Eagles vs. Packers: Game Balls & Lame Calls

The Green Bay Packers hosted the Philadelphia Eagles this past Saturday evening and the Eagles turned out to be some very rude guests.  Philadelphia put up 39 points on the Packers en route to a 39-26 victory.  Preseason week three is typically when teams play their starters for an extended period of time and fine-tune for the regular season.  The Packers weren't able to go that route this time around and after losing Jordy Nelson last week and watching Aaron Rodgers suffer a hand injury.  Rodgers didn't suit up against the Eagles and his backup Scott Tolzien was also held out.

That left the starting duties to rookie Brett Hundley.  With that, it's unclear what was to be gained by putting some key offensive starters out there and it turned out to bite the Packers.  On the first offensive series, receiver Randall Cobb went up for a high Hundley pass and came down hard on his right shoulder.  The defender on the play also fell on top of Cobb, compounding the issue and Cobb was forced to leave the game with what was later reported as a shoulder sprain.  While it's not a major injury and there is still hope that Cobb can be ready for regular season week one against the Chicago Bears, the Packers had to be reeling after nearly losing another key starter in a second consecutive week.

Offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga and defensive back Micah Hyde also left the game with injuries and sent Packers fans into an all-out panic.  Neither injury is thought to be serious and the Packers appear to have dodged a bullet on the health front.  They have one more preseason game to get through before the games count and hopefully they're smart about who suits up and who sits.

With that, let's look at the game balls and lame calls of the week from the game against the Eagles.

Game Balls

Brett Hundley

Hundley started out very raw and struggled in spring practices and early in training camp.  Transitioning to the pro game wasn't easy for the UCLA standout and there were questions about whether the Packers made a mistake in trading up to get Hundley in the fifth round of this past draft.  Over the course of the three preseason games, however, Hundley has shown steady improvement with his accuracy, command of the offense and his decision-making.  Hundley's mobility certainly doesn't hurt either.  He got outside the pocket on a few occasions and made some nice throws on the run.  

Hundley placed this throws well and threw a nice strike to Ty Montgomery in stride on a play that went for long yardage in the first half.  In just the course of a month, Hundley has solidified his spot on the Packers roster as the third quarterback.  There's no way the Packers can consider trying to stash him on the practice squad at this point.  With more time to work with head coach Mike McCarthy, Hundley should benefit from that internship as well as being around one of the best quarterbacks in the game week in and week out.  

Rajion Neal

Neal, much like Hundley, has all but solidified his spot on the final roster.  Neal will likely be the team's third half back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks.  Neal has shown an ability to run well and catch the ball out of the backfield, as was evidenced by his five catches on the night.  His scoring catch on the night came on a nice screen from Hundley.  Neal is also a contributor on special teams and is playing with a good amount of confidence for a guy who missed all of his first year as an undrafted free agent.  With Nelson out, the run game becomes very important and I expect to see Neal get some touches that we didn't see DuJuan Harris get last season.  

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

The second-year safety was all over the place early in the game, especially in run support.  He plugged holes well and anticipated very well on a few occasions to blow up plays in the backfield.  Clinton-Dix's sure tackling was good to see and he appears poised to take a nice jump in his play from year one to year two.

Jeff Janis/Myles White

These two share a game ball because neither were worthy on their own but their contributions were much needed after the loss to Nelson last week.  Janis and White are both the most likely to round out the receiving corps if the Packers are going to stay in-house to fill out the roster.  Janis had just three catches, but added another touchdown and averaged 24 yards per catch.  If he can ever figure out a way to gain the confidence of #12, he could be on his way to becoming a huge success story.

White led the Packers with nine catches in 12 targets.  White isn't flashy and doesn't do anything that stands out, but he clearly knows the offense and can at least help keep the proverbial building from falling down.  If Green Bay doesn't look to the outside to add a veteran receiver, expect to see White as the fifth guy.  He still has quite a bit of work to do to gain more time and confidence in the offense, but he would come in with two years in the system under his belt.  There are definitely worse options out there than White.

Lame Calls

Ron Zook and Special Teams

The game film says it all.  Eight penalties on the night and mental errors that aren't as often made at the high school level.  On one sequence, the Packers were flagged for 12 men on the field.  On the re-kick, they only had 10 men in the game.  That falls squarely on Zook, who should be working as hard as he can to shed the image of a pathetic 2014 season by Packers special teams.  There was another instance where there were only 10 men on the field.  That McCarthy is also supposed to be keeping an eye on this area is even more concerning that there hasn't been a marked improvement.  The Packers allowed a 67-yard return on the opening kickoff, which is no way to set a tone in any type of game, preseason or not.

