Well, the winner has been announced … and one can’t argue with the decision.

Below, you will find the release from Packerseverywhere … 

After over 8,000 photos were submitted and 16,000 votes counted, the Packers Everywhere community has spoken. Eight-year-old Emily Sperduto of Oxford, N.J., is the winner of the Ticket Takeover Contest. She will serve as the face of the Packers for a week, with her photo featured on over 80,000 tickets for the 2013 Fan Appreciation Game vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 22, at Lambeau Field. 

Her father, Tom Sperduto, who entered Emily and took the photo, is waiting until just the right time to surprise her with the news. He wants her mother, Jen, to film it when he gets back in town. In addition to Emily being on the tickets, they get a pair of tickets for that game. They’ve also won round-trip flights to Green Bay and hotel lodging for the weekend.

“She is going to go crazy,” he said. “I get emotional thinking about the memories that will come from this trip. Doing something we love together, for me it’s overwhelming. I already think about the future and what it will be like when we look back at the experience.

“I feel like we will be part of the team by having her face represent the Packers on that ticket. It’s a pretty awesome feeling. I can’t express what it will be like.”

Prior to watching Packers games on TV, for years Sperduto and Emily have had quick daddy-daughter photo shoots to warm up. In a neighborhood full of Giants and Jets fans, they’re known as the lone “Packers family,” and Emily will pose in her jersey, oversized cheesehead or with her Packers toys and show off while the shutter clicks.

The Packers green background in the photo is the color of his family room. She is standing below a Packers stock certificate, as Sperduto became a shareholder in the last stock offering.

While Emily has been on “pins and needles” during the Ticket Takeover voting, all of that posing practice made perfect. Though a lifetime fan of the Packers, Tom has never been able to make the trek from New Jersey to Green Bay, so the trip in December will be even more special. Sperduto’s work schedule has made coming to Lambeau Field nearly impossible in the past.

Tom has spent the last 20-plus years in the military. He’s now in the Coast Guard after previously serving in the Marine Corps as an infantryman. He was in Operation Iraqi Freedom and has also had his boots on the ground in 29 countries.

Before the contest and Emily’s winning flex – where she mixed her two favorite players by teaming a Clay Matthews pose with an Aaron Rodgers jersey – Sperduto had been formulating a plan to come to Lambeau. He’s in his final year of service with the Coast Guard, and he was transferred to Boston.

“I own my home in New Jersey, so for this year in Boston I bought an RV to live in since it is just one year before I retire. I thought it might be a good way to come to Green Bay one day and see a game. Now, Emily and I will be able to fly there. It’s been on my ‘bucket list’ forever.”

When they arrive, Emily will be the “Face of the Packers” when the team takes on the Steelers.

“She is a die-hard fan for an eight-year-old,” he said. “She has been asking about the contest every day. I thought all of the photos were great, and we had some friends and family vote. For her to be on a ticket is like a dream come true.”

If you can catch it live, come on over to cheeseheadtv.com and listen in. If you can’t make the live podcast, look for the posted recording.

Among the topics we’ll discuss are the running backs situation (especially how James Starks fits into the equation, Mason Crosby and his future with the team, position battles that should be interesting to follow during OTAs, and which rookies will be most fun to watch.

Heck, we might even spend some time talking about Brett Favre, time permitting.

CheeseheadTV, if you don’t know, is one of the premier Packers blogs out there on the Internet. Their insightful looks at Packers news is something that every Packers fans should bookmark and take a look at on a daily basis.

So, spend a few moments and stop over to the site for a listen. I’m not sure I will provide any new Packers news, but it’s sure to be a decent discussion about where the team stands at this point in time, one day from the start of OTAs in Green Bay.

Paul Coffman was one of the best tight ends in Packers history.

Paul Coffman was an after-thought and rated only single sentence in a three-paragraph story in the Milwaukee Sentinel back on May 18, 1978, when he was announced as a free agent signing by the Green Bay Packers.

That’s according to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame’s posting yesterday about the player who would go on to great things in the NFL. In fact, he would play eight years for the Packers. He played in 119 games (starting 102 of them), caught 322 passes for 4,223 yards (13.1 yard average) and scored 39 touchdowns. His longest touchdown went for 78 yards.

As an undrafted tight end out of Kansas State, Coffman’s years in Green Bay were nothing short of remarkable. He helped revolutionize the tight end position and was one of the players who paved the way for today’s athletic, pass-catching skill players who can also block. Coffman did it all during his 11-year career.

Coffman was cut by coach Forrest Gregg in 1986 after eight years in Green Bay. The cut of Coffman came as a surprise and was one from which Gregg’s teams would never recover.

Paul Coffman is a Packers hall of famer.

Coffman averaged 46 catches per year and it was his route running, incredible hands and his ability to catch passes in traffic that made him one the of the great ones.

He was a three-time Pro Bowler and in 1994 was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

After his career was all said and done, he is listed among the best. He ranks 12th among all pass-catchers in Packers history – just behind Robert Brooks and just ahead on James Jones. He’s the top tight end on the list.

Here’s the top 20 list:

Here’s Coffman’s career statistics with the Packers:

James Starks during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field last Dec. 2. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson sent their message loud and clear to Alex Green, DuJuan Harris and especially James Starks on draft weekend by selecting not one, but two running backs and also picking up another – Angelo Pease – as an undrafted free agent.

Clearly, the Green Bay Packers brass have not been pleased with the past performance, or lack thereof, of their in-house running backs. Many feel that Harris and probably Green will be the two running backs who should have the best shot at remaining on the Packers roster once it’s all said and done, while the oft-injured and inconsistent James Starks is the odd man out.

In fact, rumors swirled draft weekend that Starks was on the trading block, but nothing happened.

Alex Green
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be on the the roster, while Green and Harris, depending on what they do in training camp, will also be there

That leaves Starks and Pease as the players who will most likely be fighting for a job. We don’t know much about Pease other than the fact that McCarthy seems to really like him – calling him out not once, but twice in his press conferences held during and after the rookie orientation sessions.

I think everyone really likes Starks – when he’s healthy. But those times have been far and few between. We all know how he ignited the Packers offense late in 2010, helping the franchise to its fourth Super Bowl Championship. Then it seemed every time we turned around the guy was hurt. He was on the shelf for most of last season, came back against Minnesota in December and had a solid game.

