The team buses pulled into Cleveland stadium (does it have a corporate name, btw?) about 15 minutes or so ago as this post is written. Kickoff for the first preseason game of the Packers repeat championship season is a little more than three hours away.
Football!!!
Yes, it's only preseason. And who knows what the quality of play will be given the lack of OTAs and minicamps due to the lockout? But there are one or two givens: the veteran starters will see limited play, while rookies and others on the bubble (mentioned much earlier than usual because of the shortened player evaluation period) will see most of the action.
The primary competition on the offensive line is at left guard. Rookie Derek Sherrod and veteran T.J. Lang will battle for that spot. Marshall Newhouse will likely see a lot of play at left tackle while Chad Clifton is saved for more important days ahead. Nick McDonald will get extended play at center behind Scott Wells.
As we well know, there is an abundance of talent at wide receiver and tight end. Some folks will be auditioning for other teams in these next few games as the chances of sticking with the Pack are slim, unless they can be slid onto the practice squad down the road.
At running back, the question is who will take Brandon Jackson's spot as the third-down back protecting Aaron Rodgers and catching passes out of the backfield. Will this be FB John Kuhn's role? Or will James Starks or rookie Alex Green be able to step in?
There is obviously no controversy at quarterback. The only question may be, since Matt Flynn established his credentials as a solid number 2 and potential starter -- just not in Green Bay -- whether backup Graham Harrell can display enough to have the Pack see him as a backup to Rodgers. It's likely that Flynn will be gone next season, either through trade or free agency, and the Packers have to be comfortable with Harrell. We should see him a good deal in these first two games, at least.
On the defensive side of things, coordinator Dom Capers will want to see whether Mike Neal, C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn can make up for the departure of Cullen Jenkins. In the linebacker corps, who will win the spot playing opposite Clay Matthews? Frank Zombo? Brad Jones? Erik Walden? And in the defensive backfield, it's another logjam. But Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields are not expected to play this evening, leaving lots of room for veterans Jarrett Bush and Pat Lee to show their wares, along with undrafted rookie Brandian Ross.
On special teams, it will be nice to see if the Packers have a legitimate punt and/or kick returner in their midst at long last. Shaky Smithson and Randall Cobb will get their chances, as might Alex Green...and anyone else the Packers want to get a look at. We've been waiting so long, at this point let's try anyone!
Anyway, starting to feel the excitement once again. No, it's not the same as the regular season. We won't fret if they lose. We'd like to see the Pack win, of course, but mainly we don't want anyone getting hurt. Beyond that, we want to see which players are going to grab the brass ring and make the most of their opportunities.
Football!!!
Go Pack Go!!!
Showing posts with label Nick McDonald. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nick McDonald. Show all posts
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Hello, I must be going...
As the whirlwind feeding frenzy (is that a mixed metaphor?) of the first week of the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement continues, the Green Bay Packers will be bidding adieu to a few longtime veterans.
Barnett, Colledge, Jenkins and Jones...going, going...
As reported the Tuesday, LB Nick Barnett was informed by the Packers they would attempt to trade him or, failing that, part ways with him when today's release timeline kicks in. Late yesterday, free agent LG Daryn Colledge apparently agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL.com. A Tweet from Colledge this morning confirmed that his days in Green Bay were done following conversations with Arizona. The St. Louis Rams had also been rumored to be a possible suitor. Nothing can be made official until tomorrow, however. According to both Colledge and his agent, the Packers "never showed interest" in resigning him. Apparently, GM Ted Thompson and the coaching staff feels confident that either veterans T. J. Lang, Nick McDonald or Marshall Newhouse can fill the slot at least as well -- and cheaper -- than Colledge, or rookie first round-pick Derek Sherrod will be be able to do what Bryan Bulaga did last season and step right into the fray.
Thank you, Mr. Colledge, for never missing a game during your tenure as a member of the Packers. You never got the appreciation you deserved, in this writer's opinion, for your solid service. You weren't a Pro Bowler, but you weren't chopped liver either, as the saying goes. Good luck in the desert.
