August 25, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; A NFL replacement official signals a penalty against the New Orleans Saints defense during the first half of a preseason game against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Texans 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Eventually, it was believed the two sides would come to an agreement with only a week of the pre-season being lost. After this, everybody thought there would be ‘labor peace’ for 10 years at least and labor negotiations could be a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, this ended up not being the case and only one year after the heated 2011 NFL lockout, another lockout is under way…with the NFL officials.

This ‘war’ is a lot different than last time, however, with a lot less media coverage and not a lot of negotiating. Most will assume that this lockout will pass and everything will be back to normal – just like last year. Many will also assume that if the lockout is carried out for an extensive period, no games will be lost and there really is nothing to be worried about.

In reality, games will be lost and it will not be because players are not playing but because replacement officials will not be officiating to the level of NFL standards. One horrible call at the end of the game can decide the outcome. When this occurs – and it will occur – the media will jump in and fans will be outraged and the 2011 NFL lockout coverage will be back for round two.

In addition to the winning and losing aspect of the game, there is another major problem involving this particular lockout – safety. Last year, the NFL fought hard to initiate protective protocols o prevent injuries, specifically limiting concussions to NFL players.

Many of these proposals went through and many safety changes have been occurring in the NFL for the past couple of years. Unfortunately, with replacement officials managing games, many plays will go uncalled. Penalties such as roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness will be missed and will signal to the players that some of these hits are OK – actually they are not.

Of course, much non-safety related penalties will be missed as well. Mainly this will be because these replacement officials range from being Division II, III, NAIA, and even some non-collegiate leagues where many of their normal penalties are different in the NFL.

Common sense would call for replacement officials from Division I football because they are sometimes officiating games nearly as big as NFL games. This cannot occur, however, because the NFL already uses many Division I officials on their regular crews and the NCAA does not allow the NFL to ‘double-dip’ from the rest of the Division I officials.

Though this lockout may not be getting as much publicity as is should, severe consequences will occur if this lockout lingers into the regular season. Injuries, missed-calls, and games having different outcomes all will jeopardize the integrity of the NFL.

This can be related to the cold war from the 1980s. Though tension is really high between the two parties, nothing has happened. If the two sides cannot work out an agreement soon enough, unfortunate consequences will occur…and it will not be pretty.

July 31, 2010; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal (96) takes part in a blocking drill during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIREAfter the first days of training camp, much can be learned about the 2012 Green Bay Packers. Nothing more stands out to me, however, than the improvements being made on the defensive side of the ball.This is probably because of all the competitions being held on the defensive side, meaning more chances for players further down the depth chart to make their names known.One example would be Davon House – a rookie last season. He has been making plays left and right by getting interceptions and just making big plays all around. Head Coach Mike McCarthy thinks he can develop into a solid bump and run cornerback in the NFL sooner rather than later.Another player making big plays in the secondary has been second round pick, Casey Hayward out of Vanderbilt. Both House and Hayward, have been taking turns making big plays in the, seemed to be improved, Packers' secondary. Hayward is talked about as being a ball hawk cornerback with good speed.Both players have a good chance to move up the depth charts quickly if they continue on these hot streaks.Moving from the secondary, the Packers have also seen improvements along the defensive line where another rookie, Mike Daniels out of Iowa, has made the most of his opportunities. He has the size, strength, and even the quick feet to shed blocks and become a force in both slowing down the running and passing attack.Green Bay Packers defensive end Jerel Worthy

Another rookie making big strides early would be defensive lineman Jerel Worthy out of Michigan State University. He’s been consistently improving from day to day but where he has been making the biggest impact has been the defensive attitude he has brought to the team. He has a lot of energy which he uses to pump up not only himself, but the rest of the Packers’ defense.

The final two players who have made an impact early are returning veterans Charles Woodson and B.J.Raji.

Woodson has been playing safety in the Packers’ base defense which, ultimately, places him always in better position to make big plays on the ball and this is exactly what he has been doing in the first days of training camp.

Raji had a slow year last season, but it seems as if he is trying to turn it around this season. He has slimmed down to become more athletic and be able to slide around blocks a lot easier and this has made a big difference in training camp so far.

There will be much more to come with training camp getting under way but after the first days of training camp, not much more can be asked out of the defense as they look much improved from last season.

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) catches a hail mary pass for a touchdown over Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (21) and strong safety Charlie Peprah (26) in the second quarter of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE-STAR LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

Many will question the Packers’ move to cut Peprah since there is no immediate player destined for that starting position.

Or is there?

On the first day of training camp, Charles Woodson was playing at strong safety in the Packers’ base defense throughout the day. Of course, the Packers do not use their base defense as often as other teams but it was just a sign that the Packers really are considering moving Woodson around this year in order for him to make the biggest impact possible for the team.

Last year, the Packers experimented with moving Woodson around instead of always sticking to the cornerback position. It did show to be a success with Woodson being able to make more plays by always being in the right position. Now it seems the Packers are determined to try this out for an entire season and see how much production is produced from Woodson as a result.

When Woodson was not playing the safety position on the first day of training camp, M.D.Jennings took most of the reps followed by 4th round rookie from Maine, Jerron McMillian.

Jennings was an undrafted rookie coming out of Arkansas State last year and made the Packers’ practice squad. Throughout continued improvement with the practice squad, Jennings was eventually put on the active roster and played well in his limited playing time throughout the 2011 season.

McMillian was the Packers’ 4th round choice in this year’s NFL Draft. Coming from a smaller school, Maine University, McMillian had to have a tremendous career in order to even think about being drafted in the NFL. In his two years, he started every game and was named to the All-CAA second team in 2010. He is a very fast player who can also be a ball hawk in a NFL defense.

It now appears that Jennings and McMillian will battle throughout training camp and the pre-season to see who will claim the vacant spot left by Charlie Peprah. No matter who wins the battle, though, they will not see as much time as they would expect being a starter with Woodson now being spread around the defense.

