Sunday, March 17, 2019

Packer Roster is Changing!

One thing about the Packers of 2019, "Change is in the Air!"

Here is the latest!

LB - Antonio Morrison released
LB - Nick Perry released

Signed
S - Adrian Amos
LB - Preston Smith
LB - Za'Darius Smith
GlT - Billy Turner

Free Agents lost

LB - Jake Ryan - signed by Dolphins

By the way, none, of the Packers 2015 draft class is still on the team!!!  NONE!!

So, what does the possible starting lineup look like?

Defense:

DT - Kenny Clark
DT - 'Mike Daniels
DE - Dean Lowry
OLB - Preston Smith
OLB - Za' Darius Smith
ILB - Blake Matthews
ILB - Oren Burkes
CB - Kevin King
CB - Jaire Alexander
S - Adrian Amos
S - Tramon Williams

WR - Davante Adams
WR - Geronimo Allison
WR - Marquez Valdes-Scantling
TE - Jimmy Graham
LT - David Bahktiari
LG - Lane Taylor
C - Corey Linsley
RG - Billy Turner
RG - Brain Bulaga
RB - Aaron Jones
QB - Aaron Rodgers

Looks like our free agent signing are about finished!  Salary Cap money left?
Around $13.8 million - need to save some to sign our draft choices.

Look at the possible line-up, where should the focus be???

My list:

1 - BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE!!!!
2 - Edge Rusher
3 - Tight End
4 - Wide Receiver
5 - Offensive Lineman
6 - Inside Linebacker
7 - Safety


First question, who will be around at #12?  So, who will be gone, my guess??

QB - Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, & Drew Lock

It would be awesome if 3 QB's were taken before the Packers pick!!!

Edge - Nick Bosa,  Josh Allen, Quinnen Williams,  & Montez Sweat

Edge rushers are always hot items!  If one of these is available, take him!

WR - DK Metcalf

A physical specimen.  Possible Julio Jones type, but I would "Pass" on him!

TE - TJ Hockenson

I would think about taking this kid at #12!

OL - Jawaan Taylor & Joanah Williams

Like these two, but I could never pick an offensive lineman at 12, maybe our next round 1 pick?

ILB - Devin White & Mack Wilson

I would be VERY tempted to take a hard nosed, imposing inside linebacker!!!  In fact, Packer fans, when is the last time we had one??

Safety - Deionte Thompson & Taylor Rapp

Again, first round, we have two picks, maybe our second, not the first!  Like the name "Rapp"!

We have over a month to go crazy & try to figure out who will pick who!!

Until then, R-E-L-A-X!




Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Second Day of Free Agency for the Packers

Our new GM was very busy today!  Here are four new additions to the Packer roster!


Za'Darius Smith -  Outside Linebacker - Age 26 - 6'4" - 274 lbs

     Played 4 years for Ravens.  Last year was the Ravens leader in sacks.  Being part of a VERY good Raven defense for a number of years, should translate into Packer defense in a positive way! And AGRESSIVE way!!  The contract  looks to be around 66 million for 4 years, with a $20 signing bonus!  34.5 million in first two years.

     Pro Football Focus has Za'Darius ranked as the 17th best edge rusher.  Next year he can make the Packers defense one that pressers the passer!!!

Interesting Fact - Za' Darius played high school basketball & ONLY played football his senior year!

Adrian Amos - Safety - Age 25 - 6'0" - 214 lbs

     A four year starter for the Bears!  That is right, "Da Bears"!  We desperately needed s safety, and we have one now!

A quote from his Twitter Account: (This sounds like a great person!)

"I have 4 younger siblings i don't want them to admire me because I'm good at football.. I want them to admire the work it took to get there.. That I made my mind up to what I wanted to do and I followed through.. They've seen all the ups and downs."


Preston Smith - Outside Linebacker - Age 26 - 6'5" - 265 lbs

     Playing 4 years for the Redskins, Smith had 24.5 sacks in those 4 years.  The last 3 years, starting all 16 games!  That is one of the key ingredient, since the Packer outside linebackers are injury prone!

     The contract is for 4 years at 52 million, with 16 million at signing.

     He must have had a great mother because.......

Of course, Smith didn’t have to look far when it came to finding the type of parent he wanted to emulate. His mother,  raised him in Atlanta and kept him active while he was growing up with basketball, baseball and football.

Billy Turner - Guard - Age 27 - 6'5" - 310 lbs

     A six year pro who played on the Dolphins & Broncos.  Word is, he is an athletic linemen & should fill in at right guard, a position that has been an issue the past few years for the Packers!