In that Minnesota game, Starks carried the ball 16 times for 66 yards, and pulled off a 22-yard touchdown run where he looked like his old self.

And then got hurt once more.

Though he could have played in the playoffs, we never saw him. His spot had been taken by Harris and to a certain extent Ryan Grant.

In all, he played in only six games last season, carrying the ball 71 times for 255 yards – a 3.6 yard per-carry average.

James Starks scores on a 22-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Do the Packers take a chance on the guy once more if he comes back and has a strong training camp? Or do they just cut their losses, continue to try to trade him and if they can’t, then cut him? It’s not like the team doesn’t have a crowded backfield already.We know that Starks can hit holes and pick up yards after being hit. He seems like a tough runner, but his injury history tells us otherwise.

He’s been productive when he’s healthy, but in my mind I just can’t see the team taking any more chances on the guy. Yes, they should try to trade him and if nobody wants the damaged goods, then the Packers should let him walk.

What do you think, Packers fans? Leave a comment below, Like us on Facebook, and/or follow us on Twitter.

Kansas State Wildcats running back Angelo Pease could be one of the value players that Ted Thompson is so known for finding. Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

A couple of weekends ago when Green Bay Packers‘ head coach Mike McCarthy stood at the podium in the media center at Lambeau Field talking about what he had seen from his rookies, one name was brought up a couple of times as having stood out among the bunch – running back Angelo Pease.

McCarthy called the Kansas State player out for having what he believed to be an outstanding couple of days of practice.

Eddie Lacy is expected to make the Packers, but will be pushed. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, he talked about Datone Jones bringing a new presence to the defense and he talked about running backs Eddie Lacy as being “smooth” and Johnathan Franklin as looking good in all phases of the game, including fielding kicks and punts.

That was expected.

But when the name of Angelo Pease came out of the coach’s mouth – well, that was a bit unexpected. Not only was Pease undrafted, but the Cairo, Ga., native didn’t see the field a whole lot in his two seasons with the Wildcats. In 2011, he played in 10 games, carrying the ball 36 times for 144 yards, and two touchdowns. Last season, he got a few more carries. In 11 games, he carried 60 times for 333 yards. During his college career, he carried the ball 96 times for 477 yards.

Pease is described on the K-State football page as “a powerful and shifty back.” At 5-11, 215 pounds, he has the body type and quickness that could make him a nice fit in the Packers’s system.

Obviously, he wasn’t overused and comes to Green Bay with fresh legs. Maybe that’s something that McCarthy likes.

Either way, should Pease continue to impress the coaching staff and somehow make the roster – heck, even if he slips through and lands on the practice squad, he will be an added value to the team.

Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Lane Taylor signed a $7,000 bonus with the Packer – the most of any undrafted free agent brought into Green Bay. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

What makes him even a better value is the fact that he was brought in without a signing bonus, unlike some of the other undrafted players who were added to the roster after the NFL Draft. Other undrafted players did receive signing bonuses, led by Oklahoma State offensive lineman Lane Taylor who got a whopping $7,000 bonus to sign on the dotted line. Illinois State quarterback Matt Brown, Mississippi defensive tackle Gilbert Pena, Ohio State tight end Jake Stoneburner and Eastern Michigan outside linebacker Andy Mulumba all received $5,000 signing bonuses.

So what’s the chance that Pease even makes the team? Not high. However, the Packers are known for finding diamonds in the rough – undrafted free agents who do make the team.

For instance, last year alone the Packers had four on their roster: guard/tackle Don Barclay,  receiver Jarrett Boykin, safety Sean Richardson and linebacker Dezman Moses. Of the four, three of them – Barclay, Boykin, and Moses – saw action last year. Barclay was forced into action at right tackle and played the final quarter of the season at that spot – gaining valuable experience as he competes for spot again this season. Moses also saw significant playing time when Clay Matthews went down with an injury for four games. He also played in spot situations throughout the season. Boykin saw action mostly at the end of the season, but he’s a player the Packers really like. Richardson was injured last year but was kept around because of his potential.

Could Pease be one of those players who sticks? It will be fun to watch as the running back position is wide open. If he does make the roster or practice squad, he will be one of those value-packed contributors that Ted Thompson has become famous for finding.

Stay tuned …

Packers vs. Bears – it’s the best rivalry in all of football, bar none.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears, in my opinion, is still the number one rivalry in all of the National Football League – that’s despite the recent number three ranking by Russell S. Baxter over at The Bleacher Report.

Number three?

Really?

And the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Baltimore Ravens and Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning rank above the most storied rivalry in all of football?

Really?

Players come, players go, but the Packers vs. Bears continues to be a huge rivalry.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

No offense to Mr. Baxter, who admits in his ranking that the Packers vs. Bears certainly deserve to be top 3, but says that because the Packers have dominated the Bears of late that it slips the rivalry out of the top two spots.

Well, if you’re taking the “what have you done for me lately” perspective, I can see Mr. Baxter’s ranking. But if you’re looking at a more broad spectrum – like the past 90-plus years – there isn’t a rivalry that holds a candle to Packers vs. Bears. And that’s considering not just the NFL, but all of sports. Yes, you can argue Yankees vs. Red Sox all you want, but Packers vs. Bears has got to be number one.

I can’t begin to list the great games, the great matchups and the general hatred between the two franchises – the fact that it’s big city versus small town, big money versus blue collar, or Mike Ditka versus Forrest Gregg – those are only a minuscule number of the factors that have made this the greatest rivalry of all time.

The two franchises have been meeting since 1921, and it’s been since 1925 that they have met at least twice each season. That’s a hell of a long stretch of games – providing generations with the taste of blood. Once it’s there, the fans are hooked. Like Mr. Baxter says, all you have to do is take a seat at Lambeau Field or Soldier Field when the two teams take the field to get a feel for what it’s all about.

Yes, there have been many winning streaks by both teams over the years that have given one team or the other the immediate advantage, but that matters not. In the wash, it all comes down to each individual Sunday that these two teams have collided on the gridiron. Every single game has its cast of characters; each indivdidual season has its drama.

