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Matthews & Cobb part company with Packers

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Clay Matthews

Green Bay Packers veteran free agents Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb agreed to new deals within hours of each other on Tuesday night.

Matthews agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams reportedly worth nearly $17 million over two years.  Earlier, receiver Randall Cobb agreed to a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys worth a reported $5 million.

Matthews grew up in Los Angeles and lives there during the offseason, so it was a perfect fit.  He played his college football at nearby USC.  Matthews reportedly had larger offers but took the deal with the Rams to play close to home.

Matthews leaves Green Bay as the franchise’s all-time sack leader with 83.5.

Cobb leaves Green Bay after eight seasons but played in just nine games last season, catching 38 passes for 383 yards and two touchdowns.  During his career with the Packers, Cobb has 470 catches for 5,524 yards and 41 touchdowns.  He rushed for 352 yards and caught another 47 passes for 596 yards and five touchdowns during the postseason.

 

Packers officially release LB Nick Perry

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Nick Perry

The Green Bay Packers made it official on Tuesday, announcing the release of veteran linebacker Nick Perry.

Perry recorded a career-low 1.5 sacks in nine games last season and ended the season on injured reserve for the third time in his seven seasons with the Packers.

Perry was scheduled to collect a $4.8 million roster bonus on March 15th, which the Packers are now off the hook for.

Perry’s $11 million salary this year, as well as the final two years of his contract, are now eliminated.  But the Packers are responsible for his pro-rated signing bonus of $7.4 million.  It means they realize a $3.6 million gain in salary cap space for the upcoming season. [Read more…]

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.

Matthews entering the final year of his contract, looking for more (AUDIO)

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Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is about to enter the final year of his contract, but he would love to sign an extension and finish his career in Green Bay.

Matthews told reporters on Monday that his agency has had some discussions with the Packers about a contract extension, but those talks have not led to a deal to date.

Matthews hasn’t posted double-digit sacks since 2014 and hasn’t been selected to a Pro Bowl since 2015, but he’s been the teams most versatile and talented linebacker.

Matthews has played two dozen games at inside linebacker which undoubtedly has affected his sack production.  But Matthews still feels he has a lot of good football ahead of him.

“I’ve got a good mind in how I envision this season and my future,” Matthews said.  “So we’ll see what that holds, if that means back here for a few more years or packing my bags.”

AUDIO: Clay Matthews on being in a contract year :18

AUDIO: Clay Matthews said he would love to remain with the Packers :10

 

Rodgers moves forward without extension (Training Camp)

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Aaron Rodgers

The majority of the questions fielded by Aaron Rodgers following his first Green Bay Packers training camp practice had to do with the contract extension we all thought he would have by now, but still remains without.

Rodgers certainly didn’t rule out the possibility of signing an extension this year, but he said his focus has now gone elsewhere.

Rodgers had two years left on his current deal, so there’s time.  But there are a number of quarterbacks now that are averaging more per year than Rodgers.

“I don’t know if there’s a timetable,” Rodgers said.  “The feelings haven’t changed.  Obviously, I’d love to be here, and I think they’ve spoken at length about wanting to extend my deal.  But now that I’m here, my focus is definitely on other places.  It’s on my teammates, my leadership role, my performance on the field.  That’s why I have Dave Dunn (his agent) to take care of all that stuff.” [Read more…]

Running game & defense leads Packers victory, playoff hopes remain alive

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File Photo: Dean Lowry

The Green Bay Packers stayed in the NFC playoff picture by knocking off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-20 in overtime on Sunday, snapping a three-game Lambeau Field losing streak.

The Packers improved to 6-6 and will face winless Cleveland on Sunday with the potential return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the final three games of the regular season.

The Packers used a couple of big plays to help their cause.  Linebacker Kyler Fackrell blocked a punt that allowed the Packers to take over at the Tampa Bay 45.  Jamaal Williams later scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Packers a 10-7 lead.

On the very next Tampa Bay possession, Green Bay defensive tackle Kenny Clark stripped the ball from quarterback Jameis Winston and the ball was scooped up in mid-air by Dean Lowry who returned the fumble 62 yards for a touchdown and a 17-7 Packers lead.