Punter Tim Masthay falls in this category as well, with a few kicks with below-average hang time.  Against top returners, that's the kiss of death in the NFL.  Masthay has clearly won the punting duties this year, as there are no other punters on the roster, but it's at least worth wondering if the Packers let Cody Mandell go a bit too soon.  Mason Crosby had a terrible 2012 season and his 2013 training camp wasn't stellar, but he somehow put it all together and rebounded in 2013.  We have to hope Masthay gets his own act together when the real games start in just two weeks.

This is an area that will continue to plague the Packers if they don't improve on what they had last season.

Coach McCarthy Playing Starters in Meaningless Situations

I agree with McCarthy that it's the game of football and teams can't afford to play scared.  But what was there to gain by starting Cobb, Davante Adams, Montgomery, Lacy, Bulaga and Corey Linsley with Brett Hundley at quarterback?  There is no chemistry to be gained and if there is, more catastrophic things have already happened.  This is a decision by McCarthy that I question.  I realize that it's easy to do in hindsight, but the Packers already suffered a huge loss the week prior and could have lost even more (Rodgers hand injury).  The writing was on the wall and McCarthy chugged along with his stubborn mindset to do things his way.  

Argue your philosophy and throw out a fun one-liner, coach Mac.  You didn't help your team on Saturday night by exposing key pieces in a meaningless game and with nothing to prove nor gain.

Micah Hyde at cornerback

Hyde was beaten on a few occasions and doesn't appear to be the team's best option at corner.  Hyde was moved to safety last year when the Packers were still trying to determine what they had in Clinton-Dix.  That's where Hyde belongs.  His skill set isn't in primary coverage, but in support.  Blitzing, helping in run support or as a secondary defender in the passing game is where Hyde makes the most sense.  With two rookies that appear to be able to contribute on defense, the Packers can afford to move Hyde back.  It may cost Chris Banjo his roster spot and the team has to decide if they can replace his special teams contributions, but they're certainly keeping Hyde and have to put him in the best position to succeed.  To me, that's a full-time safety role.

 

Once again, we find ourselves debating the preseason and its usefulness.  I shudder to think what the reaction will be when any starters suit up this Thursday against the New Orleans Saints.  Hopefully the Packers have had enough scares and horrible images flash across their face and are ready to let logic take over.  Also, the team will have to let go of at least 15 players this week so this Thursday's squad will already look different from the one we've been watching so far.  

Keep it right here at CheeseheadTV for your latest coverage, news and opinions on all things Packers.

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (50)

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croatpackfan's picture

August 31, 2015 at 09:19 am

Jason, in every team sport teams plays preseason games. Because there is no practice wich can simulate real game situation as real game. Preseason games arew not games, those are practices. You can not get team in full season mode w/o playing starters at least partially in preseason games... Also, yopu can made a lot of mistakes by evaluating players only on team, friendly and no hard collisions practices. This season there is more iinjuries (also it goes with ACL) that occured during practice than during preseason games.
Eagles are rolling. They played their starters against Packers 1st quarter and mainly first half. Back ups started second half... And they already paid their share of injuries...
Former all-gbp people... Stop whining and accept that this is football and injuries happens. All of you are much better than those whining.
Regarding lame calls I would add 1st stringer DL... They wereable to stop nothing...

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Chad Lundberg's picture

September 01, 2015 at 02:49 am

I was listening to a Journal Sentinel podcast, and I can't remember who said it, I think it was Bob Mcginn? Anyway, he made a really good point. He said it sends a bad message, which I had to admit had a lot of merit. He also said it's not good for a player to sit out on football for two weeks then expect them to just go out and play again because they lose their rhythm, much like how they lost it in the 2011 playoffs when Rodgers didn't play for 20 days.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 31, 2015 at 09:57 am

1. College football teams have no preseason.

2. However, we have to learn to watch preseason games differently than regular season games. Certainly, it is great to see our guys look good, but preseason is about evaluation.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 31, 2015 at 10:32 am

1. A lot of colleges schedule a couple of patsies early in the season. Some might consider those preseason games.

2. Yes preseason games are going to be played. Period, end of story. Remember, for the love of God, please remember preseason games mean NOTHING, they are for coaches and GM's to evaluate players only. Teams only try to put players in position to EVALUATE, not stop an offense or score points and absolutely not win.

