For Packers, it's ch-ch-ch-changes

Since the moves recounted in the last posts here at PackerFansUnited.com on Thursday, the Green Bay Packers have:

• Released 11-year veteran right tackle and Wisconsin native son, Mark Tauscher. (Thank you, Tausch, for being a great Badger and Packer. Look forward to seeing you in the Packers Hall of Fame!)
• Released veteran linebacker Brandon Chillar, who had the bad misfortune of apparently sustaining a serious hamstring injury 2 weeks before the start of camp
• Lost DE Cullen Jenkins in free agency to the Eagles
• Lost FB Korey Hall in free agency to the Saints
• Did not re-sign S Atari Bigby as demonstrated by the team awarding his #20 to rookie RB, Alex Green.
• Signed their remaining draft picks, OL Derek Sherrod, RB Alex Green, and DB Davon House
• Re-signed TE Spencer Havner and WR Brett Swain
• Commenced training camp, held their first meetings, scheme installation, and evening practice

Even head coach Mike McCarthy added to his personal roster: his wife gave birth to their second daughter Thursday evening...think he's a little sleep deprived right now?

About the only key Packer free agent left on the board is James Jones (yes, John Kuhn is still unsigned as well, but will likely return to the Pack). According to reports, and following Minnesota's signing today of former Atlanta receiver, Michael Jenkins, Jones is now being pursued by the Jets and Cardinals, as well as the Packers. But you just don't know how much GM Ted Thompson is going to be willing to pay. I'd still say the odds are Jones does not return to the Pack.

One advantage of the new CBA and the whirlwind week of training camp start-up activity is that player holdouts, whether veteran or rookie draft picks, are virtually nil as far as the Packers goes. Given the changes on the squad already, and with many players coming back off injured reserve, there is a real awareness that there's not much time to compete for a job. Players have to make the most of every moment they have right now. The Packers will field the best players, of course, for the final squad. To make it onto that elite, defending Super Bowl Champion roster, they have to shine...now. Expect one of the most competitive training camps you've ever seen.

Stay tuned to PackerFansUnited.com for ongoing updates. And follow us on Twitter for even more timely news flashes and commentary.

Packers vs. Da Bearz Preview

Today is the day on which the Green Bay Packers will grab a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Or not. Standing in their way, with already a bye week secured, is the NFC North champs (really, can you believe it???) Chicago Bears. Oddsmakers are figuring, despite the statements of coach Lovie Dovie Smith to the contrary, that Da Bearz will be resting many of their starters for a good portion of the game; this translates into the Packers being slotted as 9-1/2 point favorites. Yowza!

The Packers need this game, Da Bearz don't. Yes, there is an outside chance that Chicago could grab the #1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. But do they want to risk injury to key players on the outside chance that Atlanta loses to the worst team in the league, the Carolina Panthers? Or because they'd really like to keep the Packers out of the playoffs? Even Lovie isn't that dim. Expect key Bears' starters to play at least the first half and perhaps into the third quarter, depending upon the closeness of the game.

And that's the key question: will the game be close?

Both the Packers and Da Bearz are very different teams than when they met in Week 3 of the season. The Packers have lost yet more players to season-ending injuries and Chicago basically still has its full complement of starters. The Packers have overachieved with players that GM Ted Thompson has seemingly pulled in off the street and that the coaching staff has "coached up," as the expression goes. To some, including yours truly, Da Bearz can also be said to be overachievers. Not many pundits had them winning the NFC North at the beginning of the season, did they?

