Jersey Al's Packers Blog

Final Green Bay Packers roster predictions for 2010.  Now that the Green Bay Packers have completed the preseason, here is my best guess at predicting the 53-man roster they will enter the regular season with. Anything you see in RED are additions and/or changes from my preliminary predictions before the Chiefs game.

Quarterbacks – 2

Aaron Rodgers           yes

Matt Flynn                   yes

Graham Harrell          cut – PS (will probably be claimed)

The only question here is, will Harrell last on the practice squad? Having had Brian Brohm picked up off their practice squad last season, Harrell is another QB with a good college football resume. It’s very possible  another team would take a chance on him. Would the Packers be tempted to do what most NFL teams do and keep 3 QBs on their roster? I’ll vote no.

Running Backs – 5

Ryan Grant                  yes

Brandon Jackson       yes  Read more... (1929 words + 6 images, estimated 7:43 mins reading time)

Preliminary Green Bay Packers roster predictions for 2010.  My final predictions will come after the Packers – Chiefs preseason game has been played.

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers           yes

Matt Flynn                   yes

Graham Harrell          cut – PS

The only question here is, will Harrell last on the practice squad? Having had Brian Brohm picked up off their practice squad last season, Harrell is another QB with a good college football resume. It’s very possible  another team would take a chance on him. Would the Packers be tempted to do what most NFL teams do and keep 3 QBs on their roster?

Running Backs

Ryan Grant                  yes

Brandon Jackson       yes

Kregg Lumpkin           yes

Quinn Porter                IR

James Starks                PUP

John Kuhn                    yes

Korey Hall                    no / trade

Quinn Johnson           yes  Read more... (1496 words + 6 images, estimated 5:59 mins reading time)

Weekly Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Holly Phelps. (As heard on Cheesehead Radio 9/1/10 )

Packer News 8/27/10 – 9/1/10

Al: Charles Woodson had a few choice words about the Packers defense this week. When asked by Bill Huber of Packer Report if the defense was better than what they’ve shown this preseason, Woodson replied: I think we’re as good as what we’ve shown, and I don’t think it’s all that great.” Woodson went on to discuss the need for players to step up and help out the offense. This was obviously a call to arms by the the Packer’s defensive leader.

Holly: One Packers player that answered a call to arms was Daryn Colledge. The Packers somewhat-maligned lineman beat back all preseason challengers to his starting left guard spot. According to Colledge, he reported to training camp in the best shape of his life and ready to go to war with all comers. That he did and Colledge held onto his starting spot – at least for right now.  Read more... (754 words + 6 images, estimated 3:01 mins reading time)

In this installment of Film Study, I decided to focus on one player I get asked about quite a bit – B.J. Raji.  So I went back and watched all of his snaps in the Green Bay Packers – Indianapolis Colts preseason game and here are my observations:

From a personality standpoint,  Raji  hasn’t shown much of a mean streak, and that was my only real concern when the Packers first selected him. From observing Raji, and speaking to people here in NJ that knew him during his high school  years, he’s a “good boy.” Polite, kind, soft-spoken: the type of kid you’d want your daughter to marry.

Of course, that doesn’t translate well to the battlefield known as the NFL. Not to say they are mutually exclusive. There have been plenty of “good guys” who would rip your heart out on the field if needed. Bart Starr, the ultimate gentleman, has been described as such by many teammates. Raji hasn’t shown me that killer instinct, yet.  Read more... (905 words + 6 images, estimated 3:37 mins reading time)

First Impressions from the Green Bay Packers’ preseason game vs. the Indianapolis Colts:

Everyone’s was talking about the D, but I was looking at this as just as big a test for the OL. Can they really protect Rodgers? Evidently, they can.

Sam Shields: Overall, he held his own. As I said last week, he’s already a better corner than Bush. Always near the receiver, always aware of where the ball is and will never get outrun deep.  Welcome to the roster.

Dom Capers mixed in just a smidge of other flavors tonight.

As I mentioned the other night on Cheesehead Radio, Raji continues to get turned around and lost sight of the running back on Addai’s long run. Saw it on other plays, too This is going to be a problem if it’s not corrected.

Rodgers passes to Jones often seem to be a bit off target.  I think Jones surprises him sometimes.  Read more... (391 words + 6 images, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Weekly Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Holly Phelps. (As heard on Cheesehead Radio. 8/25/10 )

Packers News – 8/19/10 – 8/25/10

Al: The Packers Monday Night practice was their final one of their training camp phase. Starting with Tuesday morning’s workout, the Packers moved to their regular season practice schedule. According to Mike McCarthy, he was very pleased with this year’s camp, especially the fan support, but now it’s time to start getting into that routine for the games that count.

Holly: Well Al, tomorrow night’s game doesn’t count from a results standpoint, but it should be a good measuring stick for the Packers defense. Can the front seven create a pass rush minus Clay Matthews, or will they get lit up  by another veteran quarterback? This “dress rehearsal” game should generate a lot of good film for the coaches, who will hopefully make the right decision about players on the bubble.  Read more... (790 words + 6 images, estimated 3:10 mins reading time)

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

How many of us have heard that question?  In the NFL, especially as it relates to head coaches, it rings true more than most.  Every successful head coach now seems to come from some kind of coaching “tree,” as in he worked under another successful head coach as an assistant.

For example:

Sean Payton? Bill Parcells.

Bill Belichick? also Parcells.

Mike Shanahan? Bill Walsh.

Andy Reid? Mike Holmgren, who also came from Walsh.

It goes on and on.

Hold on, though. What about Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy?

Thought so.

Mike McCarthy is one of those rare birds in the NFL who became a successful head coach on his own.  Yes, he worked at Kansas City with Marty Schottenheimer, but Marty’s struggles in the playoffs are well documented.  Read more... (605 words + 6 images, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)