2019 Green Bay Packers Season Thread

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Awful, underperforming players who are roster bubbles don't usually fetch 6th round picks. I will also be genuinely surprised if Kizer makes the team. Zero accomplishments and zero performance thus far with GB, or Cleveland for that matter. He has to do something in the last game. I'd bet good money he's released if he doesn't.

[OnTheBlack]

The Packers have released Josh Jones, per Jones’ Twitter.

 

Pretty surprising given the injury to Burks. Thought he would play quite a bit of dime LB, even if it wasn’t his preference. Also surprising they couldn’t get anything for him. Even a 6th or 7th.

 

No so surprising to me at least. I like Gute, but he's quickly proving deficient at finding value for assets that should and do have value. Daniels is another example.

 

 

Josh Jones has been pretty bad when he's been on the field. He still has potential, but teams place too much value on draft picks, even late round picks to use one on Jones.

 

In both cases they shopped the players before getting rid of them. Hard to find any fault that teams didn't want to give up anything for two guys they'd be able to sign shortly.

[CheezWizHed]

I was a bit surprised that we couldn't find a taker for Daniels (especially since he had many suitors and unfortunately stayed in the division). But no shocker on Jones. Players that show they struggle with the mental aspect of your position, then show themselves as unwilling to play don't get much back in a trade.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Nothing really surprises me anymore due to how teams treasure draft picks. There are bona fide studs who get dealt for thirds. Just in Green Bay alone we've seen Daniels and Sitton unable to be traded.

[OnTheBlack]

This is what I'm thinking for the initial roster. While eight WRs is too many and two RBs is probably too few, I think they'll IR ESB after they go to 53 and then re-sign one of Carson or D. Williams. Similar with Bolton - they'll keep him on the 53 and then depending on the severity of the injury they might IR him after they go to 53 and then re-sign Crawford.

 

I have the 53rd spot as a toss-up between Marcedes Lewis and Fadol Brown, maybe McCray. With seven WRs I have a hard time seeing four TEs, and teams can be just as effective running with 3 WRs (forcing the defense to go to 5-6 DBs) and spreading the field as using a blocking TE. Since Brown is eligible for the practice squad, and since Gary/Z. Smith can slide inside on passing downs, I'll go with Lewis and add two DL to the practice squad (F. Brown and Simon).

 

Entirely possible one of Kizer or Boyle gets traded; if so, they go 2 QB and add either a 6th DL or 5th OLB.

 

QB (3) - Rodgers, Boyle, Kizer

RB (2*) - Jones, J. Williams

FB (1) - Vitale

WR (8*) - Adams, Allison, MV-S, Kumerow, Davis, Lazard, Shepherd, ESB* (*to IR, replaced by RB Carson/D. Williams)

TE (4) - Graham, Tonyan, Sternberger, Lewis

OL (9) - Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Light, Turner, Jenkins, Taylor, Patrick, McCray, Linsley

 

DL (5) - Adams, Clark, Keke, Lowry, Lancaster

OLB (4) - Gary, P. Smith, Z. Smith, Fackrell

ILB (4) - Martinez, Burks, Summers, Bolton* (*possibly IR, replaced by J. Crawford)

CB (6) - Alexander, King, Brown, Jackson, Hollman, T. Williams

S (4) - Amos, Savage, Greene, Jamerson

 

Specialists - Crosby, Scott, Bradley

 

PUP - Roberts

 

Practice squad - Moore, Ento, Sheldon, Nijman, Sullivan, Wilkins, Madison, F. Brown, Simon, one of D. Williams/Ford

 

 

This looks close to what I'd guess. I don't think they go with 3 QB's. I think Boyle would make it through waivers.

I think Taylor's got a very good chance of being traded/waived at the end of this game.

 

I'd be really surprised if they didn't keep Pankey.

 

I thought the 3 RB's were kinda obvious before the talk started about them trying to trade for a back the last couple days. But given how much LaFleur says he wants to run the ball, I can't see this team heading into the regular season with just 2 RB's, neither of whom have practiced yet due to injury.

 

And I think they'll keep Reggie Gilbert.

 

I also agree it'd be so much easier if they could cut Lewis. If Tonyan, Graham or Sternberger were even average blockers I would think it'd be a no-brainer.

 

 

But that looks pretty accurate. The only move that'd really shock me is if they gave up on Pankey. I think he can start and be a good player. Good chance IMO he takes over for Linsley as Jenkins move back to center when he becomes a FA. I was also pretty shocked they didn't keep Grey on the Practice Squad last year given how highly they'd praised his potential, so who knows.

[OnTheBlack]

Nothing really surprises me anymore due to how teams treasure draft picks. There are bona fide studs who get dealt for thirds. Just in Green Bay alone we've seen Daniels and Sitton unable to be traded.

