Go to the game!

The Season is almost here and we can get you to the games!
» Go to the game with us!

List of most engaging characters in franchise history begins with Favre

By CHRIS HAVEL
In August of 1991 I began my first season as the Packers’ beat writer for the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Twenty-three years later, I am still amazed at the quality, character and talent of the players, coaches, scouts and front office executives who have been subjected to my scrutiny. Occasionally, I will grab a pen, some paper and a cool drink while conjuring column topics. Today’s topic focuses on some of the most engaging people I have interviewed, reported on and opined about.
It is difficult to say which person was the most engaging.
Longtime team president Bob Harlan possessed a quiet dignity, trustworthiness and competence that served the Packers tremendously. He never betrayed a trust, exaggerated an issue or leveraged information in order to promote his own agenda.
If he could give the facts he did. If he couldn’t he would say so.
Ron Wolf, the lifelong Raider who transformed the Packers into winners, is worthy of an entire volume of books. His knowledge was at once impressive and imposing. Interviewing Wolf was like playing a game of tag with a much quicker, more nimble opponent. I felt like I was always “it” with little chance of turning the tables.
At times, interviewing Wolf turned into an interrogation – he of me – and I could feel the heat rise off the back of my neck, and the sweat trickle down the middle of my back. Mostly, Wolf exemplified all that is great about the NFL. He was a talent scout supreme who took no shortcuts and expected no favors. He was a staunch member of the NFL-AFL’s old guard. Wolf, along with Raiders owner and football pioneer Al Davis, did much to develop the game millions of fans enjoy each autumn.
Mike Holmgren was the task-master, teacher, father figure and disciplinarian rolled into one. He also knew football – especially offensive football – as well as anyone on the planet.
Mike Sherman probably didn’t get the credit he deserved as a coach. He never really got a firm grip on his Hall of Fame quarterback, Brett Favre, and that coupled with his GM aspirations were his undoing.
Mike McCarthy might be the most straightforward, tell-it-like-it-is head coach in the entire league. He doesn’t play games with the media. He hasn’t the inclination or the time. He has been able to sustain his message, enhance his legacy and elevate his stature in Green Bay.
McCarthy is going to be a first-ballot inductee into the Packer Hall of Fame, and he quietly is stacking up success upon success. I predict McCarthy-Rodgers will win at least one more Super Bowl and advance to no fewer than two in their remaining time together.
Speaking of Rodgers, the NFL’s top quarterback is on the verge of greatness. His career numbers already compare favorably to anyone who has ever played the position. They can only increase. Rodgers’ handling of the media has been a thing of beauty. He is accessible without being oversaturated. He speaks when he has something on his mind. Otherwise, he is friendly, funny and fairly playful when being interviewed.
Meantime, Favre remains the most engaging of all the characters throughout Packers’ history. Certainly Reggie White, Sean Jones and Gilbert Brown were larger-than-life figures who played prominent roles in Green Bay’s Super Bowl renaissance.
However, Favre remains the most intriguing character of all. The “Iron Man” and country boy is both simple and complex. By the time he finishes answering some questions you’re not sure if Favre has overanalyzed or oversimplified.
He is OK with his own company, but also a social butterfly if the occasion suits. My guess is a lot of fans will be reminded why Favre was so special if/when the team retires his No. 4 and places it on the Lambeau Field ring of honor.
On a lengthy list of engaging characters Favre still rates top dog.

Go to the game!

We have lots of ways to get you to the games, for ANY Budget!
» Go to the game with us!

