Packers 2014 - Summer Camp Practice #5!

Here we are at day 5, what did Mike & Vic see at practice?

Sean Richardson is having a good first week - today nice interception & big hit on Tight End Rogers!

Gillette, wide receiver with a slim chance to make team, makes an incredible catch!  This is his second year after being converted from a college QB!

Ed Hockuley(The BIG arm ref) and his crew are at practice calling penalties!  The first focus seems to be on defensive backs holding & roughing up receivers!  Maybe we will see more points this year!  And maybe the Seattle d-backs will not be able to man-handle receivers this year!

In this video, Packers Combo Drills, is explained and Coach & players discuss!

Split Practice
1 - Running Game group - LB & D-Line against O-line & RB's!
2 - Wide receivers against D-backs!

Football Coaches love this drill!!!

The next video is An Interview with Nick Perry

This guy, to me, is on the block!  Number one draft pick, injured a lot, has not really proved himself!  To me this is a make or break year!  McCarthy seems to realize the situation, and HOPES to see Perry on the field!

Another great interview with Mike Daniels!

I will be watching the first pre-season game with the Titans with an eye on #76!!!!  Daniels says a lot of energy, and it is interesting that he gives credit to Jolly from last year!  He also mentions the Combo Drill, as a key drill to "GET AFTER" each other!

The first week of practice to so critical!  The tone is set!  8 MORE DAYS TO THE TITANS!

Check at the photos from todays practice!

Below are my favorites!

We have a Quarterback & Back-ups!

Love Team Time!

Rogers gives CONGRATS to Gillette!

We need to see a lot of this this year!

Boys will be boys!

Go Pack Go!

Packers 2014 - Packers 4th Practice

The Packers 4th practice comes after a day off.  And it sounds like some players are showing signs, GOOD signs!  McCarthy is not one to throw out easy complements, but it looks like some players are starting to shine!

BJ Raji!  Some players take a challenge are rise to the occasion!
According to the Packer Website - BJ Raji had a great Wednesday practice!

According to the article:
GREEN BAY–B.J. Raji dominated practice on Wednesday morning, especially during the one-on-one and red-zone drills. The nose tackle, who’s on a one-year, prove-it type of contract, stuffed the run and collapsed the pocket.

This is good!  We need to control the line of scrimmage!  And it begins at nose tackle!

And at Tight End!
Rookie tight end Richard Rodgers also caught a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers in red zone.

That is good!  We need a tight end to step up!  Running backs, two great receivers & a bunch of young receivers, and a tight end!  The O must GO!

Take a look at what Coach McCarthy has to say about Wednesday's practice!

Devon House at Corner & the entire secondary!
Eddie Lacy ready to contribute more!
BJ Raji in great shape! And Josh Boyd too!
Micah Hyde still improving!

The 2014 season has many questions & the answers are beginning to appear!

PS - Pack just picked up another receiver - Gerrard Sheppard 6'1" - 211 out of Towson.  Last year Gerrard was on the practice squad of the Ravens.  That makes 11 wide receivers on the 90 man roster!  And, Ted Thompson signs a new contract!

Check out Cheesehead TV Website. for more great Packer News!!!

Day Off - 2014 Packers Take a Break Packer Blogs

OK, day off, how about a list of other Packer Blogs!

Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel - Packer Blog

Official Packer Website Blog

Acme Packing Company

ESPN - Packer Blog

Packer News

Lombardi Drive

Total Packers

Packers Gab

Packer Geeks

All Green Bay Packers

Enjoy ALL the blogs!

Day #3 - 2014 Packers Put On The Pads!

Here we go!  Pads are on!  At least for one day!  First, a little old school!  I think the collective bargaining has made the new players soft!  Not that they are not real men!  Not that the do not hit hard! Not that they are less of a man!  BUT, I think a lot of the injury problems are not wearing pads enough!

An article I found in the NY Times that discusses the new practice rules:
Players Like Camp Restrictions, The Rules are Growing on Coaches

The new collective bargaining agreement winnowed camp down further. It forbade teams to make players report before 15 days before the first preseason game. No on-field work was allowed on the first day of camp, and no contact was permitted during the second and third days. Players were finally allowed to wear pads on the fourth day, but the grueling two-a-days that are part of football lore have all but disappeared.

