NFL lockout cosmic debris, including an 8-game season

With a nod to the late, great Frank Zappa (cf., Cosmic Debris), let's catch up on a few bits and pieces of note from the cultural and sports wasteland currently known as the NFL lockout.

Donald Driver says Packers still basking in glow
On yesterday's edition of NFL Live on ESPN, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver said the Packers were still basking in the glow of their Super Bowl victory. Why not? Nothing much else going on. He also said that, while players from some other teams had taken it upon themselves to work out together, members of the Packers are working out on their own. Following the phone interview with Driver, commentators Mike Golic and Tedy Bruschi said they were a bit surprised at Driver's comments. Being a veteran, they felt he needed to be projecting more of a "that was then this is now" (paraphrasing) attitude; the Super Bowl is over and the Packers players better stop basking in the glow and begin preparing for the season...whenever that is. Perhaps once the Packers players receive their rings in a private ceremony on June 16 they can begin moving on. By the way, more than 8,500 fans attended the Donald Driver charity softball event held in Appleton on Sunday. The Packers defense beat the offense, if I recall. There were some press reports yesterday that coach Mike McCarthy spent a lot of time Sunday night watching tape of the game to see what kind of shape his players were in. While the players may or may not yet be chomping at the bit to get to work it's pretty clear the coaches are more than ready.

Free Agents
On this last weekend's radio edition of Pro Football Weekly, publisher and editor Hub Arkush mentioned that roughly 30 percent of current NFL players are free agents. He noted that there will have to be some window of time for teams to sign free agents when the lockout ends. Combined with the article in PFW today which states that the NFL has plans in place for an eight-game season kicking off in -- wait for it -- November, and we can only hope the players and NFL get a deal done ASAP. Holy dash to the cash, Batman! Eight games?! Criminy! But I guess that would be better than no games. Which, whether anyone wants to admit it or not, is a possibility. Didn't the NHL shut things down for a year? OK, no comparison in fan base, granted. But this is business with mega-dollars at stake, and if both sides continue to stay dug in anything can happen.

Let us pray...

Memorial Weekend...time to reflect

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is a time in the U.S. where most folks pause -- even if but for a moment -- to remember the sacrifices of prior and current generations to keep our country free. Usually, this focuses on military sacrifices. Certainly, this nation arose out of a revolution, was nearly torn apart by a civil war, and established itself as a world leader willing to fight for the cause of liberty anywhere in the world. I know, that fighting for peace thing often seems like an oxymoron. But even in certain religious/theological circles there is the notion of a "just war."

Anyway...this post isn't meant to digress into a treatise on national history or military actions. Rather, it's just intended to take a moment...to pause...to reflect...to consider, particularly for those of us here in the U.S., the sacrifices of all who came before us to help make us the country we are today. We also need to remember and express our gratitude to our current service men and women for the sacrifices they and their families are making today, in a very different but equally threatening world. And we can also take a moment to give a nod to our ancestors for, most likely, taking the risk to come to this country at some point in time and make it their home. They survived and thrived one way or another. You and I are here because of their courage and hard work.

Peace will prevail. Let it begin with each of us.

NFL and Packers stuff
We'll get back to all-things Packers once there is actually something of note to talk about. The lockout still continues. The scuttlebutt seems to be that nothing much is going to happen until mid or late July. That's when panic will start to set in on owners and players alike. Waiting to the last minute to get something done is characteristically human. So, when faced with loss of real money through missed games, etc., that's when things will get done.

Football seems almost like a dim memory, doesn't it? Is it just me or did the Packers' Super Bowl win seem like it happened years ago instead of months ago? And will they be the most affected, least affected or won't this lockout really matter at all to the team as they gear up for a repeat as Super Bowl Champions? Time will tell. Certainly the rookies will likely be affected most negatively. Offenses will be out of synch for a while, with the upper hand going to the defenses initially.

In the meantime, the Packers will be receiving their Super Bowl rings at a private ceremony at Lambeau Field on June 16. The team had to receive special permission from the NFL to hold the ceremony as one of the conditions of the lockout is no contact between management and players except for charity events (such as the Packers' recently-completed trophy-tailgate tour throughout the state). The team still has yet to schedule the requisite visit to the White House for this same lockout condition.

So...enjoy your holiday weekend, Packers fans. We'll catch you again sometime soon.

Rodgers raises big bucks

No, Green Bay Packers quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers hasn't gone into the business of raising deer as a way to subsidize his income during the NFL lockout. Rather, he was in Milwaukee last night as the guest of honor for a fundraiser for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund. Rodgers' buddy, former NFL QB and Super Bowl winner, and current ESPN analyst, Trent Dilfer was the host. And according to all reports, this was quite the event.

As an article in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the event notes, last year's event -- also with Rodgers -- had about 180 people in attendance. Not bad. Raised about $35,000. Also not bad.

But ya know, it's amazing what winning a Super Bowl can do.

Last night, nearly 700 people attended. According to late reports today on Milwaukee radio station 620WTMJ, the event raised approximately $225,000. Key to that effort, was apparently an auction of two dinner-related items with Aaron Rodgers as part of the package. According to radio reports, each of those went for about $45,000. That's definitely some "belt-worthy" action.

Yes. It's good to be king. And if you can't be king, be the leader of the Pack who also wins a Super Bowl.

If you want to read more of the details of this event, including some very insightful comments from Rodgers, you can do so here.

Packers draft wrap-up: Rounds 4-7 (part 2)

As we continue our tortoise-like review of the Green Bay Packers' 2011 draft selections, we are now able to start getting into those later-round picks which some speculate GM Ted Thompson (and, in this time of lockout, all general managers to at least some degree) may have used in lieu of the undrafted free agent signings which would have been occurring in abundance by this time. Since no free agents can be signed until the lockout is lifted, there's no telling when such signings might be happen.

Anyway, let's have a look at the later round 6 and 7 selections for the Packers.

D.J. Smith, OLB, Appalachian State: A small (5'11, 239 lbs) outside linebacker who has good speed (4.75 40-yd. time) and instincts. He led the Southern Conference with 144 tackles, which also ranked fifth nationally in 2010. He finished his career with 525 tackles, the most among all Division I players (FCS or FBS) active last season. He was also selected to The Butkus Award Preseason Watchlist for 2010. Not bad. Smith is obviously a player who likes to be in on the action and has the desire to excel judging by his performance and accolades throughout his college career. That's just the kind of player linebackers coach Kevin Greene loves. Smith could make an immediate impact on special teams.

Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: This player is a tough one to project. He's 6'5" and 255 lbs., a bit light for a defensive end. Odds are that the Packers move him to outside linebacker. In fact, Elmore kind of figured that out himself before the draft; more on that in a moment. Elmore started 34 games at Arizona in his last three years. Some draft-niks felt that he might actually have more long-term potential than the fellow he worked opposite of at Arizona, Brooks Reed, who was selected at #42 in the 2nd round by the Texans and who some thought the Pack might select at the end of the 1st round. At #197, the Packers don't have much to lose if he doesn't make it. What's intriguing about Elmore is that last season he was the Pac-10's leader with 11 sacks and Arizona's leader with 13 tackles for loss. He earned second-team All-Pac-10 Conference honors in 2010. He's one of those players that might wind up heading to the practice squad. But that might be underestimating him. Elmore wants to play in the NFL. And he was smart enough, as noted earlier, that his only chance would likely be as a linebacker. To that end, Elmore retained the training services of Clay Matthews, Jr. -- that would be father of the Packers' Clay Matthews III -- to help him train prior to the draft. He not only wound up training under a guy that really knows the linebacker position but who also just happened to be training another son, Casey Matthews, at the time. They became a training party of three. Actually, there's a great article about Elmore training with Matthews by Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It's worth your time reading, and you can do so here.

Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina: Pretty much typical size for a tight end, 6'4" and 255 lbs., Taylor runs the 40 in 4.74 seconds. Other than coming off a knee injury about the only other info of distinction about Taylor is that he set a school record in 2010 for most receptions by a tight end in a season with 36. So that shows good hands. If he can play special teams well he might just grab a final roster spot. A long shot. But...ya never know.

Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State: Last, but not least, among the Packers' draft selection at #233 in the 7th round, Guy might just be another guy (sorry, to easy to pass that one up). Guy left ASU after his junior year because, in interviews, he said (paraprhasing) he had accomplished and learned all he wanted to there and it was time to move on. Head case? Or just a bit of youthful bluster? Your guess. The one thing that you can't argue with, though, is his size (6'4" and 305 lbs.) He played defensive tackle at ASU but would likely be more ideally suited to the defensive end position for the Packers. Apparenltly scouts -- and the Packers -- see potential for Guy. There is no rush, as the Packers are OK at defensive end right now. If Guy could be developed on the practice squad -- and take coaching -- he might be another of those hidden gems that Thompson and his crew uncover year after year.

Well, Packer fans, that's it. We have finally completed our draft review of all 10 Packers' picks! Woo-hoo!!!

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers draft wrap-up: Rounds 4-7 (part 1)

If it seems like we're stretching out this post-draft review for the Green Bay Packers...well, frankly, yes, we are. But so is just about every other sportswriter (not that I'm a sportswriter, of course...those guys get paid for timely commentary). After all, there are no free agent signings going on courtesy of the lockout, nor are there any mini-camps, OTAs, etc. And -- NEWSFLASH -- news just broke as I'm writing this that the NFL got a stay of the injunction, meaning the lockout will remain in place until June at the least. Not good, folks, not good.