Aug 11, 2011; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterbacks Graham Harrell (6) and Aaron Rodgers (12) during training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

For the past couple of seasons, the Packers have had the luxury of having a backup quarterback who, if needed, could come into a game and play like the team has not lost a beat.

Now, with Matt Flynn in Seattle competing for a starting position, the Packers have to figure out who will back up Aaron Rodgers in case of injury.

The most likely candidate is unproven quarterback Graham Harrell. In college, he was on a pass-happy offense that revolved around him. Though he had insane passing yard and touchdown numbers, the argument has always been made that it was because of the type of offense being run at the school. There have been other quarterbacks who have come from pass happy offenses like Texas Tech or Houston that have never made a mark in the NFL and many believe Graham Harrell is just another product of an air attack offense in which any quarterback could succeed.

As a result of all these critics, Harrell was undrafted when first pursuing an NFL career and nobody even bothered to sign his as an undrafted free agent. With no takers in the NFL, he went to the Canadian Football League and signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2009. With little success there, he was released in 2010. Shortly afterward, The Packers signed him to the practice squad as an emergency quarterback in case Rodgers and Flynn both went down with injuries.

He has seen zero playing time in a regular season NFL game so far but 2012 could be his season to finally earn redemption. With the Packers making no major moves involving bringing in a proven backup quarterback, Harrell is poised to take over that role which was left vacant by Matt Flynn’s departure earlier this year. In a recent interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Harrell talked about the real possibility of taking control of an NFL offense this season if Rodgers was injured.

“As a quarterback, you better be confident in yourself and believe in yourself.” Harrell said. “I believe in myself. We have a great support staff and a great group of people in Green Bay. They get quarterbacks ready to play and train quarterbacks. I’ve learned from some of the best in the business.”

It was rumored that the Packers, during the 2012 NFL Draft, were considering making a move for Browns’ quarterback, Colt McCoy. The move was never completed but it is still believed that the Packers may eventually try and bring in a veteran to back up Rodgers.

Harrell will have all of training camp to prove himself, however, and maybe he can finally prove people wrong and play at an efficient level in the NFL.

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) looks on during warmups prior to NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

As the Packers ready-up for the 2012 season, a persistent problem has continued to linger for multiple years.

No, it is nothing about the defense or having a consistent running game.

The problem is about, simply, having too many good receivers on the roster. It’s a great problem to have but it is still a problem that the Packers’ management has to deal with from year to year. Quite frankly, the problem continues to worsen as the years pass due to aging receivers like Donald Driver who continue to make an impact on the team. It’s also a problem allowing the up and coming receivers to have their own chance to show what they are made of.

With training camp approaching, the Packers’ organization is going to have to make some really tough decisions as to which receivers should stay and which will have to be let go due to the number and depth of talent at the position.

One way the Packers look to handle this problem this year may be by having more than five receivers on the opening day roster. The Packers have stuck strong to a five receiver roster for the past few years but it seems like this year will have to change the streak.

One way the Packers were rumored to have doing before was to consider cutting Donald Driver to make room for younger receivers with more of an upside. The Packers’ organization went in a different direction, however, and brought back the longtime Packer on a reduced salary for this season. Despite his age, he can still make an impact on the football field and maybe even still pick up those extra yards he is always known for doing. Being a Dancing with the Stars champion should only enhance his moves on the gridiron.

Though it seems as if Driver is secured for the 2012 season, it is difficult to imagine the Packers keeping him around for the 2013 season. But, according to NFL.com, Driver has said, “I’m going to play two more years, this one, then next year, then I’m completely done.” He would go on to also say, “(I’m) gonna put my cleats on the shelf and do something different. I’ve always said I wanted to retire a Packer and now I get that opportunity to retire for, as I always say, the best franchise in the world.”

As a Packers fan, I love Driver and would not like to see him in a different uniform but it is really hard to imagine Driver sticking around past this season. This is because of many practice squad standouts like Tori Gurley, Diondre Borel, and Shaky Smithson who have rejected offers to play for other teams on their active roster and, instead, have been tearing it up on the practice squad waiting for their time to play in a NFL game for the green and gold.

So it is not crazy to think that the Packers will decide this year to play with six and maybe even seven receivers on the opening day rosters. Heck, they have overloaded on positions in the past like tight end last year and fullback from two years ago.

Maybe this will be the year for wide receivers…

Nov 20, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 35-26. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-US PRESSWIRE

Happy 4th of July everyone! What day could be better than to talk about the future of the Packers’ running game?

Last season featured the running back tandem of Ryan Grant and James Starks. Both players played effectively and were enough to keep opposing defenses at least on their feet.

Now with Grant being a free agent, how will the Packers’ running game look this year? Since no major moves were made to add another running back, most can assume it will have James Starks being the featured back and Alex Green, who is coming off injured reserve, to be his back-up. Playing time for these two backs may depend on training camp, though. Alex Green, last year, never really got to show what he was made of because of his injury so this could be his break-out season.

One player I would like to see more of is 2nd year veteran Brandon Saine out of Ohio State. He was undrafted last season and did not even play a snap for the Green Bay Packers until week 12. Although his touches were limited, he made the most out of his opportunities and may play a larger role then most may think for the Pack this coming season. Saine’s main attribute and where he will probably see the most playing time this year, will not be running the ball but catching it out of the backfield. In his limited touches last season, Saine caught 10 catches for 69 yards. It’s not staggering but it shows that he has the potential to become a threat as a receiver coming out of the backfield. Do not be surprised if he becomes a primary third down back for the Packers in 2012.

It’s hard to say how the backfield will exactly look with training camp still to come, but it’s never too early to start thinking about. Although the Packers are known for their prolific passing game, do not be surprised if the Pack can assemble a better running game then last year which could add just another dimension to the Packer offense.

Focusing specifically on the Packers, it comes as no surprise that their main focus point will be to determine which 11 guys on defense will give the Packers the best chance to win. If we are just focusing on winning, then the Packers’ defense brought in a record of 15-1.

Unfortunately, this was because the offense carried the defense to victories last season and is how, ultimately, the Packers would fall in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Giants.