That is VERY different from years ago.  So, what does this mean?  Mandatory days off(THAT MEANS NO MEETINGS)  They are off!  Less Pad work - that means not a lot of hitting!  And usually one practice a day!(BOY! I WISH I HAD THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL!)

Back to practice!  Check out what McCarthy has to say!:
Day #3 - Coach McCarthy Press Conference

If you follow the Pack, and listen to coach, he never gets too high or low!  Just a normal day on the practice field - a few people that may have started to make people notice - linebacker - Sam Barrington, wide receiver - Davante Adams, and of course one old timer - Julius Peppers!

Come on first game!!!

Days #2 For 2014 Packers Summer Practice

Here we are on Day#2.

First, Click here to see what Coach McCarthy thought of day 2 practice!

Packer Website is posting daily videos that I will comment on the next few weeks!

Nothing that tells us too much.  Practice #3 will be in full pads & will start to reveal more relevant information.  McCarthy is still saying good things about the offensive line.  Staying healthy will be the key with that group!

Stacey Dales, the NFL reporter is cute & did a pretty good job reporting from Packer Camp!  Talk was about keeping Aaron Rogers safe and the addition of Peppers to the defense!  She did discuss Flynn playing the role at quarterback should be more than ready this year!  I AGREE!  And like I said earlier that was a BIG BLUNDER last year for the Packer brain trust!(OR NO BRAIN)!

Stacey Dale (reporting from Packer Camp)

Another interview with Randall Cobb. Very revealing!!!  What he says about contract issues is incredibly humble.  I love it!  I really thing he could be scary this year!  Since Jordy signed early, a lot of talk will be about signing Cobb.  (I love his hat!)  After this interview you will love Randall Cobb.  Needs to have a healthy & productive season!

The next video of Mike Daniels is fun!  This is right now my favorite Packer!  I HOPE he delivers, because we need a leader on defense like Mike Daniels!  His comments on Peppers and Matthews are great!  I will be watch every play on defense of #76!!!

This video with Vic Ketchman & Mike Spofford is analyzing The Top Training Camp!  Starting with rookie wide receiver Jared Abbrederis.  Everyone wants the Wisconsin boy to shine!  They discussed punt returners and Hyde, Abbrederis, Williams, White, and Cobb.  I like Cobb first, but he starts at wide receiver.  I like Hyde next, he makes people miss, but he may start at safety.  I'll put my money on Abbrederis, but rookies are scary!  And then they discussed Tight End!  Looks like Rogers & Bostick will be putting the heat on Quarless!

And last, my new favorite Ha Ha Clinton-Dix!!!  One reason I love the video interviews is to actually hear the players.  I like what I hear from Ha Ha!  Well spoken, humble, and answers the questions well!  And the discussion on the battle for starting safety was interesting!  

Great interviews!  Tomorrow the PADS GO ON!!!

Packer First Practice 2014!

It is finally here!  The first summer practice!  Let's look at today's events!  First the GOOD NEWS!

1 - Start practice with news of a new contract for Jordy Nelson!  Four years at $39 million!  What does this mean?  Rogers will have Mr. Dependable around for 4 more years!  McCarthy will have a great receiver to use in the offense - with Cobb, Lacy, Starks, Harris, and who ever else shows up!

2 - The Defense, a least on paper looks better!  Let's Hope Peppers can add some heat on the opposite side of Matthews & Hyde & Clinton-Dix can fix the back end, & Daniels can take that "tough talk" and make the defense play with an attitude!

Bad news?  FIVE players DO NOT EVEN practice day #1!

Physically Unable to Perform/Active List:
DE/OLB Mike Neal
OLB Nick Perry
Non-Football Injury List:DE Letroy Guion
DE Jerel Worthy
Non-Football Illness List:
WR Jeff Janis

That is wild!  The players in trouble Perry & Worthy!
2012 Draft Choices # 1 & 2!

So, day one is over and August 9th - Tennessee Titans is first pre-season game!  Here is what I hope!

1 - The Packers let Rogers play the ENTIRE first quarter!
2 - First defense - a Matthews & a Peppers sack!
3 - NO INJURIES!

