Saturday, April 30, 2016

Green Bay Packers Draft — Day 2

ROUND 2:
JASON SPRIGGS — ROUND 2 (#48 Overall)
College: Indiana
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6’ 7”
Weight: 305 lbs.
Year: Senior
Hometown: Elkhart, Ind.
High School: Concord

OVERVIEW: Spriggs excelled in his senior season, catching second-team All-Big Ten accolades along with the eyes of scouts. The four-year starter also was named first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and third-team honors by the Associated Press. Spriggs had a scary moment on the field in 2014 against Michigan State, as he was taken to the hospital after suffering a helmet-to-helmet blow. But since them he has shown the build (6-foot-7, 307 pounds), anchor in pass protection and willingness to block through the whistle to be the type of prospect NFL offensive line coaches will covet at left tackle.

PRO DAY RESULTS: Vertical: 35 inches / 3-cone: 7.57 seconds

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS: Athletic frame with long arms. Comes out of his stance with tremendous quickness and has elite lateral movement. Can get to extremely difficult backside cutoff blocks. Knee bender. As a move blocker, lands squarely in the strike zone and rolls hips and feet under him to to wash down defender or secure a down-block. Shows good patience in space with ability to become solid combination blocker in zone scheme. Looks to finish. Able to adjust his assignments on the fly. Is active with his hands in pass pro. Will throw jabs with both hands rather than offering them up for defensive ends to swat. Has tools to substantially slow pass rushers when timing his punch. Durable, four-year starter.

WEAKNESSES: Play strength needs improvement. Unable to match power as a base blocker and too easy moved off his spot. Struggles to cleanly absorb and eat contact without being jostled. Has crippling issue with over-setting in pass protection. Doesn't maintain much weight on inner half of his frame and has consistent issues redirecting his weight back inside with suddenness against inside moves. Doesn't use his length to his advantage often enough. Slows his slide when punching, allowing rushers opportunity to gain advantage around the corner. Needs stronger hands to snatch and control rather than just push. Ability to recover with power or athletic traits are a concern.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Round 2

NFL COMPARISON: Ryan Harris

BOTTOM LINE: Spriggs has outstanding athleticism, but his play strength and overall recovery ability are major concerns for a position as important as tackle. Spriggs followed up a strong week at the Senior Bowl with a very good showing at the combine and has solidified his standing as an early round tackle amongst evaluators. If he can improve his inside post and prevent counter moves from eating him up, he has a chance to be a solid NFL starter on the left side.
(NFL.com)

Spriggs, along with right guard Dan Feeney, became the fifth and sixth first team All-American offensive linemen in program history. He started 28 consecutive games to begin his career and made 47 starts in 48 games at left tackle.

2015 Honors: Football Writers Association of America first team All-American … also earned All-America recognition from Phil Steele, Sporting News, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated … the first Outland Trophy semifinalist in school history … second team All-Big Ten (coaches and media) … received Indiana’s Chris Dal Sasso Award (Outstanding Lineman) … team captain.

2015 (Senior): Allowed just two sacks in 475 called pass attempts … finished with 79 knockdowns in a team-high 1,074 snaps … started all 13 games at right guard … Indiana finished first in the Big Ten in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense, while placing second in rushing offense ... the Hoosiers became the first team since Ohio State in 1995 to lead the league in total, passing and scoring offense ... IU led the conference in scoring offense for the first time since the Big Ten began using the entire season as the statistical champion in 1985 ... Indiana had not led the league in total offense since 1988 ... the Hoosiers became the fourth college football team to have a 3,500-yard passer, a pair of 1,000-yard running backs and a 1,000-yard receiver in the same year ... IU was one of only two Power Five conference teams with two 1,000-yard running backs (Baylor) ... the offensive line allowed 13 sacks, tied for the seventh fewest nationally ... Indiana set single-season school records with 475 total points, 6,556 total yards, 3,820 passing yards, 337 first downs and 168 passing first downs … IU offensive player of the week (Michigan) … six-time game captain.

