Packers Training Camp Preview

Ok, it's been a while, and it's about to be the best time of the year. So I'm going to give a preview of the Green Bay Packers training camp, and who are some names to watch out for. Some of these players will sound familiar, and some not so familiar. With the losses of Greg Jennings (No description necessary), Bryan Bulaga (Torn ACL), Donald Driver (Retirement), Charles Woodson (Released, then signed by Raiders), Desmond Bishop (Again, no description necessary), and DJ Smith (Released), the team is going to look fairly different this year. Draft guru Ted Thompson did what he does every year and stocked the team with young talent in the draft, and there is a lot to look forward to.

First, I'm going to start with rookies that we can look forward to getting some potential playing time this season, because there are more than usual.

Datone Jones - For a guy who was a first round draft pick from UCLA, he seems to have not gotten the attention that a usual first round pick would warrant. Early on though, he has received rave reviews, and Dom Capers is hoping he can fill the void of a 3-4 Defensive End that hasn't been the same since Cullen Jenkins left in Free Agency. Jones was one of the stars (along with Eddie Lacy) of the "Family Night Scrimmage", and has received praise from Aaron Rodgers. 

“Datone’s a talented guy,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “It’s fun having him on our side. He’s a difference-maker. He’s a different type of body that we’ve had at that position. It’s exciting seeing those guys in action.”

Eddie Lacy - He's the rookie that everyone knows about. He's the star running back from the NCAA National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide. The Packers' second round pick in this years draft also had a successful family night, with eight carries for 65 yards. Amid questions of his conditioning, Ted Thompson had this to say,

"Eddie Lacy looks a lot like he does at Alabama. Big, decisive, when he gets on the edge he's a lot to handle. So far so good."

Micah Hyde - Hyde was drafted in the fifth round, as a player who was viewed as somewhat of a "tweener" at DB. Due to the recent success Thompson has had in picking up young Defensive Backs and the current strength at the position, the pick was somewhat puzzling. Now it looks like a vintage Thompson pick. With Tramon Williams aging and Davon House not playing the way he was last preseason, Hyde could be in competition for the Dime back. James Jones this to say when asked who has stood out so far among DB's, 

"Man, I like the rookie 33, (Micah) Hyde," Jones said. "He's going to be good. He's patient. He's not 4.3, 4.4, but he doesn't let you get by him. He doesn't get beat deep. And he's a smart player. He kind of reminds me of Casey (Hayward) last year coming in. Those players are rare when they come in and they're smart and they understand the game as quick as they do."

David Bakhtiari - With the injury to Bryan Bulaga, there was a lot of panic and concern (rightfully so) about who was going to then play Left Tackle and protect A-Rod's blind side. Since then, the Packers coaching staff and players have shown nothing but faith in Bakhtiari, a fourth round pick this year. Besides, when Bulaga went down last year, the Packers finished the season 7-2 without him. Beat writer for the Journal Sentinel Bob Mcginn, said that he has performed as if he was drafted in the first or second round, and not the fourth.

As far as the non-rookies go, some of these players are returning from injury, and some were players who were not starters last year, but are competing for starting jobs now.

Brad Jones - When the Packers lost Desmond Bishop in the preseason last year, and then DJ Smith during the season, they were left to scramble for a replacement alongside AJ Hawk. Brad Jones originally started his career as a promising OLB, but after experimenting inside, he has come to be one of the more highly rated 3-4 inside linebackers in the league. Pro Football Focus, an analytically based NFL website, gave Jones a grade of +4.6, which ranked fourth among ILB's for last season. No complaints here.

Nick Perry - Perry is a player returning from injury this year, looking to build off of the progress he made going into the middle of his rookie season. His size, speed, and USC OLB roots led people to have high expectations for him last year, and his injury curbed those momentarily. Perry is still not practicing, but is expected to be back in time for the opener, and I can't help but be excited when reminiscing about this wrongly called penalty.

