My 53 Roster Prediction for 2018

Her we go!  My 53 will be!

QB(2) Aaron Rodgers, DeShone Kizer)

WR(7) - Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, J'Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous, Jake Kumerow

TE(3) - Jimmy Graham, Mercedes Lewis, Lance Kendricks

RB(4) - (Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Devante Mays, Joel Bouagnon - (Aaron Jones - suspended)

FB(1) - Aaron Ripkowski

OL(8) - David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Justin McCray, Brian Bulaga, Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, Lucas Patrick

Offense (25)

DL(5) -  Mike Daniels, Muhammed Wilkerson, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Montravious Adams

OLB(5) - Nick Perry,  Clay Matthews, Reggie Gilbert, Kyler Mackrell, Vince Biegel

ILB(4) - Blake Martinez, Oren Burks, Ahmad Thomas, Antonio Morrison
Jake Ryan on IR)

CB(8) - Tramon Williams, Kevin King, Davon House, Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Quinton Rollins, Josh Hawkins, Herb Waters

S(3) -  Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx, Kentrell Brice, Josh Jones

Defense (25)

P(1) - JK Scott

K(1) - Mason Crosby

LS(1) - Hunter Bradley

OK, let see what the Packers do!!!

Packers 2018 - The "Hogs" - Offensive Line!

What makes an offense go?

What keeps Aaron Rodgers healthy!

What looks great in tight football pants??  Opps!

Here they are as of today:

G - Kofi Amichia
T - David Bakhtiari
T/G - Byron Bell
T - Bryan Bulaga
C - Austin Davis
C - Dillon Day
T/G - Alex Light
C - Corey Linsley
G - Justin McCray
T - Kyle Murphy
G/T - Adam Pankey
G - Lucas Patrick
T - Jason Spriggs
G - Lane Taylor

That is 14 names.  Out 0f 14 names, we need 5 starters.  2-4 subs. 1-2 on the Practice Squad.

So, starters:

LT - David Bakhtiari
LG - Lane Taylor
C - Corey Linsley
RG - Justin McCray
RT - Brian Bulaga

The one spot that is still under a lot of competition - RG.
The one position that is questionable for health reasons - RT

Looks like David Bakhtiari has become one of the top left tackles in the league!  He already has the BEST hair!  Aaron loves the guy!  Left guard, Lane Taylor has become a solid starter, as is our center Corey Linsley!  So, what players are pushing for a roster spot?

Bryon Bell, Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, Adam Pankey, & Lucas Patrick.  Looks like Spriggs & Murphy have a step up on the tackle spots!  Bryon Bell, the old veteran, can play guard or tackle!

So, what do we need:

1 - Get healthy & STAY healthy!
2 - PROTECT Aaron!
3 - PROTECT Aaron!

Pre-Season Game #2 - Packers 51 - Steelers 34

What have we learned after pre-season game #2?

"Eye Ball Test"

   Yes - Kizer is pushing Hundley

   Yes - Kemerow is pushing all wide receivers!

   Yes - Rodgers will find Graham in the end zone

   Yes - Packers are able to score POINTS - 51

   Yes - Veteran CB - Tramon Williams is has it - First Play interception for TD

   Yes - Rookie CB - Jackson could have it too!

   Yes - We have a bunch of Tight Ends!

   No - After the Steelers ran the ball in the middle, our D-line may need work?

   No - Our rookie punter still needs work

   No - Packer run game - NOT so much!

   No - We need inside LB help

   No - Packers still give up points - 34

Overall, the Packers are on a good path.  A quick look at our team:

Special Teams - Crosby still the man.  Rookie punter needs work, BUT has a foot.  And, long new long snappers  Time will tell!

Offense - Rodgers is Rodgers.  Backup QB - healthy competition!  Offensive line - GET and STAY healthy and we will be fine!  Tight Ends - THIS could be exciting!  Wide Receivers - Adams looks like top ten NFL, Cobb - DO NOT KNOW, and the battles for #3 is VERY interesting!  Running Backs - Aaron Jones - get health & DON'T smoke anything!

