Packers Summer Decisions - The Quarterback Position!

OK, we will start with the quarterback position.  Like I do every year, I will say to Packer Fans.....

WE

ARE

VERY

LUCKY!!!!!

Why, we had Favre, now we have Rodgers!!!!  If you are counting, that is going back to 1992!!!!

That is 24 years in a row of quality quarterbacking!  How many teams would like that??  How many fans would like that!

Aaron Rodgers, 32 years, is in his prime!  The time is NOW to win another Super Bowl!  He has the "IT" factor!  Have has been the NFL MVP twice, 2011 & 2015.  He has one Super Bowl.  He makes plays!  Last year, the Hail Mary happened TWICE!!!!  Detroit & Arizona!  He can scramble!  He has that swagger!  He can make all the throws.  He KNOWS the offense!

He looks good on the field!

And off the field!

And a pretty good looking girl friend!

So, stay healthy & we are set!!

Back up?  Brett Hundley.  Our second year player looked good as a rookie, and by all accounts. he is ready to go.  Good size, strong arm, athletic, intelligent, and looks comfortable on the field!  

My guess, is we keep two QB's on the roster - Aaron & Brett.  The third, maybe on the practice squad - Joe Callahan & Marquise Williams.  More on these two players next!

Starting To Break Down The Packer 2016 Roster

OK, as of June 28, 88 players - remember we are allowed 90 to start!  And we need 53, and 10 on the practice squad!

We Have:

Offense-43
Quarterbacks - 4
Fullbacks - 2
Running Backs - 5
Wide Receivers - 11
Tight Ends - 6
Offensive Linemen - 15

Defense-41
Defensive Line - 11
Outside Linebackers - 6
Inside Linebackers - 8
Cornerbacks - 8
Safeties - 8

Special Teams-4
Punters - 2
Kickers - 1
Long Snappers - 1

We need to take a close look at each position.  How many to keep at each position?  Who would be the practice squad 10?  Who will help on special teams?  And I HATE to say it, injuries???????

Packers Summer Schedule 2016

First, the next few weeks?  Packer Players......................

BEHAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does the summer schedule look like?

TRAINING CAMP

(All open practices at Ray Nitschke Field)

Thursday, July 21: Shareholders meeting, 11 a.m.

Friday, July 22: Packers 1K Kids Run, 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 23: Packers 5K Run/Walk, 8 a.m.

Monday, July 25: Players report.

Tuesday, July 26: 8:15 a.m.

Wednesday, July 27: 8:15 a.m.

Thursday, July 28: 8:15 a.m.

Friday, July 29: No practice

Saturday, July 30: 8:15 a.m.

Sunday, July 31: Family Night, 6:25 p.m., Lambeau Field

Monday, Aug. 1: 6:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 2: No practice

Wednesday, Aug. 3: 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 4: 6:15 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 5: No practice

Saturday, Aug. 6: No public practice

Sunday, Aug. 7: vs. Indianapolis Colts, 7 p.m., Canton, Ohio (Hall of Fame Game)

Monday, Aug. 8: No practice

Tuesday, Aug. 9: 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 10: 11:45 a.m.

Thursday, Aug. 11: No public practice

Friday, Aug. 12: vs. Cleveland Browns, 7 p.m., Lambeau Field

Saturday, Aug. 13: No practice

Sunday, Aug. 14: 12:15 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 15: 11:45 a.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 16: No practice

Wednesday, Aug. 17: No public practice

Thursday, Aug. 18: vs. Oakland Raiders, 7 p.m., Lambeau Field

Friday, Aug. 19: No practice

Saturday, Aug. 20: No public practice

Sunday, Aug. 21: No practice

Monday, Aug. 22: 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 23: 11:45 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 24: No practice

Thursday, Aug. 25: No public practice

Friday, Aug. 26: at San Francisco 49ers, 9 p.m., Levi's Stadium

Saturday, Aug. 27: No practice

Sunday, Aug. 28: No practice

Monday, Aug. 29: 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 30: 11:45 a.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 31: No public practice

Thursday, Sept. 1: at Kansas City Chiefs, 7 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium

2016 PRESEASON

Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts at Canton, Ohio, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., ESPN

Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns, Aug. 12, 7 p.m. (Gold, Midwest Shrine Game)

Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders, Aug. 18, 7 p.m. (Bishop Charities Game)

Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers, Aug. 26, 9 p.m.