Neck injury forces RB Franklin out;
TE Rodgers, S Hyde sharp early on

By CHRIS HAVEL
Rookie tight end Richard Rodgers’ presence and veteran Andrew Quarless’ absence during the Packers’ OTA’s and minicamp revved up the intrigue at one of several key positions.
Rodgers, the unheralded third-round pick from Cal, showed everyone he has plenty of speed, agility and soft hands to be effective in the passing game. That was the greater question with him. Most “experts” believed he would be an effective in-line blocker capable of sealing the edge.
When the pads come Rodgers’ stock will rise, which makes the Packers’ tight end core extremely competitive and deep.
The same could be said of the running back group until last week.
Second-year running back Johnathan Franklin’s release Friday due to a neck injury abruptly ended a promising career.
It also created a void in the backfield where Franklin was expected to compete with Dujuan Harris for the third-down back duties.
Franklin, a fourth-round pick from UCLA, played in 11 games last season. His season and ultimately his career ended in Week 12 when he was injured returning a kickoff. He received a concussion and neck injuries, and eventually was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
His best day as a pro came at Cincinnati when he rushed for 103 yards in a half before being injured. He was a hard worker, a talented player and an engaging person who will be missed.
“It’s never easy releasing a player, but it’s especially difficult when a young man’s opportunity is taken away from him because of an injury,” Packers GM Ted Thompson said. “Johnathan is a great person, a wonderful teammate, and a man that lives by his faith. The Packers are fortunate to have had the chance to work with him and we know that he will excel in whatever the future holds for him. He will always be a member of the Packers’ family.”
Now, it is up to Harris to seize the opportunity. Harris’ most memorable moment came two years ago in the playoffs when he rushed for 53 yards in the first half of the Packers’ blowout loss at San Francisco.
The Packers are counting on Harris to be available and productive during training camp. If he falls short McCarthy may just go with two running backs (Eddie Lacy and James Starks) and a fullback (John Kuhn). That cuts it awful short at a position where injuries are common.
Meantime, Quarless, Rodgers, Ryan Taylor, Brandon Bostick, Colt Lyerla and others will be competing at tight end. Who survives may depend on how many tight ends Thompson and McCarthy decide to keep.
Quarless’ injury, like linebacker Nick Perry’s, is something of a mystery. If he returns to form, he should be the starter. However, if he is slow to recover look for Rodgers to thrust his way into a starting role with Lyerla and Bostick being used in the passing game and on special teams.
On defense, the Packers used Julius Peppers at both outside linebacker and defensive end. Look for the veteran to seek out favorable one-on-one matchups while offenses are forced to keep an eye on Clay Matthews.
In the secondary, Micah Hyde lined up with the first unit at safety and certainly is in the mix to start. Whether it is Hyde and Morgan Burnett, or first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Burnett in the starting lineup, look for Hyde to be on the field for a lot of snaps.
McCarthy likes his versatility and playmaking ability.
Unless Burnett shows up with a strong training camp, it might be Hyde and Clinton-Dix as the safeties with Burnett used in sub-packages. Clearly, Hyde’s development and the talent and depth at cornerback put Burnett’s status in doubt.
That is one of several key questions that begin to be answered July 26.

Go to the game!

Game Tickets/Packages available from the Packers’ Official Tour Company!
» Go to the game with us!