Defense - D-line still could be VERY good!  OLB - Matthews, Perry, and Gilbert looks like the real deal!  ILB - Martinez is adequate & learning, and rookie  Burk could be EXCITING!  Defensive backs are making plays & developing depth!

So, let the summer camp continue!

Packers Defense 2018 - Defensive Line

If you are a long time Packer Fan, and you have been waiting for a dominate defense, the 2018 Packers Defensive Line may be the start of something good - and the reason is.............


Mike Daniels - 6'0" - 310 lbs - Year 7

Kenny Clark - 6'3" - 314 lbs - Year 3

Muhammad Wilkerson - 6'4" - 315 lbs - Year 8

Dean Lowry - 6'6" - 296 lbs - Year 3

Montravious Adams - 6'4" - 304 lbs - Year 2

Joey Mbu - 6'3" - 313 lbs - Year 2

Tyler Lancaster - 6'3" - 313 lbs - Rookie

James Looney - 6'3" - 287 lbs - Rookie

Connor Sheehy - 6'4" - 295 lbs - Rookie

Daniels, Clark, Wilkerson, Lowry, and Adams.  This looks like the 5 that will lead the way!  Of course, Daniels is the leader & leads by both play on the field, the look, and a vocal leader!  He has some of that "Nasty" that we need!

Now add a young 3 year pro!  Drafted at age 19 , now only 22, last year he started to shine!  My prediction, this may be the break out to all pro year!  Watch #97 this year!

New addition, veteran Muhammad Wilkerson!  This move in the off season could be one of the difference maker!  He also has some of that "Nasty"!  He has the size & the background to be special!

The possible young addition, Montravious Adams!  Last year some injuries & practice squad, wor is he may be ready to make the second year jump!  And at 6'4" & 304 lbs, should help plug that middle!

Dean Lowry, has some nice games last year!  And, had a few big plays!  At 6'6" & 296 lbs is still growing into the body!

A little on the new guys:

Joey Mbu:
Attended Foster High School in Richmond, Texas…Served as a three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines…Received all-area and all-district recognition all three years (2008-10)…As a senior, registered 67 tackles, two sacks and two blocked field goals…Pegged as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com…Garnered all-region honors from PrepStar…Also a member of the track team in discus and shot put…Won the discus district championship in 2010 and advanced to the regional championship…His father, Charles, is a FIFA soccer scout…Last name is pronounced EM-boo...Lives in Houston, Texas…Given name Joey Mfonten Mbu; born in Richmond, Texas.

Tyler Lancaster:
A three-year letterwinner at Plainfield (Ill.) East High School, played center and guard in addition to defensive tackle…Was a first-team all-state selection by the Chicago Tribune…Did not allow a sack as an offensive lineman in his three seasons…Also lettered one year in baseball…Visited Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago and raised money for Misericordia Home in Chicago for children and adults with special needs….In high school, organized and ran children’s activities for three years at a Lifetime Fitness in Romeoville, Ill. …Lives in Romeoville, Ill. …Given name Tyler Coatney Lancaster; nickname is “Lanny”…Born in Naperville, Ill.

James Looney:

HIGH SCHOOL: Started all four seasons on the offensive line and the final 2½ seasons on the defensive line at Lake Worth (Fla.) High School…Earned first-team Class 7A all-state honors from AP on the offensive line as a senior…Was a two-time first-team All-Palm Beach County selection on the offensive line…Was a member of the Sun Sentinel Super 11 following his senior campaign on both offense and defense…Registered 60 tackles and two sacks on defense as a junior, appearing on about half of the snaps…Also was a four-year letterwinner in track and field, participating in the shot put and discus.

PERSONAL: Given name Kendall James Thomas Looney…Nickname is “Looney Tunes”…Born in Palm Beach, Fla. …Older brother, Joe, is an offensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Wake Forest…Helped rebuild homes and painted churches and houses while he was in college…Residence: Lake Worth, Fla.

