Nelson Likely to Enter Preseason as an Instructor

As the Packers prepare for their first preseason game Thursday night against the Eagles, the energy is high, as are the hopes for the upcoming campaign.

For seasoned wide receiver Jordy Nelson, it's just another go-around.

Now entering his 10th season—ninth if you don't count 2015, the year he tore his ACL—he leads a group of young receivers whose levels of experience are slim-to-none. All of which, are excited to lend a hand in helping the Packers walk away with a win on Thursday and prove why they're deserving of a roster spot.

Nelson was once one of those players. "Way too long ago," as he would recall, however, the role he plays in helping groom the young group of receivers beneath him on the depth chart may prove as a far greater assistance than he would on the field in exhibition play.

That's why it's unlikely Nelson takes the field Thursday, and instead, stations himself in more of a coaching role. 

"I've never had a good preseason game," Nelson said after Tuesday's practice. In 2015, he tore his ACL and last season, he was still sidelined for the sake of the team being cautious and keeping him shelved until the regular season. "I think my best preseason game was the year I tore my ACL. So my goal is to not be successful in the preseason."

If Nelson were to suit up, he'd be catching passes from Brett Hundley, the Packers' third-year quarterback who many speculated would be traded during April's draft. Thursday night marks another string of auditions for Hundley for other teams who may take interest in the former UCLA Bruin.

He's noticed a sudden jump in Hundley's development, which may bode well for the Packers' receiving corps this preseason. The better asset they have under center, the easier their job as skill position players becomes.

"The confidence that he's displaying in the huddle, understanding the playbook - the ins and outs of it," Nelson said. "Obviously, his ability to throw and run is something that he'll always have, playing quicker, seeing everything faster and before they happen. For him, that's the level you need to get to in order to slow the game down.

"This would be a good opportunity for him, I think he missed out all of last year. Hopefully, he can stay healthy out there, have some good experience, make some plays and get comfortable."

Nelson hasn't officially been ruled out of the cards for Thursday, but there's much better of a chance that he sees even the slightest of in-game work sometime between now and Aug. 31st, the Packers' final preseason game.

Any opportunity to get on the field in exhibition would already be a leap above last year where Nelson was absent from both practice and games leading into the regular season. 

The cohesion that he's formed with Aaron Rodgers over an illustrious career in which the two have accounted for 59 touchdowns gives Nelson a little more leeway in missing time. That was evidenced last season when Nelson caught 5 touchdowns in his first four regular season games since the end of the 2014 season.

He'll don what will likely be a green and gold Packers cap and sideline clothes Thursday night, but that won't stop Nelson from getting in the mix and being a voice of experience for the receivers.

"They're excited about it and we're excited to watch them because we see them in practice and you want to see if it translates to game time," Nelson said. "It's always fun to see them go out and perform and reap some of the rewards for what they've been doing in practice and have that opportunity."

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (69)

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

August 08, 2017 at 08:34 pm

Someone would have to be out of their mind to let Nelson play in that game.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 08, 2017 at 09:17 pm

Agreed.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 08, 2017 at 09:17 pm

Excellent article. Jordy has been invaluable for the young receivers.

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Spock's picture

August 08, 2017 at 09:23 pm

Andrew, it's your opinion, but based on your opinions posted on CHTV I'm kind of leaning toward you doing your number 4. :) Seriously, you need to lighten up (IMHO) a bit. Man, it's still preseason; there is going to be glitches and times when everyone looks bad. I'm not one to "drink the Kool-Aid" but I also will take one bad practice with a grain of salt. Let's just see how it all works out once the real games begin!

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 08, 2017 at 09:12 pm

Excellent article. Jordy has been invaluable for the young receivers.

But since I was at practice today, I must vent about this team:

1. The safeties are great, but the corners are AWFUL. King may be the worst of all right now (and here I thought he'd start). He's a disaster. Every time a WR breaks on a cut, King rounds it deep rather than breaking on his man, thus creating HUGE space for easy grabs. Rollins was solid, Randall shaky, and the only "sticky" cover guy is Hawkins. Seriously, Hawkins looked the best, and it wasn't that close.

2. The TE's are dominant, but the WR's are overrated. Jordy didn't practice, but Cobb did, AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE HAS NO BURST AT ALL. Adams was easily the best guy out there, followed by Trevor Davis. Michael Clark, though inconsistent, was tied with Malachi Dupre for 3rd. Allison, Cobb, and Janis look utterly worthless.