3. This is football, injuries happen in football. Bulaga tore his ACL in practice on family nite. Injuries happen period and you cant play or practice to avoid injuries, You just can't!!

Stop the whining about injuries!

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:10 am

'please remember preseason games mean NOTHING, they are for coaches and GM's to evaluate players only. Teams only try to put players in position to EVALUATE, not stop an offense or score points and absolutely not win'

This is true. Preseason games are about individuals, and not as much about the team. That's why fans shouldn't get to high or to low in preseason games about teams.
This is especially true with the Packers. McCarthy is going to run very basic schemes and show nothing schematically.

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murph27's picture

August 31, 2015 at 01:34 pm

Agreed. Green Bay has been terrible, at least the fans and media, with regard to whining about injuries for as long as I can remember. Johnny Gray and Drew Smith started the trend on Training Camp Live 15 years ago by listing all the injuries and spending a significant amount of time on the Packers injury woes. The thing is, there is always a list and every other team has a list too.

McCarthy does more to try to avoid injuries than pretty much any other coach out there. There is no real hitting in his practices and the players get more days off than required by CBA and many of the practices are shorter than high school practices. Still, this is football and injuries are just a part of it.

Jordy's injury increased the injury conversation tremendously this preseason. The funny thing this year is Jordy's injury was a non-contact injury. That could have happened in any practice, any OTA, individual workout, recreational basketball game, etc. It could have happened anywhere.

Bottom line is this is football and injuries are going to occur. While Green Bay fans may be the greatest fans on earth, they (and the media) have to stop whining about injuries.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 31, 2015 at 10:54 am

1. True, but some of those patsies schedule some heavyweights :)
2. Agreed
3. Agreed again

Man, you are on your game today!

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:29 am

Going out on a limb and assuming your comment was in response to mine, since I'm the only one to make 3 points. Thanks BTW.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:48 am

Yep, it was, guess I didn't hit "reply" correctly this time...I'm a little off my game...
And
You're welcome!

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Bearmeat's picture

August 31, 2015 at 12:04 pm

Stroh? Is that you?

If so, I've never heard you say thank you before. Are you feeling ok? ;)

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 31, 2015 at 12:18 pm

No confirmation one way or another. :)

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 31, 2015 at 03:08 pm

If that IS Stroh he must have spent a lot of time and therapy and getting on some good meds.

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Nerd's picture

August 31, 2015 at 10:59 am

Hope Hyde is able to play again. If I'm him I see an outside specialist before I go to the team physician.

#neckiinjury

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croatpackfan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 06:21 am

Micah Hyde has muscule spasam in the neck region. He does not have injured neck spine - that injure Packers are concerned of...

So, Micah will be OK!

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porupack's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:03 am

Enough of this criticism about preseason games. Would you have liked to see Saturday's special teams performance occur at game #1 of regular season?

And if player come into game #1 after month of drills, you think there won't be more injuries, not less?

And when those injuries occur at higher rate during games 1-3, will teams be able to adjust with extra squad members?

Critics; please address those issues, rather than endless chorus that games are meaningless if the scores aren't in the season record book. You have no merit in saying they are meaningless if they 1) key to evaluating new players, 2) test schemes, 3) test groupings, 4) condition players to game speed.

Eliminating pre season games tilts the opportunities away from 1) new coaches, 2) rookies, 3) innovative plays and configuraions.

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porupack's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:11 am

Otherwise, I agree with your game balls. I especially liked the energy and up-tempo from Rajion Neal, and think his cuts and arsenal of moves is a better complement to Lacy than Starks offers as complement to Lacy.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:40 am

Neal has great hands. He could be a perfect 3rd down RB. A guy they could use in the passing game a lot. I like his hands a lot more then Starks. He also looks like he can run good routes as a WR also.

The only thing with McCarthy's offense is he likes his RB's to play all 3 downs. So I don't know if they will use him in that role or not.

But he also is a good runner. So there is a possibility he could get some playing time during games.

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lou's picture

August 31, 2015 at 12:12 pm

Hundley was very impressive based on going against the Eagles first team D, without 60% of his starting offensive lineman, and losing Cobb so soon (especially with Nelson done for the season). His poise and the ability to run the no huddle for such little camp time was not expected. The one thing that really stands out is a rookie QB that can run the ball but unlike almost all others he does look to run when his primary receiver is covered, he goes through his progressions and runs only when it is the last resort It looks like trading up to draft him was the right move by Thompson. What a difference a couple years make compared to when he brought in Harrell and Coleman, one just did not have the arm strength to play in the NFL and the other was just a "stiff". Now they have 4 capable QB's in camp.