First Look at Packer 2014 Schedule!

OK, time for my first prediction!  I will attempt to look into my "Crystal Ball" and see what this season will look like by December!  First, what will my prediction assume……

1-The Packer Defense will improve!
2 -The Packers will has fewer injuries in 2014
3 - New faces make a difference - Julius Peppers, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, & Richard Rogers.
4 - Young players make a BIG jump - Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, Micah Hyde & JC Tretter!
5 - Running Backs deliver! - Lacy, Starks, & Harris!
6 - Rogers & Matthews stay healthy and have All-Pro seasons!

OK, with that said

Thursday, Sept 4 - at Seattle -  (Packers win a close one & payback for scab ref game!)  Win
Sunday, Sept 14 - home - NY Jets - (Packers win home opener!)   Win
Sunday, Sept 21 - at Detroit - (Packers lose a wild one, high scoring game!)  Loss
Sunday, Sept 28 - at Chicago - (Packers continue to have Bears number win by two TD's)  Win
Thursday, Oct 2 - home - Vikings (Packers win big in blowout!)  Win
Sunday, Oct 12 - at Miami - (Packers accept a gift from their old coach, win close one) Win
Sunday, Oct 19 - home - Carolina - (Packers drive QB Newton crazy)   Win
Sunday, Oct 26 - at New Orleans - (Packers lose in a shoot out)  Loss
BYE
Sunday, Nov 9 - home - Chicago - (Packers win close low scoring game)  Win
Sunday, Nov 16 - home - Philadelphia - (Pay Back from last year!)  Win
Sunday, Nov 23 - at Minnesota - (Pack continues to dominate Vikings!)  Win
Sunday, Nov 30 - home - New England - (Rogers over Brady)  Win
Monday, Dec 8 - home - Atlanta - (Packers win big)  Win
Sunday, Dec 14 - at Buffalo - (Battle of cold weather teams goes to Pack)  Win
Sunday, Dec 21 - at Tampa Bay - (Packers thaw out by second half & win close!)  Win
Sunday, Dec 28 - home - Detroit - Pack finishes second have of season 8-0!)  Win

Final Regular Season Record - 14-2

Packers 2014 - Last Position to Analyze - Quarterbacks

Here we are FOUR days away from the first summer practice!  And the last position to analyze - QUARTERBACKS!  What does it look like this year?  It CANNOT be as bad as last year!

Remember last summer?  We get through summer camp and we have Aaron Rogers of course, BUT we cut all the other QB's!!!!!!  At the time I said it was crazy!!!  And the rest of the year was a train wreck!

This year, I feel a lot better!

Packer Quarterbacks:

Aaron Rogers - Year 10 - 6'2 - 225 lbs - California
Matt Flynn - Year 7 - 6'2 - 225 lbs - Louisiana State
Scott Tolzein - Year 4 - 6'2 - 213 lbs - Wisconsin
Chase Rettig - Rookie - 6'2 - 215 lbs - Boston College

Let's start with Aaron Rogers.  Some argue, Aaron Rogers is the BEST quarterback in the NFL.  To some degree, I agree!  Throwing the football, athletically, command of the offense, ability to move in the pocket - I agree Aaron is the BEST!  Aaron Rogers statistics?  As far as winning record:

Year 1 - 2005 - Games 3 -  Yards 65 - TD's 0 - Interceptions 1 -  Rating 39.8 - Record 0-0
Year 2 - 2006 - Games 2 -  Yards 46 - TD's 0 - Interceptions 0 -  Rating 48.2 - Record 0-0
Year 3 - 2007 - Games 2 -  Yards 218 - TD's 1 - Interceptions 0 -  Rating 106.0 - Record 0-0
Became starter
Year 4 - 2008 - Games 16 -  Yards 4038 - TD's 28 - Interceptions 13 -  Rating 93.8 - Record 6-10
Year 5 - 2009 - Games 16 -  Yards 4434 - TD's 30 - Interceptions 7 -  Rating 103.2 - Record 11-5
Year 6 - 2010 - Games 15 -  Yards 3922 - TD's 28 - Interceptions 11 -  Rating 101.2 - Record 10-5
Year 7 - 2011 - Games 15 -  Yards 4643 - TD's 45 - Interceptions 6 -  Rating 122.5 - Record 14-1
Year 8 - 2012 - Games 16 -  Yards 4295 - TD's 39 - Interceptions 8 -  Rating 108.0 - Record 11-5
Year 9 - 2013 - Games 9 -  Yards 2536 - TD's 16 - Interceptions 6 -  Rating 104.9 - Record 6-3
Totals  - Games 94 -  Yards 24197 - TD's 188 - Interceptions 52 -  Rating 104.9 - Record 58-29