Da Bearz' defense has been its typical tough self and just as typically keeps the team in each game with a few rare exceptions. They're tough against the run and thrive on turnovers. The strip of the ball from WR James Jones along the sidelines in the waning moments of the first match helped set up the winning field goal. Da Bearz' special teams are keyed with the uber-returner, Devin Hester...who causes special teams coaches league-wide many hours of lost sleep. He alone can change -- and win -- games for Chicago; his punt return for a TD was critical in their earlier 20-17 last-second win over the Packers. To be fair, Jay Cutler and the offense are operating at a higher level than they were when the Packers handed Da Bearz that earlier victory in Chi-Town. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz has seemingly shifted from having Cutler doing seven-step drop backs and being a sack target to a three-step drop and a quick rhythm passing game. Also, let's not forget RB Matt Forte who will likely break the 1,000-yard rushing mark today; he stands at 978 yards and a 4.4 yards-per-carry average coming into this game.

As for the Pack's offense, there won't be much rushing room against Da Bearz' stout defensive line, at least while the starters are playing. But what else is new? The Packers haven't had a running game all season. The game will fall to at least keeping Chicago's defense honest with occasional runs, while letting QB Aaron Rodgers and the receivers do their thing, which they do very well. The offensive line will just need to give Rodgers the time he needs. Oh, and avoid the mind-numbing penalties which doomed the Packers in the first meeting. Given the play of late, both the protection and lack of penalties should be expected.

The Packers' defense will once again be without the services of DE Cullen Jenkins and LB Frank Zombo; S Atari Bigby is also out (along with FB Korey Hall on offense). Still, the D should be more than up to the challenge today given what's on the line. As for the Pack's special teams, the main objective there will be to not let Devin Hester beat you. Big challenge, and any line drive punt from P Tim Mathay could make this game closer than it should otherwise be given circumstances.

The predictions for this game are all over the place, some predicting a classic close-game battle while others are calling the Packers in a cakewalk. Weather will not be a factor, other than -- surprise! -- it's cold: at gametime the forecast is for 16 degrees and partly cloudy.

So, how do we call it? Not surprisingly, given what's at stake and how Da Bearz are expected to play this game, we're calling it 31-17 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Happy New Year, Packer fans!

Bye-bye Brett
Oh...and a fond farewell -- again -- to Ol' #4 who belatedly and finally will really and truly and forever be at his final NFL game today. Note that I didn't say "playing"; that's because it's just been announced that Favre is inactive for today's ViQueens' finale vs. the Lions.

It's been a horrible year on many fronts for Brett Favre. Like many great quarterbacks who have hung on too long, he's going out with a whimper instead of the return to glory he sought. Sadly, though, there's probably no once-great QB who has had the shine come off his star to the extent that Brett has. He's gone from legend and adulation a few years ago to the butt of jokes and investigations today. So sad.

Packers - Bills preview

With just a couple hours left to kickoff, I'm finally getting around to writing this preview of the Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills. But as regular readers of PackerFansUnited.com know, I typically wait until the day and morning of the game to lay out my thoughts on what we might expect. So that's my excuse, er, story, and I'm stickin' to it.

But let's start with the facts: the Pack is favored by 13 points despite the Bills leading the series 7-3 (how the heck did that happen, by the way?); the weather is supposed to be great Fall football weather, about 63 degrees and mostly cloudy with little or no wind issues anticipated. And, of course, it is the regular season home opener for the Packers. That should get the Packers' players a bit more jacked up for the game.

Not that they should need it. The Bills are not, at this point, a very good team. On the other hand, as both players and fans learned again last year, even bad teams can take advantage of a flat team on any given day (recall the debacle against the Buccaneers?). But that won't be the case today. Back to the Bills...receiver (and former University of Wisconsin Badger ... go Badgers!) Lee Evans called out QB Trent Edwards this last week for not going downfield more. Now, whether that would be on Edwards or the offensive coordinator, who knows. But don't be surprised if Buffalo does try to stretch the field at the outset to test our young (in spots) secondary, particularly if the pass rush is lacking. But, I don't expect that to happen. I think defensive coordinator Dom Capers can certainly set the players and schemes in motion today to put a lot of pressure on Edwards.