Packers Release - Nick Perry - Outside Linebacker & Antonio Morrison - Inside Linebacker

High School Fact - Billy pitched and played first base for his high school baseball team!!!!

How will this change the 2019 Packers?

1 - Improved Pass Rush

2 - Starting Safety

3 - A starting right guard

NOTE:
NFL salary cap for 2019 season set at $188.2M. Once again, the NFL salary cap is going up. Officially, the salary cap for 2019 will be $188.2 million, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The cap will rise from the 2018 amount of $177.2M

Monday, March 11, 2019

Free Agents!!!s

Here we go Packer Fans!!  Free Agent Time!

First, our own:

Clay Matthews
Randall Cobb
Muhammad Wilkerson
Bashaud Breeland
Davon House
Mercedes Lewis
Lance Kendricks
Byron Bell
Jake Ryan
Eddie Pleasant
Ibraheim Campbell
Geronimo Allison
Kentrell Brice

I would sign - Muhammad Wilkerson, Bashaud Breeland, & Geronimo Allison, BUT, would not
spend a lot of $$$$$$$$$!

If, they would sign cheap, I would look at Matthews & Cobb.

On the NFL Market, already, many are signing!  As of today, I would look at:

Safety - Earl Thomas
Linebacker - CJ Mosley
Tight End - Jared Cook
Edge - Dante Fowler
Linebacker - Shaquil Barrett

The longer you wait, the smaller this list gets!  I see NO, real game changers!

My focus, safety & pass rusherss



Saturday, March 9, 2019

Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!!!!!

Hearing the chant in the stadium Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn will be missed!  If there is a home game, and John Kuhn is thereto be recognized, I want to be there!!!

If there is ONE play over the years, that is what John Kuhn is all about it was Week 17, Packers last game to get into the playoffs against the Bears!!  Watch #30, Kuhn, come from the right of the formation to the left to block Bears player, Julius Peppers !


That is a football player!

My Favorite personal picture????


Typical Kuhn Pictures???


If a player loved the game, the above picture shows it!



You want leadership, John Kuhn gave it!!!!!

Some stats:

Season:
Playoff Stats:

Many players have more TD's than John Kuhn.

Many players have more yards rushing than John Kuhn.

John Kuhn has TWO Super Bowl rings and most of all.......

John Kuhn has the RESPECT of his fans, his coaches, and his fellow teammates!

A career well done John Kuhn!

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

2019 Important NFL Dates!!!!

MARCH
March 5Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to
 designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 11-13Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract
negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will
become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of
their 2018 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on
March 13.


March 13Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a
minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights
to their players with expiring 2018 contracts who have
fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.
March 13Top 51 Rule begins. All clubs must be under the 2019
 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.
March 13All 2018 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
March 13The 2019 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m.,
New York time.
March 13Trading period for 2019 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time,
after expiration of all 2018 contracts.
March 24-27Annual League Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.
APRIL
April 1Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2018
regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason
workout programs.
April 19Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets.
April 25-272019 NFL Draft, Nashville, Tennessee.
MAY
May 3-6Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft
rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday
through Monday.

May 10-13Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie
minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through
Monday.

May 16-19NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Invited rookies (typically, first and/or
second-round selections) must be permitted by their respective
clubs to attend. Such players are unavailable for offseason
workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period.
May 20-22Spring League Meeting, Key Biscayne, Florida.
JUNE
June 2For any player removed from the club’s roster or whose contract
is assigned via waivers or trade on or after June 2, any
unamortized signing bonus amounts for future years will be
included fully in team salary at the start of the 2020 league year.

June 15Deadline for club to withdraw qualifying offer to Restricted
Free Agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by
substituting “June 15Tender” of one-year contract at
110 percent of the player’s prior-yearParagraph 5 Salary
(with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried
forward unchanged).
Late JuneRookie Transition Program to be held at individual clubs.
Attendance is mandatory for all 2019 rookies.
JULY
July 15At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that
designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear
contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a
one- year contract with his prior club for the 2019 season, and
such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last
regular season game.
Mid-JulyClubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies
andfirst-year players beginning seven days prior to the club’s earliest
permissible mandatory reporting date for veteran players.
Veteran players (defined as a player with at least one pension-credited
season) other than quarterbacks or “injured players” (as defined in
CBA Article 21,Section 6) may report to a club’s preseason training
camp no earlierthan 15 days prior to the club’s first scheduled
preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.


July 22*Signing period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “May 7
Tender” was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m.,
New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the
regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

AUGUST
Aug. 1Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.
Aug. 1-4Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.

Monday, March 4, 2019

What Wide Receivers & Tight Ends Looked Good at Combine!