Connor Sheehy:
A four-year letterwinner at Marquette (Milwaukee, Wis.) High School, posted 218 career tackles, 43 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks over four seasons…Was a first-team all-state honoree by The Associated Press and was named the Greater Metro Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year after racking up 100 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and four sacks as a senior in 2013…Also earned all-state honors as a junior…Lettered one year in wrestling…Lives in Milwaukee, Wis. …Last name is pronounced SHEE-hee…Given name Conor Maurice Sheehy; born in Milwaukee, Wis.

Now was that some great stuff!!!  Could this be a BIG STRENGTH!!!  Yessssssssss!

First Pre-Season Game, Did We Learn Anything?

First, I did not see the total game.  I did watch highlights & watched all interviews, so what do I see?

The final 53 usually means 40-45 are guaranteed and about 50 players are fighting for 10115 spots on the roster and then the Packers try to sneak 10 players on the practice squad!

So, let us start at wide receiver.  Packers will probably keep 5-6 on the 53 man roster.  We have Cobb and Adams.  Geronimo look like he is a leg up on the others!  Kumerow had been the camp darling and looked OK in the highlights.  The player that had a good night was Valdes-Scantling. 5 receptions, 101 yards and 1 TD!  Nice night.  On highlights, he had good seperation, is learning to do that little push off(HA HA) and looks like he physically belongs!  So, Valdes-Scantling helped himself!

Back up QB battle looked fairly even!

Hundley - 9 for 14 & 108 yds - 1 TD
Kizer - 9 for 18 & 134 yds - 0 TD

Again, after last season, my vote is Kizer!

Offensive line did all right, without Bulaga & Bakhtiari.

Running game so - so!  Williams had a nice pass reception at the goal line for a TD.  Aaron Jones did not play(Hamstring).  Montgomery played a little 3 rushes 9 yards.

Tight Ends, no where to be seen!

Defense?  The first drive was a Titan drive for a TD!  Lot of people did not play - Daniels, Wilkerson, King, Alexander, Perry, Matthews, etc.  So, we still do not really know what we have! A lot of new faces running around.  So, the jury is still out & may be out till September 9 against the Bears!

But, one rumor flying around?  Click on this article - Packers Favorite to Land Kahlil Mack!!

Kahlil Mack - pass rush - a difference maker on defense!!  I am all in!  What would I give up?
Nick Perry & a #1 draft pick!!  GO FOR IT!!!!

Next up, Steelers come to town!  This will be a good test!  And, don't forget, each team we play we get a chance to look at their players & if they are cut, we have the chance to pick them up!

Packers Roster 2018 - Wide Receivers

First. a moment of silence for the loss of Jordy...............................................................

Now, life goes on.  So, what do we have at wide receiver?

Two starters:
Randall Cobb - 5'10" - 192 lbs - Year 8
Davante Adams - 6'1" - 215 lbs - Year 5

Returners:
Geronimo Allison - 6'3" - 202 lbs - Year 3
Trevor Davis - 6'1" - 188 lbs - Year 3
DeAngelo Yancey - 6'1" - 220 lbs - Year 1

New Comers:
Adonis Jennings - 6'2" - 203 lbs - Rookie
Jake Kumerow - 6'4" - 209 lbs - Year 1
Kyle Lewis - 5'11" - 203 lbs - Rookie
JMon Moore - 6'3" - 205 lbs - Rookie
Equaunimeous St. Brown - 6'5" - 214 lbs - Rookie
Marquez Valdes-Scantling - 6'4" - 206 lbs - Rookie

First our starters, Adams & Cobb.  They both have had success.  They both have been injury prone.  They have ONE big thing going for them, Aaron Rodgers is their QB!  With Brett Hundley our wide receivers were very average!  Adams is the 7th highest paying wide receiver in the NFL - $14.5 million a year! Randall Cobb is the 18th highest paying wide receiver in the NFL - $10 million! So, as wide receivers go, the Adams & Cobb duo, should PROVE they are worth the $$$$.  By the way, one BIG reason that Jordy Nelson is gone, he was making around $10 million a year and NO NFL team has three receivers making over $10 million a piece!!!

