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***Official*** Green Bay Packers Offseason Thread, v. 2014 (1 Viewer)

My father in law told me today that he is giving me all pre season and regular season tickets ( 4 tickets, two on the 50) for the Packers, he is paying for them, so stoked

 
McCarthy talked pretty highly of Lyerla and how the team is excited to help him.

Hope they can make it work as he has the physical tools that their other TEs don't.

 
sho nuff said:
McCarthy talked pretty highly of Lyerla and how the team is excited to help him.

Hope they can make it work as he has the physical tools that their other TEs don't.
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This is probably crazy talk, but if I was looking for someone to take a flyer on late, I would pull the trigger on Colt. 95% chance he does nothing, but if you hit that 5%, he could be a top 5 TE.

 
smackdaddies said:
sho nuff said:
McCarthy talked pretty highly of Lyerla and how the team is excited to help him.

Hope they can make it work as he has the physical tools that their other TEs don't.
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This is probably crazy talk, but if I was looking for someone to take a flyer on late, I would pull the trigger on Colt. 95% chance he does nothing, but if you hit that 5%, he could be a top 5 TE.
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I don't think its crazy talk as you are talking about such a late round flyer anyway. Low risk move.

 
Raji has signed a one year deal. They are still way short of wide bodies. One NT is not enough

 
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10 Packers stories to watch before training camp opens

By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel

Green Bay — After one practice, Mike McCarthy downplayed the significance of football in the spring.

"Let's be realistic," the Green Bay Packers head coach said. "We're practicing in helmets....There are won't be any jobs won in June."

Then, during the final week of organized team activities/minicamp, McCarthy was frustrated that a handful of players missed time to injuries.

"I don't think it helps any player to miss a whole off-season," he said. "I think any of the players who did not take advantage of this nine-week opportunity or due to injury is definitely something they're going to have to work harder to catch up once training camp starts."

So, to an extent, players did separate themselves in May and June. They're now all on vacation until the real football begins on July 26 — the first day of training camp. As we enter this lull on the NFL calendar, here are 10 story lines to track heading into camp:

Peace of mind at backup quarterbackGreen Bay needs it. Last season, the Packers trudged into August with Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman behind Aaron Rodgers. Whoops. Now with Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien, McCarthy should rest easier. Flynn led the Packers to a pair of comeback wins that kept the 2013 season afloat. Turnovers plagued Tolzien in his starter cameo, but he's got the stronger arm.

Now, the two quarterbacks will battle in what should be a much more competitive camp behind the starter. Tolzien steadily improved through the spring practices, finishing on a high note Thursday.

"One of the greatest things all of us quarterbacks have going here is we're watching the best," Tolzien said, "so just to observe him every day, you can't put a price tag on that."

That greatness by osmosis didn't rub off on Harrell or Coleman. Maybe it does for Tolzien. Either way, the Packers cannot live another Rodgers-less nightmare.

Tretter's job to lose at centerBehind the scenes, JC Tretter has done practically everything right. Both McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen have praised his diligence and the long hours he's poured into learning the nuances of this offense.

Campen isn't concerned about how Tretter will adjust mentally. He says he has no concern in how all three of the centers diagnose at the line. Rather, the Packers must see how Tretter holds up against 330-, 340-pound defensive tackles, the same ones who overwhelmed Jeff Saturday and, at times, Evan Dietrich-Smith.

As Campen said, they're "bigger, stronger, powerful guys" at this level. And in college, he added, a center might see this kind of mass "two or three times a year."

This former high school quarterback/point guard has added the muscle necessary. Listed at 6 foot 4, 307 pounds, he fit in during the spring. He's the player to beat at center.

Lyerla's bid for a roster spotThe tight end passed over in the NFL draft — and undrafted free agency — has a second chance in Green Bay. Ex-Oregon teammate Josh Huff said Colt Lyerla can be better than Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. No question, he brings a blend of size (6-4, 247) and speed (4.6 in the 40), but Lyerla still faces long odds at a well-stocked position.

Off the field, Oregon players say Lyerla was a good teammate. The issue, they repeated, was trust. The Packers know this is the key.