Offensive tackle duo could be next Clifton-Tauscher combo at 1265
By CHRIS HAVEL
In the NFL the center holds an offensive line together, but it is the tackles that keep it from caving in.
In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers has been harassed, hurried and hit more than any NFL quarterback in the past six seasons. Since becoming the starter in 2008, he has been sacked 34, 50, 31 36, 51 and 21 times. Last season, Rodgers endured a career-low 21 sacks, but only because he missed seven games with a broken right collarbone. That must stop if Green Bay expects to return to the Super Bowl.
Enter the tackles, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga. They are the bookends on an offensive line with strong veteran starting guards (Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang), a hotly contested battle between J.C. Tretter and Corey Linsley at center and decent depth. They are entrusted with Rodgers’ health and well-being.
The Packers haven’t had bookend tackles since Chad Clifton (left tackle) and Mark Tauscher (right tackle) teamed up in 2000. They stepped in as rookies and were an outstanding tandem for the next decade.
Remember the mess Cliffy and Tausch cleaned up way back when? On the right side, Earl Dotson was a Super Bowl-caliber tackle at the end of his career. On the left side, the erratic Ross Verba was giving the coaches headaches. Beyond that the options were Slim & None.
In one fell swoop, GM Ron Wolf solved the revolving door at tackle. He drafted Tennessee’s Clifton with the 44th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. He followed up by selecting Wisconsin’s Tauscher with the 224th pick. Together, they enabled Brett Favre to never miss a start. Now, Bakhtiari and Bulaga must try to do the same for Rodgers.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy sounded a positive note at the team’s recent OTA’s.
“Bryan Bulaga looks good,” he said. “We’re in the OTA practices and I think our pass-under-pressure drill has been good, so we’re getting some work there with the sets. So the individual work is what our offensive line coaches do a great job of, so he’s getting exactly what he needs. He’s stronger. He weighs a little more than he has in the past. So he’s having a heckuva spring.”
Bulaga, 25, is coming off a torn ACL in his left knee. He injured the knee during Family Night last August as the starting left tackle. Now, he comes into the season as the starting right tackle after missing most of the past two seasons with hip and knee injuries.
Bulaga’s comeback and sustained health are critical to the team’s success. Don Barclay, who stepped up last season, has played well enough to believe he provides reliable depth as a backup. As the full-time starter, however, he is lacking.  Bakhtiari, 22, eventually won the starting job at left tackle, where he played admirably as a rookie.
“David has established himself as a left tackle,” McCarthy said.
The question is this: Will he be THE left tackle? So far, there’s no reason to think a bigger, stronger and more experienced Bakhtiari won’t build upon his strong first season.
That is critical because Derek Sherrod, his backup, hasn’t practiced full-time since breaking a leg as a rookie in 2011. To expect Sherrod to miraculously stay healthy and play well enough to be counted on is probably a reach. Until it happens, it’s probably more wishful thinking.
That’s why Bakhtiari and Bulaga need to roll through training camp with a clean bill of health. Otherwise, it’s doubtful if Rodgers will be able to do the same for an entire regular season

Catch Jordy in Action!

Game Tickets/Packages available from the Packers’ Official Tour Company!
» Go to the game with us!

National radio host calls group ‘very, very average at best’ while being blind to big picture ‘D’
By CHRIS HAVEL
NFL fans who rage against players they view as money-grubbing mercenaries have someone to root for.
That someone is Jordy Nelson. Fans of other NFL teams are finding out what Packers’ fans have known for several years: Nelson is a special player on the field and an uncommon person off it.
Nelson, 29, signed a three-year contract extension worth $12.6 million on Oct. 1, 2011. It proved to be a bargain for Green Bay when Nelson followed it up with three superb seasons.
With his contract up after this season, Nelson is in a position to demand mega-bucks and probably get it.
But that’s not Nelson. The country boy from Manhattan, Kansas, wants to be paid fairly, but he also understands the importance and meaning of “quality of life.”
When asked about his contract status last week, Nelson told reporters: “What I got in that last deal, I’ll never spend it all anyway. So I’m not worried about it.”
The reaction on social media explained fans’ sentiment. Here’s a sampling:

• “Well, that’s refreshing!”
• “I know. Has a professional athlete ever said that?”
• “Amazing what a decent human being can be like despite relative fame. The guy is a shining example of how all athletes should think and behave.”

Nelson, his wife, Emily, and their son Royal have embraced Green Bay. He expressed his feelings to ESPN after Sunday’s charity softball game.
“My wife and I have enjoyed it,” Nelson said. “Let’s see, it’s six years going on seven years now. We don’t want to go anywhere else. We love it here. We want to be here, and hopefully we can get to that point.”
Last week, on the heels of Pro Football Focus’s rating of each NFL team and players, CBS sports radio national host Doug Gottlieb was critical of the Packers’ receiving corps. Gottlieb called the group “very, very average at best” and said it had no “Hall of Famers or superstars.”
Clearly, Gottlieb didn’t do his homework on the Packers’ receivers – who are led by Nelson – and he doesn’t understand the big picture.
Let me trot out some numbers on Nelson:

