Packers 2014 Roster Set - Let The Season Begin

Summer camp is finished & it is time to play football!!  First priority, let's analyze the 70 men on the 2014 Packer Roster!  Here is the official breakdown as of today!

53 on the roster
10 on the Practice Squad
7 on the Injured Reserve

First the 53 man roster:(As a retired educator, I will grade each position!)

3 - Quarterbacks  - Aaron Rogers, Matt Flynn, & Scott Tolzien

What a difference from last year!  Do you remember?  We cut all our QB's except Aaron!  I think this is a plus this year, I give our Quarterback Grade - A+

4 - Running Backs - John Kuhn, Eddie Lacy, James Starks, & DuJuan Harris

I LOVE this bunch!  The only negative?  They all need to play and it may stop Rogers from passing!
They ALL run hard, they ALL seem coachable, and they ALL are team players!!
Running Back Grade - A

5 - Wide Receivers - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams, & Jeff Janis

Solid bunch!  Starters Nelson, Cobb, & Boykin are proven talent.  Only issue I have is injury!  Would be nice to have all three stay healthy!  Nelson & Rogers have a chemistry that I think is one of the best in the league!  Cobb could be that break away guy that would stretch the field.  And Boykin has shown the ability to make the difficult catch & be there if the others are double teamed!  And the rookie Adams & Janis I love!  Adams looks like he could be that big receiver type & Janis is a Nelson look alike!  Deceptive speed & dependable!  Only issue I see is press coverage will sometimes give our receivers a difficult time & the first game against the Seahawks will test that!!   Wide Receiver Grade - B+

4 - Tight Ends - Andrew Quarless, Brandon Bostick, Ryan Taylor, & Richard Rogers

Missing Finley here, but he was inconsistent.  First, can they block?  For the run game to go, one or two MUST step in and show they can do it!  Can they make the big catch over the middle, and at times stretch the field?  Maybe Rogers is the answer here & Bostick has shown signs when he had a chance!  Taylor has been a great special teams player!  Tight End Grade - C+

8 - Offensive Line - Brian Bulaga, David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, JC Tretter, Corey Lindsley,
Derrick Sherrod, Lane Taylor

PROTECT ROGERS!  I will say it again - PROTECT ROGERS!  And, STAY HEALTHY!  The run game looked great last year, so protect Aaron, play action passing & look out!!!  I think our tackles could be two of the best in the NFC.  Bulaga & Bakhtiari look like intelligent, dependable players.  Question would be are they athletic enough to control the edge?  Sitton & Lang are nasty & tested.  Like what I see at guard.  Center, Tretter was looking good, but banged up, Lindsley a rookie!  Hold your breath!  Depth right now looks average - Sherrod(stay healthy), Lang, & Taylor.
Offensive Line Grade - B-

That is 24 players on the offense!

Tomorrow - A look at the defense!  26 Players!

Packers Game Three of Pre-Season - The Raiders at Lambeau Field!

First, Lambeau Field!

If you have never been to Green Bay & Lambeau Field, well YOU NEED TO GO!

My first trip, 1998!  And that was before a lot of the renovations!

The great thing about the Packer renovations the last 15 years is they have tried to keep the original feel still visible!

Now the game, what did we learn Friday night?

1 - I feel something!  I feel something that I have not felt since the Super Bowl win!  Players seem anxious to play!  Older players seem hungry!  Younger players seem comfortable!  Team attitude seems to be aggressive, from players to coaching staff!  Confident!  Loose!  Playing with a chip on their shoulders!  I like the feeling!

2 - Offense - Tempo!  With Rogers at QB, I sense the game plan is to allow Rogers more opportunities!  I see a balance, running backs, three of them that all run hard!  Three very good receivers & a BUNCH of young receivers that are talented!  An offensive line that is maturing and nasty!

3 - Defense - Same feel, Tempo was good.  Take it too the offense.  Playing a lot of people!  Not a base defense, a defense moving people around taking chances!  Peppers, complementing Matthews!  Safeties, 3-4 fighting for a chance to play!  Because of injuries last year, players like Neal, Lattimore, Perry, etc are getting mixed into first unit!

Bad News.  BJ Raji done for the year - torn bicep!  Not good!  He seemed to be ready to have a good season.  Any 350 pounders out there ready to play nose guard?

Rule Change For The NFL! Practice Squads For 2014 Will BE 10 PLayers!!!

Did you see the news?

Rule Change For The NFL!  Practice Squads For 2014 Will BE 10 PLayers!!!

That is great for the NFL & young players!  That is 64 more young men that will get the chance to develop into an NFL player!

