A Packer Fan's Story - Part Deux - The Tebow Hex

While the recently drafted rookie class of the Green Bay Packers gathers this weekend to be wowed, dazzled and overwhelmed by all that is the Green 'n' Gold, we thought we'd share an update with you to the story of Steve, our longtime friend and regular reader of Packer Fans United. He said it was OK to publish this latest adventure. So, without further ado...A Packer Fan's Story - Part Deux, from Washington, D.C.

The Biking Jogging Incident
By Steve

In my first book, Theophilus, I dealt with how the wearing of a Packers t-shirt in Metro Washington, D.C. inspired the kind outreach in a biking mishap by a fellow Packer fan, also born in Wauwatosa, WI (see original post here). In this my second book, I ask, "Did the wearing of a New York Jets Tim Tebow shirt bring bad luck and hinder assistance during a Metro DC running incident?"

Having already slept in the Tebow t-shirt, I rolled out of bed, changed from my Clareware pajama bottoms to running shorts, donned my freshly washed Catholic Charities disaster relief baseball hat, laced up the Sauconys, and prepared my wrists with my runners watch and "in case of emergency, call..." band. (Editor's note: any brands out there reading this...send the product placement mention royalties to me, please, not Steve. That is all...)

On this muggy Saturday morning, but a few hours from a spring thunderstorm, I began to sweat profusely as I ran around a campus block. Somewhat early on a Saturday morning, there were few university students to offer up a thumbs up or thumbs down to my New York Jets Tim Tebow t-shirt. As I ran around the block that constitutes the CUA Dufour Sports Center, I spotted an opening to the gate of the athletic track and chose the modern running track over the cracked sidewalk and streets -- much easier on the knees.

About 30 minutes later, attempting to exit the outdoor track through the same gate, I noticed that the gate was now locked shut. Hmm, adorned by my New York Jets Tim Tebow t-sirt, I ran around the premises to determine whether any other gates were unlocked. No luck; furthermore, the sports center building was locked. Basically, Theophilus, I was locked inside the outdoor athletic facility at The Catholic University of America. Would I be fed to the lions in this 21st century Coliseum?

Like all modern campuses, this one also has emergency phones ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, I approached the standard and called Security. I explained that I was a resident of one of the halls, had entered the track through an unlocked gate, but was now locked inside. The dispatcher assured me that she would send someone over to escort me through the building and off the premises.

A few minutes later, I waved down a robust security officer. He asked what I was doing on the grounds. I explained that the track gate was unlocked but was now locked. He looked at my New York Jets Tim Tebow t-shirt and asked, "Do you have a (University) ID?" I answered, "Yes, in my room...".

When he asked for any ID, I did wave my wrist at him, with the emergency band info to call in times of trouble! After looking at my shirt and asking me a few more times how I got inside the track and if I had an ID, he finally unlocked the sports center, and led me through the building. As I mentioned, it was rather humid, and my Sauconys did pick up some moisture and mud during the morning run, so I did almost wipe out on the stairs in the athletic center as he escorted me out the building. Great, I thought, first this guy wonders what the stranger with the New York Jets Tim Tebow t-shirt is doing running on our locked track; then, he breaks an ankle on our stairway while being escorted off the property.

He asked if I were OK, and I replied, "No worries, sir; I always use hand rails on stairs."

Moral of the story: "Packer gear: Don't leave home without it.

Thanks again, Steve, for sharing this most recent sport attire incident with us. But really: Tebow? Jets? Had to be a freebie...no way you would have paid for that! And obviously, it sure didn't garner you any major assistance points either, did it?

Which leads me to the Editor's moral of the story: it's great to be a Packers fan! Just be sure to wear your gear! (In fact, you can get some great Packer Fans United gear here.)! Get the respect you deserve! Don't be forced to wear some funky Jets-Tebow stuff. It's just not worth it, man. C'mon...order today!!!

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers Bits and Pieces

It was an exciting post-draft week for the Green Bay Packers and their fans. Firstly, the Pack had, by most accounts, a successful draft overall. We gave it an A- and that seemed to be a popular grade among many if not most pundits. Yes, it could be argued the team needed to add a safety and didn't. Or a starting left tackle, and didn't. A few things like that brought down some people's opinion of the Pack's draft.

But on the other hand, the Packers picked up arguably the best running back in the draft -- Eddie Lacy -- and, according to some others, the second best back, Johnathan Franklin. Barring injury, that duo could be the starting backfield along with fullback John Kuhn. Given the paucity of a Packers running game since the departure of Ryan Grant at least and, some might say, Ahman Green, these two picks alone will give a much-needed boost and variation to an offense that for the last few years has been far-too one dimensional.