The new third starter?  Right now, Geronimo Allison is getting a look!  Big target, has good size & speed, will he catch the ball??? In his third year, this is the year do stake his claim on the #3 receiver!!!  This is another reason to watch pre-season games!  The biggest issue with our receivers - do they have the ability to separate from defensive backs?

Trevor Davis has been given opportunities on special teams.  And, has had a few chances at wide receiver.  From, my eye ball test, Davis is replaceable!  Has good speed, but not scary speed.

DeAngelo Yancey has been on the roster.  He has played behind Allison & Yancey.  Has he improved enough to move ahead of Allison & Yancey?  Another reason to watch pre-season games!

And the rookies!  Just so happened, just today, Aaron Rodgers jumped all over the rookies!!!!

So, here is the link to the entire article, Click to read!  Aaron Rodgers Jumps on Rookie Receivers

Of the six receivers, Jake Kumerow, is getting a lot of positive remarks!  He is not really a rookie, was part of a few practice squads last year.  In practice, he has turned some heads!  Has great genetics!  Father was drafted & played for the Dolphins!  His cousins, the Bosa brothers out of Ohio State, have moved on to the NFL!  So, remember the name, maybe we can go from "Jordy to Jake?"!

Jordy

to

Jake?

Packer Roster 2018 - Tight Ends

Aaron Rodgers with a good tight end - good things happen!

Two years ago Jared Cook and Aaron Rodgers started to do some special things & for some crazy reason the Packers let Cook walk?

Last year Martellus Bennett was supposed to be that tight end & he was a disaster! Plus he quit on the team!

This year, we pick up Jimmy Graham and Mercedes Lewis!  What will happen????

Jimmy Graham - 6'7" & 265 lbs - Year 9

Mercedes Lewis - 6'6" & 267 lbs - Year 13

Lance Kendricks - 6'3" & 250 lbs - Year 8

Emanuel Byrd - 6'2" & 240 lbs - Year 1

Robert Tonyan - 6'5" & 237 lbs - Year 1

Kevin Rader - 6'4" & 250 lbs - Rookie

Ryan Smith - 6'4" - 257 lbs - Rookie

Jimmy Graham has had a good career and could finish with Aaron Rodgers as his QB!  What would most Tight End's love?  This!  He is a BIG target!  A red zone dream.  A middle of the field dangerous target!! He is more wide receiver than tight end.  Without Jordy roaming the field this could be the "MAN"!

Mercedes Lewis has a lot of mileage on those wheels!  He is a great blocker!  That would complement Graham & serve as another big tight end, middle of the field target!  Could you see Graham on one side & Lewis on the other, with Rodgers dropping back.  Sprinkle in Adams, Cobb, and Montgomery coming out of the back field?  How do you cover that!!!

Now keep one or two more! Lance Kendrick is another great veteran!  We have heard good things about Emanuel Byrd. Other options Robert Tonyan, Ryan Smith & Kevin Rader??

Some interesting facts on Emanuel Byrd:
Was a four-year starter at QB at Albany (Ga.) High School...Also lettered in basketball, baseball and track in high school…Worked with the Boys and Girls Club in West Virginia while at Marshall as well as in his home state of Georgia

Robert Tonyan:
Attended McHenry (Ill.) High School-East Campus, where he lettered two years each in football and basketball…Was an all-conference selection as a QB following his junior and senior seasons…Set the school’s career record for passing yards (5,000)…Also attended Marian Central Catholic High School (Woodstock, Ill.) as a freshman…Volunteers at the Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation, supporting people with cystic fibrosis…Sister, Danielle, played volleyball at Bowling Green State

Ryan Smith:
Attended Fenwick (Oak Park, Ill.) High School, where he was a first-team all-conference selection after a 50-catch, 11-TD season as a senior…Was a team captain as a senior…Also lettered three years in rugby…Has volunteered as a coach at his high school during his free time…His grandfather, the late Johnny Lattner, won the 1953 Heisman Trophy as a running back at Notre Dame and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame…Was a high school teammate of Titans LB Robert Spillane

Kevin Rader:
A two-year letterwinner at defensive end, wide receiver and tight end at Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pa.) High School…Has volunteered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund…Was a caddy at a local golf course while in high school…Lives in Pittsburgh, Pa

This year I expect BIG things from the tight end position!  And my bold prediction, this position will help Aaron Rodgers to a MVP season!!!

