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Packers look at long snapper
2008-01-30 13:57:00
For the second offseason in a row, the Green Bay Packers have some interest in long snapper Taylor Inglis (pictured) of the Edmonton Eskimo in the Canadian Football League."His agent has fielded calls from the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans," reports Vicki Hall for the Edmonton Journal.Railbird Central discovered the scoop on Inglis about a year ago, but the Packers since decided on re-signing Rob Davis after brining in Inglis for a workout.According to Inglis, the Packer coaches told him a year ago that there might be room for him this season. Well, the time has come and the team must once again decide what to do with Davis.Last we heard, head coach Mike McCarthy said he'd like to bring Davis back, and Davis said he'd be open to coming back.It's possible that the Packers could bring Inglis in to compete for a spot during training camp. Although Inglis may want to find a place in the NFL where there isn't as muc...
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Big fan is heading home
2008-01-30 13:43:00
Wayne Scullino and his family are heading home back to Australia on Friday after uprooting and moving to Green Bay for the past five months to follow the Packers."We've changed enormously since this started. It's the beginning of a new life for us," Scullino told the Green Bay Press-Gazette.A book about his experiences is reportedly in the works. Visit his website, www.theonceinalifetimefan.com to share in his experiences.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Offseason plan is off base
2008-01-30 00:05:00
The current issue of the Sporting News has had a section the past couple of weeks titled "Offseason game plan" for each of the teams that dropped out of the playoffs. This week the Green Bay Packers are featured, and the analysis is disappointing.According to the Sporting News, "The club has about $24 million in slaray cap room and only one significant free agent -- DT Corey Williams -- but it's unlikely G.M. Ted Thompson will go on a spending spree. He doesn't need to accumulate draft choices as he has the past three years because he has a lot of young backups waiting for an opportunity. Thompson's best bet is to go for one big-name free agent like Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant or Bears OLB Lance Briggs."The Sporting News is certainly right about the Packers not needing to accumulate draft choices. Thompson is likely to sit on his choices and not trade any away.It's also possible that the Packers will go after a big-name free agent with all the salary cap space they have, but it'...
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Free agency on horizon
2008-01-01 16:19:00
Now that the 2007 regular season is done, the Green Bay Packers have a better idea of the strengths and weaknesses of their team than they did just four months ago.The Packers were very quiet in free agency prior to the 2007 season with reserve cornerback Frank Walker their only signing of note.Don't expect 2008 to be so quiet.The Packers are in a good position. There is no glaring need sticking out right now. Of course, that could change with one injury. But for right now, that's a luxury.With such a young team, the Packers are poised to make a deep playoff run not only this season, but in years to come. The chess pieces are in place. One or two moves to improve the team in some key positions could be coming this offseason.The one place the Packers could improve the team could be along the offensive line. The Packers have a pair of solid starters at the tackle position in Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher. They're getting old in NFL years, but they'll be penciled in as the starter...
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Question marks surround offensive line
2008-01-01 15:50:00
The Green Bay Packers may be in okay shape with running back Ryan Grant and cornerback Will Blackmon after suffering injuries in Sunday's game, but the offensive line is another matter.It's possible that both Jason Spitz and Junius Coston could miss the divisional playoff game in two weeks.Of the two, Spitz is in better shape. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he's hopeful that Spitz will be able to play the Packers' first playoff game. However, there's a chance he can't."If Spitz can't play, Tony Moll would be the leading candidate to play right guard, although McCarthy said he would think about moving Colledge to right guard and inserting rookie Allen Barbre at left guard," reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Coston is more likely to miss extended time. The backup plan in case Coston can't go is simple. Daryn Colledge will start at left guard. And it's possible that Colledge would have started anyway.After being benched earlier in the season, Colledge ha...
More About: Question , Surround , Line , Marks

