The Packers 2018 - The Offensive Line

What are the ingredients to a GREAT offensive line?

1 - Talent?  Usually you need 2 very talented offensive linemen and 3 linemen that work!  Of course, we have a great left tackle and that is always part of the equation!  David Bakhtiari is that left tackle! All-pro the last two years & making the NFL to 100 for the first time (ABOUT TIME!) As of now, the rest of the line looks like this:

LT - David Bakhtiari - 6'4" - 310 lbs - Year 6 - Colorado
LG - Lane Taylor - 6'3" - 324 lbs - Year 6 - Oklahoma St
C - Corey Linsley - 6'3" - 301 - Year 5 - Ohio State
RG - Lucas Patrick - 6'3" - 313 - Year 2 - Duke
RT - Brian Bulaga - 6'5" - 314 lbs - Year 9 - Iowa

The next all pro may be Corey Linsley.  A starter as a rookie, Linsley has been very steady entering his year five!  As the center, providing protection from the giant defensive tackles is critical!  A collapsing pocket on the QB is a disaster and the Packers are in good hands with Linsley.

At guard, on the left side Lane Taylor has developed into a fine player.  At right guard, we may have a first year starter Lucas Patrick.  As Taylor, entering year 6, Patrick, in year two, is a player that has paid his dues as a back-up.

Right tackle, Brian Bulaga had a very good start to his career, but lately, injury prone!  Never spectacular, Bulaga was always healthy & dependable, NOT NOW.  We could see  new right tackle by years end!

Our offensive line depth?
Kyle Murphy - 6'6" - 305 lbs - Year 3 - Stanford
Jason Spriggs - 6'6" - 301 - Year 3 - Indiana
Adam Pankey - 6'5" - 315 lbs - Year 2 - West Virginia
Kevin Meadows - 6'5" - 308 - Rookie - Kentucky
Justin McCray - 6'3" - 317 lbs - Year 2 - Central Florida
Kofi Amichia - 6'3" - 304 lbs - Year 1 - South Florida
Cole Madison - 6'5" - 308 lbs - Rookie - Washington St
Jacob Alsadek - 6'7" - 312 lbs - Rookie - Arizona
Alex Light - 6'5" - 309 lbs - Rookie - Richmond
Dillon Day - 6'4" - 296 lbs - Year 1 - Mississippi St
Austin Davis - 6'4" - 301 lbs - Rookie - Duke

This group could have a lot of DRAMA!  My gut feelings?  The Spriggs & Murphy experiment could be over!  Both players have been given a lot of chance, but both players have NOT stepped up!  I predict, 1 will be cut.  The drafted rookie, Cole Madison will probably stick, because drafted rookies usually make it.

Undrafted rookies, Meadows, Alsadek, Light and Davis, one or two on practice squad.  And, players with one or two years, Pankey, McCray, Amichia, & Day. Maybe one of these make the 53.Pankey played some last year & may have the inside track!

What we need - NO INJURIES!!!  And salary cap?  Bulaga is a $7.9 million scary cap hit!  This may be his last year & if not healthy - Bye Bye Bryan!  Would be nice to get a diamond in the rough!!!  Time will tell!!!

Next up?

Defense!!!!!!

Memorial Day 2018 - Let Us Honor Our REAL Heroes!

The history of our country continues to be written.  And young men & woman still serve, knowing at anytime, at any place, they may be called to protect freedom!  Why?  Because, that is who we are!  Our country has a calling.  Protect our countries freedom & help people around the world that are having their freedom destroyed!

It started with the American Revolution, we struggled with our own brothers & sisters during the Civil War, and we became the world leader after World War I & World War II!  Today, we still struggle from within our own country & around the world!  But, one thing is for sure, young men & woman still feel a calling to defend & protect freedom!

And, because of these brave young men & women, we are allowed to play games, watch games, and in the Packer Buddies world - attend Packer Games!!

So, on this day, May 28, 2018, we say thank you!!

Our fallen heroes will ALWAYS be REMEMBERED!

Packers 2018 Roster - Wide Receivers! The Jordy Era Ends!

Aaron Rodgers wil not be spinning the ball in the end zone before games this year!  The last few years, when the Packer Buddies were at games, we would always look for Jordy & Aaron in the end zone doing their ritual - that is over!!!!!

So, time to move on!