So as training camp approaches, nearly every position on defense will have a battle of some sort. Considering how the Packers, this offseason, drafted mainly defensive players and even dipped into free agency for defensive players, there will be a lot of competitors fighting for a job. With that said, let’s break down the key battles Packer fans should keep an eye on for this training camp.

Packers defensive lineman Ryan Picket does a good job at stopping the run, but is limited in the pass rush. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Defensive End: Ever since the Packers lost Cullen Jenkins in free agency last year, the Packers have been struggling to find a replacement. Ryan Pickett on the other side has been doing an adequate job stopping the run but he cannot generate pressure on the quarterback which was severely lacking last season.

Raji in the middle, after the Super Bowl season, was thought to have a breakout year with the Packers but never quite reached the level that most thought he could. Then we had the right defensive end which was a huge question mark all of last season. Players from Mike Neal, C.J.Wilson, and Jarius Wynn all took turns at the position last year but none really stood out from the rest of the pack. Some brought Packers fans a spark of hope for a little while but none of the three had complete consistency. This forced the Packers to make moves by drafting Jerel Worthy in the second round, bringing in Anthony Hargrove from free agency, and bringing in Phillip Merling also from free agency. These are three players who seem to be right in the mix to contend for the starting position in training camp. Players from last year like C.J.Wilson and Mike Neal also have been working hard and should get a fair shot to fight for the position.

Who will take over the outside linebacking position opposite Clay Matthews for linebackers coach Kevin Greene. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Outside Linebacker: Similar to the defensive end position of last season, players on the opposite side of Clay Matthews generated nearly no production and the Packers had to flop starters from week to week in order to find someone who could separate from the rest of the pack. Unfortunately, nobody ever truly stepped from the pack and the Packers’ defense suffered tremendously.

Players who took turns starting last season included Eric Walden, Frank Zombo, and Brad Jones. Also, we must keep in mind that injuries at this position plagued the Packers all season with all three having injuries at different points during the season. The Packers’ management responded by drafting Nick Perry from USC in the first round of this year’s draft. \ Perry has major athleticism and the Packers hope that he could be the missing piece to the defense.

Other players to have a shot in training camp include another rookie in Terrell Manning, second-year veteran in Jarmari Lattimore, and another second year veteran in Vic So’oto who had his moments in his short playing time last year. This will be arguably the most intriguing position battle this camp.

Safety: It’s a lock that Morgan Burnett will hold his starting position this season but losing Nick Collins on the other side threw up another question mark in the Packers’ defense. I have to say that many, including me, believed that Nick Collins was a big part of the defense but never really thought of him as being the leader on defense. Once he went down with his injury, I and many others were stunned at how important Collins truly was for the Packer defense.

With perennial Pro-Bowler Nick Collins no longer with the team, the question about who will replace him is one of the biggest heading into training camp. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With Collins once being the player who made sure everyone was lined up right on defense being gone, the Packers’ defense seemed lost at times. Many big plays occurred and could have been avoided if everyone was lined up correctly. The player who took over for Collins was Charlie Peprah, who played very well, but the lack of communication hurt the Packers severely last season.

With that said, training camp is approaching and so is a successor to Nick Collins.

But who will it be?

Names that come to mind will be Charlie Peprah, second-year player M.D. Jennings, practice squad standout Anthony Levine, and maybe even rookie Jerron McMillian. Regardless of who it is, it is going to be a very difficult task to replace Nick Collins.

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August 2, 2008; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (left) and head coach Mike McCarthy (right) enjoy a moment during a training camp workout at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay, WI. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

As we inch closer to another NFL season, many things have been occurring. Free agency, trades, preparation for the draft, and more.

What has been a lighter story have been the voluntary workouts which are held for all teams around this time of year.

For the Packers, their workouts began April 16. This is about a month later than usual due to the new collective bargaining agreement which reduced the length of offseason workouts from 14 weeks to 9 weeks. Strength and conditioning will be the main focus for the Packers in the first few weeks and then they will get a little into the position and team drills.

For many teams – like the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears – there have been noticeable no-shows at the workouts like Drew Brees and Matt Forte. This is due to contract disputes between the players and the teams.

The Packers did not have any real surprises. Donald Driver did not show up but that is because he is currently on “Dancing with the Stars.” Some may also wonder why Ryan Grant did not show up for workouts but this is because he is an unrestricted free agent and the Packers, according to Grant’s agent, have not made any effort to bring Grant back to the team.

With the shortened offseason program, this puts a lot more pressure on to the players to be fully conditioned and ready for when the real stuff begins in July and August. Some players will benefit from the added responsibility and some will crumble. But one thing is for certain – the players with the most desire to win will be ready when training camp arrives.

Hopefully, this means the entire Packer organization.

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Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces the 32nd overall pick of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

What a crazy offseason it has been … Peyton Manning being released from the Colts, Tim Tebow being traded to the Jets, and the Saints bounty scandal are the big headliners.

As an average Packer fan, you may think the Packers did the usual thing this offseason which was … nothing at all.

Though they may not be headline news, the Packers did make some key acquisitions and have somewhat lessened the importance for the upcoming draft for the Packers. GM Ted Thompson lives and dies by the draft which means his presence in free agency is hardly ever felt. Heck, before this year, he had not signed an unrestricted free agent since 2009.

So what makes this season so different for Thompson?

Maybe having the worst-ranked defense had something to do with it. Also, losing All Pro center Scott Wells left a large hole to fill. One that a rookie just could not fill.

So Thompson went out of his comfort zone and signed former Colts center Jeff Saturday, who played with Peyton Manning his entire career. With Saturday getting way up there in age, his value in free agency was slightly diminished. His age has not caught up with him yet, so adding Saturday to the Packers O-line fills a large hole.

After Saturday, the Packers picked up defensive tackle, Daniel Muir, who also played with the Colts. Muir has not played in a year, but when he did play he was a very effective tackle on every team he was with and could add some needed depth to the Packers’ defensive line.