Packers should sign Williams
2007-12-31 23:36:00
One of the topics of conversation of the pregame broadcast of Sunday's game on the Packers Radio Network broadcast was that of free agent to be, defensive tackle Corey Williams .A majority of the talking heads agreed that Williams was as good as gone next season. One argument is that teams are willing to pay large amounts of money to free agent defensive linemen, and the Packers shouldn't spend that much money.Why not spend that money?The Packers will have some of the most salary cap space in the entire NFL next season with such a young roster that they have the luxury to resign Williams.They're right that Williams will command a lot of money, but the Packers should be willing to spend it. Ted Thompson knew what he was doing when he selected Justin Harrell during this past draft. He was hedging on the loss of Williams.Harrell may or may not turn out to be a good pick. The jury is still out on that. But Thompson was right when he said you can never have enough big men. The right th...
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The safety conundrum
2007-12-31 23:04:00
I felt compelled to write something after listening this morning to Fanline, a sports talk radio show in Green Bay on 107.5 fm WDUZ.Hosts Bill Rabeor and Drew Smith were talking about the Green Bay Packer safeties. Both had high praise for rookie Aaron Rouse. And I agree. Rouse seems to have a bright future. After his brief starting stint in place of an injured Nick Collins, Rouse played well showing a knack for making a play on the football.However, I'm not sure what to think about the two current starting safeties.Currently, I must say I'm in the corner of Atari Bigby. Smith stated on Fanline that he wasn't sure Bigby was a starter next year. Bigby's five interceptions and NFL defensive player of the week award the week the Packers beat St. Louis are some big feathers in his cap.Bigby is a big hitter, and he's obviously been an upgrade over Marquand Manuel and Mark Roman. He struggled in pass coverage the first half of the season but has gotten better as the season has gone o...
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Did you notice...?
2007-12-31 23:02:00
Lost in the shuffle of Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions is the fact that the Packers only had two penalties in the entire game.For one of the NFL's leaders in penalties, it was a good sign to see things heading in the right direction before the playoffs.It was also big that both Brett Favre and Jon Ryan had good games after coming off lousy performances at Chicago.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Looking to the 2008 draft
2007-12-29 15:42:00
It's never too early to start looking at the draft, right? The good news is that the Green Bay Packers are in pretty good shape. They don't have many glaring holes to plug. They need some depth in several areas, but they generally don't need many starters to be playing as rookies a year from now. Things can and will change by April, but here's an early (very early) look at the positions the Packers need some help.Right now it looks like the Packers will have seven draft picks and possibly more. They lost their 2008 sixth round choice to the New York Giants for running back Ryan Grant. Fortunately, they'll likely receive at least one seventh round supplemental pick for their losses of Ahman Green and David Martin in free agency. It's possible that they could receive higher than a seventh rounder, and it's also possible they'll get more than one supplemental choice. We'll assume one extra seventh rounder for the time being.First round - Cornerback: Charles Woodson and Al Harr...
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Woodson and Pickett unlikely to start
2007-12-29 15:32:00
Both cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Detroit Lions."Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (groin) appear to be the starters least likely to play this week in a game that won't affect the Packers' No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs," reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "The status of receiver Greg Jennings (ankle) also is up in the air."Jennings is listed as questionable.McCarthy reportedly said that Charles Woodson could play if it were a playoff game. With nothing on the line, it makes no sense to expose Woodson or Pickett or even Jennings to injury. There's plenty of young players that could use some playing time.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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We ain't ridin' the pine
2007-12-29 15:22:00
If you like to see young players getting some exposure to some extended playing time in the NFL, then Sunday's your day. Several backups will get a chance to show what they've got against the Detroit Lions tomorrow. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analyzes the young players who might get a shot at some P.T.:On offense, some of the early substitutions could be Koren Robinson, Ruvell Martin and Shaun Bodiford for flanker Donald Driver, Tony Moll for right tackle Mark Tauscher, Daryn Colledge for left tackle Chad Clifton, Ryan Krause for tight end Donald Lee, Brandon Jackson for running back Ryan Grant and Nall for Favre.On defense, look for Mike Montgomery and Jason Hunter at defensive end for Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins, Daniel Muir at defensive tackle, Desmond Bishop for middle linebacker Nick Barnett, Tracy White at outside linebacker, Tramon Williams for cornerback Al Harris, and Aaron Rouse and Charlie Peprah for safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby.Welcome t...