So, what else is there to talk about right now except this last weekend's draft? Might as well drag this puppy out as long as we can. (By the way, that reference is a metaphor and not intended to get the folks at PETA upset. Just wanna make that clear.)

We left off our review at round 4.

Davon House, CB, New Mexico State: House is a big (listed at 6'1", 200 lbs.) and fast (4.50 40-yd. time at Combine) D-back who should immediately compete with the likes of veterans Pat Lee and Jarret Bush for nickel and other packages, including special teams. (Although, as a long-time critic of Bush's play, I have to acknowledge that he stepped up his game big time last year.) House was a four-year starter for the Aggies (the New Mexico State version, not Texas A&M). He is a physical cornerback, can play at the line and is good in coverage. He also is durable, having missed no games due to injury. He was not on a very good team this past season, which might be one of the reasons he may have not been selected in earlier rounds. Also, because of his cover ability, opposing teams generally tried to avoid throwing his way, which again may have made some teams overlook him. While D-back was not a great need for the Packers, as we saw last year, you can never have enough good players at any position. This looks like a very good pick, especially for the 4th round.

D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas: This may just wind up being the steal of the draft for the Packers. Williams plays bigger than his size (6'2" 245 lbs.), but is primarily a receiving tight end more so than a blocking variety. He's got good speed (4.67 40-yd. time at Combine) and great hands. He won the Mackey Award as the nation's best college tight end this past season. He immediately upgrades the Packers' tight end corps. While not as good a blocker at this point as Andrew Quarless, he has much better hands. He can also be used coming out of the backfield as an H-back type player. Pairing Williams with Jermichael Finley in two-tight-end sets, along with the host of other offensive weapons coach Mike McCarthy can line up, should keep defensive coordinators up at night for a long time to come. Williams won the 2010 Disney Spirit Award, presented to college football's most inspirational individual, because of his personal story. He was selected All-SEC first team for the 2010 season. Expect great things for a long time to come from this player.

Caleb Schlauderauff, OG Utah: A name that scores 20 points in Scrabble: pronounced, by the way, as "chla-der-off." This was one of those picks, as many if not most are in the later rounds, that make you say, "Who?". But as we well know as Packer fans, these are often exactly the guys that GM Ted Thompson and his scouts find as real gems in the rough. Whether Schlauderauff turns out that way or not, who knows? There was no record of his performance at the Combine as he didn't participate due to pectoral and hamstring strains. He is a big body, 6'4" and 305 lbs, and started all 13 games at left guard for the Utes (as opposed to "da yutes" which is a not-so-obscure Joe Pesci film reference). In 2010 he was second-team Walter Camp and SI.com All-America offensive guard, third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-Mountain West Conference. He's said in scouting reports to be a physical blocker well suited to zone blocking schemes, which is just up the Packers' alley. Should Daryn Colledge depart, Schlauderauff -- can we just call him Caleb, for typo's sake, please?! -- could well compete with T.J. Lang for playing time.

We've only just begun to hit rounds 6 and 7, folks. Check back later for more. Yep, we're gonna milk this for all it's worth.

Packers draft wrap-up: Rounds 1-3

Now that the dust has settled from the 2011 NFL Draft, we can begin to get a better feel for exactly what the latest members of the Green Bay Packers' rookie class might bring to the team. That's once the lockout is lifted, of course, and things get back to normal.

It should also be mentioned at the outset, however, that we'd also normally be talking about all the undrafted free agent signings at this point. That's not a part of the picture at the moment because of the lockout. Pundits suggest that, depending upon how long the lockout lasts, these are the players that stand to lose the most. And just think of the undrafted free agents that helped the Pack win a Super Bowl last season: CB Sam Shields and LB Frank Zombo among them. There are good players out there that for whatever reasons didn't hear their names called. We also know that GM Ted Thompson and his scouts are probably the best in the business at finding these hidden gems, and that head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff are probably the best in the business at "coaching them up" to be valuable contributors -- perhaps even starters -- for the Green Bay Packers.

But, let's talk about what we do know about the 10 young men chosen to see what they can bring to make the already great Packers even greater. We'll start in this post with the Packers' selections through the first three rounds and then follow up later with the rest of the picks.

Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State: Much this year like Bryan Bulaga was last year. Drafted to back up and learn behind LT Chad Clifton and be the heir apparent. Due to injuries last season, Bulaga filled in on occasion at left tackle but wound up solidifying the right side after veteran RT Mark Tauscher went down for the season. The good news is Sherrod doesn't have to start right away. But he will compete, and you can be sure that offensive line coach James Campen will have Sherrod ready to go if need be. Whether he or Bulaga ultimately fill the left or right tackle slot is a decision that will come down the road.

Randall Cobb, WR/Returner, Kentucky: As Thompson said in his comments about Cobb following his selection, Cobb basically was Kentucky's offense. In addition to being an excellent receiver, Cobb also spent time at Kentucky at quarterback, running back ala wildcat, returner and even as the holder for field goals. Think McCarthy and crew won't find a way to have this guy make plays? One area where he could make an immediate impact is on punt and kick returns where, as every fan knows, the Pack hasn't exactly been great since what seems like forever. As a receiver, word is that Cobb is perhaps better suited to the slot than as a wideout. This gives him the opportunity to learn behind one of the best at that position, Donald Driver. But we also know that McCarthy likes to have his receivers be able to play at any of the positions. You can be sure new receivers coach, Edgar Bennett, will maximize Cobb's potential. The selection of Cobb also gives the Packers a bit of flexibility and depth should WR James Jones depart in free agency, as some speculate.

Alexander Green, RB, Hawaii: This seemed to be a bit of a surprise pick. Not because we didn't expect Thompson to select a running back, but because this player's name didn't seem to be on anyone's pre-draft radar this high...except for Thompson's, of course. Given the uncertainty of Ryan Grant's return to form, and the half-season and playoff wonder that was James Starks, the Pack's running back situation is a bit uncertain. Brandon Jackson is expected to leave in free agency, which opens up a slot for a third-down back such a Green. He gained over 9 yards per carry in Hawaii's spread offense. He had about 1,500 all-purpose yards last season and 19 touchdowns. Green is 6'0" and 225 lbs. He's got a chance to make a real impact if he can pick up blocking sets, which is an area at which Jackson was generally very good. Green could be yet another dynamic weapon for Aaron Rodgers in what is, as commentator Ron Jaworski called it during draft coverage, an awesome offense.

That's the first three rounds. Rounds four through seven later. Keep checking back for updates.

Packers draft wrap-up...Part 1

The 2011 NFL Draft is in the books for the Green Bay Packers and the other 31 teams in the league. The draft, by all appearances, is a good one for the Pack. Here's a quick look at the picks:

• 1st Round #32 - Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
• 2nd Round #64 - Randall Cobb, WR/Returner, Kentucky
• 3rd Round #96 - Alex Green, RB, Hawaii
• 4th Round #131 - Davon House, DB, New Mexico State
• 5th Round #141 - D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
• 6th Round #171 - Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah
• 6th Round #186 - D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian State
• 6th Round #197 - Ricky Elmore, DL, Arizona
• 7th Round #217 - Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina
• 7th Round #233 - Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State

We'll be back tomorrow with a more thorough review of this draft. But by all initial looks, GM Ted Thompson and his scouting crew have done an excellent job making a great team even greater by adding depth at key slots. A competitive depth chart will be even more competitive...whenever the lockout ends. And that doesn't even include the undrafted free agents who can't be signed yet by any team because of the lockout. Some good players are still sitting on the sidelines. Literally.

Feel good, folks. Because it's great to be a Packers fan!

Go Pack Go!!!

What do rounds 4-7 hold for Packers?

It's less than two hours to the start of the final day of the 2011 NFL Draft and rounds 4 through 7. What's ahead for the Green Bay Packers? The quick answer is: who knows? Well, OK, GM Ted Thompson knows, but that doesn't do the rest of us much good at the moment, does it?

After throwing all or most of us a curve ball (is that an appropriate metaphor for football?) during the first three rounds -- going all offense -- we have to believe that Thompson will turn his eye more toward the defense with his remaining picks. Yes, they will stick to their best-player-available philosophy. But if it's a toss-up, you just have to think the Packers' selection might skew more to the defensive player.

The Packers can still use additional depth on the defensive line, outside linebacker, and cornerback. Having said that, if there is an offensive guard or center prospect on the board that might add to the line, have no doubt that Thompson will pull the trigger there, too.

Speculation that the Packers might draft a quarterback in later rounds has perhaps lessened with the team's second-round selection of Randall Cobb. While primarily a wide receiver/returner, Cobb offers the Packers incredible flexibility because he was a quarterback in high school and early in his college career at Kentucky. He has also played out of the "wildcat" formation. I wouldn't expect Mike McCarthy to go that route and take Aaron Rodgers off the field. But the fact that Cobb has the tools to play quarterback in an emergency situation is certainly a better option than Greg Jennings, the current emergency quarterback. As a result, I think this frees up Thompson to use a pick for something other than a QB in these late rounds. It's possible someone might still be signed as an undrafted free agent for training camp purposes, whenever that is allowed under the current lockout. Teams need camp arms and the Pack is no different in that regard.

All in all, through the first three rounds, we have to give the Packers an "A-" grade. All three of the first picks, OT Derek Sherrod, WR/R Randall Cobb, and RB Alex Green all can make immediate contributions to the Packers. And that's saying a lot when you're rookies come to an already well-stocked Super Bowl Championship team. It will be interesting to see how Thompson approaches these remaining rounds as this is where teams are really built, and also where Thompson has often had some of his best picks.

