I like this a lot on Nate Palmer, and it aligns pretty much with what I saw from him Sunday:

“One hand, not ideal, but he takes control out there. He has great command,” assistant linebackers coach Scott McCurley said during training camp. “He’s a big-bodied guy. He can get downhill and do a great job vs. the run and really limit those [runs], where sometimes we were giving up too many 4-yard gains that he’s limiting it to 2-yard gains, no-yard gains in the hole, which we need to do. 

 

“He’s new to the inside. He’s new to the vision and all that stuff. But his command, his strength, his size and his pass-rush ability are great things.http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/page.php?feed=2&id=21741&is_corp=1

 

Prior to his hand injury, Nate Palmer was one of the top 5 most impressive players in practice from what I saw. He surprised the hell out of me with his play/drills at ILB. I think we are going to be really happy with the work he will do Sunday night against the hags. Real reps for a pretty talented and dedicated guy.

Palmer is definitely more rangy/fluid in space than the other options(Barrington/Ryan) but he is new to the position and who knows what type of instincts he has for the position.

Sherman may shadow Cobb, not just stay put on left

He played in the slot a lot in Week 1. I hope he does because I don't think he can handle playing the slot well

Jones/Davante could be in for a big game since they'll be in a lot of one on one matchups again this week.

Packers put Boykin over on Sherman's side and lulled him to sleep last time

Seattle is just using a little gamesmanship to let MM know that won't work this time around

It also puts Sherman on Cobb at times and it puts Sherman in the middle of the field- to help cover the loss of Chancellor inside

But Cobb will break Sherman's ankles; Richard's change of direction can't match up . But Sherman will try to out-muscle him and press him at the line

James Jones: 'Sick to my stomach' after Packers' NFC title-game loss

"I wasn't here last year, and I know they don't want to talk about that, but we've got to get this one done."

Every player at every position is one of the most impressive players ever to lace up cleats, except teh bad ones, who are the lowest dregs humanity has ever offered up to this noble competition.

Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's premier quarterback, but when he plays the Seattle Seahawks, his numbers start to resemble those of a game manager looking to take the safe option. Since 2012, Rodgers has averaged 273 yards per game and 8.71 yards per pass attempt when he doesn't play the Seahawks. But those numbers drop to just 196.7 and 5.57, respectively, when he throws the ball versus Pete Carroll's defense. That's a noticeable change for a quarterback who is consistently in the MVP discussion.

So how can Rodgers flip the narrative and solve the Seahawks' defense? It won't be easy without Jordy Nelson -- a top-five receiver, in my opinion -- against a unit that has athleticism along the D-line, rare speed at the second level, and closers in the back end. But I identified four ways in which Rodgers can expose 

the Seahawks' three-deep coverages and isolate wide receiver Randall Cobb to open up the big plays Green Bay has lacked against Seattle in the past.

The classic Cover 3 beaters

In Seattle, Carroll has adjusted the technique of his cornerbacks to play press in Cover 3 and 3 Buzz (when a safety plays closer to the line of scrimmage). This allows his starting cornerbacks,Richard Sherman and Cary Williams, to use tight, jamming man-coverage techniques against vertical releases, while the four underneath defenders key on the shorter throws. It's simple, but no one -- and I mean no one -- plays it better than this group.

And, to top it off, the Seahawks have the ultimate free safety in this scheme with Earl Thomas, who's a top-tier player at his position. He's the angel over the top, the gatekeeper who closes the middle of the field on seam and post routes due to his range and speed to the ball.

EDITOR'S PICKS

• 

  Bowen/Sando: Can Chancellor's absence derail Seattle's D?

  ESPN Insiders Matt Bowen and Mike Sando debate the impact of Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor's absence from the Seahawks. Will they be able to hang with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers without him?

But that doesn't mean Rodgers and his group can't challenge the Seahawks with the same Cover 3 beaters we see 

every Sunday. These concepts aren't complicated, but they are effective when a quarterback like Rodgers can fit the ball into tight windows.

The slant-flat is just one route combination you'll see Rodgers use when he observes Cover 3. As the diagram below shows, it allows Rodgers to hit the inside window once the safety or linebacker widens versus the No. 2 receiver. Other combos you'll see the Packers try on Sunday: the curl-flat, four verticals, hitch-seam, smash-corner and three-level concepts such as the sail route (go-corner-flat).

Author? Pub? Link?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/insider...defense-once-all-nfl

So, I went to some practices and that is what I saw. I also have seen the ineffectiveness of some of our guys and want better players to take their place. That's pretty much it.

