Category Archives: Off-Field

14

May

Green Bay Packers 2012 NFL Draft: The Reasons Behind the Picks Part II

NFL Draft Logo Image

2012 NFL Draft

So here is part II of the reasons behind the draft picks (see part I here)  Again, I’m not assigning grades to the draft or to the players because I don’t believe you can tell whether or not a player will pan out within the first 30 something days.  What I am interested in is what the Packers were thinking of when they decided to draft a player; with that in mind, this is what I think the Packers want to accomplish with each draft pick and which player each rookie could be potentially be replacing.

Jeron McMillian – Projected Strong Safety – Round 4, Pick #38 (#133 overall) – Replaces Pat Lee

Rationale: First off let’s be honest here, I don’t think we have the next Nick Collins in McMillian; I was actually very surprised that McMillian was drafted at all by the Packers simply because he doesn’t fit into the mold of what the Packers look for in safeties.  The Packers are probably more interested in playing two free safeties (which there really wasn’t one this year in the draft), consider their preferred pairing of Collins and Morgan Burnett (who ironically never really played together): both have good ball skills and the ability to jump passing routes.  What McMillian does best is run support, which is almost the exact opposite of a ball hawk.   Then again even if McMillian is the next Collins I highly doubt that the Packers can afford to stick him out there in his first year, which is even more reason why I think Woodson will have to make the move to safety.

13

May

Surviving Sunday: Packers News, Notes and Links for the Football Deprived

Surviving Sundays With No Packers Football

Surviving Sundays With No Packers Football

Last week I used this space to discuss dead wrestlers, concussions and the suicide of Junior Seau. It was some heavy and serious stuff, so serious that I didn’t have the will to keep the post going and talk about Packers news.

To make up for it, this edition of Surviving Sunday will be nothing but Packers.

Enjoy.

Rookie Camp
All eight Packers draft picks signed contracts and are participating in this weekend’s rookie camp. From a fan’s perspective, rookie camps and mini camps are a nice reminder that football season is getting closer, but that’s about it. It’s impossible for us outsiders to glean too much from offseason camps. The quotes from coaches are the same every year. Everybody looks great. Everybody is in amazing shape. Everybody looks real focused. Everybody just wants to help the team win. Yawn……

Alex Green and Ryan Grant
Alex Green wants to return by training camp according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. If he’s putting in the effort and work necessary to make it happen, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Green make it back for camp. It sounds like Adrian Peterson has a legit shot at playing in week one after ripping up his knee at the end of last season. Obviously, no two knee injuries are the same, but if Peterson can return that quickly, I like Green’s chances of being ready to go by August.

12

May

Green Bay Packers 2012 Roster by Position

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GREEN BAY PACKERS 2012 ROSTER

(click here for a list of all Packers Players Transactions)

(For the latest updates/changes, see our Roster Page)

LAST UPDATED:
May 15, 2012

Current Player Total: 86
Rookies: 22

*** Players in GREEN are rookies. ***

2012 GREEN BAY PACKERS ROSTER
# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College
QUARTERBACK
9 Coleman, B.J. QB 6-3 231 23 R Tenn.-Chattanooga
6 Harrell, Graham QB 6-2 215 26 1 Texas Tech
17 Hill, Nick QB 6-3 215 27 1 Southern Illinois
12 Rodgers, Aaron QB 6-2 225 28 8 California
RUNNING BACK
23 Bennett, Duane RB 5-9 213 22 R Minnesota
20 Green, Alex RB 6-0 225 23 1 Hawaii
33 Saine, Brandon RB 5-11 220 23 1 Ohio State
44 Starks, James RB 6-2 218 26 3 Buffalo
27 Tyler, Marc RB 5-11 226 23 R Southern California
40 Cooper, Nic FB 5-10 249 23 R Winston-Salem State
35 Hoese, Jon FB 6-2 238 22 1 Minnesota
11

May

Packers Draft Picks Starting to Sign Contracts

The Packers have signed DT Jerel Worthy

With rookie camps set to begin today for the Green Bay Packers, it is quite encouraging to see numerous rookies signing contracts before camp starts.