As one reporter noted about the Packers' selections so far, the rich get richer. As Packer fans, we love it when they talk like that!

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers pick up Hawaii running back Green

It's only appropriate that a running back with the last name Green goes to the Green Bay Packers: the Pack selected Hawaii RB Alex Green with the 96th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

With depth seemingly more an issue on the defensive side of the ball than offense, GM Ted Thompson once again has confused the masses by going all offense in the first three rounds of the draft. Based upon his track record, he's right on track to continuing to improve the team in the best ways possible.

Let's review briefly. In the first round, Thompson picked up OT Derek Sherrod. With their only pick of the second round, the Packers chose WR Randall Cobb, who may also be the answer at punt and/or kick returner. And at the end of round three, Thompson got a running back, Alex Green from Hawaii. It was speculated that Thompson would make these position selections somewhere in the draft. With the exception of Sherrod in the first round, taking a receiver and running back with these selections may be a bit of a surprise. At least to the uninitiated. Which we all are compared to Thompson, let's be honest.

Thompson's draft board is set up to take the best player available. Obviously, at each of those picks Thompson took exactly that as he and his personnel and scouting team evaluated it.

With Sherrod, the Packers may have the successor to Chad Clifton when that day comes. With Cobb, the Pack adds to an already deep receiving corps and may provide insurance in case James Jones departs in free agency if and when that is in effect in some form for the upcoming season; they also have a returner. Finally, with Green, the Packers add a runner with size, balance and good hands to their backfield. He's not an every down runner, but in the Packers' scheme that's not necessary anyway. He will be a third-down type back who undoubtedly will challenge veteran Brandon Jackson for a roster spot.

It's the end of day two of the draft. If you are a Packers fan -- and I know you are! -- you have to be pleased with the new additions to the Super Bowl Champion team.

More tomorrow as the draft continues.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers add Randall Cobb to receiver corps

With the 64th selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, and with Hall of Fame fullback Jim Taylor making the announcement, the Green Bay Packers selected Kentucky wide receiver/returner Randall Cobb.

According to the Packers official site, "Cobb, 5-10, 191, was used in a variety of roles by Kentucky, including as punt-returner. He’s been timed in the mid-4.4 area and he’s famous for his spirited play." You can read more about Cobb here.

It was speculated by this observer and many others that GM Ted Thompson might move up in the second round to take defensive help that was still on the board. As the draft went into the late 30th and early 40th selections, however, it seemed to be less and less likely that would happen. Yours truly speculated on Twitter that the draft must somehow be falling in a way anticipated by Thompson and his staff and that he'd probably stay at #64. And so he did. The result was a young receiver that might also give the Pack the punt and kick returner the team has lacked seemingly since...I dunno...does anyone remember???

Cobb is a burner and reportedly operates well out of the slot position. While Packers receivers work at all positions, finding someone to relieve Donald Driver in the slot occasionally may help prolong Driver's productivity as well as allow Cobb to develop in the midst of arguably the best receiving corps in the league and behind one of the best and toughest slot receivers in the NFL.

We'll be back later with an update on the Pack's next pick, #96, unless they trade out of it. And, of course, more tomorrow.

For the first two picks of this draft, kudos to Thompson and his crew.

Packers "protect the franchise" with draft pick

With the 32nd and final pick of the 2011 NFL Draft's first round, the Green Bay Packers selected Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod. Or, as Packers' linebacker extraordinaire, Clay Matthews, Tweeted after the selection, "protect the franchise." And if anyone needs reminding to whom that refers look no further than QB Aaron Rodgers. Yes, even the Claymaker -- who no doubt was salivating at the idea of adding to the defense some of the great defensive ends and linebackers still on the board -- recognized the need to make sure Rodgers stays healthy and upright as the key to the Pack's future success.

Combined with last year's first round pick, Bryan Bulaga, some pundits -- including yours truly (OK, self-described pundit) -- think the Pack may have their bookened tackles for the next decade. Who plays right or left at this point doesn't matter. The point is, the Packers now have two very large and capable players to anchor both ends of the offensive line. While Sherrod may compete for a starting role, as long as Chad Clifton stays on the field there will be no rush to insert him into the starting line.

One thing they say you can't teach is big. And big is what Sherrod is: 6'5-1/2" and 315 pounds. He was a three-year starter at Mississippi State. Arguably, Sherrod was the best run blocker on one of the best running teams in the SEC. You also can't teach smart. Sherrod has already graduated, and did so with a 3.54-grade point average. He is also reportedly enrolled in a Masters program and has stated a goal of completing that program. Sherrod seems to have many of the qualities which the Packers not only value on the field but also in the locker room.

You can read more about Sherrod as the heir apparent to Clifton here. If you wish to read what various scouts and other observers have to say about him, you can do so here.

The feeling here is that, failing to have Alabama running back Mark Ingram fall into their lap (taken by New Orleans at #28 via trade with the Patriots...dang!), the Packers made a key addition to the team. Yes, they took a step to protect the franchise for a long time to come. Now, in the upcoming rounds, they can look to add depth on the defensive line, outside linebacker, and defensive backs. And, if they also happen to hit on a running back or wide receiver/returner along the way, that would be just fine, too. All of that is quite possible given the nature of this draft. Barring trade moves up or down, the Packers will select at #64 and #96 during the second and third rounds of the draft this evening.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Draft eve...who's it gonna be???

'Twas the night before the NFL Draft, and visions of new Green Bay Packers dance fore and aft...

OK, OK, enough with the poetry, such as it is.

The question all Packer fans want to know as we go to sleep tonight is: who will the Packers pick with the 32nd selection? As followers of any of the myriad of mock drafts -- some so bold, or with way too much time on their hands, as to do all seven rounds -- will be aware, the answer is...anybody's guess.

I've tried here and there to give some idea via compilations of what several of the more prominent "mockers" are saying. And if there's been an intriguing pick that seems out of the norm -- such as Monday's post about Alabama RB and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram possibly being available when the Packers make their pick -- I've tried to make note of that.

But really, who knows? I like the idea of Ingram falling into the Pack's lap unexpectedly just as Rodgers did in 2005. But that's not likely. What's more likely, I think, given the run on defensive linemen and linebackers that is expected early, as well as the number of teams needing quarterback help and the number of potentially decent QB prospects available in the first and later rounds, is that Packers GM Ted Thompson will revert to his historical pattern and trade down out of the pick. I'm not sure how many slots he'd be willing to drop. But if the hot targets are off the board when number 32 comes around, and a team who needs a quarterback soon is willing to deal the packers an extra pick this and/or next year for dropping down, I think Thompson would do so.

We all know the Packers' wish list. And that's what it is. With the depth across the board on the Packers' roster, there are no desperate needs to fill. The Packers can really take the best player possible. They will want players on the offensive and defensive lines, at outside linebacker, and at defensive back, particularly cornerback. If there is a player that is a D-back or wide receiver and who also has some return skills, that would be a nice pick up as well, especially in the middle rounds.

We'll have to wait until roughly 10:30 Central time Thursday night to see what the Packers decide to do. If things go as I expect they might, and Thompson trades down, Packer fans won't have any action to either get excited or complain about until Friday night.

Settle in, Packer fans. It's going to be a long wait. But it's one of the privileges of being the Super Bowl Champions.

Go Pack Go!!!

Intriguing draft scenario: Ingram available for Packers?

Draft week is upon us, so we can once again begin an almost daily geek-out up to Thursday's first round. OK, let's be honest, through the entire weekend of the remaining rounds, as well.

So, let's begin with an interesting scenario constructed by Pat Kirwan of NFL.com. As most mock draft followers are probably aware, many scenarios have the Packers either picking DT Cameron Heyward from Ohio State, or LB Akeem Ayers of UCLA. Some have the Packers reaching a bit (my opinion) for OT Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State or OLB Brooks Reed from Arizona. Kirwan, however, suggests the possibility that Alabama RB and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram might be available to the Packers when their pick comes up at number 32. That would be a gift on the order of Aaron Rodgers falling into the Pack's lap back in the 2005 draft. Back then, the Packers sure weren't looking to take a quarterback that high; Ol' #4 was still running the show quite well, after all. But how could you pass up a deal like Rodgers at #24? You couldn't. And thankfully, the Packers didn't. Imagine, then, a similar situation in which the top running back in the draft falls to the end of the first round. Not knowing how well Ryan Grant will come back from his injury, or whether James Starks is the real deal or not, the Packers could certainly use a running back of Ingram's stature. Ingram might just be too good to pass up if he's sitting there.

How does Kirwan get to this scenario? It's essentially based on the fall of Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert down the draft board. Most every mock draft out there had Miami at #15 picking Ingram. But according to Kirwan's latest mock draft, if Gabbert does indeed drop out of the top five picks, he could fall to Miami. If that happens, and given the sad state of the Dolphins current quarterback situation, Kirwan argues that, "The Dolphins have to take Gabbert if he falls this far. One coach told me Gabbert is this far down on their board. Miami needs to make changes at quarterback, or at least bring in competition."

Ingram is the only first-round worthy running back in this year's draft. There is an abundance -- and need -- for defensive linemen; some pundits project perhaps as many as 12-14 defensive linemen may be selected in the first round. So, Kirwan's mock draft has Ingram falling to the bottom of the first round, assuming Miami takes Gabbert. As he says about Ingram going to the Packers, "If the Dolphins don’t take Ingram at No. 15, he could be sitting here for the Packers. It would be too good to be true for the world champs, but the Packers just might end up with Ingram, which would spell the end for Ryan Grant in Green Bay."

