Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Silva’s Super Bowl pick: My Super Bowl XLV pick has been Baltimore-Green Bay since May, and the ensuing months have provided few reasons to waiver. The Packers’ offense has the look of an indefensible juggernaut. The defense has question marks in the secondary, but reinforcements are on the way.

Rookies Shields & Burnett: Shields won’t be the only rookie in the Packers’ secondary Sunday. Burnett will start at safety alongside Collins, although Burnett has had the benefit of taking every snap with the first-team defense throughout the offseason, minicamp, training camp and preseason games. “We’re young, (but) we have some experience being young. You just really focus on getting them ready,” Packers coach McCarthy said. “Burnett has done a very good job in his time here, and I feel he is ready to go. Shields has done a very good job. He has been getting better in every practice and he needs to play.

Brimming with confidence: There was no talk about how the Packers are the chic pick to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas. Instead, the focus – and McCarthy’s message to his players – had shifted to Sunday’s regular-season opener at Philadelphia, where the Packers haven’t won since 1962.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

How we see it: A playoff team, but not a champion. 2010 season for Packers and the rest of the NFL–playoff team, but not a champion. Question–Packers have the pass rush to finish on top of the heap?

Offense preview: Finley poised to emerge as star. Tight end Jermichael Finley appears ready to become an elite player and is a big reason why the Packers could be one of the two or three most explosive teams in the NFL this year.

Season preview: The players by position.  2010 Packers by position.

Philadelphia Eagles scouting report. Scouting report of the Packers, the Eagles, based on interviews with several NFL scouts.

Notebook: Packers take a look at kick returner, safety. 2 potential players who were released in the final cuts on Saturday.

Defense preview: Healthy Woodson focused on winning. CB Woodson sees no reason why the Packers cant put themselves in position to make another run at a Super Bowl. Some of that will depend on his ability to repeat his 2009 performance.

Packers had kick returner Clifton Smith and safety Gerald Alexanderin for workouts according to a league source.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

At SI, 7 of the 9 experts picked the Packers to be in the Super Bowl.  3 of those 7 picked the Pack to win it. 8 of the 9 experts picked Rodgers as the likely MVP winner.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Anyone ready to see Jennings return a punt Sunday in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles? While it’s unlikely to happen, coach McCarthy did say Monday that Jennings is a candidate for the job along with cornerback Williams. Receiver Nelson will get the start at kick returner with running back Jackson in the mix.

Packers defense--Matthews, who played in the Pro Bowl after recording 10 sacks as a rookie, missed all four exhibition games with a pulled left hamstring. The other starting outside linebacker Jones missed the final three exhibition games with a shoulder injury, while starting defensive end Jenkins missed the final two preseason games with a strained calf.  Monday, it marked the first time all 11 defensive starters worked together since the scrimmage. Matthews and Jones participated in all aspects of practice while Jenkins took part in the jog-through portion at the start of practice.

Hey, look, it’s the defense. Matthews didn’t play a single snap in the preseason game with an injured hamstring. Jones played in just one game because of back and shoulder problems. Jenkins missed the final two games with sore calves. On Monday, all three of those key defensive starters were back on the field. The only injured player who watched practice was reserve cornerback Underwood.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Practice Squad: They include QB Harrell, LB Francois, S Levine, WR West, LB Simpkins, OT Campbell, and OT Giacomini.  The Packers lost decent backups to waiver claims. Predictably, RB Lumpkin was claimed by Buccaneers, LB Obiozor by Cardinals, NT Toribio by Chiefs, LB Havner by Lions, and C Smith by Seahawks.  Packers hoped to bring Lumpkin, Toribio and Obiozor back as part of their eight-man practice squad.  Packers hoped to bring RB Lumpkin back on the practice squad to be their quasi-No. 3 tailback. Last year, the Packers lost tailback  Sutton to the Panthers in the same way.

GM TT Press Conference Highlights:

1. Blackmon--Packers may interested in the return of CB/KR/S Blackmon after the injury settlement and specific time period.  We shall see.

2. On returners–Thompson decides to look within roster for return game.

3. Waivers claims--If the Packers plan to make significant player moves before resuming practice this week, it won’t be through the initial waiver process.  Packers did not put in waiver claims on any players.  

4. Current roster–Potential sticking points: Thompson defends Packers’ choices. TT felt very good about the 53 men on current roster.

5. FBs & TEs--Thompson acknowledged that some of his decisions led to imbalances on the 53-man roster. When questioned about carrying the predictable 3 fullbacks and 4 tight ends, TT said the players earned spots. FB Johnson is “very valuable player” and “dynamic lead blocker” to have for the situational tough yard games. Contrary to dissenters, we agree noting that he has improved his reception skills too.  FB Kuhn is a viable option at running back  for certain schemes.  

