity and perspective, calm, a better understanding of the concept as jars on a shelf, players, not plays; the human confrontation, the rarity of great men, I was more realistic, even knelt as a fan, as well as all the little things that happen in Packers nation like family night, the bike tradition, not being too ahead of schedule, the salary cap concept, and down-to-earth analysis. Your guys’ content is awesome, not like a stupid comment I made after Aaron Jones left. Long live II.
What I learned most from reading II was how the salary cap impacts personnel decisions and how those decisions help set our beloved Packers up for success in any given season.
What’s the most important thing I learned from Insider Inbox? I learned that given enough time, I can always find a way to whittle a 613-character message down to fit within Inbox’s 500-character limit. Inbox taught me patience. Now, why can’t I be more concise, like Lori or Margeaux?
Dan from Cross Plains, Wisconsin
It certainly taught me a lot and I gained a world of knowledge from years of reading. However, I would say it wasn’t the knowledge that was invaluable, but the attitudes that Wes and Spoff adopted that were instilled in my subconscious. Understanding that a full NFL season is a roller coaster and not overreacting every week made each season much more enjoyable. Thanks for helping me keep my head down!
Steven from Wilmington, North Carolina
This is more than just a piece of knowledge. It started with Vic and has been passed down through our current II leaders. The constant reminder is that every game is just a game, every play is just a play and anything can happen in the next one. So stay present and enjoy the show. You never really know what’s going to happen next.
I love learning about the ceiling and how money can be moved and hidden but never lost. Through the site I love learning their life story. How they got to where they are. Everyone should have their story told. Thanks guys.