Ben Taylor

Impact: As long as Jermichael Finley is available, Quarless isn't a fantasy consideration anyway, but it looks like he may not be ready to start the season, which would leave the Packers' backup TE duties in the hands of Tom Crabtree, Ryan Taylor and D.J. Williams.  

Bleacher ReportThe architect speaks about the Packers draftMilwaukee Journal SentinelFind our NFL draft coverage in one place, including the Packers' selections and all of the NFL picks by round. A look at the salaries for the 2012 Green Bay Packers, including contract information... 2012 Salaries The NFL draft is to Ted Thompson what ...More on the Packers "lost years"Newsradio 620 (blog)Green Bay Packers: How Many Games Do the Packers Have...  

It's official. The 2012 NFL draft is over.In it, we saw a huge amount of trades, partially due to the lower rookie contracts.We also saw the Green Bay Packers trade up numerous times to grab players they felt could help them immediately.Some picks are great, and some aren't.How'd the Packers do on all eight of their draft picks?Begin Slideshow  

The draft has been in the books for almost a week now, and we are getting closer to seeing rookies enter the NFL with their new teams.The Packers went the obvious route and drafted six defensive players and only two offensive players. The goal this offseason was to improve on the NFL's worst defensive team in 2011. This Packers draft class could be Ted Thompson's best as GM, but it's loaded with boom or bust players.Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy...  

Memorials may be directed to Izaak Walton League of Des Moines and John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines ... daughters and their spouses, Kathie and Rob Andress of Salt Lake and April and Ray Matthews of Windsor Heights; granddaughters ...  

Anyone who follows the Packers knows that General Manager Ted Thompsons top mission in this draft is to find a pass rusher, whether its a defensive lineman or an outside linebacker, who can help the Packers defense return to its 2010 level of play. ul lia hrefhttp://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/section/2012draft targetnewbFull coverage on our Packers draft page/b/a/li/ul  

Filed under: New Music Sun Pedal Recordings Ben Taylor's father James is famous for his honeyed voice, but on "Worlds Are Made of Paper" Ben's vocals sounds far huskier. His honest delivery is strengthened by a keen sense of songwriting, no doubt gleaned in part from his impressive pedigree. Take a listen to "Worlds Are Made of Paper," an exclusive track from Listening, Taylor's first album of new music in four years. You can find the...  

The 2012 Green Bay Packers draft was completed on April 28. The Packers entered the draft with 12 draft picks. They left with eight players after they traded up on three different occasions. There's one word that's needed to be said when describing this draft: defense.  

Perry or Andre Branch were the best options left for Thompson if he ... Coleman will battle with Graham Harrell for the backup spot and it will be interesting to watch that battle. Why the Packers Get an "A" The first three picks the Packers had were ...  

In the 3-4, expect the Packers to try and move him outside so that he can use his speed to get around blockers ... Last year's safety pairing of Charlie Peprah and Morgan Burnett got gashed over the middle in the passing game. I think the Packers would ...  

The Green Bay Packers started the 2012 NFL Draft out strong with ... Even better, there are still plenty of rough edges that can be molded in exactly the right way during the Pack’s training camp. The Packers easily earned an A for their Round 1 efforts.  

Perry or Andre Branch were the best options left for Thompson if he wanted to improve ... but with Charles Woodson getting close to the end of his career, the Packers needed to get more depth for their secondary. Sam Shields is currently the slot corner ...  

The Michigan State alum has the size (6'2, 310 pounds), strength and skills to be a solid run-stuffer for the Pack, which the team desperately lacked after losing Cullen Jenkins to free agency last summer. And last, but certainly not least, the Packers ...  

That included a busy Saturday in which Thompson selected Iowa defensive lineman Mike Daniels in the fourth round, the second inside pass rusher he selected in this draft; Maine safety Jerron McMillan ... seventh round: Andrew Datko, a tackle ...  

However, where the Packers really want to see him is inside in the nickel, where he would team with B.J. Raji or Anthony Hargrove to rush the passer. Worthy has an excellent get-off and very good vision to the ball. He's explosive and regularly ...  

