So, instead of simply griping about it, I’ve decided to go a different [...]]]> We all know the Green Bay Packers are a beat-up bunch. It’s something we at OBOD have tried to steer away from as much as possible because, well, we don’t like making excuses about our team. We’re just so un-Vikings fan-ish that way.

So, instead of simply griping about it, I’ve decided to go a different way. I’m going to rank the nine key players currently on the team’s injured reserve list (sadly, I left Josh Bell out). This is not a ranking of their skills, but rather their overall importance. For example, the No. 1 player listed is the player I’d most like to see healthy. I’ll also take some guesses on where each player’s future with the team stands.

Everyone good? Okay, here we go. As always, enjoy.

1. Jermichael Finley, tight end (knee) - There is simply no bigger reason for the offensive struggles over the past month than the absence of No. 88. Granted, the offense wasn’t looking elite before Finley’s injury, but with him out, the field has definitely shrunk for the rest of Green Bay’s pass catchers. It’s clear the offense never had much of a plan B in the event of a Finley injury. And, most damning, Aaron Rodgers still seems lost much of the time minus his top read. Finley’s stats, projected over a full season: 84 catches, 1,204 yards, four touchdowns. He likely won’t get that fat new contract now, but should be hungrier than ever come next year.
2. Ryan Grant, running back (ankle) - It took all of about three seconds for us to downplay Grant’s importance upon hearing he was lost for the year. Eight games later, I’d like to take back much of what I said. That’s not meant to be a shot at Brandon Jackson or John Kuhn because, actually, those two have been pretty okay. But, either alone or combined, they do not bring the same threat Grant did. Grant, while certainly not an elite back, at least gave opponents something to think about when gameplanning for Green Bay’s offense. He was at least a threat to break the century mark every week. With him gone, Mike McCarthy has been allowed to fully explore the dark side of his “shotgun, five-wide” philosophy. Not a good thing. With such a big salary for next year (he could earn as much as $6 million in salary and various bonuses), you have to wonder if cheaper options won’t be explored by the team.
3. Mike Neal, defensive end (shoulder) - At first, you might snicker seeing Neal this high on the list. Don’t. Despite only playing two games before seeing his season end, Neal showed some flashes of serious potential. Stout and strong enough to play the run - and quick enough to get to the passer - Neal would have been a key cog on the d-line. His presence would have given Green Bay three dual-threat linemen (Neal, B.J. Raji and Cullen Jenkins). It also would have allowed Dom Capers to do a whole lot more mixing-and-matching, depending on the situation. In 2011: Neal, Raji, Jenkins (he’ll be re-signed, fear not), Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly (starting to think he’ll be back). Yes, please.
4. Nick Barnett, inside linebacker (wrist) – The emergence of Desmond Bishop and the improvement of A.J. Hawk knock Barnett a little further down the list than originally thought at the time of his injury. Still, you know those times Hawk goes too high on a tackle or gets caught out of position in coverage? Yeah, those are the times you wish Barnett was still around. And his leadership is still sort of missed, as well, though that void has been filled somewhat filled by committee (Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, etc.). Hawk is likely gone after this season, so even with a salary approaching the $6 million range, Barnett should return.
5. Morgan Burnett, safety (knee) - Solid, if unspectacular, for the two games he played before getting hurt, it’s highly likely Burnett would just be taking his game up a notch about now. Remember, Burnett has “big-time playmaker” written all over him. Luckily, Charlie Peprah’s emergence and the impending return of Atari Bigby (could happen this week) have made up for Burnett’s loss. With Burnett solidly in the fold for the foreseeable future, it’s likely that either Bigby or Peprah will not be back come 2011.
6. Brad Jones, outside linebacker (shoulder) - Jones played his best game of the season, hands down, in the win over Minnesota. With the luck the Packers have had this year with injuries, it’s darkly fitting that his shoulder injury – problematic since camp – would flair up so bad he’d have to have surgery immediately afterwards. Jones did not provide much pressure opposite Matthews, definitely disappointing. He was good against the run, though, and his pass rushing looked to be improving before he got hurt. Finding a more proven pass rushing commodity to play opposite Matthews – thus keeping Jones in a more limited role – is definitely a possibility in the offseason.
7. Derrick Martin, safety (knee) - As we all know, Martin brings limited value as an actual safety. His true value came as Green Bay’s best special teams player. With the Packers giving up at least one big return in each of the past four games, you can see why he’s been missed. Coming off such a severe injury, his return to the team next season seems in doubt, especially when you consider Green Bay’s considerable depth at the position.
8. Justin Harrell, defensive end (knee) - Harrell would have been a key member of the rotation along the d-line as he turned in a very solid training camp. Of course, we all know what happened next, don’t we? Harrell, as always, was bitten by the injury bug, less than two quarters into the season. Harrell deserves a great deal of credit for continuing to work his way back from injury. Unfortunately, it’s just never going to happen for him in the NFL. The Packers have given him four years. They can give him no more.
9. Brady Poppinga (knee), outside linebacker – Buried on the depth chart to start the season, injuries forced Poppinga into a key role, only he didn’t last long in said role. He showed a bit more potential in the 3-4 than he did last season (example: his huge overtime sack of Donovan McNabb in the Washington game). But when you consider that he’s due over $2 million next season, it becomes clear Poppinga has probably played his last down for the Packers.

