Packer Roster Breakdown - Tight Ends

 The NFL is in a transition - the Tight End position is becoming a more important cog in the NFL's offensive scheme!  And, that is at the expense of the traditional fullback position -(No more Packers chants of Kuuuuuuuuuuuuhn!)  Maybe, Tonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnyannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn?

The current tight ends on the roster:

Mercedes Lewis - Year 15

Robert Tonyan - Year 3

Dominique Dafney - Rookie

Jace Sternberger - Year 2

Josiah Deguara - Rookie

Bronson Kaufusi - Year 3

Issac Nauta - Year 2

John Lovett - Year 2

Leader of the Pack, "BIG DOG" Mercedes Lewis, and this was Year 15!  A lot of "wear" on the treads of those cleats!  Aaron Rodgers LOVES him.  The players seem to look up to him.  Seems to still have the run blocking skills & once in awhile. a big catch!  But, a year 16?  Not a normal year for a tight end?  As a leader, maybe worth a small investment? A Free Agent in 2021, on a money tight Packer team!

Robert Tonyan is "the man"!  And, another Packer Free Agent!  But, in my world a MUST sign!  The stats: Tie for 1st - TD receptions, 13th in receptions for TE - 52. & 13th in yards for TE - 586 yards.  Tonyan is on the way to becoming one of the NFL's TE's!  So, why sign him?  Well we have a 16 year veteran and all the other TE's on the roster, we have NO IDEA!

Dafney, had on OK game, Rookie Deguara & second year man Sternberger no clue!  The others, never even seen them on the field!  May be worth the draft selection, but because of money, we really need to see if Sternberger & DeGuara are worth keeping?

So, to stay an elite NFL offense, Rodgers NEEDS 1 0r 2 REAL tight ends!

Packers 2021 Roster Breakdown - Runnung Backs

 Salary Cap hits the running back room hard!!!  Free Agency reality!  Next year, 2021 the running back room will look entirely different!!!  Here is a list of the present running backs:

Aaron Jones - Year 4 - Free Agent

Jamaal Williams - Year 4 - Free Agent

AJ Dillon - Rookie

Dexter Williams - Year 2

Mike Weber - Year 1

Tyler Ervin - Year 5 - Free Agent

Patrick Taylor - Rookie

So, realistically, the Packers will lose Aaron Jones.  Probably, the will lose Jamaal Williams.  Tyler Ervin, who contributed big time to special teams, may not be back!  THIS, is a huge part of the Packet Offense!

Aaron Jones, has become on of the top NFL running backs!  Therefore, contract wise, his return seems to be VERY difficult!  He is explosive, catches the ball as good as a wide receiver, and is a great team player!  His interviews are always fun, his personality is a giant plus to team morale, and his head ware is special!  A true great football player & even better person!

Jamaal Williams, just read the paragraph above!  And, add to it, A GREAT DANCER!  When the Packer Buddies go to games, one of the first player we look for when the Packers warmup, is Jamaal Williams!  His dance move are legendary!  As a football player?  Has NOT fumbled in his career!  He has played second fiddle to Aaron Jones!  But, his production is worth a starting running back look!  So, if the Packers could sign Williams, the 2021 season would benefit!

The other running backs, our rookie, AJ Dillon had a nice season, from a few touches early in the season, to a COVID vacation, and a nice ending of the season.  He showed signs!  He could be a better than average NFL running back!  NEXT YEAR, we may find out VERY quickly!!

Tyler Ervin was nice surprise, special teams, special offensive plays for him, he was a nice piece to the offensive puzzle!  It would be nice to have him back, but not necessary.

Dexter Williams, Mike Weber, & Patrick Taylor?  We really have NO idea!

So, if we can sign one player, I would try to sign Jamaal Williams.

Beginning the Roster Breakdown - Quarterbacks

 OK, the NFL 2020 MVP?  Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packer starting quarterback!

After watching a Tom Brady win his 7th Super Bowl, at age 43, the YOUNG Aaron Rodgers, age 37, has MANY great years left in his career!!! So, watching the Packer quarterback in 2010, this might have been his best!  Do really analyze the year, begin with the 2020 draft, Packers trade up in the draft to select, a quarterback, Jordan Love.  Of course, the fans go wild, Aaron is "pissed", and all are asking WHAT???  Why not a wide receiver for Aaron?  What not a STUD inside linebacker, replacing the top defensive tackler, Blake Martinez, who become a free agent, and signs with the Giants.  Or, maybe another top corner, pressuring the Packers Kevin King (Did you see the NFC Championship Game?), or maybe, a speedy slot receiver to stretch the field??????  NO, so what happens in 2021?  Aarons goes crazy!! (Maybe we should draft another QB in the first round this year!!!)

Out of the 32 NFL teams, I will take Aaron.  His play the year, and the Matt LaFleur offense seemed to take a GIANT step this year.  Hopefully, the supporting cast will be there for next season!!!