As to the Bills' running game, rookie C.J. Spiller will test the Packers' defense. He will also test the Packers' special teams on kick returns. The running game and the special teams are arguably the two best aspects of the Bills. The secondary isn't bad either, but can they really match up with all the Packers' weapons? Not for the entire day they can't.

So, what about the Pack? Well, we already know that RB Ryan Grant is done for the year and Brandon Jackson is going to get his chance, once again, to be the featured back. Should we expect that the Packers will operate the running portion of their game plan differently than with Grant? Unlikely. The Pack is still a pass-first team. I'd still look for a 60-40 pass to rush ratio. If the Pack gets up big early, it's possible we may see more of Jackson as the day goes on. FB/RB John Kuhn may also get a few carries as he did last week. It's also possible we may even get glimpse or two of recently signed RB Dimitri Nance who was supposedly able to learn a package or two this week, although radio reports this morning indicate that he might not even be active today. As for the air game, look for QB Aaron Rodgers to bounce back from a very subpar performance last week in Philadelphia. He will spread the ball around. TE Jermichael Finley should have a big day. But if the Bills' defense tries to take Finley out of the offense, it's not as if Rodgers doesn't have other options. He's got options up the ying-yang, baby!

The Packers will also be able to run more of a typical defense today. After all, nothing is typical when you're trying to chase Michael Vick all over the field as the Pack had to do last weekend. But we can figure that we will see LB A.J. Hawk actually play from scrimmage today rather than just on special teams. And, given reports of his comments this past week, Hawk was not happy having to stand on the sidelines the entire game last week. Well he shouldn't have been. But while a steady competitor, Hawk has not performed up to expectations of a #5 overall draft pick. Perhaps his pride is hurt a bit. That can often be a good motivator to up one's game. Let's hope so. I like Hawk. But the Packers' linebacking corps is a good one, and some of the other players competing with Hawk for playing time are bringing more to the field right now than is Hawk. It will be interesting to see what he might do today. Keep an eye on Hawk.

The young Packers' secondary held up well last week. Rookies Morgan Burnett and Sam Shields actually performed well for their first NFL game. A few rookie mistakes showed up here and there, but nothing that wound up costing them the game.

As to player status for today's game, early reports were that RG Daryn Colledge was doubtful for today's game; he has been battling an undisclosed illness for the past few days. If Colledge is out, one would expect to see rookie Bryan Bulaga get the start; second-year player T.J. Lang might have also been expected to be in the mix but was just listed as being inactive, which may be a sign that Colledge is good to go after all. Rookie DE Mike Neal is also expected to miss today's game, as he did last week's game, with an abodiminal injury. CB Brandon Underwood is also inactive for today's game after missing last week's contest with a shoulder injury suffered in the last preseason game. FB Korey Hall is also inactive, which means Quinn Johnson will get his first start. LB Desmond Bishop is inactive. DE Cullen Jenkins also probable for today's game; look for him to play with a club on the hand in which he sustained multiple fractures in last Sunday's game.

OK, bottom line prediction: Packers 34 - Bills 13.

Go Pack Go!!!

By the way, for those interested, I will be Tweeting scintillating 140-character commentary during the game. If you are that hardcore -- and if you are reading this, we both know you are -- just click on the "Follow Me on Twitter" button near the top of the righthand column. Or, click here.

Penalties and other debris

The topic of ongoing penalties by the Packers under head coach Mike McCarthy's tenure is a topic of much discussion among Packer fans and sports pundits. Some of those thoughts were related in yesterday's post, including links to yet other articles about the topic.

Today, the online edition of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a poll about the subject. At the time of this posting, here are the results:

Does Mike McCarthy show enough concern over the number of Packers penalties?

• Yes (8%)
• No (92%)

Total Responses: 1,788

Guess, coach, fans aren't buying the old song and dance that "we'll get it cleaned up." We've heard that for the last few years and the Packers are still among the most penalized teams in the league. And then, refs begin looking for chances to throw the flags. You think they aren't eyeballing Chad Clifton every time he goes to the line of scrimmage to see if he is actually on the line of scrimmage?