Really, please tell me how great Barrington, Perry and Datone Jones have been. I'd love to hear it. We have better players on our 53 and our PS. Those have been 3 of our weakest links.

This SEA game is going to be a great opportunity for both Perry and Jones to make statements. I love this from Julius Peppers:

Defensive end Datone Jones returned to practice after serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Jones was wearing a brace to protect the right knee he injured in training camp. He was not listed on the injury report and should be active Sunday.

"He's going to help," linebacker Julius Peppers said. "We need him. I told him this morning. We not only need him out there but we need him out there making things happen. It's going to be good to have him back and out there helping us making plays." 

 http://www.jsonline.com/sports...136z1-327987411.html

Leadership. Peppers wants a ring.

Tonight Show Superlatives: 2015 NFL Season - Packers and Seahawks

GBPG reportage from this morning:

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Thursday morning as his team prepares for Sunday night's home opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Here are some highlights:

On safety Morgan Burnett, coming off a calf injury:

I thought Morgan looked good yesterday. He took limited reps. Frankly, I haven’t even got his report yet from the trainers, but I think we’re moving in the right direction.

On defensive back Micah Hyde’s versatility:

He’s a heck of a football player all the way around. His ability to come in from Iowa playing corner and then playing safety and dime. His ability as a returner. He’s an excellent football player.

On running back Eddie Lacy's carries:

I think what happened last year someone of the media he had Eddie Lacy on his fantasy team and didn’t get his carries early. If we go back to Week 1, James Starks would’ve played more in that game. Our substitution pattern wasn't what we wanted. That happened to us on defense as well.

On the 2014 rookie class' growth from the opener to the NFC title game:

It was evident how much they’ve grown. That’s normal, but we’ve been through this our first 10 years here. That was a great experience for our rookies. They’ve grown a lot from it. I think all three of those guys have taken that jump.

On Seahawks return man Tyler Lockett:

Special young man, dynamic. I had the privilege of working with his father in Kansas City. Makes a difference in return game.

On linebacker Clay Matthews in the middle of run defense:

Run defense, gap assignment and ability to trust one another for the ability to be in their gaps. It’s getting off blocks and making plays. You have to tackle at a high level of efficiency. He’s a player of high instinct and can make a difference. It’s important for us to continue to move him around.

On the Get Loud Lambeau campaign and being 9-0 at home:

The first thing would be the fast starts. I think we got into the game fast and got going. Crowd was into the game. As a team, you enjoy the comfort of being at home. I think our game-day experience has definitely increased. Our stadium has grown over the last five years.

On Ty Montgomery’s first two returns:

Winning the field position battle down in Chicago. You look at their history of special teams play. That’ll continue because they’re well coached. I think anytime you give our offense that kind of postion. We want to be down in that red-zone five, six, seven times a game. Winning the field position battle helps you with that.

On defensive end Datone Jones' return from a one-week suspension:

Datone Jones, we’ll see today. He’s coming off an injury. He had the (knee) injury a few weeks ago. We want to see his padded work today.

On tight end Richard Rodgers:

He’s had a number of wow moments in practice or some of the catches he’s made. I think Richard is more comfort with what we’re asking him to do at the tight end position. He’s definitely made a jump from Day 1 to Day 2.

On the Seahawks defense:

They’re still an outstanding defense. The way they fly around and ability upfront. Michael Bennett is an outstanding football player. It’s a talented defense. A game doesn’t make a season and it’s a big challenge for our offense.

On Marty Schottenheimer’s nomination for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Marty Schottenheimer and Paul Hackett have influenced my professional path more than anybody in my history in the NFL. When I think of Marty, I think of his leadership and ability to motivate. His attention to detail and structure of building a program. He played the game. He’s a successful player, very passionate and you could see that in his teams. I thought he did a tremendous job of seeing his personality in the teams he coached. He’s a Hall of Fame coach in my mind no doubt about it. That tells the whole story.

On whether he talked with Schottenheimer about bouncing back from tough losses:

Emulate, I hope I do. I don’t really talk about those kind of things. I think every coach and player who’s been in this league goes through tough losses. No one goes through the NFL unscathed when it comes to tough losses.

RT Bryan Bulaga received attention from the trainers as we were leaving. They were looking at his left knee. Not putting much weight on it.

— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) September 17, 2015

Uh oh

Oh well that's just DANDY if Bulaga is hurt.

I hope they post Aaron's numbers vs. the Seahawks right in his locker.