3. From what I can see, Nick Perry is our only NFL-caliber OLB. Matthews dances with backup O-Linemen. Fackrell is a Khyri Thornton-level bust.

4. I believe the death penalty could be replaced with one day watching film of Jahri Evans trying to run-block. 3 hours in would have me begging for death's sweet release.

5. Right now, I'm not sure who our best D-Lineman is--Mike Daniels or Dean Lowry. Seriously. Twin studs.

6. Remove Josh Jones, and our ILB's have zero pop, with poor coverage ability.

Summary: This is a below average team with an insanely good QB. They'll contend for the division. But I just don't see the talent there to go much further.

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JohnnyLogan's picture

August 08, 2017 at 09:32 pm

I was at practice yesterday and totally agree. D doesn't look great. It's only practice... but the corners, aside from Rollins, do look bad. King seemed not to be as bad as you made out. Saw him stay with receivers a few times and make a nice one handed interception. Randall looks tiny. Gunter's a disaster. I'm less concerned about Mathews and Fackrell because there's little real attempt at rushing that I could see. Gilbert looks the best out there. Lowry seems like a real presence. Hard to tell really what we have on D, but it would surprise if the corners were much improved over last year. My surprise pick to make the team?... McCafferey

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 05:50 am

I didn't mention Gunter because I can't even consider him a low-level NFL corner. Awful. With King, you and I must have been at different portions of the field watching different drills (I was on the right side, around the 35 yard line). What I saw was horrifying.

Thanks for mentioning McCaffrey--total oversight on my part. He looks very good, and may soon be a lock to make the roster. But then, against these corners, how can we tell what's good?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 09, 2017 at 04:05 am

You want the "gift" if you have to watch Evans run block? Well, the beat writers use various euphemisms when they discuss his run blocking.

Concur on Cobb. I remember seeing him matched up on a LB; he ran a go route and got half a step. Not good.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 05:56 am

Cobb will make some plays off veteran savvy and chemistry with Rodgers--who buys Cobb ridiculous amounts of time for his routes--but he's quickly becoming a below-average NFL WR.

At least that's how it looked yesterday. Jeez. At least he looks very smooth handling punts. Use him there.

As for Evans, I wouldn't call what he does "run-blocking." More like run-desertion. Honestly, this guy could be charged for desertion from the front lines.

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NickPerry's picture

August 09, 2017 at 06:13 am

If all this is all true and it carries over to the regular season then Ted Thompson should be FIRED without a doubt, the moment the season is over. He's used far too many draft choices on defense to have anything close to what you're describing here.

BUT....I have a strong feeling it's not as bad as you're describing. King has been to what, 9 or 10 practices? He missed a lot of time because of school so I'd cut him some slack at least until they play a few preseason games or more. Randall stunk at the end of his rookie season, stunk last season, was handed the "Star Position" in hopes he'd grab the chance and run with it. He hasn't so I imagine he'll stink this season too. Is it THAT big of a surprise?

Matthews might not be what he was but I highly doubt he's giving anywhere close to 50% with those hamstrings. He's NOT going to show much in the preseason or TC EVER again. Lets hope he can show something in the regular season. Frackrell is disappointing to read about because they really don't have anything other than Elliott which IMO isn't much.

Thompson got lucky with Taylor last season after he cut Sitton who BTW ended up rated as the #2 Guard in the NFL IIRC, and he got NOTHING in return other than a few dollars of cap savings. This year he treated TJ Lang like a "Stepchild" with the contract he offered and made it impossible for Lang to even consider staying in GB. It was damn right embarrassing the offer he made to Lang AND the message he sent to anyone not named Rodgers or Nelson approaching 30. Ted HAD to sign Evans, he was the only OL left in FA a day before the draft. To add another big need to the Packers list of needs before this years draft would have been too much to try to replace so Evans was signed. My hope for Evans is he doesn't get 12 killed.

This has been an average team with an insanely great QB for most of Rodgers time here. I've always said take Rodgers off this football team and the Packers are the 2011 Indy Colts without Peyton Manning. They finished 2-14 BTW.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 06:56 am

First I'd like to say I haven't been at practice so I am basing everything off of what I read.