He'll battle second-round pick Jerel Worthy for playing time in the nickel. A strong safety type who ran a blazing 4.36 despite carrying 201 pounds. What the club liked most is his tackling and ability to play in space. He was mostly a strong ...  

If you live in the greater Green Bay area, you should head over to the official team NFL Draft watch party. Here's the information, from Packers.com. The party is free to the public and space will be available on a first-come, first-served basis ...  

Harrison Smith could be available near the end of round one or Green Bay may wait until Day 2 for someone like George Iloka. Jeff Saturday fills the center void left by Scott Wells but turns 37 in June. Wisconsin's Peter Konz is the top-rated center on ...  

Perry ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds ... Tramon Williams is coming off a shoulder injury and Sam Shields had an off year, so it wouldn't hurt to bolster that position anyway. 3. Center. At some point, Thompson has to pick an heir apparent ...  

Second-year pro Alex Green, drafted in the third round last year ... Despite the need for quality help at running back, it seems highly unlikely Thompson would draft one in the first two rounds, and maybe the first three, because of the Packers ...  

Thompson identified Matthews as a great player ... Jamari Lattimore and Vic So'oto. The future of Erik Walden, the regular last season, is pending based on draft developments. Fortunately for Green Bay, the pool of players that appears suitable ...  

All Pro Clay Matthews was somewhat of a disappointment after a stellar ... rusher on the board when they pick at number 28 overall. Defensive end/linebacker Nick Perry out of USC could be Green Bay's number one choice late in the first round.  

Packers outlook: Receiver and tight end are the two positions the Packers probably are least likely to draft this year, aside from kicker and punter. • Rising star: Louisiana-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green has moved up boards this ...  

Sleeper: Austin Davis broke some of Brett Favre’s passing records at Southern Mississippi, and though he’s a tad on the short side (6-1 5/8) is a gamer who has the mental makeup that might help him become a solid NFL backup. Going into the ...  

Green Bay --We wrap up the Green Bay Packers' draft from the decision to take Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy to B.J. Coleman and the QB situation. Bob McGinn also talks about the value of what scouts tell him about prospects and we get into the ...  

At the NFL annual meetings in late March, Mike McCarthy surprised no one when he said the Green Bay Packers were not a good tackling team last year. In the next breath, the Packers coach proclaimed: “That will change.” It appears they ...  

The Green Bay Packers moved to boost their pass rush in the first round of the NFL draft, taking Southern California's Nick Perry with the No. 28 ... a potential complement to fellow Trojan Clay Matthews, something the team has lacked in recent ...  

Green Bay Packers’ General Manager Ted Thompson may have hit ... The Hayward Hawks are putting the finishing touches on this year’s promotion schedule, and hope to have as many as a dozen special nights during the upcoming season.  

The NFL Draft is one week away, and the Green Bay Packers still don't know if Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins will return or retire with his neck injury last season. At his pre-draft news conference Thursday, general manager Ted Thompson said Collins is still ...  

Rising star: Boise State’s Doug Martin reminds some scouts of Baltimore’s Ray Rice because of his compact build ... It’s hard to think Ted Thompson won’t select a running back with one of the Green Bay Packers’ 12 picks in this weekend ...  

Some of the Green Bay Packers rookie draft picks who take the field today for the first time as pros will do so with bigger bank accounts.  

Two other cornerbacks, Montana’s Trumaine Johnson and Central Florida’s Josh Robinson, went within the next four picks after Hayward. “It means a lot when somebody is willing to move up that much, to pick a guy like me,” Hayward said.  

Dave-Te' Thomas, who scouts for the NFL, took a timeout from league meetings in New York to answer your questions. The outside linebacker position is a hot topic, and Thomas outlines his 12-pick Packers draft.  

The Packers' No. 1 need in the 2012 NFL Draft was a pass-rusher to play opposite Clay Matthews. Green Bay addressed this need, but with the wrong player in Round 1. Nick Perry is not the answer to the Packers' defensive woes. He is an outstanding athlete ...  

