I appreciate the dose of reservation when hype's being dished out like methadone in a rehab facility.

Someone's got to have a governor, Governor.

Just realizing the long offseason is about over. It got chilly last night, so I thought time to start my mornings here. Thanks for waking me up and polluting my coffee. True fans eat hype. Serve it up. Who cares? Most people gamble regardless if they were betting right. Betting itself is the fun, right? Thus...hype without apologies. I like it because I can't watch the preseason unfoldings. Cheers to all, porupak is back.

It was only family night, but I like the outlook given.

Wonder if anyone can get Love to kick his bad habits if Tom Clements couldn't and he's no longer with the team? Every QB needs to look at their own video and see what's going on because even the best fall into ruts now and then. Favre had bad habits but seemed to have seasons where he'd not let them mire him down. Hope Love can do things like that too. Rodgers self-scouted and found himself surprised by some of the things he'd slipped into. He got them fixed and won back-to-back MVPs.

It’s only family night- but nothing will change.
Love's flashes of brilliance has never been questioned
It’s the lack of consistency that has always been highlighted.

While LVN development has always been the concern.
I doubt anyone will exceed are expectations after P. Smith.

Nazir Stackhouse is my choice to replace the quiet Devante Wyatt.
Because no one is going to take Kenny Clarks job. Not now not later.
Regardless- the strength of this defense will be it’s Lbs.

IMO- The deeper look shows.
Morgan should not replace Walker!
Mathew Golden should open up a trade-
"To trade a WR or two." He's #1 NOW.

Watching Jordan Love’s horrible footwork was extremely disappointing. This is fifth season in the league and the problem has yet to be corrected so I’m thinking this is just who he is, a middle of the pack QB. I sure hope the light goes on at some point.

I have never understood Stenavich’s appreciation of Telfort. Yes he’s a big man but he’s really not athletic, even for a G. His RAS is 1.59 and that’s boosted by ideal height and weight. He looked like that as a rookie and that has, unsurprisingly, not changed. As of last year it looked like he was purely seen as a G, and he still was behind Glover who had barely practiced at the position. He is still listed as a T on the team website however.

Hanson and Newman had at least some athletic ability on their side that perhaps one could see a reason to persist and hope it could be unlocked. Telfort lacks even that. He just seems to be one of Stenavich’s “in” people. At some point Gute needs to step in too. It’s unlikely there hasn’t been a G or T out there that could at least match Telfort’s potential. Yet here we are.

I assume that the injuries to Walker and Glover played a part in Telfort getting out there, but if Telfort is the 4th option behind Tom and Belton and Glover, we need a younger, better alternative and perhaps should consider Morgan getting time there in practice. How bad is Brant Banks (or any other depth OL type—Banks is one actually listed as a T)? Is he so bad he’d endanger a back up QB much more significantly than Telfort? Maybe, but at least he might get better and thus the snaps not be wasted.

Stenavich has a record of strange personnel preferences and loyalty. Telfort continues it. Gute should have seen that and given him additional options. Perhaps he has but Stenavich is just holding them back as he did with Tom for one. If you are going to waste snaps, waste them where there might be upside. Heck, even if the deep depth is scary, Caleb Jones is a FA, we’d be better off for the next month with him than Telfort, whatever Stenavich thinks. Come on Gute, take the lead if the OC and HC will not.

I’m looking forward to seeing Brinson and Stackhouse in a true competitive arena. It’s hard for bigger inside DL to shine absent live play (not just “full” contact no tackling). It tends to flatter the lighter speed penetrator types, few of whom typically make an impact.

Looking forward to seeing what Brinson can bring in the way of disruption and penetration when strength through contact is relevant and to see Stackhouse can make a difference to those around him with his block eating and anchor.

You mention Sorrell. He’s a DE that wins with hands and motor as much if not more than pure athleticism. Like the DTs above, he’s one I did not expect too much from until the gloves are off as a result.

We are finally approaching the time when the big, strong and physical get an opportunity to really shine unrestrained by camp practice limitations that work against them.

