AllGreenBayPackers.Com

1) Introduction: As the sixth Iowa player to be named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Bryan Bulaga was one of the top prospects at his position going into the draft. That’s why many people were shocked when – despite his “dinosaur arms” – he fell to the Packers at the 23rd pick. In what seemed to be fate calling, Green Bay practically had to take him. Not only could Bulaga be considered the “best player available,” he was also filling a dire need for the team that allowed over 50 sacks in 2009. Many fans and media experts saw Bulaga as the Packers’ LT of the future, eventually replacing veteran Chad Clifton.

2) Profile:

Bryan Joseph Bulaga

Position: T
Height: 6-5    Weight: 315 lbs.

Born: March 21, 1989 in Barrington, IL
College: Iowa (school history)
Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.  Read more... (908 words + 1 image, estimated 3:38 mins reading time)

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1) Introduction: In a strange way, Daryn Colledge reminds me of all the public-sector employees protesting in Wisconsin. On the surface, you want to dislike the protestors. They pay next to nothing for healthcare and retirement benefits while the state runs a deficit and the private-sector struggles. But when you dig deeper, you realize there’s more to the story. Here we are less than a couple years after Wall Street fat cats, crooked home lenders, and clueless politicians wrecked our economy, and somehow we have now managed to blame teachers, 911 operators, garbage men and other public employees for all of our woes. I feel the same way about Colledge. We blamed him for much of the offensive line’s incompetence early in 2009. Then we got mad at him in the offseason when he had the audacity to be upset at the contract tender the Packers offered him. No, Daryn Colledge is not a standout lineman. But like the protesting public employees, he also doesn’t deserve all the angst that’s been spewed in his direction.

2) Profile:

Daryn Wayne Colledge

Position: T
Height: 6-4    Weight: 300 lbs.  Read more... (581 words + 1 image, estimated 2:19 mins reading time)

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1) Introduction: Remember back in August when Mike McCarthy and Packers management kept preaching about “improving from within?” As usual, the Packers were not buyers in the free agent market, and most of us wondered how the team’s horrendous pass defense could possibly improve after a rough end to the 2009 season. We were even more skeptical once it became apparent that Sam Shields — an undrafted rookie who played cornerback for only one season in college — was going to be Green Bay’s nickel back. However, once the 2010 season concluded and the Packers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, everyone that originally questioned why Shields was given such a key role was pointing to the rookie as a major reason why the Packers were world champs.

2) Profile:

Sam Shields

Position: DB
Height: 5-11    Weight: 184 lbs.

Born: December 8, 1987 in Sarasota, FL
College: Miami (FL)

3) Expectations coming into the season: Not screw up too badly. While people questioned Shields’ skills as a DB, nobody questioned his raw ability. It became apparent early in practice that Shields could run with any WR in the NFL and hold his own when it came to quickness. Consistency was the major question mark. Could Shields avoid major mistakes that would cancel out any positive plays he makes?  Read more... (483 words + 1 image, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

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1) Introduction: AJ Hawk came in as a highly touted 5th overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft. Since then, his career can be described as “steady”; drafted as the most “NFL ready” player in his draft he has been just that, he usually is assignment sure and consistent in tackling and in coverage, but many people have called him out for not being the “impact player” warranting a top 5 pick. It will be interesting to see what the Packers do with perhaps their deepest position. All 4 inside linebackers have sizable contracts (with cover specialist Brandon Chillar receiving one last year and Desmond Bishop receiving one this year). Hawk’s contract included at $10 million base salary in the final year in order to stimulate an extension; he’s definitely not worth that much and it basically comes down to him or Nick Barnett (who has two years left on his contract).

2) Profile:

Aaron James Hawk

Position: LB
Height: 6-1    Weight: 245 lbs.

Born: January 6, 1984 in Centerville, OH
College: Ohio State (school history)    (Hawk college stats)
Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.  Read more... (635 words + 1 image, estimated 2:32 mins reading time)

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The Atlanta Falcons could be described as the antithesis of the Packer’s last opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles are often described as “explosive”; they have perhaps the greatest mobile quarterback ever in Micheal Vick and maybe the greatest “home run” threat in the league at the moment with wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Running back LeSean McCoy boasts a 5+ yards per carry and the rest of the Eagle’s skill position players are filled with speedsters.

To this end, this year’s Eagles ranked as one of the best at big plays of over 20 yards and Vick’s ability to buy time in the pocket and scramble often lead to more opportunities down the field.

On the other side of the spectrum are the Atlanta Falcons, lead by quarterback Matt Ryan who is about as pure of a pocket passer as there is.

At his disposable, running back Micheal Turner is known as a bowling ball and not as a speed demon and wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez, aren’t speedsters either but manage very good production with crisp route running and steady hands.  Read more... (958 words + 1 image, estimated 3:50 mins reading time)

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The Green Bay Packers suffer their second straight overtime loss, this time at the hands of the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field.

A wide array of thoughts swirled around my brain as I watched the defense fight valiantly, and the offense fall flat. Here are some of them:

PREGAME:

Inactives:

Matthews, Chillar, Tauscher, McDonald, Newhouse, Pickett, Finley and Neal.

Typing “Matthews” was quite painful there…

Perhaps the biggest influence on the game could be both Pickett and Neal being out. The Dolphins would be smart to let their running game test the Packers DL, especially CJ Wilson. That would also limit the opportunities Chad Henne will have to make bad decisions. I expect the Dolphins to run a lot.

Barring injury (oh, God…) there will be few, if any snaps off today for BJ Raji and Cullen Jenkins. The Packers offense would be wise to try to eat up minutes today, letting the DL get it’s rest that way.

Donald Lee is active for the game, so that’s one positive surprise.

Comments by Mike McCarthy on WTMJ pregame show:  Read more... (1134 words + 1 image, estimated 4:32 mins reading time)

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Weekly Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Holly Phelps. (As heard on Cheesehead Radio 9/9/10 )

Packer News 9/2/10 – 9/9/10

Al: The big news this week, of course, were the cuts made to bring the Packers roster down to 53. Spencer Havner and Will Blackmon were the biggest names let go, which elicited a range of emotions form Packers fans. Many had trouble understanding the Havner move, but not this packer fan. I have said all along the Packers would not risk losing Quarless and Crabtree. It was going to be either Lee or Havner, and the Packers just had more faith in Lee to be a starter if something were to happen to Jermichael Finley.

Holly: That’s not a scenario we ever want to see, Al, but something I think we would all like to see is for Sam Shields to hold his own out there on the field. Especially since all indications are that Shields will be the Packers’ starting nickel cornerback come Sunday. Charles Woodson said as much this week, though Mike McCarthy refused to tip his hand. Shields is doing his part by hitting the playbook extra hard, and enlisting help from Charles Woodson can only help.  Read more... (902 words + 1 image, estimated 3:36 mins reading time)

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