Coach McCarthy also got a bit testy during his news conference yesterday when he was pressed on the subject of penalties. It doesn't really get conveyed in the transcript, but if you listen to the audio you should be able to sense his growing unease talking about the subject. Just go here and then click on coach McCarthy's press conference from Oct. 19.

Flashback or flash forward?
Reports out of Green Bay yesterday are that the Packers had RB Ahman Green in for a tryout yesterday. Whaaaaaaa...??? Yep. Ahman Green. Great. About 10 years ago, that is. Was cut by Houston in February after two seasons of ongoing injuries. At age 32, should he even be considered as a backup? And that's what we're talking here. But isn't it a reflection on personnel and/or coaching decisions when this is where things are at in regards to that position after just five games?

Let's review, shall we?

The decision was to keep Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn as the backups to Ryan Grant. Jackson is serviceable when healthy, which he hasn't been yet this season, being active for the first time against the Lions. Wynn has shown flashes on rare occasions when he's been healthy; his problem, however, is that he has never been healthy -- or willing play through minor injuries -- since he's been in the NFL.

As for the starter, Grant has been a non-factor in any form this season. He finally got off his longest run of the season -- 22 yards -- late in the game Sunday when the Lions had already been beaten. Not entirely his fault. The problems with the offensive line extend beyond giving up a league-leading sack count; there also just haven't been many holes to run through. (One wonders if even a back like Adrian Peterson could do anything given this current line. )

But back to personnel decisions. The Packers kept three fullbacks, which raised eyebrows at the time and perhaps is now coming back to haunt the team. Although this past Sunday, the team was down to only John Kuhn as both Korey Hall and rookie Quinn Johnson were out. But if the Pack had kept their leading rusher of the preseason, undrafted free agent Tyrell Sutton, the team might not now have to be looking at such alternatives as bringing in Ahman Green and Dominic Rhodes, another old-timer (age 30), as help in the running back department. Granted, Sutton might not have been the answer either. But at least he was fast and had fresh legs.

You can read more about this development here. Be sure to especially check out the reader comments afterward. Some priceless feedback.

Game Day Weather Link
In a continuing effort to provide at least some useful tools to Packer fans, I've recently added a "Packers 2009 Home & Away Weather Forecast" link in, appropriately enough, the "Links" section in the righthand column. Check it out there. Or here.

Pack picks up a fullback

With their first pick in the fifth round, #145 overall, the Packers selected LSU fullback Quinn Johnson. At 6'1" and 245 lbs., this former linebacker helped clear the way this last season for a 1,000-yard rusher at LSU. From his profile description, "Despite playing on a team that featured standout offensive linemen like Herman Johnson and Ciron Black, he ranked second on the team with eleven touchdown-resulting blocks in 2008."

It was known going into the draft that the Packers wanted to add some competitiveness to their fullback position to try to help improve the zone running scheme. Johnson's stats indicate that he didn't rush or catch passes much. He was primarily geared to clearing running lanes. In that respect, he could be a good player to add to the training camp roster to generate some competition with current Packer fullbacks Korey Hall and John Kuhn.

Running backs coach Edgar Bennett told reporters that the Packers really like Johnson's aggressiveness and attitude. The Packers have been looking for a replacement in the run blocking game for the great William Henderson since Henderson's release in 2007. How well Johnson fits that bill remains to be seen. Bennett said Johnson shows up with power and strength and has the ability to make read adjustments. Johnson has the toughness required for fullback, according to Bennett. He can also play special teams.

Note to readers: the next draft update posted here at PackerFansUnited.com will come after the draft has been completed. We'll recap the Pack's final picks, as well as take a look at the overall draft and attempt to assess its impact going forward. Please check back this evening for that update.