Vince Young - OK, I know you know who he is, but his story is a rare one, and he isn't anywhere near the type of guy that we've seen Ted Thompson sign. Thompson has loved him since the NFL combine in 2006, and has reportedly been interested in acquiring him multiple times. It's just odd because there is so much attention around a big signing like this, that Packer fans are not used to. I will say that if he can revive his career anywhere, it's under the tutelage of Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy. His chances of making the team? They seem to be looking better with the underwhelming performances of Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman. Here's what former Packers Executive Andrew Brandt had to say about Young.

" Ted Thompson came back from Young’s workout at Texas raving (by Ted’s standard, anyway) about him....  A lot has changed in seven years, but I’m sure Ted still has a soft spot for Young, which is why I give him a decent chance of making the team."

So as we come within a month of the season opener against the 49ers, some things to keep an eye on include the development of a rookie Left Tackle, battles for the starting Running Back and QB2 positions, and a potential star in the making at ILB. Three weeks seems like a long time for those of us who are just trying to get through the preseason without any more injuries, but my advice to you is to cross your fingers and buckle up. We're almost there, and there's plenty to be excited about. 

A Show of Appreciation for Donald Driver: A True Professional and Better Human Being

Drafted as a seventh round pick in 1999 out of Alcorn State on a team with receivers like Bill Schroeder, Antonio Freeman, Desmond Howard, and athletic Corey Bradford, who would have thought that "Quickie" would turn into the Packers idol that he is now? While I admit he isn't my favorite player, I would be lying if I told you he wasn't my favorite person on the team. His story, commitment to the team, and durability throughout his years are all just a part of what made him so hard not to root for.

Among the receivers drafted ahead of Driver in the 1999 draft, he had the longest career and is only second in receiving yards to Torry Holt. He also only missed four games throughout his ENTIRE career.

Here's a few Donald Driver moments that I and many of Packer nation all will remember for a while:

2007 NFC Championship















Beast Mode vs. 49ers

Dancing with the Stars: Swag.















Aside from the glamorous moments that Driver spent in the national spotlight. Any resident of Wisconsin or Packer fan can quickly attest to his community involvement and philanthropy. His charity softball event that took place just last weekend raised a record $200,000 for the Donald Driver Foundation, which gives money to homeless families throughout Wisconsin. When asked if he is going to continue hosting the event, he said, "I would love to keep it forever.  I think the fans miss retired players as well as they see the current.  They're trying to know the current players, but they do miss the veteran guys." 
When asked about his retirement plans, he said, "I'm ingrained right here in Wisconsin.  I'm not going anywhere, this is my home and it will always be." 
How great is that? On top of declining contracts with other teams and saying he would only sign with the Packers, he is committed to staying in Green Bay. After having someone we never imagined leaving in Brett Favre, Donald Driver is exactly the type of retirement story that Packer fans needed. He never puts himself on a pedestal and is always gracious and courteous. A true role model. 
While Quickie may not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he deserves unending recognition for the role model he has become to underprivileged families and aspiring football players. Donald Driver is most certainly a lock to make every Packer fan's Hall of Fame. He even just a few days ago had Green Bay street named after him as "Donald Driver Way."
Give him a street, a statue, a Nobel Peace Prize, a building, hell, name a city and your next child after him. He deserves all the recognition anyone could ever give.
That Donald Driver smile, year to year consistency and dependability, and class on and off the field are what make every Packer fan appreciate you so much, Quickie. Thanks for everything and we look forward to having you around in the community for years to come.

What Now?

Isn't it funny how often we find cliche sayings to be true? "Don't take things for granted", "Make the most of it", "Carpe Diem", etc.. While I see where these statements come from, I also disagree with them. I lived all of my college years trying to find a balance between being reflective, being in the moment, and doing both at the same time. Five years later on the verge of receiving my degree, I am still in a place of sadness.

