Packers Fantasy News

Monday, June 17, 2013, 8:39am

For what it's worth: Former Packers WR Donald Driver said: "I think the thing for me is if the Packers call midseason, I’d be in shape. I’ve been staying in shape."

Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 9:00pm

Jermichael Finley's offseason weight gain was noticeable even to a casual observer at practice this week -- and not in a bad way. After slimming down prior to the 2011 season, hoping to be used more as a receiver than a traditional tight end, Finley has re-packed the bulk onto his 6-foot-5 frame. No one was providing exact figures this week, but my educated guess is that Finley is now much closer to his listed weight of 247 pounds than he has been since 2010, when he was as low as 235 pounds.

"I think Jermichael looks excellent," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He has put weight back on. He's back where I like to see him, the playing weight that he's playing with. He's stronger. He's playing with more confidence. … I really like the offseason that Jermichael has put together so far."

DuJuan Harris has cyst removed from chest
Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 8:52pm

It was during a physical before minicamp that doctors discovered Packers RB DuJuan Harris had a cyst in his chest that was pressing on one of his lungs. Harris, one of the feel-good stories for the Packers last season, underwent surgery Tuesday to have the cyst removed.

That explains his absence from the team's minicamp this week.

Monday, June 3, 2013, 11:52am

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, who was forced to miss the team's playoff loss to the Packers last season in Green Bay because of a deeply bruised throwing triceps, was throwing well and with plenty of velocity in team drills last week at Winter Park.

"It feels good; there are no aftereffects," Ponder said of his arm.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 9:23am

Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum seems confident kicker Mason Crosby will bounce back from a sub-par season in 2012.

“He had some technical issues that he worked through," Slocum said. "I thought he started to improve at the end of the season. He’s had a good offseason to this point. We want to get to the production we had at the end of 2010 through 2011. That’s what’s important for us to get to.”

The Packers brought in competition for Crosby in the form of Giorgio Tavecchio in the offseason.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 9:03am

“I thought [WR James Jones] had a phenomenal year last year, and this year he’s going to be even better than what he was last year,” Packers wide receivers coach Edgar Bennett said. “I think he understands that and I think knows what he’s capable of doing. I thought last year was just a starting point for James.”

Tavon Austin taking handoffs in practice
Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:50am

Tavon Austin, chosen No. 8 overall in the recent NFL draft, took a few handoffs midway through practice. At West Virginia last fall, in addition to catching 114 passes for 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns, Austin rushed 72 times for 643 yards and three scores.

Thursday, May 23, 2013, 1:02pm

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on the team's receiving corps:

“I still like the guys we've got,” Rodgers said after practice. “We have a lot of talent at that position. I think Randall Cobb is a guy who could be a 100-plus catch guy every year. James Jones led the league in touchdown receptions last year. [Jordy Nelson] has had some real big years for us.”

After the big three, the Packers have Jarrett Boykin, who came to the rookie orientation camp a year ago as a tryout player after being cut by Jacksonville and earned a spot on the 53-man roster coming out of training camp as the sixth receiver. The rookie caught only five passes for 27 yards in regular-season play, but his final catch was a big one: A critical 7-yard grab on fourth down against Minnesota in the regular-season finale that kept a late scoring drive alive. The coaches like his size (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) and detailed approach to the game.

“I like what Jarrett Boykin brings. He's a big, physical receiver who's going to get some opportunities this year,” Rodgers said. “And I think he really has a great approach to the game, as does Jeremy Ross. Both those guys last year really stepped up and cared about it enough to put in a lot of extra time.”

Monday, May 20, 2013, 9:50am

Packers LB Desmond Bishop, 28, admits he'll probably stay cautious through organized team activities and minicamp this spring. But he also says he'll be "110%" ready for training camp.

Eddie Lacy's toe is not fully fused
Friday, May 10, 2013, 9:48am

Two weeks ago, Packers RB Eddie Lacy tripped all the way to the 61st overall pick. One reason was leaked afterward. Before his final year at Alabama, Lacy underwent surgery on the big toe of his right foot. For a bigger, mashing running back whose job is to inflict and absorb punishment, this was a red flag.

Only longevity - or a lack thereof - will ultimately prove who was right on draft day. But this week, both Lacy and his team doctor at Alabama insisted that the toe is not a problem. True, a small piece of bone in Lacy's big toe on his right foot was "fused." He did undergo turf toe surgery before his final season at Alabama. But it wasn't "toe fusion surgery" in the classic sense, his doctor said.

Lacy had surgery on his toe to prevent potential problems. Alabama's team doctor, E. Lyle Cain Jr., believes the window of legitimate concern - immediately after the surgery - has passed. One of Cain's partners teamed with a doctor from the Steadman Hawkins Research Clinic in Vail, Colo., to perform the bone fusion. Unlike the typical toe fusion surgery - which hardens the toe completely, limiting mobility - only the bone on the tip of Lacy's big toe was fused.

"The joint underneath the toenail was fused to allow the ligament to work better basically," Cain said. "It's something you do to give you a better push-off. His big toe moves just like a normal big toe in terms of motion. . . . If you fused it completely, it'd give you a stiff big toe and you can't push off and that's a big problem. In Eddie's case, he does not have that. His fusion does not affect his big-toe motion.

"The bottom line is, the fusion he had does not affect his big-toe motion."

Friday, May 3, 2013, 10:12am

Packers RT Bryan Bulaga is moving to the left side to be quarterback Aaron Rodgers' blind-side protector, replacing last year's starter Marshall Newhouse.

In addition, the coaches have flipped guards T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton, moving Lang from left to right and Sitton from right to left. Newhouse, 2012 undrafted free agent Don Barclay and 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod will all have a shot to start at right tackle.

Initially, multiple sources detailed the move, and later after an interview request, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed it and agreed to discuss it.

"I sat down with Bryan and Josh on Monday and I told them I wanted to make the move to where they're on the left side," McCarthy said. "Those two are our most accomplished and experienced players. I told them about the responsibilities and my expectations about playing the left side.

"Some of the things we'll want to get into schematically as we move forward. They were excited about it."

Thursday, May 2, 2013, 10:46am

RB Eddie Lacy slid to the Packers due health concerns.

"He was always healthy enough to practice," said Alabama's tight end Michael Williams, drafted by the Detroit Lions. "He practiced every day; he never missed a day of practice. He had the foot injury, or whatever it was, and played through that. You couldn't tell he was hurt.

And as of now, he's 100%.

"From Day 1," Lacy said. "I'm going to be ready to go."

Packers sign Aaron Rodgers to an extension
Friday, April 26, 2013, 4:59pm

The Green Bay Packers have signed QB Aaron Rodgers to a contract extension. The signing was announced Friday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

“Aaron is a true professional and a special player,” Thompson said. “He works hard, is humble, and is focused on his actions, on and off the field. He is an excellent teammate and pushes himself and others to be the very best. We are happy to reach an agreement to extend his career with the Packers.”

Thursday, April 25, 2013, 2:12pm

Packers aren't going to sign RB Cedric Benson today. Just checking on his foot for now.

Raiders acquire QB Matt Flynn
Monday, April 1, 2013, 12:16pm

The Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks have pulled the trigger on a trade that will send quarterback Matt Flynn to the Raiders in exchange for a pair of draft picks, reports Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the picks the Raiders have shipped to the Seahawks include picks in 2014 and a conditional draft choice in 2015.

In addition to acquiring Flynn, Glazer adds that the Raiders are attempting to trade Carson Palmer, their starting quarterback the last two seasons, to the Arizona Cardinals for a late round draft choice.