As a comparison, Aaron has played 9 years, Brett Favre Career stats:
 Games 302 -  Yards 71838 - TD's 508 - Interceptions 336 -  Rating 86.0 - Record 186-112

The most important stat - Super Bowls - Rogers 1 & Favre 1!

A back up?  Last year - %#&#%$&$*@&%@^&*$&^%!%^!&!!*!!!!!!

This year, Matt Flynn is an ideal back up!  He has experience! He knows the Packer system!  And he was give a chance to win a starting job, and did not do it!  So, he should be THANKFUL to be a back-up for the Pack!

The young guys - Tolzien & Rettig?  Fight it out!

Packer Special Teams 2014

Looks like the special teams players are safe at…….

Long Snapper - Brett Goode - Year 7 - 6'1 - 255 lbs - Arkansas

Punter - Tim Masthay - Year 5 - 6'1 - 200 lbs - Kentucky

Kicker - Mason Crosby - Year 8 - 6'1 - 207 lbs - Colorado

OK, let's take a look!  If you follow my blog, sorry Brett Goode - I HATE LONG SNAPPERS!!

I found someone from 2011 with the same feelings for long snappers!

With a 53 man roster, I think it is a WASTE!  In this day, why can't one or two lineman learn how to SNAP THE FOOTBALL! Goode, is the 15th highest paid at $730,000!

Found Long Snapper Rankings at -

Pro Football Focus Rates Long Snappers

That means, we could do better!

Punter - Tom Masthay?

OK, first checkout - NFL Punter Stats 2013

Well, Masthay ranks 21st at Net Average - 39.0 yards (first is 44.2 yards)
Punts inside the 20, ranking is 26th, with 22 punts inside the 20 yard line.

Punters again used to be a player on the team!  Another waste for the 53 man roster!!!!

Kicker - Mason Crosby
Last year Crosby was pushed, with kickers in summer camp fighting for a spot!!  Not this year!
Crosby was ranked 13th, with a 89.2% making 33 of 37 kicks, number one was 25 of 26 - 96.2%

Well you guessed it, NFL teams used to use regular players to kick.  Do you old timers remember, George Blanda (a back-up QB)?  How about Lou Groza (a back-up lineman!)

So my advice, cut them & we have 3 more real football players on the team!  Here are my players to try out for the special teams -

Punter - Jordy Nelson
Kicker - BJ Raji
Long Snapper - Aaron Rogers (JUST KIDDING!) AJ Hawk

But, my predictions for the 53 man roster -
Long Snapper - Brett Goode
Punter - Tim Masthay
Kicker - Mason Crosby

Lou Groza

Packer's Defensive Line - Are They Ready To Step Up In 2014?

The battle of the trenches! I still think that this is what wins championships in the NFL!  Do the Packers have what it takes?  I have already discussed the offensive line.  Except for the center position, this young group of BIGGIES may develop into one of the NFL's best (STAY HEALTHY!)  The defensive line?

Defense End (some of these players will also play outside linebacker or tackle)
Mike Daniels - Year 3 - 6' - 300 lbs - Iowa
Datone Jones - Year 2 - 6'4 - 285 lbs - UCLA
Josh Boyd - Year 2 - 6'3 - 310 lbs - Mississippi State
Jerel Worthy - Year 3 - 6'2 - 304 lbs - Michigan State
Julius Peppers - Year 13 - 6'7 - 337 lbs - North Carolina
Mike Neal - Year 5 - 6'3 - 285 lbs - Purdue
Luther Robinson - Rookie - 6'3 - 301 lbs - Miami
Khyri Thorton - Rookie - 6'3 - 304 lbs - Southern Miss
Carlos Gray - Rookie - 6'2 - 310 lbs - NC State

