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Packers reshaping their defense on second day of negotiating period

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Brian Gutekunst

The Green Bay Packers made it clear on Tuesday that outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry most likely won’t be a part of their plans moving forward.

The Packers agreed to deals with two pass rushers named Smith and added a safety as well.  The deals can be finalized when the NFL year opens on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT.

The Packers came to terms with former Baltimore Raven pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, who had 8.5 sacks last season.  His deal is worth a reported $66 million over four years, including a $20 million signing bonus.

The second Smith is former Redskin Preston Smith, who gets a four-year deal worth a reported $52 million with a $16 million signing bonus.  Smith recorded 24.5 sacks in his first four seasons with the Redskins but only four of those came in 2018.

The Packers were also looking for safety help and agreed to a four-year, $37 million deal with former Chicago Bear Adrian Amos.  He started all 16 games for the Bears last season and finished with two interceptions.  He has started 56 of the 60 games he’s played in with the Bears.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst also added former Denver Bronco offensive lineman (guard/tackle) Billy Turner.  His deal is worth a reported $28 million over four years.

Kuhn to retire as a Packer

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Former Packers fullback John Kuhn – UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Former Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn will retire as a Packer.

The longtime fan favorite played nine of his 12 seasons for the Packers, starting with the 2007 season.  Kuhn played his first season (2006) with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He finished with the last two seasons (2016 & 2017) in New Orleans.

“John was a terrific football player and tremendous teammate who contributed to many years of success for the Packers,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement.  “He was a true professional whose work ethic and leadership set a great example both on the field and in the locker room.  We want to thank Kuhn and his family for all they did for the Packers and in the community as well as wish them nothing but the best.”

During his time with the Packers, Kuhn rushed for 601 yards on 196 carries and scored 15 touchdowns.  He was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Packers and was selected first-team All-Pro in 2014.

 

Packers GM says the team’s plan includes TE Jimmy Graham

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Jimmy Graham

It would appear that tight end Jimmy Graham will be in the Green Bay Packers plans for the upcoming 2019 season.  Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst indicated as much during his session with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday.

“Jimmy had a productive year for us last year,” Gutekunst said.  “Was really, really proud of him.  He fought through a lot of things just to be out there.  Guys who have played as long as he has don’t have to do that.  His professionalism was on display each and every day, and I look forward to seeing what he can do for us this year.”

Graham finished the 2018 season with 55 catches for 636 yards and two touchdowns.  He routinely missed Wednesday practices during the second half of the season because of a knee issue.

Graham is scheduled to collect a $5 million roster bonus March 15.

Gutekunst was also asked about veterans Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb and Nick Perry, but didn’t offer any insight into their futures with the Packers.

LaFleur needs to get Rodgers back to his elite self

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New Packers head coach Matt LaFleur

Green Bay Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy said several weeks ago that the teams search for a new head coach wouldn’t center around quarterback Aaron Rodgers approval, but they would welcome the quarterback’s input.

But who was Murphy kidding.  The number one job for new 39-year-old head coach Matt LaFleur is to get the Packers back into the playoffs with a chance to win championships.  To do that, LaFleur needs to figure out how to get Rodgers to return to the elite form that he possessed not to long ago.

Murphy and his management team know that as well.  Even before he offered the job to LaFleur on Monday, general manager Brian Gutekunst was told to call LaFleur to have a discussion.  That phone call was the start of the relationship building process between the two and it will need to grow leaps and bounds in the coming months as the Packers push towards the 2019 season.

At his introductory press conference on Wednesday, LaFleur acknowledged that it’ll be important to build a relationship with every player on the team.  But he also knows it starts with Rodgers. [Read more…]

Packers mail it in, crushed by Lions 31-0

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DeShone Kizer

With nothing left to play for, the Green Bay Packers capped off the 2018 season with a 31-0 loss to the Detroit Lions in the season finale at Lambeau Field.

The Packers lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a concussion early in the second quarter and any hopes of pulling off a comeback came to a quick end.

Concerning though is the fact that the Lions entered the game with just as many injuries as the Packers and just five wins.  Yet they didn’t lay down, sweeping the season series with the Packers for the second straight year.

