Railbird Central

Packers could fall victim to the Pro Bowl conundrum

2009-11-20T18:52:10Z

A topic that's been brought up many times is that of the decisions the Green Bay Packers have to make about extending the contracts of players currently on their roster before the end of the season such that the money doesn't have to be prorated over future salary caps.

There's nearly 10 players headed into free agency this upcoming offseason, so there's plenty of players to choose from when deciding who to extend before the end of the year and who can wait.

The player the Packers need the most also happens to be the same player who will most likely command the most money on the open market, safety Nick Collins.

Of course, the future of the collective bargaining agreement will play a huge role in Collins' future as well. If the CBA is extended, Collins will become an unrestricted free agent. If the two sides can't come to an agreement, the safety will become an unrestricted free agent severely limiting who or who he can't sign with.

Collins has had a a good season with the Packers, but not exactly what some would characterize as great. He's been reliable. He's made the occassional interception, has been a solid tackler and has rarely gotten beat in coverage. But he also hasn't been the big time playmaker that he was a year ago when he returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

For his effort, Collins was awarded a Pro Bowl nomination a year ago and deservedly so. The problem with the Pro Bowl, however, is once you're voted in, those players tend to get voted in year after year on name recognition whether or not they deserve it.

There's nearly half a season left in 2009, and Collins may well have a huge second half with several turnovers generated. It's hard to see into the future and predict what kind of season he'll have. But based upon his performance so far, I wouldn't exactly call it Pro Bowl material.

Regardless, there's a fairly decent chance that Collins will be elected to the Pro Bowl once again based upon historical precedent. And if Collins goes to the Pro Bowl once again, he'll come to the bargaining table with even more ammunition.

The Packers are in a tough situation. Beyond Collins and Atari Bigby, there isn't a single safety on the roster that can be trusted. And it would be extremely risky to count on a rookie to fill such a role next season.

They nearly have to re-sign Collins whether or not the CBA is extended. If the CBA is extended, which is probably the most likely scenario, and Collins makes the Pro Bowl, he'll be asking to be one of the top paid safeties in the entire NFL even if he may not be, thanks in part to the ridiculous Pro Bowl precedent. And Cullen Jenkins thought he was handcuffed a few weeks ago? How about the Packers organization?

Packers Daily Links 11.20.09

2009-11-20T12:39:01Z

Social Networking: Follow both Railbird Central and me on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

With Brian Brohm signing with the Buffalo Bills, the Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Mike Reilly to their practice squad. He spent the summer with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was cut before the season. The days most interesting piece of news came in the form of a tweet from Packer Report's Bill Huber, "Talked to Ron Jaworski about new #Packers QB Mike Reilly. Thinks he can become a starting quarterback." That's some sobering praise for a guy who wasn't even on an NFL practice squad, let alone an NFL roster before today. With the Packers having only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, Reilly is likely getting a crash course in the offense should any injuries occur.

Center Scott Wells reported concussion symptoms yesterday, and that can't be a good sign. "Center Scott Wells reported concussion symptoms to the team on Wednesday, didn’t practice on Thursday and appears questionable for Sunday’s game against San Francisco," writes Tom Pelisero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Considering Aaron Kampman sat out last week with a concussion, there's every possibility Wells could do the same this week. Evan Dietrich-Smith would take his place in the starting lineup if Wells can't go. Rookie linebacker Brad Jones also reportedly had a concussion.

Running back Brandon Jackson is being praised for his improved ability in pass protection including one especially memorable block on Dallas defensive end Anthony Spencer this past weekend. "That was probably one of the best chips I've seen in a long time - a long time," running backs coach Edgar Bennett told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It was picture perfect. Spencer is a good player, a really good player. Brandon was able to take him off his feet. De-cleat him. Now Jackson just has to become a threat with the football in his hands, which is probably more important. Although pass protection is important in its own right.

Dom Capers is getting creative in the ways he uses Charles Woodson on the football field. "It was especially so in the Packers' victory over Dallas on Sunday when defensive coordinator Dom Capers had him playing four different positions, sometimes blitzing, sometimes covering wide receivers, sometimes covering tight ends and sometimes playing the run," according to the Journal Sentinel.

Aaron Nagler of CheeseheadTV calls Mike Trgovac an unsung hero for the work he's done with the defensive line. "One other very impressive aspect of the job Trgovac is doing is knowing how much grunt work is involved on the defensive line in the 3-4," writes Nagler. "Yes, it’s a one gap system that allows them to shoot through on some occasions and make some plays, but for a lot of the time these guys are tying up blockers to let the linebackers and even defensive backs make plays in the backfield. Yes, you’ve heard Jenkins gripe a little bit – I’m surprised there hasn’t been more of that to be honest with you, and that speaks well to what they’re being sold by their position coach."

