Randall Cobb should be one the Packers’ top threats this season.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012 Packers offense was not abysmal by any means, finishing as the thirteenth ranked offense in the NFL, averaging 359.4 yards per game.One thing that is certain, the Green Bay Packers 2013 offense will be different.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

But this was clearly a fall-off from the 2011 season in which the Aaron Rodgers-led offense finished third in the NFL at 405 yards per game. But at the end of the day the Packers were not Super Bowl champs in either season and in both of the previous years they had a bad showing in the playoffs.

In the ever-evolving NFL, change is constant and Coach Mike McCarthy understood adjustments needed to be made.

To some degree the Packers offensive attack over the past three years has been boom or bust. Most of the boom came from the passing game. It’s hard to fault McCarthy for building around Aaron Rodgers, arguably the best quarterback in the game with an arsenal of receivers at his dispense. As a whole, the receiving corps was deep and talented. The problem was the offense’s predictability and the offensive line’s woeful showing.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

In 2011, the Packers clearly benefited from the talent at wide receiver and Rodgers’ ability to get them the ball. But other teams caught up to their scheme in 2012. They defended the pass and came after Rodgers fast and furious, sacking him 51 times on the year. The running game was irrelevant and the offensive line was clearly not functioning as a well-oiled machine.

The offseason moves and the draft indicated the Packers are working to bring balance to their offense in 2013. From a financial perspective it was not a big surprise that wide receiver Greg Jennings was not signed. But the talent of the receiving unit does take a hit. With that said, most teams in the NFL, and especially teams in the NFC North, would be happy to have Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and tight end Jermichael Finley at their disposal.

The subtraction of Jennings was balanced by the addition of second round draft pick Eddie Lacy and fourth round selection Johnathan Franklin at running back. The logic here is undoubtedly to create a more balanced attack. In theory, by upgrading the running game, defenses will no longer be able to disregard the Packers rushing attack and key in on the passing game.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Taking things one step further, Coach McCarthy recently announced that the offensive line would be getting a bit of a make-over, same faces really, just in different places. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga will flip-flop to left tackle and the same for right guard Josh Sitton, who will move to left guard. Last season’s left guard T.J. Lang, of course, is set to move to right guard. It seems the Packers are comfortable with Evan Dietrich-Smith at center. Right tackle, on the other hand, is an open competition between last year’s left tackle Marshall Newhouse, second year man Don Barclay, 2011 first round pick Derek Sherrod, and rookie David Bakhtiari from the University of Colorado.

The moves on the offensive line indicate the Packers are wisely looking to protect the blind side of franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers and look to run behind a mauler of a guard in T.J. Lang on the strong side. The competition at right tackle will be interesting to watch develop.

On paper, which of course is not where the games are played, the Packers looked to be improved from an offensive perspective. If injuries hit the receivers, depth could be an issue. If the rookie running backs flop, then it’s back to square one in that department. And if the offensive linemen can’t make the adjustments, then that could be disastrous. But all of it is speculation and that is why the games are played.

In the end, the 2013 Packers season should be a fun one to watch unfold.

Of the changes made, which do you think will have the largest positive or negative effect?

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.

Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy held his weekend-ending press conference Sunday, talking about the rookie camp. He also said Happy Mother’s Day!
Photograph courtesy of www.packers.com

Mike McCarthy held his final rookie orientation weekend press conference and said they concluded the weekend session pleased with how far this class has come. He also spoke about the impact that this class could have on the team; how the reconfiguration of the offensive line came about; his impression of the new running backs; and even about Johnny Jolly and where he stands at this time.

Here are some tweets from reporters at the press conference.

Mike McCarthy has arrived, begins with a Mother’s Day wish for all moms.

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) May 12, 2013

McCarthy: Felt it was one of our better rookie camps, if not the best. …Practices increased in production, efficiency.

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) May 12, 2013

MM: Players that are part of 90 man roster will start working out with veterans tomorrow. Who stays and who goes will be determined today.

— Mike Vandermause (@MikeVandermause) May 12, 2013

MM: O-line positions among rookies is fluid.

— Mike Vandermause (@MikeVandermause) May 12, 2013

Dreams end today for many rookie tryout players who won’t be signed. Or at least those dreams will be postponed.

— Packerpedia (@Packerpedia) May 12, 2013

McCarthy on OL changes: Season concludes and you rank everybody top to bottom. Watch video. Rank players again. Personnel constant convo..

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) May 12, 2013

MM: Feel Bulaga and Sitton will be solid on left side. Number of factors: how you project your scheme.

— Mike Vandermause (@MikeVandermause) May 12, 2013

McCarthy: Would like to carry 4 QB, not that Aaron’s getting old. Most important position w the way we train the quarterback.

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) May 12, 2013

MM OTAs will be different this year

— lombardiave.com (@lombardiave) May 12, 2013

Pease called out again by McCarthy … He likes him

— lombardiave.com (@lombardiave) May 12, 2013

McCarthy on Lacy/Franklin: Two different kinds of running backs. Lacy a bigger back. Franklin handled returns well, too.

— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) May 12, 2013

McCarthy-Always excited about your draft picks…also thought RB Angelo Pease was impressive again, as he was yesterday.

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 12, 2013

“Johnny Jolly is not here currently.” – McCarthy #Packers

— Paul Imig (@Paulimig) May 12, 2013

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears new head coach Marc Trestman is known for his innovation on the offensive side of the football – that’s why the franchise hired him as their coach. Clearly tired with the defensive focus that former coach Lovie Smith instituted successfully in Chicago, team brass brought in Trestman to lift the team into the 21st century.

And Trestman is working every angle while looking for every advantage.