• Nelson led the NFL with 19 catches of at least 25 yards last season. Denver’s Demaryius Thomas (17), Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson (16) and Cleveland’s Josh Gordon (15) and Chicago’s Alshon Jeffery (15) trailed him.
•  Nelson’s 30 touchdown catches since 2011 are the fourth-most by a receiver in that span. He trailed only Dallas’ Dez Bryant (34), Detroit’s Calvin Johnson (33) and Denver’s Eric Decker (32).
• Since 2011 Nelson’s 17.2-yards per catch average is second behind only Tampa Bay’s Vincent Jackson (18.2) for players with 100-plus catches.

Nelson also is a big-game player. He is only the fourth receiver in Super Bowl history to have at least nine catches, 140 yards and a touchdown in a game. Nelson did that in the victory over Pittsburgh.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound receiver hauled in 85 passes for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns last season. His numbers qualify him as an elite NFL receiver, regardless what national sports radio show hosts think.
Randall Cobb, the Packers’ No. 2 weapon, also is an explosive player. They complement each other perfectly. Nelson is fast, rangy and works the sideline as well as anybody since Cris Carter did his last toe-tap. Cobb, a perfect slot receiver, can take a 10-yard slant and turn it into an 80-yard touchdown in the blink of an eye.
Add Jarrett Boykin, who had a 100-yard receiving day in his first NFL start, and Davante Adams, the team’s second-round pick from Fresno State, and the unit looks strong again this season.
Furthermore, the Packers’ receivers are among the most down-to-earth, unselfish groups at a position that’s stockpiled with prima donnas.
Gottlieb’s point was, in part, that Aaron Rodgers makes the receivers better. True, Rodgers is a tremendous quarterback, but he would be the first to defend his receivers, beginning with Nelson.
Fortunately, Rodgers doesn’t have to defend them. That’s a problem opposing defensive backs must cope with. Also, Nelson and Co. put up big numbers while Rodgers was out last season with a broken collarbone.
Off the field, Nelson is a low-key country boy who keeps it real. His wife, a former college basketball player, coordinates the mentoring program at Ford Howard Elementary School in Green Bay.
One remark from a social media commenter said it well.
“Nelson has a great attitude that fans and coaches love. He’s not out there just to collect a check. I’m hoping we keep him around for years to come. He’s a good veteran now that can provide a great example to the rookies coming in. (He’s) one of those special players that doesn’t come around very often.”
When the Packers and Nelson do agree to an extension the big winners will be Nelson, Rodgers, the Packers and their fans.
It doesn’t get much better than that. In fact, it doesn’t get much better than Nelson.

Go to the game!

Lots of new seating and game packagechoices!
» Go to the game with us!

