Packer Article Worth a Look! 5 Players The Pack Can Do Without!

Time out from my College Player look!  Found this article:


Five Players To Move On From in 2016!

Like it! The Players:

Scott Tolkien
BJ Raji
James Jones
Andrew Quarrels
Don Barclay

Agree with all of the players mentioned!  Cap Space?

Scott Tolkien a free agent - last year - $1.2 million
BJ Raji a free agent - last year - $1.8 million
James Jones a free agent - last year - $0.6 million
Andrew Quarrels a free agent - last year - $1.5 million
Don Barclay a free agent - last year - $1.5 million

Total = $6.6 million

Not much, but time for young blood & new blood or a new free agent!

Getting Ready For The Packer 2016 Draft

April 28, 29, & 30 - the NFL Draft!  The Packers are at #27.  What do the do?

First, what are the needs? Here are my top 5 needs!

1 - A pass rush.  This could be a young Clay Matthews or a Defensive Linemen?  The Packer defense is close, and a impact player, putting heat on the opposing QB would help!!!

2 - An inside linebacker.  Matthews needs move back outside, although I do like moving him around to make the opposing team nervous!  Barrington should come back from a lost season.  But, is Jake Ryan & the other linebackers good enough?

3 - Another weapon for Aaron!  This year proved that!!  There are many ways to go!  A tight end with a little for athletic ability than Richard Rodgers, or a receiver to stretch the field like the Steelers have!  Or a quick, pass catching running back like Darren Sproles!  Does not need to be big, BUT quick!!

4 - A young left tackle.  You saw what happened when David Bakhtiari was out - Aaron was killed!  It is Bakhtiari's 4th year coming up, would be nice to have a plan & backup!

5 - Athletes - any position that adds quality depth, helps special teams, and provides a spark!

So, the search begins & the next couple months we will hear a lot of talking heads discussing the college players and Mock Drafts!  The NFL.com draft order & needs article(click here)  Here are my first 5 players to research!

1 - Joey Bosa, Ohio State, DE  6'6" 275lbs

2 - Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss, OT 6'5"  305 lbs

3 - Reggie Ragland, Alabama, ILB, 6'2" 252 lbs

4 - Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame, OLB, 6'2" 240 lbs

5 - Michael Thomas, Ohio State, WR, 6'3" 212 lbs

Let the searching BEGIN!!!

Packers Free Agents 2016

Last blog entry, we looked at the 71 players on the present packer roster.  Of those 71, 16 are free agents.  Free agents - 8 on defense, 7 on offense, and 1 special team member!

The number in parenthesis, next to position, is last year salary in millions (Ex. $2.7 is 2.7 million dollars)
The number in parenthesis, next to the name, is his age.

Special Teams(1)
Mason Crosby(31) -Kicker($3.5)
This is easy, sign him!  Except for the game winner he missed against the Lions from about 50 yards, Crosby had a great season.

Defense(8)
Linebackers(3) - Michael Neal(28) - OLB($4.2), Nick Perry(25) - OLB($2.4), &
Andy Mulumba(25) - OLB($0.6)
This will be interesting.  Neal & Perry played about the same number of snaps.  I would say the had an average, at the best season.  I would sign the younger player Perry, and only Neal if the price is right.  Mulumba is special teams, was hurt some of the year, and a good draft choice could make it difficult for him!  So, sign Perry.

Defensive Backs(3) - Casey Heyward(26) - Corner($1.1), Sean Richardson(26) - Safety($2.5), &
Chris Banjo(25) - Safety($0.6)
Another decision!  Casey Hayward?  If he wants too much, BYE BYE!  We have depth there with the young corners Randall & Rollins!  Richardson, plays in special packages & special teams.  Again, price is right, sigh him!  Chris Banjo, has played at times, but mostly special teams, depends of draft.
Would sign Richardson and Hayward if he is salary cap friendly!

Defensive Line(2) - BJ Raja(29) 0 D Tackle($1.7) & Leroy Guion(28) - D Tackle($2.5)
Sign one!  My preference, Raji.  Guion has had issues.

Offense(7)
Quarterback(1) - Scott Tolzien(28) - QB($1.2)
Sign him if he stays cheap, Hundley should be groomed as back-up!
I would not sign Tolzien, unless a bargain!

Wide Receiver(1) - James Jones(31) - wide receiver($0.6)
Was a great pick up when Jordy went down.  Started the season with a bang!  Struggled getting open the last half of the year!  Only sign if bargain & he makes team in August!

Running Back(2) - James Starks(29) - running back($1.8) & John Kuhn(33) - fullback($0.6)
This to me is easy, sign them both!  Starks, is cheap & a great back-up!  Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn.  Enough said, leader, cheap price, & another year working with Ripkowski!