What do you think of my rankings? As always, comment baby, comment!

-Chris Lempesis

Monday, we learned that rookie safety Morgan Burnett’s season is over just four games in because of a torn ACL, suffered in the team’s win over Detroit on Sunday.

Before we get to the options available for Green Bay at the position, let’s talk about what [...]]]> And the injuries continue to mount for the Green Bay Packers.

Monday, we learned that rookie safety Morgan Burnett’s season is over just four games in because of a torn ACL, suffered in the team’s win over Detroit on Sunday.

Before we get to the options available for Green Bay at the position, let’s talk about what the loss of Burnett means for the defense. In short, it’s a fairly significant injury, no question. Outside of some rookie errors here and there, Burnett had turned in a very solid first four games. Maybe he wasn’t the ballhawking playmaker we expected him to be, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Burnett seemed focused on simply learning the position and making sure he was in the correct spots at the correct times. More often than not, he was. As he continued to become more assured of his abilities, the basics of the position and the pro game would have become second nature for him. At that point, it’s likely the big-time plays would have followed. The future is still very bright for him.

Of course, that doesn’t mean much for the present, now does it? There are a few candidates to fill Burnett’s position for the immediate future, though I’m honestly not sure how promising any of them are (relax, Atari Bigby – we’ll get to you in a minute).

The first option, in my mind, is Derrick Martin. Martin started a handful of games early last season when Bigby went down with an ankle injury. On the other hand, his performances were nothing short of legendary trainwreck status, Martin looking confused/unathletic far more often than not, even though he’d already played in a 3-4 scheme in Baltimore. He’s been in this scheme for over a year now, so perhaps he’ll be better this time around. Perhaps.

There’s also Charlie Peprah, the man’s who seemingly been around forever, despite doing almost nothing. Peprah had himself a very good training camp, coming out of relative nowhere to crack the roster (Will Blackmon’s injury helped his cause, also). He’s got good physical tools, but again, we really have no idea what type of player he is, particularly in this scheme. Plus, he’s missed the last two games with a thigh injury.

Then there’s…wait for it…brace yourselves…Jarrett Bush. Bush has experience at the position and, outside of blowing a coverage that led to a touchdown Sunday, he hasn’t been terrible this season. Then again, this IS cornerback/safety/bain of ALL OUR existence Jarrett Bush, so things can always go craphouse.

See what I mean about the options not being of the top-shelf variety?

No matter who the Packers choose – my best guess: Martin, because of his experience there - that player will only be a short-term starter. That’s because, following the Miami game on Oct. 17, Bigby is eligible to return from the PUP list (ankle). We can only hope the six weeks-plus Bigby’s had to heal have been sufficient. We may rag on him quite a bit, but this defense is going to need him in a bad way. As the schedule gets much, much tougher, I’m not sure how long the secondary can survive with Martin/Peprah/Bush/other back there.

