2015 Packers notes

[HardRightEdge]

Bold #1 - pretty much in synch with my point, although, in addition to roster cuts, I'd expect no comments on the abilities, good or bad, of the players.

Well, I've seen many players on this roster play NFL football. Therefore, I will continue to express judgments about them.

Bold #2 - when he starts posting here, I'll tell him the same thing.

So you'd like to tell the defensive coordinator that he should not defer judgement until preseason? That's interesting.

My point was, and is, that if you don't want to comment on players based on the admittedly thin resumes that training camp provides, that's fine. Please don't take away the enjoyment of those who do.

You have a couple of options that will keep me from throwing sand in the gears of the fan boy dream machine. First, don't read my posts. Second, put me on ignore. Since these options are available to you, or anyone else, I take away no enjoyment from anyone. And you can put that in bold.

 

[jaybadger82]

...but your two options are basically the same thing.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

There seems to be an undercurrent of debate between the head coach and the DC. The more McCarthy talks about less scheme, going on two years, the more variations Capers seems to add. McCarthy talks about less thinking and more instinct in the ILB crew; Capers continues to tinker with more personnel combinations and in encouraged by the play making in the backfield.

I've made no bones about my favoring the McCarthy approach. Perpetual youth and a complex defensive scheme makes for an unsteady combination. No doubt McCarthy is in an evaluation process with increased focus on the defense; any incremental changes he may prefer amounts to trying to steering the Capers battleship.

I happen to live in Buffalo, so I see a lot of the Bills play. I think this defense may be the best in the league, considering their offense can't stay on the field. I think most everybody here saw what they did against the Packers last year. They lined up in nickel/2-deep zone all day. Nothing fancy, no disguises, just guys lining up and playing football.

I prefer a less complicated scheme on defense as well but aside of offering an offensive perspective to defensive meetings I don´t expect a ton of improvement just because McCarthy is more involved with the unit. He hasn´t coached defense at any point during his career and the quad defense he implented last season and was absolutely excited about was terrible and scrapped after some games.

Maybe Janis wasn't where he was supposed to be. Or maybe he didn't use his "catch radius". Rodgers has not had much opportunity to work with him, and there's not much margin for error in the World According to Rodgers.

That doesn´t change the fact that Gunter made another play during practice. I agree that I want to see him make plays in the preseason as well before I get too excited though.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Tolzien looks sharp in camp so far:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ar-in-packers-camp-b99551641z1-320998151.html

Guion making smooth transition to defensive end and why the Packers will miss him during the first three games of the season:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...n-to-defensive-end-b99551648z1-320999671.html

 

[Deleted member 6794]

The NFL has reversed its 20 year policy on prohibiting non-salary items in practice squad contracts. This means clubs can give signing bonus, salary guarantees, and roster bonuses to players on Practice Squad.

According to a source the league plans to play five games in total, one per season, in Mexico starting either 2017 or '18.

 

[7thFloorRA]

Tolzien looks sharp in camp so far:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ar-in-packers-camp-b99551641z1-320998151.html

Guion making smooth transition to defensive end and why the Packers will miss him during the first three games of the season:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...n-to-defensive-end-b99551648z1-320999671.html

Why didn't he appeal? 3 games is a hell of alot for some weed. The other charges were dropped and all he paid was a fine right? Hardy gets 4 and Guion gets 3....just doesn't add up. I would have though he could have reduced this to at least 2 if not 1 games.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Rodgers talking about training camp interceptions:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ining-camp-ints-is-silly?campaign=Twitter_atn

"You have to show it in practice in order for me to feel comfortable making those throws in the game," Rodgers said, via ESPN.com. "That's kind of what this is all about. You make some of these throws and see how the guys respond, and if they're making the plays, then they're going to get more opportunities in the preseason and probably be around for the regular season. If they're not making those plays, they probably won't be around."