The Packers are also looking to add depth to their defensive line, particularly if, as expected, veteran Cullen Jenkins departs in free agency (whenever that commences). Offensive tackle is also a slot that needs beefing up. There has even been speculation that if Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi falls as far #25, GM Ted Thompson might swing a deal to move up for him with his old protege, John Schneider, now running the Seahawks. I think that's a stretch for two reasons: I expect Carimi to be off the board before then and, secondly, the pressure on Schneider to draft Washington QB Jake Locker if he is available at that spot is too great for Schneider to pass up.

So, while I personally would like to imagine that Kirwan's scenario plays out Thursday evening and Ingram is sitting there at #32, I'm not holding my breath. I think the likelihood is another name will be called. But, six years ago, who would have imagined that Aaron Rodgers, a possible #1 pick overall, would drop into the Packers' lap at #24? Stranger things have happened.

And let's also not forget that if Thompson thinks he can get just as valuable a player farther down the line as what he's looking at with that 32nd pick, he will not hesitate to trade down out of the pick. That's as much Thompson's modus operandi as anything else.

Kirwan has posted a mock draft for the first three rounds. In addition to having the Pack take Ingram in round 1, he has them selecting OLB Bruce Carter from North Carolina at #64 in the second round and DT Pernell McPhee from Mississippi State with the 96th overall pick in the third round.

You can check out Kirwan's complete three rounds beginning here.

Draft upcoming...but who's doing the scouting for Packers?

With the 2011 NFL Draft ready to start this Thursday evening, and the Packers picking last in each round as a result of being Super Bowl Champions, one might well wonder: we know GM Ted Thompson pulls the trigger, but who are the guys scouting the troops, so to speak?

In answer to that question, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has written a great article about the Packers' scouting operation. The influence of former Packers GM Ron Wolf is still felt loud and clear, as the following paragraphs from the article point out:

"Most of these guys grew up together in the business, all under the tutelage of Wolf, whose influence on the Super Bowl champions remains strong today because of the staying power of the scouting department.

"Of the 11 scouts who handle college scouting, Thompson has hired only two, and both are in the beginning stages of their careers. The nine veterans - two of whom, Jon-Eric Sullivan (Midlands) and Lee Gissendaner (Northeast), were hired under Mike Sherman - average 15 years of service with the Packers.

"If you included John Schneider and Lenny McGill, two Packers mainstays who recently left for higher positions with other teams, the group responsible for drafting most of the Super Bowl XLV team was made up of nine Wolf hires."

Also of interest is that all the scouts, Thompson, John Dorsey, director of college scouting, and Reggie McKenzie, director of football operations, gather in a room in Lambeau Field over the atrium for a 17-day prospect review marathon that leads up to the draft. The group basically has whittled down the more than 1,500 college players to about 125 who will go up on the Packers' draft board. And in the course of the pre-draft meetings, they review tape, reports, etc. on each of these players, to arrive at a consensus as to who the Packers should target. In addition to the last pick in each of the seven rounds, the Packers also have two additional picks for a total of nine going into this year's draft.

While the Pack may not have many needs given the apparent depth on the team, they do have some wants. And it's the job of everyone in that room to find the best players available for those wants.

Check out the article for some really great insights into who the folks are that keep the Packers stocked with quality year in and year out.

Oh, yeah, there was that Mandarich guy...oops

While the Packers' run on talent has been pretty good since the Ron Wolf era, before that...hmmm...not so good for some years (decades?). Perhaps the biggest bust of all for the Packers, and the second-biggest bust of all time at least as judged by Sports Illustrated (QB Ryan Leaf rated as #1 bust), was Tony Mandarich. Yes, I know, for many that is the Name of Him That Shall Not Be Spoken. But if you care to see what he's up to these days, you can read an article about him on Yahoo Sports here. Or...maybe not. Oh, you do remember that he was taken with the second overall pick in the 1989 draft, right? And that of the top five picks in that year's draft -- Troy Aikman (first overall), Barry Sanders (third), Derrick Thomas (fourth) and Deion Sanders (fifth) -- he is the only one to not make the Hall of Fame? Just thought I'd mention that. O-o-o-o-kay...moving right along...nothing to see here...

...and if you could be any kind of tree, Mr. Football Player, what kind would it be?

Ah, yes, a psychobabble question for a profession that wouldn't seem to figure much one way or another in terms of personality traits: the professional football player.

Or does it???

There's a fascinating article (OK, I hope that doesn't reveal too much about my personality...) in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about what makes a player tick. And, also, whether that factors in much to personnel decisions. It makes for good reading, particularly the differences between the various player positions on a team as described by the players themselves. There are also a couple related articles you can find in links adjoining the article that provide further background on this topic. It's worth checking out.

Packers 2011 schedule announced: kickoff vs. Saints

The NFL has officially released the 2011 regular season schedule for the Green Bay Packers and the league's other 31 teams. The jury -- or at least, the mediator -- is still out as to whether, in fact, there will actually be a complete NFL season in 2011. But you have to admire the league's optimism.

In the meantime, we can revel in the schedule, start making observations, predictions, etc. Combined with the upcoming draft late next week, it gives us a moment to be hopeful about the state of the NFL despite the current money issues separating the millionaires from the billionaires (please excuse the slight editorial comment there).

Schedule Highlights
The Packers begin the regular season by facing their predecessor as Super Bowl Champs, the Saints, at Lambeau Field in the NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday Sept. 8. Many would have no doubt preferred a rematch with Da Bearz to kick things off (yours truly included), but the likely national draw in seeing the last two Super Bowl winners go head-to-head was probably too much for the NFL and their TV partner to turn down.

A highlight of sorts is the three-games-in-11-days stretch the Pack has against the ViQueens, the Buccaneers and the Lions in mid-November. Another quirk of the schedule is that four of the Packers' six NFC North games occur after their bye week, which occurs in week 8 of the schedule. And for as much as the Packers of last season really liked the fast track of playing indoors, especially late in the season, this year...not so much; at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day will be the last dome game for the Pack. The guys better get very comfortable at being a great cold weather team because that's generally what they are going to be dealing with in the second half of the season.

Oh, one other interesting little piece of trivia for you regarding the schedule: according to the league, the Packers are the first time in NFL history to play on Thanksgiving (at Detroit), Christmas (home vs. Da Bearz) and New Year's Day (home vs. the Lions) during the same season.

As expected, there are lots of prime time games for the Champs. It's going to be a great year to be a Packers fan. But let's be honest: what year isn't, right? Right!

Here ya go, kids. Enjoy! (Home games in bold italics.)

Preseason

• Saturday, August 13, 6:30 p.m. at Cleveland Browns
• Friday, August 19, 7 p.m. vs. Arizona Cardinals
• Friday, August 26, 7 p.m. at Indianapolis Colts
• Thursday, September 1, 7 p.m. vs Kansas City Chiefs

Regular Season

• Thursday, September 8, 7:30 p.m. vs. New Orleans Saints - NBC
• Sunday, September 18, noon at Carolina Panthers - FOX
• Sunday, September 25, 3:15 p.m. at Chicago Bears - FOX
• Sunday, October 2, 3:15 p.m. vs. Denver Broncos - CBS (Gold package-Milwaukee ticketholder game)
• Sunday, October 9, 7:20 p.m. at Atlanta Falcons - NBC
• Sunday, October 16, noon vs. St. Louis Rams - FOX
• Sunday, October 23, 3:15 p.m. at Minnesota Vikings - FOX
• Sunday, October 30 Open Date / bye week
• Sunday, November 6, 3:15 p.m. at San Diego Chargers - FOX
• Monday, November 14, 7:30 p.m. vs. Minnesota Vikings - ESPN
• Sunday, November 20, noon* vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - FOX (Gold package-Milwaukee ticketholder game)
• Thursday, November 24, 11:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day at Detroit Lions - FOX
• Sunday, December 4, 3:15 p.m.* at New York Giants - FOX
• Sunday, December 11, noon* vs. Oakland Raiders - CBS
• Sunday, December 18, noon* at Kansas City Chiefs - FOX
• Sunday, December 25, 7:20 p.m. Christmas Day vs. Chicago Bears - NBC
• Sunday, January 1, noon* vs. Detroit Lions - FOX

Those times notated with an asterisk (*) are designated as part of the league's flex schedule, meaning the league may change the start time.

If you want a downloadable PDF of the Packers 2011 schedule, just click here. You can also always find the schedule in the righthand column Links area of this site.

Stop the Madden-ness!

All fans of the Green Bay Packers should be afraid...very afraid. That's because our Super Bowl winning MVP quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is now among the final four possibilities to make the cover of Madden 2012. He's up against Cleveland's Peyton Hills; the winner of that vote will go head-to-head versus the winner of the vote between Michael Vick vs. Adrian Peterson.

And then? The curse begins. You know what I'm talkin' about. The Madden Curse. As this article in Digital Trends from last August pointed out, "Of the 14 players to be featured on the cover of the Madden video games, all 14 have suffered disappointing seasons, and most have been seriously injured." This was written prior to the start of the season during which Drew Brees graced the cover. He didn't get hurt, but certainly didn't have quite the year he did the year before.

Now, we certainly wish Aaron Rodgers nothing but the best in all his endeavors. But this time around...maybe not. So if you are going to be in Mr. Rodgers' corner, if you've got his back, then do him and all Packers fans a favor and vote for the other guy. Please.