Another apparent, although not unexpected, loss for the Packers in free agency is DE Cullen Jenkins. Reports this morning indicate that Jenkins has come to terms with the Washington Redskins although, again, nothing can finalized until Friday. Well, at least he's not going to Da Bearz.
One possible inter-division free agent loss that is getting some buzz this morning is that WR James Jones may be going to the ViQueens. With Sidney Rice bolting the 'Queens for the Seahawks, Minnesota is now desperate for a starting receiver to play opposite Percy Harvin. Jones has made it clear he wants the opportunity to be a starter. While Packers QB Aaron Rodgers stated on a radio program yesterday that he felt re-signing Jones was a priority for the team as he saw things, Jones will likely be offered more money than the Packers are willing to pay. My guess is Jones will be dressing in purple this Fall -- just as other former Packers have (what's up with that, by the way?). Stay tuned.
Crosby scores a deal
The Packers did come to terms yesterday, however, with one free agent: kicker Mason Crosby. He apparently will be signing a five-year $14.75 million deal with $3 million in guaranted money. There seems to be some mixed feelings about this deal among Packer fans. While Crosby's leg strength has never been in question, his accuracy has been at times, and stats demonstrate he is below the NFL average in that regard. He also is merely 1 for 4 in game-winning kicks. Speaking for myself, I have had very little confidence when he comes in for those clutch kicks. I hope to have that opinion reversed over the next five years.
Shareholders meeting today
Today is the annual meeting for Packers shareholders, which is being held at Lambeau Field. Will do a re-cap of anything newsworthy that might arise.
Barnett, Colledge, Jenkins and Jones...going, going...
As reported the Tuesday, LB Nick Barnett was informed by the Packers they would attempt to trade him or, failing that, part ways with him when today's release timeline kicks in. Late yesterday, free agent LG Daryn Colledge apparently agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL.com. A Tweet from Colledge this morning confirmed that his days in Green Bay were done following conversations with Arizona. The St. Louis Rams had also been rumored to be a possible suitor. Nothing can be made official until tomorrow, however. According to both Colledge and his agent, the Packers "never showed interest" in resigning him. Apparently, GM Ted Thompson and the coaching staff feels confident that either veterans T. J. Lang, Nick McDonald or Marshall Newhouse can fill the slot at least as well -- and cheaper -- than Colledge, or rookie first round-pick Derek Sherrod will be be able to do what Bryan Bulaga did last season and step right into the fray.
Thank you, Mr. Colledge, for never missing a game during your tenure as a member of the Packers. You never got the appreciation you deserved, in this writer's opinion, for your solid service. You weren't a Pro Bowler, but you weren't chopped liver either, as the saying goes. Good luck in the desert.
Another apparent, although not unexpected, loss for the Packers in free agency is DE Cullen Jenkins. Reports this morning indicate that Jenkins has come to terms with the Washington Redskins although, again, nothing can finalized until Friday. Well, at least he's not going to Da Bearz.
One possible inter-division free agent loss that is getting some buzz this morning is that WR James Jones may be going to the ViQueens. With Sidney Rice bolting the 'Queens for the Seahawks, Minnesota is now desperate for a starting receiver to play opposite Percy Harvin. Jones has made it clear he wants the opportunity to be a starter. While Packers QB Aaron Rodgers stated on a radio program yesterday that he felt re-signing Jones was a priority for the team as he saw things, Jones will likely be offered more money than the Packers are willing to pay. My guess is Jones will be dressing in purple this Fall -- just as other former Packers have (what's up with that, by the way?). Stay tuned.
Crosby scores a deal
The Packers did come to terms yesterday, however, with one free agent: kicker Mason Crosby. He apparently will be signing a five-year $14.75 million deal with $3 million in guaranted money. There seems to be some mixed feelings about this deal among Packer fans. While Crosby's leg strength has never been in question, his accuracy has been at times, and stats demonstrate he is below the NFL average in that regard. He also is merely 1 for 4 in game-winning kicks. Speaking for myself, I have had very little confidence when he comes in for those clutch kicks. I hope to have that opinion reversed over the next five years.
Shareholders meeting today
Today is the annual meeting for Packers shareholders, which is being held at Lambeau Field. Will do a re-cap of anything newsworthy that might arise.
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