Competition should be keen at C; upgrades will be apparent on ‘D’
By CHRIS HAVEL
What is the Packers’ most intriguing position unit? Where will your eyes naturally gravitate the first day of training camp? Which rookie draft pick’s name is tops on your “Players To See” list?
These are fair questions not easily answered. The Packers’ rookie minicamp, OTA’s and minicamps offer but a snippet of what a player’s NFL career might be. Compared to training camp it is a passing glance. Compared to Week 1 at Seattle it is nothing.
That isn’t to suggest OTA’s, etc., aren’t valuable. On the contrary, first impressions are important. For instance, undrafted free agent tight end Colt Lyerla’s fluid moves, athleticism and soft hands were obvious to everyone including Packers cornerback Tramon Williams.
“You can see that he’s very fluid in his moves,” Williams said. “That stood out watching tape of him.”
Lyerla’s hustle after each catch also stood out. Again, it is way too early to make too much out of an OTA practice.
However, it couldn’t be discounted that second-year defensive back Micah Hyde lined up all over the field. He was twinned with Morgan Burnett and the No. 1 unit at safety. He also lined up as a slot cover corner and deployed near the line of scrimmage.
When Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he expected good things from Hyde, and that he anticipated him being on the field, he meant it.
Also defensively, Julius Peppers’ presence in his No. 56 jersey can’t be discounted. His presence will instill defense on a unit sorely lacking that quality. He won’t lead by talking. He’ll lead by playing.
The prospect of having Peppers and Clay Matthews opposite each other is exciting. These pass rushers have never been paired with such a talented bookend before in their career. When Peppers was asked if the Packers were on his radar before he signed, he said that everyone who made sense was on his radar. The Packers made sense, in part, because of Matthews’ presence.
If I had to put a sack total over/under on Matthews-Peppers combined for 2014, I’d say 20 ½. And I would bet the over.
The tight ends remain incredibly interesting and competitive. I believe the Packers can win a lot of games, including a championship, with a healthy Andrew Quarless at tight end. He is good enough to make plays in the passing game when defenses focus on the receivers and/or Eddie Lacy, and he is a more than willing and capable run blocker.
The only difference between Quarless and the high-profile tight ends is that they don’t require a strong perimeter passing attack or powerful running game to succeed. Since Quarless’ team IS blessed with such strengths, the fact that Quarless can capitalize on that is what matters.
At any rate, Lyerla most surely will factor into the final roster.  Jermichael Finley still could factor into the mix in Green Bay. It seems Finley’s return would benefit from being in familiar surroundings and playing in a familiar offense.
If/when Finley returns to the field, I want him to be able to play with a free mind and a clear head so he can focus on football. If it happens somewhere else, best of luck. If it happens anywhere, hopefully it will be Green Bay. If it doesn’t happen at all, perhaps that’s what is best.
Holdover tight ends Ryan Taylor, Brandon Bostick and third round pick Richard Rodgers make for a most interesting group. I’m guessing Quarless, Rodgers, Lyerla and Taylor make the final roster.
J.C. Tretter is healthy and will battle fifth round draft pick Corey Linsley of Ohio State to see who wins the starting job at center. Tretter is more athletic, while Linsley may be a bit stronger. Either should be an upgrade over the departed Evan Dietrich-Smith, who wasn’t that bad.
Finally, which rookies are going to be atop the “Players To See” list?
That’s easy. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s every move will be scrutinized. If he maintains his focus and keeps his head in the playbook he’ll be a starting safety on Sept. 4 at Seattle. When fans aren’t watching Clinton-Dix, they’ll be honed in on second-round pick Davante Adams. The wide receiver from Fresno State is expected to contribute immediately.
By all indications – and it’s only the OTA’s – Adams won’t disappoint.

Looking for a Packers Gift from PFT for Dad this Father’s Day?

We got you covered with game tickets and packages!!
» Go to the game!

More or less than 10 Ws in 2014? Here are 10 reasons Rodgers & Co. get at least that many this season
By CHRIS HAVEL
How many games will Green Bay win in 2014? According to RJ Bell at pregame.com, the Packers’ over/under for total wins is 10, which would be enough to claim the NFC North title.
Denver and Seattle have the highest projected win totals at 11, with New England and San Francisco at 10 ½, followed by the Packers at 10. The Chicago Bears (8 ½), Detroit Lions (8) and Minnesota Vikings (6 ½) round out the division.
With the NFL draft completed, free agency petering out and the undrafted free agents signed, the Packers’ 2014 roster essentially is established. Is it good enough to win the NFC North and make a deep playoff run?
There is reason for optimism.
Here are 10:

#10:

The NFC North is a much-improved division going into this season. On one hand that suggests the Packers may be in trouble against upgraded outfits in Chicago and Detroit. On the other hand nobody is saying the Packers are a team in decline. On the contrary, any discourse regarding a surging NFC North begins with the defending champions.
The NFC North appears to be better. So do the Packers.

#9:

The Packers’ schedule begins with a bang Sept. 4 at Seattle. While beating the Seahawks and the 12th Man in the Pacific Northwest is an incredible challenge the season opener offers the greatest opportunity for an upset.
The Seahawks will be coming off an entire offseason where accolades and fat contract extensions were thrown their way. Getting the Seahawks’ defense to play at a Super Bowl level is impossible in the opener. Furthermore, each team should come into the game healthy.
Green Bay’s best is good enough to beat anything even slightly less form the fat and sassy Seahawks.

