By Kevin in Minneapolis, MN

Like many, I was really geared up for the return of Mike Neal, expecting for him to come out like James Starks of 2010 and make an immediate impact and improve the team in a big way.  It is not happening.

While it is far too early to write him off as another failed DE like Jamal Reynolds or Justin “Hot Tub” Harrell, I believe I am appropriately concerned that is what he may become.  I understand injuries happen, missing playing time was unavoidable, and it does take some time to come back from an injury.  But what I don’t understand, is why Neal is content just to get his snaps regardless of whether or not he actually makes any plays.

I was disturbed by this quote: “For me personally, just to be able to get in here and get in the mix – I don’t care about tackles, I don’t care about sacks. … Just to be able to play is enough. I’m doing that now. Maybe the sacks and tackles will come my way, but just for me to play right now is satisfying to me.”

While I’m happy that he’s no longer injured, I say don’t start him until he has a champion’s mentality.  His “I’m happy just to be on the field” attitude is not enough for the Packers to succeed on the defensive line, and it’s not enough for me as a fan.  I want to see a man on fire out there who is finally getting a chance to earn his paycheck.  Instead I see a warm body who is just holding his own every play.  C’mon, man, make an impact!  Get hungry!  And by the way, I am pretty sure sacks and tackles don’t just “come your way”.  You need to go out there and fight for them.

In three consecutive games now Mike Neal has not done anything.  No sacks, no tackles, nothing.  And he’s had plenty of snaps.

In 2010 Neal had 3 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 2 games. We need more of that.  What happened to that guy?

Honestly, for now I believe Jarious Wynn may be a better option as the starter – 3 sacks, 11 tackles in 2011.

I still have hope for Mike Neal to succeed but so far I’m very disappointed.  He is not proving to be the beast he has been hyped up to be, not wielding a champion’s winning attitude, and most importantly, not getting the job done.  I truly hope he starts getting comfortable out there and figures out how to make some plays.  It’s past time for Neal to start producing.

This week’s game vs. the Buccaneers is going to be unavailable to a lot of western WI and Twin Cities Packer fans due to the Vikings having a home game at the same time.

If you live in this area and you don’t own the NFL Sunday Ticket, you’ll just have to head to a bar or watch via Slingbox or on NFL Rewind a few days later.

See all of the 2011 Western WI / Twin Cities Packer Game Blackouts.

Kevin

From Larry R in Combined Locks, WI

Clearly we have too many quality receivers and tight ends masquerading as receivers.  Either we cut people that will quickly start for some other team or we can trade someone with recognized skills.  Jennings and Driver are probably un-tradable (for different reasons).  James Jones just tested the market and didn’t really get any takers.  The only other players that might have some trade value would be Jordy Nelson.  Of the Tight Ends, we might get something for Quarless or Crabtree simply because they were players in the Superbowl.

What could we get for:

Crabtree  - Probably no better than a fourth rounder….maybe an upgrade based on performance
Quarless – Probably no better than a fifth rounder.  Blocking tight ends just don’t get any respect.
Nelson – Third rounder with an upgrade to a second rounder based on performance this season.

Could we trade all three without damaging our Superbowl chances?  Based on the rookies and free agent performances, we probably could.

From Larry R in Combined Locks, WI:

Here are my 5 things that the Packers need to have a repeat appearance at the super bowl.

1. Great Coaching – The defense was simply amazing.  Unending injuries all the way through to the super bowl.  TT found players that were available and the coaching staff found ways to make them look like they should have been starters all along.  That is superior teaching, coaching, and scheming.  The Packers will need more of that and some more creativity because they will be studied to death this off season.  The opposing coaches have nothing else to do…..
2. Aaron Rodgers missing less than 3 games – We may have a better than average backup but at some point you cannot get better without playing time (and he is not getting much).  What really makes this offense click is a quarterback that reads the defense and makes plays.  The Packers will play tough and keep it close but bottom line, this team will sputter without Rodgers.
3. Get Hot When It Counts – I give credit to the team leaders for this happening in 2010-2011.  This when your stars and your emotional team leaders really make things happen even if they do not necessarily do it themselves.  The Packers have a number of these veteran leaders but I immediately think of Charles Woodson.  His numbers may have been down a bit this year but I believe he showed up BIG.
4. Strong Offensive Line Play – Looks like there will be at least one and maybe two changes in the offensive line this year.  With minimal practice time and maybe even a shortened preseason schedule, they may need a few regular season games to really begin to gel.  They better not take too long because this part of the game is just too critical.
5. Defensive Line Play – I assume Cullen Jenkins will be gone and that is just a shame.  The team does have candidates but no real replacements.