The Revolving Door
2007-12-28 14:17:00
There has been surprisingly little discontent on the Green Bay Packers this season despite head coach Mike McCarthy's revolving door philosophy on playing time at two positions.The offensive guard position and the nickel and dime back situations on defense haven't had a set in stone type of player all season long. One would think by the time the playoffs would come around the Packers would choose one person and run with it, but that hasn't been the case.A 12-3 record certainly has a lot to do with the small amont of discontent among the rotating players, but it seems hard to believe they would be comfortable with the situation.Of course, maybe that's the difference between a 12-3 team and a team that's going to be sitting home for the playoffs. Maybe Mike McCarthy has his players acting more professionally than other teams. Perhaps he's instilling in them a sense that competition is good.The term "revolving door" might be an understatement for what's happening along the inter...
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Look for Nall, not Rodgers
2007-12-27 15:00:00
Expect the doubts surrounding backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers to increase this weekend.Everyone wants to know if he's the quarterback of the future for the Green Bay Packers. Is he durable enough?The Packers may have no other choice once Brett Favre retires, but his current hamstring injury doesn't put much confidence in Packer supporters.It's the perfect opportunity this week for Rodgers to get some regular season, full speed action. Favre will definitely start for the purposes of keeping his streak alive. The Packers also hope having Favre in the game will get them off to a fast start. They definitely want to go into the playoffs with a little momentum.But Favre isn't going to play the whole game. Mike McCarthy has come out and said that being healthy going into the playoffs is more important than a win this week."We need to be smart," McCarthy is quoted as saying in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Ted and I have talked about it again today. We talked about it yesterday. We...

To sit or not to sit? That is the question.
2007-12-26 14:08:00
The Green Bay Packers and head coach Mike McCarthy face a tough decision whether or not to sit key players for this week's upcoming game against the Detroit Lions.On one hand, the game means nothing. Neither a loss nor a win will have any affect on the playoff picture.On the other hand, you don't want to go into the playoffs on a losing note. Everyone knows of a horror story of playoff teams that have faltered down the stretch.So what do the Packers do with a player like wide receiver Greg Jennings this upcoming week. Jennings incurred a minor injury in the last game."I'm told it's a mild ankle sprain," McCarthy said after the Bears game. "I'm hopeful he'll go this week. It was more of a bruise than a sprain. Pat (McKenzie) thinks he just might have been kicked on the bone. He wasn't very concerned about it. I know Greg wasn't either."Jennings could probably play, but will the team take the chance of aggravating his injury? With the bye the Packers have earned in the playoff...
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Spitz solidifies spot
2007-12-26 13:57:00
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has officially said that Jason Spitz has grabbed and held onto the starting right guard spot."I think Jason Spitz has clearly been the most consistent of the three," said McCarthy. "As we move forward, I would say we'd continue to keep him at the right guard. I'd like to get some continuity there. And Daryn Colledge and Junius Coston, somebody needs to take control of the left guard position."Just weeks ago, McCarthy was content with rotating Spitz, Colledge and Coston at any of the guard spots.It's a good thing that McCarthy has settled on at least one guard. There will be no second guessing in Spitz's mind or those of his teammates whether he'll be playing. That has to make thing easier on everyone.It's disappointing that Colledge couldn't hang onto the left guard spot. It certainly doesn't instill confidence in anyone that Colledge could be the left tackle of the future when Chad Clifton is done either.I'm reminded of an article...
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A reason for optimism
2007-12-25 14:00:00
I originally had the same reaction as every other Packer fan."If this is what they play like in the cold weather, then how are they going to play during the playoffs at Lambeau in January?"Everyone wants home field advantage. With one more week of the regular season to go, there was still hope that the Packers could get home field over the Dallas Cowboys before the debacle at Chicago.With the way the Cowboys and Redskins have been playing lately, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Washington could upset Dallas on Sunday.But all that is for naught now. The Packers aren't playing for anything next week against the Detroit Lions.The loss to the Bears wasn't the end of the world, though. It wasn't the cold that affected the Packers, it was the wind.When the Packers host a playoff game in three weeks, the cold won't bother them. I've seen Brett Favre for enough years now to know that the passing game isn't going to suffer even if it's five below zero.The Packers had a ...
More About: Reason , Optimism

Merry Christmas
2007-12-25 13:57:00
Merry Christmas to everyone. Sorry the posting has been a little on the low side during the holidays here. This Wisconsin native has gone to sunny Florida for the week between Christmas and New Years so the posting might be sporadic the next couple days.Regardless, enjoy the holidays. And enjoy reading.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Merry Christmas , Merry

The Jessica Simpson jinx
2007-12-22 01:00:00
Anything to distract the Dallas Cowboys.Packer fans will be happy to hear they have a lot of help in trying to detract the Dallas Cowboys and star quarterback Tony Romo from getting the best record in the NFC.Milwaukeeworld Publishing, http://www.milwaukeeworld.com/, is currently offering a free Jessica Simpson cutout mask, for Panthers and Packers fans alike. This Saturday, December 22nd at 8 p.m. (EST) the 12-2 Dallas cowboys travel to the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte, N.C. to take on the 6-8 Carolina Panthers."After Tony Romo's dismal display in Dallas' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, Terrell Owens seemingly blamed his quarterback's 22.2 passer rating on a particular blonde in the crowd. Now Milwaukeeworld Publishing is giving people the chance to be that blonde at the Cowboys next game against the Carolina Panthers this weekend," said Craig Peterson, owner and founder of Milwaukeeworld Publishing. Sites such as RuinRomo.com and WreckRomo.com have popped up ...