Offensive Line(2) - Don Barclay(26) - guard/tackle($1.5) & Lane Taylor(26) - guard/tackle($0.6)
I would sign if again the price is right, but, I would draft a good offensive lineman in the top 3 draft choices!

Tight End(1) - Justin Perillo(25) - tight end($0.4)
This to me is a BIG need.  I am not sure about Richard Rodgers, would like to see a more athletic tight end.  Would sign, again depends on $$$$$!

So, to review, sign Perry, Richardson, Raji, Starks, & Kuhn.
If price is right - Neal, Heyward, Jones, Barclay, & Perillo

All depends on the draft & if Ted Thompson would go after another teams free agents!

The Packers Roster to Begin 2016?

I've moved on!  I am busy thinking 2016 and dreaming of Super Bowl 51!  I thought that Super Bowl 50 would be the Packers, but, since the Pack won Super Bowl 1 & 2, why not 51 & 52???????

First, a look at the Packer Roster as of today, January 22, 2016.

A look at the roster as of today - 71 players

53 on the regular roster
7 on Reserve/Injured
1 on Practice Squad
10 on Reserve Future

This will take a while, but we need to break down each position, here we go!!!!

QB's-4
Aaron Rodgers - 11
Scott Tolzien - 5
Brent Hundley - R
Ryan Williams - R

No need here!  Just will need to decide to sign free agent Tolzien, the issue will be $$$.  Hundley, looked good in pre-season.  No idea what Ryan Williams has to offer.
My goal - Rodgers-Tolzien-Hundley
No Needs!

Running Backs-4
Eddie Lacy-3
James Starks-6
John Crockett-R
Scheuerman, Ross-R

Wow.  This was a BIG disappointment this year!  Or should I say Eddie Lacy!!!!  Over-weight!  Missed curfew.  Com'on Man!  Eddie - GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER! Here is what Coach Albright would have done in August - James Starks, you are the starter.  Eddie Lacy, get down to last years weight, and you are off the bench!  Some of the blame goes to McCarthy!  I would keep, Lacy, Starks, & Crockett - BUT try to sign a running back with speed & agility!  Another weapon for Rodgers!!!
My Goal - Lacy, Starks, & Crockett
Needs - A SPEED back, pass catching back - ANOTHER WEAPON FOR AARON!

Fullbacks-2
John Kuhn-10
Aaron Ripkowski-R

Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!  Let's make this simple!  Bring back John Kuhn!  Yes!  Another All Pro Year!  A leader on this team!  A "Aaron Rodgers Security Blanket"! A Packer Fan Favorite!  And Ripkowski, we just do not know!
My Goal - Kuhn & Ripkowski
Needs - None!

Wide Receivers-9
Jordy Nelson-8
Randall Cobb-5
Davonte Adams-2
James Jones-9
Jared Abbrederis-2
Jeff Janis-2
Tyler Montgomery-R
Jamel Johnson-R
Ed Williams-R

Wow Again!  What a year for the wide receivers!  As all Packer fans know - WE MISSED JORDY!  AARON MISSED JORDY!  And, the receivers all contributed to the "injury parade!"  We all have heard Aaron use this phrase, "Receivers need to earn my trust".  Well, Aaron, that is good in a perfect world, but, sometimes the world is not perfect!  Young receivers, inexperienced receivers, are a different world!  At the end, last game against the Cards - it was James Jones, Jared Abbrederis, & Jeff Janis.  AND, we almost pulled it off!!!!!  My advice to Aaron, "Sometimes you just need to play football, and wing it with your receivers"  And to Coach McCarthy, run different plays in the passing game - rub routes, bunch patterns, patterns across the middle of the field, plays that allow the receivers to GET open.  Not, just run down the field and try to get open!

Did not mention Cobb & Adams.  Remember, Cobb started season with a bad shoulder.  Maybe they kept him away from crossing routes, and maybe, with Jordy our, he was doubled & best corner covered him.  Whatever, he could not get open!  Adams, started the season with a bad ankle(sound familiar!) and missed a bunch of early games!  He had a bunch of drops.  Maybe, with Jordy out he felt the pressure?  Whatever, he did not have a good season!  What did we find out?  Cobb & Adams need a #1 receiver around them to be good!

Question?  Can Nelson come back?  What we found out - Cobb is not able to carry a team's receivers.  James Jones was let go by teams for a reason.  Abbrederis & Janis have promise!
My Goal - Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Abbrederis, & Janis.  Jones id he is cheap & roster permits.
Needs - Receiver with speed & ability to take the top off the defense!!!