Week 5: at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.

2016 REGULAR SEASON

Week 1: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sept. 11, noon, FOX

Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions, Sept. 25, noon, FOX

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: vs. New York Giants, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., NBC (Gold)

Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Oct. 16, 3:25 p.m., FOX

Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears, Oct. 20, 7:25 p.m., CBS/NFL Network/Twitter

Week 8: at Atlanta Falcons, Oct. 30, noon, FOX

Week 9: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 6, 3:25 p.m., CBS (Gold)

Week 10: at Tennessee Titans, Nov. 13, noon, FOX

Week 11: at Washington, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m., NBC

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Week 13: vs. Houston Texans, Dec. 4, noon, FOX

Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Dec. 11, 3:25 p.m., FOX

Week 15: at Chicago Bears, Dec. 18, noon, FOX

Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 24, noon, FOX

Week 17: at Detroit Lions, Jan. 1, noon, FOX

Now, we analyze, we fret, we read, we watch videos, we read player interviews. we watch coaches interviews, we toss & turn trying to sleep, we dream of super bowls, we.............

Break Is Over - Time For This Packer Blog To Go!!!

I had my little break!  Followed OTA's. watched the rookie class signing(all signed now), crunched the salary cap members, watched all Packer videos possible AND(as a Packer owner), voted for the Board of Directors!  So, what is the state of the Packers 2016?

First, the present roster - 88 players:

What do I see? First, No Kuuuuuuuhn.  I guess we are moving on!  So, in the present NFL, the fullback position is the dinosaur.  Many items DO NOT EVEN HAVE FULLBACKS!  Wide Receivers, WOW!  Jordy, will he be Jordy & the other battles!  Offensive line, two good draft choices, and a great starting group back!  Tight Ends?  Will Jared Cook be a difference maker?  Running backs - Lacy, new a trim?  On the defensive side, Matthews back outside, and a young group inside!!!  Defensive tackles & defensive ends, NEED to build depth!  Secondary?  A LOT OF TALENT!! Special Teams, a punter battle?  The next few weeks, I will break down each position group!

Packer interviews & videos.  Have you watched any?  I have!  I like what I see!  Rookies?  Well spoken, and focused!  Veterans, ready to lead!  Coaches, preparing for the BIG push!  So, watch & learn!

Salary Cap?  About 9 million left this year.  That is about the middle of the NFL pack.  WARNING!  Next year is going to be ugly!!  Free Agents in 2017 - Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, David Bakhtiari, & JC Tretter!  That is a lot of offensive lineman!  Linebackers - Julius Peppers Nick Perry,  & Sam Barrington.  Tight End, Jared Cook.  Safety, Micah Hyde, defensive line, Datone Jones, running back, Eddie Lacy, and kicker Masthay.  That is a lot of decisions and NOT a lot of money! But, that is next year!

So, 53 players, 10 practice squad players, and 5 pre-season games!  LET THE ANALYSIS BEGIN!

June, July, and August - How Will The Packers Roster Shake Out?

Here we go!  Speculation!  Interviews!  OTA's!  Practice!  Injuries!  Pre-Season Games! And the NFL Teams & the Packers need to go from 90 players to 53 players!  And 10 practice squad.  Out of the 53, we know ONE - Aaron Rodgers!  And, each week, I will predict a few more!  What did we learn this week?

Mike McCarthy

What does Coach say?  Coach McCarthy - May 24th Interview

Installations!  Eddie Lacy.  Jared Cook.  Jordy Nelson.  Danone Jones.

Larry McCarren

Larry McCarren (Click here for interview) is a believable person.  Why?
He played the game.  And he WAS a Packer!

Eddie Lacy IS lighter.

