LouisEly

I loved when they did it to start the 2018 season (with Yelich and Cain making their Brewers debuts), but this one might be even sweeter considering the quality of competition. And that they did it without Yelich and Cain (and Wong).

Much needed day off tomorrow

I'd rather keep the winning run on the on-deck circle.

Bases loaded, nobody out... no problem.

No, but that one-night-stand was so good you gotta double-dip...

The fact that the Padres brought in Pomeranz to face Narvaez and McKinney makes me smile.

Just get in the playoffs and shorten that rotation to Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta...

Are they pouring it on yet this inning?

Jace Peterson haters taking it in the shorts too!

For those of us who cannot watch... please elaborate.

All those people this offseason who said they should cut him are looking a little foolish so far this year.

Barmore was my 4th option at #29, so definitely a possibility. Was kind of a coin flip between he and Samuel, but the Packers had a virtual visit with Samuel so I went that route plus Barmore has been rising and more like a "if he's still available". Would not trade up for him, or anyone, in the 1st. McNeil's evaluations are all over the place; PFF has him in the late 40's, NFL.com has him in the 100s. As I mentioned, keeping Rodgers upright and healthy is the one thing they absolutely must do in order to have a chance to make it to the Super Bowl. They made it to the NFCCG with Clark and the also-rans, so DL isn't a must. There are a lot of OTs that could go in the first, but then there's a big dropoff and a lot of risk (i.e., Walker Little's health, Christensen's length, Radunz's/Brown's level of competition, etc.). They haven't redone Rodgers' or Adam's contracts yet so I had to go with what they have; can't predict that, but it's possible. Haven't heard anything about expanded rosters, but if so, there aren't a lot of QB options for day 3. One of the reasons teams are trading up is because the QB depth isn't there this year. Generally they won't draft a guy if they don't think he has a chance to make the roster, so UDFA is probably the route.

They have five RBs under contract - Jones, Dillon, Dexter Williams, Patrick Taylor, Mike Weber. I listed a QB as a UDFA. Edit: after finding a scouting report on Chris Ferguson, QB, Liberty, I added him as a UDFA in addition to Rogan Wells. If Taylor can get healthy I think he has as much upside as any RB they can draft on day 3. In his final 32 games at Memphis he scored 37 TDs. Williams and Weber were 6th/7th round picks, so I don't think anyone that late in the draft will be significantly better.

That has been his MO, but I don't think that happens this year. The Packers have only 30 players under contract for 2022 and are already at $219M for cap allocations. They are going to need a lot of low salary players to fill out the roster and they don't like to rely on rookies. They have said that the biggest jump a player makes is from year one to year two, so I think they want to get as many guys in as they can this year so that they have some experience next year when the entire bench may have to be year 1/2 players. They've shown to be really good at anticipating roster needs a year or two in advance. I could see them trading one of their 4th/5th/6th round picks to move up in round 3/4 if a guy they like is there, but I don't see giving up high picks or multiple picks to move up in round 1.