The Practice Squad Rules:

Practice squad basics

• Each NFL team can have up to eight players on their practice squad.
• Practice squad players ... practice with the team. They do not play in games.
• Not all players are eligible to be signed to NFL practice squads (more on that below).
• Practice squad players are paid per week and can be released at any point during the season.
• Practice squad players are free to sign with other NFL teams, assuming they are signed to the 53-man active roster. A practice squad player cannot be signed to another practice squad unless he is first released.
• A practice squad player can not sign with their team's upcoming opponent, unless they do so six days before the upcoming game or 10 days if their team is currently on a bye week.
• If a practice squad player is signed to the active roster, they will receiver a minimum of three paychecks, even if they are released before spending three weeks with the team.
• In order to be signed to a practice squad after being released, a player must first clear through waivers.

Eligibility

Practice squads are considered to be for developmental purposes. Therefore, veterans are not eligible to be signed to the practice squad. In fact, players with more than one year of accrued NFL service are not eligible. Here is a closer look at the eligibility requirements.

• A player is eligible if he does not have an accrued season of NFL experience. Players gain an accrued season by being on the active roster for at least six games.
• If a player has one accrued season, they can still be practice squad eligible if they were on the 45-man active gameday roster for less than nine regular season games.
• A player is deemed to have served a season on the practice squad if he remains on the practice squad for at least three weeks. Players are eligible to be on the practice squad for two seasons.
• Players can be eligible for a third practice squad season if their team maintains no less than 53 players on the active/inactive list at all times.

Salary

Practice squad players earn significantly less than players on the active roster, but they still take home a solid weekly paycheck. NFL practice squad players make a minimum of $6,000 per week they are on the practice squad. There is no limit to how much a team can pay a player on the practice squad. Some will offer a higher weekly salary in order to entice better players to sign, although the practice squad contracts do count against the salary cap.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have paid practice squad players significantly more in recent seasons. In 2010, Tampa Bay offered wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe a contract worth equivalent to the minimum salary to entice him to sign to its practice squad.

If a player remains on the practice squad for an entire regular season, he would earn $102,000. A player with less than one accrued season on the active roster would earn a minimum salary of $405,000

Who will benefit on the Packers roster?  The young players!  Maybe…….

What Did We Learn From The Packers Second Pre-Season Game?

What Did We Learn From The Packers Second Pre-Season Game?

Some of the areas I was watching………

1 - QB - Rogers looked in mid-season form!  The running & passing mix seems to be working.  Lacy also looks comfortable as an option out of the backfield.  Nelson, Cobb, & Boykin seem to be working their routes well with Rogers!  And Tolzien & Flynn seem to be close!  That is good news!

2 - Tight End - I think we now have three - Quarless, Bostick & Rogers!  Looks like Bostick & Rogers may be pushing Quarless down the TE list!  Bostick & Rogers seem to be bigger targets downfield & punish tacklers more than Quarless.  I feel a lot better now & the Finley loss should not hurt!

3 - Wide Receivers - As I mentioned earlier, Nelson, Cobb, & Boykin looked good!  And Rogers seems to be comfortable with Boykin as the third receiver.  I really like our your receivers trying to make the team!  I do feel some are making a move! After a brief illness I like what I see from Janis!!  Big target, 6'3".  Speed to burn!!!  And hands!  Remember another round 7 Packer Pick from a few years back?  A guy named Driver!!!  Looks like Adams has a spot, and Harper, Gillette, Dorsey, Sheppard & White will battle!!  All great choices!  We we keep 5 0r 6 receivers?

4 - Defensive line looked adequate, but not outstanding.  It looks we we still do not have a BEAST!!  The defense seemed to be fairly conservative.  So, the young guys still need to develop!  The Raji, Daniels, Jones line look more athletic than previous years.  And, Boyd came in and played well.  Neal is still bouncing from line to LB.  And Thorton and Pennel seem to be in a battle to make team!

5 - Safety - still not problem solved.  Saw Hyde & Clinton-Dix flying around, but at times out of position.  Hyde, had great position on the TD we gave up to the TE, but it was a great throw & catch.  I am hoping that game experience will help & some big plays are coming from this group!!!

Has any player stepped up on my list & make a move?  Here are my movers!

Jeff Janis - WR - As I mentioned earlier, I have a GUT feeling!  7th Round draft pick, from Division 2, Saginaw Valley State!  6'3" & 219 pounds, I like this!  Time in the 40 YD - 4.42, I like this!  A well spoken, humble kid!  Check out the Jeff Janis profile!  And also, check out the Jeff Janis NFL Combine  Results.

Overall, a good pre-season game.  Next week is a big game, a roster cuts are looming, here are the dates:
Aug 22 - Raiders Pre-season game
Aug 26 - Roster goes to 75
Aug 28 - Chiefs Pre-season game
Aug 30 - Roster to 53
Aug 31 - Practice Squad chosen
Sept 4 -  First game - Seahawks

Getting Ready for Second Pre-Season Game - Packers vs Rams

Here we go, week two of summer camp is behind us and the second pre-season game is here for evaluation!  What should we look for?

