What is at stake for Game #4 - Pre-season?

Here is the roster, we are already down to 87.  Remember the key numbers:

Roster - 53 players
Practice Squad - 10

So, you are Ted Thompson (Scary!)  And you must get to 53 & 10

My Predictions Offense (24)
QB (2) - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
RB (3) - Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones
FB (1) - Aaron Ripkowski
TE (3) - Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendrick, & Richard Rodgers
WR (7) - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis,
                  Malachi Dupre & Max McCaffrey
OL (8) - Davis Bakhtiari, Brian Bulaga, Jahri Evans, Lane Taylor, Cory Linsley,
                 Don Barclay, Jason Spriggs, & Kyle Murphy

My Predictions Defense (26)
DL (6) -  Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Ricky Jean Francios, Chritian Ringo,
                 Montravious Adams
LB (10) -   Clay Matthews, Nate Perry, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas, Jayronne Elliot,
                Kyle Fackrell, Reggie Gilbert, Jordan Tripp & Vince Biegel
DB (10)  - Devon House, Damarious Randall, Quintin Rollins, Kevin King, Morgan
                Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx, Josh Jones, Josh Hawkins, Kentrell Brice,
                Marvin Evans
My Predictions Special Teams (3)
P - Justin Vogel
K - Mason Crosby
LS - Brett Goode

Note - Geronimo Allison starts with a 1 game suspension, week 2 will have one
player go to practice squad!

Well, there it is, what do you think?

Packer Pre-Season Game #3 - Denver Broncos

Pre-Season football.  For some people, boring!  For the analytical, crazy, retired fans, another fun game!  Why?

1 - It is a football game
2 - Does NOT really count
3 - And, MOST important - WHO will help this team WIN a Super Bowl!

Super Bowl - Expectation - 8 years in a row in the playoffs - AND, we still have Aaron Rodgers!

Yes, as I point out quit often, a quarterback, especially one that already has a Super Bowl ring is more than half the battle!  The missing ingredient has been defense!  So, lets look at defense first!

1 - Outside Linebacker
Perry & Matthews - good enough to get us there, but Matthews on the downhill side of his career!  Only 5 sacks last year & lots of injury issues.  Perry, maybe on the uphill side - this will be a big year, because just signed a BIG contract!

2 - Defensive line & the Pass rush?
Daniels our leader, but not a big pass rusher.  Lowry, having a great pre-season, but injured.  Clark, second year player looks like he is ready for a big step!  Battle for the subs - keep an eye on Price & Ringo!

3 - D-Backs
House still out with hamstring issues & Randall coming back from concussion issue.  Love the play of Hawkins last week.  Evans at safety coming on.  Gunter hanging on.  Rookie King needs to continue maturing quickly!  And, 2nd round draft choice, Jones, what do we have?

And, the offense!

1 - Bulaga out, sprained ankle, Murphy & Spriggs need to play well AND keep people off of Rodgers!!!  AND, Denver will be a great test!!!!

2 - Running backs looks like we have a battle!  Montgomery vs Williams!

3 - Tight Ends - will we show how Rodgers will use them?

4 - WOW - we have Nelson, Cobb & Adams.  BUT, some great battles!!  Janis, Allison, Yancey, DuPre, McCaffrey, Davis and the project, Clark the 6'6" basketball player!

So, watch, listen, & what happens Saturday night may decide the success of the 2017 Packers!

What To Watch For As Packers Play Their Second Preseason Game?

Preseason Game One is in the books.  A few observations from Game #1:

1 - Packers win, and that really means nothing in preseason!

2 - Eagles score on first drive, NOT GOOD.  Missed tackles, plenty!  Matthews missed sack!  Was all over QB, and slid off!  Defensive backs, several missed tackles!

