Packers
Jason
Spriggs Jersey , with their playoff hopes on life support but still
certainly breathing, are at Soldier Field this afternoon to play the NFC
North-leading Chicago Bears in week 15.The two teams traded blows in week one at
Lambeau Field, but it was Aaron Rodgers who got the last laugh. After leaving
with a knee injury in the second quarter, Rodgers returned after halftime and
led a furious comeback in the fourth quarter as the Packers won a 24-23 thriller
on Sunday night.Since then, however, the teams have moved in opposite
directions. The 9-4 Bears can clinch the NFC North title with a victory today,
while likely eliminating the Packers from playoff contention at the same time.
Meanwhile, a Packers win keeps them alive in the hunt for the postseason, though
they will still need help. Green Bay could still be alive if they lose today,
but in that case they would need to see the Minnesota Vikings lose to the Miami
Dolphins to keep them afloat.Get ready for today’s contest with our Game Primer,
and keep it here to follow along and discuss the game.Game Updates from APC
StaffA Twitter List by acmepackingco Game Updates from Packers MediaA Twitter
List by TexWestern Gutekunst has approached "every available avenue" in
re-shaping the Packers’ roster over the past year." />Skip to main
contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay
Packers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign
UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity
GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots
Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football
AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareBrian Gutekunst has stayed true to his word in
exploring talent in his short time as Packers’ GMPhoto by Patrick Smith/Getty
ImagesWhen Brian Gutekunst was named General Manager of the Green Bay Packers in
January 2018, he was quoted as saying that the organization would not leave any
“stone unturned as far as every avenue of player acquisition.” In almost a year
and a half as a leader of the front office, Gutekunst has stayed true to his
word.Just this week, writers noted distinct differences between Gutekunst and
his predecessor Ted Thompson in terms of their strategies of acquiring talent.
Not only have the Packers added high-caliber special teams players in the hopes
of also uncovering the talents that made them drafted as position players, they
have also more thoroughly explored the waiver claim market. While Green Bay
continues to largely employ a draft-and-develop strategy for building its
roster, it has not been the only method of acquiring talent under the new
regime.DraftGutekunst’s first draft as GM in 2018 resulted in a promising group
of young players. While the development of second-day selections Josh Jackson
and Oren Burks will be a key to the long-term assessment of the class, early
contributions from Jaire Alexander, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous
St. Brown are more favorable than some of the Packers’ recent drafts.Outside of
Thompson’s trade back into the first round to pick Clay Matthews in 2009, the
Packers have rarely showed as much early-round aggression in draft-day trades as
they have the last two years under Gutekunst. Last year, the Packers traded back
from pick 14 in the first round with the New Orleans Saints to gain an extra
first round choice in 2019. They then used a third-rounder to trade back up to
get the man they wanted in Alexander. Even this
April
Mike Daniels
Color Rush Jersey , Green Bay took no chances of losing Darnell Savage,
trading up nine picks to scoop up the safety. While it is too early in
Gutekunst’s tenure to judge his drafting skill, he has at least been aggressive
via that route.Undrafted Free AgentsAny disciple of Thompson can be expected to
value the undrafted free agent pool and Gutekunst has been no different, keeping
several such players that were signed last offseason. The Packers retained Tim
Boyle, Alex Light, Raven Greene, and James Crawford on the initial 53-man
roster, while eventually activating Tyler Lancaster during the season. While not
an original Green Bay undrafted signing, rookie cornerback Tony Brown was signed
in late September and showed the potential to be a valuable piece moving
forward.Green Bay has found many undrafted gems in the past decade and Gutekunst
appears to be just as committed as Thompson was in giving those players a
legitimate chance at roster spots.TradesWhile trades are less frequent in the
NFL than other major professional sports leagues, the Packers made their fair
share of end-of-preseason trades when determining the final 53-man roster under
Thompson. Gutekunst also made a late-August deal when he shipped Brett Hundley
to Seattle, but he was also active at uncommon times. Gutekunst’s first major
move as GM was sending Damarious Randall to Cleveland for DeShone Kizer, an
unforeseen early-March trade in which Green Bay hoped to improve its quarterback
depth. While the Packers did not necessarily add a player, they were more active
at the 2018 trade deadline as well, dealing Ty Montgomery and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
in two separate moves. Each player, on expiring contracts and unlikely to be
re-signed,brought back draft pick collateral to Green Bay.Waiver ClaimsThe
Packers made several waiver claims during the 2018 season, including the
additions of defensive back Natrell Jamerson and defensive lineman Fadol Brown
who will each be fighting for roster spots again this summer. But the Packers
have continued to be active through the waiver route in 2019.Just in the last
month, Green Bay has claimed cornerback Mike Tyson, wide receiver Jawill Davis,
and kicker Sam Ficken. The pursuit of tight end Jordan Leggett this week, though
Tampa Bay won his
rights
https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Jamaal-Williams-Jersey ,
was yet another example of Gutekunst trusting his pro scouts and trying to
increase the competition at a position that had already added depth this
offseason. Waiver claims should continue to be a cost-effective way for the
Packers to pick up role players under Gutekunst.Restricted Free AgencyIt is not
often that the Packers have turned to the restricted free agent market for
talent. More often, they have had internal players such as Aaron Kampman sign an
offer sheet with another team before ultimately matching the offer. While most
restricted free agency pursuits from Green Bay would be considered a surprise,
Gutekunst has proven he has not ruled those opportunities out.In his first few
months on the job, Gutekunst shocked many when he signed Chicago cornerback Kyle
Fuller to an offer sheet. Whether it was to force the Bears’ hand on a lucrative
long-term deal or an intentional attempt to improve the defense, the focus on
Fuller indeed showed that Gutekunst would leave no stone unturned.Unrestricted
Free AgencyLast but certainly not least, unrestricted free agency has been a
renewed focus under Gutekunst to improve the roster. In his first free agency,
the Packers landed Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Davon House, Tramon Williams,
and Byron Bell in the spring before bringing Bashaud Breeland in September.But
those moves were pale in comparison to Gutekunst’s dealing in 2019, moving
quickly to sign Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith, Adrian Amos, and Billy Turner on
the second day of free agency. While the extreme level of activity should not be
expected every year under Gutekunst, it represented a willingness to shake up
the roster and commit money to getting quicker results on the field. After years
of futility in free agency under Thompson, Green Bay has raised eyebrows with
its number of free agent moves under Gutekunst.Brian Gutekunst vowed to explore
all options of acquiring talent when he took the Packers’ GM position and so far
he has lived up to that promise to large extents. And with Green Bay trying to
get back to the postseason, he may have plenty more moves up his sleeves as the
year plays out.
Find in Directory
Find in Events
Find in Marketplace