Rob Demovsky at the Green Bay Press-Gazette has reported that three of the Packers’ draft picks signed contracts yesterday.  Those three players were second-round pick Jerel Worthy, fourth-round pick Jerron McMillian and seventh-round selection Andrew Datko.

Each of these three players look to be critical to the future for Green Bay, which makes them being signed and ready for camp even more encouraging.  If that wasn’t enough, it was reported this morning via Casey Hayward’s agent Scott Smith that he had signed a contract this morning.  Hayward is another rookie who will likely see limited playing time as a rookie, but will be a future starter for Green Bay.

The only draft picks that haven’t signed are OLB Nick Perry, DT Mike Daniels, OLB Terrell Manning and QB B.J. Coleman.  However, Demovsky reported earlier in the week that Green Bay is expected to have all draft picks signed by the end of this week.

11

May

I Have a Feeling: Ryan Grant Will Return to the Packers

Ryan Grant Green Bay Packers Free Agent

Packers Free Agent Ryan Grant

Since this has unofficially become running backs week at AllGBP.com, I’ll chime in with some thoughts on the one guy who hasn’t been mentioned, Ryan Grant.

This is also the first in what I hope will become a series of “I have a feeling” posts, based on nothing more than what my gut tells me and intended to spur active discussion and debate. So, let’s get started.

Earlier in the week, Matthew Stein asked the question, “Which running back gives the Packers the best chance to win?” That was followed up on Thursday by Adam Czech, who gave us a look at some other players in the mix; the Packers UDFA running backs.

After reading and dissecting both posts, I came to this rather unlikely (for me) conclusion; Ryan Grant could be the guy that gives the Packers the best chance to win.

Those of you who remember some of my past posts on Ryan Grant, (like “Ryan Grant can’t cut it“), can all pick yourself up off of the floor now. But lets remember that several years have passed since that particular post. In the time that has elapsed, I came to accept what Ryan Grant provides (when healthy) to this pass-first Packers offense; dependability and accountability.

10

May

Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson Appears on NFL’s Top 100 of 2012

Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson against the Chicago Bears

Jordy Nelson makes the NFL Top 100 at No. 80

After posting 68 receptions, 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns (all which happened to lead the team), Jordy Nelson is starting to get respect from everyone, including the NFL Network.

During last night’s broadcast of the Top 100 Players of 2012, Nelson came in at No. 80, right ahead of defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and behind cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.  While being considered the 80th best football in the NFL by the NFL Network is definitely quite the honor, there is certainly a reason for him to feel he was shortchanged.

Of the 30 players that have been revealed so far, two receivers currently rank ahead of Nelson.  Cincinnati Bengals’ receiver A.J. Green came in at No. 77 and Philadelphia Eagles’ receiver came in at No. 71.  There is little doubt that both Green and Jackson are extremely talented receivers, but neither comes close to what Nelson did in 2011 or what he’s likely to in 2012.

Both Green and Jackson had less yards, receptions and touchdowns than Nelson.  When you combine that with the fact that Nelson was playing next to receivers like Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Randall Cobb and Jermichael Finley, it makes Nelson’s numbers even more impressive.

9

May

The Ugly Truth Behind The NFL Concussion Battle

Dr. Elliot Pellman

Dr. Elliot Pellman's research is at the center of the NFL Concussion legal battle.

As I sat down at my computer this week with some desperately needed free time on my hands, I was all set to begin an article depicting the NFL as a gigantic scapegoat in the recent concussion lawsuits being filed against them. It just didn’t make sense to me. These players knowingly and willingly participated in a contact sport where injuries occurred on a regular basis. Not only that, they reveled in delivering big hits on their opponents.

Should they not bear the responsibility of their actions? After all, if a knee injury could leave a lasting effect on your life, it would only make sense that repeated trauma to the head (and brain) could do the same thing. It would be like a boxer suing someone else for injuries they sustained in the ring. They made their choice.

Then I started do my research. I knew I didn’t have the whole story, and my better judgment told me I should at least understand exactly what the former players were charging the NFL with.