Tight Ends-5
Richard Rodgers-2
Andrew Quarless-6
Justin Perillo-2
Kennard Backman-R
Henry Mitchel-R

Another Wow!  NOT SO GOOD!  Richard Rodgers, had an average season, nice Hail Mary against the Lions!  But, as far as depth? NONE!  Quarless, terrible season!  In trouble, injured, time to move on!  Rookie Backman, we have NO idea!  WE need help!  Aaron NEEDS help!  Ted Thompson - DO SOMETHING!!!!!
My Goal - Rodgers & Backman
Needs - YES!

Offensive Line-11
David Bakhtiari-
Brain Bulaga-
TJ Lang-
Josh Sitton-
Cory Lindsley-
JC Tretter-
Don Barclay-
Lane Taylor-
Josh Walker-
Jeremy Vujnovich-
Matt Rotherham-

Again, what a difference a year makes!  Last year healthy!  This year, NOT healthy!  Each week, someone was out!  The position that hurt most - left tackle-Bakhtiari!!!  Prime example, two games against the Cardinals - Game One - 8 Sacks on our QB, Game Two - 1 Sack!  Enough said!  When healthy, I think one of the top offensive lines!
My Goals - STAY healthy - Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Lang, Sitton, Lindsley, Tretter.
Needs - an athletic, versatile offensive lineman.

Defensive Line-9
BJ Raji-7
Leary Guión-8
Mike Pennel-2
Chris Ringo-R
Josh Boyd-3
Will Campbell-2
Mike Daniels-4
Datone Jones-3
BJ McBryde-R

This is interesting!  Does this line strike fear in the NFL?  NO!  So, my comment, A NEED!!  This group shows signs, and I think, with a Stud, one Stud, could be very good!  So, either go out and get a free agent, or draft one!  That being said, is anybody out there?  Mike Daniels is the clear leader and has some good moments and we just signed him!  This is good!  I would keep either Raji or Guion, but not both - probably Raji, because he has not made STUPID decisions!  I would love to see Datone Jones make another jump!  Other players, just do not know!
My Goal - Daniels, Jones, Raji, Boyd & Pennel.
Needs - A STUD!!!!

Inside Linebackers-6
Clay Matthews
Sam Barrington
Nate Palmer
Jake Ryan
Joe Thomas
Carl Bradford

First, one of Mike McCarthy's end of year comments, Matthews back to Outside!  In his first full year, an above average year, but outside is where he should be!  Sam Barrington, after missing an entire season MUST come back strong - he was a starter!  The rest, must get better or not make team!
My Goal - Barrington, Ryan & Thomas.
Needs - draft or free agent - GET ONE!!!!

Outside Linebackers-5
Nick Perry
Mike Neal
Julius Peppers
Layronne Elliot
Andy Mulumba

With Clay Matthews coming back outside, will Julius Peppers play another year!  He is under contract & I think still has a lot in the tank!  They did limit plays & that was a good idea!  BIG question, free agents Nick Perry & Mike Neal.  I would think, the Pack must sign one!  My choice - Nick Perry.  Elliot & Mulumba, again I predict they keep one - Elliot.

My Goal - Matthews back here, Peppers, Perry, & Elliot.
Needs - high draft pick - say first 3 rounds!

Safeties & Corners-12
S-Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx -
S-Morgan Burnett -
S-Micah Hyde -
S-Chris Banjo -
S-Ladarius Gunter
S-Sean Richardson
CB-Sam Shields
CB-Casey Hayward
CB-Damarious Randall
CB-Quinton Rollins
CB-Demetri Goodson
CB-Robertson Daniel

The strength of Packer Defense!  Ted Thompson takes a lot of crap.  When it comes to his first two picks last year Randall & Rollins - nice job Teddy!  I really think, this could be one of the NFL's best!  One BIG issue - TACKLING!  Must tackle!!  Two free agents may be expendable - Chris Banjo & Casey Hayward.  If they want too much - BYE - BYE!!  Shields, Rollins, Randall can handle the corner position, Clinton-Dixx, Burnett, Richardson, & Hyde are deep!!!
My Goal Safety - Burnett, Clinton-Dixx, Hyde, & Richardson
My Goal Corner - Shields, Randall, & Rollins (Hayward, ONLY if $$$$ works out!)
Needs - NONE - SPEND $$$ elsewhere!

Special Teams-4
Mason Crosby - Kicker - Great season!
Tim Masthay - Punter - Start the tryouts now!
Long Snapper - Brett Goode gets hurt, incomes Goode!

There you have it - 71 players  

Remember, 90 allowed for summer camp

And 7 or more draftees!