The Packers have struggled to get pressure on quarterbacks this season, but they made up for lost time on Sunday.  Clay Matthews returned to the lineup and recorded 2 1/2 sacks.  Kenny Clark added two sacks, the first two of his career, helping the Packers to a seven sack day.  The seven sacks was one short of the team record set against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004. [Read more…]

Matthews will be a game time decision for Packers

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Clay Matthews

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews didn’t practice on Wednesday and said his playing status will likely be determined just before the game on Sunday night at Pittsburgh.

Matthews said there is a concern that playing could make his groin injury worse.  He didn’t practice on Wednesday and that doesn’t bode well for Matthews availability for the game against the Steelers.

Matthews was hurt in last Sunday’s 23-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.  If he can’t play, defensive coordinator Dom Capers could go with veteran Ahmad Brooks, who played 27 snaps against Baltimore last week.  Kyler Fackrell also saw more opportunity when Matthews went down and played well.

Even rookie Vince Biegel played 16 snaps last week and should see at least that much this week if Matthews can’t go.

AUDIO: Clay Matthews on his health status for this week :18

 

Matthews shoots for Packers franchise sack record (AUDIO)

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Clay Matthews

When Clay Matthews takes the field against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, he’ll have his sights set on becoming the Green Bay Packers all-time franchise sack leader.

Matthews has 74 sacks in his career, which started back in 2009.  Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (74.5 sacks) is the all-time franchise leader, leaving Matthews a half sack shy of sharing the record and one full sack from moving into the lead.

Matthews is tied for the second-most six-plus-sack seasons in the NFL since 2009 with seven.  Former Packer Julius Peppers (Carolina/Chicago/GB) is the leader in that category with eight.

Matthews ranks in the top five in sacks since 2009 among active players.  Miami’s Cameron Wake tops that list with 81.5.  Houston’s J.J. Watt is next with 76.

Matthews has put himself in some elite company and he’s not even close to being done.

AUDIO: Clay Matthews is hoping to get the sack record and the win on Sunday :09

AUDIO: Clay Matthews said the sack record will mean more when he’s done :12

AUDIO: Clay Matthews was asked of numbers and stats matter to him :23

Bulaga still sidelined by ankle injury

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Bryan Bulaga

The Green Bay Packers returned to the practice field on Monday and will take Tuesday off.  The players returned from their weekend off in pretty good shape.

The only previously injured player that didn’t practice was right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who is still recovering from a sprained right ankle.  Coach Mike McCarthy did say last week that he didn’t have any major concern regarding Bulaga’s availability for the season opener against Seattle this Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Rookie defensive tackle Montravius Adams returned for the first time since undergoing foot surgery the first week of training camp.  Adams took part in individual drills but not team drills and it’s expected to be weeks before he’s ready to play in a game.

Also back on the practice field Monday were linebackers Nick Perry and Clay Matthews, offensive lineman Lucas Patrick and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Packers to host free agent Brooks today

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Kyler Fackrell

The Green Bay Packers are expected to host free-agent outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks today.  The decision to bring in a veteran is a clear sign that the Packers aren’t happy with the current level of production beyond Clay Matthews and Nick Perry.

The Packers let Julius Peppers and Datone Jones get away in free agency, ready to give Jayrone Elliott and Kyler Fackrell more of an opportunity.

Through three preseason games, Elliott and Fackrell have combined for five tackles and no sacks.

The Packers haven’t been able to stay healthy as well.  Matthews dropped out early on Saturday with an undisclosed injury and Perry later left with an ankle injury.

Elliott has had to deal with back spasms the last couple of weeks and he had to leave Saturday’s game at Denver early.

The Packers also haven’t been able to get former Badger Vince Biegel on the field.  The fourth round pick hasn’t practiced since rookie orientation in May when he broke a bone in his foot.  After surgery, he’s been rehabbing, trying to get back, but its an injury that requires a tremendous amount of patience.  Biegel is currently on the PUP list and could remain there through the first six weeks of the season.

AUDIO: Kyler Fackrell reacts to the Packers bringing in Ahmad Brooks for a visit :16