3 - Game Notes:
1st Series - 3 & out - short passes Hundley at QB

1st D series - Packer offsides.   Ha Ha good tackle sets up 3rd down.  Morgan Burnett missed tackle - 1st down

Sack - Kenny Clark & Lowry  - Randall - INJ? - (Cheap shot)

4th & 6 - 1st down - Missed blitz & TD pass!!!  Matthews missed tackle

And DB missed tackles!!!! - Eagles - 6 - Packers 0 - Eags go for 2 - D holding!!! - Eagles 6 - Packers 0 Ex pt No Good

-------- (On offense, no running game, & Hundley a 3 & out)  Defense (missed tackles & give up a TD, NOT GOOD)

Packer O  - 2nd series - Bennett terrible block - Fumble - Eags got it!  Montgomery Fumble!

Packer 2nd D series - Gave up big pass - But, held on downs

-------- (Montgomery Fumble - NOT GOOD & on D, did hold, but a few big pass plays!)

Packer 3rd O Series - Running game - crap! - Good catch by Adams - Good catch by Bennett

End 1st Q

Continue Packer 3rd O Series - Cobb cannot get separation - Janis missed catch

Packer 3rd D Series - Punt fumbled by Eags & Pack missed it - D holds

--------- (Cobb cannot seem to get separation anymore - Eags gift to Packers on fumbled Punt!)

Punt Return TD Packers - Trevor Davis! - Packers 7 - Eagles 6

Packers 4th D Series - Pack gave up reception - Eags fumble

--------- (Can Trevor Davis be a threat this year?  & Defense gets another turnover

Packer 4th O Series - Williams (RB) good run - Good reception - Allison - 

Williams another good run - TD throw - Hundley - Janis

 - ackers 14 - Eags 6

-----------

Crosby kick OofB 

Packer 5th D series - Eags 11 for 11 at this point then, - Pack interception by Thomas (LB)

--------- (Williams at running back looks good, Janis ran nice pattern for TD - 

Eagles up to this point 11 for 11 passing

Packer 5th O Series - Davis missed catch - Hundley Sacked - Spriggs bad block - FG - Crosby 39 yd - good

Packers 17 - Eags 6

Packers 6th D series - Kevin King GOOD tackle!!!! - Eags Punt

--------- (Does offensive line have depth? Springs & Murphy look shaky at tackle! - 

D forced punt & good 

Packer 6th O Series - Hundley sacked on screen set up - Packer hurt - lineman? Don Barclay

Hundley - had ball batted down! - McCaffrey catch - Punt - Eags 28 yard return - but holding called!

1:53 left 2nd Q

Packers 7th D series - QB scramble - got outside left DE - LB - Calvin - slow! - Long Gain over King!! looked confused

Fumble by Eags - Martinez good hustle cause fumble - Under Review Packer Ball

Almost the end of half #1, enough for now!

Game #2 versus Redskins - What to look for! (Packer Website Article, click here)

1 - Tackling!  Count the missed tackles!

2 - Running Backs - apparently Montgomery is banged up, rookies get a great look!

3 - Pass Rush - do we have one?

4 - Battle at wide receiver - Janis vs McCaffrey vs Yancey vs Allison vs Davis vs Dupre, etc!

Davis has an inside track because of returning punts & kicks and injuries are already taking there toll!

5 - Battle at OLB depth - Elliot & Fackrell & Gilbert & Calvin & Biegel

Unlike wide receiver where there is I think some talent, this group DOES NOT look talented!

That is plenty to watch this week!  We NEED a few new faces to step up!!!!

Packer Defense - Cornerback - We Will Only Go As Far As They Take Us!

Corners (11 in camp - the biggest room to improve?)

Davon House - 6'0" - 195 lbs - New Mexico St - Year 7
Damarious Randall - 5'11" - 196 lbs - Arizona St - Year 3
Quinten Rollins - 5'11 - 195 lbs - Miami(Ohio) - Year 3
Kevin King - 6'3" - 200 lbs - Washington - Rookie
LaDarius Gunter - 6'2" - 201 lbs - Miami - Year 3
Josh Hawkins - 5'10" - 189 lbs - E. Carolina - Year 2
Raysean Pringle - 6'0" - 191 lbs - S Utah - Rookie
Donatello Brown - 6'0" - 190 lbs - Valdosta State - Rookie
Lenzy Pipkins - 6'0" - 196 lbs - Oklahoma St - Rookie
Daquan Holmes - 5'11" - 187 lbs - American Int - Rookie
Demetri Goodson - 5'11" - 197 lbs - Baylor - Year 4

I TRULY believe that we NEED great corner play in 2017!  To be a Super Bowl contending
NFL team, a team needs at least ONE great corner or a couple above average corners!  What do we have??