Packers 2018 - The Running Backs

The Running Back position!  It just makes the offense a little more dangerous!

A home run hitter?  Someone you can give the ball to, and, at any moment - go the distance?

Tony Dorsett, Gale sayers, OJ Simpson, etc. Do we have one?

A hammer?  Some one that gets that tough yardage!  3rd down and 1!  First and goal from the 3 yard line!  Punishing tacklers!  Do we have one?

We did Eddie Lacy, and John Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!

A "Swiss Army Knife"?  Darren Sproules.  Marshall Faulk, old Packer Ahman Green...

Do the Packers have one?

The answer to all these questions.................................................MAYBE!

Here is what we have:

My answer is:

Break Away Threat - Aaron Jones

Swiss Army Knife - Ty Montgomery

The Punisher - Jamaal Williams

First, Ty Montgomery!  STAY HEALTHY!  Converted from wide receiver, the experiment continues!  He has the receiving ability!  He has enough size to run the ball.  He is a smart kid, Stanford!  And, in interviews is a class act!  Do not know what the Packers are thinking, but I would move him around!  Outside & inside!  Run & Pass!  1st, 2nd, or 3rd down!  Screen Passes!  Swing Routes!  One on one with linebackers!  BUT, his durability is suspect!  Maybe, play 10-15 downs a game!!!

Second, Aaron Jones.  Our deceptive runner.  Good speed! 4.56 in the 40!  Suspended first 2 games - 

Packers running back Aaron Jones just got punished for his October arrest -- driving while high on weed -- and it's gonna cost him driving privileges for 6 months. 

Jones was initially pulled over in Green Bay on Oct. 1 for going 79 mph in a 55. During the stop, the officer smelled weed.

And after Jones bombed a field sobriety test, he admitted on camera "I was smoking it."

The 23-year-old was initially charged with operating a vehicle with a restricted controlled substance, speeding and operating without a valid license. In exchange for pleading no contest to the weed charge, the remaining 2 charges were dropped.

Along with losing his license, Jones will have to pay a $1,047 fine and undergo drug assessments to make sure he doesn't mess up again. 

So, we hope Aaron Jones has learned his lesson!  And, we hope he is a break away runner!!!

Third, Jamaal Williams - last year?

• After moving into the starting lineup in Week 11, posted 672 yards from scrimmage over that span (No. 11 in the NFL) and 455 rushing yards (No. 10). Registered 100-plus yards from scrimmage in four of the final six games.

Now, the 3 headed monster, needs to be a THREE HEADED MONSTER!

Devante Mays & Joel Bouagnon.  Last year, Devante Mays was behind Jones & Williams, so, Mays has a lot to show us this summer!  The new player, Bouagnon, is an unknown, a little background:

How about high school!!

Was a two-time all-state, all-area and all-conference running back at Aurora (Ill.) Christian High School and Burlington (Ill.) Central High School…Compiled 1,475 rushing yards and 21 TDs as a senior…Had six carries of 20-plus yards and 215 yards in the state quarterfinals during his senior season…A two-way player, was named defensive MVP as a senior after racking up 119 tackles at CB…Earned MVP honors in the 2012 Illinois 3A state championship game after posting 95 rushing yards, two TDs and 11 tackles…Was named team MVP each of his three years at Burlington Central…Is fluent in French...Name is pronounced joe-ELL bwon-nyo...Lives in Modesto, Calif. …Given name Jöel-Alexandre Balou Bouagnon…Born in Pomona, Calif.

Now, what impressed me?  Is fluent in French!!!  Wee Wee!!!!

Best case scenario? Montgomery stays health & turns into a versatile weapon!  Williams is a BEAST. And, Jones is not arrested & becomes a threat!!!!