2018 NFL Week 17 - Packers vs. Lions Preview & Prediction

Here we are, Packers fans...the end of the season for our Green Bay Packers. Today's game at Lambeau Field will bring a merciful end to a forgettable 100th year of Packers football. At a mediocre 6-8-1 going into today's game vs. the 5-10 Detroit Lions, the Pack will finish the season with a losing record and out of the playoffs for the second straight year. Oy.

If you're wondering where things went off the rails, I highly commend to your reading pleasure (a questionable term in this regard, granted) the article by sports writer Pete Dougherty from yesterday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel entitled The day Aaron Rodgers' split with Mike McCarthy became clear. Quite a compelling analysis of the point early in this season where then-head coach Mike McCarthy lost his QB (that would be one Aaron Rodgers for those unaware) and with him, effectively, the locker room and team...and, ultimately, his head coaching job after 13 years. It was all downhill from there.

Now, to be fair, the Packers were yet once again -- how does this keep happening year after year??? -- plagued by injuries across the board, including a banged up Rodgers in the very first game (Da Bearz!) that seemed to linger in various forms throughout the season. The injuries depleted an already thin talent pool in terms of depth, which revealed that former GM Ted Thompson's last few drafts weren't all that great after all.

Prior to the season, many, including yours truly, predicted the Pack would likely win the NFC North with an 11-5 record and be one of the favorites to contend for the Super Bowl. As good ol' Maxwell Smart would say, "Missed it by that much". (Ancient cultural reference for those who might pick up on that.) So we are where we are in today's season finale.

Packers WR Davante Adams was in sight of setting two franchise records today.
But he is listed as inactive. A great season for Adams regardless.
(Photo: RIck Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Prediction

With a game like today, that doesn't mean anything in the scheme of things...Packers will finish in third place in the division ahead of Detroit win or lose...expect Rodgers to start, but this fan hopes they get him out of the game as quickly as possible. Absolutely no need to expose him to injury. He will be without his top receiver, Davante Adams, who was declared inactive for today's game. Adams was in sight of breaking Sterling Sharpe's franchise record for number of receptions in a season and Jody Nelson's record for receiving yards in a season; but both of those will have to wait for another year.

Expect to see what may be the last appearances by some veteran Packers in a Green Bay uniform: LB Clay Matthews and WR Randall Cobb, in particular, are long-time standouts whose contracts and performances point to likely exits in free agency. Thank you, gentlemen, for your great contributions to the Packers over the years. You may be gone next year, but you won't be forgotten.

Because there may well be limited playing time for Rodgers and others, and expanded playing time for younger and more inexperienced members of the team today, it's hard to tell exactly what to expect. It feels like a preseason game in many respects. Still, the Packers are favored by 8 points.

We haven't said much, actually, anything, at all about the Lions. Their season has been more of a train wreck than that of the Packers. While they've won a couple in a row against the Packers -- hard to believe -- we can't imagine that happening today. While both teams supposedly will be playing for nothing more than pride today, that carries a bit more weight when playing at home.

We're calling this game Packers 27 - Lions 20.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 17: Packers vs Lions ... The End.

Week 17 of the 2017 NFL season brings with it, mercifully, the end of the Packers waylaid season. Striving to finish at 8-8 today against the Lions in Detroit, after beginning the season with Super Bowl hopes, the Pack will be hard-pressed to make that happen being without at least 7 starters. This will be essentially a preseason game for the Packers with lots of youth on display and probably not much else. Backup QB Brett Hundley needs all the help he can get and then some to score points; that will be in short supply today. The only thing that creates a possibility for avoiding another shutout is that the game is on the road where Hundley somehow performs marginally better.

The Prediction

Yes, we're getting this out of the way early for those who wish to move along quickly. While some players might be playing for contracts, or auditioning for other teams, playing for pride just doesn't seem to matter much lately. If it did, we wouldn't have seen the level of play -- even from back ups -- that we've seen over the last several weeks. Whether that's a coaching problem or player problem or even a general manager problem, the effect has been the same: poor play. Why would we expect that to change today? Don't.

The Lions are favored by 6-1/2 points. Let's see: Matthew Stafford at QB vs. Brett Hundley at QB? C'mon.

We're calling it Packers 10 - Lions 24.

Still...Go Pack Go!!!

After the Game...After the Season...

The now well-documented demise of this season began with the broken collarbone to QB Aaron Rodgers and an ongoing rash of injuries decimating virtually every other unit on the team. As we know, though, injuries don't explain all of the problems.

The autopsy of the 2017 Packers has been underway for weeks and will continue long into the post-season. It's not shocking. Word already has it the long-suffering (at least on the part of Packers fans) defensive coordinator Dom Capers is out once the season is over. Who will head coach Mike McCarthy choose to replace him? There are many good options, as this article by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's great writer, Tom Silverstein, points out.

Some talk has been floating that it's time for GM Ted Thompson to move on, despite one year remaining on his contract. We would be shocked if Packers President Mark Murphy were to force Thompson out before the end of that contract, even though there are mounting reasons it would be a wise move to make at this time. Expect Thompson to be pulling the trigger for the 2018 NFL Draft and free agency.

Thompson did get an early start on the offseason in the last several days signing WR Davante Adams and C Corey Linsley to contract extension. Wise moves, although the money for a three-times-concussed Adams might be a bit on the high side. Time will tell.

Again, we'll have plenty of time to dissect this past season and project our collective hopes onto next season in the weeks and months ahead. We'll be seeing you around. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for more real-time commentary!  :-)

2017 NFL Week 14: Packers vs. Browns

Oh, boy. Nothing like going up against an 0-12 team in their home stadium with a hot-and-mostly-cold backup quarterback at the helm of your team...and a secondary down to back-ups to back-ups, as well. That's what the Green Bay Packers are dealing with today. And if they think that it's an automatic win given the prior record of the Browns, well, the Pack might just hand the lowly team in Cleveland their first victory of the season. Wouldn't that be depressing?

Cleveland has been close in many of its games, yet their rookie quarterback, DeShone Kizer, has been a turnover machine, helping keep the team winless. On the other hand, the Browns defense is eighth overall against the run. They are a better team overall than the record indicates. They are close. In an Aaron Rodgers-led Packers pass-happy offense, none of this would be a concern. But given that the resurgent running game has now become a big part of the Pack's offense, this could present problems for the Packers if QB Brett Hundley isn't able to complete at least a few passes downfield to soften up the rush a bit. Given Hundley's penchant for performing better on the road than at home, perhaps we get the "good" Hundley today. Let us pray.

The Browns do have a big receiving threat in WR Josh Gordon. But, again, their rookie QB may provide the Pack's defense with interception opportunities. Given that the Packers secondary is missing some key pieces today, bad quarterback play would certainly be a help in mitigating a passing threat.

Late news: Packers cornerback Davon House is active for the game but outside linebacker Nick Perry is out.

In years to come, the Browns may actually have themselves a good organization due to the hiring late this week of former Packers linebacker and front office man -- and recent Kansas City Chiefs General Manager -- John Dorsey. He's a good one -- wouldn't have minded seeing him come back to the Pack to replace Ted Thompson -- and he'll do what he can to build a winning organization. But that won't be in time for today's game.

