Building The Packers 2018 Roster

Here is my list so far:

1 - Aaron Rodgers
2 - David Bakhtiari
3 - Mike Daniels
4 - Morgan Burnett
5 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx
6 - Davante Adams
7 - Jordy Nelson
8 - Randall Cobb

Next, defense:

Linebackers Nick Perry & Clay Matthews!

Clay Matthews - 6'3" - 255 lbs. - USC - Year 9 - Age 31

Clay Matthews, he is always in the spotlight!  TV cameras love him!  His father & uncle had great careers in the NFL!  Does a great commercial for State Farm with Aaron.  And the hair, ohhhh the hair!  But, can he play football??  At age 31, not much longer!

When you watch a game, he still flies around a field & and at times, hits things!  I would plan for 3 more years and I would move him inside.  When hw was there, did a good job.  Seems to still have the speed.  But taking on the BIGGER offensive tackles, is taking his tole!  

Nick Perry - 6'3" - 285 lbs - USC - Year 6 - Age 27

Seems to have the same issue that a lot of Packers do - staying on the field!!!  Injuries have been an issue his entire career, but at age 27 can still be a force!  Unlike Clay, Perry is VERY strong & can bull rush an offensive tackle!

When healthy, plays above average football, and we need him in this new transition to a new general manager & defensive coordinator!

My list so far:

1 - Aaron Rodgers
2 - David Bakhtiari
3 - Mike Daniels
4 - Morgan Burnett
5 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx
6 - Davante Adams
7 - Jordy Nelson
8 - Randall Cobb
9 - Clay Matthews
10 - Nick Perry

A new piece to the 2018 Packer Puzzle!

Packers hiring Brian Gutekunst as general manager.

So, a little on Brian Gutekunst. From Packer Website.

Promoted to director of player personnel on March 21, 2016, Brian Gutekunst enters his 19th season with the Green Bay Packers’ player personnel department. He spent his first 13 seasons with the club as a college scout, serving as an East Coast regional scout for his first two years (1999-2000), before switching to the Southeast region (2001-11) and most recently serving as director of college scouting (2012-15).

Possessor of prior professional scouting and college coaching experience upon joining Green Bay on a full-time basis late in 1998, Gutekunst gained his first NFL experience in the summer of 1995, when he assisted the coaching staff of the New Orleans Saints with the offensive line during training camp. Gutekunst’s initial exposure to the Packers came in the summer of 1997, when he worked as an intern in the team’s scouting department. 

His first full-time appointment in professional scouting was in 1998 as a scouting assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs. After one year with the Chiefs, Gutekunst returned to the Packers when he was named a college scout on Dec. 30, 1998, for the East Coast by then-Executive Vice President/General Manager Ron Wolf. 

Gutekunst earlier had played two years of college football for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He then became an assistant coach for the team during his final two years at the school (1995-96) after a shoulder injury cut short his playing career. Serving as a linebackers coach during the 1995 season, he helped the school to the Division III national championship as the Eagles finished with an unblemished record of 14-0. Gutekunst majored in sports management. 

He and his wife, Jen, reside in Green Bay with their daughters, Marley, 12, Joie, 11, and Kacey, 6, and son, Michael, 8.

More info?

Gutekunst was born on July 19, 1973  -  Makes him 45.

His father, John Gutekunst, was the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.

Gutekunst attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

During his time there, he played on the football team before suffering a career-ending shoulder injury. 

Served as an assistant coach with the team, including during their 1995 National Championship season.

And, BEST of all - I think he will NOT be afraid to talk to us!!!!!

Welcome Brain Gutekunst!!!!

More Packer Roster For 2018!

Here is where I left it:

1 - Aaron Rodgers
2 - David Bakhtiari
3 - Mike Daniels
4 - Morgan Burnett
5 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx

A few comments as of today:

1 - Congrats to David Bakhtiari, 2nd team All Pro!!

2 - A more concerning note - Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx quitting against the Lions?  That is also a coaching issue - Dom Capers had to see it, and he is gone!  Professional players are at times just like high school football players & human nature!  We ALL at times want to quit, some of hide it very well.  If I was the next defensive coordinator I would begin my talk with Clinton-Dixx.  I would show him the Lions game and say - this is forgotten, BUT I NEVER want to see it again!  You are now a leader in the 2018 version of the Green Bay Packers!!!

OK, moving on, back to offense WR's Adams, Nelson & Cobb!  I would keep them all, but would try to get Nelson & Cobb to look at contract issues.  I would offer to redo, with heavy incentives - First, health - finish 16 games & second, 80 receptions & 10 TD's to start!

Davante Adams - he has a new contract & he even made Hundley look good at times!  Should be our #1 receiver next year!