Enter the helmet-cam.

According to Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com who was citing Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Trestman has outfitted quarterback Matt Blanchard’s helmet with a small camera.

What do you think Mike McCarthy is thinking about this?

The technology isn’t very new, actually. It’s been around for quite a while, and NFL teams have utilized it for various purposes.

So, what will be the advantage of watching playback from the camera. Well, we know what the disadvantage is – should any of the coaches suffer from motion sickness, this might not be the best way to see what’s going on at ground level.

However, Trestman and his staff are hoping to see something else – they’re hoping that they will be able to study the film to view what the quarterback sees on the field and make adjustments with their player.

Nobody’s really sure if this will be successful or just a method that comes and goes.

Florio provided this link to a helmet-cam video produced at the University of Kentucky. He’s probably right in suggesting that if you view it, you might want to take some dramamine first.

I do have one suggestion: Require Jay Cutler to review this film over and over again just before every game next season. That should prep him well. Just a suggestion.

In the end, I think the Bears, who have just three quarterbacks on their roster at this time, will need more than a helmet-cam on board to lift them to elite status in the National Football League.

Mike McCarthy was highly enthusiastic and positive about the work of the rookie class that started workouts with the team today.
Packers.com photograph

An enthusiastic and positive Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarty addressed the media in a press conference at about 6:15 tonight – his message was one of moving ahead and progressing.

He talked about Eddie Lacy, Datone Jones and Johnathan Franklin, among others; he said this particular unit of rookies was ahead of schedule compared to last year and he said that they were all off to a “good start.”

“Eddie Lacy definitely is very smooth,” McCarthy said about his second round running back. “You can see things in the run game he did at Alabama. His comfort with footwork was my first impression. I’m glad he’s here.”

Eddie Lacy works out during the Green Bay Packers rookie orientation weekend. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

About Jones, he said, “I’m glad Datone Jones is here. Datone and Johnathan [Franklin] got in late last night. Two fine, young men and both very talented. Jim Mora [UCLA head coach] is a heck of a football coach. You can see Jim has made an impression and has that program off to a great start. I think they’ll be fine.”

In addition, McCarthy was asked about specific players who stood out and surprisingly he mentioned Angelo Pease, a 5-10 running back from Kansas State – an undrafted rookie.

However, he also came back to Lacy, saying, “Frankly, I thought it was Eddie Lacy – he dropped his weight and hit the hole.”

McCarthy also talked about the process of orientation with the rookie group and how it was important for the young guys to rub elbows with the veterans.

“Our schedule with the veterans this year is different than last year. For coaches, it was like coaching two teams today. We had the offensive players in the weight room. We had our practice on the field at 8:30 and then had to flip and turn around. I was interested to see the interaction because I think it’s important. I definitely like this format better than last year.”

McCarthy, in explaining the process of developing players and acquainting them with the Packers Way, he said.

It’s about 40-50 percent about culture, orientation. Fifty-60 percent about football. It’s important players clearly understand the expectations they have and how they conduct themselves in the locker room, cafeteria. Tough day because they don’t get football until the end, had some cramping. Tomorrow you’ll see practice improve because it’s the first thing you do in the morning. They spend a lot of time with Rob Davis. Spends a lot of time with this class.

My expectations for every young man who dressed today is what I told them last night. I told them makeup of team is sixth-, seventh-round draft picks and free agents. I’ve changed the philosophy of our program. We’ve been known as a draft-and-develop football team but we’re a draft-and-undrafted football team.

Tomorrow should be a better day for the Packers rookies, according to McCarthy. He said that their continued learning cycle will only improve as the team continues its on-field work.

Stay tuned …

It’s his way or the highway and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has many ideas for improving his team in 2013. He’s not standing still.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The NFL doesn’t stand still and neither do the teams that make up the league – and that includes Green Bay Packers and their head coach, Mike McCarthy.

That’s a good thing because we know if you become complacent in this ever-changing environment you will find yourself two steps behind and slipping on the third step trying to catch up.

When McCarthy announced yesterday that his plans were to flip-flop his offensive line – moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga and right guard Josh Sitton to the left side to swap with left guard T.J. Lang and left tackle Marshall Newhouse – it was a sign that the head coach was not happy with the status quo. He’s shaking things up – letting people know that number one, he’s concerned about the 51 sacks of Aaron Rodgers last year, and number two, that he’s serious about jumpstarting the team’s rushing attack.

The Packers offensive line will see dramatic changes this year.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“We’re built that way because we’re blessed with Aaron Rodgers and we need to maximize the ability and create the opportunities for our perimeter group,” McCarthy said yesterday. “Running the football’s important. we’ve placed a high importance on it. We’ve created a lot of competition at the running back position with our new draft picks. We feel that overall, with our offensive personnel, the competition for opportunity has been greatly increased since we last played.”

He’s also not sold on former left tackle Newhouse. While he’s officially moving him to the right side, McCarthy isn’t saying he will be the starter. In fact, Don Barclay, who finished out as the starter last season at right tackle, is penciled in as the 2013 starter. Yes, there will be competition for the right tackle position, but Barclay showed a mean streak and a skill at run blocking that gives him the edge, at least at this point in the game. More will be nailed down once the teams get on the field and in the classrooms for the spring run-throughs.

The Packers are doing everything they can to protect Aaron Rodgers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“It’s really a combination of (many) things,” McCarthy said. “No. 1, it starts with (the fact) we have a right-handed quarterback. His back side is obviously the left side. Both Josh and Bryan are our two most accomplished offensive linemen. So that’s really the starting point. But there’s things that we’re going to do as we move into the season, particularly football scheme-wise, that we feel this is the best decision for us.”