Welp, it’s that time of year. I said I wasn’t going to do it this year, but who am I kidding. Let’s get after it. Round 1 (#29): Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas – Wagner’s gone, Bakh will likely miss the first part if not most of the season, Turner may be a cap casualty next year, and keeping Rodgers upright is the most important thing for their success. The Packers gravitate towards athletic traits and Cosmi scored a 9.99 RAS composite on his pro day numbers. Plus, he gave up only eight pressures in 368 pass blocking snaps this past season. (Replaces Ricky Wagner) If he’s still available: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern – Newsome allowed only 12 catches on 34 targets for 93 yards all season, and posted a 9.51 RAS on his pro day workout. There was a reason that the Badgers receivers couldn’t get open against Northwestern, and Gutes personally attended their pro day. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Asante Samuel II, CB, Florida State – on tape he looks like the best man-to-man cover corner in the draft, and the numbers back it up as he allowed only 179 yards in eight games and allowed a passer rating of only 46.2. Gutes also personally attended Florida State’s pro day. Round 2 (#62): Alim McNeil, DT, NC State – an interior OL who can rush the passer, McNeil has perhaps the quickest first step of any DT in the draft, earning PFF grades of 80.8 and 77.5 as a pass-rusher the past two seasons. The new DC likes to have four pass rushers and drop seven in coverage, so they will need more interior pass rush. This is one of the weakest DT drafts in recent history, so good ones will get drafted earlier than normal. (Replaces Montravius Adams) If he’s still available: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama – great run blocker who is athletic, but allowed more pressures in 2020 than 2019. Has the athletic traits, as he posted a 9.86 RAS, but needs to put it all together. Certainly won’t be fazed by pro-level competition. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Payton Turner, DE/Edge, Houston – this past season Turner had 5 sacks and 10.5 TFLs. In 4.5 games. He was unblockable. Turner has size (6054, 268), length (35” arms, 84” wingspan), and elite agility (4.33 short shuttle, 6.98 3-cone drill). While the Packers are stacked at OLB/EDGE, the Packers like to draft guys a year before they need them and both Smiths might be cap casualties next year. Round 3 (#92): Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC – right now none of the Packers WR’s are under contract for 2022 and they have a need at punt returner, and St. Brown solves for both. St. Brown is more of a slot receiver than deep threat and has good agility (6.88 3-cone drill, 4.17 short shuttle) with decent long speed (4.51 40). Tough over the middle and good in contested catches. It takes a while to get on the same page as Rodgers and as mentioned the Packers like to draft guys a year before they need them. (Replaces Malik Taylor/Darrius Shepherd) If they haven’t drafted an OT yet: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU – high football IQ and experienced at LT, he answered any and all questions about his athleticism and agility with his pro day workout putting up a 9.84 RAS. Arms are shorter than desired, but good enough and experienced enough to start right away if needed. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Benjamin St. Juste, CB, Minnesota – outstanding size (6’3, 200), St. Juste turned heads at the Senior Bowl and then turned more heads with his agility numbers at his pro day (4.01 short shuttle, including a small slip, and a ridiculous 6.63 3-cone). Long speed is average (4.55), but could blanket receivers in the slot. Gutes personally attended Minnesota's pro day. Round 4a (#135): Josh Myers, C/G, Ohio State – the Packers lost one of the best centers in the league due to cap constraints and will need to replace him. Has the size to play G, and plenty of experience under center. (Replaces Corey Linsley) If he’s still available: Nate Hobbs, CB, Illinois – under the radar CB whose size and pro day numbers are eerily similar to Jaire Alexander (5114, 189, 4.38 40, 40.5 vertical, 3.96 short shuttle, 6.68 3-cone). Three year starter at Illinois who also has punt return experience. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Divine Deablo, S/LB, Virginia Tech – former WR turned safety, Deablo has the size and athleticism to play the big nickel role. Big enough to cover TE’s (6032, 226), fast enough to cover RB’s (4.42 40, 7.12 3-cone), and productive (12.5 career sacks, 6 career INTs, 3 career forced fumbles) Round 4b (#142): Thomas Graham, CB, Oregon – Graham was an incredibly productive CB at Oregon before opting out of the 2020 season, posting 8 INTs and 32 passes defensed as a 3-year starter. Good athleticism (4.48 40, 7.08 3-cone) with incredible instincts. Gutey attended Oregon’s pro day and also met with him virtually. (Replaces Will Redmond) If he’s still available: Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M – built like a brick outhouse, Brown isn’t going to give you a lot of pass rush but was productive (7.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks) and has outstanding size (6’4”, 321), length (34” arms, 85.5” wingspan), and athleticism (4.98 40, 7.65 3-cone). Prototypical 3-4 DE. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford – height (6037)/weight (222)/speed (4.37) prospect who is a little raw but in six games last year racked up 570 receiving yards and torched UCLA in the last game of the season. The Packers like big-bodied WR’s with speed. Round 5a (#173): Garrett Wallow, ILB, TCU – former safety converted to LB who has great agility (6.87 3-cone, 4.12 short shuttle) but is a little undersized (6015, 220). Excellent blitzer with good closing speed and productive – over the last two seasons has 27 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an INT. Does need some work on coverage skills, but can hang with the RB’s. (Replaces Christian Kirksey) If he’s still available: Chris Rumph II, OLB, Duke – productive OLB who over the last two years has notched 14.5 sacks and 25 TFL. Unknown athleticism, didn’t run at his pro day, but has excellent length (80” wingspan). The Packers may need to part with both Smiths after the season and will need to draft some OLB/EDGE depth somewhere this year. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa – ISM has been linked to the Packers due to his athleticism (4.43 40, 37” vertical) and return skills. He’s a deep threat but also ran a lot of gadget plays for Iowa. Has lots of experience returning kicks, and has taken a couple to the house, but no experience returning punts. Round 5b (#178): Trill Williams, S/CB, Syracuse – Williams has played both S and CB for Syracuse and has good size (6000, 208) but may not have top end speed. Has 3.5 career sacks, 4 INTs, and 3 forced fumbles in 2+ seasons. (Replaces Raven Greene) If he’s still available: Jonathan Marshall, DT. Arkansas – good player on some bad Arkansas teams, Marshall hasn’t been terribly productive but showed outstanding athletic traits at his pro day (4.82 40, 32” vertical, 36 bench) with good size (6030, 310). Don’t be surprised if it’s: Brendan Jaimes, OT, Nebraska – looked great at the Senior Bowl, arms are a little on the short side but broad shouldered and great wingspan (8200). Met with Packers at the Senior Bowl and had a virtual visit with the Packers. Round 6a (#214): Wyatt Hubert, OLB/Edge, Kansas State – very productive 3-year starter for K-State, Hubert has 20 sacks (15.5 in the last two seasons) and 33 TFL over 32 career games plus three forced fumbles. Doesn’t have the long speed, but great short-area quickness (7.03 3-cone, 4.27 short shuttle) and a non-stop motor. (Competes with Ramsey/Garvin for roster spot) If he’s still available: Jacob Harris, WR, UCF – raw player who came to UCF with not much high school experience, Harris has unbelievable physical traits (6050, 219, 4.39 40, 40.5” vertical, and a disturbing 6.51 3-cone drill). Has been fairly productive in a crowded and talented WR room at UCF with 49 career catches for 987 yards and a 20.1 career yards/catch over two seasons and he also played special teams as a freshman. This is the type of guy you take a flyer on this late in the draft. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Drew Dalman, OC, Stanford – a bit on the smaller side, Dalman answer questions about his strength putting up 33 reps on his pro day and an overall 9.87 RAS. Round 6b (#220): Landon Young, OT, Kentucky – first team all-SEC and starter at LT for Kentucky, Young has the size, strength, and length and good pass protection fundamentals but athletic limitations will likely restrict him to RT. With only two healthy OTs on the roster, I think they double-dip at OT. (Competes with Nijman for roster spot) If he’s still available: K.J. Britt, ILB, Auburn – missed a lot of time in 2020 with injuries but looked good at the Senior Bowl and was very productive in 2019 with 10.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Has met with the Packers virtually. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Malcolm Koonce, OLB, Buffalo – lengthy OLB who over his last 17 games has 13 sacks, 17.5 TFL, and 3 forced fumbles. Round 7 (#256): Connor Weddington, WR/RB, Stanford – excellent athleticism (4.47 40, 6.66 3-cone, 38.5” vertical) but only played in three games last year, Weddington has split time at WR and RB and has kick and punt return experience and could be the gadget player/return specialist they need. (Replaces Tyler Ervin) If they haven’t drafted a center yet: Ryan McCollum, C/G, Texas A&M – started at both guard and center in his career, McCollum was part of an offensive line that allowed just seven sacks all season. Will need to get stronger, but McCollum is a team leader and high effort guy. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Michael Boykin, DE, North Alabama – Packers go for physical traits in the later rounds and Boykin has those with good size (6053, 291) and athleticism (4.88 40). UDFAs: Zaire Mitchell, TE, Notre Dame College Noah Gray, H-Back, Duke Syrus Tuitele, OT, Fresno State Cole Van Lanen, T/G, Wisconsin Brett Kitrell, OC, Ohio Michael Strachan, WR, Charleston Eli Stove, WR, Auburn Nate McCrary, RB, Saginaw Valley State Chris Ferguson, QB, Liberty Rogan Wells, QB, Valdosta State Chris Garrett, OLB, Concordia Andre Mintze, OLB, Vanderbilt Ralfs Rusins, DT, Liberty Jerome Johnson, DT, Indiana Curtis Robinson, ILB, Stanford Kavika Fonua, S, BYU Jeremy Bell, CB, Charleston Evan McPherson, K, Florida Pressley Harvin, P, Georgia Tech

