Smells like football. Finally. Thanks for the thread. 

14 baby. 

No problem

Interesting update on Rich Rod. Slimmed down=faster 3rd year TE?

Veteran newcomer Jared Cook will be counted on for some Finley-esque splash plays, but third-year pro Richard Rodgers would appear to be the Green Bay Packers' top tight end now and possibly for the next few seasons.

If Rodgers, who was noticeably trimmer this off-season, doesn't seem to be a fan favorite, so be it. All that matters is the evaluation of the coaching staff.

"Richard Rodgers had a very good year," associate head coach Tom Clements said in May. "He caught a lot of passes."

In 18 games, Rodgers ranked second in receptions with 65 and third in yards with 566. Jermichael Finley, whose career was ended by a cervical contusion in October 2013, has the most regular-season catches by a tight end in Green Bay (61) but Rodgers ranks second with 58.

Edgar Bennett, the offensive coordinator, indicated in June that Rodgers had slimmed down and was moving exceptionally well in practices.

"Does it get any better?" said Bennett.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports...894z1-387857712.html

Sticking this here. Explains how the JSO and GBPG Packers' coverage will work now that both have been swallowed into the Gannett/USAToday media maw.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports...742z1-388031622.html

The local beat reporters take some stick here from time to time but as an Wisconsin ex-pat I really appreciate the quantity and quality of reporting and analysis. Arguably the best reportage anywhere on any NFL team (as befits the greatest franchise and fan base).

Really looking forward to seeing:

1) How our second year CBs develop.  Very underrated question of this defense with Heyward gone.  Last year, the secondary was a strength of the team.  Can't see any regression from these two if it wants to stay that way.  

2) How the front 7 does.  Lot of changes, with rookie DL expected to contribute early with Pennel out and Raji gone (Ringo, Clark and Lowry likely active on opening day), new ILBs (Barrington back, Ryan getting starter snaps, and Martinez entering the mix), new OLBs (CMIII back to his old spot and Fackrell, who I'm pretty excited about), and how the elephants do (Peppers holding off father time, Jones on the outside full time, and Perry on a 1 year prove it deal).  Lot going on here.  

3) How Cook changes the offense.  In theory, he's exactly what this offense needs.  And in theory, it's easy to rationalize his mediocre career thus far (terrible, terrible QB play).  But he has to show up this year on the field, something he really hasn't done consistently in his career.  

4) Who is going to make the leap from "good" to "stud".  I think this year it's Clinton-Dix.  

5) How the WR corp shakes out.  Every player has something to prove this training camp: Nelson's comeback from injury, Cobb proving last year was a fluke, Adams getting back on track from a disastrous sophomore year, Montgomery coming back from injury, and Janis, Abbrederis and Davis showing they're worthy of a roster spot (and active on gameday).  

Good points, CUPF.   However, I will add that I do hope we do NOT  have any "studs to duds" this season either.

McGinn previews OL.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports...624z1-388044332.html

Interesting reportage here:

... The Green Bay Packers are committed to Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang and David Bakhtiari just as they're committed to protecting Aaron Rodgers.

The organization has every intention of trying to extend contracts for the aforementioned starters before their expiration in March...

If anyone can figure out how to make that happen it's Ted and Russ Ball.

Why would we draft Spriggs so highly if we were committed to resigning Bak? You don't use a second round draft choice on a backup. 

Because they may be thinking Bak is going to pull a TJ Lang in the future.  

I know many like the Spriggs pick, I do too.  Yet the type of player he is I'd like to see some "show me" first before I'm slotting him at LT.

Love the Spriggs pick. OL depth is always a good thing. 

Springs seemed to have the "looks like Tarzan....plays like Jane" rap by some in the college circles. However, reports out of senior Bowl practices were that he improved and internalized coaching well. 

This is football, everyone needs a starter at backup.  Teams that do that best win.  

Calling it right now: Jason Spriggs will either be a rich man's Walter Jones or a poor man's Tony Mandarich.

It will not surprise me if the Packers bring Raji back into the fold for the stretch run. By then Clark will be hitting the "rookie wall", and some attrition will likely have already taken place. Raji take a year off because he isn't able to take all 6 months of beatings that the schedule brings, but come November I'm guessing he's going to be itching to play...