 

 

Remember Moss? The Pats ended up getting him because they were offering an earlier 4th. And he was coming off a bad run in Oakland, but everyone knew his effort level was directly related to production/team success. Antonio Brown who's production is always there was traded for 3rd and 5ths. Josh Rosen a QB taken in the top 10 just last year was traded for a pick at the end of the 2nd this last year.

 

It certainly stings to lose good players(or at least high picks) for nothing, but that's football. And invariably those players end up on the Bears, Vikings or Lions.

[OnTheBlack]

The Packers have released Josh Jones, per Jones’ Twitter.

 

 

I just saw TJ McDonald was a surprise cut from the Dolphins. He'd be a very good fit with the Packers as he'd apparently embraced the role of hybrid LB'er this past-off season and during camp. He's a proven vet and a physical safety.

 

If not, wouldn't surprise me to see Greene serving at that nickel LB'er and playing in the box.

[HiAndTight]

Nothing really surprises me anymore due to how teams treasure draft picks. There are bona fide studs who get dealt for thirds. Just in Green Bay alone we've seen Daniels and Sitton unable to be traded.

 

 

Teams place just way too much value on draft picks. The Packers could have had Moss and Tony G when they were the best in the league at their positions for a 3rd and 4th round pick. Draft picks in the NFL are valued like elite prospects in baseball. Even late round picks have a ridiculous amount of value.

 

I'd love to hear what players the Packers have been targeting in trade talks.

[homer]

Nothing really surprises me anymore due to how teams treasure draft picks. There are bona fide studs who get dealt for thirds. Just in Green Bay alone we've seen Daniels and Sitton unable to be traded.

 

 

Teams place just way too much value on draft picks. The Packers could have had Moss and Tony G when they were the best in the league at their positions for a 3rd and 4th round pick. Draft picks in the NFL are valued like elite prospects in baseball. Even late round picks have a ridiculous amount of value.

 

I'd love to hear what players the Packers have been targeting in trade talks.

 

Given the salary structure of the NFL, and the money committed to most Quarterbacks, I understand why. There is good reason just a handful of teams other than New England have won a Super Bowl with a QB on a mega-deal since the 1993 labor agreement (off top of my head - Giants in 2012, Saints in 2010, Steelers in 2009 - there might be one or two others).

[OldSchoolSnapper]

It's because of the versatility of a draft pick. If you trade for Tony Gonzalez he is a tight end. A draft pick, if hit, fills any need. So if you just get lazy giving award 3rd round picks, that is a fairly high pick that could fill any hole, a position high enough that good players routinely come from, whom you're paying relative peanuts for at least 3 years.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

McGinn just announced via Twitter that he will be back writing about the Packers and the Draft this year. No other details. Says we'll find out Monday.

 

Wonder if we're getting a "Why I'm joining the Athletic" post?

 

Yep ... joining the Athletic

[homer]

McGinn just announced via Twitter that he will be back writing about the Packers and the Draft this year. No other details. Says we'll find out Monday.

 

Wonder if we're getting a "Why I'm joining the Athletic" post?

 

Yep ... joining the Athletic

 

 

Good move by The Athletic. I bet Bob got exactly the terms he wanted.

[nodakfan17]

No one claimed Josh Jones off waivers. No wonder they couldn’t trade him. No team wanted his contract ‘for free.’

[LouisEly]

I'm going to revise my roster prediction a bit. Roster spot #52 is between Madison and McCray, and after re-watching the game I have it 50/50 if not slightly leaning towards Madison. He had two holding penalties in the game but there were positives to both.

 

On the first holding penalty he got to the 2nd level very quickly and blocked the LB allowing a big run; apparently he held on too long, but he got to the 2nd level as quickly as I've seen any guard be able to do, and he did that several times during the game. The second holding penalty was on pass pro, but it wasn't his guy - Light got beat to the inside and Madison disengaged from his double team to try to pick him up. I saw Madison quickly and effectively disengage from a double-team block several times to pick up another rusher.

 

He missed a couple of blocks during the game and I could tell that he's still a little rusty, but I saw him do things that suggest the talent is there and he just needs more practice. I didn't see anything like that from Pankey, and he's bounced around enough the last two years that I don't know that he's suddenly figured it out.

[JosephC]

McGinn just announced via Twitter that he will be back writing about the Packers and the Draft this year. No other details. Says we'll find out Monday.

 

Wonder if we're getting a "Why I'm joining the Athletic" post?

 

Yep ... joining the Athletic

 

 

Good move by The Athletic. I bet Bob got exactly the terms he wanted.