They may gather for prayer at the end, but when they’re on the field it’s all about the rivalry.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

When the season schedule is released each spring, you can bet that every Packers or Bears fan worth their salt looks at where those two games fall and make plans to be ready to watch or attend.

What do Packers and Bears fans look forward to most when the season starts – you got it – when they will meet. In fact, even if their team finishes 2-14, it’s a successful season it is if those two wins comes against the other team.

Overall, Mr. Baxter’s list of rivalries is a fun look at the NFL, but I feel there’s no way that the blip on the screen that is Brady vs. Manning or the Steelers vs. Ravens should rank above Packers vs. Bears.

What do you think, Packers and Bears fans?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or by clicking over to our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

For the first time in several years, Mason Crosby will have competition in training camp.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, we all know about the running back battle that’s being hyped between rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Frankly who fight it out with in-house backs DuJuan Harris, Alex Green and James Starks; and yes, we know about the offensive line battles that are going to shape up, especially at the right tackle position that will feature Don Barclay, Marshall Newhouse and rookies David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter.

But those position shakedowns don’t hold a candle to the biggest battle that’s bound to draw eyes, not only among teammates, but especially from the media and the Packers fan base.

Giorgio Tavhecchio

Mason Crosby, who was tentative and unsure of himself all of last season will go up against rookie Giorgio Tavecchio, the Italian transplant from Cal who was signed specifically during the offseason to bring in some competition for Crosby. The Packers veteran hasn’t had any competition in camp since he went up agains Dave Rayner way back when. He’s been the guy and the Packers rewarded him a couple of seasons ago with a lucrative contract to kick in Lambeau Field – not always the best place to try to make field goals.

The good news for Crosby is that he closed out the season last year strongly and seemed to have gotten some of his confidence back.

But the Packers’ brass isn’t so sure – thus their decision to bring in Tavecchio.

Born in Milan, Italy, Tavecchio has been living in this country since he was a young boy. The 22-year-old is not a huge guy – in fact he’s a little guy – 5-10, 178 pounds. There isn’t a whole lot of information about the guy, but here is what I found on packers.com:

Tavecchio entered the league as a non-drafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in May 2012. He played in three preseason games for the 49ers, converting his lone field goal attempt and two extra points. As a collegian, Tavecchio appeared in 46 games during his career for the Golden Bears and finished No. 5 on the school’s all-time scoring list (No. 4 among kickers) with 256 points.

So, forget the running backs and offensive lineman, if you happen to have the chance to attend one of the Packers open OTA practices, look to the end of the field where Crosby and Tavecchio will be working out. How it all turns out will be interesting to watch.

Lance Easley (arrow) will umpire Richard Sherman’s charity softball game.

In the Most-Bizarre-News-line category of the day, we hear that loud-mouthed Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman rubbed salt into the wounds of every Green Bay Packers fan when he announced that he was hiring the one and the only Lance Easley to umpire his summer softball fundraiser.

If you don’t know who Easley is, you might not want to know, but I’ll tell you anyway.

He’s the official who made the touchdown call on the “Fail Mary” pass to give the Seattle Seahawks the 14-12 win over the Green Bay Packers on that fateful Monday night last fall.

Clearly, Sherman is trying to be funny and Seahawks fans will surely find a laugh somewhere in there, but for Packers fans – well, we don’t want to think about it. The loss to the Seahawks was devastating to the team at that point in the season and affected many things down the road of that 2012 season.

The call epitomized how stupid the National Football League had been up to that point in failing to carry out negotiations with the regular referees, but it also served as a wake-up call to the league to get the contract situation resolved – something they did before the start of play during the following week of NFL action.

Though the regular referees didn’t totally solve the problems of blown calls, at least they brought a semblance of professionalism back into the game – taking away the keystone cops mentality that had been running rampant from game to game up to that point.

So, we hope Sherman and all his pals have a great time with Easton and that they raise all kinds of money for a good cause.

Packers fans won’t be watching, but we will be waiting for 2013 and some redemption at some point.

But if you want to be ticked once more … here you go.

Where will Charles Woodson land and do the Packers have any interest in bringing him back?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Former Green Bay Packers CB/S Charles Woodson might have been headed to a new team by this weekend had he not been such a nice guy.

That’s because after paying a visit to the Denver Broncos earlier this week and leaving without a contract, he may have gone straight to Oakland for a visit – a team that reportedly has an offer waiting for him on the table.

Charles Woodson has teams interested in his services.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

But instead, Woodson flew back to Michigan for a charity appearance he had on the books at Mott Children’s Hospital. The charity work may have held up his day job search, but it seems like it won’t be long until Woodson signs somewhere – at least the interest level is heating up and it appears a handful of teams have called him.

That’s a different scenario than Woodson faced the past few weeks as he sat on the couch awaiting a call – the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year even went so far as to say publicly that teams were probably seeing him as an “ancient” player.

His agent, Carl Poston, told the Associated Press today that Woodson’s visit to the Raiders will be held Tuesday if he doesn’t sign with Oakland. The New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers, as well as two other unnamed teams,  have also expressed an interest.

One of the caveats for Woodson, at least previously, was that he wanted to sign with a contender. Of the teams named, it seems only the Giants would fit into that role. Could one of the unnamed teams be the Packers?

That’s a possibility, but of course Packers team brass have indicated that if Woodson were to be brought back to Green Bay the price would have to be right.

Ted Thompson has his game face on most of the time, though many times it’s difficult to read what the man is thinking. Either way, he’s one of the best at what he does.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

CBS Sports NFL Insiders Jason La Canfora this morning released an interesting piece rating the top front offices of NFL teams – an admittedly subjective look at the best management teams – but one that not only ranks Ted Thompson and his crew in the top three and the best in the NFC, but seems pretty darned accurate.

There are those who might not like La Canfora, for whatever reasons, but he takes chances and backs his conclusions up with reasoning. Whether you agree with that reasoning is one thing, but at least he stands behind it.

As he admits, his listing of top front offices here is his own opinion, but the interesting thing I noted is that not only are the Packers the top NFC team on the list, but other NFC North teams, the Vikings, Lions, and Bears, did not make the cut.