1 - Word is - We have a battle for back-up QB!  Hopefully Aaron will play a couple series & we ca see were he is at as far as timing & game situation.  But, many people feel that Flynn is ahead of Tolzien by a NARROW margin!  And, will the Packers keep 3 QB's on the final 53 man roster?

2 - Tight End - can Quarless hold off Bostick & Rogers?

3 - Battle of the young wide receivers - WOW!  This will be tough!  Do we keep 5 or 6?  Right now I have Nelson, Cobb, Boykin, & Adams!  Really think it is wide open & anyone cut will get picked up by another team in need of receivers!

4 - Defensive Tackle - Worthy experiment is finished, he is off to New England!  I like the young group of Daniels, Jones, & Boyd!  Raji seems to be back to his year 1 & 2 form.  What other players will step up?  Thorton, a draft pick this year or Guion, picked up from the Vikings?

5 - Safety - all of a sudden we have depth - Burnett, Hyde, Clinton-Dix, Richardson, & Banjo!  Now, do we have game changers?? Time will tell!!

Come on Rams!  Give up a challenge that makes some players stand out!  Here is my list of players that have a grip on the 53 man roster - some are obvious!!

QB - Rogers, Flynn, & Tolzien
FB - Kuhn
RB - Lacy, Starks, & Harris
TE - Quarless, Bostick, Rogers
WR - Nelson, Cobb, Boykin, & Adams
OL - Bulaga, Bakhtari, Lang, Sitton, Tretter, & Sherrod
Thats 20 on the offensive side

3 special teams - Goode (LS), Mathstay, & Crosby (K)

S - Burnett, Hyde, Clinton-Dix, Richardson, & Banjo
CB - Williams, Shields, Hayward, House
OLB - Matthews, Peppers, Perry, & Neal
ILB - Hawk, Jones, & Lattimore
DT - Daniels, Raji, Jones, & Boyd
Thats 20 on defense.

So, to my eyes, 43 are on the team & that leaves 10 roster spots!  Time will tell!

Here are some great Packer websites pics from this week!

Nice Hat!!

Kuuuuuuuuhn!  Raaaaaaaaain!

Jordy helps rookies!  (Could this pic be a sign?)

Matthews giving away shampoo secrets!

Lacy, helmet styling!

BIG Uglies, WE NEED THEM!!!!

Thoughts After Packer First Pre-Season Game Vs. Titans

OK, score Titans 20 Packers 16

Who cares!  What did we see and what did we not see?

1 - See, Flynn & Tolzien are capable back-up QB's

2 - NOT see, Aaron Rogers - Too much rain, stay healthy!

3 - See, Running game with first O-Line looks good

4 - NOT see, a punt returner, but Adams will learn to stay away from RAIN catches!

5 - See, First D looked good!

6 - NOT see, Lacy & Nelson

7 - See, Starks & Harris are a great back-up to Lacy

8 - NOT see, a Tight End winner

9 - See, NO major injuries!

And 10 - NOT see, A WIN!

Next, Packers at Rams!  Saturday, August 16, 4PM!!!

Packers Get Ready for First Pre-Season Game

Here we go!  This is just like our school days!  It is the first marking period, and the players will get their first grade!  Keep in back of your mind, the goal - make the final 53!  90 players started!

What do we know as of August 8, 2014?  Seven players will not make the trip.  Also, TWO are definitely out of the picture!  Here is the list & a comment or two:

1 - Jared Abberderis (WR) - Torn ACL - finished for the season
2 - Don Barclay (OL) - Torn ACL - finished for the season
3 - Morgan Burnett (S) - strained Oblique - should be back next week & will make team
4 - Tanner Miller (S) - Undisclosed - slim chance to make team
5 - Jerel Worthy (DL) - Back Injury - WOW!  What a disappointment!  BYE BYE JEREL!
6 - Letroy Guion (DL) - Undisclosed - Needs to play to make team - right now in trouble
7 - Colt Lyerla - (TE) - Knee injury - out several weeks - maybe PUP?

Packer News RotoWorld:
CBS Sports on Packers:

So, of the 7 players not going to the game, I see one, Morgan Burnett on the 53!

Here are players I will focus on:

QB - Flynn vs. Tolzien - Who is the #1 Backup?
TE - Quarless, Rogers, Bostick, Taylor, Stoneburner,&  Perillo (I see 4 making team)
C - JC Tretter vs Corey Lindsley - I do not think Tretter has this locked up!
S - Clinton-Dix, Hyde, Richardson, & Banjo - Young players, but I like what I see!
DL - Daniels, Boyd, Raji, & Jones - I want to see some ATTITUDE!!
OLB - Matthews & Peppers - make a play & DON'T GET HURT!

