Jersey Al's Packers Blog

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Yes, the first few days of free agency was a mixed bag for Green Bay Packers fans.

While Packer nation breathed a collective sigh of relief that Chad Clifton would be back to protect Aaron Rodgers blind side, there is also a sadness that permeates the Packer faithful. Aaron Kampman, a favorite son, has left behind the bitter winds of Green Bay for the balmy breezes of Jacksonville, Florida.

Re-signing Chad Clifton was as close to a “must-do” as Ted Thompson has ever faced as Packers GM. With the Packers now a playoff-caliber team, leaving the left tackle position to unproven TJ Lang or a rookie draft pick would have endangered the welfare of their Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That could be a sure-fire way to sabotage a season.  Read more... (899 words + 6 images, estimated 3:36 mins reading time)

Those are pretty strong and definitive words, but they weren’t mine. They belong to Green Bay Press-Gazette Assistant Sports Editor Tom Pelissero. In one of a series of daily chats he is holding on the Packers (position-by-position),  he was asked the following question by chat participant “Geoff”:

Kampman: Rumor has it that he will be offered a contract, but it is not a priority. Lets say he on the team, do you see him making the “leap” to becoming a good OLB, or is he just a pass rusher?

Pelissero’s simple answer was: “…I can’t envision a scenario in which Kampman is back.”

Wow.  Pretty strong and definitive words there. There have been plenty of Kampman rumors and speculation. Radio Host Mike Lucas claims Kampman is “furious” about how he was used last season. Brandon over at Acme Packing Company talks about that and the overall Kampman situation here.  But this was the first time I had heard anyone be so definitive about the seemingly slim chances of Kampman returning to the Packers.  Read more... (623 words + 6 images, estimated 2:30 mins reading time)

As the Packers’ 2009 training camp continues, here are the developments I want to see on the defensive side of the ball by the time the Packers break camp.

Developments I want to see on Defense:
More defensive line depth: HELP! Even before training camp started, I thought this was an area of concern for the Packers. The potential backups were Johnny Jolly, Justin Harrell, Mike Montgomery, Alfred Malone, Dean Muhtadi, Anthony Toribio and draft pick Jarius Wynn. There isn’t one name on that list that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Now that we are almost two weeks in, it’s a BIG concern. Projected starter BJ Raji is just getting into camp, Justin Harrell is again trapped in his injury hell and Johnny Jolly (who takes too many plays off for my liking, anyway) is banged up. The only bright spot on the line is Cullen Jenkins looking like his old self while coming back from his injury. Ryan Pickett is a solid player and is now surely the starter at nose tackle.  Read more... (1242 words + 6 images, estimated 4:58 mins reading time)