The Prediction

We're getting right to this, Packer fans, as game time is fast approaching.

The Packers are favored by 3 points at the time of this post. We think the game will be ugly. But this is a must-win game for the Pack if they wish to not only keep their paper-thin playoff hopes alive but retain any sense of football dignity; you can't be the one that gives a winless team its first win for the season. Just. Can't. Do. It.

We're calling this Packers 24 - Browns 17.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers find lost mojo in 27-13 win over Eagles

With a day or two to reflect upon the Green Bay Packers' 27-13 win Monday night over the Philadelphia Eagles, what are your thoughts, Packer fans? Here are a few from yours truly, in no particular order of importance.

According to prognosticators, pundits and oddsmakers, the win was an upset as Philly was as much as a four-point favorite ahead of the game. Yes, that's how low expectations were for the Pack going into this game. And why not? They hadn't won in a month, were on a four-game losing streak that showed no signs of letting up, and had many opining that this was the season in which Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy crashed the team and, as a result, changes needed to be made after the season's close. The latter may still hold true, although I for one wouldn't bet the farm -- or even a farmette -- on that happening. As Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly told 620WTMJ radio in Milwaukee the day of the game, the reputation of both Thompson and McCarthy around the league is that they are one of the best GM-head coach combinations there is. He reminded us that getting to the playoffs even a few years in a row in the NFL is no small feat, and the Packers have been there seven years in a row. Let that sink in, folks. Oh yeah, a couple NFC championship games in there, as well (where arguably the Packers should have won at least one or two more than they did), plus a Super Bowl win. Not bad. But, still, it might be a good time to make some changes; that's this writer's opinion, by the way, not that of Arkush.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was dialed in during
the Pack's win vs. the Eagles.
Photo by Jim Matthews, USA Today Network-Wisconsin
Secondly, and more to the point of the game itself, QB Aaron Rodgers looked like the Rodgers of old. We haven't really seen him this sharp from the get-go to the end of the game for about the last year-and-a-half. He made two remarkable throws to Davante Adams, who made equally remarkable catches on those passes. His other throws, just as good overall. He finished with more than 300 yards passing and a 116.7 passer rating. He also ran effectively to extend drives, at least until a hamstring issue seemed to halt that aspect of his game. But for anyone who had begun to think that Number 12 had lost "it"...he didn't. And by showing that he also reminded folks that as long as he's good to go, so are the Packers. For more on Rodgers' performance, check out this article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Let's also give credit to Rodgers' receivers who seemed to be making up for all of their drops during this season. There was also just enough of a rushing game, coming out of multiple personnel formations, to keep the Eagles from concentrating entirely on the Pack's passing attack. Give coach McCarthy credit for designing and executing a great game plan that kept the Eagles off balance all night long.

Credit must also be given to the Packers defense who finally came to play. After being shredded to the tune of historically bad proportions in recent weeks (not hyperbole, fact), they held the previously unbeaten-at-home Eagles to just 13 points. A pass rush was present and apparently the return of Damarious Randall to the defensive backfield gave the Pack enough confidence to take care of business versus Philly's receivers.

The Packers had their backs against the wall going into this game and came out with an energy on both sides of the ball that we hadn't seen in quite a while. It was the closest to a complete-game performance we've seen going back probably to early last season. This despite still having to deal with injuries to key players: JC Tretter, T.J. Lang, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Sam Shields, Eddie Lacy and more. Give the coaching staff credit for creatively using their personnel and getting the team ready to play.

Still, we must also recall that the Packers -- even with this inspiring win -- are still one game below .500 and are two games behind NFC North Division leader Detroit. At 5-6 and with five games remaining, including the final three against division rivals Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit, the Pack can't allow any more games to slip through their grasp. Next up is the Texans at home followed by Seattle also at Lambeau Field. Then it's off to Chicago to beat Da Bearz, back to Lambeau for a Christmas Eve tilt against the ViQueens and then a regular season New Year's Day finale in Detroit. If the Pack can "run the table" as Rodgers predicted prior to the Eagles game, or even come out of these five games at 4-1, it's possible that January 1 game against the Lions could be for the division championship.

That's a long way away. Perhaps overly optimistic. And the Pack's problems aren't necessarily solved by the win in Philadelphia. But there's a glimmer of hope. Each week from here on out requires the same level of performance we witnessed Monday night. Clearly, the Packers are capable of that level of performance, even with all the injuries. It's up to the players to bring it each week. We'll see if they are up to the challenge -- and the reward -- beginning this Sunday against the Texans.

Go Pack Go!!!

2016 NFL Week 12: Packers vs. Eagles Preview and Prediction

The Green Bay Packers find themselves in Philadelphia tonight for the last of the team's three consecutive games on the road. It hasn't been pretty so far. Actually, it hasn't been pretty for much of the season, whether at home or on the road.

Will things change tonight? We'd like to think so, although the Packers are 1-4 on the road this season which doesn't exactly give one confidence in a positive outcome. Still, the Eagles are sitting at 5-5 with a rookie quarterback who has settled down since his lights-out performance earlier in the season. This is another team that the Packers, on a number of levels, should be able to beat. But that's arguably been true the last two games and we know how those games turned out.

Packers hope to have DB Damarious Randall back after missing 6 games.
Photo by Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
The problems for the Packers are well-documented by now: a decimated secondary that is easy to exploit with no pass rush (which has become a puzzling development in its own right), slow starts by the offense that puts the sieve-like defense on the field more often than we'd like, missed opportunities by skill players, injuries all over the place, no running game, etc., etc. Toss in that some speculate that head coach Mike McCarthy has lost his team while others suggest its time for Ted Thompson to go because of his lack of success in recent drafts and lack of participation in free agency. Yowza! Problems galore.

Counter this existential angst with QB Aaron Rodgers' proclamation that he thinks the team can "run the table" by winning out and still making the playoffs. Whatever is going on behind closed locker room doors, players and coaches publicly believe the Pack is just a play or so away from turning around this disaster of a season.

And, truth be told, if they don't do it tonight we can start looking to next season because this one will be effectively done.

Can the addition of RB Christine Michael along with James Starks provide enough of a running threat to keep Philly from playing only the pass? We don't know. He played well during his stint in Seattle, scoring 6 TDs while there...which, if anyone is keeping track, is 6 more TDs than all the Packers running backs combined have scored this season. Yes, seriously.

With the season on the line for the Pack, what can we expect? Hard to say. And yet, that's we have to do in terms of making a prediction.

The Prediction

The Eagles, despite being arguably no better than the Packers, are undefeated at home this season, which is not something we can say about the Packers. This is a tough one to call as the Pack has shown us nothing in recent memory to believe they can pick themselves up off the turf and actually turn in a winning performance. And yet...something gives me the feeling that they will be able to do just enough to pull off the win. Of course, that feeling could just still be the indigestion from all the Thanksgiving leftovers. A Packers' win will, by the way, also be an upset because Philly is favored by 4 points as of the time of this posting.

We're calling it...27-24 Packers.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers' pathetic performance leads to 47-25 loss to Titans

The 2016 Green Bay Packers hit a new low in a season beginning to resemble that proverbial train wreck we always hear so much about but never really see. Well, we saw it yesterday, Packer fans. Not. Pretty. At. All.