Davon House - 6'0" - 195 lbs - New Mexico St - Year 7
The Packer front office decided to bring back House from Jacksonville.  Apparently, his first year in Jacksonville was VERY good and his second year was VERY bad, so.........  Devon seems to blame the system in 2016 in Jacksonville, we shall see.

He does bring experience & he did play well while in Green Bay.  Can he be a #1 corner in the
NFL?  Again, time will tell!

Some interesting facts about Davon:
Community Involvement: Became extremely active in the Green Bay community upon his arrival in 2011, committing time to various charitable endeavors…Attended the annual Families of Children with Cancer holiday party…Has supported the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley and also participated in the Edgar Bennett Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon...Played as part of a corporate foursome in the Green Bay Packers Golf Invitational and has participated in the Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson Celebrity Softball games, taking home the home run derby title in 2012…Volunteered at a day care center in Las Cruces, N.M. …Umpired youth baseball games when he was in high school...Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing video games and poker, and relaxing at home...Lists Ken Griffey Jr., Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams as his favorite athletes...Enjoys watching NFL Network and Discovery Channel, naming Deadliest Catch and River Monsters as his favorite TV shows...

Brings a positive attitude & experience to the corners group, BUT we need to see him in game situations!  We hope as Davon steadies the backfield, the younger players take control!!!

Damarious Randall - 5'11" - 196 lbs - Arizona St - Year 3
Our 2015 draft class of Randall & Rollins had pretty good rookies seasons, but NOT so good sophomore seasons!  A lot was injury related & Sam Shields going down to career ending injury!  So far in training camp, Randall has played well & should be on the field a lot to start the year!

Had a great career at Arizona State.....
Senior season (2014): Started all 13 games and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors at safety after leading the Sun Devils in tackles (106) and passes defensed (12) and tying for the team lead with three interceptions…Also earned honorable mention All-America recognition from SI.com…

And, of course was a great high school athlete!
High school: Played CB, FS and WR and returned punts and kickoffs at Pensacola (Fla.) High, earning all-state recognition as a senior and all-conference honors as a junior and senior…Helped lead the team to a Class 3A title as a senior in 2009, when the Tigers outscored their opponents, 95-13, in the postseason…Also lettered all four years in baseball as a shortstop and four years in track and field, participating in the long jump and the 4x100 relay

Looks like he may play a lot of slot corner, if the Packer draft choice King comes on!

Quinten Rollins - 5'11 - 195 lbs - Miami(Ohio) - Year 3
This one still intrigues me!  Why?
Played basketball for four seasons at Miami (Ohio) before playing one season of football…

So, I still think he is learning & has room to grow!  Played a lot the past two years, as mentioned earlier, played injured last year!  NEEDS to make a jump!!!!

Kevin King - 6'3" - 200 lbs - Washington - Rookie
OK, first draft choice, we NEED YOU!!!
For the past 5-6 years, the Packers seemed to get burned by one receiver, and usually the receiver
is a good size - 6'2-6'4 type!  Well Kevin is 6'3", could he be the answer?

In camp so far, the physical nature of the game may be an issue, King will need to put on some
muscle & develop a little nastiness!  He needs to be playing well by December!

Corners with Experience:

LaDarius Gunter - 6'2" - 201 lbs - Miami - Year 3
Gunter was thrown into the fire last year!  At times, looked good & at times - Uh-Oh!
Some of the early talk at camp is he has struggled!  He is very physical, but not very fast!  The NOT
very fast scares me!

Some highlights:

• One of two rookie free agents to make Green Bay’s opening-day roster in 2015, joining RB Alonzo Harris.
• Saw action in eight games as a rookie, recording two tackles on special teams.
• Appeared in one postseason contest, playing 31 snaps on defense and 13 on special teams due to an injury to CB Quinten Rollins.
• Registered a team-high five passes defensed and an interception for Green Bay during the preseason.