The Lions totaled 402 yards of offense, while the Packers were able to muster just 175.  The Lions converted 7 of 13 third downs against the Packers defense and scored a touchdown on a fake field goal, adding to the Packers season-long issues on special teams. [Read more…]

Packers begin search for their next coach

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Packers President Mark Murphy

Whether or not Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy should have waited until the end of the season to fire Mike McCarthy as opposed to his doing so after last Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals is still being debated.  But Murphy admitted during a news conference on Monday that Sunday’s listless performance was the last straw and a move had to be made.

“In evaluating the season, I really felt that change was needed and kind of Mike’s tenure had run its course,” Murphy said.  “And quite honestly the performance on Sunday night to me made it very clear that a coaching change was needed.”

Contrary to what has been widely reported over the last several weeks, Mark Murphy said quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t get Mike McCarthy fired.

Rodgers was asked on Monday if he was the reason for Mike McCarthy’s dismissal. [Read more…]

Packers dealing with more injuries as they prepare for Vikings

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Mike Daniels

As the Green Bay Packers get ready to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, they may have to add some defensive line help.

Defensive tackle Mike Daniels left Thursday’s game at Seattle with a foot injury and Monday, coach Mike McCarthy said Daniels would likely miss a couple of weeks.  Down to four healthy defensive lineman, McCarthy said he and GM Brian Gutekunst were already discussing their options to potentially add another lineman.

Tight end Jimmy Graham also left that game with a broken thumb.  Coach Mike McCarthy said Graham plans to try to play on Sunday against the Vikings and will use the week to experiment with different splints to find out what works best for the game.

The Packers also lost backups Raven Greene and Bashaud Breeland to injury during last Thursday’s game.  McCarthy said the week will offer more clarity on who may be able to go Sunday night in Minnesota. [Read more…]

Packers deal Montgomery & Clinton-Dix before the trade deadline

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Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Twenty Four hours ago, Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery said he had a hard time trusting his teammates and he wasn’t sure what his role was on the team.  Fast forward one day and Montgomery was sent to the Baltimore Ravens for a 7th round draft pick in 2020.

Montgomery fumbled a kick return after being told not to bring the football out of the end zone.  Criticism quickly followed from Montgomery’s teammates and the Packers returner said its hard to trust anyone now.

Montgomery was selected in the third round out of Stanford in 2015.  In 36 career games, he caught 129 passes for 827 yards and three touchdowns.  He has rushed for 849 yards and seven touchdowns.

Montgomery will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.  His departure means the Packers no longer have a single player from that 2015 draft class on the active roster.  Linebacker Jake Ryan is the only member of that class still a part of the organization, but he’s on injured reserve. [Read more…]

Packers do more fine-tuning of roster

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Packers GM Brian Gutekunst

After trimming their roster to 53 players on Saturday, then signing eight players to their practice squad on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers made some additional moves on Monday.

The Packers signed LB Korey Toomer after he was released  by the San Francisco 49ers.  The Packers also placed former UW-Whitewater wide receiver Jake Kumerow on injured reserve.  He could return to the Packers in eight weeks if the Packers choose to designate him.

The Packers also signed RB Darius Jackson, who was released by the Dallas Cowboys and signed to their practice squad.  Jackson was a sixth round pick in 2016.  He rushed 21 times for 72 yards during the exhibition season but doesn’t have a carry in a regular season game.

The Packers filled out their 10-man practice squad by bringing back safety Marwin Evans.  They also added former Alabama defensive back Tony Brown.

Packers take two corners early, try to make up for 2015

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Brian Gutekunst

The Green Bay Packers selected back-to-back corners in the 2015 draft but Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins turned out to be major disappointments.  Randall is now with Cleveland and Rollins is recovering from a torn Achilles.

In great need of corner help, the Packers spent back-to-back picks at the top of the draft, with a little wheeling and dealing mixed in.

GM Brian Gutekunst selected Jaire Alexander (CB) out of Louisville with the 18th pick in the first round.  He came back the next day and selected Iowa’s Josh Jackson with the 45th overall pick.

Gutekunst started the day on Friday not thinking about taking another defensive back, but when Josh Jackson was still on the board, that changed things.

Jackson had a fantastic season at Iowa last season.  He led the nation with eight interceptions.  He had two last season that he returned for touchdowns against the Badgers. [Read more…]