I can't believe "The Wave" is STILL a thing! If you google it you get a few answers but I'll go with the one where Krazy George started it at a Oakland A's vs NY Yankees playoff game in 1981 30 years ago.

Now I'm a Packers fan to the bone and like 99% of Packers fans pride myself as being a more knowledgeable fan than most fan bases. The fact the Packers have to put out a PSA to fans to stop doing something that harms the team when on offense AND died at least 29 years ago IS embarrassing. Common people, a few LESS beverages with barley, hops, and yeast would probably fix this issue just as fast.

Great clip of Kylin Hill. Loved how he kept looking for the man he needed to block and the catch was probably more impressive. Loved how he first got far enough downfield, but then turned his body for the QB to make an easier throw AND kept both feet in. The best part? The Jets coach who was obviously PISSED! Well not the best but a damn good bonus!

I'm happy about Royce Newman, but I'm not too crazy about starting 2 rookies right next to each other against the Saints. Bakhtiari can't get back fast enough!

GO PACK GO!

Dang Al, this article mirrors my thoughts almost exactly. Heflin > Lancaster, improvements from Slaton and Yosh, and the Sternberger comment relating him to Richard Rodgers is spot on. I called Rodgers "Hindenburg" because a corner would hit him in the leg and he would slowly fall to the ground every time ..... oh the humanity!

Please add to your Jet stream, your polluted thoughts if that jet has any "after sternburners" on it.

It does seem there are a lot of talented young prospects this year though until they play regular season games all it comes down to is potential. Hill was a steal and he will be a significant contributor even this season. Taylor belongs on the team period! I too would say goodbye Funchess unless he ends up taking over some of Sternbergers role as a move/receiving TE down the middle. He would never be a blocker. Yosh is the surprise! Way too early but wow would that be something if he developed into a serviceable LT? If he did think about how next year's draft could focus on the DL and linebacker positions early on. Possibly WR depending on who is resigned.

Think about the OL moving forward (this year and in 2022) if all these young OL workout with the biggest question mark at the moment being Yosh. Royce sounds to be a great addition as a starting Guard. Myers at Center. Runyan solidifies the interior of the OL as a Guard. Throw in the 25 year old Jenkins who with these young players will likely allow the Packers the luxury to keep him outside at Left or even potentially Right Tackle. With Yosh potentially pushing for a starting Tackle position in 2022. Could he play RT as the Packers have David and Jenkins at LT?

Everything about team appears to be looking up! Go Gutey!!!

How lame is our wuss coach that he is more concerned about the Wave than improving the team? I hate the Wave too but, c’mon man, quit being a bunch of weenies and grow a pair! By your incessant whining you hav insured that you will see multiple waves in every stadium you play in for the entire season. I’m embarrassed for these babies. I live in MN and since hearing about whiny-baby LaFleur, Vikings fans have assured me they will be doing some waves to see if they can get him to cry.

Thanks Al for your thoughts.

Seems to me it will be a tough call between Funchess and Taylor to cut either, they both catch everything thrown their way with Funchess the bigger target and wingspan. Either if cut will play for somebody no doubt. STENBURGLAR if kept only steals a position someone else should have. He can't stay healthy and a plods along like a slowly melting snowman come end of winter!

I”m going to put Heflin over Lancaster into the “be careful what you ask for” category. Yes, there are things good about Heflin, but we haven’t seen him much against #1’s and/or against regular season games. In addition, sans Clark, Lancaster has the highest ratings from PFF. I’d love to be wrong, but My uneducated guess is that he will need a year of grooming on the PS.

Thanks Al for your polluted thoughts

And my bleary eyed morning coffee follow ups are:

The Wave: no fans last year, not a lot of regular season fans in the stands, fans gets rusty too, they be ok, relax.

Heflin: he’s a keeper but most likely on the PS. Lancaster has given solid snaps on the cheap for several years.

Hill: this kid was a steal! You just never know, the best 7th round choice since Driver!

Slayton: this kid has a BIG personality along with a BIG body and the talent to match! He will have a Burger named after him eventually.

Sternberger: they should throw that flat pass to the Tight End in the toilet. It never works! Sternberger is disappointing but I don’t think they should give up on the kid just yet, he shows talent, just not consistently.