The lone ranger of football: the draft

OK, admittedly, it's been a little while since yours truly posted. But I have been making semi-regular Tweets and re-Tweets. So if you aren't following PackerFansUnited.com on Twitter (@packfansunited) then you aren't up to speed. Exactly what speed that is is debatable, but I digress...

It's also obvious it's been a while by just looking at that headline; a bit of a stretch to broach the subject of the upcoming NFL Draft. That's really about all there is to talk about at the moment, as the ongoing talks between the NFL owners and players are still at a standoff. There's no signing or re-signing, no trades or OTAs.

Booooooorrrrrrrrrrriiiiiinnnnnggggggggg!!!

So, where do things stand in terms of the draft as regards the Packers? Well, GM Ted Thompson, head coach Mike McCarthy and other player personnel staff have been busy evaluating prospective draftees, of course. And keeping things close to the vest, which is Thompson's way. A way that has worked out pretty well for the Pack.

Of course, mock draft boards, sports writers and just average shmoes like us are all starting to get into a bit of an early lather as to what the Packers might do with the 32nd and last pick of the 1st round. It's commonly thought by some that the Packers will probably go for either defensive or offensive line help first. Others make a convincing argument that, despite a seemingly deep linebacking corps, the Packers might actually spring for a play-making outside linebacker to bookend Clay Matthews. Believe it or not, some folks even think the Pack will look for a wide receiver in the 1st round, despite arguably having the best set of receivers in the league. Oh, a running back has also been part of the predictions. Why not?

One thing is a certainty, though: Ted Thompson's modus operandi in the draft is to take the best player available regardless of need. And ya know, when that Aaron Rodgers guy fell into the Packers lap a few years back and, despite not needing a quarterback, he was the best player at that pick, Thompson grabbed him. All together now: "Thank you, Ted!!!".

Here's another certainty: none of us folks on the outside have a clue as to how Ted and his guys are setting up their draft board in terms of those player rankings. We do know that, while the exception, if Thompson wants a certain player bad enough he will make a move to get him. Whether there is any player in the 1st round that Thompson would move up to get is a whole other question. He could very well, as in years past, trade down in order to get additional picks.

But let's just assume for the sake of conversation that the Packers hold on to their 32nd pick. Who are the names that seem to be surfacing? As a service to our readers -- that's what we're all about here, folks, service -- we've compiled an early list of some of the names that keep popping up on mock drafts.

• Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
(3 mentions)
• Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona.
(2 mentions)
• Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
(2 mentions)
• Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
• Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
• Danny Watkins, G/T, Baylor
• Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
• Christian Ballard, DT, Iowa

Is that enough to get your juices flowing, Packer fans? Lots of stuff to chew on there. And that's just the 1st round! We'll get into later round fun...well...later.

The no-show draft show and other bits 'n' pieces

Fans of the Green Bay Packers and the other 31 NFL teams are now in post-players association decertification mode: wondering what the heck is going on, and when pro football will next be played. It's still amazing to the average fan that adults can't figure out how to divy up $9 billion in a way that makes everyone happy.

In the meantime, the teams themselves and the players are making their own adjustments. Teams have no on-site workouts or any other contact or work with their players. Players are on their own, not only for physical conditioning but also for their own health insurance right now. Things the rest of us probably think about more than they do. Although when you have Chad Ochocinco -- and why shouldn't this surprise us? -- reportedly saying that without his $11 million he doesn't know how he's going to put food on his family's table, well, you know there are...issues with dealing with reality. But at least he's not just laying around; he's got a four-day tryout set up with the Kansas City Major League Soccer team. Good luck with that.

For the Packers, they themselves and various sports pundits say that actually this time may benefit the Pack as much as any team. Because of the extended season running through the playoffs and Super Bowl, getting this extra break, from a player's perspective, provides much needed rest before getting back into the grind of team workouts, and so on. It will also give coaches and other staff a breather to re-focus their energies on the needs for the upcoming season, which will all be keyed to repeating as Super Bowl champs.

Back to the real reality...draft dichotomy

The teams are also making whatever internal adjustments they need to make to preserve their financial resources just in case things get nuts, as George Costanza might say. Packers management is set to take reduced salaries. Layoffs, which some other teams may or will have to make, are not part of the plan for the Packers at this point.

Teams are also continuing to prepare for next month's NFL Draft. The scouting combine was held, players and colleges are holding their own "pro days" for prospective players to showcase their talents for NFL GMs and coaches, and draft boards are being prepared.

The players, now operating as a trade association instead of a union, are preparing their own version of the draft, however. As noted in this blog last week, there were rumors that the players association might try to somehow disrupt or prevent the draft from taking place. The latest news is that the association is trying to get the top draft prospects -- those who would normally be on hand to walk across the stage as their names are called, etc. during the first round -- to attend an alternate draft affair. Details on that are sketchy at this point. And it is something which some current players aren't all that enthused about, saying that college players work hard for their moment in the limelight that comes with the draft...the real draft. Plus, these college players, until they are actually signed to a contract, are not part of either a players' union or a trade association. So what's in it for them? Will be interesting to see how the players association tries to work these young prospects into picking a side before they are even on a side.

Kickoff changes discussed

According to reports today, the NFL's competition committee is discussing the idea of having kickoffs moved back to the 35-yard line (where they were until recently). In and of itself, nothing too shocking about that. It will result in more touchbacks. Which brings up the new idea: touchbacks go the 25-yard line instead of the 20. Data apparently showed, among other things, that the average starting point for most returns was just past the 26. So getting a touchback to the 25 isn't a bad option. Especially for a team like the Packers who hasn't had a solid kick return game in this century (that sounds a bit odd, but we're now 11 years in!). There are also discussions about eliminating all wedge type blocking.

Taken as a whole, the combination of these ideas and others seem to point to a rising concern by the league about player injuries. Special teams' players have always been the kamikaze units of football, and injuries are a common occurrence. By instituting these changes, perhaps players will have a chance of staying healthier longer.

Stay tuned for future developments, Packer fans. It's going to be an interesting time over the next weeks and months. We'll be offering some draft commentary as we start getting closer to that April weekend. Players are moving up and down mock draft boards at the moment. The Packers, of course, have the pick every team wants, #32, the last of the first round...because that means you are the Super Bowl Champions!

What a week!

As I write this, ESPN is announcing that the NFL Players Association has just decertified. And so, the negotiations between the NFL owners and players now goes to the courts. The NFLPA is dissolved and the union no longer exists; it is now a trade association. Players can individually file antitrust lawsuits. If the NFL locks out players, players can file lawsuits to block the lockouts. Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are expected to be among the lead plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the league. Basically, nothing can happen business-wise with players who are currently in the league once this hits the courts. The NFL Draft supposedly can take place as usual because those players are obviously not yet in the NFL, although I heard one report indicate that, depending upon how the judge rules, the Draft could be out the window, too.

So, after a week's extension of time to negotiate...nada. Now it's gonna get nasty. There's a lockout coming, Packer fans. Just a matter of how long it will last.

Hard to image that these folks can't figure out how to negotiate a win-win situation when there's $9 billion-plus to be had. Can you say "greed"? Even kids learn that it's good to share. These folks must have missed that day in kindergarten.

Other happenings

Head coach Mike McCarthy's contract extension was finalized. He and GM Ted Thompson will be leading the Green Bay Packers' field deployment through 2015 (if memory serves). Both are being rewarded well for bringing the Lombardi Trophy home to Titletown.

The Packers put some tenders on a few players: James Jones, Daryn Colledge, Atari Bigby and John Kuhn (am I missing anyone?). Basically, they are more defensive maneauvers than anything, especially since the entire collective bargaining deal with the NFL Players Association is out the window...no one knows at this point now whether these players will be restricted or unrestricted free agents as there is now no collective bargaining agreement that defines that.

LB Nick Barnett may be the odd man out of the inside linebackers (interesting grammatical construction there but I think you get the drift). Coach McCarthy told reporters that A. J. Hawk (recently re-signed to a new big dollar deal) and Desmond Bishop (big deal signed before end of the season) are his starting inside linebackers. Barnett, coming off his second season-ending injury in the last three seasons, may or may not be back with the Pack if and when football is next played. Consensus among fans, if you can gauge such things from the comments about the various stories and scenarios related to this topic, seems to be that Barnett will be gone and the Packers will be looking to pick up new and younger and healthier linebacker help in the upcoming draft.

Natural and man-made disasters

We awoke this morning to the sad and terrible news of the earthquake (now quakes) in Japan and the ensuing tsunami which has killed hundreds of people and destroyed much property in Japan. A damaged nuclear reactor is also in the mix and is a major concern not only within Japan but from a global perspective. We need to keep the people of Japan and other affected areas in our thoughts and prayers. If you wish to support relief efforts, text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or go here to donate online.

Finally, while it's a matter that I generally try to keep out of this blog, the happenings of the last weeks and days in the state of Wisconsin regarding the collective bargaining rights of public employees and the state budget came to a head when the governor, newly-elected Republican Scott Walker, signed into law this morning the bill passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. Anyone who has tuned into any of the news shows -- or even Comedy Central's Daily Show and Colbert Report for that matter -- are aware of this matter. Regardless of one's political persuasion, this event has nationwide implications either positive or negative depending upon your view. The state senate majority leader told Fox News the real reason for banning these collective bargaining rights; you can view the video and decide for yourself whether it was about the state budget or something else. Events are scheduled at the Wisconsin state capitol building in Madison for Saturday, March 12. But unscheduled events are just as likely to occur for a long time to come.