Packers have been struggling at tight end & wide receiver!  Tight End, for the past few years has been an adventure!  Wide Receiver, once a strength, now a weakness.  Donald Driver & James Jones had great careers!  Jordy Nelson, let go last year, was a Packer Fan favorite & Aaron Rodgers go to guy!  Now, it looks like Cobb is on the way out!  So, what is out there?

Wide Receiver

1 - Paris Campbell, Ohio State - 6'0" - 205 lbs
40 yds - 4.31 & vertical jump - 40.0 inches & 20 yd shuttle - 4.03

2 - Andy Isabella, Massachusetts - 5'9" - 188 lbs
40 yds - 4.31 & vertical jump - 36.5 inches & 20 yd shuttle - 4.15

3 - Keesean Johnson, Fresno St. - 6'1" - 201 lbs
40 yd -4.23 & vertical jump - 30 inches & 20 yd shuttle - 4.23

Tight End

1 - TJ Hockenson, Iowa - 6'5" - 251 lbs
40 yd -4.70 & vertical jump - 37.5 inches & 20 yd shuttle - 4.18

2 -Kahale Warring, San Diego St. - 6'5" - 252 lbs
40 yd -4.67 & vertical jump - 36.5 inches & 20 yd shuttle - 4.25

3 - Noah Fant, Iowa - 6'4" - 249 lbs
40 yd -4.50 & vertical jump - 39.5 inches & 20 yd shuttle - 4.22

Now, notice, the wide receivers SPEED!  Packers NEED SPEED to stretch the field.  With Adams, the Pack has one of the top receivers in the league!  With the other young receivers, Allison, Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown, Moore, Kumerow, the Pack has other possibilities!

Tight End, we need a young stud!  Maybe, one of the three can become that force in the red zone & a chain mover!!!!


Sunday, March 3, 2019

Edge, Defensive Line & Linebackers - WOW!

The athletes were flying around the field today!  And, the Packers could pick 2-3 of these young players to instantly improve their defense!!!!  I will point out 3 or each position below!

Edge Rushers (24 players)
1 - Josh Allen, 6'5" - 262 lbs
Kentucky - 40 yds - 4.63 & Bench Press - 28 & Broad Jump - 118 inches
2 - Brian Burns, 6'5" - 249 lbs
Florida St. - 40 yds - 4.53 & Bench Press - x & Broad Jump - 129 inches
3 - Ben Banogu, 6'3" - 250 lbs
TCU - 40 yds - 4.62 & Bench Press - 23 & Broad Jump - 134 inches


Defensive Linemen(33 Players)
1 - Dexter Lawrence, 6'4" - 344 lbs
Clemson - 40 yds - 5.05 & Bench Press - 36 & Broad Jump - x
2 - Rashan Gary, 6'4 - 277 lbs
Michigan - 40 yds - 4.58 & Bench Press - 26 & Broad Jump - 120 inches
3 - Quinnen Williams, 6'3" - 303 lbs
Alabama - 40 yds - 4.83 & Bench Press - x & Broad Jump - 112 inches

Linebackers(37 Players)
1 - Sione Takitaki, 6'1" - 238 lbs
BYU - 40 yds - 4.63 & Bench Press - 24 & Broad Jump - 125 inches
2 - Devin White, 6'0' - 237 lbs
LSU - 40 yds - 4.42 & Bench Press - 22 & Broad Jump - 118 inches
3 - Gary Johnson, 6'0" - 226 lbs
Texas - 40 yds - 4.43 & Bench Press - 16 & Broad Jump - 121 inches

Remember, Packers have 10 draft picks.  I would take 2 Edge, 1 DL, & 2 LB's!

Time will tell!  Again, emphasis needs to be at least 2 of these 10 draft picks must HIT!!!!

Saturday, March 2, 2019

NFL Combine - Place Kickers, Special Teams, Offensive Line & Running Backs

Here we go:  Speed, Strength, Agility, Effort, Body Language, Hands, Explosiveness, ............

What do YOU see as you watch the NFL Combine?

Running Backs
Miles Sanders - Penn State
Season: 2018: Earned the program's 26th individual 1,000-yard rusing season (2018)...Is the 16th 1,000-yard rusher in program history... Has the 14th-most rushing yards in a PSU single season. 2016: Owns the Penn State season record with 33 kickoff returns in 2016, passing former teammate Grant Haley’s mark of 32 from 2014...Ranks No. 2 on the school season list with 688 kickoff return yards in 2016 behind Chaz Powell (733 yards; 2011).
Game: Became the 28th player in program history to rush for 200 yards against Illinois (9/21)...One of six players in program history (nine occasions) to rush for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a game.