FLPACKER posted:

Springs seemed to have the "looks like Tarzan....plays like Jane" rap by some in the college circles. However, reports out of senior Bowl practices were that he improved and internalized coaching well. 

Anytime I see the descriptor of a player begin with "athletic" I reserve judgement.

Yes, usually "athletic" is code for "has all the measurable to be dominant, but has not been". 

The battle at WR for the 3rd-5th positions to me will be really interesting to watch. Once again, like last year, so far Davante Adams looks very good. But we all know how the wheels fell off through injuries and then questionable efforts at times once the 2015 season started. MM is also really praising Jarred Abracadabra this off season, claiming he's really jumped to the next level. Monty I believe has all the talent and athleticism to shore up the #3 role....it's just a matter if his ankle is fully healthy yet. He say's it is.

And then of course we have Janis! (who makes this roster as the ST's gunner) and the rookie Davis.

A lot of battling here. And let's also not forget this team FINALLY has a dedicated WR Coach again.

Yup, that will be the big one in camp.  I can see them keeping 6, but not 7

Regarding our ILB's:

—If the Packers are going to stink yet again at ILB, at least they’ll stink on the cheap. In fact, no team has less money allocated to the position in the upcoming season. And it’s not even close.

FLPACKER posted:

Yes, usually "athletic" is code for "has all the measurable to be dominant, but has not been". 

I thought it was code for "black", and "hard-working" was code for "white".

/ducking

Rusty posted:

Calling it right now: Jason Spriggs will either be a rich man's Walter Jones or a poor man's Tony Mandarich.

I will settle for a rich man's Chad Clifton. 

I want a working mans Marco Rivera

A blue collar Mike Wahle.

A rich man's Walter Jones would make Spriggs one of the best tackles of all-time. I'd be thrilled with a rich man's David Bakhtiari.

I love that Davis seems to fit the same mold as Packer's recent receivers....articulate & not a primma donna! 

http://www.greenbaypressgazett...rt-college/87455294/ 

A lunch pail Mark Tauscher.

A confused man's Adam Timmerman?

Pre-Madonna

Periodically homeless man's baggadonuts?

A non L shaped pinky fingered man's Larry McCarren ?

Tweet collection for Monday, July 25th 2016

I'll keep adding to it during the day.

packerboi posted:

The battle at WR for the 3rd-5th positions to me will be really interesting to watch. {snip}

A lot of battling here. And let's also not forget this team FINALLY has a dedicated WR Coach again.

LINK

Janis as the 2nd option for the #3 spot is truly a fantasy.

Eve of camp 2016. Feels like...

Dr._Bob posted:

A confused man's Adam Timmerman?

I'll take an Orlando Pace on short term disability.

Mike McCarthy raves about Aaron Rodgers' conditioning

• Rob Demovsky
• ESPN Staff Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers' cheese-free diet appears to have paid off.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy raved about his quarterback's conditioning on Monday, when players reported for the start of training camp.

"I would say Aaron's vibe, and really his offseason participation and performance, looks to line up for a great year," McCarthy said. "He's in great shape. I would say this is the best shape I've seen him in."

Rodgers revealed this offseason that he revamped his nutrition plan and, among other things, cut out dairy products.

Rodgers underwent knee surgery in January and said he started thinking about his diet at that time as a way to help extend his career. This offseason, he said he was at his lowest weight -- "218-ish" pounds -- since 2007.

"I would say he's ready to go," McCarthy said. "I know he's excited. Just in communication with him he's excited to get started."

Rodgers is expected to speak with reporters after Tuesday's first practice. Players were undergoing medical exams and conditioning tests Monday.

McCarthy would not say which players did not pass and therefore would not practice. However, it's possible receiver Jordy Nelson (knee), tight end Jared Cook (foot) and a handful of other players coming off surgeries might not practice initially.

"We'll sit down this afternoon and go through it, all of those things," McCarthy said Monday. "I saw Jordy last week in the training room, did visit with him briefly. We'll address everybody tomorrow."

Munn's been good for him it seems.

@ByRyanWood 4h4 hours ago

McCarthy on #Packers offense: "We need to be much better offensively in the area of fundamentals. Last year was not good enough."

McCarthy went on to say that oxygen is conducive to life, most hotel's have elevators, and that grocery stores are a good starting point when looking for food. 

Quik Trip is the place you want to be when you need a smoke.