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Packers release RB’s Michael and Jackson, pick up option on Clinton-Dix

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Packers workout last season at Ray Nitschke Field.

Just two days after drafting three running backs, the Green Bay Packers thinned out their backfield with the release of veteran Christine Michael and Don Jackson. Monday’s move leaves converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery as the only running back currently under contract, and reiterates General Manager Ted Thompson’s assertion over the weekend that Montgomery is “absolutely…our starting running back.”

Michael was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks during last season, and went on to play nine games for Green Bay. After rushing for 172 yards and one touchdown on 47 carries, the Packers re-signed Michael in March for $800,000. Jackson, an 2016 undrafted free agent, worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster, but was eventually placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

What’s left is Montgomery, a second-year back, and three rookie draft picks: BYU’s Jamaal Williams in the fourth round, Aaron Jones of UTEP in the fifth, and Utah State’s Devante Mays in the seventh.

Green Bay also announced Monday they have picked up the fifth-year option on safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The 2014 draft pick made his first Pro Bowl in 2016 after posting a career-best five interceptions. Clinton-Dix, who has never missed a game and played every defensive snap last season, is scheduled to make $1.5-million in 2017 and $5.9-million in 2018.

AUDIO: Jamaal Williams says his running style resembles former Packer RB Eddie Lacy :27

AUDIO: Ted Thompson explains why Green Bay drafted three running backs :23

Packers make Biegel’s dream a reality, complete ten-member draft class

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Vince Biegel

From Wisconsin Rapids to the Wisconsin Badgers and now to the Green Bay Packers, the cheesehead dreams of Vince Biegel became a realization on Saturday. The Packers selected the former UW outside linebacker with the first pick of the fourth round (No. 108 overall).

The 6’3″, 246-pound Biegel completes the trifecta of playing football at every level possible within the state of Wisconsin, an accomplishment he says has been a tremendous opportunity.

Biegel battled a foot injury during his senior season in Madison, but was a three-year starter with 191 career tackles and 21.5 sacks. Known for his pass rushing prowess, the second team All-Big Ten selection has also proven to be a disruptive stopper against the run.

The selection of Biegel completed a run of four consecutive draft choices on the defensive side of the ball. [Read more…]

Packers trade out of NFL’s first round

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From left, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, general manager Ted Thompson and president Mark Murphy look on in the draft room at Lambeau Field on Thursday night. Photo courtesy of the Green Bay Packers/Evan Siegle

The Green Bay Packers moved out of the first round, sending the 29th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns for the Browns first pick in the second round, number-33 overall.  The Packers also get the Browns pick in round four, which is the first pick of day number three.

It’s the 20th time that Ted Thompson has traded down since taking over as the Packers general manager.

The Browns used the 29th pick on University of Miami TE David Njoku.

Trading down means the Packers won’t have a first round pick for the first time [Read more…]

Packers hold 29th pick in tonight’s NFL Draft

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The Green Bay Packers have many needs heading into the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft tonight.  Cover corner and a pass rusher top the list.

After losing Sam Shields, the Packers struggled in the secondary last season.  They also struggled to rush the passer and will enter the season without one of their top pressure players in Julius Peppers, who signed a free agent deal with Carolina.

They’re hoping Clay Matthews can stay healthy this season after he had one of his worst seasons.

They could go the corner route right away, and if the player or players they want aren’t available at that position, then a pass rushing outside linebacker could be on the agenda.  State football fans would love to see them take Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt, although Missouri’s Charles Harris is considered to be a better bet. [Read more…]

Packers get some help at guard

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Packers offensive lineman work during OTA’s

The immediate need to find a replacement for right guard T.J. Lang may have been addressed by the Green Bay Packers.

One day before the 2017 NFL Draft, the Packers signed six-time Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans.

Evans spent 11 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and started all 16 games for the Seattle Seahawks last season.

It doesn’t mean the Packers won’t look for guard help in the draft, but the immediate need has diminished with Evans signing.

The Packers decided not to match the three-year, $28.5 million deal that Lang signed with the Detroit Lions.

The Seahawks, who had offensive line issues last season, didn’t think Evans had much left.  The Packers are hoping he does, for at least one season.

Packers interview controversial running back Joe Mixon

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Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon was barred from attending the NFL’s scouting combine because he punched a woman in the face back in 2014.

The Green Bay Packers brought Mixon to Green Bay for an interview.  Several teams have taken Mixon off of their draft boards, but the Packers are in need of running back help and Mixon has been one of the best in college football over the past couple of seasons.

Mixon received a deferred one-year sentence and was ordered to undergo counseling.  He was also ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and was suspended for the 2014 season.

Upon his return, Mixon has put together back-to-back strong seasons and rushed for 1,274 yards and 10 [Read more…]

Packers looking for running back depth (AUDIO)

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Packers GM Ted Thompson

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson admitted to reporters on Monday that they need to add to their running back depth chart, but he wasn’t willing to say if they had any interest in free agent Adrian Peterson.

“Let’s all together answer that question,” Thompson said while addressing reporters at the NFL Owners spring meetings in Phoenix.  “We don’t talk about players that are not on our team.  We never have, we never will.  It doesn’t serve a purpose, I don’t think.”

After losing starter Eddie Lacy in free agency to Seattle, the Packers have just three running backs under contract on their roster.  Don Jackson and Christine Michael were both re-signed and converted receiver Ty Montgomery is under contract. [Read more…]

NFL Scouting Combine starts today

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Packers GM Ted Thompson

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson, head coach Mike McCarthy and the rest of the Packers personnel department are in Indianapolis for today’s start of the NFL Scouting Combine.

Thompson, who is getting ready for his 13th season in Green Bay, has been very limited in the amount of free agent acquisition’s he’s made.  Not much is expected to change as free agency gets underway next week.

When Thompson has turned to free agency, things have worked out well.  But Thompson has shown that he won’t overspend and generally does his spending after the other NFL teams are done throwing their money around. [Read more…]

DB Sam Shields says he’s been released by the Packers

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After missing 15 regular season games and all of the playoffs, defensive back Sam Shields announced on his Instagram account this morning that he has been released by the Green Bay Packers.

Shields would have been entering the final year of a four year deal that would have paid him $9 million.

Shields missed almost the entire season after sustaining his fifth documented concussion in the opener at Jacksonville.

Shields told reporters after the NFC Championship game loss in Atlanta that he wanted to continue to play, despite his concussion issues.  If he does return to the game, it will now most likely be with another team.

Shields is facing charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia from an incident at his home in October.  He has a hearing scheduled in Brown County Circuit Court this week. [Read more…]

Packers magical run comes to a crashing halt

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The Green Bay Packers were one step away from a trip to Super Bowl 51.  They had the momentum of eight straight wins, but the Atlanta Falcons made sure the momentum came to a screeching halt.

The Packers won the toss but deferred.  That allowed the Falcons to take the opening possession and drive the length of the field for an opening touchdown.  By the time the first half was over, the Packers trailed 24-0, on the way to a 44-21 loss in the final game at the Georgia Dome, which is not set for demolition.

Matt Ryan threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns.  He also added a 14-yard run for a touchdown, his first rushing touchdown since 2012.

Wide receiver Julio Jones, after barely practicing during the week because of a toe injury, finished with nine catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. [Read more…]