Cheese Curds, 8/17: NFL caught in cross hairs over suspension threats

Are you ready for some (courtroom) football?

No, the NFLPA hasn’t filed a lawsuit against the NFL over their threats to suspend Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers for failure to cooperate with the league’s investigation of an Al-Jazeera on performance-enhancing drugs, but every indication thus far suggests a trip to court is a matter of when, not if.

A wide variety of opinions on NFL’s investigation have popped in the time since the league office made its last statement. For the most part, public sentiment seems to fall on the side of the affected players.

NFL overstepping in PED probe | PackersNews.com

Legal victories in the Tom Brady case appear to have bolstered the NFL’s willingness to chase other claims such as those made in the Al-Jazeera report on performance-enhancing drugs, but the Press-Gazette’s Pete Dougherty believes that the former doesn’t provide adequate precedent for the latter. Ultimately, this too could end up in courtroom.

Spirit grad Joe Callahan fills in nicely for Packers’ Rodgers | PressOfAtlanticCity.com

The jump from Division III to the NFL would prove challenging for anyone, even a quarterback as decorated as Joe Callahan. Add in the fact that he started his first NFL preseason game in place of Aaron Rodgers, and it’s easy to understand why Callahan’s home state feels so excited.

Jaguars sell out Week One vs. Packers | Pro Football Talk

Surprise! Packers fans like to travel to warm-weather locations to watch their favorite team. Sellouts like this constitute the main reason Green Bay has yet to lose a game to the NFL’s international series; clubs don’t want to give up the financial windfall associated with the green and gold coming to town.

Fackrell learning how to beat NFL blockers | PackersNews.com

As is often the case with rookies, Kyler Fackrell still needs time to adjust to NFL-caliber competition. Tactics that allowed him to rack up pressures at Utah State don’t work as often at the next level. Linebackers coach Winston Moss believes the third-round pick possesses the athleticism to ultimately get the job done, but they still need to “create moves that protect [Fackrell’s] skillset.”

Packers: Lawsuit planned by fans over Hall of Fame game cancellation | Wisconsin State Journal

The Pro Football Hall of Fame cancelled the would-be preseason opener between the Packers and Indianapolis Colts due to field conditions and have promised to refund ticket expenses, but that only constitutes a fraction of the cost for some fans. Still, while the league may take some heat here, calling off the game remains the right decision due to player safety.