On the defensive side of the ball, DE Datone Jones may provide enough of a pass rush presence to make offenses account for more than just Clay Matthews in their protection schemes. DT Josh Boyd should help bolster and give relief to a defensive front that needed some depth. LB Nate Palmer spent time already with linebackers coach Kevin Greene. Greene, according to reports, told Palmer that he could help take his play to another level. Apparently, the Packers see something in Palmer they like. Very much.

The Flip-Flop
While the lack of offensive tackle picks bothered some, the Pack did add depth with the selections of David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter. But the other way the Pack addressed the offensive line issues of last year -- far too many sacks given up -- was to shuffle the existing players.

This week, head coach Mike McCarthy announced that they were moving Bryan Bulaga from the right tackle position to the left and also flipping Josh Sitton from right guard to left. Bulaga and Sitton are the two best offensive linemen the Packers have and it makes sense for them to be protecting the blindside of the $100+ million quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Evan Dietrich-Smith will anchor the line at center, while T.J. Lang will move from right guard to left. Marshall Newhouse will move from left tackle to right. So the personnel is the same, but they will now be playing different sides of the line. Let's hope it works out as planned. Let's also hope they are able to create some lanes for what could be the best running attack the Packers have had in a generation.

Al Harris Retires as a Packer
Former Packers CB Al Harris retired as a Green Bay Packer this week, despite not playing for the team for about 3-1/2 years. But that's OK, Al wanted to retire with the team and in the city that meant the most to him during his long career. He had many memorable moments as a Packer before a torn ACL ended his run with the team. But can we ever forget that interception off Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck in overtime of the playoffs? No. But if you need a reminder, just click here

Packers Shareholders Meeting Set for July 24
For those who are proud shareholders of the Green Bay Packers, the team announced that its annual meeting will be held at Lambeau Field on Wed. July 24. Once again, each shareholder will be able to bring a guest and, of course, revel in all things Packers. It doesn't get any better than that!

Learn more about the shareholders meeting here.

Packers Draft Re-Cap

The Green Bay Packers came through the three days and seven rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft with 11 selections when it was all said and done. GM Ted Thompson started off on Thursday with eight picks, wound up at the end of that day with a total of 10 yet to be used for the remaining rounds; yes, that would make 12 overall. But he used one of those picks on Day 2 to move up a few spots in Round 4 to select RB Johnathan Franklin of UCLA. When the draft finally completed last evening, the Packers had 11 new players to add to the pre-season roster mix. (This writer, by the way, in a pre-draft post had noted that Thompson would wheel-and-deal his way to wind up with at least 10 picks when it was over. I was close.)

What can we say, first, about the draft overall and, secondly, the selections in particular? Let's get the first question out of the way. I'd give Thompson and the Packers an A- on this draft. As I said in a reply to someone on Twitter during the draft, I had high expectations and they were exceeded. In scanning some of the pundit and media reviews of the Packers' picks, it seems as if the overall grades range from A to B depending upon the reviewer's view, of course (and individual player ratings generally ranged from A to C). So let's just not get into too many details about the overall grade. The Packers did well. Very well.

In particular, it seems as if many sportswriters' views of the success of the Packers' picks focuses around the two running backs they selected: Eddie Lacy out of Alabama and the aforementioned Franklin. Lacy, to many, was arguably the highest-rated running back in the draft and a likely first-round pick. He was a great value pick for the Packers, falling to number 61 in the second round. Franklin was also viewed very positively by many and for the Packers to wind up with both apparently left many in awe. Not just for the caliber of the backs themselves, but for the fact that the Packers might -- after so many years of floundering in the running game -- finally have a duo in the backfield that provides a thunder-and-lightening combination that could give defenses fits. Especially in terms of what it will do to further open up the Packers' passing attack. Add in last season's late arrival and impact running back, DuJuan Harris, and the Packers might finally have something to provide balance in the offensive scheme that we haven't seen in a long, long time.

The Picks for the Pack
Without further ado, let's just list who the Packers picked up in the draft. We'll then take a look at the undrafted free agents signed by the Packers so far.