Ryquell Armsted - Temple
Maxwell Player of the Week (Houston) ... Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week (Houston) ... AAC Offensive Player of the Week (Houston) ... CFPA National Performer of the Week (Houston) ... Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week (Houston) ... College Sports Madness National Offensive Player of the Week (Houston)  ... ESPN Helmet Sticker (Houston) ... Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (Tulsa) ... AAC Honor Roll (Tulsa, Boston College) ... Temple Athletics Student Athlete of the Month (September) ... Temple Athletics Student Athlete of the Week (Tulsa, Houston) ... APEX Predator Offensive Player of the Game (Buffalo, Tulsa, Boston College, Houston) ... #theSTANDARD Player of the Week (UCF, Houston) ... Doak Walker Award Watch List ... 2017 - APEX Predator Offensive Player of the Week (Army) ... #the STANDARD Player of the Game (Houston, UConn, Army, Tulsa) ... Doak Walker Award Watch List ... 2016- All-American Athletic Conference Third Team (Phil Steele) ... AAC Honor Roll (SMU, USF) ... Offensive Production Player of the Week (SMU, USF) ... Offensive Effort Player of the Week (UCF) ... OwlSports.com Under Armour Student Athlete of the Week (SMU, USF)

Devin Singletary - Florida Atlantic
 2/2/19: Singletary averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2018 for 1,348 yards with 22 touchdowns. He notched six receptions for 36 yards.

8/28/18: Team sources told me that Singletary graded out as having first- through fourth-round potential per the advance scouts. According to NFL teams' preseason data provided by team sources, Singletary checks in at 5-foot-7, 199 pounds. He also has 29.83-inch arms, 8.75-inch hands, and a wingspan of 69.38 inches. He is said to run the 40 in 4.58 seconds.

The short, thick back has good speed with impressive feet, balance and vision. In 2017, Singletary averaged 6.5 yards per carry for 1,796 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also had 18 receptions for 185 yards and one score. In 2016, Singletary averaged 6.7 yards per carry for 1,021 yards with 12 scores to go with 26 receptions for 163 yards in his freshman season.
Offensive Line
Jonah Williams - Alabama - 6'5" - 301 lbs
Secured the starting right tackle spot as a freshman before moving to the left side in his sophomore campaign ... started all 29 games during his tenure in Tuscaloosa ... regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference and nationally ... earned second team All-America honors from the AFCA while being named a third-team selection by the Associated Press ... chosen as a first team All-SEC player by both the Associated Press and the conference coaches ... selected as a second team preseason All-American by four outlets ... received midseason All-America honors from USA Today and the Associated Press ... and named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List ... finished with 22 knockdown blocks on the season and an average grade of  86.7 percent ... surrendered just 2.5 sacks and eight pressures in 831 offensive snaps while committing just two mental errors and only missing 10 assignments (98.6 percent success rate) ... anchored the left side of an offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award ... led an offensive line that ranked second in the SEC 

David Edwards - Wisconsin - 6'7" - 315 lbs
2018 Season: Earned third letter, starting 10 games at right tackle ... missed final 3 games of season due to injury ... key to rushing attack that led the Big Ten and ranked No. 6 nationally, averaging 273.4 yards per game … helped Badgers average 6.2 yards per rushing attempt, the fourth-best mark nationally … blocked for Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous first-team All-American Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 2,194 yards to lead the nation in rushing

2017 Season: Earned second letter, starting all 14 games at right tackle … helped pave the way for Doak Walker Award finalist Jonathan Taylor, who set FBS freshman rushing record with 1,977 yards … unit allowed just 1.5 sacks per game to lead the Big Ten … Badgers finished season ranked second in Big Ten in rushing offense (222.9 yards per game) and third in total offense (415.0 ypg)

Jackson Barton - Utah - 6'7" - 308 lbs
Four-year letterman and two-year starter was first-team All-Pac-12 as a senior … Preparing for his second season as the starting left tackle … played in all 53 games since his redshirt freshman year including appearances on the line in 44 games with 29 starts.
2018–First-team All-Pac-12 … started all 14 games at left tackle … led the offensive line with 779 plays (stats were not kept for the last three games) … team-high nine cuts … season-high 84 plays and a cut against USC … three cuts against Stanford.
2017–Started all 13 games at left tackle … 825 plays ranked second on the offensive line (offensive line stats were not kept for the last two games) … team-high eight cuts … career-high three cuts vs. BYU.

Names to watch!  

Looks like a lot of talent on day #1 of the NFL Combine!

Breaking Down the Packer Roster by Position

 88 Players, room for TWO more to complete the 90 man NFL limit per team.  This will change. Still out there, 3 big names.  Mercedes Lewis o...