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As the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff continues to be in flux, particularly on the defense, the front office under new general manager Brian Gutekunst is already hard at work.
That is because this week marks the beginning of practices for the East-West Shrine Game, the first of several college All-Star games that give college seniors one more chance to shine in real game action. The Shrine Game is second in prestige to next week’s Senior Bowl, but the practices are every bit as important since many players in this game will end up being drafted or signed as undrafted free agents.
Fans of the Wisconsin Badgers will note that there are three former Badgers in this year’s Shrine Game: outside linebacker Leon Jacobs, defensive end Alec James, and safety Natrell Jamerson. This group does not feature a sure-fire NFL draft pick, but each of those players can improve their stock with a big week of practice.
Stay tuned this week to reports out of St. Petersburg, and keep an eye out next week for Senior Bowl news from Mobile, Alabama.
NFL Draft 2018: East-West Shrine Game measurements | The Sporting News
Here are all the physical measurements for the Shrine Game participants for this year.
Shrine Game Day 1 Notebook: J.T. Barrett takes command - NFL.com
On day one of practice, the Ohio State quarterback began to show his leadership skills. However, he'll need to show consistency as a pocket passer to really impress NFL scouts.
Packers poised for free-agent pursuits | Packersnews.com
The four remaining teams in the playoffs have all made big free agent signings in the past two years. That doesn't mean that you absolutely have to do that to make a Super Bowl run, but it at least suggests that it's a beneficial strategy worth pursuing.
First in tackles, second in snaps for Packers LB Blake Martinez - ESPN
Martinez tied for the NFL's lead in tackles, matching Preston Brown of the Bills and former Wisconsin Badger Joe Schobert of the Browns with 144. Martinez also came in second on the Packers' defense (behind only Ha Ha Clinton-Dix) in snaps.
Packers safeties coach Darren Perry interviewing with Texans | Packers Wire
Perry, having been passed up for the defensive coordinator job and the newly-created passing game coordinator position (which went to Joe Whitt), is exploring his options outside of Green Bay.
Saints vs. Vikings: Why did the Vikings line up for a meaningless XP anyway? - SBNation.com
This rule needs to be eliminated for the playoffs. The reason it exists is because point differential is one of the league's playoff tiebreakers, but it should be eliminated for the postseason when the game is out of reach.