DT Patrick Butrym: May stick on an NFL roster for years. In the 4-3, he's a good tackle you can really rely on. LB Kevin Claxton: Special teams contributor. Could follow path of Lions' DeAndre Levy; if you get into the right system, like the Eagles ...  

With defensive end Mike Neal’s 2011 season a washout because of a knee injury, the Packers failed to produce a pass-rushing threat to replace Jenkins. Philadelphia, on the other hand, jumped from No. 10 to No. 1 in sacks percentage, and Eagles defensive ...  

I've known Nagler a long time and I know, as you B/R readers are learning, that he knows his football and knows his beloved Packers. So sitting next to him on Day Two, I had to get his take on Jerel Worthy, Nick Perry and the Packers draft thus far.  

Green Bay-- Greetings everyone. Welcome to the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. This is your one-stop shop for all things Packers draft. We'll be delivering every pick, every development and all kinds of analysis all the way up through the ...  

Eric Francis/Getty Images Even if they bust with this pick ... but he went undrafted and the Packers will have a chance to pick him up as a free agent.  

Okay, maybe the last part is a deviation from the philosophy. Working against Denver, however, was the situation Ted Thompson was facing in Green Bay. In many eyes, shaky health and too little depth made the offensive line a top priority this offseason ...  

Former Packers draft pick Dave Tollefson may not be playing with the New York Giants in the NFL season opener. He could be back in Green Bay. The Giants free agent defensive end will visit the Packers on Thursday. He's perhaps a lower-priced option to ...  

So that still left USC’s Nick Perry and Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw, among others, as options to address the Packers’ glaring need at outside linebacker, and Thompson went with Perry, who figures to start immediately at right outside ...  

The 2012 Seattle Seahawks schedule is a tough one, with several road games that will take the team far out East. The regular season begins on Sunday, Sept. 9, with a road game against the Arizona Cardinals. It's an easier game compared to home games against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in Week 2 and Week 3.  

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has been an active participant in free agency following a 15-2 season that was cut short with a 37-20 divisional loss to the New York Giants on January 15, 2012. The Packers have signed three noteworthy free agents since free agency...  

Over the years, dozens of music, movie and television stars have been spotted at NFL events, cheering on their teams alongside Average Joes. Here's a look at the top celebrity fan of each team in the NFC: 1) Green Bay Packers, Justin Timberlake: Timberlake, the former teen...  

The Green Bay Packers do not have an official cheerleading team, citing fan indifference and frigid gameday temperatures. As for the New York Giants, the franchise takes a traditional, button-down approach to football and believes cheerleaders would take away from the overall...  

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has been known for his conservative approach in free agency. The Packers have rarely used it since they signed Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett during the 2006 NFL offseason . Other than Brandon Chillar, Thompson has usually relied on...  

Veteran WR Donald Driver, the Packers’ extremely popular all-time team leader in catches and yards receiving, appears to be more than holding his own in the current “Dancing With the Stars” competition. And if Packers head coach Mike McCarthy can be taken at his word, it also appears the 37-year-old Driver will not be packing his bags to leave Green Bay this offseason, as has been rumored by more than a few sources on the scene.  

The Green Bay Packers made a rare reach into unrestricted free agency to find a new anchor for their offensive line, agreeing to a two-year deal with veteran free agent center Jeff Saturday on Friday. Saturday's agent, Ralph Cindrich, confirmed the deal Friday afternoon. ESPN reported the deal earlier Friday.  

The Green Bay Packers enjoyed one of their finest years in team history in 2011. The Packers waltzed through the NFC playoffs and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV on February 6, 2011. They also won their first 13 regular-season games after the NFL lockout.  

Out with the old, in with the older ? The Green Bay Packers have reportedly agreed to terms with former Indianapolis Colts offensive center Jeff Saturday. Saturday had been with the Colts from 1999 through 2011. He has started in 188 regular-season games throughout the past 13...  

The Seattle Seahawks continue to make waves with the evolving quarterback situation taking place at camp. Incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson is back for another season, Matt Flynn got signed as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers and then the team selected Russell Wilson from Wisconsin in the 2012 NFL Draft.  