• Round 1 #26 DE Datone Jones, UCLA
• Round 2 #61 RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama
• Round 4 #109 OT David Bakhtiari, Colorado
• Round 4 #122 OT J.C. Tretter, Cornell
• Round 4 #125 RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
• Round 5 #159 CB Micah Hyde, Iowa
• Round 5 #167 DE Josh Boyd, Mississippi State
• Round 6 #193 LB Nate Palmer, Illinois State
• Round 7 #216 WR Charles Johnson, Grand Valley State
• Round 7 #224 WR Kevin Dorsey, Maryland
• Round 7 #232 LB Sam Barrington, South Florida

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

• QB Matt Brown, Illinois State
• S Ben Ericksen, Illinois State
• G Patrick Lewis, Texas A&M
• OLB Andy Mulumba, Eastern Michigan
• RB Angelo Pease, Kansas State
• NT Gilbert Pena, Mississippi
• TE Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State
• G Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State
• CB Damond Smith, South Alabama
• S Cedrick Moore, Stony Brook
• C Patrick Lewis, Texas A&M

What Does it All Mean?
The general consensus among pundits seems to be that, after the Packers got shredded by the 49ers in the playoffs, changes needed to be made on both sides of the ball. And that's what the Packers have done with these signings and a few recent moves. "Bigger," "faster," "stronger" are descriptors which can apply favorably in most sports, but especially football. The Packers definitely got bigger and stronger with their selections. They may have also gotten faster, particularly with the addition of Franklin and Johnson, both of whom are speedsters. Hopefully, they also perhaps got a bit tougher. They'll need it all to go head to head against the 49ers again this season -- and every other team on a tough schedule -- beginning in the 2013 season week 1 re-match.

There's an excellent article on this very topic in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by sportswriter Tom Silverstein. I recommend you read it.

For now, it looks very good for the Packers going into their early pre-season OTAs and mini-camps. That's what we think. Tell us how you think the Packers did with their draft by taking our poll in the upper righthand column. Inquiring minds want to know: what grade would you assign?

What's in store for the Packers, NFL Draft Rounds 4-7?

Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson started the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday night with eight draft picks. By the end of the second day of the draft (rounds 2 and 3), Trader Ted had accumulated 12 picks total at his command...10 of them for use today as the Draft winds up with rounds 4 through 7.

To briefly recap, Thompson and the Packers stayed put at number 26 in the 1st round and got someone they had apparently been targeting: UCLA DE Datone Jones. Former coach and now ESPN talking head, Jon Gruden, called Jones his "sleeper pick" of the 1st round. The general consensus was that the Packers did very well getting Jones, who should make an immediate impact on the defensive line's overall performance.

The Packers were set up in the second round to pick at number 55. However, they traded down out of that pick with the 49ers. For dropping six spots to number 61, they picked up the 173rd pick overall. The drop didn't seem to hurt them any, as they wound up selecting arguably the best running back in the Draft, Eddie Lacy out of Alabama. Why other backs were chosen ahead of Lacy -- who was projected in most mock drafts to be a 1st rounder -- is anyone's guess. As Packer fans, we may wind up viewing this as another gift from the football gods much in the same way as Aaron Rodgers falling into the Packers' lap. Gil Brandt, a highly-respected evaluator of league talent, had this to say on Lacy: "I think this guy has a chance to be better than Trent Richardson." We'd take that wouldn't we, Packer fans? You bet.

The Packers also had a pick at 88 in the 3rd round. But, they traded down again with the 49ers to the 93rd pick. Strap yourself in now...because when the 93rd pick came on the clock, the Packers traded that pick to the Miami Dolphins. Still with me? Anyway, for moving out of that slot, the Packers got numbers 109, 146, and 224 from Miami.

Packers Picks Coming Up
It can all get a bit confusing, can't it? So, let's summarize what's in store for the Packers during rounds 4-7 today, with the number of the overall pick and round (at least as the day begins and pending any other moves the Packers might make):

• 109 - Round 4
• 122 - Round 4
• 146 - Round 5
• 159 - Round 5
• 167 - Round 5
• 173 - Round 6
• 193 - Round 6
• 216 - Round 7
• 224 - Round 7
• 232 - Round 7

That's quite a boatload of draft picks. Which is just how Ted Thompson likes it, thank you very much. This is also typically where Thompson seems to work much of his drafting magic: in the later rounds. Given that this is considered a deep draft, Thompson has to be chomping at the bit to see how the board unfolds for him throughout the course of the day.

The Packers addressed two major needs with the first two picks. Now, the Packers and Thompson will address other needs: offensive line, safety, linebacker, receiver and tight end. With 10 picks to work with, Thompson should have a field day.

And when the draft is all said and done, it's not really all said and done. That's because the next day or two will bring about the signings of undrafted free agents. Again, given how deep this draft is, we can expect that Thompson may find a gem or two among the undrafted players, as well. It will be fun to watch.

