CheezWizHed

Please stop bashing other people. We don't play that way here. Disagree but respect other's opinions.

Perez, since you brought him up, has a .34 higher SLG in the majors compared to the minors, despite a .21 lower BA. So he was Hernan Perez without the power too as a minor leaguer. I think you mean .034 and .021. It would be awesome if any player increased their AVE .210 or increased their slugging .340.

Second best is that he already shows a good hit tool and great eye (304/421), but his slugging could really improve over the next couple years. Not that his slugging is shabby (509), but at 19 and 6'3", he is probably about to grow into his power potential. The knock would be his 29% K rate. I'd feel more comfortable about his projection if that was a bit lower. I couldn't find it on milb.com or baseballreference, but his BABIP must be very high given his high K rate and high batting average. Still, if he projects out to 275/375/550... that is a nice player.

Once again, the single thread idea is not a workable solution for Packers topics. There are too many conversations going on for one thread. The Badger/Bucks threads get a little less traffic, but are still hard to follow any continuity. I'm working again to get a another sub-forum for other sports, but if not, we need to be able to deal with multiple Packer threads and stop mashing everything together again.

So for the last couple years, I've been moderating here and LL.net, but we just couldn't get any push at LL.net. Thus, the decision to shut it down. I'm not sure why we can't get another subforum, but the agreement last year among the moderators was to do exactly as it was done... different threads for different topics. Generally, the only people that want "one thread" are the people that don't use it. Its hard to discuss anything when people are talking about multiple things at once. Its pretty useless.

They had opportunities to address guard without taking a flyer on a late round OT with no guard experience from a non-power-five conference team. Given the sheer number of times the Packers have done this, and because they didn't this year, I tend to believe that they didn't like anyone there. Obviously, Amichia was "supposed" to be the G to push the others, it just didn't happen this year. I think they probably wanted to keep Geoff Gray. Gray was interesting, but pretty raw too. There were some nice fluff news items about him because of his different background that upped his "hype", but I'm guessing Amichia and Plankey were simply higher rated in their eyes and they didn't want 3 OL on the PS. Normally, the Packers are able to keep guys they want for their PS over other teams' PSs. Dial is an interesting addition. Was getting paid starter money for SF and we land him as a backup. Him and Brooks certainly improve the depth. Too bad SF didn't change their OL philosophy too.

+1 When they kept 10 OL during the cut-down, I figured that Barclay wasn't ready for week 1, but I was surprised to see him in IR. Kind of a dumb rule that you can't put guys directly in IR during cut-downs. But I suppose you keep the 2 best and hope one of them is capable enough. But still hoping for a better option. Alex Boone might've been an interesting backup option, but living in the Twin Cities area (pity me), there is a lot of news about an all-talk/no-show type player. Of course, that could be bashing the guy to make yourself feel better about losing him....

I wasn't. Maybe it was Nick Perry's first 4 years, Jones, or our recent history of late first rounders not panning out that clouded my opinion, I just wasn't feeling confident he was gonna be a impact player. I kept hearing how much better he was playing from the analysts toward the end of last year, but I didn't really see it. But this year...he just looks so much different. Like he's in a new body. His frame just looks bigger. And I have an affinity for Wrestlers who play football...it helps so much with the hand fighting. But I didn't see this jump. I did think Lowry could be a good player, but then I was convinced by the scouts and everyone who talked about his short arms that he wasn't gonna be. But he has a Bosa/Watt type frame and motor. So maybe he's not a superstar because of his short arms, but he can at least be a good player. He also looks a lot bigger. His improvement last year was subtle, but steady. He rarely made the big play, but was starting to win battles. And given he came in raw, 20 years old (hello body-development years), and was playing mostly on instinct, I expected another year of technique and weight training development would really turn the tide for him. I actually anticipate that he will become an all-pro DT in his career. I didn't like the pick at the time, but now I think it was a really wise investment. Lowry is reminding me of Aaron Kampman. Not the most physically gifted guy, but a very hard-worker and technician. Going into this year, I figured he would be a decent rotation lineman, but his play in preseason has been very surprising to me. Daniels-Clark-Lowry could become our best ever 3-4 DL. They still have to stay healthy and play the games, but the potential is there.

I'd keep my eye on Tristen Lutz. As a 19 year old, he killed Helena: 333/432/559/992. Keston Hiura has a different type of bat than Fielder or Braun, but certainly shows that he knows how to hit at A-ball (just turned 21 in Aug): 333/374/476/850. Probably want to see them promoted and continue before I would say they are the Fielder/Braun level, but they certainly have the potential.

A successful one

They are trying to get into Harvard too?

At the end of last year, I was expecting Clark to jump out this year. He was beginning to blossom this year and given his age, I'm expeting a big breakout. Lowry kind of surprised me in game one and various write-ups in preseason. He looks like a difference maker. So, like you said, those three on the line together are going to be good this year. Might even cover for our OLB deficiencies. I'm going to counter your Rollins with Randall. He looks much better this year and I'm thinking he was more injured than "advertised" last year. Ala D-Adams of 2 years ago. Either way, I'd be happy if one of them does. I think Montegomery will breakout. No more talk about the conversion. He will be a dangerous RB. Great on the pass, good on the run. I think Williams will end up being the short yardage guy. Rip will still get his chances, but Wiliams will get most.

Holy September call-ups batman! The MLB.com in game thread had a huge list of BP pithers tonight. Not sure if that was an error or if the Brewers really called up that many.

I agree about the running game. The backup O-line has been so bad, that I'm not worried about the production. But the top 4 seem very strong and I like Phillips. Any other year, he would be on the team, but on the PS this year. And beyond running the ball, all of them seem good at catching the ball too. Which is pretty important on the Packers. Should be very interesting this year. Amichia was a workout warrior with very high athletisicm, but turned out much farther behind on technic. He will be more interesting after a year on the PS.