It appears Nick Barnett learned a little bit of a lesson. "Barnett admits to being frustrated early this season when his snaps were limited as he came back from ACL reconstruction surgery, but with the veteran linebacker performing at a high level a year after the injury, he now sees why the team took the cautious approach," writes Tom Fanning of the Packers official website. You may remember Barnett griping about his snaps earlier in the season.

The linebackers appear to be getting healthier. "LBs Desmond Bishop (ankle) and Brady Poppinga (quad) were in pads after sitting out on Wednesday," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Coach Mike McCarthy had said they were on roughly the same schedule as Jenkins as far as returning to practice."

Green Bay Packer Nation says it's time for a reality check. "They'll also have to add to these improvements," according to the article. "The offensive line will have to cease being a sieve, the special teams will have to find a way to get disciplined, and everyone will have to learn to stop committing penalties."

Total Packers found some Oberservers at the last game.

I'm humbled to have been profiled over at the Packer Ranter. Thanks guys!

Railbird endorsed video: Enjoy "Porch Song" from Widespread Panic way back in 1992...

Packers Daily Links 11.19.09

2009-11-19T12:34:00Z

Social Networking: Follow both Railbird Central and me on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Brian Brohm is now a member of the Buffalo Bills. The Packers' second round draft choice in 2008 accepted a contract offer and decided to leave the Packers' practice squad. "The Packers had an open roster spot ... and attempted to retain Brohm by offering the same two-year deal as the Bills did," reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "But in the end, the Packers' second-round pick in 2008 thought it best to go to a team searching for a quarterback, not stay on one that has its long-term answer at the position in Aaron Rodgers." More than anything, it's tough to lose a second round draft choice from only a year ago and get nothing in return.

On the same day the Packers released Jake Allen, they also parted ways with wide receiver Jake Allen. "Don't look for the Packers to fill the opening this week," writes Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "The word is the spot likely will stay open for a while, barring an injury issue. Also, Allen won't be back on the practice squad -- the Cleveland Browns claimed him off waivers." I'm not exactly sure why the Packers aren't filling the roster spot. They've got guys like Cyril Obiozor and Ronald Talley looking for a chance on their own practice squad. And as I wrote about last week, it's time for the Packers to poach a player off somebody else's practice squad. There's no reason they can't make such a move right now.

More than halfway through the season, the Packers have made tremendous gains stopping the run compared to a year ago. They're no. 4 in the league in both yards allowed and average yards per carry. "Last January, McCarthy fired defensive coordinator Bob Sanders because the 2008 Packers didn’t stop the run (No. 26 in the NFL in yards allowed and yards allowed per carry) or rush the passer (No. 25 in sacks percentage)," writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. It truly is amazing how far they've come in such a small span of time.

Players are returning to the practice field from injury right and left.
-->"The Green Bay Packers are about as healthy as they could hope to be at this point of the season and returned two starters to the practice field on Wednesday — outside linebacker Aaron Kampman and right tackle Mark Tauscher," writes Dougherty. The Packers are just about at full strength as they possibly could be at this point in the season.

Tight end Jermichael Finley is back as well. "Finley suffered the injury on the opening drive of the game against the Browns on a 16-yard reception, and had yet to participate fully in practice since then until Wednesday," writes Tom Fanning of the Packers official website. "Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Finley took his normal number of reps for a Wednesday practice." The Packers offense has missed the second year tight end. Hopefully he'll bring some game changing capability back to the Packers offense.

Greg Bedard of the Journal Sentinel argues that Aaron Rodgers may have "come of age" in the win over Dallas. "His statistics are gaudy," writes Bedard. "He's fourth in the National Football League with a 101.8 passer rating. Rodgers' 134.9 rating on third downs is far and away the best in the league. He has thrown 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions." Most impressive about Sunday's win was his 15 play, eighty yard, clock eating drive.

Chris Lempesis of Ol' Bag of Donuts notes an ulterior motive the Packers may have for returning Aaron Kampman to the starting lineup. "To maximize his trade value, Green Bay needs to get his numbers up," writes Lempesis. "The best way to do that is to use him sparingly. That will also help the defense in a potentially major way this season." It's generally assumed that Kampman will be gone next season whether it's free agency, or made the franchise player and subsequently traded.

