Cheese Curds, 8/13: Undrafted Packers players are impressing early in camp

For a long, long time, the Green Bay Packers have been a franchise that has received significant contributions from undrafted players. Ted Thompson preached the value of undrafted players, finding many starters (including several on the 2010 Super Bowl-winning defense) after the draft. This year, Brian Gutekunst tried his hand at that phase of player acquisition, and it appears that there are at least a handful of players who will compete for roster spots.

Linebacker Greer Martini has had a few nice plays in practice and made a couple of tackles in the preseason opener. Wideout Jake Kumerow — not a rookie but an undrafted player and a recent acquisition — is pushing the rookie draft picks for a roster spot. And quarterback Tim Boyle had a good performance with a few nice deep throws on Thursday as well. And let’s not forget that Justin McCray is in line to start at right guard.

However, the biggest undrafted star so far in camp has to be outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert. His nearly two year wait for a spot on the 53-man roster came to an end late last season, and he has picked up this summer where he left off last December. Gilbert is all but assured of a roster spot at this point, and he could be in line for significant playing time come September.

Reggie Gilbert keeps finding his way to the quarterback | Packers.com
Gilbert is clearly OLB3 on this roster right now, both based on his snap count on Thursday and his level of play -- and it's not particularly close.

Tim Boyle shaping up as another difficult decision | Packersnews.com
I'll say this: Tim Boyle had some very, very nice throws on Thursday. I'll also say that he has a long way to go before proving that he's worthy of a roster spot and that thinkpieces on that topic are about two weeks premature.

Packers odds-on favorite to land Raiders OLB Khalil Mack | Packers Wire
The Packers have the lowest odds (3:1) of any NFL team for employing Mack’s services this fall. His current contract is the first-round fifth-year option, but he has said he won’t report to camp until he gets a new deal -- perhaps that will be in Green Bay?

Rookie Jaire Alexander sees game through eyes of a veteran | ESPN
Alexander spent essentially the entire preseason opener beside veteran Davon House, taking mental reps on the sideline while sitting out with a groin injury.

Huge fight erupts at joint Jets-Washington practice - SBNation.com
I've struggled to understand the purpose of having scrimmages and/or practices with other teams, and this sort of situation is a prime example of why it doesn't make sense to me.

Jaguars suspend Jalen Ramsey, Dante Fowler for week - NFL.com
The team has barred each player for this week's practices and preseason game for "violating team rules and conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars football player." There was a fight in Jags practice this weekend, but this may also involve Ramsey's chewing out of local media on Twitter for their reporting of the donnybrook.

Mountain lion breaks into Colorado home, lounges on couch, eats cat | WIVB.com
Good luck to Packers fans in the Boulder area -- there's a mountain lion in the area that apparently likes to crash on couches and eat family pets.