Added Rodgers: "I threw five last year in the regular season, so I know how to play in those games. Practice is about, it's different plays. The playbook is exponentially larger than the regular-season, game-week plan. So we're trying different things. There's different guys out there running routes who might not be in there when it is the actual game time. So you make different throws, you're working through different plays. Sometimes the defense makes the plays."

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Why didn't he appeal? 3 games is a hell of alot for some weed. The other charges were dropped and all he paid was a fine right? Hardy gets 4 and Guion gets 3....just doesn't add up. I would have though he could have reduced this to at least 2 if not 1 games.

It seems like Guion has appealed the ruling as the league hasn´t announced the suspension yet. The NFL doesn´t announce suspensions until the appeal process has been completed.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

RB John Crockett has passed his physical and has been activated from the PUP list.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Tolzien looks sharp in camp so far:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ar-in-packers-camp-b99551641z1-320998151.html

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ar-in-packers-camp-b99551641z1-320998151.html

With Rodgers throwing all those interceptions and Tolzien marching up and down the field, perhaps there will be a changing of the guard. Myles White...there's that name popping up again.

Guion making smooth transition to defensive end and why the Packers will miss him during the first three games of the season:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...n-to-defensive-end-b99551648z1-320999671.html

Did anybody notice Silverstein's backhanded indictment of Jones' game buried in this report?

First, "Datone Jones isn't nearly the run-stopper that the others are...." I think many of us have already recognized that. Then, "Jones (6-4, 290) is better suited playing against tackles than he is inside against guards, according to Capers." This begs the question, "where the heck is he supposed to play a 3-4 defense?"

As to the theme of the report, DE looks like Guion's natural position. The fact the Packers slotted Raji for NT when they re-signed him and were working on a long term deal with Guion before his screw up indicated the base line of Guion-Raji-Daniels was penned in by the time the draft was concluded as we (or me anyway) have been discussing for months. With Guion's versatility to rush inside in rotation he was probably looking at something like a 50-60% snap count. That's a pretty big hole to fill for 3 games.

The idea that Guion is an ordinary player easily replaced might hold some water under other circumstances. In this instance, it's a question of "who else ya got?"

With Boyd's knee looking dodgy according to this report, the preseason starting base group might well be Raji-Pennel-Daniels, temporarily undoing the Raji-back-to-NT plan. That would be less than auspicious if it extends to the regular season given Pennel's limitations and Raji's long history of sub-standard play at DE.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Did anybody notice Silverstein's backhanded indictment of Jones' game buried in this report?

First, "Datone Jones isn't nearly the run-stopper that the others are...." I think many of us have already recognized that. Then, "Jones (6-4, 290) is better suited playing against tackles than he is inside against guards, according to Capers." This begs the question, "where the heck is he supposed to play a 3-4 defense?"

There´s no doubt Jones has to improve defending the run but he has been able to produce a pass rush playing inside in subpackages.

 

[HardRightEdge]

There´s no doubt Jones has to improve defending the run but he has been able to produce a pass rush playing inside in subpackages.

Be that as it may, how would you account for Capers comment?

I half-jokingly suggested some time back that Jones may go the way of Neal. Maybe that's less than half.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Be that as it may, how would you account for Capers comment?

I don´t agree with Capers on it.

 

[HardRightEdge]

3 games is a hell of alot for some weed. The other charges were dropped and all he paid was a fine right? Hardy gets 4 and Guion gets 3....just doesn't add up. I would have though he could have reduced this to at least 2 if not 1 games.

First, the outcome of the criminal aspect of the case is not particularly relevant. The NFL applies criteria more closely approximating the civil court's "preponderance of the evidence".

Second, the nature of the actual "fine" is murky. The criminal plea was a $5,000 fine with charges dismissed, which sounds somewhat benign. However, Guion's civil case where he is attempting to recover his cash and property was still pending as of the last report I could find on the matter from July 3:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-civil-suit-from-2013-altercation-in-florida/

There are certain jurisdictions that are notorious for being more concerned with seizing assets than imposing criminal justice. Light criminal penalties are given in exchange for supplemental civil forfeiture "fines".