And sorry Andrew but I don't know you. I will take what you say with a grain of salt, no offense. But the last time I was up there, I was sitting next to a guy just ripping Hundley for not getting the ball out fast enough in a passing drill. (For the record he was very close to Rodgers in when he got the ball out).

That being said.
I completely agree with Nick. King has missed a lot of the offseason work. It will take him some time. Everything that I have read so far Rollins has been far and away the best CB. House has been good, Randall has been better.

I completely agree with Nick on Mathews. The Mathews that you see now will be a different Mathews come week 1. Would you rather have Mathews going 100 mph in practice or saving it for the games that matter?

I disagree that Thompson got lucky with Taylor. They had seen him at practice and knew what they had in him. They saw what they had so they were able to let him go. From reports I had seen Sitton was becoming a distraction in the locker room. This year they let Lang go where he got paid significantly more money. While I would have loved to have had Lang back, was he worth that much more?

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

August 09, 2017 at 07:08 am

I agree with you RCPF, the coaches didn't "get lucky with Taylor," and if Evans really isn't doing the job, I won't be shocked to see him cut. In the meantime, he provides some veteran leadership for the young linemen, several of whom have had good camps.
I haven't been able to make it to camp this summer, but I'm not surprised at some of what you railbirds are reporting. As I said before the draft, the one player I DIDN'T want the Packers to take was Kevin King--I thought he was HIGHLY overrated--his game tape looked terrible to me, other than a few splash plays.
I'm sad if it's true about Fackrell; he was a guy I really loved going into last year's draft. Hopefully he'll be a "gamer." Luckily, Biegl has good potential.
I guess we'll know a lot more by the end of tomorrow night!

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 07:14 am

From what I have heard about Evans is that he has looked good. So I'm not to worried. I am hoping to see better backup play though.

I haven't made it to camp yet either. But I have followed along on twitter with all the guys that are. That is where I'm getting my info from and I'm excited about this team.

For me I am holding onto any judgments on players until the games. Especially the RB's and OLB's. They are 2 positions that are tough to really get a good judge of in practice without live tackling. With the RB's, how do they do when they are being tackled, will they break the tackle or not? With the OLB's, how much do they have to throttle down to not hit the QB's?

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:24 am

It's easy to see which OLB's have burst and closing speed--they just pull up at the end. It's true that Matthews doesn't go all out until it matters, so I expect he'll still have something come the regular season.

But with as little burst as he's showing in camp...why bother showing up at all?

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:48 am

Speaking of OLB's what was your thoughts of Calvin?

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:14 am

He didn't stand out in the drills I saw. Looks like just a guy. Elliott and Gilbert seemed to bring more punch.

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NickPerry's picture

August 09, 2017 at 07:37 am

Your right, perhaps "Lucky" wasn't the proper word to use because like you said they knew what Taylor brought to the O-Line. But it still was a risky move IMO. Sitton knew Thompson wasn't going to pay him and he became vocal. He was approaching the age of 30 and we all know how Thompson treats 30 year old players. He CUTS them. Taylor ended up being solid but he was no where near Sitton. BUT it also didn't really matter in the whole scheme of things in the end.

I also think letting Lang walk without much of a fight was partly due to Taylor's success, but at the end of the day there was NO WAY Thompson should have matched what the Lions offered. But he shouldn't have insulted Lang with the ridiculous one year deal he offered either. A crappy message was sent by Thompson there IMO. The difference this year is the Packers didn't have a viable back-up for Lang at the time he was signed. With that said I have high hopes for Evans. I've read more than once his run blocking has been anywhere from bad to awful. I highly doubt it's THAT bad but as long as he's not a turnstile in the running game and is as good as he was last year in the passing game, the Packers should be okay. The good thing is they have one of the best RT in the NFL to Evans right, and a healthy Lindsey (For the 1st time) to his left AND 2 TE's who can block. Every O-Line in the NFL has some sort of weakness, hopefully Evans has one average or above average season left in him.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:39 am

Nick, I understand the concern over Lang's departure, but we all pretty much agree that the Packers should not have matched or beat what the Lions offered him...that it would be overpaying for a player who--granted, plays at or near an all-pro level when healthy--has broken down with injuries toward the ends of the last 3 seasons and would have finished a 4-year deal well past his prime.

Don't get me wrong: he's a warrior and a leader and I would've loved to have kept him in GB...but if the Lions were bidding against themselves and gave Lang an offer that even we think (some grudgingly) the Packers should not have tried to match or beat, I don't know what we're grousing about in how he was handled.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:02 am

IMHO, the risky move was not having a better backup behind the starters. I think they knew what they had in Taylor but behind him got thinner.