Matt Kalil and Nick Perry were teammates at the University of Southern California (USC Trojans). Now consider the irony with both of them being chosen by NFC North rivals in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings took Kalil with the fourth pick while the Green Bay Packers took Perry with the 28th pick.  

On Monday, March 19, 2012, the 14th season of "Dancing with the Stars" premiered on ABC. NFL wide receiver Donald Driver, who is currently with the Green Bay Packers, is a contestant on the show. He is paired with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd.  

This Mother's Day, instead of getting your mother flowers or a basket of cheap bath and body products, get her something she would really like. If you have a mother who is a fan of the Green Bay Packers, this Mother's Day will be no sweat for you. Here is your gift guide to the top Green Bay Packers Mother's Day gifts:  

RENTON, Wa. -- Former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn may be the Seattle Seahawks' current clubhouse leader when it comes to contract size, but that is by no means an indicator of his future security as a starter for his new team. When Flynn, a free agent after spending four seasons as Aaron Rodgers' reserve, signed a three-year, $26 million on March 18 with Seattle, it set him on a path less certain than some with similar...  

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove will miss, barring a successful appeal, the first eight games of the 2012 NFL season as a result of his role in the bounty program while with the New Orleans Saints in 2009. As a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan, I'm breathing a sigh of relief.  

(Reuters) - New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has appealed the season-long suspension he received for the leading role he took in the team's bounty scandal, the National Football League (NFL) said on Monday. Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (now with the Green Bay Packers), Saints' defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Scott Fujita (now with the Cleveland Browns) also launched appeals, league spokesman Greg Aiello said. ...  

The Green Bay Packers needed approximately two weeks to have their entire 2012 NFL Draft class inked under contract. The Packers have reportedly agreed to contracts with all eight of their draft picks following general manager Ted Thompson's announcement that first-round pick Nick Perry had signed on May 11.  

It got lost in all the folderol about Peyton Manning's neck surgeries, but Manning wasn't the only high-profile NFL player whose season -- and career -- was placed in jeopardy by a hit that affected his neck and forced a spinal fusion procedure. Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins was lost for the 2011 season when he tried to tackle Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart in Green Bay's  30-23 Week 2 win. Stewart went to the left...  

The Green Bay Packers will have 12 total picks in next month's draft after being awarded four compensatory selections -- two fourth-rounders and two in the seventh round -- for free-agent losses in 2011. The Packers' biggest personnel loss in free agency last summer was...  

One by one, former members of the great Indianapolis Colts teams of the 2000s have found their way to other teams this off-season. The most celebrated of the moves, of course, came when Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos after the Colts released him, and he was followed out of town by WR Pierre Garcon (Washington Redskins), C Jeff Saturday (Green Bay Packers) and WR Anthony Gonzalez (New England Patriots!). ...  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers have promoted John Dorsey to director of football operations and Eliot Wolf - the son of former Packers general manager Ron Wolf - to director of pro personnel in a series of promotions and hirings by general manager Ted Thompson.  

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver was named the winner of the umpteenth season of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" on Tuesday night. He becomes the third football player to win the Mirror Ball Trophy, following in the footsteps of Emmitt Smith and Hines Ward. Following the victory, Driver was asked whether his victory compared to winning the Super Bowl. "I think it does," he said . "It's truly something special. I reached the...  

The Green Bay Packers normally receive tons of national exposure as they're one of the most-storied franchises in NFL history. Recently, they've received even more exposure than usual as they're coming off back-to-back seasons that include a Super Bowl XLV championship...  

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of the eight finalists in the Madden NFL 2013 Cover Vote competition from ESPN's SportsNation. Rodgers secured 64-percent of the votes in a second-round victory over Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.  

Packers outlook: With the low odds of starter Nick Collins returning from his neck ... have to consult with other doctors on his decision whether to return to football after undergoing cervical-fusion surgery on his neck last year.  

The Green Bay Packers are once again going to be one of the best teams in the NFL. The Packers finished the regular season last year with the best record in the NFL before falling in the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.  