Watching Family Night gave me a new appreciation for those people who watch practice and report what happens. I couldn't tell what was going on half the time. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's on the field. (Is that #88? 89? 85?) Then there are the running plays, where you can't tell if the RB was "tackled" for a 4-yard loss or if he actually slipped away for a 10-yard gain. I suppose the reporters just don't mention the plays where it's hard to tell what happened.

The broadcast was less annoying than it has been in the past. Larry and Wayne interviewed Brian Gutekunst, which was good because he's the guy who brought all these players together, but then they interviewed some guy named John Anderson, who apparently was NOT the former Packer linebacker. He was a retired ESPN anchor who had no connection to the Packers as far as I could tell. Maybe he was a last-minute replacement for an interviewee who could not make it. Larry and Wayne just shot the breeze with this guy and ignored the action on the field. No major complaints other than that though. The coverage was hit-or-miss, but it's only Family Night.

Like Al, I was hoping for a sharper performance from Jordan Love. Sounds like he's played great at times during training camp, and at other times his accuracy has not been so good. We'll just have to wait till the regular season starts to see how he does.

Thank you Al and all the comments as I did not get to see Family Night because It's Only Family Night. At least I got an idea on what happened. I am looking forward to watching the preseason games.

Just a reminder. Who else threw off their back foot? Favre and Rodgers. Get over it.

The Packers apparently just dropped their first depth chart of the season (available on ACP) and there were a couple of surprises. Hardman is listed as the reserve punt and kick returner with Reed and Nixon listed as the starters. If Hardman isn't the starting punt and/or kick returner, the case for him making the 53 drops pretty dramatically. He is just not that accomplished a receiver that he can push Heath and others aside if he isn't a major contributor on special teams.

Savion Williams was not listed among the top six WRs although that likely has more to do with injury than actual roster status.

Wilson was listed as the #2 RB with Lloyd and Brooks listed as reserves.

Morgan was listed as the #2 LT. Ryyan is the starting RG. It will be a little disappointing if Morgan is not starting somewhere.

Brooks and Wooden were listed ahead of Stackhouse and Brinson at DT. Not really a shock, but I wouldn't rest on my laurels if I was Wooden.

Hadden was listed as the second string CB ahead of Melton, KIng, Balletine, etc, etc. Hmmm........

Family night was the first time I was able to see the 2025 Packers. I have seen and heard all the camp info, but for me to personally see the 25 Packers this was it.

Jordan Love - (it wasn't anything more than an average showing by Jordan Love. Accuracy (especially on longer throws) was an issue ). The deep ball was a bit off with Golden. That will come. Just timing and reps. Yesterday in practice the deep ball to Doubs was a thing of beauty.

Jordan Morgan as a left tackle has a long way to go - I'm not writing him off at LT. But it wasn't the best of showings.

Omar Brown is a future All-Pro - He was the star of the night.

Matthew Golden will finish the season firmly established as their WR1 - He has looked great. He will have a lot of rookie moments, but he has looked the part. Our WR room is going to be dynamic especially when Watson comes back.

Carrington Valentine - CB1. He has taken a step and is looking great!

Brandon McManus - What a difference a year makes. This time last year I am pretty sure we were on our 5th kicker by now.

Barryn Sorrell has some "juice" going after the quarterback - I can't wait to see Sorrell in preseason games. Seeing reports from camp it sounds like he has flashed.

I've been on that Carrington Valentine train since Gutekunst tapped him with Pick #232 in R7 in 2023. He was The #71 player in Athlon's Top 100 Prospects in their draft guide that year. Here's my draft notes on him:

CB Carrington Valentine - Kentucky (33rd CB taken. #137 Overall Daniel Jeremiah)
6-0 193 4.44 (72%) 39” vertical (85%) 128” broad (86%)

LENGTH, SPEED, AGGRESSION, TENACIOUS, MIRROR, FLUID, Changes direction on a dime. INSTINCTS. Very strong in zone coverage. Also +press-man. Exceptional athlete. Twitchy quick w track star long speed. Long arms to succeed in press-man coverage, AND heavy, solid zone experience. Reactive, fluid & sticks to WRs.

Sees routes develop and able to run with receivers. +drive mechanics in zone. Eager to jump slant routes. VERY COMPETITIVE. Takes completions personally. Innately driven and DB Coach’s dream. Led Kentucky in PDs with 17.