2014 Honors: Honorable mention All-Big Ten (media).

2014 (Junior): Played in 11 games and made 10 starts at left tackle ... allowed just two sacks in 689 snaps ... recorded 45 knockdowns ... the team set a program single-season record with 3,163 rushing yards ... Indiana averaged 263.6 rushing yards per game (9th nationally, 3rd in the Big Ten) and 405.0 total yards (5th in the Big Ten) ... the Hoosiers gained 200 yards 10 times (T-9th nationally, 3rd in the Big Ten), averaged 5.9 yards per carry (8th nationally, 2nd in the Big Ten) and scored 29 times on the ground ... Tevin Coleman became the 18th player in FBS history to rush for 2,000 yards (2,036), which set a school record, is 16th on the FBS all-time list and sixth in Big Ten history ... Coleman was Indiana’s third unanimous and consensus All-American and finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting.

2013 Honors: Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media).

2013 (Sophomore): Started all 12 games at left tackle ... Indiana set single-season records with 508.5 total yards per game, 38.4 points per game, 36 passing touchdowns and 62 total TDs ... the team averaged over 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in the same season for the first time in school history ... offensive line surrendered just one sack every 26.1 pass attempts, which ranked third in the Big Ten ... the Hoosiers were one of six teams in the nation to rank in the top 30 in total, passing, scoring and rushing offense ... IU offensive player of the week (Purdue).

2012 Honors: Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media) ... CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-American honorable mention ... ESPN.com and BTN.com Big Ten All-Freshman team ... 247Sports.com second team All-Big Ten.

2012 (Freshman): Started all 12 games, an IU true freshman record for an offensive lineman ... led the team with 80 knockdowns and surrendered just two sacks in 961 snaps ... offensive line led the Big Ten allowing just one sack every 31.8 pass attempts ... line did not allow a sack in five games and surrendered just one sack twice ... team led the Big Ten in passing offense (311.2), finished second in total offense (442.0) and fourth in scoring offense (30.8).

Prep/Personal: Offensive tackle, defensive end and long snapper for head coach Tim Dawson at Concord High School ... Indiana Associated Press Class 5A All-State (defensive line) and Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) Top 50 (offensive line) in 2011 ... three-year starter recorded 58 tackles, seven sacks, 19 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three passes broken up ... returned one of the fumbles for a touchdown ... first team Elkhart Truth selection as an offensive lineman in 2011 and as a defensive lineman in 2010 ... team captain named Concord’s most valuable offensive lineman (2011) and defensive lineman (2010 and 2011) ... IFCA Junior All-State honoree ... selected all-conference as an offensive and defensive lineman in both 2010 and 2011 ... rated the No. 17 prospect in Indiana by 247Sports ... also a basketball, lacrosse and track and field standout ... parents are Rick and Michelle Spriggs ... born on May 17, 1994, Jason Michael Spriggs is a liberal studies major.
(Indiana PR)





ROUND 3:
KYLER FACKRELL — ROUND 3 (#88 Overall)
College: Utah State
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 250 lbs.
Year: Senior
Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
High School: Mesa
Experience: 2 Letters

OVERVIEW: A stand-up rush linebacker with length and agility, Fackrell came out the box strong for the Aggies, garnering all-conference honors in each of his first two seasons on campus (21 tackles for loss, eight sacks in 2012-2013). Fackrell suffered a torn ACL in the season opener as a junior but returned with in his final year, consistently making plays on the edge against the run (82 tackles) and attacking the backfield (15 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, five recovered). Scouts appreciate the maturity of a plyer who has gone through injury adversity, as well as taken on responsibilities via marriage and fatherhood. Fackrell and his wife, Elizabeth, welcomed a baby girl (Delaney) into the word early in 2015.

PRO DAY RESULTS: Short shuttle: 4.31 seconds / 3-cone: 7.24 seconds / Bench: 16 reps of 225 lbs.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS: Premium length and athleticism. Played quarterback and wide receiver in high school and lettered in basketball and volleyball. Rangy tackler who is able to shadow the ball all over the field. Has length and arm extension to punch and control the point of attack. Functional strength is good enough against the run. Has length and motor for tremendous tackle radius. Had 80 tackles or more in each of his last three full seasons. Had just five sacks, but often dropped into space. Potential is there to become plus pass rusher. Combines forward lean, hip explosion and long arms to crank up speed-­to­-power pocket push. Upfield burst covers substantial ground in first three steps. Has upper body turn and shoulder dip to slip under tackle’s shoulder and around the corner. Don’t sleep on his cover ability in space.