For a current list of events in Madison and around the state in support of workers' rights, see here. You can also take a stand for workers in Wisconsin and elsewhere where rights are similarly threatened by going here. And if you use Twitter -- to follow this blog at @packfasnunited no doubt! -- you can see all the various posts related to this situation by using the #wiunion hashtag.

Update: Packers to re-sign A. J. Hawk

WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee is reporting that the Green Bay Packers will re-sign LB A. J. Hawk to a new five-year deal on Thursday, Mar. 3. The report says that Hawk is flying back to Green Bay to finalize the deal, terms of which have not yet been disclosed.

Hawk was released earlier today, along with TE Donald Lee and S Derrick Martin. As reported then, it was only a matter of time before the deal would be done. There was some thought Hawk might wish to test free agency. Apparently, no need. He loves Green Bay and the Packers want him back in the fold before the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

See here for more.

Great job, Pack...and congratulations Mr. Hawk. Glad to have you back. Seemed like only...today...you were gone.

Packers release Hawk, Lee and Martin

Making business moves like many other teams prior to the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, the Green Bay Packers today released LB A. J. Hawk, TE Donald Lee and S Derrick Martin. Lee and Martin will not be back. Hawk likely will be.

It's clear the Packers want Hawk on the team going forward. He had arguably his best season this past year. After effectively being benched for the opening game against the Eagles, Hawk played an increasingly important role as the season went on. After fellow linebacker Nick Barnett was lost to season-ending injury for the second time in the last three years, Hawk became the defensive play caller, relaying the calls from defensive coordinator Dom Capers to the rest of the squad; when those calls came in late or were cut off (via a system similar to that in the quarterback's helmet), Hawk had to make the call himself. He also came up big in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Head coach Mike McCarthy has praised Hawk's consistency and calm presence both on the field and in the locker room.

So why release him when he still had a year left on his contract? There are 10 million reasons, as in dollars. Hawk was scheduled to be due $10 million this coming season. As one commentator noted, that's beginning to approach starting quarterback money. There was no way the Packers were going to pay it, and that came as no surprise to Hawk. The team and his representatives have apparently been trying to get a deal worked out ahead of the deadline but the sides were apparently too far apart. Hawk may test free agency, whenever that kicks in given the current circumstances. But he wants to be in Green Bay and the Packers want him there, too. Expect a deal to be worked out. Sometime.

You can read more about all this here.

Mike and Ted's excellent adventure

Say it with me now: the Green Bay Packers are World Champions! Never gets old, does it? At least, not if you're a Packer fan. Nor if you are the head coach or general manager of the Super Bowl winning team.

Great article in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by that paper's outstanding Packers beat writer, Bob McGinn, about how head coach Mike McCarthy is only just beginning his run at Super Bowl titles. While he joined Vince Lombardi and Mike Holmgren as the only Packers coaches to win a Super Bowl title, McCarthy wants to join Lombardi as the only multiple winner. That would be just fine with Packer fans all across the universe, coach.

The article notes not only how committed McCarthy is to the Packers as an organization -- and how they are ready to re-negotiate his contract to demonstrate the team's commitment to him, as well -- but how committed he also is to Green Bay as a community. When you have coaches and players who commit to not just the team but the community of Green Bay, that's a situation that is hard to beat.

McCarthy gives suitable praise to his GM, Ted Thompson, of course. And it seems as if fans and others in the NFL have also finally seen the wisdom of Thompson's build-through-the-draft approach. The right GM and the right head coach have assembled the right players at the right time.

Now, Mike and Ted are at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis checking out the next group of potential Packers from the upcoming draft. Trying to find more depth along the offensive and defensive lines, playmakers at linebacker and defensive back, perhaps a receiver and running back, and -- dare we dream? -- a returner. It wouldn't seem as if there are many holes to fill. But some players, such as DE Cullen Jenkins, will be lost to free agency. And as was clearly a lesson learned last season, injuries can devastate a team unless you have players -- and coaches -- who can step up their play. Every player from #1 on down to the practice squad players are important. You have to believe that, in Thompson's system, there are no guesses. Only potential champions.

It is a most excellent adventure indeed.

NFL Combine underway ... what will Packers do?

The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine got underway in Indianapolis today. Lots of poking, prodding, interviews, evaluations, speculations, seances, divinations, rolling of the dice (oops, gambling not permitted in the NFL, sorry), etc. going on with all the teams.

Already, Jets head coach Rex Ryan is proclaiming his team will win the next Super Bowl. OK, keep saying it often enough and one of these years he might just be right. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, however, doesn't need to do much in the way of tooting the team's horn. The Pack, along with the New England Patriots (but of course!), have already been installed by the oddsmakers as favorites to win the next Super Bowl. It should come as no surprise. After all, the Packers are loaded with talent. Heck, they won Super Bowl XLV with a team comprised of a lot of players who had never started before and some who weren't even on a team any longer before GM Ted Thompson plucked them from obscurity to fill the holes on a team continuously depleted through injuries. Imagine what will happen when all the players on injured reserve come back to the squad. Oh baby!

So, where are the gaps? What might Thompson and McCarthy be looking at in the draft? The consensus opinion is that they will be looking first for offensive line, linebacker and defensive end help. The Pack will need someone to slot in as an eventual replacement for either Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher at tackles (and depending upon where Bryan Bulaga will finally settle in). It's possible they might also be looking for a replacement for Daryn Colledge at guard as many think he's as good as gone when free agency kicks in. The linebacker situation, while deep, is a curious one. Middle linebacker A. J. Hawk is scheduled to get a bump to a $10 million per year salary unless his contract is renegotiated. Nick Barnett has been bitten by the injury bug the last two out of three years, and the Packers may have already signed his replacement with the contract given to Desmond Bishop. A few 'backers will come back off IR, but the team could really use an outside linebacker to balance out Clay Matthews' play. That could also come in the form of a new defensive end, though, particularly if the Packers lose Cullen Jenkins in free agency, as is expected.

Some mock draft boards openly admit that the Packers are a difficult team to put together a draft call on given the depth on the existing roster. But still, they try. Picking last in each round, aside from any traded or compensatory picks, means that unless Thompson sees a player he really wants, there might not be a lot of excitement happening in the draft. Final picks might be players not many have heard of before...you know how Ted likes those gems in the rough that nobody else seems to even have on their radar. But perhaps Packer fans have finally gotten used to Thompson's approach: there may not be a lot of flash and dash at draft time, with occasional exceptions, but there sure does seem to be productivity on the field. Hard to argue with a Super Bowl-winning general manager.

If there's any news of note that pertains to the Packers and/or likely prospects, we'll give a shout out here. Otherwise, you can get your fill on the NFL Network where watching the Combine is about as exciting as, well, watching the Combine.

Best shots of Super Bowl XLV from SI

As fans of the Green Bay Packers, you and I have been waiting for the online "best shots" from Super Bowl XLV by Sports Illustrated photographers. Wait no more!

You can check out a most excellent gallery here.

It's Sunday. So enjoy. Even though there is no Packers' game. (Sigh)

...And now...the reality of the offseason sets in

So, we're now about a week-and-a-half out from the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl XLV win. And the reality of the offseason is setting in. While that would normally mean focusing on free agent signings or losses, OTAs, and possible draft picks, this offseason we also have the specter of no football at all next season. A lockout by the owners is on the horizon, and they have already filed suit agains the NFL Players Association. The prospect of getting a new collective bargaining agreement done before the March 4 deadline is slim and none. Not looking good. The draft will still take place no matter what, so at least we'll have that to keep our juices flowing. But everything else will pretty much be in limbo.

Still, it might be worthwhile to start kicking around some of those current players who may not be on the squad next season...whenever that actually is.

Keep in mind that 15 players -- some of whom were starters -- are going to be coming back off the injured reserve list. Having said that...

What will the Packers do with Nick Barnett and A. J. Hawk? Barnett has been injured two of the last three seasons and was also a bit of an irritant in the "photogate" episode around the Super Bowl. Hawk is scheduled to get $10 million next season, his final contract year; that's not going to happen. Given the depth at linebacker, and especially the emergence of Desmond Bishop as a bona fide starter and the return of Brandon Chillar, Brady Poppinga and Brad Jones, it wouldn't be surprising if the Pack cut ties with Barnett and attempt to renegotiate Hawk's deal. While going into last season, linebacker seemed to be extremely deep we found out just how quickly injuries can hit one unit. Frank Zombo and Erik Walden became diamonds in the rough that literally came out of nowhere to help the Packers make their Super Bowl run. But don't be surprised if GM Ted Thompson picks up a linebacker in the draft.

The players' names that seem to continually pop up on lists of those sure to be gone next season are OG Daryn Colledge and C/OG Jason Spitz. Colledge has been nothing if not durable, seemingly starting or playing in nearly every game since being a Packer. But the Packers are high on soon-to-be third-year player T. J. Lang and would likely insert him in the lineup in place of Colledge. Lang didn't get much playing time this year, but showed well in his rookie season when injuries really took their toll on the offensive line and he was thrust into action nearly from the get-go. He should be hungry and ready to start. Spitz has gone from a position of being the starting center to really falling off the map. For whatever reasons, it's clear the Packers will be moving in a different direction. Reportedly, the Packers are high on this year's rookice C/G Nick McDonald. They also have rookie G/T Marshall Newhouse and C/G Even Dietrich-Smith in the mix. Several early mock drafts also project the Packers to go after offensive line help in early rounds not only to fill guard slots, but also to help find a successor to LT Chad Clifton. Clifton will undoubtedly be back. And after finishing strong, he will likely be the starter again. But Cliffie is on borrowed time at this point in his career. Thompson has stocked up the middle of the line but will now try to find a replacement for Clifton. That was the idea in drafting Bryan Bulaga last season. But veteran RT Mark Tauscher's untimely departure forced a change in plans. Perhaps the Pack would move Bulaga to LT if they found a player who was solid on the right side. The moves regarding the offensive line will be interesting to watch in the offseason.

