Loss to Steelers in Preseason Game #2 is the Least of Packers' Problems

Yes, the Packers lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday in Game #2 of the 2015 NFL Preseason, 24-19.

Big whup.

The only loss that mattered yesterday, on the field, in the locker room, and across the Packersphere was the probable season-long loss of the Pack's number one receiver, Jordy Nelson, to a torn ACL. While the word is not final until the MRI results are reported, the mood in the locker room after the game pretty much said it all, as this article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes.

Photo of Jordy Nelson before Sunday's game
Photo by Associated Press
What now?
With Nelson out for at least an extended period of time, if not the entire season, it falls to Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and, most probably, rookie Ty Montgomery to form the starting trio of the receiving corps. But who will get the fourth spot in the lineup? And the number five backup spot?

Jeff Janis shows so much promise at times and, as demonstrated yesterday, also presents so many questions...the whiffed punt catch being a primary example. The Packers may very well use TE Richard Rodgers in passing schemes more than just as a tight end. Myles White seems to be a likely candidate, his already-good training camp performances and chances now bolstered with Nelson's absence. There's Larry Pinkard and Ed Williams, whom we haven't seen much of and know even less about. The coaching staff and fans alike would love to see Jared Abbrederis get back on the field and make an impact but whether that will happen or not depends upon Abbrederis' ability to stay healthy enough to actually make it into even a preseason game.

Or will GM Ted Thompson go the free agent receiver route as Ron Wolf did when number one receiver Robert Brooks was lost in the 7th game of the 1996 Super Bowl-run season? With Brooks out and Antonio Freeman banged up, Wolf picked up veteran WR Andre Rison to help pick up the slack...and, boy, did he with that 54-yard touchdown reception on the Packers' second offensive play in Super Bowl XXXI. It remains one of the top moments in team Super Bowl history.

Still, the only thing we can be sure of is that as long as Aaron Rodgers is behind center the Packers will be a threat to every opponent and still is an odds-on favorite to make it to the Super Bowl.

So...we have that going for us...which is nice.

Let's hope that Nelson's condition is not as dire as suspected. But if it is, the Packers still have enough offensive weapons to be the envy of many if not most other teams in the league. If you don't believe me, check out this great article by Packers beat reporter, Bob McGinn.

Let's also take a moment to note that starting guard T.J. Lang left the game yesterday with a concussion. He'll be back for the season opener, if not before. Let's also hope LT David Bakhtiari's knee injury from the prior week heals soon; his replacement, Don Barclay -- who is himself coming back from injury last season -- struggled mightily in his first start at left tackle.

With all that said ... Go Pack Go!!!

Packers vs. Lions Preview and Prediction

The streak
The last time the Detroit Lions beat the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin -- mid-December of 1991 -- Erik Kramer was their quarterback and Mike Tomczak was somehow quarterbacking the Pack. The Packers were playing out a 4-12 season and the Lions were preparing for the playoffs as NFC Central Division champs. Detroit won 21-17. Since then -- over the next 20 years -- the Lions haven't won another game in Wisconsin and have been favored just once.

As a great article by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn points out, "The Packers' 20-game winning streak at home against the Lions is the longest in National Football League regular-season history." Amazing. And the Packers are favored again in tonight's game, by 7 points.

McGinn's article quotes former Packers General Manager, Ron Wolf, as reminding us that during this time span the Packers have had Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers -- both future Hall of Famers -- as the starting QBs. Detroit? Not. That does explain a lot. But still, the ball has to bounce your way sooner or later, right? Yes, but let's not start tonight, OK?

If you want to see my pre-preview of this game I wrote a few days ago, check out my prior post below. Or just click here to take you right there.

The challenges
The Packers will, as has been the case all season, be playing shorthanded with starters on both sides of the ball still out. But they will likely be getting a few folks back, as well, at least for spot duty. The return of WR Greg Jennings (last week) will again take up some of the slack for the missing Jordy Nelson.

The biggest challenge for the Packers will be the same as it was when the two teams met a few weeks ago: the offensive line vs. the Lions' defensive front. Detroit held down the Packers running game so that Rodgers was forced to pass more often, opening up the pass rush for the Lions. The Lions harassed Rodgers for a good part of the last game, even causing a fumble on a sack attempt. The Packers O-line has to step up. Given that undrafted rookie lineman, Don Barclay, will likely be getting the start at right tackle in place of injured T.J. Lang, and that the line will be fending off The Mad Stomper, Ndamukong Suh, it could once again be a long day for Rodgers...unless the Pack can get -- and keep -- its running game going.