WEAKNESSES: Missed the entire 2014 season with an ACL tear. Can improve his hand play as pass rusher at the high side of his rush. When edge rush stalls out, has average counter attack. Long-strider who struggles to make sudden inside moves once he gets going upfield. High center of gravity combined with lean lower half make it difficult to play through redirect blocks with contact balance.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Round 3

NFL COMPARISON: Connor Barwin

BOTTOM LINE: When it comes to the length and athleticism teams will look for off the edge, Fackrell will be one of the poster boys. His field versatility, coverage talent and potential as a pass rusher could make him one of the fastest rising prospects in this draft and a future contender for a Pro Bowl nod.
(NFL.com)

HONORS: Phil Steele Fourth-Team All-American (2015); All-Mountain West First-Team (2015); Butkus Award Semifinalist (2015); Phil Steele First-Team All-Mountain West (2013, 2015); College Football News Sophomore Honorable Mention All-American (2013); All-Mountain West Second-Team (2013); College Sports Madness Third-Team All-Mountain West (2013); Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (11/28/15; 11/16/15; 11/2/13); College Sports Madness Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (9/27/13; 11/2/13); College Football Performance Awards National Linebacker of the Week (11/2/13); Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American (2012); First-Team All-WAC (2012); WAC Defensive Player of the Week (10/5/12; 10/13/12); College Football Performance Awards Honorable Mention National Linebacker of the Week (9/21/13; 10/13/12; 10/27/12). 

2015 PRESEASON HONORS: Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year; First-Team All-Mountain West; College Sports Madness First-Team All-Mountain West; Phil Steele First-Team All-Mountain West; Athlon Sports First-Team All-Mountain West; Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List; Butkus Award Watch List; Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List; Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. 

RECORDS: Set a single-season school record with 12 quarterback hurries as a senior, including a single-game school record of six against Colorado State (10/3/15)... Ranks tied for 10th all-time in USU history with 125 career interception return yards... Returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown against Hawai’i (11/2/13), which ranks as the third-longest interception return in USU and Mountain West history... Had nine career double-digit tackle outings... Scored two defensive touchdowns (interception, fumble recovery) and one offensive touchdown (reception) during his career... Is one of just 15 players in school history to earn first-or-second-team all-conference honors three times during a career. 

2015 (SR): Started all 13 games... Earned fourth-team All-American honors from Phil Steele’s Magazine and was named a first-team all-Mountain West selection as he finished the season ranking first in the nation with five fumble recoveries, while also ranking first on the team with his 15.0 tackles for loss, first on the team with his school-record 12 quarterback hurries and second with his 4.0 sacks... Was also named first-team all-MW by Phil Steele’s Magazine... Overall, he ranked sixth in the MW in tackles for loss (1.15 pg) and 27th in the MW in tackles with 82 (6.3 pg)... His 82 tackles (37-solo, 45-assist) were second on the team, as were his three games with double-digit tackles, all of which came against conference opponents... Tied for first on the team with his two forced fumbles, to go along with a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone against Nevada (11/21)... Was named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week twice after performances against then-No. 21 Boise State (10/16) and Nevada (11/21)... Against the Broncos, he had 11 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble... Against the Wolf Pack, he recorded 10 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown... Recorded double-digit tackles in three games, including a season-high 11 stops against Boise State... Also had 10 tackles against both San Diego State (10/23) and Nevada... Recorded at least five tackles in 11 of the 13 games he played in... Posted a career-high 3.0 tackles for loss against Colorado State (10/3) and had tackles for loss in nine games... Tied his career-high with 2.0 sacks against Southern Utah (9/3)... Six of his quarterback hurries were against CSU, setting the single-game USU school record, while adding two each against SUU, BSU and UN... His five fumble recoveries were against CSU, Fresno State (10/10) and Nevada, as well as two against the Broncos... Forced two fumbles during the season at Washington (9/19) and against Boise State... Was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s best linebacker.

