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NFL players not expected until start of training camps

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2019 Packers joint practice with the Houston Texans

Some NFL teams were holding out hope of conducting minicamps this month, but it appears that players will not return to team facilities until training camps open.

Most teams have already reopened their facilities on a limited basis for essential employees amid the coronavirus pandemic, but healthy players are not allowed to return yet.

On Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to teams, informing them they must hold training camps at their main practice facilities because of the virus.  That doesn’t affect the Green Bay Packers, but ten of the league’s teams practiced away from their main practice facilities last year.

The memo also said teams will not be allowed to hold joint training camp practices with other teams.  That’s something the Packers did with the Houston Texans last year and were planning to do the same with the Cleveland Browns this year, but those plans are now on hold.

The issue is fairness.  The NFL feels if all 32 teams can’t hold on-field minicamp workouts, then there will be none.  Official start dates for training camps haven’t been announced either, but none of the teams are expected to start until all 32 teams can do so.

 

Packers announce the signing of a third draft pick

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Packers GM Brian Gutekunst at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Three down and six more to go for the Green Bay Packers.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced the signing of sixth round draft pick, guard Simon Stepaniak out of Indiana.  Stepaniak was the third of three sixth round draft picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

 

Packers restructure Lane Taylor’s contract

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Lane Taylor

Green Bay Packers guard Lane Taylor has agreed to redo the final year of his contract, saving about $3 million in cap space for the team.

As was first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Taylor’s base salary for 2020 will drop from $3.8 million to $1.5 million.  Taylor can recoup another $1.5 million if certain incentives are met.

The Packers now have more than $13.89 million in cap space.

Taylor won the Packers starting left guard job last season and started the first two games before suffering a biceps injury during practice in week three, which ended his season.

The team’s second round draft pick, Elgton Jenkins took over and played so well that he landed a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team.

Packers sign a second late round pick

The Green Bay Packers a second seventh round draft pick, safety Vernon Scott II out of TCU.  The team still has seven more draft selections to sign.

 

Packers sign 7th round pick, Garvin to deal today

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The Green Bay Packers signed rookie outside linebacker Jonathan Garvin to a contract today.  Garvin was the last of their nine selections in this year’s draft.

Garvin, who was the 242nd pick in the draft overall, recorded five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 2019 as a junior at Miami.

Garvin’s deal is for four years and is worth more than $3.3 million.

At age 20, Garvin is loaded with  upside, but his stock fell during the draft after he ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine.

 

Packers finalize preseason schedule

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The Green Bay Packers finalized their 2020 preseason schedule and both home games are scheduled for afternoon kickoffs.

For the fourth straight season, the Packers will open the preseason at home, facing the Arizona Cardinals in a noon kick at Lambeau Field.  It’s the first time since 2015 (at Pittsburgh)  that the Packers will play a preseason day game and the first during the day at Lambeau Field since 2006.

The Packers remain home in week two of the preseason, hosting the Cleveland Browns at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 22.  It’ll be the 26th preseason meeting with the Browns, tied for the second-most preseason games against a single opponent.

The Packers will hit the road for the final two preseason games, at the New York Giants on Saturday, August 29 (7 p.m.) and at the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 3 (7 p.m.).

Packers may need to dip into reserve fund in 2020

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Packers President Mark Murphy

The Green Bay Packers don’t have the luxury of being able to count on a deep pocketed owner, so several years ago, they established a reserve fund, putting money away for a rainy day.  That rainy day could come this year.

In a letter to shareholders this week, Packers president Mark Murphy said he’s optimistic the NFL season will not only start on time, but will do so with fans in the stands.  But Murphy also knows there could be issues moving forward because of the coronavirus pandemic, so the Packers are planning for a number of contingencies.

The Packers have $385 million in their reserve fund, but may have to dip into that fund if needed.  That fund was established specifically to be able to cover expenses for at least one year, in case league and local revenue would disappear.

Without fans in the stands, the Packers would face giving refunds and lose out on in-stadium concessions as well as Pro Shop sales among others.

DHS still hiring contact tracers

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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is continuing to take applications for contact tracers – individuals who will follow up with people who have positive tests for COVID-19. DHS Secretary designee Andrea Palm says qualifications are straightforward, but critical.

“Qualifications like good communications skills, being able to have tough conversations, as these are not easy situations where you’re talking about folks life and safety,” Palm said. “Good customer service, good ability to interact with folks who are really going to have a lot of questions about what they need to do.”

Palm said DHS is well on the way to meeting the goal of hiring one-thousand contact tracers, although more bilingual applicants are needed.

Packers unveil 2020 NFL Schedule

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The Green Bay Packers will open the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 13 with a noon kickoff against the NFC North Division rival Minnesota Vikings.  The Packers will close the season with a January 3rd noon kick at Chicago and play five times in prime time in between.

The Packers home opener comes in week two of the regular season, Sunday, Sept. 20 (noon) against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.

They’ll play their first prime time match-up the following Sunday night (Sept. 27) against the Saints in New Orleans.

The Packers return home in week four, facing the Atlanta Falcons in a Monday night game on October 5th at Lambeau Field. [Read more…]

Favre starts repaying money to Mississippi

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Brett Favre

Former Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre is paying back $1.1 million in welfare money to the state of Mississippi.  Favre received the money for appearances, promotions, autographs and speaking engagements that he hadn’t fulfilled.

Favre reportedly paid $500,000 of that money on Wednesday and plans to repay the rest in installments over the next few months.

The money reportedly came from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in 2017 and 2018.

The director of the non-profit group has been indicted, but Favre is not facing any charges.

Green & Gold softball game postponed

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The 20th annual Green & Gold Charity Softball game that had been scheduled to be played at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday, June 7 has been postponed due to the COVID-19 virus.

The organizers of the Green & Gold Charity Softball game are hopeful that the event will be able to be rescheduled for later this summer and are currently working on a new date for this year’s game.  A new date and more details will be shared as soon as that information is available.

All tickets that have already been purchased for the event will be valid for the to-be-determined rescheduled date.  The game and all ticket sales will benefit multiple charities in Northeastern Wisconsin, including causes impacted by COVID-19.