Ranked number one is the team led in Baltimore by Ozzie Newsome … can you argue with that? At number two just ahead of the Packers is Bill Belichick‘s New England Patriots.

Both of those programs have had inordinate success for years because of the guys at the top and the Packers are no different. Thompson is the guy I like to call the invisible man, the guy who has been called many things, some that are not printable here. But the “In Ted We Trust” mantra that has circulated across Packers Nation has been the most accurate description of how we all feel about the guy.

There’s little that we can gripe about with Thompson’s personnel moves over the years. Sure, he’s had some clunkers like Justin Harrell and Derek Sherrod (thought the jury’s still out on that one), but the slow, methodical pace that Thompson has adhered to has produced one Super Bowl championship and two straight NFC North championships the past three years.

Clearly, the man does his homework and provides the league’s smallest city with the tools it needs to be competitive on the field and profitable at the bank. The Packers raked in more than $40 million profit last year not only because of sound fiscal management, but because of the sound football decisions. It’s those facts that have allowed the Packers to sign their two top players, Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, as well as continue to hit paydirt in the draft – and the guy who’s fingerprints are all over those moves – Thompson’s (along with Russ Ball and Mark Murphy) – just keeps the machine humming.

Here’s what La Canfora wrote about the Packers:

3. Green Bay Packers:

Ted Thompson is so low key and so patient that you sometimes forget he’s even there, which is what he loves. But man, what a tremendous front office when you can lose a John Schnieder — the best young GM in the game — to Seattle and just keep on winning.

Mark Murphy and Russ Ball help man the ship and keep the cap and budgets humming along, and this ultimate small market team has Super Bowl or bust expectations every year, which is all you hope for. Getting Aaron Rodgers signed to a cap-and-cash friendly deal through the rest of this decade was another phenomenal move, as was waiting for potential impact running backs Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin to fall to them in the draft. Remember, the Packers have had to deal with guys like Brett Favre and Mike Holmgren walking out the door not that long ago, and they have done nothing but thrive since.

Thompson won’t get goaded into overpaying or drafting for need, and his keen eye has resulted in guys like Randall Cobb – so huge now — being picked where others might not have done so with so many receivers already in the fold.

Mike McCarthy was a sage hire as head coach. He is a perfect fit with this team and that city, and Rodgers isn’t done winning Super Bowls by a long shot. When they do venture into free agency, they often find steals, like Charles Woodson, and this front office doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves.

So, tell us what you think, Packers fans. Is La Canfora on the mark?

Charles Woodson left Denver today without a contract, meaning the chances of Woodson playing for a contender were drastically reduced. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Late this evening, the Denver Post reported that former Green Bay Packers S/CB Charles Woodson visited with the Denver Broncos today, but left town without a contract.

Here’s what the paper reported:

Woodson spent much of the day with Broncos coaches, personnel and a few players at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters.

Although, the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers also are interested in signing the versatile defensive back, the Broncos were likely the leading candidate for Woodson because they have the best chance to win a Super Bowl this year.

It seems that Woodson’s window of opportunity to play for a contender is closing quickly once again. Though Woodson’s agent stated yesterday the Raiders had a deal already on the table, his client hadn’t made a decision and wanted to visit the Broncos before acting on any contract.

Woodson has been vocal about the lack of interest he has drawn since the Packers cut him just after the season ended. At one point he stated that teams across the league viewed him as “ancient” and that it was disappointing he hadn’t found a home.

Clearly, that disappointment has multiplied for Woodson.

When asked yesterday whether the Packers would have any interest in bringing Woodson back to Green Bay, Packers President Mark Murphy said “probably not,” but left the door open a crack by saying that they had to wait and see how things played out with Woodson – almost making it sound like the Packers might be interested if they have a need and they could get him to come back under their terms.

The Packers didn’t draft a safety and team officials have said they were satisfied with the players they have in-house to play the position … Morgan Burnett, Jerron McMillian, and M.D. Jennings. Though woefully thin at safety, the Packers haven’t made any moves to bring in players to bolster the position and add some competition.

Charles Woodson playing one-on-one against Calvin “Megatron” Johnson of the Detroit Lions.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Whether they might have an interest in Woodson won’t play out for a while and even if they did bring Woodson back, there’s no guarantee he would even make the team.

Woodson must now decide between playing for a team with no chance of winning a title or waiting for a contender to call. For now, unless Woodson jumps on the Raiders contract, he’s destined to ride the couch until a contender calls.

Whether that contender is the Packers remains to be seen.

I guess one should never say never.

The south end zone at Lambeau Field will be finished this fall and will bring about 8,000 additional fans to Green Bay.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

A few weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers signed arguably two of the best players in all of football – Clay Mathews III and Aaron Rodgers.

Both will be wearing Green and Gold for at least the next five years, they have gone home with incredible individual packages, and helped the team do it by not handcuffing the franchise. With the way the deals with the two players have been structures, it  allows the Packers to keep the team competitive for years to come.

Like Clay Matthews said, the franchise is unique in its approach toward rewarding its players, as well as making sure that the team stays competitive year-after-year.

It doesn’t hurt that the Packers have had the two best back-to-back quarterbacks in their program for more than the past two decades. Between Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, they have won a lot of games for the Packers.

Remember what Lambeau Field looked like in the late 80 and early 90s?

It also helps that the Packers know how to make money. Last year, the team raked in an all-time franchise high in profits – $43 million – yes, that’s profit. Also within the past two decades the Packers have had clear goals in improving Lambeau Field, one of the oldest, but most revered stadiums in all of sports. With the  improvements the Packers have made to the stadium and the planned improvements in the coming two years, Lambeau Field will continue to offer the best game day experience in all of football.

While other teams continue to lose out to television, the Packers sell out every game and have a waiting list that will never come to an end.

“We want all decisions to be football decisions, not financial decisions,” Murphy told FOXSportsWisconsin.com today. “I think making sure we have the resources available (is important) so they can make decisions based strictly on football reasons. That was really big for the organization.

“This goes back years, we’ve set aside money in the Packers Preservation Fund for any emergency that may come up, but also to make sure that we can continue to be competitive,” Murphy said. “Whether that be investing in our players, or, the big thing we’re doing obviously, is investing in the stadium and investing in the community.”