Josh Hawkins - 5'10" - 189 lbs - E. Carolina - Year 2
Has had a history of surprising people. Note:

Former walk-on who started 28 of 50 career games at East Carolina, totaling 139 tackles (88 solo), including 3½ for a loss, a forced fumble, nine interceptions and 22 pass breakups…Ranked at the top of the FBS in several defensive categories, including interceptions (13th), pass breakups (26th) and interception return yards (33rd)

Surprises are good, and a surprise at corner would be nice!

Demetri Goodson - 5'11" - 197 lbs - Baylor - Year 4
Another undrafted for agent that made it onto the team & has contributed on special teams!

Some notes:

• Played in 14 games and both postseason contests in his second season in 2015, seeing time on defense and special teams. Recorded nine special teams tackles, tied for No. 4 on the team.
• Was tied for No. 1 on the team with three special teams tackles in the 2015 playoffs.
• Saw action in six games and was inactive for 10 contests and both postseason games as a rookie in 2014.
• Registered six special teams tackles in ’14, No. 2 on the team among rookies behind only LB Jayrone Elliott

The Rookies at Corner!

Raysean Pringle - 6'0" - 191 lbs - S Utah - Rookie
Donatello Brown - 6'0" - 190 lbs - Valdosta State - Rookie
Lenzy Pipkins - 6'0" - 196 lbs - Oklahoma St - Rookie
Daquan Holmes - 5'11" - 187 lbs - American Int - Rookie

The list of rookies, special teams first, and second look better then the players from last year!
Early reports, Pringle looking good and the first pre-season game will tell us a lot!

Defensive Backs - Safeties & Corners - This May be The Difference in 2017!

What do you remember from 2016 Packer Season?

The great run at the end of the season?

Aaron Rodgers, being Aaron Rodgers?

The great play of the Packer defensive backs?  Opps - NOT!

The do have some cover:
  *losing their number one game 1 - Shields
  *injuries - a LOT of injuries
  *not great pass rush

All of the above!

That was then, this is now - could there be a change - quick answer - YES!

Safeties (7 in camp & some experience & talent!)

Morgan Burnett - 6'1" - 209 lbs - Georgia Tech - Year 8

The leader!  Solid player.  Versatile player.  Respected.  Deserves All Pro status!
The Packers defense needs to improve. One consistent player is Morgan Burnett.  He has been the one constant and dependable player the past 8 years!

Career Highlights:

• Finished tied for No. 4 on the team in tackles (74) and tied for No. 3 in solo tackles (55) despite missing five games due to a calf injury in 2015. Started both postseason contests and tied for the team lead with 14 tackles (11 solo).
• Led the team with 125 tackles (99 solo) and was tied for No. 3 on the team with a career-best 11 special teams tackles in 2014, despite missing one game due to injury.
• Posted two sacks and an interception in the 2014 NFC Championship Game at Seattle, becoming the first defensive back in franchise history (since 1982) to register two sacks in a postseason contest.
• Started each of the final 13 games in 2013, posting 106 tackles (77 solo), nine passes defensed and a career-high and team-leading three fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for his first career TD.
• Opened each of the team’s 16 games (plus both playoff contests) for the second consecutive season in 2012 and finished second on the defense with a career-high 137 tackles (97 solo), a career-best two sacks, 13 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
• Participated in all 1,088 plays for the Packers’ defense in 2012, and, according to NFL participation statistics, was one of only four non-offensive linemen in the NFL to appear on 100 percent of his team’s snaps, joining St. Louis LB James Laurinaitis, Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck and San Diego QB Philip Rivers.
• Started each of the team’s 16 regular-season games in 2011, the first two at strong safety and the final 14 at free safety in place of an injured Nick Collins (neck), one of only two Green Bay defenders to start all 16 games (NT B.J. Raji).
• Despite the injury, continued to fill in the statistics sheet in first full season of action, posting a secondary-high 107 tackles (83 solo) and a career-high 14 passes defensed. Added three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and his first career sack.
• Was one of only two players on the team (CB Charles Woodson) to record a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble in 2011.

