NFL Scouting Combine: Day 2 observations

Indianapolis – The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine continued on Thursday in Indianapolis. The offensive linemen and running backs were the position groups to meet with the media, as well as other various coaches and front office personnel.

With both Packers coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Brian Gutekunst addressing the media on Wednesday, things were relatively quiet on the Green Bay front on Thursday. That, combined with the thought that Green Bay won’t be too likely to select a running back or offensive lineman early in the draft, made for an uneventful day.

Three takeaways from Thursday in Indianapolis.

Gutekunst receiving praise

With Gutekunst taking over as the general manager in Green Bay many felt like it was a breath of fresh air that the Packers organization needed. Obviously, the Packers weren’t the only franchise this offseason to make a leadership change.

Roughly halfway through the 2017 season the Cleveland Browns hired former Packers Director of Football Operations John Dorsey as their general manager. Dorsey also hired a pair of former front office members of the Packers in Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith.

He did speak with the media on Thursday and was asked about Gutekunst due to the obvious history that comes with working together from 2002-12.

“Outstanding, I think Brian [Gutekunst] has done a nice job,” said Dorsey of Gutekunst’s career in Green Bay. “He will do a nice job for the Packers moving forward.”

Dorsey also shared the story of giving Gutekunst his start with the Packers back in 2002.

“Brian Gutekunst was a GA at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. I had called up Roger Harring, who was a legendary coach at Wisconsin-La Crosse. I said we were looking for a young intern. He said ‘I’ve got this guy Brian Gutekunst who would be really good.

“We sat and talked about it and then next thing you know I call [Gutekunst] up on Friday night. I said ‘[Gutekunst], it’s about eight o’clock,’ – and I think he’s working at some country club trying to put some extra cash in his pocket – ‘this is John Dorsey from the Green Bay Packers. You got the job. Just be here at 7am Monday morning.’ Then I hung up the phone.”

Interest in Quenton Nelson

Notre Dame offensive guard Quenton Nelson is widely regarded as the best offensive linemen in this draft class. There are some who believe that he may be the best player available. With that being said, it’s very rare for an offensive guard to be drafted as high as he is projected to go.

It’s likely, according to most, that Nelson will be drafted before the Green Bay’s first selection at No. 14 overall.

That didn’t stop the Packers from having an official meeting at the combine with Nelson, he said.

While it wasn’t expected that the Packers would be in the running for not only an offensive lineman early in the draft, trading up for Nelson cannot be ruled out now.

Green Bay’s wide receiver situation

The Packers have decisions to make at wide receiver with Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. That’s no secret. The team extended the contract of Davante Adams late this season, despite issues with concussions during the year.

Adams’ agent, Frank Bauer, told ESPN’s Rob Demovsky that there are no long-term concerns surrounding the health of Adams.

Adams suffered a pair of concussions in the 2017 season. One was caused on a head-to-head blow by Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan that caused Adams to leave the game on a stretcher. The second concussion was due to a hit from Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers in Week 15, causing Adams to miss the remainder of the season.

    Packers ink C Corey Linsley to a 3-year contract extension

    Fans of the Green Bay Packers won’t be sweating the loss of the team’s most important free agents come March.

    A day after locking up wide receiver Davonte Adams on a 4-year, $58 million contract extension, the team announced it had signed center Corey Linsley to a contract extension of his own. According to ESPN, the deal is for three years and worth $25.5 million.

    A fifth-round pick in 2014 out of Ohio State, Linsley has started 53 games, including all 15 so far this year. In fact, he’s the only player on Green Bay’s offense to have played every snap in 2017.

    The signing brings the Packers total number of unrestricted free agents down to nine, with the most notable names being safety Morgan Burnett, guard Jahri Evans and cornerback Davon House.

    After Linsley’s signing was announced, a number of current and former teammates took to social media to congratulate him.

      Packers sign WR Davante Adams to contract extension

      Davante Adams isn’t going anywhere.

      The Green Bay Packers announced Friday they had signed the wide receiver to a contract extension. Adams was due to become a free agent in March.

      According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it is a 4-year deal worth $58.75 million with an $18 million signing bonus. His $14.7 million per year average makes him among the top-5 highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.

      Since being a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the 25-year-old Adams has caught 237 passes for 2,811 yards and 26 touchdowns. But it’s really been the last 25 games where he’s turned it on, scoring 19 of his touchdowns during that time and putting together four 100-yard games.

      “He’s making a lot of money this year. Hopefully we pay him sooner rather than later,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on Dec. 15. “He’s a talented a guy who has just proven it week after week. He’s tough to guard.”

      The only concern about handing Adams the big deal is his history of concussions. He’s suffered three over the last 14 months, including two on illegal hits this year, the latest coming against Carolina on Dec. 17. That proved to be the end of his season as he was inactive last week and coach Mike McCarthy has ruled him out for Sunday’s finale against Detroit.

      According to Spotrac.com, Adams was among 11 Packers set to be unrestricted free agents this offseason. His signing likely moves the focus to center Corey Linsley and safety Morgan Burnett.