And, the Packer depth chart?  

#2 - Tim Boyle   Age 26   Year 3    6'4"  232 lbs

#3 - Jordan Love.  Age 23   Rookie   6'4"   219 lbs

What do we have in the backup role, we DO NOT KNOW and we DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!

Now, if we have a pre-season, maybe we will see!  First, our #1 draft choice, did not even dress for any games this year.  Tim Boyle, seems like a good kid, but with all the draft capital used on Love, he may have trouble making the team next year.  

My advice to the Packer Front Office, DO NOT DRAFT A QUARTERBACK THIS YEAR!

After a Less Than "SUPER" Super Bowl, What Does the NFL Future Look Like?

 Super Bowl LV? Nah, not quite!  Tom Brady #7 Super Bowl Ring, deserving, but not impressive.  A short handed, slowed down, Chiefs team not very special.  And, the drama of Any Reid's son & his DUI car accident before the game, hanging like a cloud over the "Pandemic" Super Bowl!  Just not a very good game!

The Halftime Show, by one hit wonder Weekend, was another let down.  And, I'm really tired of people wearing masks, and this show had way too many masks!

And, the NFL, like many people, and organizations, too much politics!  Tired of all the politics!

The refereeing in the NFL?  WOW!  This is totally out of control!  Holding?  A joke!  Roughing the QB, and other big hits, the game is becoming flag football.  The "CHEAP" hit should never be part of the game, but a "Hard" hit is a part of football.

The "Talking Heads"?  WOW!  This is also, out of control.  To much time to spend, too many people to talk, and too much social media to allow for "STUPID" stuff!  

Today NFL player?  Wow!  Too much money.  Today's owner's too much money!  Good news, NFL Commissioner Goodell, went from 20-40 Million a year to $0!  Yes, because of the pandemic, decided to take nothing. (Remember, he was making a bunch the last few years!)  But, nice.  Our politicians, they should have been the first ones with $0 income & not restaurant workers!)

I know, I am a senior citizen, and many things are totally different, but my gut says, professional sports are in trouble! But, until I become completely annoyed, I will watch, BUT, not as much!

Go Pack Go!

Packers - Bucs 2020 NFC Championship - 4th Quarter - The Packers Had All the Opportunities for a Win!

 As the 4th Quarter started, the Packers were within striking distance!  And, as you watch this quarter unfold, all the opportunities were there for a win and a trip to the Super Bowl!  As a team, as a coaching staff, they had ALL the time & opportunity to win this game!  What did the drives look like?

First, after the Packers score ending the 3rd quarter, the Packer Special Teams, as they did most of the season, gave up a huge return & the Tampa Bay offense had great field position!

Tampa Bay Drive 3 -OK, what does Tom Brady do?  Pick on #39 & #29 - Sullivan & King!  Also, a substitution penalty by the defense, Packers caught with too many men on the field!  But, an Alexander Interception saves the day!!!!  Packers, down 28-23, they may NOW take the lead!!!!!!

Green Bay Drive 4 - 12:20 to go, plenty of time!!!!  But, a Sack & a Punt!!  Opportunity #1 - GONE!!!!!

Tampa Bay Drive 4 - 10:30 to go - NEED another stop!  Packer blitz - a Brady "DUCK" another Alexander interception!!!!  Opportunity #2!  Now, the Packers can take the lead!!!!

Green Bay Drive 5 - Ohhhh No!  Another Bucs Sack of Rodgers - another Green Bay PUNT!!!!  The Packers have missed on Opportunity # 2!!!!!!

Tampa Bay Drive 5 - This was a BIG drive!  8:00 left in the game.  The Packers give up a field goal, and now the score is Tampa 31 & Green Bay 23.  Now Packer Fans!  Think of the second half!  Packers Defense gives up 10 points - remember, the TD early in the half was a fumble & the Bucs get the ball on the Green Bay 8!!!!  We gave them 7 points!  So, the defense, actually played well!  All Pro, cornerback, Alexander - TWO picks!  So, with 4:30 left, the Packers are still in the game!  

Packers Drive 6 - One thing about this drive, AJ Dillion looked great!  MVS looked great.  The young players are in Green Bay!!!  The Packers, get the ball to the Tampa 8 yard line!  First and goal!  Isn't this what all Packer Fans want?!?!?!  Rodgers with the football on the 8 yard line!!!  How about the plays:

Play 1 - Quick slant to Lazard on traffic!  Rodgers throws the ball a little behind him - incomplete!  It was a run - pass option & none of the receivers looked like they expected the ball - strange play!

Play 2 - Rodgers goes to Adams, a high throw is incomplete! Looked like a quick post pattern, Adams was not really open - Aaron began to scramble, could he have run for 3-4 yards??

