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July 2009 - Posts
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As has previously been examined by Cheesehead TV, there's reason to worry that B.J. Raji won't get into training camp in time. According to NFL agent Jack Bechta of the National Football Post: There is also a growing concern and frustration among general managers
about one large agency that’s working at its own pace and disregarding
camp opening dates. Four GMs and three team negotiators I’ve spoken to
over the past seven days have told me that this firm is dictating its
own timetable for getting deals done based on the order of draft picks
they represent and the location of those picks in the first round. I’m
being told that there’s no sense of urgency from this firm and that it
won’t start talking seriously until camps open. My problem is that this
strategy is not openly disclosed to players when they sign with the
firm. The deals will ultimately get done, as they always do, but
players may miss a week or more that they don’t have to.
Now, there's reason to believe that the firm in question isn't the agency that represents both Packers first round draft picks B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. However, Raji is nearing the eleventh hour in order to get a deal in time for him to be practicing by the time training camp opens. Even though it appears most players have already checked into the dorms at St. Norbert College, the officlal reporting date to training camp is today, and practice starts tomorrow. It's imperative that Raji try to be there for every moment possible. Back during the end of minicamp, Raji told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "There will be no problem, as far as holding out on my end. I'm a rookie but from what I've been told, holdouts are not
necessarily a good thing. Especially a rookie coming in, you can't
afford to miss a week or two of training camp, especially when you're
trying to find a way to get on the field. Yeah, that's my agency, but
I'm in control, not the other way around." That's a bold statement, and one that most players don't make. On one hand, the statement was one that I'm sure both fans and the Packers themselves were happy to see. On the other hand, it doesn't mean much if Raji doesn't follow through. Raji is precariously balancing on the scales of public opinion. Get into training camp in time, and he'll be revered as his own man. He can be a guy that will get things done without the first round deals having been finalized either before or after him. But he could also be viewed a player that doesn't live up to his word.
Given the problems the Packers had with Justin Harrell two years ago, they can't afford to have another wasted season by a first round defensive lineman for a second time in three years. Raji needs to be practicing as much as humanly possible. The Packers can maybe afford to allow Raji to miss a day or two of training camp. Any more than that, and he is putting both himself and the team at a disadvantage.
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We're back with the Packers Daily Links as training camp is about to begin. Here's what's happening in the world of the Green Bay Packers:
Yesterday's biggest news was that first round draft pick and linebacker Clay Matthews agreed to terms on a contract just two days before training camp begins. "According to an NFL source familiar with the negotiations, the contract
is worth $10 million and includes sweeteners that could lift the total
to $13.25 million," reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Jouranl Seintel. "The compensation likely includes bonus money between
$7 million and $8 million." After missing so much time during OTAs and mini-camp due to a hamstring injury it was imperative that Matthews finish his deal before training camp so he can get as much practice time as possible. Thankfully his injury was minor, and there's no reason to think he shouldn't be ready to compete at a high level beginning Saturday.
The Packers reportedly cut undrafted wide receiver Jamarko Simmons, which was disappointing considering he was one of the more highly sought after free agents following the draft. The Green Bay Press-Gazette's Tom Peliserro tweeted the following, "Not a huge
surprise there. He was hurt and never flashed in practice this spring.
Disappointing for a high profile undrafted signing." The Packers still have 10 wide receivers on the roster and have plenty of depth at the position.
Matthews' agreement to a contract only leaves one player left. "That still leaves NT B.J. Raji to sign," writes Brandon at Acme Packing Company. "By this point, it might mean he'll miss the first couple days of training camp at least." Raji set quite a precedent back during the off-season workouts when he said that his agents work for him and not the other way around. If he has a holdout longer than a day or two, he deserves to be criticized after making such bold statements weeks ago.
One of Cheesehead TV's biggest catches over the last couple days was this nugget regarding the urgency, or lack thereof, of Raji's agents in getting a deal done. Aaron Nagler wonders if Raji could miss up to a week of training camp. In the good news department, Tom of the blog Residual Prolixity doesn't think the firm representing Raji is the one dragging its feet.
The Packers have leaving open the option of bringing back tackle Mark Tauscher. "We have three young guys we're excited about, but Mark is someone we've talked to," head coach Mike McCarthy told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "That's why we go to training camp. I would never rule Mark out. He's a great guy, a class act." The guess here is that the Packers are waiting to see the three internal candidates don the pads during training camp. If it becomes clear within the first two weeks of training camp that they don't have what it takes, they might consider giving Tauscher a call. While the Packers maybe haven't closed the door on Tauscher, I have to assume that door is ajar by only the slimmest of cracks.