Where do we even begin to dissect this disastrous game that portends a downward spiral for this Packers team unless something dramatically different happens to change the path on which it seems headed? Yes, there were game-ending injuries Sunday to linebacker Jake Ryan (ankle) on the first defensive series of the game, and to tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) and guard T.J. Lang (ankle) later on. Lang may be the worst, as he was seen in the locker room after the game on crutches and wearing an air-boot. Oy. And penalties. Oh, the penalties.

Even the venerable "Voice of the Packers," Wayne Larrivee, when asked what's ailing the Pack had no clear answer this morning on 620WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee. He doesn't think it has to do with the scheme, play-calling or coaching necessarily; as he reminded listeners, it may have more to do with personnel as these same three factors seemed to be doing just fine when the Packers had Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley, for example. So, personnel, albeit with many young and untested players who are now forced to play starting roles because of injuries, is part of the issue right now. All he could say is that in his roughly 38 years covering football he thinks that what really plays a key factor in championship-caliber teams is spirit and emotion. Right now, he's not so sure the Packers have much of that going for them.

Has Packers head coach Mike McCarthy lost his team?
Photo by Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis
We have to agree with Larrivee on both points. Personnel, and particularly GM Ted Thompson's time-worn (and perhaps worn-out?) approach to building a team through the draft seems as if it works as long as the starters stay healthy. But when you get past the second or third team players -- and we have, in some cases now -- the lack of quality depth shows on the field and on the scoreboard. To Larrivee's second point -- spirit and emotion -- we haven't seen much of that all season, have we? As we have pointed out here on several occasions, the Pack has played two good halves of football all season...and they were in two different games. Everybody seems flat from the get-go, as evidenced by last week's opening kickoff return by the Colts and yesterday's opening offensive play for a 75-yard touchdown run by the Titans. Hello!??? Anybody awake on that field? Doesn't seem so.

How do you get that missing mojo back? Winning would help. But now on a three-game losing streak, and with two more tough road games coming up in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia before returning to Lambeau Field to take on the Texans, is immediate winning even in the cards? As much as it pains us to say it, we don't think so.

Case in point: the green 'n' gold glasses which most Packer fans wear (including yours truly) causes a bit of blindness when it comes to our team. It might be hard to realize but in the last 21 games, the Packers are now 9-12 going back to last season. Nine wins, 12 losses. The problem didn't just start this season. It's got a history. Something deeply rooted in the locker room if not the players' psyches. Perhaps the head coach has lost his team, outworn his stay; legendary coach Bill Walsh is reported to have said a coach shouldn't stay in one place for more than 10 years because things get stale for an organization after a while. Perhaps that's the case with McCarthy. Thompson, too, perhaps.

Of course, no dramatic coaching or front office changes will be made during this season; it's just not the Packers way of doing things. So this so-far dreadful season will play out how it will. Those of a "glass half-full" mentality will point out that at 4-5 the Packers are only one game out of the NFC North lead. Others might respond that that's only because this division pretty much stinks at this point overall. The once invincible 5-0 ViQueens have now dropped 4 in a row. Detroit didn't win or lose because they were on their bye week. Will Da Bearz do anything? C'mon.

So, if by some stretch of the imagination the Packers can turn things around, they do have a chance. But really, where will they go with the current state of injuries, journeymen and otherwise inexperienced players thrust into starting or other key roles, and the palpable lack of spirit exhibited week after week? The Packers will write the final answer to that question. Each one of us can in the meantime have our own conclusion. For Packers beat writer extraordinaire, Bob McGinn, he puts it like this: Packers' season on the brink. How's that for rich brevity?

Having said all that: Go Pack Go!!!

Packers lose at Lambeau to Colts, drop 3 of last 4 games

So what do you think, Packer fans? Yeah, me too.

The Green Bay Packers 31-26 loss -- at Lambeau Field -- to the Indianapolis Colts was unexpected; the Packers were 7-point favorites. And the way it happened was embarrassing despite just the final 5-point differential. It was so bad that, likely for fans in the stadium and watching on TV, the highlight of the game was the squirrel dashing around the field. Some might argue that the Pack should have signed him because at least he was able to get open and into the endzone.

The squirrel provided at least a modicum of entertainment to Packer fans
on Sunday who sat through a lackluster performance by their home team.
Photo by Mike De Sisti/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis
The Packers have now dropped three of their last four games, including two losses on the home turf. The game essentially was over after the first 13 seconds, when the Colts took the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown. Add in another blown coverage -- to the tune of 60-yards+ on the return -- which led to an Indy field goal, and throw in a missed field goal (second of the season by Mason Crosby), and the special teams' overall play, it can well be argued, cost the Packers 13 points...the difference in the game.

To be fair to the special teams players, the defense also failed to dominate a heretofore woeful Colts offensive line that had given up a league-high 31 sacks coming into yesterday's game. The Pack only sacked QB Andrew Luck twice; the Colts, on the other hand, got to Aaron Rodgers three times.

The Pack's offensive woes -- which we thought had been somewhat resolved in the 1-point loss to the Falcons last week -- continued. With no running game, no receivers getting separation on defenders, questionable play-calling especially on third downs (e.g., 3rd and 6 late in the second half and you go deep???), and a generally flat performance overall this offense at the halfway mark of the 2016 season is a major disappointment.

What is ailing the Packers?
That's the question on everyone's mind today. Yes, there are injuries to key players on both sides of the ball. But every team could say much the same. Something else is going on here and it goes back to last season, as we have alluded to in earlier posts. Whether head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff are failing to put their players in position to succeed, whether the players aren't performing at their best for 60 minutes every game, whether general manager Ted Thompson is failing to find players who are difference makers...we don't know. It's probably all of those things. Even Rodgers called out his team after the loss yesterday for the overall lack of "juice" during the game.

At 4-4, the Packers are sitting in third place in the NFC North, just ahead of Da Bearz and behind the ViQueens and Detroit, the latter pulling off an overtime win against said ViQueens to move into second place. The Packers are also sitting in the 8th position in the conference, tied with Philadelphia and New Orleans. The odds of a 4-4 team making the playoffs is possible, but going deep? Not so much. Only one team has made the Super Bowl, if memory serves (which it may or may not), after a 4-4 start.

As the Packers now set off for three straight road games, the loss yesterday was a heartbreaker. Let's just hope it doesn't become a season-breaker, as well.

After the NFL Draft, Packers get ready to welcome rookies

As Packer Fans United, we know that the 2016 NFL Draft finished up its three-day extravaganza on Saturday evening. The Green Bay Packers went big. Head coach Mike McCarthy had said in comments long before the draft that he liked big guys. Check. What he didn't say, but that also apparently was part of the criteria this time around, was also get big smart guys. To that end, two of the Pack's seven picks are from Stanford and one is from Northwestern; both schools have a reputation for nurturing brainiacs. In his comments after the draft, General Manager Ted Thompson said, essentially, that big guys are great but big smart guys are even better. Check.


The 2016 Packers Draft Picks

By way of a quick recap, here are the Pack's picks...