      A number of NFL players, including current and former teammates of Adams, took to social media to congratulate him.

        Packers snap 3-game losing streak with 23-16 win at Chicago

        Brett Hundley got the first win of his young career Sunday, as the Green Bay Packers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 23-16 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

        After struggling in his first two starts filling in for an injured Aaron Rodgers, Hundley was better, especially in the fourth quarter. He made a Rodgers-like throw to Davante Adams for what proved to be the winning touchdown and then dropped another dime on a third-and-10 pass to Adams that help to extend a time-consuming drive.

        Hundley, who injured his hamstring in the game, finished the day 18 of 25 for 212 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a passer rating of 110.8.

        Much of his success came when throwing Adams’ way. The wide receiver caught five of the eight passes thrown his way for 90 yards, including the touchdown.

        Helping the offense was a running game that was extremely productive even after losing starter Aaron Jones (knee) and Ty Montgomery (ribs). Green Bay ran for 160 yards, tied for the second-most this season. Rookie Jamaal Williams had 67 yards, with Montgomery chipping in 54, Hundley 16 and Jones 12.

        Defensively, the Packers got after rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky, sacking him five times, including three from outside linebacker Nick Perry. They also limited a Bears rushing attack that was averaging 130 yards coming in to just 55.

        The win pushed Green Bay to 5-4 on the year, tied with the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and two games behind division-leading Minnesota. The Packers will host Baltimore next Sunday.

          Rodgers’ Comeback Beats Cowboys

          The Green Bay Packers found themselves in a familiar position in Dallas Sunday afternoon. They were locked in a tight battle with the Cowboys, just as they were last January in an NFC divisional round playoff matchup.

          Both times, the Packers are glad they have Aaron Rodgers directing the offense. In January, Rodgers set the team on a drive to set up Mason Crosby’s 51-yard field goal. On Sunday, he directed a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped off with a 12-touchdown pass to Davante Adams with 11 seconds remaining. This drive by Rodgers and the Packers came immediately after Dallas quarterback Das Prescott rushed for a touchdown from 11 yards out to give Dallas a 31-28 lead with 1:13 left to play.

          That proved to be too much time for Rodgers and the Packers.

          “I just don’t know what else to say about him.” Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy said following the game. “I need to expand my vocabulary. Just a great job by Aaron.”

          Green Bay improves to 4-1 with the win, they’re in first place in the NFC North. Dallas drops to 2-3 on the year.

          News & Notes

          Running back Ty Montgomery did not play after suffering a rib injury against Chicago in week four. Rookie Aaron Jones started in his place Sunday, he carried the ball 19 times for 125 yards and a touchdown.

          Adams, who finished with seven grabs for 66 yards and two touchdowns was cleared from concussion protocol Saturday and was able to play. He suffered his concussion in week four against the Bears. Adams had to be taken off the field on a stretcher in what proved to be a scary sight.

          Up Next

          Green Bay returns to NFC North play next week traveling to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. Kick off is set for next Sunday at 12p.

            Report: Packers WR Davante Adams could play this week against Dallas

            Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams took one of the most brutal shots to the head that you’ll ever see in a football game, but the fourth-year pro could very well be back on the field this Sunday when the team travels to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.

            According to ESPN’s Adam Shefter, a source told him that he believes Adams will play this week.

            Adams took a vicious hit to the head from Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Travathan in the third quarter of last Thursday’s game, left the field on a stretcher and spent the night in the hospital. He was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, but Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Friday morning that Adams was rambunctious and ready to move forward.

            This wouldn’t be the first time Adams has bounced back quickly from a big hit to the head. Last season, he was knocked out of a game against Dallas, but cleared the concussion protocol and played on a short week against the Bears. He ended up catching 13 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns in that game.

            As for Trevathan, he was suspended two games for his hit on Adams, but he plans to appeal.

              Packers issue a statement in response to President Trump’s anthem comments

              Green Bay Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy issued a statement in response to comments made Friday night by President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in which he called for NFL players to be “fired” for not standing during the national anthem.

              “It’s unfortunate that the President decided to use his immense platform to make divisive and offensive statements about our players and the NFL. We strongly believe that players are leaders in our communities and positive influences. They have achieved their positions through tremendous work and dedication and should be celebrated for their success and positive impact. We believe it is important to support any of our players who choose to peacefully express themselves with the hope of change for good. As Americans, we are fortunate to be able to speak openly and freely.”’

              The comments that Murphy and leaders of other NFL teams felt needed to be addressed included Trump saying, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!”

              To this point, no players on the Packers have taken a knee or been seated during the anthem, though tight end Martellus Bennett held his first in the air prior to the season opener against Seattle as his form of protest. However, several took to Twitter on Saturday to show their displeasure with Trump’s words.

              “I’m OK with being fired for what I believe in,” wrote Bennett.

              Teammate Davante Adams, who uses his Twitter account sparingly, also commented.

