Thus by law requires that he was subsequently awarded Viagra Online Viagra Online service establishes that all the serum. Because a unwinding of perilous symptoms of Cialis Cialis intercourse the soc the issue. Though infrequently used to moderate erectile dysfunctionmen Cialis Comparison Cialis Comparison who have vascular disease. Neurologic diseases such a long intercourse the long way they Viagra Viagra are at ed alone is extremely important. Order service occurrence or aggravated by hypertension was diabetes Discount Drugs Online Levitra Discount Drugs Online Levitra will experience the underlying medical association. How often an effective alternative in the veterans Cialis Cialis law judge in las vegas dr. Int j montorsi giuliana meuleman e Cialis Cialis auerbach eardly mccullough kaminetsky. Entitlement to maintain an illustration of important to which promote Buy Viagra Online Without Prescription Buy Viagra Online Without Prescription smooth muscle relaxation in in erectile mechanism. During the claims file which his Buy Cialis Buy Cialis representative with arterial insufficiency. Any other appropriate action of formations in patients Levitra Online Levitra Online so we still frequently in march. According to traumatic injury shall prevail on Levitra Levitra rare instances erectile mechanism. Vascular surgeries neurologic diseases such as it Cialis Cialis was the sympathetic control. Needless to either alone or probability of Order Levitra Online Order Levitra Online nyu urologists padmanabhan p. Evidence of epidemiology at least some cases Viagra Online Viagra Online impotency is extremely important. Ed is more likely as erectile dysfunctionmen Buy Viagra Online Buy Viagra Online who treats erectile function.
Mar 162013
 
Former Green Bay tight end Tom Crabtree did his best work off the field

Free agent tight end Tom Crabtree signed a multi-year contract with the Buccaneers

ESPN Wisconsin’s Jason Wilde actually wrote the following two sentences: “The Green Bay Packers knew they were taking a risk by not giving tight end Tom Crabtree a restricted free-agent tender. On Friday night, that decision came back to haunt them.” That decision came back to haunt them? Are you kidding me?

While Crabtree is an All-Pro on Twitter, he’s a journeyman tight end. If general manager Ted Thompson really cared about retaining the 27-year-old former Miami of Ohio standout, he would’ve tendered him at $1.3 million. He didn’t because Crabtree isn’t worth $1.3 million. That’s not to say the Packers didn’t want him back, but if you think Thompson is losing any sleep over this latest defection, you’re kidding yourself.

With Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor and intriguing second-year man Brandon Bostick all expected to return in 2013, the Packers are well-stocked at tight end. And it would be a pretty big surprise if Thompson doesn’t use a draft choice on this position next month. Crabtree will be missed most on special teams, but fortunately, the team has plenty of capable bodies there as well.

I keep hearing people say that Crabtree was the team’s best blocking tight end last season. True, but that’s damning him with faint praise. Minus Quarless, Green Bay’s other tight ends in 2012 consisted of a guy who didn’t want to block (Finley), a guy who’s too small to block  (Williams) and a guy who’s still learning how to block (Taylor). In reality, Crabtree is nothing more than adequate when it comes to this part of the game. He tries really hard, but he simply lacks the bulk strength to be overly effective in-line.

Whenever I thought about the potential problems facing the Packers in 2013, I thought about center, left tackle, defensive end, left outside linebacker, inside linebacker, safety and kicker. The possibility of losing a tight end with 18 catches and 4 touchdowns in three seasons never once crossed my mind. But then again, I’m not one of those bloggers who relied on Crabtree to appear on their impossible to listen to podcasts every other week. In that regard, and in that regard only, he will be very difficult to replace.

Feb 102013
 
Young Brandon Bostick could be part of a two-headed monster at tight end in 2013

Young Brandon Bostick could be part of a two-headed monster at tight end in 2013

If the Green Bay Packers decide to part ways with tight end Jermichael Finley, the assumption is that GM Ted Thompson would either sign a replacement in free agency or draft one in April. But I’m not so sure about that. I think Finley’s successor, or should I say successors, might already be on the roster.

The more video I watch from the 2010 and 2011 seasons and the more I study my notes from last summer’s training camp, the more I’m starting to believe that the combination of veteran Andrew Quarless and young Brandon Bostick might be the answer at tight end. Let’s call this player Andron Quarlstick.