Safety Nick Collins will apparently not hold out of training camp. "Collins hinted last month that he wasn't happy with his contract, but his agent said Collins will be into camp on time," reports Bill Scott of the Wisconsin Radio Network. Did Collins gain anything by refusing to take part in several off-season practices? I realize he wanted to make a statement, but he could have done it with his mouth and not through actions debilitating to the rest of the team. When Collins doesn't live up to his almost impossible to repeat '08 numbers, everyone should expect to have a very disgruntled safety on their hands next year who won't command the type of contract he wants.
Yesterday was the annual shareholders' meeting, and while no huge news came out of the proceedings, there were a few noteworthy items. The Packers official website has a good run down of what happened. Packers president Mark Murphy talked to the owners about the Packers role in the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. "We're very unique, and we're a very small market, the smallest market
in the NFL," said Murphy. "But we're one
of the higher revenue teams in the league, and that combination can
help us. We can serve as a bridge (between the large- and small-market
clubs)."
One of the most anticipated events of the shareholders' meeting every year is Ted Thompson's assessment of the team roster. Thompson addressed the crowd, "Sometimes when you watch ESPN or the instant communication we have
nowadays, it's almost like it's all fantasy football. It's not. It's people, and we have good people. We have a good team
and we have confidence in this team." This was only a snippet of a much larger speech Thompson gave. Click the link and visit the team's official website for more info.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette has a good notebook of the odds and ends from the shareholders' meeting. After the formal meeting, shareholders were given a tour of the new Ray Nitschke practice field and the Don Hutson Center. The Packers also announced Paul Baniel as their new vice president of finance.
And, of course, the triumphant return of our Railbird sponsored music video, enjoy "Glory" by Umphrey's McGee...
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With training camp just days away, it's a good time to start looking at the makeup of the Packers' roster. And who better to take a look at the team's safeties than a former Packers safety? Matt Bowen played for the Packers in 2001 and 2002 and now writes for the National Football Post. He was nice enough to take his time to answer some questions about the current state of the Packers' safeties. Railbird Central: What will be the biggest change for the Packers' safeties in the switch to the 3-4 defense?
Matt Bowen: The biggest challenge for any defensive player in a new system
is learning the new terminology and the techniques required for the new
coach. Once those are mastered, which is what the off-season is for,
they can move onto camp. From there, the Packers safeties will have to
learn where their new run fits are playing with a 3-4 front and the
coverage schemes that now account for an extra linebacker. RC: Mike McCarthy has said the safeties have been learning positions on the
field as right and left instead of weak and strong. Is that just for
learning purposes, or will they continue to play that way into the
season?
MB: Most teams play with right and left safeties in
today's game for disguise purposes. Think of it this way: when an
offense uses pre-snap movement, the safeties don't have to run across
the formation which they would have to if you have a designated free
and strong safety. This way, the Packers can hold their disguise and
play sides of the field. The Packers safeties can all
play man coverage, and they can all support the run, which makes game
planning and defensive calls easier for Capers. RC: Nick Collins was one of the few Packers not to attend portions of the
team's OTA workouts. How will missing practice affect his learning of a
new defensive system?
MB: I think Collins will be behind in the mental aspect of the game. He
didn't get the reps in the spring, and now he will have to make up for
it on the fly in practice, because NFL teams don't have time to wait
around for a guy to learn the system. RC: How much of a leader and play caller will Collins have to be in the 3-4 system as opposed to a 4-3?
MB: There isn't much of difference as you might
think for the secondary based on the front on terms of what the safety
does with his coverage checks. He will have to be on the same page with
the linebackers, but that isn't that much of a change. RC: One of the Packers' few free agent moves was obtaining safety Anthony
Smith from Pittsburgh. Can he have an impact on the Packers this season?
MB: Smith could have an impact because he was
brought in after Capers was hired. He had to have a hand in bringing
him to Green Bay and because of this he will at least get a look. But,
if he doesn't start, he still gives the Pack some depth at the
position, and you need 3 safeties to win in this league. RC: Aaron Rouse has teased the Packers his first couple seasons with big
interceptions mixed with spotty play. Will he be able to reach his
potential?
MB: Big play guys are what they are--they take
chances, make some plays, but, in return, give up their fair share of
them as well. But, I doubt that Capers is going to play someone who is a
liability. One thing Capers brings is accountability for your actions
on the field, which didn't seem noticeable last season in Green Bay. Thanks Matt!