2014 (JR): Played just one game during the season as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter of the season-opener at Tennessee (8/31)... Recorded two solo tackles against the Volunteers. 

2013 (SO): Started all 14 games... Named an honorable mention Sophomore All-American by College Football News and earned second-team all-Mountain West honors as he finished the season ranking first on the team with 13.0 tackles for loss, tied for first with two forced fumbles and second with 5.0 sacks, while ranking fourth on the team with 82 total tackles (37-solo, 45-assist)... Averaged 5.9 tackles per game to rank 35th in the Mountain West... Also recorded three quarterback hurries, recovered one fumble, intercepted one pass and registered one pass breakup during the year... Had a career-high 13 tackles and tied his career-high with 2.0 tackles for loss against BYU (10/4), and had 11 tackles at San José State (9/27)... Was named the Mountain West's Defensive Player of the Week and College Football Performance Awards National Linebacker of the Week following USU's 47-10 home win against Hawai'i (11/2) as he recorded nine tackles, including 0.5 for loss, to go along with an interception return of 99 yards for his first career defensive touchdown, which ranks as the third-longest interception return in Utah State and Mountain West history... Scored his first career offensive touchdown against Weber State (9/14) on a 4-yard reception to become the first Aggie to score an offensive and defensive touchdown in the same season since 1964 when Earsell Mackbee had four receiving touchdowns and two interception returns for touchdowns... Had six-plus tackles in six games during the season and recorded at least 0.5 tackles for loss in 12 games... Was named College Sports Madness' Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week following USU wins at San José State and against Hawai'i, and an honorable mention national linebacker of the week from College Football Performance Awards following the USC (9/21) game as he had four tackles, forced a fumble and tied his career-high with 2.0 sacks. 

2012 (RS-FR): Started all 13 games... Earned first-team all-WAC honors and was named a Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Freshman All-American as he finished the year ranking second on the team and eighth in the WAC with three interceptions (0.23 pg), third on the team and 13th in the WAC with 8.0 tackles for loss (0.62 pg), and fourth on the team and 13th in the WAC with 87 tackles (6.7 pg)... Those 87 stops rank tied for third all-time at Utah State among freshmen along with Jake Hutton who had 87 tackles in 2005... The single-season school record for tackles by a freshman is 123 set by Del Lyles in 1988, while Terrance Washington registered 93 tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2003... Finished second on the team with seven quarterback hurries, to go along with 3.0 sacks and three pass breakups... Had a career-high two sacks against San José State (10/13), as USU set a single-game school record with 13 sacks in the contest, and 0.5 sacks against both Texas State (11/3) and Idaho (11/24)... Blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt against New Mexico State (10/20)... Forced and recovered a fumble against SJSU... His three interceptions came against BYU (10/5), UTSA (10/27) and Toledo (12/15) in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Returned his interception against the Rockets 16 yards, his interception against BYU eight yards and his interception against the Roadrunners two yards... Recorded double-digit tackles four times during the year, including in back-to-back games against BYU and San José State with 10 and 11 stops, respectively... Had a season-high 11 tackles against Utah (9/7) and tied that total against both SJSU and Idaho... Had at least five tackles in eight games during the year... Had a career-high three quarterback hurries against UNLV (9/29)... Is the first player in school history to be named a FWAA Freshman All-American and was just the fourth freshman in school history to earn first-team all-conference honors... Earned WAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during the 2012 season in back-to-back outings against BYU and San José State, marking the first time since 1996 that an Aggie freshman has earned WAC Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks... Was also the first WAC freshman to earn the award in consecutive weeks going back to 1999... Was named College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) honorable mention National Linebacker of the Week following games against SJSU and UTSA... Was one of 32 players, including defensive end teammate Jordan Nielsen, named to the CFPA National Freshman Performer of the Year Watch List. 

