Packers release LB A.J. Hawk

The Packers have released veteran LB A.J. Hawk, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports.

Hawk, the team's first-round pick in the 2006 draft, had been with Green Bay for a good nine seasons, making the Pro Bowl once in 2010.

He also won a Super Bowl with the Packers that year, the highlight of a career the record books will too remember. Throughout his tenure in Green and Gold, Hawk collected 1,118 tackles -- the most in Packers history.

Hopefully he'll find a new job soon. It was kinda fun watching him flip off the camera all those years ago.

Packers release WR Kevin Dorsey

In the wake of yesterday's cutting of TE Brandon Bostick, the Packers have apparently made another move.

The Packers have released second-year WR Kevin Dorsey, reports The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Dorsey, a seventh-round pick out of Maryland in the 2013 draft, struggled to stay healthy during much of his tenure with Green Bay, missing most of the 2013 offseason program with a hamstring injury before later going on injured reserve with a toe issue. 

The youngster was available for most of 2014, however, and played in three games. He caught one pass for four yards, and committed two special teams tackles prior to breaking his foot November 8. 

Matthews open to playing ILB in 2015

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews certainly seemed to do well when playing inside this season, and the veteran says he's open to trying it again in 2015.

Here's his full quote, courtesy of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein:

"I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the change. At the same time, I'm very good at getting after the quarterback off the edge, so I think there's a fine line. So, we'll see. Week in and week out you never knew if I was going to be there 100% of the snaps or only 10. We'll see what that means moving forward."

Packers fire ST Coordinator Shawn Slocum

In a move you can't call surprising, the Packers have fired ST Coordinator Shawn Slocum, reports Pro Football Talk. 

Slocum, who has worked with the team since 2006, struggled mightily when coaching his guys during the recent conference championship game, letting the Seahawks turn a fake field goal into a touchdown while failing to recover a late onside kick that would've ended it.

Slocum was wished well by Mike McCarthy when the announcement was made Friday, but again, it wasn't at all strange to hear he had been let go. Speculation of Slocum's termination began the moment the Packers lost to Seattle, the reason they obviously aren't playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. 

Packers Sign Former Alabama Punter Cody Mandell

The Packers have signed former Alabama Punter Cody Mandell, the team's official website reports.

Mandell, who joined Alabama in 2010 as a walk-on, was pretty good in college, averaging 42.6 yards per punt while solidly landing 58 inside the 20 yard line. 

He was first-team All-SEC as a senior, as well as finalist for a pair of awards. 

He will wear number 9 with the Packers after a brief stint with the Cowboys last offseason, presumably doing so while competing with Tim Masthay for the starting job. 

The move to acquire him was announced by general manager Ted Thompson. 

Packers Won't Look to Add Another Offensive Lineman

In an article published earlier today by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Silverstein, Packers GM Ted Thompson revealed that the team isn't looking to add another offensive lineman in the wake of Don Barclay's injury.

"Not really," Thompson said. "We'll see. There's all kinds of turns and stops in terms of our roster. I think we have 15 total OL on our roster. We tried to acquire as many big men as we could in the off-season. We'll see."

Last season, interestingly, Barclay started fourteen games for the Pack, possibly making him a tough guy to replace.

Nonetheless, Thompson apparently isn't too concerned about his absence, an act that seems to imply confidence in whoever will take his spot. 

It's Official; Abbrederis is Out For the Season

Going into today, the Packers knew that the tests on WR Jared Abbrederis' knee would likely turn out badly.

Yesterday, the team found that the Abbrederis had torn his ACL, something they wanted to confirm this afternoon just in case their original discovery wasn't correct.

Still, unsurprisingly that didn't prove to be the case, with ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reporting that the worst case scenario has turned out to be true, an unfortunate happening that will keep Abbrederis out for his rookie season (while also disappointing the many Wisconsin fans who wanted to see him play in Green and Gold).

Abbrederis Could Have Torn ACL

Packers Wide Receiver Jared Abbrederis could have a torn ACL, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn reports. 

Apparently, Abbrederis suffered a severe knee injury yesterday, something that was thought this morning to be the aforementioned wound.

Nonetheless, the Pack aren't taking any chances with that finding, planning to have the youngster undergo more tests for a confirmation.

Either way, this news has got to be dissapointing for Green Bay and their newest prospect, as the Badger State native who played his college ball at the University of Wisconsin from 2010-2013 is likely hurt badly even if his ACL turns out okay.

Packers Claim Former Ravens WR Gerrard Sheppard

The Packers have claimed former Ravens Wide Receiver Gerrard Sheppard off waivers, the Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson reports.

Sheppard, who was cut by the Ravens on July 29 when CB Marrio Norman was signed, spent last season on the team's practice squad, never getting put on the main roster.

Still, since he did play pretty well when attending Towson University the 23-year-old does seem to have potential, possibly making this no-risk acquisition likable.

Remember, Green Bay's first preseason game is now just 10 days away, when the defending NFC North champs will finally take the field against the Tennessee Titans. 

McCarthy Extension Could Come Soon

After team GM Ted Thompson was signed to a multi-year extention earlier today, another one for Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy could be right around the corner, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports. 

Apparently, Thompson considers getting McCarthy to a new deal before his current one ends after 2015 a "top priority," something not surprising since McCarthy just got a street named after him. 

In other words, it's probably just a matter of time until the man who has been with the team since 2006 gets locked up, although whether or not things will happen this offseason is obviously still unknown.

Packers Would Like to Bring Back Franklin in a Non-Playing Role

The Packers are interested in bringing back former RB Johnathan Franklin in a non-playing role, ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky reports. 

