The deadline for doing so was Thursday, so this announcement wasn’t a major surprise or anything.

We don’t know everything yet, as far as who got what tender, [...]]]> Earlier Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers gave word that they had placed tenders on eight of their nine restricted free agents. They also tendered one of their exclusive rights free agents.

The deadline for doing so was Thursday, so this announcement wasn’t a major surprise or anything.

We don’t know everything yet, as far as who got what tender, but the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - man, those guys are good – were able to get most of the details.

Here’s what we know (and, as always, here’s what I think):

• Free safety Nick Collins received the highest tender (a first-and-third round pick). No surprise there. Of course, I’m also pretty sure there’s NO way he’ll sign that tender. He wants a new deal. A $3.35 million salary for next season just won’t cut it.
• Strong safety Atari Bigby received a second round tender. Again, no surprise. Bigby did JUST enough to earn one more shot. At a price of $1.759 million, he’s worth one more year. And he will be back. No one’s giving up a two for Bigby, trust me.
• Center/guard Jason Spitz was also tendered at the second round level ($1.759 million). A mild surprise as that’s one notch higher than I thought he’d get. I had him pegged for a “right of first refusal” tender. In that scenario, Green Bay would get a third rounder if he signed somewhere else. Spitz is similar to Bigby in that he’s done enough to earn one more look. And, again, he will be back, because his back is still an issue until he shows he’s fully healthy.
• Corner/return specialist Will Blackmon and fullback John Kuhn received “right of first refusal” tenders. Each will make $1.176 million this season and the team can still match any contract they sign elsewhere. If the Packers do not match, they will receive a fourth round pick for Blackmon. They get nothing for Kuhn, though, as he was an undrafted free agent. I wouldn’t have brought Blackmon back. He’s got potential, yes, but he’s also always hurt. Still, at that price, I’m not outraged. I thought Kuhn was an unrestricted free agent, so my bad on getting that information wrong, guys. Again, I would not have brought him back as there are already two other fullbacks on the roster. But, since Korey Hall has had some injury troubles and Quinn Johnson is still largely an unknown, I can see why they did it. As is the case with Blackmon, I’m not outraged.
• Tight end Spencer Havner, an exclusive rights free agent, received a tender, although it is unknown what, exactly (the Journal Sentinel estimates $470,000). Good call bringing Havner back. He’s got some upside.
• Punter Jeremy Kapinos (exclusive rights) and running back DeShawn Wynn (restricted) did not receive tenders, automatically making them free agents. Kapinos, as I’ve said seemingly dozens of times by now, was terrible and needed to be let go. Wynn has some potential, but is always, always hurt. No point bringing him back. I like both these moves.

What is unknown, as of now, are the level of tenders placed on guard Daryn Colledge, corner Tramon Williams and defensive end Johnny Jolly, although the team announced all three were given tenders. The Journal Sentinel – again, man those guys are good – is guessing second rounder tenders for Jolly and Colledge and a first or second for Williams. I’d agree on the Jolly tender and it’s no real surprise. If his legal issues weren’t still pending (seriously, can we just get this thing over with?), I’d be a bit worried that another team would come after him at that level. But they are still pending, so he’ll be back.

What’s puzzling is why Colledge was brought back at a second round tender. Couldn’t the team have just put a “right of first refusal” tag on him? It’d get the same compensation if he left and save itself roughly $600,000 as Colledge was a second round pick. Am I wrong? I have some thoughts on Colledge coming back for one more year, as well, and I’ll share them soon enough.

Finally, I’d hope the team placed a first-round tender on Williams. He’s only 26 and has a bright future as a starter ahead of him. Plus, he’s the only corner not named “Charles Woodson” or “Al Harris” that the Packers can really trust. If I’m an opposing GM and I only have to give up a two for a proven player like Williams, I make that move every time. Green Bay can’t allow that to happen.

As for what these tenders will cost the Packers collectively, the Journal Sentinel – have I mentioned that I think those guys are really good? – estimates it will be somewhere between $14.89 and $15.6 million, depending on how Williams is tendered.

I did the math on this – which was tough for me because I suck at math – and the nine restricted players made roughly $11.2 million last season, meaning it will cost the Packers, as of now, roughly $4 million more to bring all of them back. When you think about the size of the group and some of the key players in it, an extra $4 million isn’t that bad.