2011 (RS): Redshirted during his first season at Utah State. 

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letterwinner at Mesa (Ariz.) High School... As a prep senior, saw action in three games at quarterback and 11 games at wide receiver, as well as playing all 14 games at linebacker... Earned 5A-I all-region and all-Mesa Tribune honors on both offense and defense in leading the Jackrabbits to a 9-5 record and runner-up finish in the 5A-I state playoffs, Mesa HS's first 5A state championship game appearance in 17 years... Posted 68 tackles (25-solo, 43-assist) with eight pass break-ups, two interceptions and one forced fumble... On offense, tallied 36 receptions for 662 yards (18.3 ypc) with five touchdowns and a season-long of 63 yards... Also had 22 rushes for 159 yards (7.2 ypc) with three touchdowns and a season-long rush of 97 yards... Was also 22-of-38 (.579) passing for 334 yards (15.2 ypp) with four touchdowns and one interception... Had a 97-yard touchdown run, tying the second-longest rush in school history, which came on Oct. 2 as part of his 103 rushing yard outing along with four catches for 65 yards, earning him the U.S. Air Force Team Player of the Week award... As a junior, also earned team's MVP award after starting at quarterback, safety and kick/punt return specialist, along with 5A-I all-region honors... Also earned 5A-I all-region honors in both basketball and volleyball, and was a four-time letterwinner in basketball and a two-time letterwinner in volleyball. 

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 25, 1991... Son of Darrell and Lori Fackrell... Has two sisters and one brother... Graduated from USU in the fall of 2015 in business administration... Married Elizabeth Luke in October, 2013, and the couple has a two-year old daughter, Delaney... Name is pronounced Kie-ler Fack-rull.
(Utah State PR)




Thursday, April 28, 2016

Green Bay Packers Draft — Day 1

Round 1 of the 2016 NFL Draft was tonight, and the Green Bay Packers chose DT/NT Kenny Clark from UCLA with pick #27. Utilizing their “Best Available Player” (BAP) strategy that most fans and media never seem to figure out, they get a player that can hopefully make the retirement of B.J. Raji a moot point. Round 2 is tomorrow night, and they may yet get the LB that everyone seems to think they should take. Here are some more photos of Clark (who wore #97 in college — we’ll see if fellow current DT Christian Ringo surrenders that number to him), followed by his bio from the official UCLA media guide:






















We also found this video highlights film on YouTube to see him in action with UCLA.

KENNY CLARK — ROUND 1 (#27 Overall)
College: UCLA
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 310 lbs.
Year: Junior
Hometown: San Bernardino, Calif.
High School: Carter
Experience: 2 Letters

OVERVIEW: Kenny Clark, Sr., went to prison in 2005, leaving 9-year-old Kenny, Jr. to mature faster than most of the boys his age. With the help of his mother and others, Clark maintained a good relationship with this father and turned the adversity into a positive, working hard to become an excellent high school player. He started four games as a freshman in 2013 (31 tackles, four for loss, one sack), then stayed a fixture in the lineup the following year. The 2014 second-team All-Pac-12 selection (58 tackles, 5.5 for loss) graduated to all-conference first team as a junior, using his strength and agility to finish second on the Bruins in tackles (75), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (six) despite lining up in the interior. Clark also showed a knack for batting down passes, breaking up five on the year.

PRO DAY RESULTS: 3-cone: 7.73 seconds

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS: Former high school wrestler who can generate torque through upper body strength and leverage with power in his hips. Will hammer finesse guards and centers with initial punch and overtake the neutral zone. Quick to diagnose run direction and will race to set the edge against blocker. Low center of gravity and powerful core make him a challenging block to seal for linemen. Cranks up a nasty bull ­rush to collapse pocket when single blocked. Plays with plus instincts and football IQ. Has feel for trap blocks and double teams and is quick to read and react to screens. Can work his way through double teams and squeeze the gap.