Works hard in RUN D.

STs >>> Regular on KR coverage, PR coverage and PR teams

Boundary CB in zone heavy scheme with enticing blend of tools/physicality perfect for NFL.

NEGATIVE: allows big plays +20 (8) Also needs consistency tackling in run game. Just needs to polish skills & technique both coverage & v. run.

Long, athletic, aggressive CB yet to reach ceiling as man cover, ball instincts and technique - all underdeveloped. Zone/Press corner projection.

--

The buzz on him falling all the way to R7 that year was because he was "too aggressive." OK then... I like him. Great fit on this Packers team, and I've been expecting him to grow into a very good starting boundary CB with the Packers. Gutekunst looks like he might have stole him. Highway robbery style.

On another note, it was good to see WR Savion Williams get some action and make a nice catch on a ball over the middle from Love. I think those two are really going to shine this season. He's one hella dynamic player.

Also good to see Belton at LT. I'm confident he'll be our starting LT moving forward.

And, yes. It was Family Night...

Trust me, Golden is going to be the #1 WR, and sooner rather than later. Doubs is going to be the X most of time with Golden split wide but off the line or in the slot. Golden can handle X if needed, I think.

LVN beating Morgan is good, but could just mean Morgan is not yet ready for prime time. When he beats one of the five starters, I will begin to believe.

I have been bitching and moaning about lesser players being favored over Valentine since last season.

Omar Brown has been mentions often by the media observers and Jersey Al adds his voice. Interesting. Omar Brown is listed 6th on the safety depth chart. Not sure they keep 6. It had Hadden as the 4th CB, Melton as 5th, King as 6th, Ballentine as 7th, and Robinson as 8th. I think the battle is intense. CB Gregory Junior got released after getting a pretty ample opportunity.

I like Jordan and think he is talented but Al is right, he doesn't 'self-scout' like Rodgers did.
Rodgers mastered his footwork, accuracy ,form, and spent every off-season refining additional aspects of his game such as his hitch, eye-game, accurate deep throw ,etc. As a result, Rodgers had earned the 'right' to throw off his back foot. He had the ability to throw accurately from any position (after years of practice).

Love does not have the drive for 'greatness' that Rodgers did.

I like Valentine. And Nixon. Some people think we’d be better off if neither were starters, but if you have a pair of dependable, veteran corners, you’re probably ahead of half the teams in the league.

That was a fun read, Al, thanks. I had kind of a Jeff Foxworthy (you might be a red neck) rhythm with a Rolling Stones (but, I like it) mash-up going as I read it.

Regardless of what we could and couldn't see on the broadcast, that was a well-done event for families, both fans and Packers players/staff. A real tribute to the franchise.

It was only family night, but are the players somehow getting younger? I can't be getting older, right? RIGHT?

The corner room is still lacking depth and starting-caliber talent no matter how the team/fans hype up Valentine and Nixon. Rushing Hobbs back from a meniscus repair is a signal.

What did you used to say when Aaron Jones was a young player and battling for carries with Jamaal Williams? "Just give him (Jones) the damn ball!"... Well, I say we do the same thing with Golden--and watch him take over the receiving corps by season's end.

It's good that Valentine is the real deal because we'll need him to be with little proven depth at the position. At least we re-signed Ballentine, so that gives us a little security blanket should the need arise.

@TC-Still need to diss me?

I can tell that Love is not on Rodger's level because this is his 6th year and he still has bad footwork which likely affects his accuracy. Why is he unable to throw an accurate deep ball after 6 years?
He should have perfected his accuracy during the off-season. I gave him many excuses last year as I thought he was injured (he was), but there are no more excuses. He could have learned that skill and others by watching and learning from Rodgers and Clements. He had every opportunity.

Ballentine was cut by the lowly Colts-his return offers little comfort and reminds me of the return of Getsy and Hackett-major underwhelm. There are so many smart & up-and-comer coaches in the NFL universe and MLF brings in more mediocrity. Yes, it more than annoys me. I heard MLF chewing out Getsy the other day for his lackluster effort.

Agree that it was a bad sign that Tom Clement left without seeing a significant shift in Love's game. I think they should have waited a year before giving him that big contract...