#8:

The offensive line enters the season with talent, depth and only a battle at center to be determined. Whether J.C. Tretter or Corey Linsley wins the starting job, either will be an upgrade over the limited Evan Dietrich-Smith.

# 7:

Khyri Thornton, the rookie defensive tackle who played at Southern Miss, moves much faster and smoother than most 300-pound men. The addition of Thornton inside and Julius Peppers outside along with the healthy return of Jerel Worthy gives reason to believe the Packers’ defensive line is going to be light years ahead of last year’s.

#6:

The signing of Peppers signaled to some that the Packers’ personnel department and coaches were serious about winning now. It also suggested that GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy truly believe this team is close to championship caliber.

#5:

Thus far, the Packers’ offseason (knock on wood) has gone without incident. Free agency brought Peppers. The draft upgraded the roster on both sides of the football. And off the field, the Packers have managed to stay out of the headlines.

#4:

The hiring of Ron Zook as special teams assistant coordinator should be a boost to the units. Zook’s knowledge and new perspective should be an asset to special teams’ coordinator Shawn Slocum.

#3:

The running game is for real. Eddie Lacy gives the Packers one of the most explosive ground games in the NFC. He and James Starks form a powerful 1-2 punch that should give quarterback Aaron Rodgers the opportunity for play action and big plays.

#2:

Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the game today. Everything appears to be lining up for a sensational season for No. 12. He has the arm, the experience and the weapons to do major damage to defenses in Minnesota, Chicago and Detroit.

#1:

Nobody talks much about the coach, but all McCarthy does is win games and qualify for the postseason. That shouldn’t change in 2014. I see at least 10 wins, and pregame.com’s RJ Bell confirmed it. According to RJ Bell at pregame.com, the Packers’ over/under for total wins is 10, which would be enough to claim the NFC North title.

Support your team and its new members.

Game Tickets/Packages Now Available!
» Go to the game!

