Cory's Corner: Change the CBA

The Packers are down to an undrafted rookie as their cover corner. A week after promoting seldom-used Carl Bradford from the practice squad, he may start in Philadelphia at inside linebacker.

You cannot blame injuries on players.

You cannot blame injuries on coaches.

But you can blame injuries on the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA has micromanaged practice time, how much players can wear pads and has tied coaches’ hands when it comes to devising practice routines. The current CBA expires in 2020.

Mike McCarthy has changed things up in the past by offering more water and food breaks at practice. He has done everything in his power to stop the soft tissue injuries, but a coach can only do so much.

Obviously injuries are going to happen in the NFL. There are collisions on every play. But there are things that can be done to stop this.

First of all, the CBA needs to be revisited. What’s happening right now is the players are basically being kept in a glass bubble in the preseason. But when it gets to the regular season, their bodies aren’t prepared for the physicality.

You could say that veterans have been around enough hard hits to know what they feel like. However, your body needs to be retrained each season. It’s different coming back to camp in August and staring at a 320-pound defensive lineman that’s looking to destroy you after you’ve been sitting on a beach.

Secondly, if the NFL really cares about the health and vitality of its players, then its time to increase the rosters. The week-to-week injury lists have added a few inches to its waistline the last few years, so adding rosters by seven players to 60 shouldn’t be a burden.

Everyone has said that the No. 1 reason the TV ratings were down was because of the presidential election. I think it’s because of the rash of injuries. Many teams are being forced to start second or third (or in the case of the Packers, fourth) string players. Those players aren’t starting for a reason and when that happens, the product goes down, which decreases interest.

NFL injuries aren’t going away. But the league cannot continue to overprotect its players when it doesn’t reciprocate the gesture during the regular season.

The Packers’ season has been spiraling out of control for weeks. The front seven cannot generate consistent pressure and the secondary cannot guard. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is running out of options. If he blitzes, his inexperienced secondary is on an island. If he doesn’t blitz, the quarterback gets too much time to carve up said inexperienced secondary.

And it’s all because he’s being forced to play guys that normally wouldn’t be seeing this much playing time if the games actually counted.

The level of Packers’ injuries has reached Defcon levels because McCarthy has been racing in the Daytona 500 with a bike for most of the season. 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (46)

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TKWorldWide's picture

November 22, 2016 at 06:29 am

I think it's a reasonable assumption, but I don't think anyone can "prove" that more live contact during training camp will result in fewer injuries during the regular season.
Or maybe someone can?

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slicknic007's picture

November 22, 2016 at 06:59 am

Injuries and the Packers have been synonymous for years now. It is just something that is going to happen and I don't think Mike McCarthy wants to game plan around it. The only injuries that I honestly think he game plans differently as a result of is injuries to Aaron Rodgers.

With all the injuries, it seems like Mike is calling the game like we have all 22 original starters. I am all for the next man up philosophy but game plans need to change with that. If I am making lasagna and run out of noodles halfway through, I cant substitute a different pasta and expect the same results.

When I watch other games and compare them to the Packers, I have come up with one question. . . When is the last time the Packers have targeted an opponents weakness. Offensively aside from an occasional mismatch between a WR and CB, it hasn't happened in a long time. Defensively I don't know if it has happened. Why cant our game plan include finding and exploiting weaknesses?

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Lphill's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:12 am

Maybe when you build a team with undrated players and late round picks you need to look at their injury and workout history , maybe these players aren't as hard core as others when it comes to diet and workouts .

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daveh's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:22 am

lphill....I agree a hundred precent....like basement bargains.

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daveh's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:28 am

Detroit Lions, new coach, good draft free agents, improved, Vikings, new coach good draft and free agents, improved, Bears new coach good draft, unfortunately they have Cutler, status quo for now. The Packers MM, same coach , 11 years of same play book, poor draft, unable to make adjustments. This team is to predicable...do we need a change?????

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Razer's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:30 am

I don't know how a change to the CBA is going to prevent ...