To that end, and with RB James Starks being injured yet again, that effort will fall to Alex Green and newly-resigned veteran Ryan Grant. It's also possible that the Packers might try first-year player DuJuan Harris if the rushing game stagnates. He's a bit "undersized" at 5'8" but as has been shown in a few cases -- Barry Sanders (5'8") and Emmitt Smith (5'9") come to mind -- undersized is a relative term.

The bottom line prediction
As noted earlier, I wrote a pre-preview article a few days ago regarding this game, so you can get some further detail there.

The Lions are 4-8, have not won a game in the division, and have nothing to play for other than pride, and finally winning a game in Wisconsin after a generation. The Packers, at 8-4 atop the NFC North, must continue to win in order to control their own destiny.

Tonight's game will, according to forecasts, be cold, not too windy, but with anywhere fom 2-5 inches of snow predicted for the day...at the time of this writing, snow is already falling at Lambeau Field. This may very well mean more relianace on the rushing game or short passing attack. Fans would hope and expect that the "outdoors" Packers would have the advantage over the "indoors" Lions but we need to remember that the Packers haven't had to play in bad weather in quite a while either.

As noted earlier, the Pack is favored by 7 points. The over-under is 49 points, second highest for the weekend's games.

With the weather conditions being iffy at best, this is a game that could turn on turnovers and special teams play...that proverbial bounce of the ball we mentioned at the outset. If it's a close game, as the last game was into the fourth quarter with the Lions leading, anything could happen. But the Packers are the better team. The Packers are at home. The Packers have more to play for. The Packers will win.

I'm calling this one 24-17 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Still time to enter the Sweepstakes!
Larry the Cable Guy is in Green Bay tonight to crank up the official tailgate party. You can check out what he's been up to, and what he will have gotten up to while in Green Bay, at www.WildBerryFlavor.com. While there, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on an out-of-this-world flavor adventure of your own by entering the Wild American Flavor Sweepstakes. From now until January 7, 2013, enter at WildberryFlavor.com for a chance to win trips to three of America’s most flavorful cities, including tickets to some of the country’s biggest sporting events courtesy of new Prilosec OTC Wildberry. One winner will be chosen at random to receive the prize pack, including tickets to the big football game in New Orleans (February 3, 2013), the first big auto race of the year in Daytona Beach (February 24, 2013) and the basketball championship game in Atlanta (April 8, 2013), travel and accommodations (a two-night hotel stay and air transportation for each destination), and one $5,000 check to be used in any of these flavorful cities.

What are you waiting for, Packer fans? Git-R-Done!

Holmgren now part of Packers Hall of Fame

Last night in Green Bay, Packers alumni and fans turned out for the annual Packers Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony. This was the 42nd such event, as a matter of fact. And the person being inducted was none other than former Packers head coach, Mike Holmgren, now President of the Cleveland Browns. (Our sympathies to you, Mike.)

Many fans, including this one, weren't too happy when Holmgren left Green Bay for Seattle. We didn't begrudge him the chance to be both head coach and general manager. We just felt that perhaps that was a bit more on his mind than it should have been as he led his team to its second consecutive Super Bowl after the 1997 season, where the Packers were the prohibitive favorites. Some even felt, in some convoluted way, that might have helped contribute to the loss against the Denver Broncos. Whatever.

All is forgiven now. We have perspective.

Who better to help give us some of that perspective than the person who hired the relatively unknown Holmgren in 1992 to his first head coaching position, then-GM Ron Wolf. "I mean, for 24 years after Lombardi left," Wolf told reporters, "there were four winning seasons here. And one of those seasons shouldn't even count; it was the strike year. So just think about that, 24 years, they had three winning seasons. He comes here and never has a losing season." And as Wolf also pointed out in his interviews with media, a lot of the players on those teams weren't exactly blue chippers, so to speak. Great coaching can take a so-so team and make them a winner. That's what Holmgren did. Not just once, but every year he was the coach. Remarkable. He deserves his place in the Packers Hall of Fame. For what he did as coach, and the legacy he left which still resounds and is at work nearly 20 years later.

I could write more here about this occasion and Holmgren but Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has done an excellent job doing just that. Why reinvent the wheel? Read her story here. The Packers official website also has its take on things here, plus photos from the ceremony itself.

Say it with me: it's great to be a Packers fan!

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...