NT Kenny Clark (left); OT Jason Spriggs, OLB Kyler Fackrell and ILB Blake Martinez (top row, left to right); DE Dean Lowry, WR Trevor Davis and OL Kyle Murphy (bottom row, left to right).
Photo from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

• 1st Round (#27): NT Kenny Clark, UCLA
• 2nd Round (#48): OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana
• 3rd Round (#88): OLB Kyler Fackrell, Utah State
• 4th Round (#131): ILB Blake Martinez, Stanford
• 4th Round (#137): OT Dean Lowry, Northwestern
• 5th Round (#163): WR Trevor Davis, California
• 6th Round (#200): OL Kyle Murphy, Stanford

Of course, acquisitions don't stop there. Reportedly, the Packers have the following undrafted free agent signings:

• QB Joe Callahan, Wesley College
• P Peter Mortell, Minnesota
• ILB Manoa Pikula, BYU
• RB Brandon Burks, Troy
• OLB Reggie Gilbert, Arizona
• RB Don Jackson, Nevada
• CB Josh Hawkins, East Carolina
• WR Geronimo Allison, Illinois
• S Demond Smith, Georgia Tech
• CB Brandon Gatewood, Alcorn State
• CB Randall Jette, UMass
• S Kentrell Brice, Louisiana Tech
• ILB Beniquez Brown, Mississippi State
• CB Makinton Dorleant, Northern Iowa
• WR Dennis Parks, Rice
• WR Devonte Robinson, Utah State
• OT Josh James, Carroll (MT) College
• WR Herb Waters, Miami (FL)
• TE David Grinnage, North Carolina State
• DL Brian Price, UT-San Antonio
• DL Tyler Kuder, Idaho State

A number of players have also been invited in for tryouts. Perhaps most intriguing among that list is WR Patrick Donahue from the German Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns. While you probably haven't heard of Donahue, you had to have heard of his teammate, Moritz Boehringer. MoBo generated a lot of pre-draft interest because of his story as well as his speed and apparent skills as a receiver. He wound up being the first player to be drafted from Europe -- and not an American college -- as the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the sixth round of the draft.

There could be other additions or deletions, of course. This is a period of time in which things are greatly in flux.

Rookie minicamp, by the way, will be held May 8-9. It will be a make or break time for some of these young men looking for their shot at a career in the NFL. Good luck, gentlemen.

Packers Shareholder Meeting Scheduled

Yes, we know you are more interested in the OTA and minicamp schedules -- May 23, 24, 26 (with open practice on May 24), June 1-3 (open practice June 2), June 6-9 (open practice June 6), and minicamp on June 14-16 (open practice every day) -- but we wanted to alert you to the Annual Shareholders Meeting scheduled for July 21 beginning at 11 a.m. In Green Bay, of course.

Now's the time when we can start to once again feel the juices flowing, eh Packer fans? Ohhh yeah.

Go Pack Go!!!

We're baaaaaccckkkk! And so's the NFL Draft.

Hello, again, Packer fans! After our extended hiatus -- brought about by the Packers' heartbreaking loss to the Cardinals (per my last post) -- we're back. Hope you've been keeping abreast of all the Pack's goings-on on our Amazing 2nd Page, which is a real-time compendium (look it up!) of Packers news, NFL news, and more from around the globe. It's a really good, quick, overview of everything (or most everything) you're probably going to want to know. Really.

Anyway, here's a quick Reader's Digest review of just a few things that have transpired during our hiatus...B.J. Raji has unofficially retired, might come back, might not, who knows? Mike Pennel is suspended for the first four games of the 2016 regular season. Jared Cook is a new tight end courtesy of the Rams not resigning him. Jordy Nelson continues to progress ahead of schedule. Aaron Rodgers had a successful knee clean up There's a few other things, of course, but you probably already know them so no need to rehash them now. Let's move along, shall we?

2016 NFL Draft Underway
With the 27th pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, the Packers chose UCLA NT Kenny Clark. With Raji's "retirement," a big hole existed in the Packers' defensive line. If Raji was back, the Pack would have make another selection. But the team needs a big man to anchor that 3-4 scheme and Clark fits the bill quite well. Read more here.

UCLA NT Kenny Clark is the Packers 2016 1st round draft pick.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Day Two of the draft saw Packers GM Ted Thompson do something he rarely does: trade up. Sitting with the 57th pick, Thompson obviously felt that the player he wanted would be gone if he waited. So he packaged fourth and seventh round picks in this year's draft to move up to the 48th slot. With that pick, Thompson secured a huge left tackle from Indiana in the person of Jason Spriggs.

Indiana OT Jason Spriggs is the Packers' 2016 2nd round draft pick.
Photo Credit: Sam Tongue/The Elkhart Truth
Spriggs will be able to work behind the Pack's current tackles and could be the heir-apparent should current LT David Bakhtiari decide to walk during next year's free agency period. Anyone who questions why Thompson would trade up to get an offensive tackle should only reflect back on the disaster that was the Packers' offensive line when both Bakhtiari and Bulaga were out last season. Remember? Remember??? Yeah...that's why.

With the team's third round pick, Thompson pulled the trigger on Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell. Just less than two years removed from an ACL tear, Fackrell now finds himself as part of the Pack's outside linebacker crew. At 6'5" and 245 pounds, Fackrell's rehab went well enough that he had the best statistical season of his college career last year: he started all 13 games he played, thus continuing his streak of starting every game in his collegiate career. He finished his senior season with 82 tackles (15 for loss), had 4 sacks, and recovered five fumbles. Not bad. Certainly got the attention of Ted Thompson. And, obviously, the prior ACL injury was not a concern for Thompson and his staff.

Utah State LB Kyler Fackrell is the Packers 2016 NFL draft 3rd round pick.
Photo Credit: Utah State
One can imagine Fackrell will be given opportunities to use his speed rush ability in third down and blitz packages, bookending Clay Matthews.

Fourth Through Seventh Rounds Today
In about an hour from this posting, the final day of the draft will commence. The Packers enter the day with four picks, although you never know what wheeling and dealing Uncle Ted might do. The Packers have the 33rd and 39th picks (both compensatory and not available to trade) in the fourth round, numbers 131 and 137 overall, as well as the 26th pick in the fifth round (163 overall) and the 25th pick in the sixth round (200 overall). Remember that the Pack traded fourth round and seventh round picks to move up in the second round to get Spriggs.

Enjoy the continuing unwrapping of our Christmas-in-April gifts, Packer fans! We'll be back again later this weekend to get caught up on these later rounds.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers vs. Eagles Preseason Game #3 Re-cap...One Word: Ugly!

The Green Bay Packers played their first home game of the 2015 preseason last night at Lambeau Field against the Philadelphia Eagles. The sell-out crowd was treated to an exhibition of offensive firepower. There was total domination of inept and penalty-prone special teams, and full exploitation of a defense that seemed stuck in slow gear. Oh, to be clear, we're talking about the Eagles as the dominating team, winning with a final score of 39-26.

Yes, the birds from Philly took it to the Packers early and often last evening. It was a woeful performance by the Packers' special teams and defense. To be fair, the Packers' first-team offense was not really on display; three of the starting linemen were out due to various injuries, QB Aaron Rodgers was not going to get exposed to injury and wasn't even dressed for the game, and number one wideout Jordy Nelson is of course out for the season with the ACL injury he suffered in last week's game in Pittsburgh.