As for the wide receivers and running backs...hmmm...well, WR James Jones wants to be a starter. He had the best run-after-catch yards of any of the receivers. The problem was his drops, which always seemed to come in big moments. He obviously is a physically gifted athlete. But he hasn't yet developed the concentration necessary to be a primary go-to guy. Not to say he won't. Just not there yet. It's possible the Packers let him walk in free agency. But I'd like to see them keep him and have a new wide receivers coach help him with his focus. FB Korey Hall will likely not return this season. Other than special teams, he really fell out of the running game with the emergence of John Kuhn's versatility and Quinn Johnson's blocking. Brandon Jackson, while a valuable third down back from both a receiving and blocking standpoint, also will likely not return. The coaches did everything possible over the last couple years to help him become the breakout player they thought he could become...didn't really happen. With Ryan Grant returning, and James Starks emerging, Jackson looks to be the odd man out. And don't be surprised if the Packers pick up a running back in the draft's later rounds. Don't forget that Starks was a sixth rounder. Still need to see what he can do in a full season, but Thompson seems to have found yet another gem in the rough...a real theme for him this past season, and no reason to expect that won't continue going forward. Thompson seems to have finally made a believer even out of the haters out there after duct-taping together a Super Bowl winning squad.

On the defensive line, the consensus seems to be that DE Cullen Jenkins is as good as gone. He's also getting up there in years, at least by lineman age, and has been prone to injury of late, with this season being a primary example. He's been a dominating pass rusher when available. Look to the Packers to give the younger Mike Neal -- unproven and with a bit of an injury history of his own -- a shot. C. J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn could also step up their play. But, again, Ted Thompson will undoubtedly be looking for a dominant pass rusher in the draft to complement LB Clay Matthews. The Pack will be drafting last in each round unless they wheel and deal to move up for a player they want. That's not typically been Thompson's M.O., but he did it to get Clay Matthews. How'd that work out? Maybe Thompson will do that again.

As to the remaining unrestricted free agents, here's who we're looking at: K Mason Crosby, S Atari Bigby, S Charlie Peprah, LB Matt Wilhelm, and S Anthony Smith. Exclusive rights free agents are WR Brett Swain and TE Spencer Havner.

Crosby wants to remain a Packer. He's improved his leg strength over the last few years, but he still gives Packer fans the heebie-jeebies when the game is on the line. We've seen field goal attempts go wide or ding off the upright on more than one game-winning occasion. Still, Crosby doesn't seem to lose confidence which counts for a lot in a kicker. He may not be great, but you know that more often than not he's consistent. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers let Crosby test the market. Bigby will be allowed to walk, as will Wilhelm and Smith. Peprah will be re-signed; he stepped up big time when needed with injuries in the defensive backfield.

So, that's just a not-so-quick overview of what may happen when free agency and the draft finally kick in.

The party's over...after one last party

Well, actually, as any fan of the Green Bay Packers knows, the party is never really over. Take a look at yesterday's "Return to Titletown" celebration at Lambeau Field, for example. It was the victory party love fest between Packers players, coaches, staff, management and fans. Fifty-six thousand -- 56,000! -- tickets were sold at $5 a piece with half the amount going to charity. Many tickets were re-sold for up to 28 times face value. The air temperature was near zero and wind chills were below zero. Fans showed up hours ahead of time to do what Packer fans do: tailgate. Beer and brats flowed as if it was a game day event. And when the hour-long festivities began at 4 p.m., the people reveled in the Green 'n' Gold afterglow of a fourth Super Bowl trophy and the team's 13th overall NFL Championship title, more than any other franchise in league history.

There's no place like Green Bay. There's no team like the Packers. And the best part is, the team is well-positioned to give things a run again next year. Yes, some players will be lost to free agency...if there is a season next year, that is. But 16 players will be coming off IR, including a bunch of players who were starters before their injuries sent them to the sideline for the season.

Yes, I should probably be doing more of a post-game and season analysis right now, I suppose. And maybe I will yet. But really, there's a ton of that info already available to the dedicated fan. Maybe I'll kick in some thoughts on things if they seem worth saying.

But it just feels so darn good to see this team -- devastated early on by injury after injury -- rise to the challenge and complete an astounding run on the road as the 6th seed to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home to Green Bay. That's sweet.

And that's why, while the party might be over in one sense, it will go on for a long, long time yet to come.

Go Pack Go!!!

Great posts, packrphan...

But don't forget to remind your readers that THE BEARS STILL SUCK!!!

Post-Super Bowl Observations from a Friend

While yours truly is still working on collecting his collective thoughts after last night's tremendous Super Bowl XLV victory for our beloved Green Bay Packers, one of our infrequent posters, who goes by the username Winning is the Only Thing!, sent me the following comments and permission to post them here. So, without further ado and the reader's understanding that these are not the comments of your host, here's what Winning is the Only Thing! has to say about the game and more:

"I'll start with these couple of negative thoughts:
- There is nothing worse for this World Champion GB Packers team than a lock out. Additionally, there is nothing worse for the NFL than a lock out. DON'T LOSE THE MOMENTUM!!

- Jerry Jones must not be allowed to have anything to do with a Super Bowl ever again: not his team, not his stadium, not his planning, not his ego. Knowing for years that you will host the SB, how is it possible that there is unfinished/unsafe seating? I am not lawsuit-oriented, but affected fans should seek appropriate compensation from Jerry Jones' deep pockets. ("appropriate" = as much as possible).

The Positive:
- Aaron Rodgers is good. Trent Dilfer said in his analysis after the game that this will go down as one of the best QB performances in a SB, ever! That pass to Jennings for their first TD hookup was great. The slow motion shows it. Plus, dropped passes should have cost us the game. Rodgers and receivers bounced back. Plus, great protection by O-line and blitz pick-ups. Only gave up coverage sacks, IMHO.

- [Skip Bayless is a jerk!] (I just saw him on ESPN)

- McCarthy and Rodgers are great partners in this offense. Some of you probably know that because MM is so busy as head coach that he and Rodgers take some extra time one day of the week (Friday, I think) to talk one-on-one about the nuances of the game plan. They were on the same page at SB. MM said that he told Rodgers that he needed him to manage the game so that MM could be aggressive as a play-caller. Most of the calls were run-pass options which Rodgers had to determine when he came to the line. He chose well!!

- Just two years ago at this time MM cleared out his defensive coaching staff. Capers was a great "free agent" signing. I was told that Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist, Bob McGinn, once wrote that no head coach has ever made a wholesale defensive staff change and gone on to win SB (not until last night!). Defense played very, very well considering their personnel losses. Sheilds played with a bad wing. Great caused fumble by Matthews and Picket. Bush gets INT! Wow!

- Did I mention that Aaron Rodgers is good? Plus, the other day in a Green Bay TV station story from Dallas, a reporter ran into a couple dressed in Packer clothing coming out of a tourist site that had cancelled an event because of weather. Reporter decided to interview them and it turns out that they are Aaron's parents. Nice, humble people willing to chat with the reporter. Aaron comes from good stock.

I watched the game with (9 others). Not a lot of football knowledge in the room (except for xxx and yyy), but everybody was really into it. High fives and fist bumps aplenty. Adverts were average. Halftime show? The lights were nice. Music? Not so much."

There you have it folks. The insights of our friend Winning is the Only Thing!.

More later...

The Green Bay Packers: NFL Champions for the 13th Time!

For the 13th time in team history, the Green Bay Packers are NFL Champions, more than any other franchise. The Lombardi Trophy is coming back home to Green Bay where it belongs. How sweet it is! The Pack defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. My pre-game prediction from Saturday was a final score of 31-24. Yowza.

We'll do a re-cap tomorrow. Too much to process at the moment and just want to take in all the post-game coverage across the various networks. Busy, too, exchanging phone calls, emails and texts with friends across the planet. It's great to be a Packers fan!

I also wanted to mention for those who care to jump on board with an early keepsake of this season and championship that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is publishing a 128-page commemorative book entitled, “The Pack is Back: How the Green Bay Packers Won Their 13th NFL Championship.” You can read more about the book and ordering information here.

Again, Packer fans, this has been a heckuva ride this season. And the players, coaches and other team personnel put the exclamation point on it in the form of the trophy named after the legendary Green Bay coach. It doesn't get any better.

Enjoy it. Savor it. Remember it. This is what makes the Packers -- and being a fan of the Packers -- so very special.

Go Pack Go!!!

I love of the smell of cheese in the morning...smells like...victory!

My Super Bowl homage to Apocalypse Now: I love the smell of cheese in the morning...The smell, you know that curdsy smell... Smells like...victory!

It's now less than seven hours until kickoff of Super Bowl XLV, when our beloved Green Bay Packers meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in a showdown of epic proportions. When it's two of the most storied franchises in the NFL, it can be described as nothing else. And, as my post of yesterday outlined, there are many reasons to predict a smash-mouth, physical football game. That's stating the obvious. But there are nearly as many reasons to predict a Packers' win, which I also did, calling it 31-24 in favor of the Pack.