Some interesting tidbits:
Earned honorable mention all-state recognition at QB as a sophomore…Had his jersey, No. 1, retired by the school in April 2011…Also was a four-year letterman in track and a three-year letterwinner in basketball…Community involvement: Holds a free youth football camp in his community, Clayton County (Ga.), every summer…Is a spokesperson for the ALS Association Wisconsin Chapter...Is an ambassador for the NFL Play 60 program…Has participated in benefits for the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer…

Ha Ha Clinton-Dixx - 6'1" - 208 lbs - Alabama - Year 4
Last year, was selected as All-Pro.  He has arrived & made himself into a force in the NFL! The Packers have two of the best safeties in the league!  Wouldn't it be NICE to win a Super Bowl and have the defense lead the way & the defensive backs have a GREAT year! - Redemption!

Back in the day:
High school: Was rated the No. 1 safety in the nation by Rivals.com and Scout.com as a senior in 2010 at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla. …Named an Under Armour All-American and a SuperPrep All-American…Was ranked as the top player in the state of Florida by Rivals.com and SuperPrep…Registered 112 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss, six sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed as a senior…On offense, carried the ball 23 times for 244 yards (10.6 avg.) and three TDs and caught five passes for 156 yards (31.2 avg.)…Returned eight punts for 199 yards (24.9 avg.) and 11 kickoffs for 291 yards (26.5 avg.)…As a junior in 2010, recorded 93 tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three INTs, 12 passes defensed and three forced fumbles…Averaged 20.3 yards per punt return and 74.5 yards on two kickoff returns with one TD…Also lettered in track, participating in the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams…Community involvement: Participated in community activities in Wisconsin involving Bellin Health, The Salvation Army, St. John the Baptist School and the Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer…Helped paint houses in Tuscaloosa, Ala., following a destructive tornado in 2011…Residence: Orlando, Fla

Clinton-Dixx needs a big year, help the younger players, make some game changing moments, and deliver some BIG hits!

Kentrell Brice - 5'11" - 200 lbs - Louisiana Tech - Year 2
Apparently, this second year player has be delivering some big hits!  Pound for pound, Brice has been
mentioned as a player that will still his nose into the ball carrier & the Packers NEED good tacklers!

Background:
High school: Attended Ruston (La.) High School, logging 159 tackles (104 solo), including nine for a loss, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 31 pass breakups and six interceptions…Also posted eight blocked field goals, returned an INT for a 96-yard touchdown and returned two kickoffs for TDs during his senior year…Lettered in football all four years…Was named first-team all-district, honorable mention all-state and the Elite 22 Defensive MVP of the Year…Lettered two years in track and field and basketball

In year 2, watch for this kid on special teams & passing situation!

Josh Jones - 6'2" - 220 lbs - NC State - Rookie
Another hitter!  This draft choice brings the punch!  DO YOU SEE A THEME HERE?

The Packers have not been known as a physical team on defense, the time for change is here! Mike Daniels has been the man!  The day may be arriving where Daniels will have a team of hitters around him!

And, from the Mike Spofford:

Following a 109-tackle, three-INT season in 2016, he declared for the NFL Draft a year early. He’s genuinely thrilled to be in Green Bay with a chance to play in Dom Capers’ scheme, but seeing eight safeties drafted ahead of him – three in the first round, five in the second – before the Packers came calling didn’t sit well.

“A lot of teams passed on me,” Jones said. “Trust and believe that I will never forget that. Every day that I wake up, every day I come here and come to work, that’s never going to leave my head.”

In the meantime, he wants to get inside the head of Clinton-Dix, a safety he’s admired from afar whom he’ll now get to work with up close.

“I watched Ha Ha, his highlights, before my games last season, so it’s crazy,” Jones said. “You’re actually in the locker room with the guy you used to watch on film before you used to play. It’s exciting.”

So is where Jones’ rookie season, and career for that matter, could be headed.

He has the confidence and the drive. He also has the humility and lack of entitlement. It’s an engaging mix.

Now, it’s up to him to prove he has the game.

