Seven more days...Hell yeah!

DBak... I'm still optimistic Bakhtiari will be ready to go. Obviously, I'd like to see him out participating ASAP but with the Packers being as cautious as they are I won't read too much into what happens the first few weeks. IF it's still an issue then my fear would be would David Bakhtiari EVER play again football again.

Sammy... Thank God Al, I was thinking I was the only one. It seems every Podcast I hear the hosts are so ready to just cut Watkins or are certain he can't/won't produce. I get the concerns but it's also possible he does stay healthy. I'm optimistic!

I'm also watching Amari Rodgers. The kid had done and said all the right things this offseason. He seems ready to go and I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a big part of the offense.

Kenny Clark... Wow, can you imagine how quick Clark will be now? He looks fantastic. This is going to be such a fun defense to watch!

I'm looking forward to seeing the defense this year. With the exception of a couple of years McCarthy/Thompson let the defense play second fiddle to the offense. A number one defense will put the Packers in the Super Bowl. The offense will score but they won't need to score 30 to win the game.
Better special teams! Hell, ya! How about a kick return for a touchdown? How about not destroying punters like other coaches have done?
Bring on the season!

The special teams will be better, simply because there's really no way to get any worse. When you cost your team a chance to advance in the tournament, the bar's been set pretty low.

Watkins is going to be Andre Rison, ver. 2.0, but without the 'tude and psychotic girlfriend. He'll catch the first TD pass for the Packers in the Super Bowl as they cruise to victory.

The question that's going through my mind is whether or not the Packers All-Pro LT will ever be Bakh to his old form? Not everyone makes it Bakh from ACL surgery. (sees self out)

I read something from Watkins that he said he's disappointed in his career so far and he believes he can be elite ,he feels now coming to the Packers is a new beginning and he's excited for the opportunity to prove himself, sounds like he is very focused ,I hope he is right!

--Clark at DE, could be a great move.
--It's also a very important year for Love.
---I'm surprised the team is tinkering with Watson's contract and head.
---One of the more exciting preseasons in recent memory.

Seven More Days -
It hit me yesterday that Packers camp is next week already. Where has the summer gone. I'm not complaining about football starting up very soon, it just kind of caught me off guard a bit.
All I know is I can't wait.

DBak Watch -
If he is going I am assuming he will be very limited. I would guess he starts out in the rehab group.

5 Players to Watch - Players I'm really excited to see this camp (excluding the rookies):
1 - I am counting the Rookies all as 1.
2 - Tyler Davis, with the unknown of Big Bob and when he will be back, we need another TE to emerge. Davis has been a favorite to be that guy.
3 - TJ Slaton - I think he is going to be a force in the middle of the DL. I would not be surprised if he was our starting NT. I am really excited to see him take a step this year.
4 - Amari Rodgers - He had a disappointing rookie year. But reports are he has lost some weight and has gained quickness. A year in the system and feeling more comfortable in his body could mean a big step up for him.
5 - Sammy Watkins - He is a player that could be the number 1 target, or there is a possibility that he doesn't even make the team. I don't think that part is as likely, but they don't have a lot invested into him, so that is a possibility. I think he becomes a big part of the offense. He won't be Adams, but I think he has a really productive year. He just has to stay healthy.

Watson unsigned -
I saw it the other day that he was still unsigned. I was surprised as well. I assume he will get signed when he reports though or before he reports.

Kenny Clark Moving to TE? -
Clark definitely looks slimmed down. I am looking forward to seeing our DL with the additions of Reed, Wyatt, Ford. I think Slaton is going to take a big jump. Heflin is also a guy to keep an eye on. I think Clary and Wyatt could be really good together.

I can't wait. 1 week away. Lets go!

Asking for prayers: On June 27th, I had emergency surgery for several hours to correct what is called aortic dissection, which has to do with the weakening and eventual breaking of the aortic wall. It was the cause of death for actors Alan Thicke and John Ritter; and I was close enough to death to be transported by helicopter from one hospital to another (that was actually the highlight of the day).
So, I'm thankful to be alive, and am doing fairly well -- though with much fatigue and, when I move around, extreme shortness of breath. Fortunately, the pain has subsided considerably.
I'd be glad for my companions here at CHTV, staff and fans, if so inclined, to say a prayer for me to persevere and not give way to discouragement.
I'm hoping to tap into the Lombardi message of doing the best we can with what we've been given, but weakness gets in the way.
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
As in football, I truly believe that life is a team sport.

I also think Bakh starts on the rehab group. No need to hurry him back. Let him get healthy and we'll go from there. Besides, we have Yosh Nijman as his back up and the extra snaps Yosh gets at LT, can't hurt. I also think Watkins will have a solid season, for GB. Coming to GB was just the boost he needed to get him going. Kenny Clark is looking good and pairing him with Wyatt, or whomever, will be a smart move. Our DL is about to be noticed and taken very seriously, by the rest of the League. I think the group to watch, though, will be the WRs. Lots of players with talent and all vying for playing time. Several of those rookies will start out on STs, which would seem to be a natural progression, for them. GO PACK, GO!!!

Clark was an excellent NT. Can he be as good as a DE? Possibly, but such changes aren’t guaranteed to be effective. He could be great, but it could be a net downgrade in a year where we are playing for now. Hopefully they have a lot of confidence in Slaton or Reed at NT.