But if you still have your doubts after my take on things yesterday, I encourage you to read the analysis of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Packers beat writer, Bob McGinn, who is acknowledged as one of the best in the business by the likes of Sports Illustrated's Peter King and others. In today's print and online edition, McGinn has an article entitled, "Packers have the horses to exploit Steelers' weaknesses". McGinn makes a solid case, as he says, that "On paper, the Packers would seem to have better players at more important positions, and consistency is their trademark. Those are two powerful forces in their favor." He notes also, however, that what matters will be how these teams play under the bright lights tonight. But unit by unit and player by player, McGinn makes the point that the Pack has the better combination of schemes and players to attack the Steelers' weaknesses rather than vice versa. It's a great article, well worth your time reading. Check it out here.

To Tweet or not to Tweet...
As followers of this blog know, but especially as followers of yours truly on Twitter know, I have generally made a habit of Tweeting during Packer games. Occasionally, circumstances don't permit that to happen and the Twitterverse is deprived of whatever maximum 140-character bit of wisdom might be inspired by a dropped pass, holding penalty, crushing hit, or huge first down, for example. Sad, but true. (By the way, if you want to follow the heretofore mentioned yours truly on Twitter, just hit the appropriately named "Follow me on Twitter" button in the righthand column below the Twitter feed. Yes, kids, it really is that easy!)

Today I will be watching the game with some friends at their home. While there will be computer and Wi-Fi access available, I'm not sure whether I'll want to be engaged in the therapeutic process of Tweeting rather than the stress-filled process of just watching the dang game and being intermittently entertained by the $3-million-per-30-seconds TV ads.

So, the purpose of this little notation is to just say...who knows? I'm really hoping all Packer fans have better things to do during today's game than looking for my occasional Tweets. You know, things like praying, making your sacrificial offerings, and generating a major positive thought vibe that descends upon the stadium in Dallas like a Texas tornado to help secure a Packers' victory. I mean, is that really too much to ask? I think not!

Finally...smell that air...the smell of cheese in the morning, afternoon and evening...that curdsy smell...Yes, my fellow Packer fans...it smells like...victory!

Go Pack Go!!!

Mmmm...Super Bowl...Goooood

With proper respect to Homer Simpson, yes, Super Bowl..mmmmm....goooooood.

It will be exceptionally good if the Packers win, of course. Which they will. More on that later with my specific score prediction. But for now, let's consider what it's going to take to bring the Lombardi Trophy back home to Green Bay where it rightly belongs.

Just about everything that can be written about both teams' players, the storied franchises, the legacies, the championship wins and more has been written. And let's not forget the stories about the fans. The Packers and Steelers have the best fan followings in the country. The game is being played in Dallas, which likes to assume the title of America's Team. We all know that's as big a pile of horse hockey as to be found anywhere. These two teams' fans know where the truth lies.

So, we're roughly 27 hours away from the kickoff of what will be the most-attended Super Bowl ever, and likely the most-watched Super Bowl, as well. The Packers have been confident and loose all week, according to reports. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters yesterday, "We respect Pittsburgh, but we feel that this is our time and Sunday will be our night." No doubt Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin feels the same way about the Packers and his team's chances.

A look at each team's units
OK, that subhead doesn't sound right, does it? But you know what I mean...get your mind out of the gutter!

It has been said for the last two weeks that the Packers and Steelers are pretty much cut from the same cloth: great defenses -- number 1 and 2 in scoring defense -- and great quarterbacks. Most are predicting a close game. The 2-1/2 point spread in favor of the Packers is the tightest margin since 1983, when the Washington Redskins played the Miami Dolphins. Many are giving the edge to the Steelers' defense. Well-deserved praise, for sure. They are loaded. But so is the Packers' defense. In my view, that's a draw. It will be up to individuals on each unit to make an impact one way or another, to cause a turnover, make a tackle, blow up a run or pass, and so on. Game-changing stuff. When looked at that way, I think the Packers "D" has more impact players in more places. Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, B.J. Raji, Tramon Williams, Cullen Jenkins, Desmond Bishop, Sam Shields, Nick Collins, Ryan Pickett, A.J. Hawk... I mean, c'mon on.

Special teams? A few months ago I would have said -- actually, did say -- that the Packers' special teams unit was the team's Achilles Heal. No more. They still might not have found a returner on the roster, but the coverage units have gotten much better. And free agent punter Tim Masthay has turned into a great punter over the last part of the season. He could be as much a key to a win as anyone, believe it or not. Especially if the game comes down to field position.

As to offenses, the Packers have the better offensive line, and I'm not the only one saying that. Packers NT B.J. Raji should have a field day going against the Steelers backup center. On the Pack's side of things, if they can just create enough of a push to get rookie RB James Starks two or three yards a carry that will help considerably when the Pack unleashes its air attack from play-action. The Packers receiving corp is arguably the best in the league; they are certainly the best in this game. Donald Driver hasn't practiced the last few days due to a quad injury, but as coach Mike McCarthy said there's no way he can imagine Driver not playing in this game. It would be an added bonus if rookie TE Andrew Quarless felt this was the time for him to also learn to catch the ball on critical downs.

Last but not least, let's look at the quarterbacks. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl wins under his belt already. That experience helps big time. He's done it and he's won it. But his big frame helps more when he's both in and out of the pocket. The Packers defense will have to somehow figure out ways to get him down. He's got a big arm and is great at improvising. But those last two qualities are shared with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. In fact, Rodgers has the added benefit of having a quicker release on his passes and that, again, helps give the Packers an edge. In listening to a cast of former Super Bowl winners this morning on ESPN, from coaches to players -- including Mike Ditka and Steve Young -- it was nearly unanimous that Aaron Rodgers was the key to victory for the Pack. He's been hot. And there's no reason to suspect he won't be on Super Bowl Sunday.

Former QB and Super Bowl winner Kurt Warner had some advice for the Packers with regards to Rodgers, however. He suggested, quite wisely, that coach McCarthy should help Rodgers by giving him an easy throw or two coming out of the box to build confidence and get into a rhythm. When Rodgers gets into that flow quickly, it usually means good things in terms of the final outcome.

Here's the final prediction
The game will undoubtedly ebb and flow. These are two great teams. It will be a physical game. Both teams will be brining it, as they say, for the full 60 minutes. The defense that wears down first might be the one to let the game slip away.

Throughout the regular season, the Packers never lost games as much as beat themselves. They aren't going to do that on this stage. Even if they get down, they are capable of getting back in it. They will never be out of it.

I'm thinking that coach McCarthy will unleash his offense and, as he's done all season, rely on defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his great defense to hold down the Steelers. The final score? I'm calling it 31-24 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Can we just play the dang game!

By the time kickoff arrives on Sunday, the Pack -- and we fans -- will be more than ready for action. In fact, they're -- and we're -- already to roll. Can't we just play the dang Super Bowl already?!

This week is being filled with all sorts of stories. The game almost seems secondary at the moment. It's not, of course. It's the main thing. But what can you do to fill the void but look at past Super Bowl games, players, and so on. Also stories of the teams' fans. Some great stories on the national scene about how the Packers' fans are just...different. As if we didn't know that already. Lots of angles on the last-remaining small town team in the NFL, a community-owned team (approx. 112,000 shareholders...yours truly among them), a non-profit corporation besides. In fact, did you know that there is an NFL bylaw which now precludes the type of ownership and corporation which the Packers have? True.

Cosmic Debris
And in the miscellaneous and unrelated info category...

• ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. this morning talked about how many teams are now regretting passing up drafting Aaron Rodgers. Ya think? Remember that as close as a week or so before the draft Rodgers was being discussed as a possible #1 pick. We all know -- thankfully for the Packers -- that he dropped mysteriously to #24 where Ted Thompson just had to take him. What a gift! Kiper noted that the ViQueens took two players ahead of Rodgers, both of whom are busts. The Redskins also could have picked up Rodgers, but didn't. A bunch of teams could have, but didn't. Kiper said he had Rodgers rated higher than 17 players who were also chosen before him, eight of whom are busts today. Some of us often think of the Pack as God's team (that "G" doesn't just stand for Green Bay, my friends!). Perhaps Rodgers falling into the Packers' lap is yet further evidence of that.
• ESPN's Tom Jackson believes the X-factor in the upcoming game for the Packers will be rookie RB James Starks. Jackson related Starks' stats since becoming the Pack's featured running back (in fact, Starks is the leading rusher in the playoffs). Jackson also said that a real advantage Starks has is fresh legs. All he needs to do is pick up a couple yards per carry to get the Pack into short third down yardage and that will go a long way to helping open up the Packers' air attack...cue Aaron Rodgers.
• LB Clay Matthews will be matched against aging veteran Flozell Adams. It's expected that Matthews will beat Adams like a rented mule. Figure the Steelers to give Adams help with a running back or other blocker, and that frees up someone else to break free on Ben Roethlisberger.
• One of those guys who might be able to break free, or at the very least take up another double team and create yet another opportunity for defensive pressure is B.J. Raji. He will likely be nose-to-nose with the Steelers back-up center. Who's gonna win that match up more often than not?

If Aaron Rodgers has one of his usual outstanding dome games, and the Packers defense stops the Steelers rushing game and is able to contain -- and tackle! -- Roehtlisberger, the Lombardi Trophy will be coming back to Green Bay where it belongs. Make no mistake, this will be a dogfight. But the Packers are the better team...they just have to play like it. They've been doing just that for the last five games.

Four more quarters. Four more quarters.

Go Pack Go!!!