But even with Bigby, there’s some concern. He hasn’t really participated in any sort of team practice since the end of last season, first due to his idiotic, misguided attempt at a new deal and then his ankle injury, which required surgery. Even if he is healthy, you have to wonder what type of shape he’ll be in. Working out with a trainer, no matter how hard you do it, just does not compare to the rigors of NFL practices.

With Burnett out, for the foreseeable future, the position is going to be the major target of opposing quarterbacks. As I see it, there are really only a couple of ways the team can work around his loss. The first lies with the other members of the secondary. In short, everyone else is going to have to raise their game not just a notch, but likely two or three notches, to cover that hole. The talent is certainly there to do that, but still, that’s a lot to ask.

The second lies with Dom Capers. Capers, coming off his worst game as defensive coordinator Sunday, is going to have to become even more creative with how he moves, shifts and positions players back there. And he’ll almost certainly have to adjust how often he blitzes now, also, and become even more situation-specific with them. Adding pressure to cover for a weak link at safety is a fantastic idea if it works – but it could spell doom if it doesn’t. As with the players in the secondary, the talent is there with Capers, but again, even he has his limits on what he can come up with.

In reality, both these things will have to happen for the Packers to make up for Burnett’s loss, at least until Bigby can regain form.

-Chris Lempesis

That’s right: Training camp stew: The sequel.

The Green Bay Packers practiced twice Thursday, so there was quite a bit of information to sift through. We’ve done just [...]]]> And your nightly serving of our takes on the most interesting bits of information to come out of that day’s training camp practice has returned for a second year.

That’s right: Training camp stew: The sequel.

The Green Bay Packers practiced twice Thursday, so there was quite a bit of information to sift through. We’ve done just that and are happy to present our thoughts now.

As always, this information comes from the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Green Bay Press Gazette.

Enjoy:

• The biggest news to come out of the day, of course, was the fact that Atari Bigby will be undergoing surgery on his troublesome ankle. He’ll need roughly a month to recover and it’s unknown if he’ll be available for the season opener. My take: Bigby’s ankle was never right. It probably hasn’t been for months. There’s simply no way the ankle got that much worse during a simple conditioning test. That’s why he sat out all the offseason stuff. Remember, he’s represented by superagent Drew Rosenhaus (a man who knows a thing or two about getting his clients to fake health). If he’d made the ankle worse in, say, March, there’s no way he’d ever have a shot at a new deal. Rosenhaus and Bigby figured that, by having Bigby sit out, the team would see his true value. That went out the window when the team drafted Morgan Burnett, though. So Bigby is now a player fighting a seemingly chronic ankle problem while his younger, healthier replacement continues to gain experience with the starting unit. Bad moves all around, Atari. 
• Will Blackmon, moving to the safety position this season, appeared to leave the night practice early with a knee injury. He said on his Twitter page that it’s nothing serious. I hope he’s right – otherwise, Derrick Martin becomes the No. 3 safety on this team (double gulp).
• More injury news, although this is good news: Daryn Colledge (elbow) and Brad Jones (back) both returned to practice, as did Justin Harrell (heat issues).
• Perhaps I was wrong on the Brandon Chillar/Clay Matthews tandem at OLB. Both players were all over the place Thursday, in multiple facets. In fact, Chillar’s been so good, the team kept him in with the No. 1s, despite Jones’ return. I’ve said this before: Chillar is an outstanding athlete, but he needs to show that more often in terms of making plays. Well, he’s done a lot of that lately. Maybe he’s finally found a home for himself. As for Matthews, I didn’t like the idea of moving him over to the left side. But it sounds like he’s so good, he’ll make plays at either spot.
• Despite the early struggles, the offense is doing a couple of things I really like. They’ve cut down on the deep throws dramatically and there seems to be more of a focus on quick passes. Remember, the focus on a short, precise passing game – along with the return of Mark Tauscher – was a key factor in the offense’s second-half turnaround last season. I had concerns that Mike McCarthy would revert back to the home run chasing ways of the first half. It sounds like I might have been wrong – and I’m more than okay with that.
• The defense won the day. That’s good – that group needs to continue to build confidence. The offense is going to come around, either way.
• The worst thing to come out of Thursday: The complete lack of consistency from the punting candidates, Chris Bryan and Tim Masthay. It sounds like both were great at times and wretched at others. And this isn’t the first time this has happened during camp. It’s getting sort of frustrating. One of these guys has to step up and grab the job. This team can not afford another year of Frost-and-Kapinos-esque punting. Field position is huge. A good punter – as much as we laugh at the profession - helps that greatly.