The final transaction for the Packers was with former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove. With his size being around 270, he could play as a defensive end in the Packers 3-4 scheme or at outside linebacker. I do believe, however, the Packers picked up Hargrove in hopes of him being able to fill the shoes of a position once held by Cullen Jenkins, who is now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

So with the offseason winding down, what’s next for the Packers?

It’s what Ted Thompson lives for. The NFL Draft.

The Packers have 12 picks with which to work this year which ties for the most picks Thompson has had since 2006, his second year on the job. With the very nice compensatory picks the Packers received, the team have a very nice selection of picks capable of making some moves in the draft. This could mean trading down in the draft for even more picks or trading up and getting a certain player the organization have had their eyes on. This means the Packers have some leverage in this draft which is where Ted Thompson shines as a general manager.

Who the Packers should look to draft in the early rounds would be either be a pass rusher who can play outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme or draft another young offensive lineman, because center Jeff Saturday is only a short-term solution.

Players who would seem logical include Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, USC defensive end Nick Perry, or Wisconsin center Peter Konz. If Konz is available, this would seem to be a logical pick and would fill a need for the future.

With another crazy offseason coming to an end in the NFL, all that is left before players begin practicing again is the NFL Draft. An event where teams gain more depth and players begin living the dream which they have had ever since being a kid. So, though free agency is basically over, there is still something to look forward to very soon.

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Dec. 22, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday (63) points to the defense during the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.Indianapolis defeated Houston 19-16. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

What impact will Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall have on the Bears? Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

It has been nine seasons since the Chicago Bears have had a 1,000 yard receiver. Could it be that they have not had any good receivers or maybe they just have not had any quarterbacks? Probably both, but that’s not the point. The point is, they are getting a receiver in his prime who has posted a 1,000 yard season in each of his last five seasons. Not only that, but Marshall and quarterback Jay Cutler were teammates for many of those years in Denver.

In return for the trade, Miami receives the Bears’ third round draft pick this year and next. That’s it. Pretty good bargain for the Bears if I do say so myself. It has been rumored that Miami made this move in order to try and sway Peyton Manning toward them. You would think Manning would actually prefer to work with Marshall but actually this may not be the case. Manning has been rumored to be a little turned away from Miami due to Marshall and his childish attitude he seems to always have.

This move cannot be looked at by any Packers fan as being a good thing at all. Though the Bears have brought in receivers in hoping of dramatic improvements, it always seemed to end up in failure. It seems as if their offense is just not designed to incorporate the wide receivers to become a major threat in any game.

Anyway, do you think this move makes the Chicago Bears’ offense better than last year? Even better then the Pack?

Whoa, sorry … getting a little carried away right there. Take the poll and see how others think.

Jan 1, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn (10) warms up prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Immediately after last season ended, speculation about where Packers‘ back-up quarterback Matt Flynn could go was a very intriguing topic.

Everyone knew it would probably be with a team such as Miami, Washington, or even Denver where the quarterback position is a major issue. However, after former Packers’ offensive coordinator Joe Philbin became the head coach for the Miami Dolphins it became almost a no-brainer that Matt Flynn would end up becoming the Miami Dolphins future starting quarterback.

What has been transpiring over the past couple of weeks, However, has basically brought the question as to Flynn’s future home back to square one.

Immediately after the release of Peyton Manning by the Indianapolis Colts, Flynn went from being one of the top free agents to becoming almost an after-thought. The Manning buzz which has been going on every day since his release, has really thrown a wrench into Flynn’s future plans. Manning has already visited the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals. Manning has indicated he would like to stay in the AFC if possible which would make Miami a more likely destination, along with the beautiful climate he would enjoy.

As of today, Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that sources have confirmed Manning’s top two teams as of right now are the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals and Manning has indicated that he would make his future destination sometime later this week. So maybe Flynn will land in Miami after all. Then again, the Manning show has been constantly changing so stay tuned for more updates.

In addition to the Manning drama, there has also been other quarterback news that could affect Flynn’s destination. With the Washington Redskins trading up to pick #2 in the draft, there is a 99.99% chance that the Redskins will draft Robert Griffin III, the Heisman winning quarterback from Baylor. I say 99% because the NFL can bring up some surprises. But in this scenario, there is basically no chance that the Redskins will not draft a quarterback with this pick. What this means for Flynn is another possible candidate for his future home being crossed off the board.

It is a little different scenario than where we were at just a couple months ago, but nevertheless, Flynn will find a home this offseason whether it’s with the Dolphins, Broncos, or whomever. Aaron Rodgers has already stated that he thinks Flynn has the potential to become a top 15 quarterback in the league. From what we have seen from Flynn in his two career starts, there is no reason to think otherwise.

Best of luck to Flynn and his future plans.

Donald Driver will be using his moves on Dancing with the Stars. Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Here is a compilation of some Packers and NFL news that have drawn some interest lately.

It was announced today that Donald Driver of the Green Bay Packers will compete on Dancing with the Stars. It has become a tradition that each season includes an NFL player competing on the show. With all the uncertainty surrounding Driver and his future with the Pack, this will be a good way to take his mind off this lingering issue. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers tweeted shortly after finding out about Driver being on the Dancing with the Stars saying, “Quickie on DWTS?? Guaranteed to be in the finals.” It does seem that the Packers could elect to restructure Driver’s contract so he can stay with the team.

It is becoming more likely that the Packers will have to part ways with All-Pro center Scott Wells. This is because the Packers, as reported by Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, have an interest in Houston Texans’ center Scott Myers. Though it is technically illegal for the Packers to have any sort of contact with potential free agents before the actual start of free agency, it is still done frequently between players and team management behind closed doors. This just seems to be reassuring the probability that Wells will be going somewhere else.

Aaron Rodgers is more popular in Wisconsin and among Packers fan than any celebrity in recent memory. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The state of Wisconsin is currently in the process of making 12/12/12 officially Aaron Rodgers Day. This just provides further evidence on how passionate and unique Packer country is.