In essence, what this all tells us is that though the Packers offense has been one of the most prolific the past several years, McCarthy feels it’s still not good enough.

Throw in the fact that the Packers drafted two highly-touted running backs – Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin – two offensive linemen – David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter – as well as two jumbo-sized wide receivers – John Dorsey out of Maryland and Charles Johnson out of Grand Valley State – and you’ve got a recipe for potential change and improvement.

We know for sure that Lacy and Franklin are going to come into camp and compete immediately for a starting spot on the team. As for the new receivers – we know they’re not going to come in and unseat Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb, but with Jones in the final year of his contract and the potential for him to test the free agent market, the Packers have at least brought in some fresh legs to compete. Whether either or both of these new guys stick remains to be seen, but they put the coaching staff in a position to look closely at what they bring to the table. The same goes for the new offensive linemen … they will add depth and talent.

“It really doesn’t (matter) for us because of the way we play,” McCarthy said. “In the system I grew up in, you always wanted to be more athletic on your left and have your power players on your right side. You like to have that element as part of your offensive line, but, let’s be honest, we spread people out. And (with) our ability and our talent in our perimeter group, it’s important for both our right tackles and left tackles to be athletic.”

And that’s what makes the NFL so great. New players, new season, new opportunities.

Standing still is not Mike McCarthy’s modus operandi. He’s shown us with the movements along the offensive line and the new faces in town that he’s moving on.

We all better be ready for it.

Mike McCarthy is an overall positive guy

Green Bay Packers Coach and Mr. Excitement Mike McCarthy can’t ever be accused of being the downer man – and one can pinpoint McCarthy’s positive outlook as he looks toward the 2013 season.

Don’t ask McCarthy about getting hosed – he won’t have anything to do with it.

Don’t ask McCarthy about the negative aspects of playing on Thanksgiving – he’ll just tell you how good the turkey will be.

Don’t remind him that his team opens up the 2013 schedule on the road at San Francisco – he’ll just tell you it’s a big challenge and his team.

That’s exactly how McCarthy answered some questions about this coming season’s record. His answers to the questions posed and posted by packers.com.

The question and McCarthy’s answers are as follows:

(on opening the season at San Francisco)

“Opening day is always exciting. Playing the San Francisco 49ers is obviously a challenge that we look forward to.”

(on not having back-to-back road games)

“I like it. It gives you a chance to get into a routine of playing at home and then on the road, to get into a flow. Winning on the road is so important.”

(on playing on Thanksgiving Day)

“It’s an incredible tradition, playing on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a blessing for everyone involved. We’re fortunate enough to still be home in time to share in the importance of the day.”

(on the long week leading into Week 14 after playing on Thanksgiving)

“That will serve as a second bye week for us, which you appreciate with the early bye we have in Week 4.”

(on the final month of the schedule following Thanksgiving)

“I think we have a really tough finish on paper with the teams we’re playing down the stretch.”

(on the schedule)

“We’ve known since the end of the season who we’re playing, and now we’ve found out where we’re playing them. Frankly, I’ve never looked past the first four weeks, and that will be the same as far as how we prepare our team.”

Is the Read-Option here to stay? Colin Kaepernick probably hopes so. He shredded the Packers defense in the playoffs last year and will get the chance to do more damage as the 49ers open the 2013 season at home against Green Bay.

As I sat drinking my coffee and anxiously awaiting the schedule release last night, I couldn’t help but notice our beloved Green and Gold play at San Francisco again this year.

While the Packers faithful have 579 total reasons to forget their season ending there, this does make me wonder just how long this infamous “read-option” will be around? Mr. Aaron Rodgers was quoted a few months back as saying it’s more of a passing trend than anything. Maybe, maybe not. But after being beaten as soundly as the Packers were, I am curious as to whether or not this will have any bearing on the draft.

Isolate and attack. That’s really what it came down to as Colin Kaepernick isolated outside linebackers Eric Walden and Clay Matthews, waiting for their first misstep to run the opposite way en route to 181 rushing yards. The finger can be pointed every-which-way for such a loss as many fans were even calling for Dom Capers’ head after this blowout.

In the end it simply comes down to execution and Kaepernick executed far better than the Packers defense did. We do need to give credit where credit is due as Kaepernick is an outstanding all-around athlete. In the same light, he almost seems to be spearheading this new wave of quarterback, paving the way for other all-around athletic quarterbacks such as Geno Smith.

Will Kevin Sumlin help Dom Capers’ defense stop the read-option?

For a defensive unit to be dealt such a blow, Mike McCarthy wasted little time in getting his defensive staff up to speed, sending them to College Station to learn from Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin about defending the read-option. While probably not a bad move, it’s safe to say this one definitely caught many of the Packers Nation by surprise.

So what bearing (if any) will this have on the draft? Ted Thompson’s strategy and philosophy have both been well documented as he has always stuck to his guns. But has Thompson encountered a hurdle such as this before a draft?

This is truly a unique scenario as McCarthy went so far as sending his staff back to college. I can’t help but wonder if it will be enough to sway draft strategy one way or another. The majority of the projections out there seem to emphasize filling the void left by Charles Woodson more so than not. Overall speed would probably be the one trait to look for to defend a read-option.

Let’s hope Jermichael Finley has this look on his face only when he scores touchdowns next season …
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Jermichael Finley, probably best known to Green Bay Packers fans at this point as the guy with untold potential who keeps dropping the damn ball, has turned the tables a bit.

Finley has pledged to donate $500 for every dropped pass during the 2013 season to One Fund Boston, a charity set up by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino to help raise funds to help those most affected by the bombing attacks at the Boston Marathon this week.