Defensive Tackle
BJ Raji - Year 6 - 6'2 - 337 lbs - Boston College
Letroy Guion - Year 7 - 6'4 - 315 lbs - Florida State
Mike Pennel  - Rookie - 6'4" - 332 lbs - Colorado State

Let's begin with possible nose tackles:
BJ Raji - Year 6 - 6'2 - 337 lbs - Boston College
First few years, BJ looked great on or of the center.  The last couple of years the Pack have tried him at some defensive end.  To my eyes, that was a failure!  He seems more effective on top of the center or in the guard center gap.  Plus, the speed and mobility is either deteriorating or playing outside was just a crazy idea!  The Pack seems to be keeping BJ inside and probably will play on 1st downs or obvious running situations.  What ever happens, Raji's days seemed to be numbered in Green Bay!

Letroy Guion - Year 7 - 6'4 - 315 lbs - Florida State
One of the few free agent deals, the Pack signing the Vikings tackle!  Letroy started for the past 2 years for the Vikings and should provide some depth at D-tackle.  As a game changer, no.  For now, Letroy should be a quality back-up.

Mike Pennel  - Rookie - 6'4" - 332 lbs - Colorado State
Pennel has the size, but is a long shot.  Not a lot of notoriety in college, so we are hoping for a surprise!

Defense End
Mike Daniels - Year 3 - 6' - 300 lbs - Iowa
Leader?  Enforcer?  Player?  Soon we will see if all the off season talk can be backed up!  Last year Daniels did make some strides - 6 1/2 sacks and played all 16 games - that is a start.  Watching the Pack last year, the defense did not play with a chip on their shoulders - maybe Mike Daniels is the chip!

Datone Jones - Year 2 - 6'4 - 285 lbs - UCLA
Last years #1 pick.  Started year injured, and never really was 100%!  This could be the year for a BIG step.  We need a #1 pick to play like a number one pick!  Datone is athletic and looks great in a uniform!  We will see!  He is a key!

Julius Peppers - Year 13 - 6'7 - 337 lbs - North Carolina
Veteran presence!  A FREAK of an athlete!  Does Peppers have 1-2 years left in the tank?  If so, could be a BIG step to a SUPER BOWL!!!

Mike Neal - Year 5 - 6'3 - 285 lbs - Purdue
Was healthy last year and played a lot of football at defensive end and outside linebacker.  Not flashy, but a steady performer.  May make a big step this year and can play where he is stronger!

Josh Boyd - Year 2 - 6'3 - 310 lbs - Mississippi State
Second year player, will Boyd make a big move or will some of the new players move ahead?  Josh Boyd must prove himself to make this team.

Jerel Worthy - Year 3 - 6'2 - 304 lbs - Michigan State
Thomson traded up to take Worthy in the second round in 2012.  Played some as a rookie but, missed most of last year with an injury.  Jerel is another player that must step up and impress the coaches to make this team!

Luther Robinson - Rookie - 6'3 - 301 lbs - Miami
One of the un-drafted rookies that will need to play like a wild man!  A player that could be a diamond in the rough or an early cut?

Khyri Thorton - Rookie - 6'3 - 304 lbs - Southern Miss
As a drafted rookie, Thorton has the best shot to make the 53 man roster!  Captain of his team.  Played hard on a bad team! Has a intense motor!  Could be a steal in the draft!  And could provide a burst at key moments this season?

Carlos Gray - Rookie - 6'2 - 310 lbs - NC State
Another un-drafted rookie!  Good Luck!

The BEST scenario…..

BJ Raji has an all-pro year at Nose Tackle!
Mike Daniels is a leader and finishes year with 12-15 sacks!
Datone Jones not only looks good in a uniform, but is good - a player and over 10 sacks!
Mike Neal has a great year!
And Julius Peppers - WOW - 12-15 sacks and a play maker & leader!!!

SUPER BOWL - with a DEFENSE!

Packers - 2014 Inside Linebackers

Besides the battle at safety, the inside linebacker position maybe the other issue for the Packer Defense in 2014!