WEAKNESSES: Short and missing arm length to be better tackle finisher. Allowed unusual amount of broken tackles (4) for an interior lineman. Not a quick twitch athlete. Needs to do a better job of bringing feet and hips through contact. Gets too anxious pursuing down line and can lose backside contain. Despite strength, lack of size will be challenging in some matchups. Straight line bull­ rusher with average lateral quickness for twists.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Round 2

SOURCES TELL US: "What bothers me about Clark is that he was so much better against weaker competition than he was against better talent. I like him, but not like everyone is hyping him up." 
—­ AFC Pac-12 scout

NFL COMPARISON: David Parry

BOTTOM LINE: Has the strength and talent to be a plug and play 4-­3 nose, but lack of size and concerns about his value on third downs could push his draft value into the second day. Clark's wrestling background gives him a huge leg up at the point of attack and he won't be 21 until October which means he's still filling out his frame. Would benefit from a year of rotational work as he continues to physically mature.
(NFL.com)

2015 — Starter in all 13 games for a total of 29 consecutive starts ... Third-team AP All-America ... First-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection (AP and coaches) ... Team co-captain ... Appeared on the Bednarik, Nagurski, Outland and Lombardi Award Watch Lists ... Recorded career bests in tackles (75-second on team and 25th in Pac-12), sacks (6.0-second on team and tied for 10th in Pac-12) and tackles for loss (11.0-second on team and tied for 14th in Pac-12) ... He had the third highest PBU total on the team with five.

2014 — Starter in all 13 games ... Made 58 tackles (sixth on the team), 5.5 for loss ... Selected to the second-team all-conference squad ... Posted a career-high eight tackles at UVa and at California (1.5 for loss) ... Registered seven stops in games at Arizona State and at Colorado ... Had at least four tackles in eight games.

2013 — Appeared in all 13 games with four starts ... Made 31 tackles, four for loss ... Had a best game of six tackles vs. Arizona State ... Credited with one forced fumble ... Had nine multiple tackle games ... Named Sun Bowl Most Valuable Lineman ... Presented the Ed Kezirian "Coach K" Award for Academic and Athletic Balance at the team banquet.

HIGH SCHOOL — A four-star recruit according to both scout.com and rivals.com … Ranked No. 187 nationally by scout.com … SuperPrep All-West Region selection and the No. 24-ranked defensive tackle in the country … Ranked as the No. 20 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 34 overall prospect on the West 150 list, according to scout.com … Regarded as the nation’s No. 24 defensive tackle and the No. 39 overall prospect in the state of California by rivals.com … ESPN.com’s No. 56 recruit in California and the No. 41-ranked defensive tackle in the nation … The No. 25-rated prospect in the CA/NV/HI region according to PrepStar … CIF Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Year … Also on the wrestling team … Team went 12-1 in his senior season … Credited with 71 tackles, 11.0 sacks for 64 yards lost, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery … As a junior, had 31 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss … Coached by Alex Pierce.

PERSONAL — Full Name: Kenneth Duane Clark, Jr. … Born in San Bernardino, CA… Parents: Kenneth and Leslie Clark … Has one brother and two sisters ... Lists the NFL's Ray Lewis as the athlete he admires the most … Enjoys spending time with his family ... Interested in becoming a coach.
(UCLA PR)

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

2016 NFL Draft Details


2016 NFL Draft: How to watch on TV

Draft week is finally here and the Los Angeles Rams are on the clock. And for the second straight year, all the round-by-round drama will unfold in Chicago's Auditorium Theatre. Here's the schedule for Rounds 1-7, including TV coverage times and networks:

ROUND 1
Thursday, April 28: 7:00 p.m. CT on ESPN and NFL Network.
Each team has 10 minutes to submit their official pick.

• • • • • •

ROUNDS 2-3
Friday, April 29: 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN and NFL Network. ESPN's coverage moves to ESPN 2 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Each team has 7 minutes to submit their official pick.

