The Green Bay Packers open their preseason schedule on Saturday as they visit the Tennessee Titans. This will be the team’s first live game action of the 2014 season and we’ll finally get a chance to see these players in action that matters. The outcome isn’t so much important, but this is the most valuable look that the coaching staff will have for some of these young guys that haven’t taken game snaps yet.
During the regular season, I typically publish “Keys to the Game” on the Friday prior but I’m going to change it up this preseason and focus on the players who have the most to gain or lose each week. Hopefully this format is a bit more relevant as it pertains to what the preseason games are truly for in terms of shaping the Packers roster.
With this being the first preseason game, I doubt anyone’s future with the team is truly hanging in the balance so the approach here is about starting fast and making a good impression early. As we move along through weeks two through four, the criteria will change a bit.
Most To Gain
These are players who can begin taking hold of a starting spot or move up the depth chart at their position and become a serious contender for a roster spot. This is only the first preseason game so I don’t expect a lot to be settled after this week, but the quest begins here.
Center J.C. Tretter
Tretter is one guy that I mentioned during this week’s N0 Huddle Radio show as a guy I am anxious to see in live game action. There’s no risk of Tretter not making the roster, even if he doesn’t win the starting job so he’s in the “gain” column.
He has reportedly had struggles during one-on-one drills in camp and is really going through the entire experience for the first time as a healthy player. He also missed all of last season so he’s a redshirt rookie, for all intents and purposes.
Tretter has improved in individual drills over the past few days of practice, winning matchups against both B.J. Raji and Mike Daniels, who have been devouring offensive lineman all week long. Will that confidence and momentum carry over into this week’s game?
Having two solid guards next to you in T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton probably helps as well as the zone blocking scheme that should slide help Tretter’s way on many occasions. It doesn’t automatically translate to great things for Tretter, but the scenario isn’t a bad one and he needs to play well.
Tight End Richard Rodgers
The third-rounder is also in no danger of not making this year’s team and has had a good showing at camp so far. Coming in and before camp had even started, some were saying that Rodgers has an outside chance of being atop the depth chart by the start of the regular season.
While it doesn’t sound like Rodgers has done enough to be the clear-cut starter at tight end, he does look to figure into the team’s offense this season. Incumbents Andrew Quarless and Brandon Bostick have had good camps as well and trump Rodgers with experience in the offense.
If Rodgers can stand out early and develop chemistry with the other Rodgers (that being quarterback Aaron), he can quickly elevate his status and push for more playing time. As a third round pick who many questioned at the time, Rodgers certainly has plenty to prove to the masses out there.
Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
With Morgan Burnett having missed the last few days of practice with an oblique injury, Clinton-Dix has seen extensive reps with the first and second team defenses. Many analysts were enamored with HHCD’s ball skills and felt that he could be a great “center fielder” for whichever team drafted him. What has stood out in camp so far, however, has been his run support. He’s been solid playing at or near the line but has not made any spectacular plays on the ball. In fact, he dropped an interception at Wednesday’s practice.
The safeties will be called upon in pass coverage and for a group that had no interceptions last season, they need more ball-hawking attitude. HHCD is in no danger of not securing a roster spot, but he needs to come through in this critical area that has been lacking.
If the season started today and Burnett was healthy, he’d be starting along side Micah Hyde. Clinton-Dix needs to elevate himself early and often if he wants any type of chance to see more time on the field.
Safety Chris Banjo
Before this week, Banjo would have been in the “lose” section. He wasn’t getting time with the defense and I wasn’t hearing his name at all. This week, Banjo has been taking reps with the first team kickoff coverage team and that likely indicates that he’s got a better chance of making the roster than not.
Still, he’s not a lock. Earlier this week, head coach Mike McCarthy praised Banjo’s confidence and seemed to indicate that he’s coming on in week two. With four other viable options at safety in Morgan Burnett, Hyde, Sean Richardson and Clinton-Dix, Banjo has to make some plays and prove his worth at safety as well. Special teams along may not be enough.
Wide Receiver Jeff Janis
Janis finally returned to practice this week after dealing with the shingles virus last week. Immediately, Janis made a few nice plays in the team portion of practice and flashed his good hands. With a nice showing in game one, Janis could quickly elevate himself into the receiver conversation. Since Jared Abbrederis was lost last week, none of the others have really stepped up and taken a strong hold of the last spot or two.