“I don’t take a back seat to anybody as far as talent. I’m very confident in my abilities, and what God has blessed me with,” he said. “Going into the draft, when I declared, I knew I was an underdog. I’ve been an underdog my whole life.

“I go by the motto of ‘no handouts.’ I don’t want anything handed to me. I want to work for it.”

Read more: http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-daily-news-story/article-1/Josh-Jones-brings-engaging-personality-to-Green-Bay/f136db09-a756-4b68-af19-3aa53ed3f685#ixzz4ozxnuOeg

So, another physical safety!  Let the hitting begin!

And, a few long shots at safety?

Marwin Evans - 5'11" - 211 lbs - Year 2

Background Info:

• One of five rookie free agents to make Green Bay’s Week 1 roster in 2016.
• Joined S Kentrell Brice as the only 2016 rookie free agents to play in all 16 regular-season games and three postseason contests for the Packers.
• Saw time primarily on special teams as a rookie and was tied for No. 2 on the team with nine tackles during the regular season.
• Signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2016.

He has a year under his Packer belt.  Best thing going for Evans is special teams & that may be the way he sticks, but as of now, a long shot!

Aaron Taylor - 5'11" - 206 lbs - Ball State - Year Rookie

A long shot from Ball State!

Jermaine Whitehead - 5'11" - 195 lbs - Auburn

Originally with the Ravens in 2015 & Packers last year.  Looks like a player that needs a few breaks
to make the 53 man roster!!!

Next up the Corners!

Corners (11 in camp - the biggest room to improve?)

Davon House - 6'0" - 195 lbs - New Mexico St - Year 7
Damarious Randall - 5'11" - 196 lbs - Arizona St - Year 3
Quinten Rollins - 5'11 - 195 lbs - Miami(Ohio) - Year 3
Kevin King - 6'3" - 200 lbs - Washington - Rookie
LaDarius Gunter - 6'2" - 201 lbs - Miami - Year 3
Josh Hawkins - 5'10" - 189 lbs - E. Carolina - Year 2
Raysean Pringle - 6'0" - 191 lbs - S Utah - Rookie
Donatello Brown - 6'0" - 190 lbs - Valdosta State - Rookie
Lenzy Pipkins - 6'0" - 196 lbs - Oklahoma St - Rookie
Daquan Holmes - 5'11" - 187 lbs - American Int - Rookie
Demetri Goodson - 5'11" - 197 lbs - Baylor - Year 4

Coming up next!

Packers Inside Linebacker Position, Is This A Dying Position In The NFL?

NFL Inside Linebackers - What is happening in the NFL?

One thing about life and sports is - NOTHING STAYS THE SAME!!

Baseball - specialization - closers(9th inning) - Holds(8th inning) - starters(only pitching 6-7 innings)

Basketball - 3 pointers & dunking (not many passes!)

Golf - driving the ball 300-400 yards

NFL - more passing, one back in the back field, Fullbacks disappearing, and now inside linebackers disappearing, so...............................

The Packer players for inside linebackers on the 90 man rosters.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Jordan Tripp - 6'3" - 235 lbs. - Montana - Year 4

Jake Ryan - 6'2" - 240 lbs. - Michigan - Year 3

Blake Martinez - 6'2' - 247 lbs. - Stanford - Year 2

Joe Thomas - 6'1" - 227 lbs. - S, Carolina St. - Year 3

Derrick Matthews - 6'0" - 232 lbs. - Houston - Year 1

Cody Helman - 6'2" - 229 lbs. - Wasburn - Rookie

Josh Letullgasenoa - 6'1" - 252 lbs. - Cal Poly - Rookie

David Talley - 6'1" - 236 lbs. - Grand Valley St. - Rookie

The issue - more teams, against 4-5 wide receiver sets, are playing safeties at inside linebacker, so, out of this group maybe only 3 make the team!

Top 3?

Jake Ryan - 6'2" - 240 lbs. - Michigan - Year 3

Still a very young player that we hope has a big up-side.  Does not stand out as a superior athlete, but does seem to be adequate against the run.  Would expect him to start at the inside spot, but will need to show he can become more of a playmaker!