By Rick

I found my self playing Madden 2003 with my youngest son on the old PS2 in the back room. We were exiled there because the PSN network had just come back up and all the teenagers in town seemed to be on my PS3 playing Portal 2 with the oldest boys in the front of the house. I think they emptied the town of chips and soda.

We had a good time but as we were playing I remembered what we had posted about the Seattle Seahawks Playoff win with Harris returning loud mouth Hasselback’s pass for the game winning TD. I mentioned it to my son and he did not remember it so I youtube’d it for him. We spent an hour looking at the Ice Bowl, the Desmond Howard KR in the Super Bowl, just a lot of Packer moments. As I laid down to go to sleep that night I thought, what is my personal favorite Packer moment?

Mine is watching my first Packers Football game in my new house when my oldest child was just an infant and while Mommy finally got a day away. I was devastated when I watched a Bengal player bring down the Majik man and he was hurt and out of the game. I knew Brett Favre was a wild man in college with one of the biggest arms I had ever heard of but I did not expect the win or what it really was the beginning of, a legend.

So what is your favorite Packer Moment ever and why??

By Rick

Using Jersey Al’s excellent roster printout which PA was kind enough to post, here is what I think the roster will look like. You will notice that with TT’s drafting of hybrid back players I believe the move is being made to switch over from traditional FBs to the hybrid back. This should bolster ST play by increasing speed, size, and strength. Hopefully no more 74 yard kick returns by lineman. Swain versus Robinson and West for the last roster spot at WR will be a great one to watch. Swain is a FA but GB is his best place to stick. The last item is Nick Barnett. You will notice I placed him on P/UP. He is coming off an season ending injury and as much as we think he has value it is diminished. With him on P/UP he can continue to heal and GB can wait until week 6-9 to bring him back onto the roster. Depending on injuries he might be the shoot in the arm GB needs to stay in the hunt to repeat. I see minimal depth behind Hawk and Bishop on the inside.

2011 GREEN BAY PACKERS

53 MAN ROSTER
# Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Age Exp. College
QUARTERBACK (2)
10 Flynn, Matt QB 6-2 225 25 4 Louisiana State
12 Rodgers, Aaron QB 6-2 225 27 7 California

RUNNING BACK (5)
25 Grant, Ryan RB 6-1 222 28 5 Notre Dame
Green, Alex RB 6-0 225 22 R Hawaii Draft pick
44 Starks, James RB 6-2 218 25 2 Buffalo
45 Johnson, Quinn FB 6-1 263 24 3 Louisiana State

Williams, D.J. FB/TE 6-2 245 22 R Arkansas Draft pick

WIDE RECEIVER (5)
Cobb, Randall WR 5-10 191 20 R Kentucky Draft pick
80 Driver, Donald WR 6-0 194 36 13 Alcorn State
85 Jennings, Greg WR 5-11 198 27 6 Western Michigan
87 Nelson, Jordy WR 6-3 217 25 4 Kansas State
16 Swain, Brett WR 6-0 200 25 3 San Diego State F/A

TIGHT END (4)
83 Crabtree, Tom TE 6-4 245 25 2 Miami (Ohio)
88 Finley, Jermichael TE 6-5 247 24 4 Texas
81 Quarless, Andrew TE 6-4 252 22 2 Penn State
Taylor, Ryan TE 6-3 254 23 R North Carolina Draft pick

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
63 Wells, Scott C 6-2 300 30 8 Tennessee
62 Dietrich-Smith, Evan C/G 6-2 308 24 2 Idaho State
67 McDonald, Nick C/G 6-4 316 23 2 Grand Valley State
71 Sitton, Josh G 6-3 318 24 4 Central Florida
74 Newhouse, Marshall G/T 6-4 319 22 2 Texas Christian
75 Bulaga, Bryan T 6-5 314 22 2 Iowa
76 Clifton, Chad T 6-5 320 34 12 Tennessee
78 Sherrod, Derek T 6-5 321 22 R Mississippi State Draft pick
70 Lang, T.J. T/G 6-4 318 23 3 Eastern Michigan