Jenkins to step up
2007-12-21 13:04:00
Cullen Jenkins just last week was starting to look the player we all thought he would be after the way he ended the 2006 season.Somewhere along the way, injuries derailed him.Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, "The Rams game Sunday was another breakthrough for a guy who at the end of last season became the Green Bay Packers' starting right defensive end and performed so well he earned a four-year, $16 million contract. After a good start to the season against Philadelphia (five tackles, four quarterback hits, one tackle for loss, one pass defensed), Jenkins has not been right physically, suffering from wrist, rib, knee and ankle ailments."The upgrade in health of Jenkins is happening at the right time. Just when the Packers were getting thin at the defensive tackle position, Jenkins can jump in and provide some relief and depth inside."Jenkins has remained solid against the run, proving to be much more effective at right end than Gbaja-Biamila was," writes S...
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Accolades for Bigby
2007-12-21 13:00:00
Green Bay Packers safety Atari Bigby was named the NFL's defensive player of the week for his performance against the St. Louis Rams this past Sunday.Bigby had two interceptions and four tackles. Perhaps even bigger is the havoc he wreaked when blitzing from his safety position. He didn't post any sacks but got plenty of good pressure on Marc Bulger.Congrats, Mr. Bigby. You're a huge upgrade over Marquand Manuel and Mark Roman.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Dreaming of a White Christmas
2007-12-20 13:09:00
It's possible that practice squad player Corey White (pictured in college at UAB) could be elevated to the 53 man roster for the Green Bay Packers, and that would be quite a Christmas present for the rookie.With Korey Hall now out for the remainder of the regular season, the Packers could use a backup."McCarthy said he will consider elevating Corey White from the practice squad if he feels he needs more depth at fullback," reports Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "With Hall out, John Kuhn is the only healthy fullback on the active roster. White received an increased amount of snaps on Wednesday."You may remember White from the preseason games when he played an increased role due to the heavy amount of injuries at the running back position. He received the second most amount of rushes on the team behind only Brandon Jackson during the exhibition season. White finished with 34 rushes for 108 yards for a 3.2 yard average. He also had one catch but it went for zero yards.Wh...
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Harrell could start
2007-12-20 13:01:00
First round draft pick Justin Harrell has gone from injured and riding the pine into becoming a possible starter for the Green Bay Packers this week.With all the other injuries around him, Harrell could be inserted into the starting lineup. First Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole went on injured reserve. Then Ryan Pickett became injured in last week's game and is questionable for Sunday."In Pickett, he would be holding out the glue to the run defense and would have to start rookie Justin Harrell in his place," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Given it would be Harrell's first NFL start and only his sixth game, McCarthy might be leaving the middle of the line vulnerable if he holds back Pickett."Daniel Muir may also see his first NFL action. It's been talked about for weeks with the rash of injuries, but he's still been on the inactive list every time.The Packers will be relying on rookies more than ever.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Getting out the big guns
2007-12-19 13:11:00
With the big names that are testifying, you'd think this bill is being heard by our national Congress, not the Wisconsin State Senate."The heads of the Big Ten Network and the NFL Network are scheduled to be in Madison on Thursday to testify in favor of a bill that would establish an arbitration system to settle disputes between the sports networks and cable companies," reports Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Steve Bornstein will be there to testify. Bornstein is a University of Wisconsin graduate. He's currently the head of the NFL Network and once was the head of ESPN.Big Ten Network commissioner Jim Delany will also be testifying.That's some major clout there, folks.There's hope that fans will be able to see the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network yet. And that's important. There will be a lot of Packer fans wanting to watch Saturday's Dallas Cowboys game at Carolina. It can only be seen on the NFL Network.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Mr. Courtesy
2007-12-19 13:00:00
Because of Donald Driver, Greg Jennings was really close to going to the Pro Bowl."If Jennings had been named a first alternate, Driver said he might have stayed home so Jennings could go," reports Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.That would be awful nice for a person to give up a trip to Hawaii in February so a friend can take your place.Jennings is listed as a later alternate for the Pro Bowl, so there is a chance he could still make it, but the chances are slim."I think we both deserve to go," Driver told the Journal Sentinel. "So I'm mad that he didn't get in, because he should've gotten in. I think he's second (among) receivers (in the NFC) in touchdowns. And you don't get in? That's sad."Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Barnett, Woodson left off Pro Bowl team
2007-12-19 01:04:00
Bigger than the news of who made the Pro Bowl team announced Tuesday was who was left off the team. Perhaps the two most deserving players on the Green Bay Packers are left off the roster.Neither middle linebacker Nick Barnett nor cornerback Charles Woodson were voted to the NFC squad. However, both are first alternates to play in Honolulu. If someone were to get hurt, they're in.Barnett has had his best season as a pro, and has been a big reason the Packers are 12-2 this year. It's a travesty that Patrick Willis is on the team ahead of Barnett. Willis may be very good for a rookie, and he may have more tackles than Barnett, but Barnett has been more of a playmaker. Barnett has four sacks to Willis's one and two interceptions to Willis's zero.It's also a shame that Woodson wasn't named to the team as well. Woodson has been more of a game changer than almost any defensive player in the league. His two touchdowns this year changed the complexion of an entire game for the Green B...
More About: Team , Left , Pro Bowl

