News Round Up: Wednesday, 7.1.09
Lots and lots of good stuff out there today. Read on, Packer Backers, read on!
Rodgers Sets New Packers Record…
…For dating swimsuit models. I know this is a bit of old news, but I couldn’t resist throwing in this article from Milwaukee’s Decider.com, if for no other reason than the last line:
“The [New York] Post reports that [swimsuit model, Julie] Henderson has “rebounded” with Rodgers after dating Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons. But if anyone knows how to pick up the torch from an aging legend, it’s No. 12.
Yeah, they went there. You can read the rest here. It’s very short.
Packers Will Experience Growing Pains in 2009
And ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert is saying they won’t just occur on defense. There has been a lot of talk among Packers fans about the several core players who are entering contract years. Aaron Kampman and Nick Collins may be the first that come to mind; but there’s also Darryn College, Tramon Williams and Ryan Pickett who, among ten other players will become some type of free agent in 2010. So Ted Thompson has his work cut out for him. Who can the Packers afford to keep, and who can they not afford to let go? I predict more Ted Thompson hating in the near future.
“There is always an evolution of a team,” general manager Ted Thompson said. “At different points in people’s careers, certain things happen. And we’re trying to take care of our business the best we can. Each year your team matures, and we have a larger number of young guys that are getting ready for the next phase of their careers, and that’s something that’s our job to deal with.“
Read the rest of this disconcerting article, here.
Where Do General NFL Managers Come From?
Not really Packers news here, but a nice article nonetheless. ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli discusses the career path that leads to an NFL general manager position, and despite the financial nuances and blunt traumas involved in fielding an NFL roster, few general managers have any sort of financial background.
“At least when it comes to general managers. Unlike in Major League Baseball — in which more than one-quarter of the game’s current general managers possess a background specializing in finances, computer science or even public relations — the path to most NFL general manager positions is still earned by paying a lot more attention to the 40-yard finish line than the bottom line. Although a few exceptions exist, the playbook still trumps the ledger book in the NFL.“
But I would argue that a business man does not a better GM make. Look at Daniel Snyder for goodness sake. And read the rest of the article here.
Look For Special Teams Play to Improve in 2009
The move to promote Shawn Slocum to special teams coordinator last year seemed questionable given the performance of that unit. But according the Green Bay Press Gazette’s Tom Pellisero, Slocum is starting over from scratch, which should be a good thing. Afterall, the kick return unit’s performance can not get any worse. Literally. In 2008, it ranked dead last in average yards per return.
“Last year or even in previous years, (players) were just given the return, as opposed to Coach Slocum is actually teaching the guys technique on how to block the guy,” return man Will Blackmon said last week. “They can just follow what’s on the sheet and run over there — (but) it doesn’t mean necessarily they’re going to make the block. It seems that simple, and yet it’s not that simple.”
Questions and Answers About Rodgers and the New Defense
PatriotsInsider.com, of all places, is featuring a Packers-centric NFC North Q & A. The topics of conversation? Can Aaron Rodgers repeat his successes from last season; and will the switch to a 3-4 defense pan out?
On Rodgers: “Taking everything into account, there really isn’t a strong reason to think Rodgers won’t do just as well if not better if he stays healthy.”
On the D’s switch: “The bottom line is Capers will have his hands full converting the defense this season. Expectations shouldn’t be very high, but there’s a decent base of talent in the front-seven.“
Want to know how they came to these conclusions? Read the whole thing here.
That’s all for today, folks. Go Pack Go! Drum fill. Riff. Go Pack Go! Drum fill. Riff. Go Pack Go!
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