Like Dobber said it really wasn't worth bringing him back at the price the Lions paid him. And with Lang getting older the more chances he has for getting more injuries. To sign him to a huge deal, really wasn't smart.

I'm not worried about Evans. If he isn't as good of a run blocker as pass blocker, thats ok. I'd rather him being able to protect Rodgers. We have a couple of really good blocking TE's now that we haven't had in the past to help make up for it.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 11, 2017 at 07:27 am

I had no idea I was ripping Hundley so loudly. Oops!

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:32 am

King has incredible tools and will develop over time, but I don't see how we can put him on the field this year. Dear Lord, he'll get smoked by backups.

Evans won't get Rodgers killed. His pass-blocking is fine. It's his run-blocking that offends my eyesight.

The offer Lang received from Detroit was well out of our price range, but the offer we gave was an insult.

2-14 without Rodgers? Probably about right, though we do have a strong backup QB. But this is not a good team without its stud QB. Not at all.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:01 am

"...but the offer we gave was an insult."

Why was it an insult? If it was genuinely what the team was willing to pay the player, it was an insult? Would it have been less of an insult to let him walk without a phone call to Lang's agent? They should have ponied up a bigger offer that they weren't willing or wanting to pay? What if Lang takes it and now they're married to a contract they aren't happy with?

No problem with how Lang was handled.

IMO, we have a misplaced sense of "loyalty" to players that seems to come from the pre-FA period. These guys make a lot of money and they want the right to hit the market and make some coin. The loyalty is in the paycheck. When the contract runs out, teams and players are on their own. Its what the teams seem to want and its what the players seem to want.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:20 am

I have no problem letting Lang walk, as we simply couldn't afford him with our cap situation. It was the right move. We'll let Burnett go after this year for the same reason.

But I just would have told Lang that, rather than put out a silly offer. This has nothing to do with "loyalty," but rather, realism. The guy was an elite guard, and we offered a lowball deal because we couldn't do any better. Just say so.

That's my only problem. No biggie, just what I would have done.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:52 am

But how do we know they DIDN'T do something like that?

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billybobton's picture

August 10, 2017 at 01:30 pm

There was no luck involved in moving Josh S for Taylor at all, none. The fact is (although denied by many) AROD adds a letter grade to every packer OLman, just fact. Watch Josh as a bear in pass protection.....where was the drop off in green bay? Just people refusing to credit AROD for how really special he is. It is, has been, will be an average OL at best.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 07:09 am

"1. The safeties are great, but the corners are AWFUL.
2. The TE's are dominant, but the WR's are overrated. Jordy didn't practice, but Cobb did, AND HE LOOKS LIKE HE HAS NO BURST AT ALL. Adams was easily the best guy out there, followed by Trevor Davis. Michael Clark, though inconsistent, was tied with Malachi Dupre for 3rd. Allison, Cobb, and Janis look utterly worthless."

one question with this. When you say the WR's are overrated were you saying that because the CB's were all over them? I'm a bit confused. Essentially in one sentence you say that the CB's can't cover anyone, and the next you say the WR's can't get open. I'm a bit confused by that...
Also who was throwing to the WR's? It makes a huge difference having Rodgers throwing to these guys vs Hill..

That being said the WR group is very intriguing. IMO the most intriguing player in camp is Clark. He is such a huge target. While he is no question Raw, and probably would be best to spend a year on the PS to develop his size and basketball background are very hard to ignore. While he may not run the crisp routes does he need to? He can literally just go up and high point a ball over top of almost every CB in the league. That is a skill that very few have.

Other things that I have heard about the WR group.
I have heard Davis has looked really fast and is taking a year 2 jump. McCaffrey has caught everything and has looked very, very good. Allison has looked really good. Dupre has been very good. Yancey the last 2 days had his best days of camp.

I'm really looking forward to seeing them tomorrow night.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:19 am

You don't think I account for matchups or quality of throw? What do you think I am, some drunk at the end of the bar? Sheesh.

Yes, RC, I've actually seen some of this football thangy b'fore. I'm pretty sure I can account for some variables.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:42 am

I'm not disregarding your football knowledge. I just don't know you.