 

Pretty great day for fans of McGinn's work, which I most definitely am. He's going to keep doing the two things he does best, the weekly Grading the Packers articles and his NFL draft coverage. Sounds like most of his other Packer stuff will disappear and he'll be writing a weekly article about a past NFL draft. He may just pick one player, a group of players, or an event but it sounds interesting if you are a fan of that stuff (which I would probably qualify as I have Pro Football Weekly draft guides dating all the way back to when Marc Wilson was on the cover). And to top it all off, if you were a McGinn subscriber, you can use a link that was e-mailed to the old customers to get The Athletic at $1.99 per month if you sign up for an annual subscription. I'm pretty sure the yearly price for McGinn's site was $35...now the reader can get his best content plus all that other coverage at The Athletic at $24 for year #1.

 

Looking forward to the MLB coverage at The Athletic, which for me is a major bonus as people have told me their MLB coverage is currently at the top of the list.

[pacopete4]

No one claimed Josh Jones off waivers. No wonder they couldn’t trade him. No team wanted his contract ‘for free.’

 

Grrrrr! Stupid Gute for not getting something for him!

[OnTheBlack]

I'm going to revise my roster prediction a bit. Roster spot #52 is between Madison and McCray, and after re-watching the game I have it 50/50 if not slightly leaning towards Madison. He had two holding penalties in the game but there were positives to both.

 

On the first holding penalty he got to the 2nd level very quickly and blocked the LB allowing a big run; apparently he held on too long, but he got to the 2nd level as quickly as I've seen any guard be able to do, and he did that several times during the game. The second holding penalty was on pass pro, but it wasn't his guy - Light got beat to the inside and Madison disengaged from his double team to try to pick him up. I saw Madison quickly and effectively disengage from a double-team block several times to pick up another rusher.

 

He missed a couple of blocks during the game and I could tell that he's still a little rusty, but I saw him do things that suggest the talent is there and he just needs more practice. I didn't see anything like that from Pankey, and he's bounced around enough the last two years that I don't know that he's suddenly figured it out.

 

That's exactly the problem, he's bounced around too much. He's not a tackle and it's pretty pointless to play him there. He's not athletic enough to play tackle. Perhaps the Packers will decide he's not athletic enough to play in their Zone Scheme, but I'm looking at him as a guard/center and I think if they stop trying to make him a swing tackle and playing him at all 5 positions like he did in WVU, he could settle in at guard and he's got more upside there than anyone other than Jenkins.

 

I also think Madison and McCray make it as I think Jenkins has done enough and shown enough to beat out Taylor at Guard and I doubt the Packers carry a backup guard who's gonna cost ~11 million the next two years. I guess they could hold onto him this year since the savings would be minimal, but you could get something for him from a team looking for guard help.

[OnTheBlack]

It's because of the versatility of a draft pick. If you trade for Tony Gonzalez he is a tight end. A draft pick, if hit, fills any need. So if you just get lazy giving award 3rd round picks, that is a fairly high pick that could fill any hole, a position high enough that good players routinely come from, whom you're paying relative peanuts for at least 3 years.

 

 

The Packers apparently had a deal worked out with the Chiefs in 2008 at the deadline. Gonzalez wanted to be traded, so he was allowed to talk with other teams. It was the Eagles and the Packers. Gonzalez didn't want to go to the off-season workouts or OTA's, both teams agreed that he just need to attend 1 OTA. The deals were agreed to, Gonzalez basically had to pick, it was assumed he was going to pick the Packers and then at the last minute the Chiefs changed it from a 3rd to a 2nd. Gonzalez's agent calls him and tells him and he laughs, assuming he's kidding only to find out he was serious.

 

 

Anyway, as for why the picks have value, that's pretty obvious. But if you're a team that's a contender and you have a chance to add an All Pro TE who's still playing at a High Level, that's gotta have more value than the potential you may get from a 3rd rounder. And realistically you're looking at getting a couple years of cheap production out of almost any 3rd rounder. Most take a year to develop, that 2nd year they might be ready to play, by the 3rd year, if you've hit they're going to be good and then the 4th year they're heading into free agency and even if you re-sign, they're no longer cheap.

[HiAndTight]

I'm going to revise my roster prediction a bit. Roster spot #52 is between Madison and McCray, and after re-watching the game I have it 50/50 if not slightly leaning towards Madison. He had two holding penalties in the game but there were positives to both.

 

On the first holding penalty he got to the 2nd level very quickly and blocked the LB allowing a big run; apparently he held on too long, but he got to the 2nd level as quickly as I've seen any guard be able to do, and he did that several times during the game. The second holding penalty was on pass pro, but it wasn't his guy - Light got beat to the inside and Madison disengaged from his double team to try to pick him up. I saw Madison quickly and effectively disengage from a double-team block several times to pick up another rusher.

 

He missed a couple of blocks during the game and I could tell that he's still a little rusty, but I saw him do things that suggest the talent is there and he just needs more practice. I didn't see anything like that from Pankey, and he's bounced around enough the last two years that I don't know that he's suddenly figured it out.