6. TE Havner cut–he was released due to the better skills that the other tight ends had to offer for the team.

7. Undrafted OLB rookie Zombo–very impressive young player.

8. Current LBs corps–pretty good group.

9. Practice squad–Monday, the announcement of the practice squad players.

10. Rookie draft choices–Packers kept their seven draft picks.  RB Starks is on the physically unable to perform list for six weeks.

Commentaries: List just stinks of not wanting to claim or sign any other team’s rejects without a workout first. In the case of each player who was claimed, Thompson decided to keep a player who is green as grass but arguably has more potential. 

Out-of-Bounds Sports News: Joke-of-the-day headline from fluff local Packers press–Packers win battle for Giacomini. 

Fans reactions:  Fan Kate wrote–“I’m kind of disappointed we kept Harrell and Bush…neither was beneficial to the team.” Fan Jeff wrote–”Havner was a team player…he should have been kept on the team.” Fans are just excited for the start of the regular season expecting big things from the green and gold this season. “There’s no way the Packers don’t win the division,” said fan Satriano.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Sports, its business, & management simply reflect the culture.  Football is no different watching its bottom business line, personnel, and management. While reviewing the final roster and its cut, sports writer GB seemed to be the only “right on” reviewer:

The label on GM Thompson has always been that he can build a roster to a certain point, but doesn’t make the moves needed to put the team over the top. “Forever building two years down the road and not for the now” is the label [on] Thompson until he proves otherwise.Thompson is carrying five players that aren’t ready to help the Packers if needed this season because of injury: OG McDonald, TE Quarless, OG Newhouse, DE Wilson and OLB Zombo. Wilson, Zombo and McDonald could be good players with development…on the practice squad. Packers need more effective backup experience and/or talent at DE, OLB, CB and S.

For the record, fans may consider blogger TV’s view: It pained Thompson to part ways with Giacomini and Barbre .  In his six drafts, Thompson has brought in twelve offensive linemen, and of the ten drafted before this season, only three remain (Colledge, Spitz, and Sitton).

We find such bold frankness to be refreshing and insightful about the state-of-affairs about the 2010 Packers heading into the regular season. Generally, we agree noting also that the nauseating fluff Packers press and the Packers organization need to learn this fact of life, “If you wait for tomorrow, tomorrow never comes.”

Of course, TT can always visit us in a blue suit to donate a nice locker for posterity and for our amusement.  Yes, while waiting for the next flight out of Chicago airport and watching the blonde board a plane for Milwaukee at dusk, a fan was right to echo, “It’s not about the money, is it?”

Meanwhile, with the coming regular season, the Packers team face a tough schedule.  They better prepare to ride a consistent offensive machine to win games until the defense can sort out its defensive issues with experience and additions with time.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com

Summary: With the deadline approaching, we are getting the official cuts to determine the Packers 2010 final roster.  We will update through the final announcements:

• OT Barbre was released with injury settlement.
• DT Toribio released.
• DE Talley released probably to ps.
• RB Lumpkin released.
• OLB Zombo made team.
• OLB Obiozor released.
• S / RET Blackmon released with injury settlement.
• WR Chery released.
• WR  Dillon released.
• TE Havner probably released.
• OL McDonald made team.
• OL Dietrich-Smith cut probably to ps.
• LB Joseph released.
• C Spitz made team.
• DE Wynn cut.
• OT Giacomini cut.
• OL Campbell cut.
• LB Simpkins cut.
• Tentatively, OL list is Clifton, Colledge, Wells, Sitton, Tauscher, Bulaga, Spitz, Lang, McDonald and Newhouse.
• Tentatively, DL list is Pickett, Raji, Jenkins, Neal, Harrell and Wilson.
• Tentatively, Packers appear to be going with 2 QBs, 5 WRs, 10 OL, 4 TEs, 5 RBs, 6 DL, 8 LBs, 10 DBs, and 3 STs.
• P Masthay made team.
• Horror-it-all–DE Harrell & S/CB Bush made team due to poor depth.

Remember, the roster on Saturday might not be the roster on Monday.  The Packers will go through NFL waivers for potential players or they may still try trades.

Official list: Packers released 20 players including punter Bryan, tackle Campbell, wide receiver Chery, cornerback Clark, center/guard Dietrich-Smith, wide receiver Dillon, linebacker Francois, tackle Giacomini, quarterback Harrell, tight end Havner, linebacker Joseph, safety Levine, running back Lumpkin, linebacker Obiozor, linebacker Simpkins, defensive end Talley, nose tackle Toribio, wide receiver West, wide receiver Williams and defensive end Wynn. Tackle/guard Barbre and safety Blackmon will be placed on injured reserve.