Early Pro Bowl analysis
2007-12-18 22:17:00
Green Bay Packers: 4 playersMinnesota Vikings: 7 playersInjustice?More later.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Analysis , Early , Bowl , Pro Bowl , Anal

Pro Bowl announced today
2007-12-18 13:15:00
The Pro Bowl teams are announced today, and the Green Bay Packers have several candidates for the NFC squad.Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote an article in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlighting the chances of a couple players on the team. The list includes:Nick Barnett, ILB Brett Favre, QB A. Kampman, DE Al Harris, CB C. Woodson, CB Greg Jennings, WR Donald Driver, WR Chad Clifton, LT Left off the list provided by the Journal Sentinel are a couple players worthy of some consideration.How about some love for tight end Donald Lee (pictured)? He's in the top 10 in the NFL in receptions among tight ends, and he's in the top six in touchdowns with six.There's some stiff competition with players like Dallas's Jason Witten and Washington's Chris Cooley ahead of him, but it is possible.With New York's Jeremy Shockey suffering a fractured leg this past weekend, Lee could have a chance at becoming the top reserve man. And that could mean he's only an in...
More About: Today , Pro Bowl

Why keep Bodiford?
2007-12-18 13:06:00
With the Packers dinged up in other areas of the team, why is the team keeping Shaun Bodiford on its 53 man roster?I guess the team doesn't want to have to make a roster move unless it absolutely has to, but Bodiford is currently just dead weight.Bodiford's biggest asset is his return ability, yet he hasn't seen the field since Koren Robinson returned to the Packers since suspension. With Will Blackmon and Tramon Williams also stepping up and proving that they're legitimate return men, there's even less of a need to keep an extra guy hanging around.Bodiford is also the team's sixth best wide receiver with Ruvell Martin playing ahead of him in the wideout rotation.The Packers could use some depth at linebacker, offensive line, safety or fullback. They're currently safe at all those positions, but one injury could cause some major shuffling.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Some possibilities
2007-12-12 13:18:00
So who's going to take Johnny Jolly's place on the Green Bay Packer 53 man roster?The Green Bay Packers had several players in for workouts on Tuesday that could possibly take Jolly's place."In for tryouts Tuesday were defensive ends A.J. Schable, who also played some offense and covered kickoffs for Arizona in 2006, and Scott Scharff, a native of Wisconsin Rapids; tight end Rodney Burgess; tackle Joe Lobdell; and guard Ryan Keenan," reports Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Schable (pictured) makes the most intriguing prospect due to his versatility. In addition to playing defensive end, Schable also played some at fullback. And of course, he contributed on special teams as well.Also a possibility would be safety Marviel Underwood who was recently cut last week to make room for quarterback Craig Nall on the roster.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Jolly shut down
2007-12-12 13:12:00
It's official. Johnny Jolly's season is over with the Green Bay Packers.Jolly was hurt way back during the Carolina Panthers game, but he wasn't placed on injured reserve right away. The Packers likely were holding out that Jolly could regain his health and help out late in the season.Apparently it became evident that Jolly wouldn't get healthy enough in time to help out the rest of this season."Tests last week showed Jolly was making little progress," reports Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.The Packers didn't immediately fill the void created by his absence on the roster. Look for a move today.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Shut , Olly