Braedon: I think he’s a guard and a “break glass in emergency “ tackle.
It’s good to give him the reps out there though.

Royce: Joe Dirt’s cousin Royce is going to be a good one! This young offensive live is really shaping up!

Yosh: BIG DUDE! I now understand why they have been developing him, what a physical specimen he is! I hope they can keep him around, they may need him.

Malik: as the #6, his awareness and confidence as a WR has grown! With the loss of Rambo & Redmond he just became even more valuable on Special Teams. He’s now a LOCK.

Ento: Ditto Ento on Special Teams, he will play a major role on team and yes his tackling may be an adventure. But the kid has shown excellent cover skills as a DB also.

ND

You are on a roll with your play on words. LOL. Some very tough decisions to make, gives strong reason to watch last pre season game.

Punny analysis, but absolutely spot on correct.

The Buffalo game will make the final determinations, but the O-line is starting to fall into place. I think Bahk starts on PUP and comes back around mid-season. I would love for it to be sooner, but the Packer medical staff is notoriously conservative and I see no reason for that to change with Bahk.

I think some combination of Jenkins, Patrick, Myers, Newman, Turner and Runyan are the starters plus one. Nijman, Braden and Van Lanen fill out the rest of the line. Van Lanen may go to the PS when Bahk returns. but he certainly appears to be a player that can be developed.

And yes, MarkinMadison, I will owe you a beer if Braden makes the 53.

One thing not talked about is King vs Stokes as starter. I have to say after listening to King’s talk he seems like a man with a good head on his shoulders and a man who is a team player, willing to do what’s best for the team and helping the rookies learn the position.

I think King, when healthy is an above average CB and am happy they kept him. Smart move by the Packers. I’m also happy, they won’t be throwing Stokes into the wolves to start the season. He needs seasoning and would be inferior to King in his first year. If King gets injured, I’m also happy they will have Stokes waiting in the wings.

Great post Jersey Al.

Spot on comment on Sternberger. He also reminds me of Jimmy Graham. Both of them would make good Hollywood action dummies... in movies, the actors learn to fall down BEFORE getting hit.

I don’t think you get rid of guys like Lancaster to save $1 million dollars if you’re aiming at a Super Bowl. We have 20 hard games before we hoist the trophy and Heflin and Slaton haven’t even proven they can stay available in this league, and Lancaster has.

I think this will be Lancaster’s last season with the team, but he can help us to get where we want to be.

I get Taylor has talent but give me Funchess in bunchess

“Looks like he's running in slow motion and goes down like a sack of potatoes on first contact.”

The latter had me thinking the same thing. I don’t see any fight from Jace, and I’m off his bandwagon until further notice, Don’t mind letting him go to keep Taylor and Finch.

The Wave -
This shouldn't be hard. cheer after plays, be quit during. Be loud while on defense. Be smart fans! Be smart!

Hefty Hefty Heflin -
Heflin was a guy I was looking forward to seeing. He hasn't disappointed. I don't think he is a lock to make the roster, but I think one more good perfomance and he does make it. Tough decisions have to be made. If they were to let Lancaster go, I believe I heard that it would save $1 million? Every penny counts when they are in the hole next year.

Kylin Hill -
For draft value Hill maybe the best value in the draft. Hill was one of the players I was looking forward to seeing play the most after the draft. He has been really good! Not only will he be RB3. I think he has a real good chance of getting some playing time.

TJ Slaton -
Slaton is another rookie I was really looking forward to seeing. Lets be honest, I look forward to seeing all of them. But Slaton is one that can offer something they didn't have. A true beast in the middle. A guy that is tough to move out of the way. If he keeps learning the little things like keeping his head up, he will be even better then I hoped. I look forward to seeing him alongside of Clark and Keke.

Sternberger -
Is Sternberger a lock for the 53? After his suspension that is. I thought the light bulb was going to go off for him, I just don't know if it has or will.

Braden -
I think Braden is on the 53. He can play 3 spots. The question is who's spot does he take?

Royce keeps rolling -
I do believe we will be starting 2 rookies on the OL. Newman has some things to clean up, but he definitely is one of our best OG's.