Updated predictions * Denotes a starter. Bold indicates on the 53 man roster. QB(2):: Pretty easy here. Callahan sticks because Hundley is close to be traded. - 53-man: Rodgers*, Hundley - PS: Hill RB(5): - 53-man: Montgomery*, Ripkowski, Williams, Jones, Mays - PS: Phillips TE(3): - 53-man: Bennett*, Rodgers, Kendricks WR(6): - 53-man: Nelson*, Adams*, Cobb*, Allison, Davis, Janis - PS: Clark, McCaffrey, Yancey, Dupre - Not all 4 will make it to the PS. Someone will be claimed. NOTE: Allison has a 1 week suspension, so I'd guess Yancey or McCaffrey makes the cut initially OL(9): - 53-man: Bulaga*, Linsley*, Taylor*, Bakhtiari*, Spriggs, Evans*, Murphy, Barclay, Waiver Claim - PS: Gray or Amichia DL(5): - 53-man: Daniels*, Clark*, Lowry*, Francois, Ringo - IR: Adams OLB(6):Keep as many as possible for depth. - 53-man: Perry*, Matthews*, Fackerell, Elliot, Brooks, Gilbert - PUP: Biegel ILB(3): Save an ILB and add a S instead. The new defense... - 53-man: Ryan*, Martinez*, Thomas S(5): - 53-man: HHCD*, Burnett*, Jones, Evans, Brice CB(6): - 53-man: Randall*, House*, Rollins, King, Gunter, Hawkins, - PS: Brown, Pipkins ST (3): - 53-man: Crosby, Vogel, Goode

And each of them would be cut if they were trying out for the WR position... *hint, hint* I didn't think he would do it, but I'd guess that Janis is going to make the team. He has been his usual good ST player, but also showing his ability equal to or above his competition. I don't see how Clark makes the team, but I'm very nervous to cut him. McCaffrey seems to be left out of competition last night. Probably trying to sneak one on the PS. Once Allison is back (after game 1), I'd guess both Yancy and Dupre to be cut. And the roster to look like this: Nelson, Adams, Cobb, Allison, Janis, Davis

Also, the whole "Packer people," thing is nonsense I think. We just don't sign many people and that's often used as an excuse as to why we don't. When there's little risk the "Packers people," thing seems to mean a whole lot less(see Lyerla, Colt). Its not an absolute "rule", but its pretty well known that for years the Packers have completely ignored certain players in FA or taken certain players off the draft board because of off the field incidents. Sure, they have given players second chances based depending on the circumstances, but those are rare. And they tend to be more of the drug abuse variety (Guion, Favre, Jolly) rather than physical/sexual violence type. And even the drug cases tend to be where they already have the player rather than adding one that already has the issue. Even Colt Lyerla wasn't drafted, so it was a minimal investment to see if he cleaned up his act. But they cut ways with him pretty quick after he got injured. Didn't even give him a tryout the next year to see if he recovered. And for kicks, go Google him to see what trouble his is in now.

I'm definitely not saying Spriggs hasn't struggled this past year. I'm just saying I don't know if it's been as bad as it looks because in some cases we can't know, and I think he'll get there. I understand what you are saying with the interior OL due to stunts and assignments. But at LT and RT, its pretty obvious who their assignment is and how badly they played. Not only that, but Spriggs and Murphy tend to swap in and out with similar cast around them and similar competition. Right now, its a no-brainer that the 6th round pick is besting Spriggs hands down. I couldn't find the article about playing around or trapping people, but several other articles talk about his poor hand placement as a major problem. And that he often wiffs. During the Denver game, I made a point to watch him specifically (or Murphy) at RT. Spriggs would have some great setups, but then look horrible. I can forgive the Von Miller wiff, but he was getting beat by 2nd and 3rd stringers on inside moves just like Von Miller did. He has the skills, I just hope he has the mentality to be able to change his technique and fix the issues.

I think I read he was kicked off his college team also.

Can't be worse than we had before, but we take a hit to the "Packer people" mentality. Hopefully those days are behind him.

I found this apropos for the Spriggs discussion. In an article speaking to how badly the OLBs have been in practice (especially with Matthews and Perry out comes this blurb: ...the Packers had only four healthy outside linebackers: Kyler Fackrell, Reggie Gilbert,Johnathan Calvin and Josh Letuligasenoa. They had a long day. In one-on-one pass rushing, they went a combined 1-8 as outside rushers, with Gilbert getting the only win, against tackle Jason Spriggs.

Yes, I think Spriggs will get better, but I'm disappointed that he isn't a bit closer now. I've watched all three games and he has been bad in all three. I thought it was better in Denver, but then he wiff on VM (understandable) and then another inside move by a backup (not understandable). I read somewhere that he plays games with the DL and tries to bait them into a trap. But if they don't take the bait, he tends to whiff. I've read interesting things about Gray, but like you said... a year away. No matter, there isn't any inside depth that I'm comfortable with right now. Stunts or not the backup middle OL have been extremely porous. Hundley has been running for his life back there. Sacks or not, the pressure has been huge.

Not sure where I read it, but possibly older info. I see MLB has him at FB (60), SL(50) and Change (55).

Where is my brain? All I could think of was wondering why Wily was starting... My only concern about Freddie is him transitioning to MLB with only two pitches.

Pest control guys will also work on closing entry points for the mice. No matter how to get rid of the ones in the house, it won't matter unless you stop more from coming in. If you live in the country, see if any farms have tame barn cats. They will normally be good mousers. But avoid anyone that hasn't had any people handling as kittens. They tend to be a lot of work to tame.