Recent info:

• Played in 14 games with five starts, opening at BLB for the final five contests. Registered 47 tackles (32 solo) and a fumble recovery on defense and six tackles on special teams.
• Started both postseason games and recorded 10 tackles (seven solo).
• Made the first start of his career at Detroit in Week 13, leading the team with nine tackles (eight solo) and registering his first career fumble recovery.
• Including the postseason, tallied six or more tackles in six of the seven games he started.
• Selected by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the No. 129 overall selection. Was the 27th player the Packers have drafted from the University of Michigan and the first since LB John Anderson in 1978 (first round, 26th overall). Joins Anderson as the only Michigan LBs ever drafted by Green Bay.

Blake Martinez - 6'2' - 247 lbs. - Stanford - Year 2

Another young linebacker that needs to make a step.  A little more athletic than Jake Ryan, and that would seem to allow him to be on the field more on passing downs.  But again, is he a game changer?  This year may tell us that!

Joe Thomas - 6'1" - 227 lbs. - S, Carolina St. - Year 3

Early in summer camp, Thomas seems to be the go to LB for the Pack.  An interesting background, Thomas matriculating out of South Carolina State.  Sometimes you find a diamond in the rough!  We hope this is the case.  Year 3 for Thomas may be the year he takes control, and it would be nice to have an inside linebacker that would be there for 5-6 years!!!  This is when you miss the steady play of an AJ Hawk type of player!!!

As you can see by the stats, last year was a big jump from 2015 to 2016!  Guess what, we NEED another jump!  I am "dreaming" of an impact linebacker FLYING around the field!!!!

Players to Make a Push!

Jordan Tripp - 6'3" - 235 lbs. - Montana - Year 4

Here we may have a sleeper.  Jordan has been around:

From Miami, to Jacksonville, to Seattle, and now Green Bay. The Montana grad has an opportunity.  And, we need a surprise!

Derrick Matthews - 6'0" - 232 lbs. - Houston - Year 1

Has been on the Packer Practice squad since November of 2016.  Another chance, and that is what the NFL is all about, opportunity!

Cody Helman - 6'2" - 229 lbs. - Wasburn - Rookie

You want a long shot, how about a young man out of Washburn!  Washburn, located in Topeka, Kansas.  School Motto, "Not For Ourselves Alone". 6,600 students.  An my favorite, the school nickname, "The Ichabods"!  You need to watch the ICHABOD!

Josh Letullgasenoa - 6'1" - 252 lbs. - Cal Poly - Rookie

And, my favorite last name? Just click here and watch the video!!!

I like this kid!!!

Letullgasenoa (La-tool-gas-a-no-a)

David Talley - 6'1" - 236 lbs. - Grand Valley St. - Rookie

And yes, another long shot, this kid from Grand Valley State!  Such alumni as: Brandon Barnes, OL of the Colts, Cameron Bradfield, OL for the Jaguars, Brandon Carr, CB for the Cowboys, and many more alums!  Well, not a lot od Hall of Famers, but maybe??????

Boy, wouldn't it be nice to have an All Pro Inside Linebacker!

Packer Linebackers For 2017

The linebacker position?  What do you think of, when the word linebacker is mentioned?

1 - Enforcer

To me, one, or two of the linebackers on your team should be half crazy(Dick Butkus).

  Come running out on the field foaming at the mouth(Ray Nietzsche).

With eyes that look like, a scary movie!(Mike Singletary)

If a lunatic fan runs on the field, he levels him!(Mike Curtis)

2 - Leadership

Chris Gizzi carrying flat after Sept 11th!

Von Miller saluting!

Clay Matthews leading the intensity!

What linebackers are on the Packer 90 man roster?