When Favre's a Jet he's a Jet all the way

Happyguy already broke the news: Brett Favre has officially been traded to the NY Jets.

The greatest QB in the history of the Packers is gone. Aaron Rodgers is the starting QB of the Packers. The king is dead. Long live the king.

OK...sorry for the melodrama. But this is big, isn't it?

While most eyes were fixed on a deal with Tampa Bay, the Jets were always rumored to be part of the possible scenario. And, as reported here yesterday, news reports were indicating that the Jets were offering the Packers a sweeter deal for Favre than were the Buccaneers. And that's ultimately what it came down to.

Here are the details as we have them now. The Packers receive -- no matter what -- a 4th round draft pick for Brett. If he plays at least 50% of the offensive snaps during the season (seems quite reasonable barring injury), the Pack will receive a 3rd round pick. If he plays at least 70 % of the snaps and the Jets make the playoffs, the Pack will get a 2nd round pick. If -- through the sheer majesty and will of our once great ol' #4 -- the Jets somehow make it to the Super Bowl, the Packers will receive a 1st round draft choice. So, Packer fans, you can still root for Brett! Go Brett Go!!!

Now, one of the other negative possibilities the Packers have reportedly addressed in this deal is a back-door trade from the Jets to ViQueens. You know, behind the scenes Minnesota may have been working with the Jets so the Jets could acquire Favre and then trade him to the 'Queens, right? While that still could be a possibility, the Jets would pay a heavy price. One of the poison pill type conditions being reported as part of this deal is that the Jets would have to give the Packers three 1st round draft picks if they trade Brett to the ViQueens. Ouch. For the Jets, anyway.

Brett has nearly gone full circle. The Jets -- and an employee there at the time by the name of Ron Wolf -- wanted to draft Favre in 1991. They didn't have a 1st round pick. Hoped he'd make it to the 2nd round. He did. Only problem was that the Atlanta Falcons selected him one pick before the Jets selection came up. Wolf moved from New York to Green Bay about a year later and swung his first deal for the kid from Mississippi and re-built a dynasty and helped build a football legend in the process.

But that was then. This is now. The Jets finally get Brett 17 years late. And the Packers -- and we, the fans -- got the best of his years.

The drama is over. Now we can get on to talking about what's actually going on: summer camp, preseason games and, quite possibly, who the veteran QB is that the Packers might try to pick up to back up Aaron Rodgers...you know...just in case...

You can read more about this deal, well, probably anywhere and everywhere. But here's a link to get you started.

The Packers Official Statement

A joint statement from Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy and General Manager Ted Thompson read:

“Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state. It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible.

“We respect Brett’s decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer. But there were certain things we were not willing to do because they were not in the best interest of the team. We were not going to release him nor trade him to a team within the division. When Brett ultimately decided that he still wanted to play football, but not in Green Bay, we told him that we would work to find the best solution for all parties involved. We wish Brett and his family well.

“We appreciate the tremendous passion shown by our fans. We, like them, always will see Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and our respect for him never will change. Moving forward, we are dedicated to delivering a successful 2008 season for all Packers fans.”

Murphy, Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy are expected to address the media today at noon Central Time.

You can watch the press conference live on Packers.com by clicking here. (A live video window will appear on that page approximately 5 minutes before the scheduled live event.)

Ron Wolf returning to Green Bay

Now don't get excited, all you Ted Thompson haters out there. Yes, former Packers GM Ron Wolf is indeed returning to TitleTown (that would be the REAL TitleTown, not that bogus ESPN version, by the way). But not in any official capacity with the Packers. Wolf is returning to Green Bay because he and his wife, Edie, loved living there before, and want to do so again. Imagine that! Green Bay as a retirement destination. (Actually, for those who have spent any time living in the Green Bay area you also know why it's a great place to live.)

Here's how Wolf put it: "We both really loved Green Bay. How in the world could you not enjoy living in a place like that? We're excited about coming back."

The fact that Wolf's son, Eliot, is assistant director of pro personnel for the Packers probably factors in just a bit, too. And it's possible that Wolf's wife, Edie, could resume the private psychology practice she had when the couple was in GB the first time around. Of course, don't expect the Wolfs to be giving up their Jupiter, FL winter home. They'll only be selling their current home in Annapolis, MD, where they have lived since 2001.

Wolf said Thompson invites him to training camp for a couple days each year. This year, especially with the move back, you shouldn't be surprised to see Wolf among the railbirds.

You can read more here.