The Packers like their draft picks and tend to stick with them, but Janis was a seventh rounder and if he proves to be anything less than really good, he may become a casualty. With missed time last week, Janis needs to catch up a bit. He has to show well consistently throughout the preseason and it has to start right away, this week.
Undrafted Free Agents
You could argue that this group should be in the “Most to Lose” section and you’d be right. But as an undrafted free agent, most come in with a “Nothing to Lose” mentality. They already know they’re fighting an uphill battle.
One way to tackle that fight is to stand out sooner rather than later. Linebackers Jayrone Elliott and Joe Thomas have both done just that so far in camp. Elliott has consistently won one-on-one matchups and created problems for the offense during team periods. Thomas has played well during team periods as well.
Each year, someone emerges as a dark horse candidate to stick on the Packers’ final roster. Will it be one or both of these guys this season? We’ll start to find out this weekend, mostly likely during the game’s second half.
Another guy who deserves mention is wide receiver Alex Gillette. Gillette has a lot of competition at receiver but has been with the Packers before on practice squad. He has at least some familiarity with the offense and he’s a former quarterback who has proven an ability to find ways to get open and make plays. With only one or two spots open and a fair amount of talent around him, it’s a long shot, but Gillette could emerge much like another undrafted free agent receiver, Jarrett Boykin, did two seasons ago.
Most to Lose
These are players who stand to lose something from a bad or lackluster performance this week. That could mean being in danger of losing a starting job and moving down the depth chart or entering the discussion about whether or not they make the roster at all. Just like the “gain” list, this first game may not settle any discussions, but a bad performance is likely to be more magnified than a good one.
Inactives
Easy pickings here. Anyone who can’t get on the field is already behind the curve, both veteran and free agent alike.
Tight end Colt Lyerla hurt his leg during last week’s Family Night practice and on Thursday, Peter Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that Lyerla is not optimistic that he will be ready to return to practice prior to the end of the preseason. That makes it a virtual certainty that Lyerla won’t be on the roster this season. The team will likely try to reach an injury settlement and re-sign him to the practice squad after the mandated six-week time period ends.
Veteran defensive end Jerel Worthy hasn’t participated in any offseason nor preseason work with the team. After missing most of the 2013 season recovering from a torn ACL, Worthy has battled additional injuries since the end of last season. The latest is a back issue from weight lifting during the offseason. Worthy said he was hurt while hang cleaning. I get that players have to work out during the spring and summer to stay in shape and can’t have the coaching staff looking over their shoulder every day. That doesn’t diminish the frustration that fans and likely, the team feel. Last year during the offseason, cornerback Casey Hayward suffered a hamstring injury while working out on his own and missed most of the 2013 season. Worthy is missing valuable time and reps to the likes of Datone Jones, Mike Daniels, Josh Boyd and rookie Khyri Thornton. All four of them will be on the roster. Will there be room for Worthy if he’s able to finally get on the practice field?
Defensive tackle Letroy Guion may have something to say about that last question. Guion is listed as a tackle, whereas Worthy is an end, but if Guion can get healthy and keep a spot, Worthy may become a bigger question mark. Guion is an unknown as far as the Packers go and he has no bond with the coaching staff. The only way he can seep his way into the conversation is by being available and making plays.
Morgan Burnett suffered an oblique injury last week and has not practiced for the past four sessions. If healthy, Burnett should keep his starting spot, given his experience with the defense. If for no other reason, Burnett is likely to make fewer mental errors than any of the others in the mix at safety and that is worth his being high on the depth chart. However, if Hyde, Clinton-Dix and Richardson continue to improve throughout the preseason, Burnett may find himself in a bigger battle for his spot. He will be on the team this year, but it’s not inconceivable that Hyde and Clinton-Dix may eventually become the first and second safeties on the depth chart
Linebacker Nick Perry
Nick Perry just returned to practice this past week. He’s been quiet in practice and could really use a strong showing early on in preseason action. Back in 2012, Perry sacked San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers on the first series of the first preseason game. Early on against the Indianapolis Colts that season, Perry had the infamous sack of quarterback Andrew Luck. Since, Perry has not been able to stay healthy nor consistent.