Following up on a past article I did about the Pro Bowl, Commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN’s Mike and Mike right before the Super Bowl, “After what I saw last Sunday, the NFL will consider eliminating the Pro Bowl.” I do not want the Pro Bowl to end but if the NFL just added some incentives to winning the game then maybe players would try harder. As of right now, the winning team receives $50,000 per player while the losing team receives $25,000. Obviously for players receiving millions of dollars per year, there really is no extra incentive to play harder.

It involves everything from championship rings to team-signed footballs from 1937 and even a game jersey worn by one of the greatest Packers of all – Don Hutson.

So, what do you think sold for the most? How much do you think it sold for? Here is the link for your viewing pleasure.

http://en.wikicollecting.org/top-10-most-expensive-green-bay-packers-memorabilia

If tagged with the franchise designation, would Jermichael Finley be considered a tight end or wide receiver? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Today was the first day NFL teams could apply the franchise tag to a player of their choosing. Not any were done right away but this is to be expected as teams would prefer to see how free agency falls out before they make any large financial commitments.

So how should the Pack use their franchise tag, if they even choose to do so?

The most probable candidate will be tight end Jermichael Finley. At the beginning of last season, it was surely expected that the Packers would apply the franchise tag once the off-season came around. But after a disappointing year by the young tight end, it has made Packers fans somewhat uncertain as to using the tag on Finley – is he even worth it?

It’s only a one year deal, but it pays the player as being one of the tops at that position. There is an issue with Finley about this though. There has been some speculation that Finley may argue that he is a wide receiver and, therefore, would make double the money if he were to be considered a tight end. To determine this, they will have to review how many times Finley lined up as a wide receiver and compare it to the tight end. This would surely determine if the Packers decide to use the tag on Finley or not. If he is considered a tight end, then the Pack will most likely use the tag on him but if he is considered a wide receiver, then it would be more likely that the Pack decide not to use the tag and may have to let him go.

Obviously Packers fans would be saddened if this should happen but there would still be the chance the Packers could work out a 1 or 2 year deal. This is unlikely, however, and the Pack will be faced with either giving him the tag or letting him walk.

Another scenario the Packers could opt for is franchising quarterback Matt Flynn. This probably will not happen because if they chose to do so, they would be paying Flynn more money than MVP Aaron Rodgers next season. The benefit of doing this would be to get good trade value for someone who is considered by many teams as a franchise quarterback.

Last year the Philadelphia Eagles had Kevin Kolb and ended up trading him to the Arizona Cardinals for lots of picks and valuable players. It would be nice for the Pack to be able to get some nice pieces for Flynn but I just cannot see the Pack doing this.

The most probable scenario will be the Pack either franchising Finley as a tight end or letting him walk and the Packers opting not to use the franchise tag this year.

Though today was the first day teams were able to place the franchise tag on one of their players, the Packers’ crucial decision will still probably be a few weeks away.

Christian Barrett poses in front of a mock NFL draft set during Play 60 Kids Day at the NFL Experience at the Indiana Convention Center. Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The NFL draft may still be a couple months away, but it’s never too early to start talking predictions and to offer a Mock Draft. This took a lot of time and I will hope all NFL fans will be able to relate to this mock draft. So without further adieu, it’s time to begin the 2012 NFL (mock) draft…With the 1^st pick in the 2012 NFL (mock) draft, the Indianapolis Colts select…

# 1 Pick: Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford- Colts- This is the easiest prediction I will do in any mock draft I will ever do. Andrew Luck is predicted as being the next Peyton Manning. The thing is, though, Manning is still on the roster and the Colts may move on from him if they choose to go quarterback with the #1 pick. Just take this into consideration, Cam Newton, the rookie of the year, had a scouting rating of 93 when he was coming out of college…Luck has a 99.

#2 Pick: Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor- Seahawks (Trade) – This is obviously being clever with the 2^nd pick but it’s actually a very likely scenario. The Seahawks and Tarvaris Jackson is not a long term thing by any means. Robert Griffin III still has a rating of 95 which is still higher then Cam Newton. They may have to trade basically the whole draft to do this, but it’s for a franchise quarterback and nothing is more valuable then that.

#3 Pick: Matt Kalil-OT-USC- Vikings- Matt Kalil is rated as being the top prospect besides Andrew Luck in the draft. He could be even compared to as a Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins a few years back. I always have been a believer in o-line men as being the safest pick in the draft so I expect the Vikings to start rebuilding their o-line with this pick.

#4 Pick: Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma State-Browns- Many mock drafts have Justin Blackmon going #2 to the St.Louis Rams but since I have them trading with the Seahawks, I believe the farthest Blackmon will fall will be to the fourth pick of the Cleveland Browns. Colt McCoy has potential, but he cannot live up to his expectations if he does not have any weapons around him. Adding Blackmon will bring an explosive side to the Browns’ offense that has not been seen in quite some time.

#5 Pick: Morris Claiborne-CB-LSU- Buccaneers- This would be a very smart pick for the Buccaneers. Buc’s corner, Ronde Barber, is getting up there in age and Aquib Talib has been having personal issues with the organization. Claiborne is rated as the top cornerback in the draft so rebuilding their defensive backs with a quality young cornerback could go a long way towards becoming a playoff team once again.

#6 Pick: Ryan Tannehill-QB-Texas A&M- Redskins- The Redskins don’t want a quarterback…they NEED a quarterback. Rex Grossman will never be a long term solution by any means at all. I can easily see the Redskins being the team instead of the Seahawks to trade up for the #2 pick and get RG3 but I just decided to go with my gut feeling. Regardless, if Luck and RG3 are picked before the Redskins have a chance at them, then I could see them going for Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M. He is projected as probably being a late 1^st round or 2^nd round pick but, like we saw with the Vikings last year, teams will be willing to pick quarterbacks early if they are in desperate need for a franchise quarterback.

#7 Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama- Jaguars- Honestly the Jaguars have a lot of issues that need to be cleared up. So grabbing a quality cornerback in Dre Kirkpatrick would seem to be a smart move…quite frankly, any position drafted at this spot would seem to be a smart pick.