Hey, it’s an absolute PR coup for a guy who’s painted himself as a me-first player the last couple of years.  Finley also pledges to donate $500 for every touchdown he scores this year – a number that was woefully low in 2012 at just a pair.

“Now fans can cheer & boo me @ the same time!” Finley tweeted. Nicely played.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) misses a catch while defended by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53). Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Jer-Mishandle dropped seven of his 87 targets last year, scoring only two touchdowns after racking up eight scores in 2011. He also made worse his slow start to last season by basically blaming quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He essentially pointed the finger at everyone but himself.

A repeat of last year would net One Fund Boston $4,500. Now it’s going to be tougher to curse him and throw chicken wings at the TV screen when he makes one of his patented bone-headed drops.

But Coach Mike McCarthy praised Finley’s finish to the season, even as fans and NFL prognosticators predicted the Packers would part ways with the freakishly talented tight end.

“I was very pleased with the way Jermichael played there in the second half,” McCarthey said in February at the NFL Scouting Combine, “and he improved a number of different areas of his game.”

The Packers were so pleased with his strong finish that they brought him back at his full $8.25 million salary amidst a flurry of cuts and restructures designed in part to make room for big new contracts for stars such as Rodgers and Clay Matthews.

Perhaps this is Finley’s way of bringing about a better sense of focus on the field. James Jones made a turnaround in 2012 after being drop-prone in his first few seasons with the team, so why not Finley? Speaking as a long-time Packers fan, it’s nice to finally see some maturity and humility in the guy.

Still, it will be fun to see if Rodgers puts a little extra zip on the ball when he passes to Finley this season, just to make him put some of his money where his mouth is. Or at least where his mouth used to be.

Tim Schlosser proposes to Abigail Kobriger.
Mike McCarthy photograph

Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy isn’t known for his photography skills, but the coach who was on vacation this past week got a chance to bone up on his shutter snapping abilities.

That’s because when he was stopped this past week by a couple on a beach looking for someone to take their picture, he got a different surprise. After having their picture taken with McCarthy, the couple, Abigail Kobriger and Tim Schlosser, asked McCarthy if he would take their picture. McCarthy, who obliged, then saw Schlosser drop to one knee and pop the question to Kobriger.

Abigail Kobriger, left, had her photograph taken with Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

Schlosser, in an interview with WTMJ, said McCarthy “In his cool voice” could only say “This is cool. This is really cool.”

You can hear McCarthy saying that, can’t you?

But McCarthy wasn’t done as the photographer then went crazy and snapped about 30 more pictures of the couple as they celebrated on the beach.

Recalling later what had happened that day, Krobriger said, “It’s still very emotional.”

And no doubt, the coach who is working on his suntan before having to head back to Green Bay to prepare for the upcoming draft, thought it was a pretty “cool” moment, too.

Though there was no mentions in the story, we wonder if Schlosser and Krogriger may have asked the coach the big question that’s on all Packers minds these days: “Who’s going to be the Packers number one pick in the draft?”

If they did pop that question to the coach, it was the question that Schlosser popped on that day that will live long in their memories for many years to come.

Good luck to the happy couple … and coach McCarthy? Get back here so we can get on with the draft!

The Lambeau Field experience is annually rated as one of the best in the league and will only get better as renovations to the stadium are completed.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Mike McCarthy stomps into the Green Bay Packers locker room, throws his play sheet and red pen across the room and gets nose-to-nose with center Evan Dietrich-Smith and, though there won’t be any sound, every fan in Lambeau Field will be able to see the spit fly as he asks – in so many words – how Smith missed the block that led to an Aaron Rodgers sack and fumble and a Vikings touchdown.

In theory anyway … and if you’re not using the little boys and girls room or buying a beer and brat.

Will watching the locker room at halftime on the jumbotron bring more fans to the stadium?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

You see, in a move that is aimed at helping the Oakland Raiders more so than the Green Bay Packers, the NFL has mandated that teams install cameras into locker rooms so that fans can now have a peek into the never-seen-before happenings during halftimes of their favorite team.

Clearly mandated as a step to make the live game experiences as attractive as the creature comforts of the home viewing experience, the NFL is trying to clean up its pantload of fear over losing fans. Sixty-inch televisions that broadcast better and better images from NFL games is convincing fans to stay home with their friends, their chips, their beer and their favorite chair rather than jumping in the car, traveling for hours, fighting traffic and crowds and doing it all over again to get back home.

Fans are staying home to watch the games in warmth and comfort and the NFL doesn’t like that. In a case of the classic love/hate relationship, the NFL is fighting the trend against its lover – the television networks who help pay the light bills for the league through their billion dollar contracts. Without television, the NFL would be like T-ball baseball leagues – attended only by spouses and children who watch while laying on the grass with their picnic lunches.

So, any advantage the league can conjure is being implemented.

Though teams like the Packers have no reason – at least at this point in time – to worry about declining attendance, there are other teams like Oakland, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, and even Minnesota that are heading up the trend in the downward spiral in attendance around the league.

If fans can watch coaches get after players on the field, will they be interested in watching the action on the big screen at halftime, too?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Will the halftime locker room video show pack ‘em in at these venues so they can watch players mill about, get retaped, and coaches talk strategy? I doubt it, but the league has to start doing something to attract fans.

Maybe other franchises should take a look at what the Packers are doing … not only will Lambeau Field’s renovation to its south end zone be completed by the start of this season, but the team is also in the process of renovating its Atrium area, moving around some of the anchor businesses (such as its Pro Shop), improving facilities, not only for the fan experience, but for the players as well. And what’s even better is that the Packers are doing it all at no cost to taxpayers. Through a league loan, the selling of fan stock and its own funds, the franchise is continuing to show that they’re ahead of the curve in attracting fans.