For me from what you are saying is different then what I have read on twitter. Thats why I question it.
Now you were there in practice to see it. I haven't been so I can't say until I see them in games.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:45 am

Then why bring up a blowhard bum next to you at camp?

That was out of line.

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Bearmeat's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:22 am

Relax, Francis.

I happen to agree with most of your points. I think the defense will probably be below average at best again, and if I had to guess, my guess is that this season would end with yet another crushing high scoring playoff defeat.

But there's no need to get angry. RC is a cool dude.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:23 am

I generally have no problem with RC, but he's comparing me to some idiot blowhard and you're bringing up a psycho from Stripes.

Maybe it isn't me who should relax here...

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LayingTheLawe's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:12 pm

Every single comment someone makes to you here makes you mad. That's going to work REAL well here. <cue eye roll>

I thought Relax, Francis was dang funny.

And the writer of the other comment was far from the only one who wondered how both the cornerbacks and receivers could look so terrible at the same time.

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JDK52's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:21 am

Peth, explain for all of us just why we should put any stock in your football knowledge. It sounds like you're dramatically overreacting to a practice.

Also, the way you respond to everyone here who disagrees with you is kind of rude. "what do you think I am, some drunk at the end of the bar?." No need to be condescending and rude.

Anyway, we'll all know soon enough what type of team this is. I for one choose to be optimistic, and don't really care for your opinion on the quality of our depth.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:26 am

Let me get this straight:

I'm treated like someone who doesn't factor in matchups and QB play, then compared to some blowhard I've never met who sat next to RC at a practice, and when I protest...

...I'M condescending and rude?

Amazing. You people are truly amazing.

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JDK52's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:32 am

You act like someone is attacking you when they're definitely not. I've read many, many of your comments on this site and it's a common theme.

Just take it easy out there. In this forum it's easy to perceive something as an insult when it wasn't meant that way.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 02:01 pm

It was an insult. I perceived it accurately. There is no common theme of me perceiving people as insulting me, as to my recollection this is the first time in ages I've alleged anything of the sort.

So now you're just making things up.

Here's a crazy thought: How about letting my comments stand on their own merit, rather than comparing me to blowhards I've never met or psychos from old movies? If you think I'm being too hard on the team, then back it up--but try doing it without getting personal or lying about "common themes."

I stuck to the topic, others got personal, I responded, then people like you blamed me instead of them. It's not any deeper than that.

So try--just try--to debate the topic itself, not your feelings about me.

Fair enough?

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:30 am

I think most of us already know what type of team this will be, assuming the rookie CB can't contribute, and the other two high defensive picks are injured. We watched the games last year.
It doesn't take much insight to make these predictions.

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JDK52's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:35 am

"...most of us already know..."

Well, I guess you won't be watching games, then. Bummer! I'll let you know how things go.

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:59 am

I always watch the Packers, no matter how ugly I know it might be.
But I have been turning some games off at about the 20-30 minute mark the last few years.
Since '63
The Brewers on the other hand......there's no hope.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 02:03 pm

More nastiness. Seems like a "common theme"...

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:55 am

And none of us have any clue what type of this team will be assuming the rookie CB contributes some meaningful snaps and the rest of the secondary stays reasonably healthy.

You're cherry-picking the worst possible scenario, here. You can live in that world if you like.

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 11:00 am

Thank-you, I will do that.
It's called "reality". I am the master of it!
Since '63

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 11, 2017 at 07:28 am

Watch it.
I always sit in the MIDDLE of the bar.

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:35 am

This is very, very, disconcerting, although not unsurprising.
Why they waited until early in round TWO to grab their first defensive player, a CB is puzzling.
I had hoped they knew what they were doing, but it appears they have blown it with a defensive player - AGAIN!
How could they miss on this pick so badly?
Scouting, coaches, or Ted in their evaluations?
This is not good.
Get ready for 30+ points per game once again, and bottom 1/4 of the league in yards allowed.
Stood pat on coaching, and didn't get any talent to change things.
2 of your 3 higher level defensive players are hurt, and the top guy is ineffective.
Great job TT/McCarthy - great job.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:45 am

"Why they waited until early in round TWO to grab their first defensive player, a CB is puzzling."

Moving down a handful of picks to get the guy they likely would've taken in the first round anyway? Actually sounds pretty smart to me...low risk, good reward. Lots of players on that tier available, and a very deep CB draft.