#8 Pick: Devon Still-DT-Penn St. – Panthers-The Panthers showed last year that they are a team on the rise. They did so with a very effective offense but not a very strong defense. Being ranked 26^th in stopping the run would mean that adding the best defensive linemen in the draft would be a pick that would be another building piece towards a team that seems to be bound for the playoffs very soon.

#9 Pick: Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama- Dolphins- Trent Richardson is one of my favorite players in this draft. He has power, speed, and is a winner. Oh and he also won the Heisman 2 years ago. Last year was somewhat less productive then his Heisman year but still has a lot of potential in him towards in a NFL career. The Dolphins may have Reggie Bush but I just cannot see Bush being a full-time 25 carry a game running back. I can see Trent Richardson being able to this though, and that is why I think they will choose him with this pick.

#10 Pick: Quinton Coples-DE-North Carolina- Bills- The Bills defense has been in a state of disarray the past couple of years. They tried the 4-3 defense, then converted to a 3-4, and now are going back to a 4-3. It seems like they cannot make up their mind. Since they will once again switch to a 4-3 defense, they will need another pass rusher opposite of Shaun Merriman who is expected to play defensive end this season. Quinton Coples of North Carolina would be a safe pick at this position. He is 6’6 272 and has the ability to get pressure on the quarterback. If the Bills still cannot make up their mind about a defensive philosophy and decide to return to the 3-4 then Coples would still be a good fit because he has the ability to play the 5 technique and stop the run.

#11 Pick: Riley Rieff-OT-Iowa- Chiefs- The Chiefs could actually have been a playoff team last year but with so many injuries including Jamal Charles and their quarterbacks in Matt Cassel and Kyle Orton.  A big reason for some of these injuries could be put on the offensive line.  Although they were ranked #14 in total offensive line play, they were ranked 28^th in average yards per rush. They were also ranked in the middle of the pack when it came to quarterback hits. Although they have Brandon Albert of the left side, they have no body on the right side so with the #11 pick in the 2012 mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Riley Rieff from Iowa.

#12 Pick: David DeCastro-OG-Stanford- Rams (Trade) – Since the Rams traded down in this draft, the Rams end up with the #12 pick in the draft instead of the #2 pick. At this position, I would think drafting David DeCastro of Stanford would be a solid pick. He is arguably the best offensive guard in the draft. When we look at the interior line of the Rams, we see them being age 31, 32, and 31. Their tackles are much younger so they can look elsewhere in the 1^st round but with such an aging interior line, it would be logical to draft DeCastro at this pick.

#13 Pick: Jonathan Martin-OT-Stanford- Cardinals- The Cardinals really are not as bad as to what their record was last year. They have a solid defense and a good running back in Beanie Wells. Not to mention they also have arguably the best receiver in the game in Larry Fitzgerald. Not entirely sure if Kevin Kolb is their future so I do expect the Cardinals to draft a quarterback…but not in the 1^st round. With having three quarterbacks already gone in the 1^st round, it is pretty easy to say that their best bet is to wait a round or two and get a quarterback like Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weedon or Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler. I would think the position in need of a more immediate impact would be the offensive line, particularly the tackles. Drafting Jonathan Martin of Stanford would be a nice pick-up for a team that has been struggling in its protection.

#14 Pick: Alfonzo Dennard-CB-Nebraska- Cowboys- The Cowboys last year had some issues on defense. Sure they got the sacks from DeMarcus Ware but defending the pass as a defensive whole was an issue. They were ranked 23^rd in defending the pass last season and are in need of another playmaking defensive back. This is why the Cowboys will draft Alfonzo Dennard of Nebraska. He is an all-around cornerback that seems to be NFL ready immediately. This would be a huge asset to a team in desperate need of another defensive back.

#15 Pick: Luke Kuechly-ILB-Boston College- Eagles- The so-called ‘dream team’ of last year was truly a disappointment. Their management went out and signed all the best free agents last year because they had the money to do so. Let alone, they did not really take into consideration their biggest need…linebackers. They just went with what they had and it really costed this team from making the playoffs. So, to me, this is a no brainer and a linebacker of some sort should be chosen with this pick. At pick #15, I would think the Eagles would take a good look at Luke Kuchely of Boston College who is considered to some as being the best interior linebacker in the draft. This would be one huge step to becoming a playoff team once again.

#16 Pick: Kendall Wright-WR-Baylor- Jets- Plaxico Burress did pretty well for the Jets last year. Unfortunately, it seems as if the Jets will decide to part ways with veteran receiver. This would leave the Jets with Santonio Holmes and…umm yea I don’t know. So if they want Mark Sanchez to upgrade his game instead of a major downgrade last year, they will need to add some sort of big time receiver now.

#17 Pick: Janoris Jenkins-CB-North Alabama- Bengals- Cornerback is not necessarily the most vital need for the Cincinnati Bengals. But as we look back on the Bengals history, we tend to see a trend. They will take chances of so-called ‘bad influential’ players like Pacman Jones, TO, and Ochocinco just to name a few. So Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama would be a perfect example of these types of players and I would not be surprised to see the Bengals picking this player well

#18 Pick: Courtney Upshaw-OLB-Alabama- Chargers- The Chargers defensively, struggled extremely on defense. There is not a real pin point problem to their defense but if I had to choose a player that I would think would fit perfectly into their scheme, it would be Courtney Upshaw of Alabama. Coming from a school built by defense, Upshaw made a name for himself as being one of the top defensive players in the country. He would make an immediate impact for the Chargers.

#19 Pick: Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame- Bears- Everybody who watches football would be able to tell you the biggest problem for the Bears for many years now. They have no receiving threat. Yet they for some reason keep trying to build from within but eventually you have to cave in and go and get a big time receiver. No, Roy Williams does not count. So getting Michael Floyd from Notre Dame with the 19^th pick could become a steal in the draft. Floyd in many mock drafts is predicted as being the #2 receiver behind Justin Blackmon. He has the size and strength to be what the Bears always dreamed of with Roy Williams.