10 years later, Wolf still blames Holmgren for SB loss

It's Super Bowl week and all converation is not necessarily about the Patriots vs. What-Should-Have-Been-the-Packers. Some talk is about What-Should-Have-Been-Wins. In this case, it's about that loss by the Packers to Denver in Super Bowl XXXII. And, in particular, it's about then-GM Ron Wolf blaming then-head coach Mike Holmgren for blowing it by failing to make obvious adjustments. As it turns out, some of the other coaches, although not named, apparently raised this issue with Wolf a few years ago. And players, who have no problem being named, basically concur. The Pack was favored to win by 11-1/2 and lost in a 31-24 upset to the Broncos.

As you'll no doubt recall, it was widely speculated that Holmgren's mind was not where it should have been. Which was on the field in San Diego. (He did admit to losing track of downs when the Broncos scored on what amounted to a freebie to go ahead with less than 2 minutes to go.) Instead, it's claimed, Holmgren was distracted by the possibility of a new job in Seattle. We know how both the game and the job deal turned out.

It all apparently still eats at Wolf, who famously said in the locker room after the game, "We're a one-year wonder, just a fart in the wind." There are a lot of his comments, and those of others, to chew on in this article by that great sportwriter, Bob McGinn, of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. You definitely will want to check it out. But have your antacid ready. We are still working on the loss to the Giants...and now we have to re-live SB XXXII? Brutal, man, brutal.

Thanks, Mr. Harlan

Without much fanfare last week, the Chairman and CEO of the Packers -- Bob Harlan -- retired after 19 years at the helm of football's most storied franchise. As of today, Harlan officially becomes Chairman Emeritus and recently-hired Mark Murphy takes over as President and CEO. Harlan no doubt -- like the rest of us -- thought he'd go out with a trip to the Super Bowl and another Lombardi Trophy. The happy ending script didn't quite work out that way, as we all know.

But, think back for a bit, you longtime Packers fans, about what Harlan came into when he took on the job: a history in the 70s and 80s of mostly mediocre teams, so-so coaches, player scandals, an aging stadium generating revenue for the team only a handful of days a year, a split "home" schedule between Milwaukee and Green Bay...well, it wasn't a great situation.

Harlan enters the picture. He hires Ron Wolf as GM. Wolf hires head coach Mike Holmgren and trades for a young and unknown bench-riding QB in Atlanta by the name of Brett Favre, and also picks up the most highly prized free agent of the time, Reggie White. Harlan makes the call to return all home games to Lambeau Field, while still accommodating the loyal Milwaukee fan base who had helped keep the franchise afloat in other difficult times. He begins to plan for a way to make Lambeau Field a year-round venue that can generate income for the team day in and day out to keep it competitive for years to come.

During Harlan's tenure, the Pack had 13 straight years of above .500 football, and went to the playoffs 11 times, including the Super Bowl twice with one Super Bowl win. The Packers only had three losing seasons during Harlan's reign. Can you say "turn around"???

That's the Reader's Digest version of things. There is much, much more. Harlan told his own story in the book he authored this past year entitled, "Green and Golden Moments: Bob Harlan and the Green Bay Packers." You can get it from the Packers Pro Shop by clicking here.

You can read an exit interview of sorts with Harlan about his time with the Pack here.

In the long history of the Green Bay Packers, many individuals have played key roles on and off the field. But it could be argued that Bob Harlan has played as critical and as an important a role as any. So, for that and everything else, and for representing the Packers with such class, thank you, Mr. Harlan. See you soon in the Packers Hall of Fame.

Harlan's Green and Gold Legacy

As Packers CEO Bob Harlan fast approaches Chairman Emeritus status, 620WTMJ-AM radio in Milwaukee is doing a 5-part series this week entitled "Bob Harlan: a Green and Gold Legacy." You can read part 1 here as well as find links to the audio version of the report.

Harlan, who joined the Packers in 1971 and became President and CEO in 1989, has been instrumental in turning the Packers' fortunes around, no less than Ron Wolf and Mike Holmgren. In fact, if it wasn't for Harlan hiring Ron Wolf as GM in 1991...well, we don't even want to think about it. Harlan was also the driving force behind the referendum securing the funding for the renovation of Lambeau Field so that it could be a revenue source 365 days per year instead of just 10 as before. It is Harlan's vision that has placed the Packers on solid financial ground for a long time to come.

Incoming President and CEO John Jones has big shoes to fill. If he is able to accomplish half of what Bob Harlan has the Packers will continue to enjoy the success to which we've all become accustomed.