Greed off the field is what makes me into a grumpy old man.

It appears that the latest player that does not want to stop at “Go” and collect his $2.023 million is Sam Shields. Wow, 2.023 million dollars.  Greed is what I call it.  Greg Jennings was the last player who got a bad case of it  - and between him and his sister’s tweets he managed to annoy a fair amount of fans because he wanted to be the man with the money.  He got what he wanted and we got rid of his diva attitude and his sister!

Now Shields has stepped up to take Jenning’s place.  He had a breakout season last year for a defense that was much improved but still torched. We had the overall feeling that it felt like a wet noodle in a washing machine.  Shields was arguably one of the best defensive players the latter part of  the season.  He tallied 11 pass breakups and had four interceptions in the last six games – a great way to end the year, but six games does not make a full schedule.

So when the season ended, the restricted free agent was offered a one year tender offer that would pay him $2.023 million.  Yet Shields has balked at that and has failed to sign it.  Why? One may ask. Well he wants more money. Yes, the Packers had attempted a long-term extension with him but the obstacle preventing him from reaching that agreement came down to money.

The greed factor due to an inflated ego.

The “show me the money attitude” has now increased his cranial pressure, which has resulted in poor decision-making abilities.  The first is that he is holding out and is skipping Organized Team Activities.  Geez, Sam, I feel so bad for you.  You have a job that pays you millions of dollars, there is the likelihood that a long-term contract is in the works for more money but you want it all now so you decided to not go to work.  In the real world, that attitude will get you one thing, a quick trip to the unemployment line.

You, Mr. Shields, are just another disappointment in the world of sports.  We all understand that you play a violent game, but when we don’t go to work we have bosses who give us an option, work or you are fired.  Personally, if I was your boss (which technically I am as an owner) your bags would be packed and you would be flipping burgers for a living.  Instead you will sit there and pout because you are not being paid what you think you are worth.  In the end you will probably get a new contract and then your response to the holdout will be, “I did what I had to for my family.”

Well let me jump to the front of the line and just say, “WHATEVER!”  $2.023 million dollars has nothing to do with your family, it has everything to do with your attitude.  Most normal working people would be grateful to take a raise with the knowledge that a bigger payout is waiting, but not you.  You want to throw a tantrum and put yourself ahead of the team.  Well sir, with that attitude I will gladly box up your locker and put you on the next bus to reality.

Sam Shields picks off a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Devin Aromashodu during the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Here is what I hope happens:  The Packers stand their ground and treat you like a regular employee (like those of us in the real world).  I hope they tell you that you have a choice, come to work or you do not have a job.  Then, because of your attitude younger guys like Casey Hayward, Davon House and Micah Hyde get the opportunity that you passed up.  They then take your spot and you end up realizing just how greedy and self-centered you were.  I am guessing that there are other players who are happy to be on the field earning their paycheck.

The Green Bay Packers have and always will be an organization built on teamwork.  We, as fans, look up to those players who put the team ahead of themselves.  We tend to turn on those who put themselves above the team.  Just ask Brett Favre and Greg Jennings – attitude earned them a trip out of Titletown.

My advice to you, Mr. Shields, is get back to work and earn your money like the rest of us in the working world.  I hardly doubt with the money you made on your previous contract you are going to the local food pantry or worried about how to fill your gas tank to get to work.  Reality stinks, too bad you don’t have a good shot of it right now to make you realize how lucky you truly are to have a gift that allows you to play a game and make enough money to pay the average salary of roughly 40 people.  Then again greed blinds, I just hope it does not affect your ability to play defense!

GO PACK GO!!

Packers fans are praying that Eddie Lacy can revitalize the team’s running game. Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers selected Eddie Lacy out of Alabama at the 61st spot in the 2013 NFL Draft tonight.

With a running game that’s been on life support since Ahman Green retired, the Packers solidify a position with another player who fills an immediate need. Last night, it was the defensive line and Datone Jones.

Twittersphere will be filling up about now with both Lacy lovers and haters, but it was Ted Thompson who figured he could still get Lacy at #61 and traded the 55th pick to the Niners. Picking up another sixth-rounder and Lacy is going to be seen as a good move by Thompson who is known for picking up good football players and multiple picks at the same time.

Here’s what nfl.com is saying about Lacy’s best attributes:

STRENGTHS

Powerful, workhorse back type of build. Strong lower body, consistently runs through tackles. Patient, allows his blocks to develop. Light on his feet, able to make quick, fluid moves. Plays with good pad level and balance. Not afraid to finish a run with contact, often falls forward. Shows some agility and elusiveness in space. Decent hands out of the backfield.

With Lacy in-house, it will be interesting to see if the Packers bring back veteran Cedric Benson – most likely he is out, but the Packers may bring him back for competition in camp. Lacy is a pounder who runs well between the tackles and punishes tacklers while doing it. He blocks well, which is probably what Thompson really likes about Lacy.

Here is how nfl.com describes Lacy’s downside:

WEAKNESSES

Doesn’t always make the best decisions as a runner, will miss openings. Not tremendously dynamic. Inconsistent as a blocker, doesn’t attack his target.

While they say he’s an inconsistent blocker, that’s debatable and there are many who feel he is one of the better blockers in this class. He better be … Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers needs protection.

