Packers Stock Report: All rookies edition

It's here! The first Green Bay Packers Stock Report of the 2015 season.

Welcome to the first Green Bay Packers Stock Report of the 2015 season.

For new readers, the stock report will run every Tuesday afternoon during the season. We'll cover who's rising, steady and falling. We'll also be sure to make fun of the Chicago Bears, fans of the Minnesota Vikings fans and people who listen to Nickelback (Why people who listen to NIckelback? Because people who listen to Nickelback are almost as bad as the Chicago Bears and fans of the Minnesota Vikings. Almost.).

One thing to note before we start: The stock report isn't necessarily a week-to-week evaluation. I try to use context from the previous couple of games when placing players in certain categories. So, if Jordy Nelson drops the first 50 passes thrown to him to start the season, then has a game where he catches 11 touchdowns, he might not necessarily end up in the rising category for his 11-touchdown game because of how miserable he played in dropping those first 50 passes.

For the first edition of the stock report, I'm focusing only on rookies. We'll have plenty of space to cover the veterans as the season gets going.

On to the stock report:

Rising

Quinten Rollins
With nagging injuries slowing down Casey Hayward and Damarious Randall, Rollins bounced back from his own early injury and put together an impressive game in the exhibition opener. Scouting reports on Rollins indicated that he was a speed guy. He seems plenty fast, but he looked physical against New England as well. I liked it.

LaDarius Gunter
We've heard plenty about Gunter since camp opened and he backed it up against New England. Big, physical and full of potential. We'll see if his slow 40-time eventually catches up with him, but so far, so good on Gunter.

Ty Montgomery
I'm extremely pleased with what I've seen from Montgomery so I'm not going to praise him too much because I don't want to jinx things. Keep it up, young man.

Steady

Brett Hundley
How about that throw Hundley dropped in there to Montgomery against New England? Scott Tolzien has received most of the backup QB love this training camp, but Hundley looks like he's holding his own.

Jake Ryan
Ryan wasn't the name fans had circled on their middle linebacker wish list during the draft, but it's hard to be disappointed with what we've seen so far. Odds are good Ryan's impact will come on special teams during his rookie season, but I had no complaints with what I saw when he manned the middle of the defense against New England.

Falling

My ability to watch Packers games
My son turns 2 years old in early October and I have no idea how I'm going to be able to watch Packers games this fall. Last year, he was young enough where we could contain him to one room and let him do his thing while the game was on. Those days are long gone. He doesn't spend more than 3 minutes in any one room now.

I have televisions in the family room, sun room and master bedroom, so I suppose one strategy could be to have them all tuned into the Packers game and hope he only goes to those three rooms (fat chance). Another strategy is putting up a gate and trying to contain him to just one room (this would work for a couple minutes before he got angry). I suppose we could give him the iPad and let him watch Bob the Builder or Thomas the Train while we drink beer and watch the Packers (it'd be effective, but wouldn't win us any parents of the year awards).

If anybody has any other advice, I'm all ears. Otherwise, cross your fingers that he's either A) infatuated with Aaron Rodgers at a young age and will actually watch the game or B) wants to cuss at the TV like his dad whenever the Packers screw up and will actually watch the game.

Wish me luck.
 

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Comments (38)

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EdsLaces's picture

August 18, 2015 at 02:27 pm

Haha Amen on the Nickleback. When my son was little we just had one of those bouncy seat things with all the toys attached and that worked pretty good. If that doesn't work ....wife has to intervene.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 18, 2015 at 11:56 pm

I must disagree with the nickelback reference. We need viking and bears fans to keep the midwest rivalries going. Nobody needs nickelback fans. Most football fans grow up with a connection and loyalty to the team they root for. Nickelback fans will always listen to music played 3 times an hour on mainstream radio. Ive met smart bear and viking fans. I cant say that about nickelback. I did chuckle a bit at the mention of nickelback however.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 02:39 pm

It gets really tough to try and watch the games with kids.

I have been finishing off my basement so I can have my own space to watch them. However, I am not done with it nor will I be done before the Packers start their season.
I will give you a few things that have helped me watch the games with kids.

-The first thing is a must have to watching the game with kids. Have a DVR. And record every game. This way you can always come back later and rewatch the game if you miss stuff the first time. Also allows you to pause the game when the kid cries or needs something. :)

- Try to get kids to take naps during the games. This is a huge thing. if you can time their naps with the games you can watch half the game or more in piece and quiet.

- Have a lot of snacks and stuff for them to do so you don't have to get that stuff for them during the game.

Hopefully these help. They have worked well for me. :)

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NickPerry's picture

August 19, 2015 at 04:33 am

Was going to mention the DVR, that's a must if you plan on seeing every play. So much can happen in that moment when the toddler disappears from sight for a second and whoosh, he's making a run for it and that pause button is AWESOME!

Can't say I agree with the Nap thing if Daddy's yelling at the T.V. If Adam yells as loud as I do there will be no napping on Sunday Afternoon. : o

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 19, 2015 at 06:28 am

The DVR is great for any TV watching to be honest. About the only thing that I do watch live anymore is sporting events that I don't want to have something spoiled.