Cut King some slack. Guy hasn't even put foot on a field for MEANINGLESS snaps, much less meaningful ones. Let's get some real film on this guy before we decide he can't play. Step back from the ledge for a moment, friend.

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:54 am

Dobber...what I'm saying is this team needed top level talent, difference makers. Guys with play making ability.
This might have been the year to package a couple of picks and move into the mid 1st round to get a superior defensive talent, rather than taking the conservative approach like TT always does.
I was thinking about it at the time, but hoped they knew what they were doing.
If KK was even remotely adequate you wouldn't have multiple people making comments about poor play, and coaches demoting him to 3rd string.
I thought at the very least they had a physical talent that could run.
But if you don't know the technique, then you can't show the physical skill. That's the tough part of this.
It appears they overestimated the physical talent (speed), and overestimated the refinement of his technique as well.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:28 am

This also might have been the year to shed a couple high salaries, like Cobb and Matthews, then spend for a quality FA corner. Then, draft a passrusher in Round 1.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:59 am

I would argue that all the "sure things" who don't have arrest records are gone before the middle of round 1 where speculative athletic freaks tend to dominate. They might be top-level talent, but you're hedging your bets on difference makers...much like they did with KK.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 02:09 pm

Very true. That's why King was risky, but risk was warranted.

Honestly, I'm just hoping he'll be a player by Year 2. The kid's talent is off the charts.

What I don't understand is, why does a guy with great height, excellent speed, and who breaks like lightning, instantly fall back the moment every receiver cuts, rather than pressing the route?

I mean, if anyone can recover quickly, it's King. That's why his technique is so surprising to me.

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Spock's picture

August 08, 2017 at 09:12 pm

Love Jordy, but preseason is for the "want to be's". I personally like to see the "trial by combat" of the kids trying to make the team. In an unrelated article, it sounds like Ty has vastly improved his blocking skhttp://www.packers.com/media-center/videos/Rock-Report-Personal-priority...

check it out!

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croatpackfan's picture

August 09, 2017 at 06:35 am

It is interesting to read comments from fans how Packers sucks, and then listen to Aaron Rodgers how he compliment players which fans throwing under the bus...

It is interesting time of the year...

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billybobton's picture

August 10, 2017 at 01:34 pm

There is a world of difference in speaking out in public about the talent of team mates and for 3rd persons to be accurate. Recall the AROD praise for dropvante prior to year 2 of the 'play the draft choice not the player' experiment.

Look to Cutler for a guy who reacts honestly to his OL blocking.

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Since&#039;61's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:42 am

First my appreciation to ALP, Johnny Logan and others who are able to attend practices and take the time to report back to us here who are unable (I live in NJ) to get to the practices. While the reports sound mixed the one consistency seems to be lack of any improvement in the CB and ILB position groups. That does not bode well. As for Cobb, CM3 and J. Evans not looking very good I'm not surprised given that they are veteran players who I suspect know enough to pace themselves during TC and who would prefer not to injure themselves or others at this time of the season. Also, we already know that Evans is a liability at run blocking and CM3 is not the player he once was but I'm guessing that neither of them or Cobb are going at 100% yet. Why would they? As for Gunther, I don't know why he is still on the team. This makes me wonder what our coaches are looking at and what Joe Whitt, an allegedly great CB coach, is doing with the CB group. Are they so poor in terms of talent that Whitt can't improve their level of play? If yes, than TT has blown it big time with Randall, Rollins, and King. Which means that good QBs will shred our secondary again this season. On the positive side it sounds like Daniels, Lowry, Clark, Perry et.al may be able to provide an effective pass rush to help out our CBs. We're about a month away from week 1 so if nothing else let's hope this team stays healthy. Thanks, Since '61

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:39 am

I think with Gunter they see a tall guy, with good ability to get physical and jam at the line.
He also seems to have good turn and run on the 1st move with receivers.
He shows good form, I'll give him that.
But after the 1st break, most receivers get separation because he's just too slow to play corner.
Hell if he had 4.3 speed he'd be Deion Sanders, but he's 4.6 on a good day, so he's toast.
I won't be surprised if he gets cut.
Who they replace him with might be just as bad, if not worse, although I don't know how it could be any worse.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:47 am

My gripe with Gunter is that he's a guy the Packers insist on playing at CB who belongs at S. I don't think he could make this team with the talent they have in the S room right now, and he's going to be hard pressed to make it at CB.