The Inside Linebackers are:

AJ Hawk
Brad Jones
Jamari Lattimore
Sam Barrington
Jayronne Elliot
Joe Thomas

AJ Hawk - 6'1" - 242 lbs. - Year 9 - Ohio State
Leader.  Healthy!  Defensive QB!  AJ is what a "professional" football player so be!
Had a great year last year.  Leader in total tackles - 118.  Leader in solo tackles - 74.  5 sacks.  Just a steady year for the old pro.  My concern is "old" pro!  May be slowing down a step & would be a lot better if one of the other inside linebackers would step up!

Brad Jones -  6'3" - 242 lbs. - Year 6 - Colorado
Became a starter in 2012 & started the 2013 season as the starter.  Suffered the injury bug and played 12 of 16 games!  Was third on the team with 84 total tackles & 60 solo tackles.  Here is some highlight from his bio - Lettered four years in track, earning all-area honors as a junior, and one year in basketball…Ran the 200-meter dash and the 110 hurdles…Community involvement: Gave an inspirational talk to guests at the Sister Bay Lions Club in Door Co. and signed autographs for local Pals Program participants…Volunteered at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley in 2011...Played an Xbox game against soldiers overseas in the “Pro vs. GI Joe” military appreciation event…Has assisted in the “Campbell’s Chunky Soup Click for Cans” competition and attended the holiday party for Families of Children with Cancer in Green Bay each of the last two years…Along with Jordy Nelson and Nick Collins, served as a model for the unveiling of the 2010 Packers throwback jersey at Fan Fest
Is he a difference maker & someone to take the heat off of Hawk, so far my opinion - Not Yet!

Jamari Lattimore 6'2" - 237 lbs. - Year 4 - Middle Tennessee State
My gut feelings are Lattimore will push Jones to start.   Seems to play a little more reckless & may be more athletic.  Need a "wild man" in the inside!  Had 35 total tackles & 24 solo tackles last year.

Sam Barrington 6'1" - 235 lbs. - Year 2 - South Florida
Barrington may also battle to start!  Going into his second year, he may also push to start.  Like two things he says in his bio Also lettered four years in track and field, participating in the 110-meter hurdles and the discus event.  AND "Says being a good role model and creating a solid future for his daughter serves as his biggest motivation…"    Going to have a chance to make his mark!

Jayronne Elliot 6'3" - 255 lbs. - Rookie - Toledo
Elliot has nice size and played in the Mid America Conference that always produces surprises - could he be one?  Still think he will be a long shot to make 53 man roster.

Joe Thomas 6'1" - 227 lbs. - Year 2 - South Carolina State
Another long shot!

AJ Hawk needs help!  I see a battle between Jones, Lattimore & Barrington!

Packers 2014 Offensive Line

One of my STRONG believes at ANY level of football is a GREAT offensive line!  Could the Packers be on the threshold of a GREAT O-Line?

Centers
JC Tretter
Corey Lindsley
Garth Gerhart

Guards
TJ Lang
Josh Sitton
Lane Taylor
Andrew Tiller
Jordan McCray
John Fullington

Tackles
David Bakhtiari
Brian Bulaga
Don Barclay
Derrick Sherrod
Aaron Adams
Jeremy Vujnovich

First Center, this is the BIG question mark.  Losing Dietrich-Smith is a concern.  JC Tretter could solve the Packers center position for the rest of Rogers career!  Corey Lindsley could be a great back-up and eventually pushing Tretter!

Guards are solid - Lang & Sitton.  At ages 26 & 28 still young and have played a lot of football!  And both players are able to move around the line to provide depth!  Should have another solid season!

Tackles are getting scary deep!  BUT, need to stay healthy!  Bakhtiari & Bulaga will start and Barclay & Sherrod are provide great depth and will push for playing time!  I think, with these 4 solid tackles, the Packers may have the best depth at tackle in the league!

That is, by my count, 8 offensive lineman.  It will be VERY difficult for the other offensive lineman to stick!  At center Gerhart has some experience, but have trouble beating out Tretter & Lindsley.  At guard, Taylor, Tiller, McCray, & Fullington are fighting to stick!  McCray & Fullington are rookies, while Taylor & McCray are in their second year.  The extra experience will help, but chances are one of these four will still on the practice squad.