C'mon...say it with me: It's great to be a Packer fan!

Go Pack Go!!!

Eddie Lacy: Packers running back

After trading out of the 55th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, swapping places with the 49ers at number 61 and getting an extra pick in the sixth round (#173), and seeing a first round pick in the form of Alabama running back Eddie Lacy still on the board, the Green Bay Packers had to take him. It was too much a value pick, not to mention need.

As former Colts GM Bill Polian said after the pick, "The happiest man in America tonight is Aaron Rodgers." He of course noted not just Rodgers' huge new contract extension (see earlier post from this evening), but also the fact that he's now got a running back that is a legitimate every-down type of runner and someone defenses are going to have to account for. That's something that hasn't happened in a while, as Packer fans know all too well.

Packer fans have to be pleased with the first two picks of this draft for the Pack. Granted, I was hoping that Montee Ball would be the Packers' selection in round two, but he went a couple picks earlier to Denver after the Packers dropped down. If the Pack had wanted Ball, they would have stayed at number 55. Apparently, they felt Lacy would fit their needs. Hard to argue with from a power standpoint. If they want speed in the backfield, pair him up with DuJuan Harris and see what defenses can do trying to defend that combination. And with a 4.44 40-yard time, Lacy isn't exactly slow, either. This could make Rodgers and a potent passing offense even more of a nightmare for defenses.

Now, let's hope Thompson picks an offensive lineman, a receiver, and a safety somewhere along the way.

We'll have more on the round two and three selections tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Go Pack Go!!!

Aaron Rodgers. Deal. Done.

As if the Green Bay Packers didn't have enough on their collective plate right now with the 2013 NFL Draft going on, they decided to finish off their contract extension talks with QB Aaron Rodgers.


Apparently, the Pack decided to do it up right. After all, if you're the professional football team located in the league's smallest city why not make history? And that's what the Packers did. They rewarded Rodgers with the highest salary in NFL history. Rodgers got a five-year, $110 million contract extension, averaging $22 million per year.

Read this great article by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for more of the details.

Packers get 1st round "sleeper" DE Datone Jones

Let's first admit: I got it wrong. My guess, as I posted in pre-draft entries here, was that the Green Bay Packers would trade down out of the the number 26 spot in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft to acquire additional picks. That's typically GM Ted Thompson's way of doing things. My updated guess is that, somehow, he's still going to wind up with more than the eight picks with which he started.

(Courtesy UCLA)
But that's not the point here. Thompson and the Packers stuck with their first round pick because there was someone on the board that they had targeted and, in fact, didn't think would still be available, according to Thompson. That player was indeed available when the Pack went on the clock. And they got him: UCLA DE Datone Jones. Welcome to the Packers, Mr. Jones. Glad to have you in the Green 'n' Gold, and wearing jersey number 95.

As the Packers' number finally came up in round one, ESPN displayed Mel Kiper Jr.s' 10 best picks still available...according to him, of course. Jones was nowhere to be seen on that list. When the selection was announced, former coach and current talking head, Jon Gruden, declared that this was his "sleeper" pick of the first round. He went on to say he thought the Packers got a great player who will add considerably to the defensive performance of the Pack. Personally, I tend to trust Gruden's instincts more than Kiper's.

As Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Packers writer extraordinaire, Bob McGinn, says in his article about Jones, "Jones, 6 feet 4 inches and 280 pounds, is the prototypical base end that teams with 3-4 schemes crave but the Packers have played without for the last four seasons." Ted Thompson, from the post-draft press conference, is quoted by McGinn as saying, "We talked about (Jones') length. I don't think that can drive your decision. But we were looking for something a little bit different than what we have." McGinn notes, "With (Jerel) Worthy doubtful to play a contributing role in 2013 because of reconstructive knee surgery in mid-January, Jones will be expected to become an immediate fixture in the nickel defense alongside either Neal or Raji."

How well that all shakes out come game days in the 2013 season remains to be seen. But the general consensus among fans and pundits alike last evening was that this was a needed and good selection for the Packers. For what it's worth, yours truly concurs. As more than one pundit noted after the pick, the Packers have been desperately seeking a replacement for the loss of Cullen Jenkins for the last several years; most think the Pack got that replacement last night with the selection of Jones.

How sweet that would be.

Go Pack Go!!!

Who will the Packers pick in NFL Draft?

Today is like Christmas for football fans everywhere, and it is one of the revered days for fans of the Green Bay Packers. The first day of the NFL Draft means our team gets to open presents...gifts in the form of new players, that is. But it's really even better than that because the team gets to select its own presents!