As it stands now, Guion was arrested for having dealer-quantity pot (13 oz.), a gun and a boatload of cash. As it stands now, the "fines" include what was siezed...$190,000 cash, a vehicle and a gun.

Given the dodgy nature of the criminal proceedings in light of the seizures, it would be understandable that the NFL would want their own lawyers and PIs to look into the matter.

In the end, if guys are given 1 game suspensions for small pot possession cases, then under a more benign scenario where Guion was playing Santa Clause, driving around the neighborhood distributing free weed along with the cash to family and friends, 3 games hardly sounds out of line in the "conduct detrimental" category. Simply having 13 oz. in his possession might merit 3 games all by itself.

The appeal will come down to whether the NFL's independently gathered evidence is solid or somewhat speculative. I suspect the suspension will stand.

 

[Half Empty]

Well, I've seen many players on this roster play NFL football. Therefore, I will continue to express judgments about them. Just trying to help you be consistent. Telling the rest of us to reserve judgement until during or after the preseason and telling us you're going to do it seems a bit disingenuous. It's possible from the wording that you mean it's OK to comment on veterans, and, if that's the case, the problem is that caveat wasn't previously presented.

So you'd like to tell the defensive coordinator that he should not defer judgement until preseason? That's interesting. The DC is free to judge whenever he likes, although I'll be he already has some opinions. My point is I wouldn't want him telling the posters not to judge whoever and whenever they choose.

You have a couple of options that will keep me from throwing sand in the gears of the fan boy dream machine. Serious question - what does the bold mean? First, don't read my posts. Second, put me on ignore. Since these options are available to you, or anyone else, I take away no enjoyment from anyone. And you can put that in bold. Wouldn't think of passing on the opportunity to read your posts. Life is too serious. Just intended to point out that there are some who disagree with your POV.

OK, done with this topic. On to something else.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I don´t agree with Capers on it.

That seems to be a repeated theme in these pages in the last couple of days, with one poster going so far as to suggest Capers should not rely on preseason games in passing judgement. While I'm a regular contributor to the general theme, particularly the mismatch of youth with complexity, I can't say I disagree with Capers on this particular point.

Be that as it may, he is the DC. He's the guy distributing snaps, when and where. So based on his comment it's hard to see where he has Jones pegged. Situational/matchup/rotational is the sound of it...maybe a 30-40% snap guy, not a guy making "the jump" to core D-Line.

 

[HardRightEdge]

OK, done with this topic. On to something else.

Good for you. The way you posted that makes it look like I said the things you highlighted. You shouldn't do that.

By the way, I didn't tell you not to judge players on second-hand practice reports. You can say or do whatever you like, within the law...err...I mean rules, of course. I'm saying it is premature, which should be pretty obvious.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

That seems to be a repeated theme in these pages in the last couple of days, with one poster going so far as to suggest Capers should not rely on preseason games in passing judgement. While I'm a regular contributor to the general theme, particularly the mismatch of youth with complexity, I can't say I disagree with him on this particular point.

Be that as it may, he is the DC. He's the guy distributing snaps, when and where. So based on his comment it's hard to see where he has Jones pegged. Situational/matchup/rotational is the sound of it...maybe a 30-40% snap guy, not a guy making "the jump" to core D-Line.

Maybe Capers was only talking about Jones´ run defense. Although he missed three games last season he ended up with the third most pass rushing snaps on the defensive line in 2014. I expect him to be used in a similar role this season.

 

[HardRightEdge]

According to a source the league plans to play five games in total, one per season, in Mexico starting either 2017 or '18.

Other than expanding domestic female viewership, the last growth frontier is international.