Jersey Al of Packers Lounge notices a deficiency coming from the team's tight ends in the blocking department. "When you are playing a team with a pass rush like Cowboys have, that’s the right thing to do," writes Jersey Al. "While in many cases Lee and Havner were of help in protection, Lee was called for two holding penalties and Havner was slow to react on 2 plays, both resulting in sacks."

Aaron Nagler of CheeseheadTV praises Nick Barnett.

Holly has the Opposition Research up over at The Other 31.

Railbird endorsed video: Enjoy "Light Rail" by Jeremy Messersmith...

City of Music: Jeremy Messersmith preforms 'Light Rail' in a Skyway presented by MPLS.TV from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.

Packers Daily Links 11.18.09

2009-11-18T12:39:30Z

Social Networking: Follow both Railbird Central and me on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

It feels like election day around the Packer universe. Lots of voting going on.

Cornerback Charles Woodson was voted as the the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week. "Woodson had an interception and two forced fumbles in Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys," writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "It was a performance that Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers called 'one of the better games that I've seen a defensive player play.'" It would have been a mockery if Woodson hadn't won this award.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com lists all the Green Bay Packers listed in the top five in balloting for the NFC Pro Bowl team. He starts off by mentioning that Aaron Rodgers is in third place behind, who else? Brett Favre. "In addition to Rodgers, other top vote-getters among Packers players include fullback John Kuhn (No. 3, 34,009), safety Atari Bigby (No. 4, 35,908), cornerback Charles Woodson (No. 3, 95,515), cornerback Al Harris, safety Nick Collins (No. 5, 22,913), linebacker A.J. Hawk (64,725), linebacker Aaron Kampman (No. 4, 67,453), placekicker Mason Crosby (No. 5, 32,722) and special teamer Desmond Bishop (29,033)," writes Seifert. One surprise is Atari Bigby ahead of Nick Collins at the safety position. I'm not sure where that is coming from.

Acme Packing Company is encouraging fans to vote for Clay Matthews over at NFL.com for the Pepsi NFL rookie of the week vote. "Show rookie LB Clay Matthews some love," encourages Brandon.

Martin Hendricks of Packer Plus details the work wide receiver Jordy Nelson has done to come back from injury and have an effective performance in his first game back against the Cowboys. Nelson, in particular, really helped the Packers on a sustained drive in the second half. "On a second-down play, Nelson caught a 10-yard pass for a first down and six plays later snared a 7-yard quick slant from Rodgers on a crucial third-and-6 situation from the Dallas 8-yard-line," writes Hendricks. Packer fans can only hope Jermichael Finley has as much of an impact when he returns to the field.

Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette highlights the road Ahman Green had to go down to play football after 11 months away from the game. "Nothing materialized following a tryout with the St. Louis Rams in August, but Green continued to work out while maintaining his residence in De Pere," writes Vandermause. "When the phone finally rang again, Green Bay Packers director of football operations Reggie McKenzie was on the line offering a tryout."

Rob Reischel of Packer Plus looks at the rest of the season for Green Bay. "The question now is will these inconsistent Packers use that victory as a springboard or simply fade away quietly like they did in 2008?" asks Reischel. "They'll have a far greater indicator following Sunday's noon game against San Francisco (4-5)." These Packers are definitely better than the 2008 version. Hopefully they'll stay in the playoff hunt until the end.

Monty from Total Packers thinks the Packers could go with a conservative offensive game plan the rest of the season. "The Packers protection issues have caused the coaching staff, albeit belatedly, to implement a more conservative game plan," writes Monty. "The offensive line in its current state of disarray simply will not allow Rodgers to get the Packers deep-ball passing attack going on a regular basis."

Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has a feature on cornerback Al Harris helping his son battle Crohn's disease.

The long awaited return of Lounge Center is back.

Thanks to Bill Huber for joining us on Packer Transplants last night. Here's the replay of the show.

Railbird endorsed video: Enjoy "Thrill of It" by Robert Randolph and the Family Band...

Season. On.

2009-11-18T00:16:53Z

Here's the direct link to tonight's episode of Packer Transplants titled "Season. On."

Join us from 8 to 9:30 p.m. CST as Bill Huber, publisher of Packer Report, joins us as our interview guest. Also making his first appearance on the show will be "Stix," a weekly columnist at The Daily Drink right here on SportsBubbler.com.

After Sunday's unexpected dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys, it's sure to be another interesting show.