On the other hand, as with some gifts, they occasionally don't work out so well. They don't perform as advertised or as expected. If you pick something out for yourself, sometimes you wonder, "What the heck was I thinking?". That is not the response any NFL team general manager wants to have rolling around his head a few months from now when the realization strikes that you have a bust on your hands and you blew a draft pick.

OK, OK...enough negatives...

For Packer fans, we're always curious to see exactly what GM Ted Thompson will do. He plays his cards as close to the vest as any Mississippi riverboat gambler. The Packers go into the first round with the 26th pick overall. The last time they picked at 26, they got a fairly good player. Someone named Clay Matthews. Actually, Ted had to move up in the draft order to get him. I'd say that was a pretty good call, wouldn't you? Moving up in the order is typically not something Thompson does unless he's exceptionally keen on a player. Whether there is anyone in this draft that similarly excites Mr. Thompson we will all have to wait to see.

My guess is that Thompson will move down into the second round, perhaps the late 30s or early 40s, and acquire more picks in the process...which is something we all know Thompson likes to do. He did that a few years back and choose WR Jordy Nelson in the 40s. Not bad.

So, here's your chance to play Packers general manager. We have a poll in the column to the right asking you what position the Packers will address with their first pick in the draft, wherever it comes in the order. We don't need names, just the position. So...what are you waiting for? Vote now! The poll is open until 7 p.m. CT tonight.

Regardless of how things shake out tonight and over the next few days of the Draft, it's great to be a Packer fan!

GO PACK GO!!!

Packers to stay pat, move up or move down in NFL Draft. Which will it be?

With the NFL Draft beginning in three days, the conversations online and over the airwaves are starting to really gain momentum. For the Green Bay Packers, aside from the speculation as to who the Pack will pick, discussion always takes place as to whether GM Ted Thompson will stay with his first pick (#26 overall in the first round), trade up to get someone he really covets, or trade down to acquire additional picks.

When you look at Thompson's historical M.O., he generally prefers to acquire more picks in a draft than he goes into it with. He said as much in his pre-draft press conference late last week. Something to the effect that it's kind of like baseball: the more swings you have the more likely you are to get a hit. That's the way Thompson views the draft overall. Going into this draft with eight selections, one would expect Thompson to attempt to leverage that into perhaps 10 picks when all is said and done. That probably means trading down out of the 26th pick to get an additional pick. He'll spend the draft moving up and down to get more picks overall, as well as get players that he and his staff have targeted as fitting with the Packers' system.

That's not to say Thompson won't pull the trigger at 26 if a high-value player falls to him there. Given the nature of this draft class, however, there may not be one of those players available when the Packers go on the clock.

I realize we're talking in generalities here but, really, that's about the best we can do. We're looking at the past as a precursor to the future. It's this writer's guess (and that's all) that Thompson will trade down into somewhere in the early second round -- perhaps somewhere in the 40's -- to start geting more picks. There's a good deal of talent of roughly equal ability at the positions that the Packers need: safety, running back, offensive line, receiver, linebacker and tight end. The top picks in each category -- perhaps with the exception of running back -- will likely be off the board by the time the Packers number comes up in the first round. It would be very surprising if Thompson were to take a running back in the first round, despite many mock drafts having the Packers selecting Eddie Lacy out of Alabama. On the other hand, if DE Datone Jones from UCLA were to be available at #26, I could well imagine Thompson selecting him. Beyond that...I see Packer fans waiting a while for the Pack's first pick of the 2013 draft.

But I also see Packer fans being happy with the outcome of the draft. There are not a lot of big names to be found. But it seems as if Thompson always works his draft magic with relative unknowns anyway. The Packers will take a running back in the draft, perhaps as high as the second round but more likely in the third. There are some good quality backs in this draft that would seem to fit the Packers' system and possibly develop into the regular back the team has so sorely needed for balance for a long, long time. The Pack will also need to pick up a safety, and someone who can probably make a contribution very early on. As for the other needs, there will be players there. And don't forget that the Packers have more than a few players who will be returning from injury this past season. That's almost like a bonus draft in a way.

The schedule makers didn't do the Packers any favors this upcoming season, awarding them the sixth toughest schedule in the league. So the players that are drafted and make the final roster will need to play and stay healthy throughout that tough schedule.

Pre-draft, it's all guesswork on our part. No better or worse than anyone else's from that standpoint.

The best that can be said is: it's great to be a Packer fan!

GO PACK GO!!!