Tackles, good luck to Adams & Vujnovich!  These two guys are really fighting for a spot!  They are young, but the 4 tackles in front of them will be hard to beat!

I like what I see!  STAY HEALTHY!

Packers 2014 - The Numbers Game!

One of my passions of following the Packers is pretending I was the General Manager and I am making decisions of the final Packers 2014 team roster!  I know, crazy!  But what the heck, let's take a look at the numbers as we continue to evaluate the roster!

As of now, July 4th 2014, we have 89 players on the roster.  The goal by the end of August, to select 53 players to lead us to the Super Bowl!

Offense
Quarterbacks - 4
Fullbacks - 2
Running Backs - 6
Wide Receivers - 10
Tight Ends - 7
Tackles - 6
Guards - 6
Centers - 3
Total Offensive Players - 44

Defense
Safety - 7
Corners - 9
Outside Linebackers - 8
Inside Linebackers - 6
Tackles - 3
Ends - 9
Total Defensive Players - 42

Special Teams - 3

89 players and we need to get to 53!  So, first a list of players I think are safe:
Offense
Quarterbacks - Rogers & Flynn or Tolzien = 2
Fullbacks - Kuhn = 1 (I think his last year & maybe the position disappears!)
Running Backs - Lacy, Starks, & Harris = 3
Wide Receivers - Nelson, Cobb, Boykin, Adams = 4
Tight Ends - Quarless, Bostick, Rogers, & Lyerla = 4
Tackles - Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Barclay, Sherrod = 4
Guards - Lang, Sitton = 2
Centers - Tretter & Lindsley = 2
So far that is 22 players

Defense
Safety - Burnett, Hyde, Clinton-Diz, Richardson = 4
Corners - Shields, Williams, Hayward, House = 4
Outside Linebackers - Matthews, Perry, Palmer, Mulumba, Bradford = 5
Inside Linebackers - Hawk, Jones, Barrington, Lattimore = 4
Tackles - Raji, Guion = 2
Ends - Daniels, Jones, Boyd, Peppers, Neal, Thorton = 6
That is 25 players for the defense

Special Teams - Masthay, Crosby, Goode = 3
They NEED to teach one of the offense lineman to long snap, this would guarantee another roster spot!

So far, that is 50 players, so 3 more out of the remaining 43 players!  This is incredibly difficult!  Every NFL team faces the same difficult decisions!  Every year, players try to make NFL teams.  As the numbers show, making an NFL roster is VERY, VERY, difficult!  In two months we will see how close I was to predicting the Packer 2014 53 man roster!

Packer Defense 2014 - Outside Linebackers

Could Julius Peppers be a key addition and have the impact of a Reggie White?

Can Clay Matthews stay healthy?

Will a young outside line backer emerge in 2014?

The list of candidates are:
Clay Matthews
Julius Peppers
Nick Perry
Nate Palmer
Andy Mulumba
Carl Bradford
Jake Doughty
Adrian Hubbard
Shaun Lewis

Clay Matthews - Year 6 - 6'3" - 255 lbs - S. California
For all the old Packer fans, we know how important Matthews is for this team!  He enters year six showing signs of physically breaking down!  Let us hope that was just bad luck!  The next 3-4 years will be the best for Matthews, let's hope there are big plays & great health for Clay!  One the NFL's more exciting players!

If you go to a Packer game, just watch him warm up!  That is even exciting!

Julius Peppers - Year 13 - 6'7" - 287 lbs - N. Carolina
This is one of the most exciting Packer free agent signing in years!  Peppers has "freaky size & athletic ability!  Up in age, let us hope he has a few more years in the tank!  How they use Peppers will be interesting!  Three point stance or two point stance?  Defensive end or outside linebacker?  My prediction is two-fold!
1 - Peppers will be a great influence on the younger players!
2 - Peppers will make big plays!
3 - Peppers will lead us to another Super Bowl!  WOW!  YES I SAID THAT!

Nick Perry - Year 3 - 6'3" - 265 lbs - S. California
Nick Perry has been a good team player!  He has had injury problems in the beginning of his career!  He has stayed healthy & last year started to contribute!  He provides valuable depth to Packer defense that has issues staying healthy!

