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Packers steal a win with another impressive performance by Rodgers

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Aaron Rodgers File Photo – UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The Green Bay Packers did little right in the first half and went into the locker room at halftime trailing the Chicago Bears 17-0.  Chicago would increase that lead to 20-0 early in the third quarter, but it’s what happened just before the start of the second half that is key.

Aaron Rodgers went down with a knee injury in the first half and was carted off to the locker room.   There it was determined that Rodgers injury, which caused him considerable pain, couldn’t get any worse.  So Rodgers walked and then jogged back onto the field for the second half, declaring himself fit to play in the second half.

“This is what we’re paid to do,” Rodgers said.  “We’re paid to deal with injuries and play through them.  That’s what everybody’s doing and will be doing throughout the season.  That’s the measure of a teammate, is what are you willing to put on the line? [Read more…]

Burks sidelined, Packers deal for some help

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Linebacker Oren Burks

Green Bay Packers rookie linebacker Oren Burks suffered a dislocated shoulder during pre-game warm-ups on Friday in Oakland.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the MRI results were encouraging and they don’t expect Burks to miss too much time.  Whether or not he can recover in time for the season opener September 9th against the Bears remains to be seen.

Sunday, the Packers added some depth at inside linebacker when they dealt backup defensive back Lenzy Pipkens to the Indianapolis Colts for linebacker Antonio Morrison.  Morrison was a 4th round draft pick by the Colts in the 2016 draft.  He started 15 games for the Colts last season.

In Pipkens, the Packers traded a player that wasn’t expected to win a roster spot.  Morrison was facing the same possibility with Indianapolis.

Pipkens appeared in 12 games for the Packers last season.

Bulaga is optimistic, but disappointed to start on the PUP

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Bryan Bulaga

When Bryan Bulaga arrived for training camp, his knee was feeling good.  Bulaga thought he would pass his physical and join his teammates on the practice field on Thursday.

The Packers had other ideas, deciding instead to put Bulaga on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp.  That didn’t sit well with Bulaga.

“Yeah, I’m disappointed that I started on PUP,” Bulaga said Thursday.  “It’s been a tough road rehabbing and getting back to this point and reeling really well at this point.”

Mike McCarthy said he thought Bulaga would be ready for the season opener against Chicago.

“He looks great,” McCarthy said.  ” I think Bryan has been here the whole summer except for maybe one day, two days.  I know that he was in here every day that I was in here.”

The Packers have a number of players vying for playing time at right tackle if Bulaga isn’t ready to go.  Jason Spriggs worked with the one’s on the first day of training camp practice on Thursday.  Kyle Murphy, Byron Bell and Justin McCray round out the group.  McCray and Spriggs started games last season after Bulaga suffered the initial injury.

It’ll take Bulaga some time to regain confidence in the knee and get ready for the season opener.  How much time he gets from team doctors remains to be seen.

Perry, Bulaga to open on PUP

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Nick Perry

According to an ESPN report, Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry and right tackle Bryan Bulaga will start training camp on the physically unable to perform list (PUP).

Perry had offseason ankle surgery and didn’t participate in any offseason workouts.  It’s not known if Perry had a setback, or if he’s simply following a rehab plan.

Bulaga had ACL surgery last year and wasn’t expected to be ready to go for the start of training camp back then.

Clark calling it quits

Wide receiver Michael Clark was the talk of training camp a year ago.  His 6’6 height and ability to go up and get balls, caught the attention of many, after playing just one season of college football at Marshall.  Clark appeared in two games last season, catching four passes for 41 yards. [Read more…]

Packers start training camp workouts on Thursday

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Mike McCarthy addresses the media with 2018 Training Camp set to start on Thursday.

Green Bay Packers players underwent physicals and testing on Wednesday with the start of training camp practices on Thursday morning (11:30 a.m.).

Head Coach Mike McCarthy met with reporters and talked about a number of topics, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

By now, we all expected Rodgers to have a new contract extension, but that didn’t happen.  Rodgers reported with the rest of his teammates, checked into their training camp home at St. Norbert College on Tuesday and then underwent physicals and testing on Wednesday.  He’ll be on the practice field Thursday, leading the Packers in their first training camp practice.

McCarthy wasn’t about to get into a discussion about Rodgers contract status with the team.

“Like I always stated, and I clearly understand and respect Aaron’s place in our organization, but business affairs are what they are, this isn’t the place to speak on them,” said McCarthy.  “They’re very personal for everyone that goes through it.  I have confidence in the organization, and obviously I have confidence in Aaron.  So we’ll just stay the course.”

Rodgers signed a five-year, $110 million extension and has two years left on that deal.  But he currently ranks 10th on the list in quarterback pay. [Read more…]

Packers looking to add to WR group

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Brian Gutekunst

New Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Mike McCarthy met with reporters on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

It would appear that the Packers would like to have wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb back and it could come with some financial concessions.