#20 Pick: Mark Barron-S-Alabama- Titans- the Titans defense last year was not all that bad. There is a chance this year, though, that they will lose Courtland Finnegan, Michael Griffin, and many other players on defense to free agency. If this is the case, the Titans will surely need to draft a defensive player early in order to try and at least preserve what was actually a pretty adequate Titans defense last year. Drafting Mark Barron out of Alabama would help replace Michael Griffin if they were to lose him to free agency. He has the ability to stop the run and has nice hands for the ball.

#21 Pick: Peter Konz-C-Wisconsin- Bengals-The o-line for the Bengals has been looking for an upgrade for quite some time now and adding Peter Konz out of Wisconsin would be a very smart decision.

#22 Pick: David Wilson-RB-Virginia Tech- Browns-This is where the #2 running back in the draft, David Wilson of Virginia Tech, comes off the board. Peyton Hillis had a very disappointing year for the Cleveland Browns and if anybody in that organization thinks Hillis is the long term answer at running back, I would be astonished.

#23 Pick: Stephon Gilmore-CB-South Carolina- Lions-If anybody watched a Lions game last year; anybody could tell you their big issue. Poor defensive back play. So to fix this, or at least help it, they will draft Stephon Gilmore out of South Carolina with their 1^st pick in the draft. He may not be the total answer to their problems but he will definitely help provide much needed depth at the cornerback position.

#24 Pick: Cody Glenn-OT-Georgia- Steelers-The Steelers always seem to have a dissipated line by the end of the year due to injuries. Maybe drafting Cody Glenn of Georgia would be a perfect pick for them then. Glenn has the ability to move from tackle to guard when needed. His versatility could prove vital towards maintaining a solid o-line in Pittsburgh.

#25 Pick: Jerel Worthy-DT-Michigan State- Broncos-Last year’s transition to a 4-3 defense made the need for defensive tackles more vital. As of right now, they have two solid tackles in Kevin Vickers and Brodrick Bunkley but they do not have much depth beyond that. Also, Buckley is now an unrestricted free agent and probably will opt to sign elsewhere. That’s why they will draft Jerel Worthy with the 25^th pick out of Michigan State.

#26 Pick: Mohamed Sanu-WR-Stanford- Texans- When you think of the Texans, you think of their high powered offensive attack. The thing is though, all they have as a receiver is Andre Johnson. Yes, Andre Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL still but he struggled with injuries last year and he actually is getting up their age. So adding Mohamed Sanu out of Stanford will be an insurance pick for a team that could need a receiver very soon.

#27 Pick: Michael Brockers-DT-LSU- Patriots- After giving up on Haynesworth, the Patriots really did not have spectacular defensive tackle play and they really suffered from this. Maybe adding Michael Brockers out of LSU, could improve their rush defense and start to build upon a defense who really was not existent last season.

#28 Pick: Andre Branch-DE-Clemson- Packers- The Packers need to get someone else besides Clay Matthews to be able to rush the quarterback. Although Matthews is great and all, he cannot do much when being double teamed on every snap. That’s why drafting Andre Branch from Clemson would be a perfect fit for the opposite side of Matthews. The guy was a sack machine in college and, although he struggled against the run, with his size and athleticism he would be able to continue to improve on his game and become better against the run.

#29 Pick: Dont’a Hightower-ILB-Alabama- Ravens- Yes, the defense of the Ravens is their strong suit but if they would like to continue with their consistent dominance of the defensive side then they will need to begin to build upon the next wave of Raven defensive players. One that is going to need a replacement very soon is Ray Lewis who is still playing his game at a high level but at age 36, the end has to be near. So drafting Dont’a Hightower out of Alabama would be a good pick if they would like to extend upon their defensive dominance.

#30 Pick: Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina- 49ers- Last year the 49ers proved everybody wrong by playing football just like the days of Montana and Young. Well, maybe not all the way to that extent, but they still played very solid football for a team that was not expected to do much at all. Their defense is set but their offense is about average. Alex Smith played well by not turning the ball over and always giving his team a chance to win the game. But if they could add another receiving threat besides Vernon Davis then this offense could become just that much better and their team as a whole. Alshon Jeffery has a lot of potential out of South Carolina and could be one of those players who are a total bust or an immediate superstar. We will just have to wait and find out.

#31 Pick: Zach Brown-OLB-North Carolina- Patriots-The Pats defense last year was not good at all. They were so bad that they didn’t even know if they were playing a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense so they did a mixture of both throughout the season. It seems as if they will be going towards the 4-3 defense so adding a player who is actually projected to go higher in Zach Brown of North Carolina could help in their transition.

#32 Pick: Coby Fleener-TE-Stanford- Giants- Despite winning the superbowl, there is still some work to be done to the Giants if they would like to continue their winning ways. One thing they really missed last year was production from the tight end position. They lost Kevin Boss to the Oakland Raiders who was their big time threat for a while. Adding Coby Fleener out of Stanford, who is projected as being the top tight end in the draft, could be that that little piece to make the Giants become even more lethal next year.

So there we have it. The 1^st round has come to a conclusion. I hope I gave some useful insight to each and every team out there. I realize that this is probably way too early to even predict the first five picks of the draft but this is a very sad part of the year for football fans. There’s no free agency, no games, and basically no news at all surrounding football. This is why I did the first full round of the draft now, so fans of all teams can at least get some hope as to what their team may try to accomplish in the coming off-season.

One of the major needs the Packers need to address this offseason is finding a complement to Clay Matthews on the defensive side of the football. Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

The Super Bowl on Sunday was a tremendous game that will definitely take its place as one of the more memorable games – ever. Watching the game as a Packers fan, however, got me to thinking about what we should expect for the Packers future and how we will get back to the big game next year.

Unlike last year, where we really did not need to make any immediate changes to the starting line-up, we will need to make changes on all sides of the ball. Of course, the main focus will be on the defensive side, but there will be some changes on the offensive side as well.

Let’s start on the easier side – the offense.

