Packers’ Thompson basically swapped Lang for a 3rd-rounder

fpadmin | 05/22/2017

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By CHRIS HAVEL
ESPN report: NFL’s 2018 compensatory picks will be kind to Packers after strategic moves; Also, NFL spring meetings set for this week
The NFL’s spring meetings this week in Chicago should bring interesting news on topics ranging from shorter overtimes to relaxed rules on end zone celebrations.
Frankly, I could do without O.T. and end zone displays. But I am a realist so I offer solutions.

End Zone celebrations

Choosing to – in the words of Aaron Rodgers – r-e-l-a-x the penalties for end zone dances and such is wise. The league should go a step further and request that its TV partners refrain from showing the celebrations altogether.
Fans that attend games get to see something TV viewers won’t, which is another great reason to buy a ticket. Also, ignoring the TD celebrations is a great way to promote sportsmanship.
The idea of penalizing and fining players for excess celebrations is ridiculous. Officials have far more important matters to adjudicate.

Overtime cut?

As for overtimes, and the league’s likely decision to go from 15 minutes to 10 minutes is stopping way too short of the goal line.
A regular-season game that ends in a tie should stay that way. The NFL prides itself on parity. In fact, it pats itself on the shoulder pads any chance it gets to brag about parity EXCEPT the most obvious reflection of it: Overtime games.
Why is an overtime game a pariah? I mean, aside from its impact on legal gambling?
The NFL is slowly but not so surely moving to shorten O.T. In fact, owners are likely to trim it by five minutes – from 15 to 10 in the regular season – by this week’s end.
Why stop at 10 minutes? There are times when NFL teams are incredibly close and they play like it.
Furthermore, the league uses statistics such as “point differential” in determining playoff seeds. Surely a tie after going helmet-to-helmet for four quarters is a much fairer way to break ties (no pun intended) for post-season seeding purposes.

In-season IR

The NFL reportedly also is going to expand its archaic rule regarding players returning from in-season IR. Teams will be able to bring back two players that fit the requirements. Again, it’s a move in the right direction that stops short.
Why does a league that espouses player safety still maintain outdated game-day roster limits? I mean aside from saving comparative peanuts on player salaries?
What price can be put on an NFL playoff team losing its quarterback to injury because it ran out of offensive linemen who were game-day active? What good does it do to have 10 practice squad players that practiced all week standing around in sweats and T-shirts on the sideline during games?
The NFL needs to open its eyes and expand game-day rosters.

Packers compensatory picks

Perhaps the best news this week was provided by an ESPN report that suggests the Packers might receive four compensatory picks in next year’s draft.
In fact, the Packers should receive a third-round pick in return for losing right guard T.J. Lang in free agency. By allowing Lang to leave without re-signing him, the Packers essentially traded him to whatever team (the Detroit Lions) he signed with in exchange for a 2018 third-round selection.
Who wouldn’t trade Lang for a third-round pick?
Packers GM Ted Thompson did. He avoided guaranteeing $10 million to an aging player and reportedly will receive a third-round pick in return.
Now that’s a sweet deal.
ESPN, which cited OverTheCap.com, believes the Packers will receive a third-round pick for Lang, a fifth-rounder for center J.C. Tretter (signed by Cleveland), a sixth-rounder for Jared Cook (signed by Oakland) and another sixth-rounder for Eddie Lacy (signed by Seattle).
The loss of defensive back Micah Hyde (signed by Buffalo) offsets the Packers’ signing of free agent tight end Martellus Bennett. The Packers’ other free agent signings – cornerback Davon House, tight end Lance Kendricks and defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois – were “street” free agents.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’s MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly