Thursday, December 23, 2010

Free Agents the Packers should go after (It’s Tricky)

Yes, I know the Packers are still in the race for a wildcard spot but I don’t it’s too early to talk free agency here are a few names the Packers should go after. I know Ted doesn’t go after FA that much. This also hinges on the new CBA. I believe that there will be an NFL season next year and the CBA will be done by March.

Jacoby Jones, WR/PR/KR yes I know we have a ton of receiver but Jones could give us a spark we need on returns and who really wants one of our starting CBs returning punts he could be a help on our offense if we choose to part ways with James Jones (James Jones is in the last year of his contract).

Phil Dawson, K We all know Mason Crosby isn’t cutting it so why not bring in a Kicker for at least competition Dawson is an 83.3% kicker and is not happy with his contract with the Browns. Ryan Longwell is also an option here; however, both Longwell and Dawson are in their 30s so expect the Packers to wait and draft one.

Lamar Woodley, OLB Woodley will be a FA and the Packers need a pass rushing force opposite Clay Matthews and Woodley could be that guy. Woodley will be expensive but he’s worth it. However, the Steelers will not let Woodley go. Expect the Steelers to retain him. More than likely expect the Packers to draft an OLB.

DeAngelo Williams, RB There were trade rumors swirling around that the Packers were interested in trading for Williams. The Panthers have Jonathon Stewart so Williams could become expendable. The Packers will have Ryan Grant Back but may need another running back to spell him other than John Kuhn, James Starks, and Brandon Jackson. Williams could be expensive to sign but he may be worth that risk to sign. I expect the Packers to draft a RB and skip on Williams but don’t be shocked if he lands in Green Bay this off-season.

Steve Breaston, WR/PR Breaston, like Jones could be a spark for both Offense and Special Teams. Breaston like Jones will depend what the Packers do with James Jones. Breaston could come cheap and be a low risk high reward kind of guy.

Johnny Jolly, DE Jolly needs to be retained by Green Bay for at least depth at defensive end but with a healthy Mike Neal and the need to still sign Cullen Jenkins he may be expendable.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Atari Bigby is a waste of a roster spot

Yup, I said it Atari Bigby is hurt again if this injury is serious enough to warrant IR I would NOT be surprise if Bigby is gone next year and is replaced by Anthony Levine on the 53 man roster this year or next year. after 2007, Bigby has gotten hurt every year (I think). Once Morgan Burnett comes back next year and a solid backup behind Burnett in Charlie Peprah, and the return of Anthony Smith, Bigby's services may no longer be needed in Green Bay. He is plain and simple a waste of a roster spot.

This week's Game Balls

The Game Ball on Offense goes to Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings-they flat-out torched Rookie Chris Cook and whoever else was attempting to cover GJ85.
Defense- You know what, the ENTIRE Defense deserves this they shout down the vikings offense in the Vikings house. but if I had to pick one or two people from here it'd be AJ Hawk and Tramon Williams
Special Teams- three people here, Shawn Slocum, Tim Masthay and Mason Crosby. A Shank for Masthay is 31 yards, 31 YARDS! if anyone remembers the Derrick Frost 1/2 year this was his best kick.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Todays Actives and Inactives

WR Donald Drive IS Active and so is DE/NT Ryan Pickett

Inactives: CB Brandon Underwood, FB Korey Hall, TE Spencer Havner, RB James Starks, LB Diyral Briggs, G/C Nick McDonald, G/T Marshall Newhouse and DE Jarius Wynn

Quinn Johnson will start for Hall

Al Harris is one classy dude

Mark at PackerHQ showed my this its in todays Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
Al Harris took out a 1/2 page ad today on the back of the sports section, and it reads as follows:

THANK YOU PACKER NATION

Thank you for always supporting me.

Thank you for making me a part of your family.

Thank you for treating my family like your own.

Thank you for making one of the coldest places the warmest place.

Thank you for making every single day I was a Packer a very special day.

To each and every one of you, thank you for making my Packers experience simply amazing.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank and love you all and will carry you with me always.

Love,

Al Harris

Friday, November 19, 2010

Friday's Injury Update

Did Not Participate:
• FB Korey Hall (Back) Questionable

Limited Participation:
• LB Desmond Bishop (Hip) Probable
• LT Chad Clifton (Knee) Probable
• LB Clay Matthews (Shin) Probable
• DE/NT Ryan Pickett (Ankle) Questionable
• WR Donald Driver (Quadricep) Questionable
• C Scott Wells (Arch) Probable

Full Participation:
• LB Brandon Chillar (Shoulder) Probable
• CB Pat Lee (Ankle) Probable
• TE Andrew Quarless (Shoulder) Probable

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Steal of the 2011 Draft could be Isaac Odim.

Yes, I know it’s only November but it's never too early to talk about the Draft. This year, I think the steal could be in later rounds. Minnesota-Duluth's Isaac Odim ( 6'0", 215 lbs). I have Seen Odim play live several times, have he could be a stud in the NFL. Odim had a scholarship to Yale, until an incident involving 2 women lost his scholarship there, he then went to Saginaw Valley State, then to Rochester Community and Technical College then to Duluth. Odim Is coming off a torn meniscus he tore at practice earlier this year. He has stated he will be ready for his pre-draft workouts. Besides, we all know how much Ted Thompson loves his small school draft picks.