It is a long list:
Randall Cobb -5'10" - 192 lbs. - Year 8 - Kentucky
Davante Adams - 6'1" - 215 lbs. - Year 5- Fresno St.
Geronimo Allison - 6'3" - 202 lbs. - Year 3 - Illinois
Michael Clark - 6'6" - 217 lbs. - Year 1 - Marshall
Trevor Davis - 6'1" - 188 lbs. - Year 3 - California
DeAngelo Yancey - 6'1" - 220 lbs. - Year 1 - Purdue
J'Mon Moore - 6'3" - 205 lbs. - Rookie - Missouri
Marquez Valdes-Scantling - 6'4" - 206 lbs. - Rookie - South Florida
Equanimeous St. Brown - 6'5" - 214 lbs. - Notre Dame
Jake Kemero - 6'4" - 209 lbs. - Year 1 - Wisconsin-Whitewater
Colby Pearson - 6'0" - 194 lbs. - Year 1 - Brigham Young

First, do not forget the tight ends & Jimmy Graham.  I feel we may see him split out on many formations!  Now, keep in back of your mind, the Packers usually keep around 6 on the 53 man roster & try to stash 1-2 on the practice squad!

Top two roster spots - Randall Cobb & Davante Adams!  Looks like Adams will be stepping into the #1 receiver role that he has earned the past 2 years!  Adams has good size, dependable hands & enough speed to be a threat, but not break away speed.  Cobb has always been a slot receiver and my prediction is this will be his last year as a Packer!  Has had issue with separation, but has had big days in the Packer uniform!

The Projects from last year? - Geronimo Allison & Michael Clark.  These two guys are fascinating, BUT, because the Packers drafter 3 wide receivers this year, I see only one hanging on.  Right now, Geronimo Allison may be it.  Played some last year, but MUST make a big step!

Hold overs from 2017 - Trevor Davis & DeAngelo Yancey.  Davis was given many chances on special teams, but I was not impressed.  Has great speed, but did not so up last season.  Yancey supposedly shed a few pounds & has come back quicker this year.  Again, survival time!

Three 2018 draft choices!  J'Mon Moore,  Marquez Valdes-Scantling, & Equanimeous St. Brown!
One word for these 3 receivers is SIZE! - 6'3", 6'4", & 6'5"!  I see these three all possible sticking.  Although we have a new GM & many new coaches, the Pack loves to draft & develop!!  The question is always, will one of these three gain the confidence of Mr. Rodgers????

Long shots - Colby Pearson & Jake Kemero.  Unless I am wrong, I do not see a chance!

My early prediction without seeing any pre-season games:
Randall Cobb
Davante Adams
Geronimo Allison
J'Mon Moore
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Equanimeous St. Brown

Packer 2018 Tight Ends - Things Are Getting Interesting!

At the end of the 2017 Packer Season, the tight end position was in a bad place!  The Bennett experiment was a failure (what a pathetic example of a professional football player).  What would 2018 bring?

Jimmy Graham - 6'7" - 265 lbs - year 9
Marcedes Lewis  - 6'6" - 267 lbs - year 13
Lance Kendricks - 6'3" - 250 lbs - year 8
Emanuel Byrd - 6'2" - 240 lbs - year 1
Kevin Rader - 6'4" - 250 lbs - rookie
Ryan Smith - 6'4" - 257 lbs - rookie
Robert Tonyan - 6'5" - 237 lbs - year 1

First, Graham & Lewis?  A few obvious observations:

Experience - these to players have 20 years of NFL experience!  That means something!

Size - 6'7" & 6'6", that is over 13' of target!!  That means something!

Stats - Together they have - 931 receptions - 102 TD's & 11,302 yards!  That means something!

Do you think Aaron Rodgers will miss Jordy Nelson?  YES!
Do you thing Graham & Lewis will help Aaron Rodgers forget Jordy Nelson?  YES!

So, Graham, as he has done in his career will be more of a wide receiver than a tight end.  He should help in the red zone & in 3rd done situations!  Lewis, is an excellent blocker - this should make the run game VERY good this year!!!  So, this fan feels VERY good about our tight end situation!

Lance Kendricks may be the odd man out if one of the younger players makes a jump!  He is a dependable vet, but we have two, so, Kendricks may be the odd man out.

My pick, for tight end #3 - Emanuel Byrd.  Word is, this young player has made a BIG jump!  First, he has overcome MANY obstacles in his life!  Check out this article, "

After tragedies, loving memories drive Packers TE Emanuel Byrd

What a story!!  And, word is, he has worked at his craft!

As far as Kevin Rader, Ryan Smith and Robert Tonyan - let the battle begin for practice squad!

Kevin Rader - Youngtown State

Ryan Smith

Robert Tonyan - Indiana State

Stats for all three are not impressive.  But, is there a player hidden in these stats?

Packers 90 Man Roster - Running Backs

We have a quarterback that most teams would love to have every Sunday!  Now, how do we make sure the offense will be not just the Aaron Rodgers show?

Run the Football!

The Packers have 5 running backs & 2 fullbacks.