The ability is there, as we saw last season during the Baltimore Ravens game when Perry had a sack and forced fumble at the end of the first half. But as soon as he makes a big play, Perry tends to come up with an ailment of some sort and that momentum is derailed. I see no way Perry isn’t on the roster, but with Julius Peppers in the mix and a push from Mike Neal, Andy Mulumba and a few strong-performing rookies (Carl Bradford, Adrian Hubbard, Jayrone Elliott), Perry’s road to keeping his starting role is not an easy one.
Quarterbacks Matt Flynn/Scott Tolzien
Will the Packers keep two or three quarterbacks this season? Logic and last year’s debacle at the position would dictate that it’s three. But with the Packers and McCarthy, anything is possible. They kept three fullbacks one season, after all. If both Flynn and Tolzien are consistent and making enough plays during team periods in camp, they’ll both stick.
It’s during preseason play where everything could fall apart, as we saw with Graham Harrell last season. A few bad games and Flynn may be on his way out, despite his knowledge of the offense. He can probably survive a bad first game, but beyond that and the questions will start to fly.
If Tolzien is playing well, he’ll have a lot to say about just how many questions there are about Flynn. The Packers would love nothing more than to see Tolzien step up and claim the backup role. He’s younger and has a much stronger arm. His ability to make many of the throws that the passing game calls for is more of an asset than what Flynn currently offers. Tolzien has struggled with consistency and accuracy in practice. Those are two of the biggest issues a quarterback will have in the NFL and if he can’t overcome them, he’s suddenly not in the NFL.
Both Flynn and Tolzien will see extensive reps this week, albeit with second and third teamers. It may be difficult to showcase their skills with young and inexperienced players who can’t make a catch or run the right route at times. Still, it’s about making plays and each will need to turn in a good handful to keep themselves in the conversation to be on the roster. Tolzien is no longer eligible for the practice squad so he has to make the roster outright if he’s going to be in Green Bay this season.
Wide Receiver Myles White
This one took some deliberation for me. I could have easily listed Chris Harper here. I chose White because he has played more than anyone else competing for the fifth receiver spot. If the season started right now, I think White would likely be the fifth man based on that.
The Packers like Kevin Dorsey, who was on injured reserve last year and has quietly had a decent camp. We also haven’t seen much from rookie Jeff Janis yet (and hence why Janis is on the “gain” list). That said, White is being pushed hard by Harper, Dorsey and Janis and all three have made some nice catches. Harper has had some bad drops and that was why I strongly considered him in this slot. He will obviously need to fix that issue or he will exit this discussion quickly.
It may not be long before one of them jump ahead of White for a fifth and potentially, sixth receiver spot. White can’t go back on practice squad so he has to make the team roster. White also made some nice plays and has matured most in his route running, something that young receivers tend to struggle with. White’s chemistry with Aaron Rodgers is also to his advantage and any reps he gets with the first and second team have to be quality ones.
The Packers have a good problem at receiver in that they have some good options, even with the loss of Jared Abbrederis. White has also taken some reps on special teams and that could be his ticket back on the team. Dorsey took some during OTA’s/mini camp and Janis will likely continue to take special teams reps so this is a true battle. For White, who was the man at the end of last season, each of these preseason games are huge.
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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I truly believe that the number 5 and 6 receivers and back-up linebackers will come down to the quality of their special teams play. How they do at blocking for returns is an oft overlooked part of the decision, that’s why it’s great to have “extra” fullbacks, tight ends, and players who previously played those positions. t’s more than being the returner or making coverage tackles. The preseason is the best time to judge whether the young guys are going to be able to do what is needed. While watching tape, a coach may see a receiver be successful on every block, every coverage, even if the overall play by his teammates is terrible. The coaches still notice what he did. I have high hopes for Bradford (an ex-running back) and D Goodson, and I’m still holding out hope for Jake Doughty. The receivers are really hard to guess.
This was a great concept change for pre-season games. Keep it up.
One guy I expected you to include was Derrick Sherrod. He is like a red-shirt rookie himself and his role on this team could prove to be crucial. I will be focusing on him whenever he’s on the field. Ditto Tretter and Linsely.
At WR I’m waiting for somebody to jump out. If it comes down to hair splitting, it won’t matter.
I eagerly await the QB duel this summer behind AROD. I think they will keep 3 unless one really screws up.
Secondary will be interesting too because of all the changes at S. I’m pulling for Sean Richardson.
DL will be a new look. I expect all to do well except for Raji. Datone Jones, Daniels, Boyd and Thornton will be the ones I will be watching most closely, along with the new guy at NT. Worthy is probably done in GB.