Plus, the team saves about $800,000 by not bringing Kapinos or Wynn back…so that’s good.

(Update, Friday morning, 12:34 a.m.: The Journal Sentinel is now reporting that Williams was bumped up to a first-and-third round tender and Jolly was boosted to a first-round tender. Good move on both parts as these two – Williams in particular – could very well have been targeted by other teams before. Now, though, it’s basically a lock that the two return to Green Bay. Whew. The upgrades tack on roughly another $1.5 million, meaning it will now cost the team about $5.5 million in additional money to tender the nine players. Still, not an outrageous total at all.)

-Chris Lempesis

No long-ass intros needed for this one.

Again, enjoy.

Ahman Green is a Green Bay Packer once again.

Green signed a one-year deal with the team. Terms were not disclosed. Green and former Indianapolis Colts running back Dominic Rhodes both worked out for the team Monday.

I’ll have a column expanding my thoughts on the Green signing later today, so [...]]]> What was rumored Tuesday became official Wednesday.

Ahman Green is a Green Bay Packer once again.

Green signed a one-year deal with the team. Terms were not disclosed. Green and former Indianapolis Colts running back Dominic Rhodes both worked out for the team Monday.

I’ll have a column expanding my thoughts on the Green signing later today, so make sure to check back. But for today, let’s focus on what this means for the Packers running back situation:

• First, the biggest reason for Green’s signing comes in the form of DeShawn Wynn once again going on injured reserve. Head coach Mike McCarthy announced that Wynn had season-ending knee surgery. That likely marks the end of Wynn’s time in Green Bay. Wynn showed flashes of talent throughout his two-plus seasons with the Packers. But he could never stay healthy, missing 22 of a possible 37 (through this past Sunday) regular season games due to injury.
• What does this mean for Kregg Lumpkin? After all, Lumpkin was sitting there on the team’s practice squad, just waiting to get the call in the event someone got hurt. Well, someone got hurt. And he didn’t get called. Instead, the team went with a 32-year old running back who has missed much of the past two-plus seasons due to injury. Yes, Lumpkin has had some trouble staying healthy as well (spending most of last season on I.R., for example). But he’s a lot younger and if the team liked him as much as it claimed, how come he didn’t get signed? You have to wonder.
• Green met with the media today and, to hear him tell it, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be ready for Cleveland this week. It will be interesting to see how things shake out once he is ready. McCarthy usually only activates two running backs per week. With Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson already in the fold, will Green be battling Jackson for the backup spot? Will McCarthy activate three backs now?

Injury update

An injury update, courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A handful of Packers missed practice today, most notably left tackle Chad Clifton. Clifton re-aggrivated his right ankle injury against the Lions. It’s unknown whether he’ll go this week. Personally, I’d hold him out and give T.J. Lang a shot. The team liked how he looked against the Vikings and the Browns would provide a good chance to get his feet wet against an inferior opponent. Plus, with four penalties against the Lions, you have to wonder if Clifton is reaching the end.

Jason Spitz missed practice with his ailing back that caused him to sit out the Lions game. I have a feeling he might not play this week. Again, it’s Cleveland. Scott Wells can handle the center duties for this one. He needs to be ready for the Vikings game.

Jordy Nelson (knee) was out. Not a surprise, though, as it sounds like he’ll miss at least a couple weeks. James Jones – this is your shot to grab hold of the No. 3 receiver spot. Take it.

A pair of fullbacks, Korey Hall (knee) and Quinn Johnson (unknown), were both out today. Who’s laughing about keeping three fullbacks now, huh? All kidding aside, I am worried a bit about Hall. He’s been hurt for awhile now.

Thoughts on Mayor Schmitt’s idea
You might have noticed we haven’t run any reaction to Mayor Jim Schmitt’s idea that the town of Green Bay should welcome back Judas in a classy manner when he returns for the Nov. 1 contest at Lambeau Field.

There’s a reason why: Schmitt is just another pandering idiot politician – wait, aren’t they all? – who is trying to drum up support that he can then use for re-election, whenever that might be.

Screw your idea and screw you, Jim. No mercy.

-Chris Lempesis

I didn’t really hold out much hope that Green Bay would pull this deal off. In fact, it was more wishful thinking that anything else. Jackson’s too good and, at 26, probably too [...]]]> Well, the trade deadline has come and gone and it took any hopes of the Green Bay Packers getting Steven Jackson with it.