That’s all for today. We’ll be back Friday with another round.

-Chris Lempesis

We had planned on dedicating Tuesday night and this morning to recapping the release of the 2010 NFL regular season schedule, as many thought it would come out Tuesday. But, of course the NFL isn’t ready to do that yet. Why would they be? That [...]]]> Truth be told, this post wasn’t supposed to run until tonight.

We had planned on dedicating Tuesday night and this morning to recapping the release of the 2010 NFL regular season schedule, as many thought it would come out Tuesday. But, of course the NFL isn’t ready to do that yet. Why would they be? That would be giving us what we want.

So, in that case, here’s part two of our series on safeties. It’s a position the Green Bay Packers must address, sooner rather than later in this draft. Nick Collins is, obviously, an All-Pro at free safety. No worries there. His running mate, Atari Bigby, shows the occasional flashes of greatness, but is also often hurt and/or ineffective.

Behind those two? Jarrett Bush and Derrick Martin.

(Shudder).

Adam covered three of the top guys Tuesday. And here are three more:

• Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech

The numbers: 6-feet, 1-inch, 210 pounds…turned 21 years old in January…forfeited his senior season to enter the draft…4.42 40-yard dash time at his pro day in March and did 16 bench press reps at the combine…second team All ACC in 2009…77 tackles, four interceptions and four passes defended in 2009…14 interceptions (one returned for a score), one sack and one forced fumble in his three years at Georgia Tech.

What he does that could work for the Packers: Instincts – Burnett’s got them. He can read the play quickly, and if he’s near the ball, there’s a good chance he’ll get his hands on it (look at those interception numbers). He clearly has speed to burn and he can be viscious – in a good way, not a penalty-ridden way – to receivers who cross his path. Didn’t have a defined position at Georgia Tech – the word “rover” has been used several times to describe him – but is able to play both safety spots.

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: The “rover” thing worked in college, but he’ll likely need to learn the intricacies of both safety spots in the pros. He’s a gambler, no question about it, something that’s hurt him at times. He can lay the wood, but he needs to become a more consistent tackler (really, more consistent overall).

Final thoughts: Overall, there isn’t much about Burnett to dislike. His speed and nose for the ball are things that can’t really be taught. He’s a hitter and, perhaps most importantly, he’s versatile. He could step in for either Bigby or Collins should one of them get hurt. In all honesty, I think he could overtake Bigby at strong safety before the end of this season, once he learns what to do at the position. The consistency issues don’t really worry me as those things can be improved with coaching. He’ll be hard to ignore in the second round and impossible to ignore if he’s still on the board in round three.

• Reshad Jones, Georgia

The numbers: 6-feet, 1-inch, 214 pounds…turned 24 years old in February…forfeited his senior season to enter the draft…4.54 40-yard dash time and 24 bench press reps at the combine (improved his 40-time to 4.52 for his pro day in March)…second team All SEC in 2008…61 tackles, four interceptions, one forced fumble and six passes defended in 2009…11 interceptions in three years at Georgia.

What he does that could work for the Packers: Jones has many of the same strengths that Burnett does. He’s versatile (can play either spot) and tough and he packs a viscious punch as a hitter. His ball skills, while not quite as good as Burnett’s, are definitely solid. He’s also a lot stronger than Burnett (not many safeties can put up 24 reps). He’s not afraid to play the run and has above average athleticism.

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: Again, like Burnett, Jones needs to become a more consistent tackler and has been overaggressive in coverage too often. Burnett has been able to get away with it more, though, because of his supreme instincts and speed, neither of which Jones has.

Final thoughts: While Jones has the ability to play both positions, he strikes me as purely a strong safety in the pros. His lack of instincts and pure speed wouldn’t hurt him as much at that position. Plus, that position would allow him to showcase his strongest attributes – playing the run and hitting. In many ways, Jones reminds me of Bigby (minus, hopefully, the injury problems). I don’t like him as a second round pick, but as a third rounder, he’s intriguing as he’s got some upside.