"Trusting someone," tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot said, "is a huge factor in being able to allow a person to help you institute a change....So if he needs something, he's going to have to learn to ask for it. There are a number of resources in this locker room that can help him for sure."

Clinton-Dix's bid to startMicah Hyde, not Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, worked most with the No. 1 defense next to Morgan Burnett. And after the final practice, McCarthy said the second-year defensive back looks "very comfortable" with everything he's been asked to do. But let's also remember Alex Green started at running back this time last year. This is likely Green Bay wanting to get Hyde acclimated to the position more than a sign that Hyde will start Week 1. Dom Capers said coaches actually wanted to get him safety reps last year but couldn't due to injuries.

Clinton-Dix was the first-round pick brought in to reinvigorate a sagging position. He'll need to pick the defense up fast when players reconvene. It was a fairly quiet spring for the Alabama safety, one that included a rookie moment last week when Brandon Bostick plucked a touchdown over his head in the corner of the end zone.

Unlike last season, Green Bay could use two interchangeable safeties. Clinton-Dix has that potential.

The Peppers EffectJulius Peppers says he has never rushed next to a Clay Matthews. And Clay Matthews has never rushed next to a Peppers. At 34, can he give the Packers what they've sorely lacked? May and June served as a mental crash course on Green Bay's "elephant" position more than anything. They'll be using Peppers at outside linebacker, on the line and maybe even as an inside rusher.

If OTAs and minicamp were an eye test, Peppers passed. Starting in camp, Green Bay will see if Peppers is either an aging, fading talent or the "freak" that's dropping teammates' jaws.

"You look at our D-line and you look at some of our linebackers, no one's built like him," cornerback Tramon Williams said. "He's a different type of specimen. A rare, unique guy."

Replacing FinleyFor now, Green Bay must move on. Jermichael Finley has not been cleared by Green Bay's doctors. And while a Finley-less tight end group could be a point of concern — it hasn't always been pretty in the past — the group was the highlight of spring camp. Third-round pick Richard Rodgers made at least one or two head-turning catches a day, including a one-handed grab.

Bostick is back from foot surgery. Even Ryan Taylor, a special-teamer and blocking tight end to date, had multiple receptions deep down the seam. Expect a wide-open competition in a month.

Rodgers' playing styleRodgers says general manger Ted Thompson would probably prefer he stay in the pocket. McCarthy would rather him just play. Ultimately, it's up to Rodgers. He's at his best keeping plays alive. But he also fractured his collarbone last season, and he surely is well aware that Tom Brady (15th season) and Peyton Manning (17th season) have lasted this long by mostly staying put.

Rodgers said he's gotten smarter and takes less chances as a scrambler. But he also will "always" want to use his legs because "it adds an extra dimension to my game." Rodgers has long viewed athleticism as an underrated part of his game. This is what separates him from others — keeping plays alive. Now 30 years old, Rodgers must find the balance.

Lacy's encoreYear 1 exceeded expectations. Eddie Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns in a landslide rookie-of-the-year debut. Now the hard part: doing it again. Running backs coach Sam Gash doesn't believe any complacency has set in. Lacy vows he's much more comfortable in the offense this year.

"In the beginning I definitely second-guessed myself a lot," Lacy said. "I wanted to be as close to perfect as possible....I was overly cautious. As the season went on, things slowed down for me. It got a little bit simpler. I was able to play to my natural ability."

This off-season, Lacy took valuable time off to let his body recover. Soon, it'll be time to rev back up again.

The middle of the defenseSan Francisco, Seattle and Carolina — the three NFC teams standing in Green Bay's way — are strongest up the middle. The same cannot be said about the Packers. C.J. Mosley might have been a godsend, yet went four slots ahead of Green Bay in the draft. Instead, Green Bay will roll with Brad Jones next to A.J. Hawk inside and move B.J. Raji back to nose tackle.

Jamari Lattimore could fight his way into the lineup, but linebackers coach Winston Moss asserted Jones is the starter. The Packers view him as a three-down player.