I didn’t really hold out much hope that Green Bay would pull this deal off. In fact, it was more wishful thinking that anything else. Jackson’s too good and, at 26, probably too young to be traded. Still, it would have been nice to see, right?

That said, I kind of thought Ted Thompson would do something today. Maybe pick up a mid-level veteran offensive lineman or something. But, alas, no dice.

It was rumored earlier in the day that the team had reached agreement with free agent Ahman Green. The Packers had worked out Green, along with former Colts running back Dominic Rhodes, on Monday.

That rumor was later proven to be untrue, however. Frankly, I can’t even see why Green Bay would consider it.

I know Ryan Grant’s been disappointing and DeShawn Wynn and Brandon Jackson have been hurt and/or awful, but why Green? He’s got to have nothing left in the tank, right?

At least Rhodes was decent for Indianapolis at times last season. More than I can say about Green.

Teddy, you once again leave me totally dumbfounded.

-Chris Lempesis

But it’s time the Green Bay Packers’ head coach wises up and ditches the idea that Ryan Grant can be an inside-the-tackles runner.

Too many times, particularly in Sunday’s 36-17 win over the St. Louis Rams, McCarthy had Grant running the ball right into the middle of the [...]]]> Mike McCarthy can be stubborn. We all know that.

But it’s time the Green Bay Packers’ head coach wises up and ditches the idea that Ryan Grant can be an inside-the-tackles runner.

Too many times, particularly in Sunday’s 36-17 win over the St. Louis Rams, McCarthy had Grant running the ball right into the middle of the line. I know, with the zone-blocking scheme, the plan is for Grant to get his cutback lane, plant his foot and go.

But the cutback lanes simply aren’t there. And it’s not looking like they’re going to develop any time soon. The result of them lacking is Grant running the ball into a pile for an awful one-or-two yard gain.

Not only that, but the pounding Grant will take in those collisions is likely going to lead to an injury at some point.

The Packers have got to start focusing on getting Grant outside the tackles. That’s where he shines. That was obvious Sunday as every time Grant got outside, he was picking up at least solid yardage. Plus, he’s not the most punishing runner, so getting him outside will lead to more matchups with corners and safeties – the types of players Grant could overwhelm.

Let DeShawn Wynn or (when finally healthy) Brandon Jackson handle the inside duties and put Grant in a position where he can fully display his game-breaking talents.

Packers catch a case of the dropsies

For all the talent at the receiver position, the Packers sure are having trouble hanging on to the damn ball, aren’t they?

The Packers dropped at least two more passes Sunday – one by James Jones and one by Jordy Nelson. I’m not even sure how many that makes for the season; suffice to say, it’s been far more than any of us expected.

Both drops against the Rams were inexcusable as they came on passes that, if you’re an NFL receiver, you have to catch.

Nelson is starting to become troublesome. He’s dropped at least three passes this season, by my count, and doesn’t seem to have the same confidence he had as last season went on.

Jones continues to show why, with all his talent, he’s stuck in the No. 3 receiver spot. He can make the big play from time-to-time, but struggles with being a consistent pass catcher. That’s got to improve if he’s ever going to fully realize his abilities.

RAJI TIME!!

Finally – finally – we saw the debut of first-round pick B.J. Raji (RAJI!) on Sunday.

Raji played a handful of snaps, mostly at defensive end.

He looked like I thought he would (i.e., rusty) as he failed to record any defensive statistics. Still, he showed good power on a couple of plays and did draw a holding penalty at one point.

Most importantly, he was able to get his feet wet before the game against the Queens next Monday night. Hopefully, his ankle didn’t suffer any further injury and he’ll be more game ready next time so he can make Judas’ life a living hell.

Injury update

It sounds like the Packers, for the most part, made it out of the game fairly healthy.

Shocking, I know.

Greg Jennings did some further damage to his already injured wrist but was able to return. Sounds like he’s fine.

Same goes for Jones, who suffered a dislocated finger. He was also able to return.

-Chris Lempesis

After all, we’re now less than a week away from the season opener.

I wanted to do this as one post, but it ended [...]]]> Now that the Packers have their 53-man roster set for the 2009 season, we wanted to take a look at the team, position-by-position, and give our thoughts on how the Pack really looks.