The nap thing works really well, but it depends on the layout of your house. Where I'm at, I'm far enough away from my kids bedrooms that I can yell some. :). If your to close though, yeah, you won't be able to yell as much.
I have also learned to not yell as loud as I used to when they are napping. :)

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Evan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 02:47 pm

I spent the majority of the first pre-season game building a bed frame for my 4-month old. Not exactly his fault as I thought the game started at 7:30, not 7. But what surprised me was when I realized my mistake, I didn't really care. I just finished the bed and watched the 4th quarter. Now, if this were week 1, I doubt my reaction would be the same. And I have a great wife who will be accommodating. But we'll see. It's just amazing how much a baby can change your priorities.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 03:55 pm

'It's just amazing how much a baby can change your priorities.'

So true. That is so true in so many ways.

I'm still a huge Packers fan, but I have had to alter the way I watch games. Since there is a good chance I won't be able to watch the game live entirely I try to stay off of twitter and facebook so I can actually see what happens versus hearing about it from someone else.

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lucky953's picture

August 18, 2015 at 02:48 pm

Digital Video Recording. The "pause" function lets you track the little guy and skip through the 1 hour of commercials that come with the game.

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Evan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 02:58 pm

DVR sucks when you also like to follow along with commentary on twitter. It's a trade-off.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 03:50 pm

Yeah, if your not going to watch the game live. Stay off of Twitter...

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porupack's picture

August 18, 2015 at 03:03 pm

I agree with your rook grades so far.

Best remedy, play rough & tumble with your kid for 2 hours before game (and every day for at least an hour),. It does wonders.... for the long term too.

Or, harness that energy and put an ILB # jersey on him. He'll slow down a few steps at game time.

good luck

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adamczech's picture

August 18, 2015 at 03:23 pm

I like following the game live so I can keep up w/ Tweets. I also can't pawn the kid off on the wife since she's just as big of a Packers fanatic as I am. In fact, she'll probably try and make me take care of the kid so she can watch the game .

Me thinks I might just have to get used to using the pause feature on the DVR and not watching the full game "live." The worst part about that is I usually get a ton of texts during games from Vikings fans giving me shit when the Packers screw up or getting angry when they're rolling.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 03:52 pm

Unplug during games. :)

Luckily for me, my wife isn't a big sports fan, so I made her take care of my kids during games. :)

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WKUPackFan's picture

August 19, 2015 at 10:25 am

About 10 years from now the scheduling conflicts get worse, especially if you're blessed with more children. When the school sports, dance classes, traveling teams, scouts, and a thousand other commitments kick in you're sunk. I coached my son's high school intermediate league basketball team. We had to leave for a game right after Lacey's 60 yard run to start the come back against the Cowboys.

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TC026's picture

August 18, 2015 at 04:14 pm

Simple, Get the NFL Network and watch it on a mobile devise while chasing the 2 year old around. You will also be able to pause and rewind and catch anything you might have missed.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 18, 2015 at 05:23 pm

Regarding Rollins, i think you meant to say he wasn't a speed guy. He is more quick than fast but that might come from his basketball background. Hopefully he can improve his overall speed to match Randall by training specifically for football. He's a clone of Hayward right now,which isn't a bad thing either.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 18, 2015 at 10:28 pm

I agree completely, Dan - don't know why anyone would give you a dislike for this comment. Rollins ran a 4.57 forty and did not try to improve it at a pro day. He has great foot quickness and really fluid hips. He was known for being physical and doing a nice job wrapping up on tackles. Technique was raw, including his backpedal. I loved this draft pick.

I don't have many suggestions with regard to dealing with a 2 year old. Getting together with other people with children can help because adult supervision for a couple of young children can be done on a rotating basis. Mostly it is a price one pays.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 18, 2015 at 10:48 pm

No need to wonder who.

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

August 19, 2015 at 12:57 pm

"Getting together with other people with children can help because adult supervision for a couple of young children can be done on a rotating basis."

^This

2 may be a bit young if there is a bunch that age, but this does work for older kids. I've set up a "Kids only room" during a few packer parties I've had when friends/ coworkers bring the kids over for the game. The worst they did was run around, have fun and jump on the bed. I prepped that room for a while the night before, tho. Take all the "naughty" video games like GTA out of the spare bedroom, etc.

I always have Packers radio on if I'm grilling still and it's even close to pregame. I never have prepared food during an actual game though. I Don't think I could do it.

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NickPerry's picture

August 19, 2015 at 04:37 am

Hopefully he's a healthier clone.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 18, 2015 at 05:40 pm

I wish you all the luck you can imagine...

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Grandfathered's picture

August 18, 2015 at 06:19 pm

Listen to the packers radio network. Larry and Wayne are pretty good and more fun than the TV announcers.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 19, 2015 at 12:02 am

And you can listen with the tv on and when a good play happens (or bad) you can turn to the tv and not miss it. Not the best way but when i work at home thats what i do, sort of multitasking.