But the drubbing the Packers' defense and special teams received was only compounded by more injuries besetting the Pack. New number one receiver Randall Cobb sustained a shoulder sprain early in the first quarter and was done for the night. How long he will be out is subject to further tests today. Don't expect to see him back until -- if we're lucky -- the first regular season game against Da Bears in Chicago. Defensive back, Micah Hyde, left the game in the second half with a neck injury of undetermined variety at this point. Even starting right tackle, Bryan Bulaga, wound up with ice on a sprained ankle.

Were there any good moments?
With most of the starters out for various reasons, players fighting for roster spots were on display. The first cut-down date is Tuesday, when the Pack has to go from 88 to 75 players; the second cut date is Saturday, Sept. 5, when the final 53-man roster has to be set. A practice squad of 10 players can be established the next day for those players cut who don't get picked up elsewhere.

Green Bay Packers rookie QB Brett Hundley was one bright spot in the Packers' loss to the Eagles in preseason game #3.
Photo by Evan Siegle/P-G Media/@PGevansiegle, PackersNews.com
QB Brett Hundley made a strong case for sticking on the active roster. While QB Scott Tolzein, who didn't play last evening, is the current number two behind Aaron Rodgers, Hundley showed why GM Ted Thompson pulled the trigger on him in the draft. He performed extremely well, starting and playing about three-fourths of the game. He has a quick release, made his reads, scrambled and created plays. In all, he threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns. Not a bad night for a rookie. Even QB Matt Blanchard, from UW-Whitewater, passed for a touchdown and posted a passer rating of 88.1 in his fourth-quarter stint, also showing a strong arm. It would be nice to keep him on the practice squad. Head coach Mike McCarthy likes both of these young QBs.

Wide receivers Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery and Myles White all had good nights on the receiving end. RB Rajion Neal showed nice receiving and running ability coming out of the backfield...a good third-down type back.

Having said all that...there were still plenty of problems for the Packers coaches to address. Maybe we'll address those in a later post. Let's stick for the moment with what little positives came out of what was othersise a rather lackluster showing for a consensus Super Bowl contender.

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 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-up

It's taken a few days for fans of the Green Bay Packers to take in the events of the 2015 NFL Draft, as well as the signings of the undrafted free agents (UFAs) that occurred following the completion of the draft. What do we make of it all? What, if any, surprises were there? How would you grade it? Take our poll in the upper righthand column (below our Welcome message).

To begin, let's review the Packers' picks.

Packers 2015 NFL Draft Selections

• DB Damarious Randall, Arizona State
• DB Quinten Rollins, Miami-Ohio
• WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford
• LB Jake Ryan, Michigan
• QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
• RB Aaron Ripkowski, Oklahoma
• DL Christian Ringo, Louisiana-Lafayette
• TE Kennard Backman, Ala.-Birmingham

Packers fifth-round draft pick, UCLA QB Brett Hundley
Photo via Packers.com

Pundits who grade such things seem to have given the Packers a B- to C grade on this draft. Certainly, there were no big names among the selections, other than QB Brett Hundley who some had pegged as second or third round talent. But he was the only player that the Packers moved up in the draft to take. So clearly they saw something there -- in addition to the value of getting a talented QB in the fifth round -- that they liked. Clearly, also, he can be groomed for trade bait in two or three years if that's the way things shake out behind Aaron Rodgers.

Stanford WR Ty Montgomery, with some reportedly questioning his hands as a receiver, apparently drew the Pack's attention as a returner. He could add a big dimension to that part of the Packers special teams game...a dimension which has been seriously lacking the last few years.

While Michigan LB Jake Ryan may not have been a household name in college, he could become one with the Packers. It would seem that if anyone was ever made to play linebacker, it's this guy. He could make an immediate impact in the linebacking corps. And that would be something that everyone would be glad to see...at least if you're a Packers fan, that is.

With the top two picks being defensive backs, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, obviously the Packers were taking care of the glaring needs in that area of the defense. Yay.

The selection of Oklahoma fullback Aaron Ripkowski raised eyebrows...not because it was a bad pick but because if he pans out he could be the successor -- or perhaps even replacement -- to current FB and fan fave, John Kuhn. While it's unlikely the Pack would keep two fullbacks on the roster, they have done it before. Whether this year is one of those years or not remains to be seen.

Let's not forget the UFAs
The Packers in recent years have done more with undrafted free agents than any other team in the league. There have been more UFA players on the roster and more snaps played by UFAs. Somehow, some way, GM Ted Thompson and his scouting staff find those proverbial diamonds in the rough. Here's what things look like in that regard so far:

• John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State
• Raymond Maples, RB, Army
• Alonzo Harris, RB, Louisiana Lafayette
• Malcolm Agnew, RB, Southern Illinois
• Adrian Coxson, WR, Stony Brook
• Larry Pinkard, WR, Old Dominion
  
• Ricky Collins, WR, Texas A&M-Commerce


• Jimmie Hunt, WR, Missouri


• Javess Blue, WR, Kentucky


• Mitchell Henry, TE, Western Kentucky


• Fabbians Ebbele, OL, Arizona


• Matt Rotheram, OL, Pittsburgh


• Marcus Reed, OL, Fayetteville State


• James Castleman, OL, Oklahoma State


• Lavon Hooks, DT, Mississippi


• James Vaughters, OLB, Stanford


• Jermauria Rasco, OLB, LSU


• Tavarus Dantzler, ILB, Bethune-Cookman


• Bernard Blake, CB, Colorado State


• Ladarius Gunter, DB, Miami (FL)


• Anthony Wooding, S, Wake Forest

Minicamp Tryout Invites

• Blake Sims, QB, Alabama
• Chris Mallott, WR, Southeastern Louisiana
• Jake Silas, OT, Buffalo
• Josh Bredl, OT, Colorado State-Pueblo
• Andy Phillips, OG, Central Michigan
• Mitch King, TE, Penn
• Uona Kaveinga, ILB, BYU
• Skye Povey, DB, BYU
• JD Rousell, DB, Sacred Heart

The names among the reported UFAs and tryout invitees that seem to garner a mention as strong candidates to potentially make the squad (regular season or practice) are RB John Crockett, WR Jimmie Hunt, OL Matt Rotheram, QB Bernard Blake, and QB Blake Sims. But given oppportunities, who really knows who will make the most of their opportunity to make the Packers? As both Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy have both said in their post-draft interviews, the expectations for the draftees are that they come in and play behind the veterans. The Packers are a deep team where it counts, but they definitely had needs. Whether those needs were met or not in a way which can help elevate the Packers, particularly on defense, we'll have to wait to see. Regarding how we'd grade this draft, we'd give it a "B+" taking all the players noted above into account. How would you grade it? Take our poll in the upper righthand column (right below our Welcome message).

Packers Add Another Cornerback and Receiver in NFL 2015 Draft Rounds 2 and 3

A bit to the surprise of at least some Green Bay Packers fans (including this one), GM Ted Thompson didn't make a move up in the second round to take one of the better linebackers available in the top-half of the second round of Friday's edition of the 2015 NFL Draft. Instead, Thompson stayed put at number 62 and selected cornerback Quinten Rollins out of Miami of Ohio.