After all, we’re now less than a week away from the season opener.

I wanted to do this as one post, but it ended up being too much. So I decided to split things up into offense and defense/special teams. This is part one; part two will be up later today.

Labor Day? Day off? We at OBOD don’t know the meaning of the words.

Quarterback (2)

Starter: Aaron Rodgers

Backup: Matt Flynn

A position of strength, strictly because of Rodgers’ presence. The man some call A-Rodg is primed to break out with a huge second season as full-time starter as he is now fully out of Judas’ shadow. In fact, I’d say Judas now has to prove he’s as good as Rodgers.

If Rodgers goes down, though, this team is in a world of trouble. That’s not to say Flynn isn’t getting better and won’t someday become a solid backup, because he will. It’s just that Flynn isn’t ready to lead a team.

Running back (3)

Starter: Ryan Grant

Backups: Brandon Jackson, DeShawn Wynn

This group is good but not without some question marks.

Grant bounced back after injuries slowed him down for the first half of the season. I am pretty confident that will carry over to this season. The Packers being a more physical run-blocking team will also help.

Jackson is entering a crucial year. He has to show just why the team used a second round pick on him in 2007. He’s already hurt and might miss the season opener, so he’s not off to a good start. Wynn is definitely talented. If he stays healthy, he could easily surpass Jackson for the No. 2 spot. With Wynn, though, that’s a big if.

Fullback (3)

Starter: John Kuhn

Backups: Korey Hall, Quinn Johnson

I didn’t think the team was serious about keeping three fullbacks, but it looks like it is. All three bring a little something different to the table and the group is solid.

Kuhn is a more traditional fullback. He’s a solid blocker and occasional short-yardage and goalline back.

Hall is a good pass catcher and has gotten better as a blocker. Johnson is likely the fullback of the future and is a potentially punishing run blocker.

Wide receiver (5)

Starters: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver

Backups: James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain

Arguably the best group of wideouts in the league, in terms of both talent and depth. Jennings has his new contract and will get even better, taking his place amongst the best in the league. On most teams, Driver is a No. 1 receiver. Yes, Driver is 34 but he plays like he’s 24.

Jones, if healthy, is a major playmaker and Nelson should build on his solid rookie season. Swain replaces Ruvell Martin and will bring athleticism that Martin lacked a bit.

Tight end (3)

Starter: Donald Lee

Backups: Jermichael Finley, Spencer Havner

What is now a very solid group has potential to be even better.

Lee is a good, if unspectacular, tight end. His numbers dipped a bit last year but should improve.

Finley is a freak, athletically, and will provide the Packers with a consistent red zone receiving option they’ve lacked in recent years. He’s ready to bust out, big-time. Havner is more of a pure blocking tight end and won’t provide much as a receiver.

Offensive line (9)

Starters: Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, Josh Sitton, Allen Barbre

Backups: T.J. Lang, Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Breno Giacomini

Overall, I think the starters will be better than most think. Certainly, they’ll be more physical.

Clifton is aging, not as good as he once was and entering the final year of his contract. But, if healthy, he is still solid. Colledge was maybe the team’s most consistent o-lineman last year and should get even better. Spitz has a ton of talent but is still new to the position. Sitton is a nasty S.O.B. who has upside if healthy. Barbre is even nastier and will show why the team spent two years grooming him.

The backups, outside of Wells, are young and fairly inexperienced so the starters need to stay healthy.

-Chris Lempesis

Still, there are some players on the roster who need to use 2009 to prove that they belong on the team for the foreseeable future – by my count, five.

And here they are:

5. Donald Lee, tight end

Lee has [...]]]> Yes, the Packers have looked outstanding during the preseason and the upcoming season should be a good one.

Still, there are some players on the roster who need to use 2009 to prove that they belong on the team for the foreseeable future – by my count, five.

And here they are:

5. Donald Lee, tight end

Lee has been a very solid, sturdy receiving option throughout his time in Green Bay. He found particular success with Judas as quarterback, recording 48 catches for 575 yards and six touchdowns in 2007, for example. His numbers dipped last season, however, with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback (nine less catches and 272 less yards). They’ve dipped even more so this preseason (just three catches for 25 yards) as Rodgers seems to be favoring Jermichael Finley (nine catches, 92 yards, two touchdowns). Lee’s been named the starter for this season, but with a $2 million salary for 2010, he’ll have to put up improved numbers to warrant paying a No. 2 tight end – which he will be at some point soon – that kind of dough.