Sam Shields concussion
Jared Cook's rolled up ankle
Jordy Nelson's ACL
Matthews chronic hamstring
Randalls groin pull
Martinez's knee
Ryan's ankle
Tretter's knee
Lang's hip

Maybe the guys are too muscled. Maybe the game is being played faster and harder by bigger men. Maybe it is just football, a contact sport that is going to take its toll.

While I like the idea of increasing the roster (for keeping more of your guys) I doubt that it would help the Packers. Mike McCarthy has trouble incorporating the talent that he has and changing his game plans to include new players. First the player has to be placed in one of a dozen personnel packages then he has to earn Rodger's trust. We should see Christine Micheal contribute around Christmas.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:48 am

'While I like the idea of increasing the roster (for keeping more of your guys) I doubt that it would help the Packers.'

This would honestly really help the Packers. If they increased the roster from 53 to 58 for example, it would give them 5 more players that could be developed. The Packers like to draft and develop. Adding 5 or however more roster spots, would allow those players more time to develop. And when injuries struck they would be more prepared to step in.

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Big_Mel_75's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:03 am

Not only that but what is the point of having a 53 man roster but you only can suit up 46? What the hell is the difference? So you get punished cause your players get hurt? God for bid your two QBs get hurt in a game then you throw in ?? so they don't have an unfair advantage?

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:08 am

I get the competitive advantage part of the only suiting up 46. That allows teams with injuries to have a buffer.

But is 46 players on game day enough?

Adding more roster spots and game day active players would help teams, no question.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:35 am

I honestly think the biggest thing that needs to be changed is the Injured Reserve rules.
I think they need to adapt more of the MLB rules for IR.

The current NFL rules are not good enough for players that miss multiple games. They have 1 spot for a person to go onto an injury list and come back. There is no short term list. Its 1 person on a long term list.

Why can't they allow more then 1 person to come back? Why can't they have a short term (4 games) and longer term (8 games) list.

Look at the Packers this year and the players that have missed 4 games plus. Shields, Lacy, Linsley, Cook, Tretter, Randall, Starks.
Mathews, Rollins missed 3 games.

It seems like there are more and more players getting injured and its really handicapping teams.
If a player is going to be out 4+ weeks, why can't they get put onto an injury list allowing the team to bring someone else onto the roster.

If they want to put a limit on it fine. Have it so 2-3 players can go on each list at a time. But its time to adjust the IR rules.

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Razer's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:44 am

I think that more flexible IR rules would help with these interim injuries. While it would help teams navigate the injuries over the season, it wouldn't change our current year situation a lick. The Packers would still be plugging players like Gunter, Thomas, Bradford, Jackson, Perillo, Brice, Knile Davis and the like into our roster and our complex schemes.

Ultimately, the problem isn't the CBA, IR or any league restriction - it is a lack of real talent.

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SpudRapids's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:21 am

Spot on

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:21 am

The problem with only have 1 IR spot for a player to return is that all these players that will be back but are going to be out for a long term, they have to keep them on the roster, even though they won't play for 4+ weeks.

Look at Shields for example. They at first didn't know how long he was going to be out. They didn't want to IR him in case he could have came back. They could have put him on a list and brought someone up to replace him, or sign someone. They wasted a roster spot for weeks on him which ultimately they had to IR him.

Another example is Cook. When Cook got hurt and was going to be out a long time. They could have went out and brought in another TE. But since Cook was on the roster they couldn't do that.

A more flexible IR would allow teams to be able to be able to weather the storms better with injuries.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:45 am

Perhaps...

Would you rather have Housler on the roster or no one? He may not be a superstar, but he would've added depth to the position. And 2-3-4 weeks in the system he maybe able to contribute.

And you never know which players go from one teams trash to another teams treasure. Sometimes they just get in a team that is a perfect fit for them, and are able to help them.

In 2010 the Packers went out and brought in Howard Green. A dump off from another team. He only had one of the biggest plays in the Super Bowl for them, pushing his player into BIg Ben causing Nick Collins pick six.