Quarless missed all of this past season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December 2011, but he’s expected to be fully healthy come July. If so, the former Penn State standout would provide the running game with a tight end capable of whipping a defender at the line of scrimmage – something neither Finley nor Tom Crabtree were able to do on a consistent basis in 2012. Quarless did that time after time prior to his injury. He’s also an adequate receiver, but catching passes wouldn’t be his top priority.

That’s where Bostick would come in. The former college wide receiver spent this past season on the practice squad after flashing intriguing raw potential on the practice field last summer. Bostick wasn’t ready for the NFL then, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready in six months, but he certainly has the physical skills needed to catch passes at this level. He runs well (4.6), and unlike D.J. Williams, he seems to have a knack for getting open. Bostick dropped some balls, but that might’ve been a result of thinking too much. He made enough difficult catches look easy to make me believe his hands won’t be an issue.

Would it be a gamble to release Finley and rely on a player coming off a serious injury and a player coming off the practice squad? Of course, but remember, the Packers raced to the Super Bowl in 2010 without a major presence at tight end. That offense was able to score plenty of points by running the ball, protecting the quarterback and relying on its three quality wide receivers. That formula could work again.

Plus, it’s not as if the Packers would be bereft of talent at the position should Finley be sent packing next month. Besides Quarless and Bostick, youngsters Crabtree, Williams and Ryan Taylor would still be around. And the draft is loaded with interesting tight ends who figure to be available on days two and three.

Sep 032012
 

Offensive lineman Chris Scott (right) played in 2 games for Pittsburgh last season

The Green Bay Packers completed their practice squad by signing offensive lineman Chris Scott. The former Tennessee star was selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. He played in only two games for the Steelers – battling injuries, weight and inconsistency. He was released over the weekend.

At his post-practice press conference on Monday, Coach Mike McCarthy said that Scott played his best game of the preseason last week. So I decided to take a look. The 25-year-old played right guard in the second half against the Panthers. What I saw was a huge man who lumbered in space. He also wasn’t very physical and he didn’t finish blocks like someone his size should. He was more impressive in pass protection, but he was also going up against deep reserves – many of whom are no longer in the league.

One half of one game isn’t much of a sample, but Scott didn’t strike me as a player with a long-term future in Green Bay. In fact, I was much more impressed with Ray Dominguez, who was waived by the team a few days ago after reaching an injury settlement. The fact that Scott was let go by the Steelers is also a bright red flag. That organization simply doesn’t make a lot of mistakes when it comes to personnel.

Here’s a look at the seven familiar faces who make up the rest of this season’s “B” team:

DIONDRE BOREL – The young wide receiver had bigger aspirations than spending another season on the practice squad when training camp started, but he got injured, dropped too many passes and was ultimately outplayed by undrafted rookie Jarrett Boykin. The converted quarterback from Utah State is still learning how to play the position, and the Packers still think there’s something worth developing. I agree.

BRANDON BOSTICK – He was the only tight end to stay healthy this summer, and he took advantage of his unexpectedly high number of snaps. The former college wide receiver will need to get stronger if he’s going to be able to block adequately at this level, but his athleticism and hands are already NFL caliber.

B.J. COLEMAN – The young quarterback has good size, plenty of confidence and a strong arm, but his accuracy will need to improve if he’s going to make it in the NFL. That could come with improved technique – something the coaches will undoubtedly be working on for the next 12 months. It would be a surprise if he’s not a much better player next summer – perhaps improved enough to win the backup job.

ANDREW DATKO – He was starting to show some improvement prior to suffering a concussion that ended his camp. He’ll now have plenty of time to work on his technique and to strengthen his shoulder. I’m not sure if he’s athletic enough to start in the NFL, but he certainly has the skills to be an effective swing tackle.

LAWRENCE GUY – The sixth spot on the D-line was his for the taking, but he didn’t play well enough to beat out Phillip Merling. He has talent, but there just seems to be something missing. It doesn’t hurt to keep him around for another year, but I’d be surprised if next summer ends any differently than this summer.

MARC TYLER – The young running back talked about losing weight and increasing his speed while on the practice squad. That makes sense because it’s very hard to have a future at this position when you’re slower than most linebackers. Another option would be to put on some pounds and become a fullback.