Perhaps more intriguing as regards this pick is that Rollins only has one year of college football experience. Make no mistake: Rollins appears to be an outstanding athlete, although he spent most of his college career playing basketball. In his lone year playing football, he was named 2014 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-MAC. Not bad. But given his lack of experience, Rollins' immediate impact for the Packers might best be on special teams while he learns the ropes. We have to figure Thompson isn't counting on Rollins much as a defender this year but is rather betting on the Packers' ability to "coach him up," as the saying goes for a more prominent role down the road. Here's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sports reporter Tyler Dunne's take on this pick, and the Packers' draft through Day 2.

In the third round, the Packers also made a bit of surprise pick. Again, instead of addressing what seems to many to be obvious needs at linebacker, Thompson selected WR Ty Montgomery from Stanford. With all the receiving talent already on the Packers roster, why would Thompson make this pick? According to reports, the Packers -- and others -- view Montgomery as a top-notch return threat...something the Packers have been lacking for a while. But even more so, they see him being another Randall Cobb, only bigger, someone they can line up anywhere on the field.

Ty Montgomery opened Packers' eyes as a returner.
(Photo copyright Associated Press)
What will Packers do on Day 3?
GM Ted Thompson insists that the Packers' need for inside linebacker help will be addressed. But he also was clear about how he felt about his current situation. According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "When asked how he felt about a position he cleared of veterans A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones and Jamari Lattimore during the off-season, leaving Sam Barrington, Clay Matthews and Carl Bradford to hold the fort, Thompson said 'it's fine.'"

So, there you have it, Packer fans. R-E-L-A-X from the main man himself. "We're going to address that just like we address all other positions and try to make it as strong as we can," Thompson said in the same report noted above.

It should be an interesting final day of the draft. Thompson is a wizard at finding later-round gems. Also, let's not forget the undrafted free agents which will be signed following the completion of the draft. Seems as if Thompson always finds two or three keepers there each season, as well.

We will be live Tweeting during the rounds today, so be sure to follow us at @packfansunited for all those verbal gems. And we will of course be doing a wrap up of the draft following its completion, along with undrafted free agent signing updates. You can also follow Packers coverage from all over via our Amazing 2nd Page.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers select DB Damarious Randall with 30th Overall Pick in 2015 NFL Draft

After several hours of waiting to see what would happen, fans of the Green Bay Packers finally learned last evening that they have a new defensive back to help fill the holes left by the departures of Tramon Williams and Davon House. With the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Packers chose Arizona State safety Damarious Randall.


While he played safety at Arizona State, Packers GM Ted Thompson said last night that he'd probably play cornerback in the Packers scheme. Although, as Thompson added, because of defensive coordinator Dom Caper's variations, Packers defensive backs play all over the place. In this regard, Randall will probably be well suited to the Packers defense. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr., said he really "loved" this pick for the Packers. Another draft pundit said that Randall was "the best cover guy" in the draft.

Randall plays a bit bigger than his size according to draft reports. He tackles well and has very good closing speed: he ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Draft guru Mike Mayock said this before the draft: "Randall is what today's free safety is all about. He is by far the best cover safety in this draft. Randall can play man-to-man; he has cornerback-level cover skills. You give up some physicality, but his coverage ability is where the NFL is going. Remember Jimmie Ward was a first-rounder last year (to the 49ers) with a similar skill set."

In addition, Randall can play special teams and also has spent a little time as a returner. With that kind of speed, and the need to preserve WR Randall Cobb for receiving duties, we can only imagine that Randall will get plenty of opportunities to win a returning role as well as time in the defensive backfield. Imagine having WR/R Jared Abbrederis, who was lost to injury prior to the start of the regular season last year, and Randall back on returns. That could be a dynamic returning duo that would give opponents' special teams fits.

We like this pick although, frankly, it's not one we had on our radar, as our prior post will attest in terms of draft possibilities. Guess that's why we're here writing and Ted Thompson is up in Green Bay making the picks. For the latter, we should all be grateful.

What will days 2 and 3 of the draft bring the Packers way? We have to believe additional depth in the defensive backfield, as well as inside linebacker, tight tend, and perhaps offensive and defensive line depth. Also, it wouldn't shock us if Thompson drafts a quarterback along the way.

It's great to be a Packers fan, isn't it, folks?

Go Pack Go!!!

2015 Draft Coming Soon

The headline states the obvious, doesn't it, Packer fans? The 2015 NFL Draft -- being held in Chicago this year -- will soon be upon us. With the departure of key players in the defensive backfield and others in the linebacking corps, what will GM Ted Thompson do? And with only Scott Tolzein as the backup to QB Aaron Rodgers, will Thompson draft a capable backup for the first time in ages?

Stay tuned. We'll have more about the draft as it approaches, including, perhaps, a compilation of possible first round pick possibilities. Because once past the first round...hey, you might as well throw darts at balloons to make your mock draft picks. We aren't going to go that route. We have better things to do with our time and we're pretty certain you do, as well.

In the meantime, you can always check out real-time news and updates about the Packers by visiting our Amazing 2nd Page!. It really is...amazing! Really.

Catching up with the Packers

The title of this post has a dual meaning. One, of course, is that other members of the NFC North have been trying to catch up with the Green Bay Packers for a while now. On that front, as the saying goes, no cigar. Good luck with that this coming season, too, by the way.

Another meaning of this post's title is that PackerFansUnited.com needs to catch up with the Packers. It's been a while since our last post...before the Super Bowl! But, as every green'n'gold-blooded Packer fan knows, not being in that game is still something that it's taking time to get past. Even head coach Mike McCarthy, at this week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, said that the thought this last season's Packers team was the best team in the league. He is likely right. But the best team doesn't melt down with a lead in the NFC Championship Game with about 5 minutes remaining. That's the sad reality. Lucky teams only go so far. Dallas found that out playing the Packers. The Packers found that out playing Seattle. And Seattle found that out playing the Patriots...a team which, as we recall from the regular season, the Packers beat...and likely would have beaten again in a Super Bowl match up. But...not.

Soooooo....let's move on, shall we?

Speaking of moving on...
Among the changes for the Packers since the end of the season are some departures of note. Brandon Bostick, the tight end whose lack of playing his assignment on the now infamous onside kick coupled with his stone hands, resulted in the scoring opportunity Seattle needed to eventually win the NFC Championship, was released. Where did he wind up shortly thereafter? In the elephant graveyard of Packers' castoffs, of course: Minnesota.

Linebacker Brad Jones -- the designated target of abuse on Seattle's fake field goal turned touchdown -- was also released this last week. Jones was also the target of much fan ire over the past couple seasons especially. Every fan probably has his or her own memories of shouting "Jones!" at the TV screen whenever he was out of position, failed to make a play or caused a stupid penalty.

To be fair to both Bostick and Jones, that Championship Game should not have come down to either of those two plays. The Pack should have had the game salted away long before. Generating 6 points off 5 Seahawks turnovers isn't going to cut it. Neither is not going for it on 4th-and-1 from the 1-yard line. (OK, OK...moving on...moving on...)

The common denominator between both the above players, of course, was special teams...which, under the leadership of coach Shawn Slocum, has been among the worst performing special teams units in the league for years. The failures this season, however, were apparently even too much for friend Mike McCarthy to stand behind any longer. In fact, McCarthy has made it clear since announcing various coaching changes that he personally intends to spend more time working with special teams. Amen. About time someone actually pays attention to this unit. When its poor performance essentially costs you a trip to the Super Bowl, yeah, time to take notice.