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

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

Nick Perry - 6'3" - 265 lbs. - USC - Year 6

Jayronne Elliot - 6'3 ' - 255 lbs. - Toledo - Year 4

Kyler Fackrell - 6'5" - 245 lbs. - Utah State - Year 2

Vince Biegel - 6'3" - 246 lbs. - Wisconsin - Rookie

Jonathan Calvin - 6'3" - 266 lbs. - Wesley - Year 2

Reggie Gilbert - 6'3" - 261 lbs. - Arizona - Year 1

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Jordan Tripp - 6'3" - 235 lbs. - Montana - Year 4

Jake Ryan - 6'2" - 240 lbs. - Michigan - Year 3

Blake Martinez - 6'2' - 247 lbs. - Stanford - Year 2

Joe Thomas - 6'1" - 227 lbs. - S, Carolina St. - Year 3

Derrick Matthews - 6'0" - 232 lbs. - Houston - Year 1

Cody Helman - 6'2" - 229 lbs. - Wasburn - Rookie

Josh Letullgasenoa - 6'1" - 252 lbs. - Cal Poly - Rookie

David Talley - 6'1" - 236 lbs. - Grand Valley St. - Rookie

Our #1 Stud?

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

Clay has has to memorable moments! Click here - Clay Matthews Pitch Perfect

OK, I digress - if you have seen that video or watched "Pitch Perfect" you know Clay should stick to football!  But, year 9, the guy needs to make plans!  I see the same great "motor" and energy in his play, BUT, I also see the little nagging injuries!  Matthews is a race horse out on the field and needs to be handled with care.  His window is closing, this year may be his LAST big year!

Nick Perry - 6'3" - 265 lbs. - USC - Year 6

Had a nice season & the Packers have chosen to keep Perry in their plans!

With the window for Matthews closing, the time for Perry is now!  He must be a playmaker, a leader. and bring a little swagger!  Last year, Perry showed signs, and this year, time to roll!

Next man/men up?

With Julius Peppers and Datone Jones leaving, it is time for Elliot & Mackrell!

Jayronne Elliot - 6'3 ' - 255 lbs. - Toledo - Year 4

Making the team as an undrafted free agent & playing special teams & meaning snaps, Elliot needs to become a player in crunch time!  

Kyler Fackrell - 6'5" - 245 lbs. - Utah State - Year 2

The second year player needs to make the next step!  For a linebacker, that means smarter and stronger!  Emphasize STRONGER!  When one rushes against offensive tackles, BIG PEOPLE, one MUST be strong!!!  What will happen!

Vince Biegel - 6'3" - 246 lbs. - Wisconsin - Rookie

Rookies!  Rookies from Wisconsin!  What do we need?  A rookie that will bring some energy to the field!!! Has nice size & speed!  He compares well with his buddy at Wisconsin - a guy named Watt!(He has a pretty good brother)

Biegel (6-3 1/4, 246) had a strong Scouting Combine with a 4.67 in the 40, 4.30 in the shuttle, 6.92 in the three-cone drill and 21 reps on the bench. For comparison, Watt (6-4 1/2, 252) ran his 40 in 4.69, posted a Combine-best 4.13 in the shuttle, a 6.79 in the three-cone and put up 21 reps.

Wouldn't it be nice if we got the good one!

Reggie Gilbert - 6'3" - 261 lbs. - Arizona - Year 1

Signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2016…Started 47 of 57 games played as a Wildcat…

Attended Fairfax High School in Laveen, Ariz. …Sustained a foot injury that hindered his senior season…Registered 58 tackles, 13 sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior…Played on both sides of the ball as a defensive end and tight end…Selected All-West Region by PrepStar and Preseason All-Arizona Defense by 247football.com…Also lettered three years in track…His sister, Vicki Baugh, played for the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock…

Jonathan Calvin - 6'3" - 266 lbs. - Wesley - Year 2

The Packers signed LB Johnathan Calvin on May 5, 2017.

Calvin, 23, played in 26 games with 11 starts at Mississippi State after transferring from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He saw action in all 13 games with 10 starts as a senior in 2016, leading the team with 55 tackles (23 solo)

So, what do you see?  I see, 1 - one of the best all-time linebackers in Packer history.  2 - a linebacker that may be entering a new level of play!  3 - a group linebackers fighting for a future starting job!  And, 4 - NO REAL GREAT THREAT.  At this time, this group is average a best.

Next up, inside linebackers!