With the current IR rules though its keeps the players who are not able to play on the 53. Where if they had an injury list they would at least be able to bring someone in for depth at the least.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:09 am

To be honest, I really don't know enough about Housler, he is just an example being used...

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 07:56 am

Exactly what I said yesterday. Lions and Vikings are not going to run away with the division. The Packers have a very winnable schedule moving forward. The only guaranteed loss is the Seahawks.

If this happens, the Packers will be one of the hottest teams in the NFL going into the playoffs. They will have a ton of confidence and teams playing like that at the end of the year are the most dangerous in the playoffs.

Thats why I'm at a cross roads. I never want to give up on a season. If there is a chance of winning the super bowl I'm all in on going for it. But would the team be better in the long run if they lost out, made changes and drafted higher?

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:30 am

I'm not saying they will go on a run, just saying it could happen.

I'm all in to see these young guys play more. Montgomery, Michael, Cook, will be huge parts of our offense the rest of the year. Spriggs really looked good to me. Lang has been playing hurt maybe Spriggs solidifies our OL. Adams had a bad game against the Redskins but has been playing really good this year.
Clark has been very impressive for a rookie. He needs to continue to play better.
To go on a run, they have to get better play out of the CB's. Gunter, Rollins, Randall... If they can get a healthy pass rush from Mathews, Perry, Fackrell it would greatly improve the CB's.

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dobber's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:44 am

Datone Jones. Had a chance to really step up in a contract year in a role that probably suits him better than a 3-4 DE. He's been virtually invisible aside from dumb end-of-game penalties.

Rollins hasn't stepped up, but I'm still giving him a pass. This is only his third season of high-level football, and with all the holes in that defensive backfield, it's hard for anyone to look good.

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Razer's picture

November 22, 2016 at 12:20 pm

Absolutely Datone Jones. He hasn't added a stick to this defense. When he leaves - no one will know.

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stockholder's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:53 pm

I think Jones is going to be very good for another team. Not ever DE is going to catch on at elephant. It's to bad we keep drafting players and expect them to change positions. Therefore TT should never draft a DL again in the first round. Especially using the 3-4-4.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:47 am

Right now its hard to say with the injuries.

Out of the players that are healthy and have been playing I would say Clinton-Dix. Though if the CB's are healthy perhaps he would be used differently and is able to make more impact types of plays.

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dobber's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:53 am

I would argue that just as it's difficult to judge the quality of your offensive skill position players if your QB is total crap, it's hard to judge the quality of your safeties if you have a dumpster fire at CB.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 10:02 am

I agree. Thats why I am reluctant to say Clinton-Dix.

That being said, if he can be a game changing type of safety or make impactful types of plays it would really help the CB's out.

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baldski's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:53 pm

Tell me again, why Thompson got rid of Casey Hayward?????

He only has 5 interceptions at SD this far!!!!!!!!!

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SpudRapids's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:24 am

Clinton-Dix is invisible... you think a safety could elevate his play to help with injury at the corner position but he is never around the ball or making plays

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zoellner25's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:54 am

GB is not finishing 9-7. We'd have to go 5-1. You think this team can win 5 more games?

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:17 am

Also add in the matchups in the games.

Gunter matches up much better against these teams. Gunter has played well against big WR's, Not small fast ones.
Phi - match Gunter on Mathews.
Hou- Match Gunter on Hopkins.

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packerbackerjim's picture

November 22, 2016 at 01:24 pm

I would love to agree with you but...: the lack of consistent pressure on the opposing QB will make them look like the second coming of Johnny Unitas. My fear is that Chicago will be the only win this year. And even that will be difficult.

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dobber's picture

November 22, 2016 at 02:06 pm

Not anymore...between suspensions and injuries, they might be the most non-competitive team in the league right now. Yes, I am considering the Packers and Browns.

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RCPackerFan's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:14 am

yes. The teams they are playing are winnable.

Whether they actually win these games I don't know.

