Packers Making Roster Moves as Injuries Keep Things Interesting!

 I know during the off season, will all tried to deal with the "Aaron Rodgers Feelings Hurt Drama!"  Handling the the 53 man roster, the practice squad roster, and the salary cap is a constant job!  We as fans, must understand the difficulties!  As a quick example..............

- The season begins with David Bakhtiari starts the season on the PUP list, this is your all pro left tackle!

- Za'Darius Smith, your sack leader the passed few years has back issues, then season ending surgery!

 - Your young stud lineman, Elgton Jenkins misses the last few games, he is your second best lineman and can play any position on the line!

- Your shaky staring corner, Kevin King, suffers a concussion,  and is hurt again!

- Your young and improving SPEED receiver goes on the IR, with hamstring issues!

- Back on June 9th, the Packers pick up DeAndre Thompkins, he is quickly becoming your BEST linebacker & a great leader!

- Punter Corey Bojorquez acquired from Rams (He has been a BIG help to special teams!)

- Linebacker Jaylon Smith signed as a free agent (Cowboys are paying almost ALL of salary!

Many moves, most have helped begin the season on the UP side!  The shuffling of the offensive line, to this humble fan, has been amazing (Offensive Line Coach - Adam Stenavich NEEDS a raise!)

Constant shuffling at Cornerback - Alexander & King start season, King gets hurt, rookie Stokes steps in,. All Pro Jaire Alexander on IR, Sullivan, Jean-Charles, & Yiadom step in!

MVS, our speedy wideout goes on IR, old Vet Randall Cobb steps in!

The NFL is a constant chess match!  And, with 5 games into the season the Packer coaches & front office are constantly trying to stay on top!

Stay tuned!  More football, more moves, more excitement to come!

Packers Win Over Bengals, Remember This Game in December!

 Like many NFL games, winning the close ones usually is BIG!  BIG for the Division Title, BIG for the NFC seeding & BIG for the team (WE WIN THE CLOSE ONES!!!!)  So, after 5 games what have we learned about the 2021 Packers??????

1 - Depth is Developing!  Offensive Line - Without starting LT-Bakhtiari, whatever Jenkins is asked to play & rookie Myers, 3 of 5 starters we WIN!

2 - The team is able to win with our "old reliable" kicker having a bad night!

3 - Missing our young  All Pro - cornerback(Alexander), our All Pro - outside linebackerZ Smith), and newcomer inside linebacker(Campbell) our defensive gets a WIN!

And, as I always do, have a look at our Packers offensive drives:

1 - 8 plays - 2 first downs - PUNT

2 - 2 plays - 1 first down - Intercepted

3 - 3 plays - 0 first downs - PUNT

(THIS WAS A BAD START!)

4 - 7 plays - 4 first downs - TD

2nd Quarter

5 - 6 plays - 2 first downs - FG

6 - 9 plays - 4 first downs - TD

3rd Quarter

7 - 12 plays - 3 first downs - FG

8 - 7 plays - 2 first downs - FG

4th Quarter

9 - 5 plays - 1 first down1 - MISSED FG

10 - 3 plays - 1 first down - MISSED FG

Start of Overtime

11 - 3 plays - 0 first downs - MISSED FG

12 - 8 plays - 2 first downs - FG  (GAME WINNER!!!!!)

Packers vs Bengals, What to Expect?

 Every game in the NFL is important!  And, every week in the NFL is part of a journey!  And like Packer Head Coach says every week, "Our goal is to go 1-0"!  What ti Expect in Week 5?

1 - Rodgers vs Burrow?  This is your typical "old pro" vs "young gun"?  The Bengals QB has demonstrated that he can play in the NFL and will certainly attack our cornerbacks during this game!  So, the question is, how will the rookie Stokes & the returning King hold up under this attack?  For Rodgers, we know he will find Adams during the game, but the receivers Cobb, Lazard & Tonyan need to shine!

2 - The Packers offensive line vs the Bengals defensive line?  Bad news, our rookie center Myers is out with an injured finger - who will fill in?  Will Jenkins our young stud lineman be back?  Will the Packers be able to allow Aaron Jones to get his first 100 yard game?

3 - The Packers Pass rush??  This NEEDS help!  Z Smith our fot the season!  Who will step up??  My focus will be Kenny Clark and his push from the inside & Rashan Gary on the edge?  It would be great to see Gary make a statement!!