And while the Packers are unique because they don’t have a single owner like other teams in the league, there are things these other teams can learn from the Packers – and that’s simplicity and functionality.

An artist’s rendering of the inside of the new stadium in Minnesota.

We’ve all seen the pictures of the mega-stadiums being proposed by teams such as those in Atlanta and Minnesota. Following in the footsteps of Jerry Jones and his billion dollar palace in Texas, the Falcons and Vikings are also looking at new monstrosities that will have all the amenities that will please the beautiful people who can afford the $1,000 tickets, but will price the hard-working fans out of the picture. They are the people who are the backbone of any NFL franchise and it’s decisions like we are seeing in Minnesota and Atlanta that are hurting the league, not helping it. It’s no wonder so many don’t want to go to the game, fight the traffic, pay through the nose for tickets and then get it again in the nose when it bleeds because they have to sit in the stratosphere.

While the Packers have made vast improvements to the aluminum-sided bowl that was Lambeau Field of the late 80s and early 90s, they have done it with the fans in mind. The original improvements to the stadium done more than a decade ago gave fans a new experience, but didn’t break the bank – the team also included the fans in the rebuilding by selling stock and raising funds to help with the payments. Another stock sale raised millions to help the Packers fund the addition of more than 8,000 new seats on the south side of the stadium, which will be ready for the start of the 2013 season.

Even more renovations are being planned as the team makes changes this year to the stadium Atrium and moves the team’s Hall of Fame from the basement of the facility – a move that will give the Hall better exposure.

What’s even better with these newest changes is the fact that the Packers are paying the bill in full – there will be no taxpayer funds needed – a win-win that should be something for which other teams should take notice.

When looking to the future, the Packers haven’t forgotten about the fans.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

But the Packers won’t sit still either. Other ideas to develop the area around the stadium to expand the fans’ experience are also being planned.

Here’s more of what Murphy had to say about the future:

“For us, there’s not a profit motive. So, for us, if we can put money back and invest money back into the organization or into the community, that’s the equivalent of what other teams do in terms of paying salaries to owners or executives.”

“You always have to remain vigilant in making sure you’re doing everything you can, so that, number one, the fans have a great experience and that we remain competitive,” Murphy said. “I think the next thing where you’ll start to see some changes is in the whole concept of Titletown; some development around the stadium.

“It’ll help the Packers if we’re able to get more people to come into Green Bay. Those people will go to the Pro Shop and take tours of the stadium, but I think it’s really a way for us to invest in the community.”

What other teams should consider when they plan these new venues for their teams is not the amount of glass and concrete they plan to use, but how these changes will affect the people who make the NFL what it has become. They can’t lose focus on what makes the NFL unique – the game itself. The Packers have been successful and have made money not only because they’ve paid attention to improvements in infrastructure, but because they have made the right decisions on the field.

Is Jay Cutler one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the NFL? The stats say yes.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Back in 2011, not long after I took over as the editor of this site, I wrote a piece about the most overrated quarterbacks in the NFL and included on my list these names: Jay Cutler, Mark Sanchez, and Tony Romo.

Today, The Bleacher Report’s Zach Kruse wrote a piece about the five most overrated players in the NFL utilizing computer-generated statistics that have come into vogue the past few years in rating players and teams. Among the players highlighted was Jay Cutler.

Though I looked at the statistics available way back in the dark ages of 2011, I posted my list based mostly on past performances, how the players were being viewed in the eye of the media and what those particular players’ future outlook was at the time.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo throws the ball against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 28-18. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It seems I hit the nail on the head as far as Cutler was concerned, and as far as Sanchez – he’s fallen so far off the radar that his presence isn’t even considered in 2013. So, was he overrated? Absolutely. Was Cutler? Without question.

For Romo, the statistics utilized by Kruse paint a pretty good picture for the Cowboys’ quarterback, but when you look at his won-loss record (which is reflective of the team – or lack thereof – around him), Wisconsin’s almost-famous son hasn’t done much. Though Jerry Jones is willing to pay through the nose for Romo’s services, in my opinion the quarterback is way overpaid and not much of a value to his team. The question in everyone’s mind is whether that perspective will change as the Cowboys improve as a team (they can’t get much worse, can they?). The jury is still out, but time is running out on Romo, who enters his tenth season in Dallas.

As for Cutler, injuries have hurt his production through the years, but even in a full season last year, his seventh in the league and his fourth with Chicago, he finished 27th among starting quarterbacks, according to Advanced NFL Stats, the stats utilized by Kruse.

Getting a fresh start under new coach Marc Trestman will most likely help Cutler. The question in my mind is whether it will be enough to lift Cutler out of the dregs of the past four years. Time will tell on that one.

Ditto for Romo.

As for Sanchez … well …

Just for kicks, I’ve tossed in the piece I wrote last year which recapped the 2011 piece. It might be dated, but I think much of what’s written at that time is still valid.

You be the judge …

Cutler, Sanchez And Romo – Still The Most Overrated QBs

By Raymond T. Rivard

Sometimes the more things change in the NFL, the more they stay the same – at least that’s the case with the quarterbacks I called the most overrated more than a year ago.

Jay Cutler, Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo were at the top of my list on July 23, 2011, as I considered their value to their teams while we all waited for the eventual settlement of the NFL players lockout.

When we look at those three QBs in 2012, not much has changed. Though the Bears have built their team up around Cutler and the Bears sit at 4-1, he’s still not an elite leader – nor are Sanchez and Romo who have both been inconsistent the past year-plus.

Let’s take a look at what each has accomplished this year.

Cutler is 90-156 passing for 1,209 yards through five games – completing 57.7 percent of his passes. He’s got seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

During Cutler’s four-year career in Chicago, he’s completed 869 passes in 1,457 attempts, a 59.6 percent completion rate. He’s thrown 70 touchdowns, but has had 56 interception. I wouldn’t say those are hall of fame statistics. If Aaron Rodgers had those types of numbers, Packers Nation would have run him out of town long ago.