Coupled with the fact that the Packers have a waiting list for season tickets that lasts nearly into perpetuity, they are more an anomaly than the norm in the league. So, not only will Packers fans get the chance to enjoy their game day experience – which is annually rated as one of the best in the league – but starting this year they will be able to watch as Coach McCarthy does his job.

That’s not such a bad thing, I guess.

But I can probably guarantee that it won’t amount to a hill of beans in attracting more fans to Green Bay. They come to watch the action on the field, not the locker room.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish former player Tyler Eifert is interviewed during Notre Dame pro day at the Loftus Center. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports photograph

I guess anything is possible when one starts considering the direction Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson will take in the NFL Draft, but the closer we get to the D-Day (Draft Day) the more I’m convinced a tight end will not be the first round selection for the team.

But why are so many mock draft composers out there in love with the Tyler Eifert-to-Green Bay pick? Take a trip around the Internet and you will find many, including walterfootball.com, who are projecting Eifert going to Green Bay.

I don’t see it.

Jermichael Finley stiff-arms Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon after catching a pass at Lambeau Field.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Number one, Mike McCarthy loves Jermichael Finley – he’s said so more than once – and he’s going to do everything in his power to keep him around after this, Finley’s final season under contract with the Packers.

Number two, the Packers have Andrew Quarless and D.J. Williams in reserve roles and Ryan Taylor, the special teams ace, already on the roster.

Number three, the Packers have too many other more important holes to fill before even thinking about a tight end. Consider offensive line, defensive line and safety among those needs.

As for Finley, he was the Packers most proficient pass-catcher the second half of last year behind Randall Cobb. His value, despite the angst he causes the fans, is astronomical for the Packers. Yes, his salary is third highest, at this point among those players on the roster, but he is also instrumental in the Packers offensive success.

Yes, there are times he disappears from the statistics, but that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t felt. He draws double-teams and occupies space in the middle of the field to open up sideline routes and running  back routes. He’s a talent that must be accounted for on the field – a value that McCarthy feels is important to making his system go.

So, why not draft Eifert or another tight end?

Because I feel the Packers are going to try to commit long-term to Finley. His upside is too huge to let him walk … and even if they don’t commit long-term, they still have him for one more year to allow them to take the time to continue to develop the players in-house.

Even more importantly, there is no imminent need to draft a tight end if the Packers lose Finley after this upcoming season, they can then take the steps to address the situation.

There is no need at this point and I feel Thompson will see it that way, too.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) hands the ball off to running back Frank Gore (21) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park.
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The read-option was called the flavor of the month this week by Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.

But we remind him of these numbers; 579 total yards; 181 yards rushing by the quarterback.

Those numbers will be stamped into the memories of every Green Bay Packers coach, fan and cheerleader for years to come. They will become synonymous with 4th and 26.

Mike McCarthy expects to see a lot of the read-option in 2013.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That’s why Packers head coach Mike McCarthy talked this week about his defense and what they are doing to rectify a situation that will surely confront them again in 2013.

New Bears coach Mark Trestman has already said the Chicago Bears will run a semblance of the read-option (though one wonders about the effectiveness given that their quarterback, Jay Cutler, isn’t known as a running QB). Others on the Packers schedule in 2013 – the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and yes, the San Francisco 49ers, all run the offensive scheme that appeared to be a complete mystery to the Packers in their NFC Divisional Playoff Game last January.

To combat that fact, McCarthy sent his entire defensive coaching staff for a one-day workshop with Texas A&Am coach Kevin Sumlin who coaches Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.

We won’t have any idea what Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his staff will have taken away from that session until next September when the Packers open their 2013 season, but at least the team is making strident efforts to be sure the debacle in San Francisco doesn’t happen again.

Stopping Colin Kaepernick wasn’t easy for the Green Bay Packrs.
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

McCarthy said this week that his team simply couldn’t stop Colin Kaepernick, especially on third down, and that as the game wore on the confidence factor eroded as the Niners took over. Even franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers, soon to be the highest paid quarterback in the league, couldn’t save the Packers and keep them in the game.

Look for Ted Thompson to address the defense in the draft with players whose skill sets are more in tune with solid tackling and speed. Whether that comes in the early rounds or later rounds, it doesn’t matter. The Packers need to adjust their scheme and their personnel toward stopping the offense. It’s been done by other teams. The Packers just need to continue to study it and find solutions that match their personnel.

And as a side note, we certainly don’t want to forget about what Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson did to the Packers defense in a traditional offensive scheme. The Packers could stop him either.

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Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy answers questions from reporters during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore.
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Wilde of ESPN Wisconsin posted three videos of an interview with Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy taped at the league meetings in Arizona this week.

The videos, which are posted below, as well as on Wilde’s excellent website, show McCarthy at his best. He’s relaxed, thoughtful, engaged and talking football.

Lasting about 20 minutes, McCarthy talks about his disappointments from last season, the needs on the defensive and offensives sides of the football and what he sees as the real positives for his team as the NFL inches toward this spring’s college draft.

He talks about the Divisional round playoff loss to the 49ers and how, defensively, how they were knocked on their heels and couldn’t recover. About 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, McCarthy said that it was his scrambling, especially on third down, that hurt the Packers most. He also describes how the big plays sapped the confidence out of his team and though they were in the game via the score into the fourth quarter, the uphill battle they seemed to be facing was wearing on his team.

McCarthy says that the coaching staff has completed its defensive evaluations from that game and the entire season and are now considering recommendations from defensive coordinator Dom Capers and the staff on how to move ahead and build a scheme and the players needed to make it work.