4. Johnny Jolly, defensive end

When Jolly is in a nice rotation, he can be damn near unstoppable (see: much of the 2007 season). However, 2008 was definitely a down year for him. I wonder how much his shoulder injury from 2007 played a part in that (remember, his shoulder got shredded late in the regular season). He’s reverted back to his 2007 form during the preseason, which is nice to see. He’s in a contract year, so I think we will see more of that Jolly this season. For his sake, that better be the case because, for a player with as many character concerns as he has, he has to be great to warrant being paid big-time money.

3. Atari Bigby, strong safety

Bigby is in a similar situation as Jolly. He was fantastic in 2007, with 86 tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles in 16 games. Then came an injury-plagued 2008 season where he recorded just 21 tackles and one interception in seven games. While I thought the new scheme would be a perfect fit for a player with his skill set (physical, good blitzer, solid in coverage), it doesn’t sound like he’s been all that great in camp. He’s got the starting job locked up, but Anthony Smith has probably outplayed him in camp so you wonder how long the team will wait on Bigby to make the transition. He, like Jolly, is in a contract year, so he needs to step up big-time to prove he isn’t a flash-in-the-pan.

2. Brandon Jackson, running back

Jackson has shown some flashes of ability over the course of his first two seasons with the team. He’s a solid pass-catcher who can sometimes be effective with his rolling-stone, bowling-ball style of running. The problem is that he just hasn’t done enough to justify the fact that he was a second round pick in 2007. A lot of that has to do with Ryan Grant’s emergence, this is true. But even when Jackson’s had chances to make a name for himself – like the first quarter of ‘07 before Grant busted out or early last season when Grant was hurt/struggling – he just hasn’t been able to do so. The backup running back job will be his again this year, but it looks like he might not be ready for the start of the season with a sprained ankle. Combine that with players like DeShawn Wynn and Tyrell Sutton nipping at his heels and Jackson really has to have a good season to warrant keeping him around for 2010.

1. A.J. Hawk, inside linebacker

Remember when Hawk was the No. 5 pick of the 2006 draft and we all thought we had a real difference-making linebacker for the next 10 years? Man, I miss those days. The argument I hear from a lot of Hawk supporters is, “Well, he hasn’t been terrible. He’s been solid.” Yeah, he has, for the most part. But the fifth overall pick should not be “solid.” He should be outstanding – the type of player who can anchor a defense. Hawk has not been that player, by any stretch. Actually, outside of the final eight games or so of his rookie year, I’d say Hawk has been a real disappointment. He struggles in coverage, has consistently failed at achieving the proper pad level and makes too many tackles downfield. Granted, he spent his first three seasons playing in Vanilla Bob Sanders’ scheme. Now, though, he’s playing for a truly creative d-coordinator in Dom Capers who will know how to put Hawk in positions to succeed. It’s up to Hawk to do so, because with a $4.1 million salary for 2010 (and a whopping $10 million salary in 2011), the bust clock is absolutely ticking.

-Chris Lempesis

There were a lot of signs that the Pack could be pretty damn good as they blanked the Cleveland Browns 17-0 at Lambeau Field.

Still, there were some areas that were cringe-worthy (for the first preseason game, anyways).

With [...]]]> Saturday night, we began to see just what kind of team the Green Bay Packers might be this season.

There were a lot of signs that the Pack could be pretty damn good as they blanked the Cleveland Browns 17-0 at Lambeau Field.

Still, there were some areas that were cringe-worthy (for the first preseason game, anyways).