TE Richard Rodgers also got checked by the trainers today. WTF

Concerning? TE Richard Rodgers gets his hand checked out at #Packers practice pic.twitter.com/8HPaFmC7NI

— Andy McDonnell (@Andy_McDonnell) September 17, 2015

@WesHod

Richard Rodgers met with trainers after hit in tackling drill. After stretching neck, stayed in for TE work

JSO practice report:

Green Bay - Practice started with all 53 players present and working in pads Thursday afternoon, but before individual drills were over RT Bryan Bulaga was on the sideline with an apparent left knee injury.

Bulaga took part in most of the drills and didn't step off to the side until late in the part of practice open to the media. He stood on the sideline as a trainer talked with him and then removed his left knee brace.

The veteran appeared to be in some discomfort, but it's not clear whether he was able to return or was taken to the training room. Bulaga tore the ACL in his left knee during training camp in 2013 and has worn a heavy brace to protect it ever since.

The Packers will have to add Bulaga to the injury report, but they probably won't update his status or say whether his chances of playing Sunday against Seattle are affected.

Everyone was in pads at the start of practice, including S Morgan Burnett (calf), who missed the season opener against Chicago but appears on course to return for the Seattle game.

Nate Palmer, who is expected to fill the spot injured Sam Barrington held, had a larger club-like wrap on his left hand. Palmer, who broke his hand on the third day of training camp, had gone from a larger club to a brace that allowed him some use of his fingers.

The latest club is smaller than the first one but appears to cover his entire hand. He said that the training staff was evaluating him each day to see what protection would be best.

Outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott had heavy padding on his right thigh to protect an injury, but did not appear to be limited much. 

So wait, does Rodgers have a hand or a neck?

Going to be a lot of stained tighty whities as the irresponsible "Rodgers injured his neck at practice today" texts and tweets start buzzing around. 

If they said neck and looking at his hand i bet it was a stinger. Hoping Bulaga is OK. wow.

ChiliJon, it is DickRod.

Yeah, perhaps a stinger. The fact he returned was good

the concerning one is Bulaga. This team really cannot afford to lose either of their tackles. The thought of Barclay starting on Sunday against Cliff Avril is disgusting

Whew. Thanks. I don't tend to read more than 1 post back. 2 at the most. 

Before people go into full regarding Bulaga remember he wears a heavy brace on that leg which he's had since returning from the ACL last year. He could very well be more of an equipment issue.

Bulaga took part in most of the drills and didn't step off to the side until late in the part of practice open to the media. He stood on the sideline as a trainer talked with him and then removed his left knee brace.

None of these media folks even know if he returned to practice that wasn't open to the media.

While I hope that's the case, didn't a writer tweet that he wasn't putting weight on that knee? If true, that sounds like more than an equipment issue. Hopefully it's minor, but with this team, and him in particular, you have to hold your breath.

Burritos will do that.

Cobb, Burnett and Elliott remained limited in practice today. Bryan Bulaga (knee) was also limited.

— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) September 17, 2015

Rob Demovsky ESPN Staff Writer 

The Packers have added tackle Bryan Bulaga to the injury report with a knee injury. Was told he did not finish practice but no further update.

That's what TT gets for signing older, injury-prone, big name free agents.

#Packers Sitton on Bulaga leaving practice: "You always worry when somebody gets hurt [but] I don't know how much to worry, you know?"

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) September 17, 2015

#Packers Don Barclay said he finished practice at RT after Bulaga departed. Is he ready to start if Bulaga can't go? "I feel prepared."

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) September 17, 2015

I pray he just tweaked it and can go Sunday night. Barclay is a little better on the right side, but that's not saying much.

Barclay vs that Seattle front

"It sounded like his foot kind of got caught up when they were doing some drills or something," guard Josh Sitton said. "I didn’t see it. I wasn’t over there with him."

Anyone remember Turnstile Newhouse week 1 in Seattle last year? That was fun. 

Marshall was in Cincinnati last year.

You're thinking about Sherrod.

Rodgers will be killed if Barclay starts vs. Seattle and this offense will struggle mightily the rest of the season if Bulaga misses a lot of time.

In-practice injuries are my favorite.

I get my turnstiles confused.  I'll start calling Sherrod 10 items or less lane.  

I'd seriously consider Walker at RT before Barclay. But let's see what the deal is with Bulaga first. 

If Bulaga ends up having to miss significant time, I just can't imagine this team sitting by and being ok with Barclay taking over at RT. He was absolutely brutal in preseason and that was mostly facing 2nd/3rd stringers and guys currently on team's PS