• Larry Asante, Nebraska

The numbers: 6-feet, 1-inch, 215 pounds…turned 22 years old in March…4.62 40-yard dash time and 14 bench press reps at the combine (40-time slowed to 4.66 at his pro day in March)…first team All Big 12 in 2009…77 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a score), two forced fumbles and six passes defended in 2009…three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one sack over his final three years at Nebraska.

What he does that could work for the Packers: Throw versatility out the window with this guy – he’s strictly a strong safety. That’s not necessarily a bad thing when you look at what Asante does well, though. This guy’s a big-time hitter – perhaps the hardest-hitting safety in this draft. He’s a fantastic tackler who loves to play the run. He’s sharp, too; he can read the play quickly, which helps him make up for his lack of pure speed.

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: As a cover man, Asante is lacking. His ball skills are still very raw, his footwork needs improvement and his stiff hips make it hard for him to turn and run with tight ends and backs. 

Final thoughts: To me, Pittsburgh’s Ryan Clark is the prototypical 3-4 strong safety. In many ways, Asante is similar, particularly in his hitting, tackling and ability to play the run. Clark, however, is a very underrated cover man. Obviously, that’s where Asante needs the most work in order to catch up. With some good coaching, he could very well get there. Remember, Asante started his career playing linebacker at Coffeyville Community College and worked his way up to All Big 12. He’s got the ability to improve. I’m not sure that’s worth a third round selection, but I don’t see how Green Bay could pass him up in round four.

That wraps up part two of our look at safeties. If the league decides to hold off on the schedule release for another day, we’ll be back later today with the final part of our series on the position.

But if the league actually, you know, gives us what we want and puts the schedule out later today, we’ll conclude our series Thursday.

-Chris Lempesis

Terms were not immediately announced.

Martin was scheduled to be a restricted free agent. With a long list of players set for restricted free agency, [...]]]> Finally, some actual news came from the Green Bay Packers on Monday night as they re-signed strong safety/special teams ace Derrick Martin to a two-year contract, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Terms were not immediately announced.

Martin was scheduled to be a restricted free agent. With a long list of players set for restricted free agency, it’s sort of surprising Martin was the first player to be taken care of. Remember, the Packers haven’t even tendered anyone yet. Still, it is Derrick Martin, after all, so getting a deal done was likely a fairly easy proposition.

(Feel free to call Nick Collins’ people soon here, Teddy…please?!?!)

Martin provides little as a safety – as we all saw when he started in place of an injured Atari Bigby early in the season – but is a bona fide special teams demon. Not an Earth-shattering move, by any means, but not a bad move as this team needs all the special teams help it can get.

Why do I say that? Well, mainly because I watched the Packers this past season.

(Rimshot)

I also say that because, just over a week ago, Rick Gosselin, the legendary Dallas Cowboys/NFL reporter for the Dallas Morning News, published his annual special teams rankings for the 2009 season.

Our beloved Packers were second-to-last in the league. That’s right – only Carolina finished worse under Gosselin’s ranking system, which compiles scores in 22 various kicking game categories. Included in there were last place finishes in punts inside the 20 (a mere 15) and penalties (an astounding 28).

Gosselin’s list provides a fascinating look at the ying and yang nature of special teams.

On the ying, special teams are extremely important. Take the Packers, for example. In at least two of their losses – at home to Cincinnati and at Tampa Bay – poor special teams play was a direct factor. It hurt Green Bay in a number of other games, too, although the Packers were still able to come out victorious.

That brings me to the yang, in which special teams are seemingly not that important at all. The Packers finished 31st and still won 11 games. Your two Super Bowl teams, New Orleans and Indianapolis? Those squads finished 29th and 28th, respectively. The top three teams on the list? Cleveland, Tampa Bay and Buffalo – three of the worst teams in the league.

In other words, yes, it’s nice if you are good in the special teams – but it won’t kill you if you aren’t. I don’t mean to knock those people who say special teams are 1/3 of the game – even the great Bill Belichick once said he thought more special teams coaches should be considered for head coaching jobs – but, well, you’re wrong.