Packers 2015 Review

Back from my vacation in Hawaii!  Took a break from blogging, but managed to catch the Packers playoff games!  And, maybe I should go back to Hawaii!

Redskins Game:
The first playoff game was a nice win.  All phases, Offense, Defense & Special Teams played well.  And a playoff road win is ALWAYS good!  And, of course, a look at the numbers:

Packers 12 Drives - 4 TD's & 2 FG's, 4 Punts, 1 Safety & 1 Fumble
A slow start - Punt, Safety, Punt, & Punt!  But, nice finish!

Washington 12 Drives - 2 TD's & 1 FG, 5 Punts & 3 on Downs, 1 Fumble
A fast start & slow finish, give the defense some credit!

Considering, no Bahktari & Shields, a good game for the Pack!

Cardinals Game:
First, give Pack a little credit, after game #1- a 38-8 loss, NICE improvement! But, a loss is
a loss.

Packers 10 Drives - 2 TD's & 2 FG's, 4 Punts, 1 Downs & 1 Interception
Cardinals 11 Drives - 3 TD's & 2 FG's, 3 Punts, 2 Interceptions, 1 End of Half

Another slow start - Punt & Punt, & Punt!  Next, two field goals, should have been 2 TD's to make
life easy!  And what a finish - HAIL MARY & Jeff Janis!  Overtime?  Try to explain the Fitzgerald play?  Seems to been a Packer theme the last few years!  Let another teams best Wide Receiver go crazy & that long pass play?  WIDE OPEN, MISSED TACKLES, & game over!

The Packer Buddies, attended 4 games, and the view from the stands was the same as all the games this season.  Offense - inconsistent & poor Rodgers body language.  Defense - young defensive backs played well,  linebacker & defensive line play inconsistent.  Special Teams, adequate, but not a lot of BIG plays.  So, what do we take away from the 2015 Season?

1 - Aaron Rodgers?  He is human!  Here is my "sixth coating sense!"  After Jordy was injured, panic! And I saw that in his eyes!  Frustration!  During the season, interviews!  Game Day body language.  And again, that gut feeling!  Offensive line issues added to this!  Last year healthy, this year NOT.  The ultimate was left tackle, as all QB's, they NEED blind side confidence!  Do not get me wrong, I WILL TAKE AARON RODGERS EVEN ON A BAD YEAR!  But, HE NEEDS HELP!

2 - Ted Thompson?  First, the good.  Those young defensive backs!  Rookies, Randall & Rollins.  NICE YEAR!  They are players and we could have something special here!  Clinton-Dixx & Hyde, still make plays, but miss tackles!  Burnett is the QB on defense, he needs to keep leading.  Defensive Line play.  Mike Daniels, just signed again and that helps!  He IS the leader here.  But, we still need an impact player!  We DO NOT have a STUD and we need one!  I suggest, sign a free agent & spend the money!  Does Reggie White ring a bell.  With Aaron Rodgers getting a year older the time is NOW to make a 2-3 year run!  We cannot afford to draft and develop here!!!  SIGN A STUD FREE AGENT PASS RUSHER!!!!  And linebacker, still a mess.  Barrington back will help.  Is Ryan a starter for the future?  Peppers a year older, Matthews a year older?  Here I would draft & develop! But, Ted needs a DO NOT MISS draft choice & his line backer picks have not been a little, NO A LOT, questionable!

3 - Mike McCarthy?  OK, time to look a numbers again!
 Pro Football Web Page and Mike McCarthy Wikipedia Page

Year 1 - 2006 - Record 8-8 and Playoffs No
Year 2 - 2007 - Record 13-3 and Playoffs 1-1 NFC North Champ & Loss in NFC Championship
Year 3 - 2008 - Record 6-10 and Playoffs No
Year 4 - 2009 - Record 11-5 and Playoffs 0-1
Year 5 - 2010 - Record 10-6 and Playoffs 4-0 Super Bowl Win
Year 6 - 2011 - Record 15-1 and Playoffs 0-1 NFC North Champ
Year 7 - 2012 - Record 11-5 and Playoffs 1-1 NFC North Champ
Year 8 - 2013 - Record 8-7-1 and Playoffs 0-1 NFC North Champ
Year 9 - 2014 - Record 12-4 and Playoffs 0-1  NFC North Champ & Loss in NFC Championship
Year 10 - 2015 - Record 10-6 and Playoffs 1-1

First, we need to KEEP Mike McCarthy!  BUT, he needs to make some changes!