Play 3 - Again, looked like Rodgers forced the ball to Adams!  And, looked like Rodgers could have run the ball close to the end zone!!!  Looked like man to man with the d-backs having their backs to the ball!  What could have been!!!  We settle for a field goal!!!  THIS WAS A BIG DECISION!!!  Can the Packers defense hold?

Tampa Bay Drive 6 - Packers Defense does HOLD!  But, so does our #20, cornerback King.  The game is over!  What could have been!

This was another NFC Championship Game that very, very easily could have been a win!  If you have the chance, watch the second have again.  Take your time, rewind some plays!  It was there for the taking!!!

STILL HURTS!

Packers and Bucs and the 2020 NFC Championship Game - 3rd Quarter

 I know Packer Fans, it still hurts!  But, maybe this third quarter will tell you something!  Not everybody gets what he wants.  Maybe there is a reason for that?  A Super Bowl trip and a win, would have been great, but, as a Packer Fan, we are still ahead of the game!

Second Half 

Green Bay Drive 1 - A VERY important drive ends in disaster!  With the Packers down 21-10, the offense goes into attack mode.  A completion to Aaron Jones, with a great hits by the Bucs defensive back causes a fumble & a first and goal for the Bucs!

Tampa Drive 1 - Did not take long, Tampa scores and the Pack is down 28-10!  Many teams for fold, what will the Packers do?

Packers Drive 2 - A beautiful drive for a Packers touchdown!  The best part, the Packers young receivers all contribute - Lazard, MVS, St. Brown & Tonyan all make plays, ending with the TD throw to Tonyan.  This was a great sign on two levels!  Packers are still fighting & the young receivers!  Packer Fans, you should be proud!  Bucs 28 - Packers 17!

Tampa Drive 2 - Bucs begin be running and eating clock, start to get aggressive & pass attempt, interception by Amos!  Packers Fans, another reason to smile!

Packers Drive 3 - OK, another smile AJ Dillon.  A nice catch out of the backfield & some tough runs show why this rookie may have a great future for the Packers! And, a touchdown throw to Adams, and the Packers are back in this game!  A drop by St. Brown on the 2 point conversion hurts!  Another missed opportunity! Bucs 28 - Packers 23!

Bad news, the Bucs have a good run back on the ensuing Packer Kickoff!  Tampa will begin the 4th quarter with great field position!

More to come!

First Half of the 2020 NFC Championship Game - Pack vs Bucs

 So, had a chance to look at the first half - no sound, fast forward commercials and .........

Tampa Drive 1 - A touchdown drive!  A big 3rd down catch & nice Brady throw!  Was VERY close & the Bucs begin to pick on Sullivan & King.  Brady was no pressured.  Bucs up 7-0.

Packers Drive 1 - No rhythm & a Rodgers sack - and a Packers Punt.  Not a good start.

Tampa Drive 2 - Bucs continue to get first downs, but a Brady sack forces a Punt.

Packers Drive 2 - Packers drive uses up quarter one and continues into second quarter.  This shows how quickly a game can move in the NFL!  Nice Packer drive and a great MVS route and good hands!  Packer fans may have a deep threat of the future with MVS?  This was the beginning of a pretty good game for the young receiver!  Packers tie the game 7-7.

Tampa Drive 3 - Packers had a chance on a interception and Bucs receiver makes a nice catch, but Brady takes Bucs down the field for a 14-7 lead.   So, Packer fans, 3 Buc drives & 2 touchdowns, not a good start!

Packers Drive 3 - This was a key drive!  A great drive mixing the run & pass!  First & goal at the 6!  That means............ Play 1 - Back shoulder pass to Davante, tough catch, usually Adams will catch it, not so. Could have been a TD! Play 2 - Pass, knocked down by rushing Tampa lineman, could have been a TD!  Play 3 - Pass to Adams (again) he catches it in end zone, could have been a TD!!!!!  Field Goal makes the score Bucs 14 - 10.

Tampa Drive 4 - One first down & defense forces Punt!  GREAT!!!

Packers Drive 4 - OK, a nice drive & Pack takes lead!  No, a pass over the middle - THE Tampa DEFENSIVE BACK HOLDS!!!!!!!  OBVIOUS HOLD!!!!  And, a Tampa interception!!!  

SIDE NOTE! - This fan is SICK & TIRED of the NFL officiating!!!  The game is in trouble!!!

Tampa Drive 5 - THIS IS A KILLER!  22 seconds, a couple catches, and with ONE SECOND, a deep pass over Kevin King and a Bucs TD!!! REALLY!  A Championship Team CANNOT DO THIS!  Score, now, Bucs 21 - Packers 10.  So, IF the holding is called MAYBE, Pack scores a TD before half & the score would be Packers 17 & Bucs 14, with the Packers getting the second half kick off!

Packers Drive 5 - 1 second on the clock!  HALFTIME!!!  Bucs 21 - Packers 10!

Next, the second half!