Reed came out as a NT, and perhaps he’s heavier now, but it’s not an obvious like for like and Slaton has potential but was not thought as strong In the run game as his size suggests at this point. Conceivably the hope may be to go Reed and Ford primarily with Slaton staying at DE It could make it more important that Ford justify a spot. This might make a trade of Lowry more likely?

Watson being unsigned at present is not an issue. It will become one fast though if it’s not resolved very soon. He is one player that the team cannot afford to miss time if he’s to be a contributor this year. He’s a guy with the largest learning curve of probably any draftee.

If Bakh is not back, it’s likely the beginning of the end. If he’s not back by now, the chances are far greater that his years of regular availability are over even when he is. It was a risky contract extension justified by his consistent availability and excellence set against age and statistics. We have, thus far, lost the gamble. If he’s not healthy now the chances that he’s as good or available consistently to recoup value recede dramatically.

I hope that you are right about Carpenter. He certainly seems to fit the ST profile, but we’ve seen other big S/small ILB types that haven't lit up STs. I think there are some others competing to be that guy, both new and old (like Wilborn, for example). I just hope one or two can really show, regardless of identity at this point.

I hope Amari Rodgers shows us why he was drafted. I hope Cobb and Watkins can stay healthy. But even more I hope that we are willing to cut players who get genuinely outplayed thorough camp and preseason and keep and play the depth players who earn it not draft picks/holdovers from prior years.

Taylor’s treatment last year belied a really impressive preseason performance and ST acumen (not returning) in favor of a current Bear who statistically was a black hole. If Taylor or Winfree or Wilborn/Scott/Gaines justify a role on the field keep them and be willing to activate. Remove dead wood and don’t bring it back and leave the 90 under no doubt that that’s how it will be. Only exceptional potential should have a player rostered whom they really don’t want to use this year. That’s what Lombardi and Bellicheck would do. Indeed it’s part of the ethos of most winners.

Interested in your take on Baylor. Since I doubt Hill is back to full mobility this season, I see Taylor as RB 3 if health doesn’t shake things up. Keeping a 3rd bruiser would require some persuading from on field performance. I see Goodman as having the inside track should they keep a 4th or all stay healthy, simply because of his hands and seeming fit in the Jones type role.

Just looking forward to seeing players and even coaches gradually start to give us some real things to form opinions based upon and talk about. Let’s see whose metrics look real and then start talking about who is making us take notice.

I'm Not going to sugar coat this. Trade D-Bak. Before his knee gets operated on again. Trade Amari Rodgers. Before he fumbles. Trade Love. Before we can't. Move Lazard to TE. He's 3 pounds lighter than the NFL lightest TE.
Why hasn't Watson signed? Point at the agent.
5 players to Watch? What draft pick won't we watch. Best rookie bunch in years.
Clark - I just don't like the weight loss. Alan Page lost weight and was never the same.
Sammy Watkins - Forget the injuries. Think of the money.

I’m excited to see Wyatt, I think he could be a steal in this draft. He’s a top 10 talent that dropped due to alleged domestic abuse(s). I just hope the Packers did their due diligence on his character. IMO, he is the best pass rushing DT/DE in this draft. His first step, agility and hand usage is at a high level. He’s also no slouch in the run stopping department. He will get a lot of playing time in year one and will quickly take over and play better than Lowry.

I'm jazzed about so many new players, and players returning from injury, as well as seeing players making the 2nd & 3rd year leap. Why I'm heading to Lambeau August 5th for Family Night. Want to see these players in person as it gives a whole different perspective.

I do agree about Tariq as on tape the guy has good speed, first step, and bend. Very curious to watch him and what the Packers have in him. I agree more of a ST's guy.

Not worried about Watkins or Watson. They'll catch 80 passes between them.
Not worried about Clark.....he has played a lot of DE for us already....he'll be fine.

I think it's unwise to depend on Bakhtiari not missing time. It's a long season, and there are practices, too. I'd split the position between him and Nijman, in practices and games, and hope like hell that I had a capable, healthy LT lining up for us in the playoffs. My single biggest hope for this team is that in the playoffs, we'll have our regular line in place, and they'll be healthy.

Kenny Clark to TE: Maybe not as funny as you think--deep in the red zone near the goal line. Wouldn't you love to see MLF go rogue in the playoffs and call a play for him? The Packers do these types of things so infrequently that I can't imagine any opponent would be prepared for it....

I hope and have a feeling the WR group is going come on strong and help us forget Adams in a quick way. Adams was great, but no longer a Packer, now hopefully the new group or some emerge so we forget his output! One week and another exciting season is upon us!

Here's hoping the Kenny Clark pic is just strange lighting or an odd angle.

Anyone thinking Clark playing at a significantly lower weight would be a good thing might want to reconsider. Clark's strength is his amazing strength at an already compact size (for a nose tackle.)

He plays with greater anchor and strength than most DT's weighing 10-15lbs more than he does. I don't expect he has much excess weight he could shed from his previous playing weight without seriously affecting his functional strength.

The idea to move clark outside seems like a poor one to me. He's dominant at his current size and position. Why fuck with that?