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has already survived one quarterback controversy when he traded Brett Favre to the New York Jets following the NFC Championship appearance in the 2007-08 season. Favre had retired during the offseason.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) After struggling on defense last year, the Green Bay Packers wanted to get faster and tackle better. Toward that end, general manager Ted Thompson kept busy Saturday as he moved to replenish the defense through the NFL draft.  

Canada might have just become a little less green-and-gold. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers got into a playful Twitter conversation with backup tight end Tom Crabtree. The debate started with their differences in musical preferences.  

The Packers decided to shore up their sub-par pass rush by adding what Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Voice of the Packers calls "rare speed" for a player on the defensive line or at linebacker.  

Ahman Green may have retired from the Green Bay Packers, but he's still involved with football in Green Bay. The Indoor Football League's Green Bay Blizzard announced on March 21 that Green is now an ownership partner with the team.  

The Packers have assigned numbers to their draft picks. Here is the history of the men who wore those numbers, from Packers Hall of Famers to a major draft bust.  

Its hard to think Ted Thompson wont select a running back with one of the Green Bay Packers 12 picks in this weekends NFL draft.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers took a quarterback with their final pick in the NFL draft, selecting Tennessee-Chattanooga's B.J. Coleman with the second of two seventh-round compensatory picks.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers finally took an offensive player in the NFL draft, selecting Florida State offensive tackle Andrew Datko with the first of two seventh-round compensatory picks.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers didn't pay much mind to their defense in the NFL draft a year ago, and those decisions may have contributed to their defensive struggles last season.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers have taken Maine safety Jerron McMillian with the second of two compensatory picks near the end of the fourth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers have signed tackle Shea Allard, wide receiver Jarrett Boykin, guard Grant Cook, wide receiver Curenski Gilleylen and cornerback Otis Merrill.  

Veteran running back Ryan Grant is scheduled to visit the Detroit Lions this weekend with the Packers showing little interest in bringing the unrestricted free agent back to Green Bay.  

MILWAUKEE (AP) The Green Bay Packers released veteran left tackle Chad Clifton on Monday, saying goodbye to a player who anchored their pass protection for more than a decade.  

The Packers hope OLB-DE Nick Perry can effectively follow in the footsteps of fellow USC product Clay Matthews, who wasted no time becoming a big-time star in Green Bay.  

 

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) General manager Ted Thompson said the Green Bay Packers remain in a wait-and-see mode about the playing future of safety Nick Collins.  

The Green Bay Packers released veteran offensive tackle Chad Clifton, a second-round pick in 2000 who has played in 165 games for the franchise.  

MILWAUKEE (AP) The Green Bay Packers will release safety Nick Collins amid concerns about his ability to return from a significant neck injury.  

Clay Matthews and Nick Perry were teammates at USC but never played a down on the field together in their decorated college careers.  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Packers have signed all eight of their draft choice, including their top pick - linebacker Nick Perry.  

#Packers coach Mike McCarthy on @nickthepick36's neck exam later this week: "If Nick was my son, I would not let him play."  

The Packers signed seven of their eight draft choices, including second-round picks Jerel Worthy and Casey Hayward.  

The Green Bay Packers re-signed outside linebacker Erik Walden on Monday. Terms of the contract were not available.  

The Packers signed former Dolphins DE Phillip Merling on Wednesday and released TE Cameron Ford and QB Nick Hill.  

All is quiet on the Nick Collins front right now. The Pro Bowl safety and Green Bay Packers are waiting to see...  

The Green Bay Packers have not learned yet whether Nick Collins will be able to return from a serious neck...  

The Green Bay Packers will wait at least another season to hold a ceremony to retire Brett Favre's No. 4.  

Donald Driver and Chad Clifton remain on the roster of the Green Bay Packers, and coach Mike McCarthy...  

The Cleveland Browns reportedly may have found a taker for Colt McCoy in the Green Bay Packers.  

The Green Bay Packers released safety Nick Collins on Wednesday.  

More doctors involved in process  

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The Green Bay Packers have re-signed outside linebacker Erik Walden.