Other teams have had stretches of losing streaks and turned it around. Giants lost 3 games in a row, and now won 5 straight. Steelers recently lost 4 straight. Dolphins started out 1-4 and since have won 5 straight.

Green Bay could turn it around. Not saying they will just saying it could happen.

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Razer's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:45 am

Cow, for some reason I always thought that you were a pessimist. You come up with this fantastical scenario where the Packer win the division and people flock to it like a lost soul in the desert. I would really like to jump on this train but I can't get past a defense that can't stop a WR, TE, RB or get after any QB. I would like to look past an offense that can't generate more than 24 non garbage time points. Not sure how I will be able to overlook the Special Teams special ride ...

... I'll take two tickets.

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SpudRapids's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:28 am

Not a single point in the Redskins game was garbage...

The defense has had the worst 4 game stretch for the Packers in 50+ years. They only created 1 turnover in those 4 games. That's rock bottom... if they can improve than they can win some games with the offense starting to click. The scenario isn't that fantastical

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ray nichkee's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:56 am

Holy Shit!...a hint of optimism from cow! I like it. Keep it up and I may buy you a beer someday. Why does it take the packers to suck for you not to suck? I hope you're right and I'll be watching till the end but you know, I can't undo what what my eyes have already seen.

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SpudRapids's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:30 am

"Injuries have created lower quality play, but it's not because of a major talent drop off from starter to backup. It's because backups GET NO PRACTICE."

Exactly....The CBA has probably hurt the Packers the most... they are the biggest proponents of draft and develop but it's kind of hard to "develop" when you literally get a few hours a week to do it. Guys like Gunter and Bradford could be farther along if they were allowed to practice during the week.

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Handsback's picture

November 22, 2016 at 08:40 am

I don't see any event/player that can help the Packers out of their death spiral.
Yeah the CBA went overboard on the practice schedules, but the Packers have one of the most lost games due to injuries every year. For a young team...it is puzzling. This year the team is somewhat healthy except the injuries happened to specific positions (RB/CB). Now Bak wasn't even 100% when the season started. Lang also had a debilitating injury that had no time to heal. Corey started the season on IR but they managed to work through that mess to a point. Just can't cover all positions like they could the OL. Also for all the angst over Sitton being released....he has been injured most of the season as well. Maybe TT knew something that we didn't.

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jyros's picture

November 22, 2016 at 10:20 am

The extent of the injury list is ahead scratcher, in particular the hamstring problems. Maybe changing conditioning practices would be in order.
Then again, TT may just have a knack for drafting hamstrung players.

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Since'61's picture

November 22, 2016 at 09:49 am

Cory - the changes that you are discussing would help but regrettably are unlikely to occur. The owners will not increase the rosters to 60 players without an increase in the number of games. The players have been solidly united against increasing the number of games, so I doubt if this will happen. As for practices, again this is an issue that the players have been pretty united on. In the pre-season I would recommend to, reduce the number of preseason games to 2, 3 at most and increase the number of practices allowed during the pre-season. I could even see eliminating actual preseason games with scrimmages. Most NFL veterans don't want anything to do with preseason games because of the additional risk of injury in a meaningless game. IR rules need to be changed as they are too restrictive and result in a diminished product on the field. As mentioned earlier the MLB model can be applied to the NFL by implementing a 4, 6, and 8 game injury list plus the season ending IR if necessary. Increasing the size of the practice squad would be helpful in implementing this approach. Unless the quality of play is improved I think that we will continue to see a drop in the TV ratings. Injuries are destroying the level of play and resulting in unwatchable games like the 2 recent embarrassments for our Packers. Aside from fans of the victorious teams who else wants to watch such uncompetitive games at the alleged professional level and they are happening more frequently throughout the league. The owners won't allow it but I have advocated for a long time that returning to all natural grass might help to slow down the game by a fraction and maybe save some of the injuries. Helmet design is the only possible approach to reducing concussions. Thursday games should be eliminated because they are unnecessary and increase the risk of injury to players whose bodies have not had a chance to recover from the previous Sunday's action. The quality of the officiating also needs to be addressed as it seems to become worse with each week of the season. The leagues is at a tipping point and how they handle some of these issues will determine fan interest and the long term viability of the sport. Unfortunately, like many other areas of our society, the league is driven by greed first and it lacks the leadership required to make the difficult but necessary decisions for the long term health of the players or the game itself. Thanks, Since '61