OLB – Ahhh, Julius Peppers will probably play very little but will be interesting to watch while he’s out there. After that it’s a smorgasbord to see who flashes consistently.
ILB – I expect to see little of Hawk/Jones, which is a good thing. Maybe somebody will win a job here. I still say Sean Richardson would be a natural as the single LB in the nickel.
Either way, we will have plenty to watch there too.
Bring on the unofficial start to the 2014 Packer season – it’s been a long wait!
Arch, the reason I didn’t include Sherrod is because he’s easily one of the top three back up OL now that Barclay is out. Plus, he’s a former 1st rounder and we know Ted doesn’t let go of those easily. I don’t see Sherrod as getting amazingly better or catastrophically worse.
Even Justin Harrell lasted four seasons. This season would be Sherrod’s fourth so he’s in a pretty safe place.
Jason, why does TT hang on to these players so long? Seems like 4 years is the magical number. Even if a player flat out sucks, (Marshall Newhouse) TT will continue to treat them like royalty???
With Sherrod, it’s about the fact that he has missed the last 2 seasons due to injury and Thompson still doesn’t feel like he knows what he has in the former 1st rounder. Now with Barclay out, it’s almost certain Sherrod stays.
He let go of McMillian and Manning much sooner but he seems to give the 1st rounders more time.
It seems like TT likes to paint himself into a corner. I honestly hope Sherrod is a stud. What happens if he turns out to be a Tony Mandarich. If the latter happens I guess we get to see TT tracking paint in wherever he goes. Kind of like not having a back up QB and acting dazed and confused when your starter gets hurt.
I was watching Jets-Indy game today and there was Matt Hasselback and Mike Vicks as the back-ups and I thought, yeah, if QB is the most valuable position in football nowadays, then QB has to be the most valuable back-up too. It makes sense to pay real bucks for a real #2 QB. TT is living in the past w respect to not paying for a quality back-up QB.
Of course he gives 1st rounders more time. They are more valuable, they have higher potential to develop and be difference makers and the Packers have a lot invested in them. Clearly its in their best interests to give them every opportunity to reach their potential and make the Packers a much better team in the process.
True although I suppose if he gets beat like Brenco Giacomeni he could still get cut. You were focusing on the Final 53 and I guess I was thinking of uncertainty about his performance. Anyway, great article.
Yeah it’s a “way too early” look at the 53, but the start of preseason games is where things really start to take shape. Thanks!
Preseason game 1… No INJURIES and life is good.
I agree with Big T. No injuries is the most important result of the preseason games. Then MM and the staff can make legit decisions on who wins starting jobs and who stays on the team. If a few players go down due to injuries it changes everything on who starts and who remains with the team. I realize that the rookies and the UFDAs don’t have much choice but to go all out, but let’s try to keep our known starters out of harms way. Go Pack Go! Thanks ’61
Yes, everyone stay healthy!
Do any of you know if the game will be streamed live and what the link is? I really need my Packers fix. Go Pack Go!!!
I’m not sure of the policy here with posting these kind of links but,I hear a simple Googling will direct you you too many.
replay Sunday morning on NFL Network
Ahhhh, something we can all agree upon :).
” Since Jared Abbrederis was lost last week, none of the others have really stepped up and taken a strong hold of the last spot or two”…. but Janis was a seventh rounder and if he proves to be anything less than really good, he may become a casualty.”
HMMM…..because Abbrederis was showing to be such a ‘lock’ and being a 5th rd pick makes that more so over Janis…STOP!
I think we’ve been through this before, Taryn:
Pick your favorite beat and repeat these lyrics: “CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP, CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP”
It’s a simple concept, really. Abbrederis, pre injury, on the practice field both at receiver and returning kicks. Doing well. It’s safe to say he was well in line to be the team’s 5th WR or 6th, for that matter. It’s very possible they keep 6, even AFTER Abby’s injury. NO WAY he wouldn’t have been one of them, if healthy.
Janis, NOT on the field, JUST returned to practice this week. Would he have unseated Abby? We’ll never know. He’s off to a good start but we haven’t seen any game action.
I don’t specifically mention Abby’s 5th round status but I think it’s pretty clear that the Packers like Abbrederis more than they do Janis based on where each was chosen. All things equal and healthy, Janis would have had to do a lot before he jumped ahead of JA.
