Tag Archives: green bay packers

NFL

Fackrell, Kyler

sage16_kfackrellCard: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Kyler Fackrell is an interesting prospect out of Utah State. Reminding me a lot of Connor Barwin, Fackrell would be a more highly regarded prospect, if not for an ACL injury sustained at the beginning of his 2014 campaign.  A first team all-Mountain West player in 2015, Fackrell had a school-record 12 quarterback hurries, and 4.0 sacks. He’d be named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Perhaps his most electric highlight came in 2013 when he made a spectacular 99 yard interception return for a TD.

Kyler has many of the qualities that scouts look for in a 3-4 outside linebacker.  He’s not scared to pin his ears back and blitz or stuff, cover or play special teams either. While at Utah State, he was a jack of all trades for the Aggies who is considered obsessive about the sport.  It is viewed that he can mature into an every down linebacker given some maturation into the pro game and was viewed as a solid 3rd round pick.

Kyler was selected late in round 3 of the 2016 draft by the Green Bay Packers.

NFL

Ryan, Jake

sage15 jryan sage15 ryan LCard: Sage Hit 2015, Sage Hit 2015 Gold (4/250)
Acquired: 2015, Box Breaker

Jake Ryan is a highly instinctive player who started 41 games for the Michigan Wolverines and was the team’s MVP for 2014. Early on at Michigan Ryan floated around the defense, spending time at both defensive end and strongside linebacker, before being plugged in at ILB. He finished with 267 tackles including 45.5 for a loss.

After a majority of the Packers linebackers were either cut or left via free agency, it was obvious that Green Bay was in to reload the middle of their defense. They’d tab Ryan in round 4 where he was expected to contribute immediately in the Packers defensive alignment. Jake started 5 out of 14 games in 2015 and recorded 50 tackles.

CFL, NFL

Clements, Tom

AW91 clementsCard: CFL All-World 1991
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

Tom Clements has garnered quite the reputation over the last few years working as a quarterback whisperer for the Green Bay Packers tutoring the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, while also getting the best out of other names such as Kelly Holcomb, Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox, Elvis Grbac, and  Jake Delhomme at his other stops.

Being a former HoF QB in the CFL, has given Clements an edge over his coaching competitors. Some say it is his calm and easy going demeanor during gameday, or the a way of always getting a little bit more out of his quarterbacks. Regardless, Clements is praised in circles around the NFL as an up and coming coach.

Tom Clements was inducted into  the Canadian Football League’s Hall of Fame in 1994, after a prolific career playing for the Ottawa Rough Riders (1975-78) where he was named the CFL’s Rookie of the Year in 1975. In 1976, Tom earned his first Grey Cup Championship earning the Outstanding Offensive Player award. He joined Saskatchewan and later Hamilton in 1979, before a brief foray into the NFL in 1980 with the Chiefs. Returning to the Tiger Cats in 1981, he’d play there through the 1982 season and then join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He’d earn his second Grey Cup Championship and Outstanding Offensive Player of the game award in 1984, and league MVP honors in 1987 retiring after the conclusion of the season.

He’s also had a stop at his Alma Mater Notre Dame, before making the leap to the NFL as a position coach and offensive coordinator for the Saints (1997-1999), Chiefs (2000), Steelers (2001-2003), and Bills (2004-2005), before joining the Packers in 2006. The Packers are well aware of Clements reputation as he has steadily risen in the organization’s coaching hierarchy. Although embattled after the 2015 campaign, Clements serves as the Packers Offensive Coordinator and Associate Head Coach going into the 2016 season.

CFL
ATT  4657      COMP 2807       YDS 39041      PCT 60.3%
TD 252        INT 214           RAT N/a
RUSH 374       YDS  1660       AVG 4.4       TD 13        LG  42

NFL
G   2     ATT 12       COMP 7        YDS 77       PCT 58.3%
TD  0      INT 0       RAT  77.4
RUSH 2         YDS   0        AVG 0.0        TD 0       LG -.-