Final Roster:

• QB: Rodgers, Flynn.
• RB: Grant, Jackson.
• FB: Hall, Kuhn, Johnson.
• WR: Jennings, Driver, Jones, Nelson, Swain.
• TE: Finley, Lee, Quarless, Crabtree.
• OL: Clifton, Tauscher, Colledge, Sitton, Wells, Bulaga, Lang, Spitz, McDonald, Newhouse.
• DL: Jenkins, Raji, Pickett, Neal, Harrell, Wilson.
• ILB: Barnett, Hawk, Chillar, Bishop.
• OLB: Matthews, Jones, Poppinga, Zombo.
• CB: Woodson, Williams, Underwood, Bush, Shields, Lee.
• S: Collins, Burnett, Martin, Peprah.
• ST:  Crosby, Goode, Masthay.

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com 

Summary: Thursday evening, in the final exhibition game, the Packers offense, without QB Rodgers and many starters who didn’t suit up for the final preseason game,  struggled getting only one touchdown as the Packers fell to the Chiefs 17-13.  Chiefs QBs Cassel and Croyle each led touchdown drives leading the Chiefs past the Packers. 

Headlines: Chiefs 17, Packers 13.  Several starters sit, offense struggles in loss. McCarthy on roster cuts: Its the worst time of year.  Notebook: Flynn Replaces Rodgers.  Notebook: Shields gets longer look with Woodson out.  Backups get the call in lackluster preseason finale. Last chance for Packers’ bubble players. Trade talk centers on Spitz. Insider: Starters didnt miss much. Packers hardly bother in last exhibition game.     

Quick Hits:

The Green Bay Packers traded one former tight end turned tackle at the final cut last year and probably will have chances to deal another Saturday. A source said several teams are interested in tackle Breno Giacomini, one of four veteran offensive linemen the Packers might be considering releasing on the roster reduction. The Packers have 75 players on the roster. Giacomini, a fifth-round draft choice in 2008, played tight end early in his career at Louisville just as Tony Moll, a fifth-round pick in 2006, did at Nevada. The Packers shipped Moll to Baltimore Sept. 5 for safety Derrick Martin. “We don’t even joke around about that stuff,” center Jason Spitz said. “Obviously, we all want to be here. We’re all working toward that. But it won’t work out that way.”

Guest senior writer jclombardi @ http://lombardiave.com 

Basics: Packers (2-1) vs. Chiefs (0-3)  at 7 p.m. Thursday at New Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Injury report: Packers–LB Matthews (hamstring), LB Jones (shoulder), DE Jenkins (calf), S Blackmon (knee), LB Bishop (hamstring), CB Underwood (shoulder) and OL  Barbre (back) are not expected to play.

Things to Watch

1. Impact rookies–rookies S Burnett, OL Bulaga, DE Neal, OL Newhouse, CB Shields, and TE Quarless need to play extensively to get experience preparing for the real NFL season.

2. Nickel & Dime–rookie CB Shields gets a long look at the No. 1 nickel spot and dime spot with CB Harris out.  How will CB Lee play?

3. Priority is Big 5 O–Packers need to establish specific routine series lined up with Driver, Jennings, Jones, Nelson and Finley in multiple formations to get repetitive successes.  We will have shootout scenarios in a very tough schedule.

4. Running game–How many carries will RB Grant, RB Jackson, and RB Lumpkin get and how will they fare?  Will HB Kuhn get many carries?

5. Special teams–as we get closer to the regular season, Slocum must see how well the new  and old personnel can consistently do being in the no. 1 units.

6. OLB help–Despite leading the team in tackles (15) and sacks (two), Zombo still has some work to do. He’ll probably get the start in place of Jones.  He will get some rushes vs. Chiefs LT Albert who was one of the leaders in sacks allowed last year. Zombo needs to have a strong performance.   How about OLB Obiozor? 

7. Punting competition–Does heavily favored P Masthay win the job with booming punts and good hang time?

8. Return game–KR/PR Chery gets his chance to make the roster.  It’s as simple as having a big game on special teams. His first punt return in the NFL was a 75-yard touchdown, and his second was a nimble running fair catch in traffic. Chery had some trouble fielding the ball in practice, but if he stays fumble-free and gets some yards, he’ll be in the discussion for the 53.

9. Defensive Frontline: DL Harrell, Toribio, Wynn, Wilson and Talley are probably fighting for two spots. Toribio and Harrell are probably fighting for one spot; meanwhile, Wynn and Talley for the other spot.

10. Offensive FrontLine: Sitton, Clifton, Tauscher, Wells and Colledge are the starters. Bulaga is No. 6. Versatile Lang appears next in line followed by the Newhouse-Giacomini survivor and the survivor of the interior backup battle among Dietrich-Smith, McDonald and Spitz.

Headlines: Preview: Packers vs. Chiefs. Five things to watch against the Chiefs. Notebook: Babies, Backs, Facial Hair.  Williams ready to get started. With Bigby injured, Packers face difficulty at safety. Packers may deal backup tackle.