Now on to Tony Romo – while he quarterbacks a team that sits at 2-2, he’s had a better go of it in 2012 than Cutler. He’s completed 66.9 percent of his passes, 101-151, for 1,148 yards. However, his five interceptions against Cutler’s Bears last week has inflated his interception total of eight this year. So far, he’s thrown just five touchdowns.

Now, let’s take a look at Sanchez, the darling of New York City Jets fans. We must ask right off – when will Rex Ryan finally get the message that Sanchez should be benched?

Sanchez’s team sits at 2-3. Sanchez has completed only 48.4 percent of his passes – 77-159, for 1,043 yards. He’s tossed six touchdowns and six interceptions.

Is it Tebow Time yet in New York. If Sanchez continues on this pace, Tebow will get his turn sooner than later.

So, my impressions of these three quarterbacks hasn’t changed much in 2012 from my original impressions in 2012.

Let’s take a look at what I posted last year. Check it out below:

So now that we must wait until at least Monday for any more news about whether we we are going to have an NFL season, I thought I’d take a few potshots of my own and focus on three of my “favorite” players.

So, here we go…

Jay Cutler, Tony Romo, Mark Sanchez …

Just what do they have in common?

Well, other than the fact that they play for NFL teams in the three biggest markets, to me they are three of the league’s most overrated players.

Romo, his only positive attribute being that he is a Wisconsin boy, plays for “America’s team,” but might as well be quarterbacking his Burlington High School squad. We’ll see what Jason Garrett can do with Romo this coming season, but to date (even when Garrett was handling the offense before becoming head coach) Romo hasn’t been able to pull together an offense over the course of a full season … nor has he been able to take his team to consecutive playoff wins.

He simply doesn’t have what it takes to be a winner, nor does he seem to be able to stay healthy long enough to do it. How do we know he doesn’t have it? Well, if you’re playing for a team that puts a defense on the field like the Cowboys and the team still can’t win the big games, then it’s pretty obvious that he doesn’t have what it takes.

His statistics are impressive. In five years in the league he has started 61 games and has a 39-22 record. He’s attempted 2,070 passes and completed 1,326 (64.1 percent) for 16,650 yards and 118 touchdowns. He also has a 95 quarterback rating … statistics that have earned him Pro Bowl appearances in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Injuries in 2010 kept him off the field and doomed the Cowboys.

He threw for more than 4,000 yards in 2007 and 2009, but in my mind he’s still overrated because he hasn’t won the big games and until he does that, he’s just a guy in this league.

He’s also a proven choker … consider the Seattle playoff game when he fumbled the snap.

Consider Sanchez in the same category. The Jets defense is among the top five or top 10 in the league. The team has a solid offensive line … heck, he even had LaDainian Thomlinson in the backfield last year, but when the ball was placed in his hands to win a game, he seemed to always come up short.

Though having played only two seasons in the league, maybe I’m jumping the gun on Sanchez, but he had better step into a bigger role this coming season. If he doesn’t, the Jets may just give up on the high 2009 draft pick … the player the team selected to replace Brett Favre.

Sanchez has been reliable, starting 31 games in his first two seasons and has a 19-12 record. However, he’s completed just 474 of 871 passes (54.4 percent) and 5,735 yards and 29 touchdowns.

His 33 interceptions in two seasons are also alarming for the Jets. That’s the type of statistic that isn’t going to win many fans or win many of the big games.

Sanchez’s performance in the AFC Championship game last season against Pittsburgh was pathetic in the first half. Though he brought the team back in the second half, because of a soft defense by the Steelers, it wasn’t enough to win the game. The Steelers allowed the Jets enough room to make a game of it, but when it needed to stiffen, the Steeler defense did so. A good quarterback – a Manning, Rivers or Rodgers – wouldn’t allow their teams to get into that situation in the first place and in the second place, they would have finished that game with a comeback win. Sanchez didn’t. Maybe it’s his youth, maybe it’s just that he’s overrated.

And of course we have to throw Jay Cutler into the mix.

Yes, we all know he’s tough. His teammates, including Brian Urlacher, say so. We have to believe them.

But if appearances are worthy of anything, all anyone has to do is see the pictures of Cutler on the sideline in last year’s NFC Championship game to understand that there’s something about Cutler that’s just not right.

It’s attitude.

For crying out loud, it was the NFC Championship AGAINST THE PACKERS! If Urlacher broke his leg, he would have been out there trying to kill Aaron Rodgers.

His stats are OK … in the past two years with Chicago, Cutler has completed 597 of  987 attempts for 6,940 yards (60.5 percent). He has 50 touchdowns with the Bears, but only an 80.9 quarterback rating.

His career statistics are very similar to Romo’s: 1,359 completions in 2,207 attempts for 15,964 yards (61.6 percent) and 104 touchdowns. But like Romo, Cutler hasn’t been able to lead his team to playoff wins. While he did lead the Bears to a division title last year, he couldn’t finish the job in two important games: The season finale in Green Bay and the championship game at home against the Packers.

Until he can shake the “soft” moniker and win some playoff games, Cutler is going to be viewed like Romo – just a guy who racks up statistics, but can’t win.

My guess is that these three “guys” will be just that for the remainder of their careers. They will win lots of games, but won’t win those that matter most.

And for that, they will continue to be overrated year after year.

Brett Favre will no doubt pay a visit to Green Bay at some point to be honored. Just exactly when that will be is uncertain at this point.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The more he talks about it, the more likely it seems that Mark Murphy wants Brett Favre back into the Green Bay Packers family – it’s a topic that just doesn’t want to go away and won’t go away until it’s done.

In February, just a day after reports that Favre had communicated with former Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings while Jennings was in Minnesota negotiating a free agency deal to lure him away from the Packers, Murphy came out publicly with the Favre love message – saying the Packers would welcome him back into the fold with open arms.

Packers President Mark Murphy came out again Tuesday saying the Packers want Brett Favre back in the “family.”
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Murphy continued that message Tuesday during the Packers opening stop along the Tailgate Tour that is winding its way through southern Wisconsin and into Iowa this week.

According to published reports, here’s what Murphy had to say Tuesday while reiterating what he already said back in February:

“We want to have [Favre] back in the family.”