• • • • • •

ROUNDS 4-7
Saturday, April 30: 11:00 a.m. CT on ESPN and NFL Network.
Each team has 5 minutes to submit their official pick.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Pigskin Champions


On this lovely spring day our thoughts, as usual, turn to football. Of course, there’s the NFL Draft coming up this Thursday, but we found this on YouTube — the only place this side of the Packers Hall of Fame that you can view this film. It’s “Pigskin Champions,” a 1937 sports short subject documentary directed by Charles G. Clarke. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was a part of the "Pete Smith Specialties" series, and featured the then-World Champion Green Bay Packers in an exhibition of football skills.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Titletown District Construction

We spent last weekend in Green Bay at the Packerville, U.S.A. headquarters, and were able  to see that the team’s development of the Titletown District is getting started. To explain for the uninitiated, or for those who have forgotten, this is the huge new project on the 34-acre property now owned by the Packers that spreads westward along Lombardi Avenue towards Highway 41.

First, we’ll take a look at the renderings released by the Packers several months ago. Above shows how it will appear when looking east back towards Lambeau Field.

This is the view you’d get while standing on the upper concourse of Lambeau, looking west. The building at right with the “H” on it will be the new location of the Hinterland Restaurant and Brewery, which will move from their current location downtown. Not seen is the Bellin Health Sports Medicine Clinic and Lodge Kohler, a four-diamond high-end hotel.


This satellite view shows all of the area to be developed (the skinny portion to the left).


Above and below, a winter scene of the area with proposed skating pond in a 10-acre park-like setting. 

The same view of the scene from second photo at top, but in winter.

A fall scene, looking back towards Lambeau Field.

Another drawing, with Lambeau Field to the right. The top of the drawing is north.

An aerial photo of about half the site.

This is a shot that brings us to what we saw last weekend. At lower left, dirt is finally being moved at the Lodge Kohler site. This is the view from the upper Lambeau Field concourse, looking west.

Now, onto our photos. This is along Ridge Road, seen from the Lambeau Field parking lot. The construction fences are up, and so we had to scout out some position where we can take photos of the project from time to time through the next few years.

Looking westward through the fence gate. The Lodge Kohler site is to the immediate left.

Standing along the construction fence on Ridge Road.

Miron, who has been the builder through most of the Lambeau Field renovations, is apparently the main contractor for the Titletown District as well.

Looking the other direction (south) along Ridge Road.

Next time we visit the site, we should wear our Packers’ hard hat.

Above and below, looking at the site through the fence gate.


Above and below, the Kohler Company handles the construction of their facilities, so Mortensen Construction will be the contractor on their site.


Back at Lambeau Field, the refurbishment of the corporate suites continues. They were 13 years old, so a “fresh” look was due.

On a 74° day in Green Bay, the large piles of snow stubbornly hang on, but are just about gone. 

The scene on Brookwood Drive, which is the road where we normally walk to the stadium after parking. Looks like we’ll need a new route this season.

The same view, a bit closer. The construction trailer offices seen at left is where Lodge Kohler will be built.

Above and the next several shots: Views of the Lodge Kohler site as seen from Brookwood Drive.





We’ll be providing construction updates as we go along.

Other project details:

Bellin Health, official healthcare partner of the Packers, will operate the nearly 30,000 square-foot sports medicine facility. It will be geared toward injury prevention, performance improvement, injury treatment and therapy — and will include lab, x-ray and MRI; sports nutrition; sports psychology services.

Hinterland’s 20,000 square-foot facility will be nearly four times larger than their current Green Bay restaurant and brewery. The main floor brew pub and restaurant experience will pair farm-to-table culinary experiences. The brewery will produce 20,000 bottles annually and offer tours and tasting rooms for guests.

Lodge Kohler will be Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate Group’s fourth hotel, adding to The American Club and Inn on Woodlake in Kohler, Wis., and The Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Future tenants
Approximately 16 acres will be available for further development — retail, commercial and residential. Up to 70 townhouse homes may be constructed along Brookwood Drive.

Targeted completion is the fall of 2017 for the three initial components described above.

Development consultants
Sterling Project Development, a real estate advisory firm
ROSSETTI, a global architectural design and planning firm
Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, a firm that creates, redevelops, and operates parks, public spaces and neighborhood streetscapes

Investment
The Packers plan to invest approximately $65 million in the Titletown District. Cumulative initial investment by all parties between $120-130 million.