Other coaching changes
Perhaps one of the biggest changes in the Packers coaching staff for this coming season has to do with head coach McCarthy giving up play calling responsibilities. He's turned that over to new associate head coach/offense, Tom Clements, who has served the last five years as the Pack's offensive coordinator. In addition, the Packers named Edgar Bennett offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt quarterbacks/wide receivers coach, Mike Solari assistant offensive line coach, Jerry Montgomery defensive front assistant, Ron Zook special teams coordinator and Jason Simmons assistant special teams coach. If you're sorting that out, two coaches were added to the staff and five get new titles. Solari and Montgomery are the two new kids on the block as far being part of the Packers organization goes. Note that Dom Capers remains as defensive coordinator. For a story with videos about the new coaching moves, go here. For the complete list of Packers coaches, see this page.

Free agency and the NFL Combine
The two biggest names on the Packers roster that will require immediate attention are WR Randall Cobb and RT Bryan Bulaga. There will be a push to get both of them signed, although Cobb would be considered the more critical of the two given his importance in the offensive scheme on multiple fronts. Bulaga, while certainly important to the overall cohesion and performance of the offensive line, has had a couple big injuries and the Packers could determine that his asking price is just too much given some of their re-signing needs, such as CB Tramon Williams, for example.

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson
Photo by Green Bay Packers
As Packers fans well know, it is not GM Ted Thompson's modus operandi to take wild shots in free agency. He prefers to keep players he knows, build from the draft, and only occasionally add a tested veteran, such as Julius Peppers, to shore up the mix. He will also let free agency play itself out a bit so that the market prices for players are set and he knows what he will and won't spend to get a player that doesn't immediately get picked up by another team.

Thompson and McCarthy also tend to view those players who were on the practice squad or injured reserve as a bit of an extra pool of resources to choose from. Cases in point for this season: WR Jeff Janis and QB Scott Tolzein. McCarthy said he expects Janis to make a big jump in his performance after what McCarthy refers to as Janis' "redshirt" season. Tolzein was active the last few playoff games because of the injury to QB Aaron Rodgers and McCarthy has said he views Tolzein as an ascending player. If you read anything into that, it might be that QB Matt Flynn will not have his services retained, and Tolzein will be the primary backup to Rodgers this next season. But we can and should also expect Thompson to draft a quarterback this Spring, something he hasn't done in the last few seasons. This would probably be a mid- to late-round pick. You can get a good player there. Case in point: Tom Brady was a 6th-rounder.

Also, let's not forget that NT B.J. Raji will also be coming off IR and if the price is right could once again prove to be a valuable anchor in the middle of the defensive line, particularly if Letroy Guion's days as a player are over following his bust earlier this month for marijuana.

What else will Thompson and McCarthy want to consider while attending this week's NFL Combine? Of prime importance -- at least to outside observors -- is an inside linebacker to replace A.J. Hawk who is also likely done in Green Bay. This has been a concern for the last two seasons, at least, and again it was a spot that became a glaring issue for the Packers until they moved Clay Matthews inside in the latter part of the season. Moving Matthews back to his normal outside role and getting an impact player on the inside will help the team considerably.

Another big need for the Packers is a tight end. Some project that if Maxx Williams, from the University of Minnesota, is available when the Pack drafts near the end of the first round, he could be the Packers pick. He is arguably the best tight end in the draft. Whether he lasts that far is anyone's guess.

2016 Super Bowl here we come!
So, Packer fans, this last season did not end with the Super Bowl trip, let alone victory, many of us thought was inevitable. But the good news is that a new season is just around the corner. The Packers are well positioned to once again remain the team to beat in the NFC North. In fact, the oddsmakers have already installed the Packers as 8 to 1 favorites to win the 2016 Super Bowl. The only team with better odds? Those birds from Seattle at 6 to 1. Think that game at Lambeau Field against the Seahawks this season won't be big? It will be huge, folks...epic!

It's great to be a Packers fan!

Go Pack Go!!!

Bye-Bye Bye Week, Hello Bears Week!

The Green Bay Packers went into their mid-season bye week on a down note last week. After reeling off four consecutive wins, the road trip to New Orleans saw the Pack face a rather desperate Saints team on its home turf where they usually come away with a win. And they did.

Still, at 5-3 at the mid-point of the 2014 NFL season, the Packers are right where we thought they’d be (see our season preview and prediction here).

Monday News
Yesterday, the Packers made several moves, only one roster related. The team extended head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract another five years. Effectively, McCarthy, GM Ted Thompson, and QB Aaron Rodgers are pretty much hitched to the same wagon for the next half-decade. We’ll assume most Packer fans are pretty happy with that arrangement. The one main knock on McCarthy, despite a string of consecutive NFC North Championships, playoffs in six of his eight years, and winning one Super Bowl, is that his defenses under defensive coordinator Dom Capers have been inconsistent to put it mildly and downright dreadful to be blunt. How McCarthy will up the ante in the second half of this season and beyond as regards his defenses may well tell the tale of whether he adds another Lombardi Trophy to his list of accomplishments. Offensively, they have things covered. Defensively…not so much.

The other move of the day on Monday was the release of 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod to make room for the return from the Injured Reserve – Designated for Return list of center/offensive lineman, J.C. Tretter. Tretter’s return will add some much needed depth to a sparse Packers offensive line. While slated to be the starter at center this season, an early injury opened the way for rookie Corey Linsley to take over the job. He has performed so well that replacing him with Tretter at this point is not even being considered. Instead, look for the Packers to use Tretter as back-up at either of the two guard positions, and at center, of course, should Linsley suffer an injury.


Derek Sherrod was released by the Packers Monday
Photo by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As for Sherrod, three-and-a-half years into his pro career, with roughly two years spent sidelined due to a horrible leg injury, the Packers finally decided to cut bait. There was, according to reports, no shortage of effort on the part of the young man to get back onto the field and be productive. Everyone raved about his character. But as the season opener clearly showed for the world to see, when Sherrod was placed in the role of having to play tackle and protect Aaron Rodgers, he couldn’t do it physically. It was time to let him go and they finally did. We wish nothing but the best for Mr. Sherrod going forward.

Here come Da Bearz!
With the bye week behind them, the Packers find themselves in second place in the NFC North behind the surprising Detroit Lions. First up on the schedule is the foe from south of the border, the Chicago Bears, who now find themselves in last place in the division at 3-5. Desperation will accompany them to Lambeau Field for the Sunday night contest, as a loss will likely doom any outside chance Da Bearz have of making the playoffs barring a miraculous turnaround. Considering the chaos that has been widely reported in recent weeks surrounding the team, a miracle of that nature seems unlikely. This is somewhat of a do-or-die game for Chicago if they hope to stay within spitting distance of the Packers and Detroit.

The Packers can do their part this weekend by keeping Da Bearz down. With only one win in his career against the Packers, don’t expect Jay Cutler to author one on this occasion. Yes, the odds at some point should turn in his favor. Even a blind squirrel finds a few nuts once in a while, as the saying goes. And, granted, Chicago has many weapons on offense. Running back Matt Forte could chew up what has been a miserable run defense on the part of the Packers. If Chicago has any chance for a win at Green Bay Sunday, they should hand the ball to Forte at least 30 times during the game.