Whether we like him or not, he's another guy who, if/when the Packers let him go, will end up on another team's roster right-quick.

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Finwiz's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:55 am

I'm not sure he gets picked up, other than maybe practice squad.
It's obvious he doesn't have the speed to stay with receivers at this level.
I'm certainly not worried about him coming back to haunt us in any way.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:10 am

I don't think that personnel moves should be governed by whether or not the players released will be picked up by another team, or fear over whether that player will come back to haunt the Packers in another uniform. The goal is to get the group of players that position you best for success now and over the next couple years.

I can respect your assessment: Gunter shouldn't be any more than anyone's 4th CB, if teams insist on continuing to use him at CB. We all know how he ended up playing all those snaps a year ago. But there will be teams who will look at him, his length, his age, and his film from last year and will be interested when/if the Packers cut him loose. CBs are a commodity in the league. We get too hung up on speed, but he's not the slowest CB playing in the league...

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:42 am

Perry, Daniels and Lowry are a pleasure to watch. Nothing but quickness, power, and desire. I'm sure Matthews is holding back, but the point comes when one must wonder why he bothers to attend practice if he won't engage.

I expect King to develop over time with his incredible tools, but I was stunned to see how far away he is at present. There's no way we can put this kid out there against NFL receivers. And while no one seems to believe me, Josh Hawkins really stood out. He and Rollins were the only CB's actually breaking on cuts and sticking to their guys.

House didn't practice.

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Since&#039;61's picture

August 09, 2017 at 11:14 am

ALP - I have been hoping that Hawkins will make the 53 this season in which case we can hopefully and finally chuck Gunther. If we have a healthy CB group House, King, Randall, Rollins and Hawkins , plus a safety corps of Dix, Burnett, Brice, Jones and Evans our secondary should be OK. Our CBs still won't be great but with a decent pass rush and solid play at safety we should be improved over last season. The key is how much and for long can this group stay healthy. Thanks, Since '61

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 02:11 pm

Yeah, overall it's a promising group.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 08:50 am

By all accounts the Packers have been regularly mixing and matching their CB combinations to see what they have and how they play together. I think they're destined to not look so great until the coaches decide what the pecking order is.

I'll echo your sentiment: we're still a month away from Week 1. I'm not getting bent out of shape over this, yet.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:08 am

WHAT?? And miss out on the fun of flipping out before the team plays even one preseason game?

Also, I'm excited to announce that I'll be selling green and gold "Worry Chairs" for $999. Just look for an unmarked truck parked behind the Toys R Us in Green Bay, as soon as I can get the security cameras disabled.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 09:15 am

I've got a "Worry Bus" full of worry chairs for folks. It runs regularly from the parking lots down by Bay Park Square to Lambeau for game days. Free lemonade.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 09, 2017 at 10:45 am

Might I suggest a merger? We could make some real cheddar.

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Since&#039;61's picture

August 09, 2017 at 11:18 am

Dobber and TK - LOL, good job! This blog apparently needs the humor right now. It's all meaningless and speculation until week 1. We just need to stay healthy until then and we'll be able to accurately and fairly judge what this team has. Thanks, Since '61

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 09, 2017 at 02:17 pm

Several years ago (during the heyday of the guy from Kiln) I was at a tc practice and one of the reserve QB's had thrown several incompletions in a row. The guy next to me started yelling, "Get that guy outta there! Put "Far" [his word] back in!"
And it occurred to me at that time that he and I viewed that practice altogether differently.

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dobber's picture

August 09, 2017 at 05:47 pm

I think he'd had a couple of our Worry Bus Lemonades.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

August 09, 2017 at 02:15 pm

Sure, just because I get mad over one practice, that doesn't mean the corners are doomed for all time. It just means I expected better--quite a bit better--than the mess on display yesterday.

As for King, all he has to do is start pressing on the cuts. But if he's not doing it after years of college and a couple weeks of camp, I don't think he'll be ready any time soon.

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justjoe's picture

August 10, 2017 at 12:49 pm

This is a draft a develop team. King will get better. All of rookies will get better.

Anyone who rips on Cobb should remember that he was one of the big reasons we even got to Atlanta last year. I'm pretty sure he had a hat trick in one of those playoff games. If he has a healthy year he will do his contract justice.

Lots of anger in the forums today. We should all just be happy that real football is back.

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