The criteria are basic:

1. A stadium of sufficient size with sufficient premium seats to support a team.
2. A market where there are enough people with sufficient interest and means to buy expensive tickets.
3. A market with sufficient interest to generate broad TV viewership, and it's knock on affects, like popular support for stadium funding when the "need" inevitably arises and fairly lucrative mechandise sales.
4. Working out travel distance impediments. I think this is a minor consideration when considering revenue opportunities. The NFL plays Thurs. games after Sun. games. They'll figure it out if the money is there.

Point 3. is the primary hurdle; capture that and point 2. will follow in places like London (lots of foreign money; lots of local money in The City) and Mexico City (greater metro area population of 20 million?, 30 million? yields a large 1%), assuming an appropriate facility (like Wembley) is already in place.

I'm reminded of the old man Wirtz who for years would not sign a local TV deal for his Blackhawks. If you lived in Chicago and wanted to see hockey, you had to buy a ticket to Chicago Stadium, which Wirtz also happened to own. Wirtz evidently believed, as was the running joke around Chicago, that there were 20,000 hockey fans in Chicago and they were all at the Stadium every night.

That might have worked in the NHL circa 1980, but it sure won't cut it for the NFL. The road will be a long one...capturing mind share from soccer is a major hurdle. And baseball in Tokyo or rugby in the British Isles, and whatever else is sucking up the sports entertainment dollar and TV viewership in the particular market.

 

[Half Empty]

You have a couple of options that will keep me from throwing sand in the gears of the fan boy dream machine. First, don't read my posts. Second, put me on ignore. Since these options are available to you, or anyone else, I take away no enjoyment from anyone. And you can put that in bold.

Me = "You have a couple of options that will keep me from throwing sand in the gears of the fan boy dream machine. Serious question - what does the bold mean?"

Good for you. The way you posted that makes it look like I said the things you highlighted. You shouldn't do that.

Thought I was done, but now I'm really confused. You're saying your didn't say what's highlighted? Or, to what other bolded do you refer?

 

[HardRightEdge]

Me = "You have a couple of options that will keep me from throwing sand in the gears of the fan boy dream machine. Serious question - what does the bold mean?"



Thought I was done, but now I'm really confused. You're saying your didn't say what's highlighted? Or, to what other bolded do you refer?

Duh.

 

[TJV]

Guion may have his suspension reduced but as I’ve posted before, IMO he should be grateful he didn’t suffer more punishment for having that amount of weed, cash and a gun in his vehicle.

The bottom line to me at this early date is once again, depth on the DL isn’t good. The good news is once Guion is back, the starting lineup in the base of Guion, Raji, and Daniels has a good chance to be better than last year’s starters. But they/we really need a youngster to step up. And of course it'd be great if Jones significantly improves as a pass rusher in sub packages since it looks like he won't be the answer starting at DE in base. (Jones probably wasn't as bad rushing the passer as some here believe but as a first rounder he really has to shine in that role to justify his draft status IMO.)

 

[Deleted member 6794]

And of course it'd be great if Jones significantly improves as a pass rusher in sub packages since it looks like he won't be the answer starting at DE in base. (Jones probably wasn't as bad rushing the passer as some here believe but as a first rounder he really has to shine in that role to justify his draft status IMO.)

Jones was constantly in the backfield on passing plays last season but missed several sacks when he had an opportunity. He turned to yoga to increase his flexibility in an effort to reach his potential, so hopefully it works out for him and the Packers.

 

[Half Empty]

Duh.

Now it's perfectly clear. That 'duh' really straightens things out. Thanks.

 

[TJV]

Jones was constantly in the backfield on passing plays last season but missed several sacks when he had an opportunity. He turned to yoga to increase his flexibility in an effort to reach his potential, so hopefully it works out for him and the Packers.

If I remember correctly, McGinn had him leading the DL with most pressures per snaps. But IMO he has to increase his "splash" plays - TFL and sacks. The sportingcharts site had him playing about 29% of snaps, he should be earning more snaps considering how often Capers uses the sub packages.
http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/player-defensive-snap-count-stats/2014/