That’s not huge news to any Packers fan who has been following the situation, but it’s a statement that has raised the ire of many who can’t get over the divorce between Favre and the Packers that occurred five years ago. Though there are many who felt the Packers cut ties with Favre well before his tank was empty, more still became Favre-haters when he retired once, got traded to the New York Jets, retired again, and then decided to go play for the hated Minnesota Vikings. The fuel for more distaste of the “Ol’ Gunslinger” was thrown onto the fire even more heavily during the 2009 season when the Vikings defeated the Packers and Favre’s replacement, Aaron Rodgers, twice and Favre nearly led the Vikings to the Super Bowl. Only a Favre interception on the final Vikings play of the NFC Championship Game that season prevented that from occurring.

There was sweet justice the following season, however, when Rodgers and the Packers turned the tables, defeated Favre and the Vikings twice, and then went on to win Super Bowl XLV.

So, time does tend to heal. This past February, Favre and Rodgers appeared together on stage at the NFL Awards ceremony and there were many who saw that as the start of a healing process.

Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers were competitors and teammates for several seasons.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Now the talk of a day to honor Favre at Lambeau Field heats up – with some saying it could happen as early as this season or in 2014. Favre is scheduled to be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the next couple of years and will most likely be inducted formally into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at some point in the near future as well.

So, let the talk continue, but let’s hope it doesn’t go on for too long. In my mind, it is time. The Packers and Favre have to hug, kiss and make up.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy might get his street after all.
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

It’s going on three years since Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt held up a street sign with Mike McCarthy‘s name on it during the Super Bowl XLV celebration held at Lambeau Field in February 2011, making one wonder if a street would ever be named for the Green Bay Packers head coach.

But now it looks like it might be on the fast track to happening sometime in the near future – if everyone can agree to it.

In a story published today by Scott Williams of the Green Bay Press Gazette, it seems the only stumbling block would be if officials from DePere and Ashwaubenon balk at renaming a stretch of Ashland Avenue which runs through all three communities.

According To Williams‘ story, the north-south thoroughfare runs to the east of the city of Green Bay and it would be a six-mile stretch of the highway that would be renamed for McCarthy.

Schmitt has said that he has already talked to state highway department officials who have indicated the renaming and changing of signage along the route would be OK with those at that department.

Attempts have been made since 2011 to honor the coach with a street, but the effort has stalled because of disagreement among Green Bay Aldermen on which street to rename. According to Williams’ story, the proposal would have to be approved by each individual municipality and that could be happening soon.

Here’s what Williams discovered and wrote after talking with officials from DePere and Ashwaubenon:

Ashwaubenon Village President Mike Aubinger said he will likely present the idea to his Village Board later this month or in June. Aubinger said he was checking with the U.S. Postal Service on whether businesses on an Ashland access road could keep their current mailing addresses.

“It was sort of promised to him,” Aubinger said. “I think we need to follow through on our promises.”

De Pere Mayor Michael Walsh said he wanted to gather feedback from businesses and property owners along Ashland in his community. Walsh said he would not make up his mind until after hearing from those people.

DePere Alderman Robert Heuvelmans said he doubts many people along the road would raise an objection. He added: “Most everybody seems to be Packer fans.”

We here at Lombardiave say it’s about time and we agree with Aubinger – McCarthy was promised the street rename and they should follow through on their promise.

Charles Woodson may be headed to either Oakland or Denver.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Mid-afternoon tweets today, Tuesday, May 14, are indicating that former Packers S/CB Charles Woodson has already been offered a contract to return to the team where his professional career began, the Oakland Raiders.

Earlier today, it was reported among several sources that Woodson had been invited to a visit to the Denver Broncos and it seems that is still on, but according to other tweets, Woodson had already been offered a contract by the Raiders.

Here are a couple of the tweets:

#Breaking: Per his agent, the #Raiders have made a contract offer to former #Packers DB Charles Woodson, he will also visit the #Broncos.

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_RealUpdates) May 14, 2013

Charles Woodson’s agent says Raiders have offer on the table wp.me/p14QSB-8VY1

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 14, 2013

This has got to be good news in the Woodson camp. Earlier this spring, Sir Charles couldn’t keep his disappointment from showing when he said that teams had not been calling and that he thought many around the league thought he was “ancient.”

So, today’s developments have got to be an encouraging sign for the longtime Raider and Packer.

No doubt the Raiders’ Reggie McKenzie, a longtime Packers front office guy, has had an influence in the pursuit of Woodson. Also of note, you can bet that Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson, though they made the decision to part ways with Woodson, are probably counting their blessings that he is considering a move to the AFC West and not a team in the NFC.

We will keep on top of the situation and report any other news as it becomes available.

Stay tuned …

Jordy Nelson leads another dynamic group of receivers into the 2013 season – a group that could be the best in some time in Green Bay.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Former Green Bay Packers safety Darren Sharper (yeah, you remember him) got it right yesterday when he came out on the NFL Network saying, when the question was asked, that the Packers have the best wide receiving corps in the entire NFL.

Randall Cobb
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Though the Packers lost Greg Jennings to free agency and franchise leading receiver Donald Driver to retirement in February, it hasn’t diminished the fact that the team still has Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb in place – three dynamic ball catchers who have proven themselves in the past to be a triumvirate of terror for NFL defensive backs.

Add to the mix Jarrett Boykin and Jeremy Ross – two young guys the Packers seem to really like – as well as the two seventh round selections Ted Thompson brought in with this year’s draft, Charles Johnson and Kevin Dorsey, and you’ve got a recipe for a deep and talented corps at Aaron Rodgers‘ disposal. Also added to the mix is a young kid by the name of  Sederrik Cunningham who helps round out a group of receivers who will only make the Packers passing attack that much more competitive.

The key is keeping Nelson healthy, making sure Jones continues to find the end zone and moving Cobb around the field (and getting him off special teams and into a full-time receiving role).

James Jones was a touchdown machine in 2012.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

And when we add Jermichael Finley into the mix, all we can say at this point is wow. I feel that Sharper is right. This could be the most dynamic group to run routes in Green Bay in some time.

All this will also be enhanced with a better running game which should open up the passing game for the Packers.

More will be coming about how the receiving game will be that much better in 2013.