With respect to the great Clint Eastwood, here were the good, the bad and the ugly from the evening:

The Good

• Aaron Rodgers. Not much has been written of Rodgers’ actual showings so far in camp, as far as I know, so I was interested to see how he would look in his first actual game action. Rodgers showed that he is still very much on-track to becoming a top-level quarterback, going 5-for-10 for for 102 yards, one touchdown and no picks. His touchdown was a thing of beauty, too, a 53-yard strike to Donald Driver that Rodgers threw while on the move to his left.
• The running game. The five Green Bay running backs totaled 44 carries for 231 yards with all the backs averaging at least 3.8 yards a carry (DeShawn Wynn had that low number). Ryan Grant looked solid, running six times for 28 yards and a two-yard score, as did Kregg Lumpkin (eight carries, 48 yards) and Brandon Jackson (8 carries, 41 yards). The real surprise was Tyrell Sutton. The undrafted rookie out of Northwestern ran 16 times for 91 yards, albeit late in the game. He’s looked solid in camp thus far and, apparently, is making it a three-back race for the No. 3 RB spot. Can the Pack actually keep four backs? I wouldn’t have thought so before, but maybe now. One thing’s becoming very clear: At least one talented runner will be available for another team at the end of camp. That running dominance led to a nearly 20-minute difference in time of possession for the Pack, as well.
• James Jones. Three catches for 43 yards, with some nifty moves along the way. If Jones can stay healthy, he will be the No. 3 wide receiver as he is dominating Jordy Nelson in the battle for that spot.
• The defensive backs. This figured to be the strength of the defense at the start of camp and, so far, so good. The DBs picked off three passes, with the INTs going to Charlie Peprah, Tramon Williams and Anthony Smith. They looked good when called upon to blitz for the most part as Smith and Will Blackmon had sacks with Blackmon also forcing a fumble. The latter is key as DBs blitz fairly often in the new scheme. This was all accomplished without Charles Woodson and Al Harris, both of whom were healthy scratches.
• Desmond Bishop. Bishop has been wreaking havoc in camp so far and that translated into a strong showing against the Browns. Four tackles, one sack, one pass defended and he was all over the field. He’s going to force this team to play him somewhere.
• Matt Flynn. At least one Packer backup QB looked solid as Flynn went 5-of-6 for 50 yards. This team is still dead if Rodgers goes down for any extended length of time, but at least Flynn is showing signs of becoming a capable backup.
• No major injuries. In fact, let me state that a little more clearly: NO INJURIES!! YES!!! For a team that was really hurt by injuries last preseason, Saturday night was a welcomed change.

The Bad

• Mason Crosby only going 1-for-3 on field goal attempts. I know, I know, I’m probably looking too much into this, seeing as though the two he missed were from 55 and 60 yards, respectively, and the one he made was from 45 yards. Still, Crosby is going into year three and for him to become a mainstay on the roster, his accuracy has got to get better. Just being able to boom kicks doesn’t mean much.
• Brady Poppinga and Nick Collins whiffing on containing Joshua Cribbs’ 29-yard run on an end around. The Packers gave up way, way, way too many big plays last season and it looks like they’re still working that out.

The Ugly

• Brian Brohm. Looks like Adam might have to write a sequel to the Brian Brohm conundrum. The former second-round pick went 3-of-10 for 18 yards (only 18 more than I had and I didn’t even play) with two interceptions. And that was against third-string talent. Yikes. It doesn’t appear as though he has any feel for running a pro offense, which is always a plus. That was okay last year as he was a rookie. But now? It’s a dreadful sign. After all, Flynn looks like he’s picking things up.
• Tony Moll. Moll should get comfortable on this list; in fact, he should look into leasing a spot on this list because I get the feeling he’ll be here a lot. With an offsides call and a pressure allowed because he was, yet again, off balance (Does he have Vertigo or something? Maybe an inner-ear infection? What is wrong with him?), Moll continues to show his true mediocrity. In fact, that’s too much praise. He’s a total stiff.
• The penalties. The Packers were the most-penalized team in the league last season and they still have a long ways to go in cleaning that up, with nine penalties for 52 yards, including four in a very short span in the first half. I like that Mike McCarthy preaches an aggressive style of play. I really do. But this has got to stop. Penalties kill success. Teams like Pittsburgh and Baltimore are also aggressive, but those teams don’t kill themselves with penalties. There’s a balance you have to find and, clearly, Green Bay isn’t anywhere near finding it.

In the end, the positives far outweigh the negatives as the Packers are off to a smashing start. And if that isn’t enough to make you feel good, remember this: Woodson, Harris, Clay Matthews, Jeremy Thompson, Pat Lee, Justin Harrell and B.J. Raji (RAJI!!) didn’t even play. Enough to make any true fan smile.

-Chris Lempesis