So, with Datone Jones and Lacy now Packers, where will they turn next? Safety? Wide receiver? Offensive line? My guess is that the line gets addressed next.

Stay tuned … The third round has started and should move along quickly. We’ll give you info about the third-rounder asap.

Here is the entire second round:

Green Bay Packers versus the San Francisco 49ers will be one of the biggest games for the Packers in 2013. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

While the NFL 2013 regular season schedule won’t be announced until this evening, the top 13 games (why 13? I’m not sure – I guess because it’s 2013) were posted over at NFL.com yesterday – and included two of the Green Bay Packers matchups – two strangely against AFC North opponents.

At number 13 is the Packers matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Ohio and number 10 has the Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field.

Ok, so these are great games and should mightily test the Packers – as well as the Bengals and Steelers – but where are the matchups with the Minnesota Vikings, the team they met in the first round of the Playoffs last year – games that will feature Greg Jennings playing against his former teammates?

What about home games against the Atlanta Falcons? Or having to go up against both Super Bowl teams from last season, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens – on the road?!? Now, those are two games the Packers Nation will have circled on their calendars.

And NFL.com’s #1 rated matchup for next season? The Indianapolis Colts hosting the Denver Broncos … zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Big deal. That doesn’t have any of the magic and intensity of say the Packers vs. Favre.

Anyway, you judge for yourself. Take a swing over to the site and scroll through their slide show.

You tell me … leave a comment below, Like us on Facebook and leave a comment or follow us on Twitter.

Let’s get the discussion going …

The Packers are expected to pay Jermichael Finley’s $3 million signing bonus Tuesday to ensure he will be with the team for one more season.

For months, Green Bay Packers bloggers, writers and followers of the team have had Tuesday, March 26, circled on their calendars – that’s the day when the Packers either have to tell tight end Jermichael Finley to hit the road or pay him his roster bonus – about $3 million. By doing so, the Packers will commit to keeping the talented, but mercurial player in the fold for at least one more season.

That is unless they release or trade him by the end of today – a scenario at this point that most likely will not occur.

When interviewed about a month ago on whether he felt comfortable with taking a pay cut to stay with the team, Finley said he would walk rather than take a pay cut.

The Packers are expected to make Aaron Rodgers the highest-paid player in the NFL sometime soon.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

But that was before the free agency period during which the Packers held on to its $18 million under the salary cap to ensure the team could pay for its restricted free agents, its draft choices, and Finley, while also having some in the bank to apply to the mega-contracts that are sure to be offered to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews.

Packers President Mark Murphy called the re-signing of Rodgers a “priority,” which means that the Packers may hold off a bit on the re-signing of Matthews and defensive lineman B.J. Raji.

The bottom line, however, for Finley is the roster bonus he will be due Tuesday.

With the Packers letting backup tight end Tom Crabtree sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and because they let wide receiver Greg Jennings defect to Minnesota, it pretty much cements Finley’s place on the team.

With just a single year remaining on the two-year extension he signed in 2011, Finley is sure to play the year and then test the free agent market come next spring. The Packers are playing the odds that Finley will continue to improve his game and contribute to a Packers offense that benefits by his presence.

Last season, Finley, who battled through drops and curious off-the-field comments, had the best season ever for a Packers tight end. He caught 61 passes for 667 yards.

Though they will only get one more season out of him, the Packers are hoping it’s good enough to help the team to the playoffs and a possible Super Bowl.

That’s the $3 million risk they are most likely prepping to take.

Watch the video ... we're ready for 2012

Training camp is under way; expectations are soaring; July turns to August and will turn to September.

The 2012 National Football League season is around the corner. Are you ready?

If you’re not, you’re comatose.

Dale Decker, who just released his newest video is ready and he expresses it loudly and clearly in this video – see it below. He uses the words of Vince Lombardi over the images of Packers plays and players. It’s awesome and will not only get you ready for the coming season, but will probably get you so ready you’re set to run through any brick wall to get control of the remote, get set with your favorite beer and yell, “GO PACK GO!”

Heck, you may be even ready to go online to find some tickets to that opening day game against the 49ers or the matchup in week two against the Bears.

But before you do, watch the video. This is definitely going to be a fun ride this year … the year of “Redemption.”

Dom Capers, pictured here with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, sees the good and the bad with his defense. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers has gone on record about his 31st ranked defense, saying that it’s never too late to rectify a poor performance because each week is a different outing and a new situation.

He said there have been positives and negatives with his squad this year, but that it was his squad’s ability to keep opposing teams out of the end zone and to take the ball away from them were the two keys that have helped the Packers win 14 games to date.

Don’t forget to like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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As a bonus, I’ve also thrown in a couple of clips that show what it’s like NOT to win a championship, courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers fans.

So, before the Packers take on the New Orleans Saints Thursday night, take some time to watch these videos I found while surfing through YouTube.

Jump to the videos here …
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Join lombardiave.com tonight as we CoverItLive from Lambeau Field when the Green Bay Packers play the Kansas City Chiefs in the final preseason game.

Doug Etten will be roaming the sidelines at tonight's game taking pictures, video, posting polls and much more.

Join us, post comments and watch it live on your desktop computer, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android or any other device.

The fun starts at 6 p.m.