An artist’s rendering of the exterior of the Vikings’ new stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings have moved one step closer to building their new mega stadium with the unveiling of an artist’s renderings tonight. With lots of glass and an open concept that provides an infusion of air and light, the stadium looks, in my opinion, a lot better from the inside than it does from the outside – it’s also a long way from the old Metropolitan Stadium and Metrodome.

Here’s what the Vikings’ new stadium is being compared to … it’s OK to laugh out loud here …

With comparisons from tweeters tonight on Twitter to the huge tractor carriers from Star Wars, the new stadium that is expected to cost in the billion dollar range, will keep the Vikings in Minnesota for the long-term, a move that was backed by the league when so much consternation was being passed about when it was rumored the franchise would leave the land of 10,000 lakes for the shores of the Pacific and Los Angeles.

With those rumors long gone, it’s now certain that the Vikings will be in new digs at a high cost, but for the better of the franchise and for all the other teams in the NFC North. Losing the Vikings as rivals would hurt not only the Packers, Bears and Lions, but the entire league.

So with the Vikings’ contracted lease of the Mall of America Field, aka the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, coming to an end, the team has inked a new deal with the University of Minnesota to utilize its facilities for the next couple of years while the new stadium is built.

So check out the pictures and let us know what you think.

For Vikings fans, it’s pretty exciting. For Packers fans, well, it is something … I wouldn’t say exciting, but it surely will bring about a whole new era.

In all, it’s a rather stunning piece of architecture. Here’s a video …

Aaron Rodgers will once again lead the Packers onto the Lambeau Field turf this summer for the annual Packers Family Night.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Has it been 13 years already? This summer’s annual ritual known as Packers Family Night will again be sponsored by Bellin Health and has been scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 3.

The featured event of the night, an intra-squad scrimmage between the Packers offense and defense, will highlight the evening’s festivities, which begin at 5:30 p.m. The on-field scrimmage will begin at about 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $10 and will go on sale June 24 at 9 a.m. The tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, over the phone or through the Internet – in addition, tickets may be purchased at the Packers ticket office at Lambeau Field. There is no limit in the number of tickets one may buy and all individuals attending the event need a ticket, regardless of age.

According to a press release by the team today, this is information you may want to know:

The defense, including Clay Matthews, gets ready for a Family night scrimmage a couple of seasons ago.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

A group ticket program (minimum of 50 tickets) will be offered again. The application form is available online athttp://pckrs.com/familynight, in person at the Packers ticket office or can be requested to be faxed by calling 920/569-7501. Group ticket orders are restricted to approved groups and organizations, and are to be used for the sole purpose of accommodating a group or organizational outing. Resale is prohibited.

Other festivities that make up the night’s activities are as follows as provided via the Packers’ press release:

Included in the evening’s activities will be the popular Chili’s “Jerseys Off Our Backs” promotion with approximately 20 jerseys – all of which will have been worn by Packers players in the just-completed scrimmage – to be given away in a random drawing.

The Kemps Packers Experience returns this year. The evening will feature other activities for the younger fans, including sidewalk chalk and face painting.

The Copps-Pick ’n Save Family Night Picnic also returns and the spectacular Copps-Pick ’n Save Fireworks Show will conclude the night.

Parking for the event will be $5, with net proceeds to be donated to the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Program.

In case of inclement weather, no refunds will be issued unless all stadium activities – from 5:30 p.m. until the end of the fireworks show – are cancelled.

For fans not attending the event, WLUK-TV FOX 11 again will originate a statewide telecast. In addition to Green Bay, the event will be televised on WITI-TV in Milwaukee, WMSN-TV in Madison, WFXS-TV in Wausau, WLAX-TV in La Crosse and WEUX-TV in Eau Claire. It will be hosted by Drew Smith and other members of the Fox 11 sports and news staffs.

Family Night is a popular event for those who have never been to Lambeau Field and want to feel as close to a game-day experience as possible, this is the event to attend.

Head coach Mike McCarthy (center) and general manger Ted Thompson (right) watch workout during the Green Bay Packers rookie orientation weekend. OTAs and minicamps will be held over the next month, with some sessions open to the public (weather permitting) Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Starting next week, the Green Bay Packers will begin their organized team activities (OTAs) which will include the entire team – in fact, some of those sessions will be open to the public, so if you’re anywhere near Green Bay, you can sit in and watch (weather permitting).

Here are the OTA and minicamp schedules that are upcoming for the Packers over the next month:

• May 20-22: Organized Team Activities
• May 27-29: Organized Team Activities
• June 4-6: Mandatory Minicamp
• June 11-14: Organized Team Activities

The practices that will be open to the public are as follows:

• May 21 (11:30 CDT)
• May 28 (11:30 CDT)
• June 4
• June 5
• June 11 (11:30 CDT)

A schedule of all upcoming offseason workouts for all 32 teams are included here.

But just what are the OTAs?

Organized Team Activities are voluntary, as per the newest collective bargaining agreement signed two years ago between the players union and the owners. On-field coaching instruction is allowed during OTAs, but live contact is not allowed … according to the CBA, “contact” includes “blocking, tackling, pass rushing [and] bump-and­-run …”

Offense against defense team drills may be conducted, such as 11-on-11 drills. In addition special teams practice is also allowed. No one-on-one, such as a receiver versus a defensive back, is allowed.

Even more specifically, players are allowed only two hours of practice time on the field, with no more than six hours of total work in a given day.

As per league rules, the on-field offseason workouts are recorded and the recordings must be kept on file until 30 days after the start of the regular season.  Player union representatives have the right to watch a limited number of workouts in-person during the offseason and could request practice video from a club if a complaint is filed.

If any violations are alleged, the league and union will attempt to reach a solution, but if none result from negotiations,  then an independent arbitrator will be brought in to reach a ruling.

If there are any violations, fines could be levied by the commissioner. The head coach could be fined up to $100,000 for an initial violation and the franchise can be slapped with a fine as high as $250,000. The commissioner, however, can also waive the fine or call for a smaller penalty depending on the violation.

If a team is alleged to have two violations in the same year, that franchise will lose its fourth-round pick in the next draft and will be docked another week of OTAs, per the CBA.

Wow, specifics, specifics.

Such is the landscape of the new NFL under the newest collective bargaining agreement, which runs for another seven years.