“They still have value,” McCarthy said.  “There’s no question about it.  Their leadership, their instincts, their awareness as players, it increases as their years go on.  You’re always going to measure the physical part of it. That’s the science and chess match of this whole thing.  Jordy and Randall can still play.  But we need to improve.”

Nelson finished last season with 53 catches for 482 yards.  His six touchdown receptions came in the first five games with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

Cobb had 66 receptions for 653 yards and four TDs in 15 games.

For Nelson, Gutekunst believes his six touchdowns in the first five games with Aaron Rodgers is a more accurate indication of what he can do for the Packers offense.

The Packers signed Davante Adams to a new contract and they’re hoping to add depth at the position, whether it’s through the draft or the use of free agency.

The Scouting Combine continues today.  Running backs and offensive linemen will work out for NFL scouts today.

 

 

Perry moving on from Green Bay

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Darren Perry – Photo courtesy of the Green Bay Packers & Packers.com

Veteran Green Bay Packers safeties coach Darren Perry had an offer to stay on in Green Bay but coach Mike McCarthy announced today that Perry will not return to the teams coaching staff.

Perry will leave to pursue other opportunities.  He’s believed to be a candidate on the Tennessee Titans coaching staff.

Perry coached the Packers safeties since 2009 when he joined the team.  He has coached defensive backs in the NFL for the past 16 years.

He has tutored the likes of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Morgan Burnett, who have developed into the team’s top two safeties over the last few years.

Packers finalize coaching staff

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James Campen promoted to Offense – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line

The Green Bay Packers finalized their coaching staff this week and it included some coaching promotions.

Joe Philbin returns to Green Bay as the teams new offensive coordinator.  Mike Pettine is the defensive coordinator.  James Campen was promoted to offense – run game coordinator/offensive line.  Jim Hostler is the offense – pass game coordinator.  Patrick Graham is the defense – run game coordinator/inside linebackers.  Joe Whitt Jr. is the defense – pass game coordinator.  Frank Cignetti Jr. is the quarterbacks coach.  Ryan Downard was hired as defensive quality control coach.  Maurice Drayton is the assistant special teams coach.  Scott McCurley returns as a defensive assistant.  Jerry Montgomery is the defensive line coach, taking over for Mike Trgovac who was let go.  David Raih is the wide receivers coach and Jason Simmons is the secondary coach.

The new additions will be made available to reporters later today.

Following is what Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff will look like for the upcoming 2018 season.

Offensive Coaching Staff

Joe Philbin  –  Offensive Coordinator
James Campen  –  Offense – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line [Read more…]

Wolf is headed for Cleveland

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Eliot Wolf

When the Green Bay Packers hired Brian Gutekunst as their next general manager, they passed on Eliot Wolf.  Now Wolf is taking his expertise with him to Cleveland, joining John Dorsey and the Cleveland Browns.

Wolf was a 14-year veteran of the Packers scouting team.  He had an offer to remain with the Packers and could have joined Reggie McKenzie and Jon Gruden in Oakland as well.  But in the end, after meeting with the Browns on Tuesday, he decided that would be the best place for him.

Wolf served as the Packers director of football operations from 2016 to 2017.  He most likely would have been named as an assistant GM in Green Bay, working alongside Gutekunst.  But Wolf being passed over for the position that his father Ron Wolf once held, likely played a factor in his decision to move.

It’s not a matter of whether or not Wolf becomes a GM in the NFL some day.  It’s more a matter of when.  Wolf was qualified for the Packers opening and will continue to get other opportunities moving forward. [Read more…]

Packers set to hire new defensive coordinator

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Mike McCarthy

The Green Bay Packers are reportedly set to hire Mike Pettine as their new defensive coordinator.

The 51-year old Pettine was a defensive coordinator with the New York Jets (2009-12) and Buffalo Bills (2013) before taking over as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2014 season.  Pettine went 7-9 in his first season with the Browns but was fired after going 3-13 in 2015.  He spent last season as a defensive consultant with the Seattle Seahawks.

Pettine’s New York Jets defenses ranked first, third, fifth and eighth.  His defense in Buffalo in 2013 ranked 10th.

Pettine runs a 3-4 scheme that involves press man coverage with a series of blitzes.

Mike McCarthy fired Dom Capers after the Packers finished 7-9 and ranked 22nd in total defense.  Capers didn’t have a top ten defense in Green Bay since the Packers’ Super Bowl season in 2010, when it ranked fifth.

Offensive Coordinator Edgar Bennett will not return to the team.  Joe Philbin, who previously spent nine years with the Packers, including five as offensive coordinator, returns.  Philbin left in 2012 for the head coaching job in Miami.