Josh Sitton is lighter.  Lighter weight easier on back & joints!Eddie

Jordy Nelson. Limited!

Passing Game - Jared Cook?  "Looks and moves like an athlete."

And - Clay Matthews is an outside linebacker!

Eddie Lacy

Eddie Lacy interview. (Click Here)  How do you take criticism?  Especially, if you have been called out in front of millions of people?  One thing I know, Eddie Lacy handles it well!    No excuses, no blaming others.  Season ends, Eddie went to work!  Only time will tell, BUT I like what I see & hear!

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers Interview!  What do we take from this?  He mentions Jordy Nelson right away!
He is in good shape & knee is fine.  The NEW guys - receivers - SPEED!  Fun to meet new guys!  Installs!  Cut back in training camp, NO double days!  Practice is different!

Changes in offense!  What we that look like?  What does Eddie look like?  Jared Cook?  Tight end coach!  Cook & Richard Rodgers

Jeff Janis - WOW!  Of all the stories, this one will NOT go away!  Every NFL team has Drama - this is the Packer's Drama.  I really think this season will be the BIG decision!  Will he be on the 53 man roster or cut?  Time will tell!!

Jordy Nelson - we need to work together & get back on the same page!

New guys on the team - need to see how responds to being pushed, talked to, everyone is different!  They need to see "How I see the game!"

Josh Sitton weight loss?  A contract year and getting married & needs to look good for the wedding!!!

The season will be here before you know it!

Who will be part of the 53?????

90 Man Roster Takes Shape!

Just finished counting and the Packer Roster is up to 90.  And the free agents of the Packers are still out there, and MAY stay there:

Brett Goode
James Jones
John Kuhn
Mike Neal
Andrew Quarless
Sean Richardson

Each of these players have contributed over the past few years, but the end seems to be certain for all 6 of the players.  Sean Richardson had been a great back-up defensive back & a huge contributor on special teams.  He has had some health issues and the Packers Roster is deep in the secondary!  So, farewell Sean Richardson!

Andrew Quarless has made some big catches over the years, but has not been a replacement for the departed Jermichael Finley.  Also, lately Quarless has made some bad decisions off the field!  That makes him easy to let go!  Again, at least of the field, Quarless has played hard & contributed to the Packer success!

Mike Neal has been a starter at times and a dependable back up at the line backer position.  He has given 7 good years, with injuries holding him back early in his career.  Played a lot of minutes on defense and made some big plays over the years.  Thanks for the effort Mike!

James Jones!  He left the Packers and came back next year when Jordy went down!  He did a great job early in the season!  James has always been a class act & a BIG contributor the past 10 years!  Yes, ten years is a long NFL career!  Thank you James Jones!  You will be missed!!!

Brett Goode.  Long snapper for 9 years!  That is a lot of punts & field goals!  And, you know what?  I cannot remember a lot of bad snaps!  With his injury last year, Rick Lovato came in and seemed to do a great job!  So, as long snappers go, the time is now!  Thanks for the dependable snaps!

And last, but NOT LEAST John Kuhn!  This one is difficult!  Kuuuuuuuuuuuuhn will be missed!  Dependable - YES.  Big plays - YES!  Aaron Rodgers security blanket - YES.  Community following - YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!  A true professional!  John Kuhn will be missed, BUT not forgotten!

This is a good group of players!  NOT GREAT, but good!  Bring on the youth!

Important NFL Dates

May 20-23: NFLPA 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 23-25: NFL Spring League Meeting, Charlotte, North Carolina. 

June 1: Deadline for prior club to send "June 1 Tender" to its unsigned Restricted Free Agents who received a qualifying offer for a Right of First Refusal Only in order for such player to be subject to the CBA's "June 15 Tender" provision. 

For 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 2017 League Year.

June 19-25: Rookie Symposium, Aurora, Ohio. 

July 15: At 4 p.m. ET, 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 2016 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club's last regular season game.

Mid-July: Training camps open. Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies and first-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 may report to a club's preseason training camp no earlier than 15 days prior to the club's first scheduled preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.