Nate Palmer - Year 2 - 6'2" - 248 lbs - Illinois St.
Some of Nates 2013 highlights:
Upon further review: Palmer's NFL career began with back-to-back trips to the gameday inactive roster, despite him being at full health. Though he was active for Week 3, he didn't step on the field. And, after Green Bay's early bye week, Palmer was back to the inactive roster for Week 5. But that's when Clay Matthews suffered a Bennett's fracture of his right thumb, opening a window of opportunity for Palmer to see some in-game action. "I'm not going to have a problem at all putting him in the game and giving him a few snaps and getting his feet wet and seeing if he can do something," then-outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene said of Palmer on Oct. 11, 2013. "You have an opportunity to do something now, what are you going to do with it? Make it happen. Here's your chance." Palmer was behind undrafted rookie Andy Mulumba on the depth chart, though. Because of that, Palmer got only nine snaps in the Packers' first game without Matthews. But when Nick Perry was injured in Week 6 (and wound up missing five of the next six games), there was no one else left, giving Palmer a chance to play a lot. Between Weeks 7-11, Palmer was steady and relatively error-free (no missed tackles, no penalties), but he also didn't do much of note (zero sacks, one tackle for loss, zero forced fumbles).

Andy Mulumba - Year 2 - 6'3" - 260 lbs - E. Michigan
Mulumba played a lot of football last year.  As the injury bug hit, Mulumba was there to fill in, actually starting 3 games!
Should have a great shot of making the team with the experience from last year and help with special teams!

New faces trying to make the team!

Carl Bradford - Year Rookie - 6'1" - 252 lbs - Arizona St.
The Packers Round 4 draft choice:
Round 4 (121) - Carl Bradford - OLB - Arizona State

"The knock on Bradford is that he was an undersized defensive end at Arizona State, and much like Nick Perry, will have to make the adjustment to either outside linebacker or inside linebacker at the next level. At 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, he will have to work on his pass-rush moves and hand use while rushing the quarterback in order to be an effective player at the NFL level.

The positives on Bradford are that he is an explosive tackler who is very quick to the ball. He takes good angles, is a very good blitzer, and is athletic enough to be solid in pass coverage. He recorded a 37.5-inch vertical jump and 122-inch broad jump at the combine which highlighted a dynamic leaping ability. He ran a 4.76 forty-yard dash, which suggests he is fairly fast for his size, and his 20-yard shuttle time (4.3 seconds) is also impressive for his relative size."

This may be the best shot for a new face to make the team at outside linebacker!

Jake Doughty - Year Rookie - 6'0" - 234 lbs - Utah St.
Another un-drafted free agent that needs a great pre-season to make the team!  What does the Packer website same about Jake?

Doughty (DOUBT-ee), 22, earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2013 after recording 148 tackles (42 solo), including 12 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He ranked second in the nation (FBS) in tackles and his tackle total was good for fourth all-time in the history of the conference. As a junior in 2012, he earned first-team All-Western Athletic Conference recognition after ranking second in the conference with 109 tackles (36 solo)

Good luck Jake!

Adrian Hubbard - Year Rookie - 6'6" - 257 lbs - Alabama
An interesting un-drafted free agent with interesting size!  But let's look at the negative first!   Accoring to the NFL pre-draft notes under weaknesses: "Has a quirky personality, inflated opinion of his ability and carries a sense of entitlement that could be difficult to manage and require a patient positional coach."
Wow!  OK, I'm the could, first day I meet this guy, I read this to him!  I say, "we have 89 players here, and a 53 man roster.  I do not like what I read, change it!"

Shaun Lewis - Year Rookie - 5'11" - 226 lbs - Oklahoma St.
Another un-drafted free agent, his size may be an issue!  So, we hope he has a great motor!  Word from the Packer Website:

Lewis, 22, participated in Green Bay’s rookie orientation camp in May on a tryout basis. He started the final 45 games of his career for the Cowboys and ranked third on the team in tackles (73) and interceptions (three) as a senior in 2013. Lewis added eight tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and eight passes defensed in ’13 on his way to earning first-team All-Big 12 honors from the conference’s coaches and second-team recognition from The Associated Press.

Another long shot to make the team!