4 - Special Teams!!!  Simple!  Do NOT give up any big Punt Returns & Kick Returns!! And, win the field position battle!!!  The Packers NEED to focus on trying to make Special Teams SPECIAL!

5 - Packers need to maintain the ownership of the NFC North!  This weeks schedule - Bears VS Raiders and the Lions VS Vikings.  The present standings:

NFC North Division

Green Bay Packers 3-1-0

Chicago Bears  2-2-0

Minnesota Vikings 1-3-0

Detroit Lions  0-4-0

2021 Packers Roster Continues to Evolve!

 The NFL Teams need to be constantly on "Injury Alert!"  And, players that are on the market, on other team practice squads, and become available every week!  So, the Packers have been busy!!!  Let's review:

PUP List

1 - David Bakhtiari - still healing from off season ACL Surgery - should SOON be available!

Injured Reserve

1 - Dominique Dafney

2 - Randy Ramsey

3 - Will Redmond

4 - Chauncey Rivers

5 - Za'Darius Smith - had back surgery - probably done for season

6 - Marquez Valdes-Scantling - Hamstring - our for a few weeks

On Injury Report this week - Oct 7

1 - Jaire Alexander - DNP - Shoulder - decision being made to have surgery on not

2 - Krys Barnes - Full Practice - Concussion

3 - AJ Dillon - Full Practice - Back

4 - Jack Heflin - Limited Practice - Ankle

5 - Elgton Jenkins - Ankle - Limited Practice - (Should be back soon)

6 - Aaron Jones - Limited Practice - Ankle

7 - Kevin King - Limited Practice - Concussion

8 - Dean Lowry - Full Practice - Ankle

9 - Josh Myers - DNP - Finger

10 - Chauncey Rivers - DNP - Knee

11 - Isaac Yiadom - Full Practice - Quadricep

12 - Marcedes Lewis - DNP - Rest

13 - Dennis Kelly - DNP - Illness

That is 19 Players!  And, all teams in the NFL face the same battle!!

New Additions this week:

CB - Rasul Douglas - signed off the Arizona Practice Squad.  With the injury to Alexander, this was a no brainer - the Packers NEED help losing their All-Pro Cornerback!!  This player, Douglas has experience!  Drafted by the Eagles, started 11 games for the Panthers, has good size - 6'2" - 209 lbs.  Should help the Packers for the moment!

ILB - Jaylon Smith - WOW!  For some crazy reason, the Cowboys released him?  A 5 year veteran, 2 time All Pro - has the experience needed to help our inside linebacker depth!  Along with Campbell, Smith may make the inside of the Packer Defense a strength!

So, a lot of moving parts!  The good news - the offensive line is playing well with the youth movement!  And, Bakhtiari & Jenkins are coming back!!!!  This is GREAT NEWS!  As mentioned, Campbell & Smith may be two of the BEST inside linebackers in the league!  Now, the bad news, cornerback.  Losing Alexander is BIG!  This will be worth watching how a rookie Stokes, a recovering King, and a newcomer Douglas play the next few weeks!

GO PACK GO!

Packer Buddies 2021 - Another Successful Adventure to Green Bay

 We did it again!  My Packer Buddies completed a SUCCESSFUL adventure to our "Happy Place!"  This was my 40th Packer Game Trip!  I started in 1998 when I was searching for a new team to follow - a quick review of my journey...................

I WAS a Dallas Cowboy Fan!  I started way back in the 60's - "Dandy" Don Meredith, Roger Staubach, Bob Lily, Bob Hayes, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, and the leader of the pack, Tom Landry.  Super Bowls, Thanksgiving Day Traditions.... Life was good!  Then, February 25, 1989 Jerry Jones purchased the Cowboys and hired Jimmy Johnson as head coach!  Wow!  I tried to adjust, BUT, I failed.... so, in the 1990's I was without a team!!!!  Lonely, dejected, heart broken, I wandered through the channels, with my primitive TV Remote searching............  And then, November 29, 1998!  My friends talked me into visiting Green Bay & a Packer Football Game!!!  Now, put this into perspective!!!  Remember, the Ice Bowl????  What team did the Packers defeat??  Of course, the Dallas Cowboys!!!  HOW IRONIC!  To make a long story short, I fell in love again!!  After more trips, it was easy!  The history, Lambeau Field, the legends, the PEOPLE OF GREEN BAY!!  And, here I am, a Green Bay Packer Football Fan!!!