Go Pack Go!!!

Halftime: Packers 10 - ViQueens 14

The Minnesota drive which was allowed to continue near the end of the 1st quarter courtesy of a bogus penalty on Al Harris eventually resulted in a 50+ yard field goal by former Packer kicker, Ryan Longwell. That made the score 10-7.

The Packers had their league-leading ability to attract penalty flags at inopportune times continue in this quarter. Thanks to a holding penalty on fullback Korey Hall, the Packers were backed up inside their 10-yard line. Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass and had the ball knocked out of his hands into the end zone. Rather than pick it up and attempt to run, which he may or may not have been able to do successfully, he threw it underhand as he was falling to the ground. While it was in the vicinity of a receiver, the refs called it an illegal throw. And since it was made from the end zone, it was a safety for Minnesota. ViQueens 12 - Packers 7.

The Packers gave up a second safety with about 49 seconds left in the half. After stopping Minnesota and securing a punt inside their own 10-yard line, Rodgers threw an incomplete pass on 1st down and then took a sack inside the end zone instead of throwing the ball away. To be fair, Rodgers was under pressure by DE Jared Allen almost immediately...but you have to get rid of that ball!

On Minnesota's possession following the obligatory post-safety punt, though, Tramon Williams intercepted a Gus Frerotte pass and gave the Packers a chance to get a final score before half. Yet another penalty, an illegal man downfield, took both time off the clock and yardage off the field. But the Packers were able to get the ball down to the 'Queens 30-yard line with 3 seconds left on the clock. Mason Crosby was able to convert a 47-yard field goal to make the score 14-10 at half in favor of Minnesota.

Penalties negated first downs and halted drives for the Packers. Towards the end of the half, Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson was able to break tackles and rip off some yardage, although he was unable to break one all the way.

The Packers had horrible field position most of the half, while the 'Queens enjoyed very good field position. Considering that, the penalties, and lack of ability to sustain drives largely as a result of both factors, the Packers are lucky to only be down by 4...and especially when you gave them those 4 points on safeties. If the Packers can get out of their own way, get better field position and stop the stupid penalties, they should still be able to win this game. But they need a completely different half of play for the next 30 minutes than the previous 30.

One side story about the bad field position. Punt returner Will Blackmon caught a punt in the end zone and took it out; he had no clue where he was on the field. Coach McCarthy had a few choice words for him when he came to the sidelines.

Chances are, Coach McCarthy will have some more choice words for the entire team during halftime.

End of 1st quarter: Packers 7 - Lions 0

Thanks to a 15-play, 86-yard drive, the Packers took a 7-0 lead on the Lions with about 2 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter. The touchdown came on a 3rd-and-goal play from the Lions 9 as QB Aaron Rodgers scrambled and found James Jones in the endzone. It was the first TD of Jones' NFL career.

Unfortunately, starting FB Korey Hall injured his left knee in the quarter. His return today is doubtful, according to the sideline reporter for Fox.

Herron and Morency released among Packers' cuts

One or the other was expected to be part of the running back corps. Actually, the likelihood seemed to be that both would make the club. In the end, both veterans Noah Herron and Vernand Morency were cut as the Packers got down to their 53-man roster. Along with DeShawn Wynn, released earlier in the week, these three backs were beaten out by undrafted rookie free agent Kregg Lumpkin. As part of their backfield decisions, the Packers kept two fullbacks -- a rarity in the league these days -- in the persons of Korey Hall and John Kuhn.

The roster at this time contains no long snapper, although that will likely change soon. Rookie snapper, J.J. Jansen, was one of three players placed on the injured reserve list after his knee injury in Thursday night's final preseason game. The Packers are expected to put in a claim on Thomas Gafford, who was waived by the Bears a few days ago. Gafford was in the Packers' '06 training camp and again this summer, before being waived Aug. 3 because the team needed a roster spot. The Packers reportedly are also holding tryouts today for at least three long snappers...so, if you happen to be driving near Green Bay today...what the heck...stop on in...especially if you can precision snap a football five to fifteen yards. For more on the snapper situation, check out this story.