 

 

If you keep Madison on your 53 man, I think it's just because you like him better long term. He had two penalties each of the last two games and he just cannot anchor vs more physical linemen. You're taking a guy who sat out a year for his mental health, which should be applauded, but he was a 5th round pick and now after a year off, he's that much further behind.

 

I guess you've got to have a feel for who is going to get picked up on waivers.

 

Fadol Brown-I think he's come pretty close to forcing his way on the roster. I like Looney as well, but we're seeing why Daniels was let go. The Packers just have a lot of really good, solid, versatile linemen. I think you could go with Looney, Simon and Brown in a given year as your DL depth and actually be alright. But since it's going to come down to one, I might pick Simon over Brown just for that NT depth.

 

Pankey-He had his worst showing against the Raiders, but I think he's got a chance to be your 6th best linemen. This is just his second year and they're still playing the musical chairs with him. I'd rather protect him than Madison for example. If you just showed Pankey at Guard, I think it's pretty clear cut that he's well ahead of Madison at this point. I also do actually think he can play Tackle. No, he can't move his feet like our starters, but that's just about everyone. But he is physical and while he can get beat by a speed rush, I don't think he gets overpowered.

 

 

Some interesting Practice Squad options;

Sheldon-He looked good vs the Raiders in the 2nd half. He's a converted OLB'er who's playing MLB'er for the Packers. Same draft class as Peppers and ran the 2nd fastest time at LB'er because that's what Peppers was classified as at 4.52. But I like that long 6'5 frame with elite speed and some natural feel for the position, albeit very raw sticking around. The Packers want versatility, he would certainly offer that. At least potentially.

 

Whichever DL doesn't make it among Brown, Looney and Simon. I think Simon would be a guy who other teams may pick up because he does actually move pretty well for a O tech.

 

I think Boyle has a good chance to make it.

 

There are probably about 15 guys I'd like to see kept on the practice squad. Some corners have flashed a bit at times. Sullivan being the obvious one, but Ento looks like there might be something there. I believe the Packers converted him to CB just this camp. So he's not raw like Sam Shields was in that he got some playing time in college, he's totally raw.

 

I wouldn't use one on the RB position. You can find a guy on the street in Sept who's similar to Carson.

 

I'm absolutely done with J'mon Moore. I don't believe he will ever figure it out. He doesn't return kicks. It sounds like he's a great locker room type guy, a guy that works hard, but he just cannot catch the ball cleanly.

[HiAndTight]

One more thing, obviously you can't project this into a lineup, but I think we'll have 2 players, maybe 3 who are not yet on the roster make the 53 man.

 

TJ McDonald is a guy who could provide depth at safety and the Dolphins were working him in as a nickel LB'er. He's a proven vet, he's physical. He could certainly still help out playing SS. I'd be curious what his price would be at this point. If it's more than say 2-3 million, not worth it.

 

They only seem to really like 2 RB's as of now in Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams and both have injury histories, so good chance they add a back. And if a solid starting CB gets cut, a Sitton type situation, I'd really like to see us jump on that. We don't have enough depth there and you can't count on King as it stands right now. He could turn it around, but to trust him would be foolish and I don't see 3-4 starting caliber corners on the roster.

[LouisEly]

Pankey-He had his worst showing against the Raiders, but I think he's got a chance to be your 6th best linemen. This is just his second year and they're still playing the musical chairs with him.

It's his third year in the league. He was on the active roster all of 2017, appearing in the final game of the year, and was on the practice squad for 12 weeks in 2018 before being activated in December. He's had two more years of pro coaching than Madison, so right now he should be better. Give Madison two years of pro coaching and I think he'll be a lot better than Pankey.

[nodakfan17]

Reggie Gilbert traded to the Titans for a 7th round pick, per Demovsky.

[PeaveyFury]

Gilbert had a lot of hype because of preseason sacks, but never translated it into anything more than a Travis Jervey-like preseason star.

[nodakfan17]

I dig it. I hope he’s holding a yard sale for all the bubble players.

[homer]

Gilbert had a lot of hype because of preseason sacks, but never translated it into anything more than a Travis Jervey-like preseason star.

 

I can't believe Jervey played 9 years in the NFL

 

But about five months into Nala’s time in Green Bay, she tried to chew on Johnson’s hat, and Jervey reached to snatch it from her.

 

“She bit a hole in my arm,” Jervey said. “So then I got freaked out.

 

“I realized that at this point, I could take (the lion) if we had to go one-on-one (in a fight). But I knew that in about another six months, maybe we’d be equal.”

 

Soon, Nala was off to an Oklahoma ranch designed “for people that were stupid and got exotic animals and couldn’t take care of them,” Jervey said, laughing about his youthful misadventures.