Both of them were going to have to “really good” to make this roster. Now, only Janis has that chance. Being a 7th rounder is getting close to UDFA territory. Will he be more of a Boykin or more like Tyrone Walker? How many times have we seen someone light it up on the practice field and disappear under the lights?
One can only speculate, and that’s what I did.
” NO WAY he wouldn’t have been one of them, if healthy.”
After only one week and not any real game play…this screams homerism!
Well, I DID use caps. . see? I did it again! But I promise, no screaming.
Seriously, ask around to anyone who has been around this team and isn’t a fan or doesn’t have any vested interest in it and they’ll echo my sentiments about Abbrederis (I may have already done this so trust me, try it). At least anyone who has a decent understanding of how this team operates will.
Furthermore, calling this “homerism” implies that I have some undeniable connection to Abbrederis or his past and am merely supporting him based on those merits. Not true. I am not a Wisconsin Badgers fan, I didn’t pine for the Packers to draft him, and I personally didn’t have high hopes for what he would do this year had he stayed healthy. My thoughts on JA’s chances of making this roster, both how and why, were based on logic, not emotion.
“and I personally didn’t have high hopes for what he would do this year had he stayed healthy.”
Yet,you state there was ‘NO WAY” he wasn’t making the team…..sounds like expectations were high from you based on 3-4 practices…and having nearly zero for Janiss…alrighty then!
Making the team and what JA would have done afterwards are two separate entities.
Sometimes with you, it’s like this:
“Is the sky really blue? I mean, it’s kinda blue but what hue are you really talking about? It’s not blue every day so you can’t know what you’re talking about.”
It is homerism Taryn… They have a major case of Badger goggles. Abbrederis was likely to make the team, but hardly a given and I doubt more so than Janis. 5th rd or 7th rd means little. The better player in training camp wins the job, not the higher draft pick between a 5 and 7. They fall into the same category. Late Round draft picks.
Reading comprehension is a skill. Learn it, S(Troll).
I read what you said and dismissed it. Just like most of the stuff you write!
A dismissal would have been you not commenting at all. Yet, you chose to comment. “I don’t care what you said about my reading comprehension, just wanted to let you know”.
Again, comprehension and vocabulary. They’re powerful tools, STROLLER!
Why do you think I was even commenting about you in particular, I responded to Taryn, didn’t I? I was commenting mostly about the Packer/Badger fans w/ their goggles on.
You should have well enough alone, but since you didn’t…
When I want to read something about the Packers I go to sites that have good informed writers. Not a bunch of scribblers. Reading the ramblings of all you hacks doesn’t inform anyone, mostly it misinforms them.
I go to JSO, ESPNWI, FoxWI, PackerNews, Packers.com to read, since those are well informed writers w/ legitimate opinions. I come here to comment, not read the ramblings of you or your counterparts!
Next time you might want to think before you start calling others trolls. Which it would seem applies more to you, since you couldn’t comment to me w/o starting the name calling.
Reading comprehension doesn’t seem to be a strength of your either! I said “they”, as in Packer/Badger fans. I did NOT refer to “you”, you just took it that way!
Stroh,
You have once again shown you have zero respect or composure.
Since all these “hack” writers here at Jersey Al’s are so far beneath your acceptably readable level, why do you waste your precious time and expert opinions on us back-water country bumpkins who clearly have no discerning taste or appreciation for the finer things in football blogging/writing?
If you’re ever at a trade convention where people have to wear those nametags, here’s some advice: steer clear from anyone who has a nametag that reads “Oppy”. He won’t be friendly.
Oppy, you might want to go back and read the comments again. I responded to Taryn saying “they” not referring to Jason in any way. He took offense, for some reason which makes no sense and came after me. I didn’t refer or call him any names until he went off!
As for the hack comment. Thats what they are. They’re amateur writers who have no extra or special access to the Packers or players than you or I. They dont’ get paid and they don’t know anymore than than anyone else. Seems they just like to think they do.
BTW Oppy, If I did see you anywhere I would come right to you and say “lets figure this out like men, between men. And no, that doesn’t necessarily mean fighting, which solves nothing. Don’t worry I’ll have no problem standing up for myself.
I can’t help you solve being a rude prick, Stroh. On the message boards, I have to tolerate it. In person, I do not.
If you wanna go that route I’ll be more than happy to do that as well!