Hopefully not by giving them a free runner in a one-run game. Wait a couple of innings until it's a 6-run game.

I don't think that a high % of that age group is vaccinated.

I just returned from Nashville. I've been visiting my friend there for 12 years or so and only once have we ever gone downtown and that was for a pedal tavern with his family the night before his wedding. He had a friend from his small town in WI visiting this weekend, and he was going downtown with several friends/couples from where they live in WI (a different small town) so we met them out in downtown Nashville on Saturday afternoon. What I saw scared the living hell out of me. Bars and streets packed, maybe 1 in 50 wearing a mask, bands playing at every bar, and when it's loud guess what people do... talk louder and get closer so people can hear you. And probably 80% of the people there don't live in Nashville. Between that and Miami Beach (and any other party spot down South), I will be shocked if we don't have another surge.

Because he gave up a home run to a guy who has led the league in home runs three times in his eight year career?

Does that mean nobody wanted him in the transfer portal? Nope, he did it just to keep his options open. Lots of leagues overseas - Europe, China, Russia, etc. You'd be surprised how many non-superstar college players end up overseas somewhere. I don't think anyone pictured Marquette's Juan Anderson playing pro ball, but he went overseas, worked on his game, got a two-way contract, and has started 15 games for Golden State this year.

Rudolph said, regarding Brown, that right now he makes some plays that make you say wow and some plays that make you shake your head. He has flashed the talent, just not the consistency. It's understandable if you think about it - he missed most if not all of his true freshman season with the shoulder injury and then last year the limited practice time/COVID pausing/etc.; he just hasn't gotten a lot of reps in practice. Regarding Nelson, I view it as a positive in that he's forcing his way into the lineup because he's that good. Rudolph called him "explosive". Tippman may be hurt; they didn't mention him working with the 3rd team.

Labor shortages too; even though lots of people were laid off, some people with serious medical risks didn't want to go to work because of COVID risks. Major materials shortages because of not only supply chain disruptions but because of so many natural and man-made (i.e. riots) disasters the last two years. For windows and patio doors, check with Home Depot. They did a patio door for me a year ago, did a good job, and were at least 20% cheaper than any other quote I got. A windows/door company wanted $4500 but HD did it for $3300 (it was expensive because it's on the 4th floor and needed a special door because of jamb width and having a breakdown door so it could be brought up four flights of stairs).

So technically the Brewers have no-hit the Cubs over 27 outs, correct?

Well, Wisconsin looked better against Baylor than Gonzaga or Houston. I guess no shame in losing to the national champs.

Good teams have mediocre players transfer. While I think Reuvers is much better than mediocre, all of his fellow seniors are leaving so I would probably leave too.