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fastmoving's picture

November 22, 2016 at 10:50 am

The nfl is a pretty good product and always will be.
but nothing can soar forever, especially at this pace. goodell makes a decent job and the league is much better now than 20 years ago. but no matter what, the crybabies will always have better ideas.
thats why a greedy guy with no leadership is our boss now..........

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Razer's picture

November 22, 2016 at 10:55 am

It is happening in every sport and yes greed is playing the biggest part. I watched hockey, my first sport, become unwatchable. Everything is being slowed down for the sake of TV, officiating and promotion.

No one is looking out for the game - not even the players. The beauty of sport and athletics is being lost to people who are making money. Neither players or owners are doing much for the integrity of the game. The result, the NFL is entertainment not sport. I rarely watch a full game anymore.

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Dzehren's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:16 am

We need Shields to come off IR on Dec 11 & get Randall back to have any chance.
In 2014, Shields signed a four-year, $39 million contract. The deal included a $12.5 million signing bonus. His salary for 2017 is $8 million (plus 500k workout & 500k roster bonus) He’s a Free Agent in 2018, I think Shield’s will play out his contract. Getting Randall & Shield’s back is the only way to solve our pass defense issues.

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Razer's picture

November 22, 2016 at 12:26 pm

You watched Sam Shields last game. He may want to come back but the Packers will not let the brain injury liability back on the field. It is a contact sport and Shields has a soft pumpkin - there is no way around that. We'll save his annual salary but part of his signing bonus will be on the books. Its too bad because he simplified the defense for the rest of the secondary.

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Dzehren's picture

November 22, 2016 at 02:15 pm

All these young undrafted free agents in the secondary are not working out. I understand Tramon & Shields were undrafted but we need to shore this up in the off season while we have AROD. If Shield's is done, let's spend that 8 million and sign 2 veterans next year and use a mid round draft pick on a CB.

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fastmoving's picture

November 22, 2016 at 11:17 am

I played a little bit hockey in College and watch it now a lot. I can assure you that the game is much faster today. If you look at a game out of the 80' it seems like in slowmo with a lot of senselles fighting.......
but you are right everyting was better as half of the team could even really skate..........

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Christopher Gennaro's picture

November 22, 2016 at 03:25 pm

think the biggest problem in hockey now, is the rink size. i know the rink has always been the size it is, but now you have men who are faster bigger and more skilled then ever before. the increased size imo would make the game, even better. thou what the hell do i know

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Couch Cleats's picture

November 22, 2016 at 01:09 pm

With the CBA limiting practice time and padded practices is seems like our team is hurt by this more than others. I think it's partly because MM and DC have such complicated systems to install and absorb.

So sick of hearing how this guy is not ready yet and that guy is not assignment sure, blah, blah. I think it also explains why Rodgers is so frustrated all the time. He's the only one that is smart enough to know everything and gets tired of waiting for others to catch up.

I think it also makes less use of some players that may have more physical gifts (like Janis). Maybe it's time to move to more simple systems and let players rely on their talents and instincts and draft more physical players instead of trying to find all of the "smart" players that can't seem to beat or cover more gifted athletes.

I also think our complex system has been the reason for traditionally slow starts from MM's teams for years - even the good ones. It takes too long for everyone to "get it" especially when you sit them throughout the preseason.

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Dzehren's picture

November 23, 2016 at 11:02 pm

Shields & Lacy careers in GB all but over. And of course we bring another undrafted free agent off the IR to add to the 5 other undrafted secondary. Makinton Dorleant 24 years old. Zero experience. Just what we need. This is a joke and sad state of affairs. 5 UDFA's 24 year olds- zero experience. Come on TT.

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