There wasn't one specific reason LeSean McCoy (25 carries, 155 yards), Matt Forte (46-235), Adrian Peterson/Toby Gerhart (40-237), Reggie Bush/Joique Bell (39-211), DeMarco Murray (18-134) and Le'Veon Bell (26-124) ran wild down the stretch. A stronger middle certainly would help.

The hybridsThe theme of the spring on defense? Less scheme, more personnel. Whatever the Packers defense resembles this summer — and you get the feeling that traditional 3-4 will be morphing — Capers is counting on versatile body types filling the front seven.

The likes of Mike Neal, Peppers and Nick Perry will be moving around.

"We've got all the packages; it's just going to be 'which ones work?' and how to best utilize our personnel," Capers said. "I think you make a mistake if you take guys and try to just fit them into your defense. You take your defense and you fit it around your guys."

Starting July 26, they truly figure out how to use these hybrid players.
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Heading into camp

PUP - Mike Neal, Nick Perry

Non football injury - Letroy Guion, Jerel Worthy

Non football illness - Jeff Janis

So at this point they're relatively healthy overall. The DL injuries are a bit troubling but it sounds like Clay is healthy and I think Quarless was held out of OTAs as well.

 
strykerpks said:
Heading into camp

PUP - Mike Neal, Nick Perry

Non football injury - Letroy Guion, Jerel Worthy

Non football illness - Jeff Janis

So at this point they're relatively healthy overall. The DL injuries are a bit troubling but it sounds like Clay is healthy and I think Quarless was held out of OTAs as well.
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Neal is interesting since he was participating in the OTAs so much.

Probably failed one of the running things...still disappointing for sure.

 
Sabertooth said:
Perry is made of glass, so is worthy. I had so much hope for that draft class.
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worthy yes Perry no. I hated that pick at the time. Too big to play LB and too small to play dline. Drafted because of his athleticism. Terrible pick by Thompson. Though I loved the Worthy pick and I'm still hopeful he can bounce back from that acl tear.

 
sho nuff said:
Alex P Keaton said:
How is Heyward a disappointment?
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Id say not staying healthy is. I don't think he is a disappointment as far as talent is concerned.

Though...injuries seem to be the issue with Worthy as well...but he also has not shown was Heyward did in his rookie year.
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Guys get hurt. Tough to be overly disappointed with his on field performance so far. Injuries happen. The bigger disappointment IMO should be with our crappy training staff.
 
Alex P Keaton said:
sho nuff said:
Alex P Keaton said:
How is Heyward a disappointment?
Click to expand...
Id say not staying healthy is. I don't think he is a disappointment as far as talent is concerned.

Though...injuries seem to be the issue with Worthy as well...but he also has not shown was Heyward did in his rookie year.
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Guys get hurt. Tough to be overly disappointed with his on field performance so far. Injuries happen. The bigger disappointment IMO should be with our crappy training staff.
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Definitely that....too many hamstring issues.

looks like one change they made was to do the jog thrus at the end of practice...some supposed studies showing that more injuries happened when players were fatigued during the jog thrus before practice and so on....hopefully that plus other things can help.

Also reading from McCarthy after practice was that Perry and Neal were close to returning...Worthy may take some time.

 
sho nuff said:
Ted Thompson signed to an extension.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/269251761.html
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This isn't getting enough praise. All of the success the Packers have had since the departure of Favre started with the hiring of Ted Thompson. When a GM's first ever pick is spending a 1st rounder on a QB when currently starting a HoF QB, then going on to build a yearly playoff contender and Super Bowl Champion, you gotta pay the man respect. Whatever he makes, it isn't enough.

 
jurb26 said:
Who is expected to make the team at RB? Seems like a loaded roster right now.
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Before Franklin's injury I would have said the Packers are loaded at RB. Now, not so much. Lacy/Starks is probably still one of the better 1-2 punches in the league. Harris is a lock for the 3rd spot. I would say Michael Hill has the lead on the 4th spot. He's getting positive reviews so far and had a year on the practice squad already. That's a huge advantage for lower/undrafted players. I could see them carrying 4 and putting Rajon Neal on the practice squad. I think Perkins will be the odd-man out and be cut.