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2015 at 12:25 pm

It's incredible how much better Hundley and Blanchard already look in less than one off-season than Harrell and Coleman ever did on their best days.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 31, 2015 at 12:33 pm

night and day difference. its insane.

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Tundraboy's picture

August 31, 2015 at 02:12 pm

True. Wish we could keep both.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 31, 2015 at 08:45 pm

I kind of wondered during the Philly game why they were not splitting time between the two of them 50/50? Was Thompson was trying to limit Blanchard's tape time so that maybe he could squeak him onto the practice squad? Were they highlighting Hundley as trade bait for an ILB or higher draft pick?

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Dan Stodola's picture

September 01, 2015 at 12:42 am

I doubt the highlighting Hundley to trade him part. I don't think Thompson would trade Hundley even if he were offered a slightly higher pick. I can definitely see limiting Blanchards film so other teams don't sigh him to the roster tho. I think the Packers might be very interested in getting Blanchard on the PS and holding on to him till next year. They could let Tolzien go in FA (getting a possible late rd compensatory pick) and stand pat w/ Hundley and Blanchard going into next year if they can.

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croatpackfan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 06:28 am

It is interesting and possible thinking. Also, Packes can extend Scotts contract later in the season, and then trade him to another team. I think Brett is here to stay, Matt and Scott is here for trade... But, we will see!

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MarkinMadison's picture

September 01, 2015 at 06:45 am

Agreed, but my tendency is to consider all of the possibilities.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 31, 2015 at 03:16 pm

True,HHCD was all over the place, but his tackling form is still worrisome. His play recognition and anticipation is awesome. But the missed tackles and tackling up high is still an issue.

I think we have a gem in Mike Pennel. Dare I say -- the 2nd most important DLineman on the squad??

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EdsLaces's picture

August 31, 2015 at 03:46 pm

I think HHCD hits harder every game. His form isn't great but I think it's getting better.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 31, 2015 at 03:53 pm

That's acceptable. He's still young.

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ben's picture

August 31, 2015 at 05:43 pm

HHCC had a terrible game 1. Couldn't have been worse. 3 bad plays, a couple costly, with nothing positive to speak of.

Game 2, Dix was in a a few tackles but again had no good plays - zero. Though on 1 play, Dix was completely unblocked and had Bell dead to rights in the hole, but was completely Joke-Showed and ended up completely whiffing on the play.

I haven't watched the 1st quarter of game 3 yet, but in the 2nd quarter on a 3rd and about 7 Dix dropped into the short zone responsible for the right 1/3. The QB dumped the ball into his flat. Dix was put in perfect position to deny the 1st down with over 5 yards to spare. Both he and the middle linebacker were unable to make an easy routine tackle.

Praise Jesus at that time the announcer did actually mention Dix's struggles in tackling going back to last year and continuing through the 1st 3 games of this pre-season. I couldn't believe my freaking ears. Halleluiah you Homers!!!

And it isn't just his open-field tackling. His angles to the ball carrier and getting caught up in the wash are going to cost the Packers costly, deadly, long runs. And his coverage over the top is late.

but somehow this article says how Dix is poised for an even better year 2? Why? Because he's a Packer. Because Ted drafted him in the 1st round. Because he looks the part.

But guess what. Dix is a defensive liability and will be exposed. Not every Packer is good enough. And Ted drafting Dix in the 1st round only means that he's more likely to be yet another early round bust than 1 of his few early round hits.

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4thand1's picture

August 31, 2015 at 05:26 pm

you suck

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 31, 2015 at 05:43 pm

Thank you for saying what we all feel. LOL

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Imma Fubared's picture

August 31, 2015 at 05:53 pm

Gee finally someone besides me who thinks Ha Ha is a bust.
Last year all he did is play center field and watch things happen. I think he was a three pick at best. How can you stand on the goal line and let the guy standing next to you catch an easy pass for a go ahead touch down. (Seattle). This guy was way over rated by Packer fans

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Imma Fubared's picture

August 31, 2015 at 05:54 pm

Gee Ben did you not see his play last year. Missed tackles missed tackles and him in center field watching the action. I was under whelmed by this guy last year. First round, no Ted third at best.

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4thand1's picture

August 31, 2015 at 06:24 pm

by the way, you suck too.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 31, 2015 at 06:44 pm

Ballsack ben and his alter ego imma fubared, wait, maybe its his teabagging boyfriend. One thing we know is that fartsack is never right. According to him if you dont make rookie of the year, first team all pro, and a probowl to boot you aint shit.