Before another "CHEAP" shot took him out, Adams was up for a career best!  I think next year will take care of that!!

Jordy Nelson?

If you a looking for a present day hero, a farm boy from Kansas, a family guy, a man of faith, and a professional athlete that clearly plays like a professional!  Need Jordy back for one more run in 2018!  But, be creative with what is left on his contract!!!

This could be it?  I would offer a possible one year extension & other ways to spread out the 12,000,000.  Of course, Jordy could retire this year & live comfortably!  And, his family would be fine with that!  He go down as one of our greatest!!!

Not many "Jordy's" in the NFL anymore!!!!

Randall Cobb?

Whereas Jordy is 32 years old, Randall is only 27!

As one can see, after 2014, something happened!  Can we get a few more productive years???  I would again try to extend, but try to spread his 12,000,000 out with incentives!!!  Maybe, to 3 years, BUT next year MUST be a good year!!!!!

So, here is my roster so far:

1 - Aaron Rodgers
2 - David Bakhtiari
3 - Mike Daniels
4 - Morgan Burnett
5 - Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx
6 - Davante Adams
7 - Jordy Nelson
8 - Randall Cobb

With Aaron throwing to Nelson, Cobb & Adams for 16 games, we stand a chance in every game!  With Bakhtiari protecting the left side of Aaron, that is GOOD!  Daniels playing the defensive line
with an edge & Clinton-Dixx(attitude corrected) & Burnett our back end protected.  So, who is next?

WHO IS NEXT!!!!!!!????????

Let The Interviews Begin - General Manager & Defensive Coordinator

OK Packers Fans!  You did a lot of whining & complaining the past few years (ME TOO!)  So,
where do we go from here??

Ted Thomson replacement?

What do we need????

- a few years of draft choices that become All Pros!  I'm not greedy, but let's say
the next 3 years, especially with our 1st & 2nd picks - say 3 All Pro's??????

- a defensive pass rusher pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!

- 1 free agent a year that is a difference maker!!!!!

- And, someone that can COMMUNICATE and is not afraid to!!

As a Defensive Coordinator:

- DEFENSE?  an aggressive attacking defense!!

- DEFENSE?  3rd and long is OUR down!!!

- DEFENSE? a fourth quarter stop when we NEED it!!
SO, let the interviews begin?  Names to look at?

For GM:
Russ Ball, Elliot Wolf, & Brian Gutekunst are the in-house guys

For DC:
Adam Zimmer - name sound familiar?
Mike Pettine
Matt Patricia
And for fun.................Rob Ryan

Wow! Packers Are Changing!

My last post calling on the Executive Committee to do something was either VERY lucky on
my part, or they read it!!

I think I was lucky!!

But,  Dom Capers & 2 of his defensive coaches are gone!

Ted Thompson is moving into a new spot (Nice way to let him go)

And, Mike McCarthy gets a one year extension (Meaning, WIN next year!!!)

So, what do we expect to happen?

1 - We hire a General Manager from within - Elliot Wolf, Russ Ball, Brian Gutekunst, etc.

2 - We hire a Defensive Coordinator - I VOTE for a young fresh face!

3 - And, we begin to rebuild our roster!!!!

I was very concerned the Packers would just say, "We did not have Aaron, and other injuries
caused the poor season ending after a 4 win & 1 loss start!"  But, as we witnessed, the Packers
are a below average football team & recent moves by Ted Thompson have been a disaster!

But in closing, thank you Ted!  Overall, a successful career, but time to move on...........

And Dom Capers, a long career in the NFL.  Thanks for trying to make
Chicken Soup, from Chick Sh.....!

Happy New Year Packer Fans!

Well, it is a New Year!  As we look back, analyze management, coaches and players, remember we are the..................................

Green Bay Packers!!!!

And, it is a Happy New Year because.............................

Green Bay Packers History?  How many of the other 31 teams can come close?

Green Bay Packer Community & People?  NOBODY can come close!

And, Lambeau Field, are you KIDDING me?

We have a lot to be thankful for!!!

To make a Happy 2018, let us start with leadership, and we are VERY unique!  No other
franchise has the same leadership structure - 361,060 shareholders of 5,011,566 shares!
(And the Packer Buddies are in this group!!!!)

Phil, Bill, Jim, & Terry!! (The Packer Buddies!)

Now, the top of the food chain!

So, 7 members of the Executive Board:

1 - Mark McMullen, Treasurer

2 - Daniel Ariens, Secretary

3 - Mark Murphy, President

4 - Thomas Olejniczak

5 - Michael Simmer

6 - Susan Finco

7 - Thomas Olson, Vice President

What moves will THEY make????