Young guns get a grip on city, career as they launch career
By CHRIS HAVEL
It was early June in 1992 and the Green Bay Packers were conducting their version of today’s offseason minicamps. After the first practice I approached Edgar Bennett, a rookie running back from Florida State, and asked if he’d be willing to do an interview. Bennett, who is about as polite as they come, was eager to please.
“Sure,” he said. “Stop by the hotel and we’ll do it.”
The Packers’ rookies and first-year players were staying at the Best Western just a hop-skip from the team’s former practice facility not-so-affectionately known as “The Barn.” True to his word Bennett – the 103rd player selected – met me in the lobby and invited me up to his room. I assumed this would allow us a measure of privacy so we could do the interview without interruption.
What transpired was less a one-on-one interview and more an eye opener for the first-year reporter from The Press-Gazette. Bennett never got a chance to use his room key. A door was propped open a few rooms down, and the lively conversation and energy inside spilled into the hallway.
We were drawn to it like moths to light.
Dexter McNabb, a bruising fullback, spoke excitedly about the future. He and Bennett teased each other about how it was going to be having a fullback from Florida (McNabb was the 119th player selected) being the lead blocker for a halfback from Florida State.
The former adversaries-turned-teammates had great fun at each other’s expense. Several other players, including a slender receiver from South Carolina named Robert Brooks, also participated in the festivities. The scene was Animal House only NFL style.
They were a bunch of 20-somethings who were among the greatest athletes on their teams from Pop Warner on up. Now they were getting acquainted with each other as teammates in the NFL. They talked about the playbook, the day’s practice, the facilities and all things Green Bay Packers. That included the city and the team.
Some commented about how nice the fans were to the rookies. Others spoke of Green Bay being an uncommonly clean city while asking where the “bad side” was so they could avoid it. That one stopped me. Where was the “bad side” of town? Back then it was hard to say. They asked about restaurants and hair salons and NFL Sundays.
Bennett half-apologized because there was no way we were going to be conducted a one-on-one interview in that setting. He talked a bit about his parents, whom he clearly adored, and life in Jacksonville, Fla. His father was a firefighter and his mother was an administrator for a nursing home.
He talked about how much they sacrificed so he could have a chance to be sitting in a Best Western in Green Bay discussing his NFL future. That was as far as the interview went. No matter. Bennett brought me into two worlds that day. The world he lived in down in Florida, and the world he was entering in Green Bay.
The players talked about Florida State’s Terrell Buckley, the fifth pick overall and GM Ron Wolf’s first pick ever, and it was almost mythical. He’s so fast. He’s so dynamic. He’s such a playmaker. Of course, T-Buck proved to be all of that in time. It’s just that he didn’t do it often enough to endear himself to Packers fans.
What I remember isn’t Buckley’s shortcomings, but the deep level of respect – despite all the teasing – that these new teammates held for each other. It didn’t matter what round they were chosen, or which school they hailed from, or how many college accolades they garnered.
Now what mattered most was what type of teammate they would be, and how many division titles and NFL championships they would collect together. That was the key word: Together.
It might be one of the most important words in the English language.
Together, these newly minted Packers were going to rule the NFL.
Together, they would work and learn and help and love.
Together, this was their time and they were going to make it count.
Today that type of access for one reporter – unless it was a network TV-type – would never be granted. For that I am eternally grateful for two reasons:
First, it allowed me to see these wide-eyed players interact. It humanized them. It brought them to life before my eyes. They were no longer a name and a 40 time and a position and a university. They were young men embarking on the journey of a lifetime and it showed.
Second, it allowed me to relay that to our readers and their fans. At the risk of sounding like an old-timer, “Man, those were the days.”
There’s a funny thing about that. The game has changed since then. The money has grown. The players’ profiles have been elevated to astronomic proportions. The scrutiny with technology and all that comes with it has exploded. The thing that has stayed the same is the players. The Packers’ current class of rookies is just as wide-eyed, eager and excited about beginning their NFL journey.
It’s just that we may not see it quite as up-close and personal as we did “back in the day.”

Go to the Game!!

Get your Game Tickets/Packages NOW to see the 2014 class in action!
» Go to the game!

Receiver, tight end, center all addressed in this draft
By CHRIS HAVEL
It is at once tempting and foolish to assign a letter grade to the Green Bay Packers’ 2014 NFL draft. Therefore I give it an I for incomplete. It is impossible for even the most experienced, insightful NFL writers to dispense meaningful letter grades on individual picks, much less an entire draft class. The saying, “Time will tell,” has endured for a reason.
On the other hand, those who regurgitate the phrase, “It takes three years to accurately assess a draft class,” haven’t been paying attention. NFL teams don’t have the luxury of waiting three seasons to determine whether a player can play. And NFL fans don’t have the patience.
However, it is interesting to speculate on how each player fits into the Packers’ scheme, chemistry and depth chart at each position group.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, safety, Alabama

The 21st pick in this year’s draft proved most fortuitous for the Packers. Clinton-Dix was a consensus Top 15 pick going into the draft. That he was available to Green Bay with the 21st pick solved what could have been a disaster. The Packers likely would have been left to trade down or reach for a tight end, receiver or safety.
Instead, Thompson got the highest-rated player still on the board that filled a position of dire need.
Clinton-Dix (6-1, 208) had some NFL scouts concerned because his measureable attributes weren’t off the charts. That might’ve been cause for concern at another position such as cornerback or receiver. If either is too slow it’s a long shot to think they’ll become a big-time playmaker.
At safety, Clinton-Dix’s 4.59-second 40-yard dash isn’t that troubling. First, Thompson said 4.59 seconds wasn’t what the Packers had him at. Second, a safety’s instincts, football IQ, range and ball skills are crucial. In each of those areas Clinton-Dix rates high marks.
The fact that he is 21 is a plus because he is still maturing. He should line up as one of the Packers’ starting safeties in Week One.

