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Packers place 3 on PUP list


The Packers placed Cornerback Al Harris, Safety Atari Bigby, and Running Back James Starks on the physically unable to perform list. Running Back Quinn Porter was placed on the injured reserve.  The moves get the Packers down to the NFL required 75 players.  None of these moves really should come as a surprise.  Harris is coming off major knee surgery and has yet to practice.  Bigby held out of offseason work then flunked his physical upon arrival at training camp.  I still question whether the ankle was hurting in the offseason or if the injury occurred upon arrival at camp.  Starks was hurt his senior your of school at Buffalo and hasn’t been able to get on the field much since getting drafted.  At this point Starks looks like DeShawn Wynn Version 2.0.  Porter was a player that opened some eyes early in camp, but a knee injury made it tough to make a roster spot.  We’ll see if the Porter remains on IR all season or the Packers decided to release him at a later date.

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Colledge holds on at Left Guard


Daryn Colledge has been announced as the starting left guard for the Packers opener on September 12th the Philadelphia Eagles.  The left guard job was an open competition between Colledge and Bryan Bulaga.  Whether or not Bulaga’s hip flexor injury sealed the competitions fate is unknown.  I viewed Bulaga in the left guard competition as an opportunity to get work.  The fact that Jason Spitz wasn’t given the opportunity to challenge for the job is more concerning.  Spitz beat out Scott Wells for center last season, but Wells took the job back due to an injury.  Wells was solid at center in 2009 so the thought was the Spitz would get a crack at left guard.  Is Spitz too valuable to start because of his ability to play all 3 interior spots on the line?  Has Jason Spitz been labeled by the coaching staff as a jack of all trades, master of none?

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Packers blow out Colts


After being down 17-7 to the Colts the Packers roared back to the tune of 59-24.  Aaron Rodgers completed 21-29 for 195 yards and 3 scores.  Jermichael Finley caught 6 balls for 85 yards and a 15 yd score.  Donald Driver caught 5 balls for 35 yards and a 6 yd score.  James Jones snared 4 for 30 yards and a 3 yd score.  Matt Flynn threw a 2 yd score to John Kuhn and 11 yd strike to Andrew Quarless.  Kregg Lumpkin punched in a TD from 1 yd out.  Special teams also contributed a pair of scores as Korey Hall recovered a muffed punt in the end zone.  Late in the contest Jason Chery took a punt 75 yards for the game’s final score.

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Special Teams=NFL Paycheck


The special teams units are the main thing I’m going to watch for in the 3rd preseason matchup between the Packers and Colts.  Special teams can be a deciding factor between similar players.  Defensive back Sam Shields has failed miserably as a kick returner.  His ability to excel on coverage units in college may be his safety net.  Backup defensive backs Derrick Martin, Charlie Peprah, Will Blackmon, and Jarrett Bush are more valuable for their contributions on special teams than in the secondary.  Linebackers Cyril Obiozor, Alex Joseph, and Robert Francois all could make an impact on special teams.  Linebacker Desmond Bishop makes too many mistakes in reads to be a starter, but has maintained a job with the Packers because of his ability to play on coverage units.  Fullback Quinn Johnson can’t catch or play special teams.  His blocking ability isn’t far superior to John Kuhn or Korey Hall.  I view Johnson as a player that’s on the bubble.    Charles Dillon and Shawn Gore are in competition with Brett Swain for the 5th wide receiver spot.  Swain is a solid contributor on special teams.  Special teams aren’t a glory position, but it’s often a deciding factor in receiving an NFL paycheck.

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Favre to Walker in Minnesota?


Javon Walker is set to join the Minnesota Vikings.  In 2005, Brett Favre criticized Walker for holding out when both were in Green Bay.  I view the signing as a low risk gamble.  Sidney Rice has been on the physically unable to perform list with a hip injury.  Monday was the first day of camp that Rice was able to make cuts.  Walker was a big, fast, athletic receiver like Rice 7 years ago.  Percy Harvin has been dealing with migraines. Jaymar Johnson is on injured reserve with a broken left thumb.  Bernard Berrian and Greg Lewis are the only healthy proven wideouts in camp. 

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Packers clip the Seahawks late


The Packers 27-24 win over the Seahawks improves the team’s preseason record to 1-1.  Let’s start with the positives of the performance.  Aaron Rodgers and the receivers look ready to go.  Against Seattle the Packers starters gained 137 yards on 17 plays.  Rodgers connected with Greg Jennings on a 56 yard strike on the team’s first offensive play.  That served as Jennings only catch of the night.  A-Rod went 8-11 for 116 yards and 2 scores a 1 yd toss to John Kuhn and a 12 yd strike to Jermichael Finley.  The emerging tight end caught 4 balls for 48 yards.  Brandon Jackson ran 11 times for 80 yards including a 12 yard score. 

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Bigby to have stitches removed soon


Atari Bigby’s recovery time is 4 to 8 weeks from ankle surgery.  Bigby is supposed to be in a boot, but has been out for a week.  The stitches are due to come out in the coming days and rehab will progress with running in the pool.  At this point he is able to do squats.  If he’s unable to be ready for the September 12th opener against the Eagles going on physically unable to perform list is a distinct possibility.  At this point Morgan Burnett is expected to be the starting strong safety on opening day.  Charlie Peprah and Will Blackmon are 2nd and 3rd on the depth chart at this point in camp.  How the backup safeties play on Saturday against the Seahawks is one of the keys I’m going to watch for.

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Bulaga working at both spots on left side


With the 23rd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packers select Offensive Tackle Bryan Bulaga of Iowa.  Bulaga is viewed as the heir apparent to Chad Clifton at left tackle.  Bulaga played at guard early in his collegiate career and the Packers are giving him a look at guard to start his NFL career.  Bulaga is receiving reps at left guard along with the incumbent Daryn Colledge.  The point is to put your best 5 lineman on the field.  How everything breaks down when the season starts hasn’t officially been determined.  Versatility is important among offensive lineman and I don’t see a problem with Bulaga working at both spots on the left side.

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Packers Quarterbacks Fit Scheme


Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL.  Look at how many quarterbacks the Bears have played the last 20 years.  The Packers seamlessly transitioned from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers.  A-Rod handled the drama well and is among the elite signal callers in the NFL.  Rodgers smarts, athleticism, and accuracy fit perfectly in the West Coast offense.  I believe an MVP award is in his near future. 

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Questions Remain Among Running Backs


The Packers backfield doesn’t contain an elite caliber talent.  Ryan Grant often gets blasted for his alleged lack of vision and inability to gain the tough yards.  While Grant will never be confused with Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson, I believe he’s a solid back as evidenced by consecutive 1,200 yard campaigns.  Backs that run for 11 scores must have some vision.  Brandon Jackson has missed 12 of a possible 48 games in his 3 seasons with the Packers.  Jackson has developed into a terrific back in blitz pickup.  At times the shiftiness is on display, fantasy players remember the 3 touchdown performance in the 48-10 rout of the Seahawks in the home finale.  Kregg Lumpkin was impressive last season in training camp.  Is Lumpkin well rounded enough to break onto the roster?  James Starks was drafted, but injuries have limited his work.  Do the Packers even know what they have in Starks?  Quinn Porter has made the most of his reps in practice.  I’d like to see him returning kicks and punts in the next preseason game against the Seahawks. 

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