              “We’ll “stick to football” when we see progress,” the wide receiver wrote. “Our Nations leader can’t even set a good example of how it looks to be a great American.”

              Green Bay will host Cincinnati at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

                Shorthanded Packers lose 34-23 at Atlanta

                If the Green Bay Packers have closed the gap between themselves and the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, it certainly didn’t show on Sunday night in a 34-23 loss.

                A retooled defense looked exactly as it did last January, as reigning NFL MVP Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones picked up right where they left off in the conference title game. The duo hooked up on gains of 19 and 34 yards on the opening drive, one that was finished off by Devonta Freeman, the first of two touchdowns for the running back who ended up with 84 yards on the ground. Jones had 105 yards on just five grabs, while Mohamed Sanu added five catches and 85 yards.

                Green Bay had an answer, going 75 yards in 11 plays before Ty Montgomery plunged in from 1-yard out to tie the game. After that, though, it was all Falcons, as they scored 24 unanswered points, including taking an Aaron Rodgers fumble back for a 15-yard touchdown. Rodgers also threw an interception, his second of the season, and Atlanta made him pay for it by scoring a touchdown just before half to make it 24-7.

                “I gave them seven [points] on the fumble, gave another seven on the [interception] and we lose by 11,” Rodgers said. “We were in the game. I can’t turn the ball over like that.”

                Unfortunately for the Packers, the real story of the game was a mounting injury list. They played without starting tackles Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari, and then lost defensive tackle Mike Daniels, wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, along with defensive backs Davon House and Kentrell Brice during the game.

                It’s unclear how severe any of the injuries were, but they were just another discouraging aspect on a discouraging night.

                “Well, I hope we can,” Rodgers said when asked whether he took comfort in the fact it’s still early in the season and they can play better. “This is a potential matchup down the line. Hopefully, we put ourselves in that position. It was a tough game.”

                Rodgers called Atlanta a fantastic team, but also intimated that the Packers don’t believe there is a big gap between the franchises despite Green Bay having lost each of its last two trips south by double digits.

                “I think we can beat anyone at home,” Rodgers said, a nod toward the advantage the Falcons have at the new Mercedes Benz Stadium. “We don’t look at it as [needing to close] the gap.”

                Green Bay scored the final 13 points of the game, with Rodgers finding Davante Adams for a 33-yard score and then Montgomery on a shovel pass for a 1-yard touchdown. That one gave him 300 for his career as he became the fastest player in league history to reach that mark.

                It’s back home in Week 3 for the Packers, as they welcome the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) to Lambeau Field next Sunday.

                  Green Bay lists five players as questionable for the NFC title game

                  The NFC title game is less than 48 hours away, and the Green Bay Packers still have major injury concerns and now an illness going through the team to worry about.

                  The team released its final injury report Friday afternoon, and saw five players — wide receivers Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison, along with defensive backs Morgan Burnett and Quinten Rollins — listed as questionable.

                  “They’ll be given every chance to play in the game,” coach Mike McCarthy said of the wide receivers. “If we know (Saturday), we’ll know (Saturday). If we know Sunday, we know Sunday. I’m going to give these guys the open time frame to do everything they can to play.”

                  If that wasn’t enough, there is an apparent illness that has hit the team, including Nelson, who was told to stay away from the facility on Friday to avoid spreading it. Still, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and kicker Mason Crosby have been affected by it.

                  “Rest, fluids, all that stuff. We’ll be OK,” Rodgers told reporters Friday afternoon. “We’re going to be OK and deal with it.”

                  On Atlanta’s side of the things, wide receiver Julio Jones practiced on a limited basis Friday and is expected to play on Sunday. He had missed the previous two days with a toe injury.

                    WR Davante Adams among several injury concerns for the Packers

                    GREEN BAY — Injuries continue to be the biggest story for the Green Bay Packers in advance of their NFC title game at Atlanta on Sunday.

                    The latest concern is wide receiver Davante Adams, who suffered an ankle injury late in the win over Dallas.

                    “We’ll see,” coach Mike McCarthy said when asked if he expected Adams to play on Sunday. “I’m curious to see him move. I don’t think he’ll practice until Saturday.”

                    Adams has played in every game this season and is the team’s second-leading receiver. The top guy, Jordy Nelson, is also very much in question as he battles a pair of broken ribs that kept him out of last week’s game. McCarthy said he’ll practice with the rehab group on Wednesday, but gave no indication of how he’ll handle the rest of the week.

                    The other starter that there is some concern about is safety Morgan Burnett. He suffered a quad injury in the first half against Dallas, and didn’t return. He won’t practice Wednesday, spending the day with the rehab group as well.

                    McCarthy said cornerback Quinten Rollins is getting closer to clearing the concussion protocol and will do some work in practice. He’s missed the last two games after getting injured in the season-finale against Detroit.

                    Starting offensive tackles Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari each came out of the game against Dallas a little gimpy, and McCarthy said they’ll likely be limited in practice this week.