“We’re a multiple scheme offense and a multiple scheme defense. We like to be aggressive … the players have been phenomenal in the classroom as far the mental preparations … that’s a real strength of our football team … that philosphy won’t change,” he said.

On whether the team was taken by surprise by the read-option, McCarthy said, “We weren’t regimented enough,” and went on to say that it was because of the way his team practiced over the last few weeks of the season. He also said that because his team wasn’t regimented and didn’t “hunker down” and “trust [their] fundamentals.” it all led to the defeat in San Francisco.

Injuries have been a big problem in Green Bay, but McCarthy said that it’s a “constant conversation.” The team’s constant focus on nutrition and health education is important and will continue. But he did add that “it doesn’t add up right now” and hoped that things will change.

In addition, he talks about singular players – Derek Sherrod, and his recover; Randall Cobb and his all-around talents and contributions; the big contracts that will be given out to Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews in the coming months; the play of the offensive line and the running game; B.J. Coleman and whether he’s ready to take the next step as a quarterback; Mason Crosby and what he’s doing to avoid another season like he had in 2012; and the growth of the defense, especially the younger players.

Also in looking back at last season, he summed it up best:

Adrian Peterson and San Francisco… those are our two black eyes … we need to be better … we

have to play better in big games.

Here are the complete videos of McCarthy:

Nick Collins celebrates an interception touchdown return.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Sept. 18, 2011, was a day when the Green Bay Packers were drastically changed.

Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., after helping to make a tackle and having his head freakishly snapped back.

He would never play another football game and the Packers would never be the same on the field.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, while talking about his defense today, brought up Collins to Jason Wilde of ESPN Radio, who documented his response. McCarthy, who has a great understanding of his players and their roles on his team said,

Nick Collins was the heart and soul of the Packers defense.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“Nick’s a great player. That’s one (where), I don’t think Ted will ever get over that one. That’s one we talk about quite often, but hey, you have to move on. You’re talking about a guy that was probably in the middle of a Hall of Fame career.”

Was McCarthy right about the Hall of Fame? Well, Collins had just helped his team to a Super Bowl and had been named to three straight Pro Bowls. He had just finished his sixth season, had 21 interceptions, four of which had been returned for touchdowns. He had 329 tackles and 75 assists. He forced six fumbles and recovered four others. He also had an interception that he returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLV.

So, had he been able to continue to play 10-12-14 season, sure, he could have been considered a hall of famer. He easily would have been considered for induction into the Packers Hall of Fame.

But that’s speculation. Collins’ loss two seasons ago certainly had an impact. In 2011, the season when the Packers lost Collins, the team’s defense went to hell. In fact, it got as bad as it could have gotten as the team’s unit finished dead last in the the league without Collins. They still haven’t recovered. Though the unit improved in 2012 because Ted Thompson went out and expended an entire draft to make it so, but it still has some work to do to get back to performing like it did with Collins in the lineup.

The team continues its recovery from its post-Collins hangover.

” I really like Morgan Burnett,” McCarthy said as he talked about the team he now has on the field. “I feel like he’s going to take a big step this year. I look for his leadership to improve. Morgan does everything that you ask, he’s got to start cashing in on the opportunities he has around the ball. I thought he did an excellent job when Charles [Woodson] went down with his injury playing down around the line of scrimmage. I thought Morgan was extremely disciplined and productive down there. I feel very good about Morgan back there, and I like our young guys.”

McCarthy has to say those things because those are the players he has in-house. Those are the players who remain post-Collins. This is a team still in recovery – a team that has to develop its own identity and make its own history.

Hopefully the recovery continues … and of course we are thankful for what Collins brought to the team while he played and we hope for his continued recovery to life after football.

Here are Collins’ career statistics …

Mike McCarthy, Packers head coach, is doing everything he can this offseason to make sure his team is ready to hit the practice field with a good plan in place.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

If there’s anyone who knows better, it’s Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. He understands that the teams that are ready in the spring are usually the teams still standing in January.

At his end-of-the-season press conference held after the Packers got smoked by the San Francisco 49ers, McCarthy intimated that he wasn’t happy with his team’s preparation from the get-go of last year – a factor that affected his team from start to finish.

Because of changes brought about by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and instituted prior to the 2012 season, training regimens that had been the norm were changed. McCarthy, a stickler for organization and preparation, was thrown off and because of it admitted this week his team never caught their stride the way he anticipated.

It showed.

Mike McCarthy is a sticker for proper preparation.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The team lost three of its first five games out of the chute and seemed to be fighting an uphill battle throughout the season. When McCarthy wanted his team to catch fire – in the playoffs – it never happened and he pointed to the changes in training and injuries as the reason.

McCarthy told Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette yesterday that he was doing everything within his power to make changes that will benefit his players and the outcome at the end of the 2013 season.

“I wasn’t real happy with the way our offseason program went last year,” McCarthy told Demovsky at the NFL annual meetings in Arizona. “So we’re going to do a much better job of that this year. So that’s really, frankly, what the coaching staff’s been focused on.”

Because he was so pleased with the work and preparation program that he had instituted prior to the new CBA, McCarthy had a tough time adjusting – though he also admitted that all teams had to face the same issues.

Demovsky stated in his piece – “Under the new CBA, the offseason program was shortened by more than a month. It can be only nine weeks, down from 14, and features just 10 days of organized team activity practices, down from 14.”

It might not seem much of a change to most, but for McCarthy, whose precision-minded approach, it’s a world of difference. That’s why he’s taking the offseason to make the adjustments for his team.

