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Happy Monday, Green Bay Packers fans. We're about a week and a half out from the first Organized Team Activities practices of the 2015 offseason, when the battles for depth chart position and roster spots will begin in earnest.
That's also the first time that the Packers' rookie class will take the field along with the veterans, and therefore the first time for those young players to begin to be mentored on the field as they look to become contributors for 2015 and beyond. In today's curds, we'll take a look at a few of the rookies in particular and one group of them in general as we look ahead with excitement for their NFL careers.
Aaron Ripkowski had ‘heart set on’ Green Bay | Packers.com
Ripkowski said that had he not been drafted, Green Bay "is the place I would have picked" as an undrafted free agent. Still, he's thrilled to have been chosen in the draft and that he landed in his most desired place.
Quinten Rollins a 'fresh piece of clay' for Packers | Packersnews.com
If you're concerned that the Packers are suddently over-valuing players with basketball experience, think again. Scouting director Brian Gutenkunst said that the team did not watch a single play of Rollins' basketball career.
Giving them hope | ESPN Wisconsin
"Them" is the undrafted free agents in this case. The Packers' success at developing those players into key contributors got another thorough examination this weekend from Jason Wilde.
Alonzo Harris, John Crockett excited about opportunity with Packers | ESPN.com
Speaking of those undrafted free agents, here's a look at the two running backs who we profiled in our breakdown of that position last week.
Brandon Spikes returns to Pats on 1-year deal - NFL.com
Sorry to those of you hoping to see Ted sign Spikes now that unrestricted free agent signings no longer count against compensatory picks. Not happening.
5 bad teams that could make the NFL playoffs in 2015 - SBNation.com
Technically one of these teams was .500 last year, but still, the point remains: it's quite possible that one or two of these teams is playing come mid-January.