I realized the importance of all of the relationships I had the past five years, and tried to express it as much as my personality allowed. This period of transition is hard, because I don't know what to expect, and I know what I already have. How can I be expected to wake up with enthusiasm every day, when there is so much uncertainty about the future? It's hard to seize the day when I need to reflect first.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited to begin what is considered the biggest part of an American's life in a career, but to be able to appreciate the things when they come, I think it is important to realize where I have came from and who the people are that helped me get there. If I am taking anything for granted, it's the role that my friends and family have played in shaping my personality and perspective. It's not the laughs, cries, arguments, or deep conversations we shared.

Miss you guys. 

I suppose the realization that I am coming to, is how important it is to balance appreciation for friends and family, and living in the moment. Without reflecting on my past and realizing how it helped bring me to this point, it is impossible for me to move on to the next stage and appreciate that just as much.

So this is to all my friends that peer pressured me into going out on Monday nights, and encouraged me with my studies the next day. This is for all of my friends that encouraged me to stay out for one drink just to "see what happens", and the ones who fed me water later that night. This is also for my friends that were there when I needed to talk about something important, and helped make me feel better. Thanks for the memories, and know that even if I'm gone, I'm always around.

Motherly Memo

It's Mother's Day, one of the few holidays that should be recognized every day. Because we all know where we would be without our moms. If I had to guess where I would be without my mom, it would be somewhere between dead in a roadside ditch, and mopping floors for a living (not that there's anything wrong with that). But no matter, thanks to my mom I'm in a place where I can be proud of who I am and where I came from.

She even buys me beer!

In the transition period I am currently in of graduating and moving into another life stage, this year is a year that I appreciate my mom more than I have in past years. This is for the nights of my youth I would sleep in mom and dad's bed because of a nightmare, getting read to on a nightly basis, having desserts snuck to me before bed, and the lunches I was made EVERY day of school. It's so great to be at a point where I can recognize how all those seemingly normal occurrences compiled to such significance. It's amazing how consistency is able to symbolize love, caring, and nurture.

The luxury of not having to worry about if someone at home loves me or not, and knowing that there would always be dinner made for me and laundry folded, is what makes me so grateful that I have the mom I have. I am so fortunate to have been raised by such a beautiful person and to continue to be supported throughout college. Mom, I really have no idea how you were able to deal with not just one of me, but a twin and three other kids. I am just so glad that you found it to be worth it. I love you mom.

For everyone who has the fortune to say they can appreciate all of these things, cheers to you and your mothers; because not everyone has a loving mother to go home to.

Happy Mothers Day! 

Gay Athletes in Professional Sports: The Dawn of a New Era

We are getting extremely close to an era where gay athletes will be able to be open about their sexuality, and its going to change the sports culture and in turn, American culture for the better.

It's been long accepted that the most popular sports in America are dominated by males, and that participation in them is part of what makes someone a "man", or "masculine". The idea of sports being a way to showcase masculinity has been a deterrent on the progression of accepting homosexuality in our culture. In the wake of the Mike Rice incident, where he used homophobic slurs in moments of frustration towards his players, homophobia in pro and college sports is beginning to get more attention.

That's the sad thing. Why does it always get dismissed when people talk about using the word fag in a sport setting? It's like the use of the "n' word, and how these words are accepted in certain settings and when used by certain people. While we all look at Mike Rice and talk about how horrible it is that a coach would act so extreme, we all know its so much more common than we want to acknowledge. This is someone who has a reputation and works in a major market in New York City. Think about those coaches and players who discourage homosexuality in small towns who are coaching youth and high school sports. It is so much more than just treating players equally. Getting rid of homophobia in sports could help towards breaking stereotypes, and reducing the amount of bullying that occurs in schools.

Pro athletes have to feel so obligated to act macho that those who are gay can't even be open with their own teammates. These people are competing at the highest level of sport, what more do they need to  prove to anyone? It's absurd the amount of stereotypes that surround homosexuals, and the discredit towards a man's ability to compete in a masculine sport because they are gay.

Are people going to stop liking their favorite teams or watching their favorite sport because they know that there are gay players? Please.

Brendan Ayanbadejo, a former Baltimore Ravens linebacker said in a recent interview with the Baltimore Sun that it is possible that we may see multiple NFL players come out very soon. "We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now, and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out. Of course, there would be backlash. If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive.''