The Packers did keep seven linebackers...for now. One of those players, possibly special teams standout Tracey White, might be the odd man out when the Pack adds a long snapper.

There will be a few more moves likely made this morning. Teams have until 11 a.m. to make claims on waived players. Teams will be informed by the league in early afternoon whom they have been awarded as part of the process.

For a story on the running backs and other moves, check out this article. For commentary on the players kept, check out this article.

For the Packers official notice of cuts, etc., check it out here. If you prefer to get the same news here, the following is from the official notice:

"The Green Bay Packers released 19 players and placed three on injured reserve. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions Saturday.

Released Saturday were wide receiver Jake Allen, cornerback Scorpio Babers, defensive tackle Conrad Bolston, center Brennen Carvalho, safety Tyrone Culver, linebacker Spencer Havner, tight end Joey Haynos, running back Noah Herron, guard Ryan Keenan, linebacker Danny Lansanah, defensive tackle Alfred Malone, running back Vernand Morency, defensive tackle Daniel Muir, cornerback Joe Porter, wide receiver Johnny Quinn, wide receiver Taj Smith, wide receiver Brett Swain, tackle Orrin Thompson and fullback Corey White.

Defensive tackle Rodney Allen, center Junius Coston and long snapper J.J. Jansen were placed on injured reserve."

Packers doubleheader today

Yes, you read that right. The Packers play two games today. Well, technically, one they have already played and the other is tonight's regularly scheduled preseason game against Jacksonville.

Let me explain. At 2:30 p.m. today Central time, the NFL Network will air the Packers game from last weekend against Seattle. For those fortunate few who actually receive the NFL Network, it might be worth checking out if you weren't in the original broadcast area, especially since it was such a solid and high-scoring game for the Pack. This is not to say that you don't have a life just because you can actually spend 3 hours in the afternoon watching the NFL Network (hey...I heard that!). Just passing along info here for those interested.

The second game of the day is the nationally televised game on Fox beginning at 7 p.m. Central. The Pack take on the Jags at Lambeau. This should be an interesting game for a few reasons. First, to see whether the sharpness that was present in Saturday's game carries over to this game. Secondly, because this is normally the preseason game where the starters typically play at least 3 quarters to try to get in sync before the start of the regular season; but that's not going to happen tonight...more on that in a moment. Finally, because some players will be battling in perhaps their last bid to make the roster.

Now, as to the starters and how long they play. Coach McCarthy indicated to the press earlier this week that because of the competition the team has at so many spots, the staff wants to see as much of these players as possible in order to assist their evaluations. So, you can probably read into that the starters may only play a half. Perhaps Brett might only play a quarter or so, although you can be sure he'd just as soon play the entire game. The balancing act in this third game, regardless of how long the starters play, is that they escape without injury. The Packers have already been hit with injuries -- some possibly season-ending -- at a number of positions and thus depth is already spotty in spots (is that a redundant redundancy?).

One of the positions at which the Pack thinks they may have found a gem in the rough is at fullback. After relying on William Henderson to always be there for so many years, the task of filling his big shoes (literally...I saw a pair once) might have seemed insurmountable. Yes, Brandon Miree did a serviceable job last year and was penciled in as the nominal starter this year until injuries kept him on the sidelines during most of training camp. That allowed rookie FB, Korey Hall, to step in. A converted linebacker from Boise State, Hall might at first have seemed a real project. But, barring injury, Hall may actually find himself as the starting fullback for the Green Bay Packers come regular season. There is great article about Hall and his progress in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Check it out here.

Regardless of whether you watch one or two games today, regardless of whether you have a life or not, enjoy! We are, after all, Packers fans. And it just doesn't get any better than that.