The Packers offensively last year was one of the most efficient offenses in NFL history. Aaron Rodgers won MVP and the Packers receiving corps was on top of its game. The running game was subpar but it could have been worse. Then finally, the o-line, despite the many injuries, was fairly consistent throughout the season giving Rodgers enough time to find the open receivers.

So what changes do we need?

The running game could be improved so adding another running back in the draft would never be a bad thing. Ryan Grant’s contract is expired and will most likely be gone, so adding depth could be a benefit to the Pack when considering James Starks’ injury history.

More after the jump and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The receiving group is deeper than ever but this could result in a departure of Packer’s all-time leading receiver in Donald Driver. Randall Cobb showed his potential this year in many different games and now it seems more likely than ever that Driver could be heading out.

Matt Flynn showed tremendous potential in his one game vs. the Detroit Lions where he broke single-game records in yards and touchdowns. With his contract up this year, it guarantees his departure to a team like Miami or Washington – teams in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. This could mean the Packers going after another late round quarterback or even an undrafted one like they did with Graham Harrell. If the Packers do add another quarterback, it will probably just be a practice squad addition until the Packers groom him to where they feel comfortable to add him to the active roster.

The tight end situation is a little iffy as to what the Packers may do with Jermichael Finley. Finley was expected to be thrown the franchise tag during this offseason because of how big of an asset he is to the Packers organization. The thing is though, this year was quite disappointing. This was supposed to be the year Finley broke out and had a season over a thousand yards and became one of the NFL’s elite player at the position. Finley could have done this but he had a major case of the drops this season and put the Packers into a much tougher situation than they were in before. Should they pay a player that has the potential to be great the money of a great? Or should they just do the unthinkable and let him walk?

Then finally, the o-line for the Pack. Scott Wells is a free agent and needs to be a primary target for the Packer organization to get this guy back on the roster as he probably outperformed everyone else on the Packer o-line this season. Chad Clifton seems to be nearing the end of his career and could be another axe by the Packers this off-season. This would put T.J.Lang and Derek Sherrod in a position to battle for the left tackle position this training camp. Adding o-linemen in the draft is never a bad pick-up but I would not expect the Pack to use an early pick on one as they have much bigger issues to worry about…

Like the defense.

When the NFL Draft comes around in April, the Packers will surely be looking at prospects to help fill needs on the defense. I expect the Pack to use their first round pick on a linebacker to play opposite of Clay Matthews. With the end of Erik Walden’s time in Green Bay nearing, this issue becomes an even more of a priority. This will solve some problems but surely not all of them.

When we look at AJ Hawk and Desmond Bishop commanding the middle, we think we are pretty set at that position. Some would think so, but others would argue that one of the big reasons why the Packer’s defense took a turn for the worse this year was because of the lack of a true leader like we once had in Nick Barnett. Desmond Bishop had a great year but AJ Hawk seemed, almost at times, non-existent. What I mean by that is how it seemed he just did not make enough plays this year. I give him credit for being a sure tackler but it just seemed he was not around the ball-carrier to make the tackles. I don’t expect the Packers to make any significant changes at this position but I think something has to be at least considered involving this position. Maybe give the next guy up some more playing time in DJ Smith who actually played very well when he filled in at times this year.

Besides the Packers #1 priority in the linebacker unit, the Packers will surely be focused on the defensive line as well. It became well known early in the season, that the Packers were greatly missing Cullen Jenkins and his ability to not only stop the run but get some needed pressure on the quarterback. Many players tried to fill this role but none were truly successful in doing so and, therefore, should be a position the Packers will look to upgrade on in the coming off-season.

When the draft and free agency rolls around this year, if there was one position the Packers should try and stock up on it would be the defensive back unit. There is no immediate need for an upgrade in this unit except for the issue with Nick Collins and the possibility of his career actually being over. Hopefully the Packers will be able to know the status of Collins before the beginning of the off-season so they can plan accordingly.

Regardless, we still have Morgan Burnett and Charlie Peprah that can help preserve the depth at safety. Woodson is getting up in age so adding depth at cornerback is always a smart pick for the Packers. The future seems to be Tramon Williams and Sam Shields but there really is no third guy that can be counted on. Although it may not be the first round or two, the Packers will surely be looking to adding depth at the defensive back position to prepare for the future.

Many changes are expected this off-season but Ted Thompson can surely be counted on to help bring the Packers back to where they should have been on Sunday.

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NFC quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers (12) catches a batted down ball over AFC tackle Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals (97) during the 2012 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Last Sunday, 48,423 fans came to Hawaii to watch the NFL Pro Bowlers battle it out for conference supremacy. Many others watched the game on TV. Truth would be told though, that the level of effort by both teams would seem almost like a normal practice at half-speed.

Of course, this is nothing out of the ordinary from previous Pro Bowls. Over the years it actually seems like the little spurts of intensity that is involved in these games has somehow gone down each and every year. I understand it is a Pro Bowl and it’s suppose to be all about fun and games, but does anyone know how to play with some effort AND have fun at the same time? Heck, I do that every time I place a game of backyard football.

Aaron Rodgers seemed to see the same issue that I was seeing after he posted a few comments about the level of ‘effort’ that was being used by some of his teammates on Twitter. He posted, “the fans paid money to watch the pro bowl in person. I know no one wants to get hurt but on a couple plays the effort was really bad don’t u think?? If u wanna rip me for that go ahead. I think those in attendance and watching on TV would agree.”

Quite frankly, A-Rod was still being generous by saying it was only on a “couple of plays” because this seemed to be the case for the majority of the game. The thing that really gets me is how there actually is an incentive to winning the Pro Bowl with the winning team getting $50,000 and the losing team only getting $25,000.

I guess that just tells you how much NFL players really value money anymore …

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Clay Matthews was one of the leaders on the Packers' defense this year, but many times was a step away from making the big play. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

It seems like it was just a year ago when the Packers were the #5
pass defense and the #5 total defense in the NFL.

Oh wait, they were…

So what changed so drastically over the course of one year?

Was it because of the NFL Lockout? Possibly, though there were no new players
needing to be implemented into the Dom Caper’s defense.

See more about the defense after the jump and then Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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