Hey ben, werent you that degenerate clowney poop stain last year that disappeared? How is clowney doing, huh? Number one over all. Shove that up your butthole and get off and get out of here.

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porupack's picture

August 31, 2015 at 11:03 pm

sir, while I appreciated your posts in the past, this is inappropriate, and you lost my respect. If this site tolerates these kinds of posts, I'm done reading here.

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Dan Stodola's picture

September 01, 2015 at 01:12 am

Ben, Your also the one who said DuJuan Harris was the Packers best RB (where is he now?) and LaMichael James was about to set the NFL on fire (where is he now?). LOL

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croatpackfan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 06:31 am

The best about your comment is that only who will read it have no power to decide anything that is going on with Packers... And you are troll. Because HHCD was one of the best secondary players in Saturday game...

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4thand1's picture

August 31, 2015 at 04:39 pm

No gut reactions yet? Nagler must still be throwing up after the Sat game shitfest.

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Imma Fubared's picture

August 31, 2015 at 05:49 pm

Game balls to the Eagles coahces who knew, the Packer D was an achiles heel, attack early attack often.
Hey when you have a QB that hadn't played in two years and the infamous butt fumbler put up 39 points in less than one half against your best, its an indicating the packers are not very good.
MM hates to practice and is a piss poor coach but lucky to have a Favre and Rogers play for him or you couldn't spell Mcnartny.

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John Galt III's picture

August 31, 2015 at 06:24 pm

McCarthy has a Super Bowl Win - 13 NFL teams out 32 have never won a SB. Presumably when the Pack won in 2011 it was the players who won, but every other year its McCarthy's fault.

Last year the Eagles had much the same coaching staff and the Pack crushed the Eagles. So following your logic it must be the stupid Eagle players who sucked because the Eagles have brilliant coaching.

Dude, you must have a job that requires no work, no thinking and lots of time off.

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4thand1's picture

August 31, 2015 at 06:31 pm

He's usually drunk.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 31, 2015 at 06:47 pm

Hey, i got drunk once, ok maybe twice but i never spewed bullshit like that.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 31, 2015 at 08:51 pm

Aunt Imma always comes out when things look dark for the Packers. It's as predictable as the sunset. When the Packers are winning you won't hear shit from that Vikings fan. Not worth your blood pressure going up. I'm laughing at a lot more things this year.

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croatpackfan's picture

September 01, 2015 at 06:39 am

You should earn money as comedian... Not a successful one, but still!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 31, 2015 at 08:19 pm

Some but not all of the first cuts have been made:
Dantzler (loved his tape), Ebbele, Kowalski, Hooks, Francis.
No surprises. More to come.

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Spock's picture

September 01, 2015 at 02:58 pm

Just had to post here. I used to find the dialogue and comments of both CHTV and AGP interesting. The current site has devolved into pretty disgusting name calling, inappropriate comments, and general chaos. Nagler (or whomever is in charge of this) needs to police this NOW. I now go to CHTV last for Packers news. It used to be first. It is sad to see. Just a general comment. Don't know if I can abide by the slide the comments section has become. I guess I'll just have to read the articles and skip the comments. Too bad, I used to find some of the participant's comments to be thoughtful. What happened to that?

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ray nichkee's picture

September 01, 2015 at 09:38 pm

Ted, i have been here for a few years but it wasnt until i had a 4g phone that i had access at the click of a button. Sometimes it was a pain in the behind to use my phone up here. My point was to keep politics out and cut these guys some slack so it stays football talk instead of a bitchfest. The occasional joke or tangent is ok by me but i think you can agree this is out of hand. I am sure you have self respect and dignity so be the better man.

All this is coming from a guy who gets it for some of my posts but i dont cause these huge threads. Pick your moments to backlash and continue to be your packer loving self. You have done it in the past so i know you can. Toast, im going to have a point IPA.

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Dan Stodola's picture

September 01, 2015 at 11:13 pm

"I am sure you have self respect and dignity so be the better man."

I doubt that. This is the same guy that called one guy asinine told me to Shut up, and then in the next comment said Be Nice. If he can't grasp how ludicrous that is, its hard to give him the qualities you mentioned.

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ray nichkee's picture

September 02, 2015 at 12:34 pm

Im not sure what your intentions are but you keep feeding the fire, dont be a jackass anymore stroh, keep it to football.

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