Running Backs
Ty Montgomery
Aaron Jones
Devante Mays
Jamaal Williams
Joel Bougnon

Fullbacks
Aaron Ripkowski
Joe Kerridge

First, in the Packer offense, if the running back does not protect Aaron, he will not play!  So, the front runners from last year will be Aaron Ripkowski at fullback & Jamaal Williams at running back.  Last year, the running back, that looked dangerous was Aaron Jones.  So, what should the next few months look like on the football field?

At fullback, expect a battle, and one fullback to make the team.  The level of trust is no where near the "Kuhn Days"!  So, the young fullbacks will battle again!  The competition was VERY close last year!  Ripkowski won on an extra year of experience.  Expect Kerridge to make Ripkowski work to keep this roster spot! Right now, I saw it is a toss up!

Running back will be very interesting!  First, the Ty Montgomery project?  In his fourth year, moved from wide receiver to running back, has had glimpses of possibilities, but problem with Montgomery durability!  His career stats:

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As the stats show, Montgomery has promise.  He has the athletic ability to be a versatile weapon!  BUT, he must stay healthy!  My vision of Montgomery, is to be used as a wide out, running back, and all around player - maybe 10-2 touches a game, and move him around!

Next, Jamaal Williams.  Last year as a rookie:

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This was a nice rookie season.  A physical runner, and was the most dependable rookie running back when protecting our QB!  Expect to see Williams making the team again and getting his share of carries.

As mentioned earlier, Aaron Jones looked like the most explosive running back on the Packers team last season.  Stats:

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As the stats show, Jones 5.5 yards per carry & Williams 3.6 yard per carry.  And, the eye ball test, Jones is the break away runner.  If he improves in protecting the QB, Jones will see more carries!

The battle for the 3rd running back will be between Devante Mays & Joel Bouagnon.  The new piece to the puzzle, Bouagnon. At 6'2" & 230 lbs, from Northern Illinois, has the size.  Drafted by the Bears last year as an undrafted free agent, was on the Bears injured reserve and then released.  So, time will tell if Bouagnon will impress.

My prediction - Montgomery, Williams, Jones at running back.  Kerridge surprises Ripkowski at fullback.

Analyzing The 90 Man Packer Roster of 2018!

Where do we start?  90 Players - to 53 - to 22 starters - and 3 Special Team.  And, back-ups(and being a Packer fan, we KNOW how we need back-ups!!!!

Let's start with the obvious - offense!  And, Aaron Rodgers!!

Aaron Rodgers!  Let start with the obvious, his present girlfriend!

We have one Super Bowl before Olivia Munn!

And ZERO, while dating Olivia!

Now Danica Patrick, retired race car driver!

What will happen now?  Time will tell!!  But, I'll predict retired race car drive wins over B-movie actress any day of the week!!

Aaron's Career Numbers?

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At age 34, the window is closing!  If you are an avid Packer fan you know that with Aaron on the field anything is possible!  Issues are, since his last super bowl during the 2010 season, things happened.  Aaron injuries.  No tight end, or no running backs, or offensive line banged up, or key receivers banged up!  Or, a terrible defense!  Or, in the playoffs, a fumbled on-side kick.  

Not an Aaron issue, a team issue!  So, if Aaron is healthy.  If, the offense starts healthy.  If......

Of all 32 teams, I will take for my QB - Aaron Rodgers!!!!

Back-up QB?  You only need to look at the 2018 season, Brett Hundley, the Packers are a below average team!  Eagles, with back-up Nick Foles, SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!!  Enough said!!!!!

Packers have 3 fighting for the back-up job:

Brett Hundley - Year 4 - 6'3" & 226 lbs  - UCLA

DeShone Kizer - Year 2 - 6'4" & 235 lbs - Notre Dame

Tim Boyle - Rookie - 6'4" & 232 lbs - Eastern Kentucky

 No sure thing!  

If I was the GM, my team would always have a veteran back-up & a young project QB.  That is me!

The Packers have not used that concept, so, Aaron goes down & roll he dice!!!

My prediction (or my wish!)  Forget Hundley, had enough of him last year!!!  Kizer back-up.

And Boyle, practice squad!!!

Aaron stays healthy, we make the playoffs.  Aaron gets injured, another high draft choice next year!

The Packers 90 Man Roster for 2018!

Here it is!

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You know the routine!

From 90 to 53, and a practice squad of 10.

I still think, the NFL should go to a 60 man roster & game day roster of 60!  Too many times, a game is played(game day rosters consist of 45 of the 53), where injuries make the coaching of an NFL game VERY difficult!  And, make the product on the field difficult to watch for fans!

Will this be a championship team?

32 NFL teams think this!  32 teams have dreams of holding that Lombardi Trophy on Super Bowl Sunday!  What will the Packers 90 man roster bring?

The Packers are also experimenting with a new coaching staff!

The Packers are also under the leadership on a new General Manager!

New players!  New coaches! New General Manager!