On the other hand, if the Packers can figure out a way to minimize Forte’s impact and put the game in the hands of Cutler, the Packers should come away with interceptions and seal a win, particularly if the Pack can get up early and force Chicago to play from behind, a scenario which is clearly not in their favor despite their acknowledged receiving talent.

As we get closer to game time, be sure to visit us again for updates. The Pack is currently listed as 7-1/2 point favorites, with a high-scoring game expected by the oddsmakers. Keep up to date on all the latest by visiting our Amazing 2nd Page! and by following us on Twitter.

High Draft Picks Failing to Make Impact in Green Bay

The following is a special guest article...

Historically speaking, few teams have had as much consistent success in the NFL draft as the Green Bay Packers. Dating back to before the tenure of current general manager Ted Thompson, the Packers have consistently selected players who have contributed immensely to the prolonged success of the organization.

That is, up until 2011. In 2009 and 2010 particularly, Thompson hit grand slams by selecting Clay Matthews, Bryan Bulaga, B.J. Raji, Morgan Burnett, T.J. Lang, James Starks, and a slew of other players who remain in productive roles with the team to this day. Since then, however, Thompson’s drafting has been far less dependable.

The downturn began in 2011 with the selection of Derek Sherrod at the back end of the first round. Sherrod was supposed to be the heir-apparent to longtime left tackle Chad Clifton, but three and a half seasons and a gruesome broken leg later, Sherrod’s only impact for the Packers has been negative—epitomized by allowing multiple sacks to Seattle in the 2014 season opener.

The next season found the Packers ranking 22nd in total defense—a horrendous drop-off from their top ranking the season previous. Green Bay sought the services of defenders Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy in the first and second rounds, respectively. Perry’s development has yet to come and he has been replaced for now with veteran Julius Peppers. Worthy is no longer on the team, as the Packers cut their losses by trading him to New England for a low-value draft pick.

The Packers again went defensive in 2013, and selected Datone Jones, who, in two and a half seasons, has only 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He, like Perry, has failed to solidify a starting role in Dom Capers’ defense despite it being all but handed to him on draft day.

Until the recent signing of Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews had been the only legitimate pass-rushing threat for Green Bay since Cullen Jenkins’ departure after the 2010 season. Defensive linemen like Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji have been increasingly ineffective in situational roles, while the aforementioned high-profile draftees Perry, Worthy, and Jones have simply busted.

The secondary has been in a constant state of upturn. Casey Hayward, Davon House, Jerron McMillian, M.D. Jennings, and Chris Banjo have all tried to make lasting impacts in Green Bay’s secondary to no avail. The loss of Nick Collins in 2011 is still hurting the backfield of the Packers defense.

In 2014, the Packers—for the third season in a row—drafted a defensive player in the first round, in hopes of getting the defense in balance with the explosive offense. This time the pick was Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who, aside from some egregious missed tackles, has played well in tandem with Micah Hyde this season. He is off to a better start than the three first-rounders before him, but only time will tell.

As many of the excellent selections Ted Thompson made in ’09 and ’10 reach contract years, it is imperative that reliable, young talent continues to flow into the depth chart. But the days of Thompson’s near-perfect drafting are quickly and clearly becoming distant memories.

About The Author:
Ron is the lead editor of FantasyFootballOverdose.Com – prime source of NFL news and rumors. You can follow his NFL updates at this Facebook page.

Packers meet Chiefs in 2014 preseason finale

In the final game of the 2014 preseason, the Green Bay Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs this evening at Lambeau Field. This is essentially the "make-it-or-break-it" game for those players looking to grab a coveted spot on the final 53-man roster come this Saturday. We won't see much if anything of the starters. Although rookie and newly-slotted starting center, Corey Linsley, will likely get lots of work since being thrust into the starting spot following the revelation of J.C. Tretter's injury in last week's game against the Raiders.

Other than that, it will be the bubble game: players on the bubble of making the squad or not will have perhaps just a few plays in which to make an impression. It's a nervous time for those players, as well as the coaches and general manager who will have to make the difficult decisions over the next couple days as to who stays and who goes. To this last point, be sure to check out Tyler Dunne's synopsis of Ted Thompson's new conference from yesterday in which he talks a bit about some of these issues.

As for the game tonight, it doesn't matter whether the Packers win or lose, really, does it? What matters is that all players escape without injury and that Thompson, McCarthy et al get the information they need to put the Packers on the road to the Super Bowl.

Go Pack Go!!!

Packers 2014 Draft Review: Rounds 4-7

The 2014 NFL Draft for the Green Bay Packers (and the rest of the league, of course) wound down this afternoon. The Packers had nine picks going into the draft; they made four yesterday (see prior post) and five today. Contrary to form, GM Ted Thompson stayed pat with the selections the team started with...no wheeling and dealing, no moving up or down, no Trader Ted. How unusual. But, all in all, it looks as if Thompson and the Packers' brain trust had very good reasons for sticking with their allotted selections. All the players selected -- even the later round picks -- could potentially make the team. They were the best available athletes available, and they met needs. The only real need going into the draft that was not addressed was inside linebacker. When asked about that in his post-draft press conference, Thompson reportedly replied that "It just didn't work out." So it goes.

So who are the latest additions to the team?

Top row L-R: Carl Bradford, Corey Linsley.
Bottom row L-R: Jared Abbrederis, Demetri Goodson, Jeff Janis.

ROUND	NUMBER	PLAYER	POSITION	SCHOOL
4	121	Carl Bradford	OLB	Arizona St.
5	161	Corey Linsley	C	Ohio State
5	176 (compensatory)	Jared Abbrederis	WR	Wisconsin
6	197	Demetri Goodson	CB	Baylor
7	236	Jeff Janis	WR	Saginaw Valley State

Analysis on each player can be found here; kudos to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for providing a great overview of the newest Packers.

Our take?
In general, we like the Packers' picks very much. Given where the Pack was picking and the depth available, these picks makes sense. And, as noted earlier, it would seem at least on paper that each of these players from top to bottom has a chance to make the final roster. A lot of things will obviously play out between now and the start of the season. But we grade this an A- draft, given that inside linebacker was not addressed. But other than that...?

We especially like the fact that, for the first time in his tenure as Packers GM, Thompson finally drafted a player from the University of Wisconsin. Finally! Jared Abbrederis, some felt, dropped a bit in the draft because of his conussion history. But sitting there at number 176 -- a compensatory pick, that cannot be traded, by the way -- Abbrederis was just too good to pass up. Personally, we're very happy he got the call from 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Another former Badger we would have liked to have seen the Packers get was ILB Chris Borland. Unfortunately, he wound up going about eight selections ahead of the Packers in the third round...to the (ew!) 49ers. Dang!

Next up for all teams is signing undrafted free agents. These players are much more of a long-shot to make a team, but they can and do. Let's see if Thompson gets an inside linebacker and quarterback in that group. Here's betting he does.

Ah...football! Nothing better. And especially nothing better than being a Packer fan!

Go Pack Go!!!

If you have anything to say about this draft, here's your chance. We don't open up for comments very often, so make it good.