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After Saturday's first training camp practice, it's time to talk Green Bay Packers football once again. Join us right here at SportsBubbler.com on Saturday night at 8 p.m. CST for an episode of "Packer Transplants," a Cheesehead Nation Production. We'll be having two very special guests on Saturday night, tight end Jermichael Finley and the voice of the Green Bay Packers Radio Network, Wayne Larrivee. What is Cheesehead Nation? It's a joint effort between three of the best Packers websites that exist: Railbird Central, Cheesehead TV and Packers Lounge. But it's not just about us. It's more about you, the fan. It's a place to let your voice be heard, and Saturday night is just the beginning. Our show is interactive. In addition to our live broadcast, we'll also have our live blog for chat, polls and media. It should be a blast. Here's our schedule for the pre-season:
Show 1 Saturday August 1st
Show 2 Post Family Night - Wed August 12th
Show 3 Post Preseason game 1 against Cleveland - Wed August 19th
Show 4 Post Preseason game 3 against Arizona - Tuesday September 1st
Show 5 Post Preseason game 4 against Tennesee - Tuesday September 8th
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It's tough for any rookie in the NFL to have a meaningful contribution in his first NFL season. Even first round draft choices face a steep learning curve that may impair their ability to get on the field. Take last season as an example. The only Packers rookie that made an impact in 2008 was wide receiver Jordy Nelson, and that impact was marginal. His statistics were considered good for a rookie but nothing impressive in the larger scheme of things. Second round draft choice and cornerback Pat Lee barely saw the football field. Fellow second rounder and quarterback Brian Brohm didn't see the field at all once the regular season started. So which rookies can come in and contribute right away to the Packers. Let's take a look... - Defensive lineman B.J. Raji -- Barring injury, Raji figures to crack the starting lineup for the Packers right away. Based upon his play in college and especially at the Senior Bowl, he looks to both an immovable object and a playmaker in the offensive backfield. However, the difference between the Senior Bowl and playing against grizzled veterans on Sundays is huge. In any case, Raji looks to be the rookie with the greatest chance of having an impact in '09.
- Linebacker Clay Matthews -- Thanks to his first round draft status, family lineage and ample ability, Matthews has a chance to be the starter at right outside linebacker. Although, he must first unseat Jeremy Thompson, which won't be easy. But even if Matthews doesn't start, he figures to play on defense from time to time. And he's been touted as the best special teams player in entire draft. His impact on the team depends on how good he plays, but he at least should see the field a fair amount of time.
- Offensive lineman T.J. Lang -- Lang will be given every opportunity to become the starter at right tackle this season, but his odds of winning the job remain long. He's competing against Allen Barbre, who by all accounts had a solid off-season, and Breno Giacomini, who's had an extra year to learn the offensive system compared to the rookie. And that's not to mention the guys behind him on the depth chart. If Lang doesn't win the starting job, his impact will be next to nil.
- Fullback Quinn Johnson -- There's been every indication that Johnson will one fullback spot leaving Korey Hall and John Kuhn fighting for the one other roster berth. And given head coach Mike McCarthy's penchant for using two fullbacks on the field at the same time, expect Johnson to get some meaningful playing time this season. In addition to offense, there's no reason to doubt that he won't also play a lot on special teams too.
- Offensive lineman Jamon Meredith -- The odds are long that Meredith will make an impact as a rookie. Just like Breno Giacomini last season, Meredith should make the 53-man roster with ease, but he'll probably be inactive nearly every Sunday during the regular season. He could be second on the depth chart at left tackle by the time the regular season rolls around, but even if Chad Clifton gets hurt, it's likely that Daryn Colledge would slide over before Meredith gets his chance.
- Defensive end Jarius Wynn -- Wynn could have a bigger impact than most people expect. He has a good chance to win a spot on the 53-man roster. And given that the Packers may only keep six or seven defensive lineman, he could be a part of the rotation. Wynn may not play a ton, but he may actually play, which would surprise a lot of people.
- Cornerback Brandon Underwood -- Beyond Tramon Williams, none of the backup defensive backs have solidified themselves in the sub-packages. Underwood has a good a shot of being the dime defensive back as guys like Pat Lee, Will Blackmon or Aaron Rouse. Underwood has as good of a chance of playing as any of those guys, now he's just got to take advantage of that opportunity, which is easier said than done.
- Linebacker Brad Jones -- Working in Jones' favor is that the Packers figure to keep up to ten linebackers this season. There's a decent chance he'll find his way onto the 53-man roster, but will be be able to be on the active roster on gamedays? The only chance he remains active is to become a special teams maven.
- The undrafteds -- Every year there seems to be one guy who beats all odds an makes the team undrafted. Last year it was running back Kregg Lumpkin who made the team but had his season derailed by an injury shortly into the regular season. Last year undrafted rookie receiver Jake Allen was on the practice squad all season long. So there's jobs to be had. Dean Muhtadi has a chance because of his ability to play both inside and outside along the defensive line. And wide receivers like Jamarko Simmons and Patrick Williams could easily do what Allen did last year and make the practice squad.
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