Team President Mark Murphy also joined in the discussion on the issue:

“Everybody is adjusting to it. I know Mike really liked the program we had in place in the old collective bargaining agreement, but I think we’ll adjust. It’s really part of the initiatives to make the game safer for the players, give them more time off in the offseason. They don’t start until later and have fewer offseason practices and things of that nature.”

Injuries also played a huge role in the success of the team on the field and anything McCarthy can do to keep his players on the field, he will do so. Time management and preparation this offseason are all tied into how the team is readied once they start hitting the practice field in the coming months leading up to Training Camp.

McCarthy said he’s making sure the building blocks are in place.

He was quoted in Demovsky’s story:

“We’re going to adjust. No different than the way we approach the players. The old adage, you either get better or you get worse, we’ve stayed the same for two years, and that’s unusual. But that’s not the goal. When our players get back, it’s going to be different. We believe in our program. We believe in the way we go about things. But there’s going to be some clear-cut adjustments, and it’s important that we accomplish that and it pushes us to where we want to go to.”

Jermichael Finley is due a $4.45 million roster bonus March 27.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This has been a tumultuous and game-changing week for the Green Bay Packers, even though they haven’t made a single move to acquire a free agent player.

The Packers lost linebacker Erik Walden to the Indianapolis Colts, they lost wide receiver Greg Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings and they lost tight end Tom Crabtree to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Restricted free agents Sam Shields and Evan Dietrich-Smith were tendered contracts and Robert Francois re-signed with the team – all on the cheap. In addition, linebacker A.J. Hawk restructured his contract so he could stay with the team.

What does that mean for the Packers as they inch closer to the NFL Draft?

Jermichael Finley had 37 catches for 441 yards the final nine games of last season.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Well, nobody’s absolutely sure as free agent deals still could come about (Ahmad Bradshaw?) and, most importantly, the Packers still have to decide what to do with Jermichael Finley who is due a $4.45 million roster bonus March 27. There have been no negotiations with Finley and he was most recently quoted a few weeks ago saying he wasn’t interested in taking a pay cut.

With the Packers allowing Crabtree to walk, one would think that Finley is probably safe.

However, the lack of communication between the two camps makes one wonder what’s going through Ted Thompson’s head. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy really likes Finley as a player and said so at his season-ending press conference. Finley came alive in the second half of last season, but one wonders if that’s enough to convince everyone at 1265 Lombardi Avenue to keep Finley around for at least another year.

Finley is going on the final year of a two-year contract that will count $8.75 million against the salary cap. Is that too much for Ted Thompson’s taste? On the surface, one would have to say yes, mostly because that in addition to the dollars mentioned above there buried beneath all of that ia the history and baggage Finley brings with him. He’s been critical of his quarterback; his agent has been critical of his quarterback; Finley has said he will walk if told he needs to take a pay cut; his agent said Finley won’t walk and that negotiations over the issue would be taken seriously.

But with all that drama in the past, one also wonders if the Packers want to keep a player who is in the final year of his contract and will most likely walk unless the team offers some kind of restructuring deal that could include an extension.

On the field, is he valuable enough to expend that amount? Most say yes. He’s a huge talent who pulls a lot of defensive attention his way and opens the field for other receivers. This is true. In all, last year Finley caught 61 passes for 667 yards. He scored two touchdowns.

Jermichael Finley scored two touchdowns last season.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

However, in the second half of the season, he was consistent – though he dropped off the map in the playoffs.

Here was his production the final nine games, including playoffs:

Nov. 18: 3 catches for 66 yards

Nov. 25: 3 catches for 51 yards

Dec. 2: 6 catches for 60 yards

Dec. 9: 2 catches for 16 yards

Dec. 16: 5 catches for 61 yards

Dec, 23: 5 catches for 70 yards

Dec. 30: 8 catches for 72 yards

Playoffs: Versus Minnesota he had 1 catch for 10 yards; versus San Francisco he had four catches for 35 yards.

In total, that’s 37 receptions for 441 yards.

The question everyone needs to ask – is whether that production is worthy of nearly $9 million per year?

Ted Thompson will have final say in this matter and the decision will come soon.

Ahmad Bradshaw may be the target of the Packers in the coming days.
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Just as Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was surrounded by the press this evening at the NFL league meetings, Jason Wilde of ESPN reported that the news that the Packers had expressed interest in New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

When pressed about the report, McCarthy said:

“I’d like to think I’m old enough along that I don’t have to answer these questions in March. The depth chart doesn’t always look full this time of year. But the guys we do have there, they’re all young and they can all get better. Are we going to add more people there? Yeah, there will be more competition. It’s definitely to enhance the running game.”

 Just exactly what that means, I’m not exactly sure, but if there’s a time of year when cloak and dagger tactics and words covering up exact meanings comes to the forefront it’s at this time of year in the NFL. That’s what it’s all about. Nobody wants to tip their hand, and that includes both McCarthy and Packers general manager Ted Thompson.

One thing is for certain – the Packers have to do something about their anemic running game. Whether that means bringing back Cedric Benson to compete with Alex Green, James Starks, and DuJuan Harris at halfback remains to be seen.

It’s possible that the Packers will bring Cedric Benson back for the 2013 season. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Or does it mean trying to sign someone like Bradshaw, a bruising back whose continuous pounding has led to a series of injuries over the past few years. Regardless, he’s been productive and his young age (27) are positives that will be considered by both the Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the coming days. There may be other teams that also join the sweepstakes – it is still early in the bidding.

Last year, Bradshaw ran for 1,015 yards on 221 carries – a 4.6-yard average, and six touchdowns in 14 games. He had surgery on his injured foot at the end of the season.