According to Demovsky, Green Bay Coach Mike McCarthy's currently looking to get Franklin a job somewhere in the organization, although what that job could turn out to be is obviously yet to be known.

Franklin, as you probably already know, was cut from the team earlier this offseason after him continuing to compete was deemed unsafe, probably ending his career.

Still, that doesn't mean he can't keep being involved in the sport, something both he and his ex-teammates would likely enjoy.

Cobb Doesn't Think He's Done Enough to Earn New Deal

Packers Wide Receiver Randall Cobb doesn't think he's done enough to deserve a new deal.

In a recent interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tyler Dunne, Cobb said that exact line, probably surprising many who consider him an elite player.

Still, it's not like this new opinion will change anything in the near future, as #18's clearly too valuable to the team for them to let him walk. 

Remember, Cobb's set to be a free agent for the first time in his career after the upcoming season, something Green Bay likely can't afford screwing up even if Jordy Nelson's under contract. 

Packers Sign Nelson to 4 Year, $39 Million Extention

Packers Wide Receiver Jordy Nelson has signed a four year, $39 million extention with the team, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports. 

Included in the deal, which prevents the veteran from becoming a free agent after 2014 and pays $9.75 million annually, is $14.2 million in guaranteed money and an $11.5 million signing bonus, a pretty big raise from the $4.2 million he's made in recent seasons.

In other words, all of that cash was enough to convince Nelson to stay, something Green Bay has stressed as one of their main priorities over the last few weeks.

Clements Believes Center Position is Key For Offensive Line's 2014 Success

Packers Offensive Coordinator Tom Clements believes the center position is the key for the line's 2014 success.

In an article published yesterday by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Bob McGinn, Clements claimed that if "the center position comes along we'll have a very good line," seemingly announcing his trust for sophomore J.C. Tretter.

Currently, Tretter, the team's 4th Round Draft Pick last year, appears to be Green Bay's replacement for Evan Dietrich-Smith, who left earlier this offseason for the Buccaneers. 

Now since Dietrich-Smith's new contract was only worth $7.25 million, the Pack probably could've kept him if they wanted to, but since Tretter apparently impressed them they decided to go with him instead, something that could soon be regretted if the latter turns out to be a bust.

Rodgers Thinks Packers Are Better With Finley

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers thinks the team is better with Jermichael Finley, he recently told Green Bay's WBAY-TV. 

In the quote, published today by Cheesehead TV, Rodgers opines that the Pack "are better with Jermichael on it," immediately after also saying that #88 improves the NFL.

Rodgers and Finley, two Super Bowl XLV champions who have spent their entire careers with the Packers, have been teammates since 2008, when Finley first joined the club as a rookie out of Texas.

Since then, the duo has helped the organization put together a 61-34-1 record, something that'll probably make them want to stay together, as consistently winning is a feat most guys only dream of achieving.

Finley Claims He Doesn't Care About the Money in Recent Q&A

To some people following his situation, why Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley may want to keep playing instead of just collecting a $10 million insurance policy is confusing.

Finley, a 27-year-old who's currently recovering from the neck injury he suffered last season, could retire now and get paid a lot, yet for some reason is still considering continuing to work.

Well, in a Q&A with USA Today earlier this week, that reason was finally revealed, with #88 claiming that it "ain't about the money."

In recent years, Finley has made $8.25 million annually with the Packers, so yes, I'd imagine he's telling the truth here, as the policy he's been offered probably isn't all that amazing for someone of his income level.

Packers Want Lacy to Get "More Touches" in 2014

The Packers want sophomore RB Eddie Lacy to get "more touches" during the upcoming season, team Offensive Coordinator Tom Clements recently told ESPN.com.

Apparently, the Pack want Lacy, their number one rusher in a group that also includes James Starks and Dajuan Harris, to be involved in all aspects of the contest, something that'd likely necessitate him being on the field more often for third down plays.

If that was to become the case, it's tough to know what would happen to Starks and Harris, although if the change did end up working out you probably couldn't dislike it, as a ground game can obviously never get too good.

Finley to Undergo More Medical Tests; Will Send Results to All 32 Teams

Free Agent TE Jermichael Finley will undergo more medical tests tomorrow and send the results to all 32 teams, USA Today's Tom Pelissaro reports. 

According to Pelissaro, Finley is looking to lock up a roster spot before training camp, something that'll probably make additional clubs interested. 

Currently, the longtime Packer is recovering from a severe neck injury he suffered last season, the reason why he might just end up taking a $10 million insurance policy this fall instead. 

Either way, this news is definitely worth our attention, as positive exams here could really help out Finley's financial state in the near future. 

McCarthy Sees Harris as a Potential Returner

Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy sees Running Back Dajuan Harris as a potential returner, Packers.com Writer Mike Spofford reports.

According to McCarthy, Harris, who was hurt for all of last season, possesses convenient size and strength, something that could help him a lot if he were to get the role.

Due to the recent emergence of Eddie Lacy, Harris likely won't be able to play his usual position much in 2014, possibly making this news the big break he needs in order to remain relevant, an attribute all players require when they begin to get outshined on the roster.

Packers Likely Won't Retire Favre's Number in 2014 Due to Fear of Booing

The Packers likely won't retire Brett Favre's number in 2014 due to a fear he'll be booed, Fox Sports Wisconsin's Paul Imig reports.

According to Imig, Favre going to a game this fall and being introduced to the crowd is still a possibility, although anything more serious is an almost definite no, as Green Bay's front office simply doesn't believe their fanbase is ready yet.

Favre, currently a high school coach in his home state of Mississippi, played 16 seasons for the Pack from 1992-2007, something that has been unfairly forgotten in the last few year's due to his multiple unretirements.