Davante Adams, receiver, Fresno State

Adams is James Jones with a bit of Greg Jennings sprinkled in. At 6-1, 214, Adams knows how to use his body to shield defenders. He also has an exceptional vertical leap (almost 40 inches) and outstanding hands to make even the most difficult of catches. He’s only 21, so he should develop much like Jones did over time.
He also has a bit of shake-and-bake off the line and a terrific awareness of how the game is played. His 4.55 time in the 40-yard dash is ordinary, but his moves after the catch are anything but. In these ways he is similar to Jennings. According to reports, Adams isn’t a “me first” guy and should fit with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin.

Khyri Thornton, defensive line, Southern Miss

At 6-2 ½, 308 pounds, Thornton is light on his feet and moves like a much smaller man. He is powerful at the point but also possesses the quickness to knife through gaps and make plays in the backfield.
Mike Daniels made his mark by being disruptive along the interior. Thornton, who is bigger and stronger, has that same type of ability. He is a mature 24-year-old who should push his way into the defensive line rotation sooner than later.

Richard Rodgers, tight end, California

The selection of Rodgers with a Top 100 pick seemed to be a head scratcher to some. I didn’t see it that way. Rodgers’ best attributes are know-how as an inline blocker, maturity, strength and soft hands that make him a highly reliable pass catcher.
What’s not to like? OK, he doesn’t run a 4.50 40-yard dash. So what? How often in the course of any NFL season does a tight end make plays of 40 or more yards? Not very often. If a team has a terrific quarterback (Aaron Rodgers), outstanding receivers (Nelson, Cobb, etc.) and a top-notch running back (Eddie Lacy) it doesn’t need a seam-stretching tight end.
What it needs is a tight end who is a willing blocker who is OK with doing the dirty work, and a pass-catching target that is reliable on third-and-whatever. Furthermore, the Packers need a tight end who knows how to get open and make plays in the red zone.
If the Packers need a big play they’ve got numerous options. Give Rodgers a chance. My guess is you won’t be disappointed.

Carl Bradford, outside linebacker, Arizona State

Bradford is attempting to make the switch from defensive end to outside linebacker. That is called a “project” which is fine considering where he was selected. Bradford (6-1, 251) gets knocked for his short arms. It remains to be seen whether he has adequate pass rush skills against the big boys. However, his willingness equates to hard work and quite likely a key role on special teams while he’s developing.

Corey Linsley, center, Ohio State

I like this pick a lot. Linsley is smart, tough, naturally powerful and big enough (6-2 ½, 299) to knock helmets with rugged defensive tackles. He would have been drafted higher except he lacks ideal athleticism.
So what? He isn’t a receiver for goodness sake. He is a center that represents a significant upgrade at a position of need that will come in and compete with J.C. Tretter for the starting job. Competition is good.

Jared Abbrederis, receiver, Wisconsin

Abbrederis already is a fan favorite. The kid from Wautoma is living his childhood dream of playing for the Packers. Scouts found reasons not to like him (lack of size, strength, concussion history). That’s fine. The Packers found reasons to draft him. For instance, he owned Ohio State’s highly rated cornerback, Bradley Roby, in one-on-one battles.
He is a precise route-runner with more wiggle than you might think. He also has excellent hands and doubles as an accomplished punt returner. Abbrederis will make the Packers’ 53-man roster and it won’t be because his background makes for a neat story.

Demetri Goodson, cornerback, Baylor

Goodson (5-11, 196) has excellent size and ball skills to play corner. He was a three-year starter as a point guard at Gonzaga. Goodson is a bit of a project. It’s no big deal given where he was drafted.

Jeff Janis, receiver, Saginaw Valley State

Janis has excellent size (6-3, 200) and speed (4.4 seconds in the 40) for a receiver. In fact, he tested better than all but one of the receivers (Sammy Watkins) in the draft. He definitely was worth a gamble in the seventh round.