According to Wilde’s post earlier tonight, Thompson also expressed uncertainty about the running game and the personnel in-house.

In talking about the possibility of bringing Benson back and how to address the running game, Thompson said, “It’s like any position, we look hard at all of them and we’ve got a number of positions where the injury thing is going to factor in. We need to find out where we are there. But we feel pretty good about it.

“In general, we talk about all our free agents as if we’d like to have them back. There’s a scenario where we’d like to have (Benson) back. We need to find out about the injury thing.”

Where that takes the Packers in the next few weeks as they prepare for the NFL Draft remains to be seen. Whether the Packers pursue Bradshaw should be known sometime this coming week. From there, whether the Packers decide to go after running backs in the draft should come into focus, as well as whether the team will be bringing Benson back.

Stay tuned …

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) talks with president Mark Murphy (center) and general manager Ted Thompson (right) – the triumvirate that makes the bulk of football-related decisions for the Packers – have their hands full in trying to improve the team.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The offseason isn’t the time to sleep for National Football League teams, including the Green Bay Packers. It’s hump day and time for Packers officials to get to work.

First on the agenda is welcoming former New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty to town on a free agent visit that’s expected to last through Thursday. Included in the visit will be a physical examination, a tour of the facility and, of course, meetings with team officials including Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy.

Chris Canty

Canty has already had visits with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs and it’s reported that the Titans have already presented him with an offer. There were also reports earlier this week that Canty was prepared to give the Carolina Panthers a “reduced hometown discount” to play there in his home state. However, there haven’t been any followup reports on whether that might come to fruition.

The Packers had an interest in Canty in 2008 when he was a free agent leaving the Dallas Cowboys, but he bypassed the Packers and went straight to New York where he found a quick home and a satisfactory contract. It’s unclear whether the Packers will offer a contract to Canty during his stay here, but if they are serious about landing him, they most likely will. It’s been reported that Canty will want to have a contract and new home by the “unofficial” start of the free agency period this weekend when agents can start negotiating openly with teams before the “official” start of free agency on Tuesday, March 12.

That’s just one of the things on the Packers’ list today. There are also several college pro days occurring across the country, including the University of Wisconsin’s day in Madison. Because of the close proximity of the campus, there are always Packers coaches and scouts at that particular event and Thompson has been known to attend himself.

However, with Canty in town, it’s unclear whether Thompson will find the time to do both – most likely he will, considering Canty will be in Green Bay for two days.

Other pro days, as reported by Cheeseheadtv are Alabama A&M, Duquesne, Eastern Washington, Kent State, Mississippi State, North Alabama, Northern Arizona, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Texas Tech and West Texas A&M.

Everybody gets excited during the season, but you know, folks, this is the time of year that makes or breaks National Football League teams. This is the time of year when all the important work gets done.

We here at Lombardiave.com will continue to try to stay on top of all the developments each day – whether it’s free agency, the draft, pro days or whether Ted Thompson had dinner at Red Lobster the night before – well, maybe not that in-depth, but we’ll continue to do our best … keep stopping back for the latest.

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In classic Ted Thompson fashion, he was particularly active in the 2007 draft. In the seven-round draft, Thompson and the Packers came away with 11 new Packers, four defensive players and seven offensive players.

The 2007 draft is also notorious for producing Thompson’s biggest draft bust thus far. With the 16^th overall selection in the first round the Packers selected a 6’4” 320-pound defensive tackle from the University of Tennessee – Justin Harrell. Defensive linemen are always a premium and Thompson seemed to like Harrell. The odd thing is the usually conservative Thompson drafted Harrell with a pre-existing injury.

Harrell arrived in Green Bay nursing a torn biceps tendon. Harrell then stoked the ire of Packers fans by showing up for organized team activities (OTA’s) and training camp overweight and out of shape. He didn’t play in his first game his rookie year until the fifth week of the season.

The rookie campaign for Harrell was not overly impressive. 2008 was even more underwhelming. In 2008, he began training camp and ultimately the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury. Harrell was first activated on Nov. 1, 2008.

2009 was another disappointment. Harrell injured his back in training camp and missed the entire season. 2010 was thought to be his last chance with the Packers. In the season opener he suffered a significant knee injury in the season opener. This was the last time Harrell appeared in the NFL. The Packers released him in July 2011 and he has not played since. In four seasons with the Packers Harrell played in 14 games.

With all the disappointment aside, the 2007 draft was very much a success for the Packers. Of the 11 players selected, six of them were contributors to the 2010 Super Bowl XLV team. Three of these players look to have big roles for the 2013 Packers squad.

Brandon Jackson was the Packers third down back and occasional starter, but started a bulk of the 2010 season after Ryan Grant went down. James Jones was a key contributor during the 2010 season and now looks as if he might become the Packers number one receiver going into the 2013 season. After being drafted as an inside linebacker out of Boise State, Korey Hall transitioned to fullback and was a key player on special teams from 2007-10. A sixth round pick in 2007, Desmond Bishop has blossomed into an outstanding inside linebacker for the Packers and probably brings more mean to the Packers defense than anyone on the team. The Packers third sixth round pick in 2007 was Mason Crosby, a kicker out of the University of Colorado. With the exception of a poor 2012 season, Crosby has been a very consistent kicker for the Packers.

The genius of Ted Thompson isn’t so much finding that one guy that turns into an All-Pro caliber player, but collecting numerous players in the draft that materialize into key contributors. There are not a lot of general managers that cannot claim to collect six players out of a seven-round draft that develop into worthwhile NFL players. Thompson seems to do this nearly every season. He’s not flashy but he’s consistent and the 2007 Packers Draft class is a shining example of this.