I like the idea of it being more than one player, because the media attention can then be diluted and it can be diffused more quickly. One thing I would imagine stopping a player from coming out while playing is that not only do they not want that attention for themselves, they don't want media attention to distract their teammates and coaches. Do you think if a player told their team they were going to come out publicly, that the team would encourage it? It scares me that I don't know they would. Who wants the media circus surrounding that? It's the same reason teams are going to be scared to draft Manti Te'o in a few weeks.

If and when it happens, I really hope that we can just take it in stride and applaud those with the courage to be the first through the wall, and then carry on. People have better things to spend their time worrying about, and it would be a relief to finally be able to stop the unnecessary speculation.

Monday Morning Sports Headlines: Michigan's Revival

It may just be a matter of coincidence that I watched the ESPN 30 for 30 series on Netflix, and stumbled upon the "Fab Five" documentary, or it could be destiny.

Twenty years have passed since Michigan last reached the Final Four, and they have finally made their return after embarrassing the talented Florida Gators. Nik Stauskas showed up big as a freshman, and Trey Burke reiterated why he is an NBA point guard. Michigan continues to display why they deserved better than a four seed (if anyone actually cares about seed).

I think those warmup shirts were appropriate for Trey Burke.

Yes it's more of a shocker that Wichita is in the Final Four, but I think this Michigan team has stolen the weekend. Their incomprehensible comeback against Kansas followed by an overtime win were the talk of anybody's Friday night. They also had the toughest road to the Final Four, playing a five, one, and three seed to get there.

While the days of Glenn Robinson, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, and Chris Webber are in the rear view, it only seems fitting that Robinson's son and this current generation of Michigan players has held the rest of the nation captive. This team has shown the rest of the nation that a team can overcome sanctions and return to national prominence. Even though the sanctions are comparatively light to those that have been placed on other major programs, the reputation of the program and history were compromised. This is also coming in a power conference, where Michigan has to compete with Michigan State for in-state players, and Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Indiana for players in the Midwest.

I realize I may be dramatizing their "return", but really what I am trying to stress is that programs that have had a historically bad reputation or little success should look at Michigan as a symbol of "hope". In an era where the rich get even richer in college athletics, a Michigan and a VCU are prime examples of how good coaching and development can establish a program.

So, from a B1G perspective, be patient - Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa, and especially Penn State. Your time in the cellar may not last forever, and there is always potential to break the spell of perennial mediocrity. Just look at Michigan and Indiana.

Programming Note* - I will be doing a section every Monday on whatever I deem the biggest sports story of the past week. Carry on :)

The Power of Questions

What is the importance of relationships in life? In what ways do they add or subtract value? What are the things that define who we are and where we are going?

I am at a point where I have came to question everything around me. Evaluating my surroundings and the "progress", or journey that my life has become. The daily routines of class, work, exercise, eating, and sleeping seem to have no intangible purpose. At least, it is difficult to always see how the immediate benefits can translate into bigger things. What are humans meant to learn about and how are they meant to live life?

Rather than trying to answer these questions, I find myself asking more questions, and feeling enlightened, yet overwhelmed with possibilities. I come to the question of, what do I want to create, in conjunction with the beliefs of the rest of the world? Do we know what we commit to when we go through our day, and how our daily activities are going to impact the rest of our lives?

Globalization seems to be a popular notion today, albeit relatively new. But are we at a point where our countries, states, and communities are connected and sophisticated enough to be interested in forming a global community? After all, how much do we even interact with our neighbors? Something that I am and would believe many are guilty of is devaluing even small interactions with others. We close ourselves off to the people who are even the most accessible. How often do we have meaningful conversations with people we are passing by at work, class, or an extracurricular activity, and why do people value time itself rather than how time is used? Would it be better to perceive time as possibility rather than money or self advancement?

I know that many of us are well intentioned with the things we do and that there is value in structure and organization, but the question I am asking is - What type of structure are we creating, and what do we want to create?