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EdsLaces's picture

August 18, 2015 at 07:04 pm

Yeah I'm with T CO except we have the hopper from dish network. I send the game to my phone if I'm at work or my tablet if I'm outside cooking out or whatever.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

August 18, 2015 at 07:44 pm

Wait... your wife doesn't grab the kid (plural for me) and stay gone on Packers Sundays out of fear of her deranged, lunatic husband losing his shit?

Wives and children allowed in the home on game day, sooo... That's a thing!?!?
Good luck!

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adambrymer's picture

August 18, 2015 at 09:30 pm

Adam - re: kid advice. This is really dependent on what type of viewer you are, but my daughter turned 2 in Dec. last year and she would get excited about Packers games because I was.

Stuff like chanting "Jor-dy Nel-son!" each time he catches a pass is pretty silly but it gets the kids into it. Before each game, we tell our daughters we're having a "Packer Party" and we all make sure we're in green and gold. And no shame in putting some cartoons on for the kid if nothing else works. Think about how cranky of a dad you'd be if you had to skip the Pack-viewing experience.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

August 18, 2015 at 11:09 pm

Right on, that's a fun way to get them involved.

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Dan Stodola's picture

August 19, 2015 at 12:22 am

Gotta start em young. Packers for life!

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Mojo's picture

August 18, 2015 at 11:30 pm

Regarding the kid just follow my three step plan:

1. Open the front door.
2. Let kid wander outside.
3, Close the front door. Pop open a beer. Enjoy

You might get a call from Social Services a short time later - but heck you have to set your priorities. You'll probably only get one chance at this - so pick a good game.

And think of all the game action you can catch in the prison recreational area.

Seriously though, the two best things to come out of the NE game to me was first Rodgers mobility, especially moving laterally, indicating he's healed from last years leg injuries, and second an overall good showing from the youngins.

Getting a few hits from this years new meat is important considering two high picks from last year; Thornton and Bradford appear to be washouts.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 18, 2015 at 11:40 pm

Its probably best to give up your instant access to everything to spend time with your kid. Its better to be a little late for the game, text, twitter etc for one season than miss time with your kid.

I remember watching a game with my niece when she was that age. She had her packer shirt on and i taught her how to signal and yell touchdown. The pack scored twice and she was into it but when the bears scored she was the only one doing it. Then she got a lesson on the uniforms. Its been all downhill from there. If youre good youll have him ready for the playoff run. Oh yeah, give him age appropriate snacks and beverages too. Call it a packer party and make it special.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 19, 2015 at 06:40 am

That is why I haven't been able to do much on social media during games. I find it much easier to stay off everything and watch the game when I can, vs trying to keep up with everything live.

That is a very good way to get the kids involved in the games. Make it a 'Packer Party'. Have plenty of snacks that they like, and have a lot of books and other non noisy toys for them to play with to stop them from getting bored.

Really just have to do whatever it takes. And realize that your game day experience may not be the same as it was before kids. But it can be just as good, just different.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

August 19, 2015 at 12:46 pm

Yeah, i can't do twitter and blogs during the game. More power to those who can, but i ain't one of them.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

August 19, 2015 at 07:56 am

Might want to keep it quiet about drinking beer with your two year old but it's probably effective. Regarding a two year old getting mad because he can't always get his way... Tough luck son. Better to be trained at two than four , than eight than never.

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egbertsouse's picture

August 19, 2015 at 08:48 am

Get your kids interested in the Packers. I remember my 2 yr. old daughter sitting on my lap yelling with me, mostly that Bart Starr should be fired back in those days.

The downside is when they grow up Packer fans, they monopolize your tickets and you never get to see a live game again....

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JerseyAl's picture

August 19, 2015 at 09:40 am

Are any of the grandparents close by to take the little guy for a few hrs?

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WKUPackFan's picture

August 19, 2015 at 10:17 am

Re: Watching with small children. I've been through 3, including two 16 months apart, with no other family close.

Obviously the most important thing is to not get frustrated with the child. That's easy to say, but not easy to do sometimes. However, when you've just moved your youngest off to college for the first time last Friday, you think about those times when you got frustrared over what now seem to be silly things.

Perhaps a play date during the game would help. I know it seems like it's adding to your responsibilities, but active children especially like someone to play with, so a buddy could distract him from you and Mom.

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Idiot Fan's picture

August 19, 2015 at 11:36 am

It's easy sound/be preachy when it comes to parenting, so I offer this as a personal preference and not a parenting declaration of TRUTH, but I'm a big believer in kids having alone, independent play time. I have four kids, including two-year-old twins. The approach I take is, if they want to be in the room and watch the game with me, great; if not, they need to go play elsewhere by themselves.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 19, 2015 at 05:56 pm

I used to watch the game on Cable and also using rabbit ears. I could grill or make food in the Kitchen and the 7 second delay helped me not miss any big plays. The delay between the radio and the TV might help too. I still missed some plays doing that.

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