Take a look at his UMD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_rysh7hBBQ , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjRnzYL08Bg) RCTC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac_tVsTUwEE) and HS highlights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HHwO_6pDjM)

Why Clay Matthews will not win the NFL MVP

The MVP debate is on but its almost certain that Clay Matthews will not win it but he should. Matthews should and WILL win Defensive Player of the Year but not MVP. I think Michael Vick or Tom Brady will take those honors. The last defensive player to win MVP was Lawrence Taylor in 1986. I think for Matthews to win it he needs to break the single-season sack record held by Michael Strahan of 22.5 set in 2001 (he needs 12.5 sacks in the last 7 games) to be even consider an candidate. I’m not sure Clay Matthews will do it I hope he does but I just think he won’t.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Butler Thinks Favre will NOT Retire

Per LeRoy Butler’s Twitter:

“Brett will not retire, maybe play for another team, San Fran or az or det”

I don’t know but maybe LeRoy’s right he won’t retire and play for the Niners, Lions, or Cards, but maybe he will who knows? Only Brett (and Clay Matthews) knows.

*Wednesday Practice Update*

The Green Bay Packers hit the practice field today after taking Tuesday off. Here is the complete list on who participated in practice today at Clark Hinkle Field

Limited Participation:
*DE Ryan Pickett (Ankle)*
* LB Clay Matthews (Hamstring/Shin)*
*CB Charles Woodson (Toe)*
*OT Chad Clifton (Knee)*
* TE Andrew Quarless (Shoulder)*
*WR Donald Driver (Quadricept)

Full Participation:
*LB Brandon Chillar (Shoulder)*
*LB/TE Spencer Havner (Hamstring)*

SOURCE: Packers.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Predictions the Rest of the Way

The Packers are currently 6-3 tied with Chicago for the division lead, however Chicago has the tiebreak. I believe the Bears will fade away, giving the Packers a opportunity to grab the division. Gren bay or Chicago will win the division at 13-3 the loser could get the wild card or .

Week 11 (11/21)- @Minnesota: the Vikings will play this game like its their super bowl, unfortunately Green Bay will too I think Green Bay wins this game and I expect Favre to have a repeat game from the previous week. Green Bay is also healthier than when these last two teams met in week 7. Green Bay is also coming of a Bye week. Sidney Rice,Bernard Berrian, and Percy Harvin are coping with injuries so I expect Green Bay’s DBs to take advantage of the potential starters of Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett, and Greg Camarillo. If Rice plays expect Tramon Williams to cover him and try to shut him down. Packers win 28-17.

Week 12 (11/28)- @Atlanta this game could determine the top 2 seeds in the NFC playoffs. Green Bay has a much better secondary than Baltimore. If Green Bay shuts down Roddy White, they win. I think they do stop Roddy White and make Matt Ryan make bad throws. Packers win a close one here 27-24.

Week 13 (12/5) San Francisco- the 49ers are improving but I can’t see them beating Green Bay in December. Green Bay’s running game gets going and they stop the Niners running attack. This could be a trap game and Troy Smith is doing well but the Packers D forces Smith to turn the ball over. Packers win big 38-10.

Week 14 (12/12) @Detroit- Detroit is much improved but I really can’t see them winning here Green Bay also stops the Lions offense. Packers improve to 10-3 with a 31-21 win.

Week 15 (12/19) @New England I think this game will be high scoring but the Pats defense is questionable at times this is going be a close game but Green Bay squeaks it out 38-35 to improve to 11-3. I expect the Pats to be playing somewhere between the Browns and Steelers game.

Week 16 (12/26) New York Giants- the only thing Packer fans want for Christmas is a division championship and Home Field advantage. They get both here after the bears lose to fall to 9-6. Packers improve to 12-3, winning 28-21.

Week 17 (1/2) Chicago this is always big game I think Green Bay finishes the Regular season at 13-3. Green Bay forces several Culter interceptions and fumbles. Packers win here 31-14. The Bears still you know…SUCK. Green Bay wins the #1 seed because of the dead to head with the Falcons in week 12 and beating the Eagles in Week 1.

Please Allow Me To Introduce Myself

Well I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Mark and I'm a diehard Packer fan living in the heart of Viking country. Now you’re probably asking yourself why are you a I Packer fan in Minnesota well when I was little the Packers were always on and my dad’s from Wisconsin I just fell in love with the packers. Believe it or not my favorite players growing up were Reggie White and LeRoy Butler. I’m 21, I will go to Minnesota State University-Mankato (the same college where Vikings training camp is). So anyways, I got into blogging because as an assignment for my intro to broadcasting class, we had to get ideas for an internet site and mine was a sports blog. I have read blogs by the fine people at Cheeseheadtv among others (Ol’ Bag of donuts, GPN, Jersey Al, the guys at PackerHQ, and CD at Tundra Vision just to name a few). I also love the Wisconsin Badgers and Chicago Blackhawks as well as the LA Lakers and Boston Red Sox (David Oritz is my favorite sox player and he’s a packer fan like you and me). I have been attacked as being a bandwagon but I am not a bandwagon.

I guess I was blessed to have grown up during the 1990s Packers team but I still know a ton about their history from DVDs I own.

Anyways I hope you enjoy my posts of randomness, humor and seriousness, sometimes reference to song lyrics, and of course the team we love the Packers.

You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/24markymark21