Pretty sure Jason was referring to the way the Packers were using JA in practice as to why he felt he was on the fast track to a roster spot. This is also what he probably meant by asking observers who know how this team operates.
The Packers have been working JA all over the ST units. He was also making solid-to-splash plays regularly before the injury. Seems like a reasonable conclusion that he was probably going to make the squad.
FWIW, I don’t follow the Badgers at all, and really could care less where a player was raised. That being said, Watching JA highlights compared to JJ highlights it is clear to my eyes that Abby was far more NFL ready coming out of the draft. Janis has all sorts of potential and his size/speed combination is very attractive, but even his highlight reel is filled with some really poor route running. He looks more like a developmental player than Abby, who may not have the speed or size of Janis, but is a fairly polished route runner who seems to detail his work comparatively.
He’s more ready as a route runner, in that your correct. But in the NFL all WR are good route runners, they have to be to stick around the NFL. Jordy was a terrible route runner, now he’s a great one. Any WR who wants to or does excel in the NFL runs very precise routes.
Right now Abbrederis is a more polished NFL route runner, but that won’t be the case for long. Soon enough the guys that don’t, either are washed out or they develop running precise routes and then the player w/ more ability takes over.
Very few NFL WR can get by on just pure physical attributes.
Sorry to be off-topic, but…
Does anyone know if the preseason game is being televised in the SE WI market?
On NFL.com it doesn’t list a network for TV (Only sirius for radio), and on Packers.com it lists “Packers tv”, whatever that is.
I literally haven’t watched TV in my home since last year, so I have no clue if a network has been promoting the preseason broadcast or not. Any info, appreciated.
As you can all see, I’m in a bit of a mood to rumble today. Be as it may, you’re all still part of this site’s family and the oil in the engine.
That said, some of you (you know who you are) need to ask yourselves why you come here and read what we write every day. Despite what some of you seem to think, Al didn’t just pull a bunch of warm bodies off the street and throw together a website. There’s reasons each of us are here and we put a good amount of time into what we do. This isn’t a job for us, it’s a hobby. We don’t get paid. We enjoy talking about and discussing the Packers.
Share an opinion, disagree or hate the content, fine. My unsolicited 2 cents: RRRRREEEEEAAAAADDDD the content before commenting. It’s painfully obvious that’s not always happening!
Thanks!
My comment was to Taryn and referred the “they”, not “you”.
I don’t come here to read you, I come here to comment. If I want to read an informed intelligent writer I got to JSO, ESPN WI, Fox WI, ESPN Packers, Packers.com and others all of which have informed and good writing!
Your reading comprehension doesn’t seem to be a skill of yours either. I responded “they” not “you” or “he”. Yet you jumped on my response and started immediately w/ the name calling! So who’s the Troll?
Stroh doesn’t read the articles. He just comments.
And tells the contributing writers how sub-par they are.
Frequently.
Well when you take your info from much more qualified writers at those sites instead of what the writers (who are nothing more than fans) say here, yes!
Its not like writers here have access to the team, players, front office like the PROFESSIONAL writers do.
First of all, I agree that all of those sites you mention are informed, intelligent writing.
If you don’t come here to read, but rather just comment, then why bother at all? By that logic, it’s no wonder you constantly think everyone else is so lost and doesn’t understand the team or football. It also means we can just about ignore everything you write because it can’t pertain to the article if you didn’t read it! Fine if you want to call my style “rambling”, but most here DO understand and if you take the time to read, you’ll see it.
Your explanation of your response and how it was intended doesn’t make sense based on what you previously wrote but I’m done battling with you man. The rest of the readers here don’t deserve to have this entire section dedicated to an exercise in futility.
Just stick to your moments of clarity and level-headed commentary is my suggestion.
Just keep your small feeble persecution complex to yourself. I didn’t respond to you, yet YOU went off on me. Tell me who has the clarity?
Jason is a cool dude, please leave him alone…
Jason attacked me when I clearly didn’t respond to him. That does not make him “cool”. It makes him pathetic and small.
You mean to tell me, you don’t even read the articles? You just come here to comment and be a rude, never admits he’s wrong, know-it-all?
Do us a favor – stay the hell out of here then. I won’t let your arrogant commentary ruin this place for the others.
I’ll admit it some shows me I was wrong. I did it just the other day on Cheesehead. I have no problem if someone can show I’m wrong in admitting it.
