Thursday Cheese Curds: Long snappers are people, too

There are two obvious points related to training camp that bear repeating: not everyone who plays in the NFL is a star, but every NFL opportunity could be life-changing.

I’m ripping that description straight out of our first headline today because it’s true. Even for long snappers like Jake Coco, who will never go on to be a star in the NFL even if he’s the greatest ever at his position, the chance to play in the NFL could literally change his life.

It’s easy to forget things like that. Most of our interactions with NFL football players are pretty dehumanized. They’re names on our fantasy football rosters or handles on Twitter or news items on the ESPN ticker.

But they’re people, too, and a lot of them are just guys trying their best to make the most of literally the biggest moment of their lives so far.

That’s the situation Jack Coco faces heading into training camp this year, and he’s hardly alone. There are many other players like him in Green Bay and hundreds more throughout the league.

I’m not saying you’re obligated to root for the underdog or anything, but it’s always worth remembering that football players are people first and players second, and the things that end up being news fodder for us could be life-altering events for them.

Jack Coco put in the work to earn life-changing opportunity with Packers | Packers.com

On top of being a good story, Jack Coco has a cool name.

Aaron Rodgers: Packers rookie WRs ‘look the part’ physically | Packers Wire

Rodgers had good things to say about the Packers’ young receivers, but urged caution and patience with their development.

Ranking the NFL’s top 10 off-ball linebackers for 2022: Execs, coaches, players make their picks for best inside linebackers | ESPN+

De’Vondre Campell doesn’t make the top ten, but he’s close.

Film Shows How Matt Ryan Can Help Colts | Football Outsiders

The Colts’ odyssey at quarterback has been fascinating. Can Matt Ryan do what Carson Wentz and Philip Rivers couldn’t?

Alligator found swimming in Wisconsin lake | UPI

Everybody involved seems pretty chill about this. “If you lost your alligator, please contact us, so you can be reunited,” wrote the agency that collected the alligator.