I'm ready, are you!!!

GO!  PACK!! GO!!!

2014 Packers - Summer Practice #11!

Eleven Practices down and ONE to go before first pre-season games against Tennessee!

Injury Report
Jared Abbrederis - ACL - finished for the year?
Colt Lyerla - Knee injury - several weeks
Morgan Burnett - Oblique injury
Don Barclay - ACL - finished for the year?
Brad Jones - ?????
Michael Hill - Concussion

Probably two down for the year!  Amazing!  So, the roster is cutting itself - down to 87!

There are some new faces beginning to shine - Jeff Janis a rookie wide receiver.  3rd year player Sean Richardson is playing well at safety.

With Don Barclay going down we need Derrick Sherrod to step it up!

Goals of the first scrimmage:

1 - Get OUT of Tennessee healthy!

2 - First Quarter both offense(efficient) & defense(aggressive)  look good!

3 - Position Needs
          Safety - coverage & tackling
          Wide Receiver - a 4th & 5th receiver
          Tight Ends - blocking and catches to move chains!
          D-Line athleticism!
          O-Line - develop
          Quality Special Team - make FG's, good snaps, quality punts

4 - Win (I like winning everything!)


         

Packer 2014 - August 4 - Monday Practice Rogers Shines!

Aaron Rogers had a good practice!  As a Packer fan it is a please to watch Aaron Rogers!  We had 16 years of Brett Favre & now Aaron Rogers!  As a football fan, it doesn't get any better!

Three people hauled in TD passes from Rogers - Quarless, Stoneburner, & Nelson!  Starks & Lacy ran well!

On the defensive side, LB Thomas & S Richardson had some nice hits!

If you did not see the practice schedule - Here is the 2014 Packer Summer Camp Schedule

That means 3 more practices before the first  pre-season game against the Titans!

Tues - Practice
Wed - Practice
Thurs OFF
Fri - Practice
Sat - Game against Titans 7PM Away

Green Bay Family Night 2014

Family Night is over and the Packers finish first week of summer camp. Check out the Family Night video for a feel of what it was like to be there at the stadium!

Now, where are the Packers after week one of summer camp?  What did Coach McCarthy think of Family Night?

Jared Abbrederis has a torn ACL.
More opportunities for the other receivers.
Like the environment of Family Night, energy was good and practice went well!
Thought Pennel had a good night.
Monday 5:30 PM next practice.
Few injuries we do not know how bad.

What do I think, a little old Packer fan from Pennsylvania(890 miles away by car)?

Without seeing any practice, the "vibes" I get are:

1 - The defense will be better, with Mike Daniels setting the tone! (Stay Healthy)

2 - The defense will have play makers:
     Clay Matthews (Healed thumb, and help on the other side!)
     Julius Peppers (A play maker, opposite Matthews - FINALLY!)
     Micah Hyde (A nose for the football)
     Casey Heyward (2 years ago as a rookie, lead all NFL rookies in interceptions)
     Datone Jones (Ready to step it up in year 2!)
     BJ Raji (Back & nose & had a great 1st week!)

3 - Aaron Rogers - Aaron Rogers - Aaron Rogers

4 - Eddie Lacy - James Starks - DuJuan Harris

5 - Jordy Nelson (DEPENDABLE) - Randall Cobb (Something to Prove!)

6 - O-Line - Ready to become one of the BEST!

Bring on week #2!

Packers 2014 Summer Camp - Practice #6

OK, it happened!  Looks like we had our first big injury - WR - Jared Abbrederis.  Looks like a torn ACL & that means he is done for the year!  A shame, a local boy from Wisconsin!  Let's hope, that is it for awhile!!!!

The NFL Network was there today to watch practice and interview McCarthy!  Seems like the Packers are flying under the radar to most people, while the 49er's & Seahawks are getting the love!  But, a few people are keeping an eye on the Pack!

McCarthy interview was typical Coach Speak!  The offense leading the way, with the defense showing improvement!  As I have said earlier, McCarthy never is too UP or too DOWN!  The Packers are in good hands!

The Aaron Rogers interview today was fun.  I sense Rogers is 1 - Comfortable in his new role as elder statesman for the Pack, & 2 - Ready to have a great season!  The maturity of Rogers has been fun to watch & I see a young man that is in a good place!

The most interesting video today was the defensive backs covering the wide receivers and the referees throwing flags!!  The NFL is due for a re-set!  As of the first week of practice, looks like the referees are cracking down of the defense - holding, hitting receivers beyond the 5 yard mark, & otherwise roughing up the receivers!

The Family Night scrimmage format has been changed from a scrimmage to a practice!  I think this is good!  Do not beat up on each other, wait for the Titans scrimmage!