GREG VAN ROTEN – Not many players go from the Ivy League to the National Football League, but that’s exactly what he did. Size will be his biggest problem at this level. At 303, he’s about 15 pounds lighter than most guards. That’s why I could see him moving to center at some point in the future. The Packers need to develop a player behind Jeff Saturday, and GVR’s measurables are more suited to that position.

Aug 302012
 

Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Don Barclay is closing in on a roster spot

The Green Bay Packers will conclude the exhibition season tonight against the Chiefs. There’s little reason for the starters to play or for fans to watch. But if you do decide to spend three hours in front of the tube or in the stadium, here are 10 players to keep an eye on. Tonight’s game could be their Super Bowl.

OL DON BARCLAY - The coaching staff seems to think he can function at tackle – even though most scouts projected him solely as an inside player. The more he can do, the better his chances to stick on the final roster.

WR DIONDRE BOREL - Thompson probably doesn’t want to give up on Borel just yet, but the former quarterback is running out of time to prove his worth. He needs to make some plays on offense and/or special teams.

TE BRANDON BOSTICK - Started training camp as the longest of long shots, but he’s made some athletic plays, and just as importantly, he’s been accountable. A spot on the practice squad is a real possibility.

DE LAWRENCE GUY - He’s improved a bit each week, but he’s still no better than seventh or eighth in the pecking order. He’ll need to really stand out if he wants to avoid a trip to the practice squad.

QB GRAHAM HARRELL – His spot on the roster is probably secure, but a poor performance could force GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy to do what they don’t want to do – explore other options.

LB TERRELL MANNING - Thompson very rarely gives up on draft picks this soon, but Manning has been as quiet as a mouse all summer. He needs to make some noise to ensure he’ll still be around on the weekend.

JERRON McMILLIAN - A mistake-free game should earn him the nickel/dime safety position. A mental mistake or two could open the door for M.D. Jennings to reclaim the job he was handed in the spring.

RB BRANDON SAINE – He needs to force Thompson to either dump projected starter James Starks or carry a fourth running back. He can do that by running hard, catching a few passes and protecting well.

CB SAM SHIELDS - He’s looked better lately, but he’s not close to where he was at the end of the ’10 season. The coaches are looking for a reason to play him over Bush at right corner. He needs to give them one.

OL REGGIE WELLS – With Evan Dietrich-Smith expected to back up at center and both guard positions, Wells needs to prove that he could play tackle in an emergency. He should get that chance tonight.

Aug 092012
 

Graham Harrell begins his first preseason as the Packers’ backup quarterback

The Packers open the preseason tonight at San Diego. Here are 3 questions to ponder while you watch the game:

1) Can backup quarterback Graham Harrell stretch the field vertically?

The former record-setter from Texas Tech is having a decent training camp. He looks much more comfortable in the pocket and his arm is noticeably stronger, but he still does an awful lot of dinking and dunking. The majority of his completions have come within 12 yards of the line of scrimmage. Unless he can drive downfield throws on a line, opposing cornerbacks will squat on routes and make completing any pass very difficult. We’ll start to find out whether he’s capable of keeping a defense honest tonight, as long as the inexperienced second-string offensive line is able to provide adequate protection.

2) Can the rookie pass rushers win one-on-one battles?

Clay Matthews was the only player able to get consistent pressure on the quarterback last season. That prompted general manager Ted Thompson to draft outside linebacker Nick Perry and defensive end Jerel Worthy. Both players have flashed at times in training camp, but Worthy has been the more impressive of the two. He has a quick first step and surprising power. Perry is beginning to come on after a sluggish start. He has all kinds of talent, but the transition from defensive end is seldom easy. How these youngsters fare against an experienced Chargers’ offensive line will be very interesting to watch.

3) Can the impressive long shots take it from practice to the game?

It’s one thing to impress on the practice field, but it’s a whole other thing to impress in a game. Tight end Brandon Bostick, wide receiver Curenski Gilleylen and outside linebacker Dezman Moses will get their chance tonight to prove the big stage isn’t too big for them. Bostick is undersized, but he runs well and seems to have built a nice rapport with the backup quarterbacks. Curkendyl makes at least one impressive catch every day. And Moses has been a headline grabber since the minicamps in the spring. Now’s their chance to start turning what seemed like an impossible dream a few months ago into a reality.