DEFENSIVE LINE (8)
95 Green, Howard DE 6-2 340 32 7 Louisiana State
Guy, Lawrence DE 6-4 304 21 R Arizona State Draft pick
91 Harrell, Justin DE 6-4 315 27 5 Tennessee
96 Neal, Mike DE 6-3 294 23 2 Purdue
79 Pickett, Ryan DE 6-2 340 31 11 Ohio State
98 Wilson, C.J. DE 6-3 290 24 2 East Carolina

94 Wynn, Jarius DE 6-3 285 24 3 Georgia
90 Raji, B.J. NT 6-2 337 24 3 Boston College

LINEBACKER (8)
55 Bishop, Desmond LB 6-2 238 26 5 California
54 Chillar, Brandon LB 6-3 237 28 8 UCLA
49 Francois, Robert LB 6-2 255 25 2 Boston College
50 Hawk, A.J. LB 6-1 247 27 6 Ohio State
59 Jones, Brad LB 6-3 242 25 3 Colorado
52 Matthews, Clay LB 6-3 255 24 3 Southern California

93 Walden, Erik LB 6-2 250 25 4 Middle Tennessee State
58 Zombo, Frank LB 6-3 254 24 2 Central Michigan

DEFENSIVE BACK (9)
House, Davon CB 6-0 195 21 R New Mexico State Draft pick
22 Lee, Pat CB 6-0 196 27 4 Auburn
37 Shields, Sam CB 5-11 184 23 2 Miami (Fla.)
38 Williams, Tramon CB 5-11 191 28 5 Louisiana Tech
21 Woodson, Charles CB 6-1 202 34 14 Michigan
24 Bush, Jarrett CB/S 6-0 200 26 6 Utah State
42 Burnett, Morgan S 6-1 209 22 2 Georgia Tech
36 Collins, Nick S 5-11 207 27 7 Bethune-Cookman
26 Peprah, Charlie S 5-11 203 28 6 Alabama

SPECIALIST (3)
2 Crosby, Mason K 6-1 207 26 5 Colorado F/A
61 Goode, Brett LS 6-1 255 26 4 Arkansas
8 Masthay, Tim P 6-1 200 24 2 Kentucky

P/UP LIST (1)

56 Barnett, Nick LB 6-2 236 29 9 Oregon State

PRACTICE SQUAD (8)

QUARTERBACK

6 Harrell, Graham QB 6-2 215 25 1 Texas Tech
WIDE RECEIVER

17 Robinson, Antonio WR 6-1 195 25 1 Nicholls State

11 West, Chastin WR 6-1 216 24 1 Fresno State

OFFENSIVE LINE
69 Campbell, Chris T 6-5 328 24 1 Eastern Illinois

Schlauderaff, Caleb G 6-4 302 23 R Utah Draft pick

DEFENSIVE LINE
68 Ross, Jay DT 6-3 302 23 1 East Carolina

LINEBACKER

Smith, D.J. S/LB 5-11 239 22 R Appalachian State Draft pick

DEFENSIVE BACK

43 Greco, Michael S 6-3 224 24 1 Central Florida

By Rick

Ted Thompson has always followed a core belief in value drafting and thus building a team with quality and depth. This can be handy since due to injuries and Free Agency you never know where a need will arise and then it is too late to fill it. His picking Rodgers when a QB was not a need was one of the top picks in Green Bay history, but looking at the gems in acquired in later rounds or as undrafted free agents such as Charlie Peprah, Pro Bowler Tramon Williams, and the man of speed Sam Shields show that Ted has an eye on what he thinks will work when a player gets to the field. One thing I noticed is that as you go through this year draft you see TT drafting a variety of “hybrid” players. Is this an attempt to increase the athleticism from the 3 FB ST roster GB has used in the past for ST duty? I will have to say yes as otherwise many of the late round picks were a waste of value otherwise.

So with another draft ended we have some new Packers to welcome into town… when there is football again.

1st rounder Derek Sherrod – O lineman from Mississippi State.

Positives: 6’5” and 321 is what you like to see size wise in an NFL Tackle. He has huge hands and a great wingspan. Played in the SEC and is graded as a NFL Tackle or Guard and has a great football IQ. He is a great pass blocker and is average to above average as a run blocker. He fits the ideal blocker type for a pass first Green Bay team. Sherrod was faster in the cone drills and shuttle then Bulaga by almost half a second. He was a team captain and hardly missed a game in 4 years and is a great young man with character. He has a 3.54 grade point in business and volunteered all 4 years at MSU.

Negatives: 23 Bench presses was a few less then most 1^st and 2^nd round Tackles in both the 2010 and 2011 draft. He will need some weight room work to up his strength. A possible lack of nasty streak could spell trouble as well as a tendency to be top heavy when dealing with bull rushers and run blocking.

Overall: As the #25 big board player he was not only a great value pick for Green Bay at #32 but also provides some high quality depth with the ability to challenge for a spot as a Tackle or Guard. He should be in the mix as a possible starter on the O line.

2nd rounder Randall Cobb – WR from Kentucky

Positives: A mid 4.4 speed excellent athlete with great hands, crisp route running, and an eagerness to do anything. He can run routes as a WR, wildcat RB, back up QB, KR, and PR. But that is not all folks, he also holds on field goals and extra points, and likes tackling/blocking when on special teams. If Sam Shields is the Man of Speed then Randall is MacGyver as he is the Swiss Army Knife do anything of football.

Negatives: Did we mention he is 5’10” and does not even weigh 200 lbs?  A possible jack of all trades and master of none can be a trick bag for a player. It is hard enough to make a team and have an impact just learning and performing one position let alone 4, 6, or 8.

Overall: Another great value (in fact an outright steal) and Green Bay again brings in yet another crisp route running WR with great hands. Think a faster Donald Driver that also can play almost any Offensive and Special Teams position on the field except Lineman and K/P. He may be the returner threat lacking in Green Bay since the Desmond Howard days. He reinforces an excellent WR squad and maintains it as a strength in GB.

3rd rounder Alex Green – RB from Hawaii

Positives: 6’0” 225 RB that runs a mid 4.4 like a WR and averaged over 8 yards per carry and that was in one of the most pass happy systems in college football. He ran in between the tackles, caught passes, and ran for over 1000 yards for the first time at Hawaii in over 20 years. Originally it was thought he would run mid 4.6s instead blew the doors off at his combine with a 4.45.

Negatives: Numerous fumblitis concerns. He played in the WAC and was not running against top tier defenses. Originally was thought of as a FB ala Davenport but his 40 time is closer to Ahman Green.

Overall: This player had one of the highest increases in draft boards across the NFL in the last 45 days rising from a #225 player to #89 on my big board. Relatively unknown because of the WAC conference and the fact that a Noon game Hawaii is about 6pm Milwaukee time. Heck you can’t see a PAC 10 game unless Notre Dame is playing USC. Green Bay stole this player from the Raiders as they were trying to trade up into the early 4^th to take him themselves. Alex is a very interesting player to see if he can translate to the NFL and if so the NFC north just got a lot tougher and Ryan Grant had better watch his back.

4th rounder Davon House – CB New Mexico State

Positive: If you are the GM of a team the plays press and bump and run coverage with your CB locked up man to man a lot and the 3^rd best CB at that defense and the #60 big board player is available do you take him with pick #131?  6’1” and ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day, Davon was a KR as a freshman and set a school record returning 4 to the house for TDs. Excellent work ethic and strives to be the best shut down corner, period.

Negatives: Unless I missed the memo this guy plays in the WAC as well. Limited exposure to top collegiate talent – Boise State was the best they faced. Plagued by ankle issues all season saw a drop in his numbers.

Overall:  I am in awe of the luck that allowed Green Bay to trade out of the 4^th round and grab more picks later in this draft and still get a top target player that I thought would sneak into round two. This pick maybe TT’s best value of the 2011 draft and maybe of the entire draft. House’s draft projections almost match Pat Lee’s from a couple of years ago. Hopefully he stays healthier then Lee has.

5th rounder DJ Williams – TE Arkansas

Positives: Overcame adversity and is a great young man. Played TE/FB/Hybrid Back in college, can you say made for GB. If added Linebacker duty he would be a bigger, faster and better catching Havner/Kuhn love child. He will excel at ST and filling possible holes with Hall and Kuhn being Free Agents and we all know of the TT’s 3 FBs, 4TEs on the roster last year.

Negatives: He is shorter than the typical NFL TE. Decent speed and hands but shows weakness in getting off jams by Strong Safety and LBs. Questionable in line Block skills as a TE.

Overall: First I am proud that he has worked so hard to overcome and seems to not take life for granted. He will work hard for the coaches and team. Being in the NFL he will get the ability to speak out on his message about abuse. He may be a practice squad player depending on team decisions to resign Hall and Kuhn. I hope he makes the team.

6th rounder Caleb Schlauderaff – Offensive Guard Utah

Positives: Strong worker, good size and weight. Able to work inside on the line and has had some time at Left Tackle.

Negatives: Reoccurring Hamstring injury has slowed him most of the season as well as a shoulder injury. A reach as normally I would have rated him as an Undrafted Free Agent signing. Caleb should stay a Guard if he wants to make team as he was not as effective in space as a Left Tackle and was moved back inside.

Overall: A depth chart pick of questionable value I have him at #290 on the big board and we drafted him at #179. He is very coachable but is injured and has limited success beyond that of a Guard. I figured he would be on the short list for teams to sign as a UDFA. Perhaps TT wanted to draft the couple of players he would have focused on as UDFAs. With coaching and a year or two of work may become a solid Tackle/ Guard back up.

6th rounder DJ Smith – OLB from Appalachian State

Positives: One of the top FCS small school LBs. He was invited to the combine and showed average speed (4.7)and above average tackling skills. Weak in pass coverage but was flexible enough to play both OLB and ILB to exploit mismatches.

Negatives: At 5’10” and 239 he has the mass but not the size and speed to excel at OLB at the NFL. He has great numbers but he played against FCS opponents.

Overall: TT must have wrote down wrong player this is pick #186 and I have this guy in the 350s on my big board. He must have dirty pictures of TT somewhere. The only thing I can think of is the see something of a SS position change (think Palamaluish) for him because he is very iffy in coverage but hits and tackles well. Again maybe we decided to draft the guys we would normally invite to camp.

6th rounder Ricky Elmore – DE from Arizona

Positives: Non stop motor, high energy guy like CMIII. Played as DE for all of his career.

Negatives: Played in a 4-3 defense as DE and at 6’5” and 255 he is like a 3” taller version of AJ Hawk. Not elite strength or speed and has minimal pass rush skills.

Overall: A nice late round 4-3 DE that would have made sense for the Bears but I am unsure of how he can fit into plans for GB. Converting him to OLB seems a waste with depth on team. At best a practice squad player for GB.

7th rounder Ryan Taylor – TE/H back North Carolina

Positives: Soft hands and a solid receiver. Willing to play any position and allowed North Carolina to move quickly without substitution from one play to the next. Extremely versatile and effective in the variety of positions he played in.

Negative: A tweener, a little short to be a TE and a to big to be a FB and to slow to be a RB. 6’3” and 254 running a 4.76.

Overall: A hybrid player that has moxy to do anything and work hard to try and make the roster. I did not even have him getting drafted and at best a camp invite. He was #378 on the big board getting drafted at #218.

7th rounder Lawrence Guy – DT from Arizona State

Positives: 6’4” and 305 Defensive tackle that can play the 5 technique as a 3-4 DE and also a 3 as a 4-3 DT. Played his heart out on a bad team and was one of the few bright spots they had. Other teams basically focused on him the entire season to control the ASU defense.

Negatives: Not great numbers. Poor grades and immaturity issues followed him until he stepped up as a leader for the 2010 season.

Overall: The immaturity issues may have shoved his draft stock down but as the last pick for GB he is probably the 4^th best player of GB’s draft. Rated #190 on the big board he was a very nice pick up at #233 and should make the team or practice squad. I like him a lot as a player and I think he will back up Neal and Pickett very well on the D line.

by Kevin Roth

Derek Sherrod – OT

• 2011 NFL Draft: McShay on Sherrod
• nfl.com video

First impressions: Big athletic dude, long arms.  Smart guy.

Who goes? Perhaps Bulaga will stay at RT and Sherrod moves in at left once Clifton hangs it up.  Hopefully Lang can take over for Colledge if he goes, but I actually hope Colledge stays – he was better than people gave him credit for in 2010.  Sherrod may not start until 2012.

Randall Cobb – WR

• Draft Preview: Randall Cobb
• nfl.com video (no highlights, just analysis)
• Randall Cobb Highlights The Numbers Dont Lie (great one-handed catch at 0:30)

First impressions: Great athlete – reminds me of Percy Harvin.  Really fast and has some great moves.  Almost seems more of a running back than a receiver.  Was the featured back in a Wildcat system.  Runs back punts and kickoffs for touchdowns.  Holds for place kicks.  Another smart guy.

Who Goes? James Jones, Brett Swain, or special teams player.

Alexander Green – RB

• Alex Green – The Draft’s Top Big RB
• nfl.com video (combine footage)

First impressions: Green reminds me of Najeh Davenport, Not the fastest guy, but a big dude that stays on his feet.  Has some good moves, too.

Who goes? I think Dimitri Nance is the easy answer.  Perhaps Brandon Jackson if Green proves to be he can be a 3rd-down back.

by Larry

I just read my umteenth article on biggest QB busts of the draft, this one adding the latest, JeMarcus Russell and I started to think about why so many QB’s struggle in the pro game. Asked a different way, why so many mistakes are made drafting QB’s. Without a crack team to aid in the research, I formulated a few theories of my own. Here’s my thoughts.

On a typical college schedule of 12 to 14 games (including bowl games) only 8 to 10 games are against real competition. Most every major college team opens in September against various division 2, orphanages and historical doormats. Wins come easy, stats get inflated and everyone looks like a world beater and there’s 4 of these on the schedule, maybe more.

About 20-25 CB’s get drafted each year. Some times more, sometimes less. So the liklihood that a draftable college QB is actually throwing against a draftable CB is pretty remote…and against a pair of draftable CB’s on the same team…rarer still. Essentially the margin for error in college compared to pro is huge. HUGE! Herein lies the first problem…unless you can gage the level of competition how can you possibly gage the level of competency?

Next up…the speed of the game. Show me a QB whose completing passes under 3.5 seconds and you’ve got my interest. Under durress can he complete the throw.  Too many college passers use too much time to locate the open receiver.  That windows closed in the NFL.

Work ethic…biggest reason for a bust IMO!  First in/last out is real baby!

Bad team, changed system!  The very good QB’s go to the worst NFL teams.  I’m surprised that more drafted players don’t refuse to go to the teams that drafted them like Elway and Eli. Anyone think that Alex Smith might’ve had alot more success with GB.  How about David Carr with Pittsburgh.  Even Trent Dilfer won a SB with Baltimore…a good team with a consistent system makes a huge difference IMO.  I don’t think you could guarantee a similar result but I’m guessing you wouldn’t see “bust” next to the name.

The guy needs to learn the game…very few QB’s can be successful right out of college.  Aikman…nope.  Manning year 1…guess again.  Show a little patience…the signing bonus is already paid,   you may as well!

Lastly,  bring back NFL Europe…worked for Kurt Warner…might help Brady Quinn, Alex Smith, D. Carr, J. Clausen.. etc.

From Larry R in Appleton, WI

Since so many rules are different this year and probably different for the next few years, how does this change the draft process and the draft value chart?  Here are a few things to consider when looking at the maneuvering coming up in this years draft.

1. 2011 and 2012 rookie salary caps will make draft choices more valuable than ever before.  Extra draft choices will mean more rookies to work with in camp and fewer high priced veterans.  For most teams, there will be a strong temptation to keep more rookies on the final 53 man roster (or maybe it will be some higher number).  Whatever the final roster count is, the owners will really want to have rookie contract player around and the only 5th and 6th years players around will be the super stars.  The average age of the NFL player is about to drop.
2. It is possible that teams will have to decide which rookies make the team as much on their performance in tryouts as on their performance in preseason games.  My theory is that if an agreement is not reached in the next couple of weeks, there will be nothing to really force a settlement until regular season games are in danger of being canceled.  An agreement in early to mid-August would mean all regular season games could still be played (ugly, sloppy games but we would still get a 16 game season to watch).
3. If a team could trade this years draft choice for roughly the same slot next year, they just might be tempted to make the trade.  A rookie without training camp or preseason is not likely to be worth much to the team until next year anyway.
4. At least the Packers are likely to need more bodies in 2012 than they do in 2011.  There will likely be fewer returning IR players as well as more experienced players with expired contracts leaving at the end of 2011-2012 season.  Therefore those 2012 rookies will have a better chance at making the roster.  2011 will be a tough year for more than 4 or 5 to make the team (rounds 1, 2, and 3 plus one or two surprises free agent).
5. I would love to see Barnett back this year with 3 very capable starters competing for 2 positions but I think the best we can realistically hope for is trading Barnett for a 3rd round pick about week 2 of the preseason (if there is one).  If there is no preseason, the trade deadline will be important for the first time in years.