Still, Green Bay needs to take the ying approach to special teams during the offseason. Going into 2010 with the same guys on that unit would be an admission that the Packers don’t really care about special teams at all. That’s only going to put more pressure on a still-young offense and defense. That can not happen.

So what do they do as far as making changes?

As much as people want his head on a platter, firing special teams coach Shawn Slocum is not the answer. Last season was his first in charge of that unit and a change would put Green Bay on its third special teams coach in three years. You can’t keep flipping coaches like that – not if continuity is your goal. Slocum should get one more season. Now, if we’re in this same spot after 2010, then yes, he must be gone. But not yet. 

It’s a different story with the players. The numbers on punter Jeremy Kapinos’ awful 2009 season have been published over-and-over, so I’m not going to write them again here. Needless to say, he was terrible. The Packers must, must, must get a new punter for next season as they have not had a steady, viable option at the position since Craig Hentrich left for Tennessee (one of Ron Wolf’s worst decisions ever). My B.J. Sander scars are still tender, so I’m against drafting someone, even in the seventh round. A top-level free agent, though? That just might work.

Same goes for the returner spot. Many fans want restricted free agent Will Blackmon back (he’d come cheap and is dangerous when healthy, they say). Not me. He’s hurt too often and his lack of reliability hurts the team at two spots (corner and returner). I’ve already said this team should look for a corner in the second round. If that player can also return kicks and punts, great. If not, I’d look for a wide receiver/returner in, say, round three or four. Texas’ Jordan Shipley or Clemson’s Jacoby Ford would suffice.

I feel a little differently with regards to Mason Crosby. Yes, yes, I know I spent most of the second half of the season saying he should not return for 2010. Part of me still thinks that, but I doubt the team cuts Crosby flat-out. It’s more likely the Packers will bring in some serious competition for Crosby, via a free agent or an undrafted rookie. Even if Green Bay used a seventh-rounder on a kicker, I wouldn’t terribly mind. Crosby MUST be pushed in camp, by whatever means necessary.

It’s hard to say what might or might not be done with the coverage units. That stuff changes from year-to-year, so to speculate on who will or won’t be on those units would be unfair. I do know that Martin and Spencer Havner are very good and more players like them must be either found or cultivated. I also know that Slocum must preach more discipline within these groups, both in terms of lane responsibilties and (in particular) penalties.

Again, special teams are not 1/3 of the game. But they can greatly serve and assist the offense and defense and the Packers must make sure they have a unit capable of doing so in 2010.

-Chris Lempesis

No long-ass intros needed for this one.

Again, enjoy.

The Arizona Cardinals could have quite a few more.

From the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Packers’ safety/special teams ace Derrick Martin (ankle) missed practice Friday. Friday practices are usually the best indicator of whether or not a [...]]]> The Green Bay Packers only appear to have one player in danger of missing Sunday’s wild card game.

The Arizona Cardinals could have quite a few more.

From the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Packers’ safety/special teams ace Derrick Martin (ankle) missed practice Friday. Friday practices are usually the best indicator of whether or not a player will be able to suit up that week, so Martin’s absence could equal the loss of Green Bay’s best special teams player.

For the Cardinals, wideout Anquan Boldin (knee/ankle) once again did not practice. The team is trying everything short of bringing in a faith healer to cure Boldin’s injuries. He’ll likely be a game-time decision. Even if he plays, it won’t be the same Boldin.

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee), defensive end Calais Campbell (thumb), free safety Antrel Rolle (thigh) and guard Deuce Lutui (back) all went full but are all still being listed as questionable. Again, even if they play, it’s likely none will be near 100 percent.

Good news for the Packers, indeed.

Dude, we’re Tweeting now!

We at OBOD made a big decision recently: We decided to join the rest of the world on Twitter.

Thursday night, our Twitter page went up. If you’re on there, make sure to add us and we’ll add you back. We’ll be updating that thing pretty consistently throughout the weekend (and beyond), especially during the game Sunday. We’ll also update it whenever a new post goes up on our site. Plus, we might throw a few loosely Packers-related items up there from time-to-time.

Quite honestly, even we’re not completely sure what we will and will not be Tweeting about.

Yeah, that’s going to be fun right there.

-Chris Lempesis