 
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Phenomena said:
sho nuff said:
Ted Thompson signed to an extension.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/269251761.html
Click to expand...
This isn't getting enough praise. All of the success the Packers have had since the departure of Favre started with the hiring of Ted Thompson. When a GM's first ever pick is spending a 1st rounder on a QB when currently starting a HoF QB, then going on to build a yearly playoff contender and Super Bowl Champion, you gotta pay the man respect. Whatever he makes, it isn't enough.
Click to expand...
I like how Ted works but defensively his drafts have sucked since Matthews - Raji
 
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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/brett-favre--green-bay-packers-set-to-make-announcement-monday-005952503.html

“The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. and the Green Bay Packers will make a joint announcement regarding former quarterback Brett Favre Monday, Aug. 4, at 1:30 p.m., in the new Hall of Fame under construction in the Lambeau Field Atrium.”

Packers Hall of Fame Inc. president Perry Kidder, Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy and Bob Harlan, a member of the Packers Hall of Fame Inc. executive committee and chairman emeritus of the Packers, all will speak in person. Favre is expected to call by phone in and speak as well.

An educated guess? Favre will have his number retired and enter the team's Hall of Fame and that ceremony will be associated with the re-opening of the team's Hall of Fame, which has been under renovation and will re-open in 2015.
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Between the re-opening of the Packer Hall, and wanting to get this done before he is eligible for the NFL Hall...seems perfect to put him in the Packer HOF by himself next year.

Good for all involved...Gene Sackman better hope the Vikings snipe this announcement to show they appreciate him more than the Packers do.

 
You know, honestly, I just want it done & over with so we can all move on with our lives.

This Packer team in 2014 has a legitimate shot at winning the Lombardi, that's the focus here, not #4.

 
I don't think the players really give a crap. How many players outside of Rodgers were even on the same team as Favre? Not many.

 
I will be going to Canton in 2016 to see the hall of fame ceremony with Fabre jersey on. He helped bring that town some life. Was a great time to live up there.

 
He did. It started when Reggie came to town. And then Favre just took it to a whole new level. I still think Favre was the best football player of all time. Maybe not statistically or whatever but you can't even look at Manning without getting flagged anymore. Favre did it when you could mug receivers, hit QBs low or high....whole different era. And there wasn't even a QB close to him.

Of course I think Rodgers is better than Manning now too. :yes:

 
Sabertooth said:
Phenomena said:
sho nuff said:
Ted Thompson signed to an extension.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/269251761.html
Click to expand...
This isn't getting enough praise. All of the success the Packers have had since the departure of Favre started with the hiring of Ted Thompson. When a GM's first ever pick is spending a 1st rounder on a QB when currently starting a HoF QB, then going on to build a yearly playoff contender and Super Bowl Champion, you gotta pay the man respect. Whatever he makes, it isn't enough.
Click to expand...
I like how Ted works but defensively his drafts have sucked since Matthews - Raji
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Easy, killer. You can't draft MVPs every year. Any GM would give his left nut to hit on one guy like Rodgers over his entire career. And Ted has a LOT more hits than just Rodgers. Yes, he has busts, but his bust rate is actually far lower than almost every GM out there. There was a retroactive draft study done by PFF a while back, examining the past decade of drafts. Ted broke the scale with like a 6.0 rating. There were only two other GMs in the past decade with a rating above 3.0. The average was set to zero, so half had negative ratings.

 
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Sabertooth said:
They have plenty of money to sign Cobb and will.
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I'm intrigued with what they offer him. I think a starting point is what other elite slot guys have been making... $6M/year. That would be a bottom of the barrel offer. I don't think Ted will justify paying him much more than that with his injury history.

I could see a $30M contract over 4 years with $10M signing bonus. $7.5M/year is a pretty good jump from what even Welker was making during the Brady years. That would sign him through his age 28 season.

It's just a matter of if Cobb is willing to take less than max value. It didn't really help his case that he came out and said he didn't deserve a big contract - his agent had to be pissed about that one!

 
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