Now, back from my 40th Packer Game - a successful win of another great franchise - the Pittsburgh Steelers!!!  First, our trip was missing our Packer Buddies, Terry & Phil!!!  COVID has made travel crazy!  And, our adventure was NOT the same!  

So, Terry & Phil - 

WE MISSED YOU!!!!!!!

Traveling along with Jim & Bill?  John, on his 4th Trip!  He LOVES it!  And, Jared, Jim's son a Steelers Fan!!!  

Now, a few Packer Adventure Pics!  

Saturday at Lambeau Field!

Prime Quarter Dinner!! (Cook your own steak!)

Tradition - Pre-Game Breakfast!

Bay Motel & Family Restaurant

A walk across the street from Lambeau!

Titletown!!!!

Titletown Walk!

Titletown - PreGame Beer!

Titletown Football Field - new Condo's in Background!

Title 40 Yard Dash Area - Jim VS Bill???

Titletown Arien Hill! (Tubing in the Cold!!)

Titletown Pumpkin Tree!!

Our Tradition - A Lambeau Pre-Game Pic!!

#12 Pre Game!

Honoring the Packers 1996 Super Bowl!!

MVP Desmond Howard!

Honoring the Packers 1996 Super Bowl!!
#4! - Brett Favre!

And, just south of Green Bay?  The home of the 2021 winning Ryder Cup venue, Whistling Straits!  An incredible golf course located in Wisconsin!!!!

2021 Ryder Cup - Whistling Straits!

Whistling Straits - Hole #18

The Whistling Straits Clubhouse!

What a GREAT weekend!

And, a Packers Win!

Packers 27 - Steelers 17!!!!!

Packers Make a Statement, Rodgers is Still Rodgers, But What is the Feeling of the Average Packer Fan

 OK, I have been LAZY.  I have been APATHETIC!  I have been UNINSPIRED! This senior citizen is suffering from change and the NFL is moving in their own direction.  First, the game!

Green Bay Packers 30 - San Fransisco 28

I did not watch, I DVR'd it.  But, in todays world, my Packer Buddies texted me, called me..... And, as I slept, the Packers won on the "Golden Leg" of Mason Crosby!  I woke up, checked my phone, and missed a cool ending!  In the mean time, I have watched & dissected the first have.  Watch are my observations?

1 - Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers.

2 - Young Offensive Line shows promise!

3 - Our Packer Defense is STILL our Packer Defense, BUT a sin of hope?

4 - Special Teams STILL an issue.

5 - The NFC North is weaker.

First our QB.  Aaron Rodgers is still playing!  There is NO QUESTION, he is still one of the NFL's best.  Will he stay focused, or when Halloween comes, and he assumes the character that is long hair demands, will he....... "TRICK OR TREAT?"

The young offensive line really looked promising!  Without our two BEST lineman - Bakhtiari & Jenkins, they played a very good game! Here were the starters:

LT-Yosh Nijman-Year 2,   LG-Jon Runyon-Year 2,    C-Josh Myers-Year Rookie,    RG-Royce Newman-Year Rookie,    RT-Billy Turner-Year 8

That is a VERY YOUNG Offensive Line!  And, they held there OWN!

Defense still seems weak in the front seven! We miss Z Smith and Kenny Clark still needs HELP!!  On the positive side, this secondary could be special!  Alexander at corner & Savage at safety show signs of being top players for many years.  Stokes the rookie replacing our beloved Kevin King, is a player. And, the old pro, Amos, is better than average!  

That Kickoff Return just before halftime could have been a killer!!!  THAT CANNOT HAPPEN!!!!

The Bears, the Lions and the Vikings seem to be struggling!  Keep a close eye on their games the next few weeks!

So, at 2 wins & 1 loss the Packers are in a good place with a shaky Steelers team coming to Lambeau!

Go Pack Go!

Old Football, New Football Players & How the Game Has Changed?

 One thing about aging is you remember what things were back when....... 

I remember when, a player made a good play and there was not 10 minute celebration!

I remember when, there was ONE National Anthem!

I remember when, players received their football salary, then got a part time job in the off season!

I remember when players played & management made team decisions!

I remember when, Friday night was high school football, Saturday was college football, and Sunday was Professional football!

I remember when, there was NO plays under review & you lived with good calls & bad calls!

I remember when, there were NO Wild Card teams & No teams in the playoffs with crappy records!

I remember when, football was a game & NOT a show!