More later, but as a Packer Fan, we are blessed.  A great tradition!  We have gone from Favre to Rodgers(Just talk to Cleveland Brown fans!)  Mike Holmgren to Mike McCarthy! Super Bowls - 4 Total, & 2 last 20 years.

My Goal for the Packers?

TWO MORE SUPER BOWLS NEXT 5 YEARS

Packers Win In Washington

After a first quarter that made Packer fans say, "Better luck next year", something happened! The old Packer offense showed up!  Why?

First, JC Tretter bounced back from giving up a sack and safety, to having a very good game!

Second, a ground game emerged! Lacy and Starks found enough running room to make the Redskins play pass & run!

Third, the passing game found yards to keep drives alive!

And fourth, the defense continues it show it can play well, especially when the offense does not give up fumble returns for TD's!!

Can the Pack of 2015 catch lightning in a bottle?

Stay tuned! Next chapter will be continued in Arizona!

Packers - Redskins Wild Card

We are here!  And the 16 games are behind us! And, the Pack are 12 of 32 teams to make it!

Let's begin to break down the game:

QB - Aaron Rodgers vs Kurt Cousins

Aaron Rodgers  31 TD's  3,821 yards  Interceptions 8  Rating  92.7
Kirk Cousins  29 TDs  4,166 yards  Interceptions 11  Rating 101.6

By a first look, Kirk Cousins had a great regular season & Rodgers did not!  But, Rodgers is the vet, and Cousins is in his first playoff game!  Rodgers has won 2 MVP's & a Super Bowl!  So, I say to Mike McCarthy, "Hey Mike, let Rodgers call his own plays!"

Washington Offense 17th in yards per game - 353
Green Bay Offense  23rd in yards per game - 334

Washington Running Offense - 20th 97 yards per game
Green Bay Running Offense - 12th 112 yards per game

Washington Running Offense - Morris, Jones
Green Bay Running Offense - Lacy, Starks

Washington Passing Offense - 11th 255 yards per game
Green Bay Passing Offense - 25th 218 yards per game

Washington Passing Offense - Jackson, Garcon, Grant
Green Bay Passing Offense - Jones, Adams, & Cobb

So, Offense?  I'm going on history here - Advantage Packers!

Next up, Defense!

Vikings New Kings Of NFC North (Maybe That's A Good Thing)

The Packers run in the NFC North is over.  Why would that be a good thing?

The Vikings, Bears, & Lions will not play dead forever!  And, if your not getting better, then you are
getting...........

The Packer Buddies were at 4 home games this year.  As I said before, in those 4 games the Pack were 3 wins & 1 loss.  But, it did not feel that way.  As I said before, the Pack started 6 & 0!  And since that time, 4 wins & 6 losses.  I repeat, 4 WINS & & 6 LOSSES!  After the Bye Week, the Packers were below average!

Vikings are getting better!  Lions & Bears, still trying to figure things out, and they soon will!  The Packers need to look in the division and decide what to do to change this trend!  And that is:

Ted Thompson & Mike McCathy!

Injuries?  Yes, starting with Jordy, Davonte & Eddie, ALL the offensive line, defense, Shields last 3 games, Raji, Neal, Hyde, etc, etc, etc!

The Offense?  Wow!  Where to I begin?  Running game?  A few bright moments, BUT not many - no 1000 yard rusher.  The Passing Game - nobody to go deep.  Dropped passes.  No separation.  And of course Aaron Rodgers. (Discount Double-check better look in the mirror!)  MVP last year!  And this year?  NOT even a VP!

Special Teams?  Not bad.  Crosby, above average.  Punter, Masthay, average, only average his entire career.  And run backs?  Punt & Kick returns, nothing special!

The McCarthy coaching experiment?  I would give him a D-.  After all, he went back to calling plays. didn't he!  And his interviews?  Same stuff!  Need to focus on next game.  Bad technique.  Injuries - Next Man Up!  After ten years, I just feel he is in a different place.

Last Negative, the Packers are going the wrong direction.

OK, GOOD NEWS!  The Pack is in the playoffs for the 7th straight year!  Only the Patriots can match that!

The Packers play the Redskins and not the Seahawks!  That is a good thing!

The entire O-line may be back!  Shields may be back!  Maybe, health is improving?

In Aaron Rodgers interview, he said in the 4th quarter the Pack threw "Caution to The Wind"!
AGREE!  AGREE!  AGREE!

So, Mike McCarthy, if you you are reading this blog(Wow Thanks)

GO FOR IT!

Pass first, run second!

Pass the ball downfield, a lot!

Run some crossing patterns!

Run some bunch patterns!

Let Janis & Abbrederis play!

Let Matthews & Peppers blitz.

GO FOR IT!