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Saine and Smith were both released by the Packers on Wednesday

According to the Green Bay Packers team website, the team has released running back Brandon Saine and linebacker DJ Smith. The transactions were announced by Packers GM Ted Thompson.

Both were lost to season-ending knee injuries last season and even more ironically, during the same week six game against the Houston Texans.  Both players reportedly failed a physical exam.

Saine appeared in a handful of games in 2011 and 2012.  He was acquired as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State in 2011.

Smith was drafted in 2011 with one of the team’s three sixth-round pick.  Smith played in 22 games and had claimed a starting role after the loss of inside linebacker Desmond Bishop during the 2012 pre season.  Smith appeared in six games in 2012 before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Houston in Week 6.

Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on "AllGreenBayPackers.com

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UCLA DE Datone Jones

Player Information:

Datone Jones, Defensive End, UCLA

6’04″, 283 pounds

Compton, CA

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.80

225-pound bench: 29 reps

Vertical: 31 1/2″

20 yard shuttle:  4.32

News and Notes:

Jones was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. . .started as a true freshman in 2008 and in 2009, racked up 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. . . missed the entire 2010 season due to a foot fracture suffered in Spring practice. . . in 2012, Jones was extremely productive. He tallied 62 tackles with 19 for a loss.

What they’re saying about him:

• CBSSports.com: “Well-built athlete with long arms and good strength, throughout. Flashes an explosive initial burst off the snap to penetrate gaps. Uses his hands well at the snap to rip free from blocks, showing a variety of pass rush techniques (swim, rip, club), as well as enough power to simply bull over offensive linemen into the backfield.”
• NFL.com: “Versatile lineman that can fit in an odd or even front. Fires off the ball with impressive pad level and is often able to shock the offensive lineman with a quick jolt. Use active hands to disengage quickly. If he cannot disengage, he keeps his arms extended.  Maintains the line by keeping his body leaning forward. Difficult for running backs to avoid him in tight quarters, keeps his feet moving while wrapping up.”

   Read more... (506 words + 3 images, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

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Stony Brook RB Miguel Maysonet

Player Information:

Miguel Maysonet, Stony Brook University

5’10″, 205 pounds

Riverhead, NY

STATS

NFL Combine/Pro Day:

40 time: 4.60 (Pro day)

10 yard split: 1.58 (Pro day)

225-pound bench: 20 reps

3 Cone: 7.21

20 yard shuttle:  4.43

Vertical jump: 31 1/2″ (Pro day)

News and Notes:

Maysonet started his collegiate career at Hofstra in 2009 but had to transfer afterwards when the football program was cut. . .in his first season at Stony Brook, he rushed for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns on 176 carries. . . continued that momentum the following year, rushing for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns on 252 carries. . . Walter Payton Award (outstanding FCS player) runner-up. . . had 1,964 yards and 21 touchdowns on 267 carries in his senior year. . . returned kicks as well and had a return for a score during his senior season. . . was not able to fully participate in this year’s NFL Combine due to a hamstring injury. . . would become the first Puerto Rican-born NFL player if he is drafted and sticks on the roster.

What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (571 words + 3 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

• ESPN.com: “Workhorse.  Runs with a chip on his shoulder. Would grade out extremely high in this area if not for recent fumbling issues.  Above average run instincts.  Usually senses crease before it opens. Shows the instincts to locate hole while going full speed, which is critical in transition to faster NFL game.  Very good lateral agility.  Will make one cut and go.  Can stick foot in ground and accelerate up the field.”

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The NFL has released the 2013 regular season schedule

After a two-day delay, the NFL has finally released the 2013 regular season schedule of games.  Here is a look at the Green Bay Packers regular season schedule:

The Official 2013 Schedule of the Green Bay Packers:  Read more... (377 words + 3 images, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

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Per Greg Aiello, the NFL’s Senior VP of Public Relations, the 2013 NFL schedule will be released at 8pm ET this Thursday, April 18th.  Aiello announced this via Twitter earlier today.

2013 regular-season schedule will be announced at 8 pm ET on Thursday (April 18).

— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) April 16, 2013

The Green Bay Packers’ schedule will surely offer some great matchups this season.  They will, of course, face their divisional opponents twice each with what I’m sure will be a keen interest specifically on the Minnesota Vikings matchups.  That may or may not have something to do with a former Packers wide receiver who recently joined the Vikings in free agency.  For those who have been stuck under a rock over the past month, I am, of course, referring to Greg Jennings.

The Packers will face each 2012 NFC division winner, including a rematch with the San Francisco 49ers.  The 9ers beat Green Bay during both the 2012 regular season and in the Divisional playoff round en route to Super Bowl XLVII.  The Packers will also square off against the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins.

Due to the normal rotation of the out-of-conference scheduling, Green Bay will see each of the AFC North teams this season, highlighted by a matchup with the reigning Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens.  The Pittsburgh Steelers will visit Lambeau Field and bring about a rematch of Super Bowl XLV.  Read more... (343 words + 2 images, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

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Packers sign WR Sederrick Cunningham

Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette announced Monday that the Green Bay Packers have signed street free agent wide receiver Sederrick Cunningham.

Cunningham went undrafted in 2012 after playing his collegiate ball at the University of Furman.  There, he split time between receiver and kick returner.  He tallied 99 total catches with seven touchdowns to go along with over 1,500 return yards and one touchdown.

Coastal Carolina held a pro day in 2012 at which Cunningham ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and topped out at 35 inches on his vertical leap.

Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on "AllGreenBayPackers.com

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Florida Safety Matt Elam

Player Information:

Matt Elam, Safety, University of Florida

5’10″, 202 pounds

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.54

225-pound bench: 17 reps

Vertical: 35 1/2″

Broad:  118″

News and Notes:

Elam began his Gator career as a starter on special teams.  Once given the chance to play at safety, he quickly showcased his talents and was a full-time starter in 2012. . . led the team in tackles for a loss (11) and had four interceptions along with two sacks and a forced fumble. . .Elam has been known to be a “big personality” off the field and was hot on many schools’ radar coming out of high school in 2010.  He elected to attend Florida and play for Urban Meyer. . .was voted first-team All American in 2012. . .ran just .01 second behind the fastest 40 time among safeties at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. . .older brother Abe Elam is currently an NFL free agent safety who has spent his first eight seasons with several teams

What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (594 words + 3 images, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)

• CBSSports.com: “Athletic, instinctive and quite physical, Elam demonstrated the ability to walk up into the box and be a force near the line of scrimmage while also dropping back into coverage as a single-high safety when coaches called for it — showing off the type of versatility NFL teams are demanding from today’s hybrid safeties.”

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