I clearly showed Jay was wrong on his cover 3 article and I did so in a polite manner, except he continued to argue. Everyone makes mistakes and I’ll admit mine, maybe you can hold your “writers” to the same.
This is the last time I’ll ever address anything to you. But, I clearly wrote in my article that the video I posted wasn’t base cover 3 because I couldn’t find one. But, the way the coverage ended up unfolding at the end of the play looked like a cover 3 assignment because it was a dynamic coverage roll. You just couldn’t accept that and had to try to show up the entire comments section. I wasn’t arguing with you; I was trying to explain the video. I’m done with you now.
I’ll never understand why a small subset of people take such an issue with the writing here. We allow you to visit, read, and comment for free. There are plenty of premium sites out there that require subscription fees and are staffed with professionals. We’re hobbyists who write because we love it and donate our time to produce articles.
Another thing to consider is the format of this site. Our site allows us to report news and author opinions. Traditional news sites can only report facts and not supposed to provide opinions.
That’s the nature of it–we provide opinions, and with all opinions, not everyone will agree with them. It’s important to professionally and defensibly present a counterargument that supports your opinion. Going after the writers ad hominem is uncalled for and invalidates your opinion.
So, back to the original point. I’m sorry if you don’t like what we write for free and allow you to read for free. There are many options out there that may make you happier.
Jay, I for one appreciate what you guys do… Thank you.
Let me also offer this people’s consideration:
Most readers of Jersey Al’s and all the other Packers blog/fan sites do not simply read from one source. Most readers also peruse all those other professional sources as well.
That being said, I find that dedicated amateur fan/blog writers generally have a far better understanding of the workings of their respective local teams than professional sports writers working for the major national outlets.
As far as local sports writers, I would also offer that any fan who peruses local blog sites like this one (and many others) as well as the “professional” sources like JSO, GBP-G, even Packers.Com itself, will find that frequently those professional writers with all of their access take their stories and direction from the amateur fan/blog sites. The more I read amateur and pro sports writing, the more I realize that there is little separating good amateur writing from the majority of professional writing. Big media also has an agenda and often writers are looking for a story or manufacture an angle- remember, they are professionals. If they do not generate readership, they will not have a job.
Also on the note of access specifically during preseason, Packers fans enjoy an amazing amount of unfettered access to viewing practices, even now after the last many years of tightening that access. During preseason, there is not a whole lot that goes on in practice that AP journalists have access to that regular fans do not. Some fan writers live in GB and attend practice daily, the prime example would be Brian Carriveau, other fan writers are connected by direct reports from people at camp via social media. A few years ago I was at TC and it was looking like morning practice was going to rain out- which means into the Hutson center for private practice, where often even journalists are restricted. It was a rare day, Ted Thompson literally came out of the Hutson center and directed the guards to allow approximately 100 of us fans into the center- something I don’t believe had ever been allowed before. It was surreal. Only in Green Bay would a group of fans be allowed to enter a team facility and stand on an UNGUARDED sideline, literally ten feet from the players standing around the practice field boundaries, five feet from their gear, without ropes or any barriers.
Sorry for the ramble.
Good stuff, Oppy. The last thing I want to see is a divided group of fans and in-fighting. We all support the Packers and as Jay says, this is all free. At least the price is right!
Everyone has something to offer and I appreciate the feedback, all around and as long as it’s respectful. I apologize if I came across that way.
Carry on and. . Packers football is back!
Why should anyone take you seriously? You wrote an article about cover 3 and used what was clearly man coverage as an example. You said in zone coverage, the defenders play man coverage in their zone. Sheesh!
Dear Stroh,
You wrote: “When I want to read something about the Packers I go to sites that have good informed writers. Not a bunch of scribblers. Reading the ramblings of all you hacks doesn’t inform anyone, mostly it misinforms them.”
Then why the F*ck are you here? For your information, among my writers there are two members of the Professional Football Writers of America. We have a credentialed Associated Press writer, a college professor and a former newspaper reporter who also writes for the Wisconsin State Journal. You, sir are the HACK. You disparage anyone that has a different opinion than yours, because after all, you are always right.
I’ve tolerated your arrogance for too long. I’m done with you.
Do you ever wonder why you got banned from ACME Packing Company? Because it doesn’t seem like you’ve learned any lesson from that experience.
Go start your own blog, Strohman. Surely the masses will flock to it to read your infinite wisdom.