Oh my Yosh, Nijman was better -
Huge turn around from one week to the next. The question now is, which week was the real Yosh? Week 1 or week 2?

Don't sleep on Malik -
The battle for the 6th spot has been made pretty clear. Winfree and EQ have missed both games, Funchess got hurt and has been out since. In the mean time. Taylor has emerged. He clearly is the the 6th WR. Question is, do they keep 7. I don't think so.

Can he develop Ento a good tackler?
Kabion is definitely a wild card. Does he make the 53? Its a good question. He has the ball skills, but has a lot to learn at CB. He does have a real chance though. This last game could earn him a spot on the 53.

The 'Wave' is distracting to the offense? C'mon man! It's not like the cheerleaders from 'The Replacements' are on the sidelines in full eye-level view, which would be the more distracting view.

Al, first off great job as usual.

1.The time for the wave is long past, time to get the fans into the 21st Century. If they need to do the wave they can do it at halftime.

2. I agree that Heflin > Lancaster. If the Packers are going to move on from Lancaster they should try to trade him.

3. Hill and Slaton are going to be solid contributors for the Packers this season.

4. Chuck Sternberger keep Funchess. Funchess is a better receiver and will be more of a threat for opposing defenses to contend with.

5. Braden has yet to impress me but Royce and Nijman are looking like keepers.

6. Definitely retain Malik over Funchess if it comes down to that. He has more upside than Funchess given Funchess age and injury history.

7. Ento coach him up on tackling. Lock him a room and have him watch film of Herb Adderley until he gets it. Then put him on the practice field and have him execute. DC has stated that the defense will tackle better he needs to make sure that happens with every player.

Thanks, Since '61

M. Taylor has enough tape to ensure he does not make the PS if cut.

Funchess was a TE at MIchigan. At 6' 4" and 225 lbs he'd be a bit light as a TE but not much below Sternberger at 6' 4" and 250. Both run a 4.7+ but Funchess at least shows he wants to block and can power through initial contact for YAC. And on the strength scale Funchess looks chiseled...Sternberger still looks like he did as a rookie. Kind of skinny...does he even lift?

Keep Taylor, Funchess to the TE room, try to trade Sternberger...failing that, adios.

Saturday will tell the tale regarding Heflin vs Lancaster, even if Lancaster does not play. Lancaster has been a decent plugger yet now the D has two new run stoppers in Heflin and Slayton. I think Lancaster is on the bubble.

Kudos to Jersey Al for some good puns of late, including one about Christian getting Uphoff the ground to make a big tackle on special teams, and a question as to whether Kabion can develop Ento a good tackler.
By Yosh, the word play has been seamlessly sweet!

I like what you wrote. But the packers will be just fine without the new faces. I still think TJ Slaton is the key to this DL. He frees up Clark to move around. Heflin/LanCaster = Keep them both. Funchess is a cut. I'll take Taylor first. I'm still keeping Sternberger. Regardless whom he may resemble. Hill- Nice footage. And finally the wall. Don't put two rookies together! I want Royce at RT. Because Turner won't be here next year. Theres just Not enough money to go around.

Great write up! I was at the game on Saturday. So embarrassing to sit in that crowd as they did the wave while the Packers offense was on the field. I told my wife and daughter at the time that the team would get after the crowd for that. Not sure if it's because it's the preseason or the fans are having a brain fart after missing a season in the stands.

I agree with everything except Taylor vs Funchess. Taylor has looked good, but I don't think he will ever be anything more than a 6th. I've watched Funchess since his days at Michigan and he has tons of talent. With Rodgers throwing him the ball he could have a monster season. Remember he hasn't played in two years. He will continue to get better as the season goes on. Unless his injury is severe, it would be a mistake to cut him over Taylor. We will find out soon!

Funchess is out for season. Welcome to the Packer team Malik Taylor!

Dittos Al—agree with nearly everything except Nosh Not-a-Ninja-Man—he does not impress me.
As for “The Wave” and “Go Pack Go”—-how ‘bout coaches coach and and fans cheer. If I pay $2k for fuel, tickets, food, and lodging, I’ll determine when when and what I decide to cheer—-“let’em eat cake!”

The wave is stupid and idiotic. But given the entertainment value of these preseason games I can see why people are engaging in it.