By Adam Roberts – 10/7/2021

It was predicted yesterday evening and officially confirmed by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky earlier this morning.

After a week of constant talk surrounding the injuries on the defensive side of the ball and losing out on Stephon Gilmore, the Packers did bring in a notable name in former-Pro Bowl linebacker Jaylon Smith. Demovsky reports the deal is for one year and that it will be favorable to Green Bay from a financial perspective since Dallas is on the hook for the rest of Smith’s current salary.

The 26-year-old had a diminished role with the Cowboys this year after the addition of Micah Parsons, but with Green Bay he could slide into the role currently held by Krys Barnes. He suffered a concussion against San Francisco and didn’t play against Pittsburgh last week.

Smith has some familiarity with Packer head coach Matt LaFleur; the two were at Notre Dame during the same time period. “He’s a veteran guy who’s played at a high level,” LaFleur said earlier this morning.

Green Bay takes on the Bengals this Sunday in Cincinnati.

By Adam Roberts – 10/6/2021

Nope, it’s not Stephon Gilmore, but the Packers did add some help to their secondary today in a likely sign that Jaire Alexander will be out for an extended period of time if not the remainder of the season.

Green Bay today signed cornerback Rasul Douglas, who is in his fifth year in the league and was last on the Arizona practice squad. Douglas is a product of West Virginia selected in the third round of the 2017 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. In 60 games with 29 starts, Douglas has totaled 178 tackles (144 solo), five interceptions and 34 passes defensed as well as two special teams tackles.

We will hear from head coach Matt LaFleur later today on the long-term status of Alexander this season, who is currently receiving multiple opinions on a shoulder injury he sustained during the win Sunday against Pittsburgh.

The Packers travel to Cincinnati this week to face Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

By Adam Roberts – 10/5/2021

I’ll give you a free tease of this week’s High School Football Preview due out on Thursday: I’ll be diving into Bubble Watch mode for each team that hasn’t yet made the postseason. This past week saw a number of highly interesting results, namely a huge upset in the Scenic Bluffs Conference as Luther took down Bangor on the road.

Those results also yielded some movement in the Wissports.net Coaches Poll this week.

In Division 4, West Salem is down but not out of the Top 10 after a big loss to River Falls in essentially the MVC Championship Game. The Panthers are #10 this week, down from #8 the week before.

D5 sees Aquinas hold firm to their #4 spot behind Lake Country Lutheran, Amherst, and Cumberland following a sizeable win over Viroqua. It’s gonna be tough for the Blugolds to jump over any of those teams seeing as they’re all top-quality programs that will probably finish the season unbeaten as well. Additionally, Arcadia got a big home win over Altoona to bump them up to ninth this week.

In Division 6, Cashton fresh off a win against New Lisbon scoots up from 10th to 9th. The Eagles have a legitimate shot to win the Scenic Bluffs outright after Luther upset Bangor last week. Cashton has already beaten the Knights and plays the Cardinals next week to finish the regular season.

And in Division 7, Bangor’s second loss of the year dropped them from 2nd all the way down to a tie for 10th this week with Potosi/Cassville. The Cardinals are likely being given the benefit of their margin of victory this season as a reason for staying in the Top 10.

Don’t forget coming up this week on Coulee Region Football, we’ll be at Swanson Field as Holmen tries to keep their postseason hopes alive against Logan! Our coverage will begin with the High School Football Preview Show at 6pm.

By Adam Roberts – 10/4/2021

Fans closest to the Fiserv Fourm court this upcoming season will be required to either be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test prior to being seated.

The team website says: “In accordance with an NBA league-wide mandate, the Milwaukee Bucks will require all fans seated within 15 feet of the court at Fiserv Forum to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the game. Locations within 15 feet of the court are all courtside seats located in rows AAA, BBB, CCC, DDD. These fans will also be required to wear face masks while in their seats.”

While the team is strongly advising everyone outside of the courtside zone to also wear masks and be vaccinated, the website notes it is not required.

Milwaukee opens the preseason on the road tomorrow in Memphis; the first Fiserv game will be on the 10th against Oklahoma City.

By Adam Roberts – 10/1/2021

As the Packers continue preparations for Sunday’s home contest against Pittsburgh, it appears the plans will once again include Yosh Nijman on the offensive line and no MVS in the passing game.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been officially ruled out of the game by head coach Matt LaFleur as he continues to deal with a hamstring problem. Additionally neither offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins and cornerback Kevin King have practiced this week while they deal with an ankle injury and concussion respectively. Jenkins sustained the injury against the Lions and it kept him out of the 49ers game last Sunday. Nijman played pretty well as a substitute.

As for the MVS news, it appears Randall Cobb, rookie Amari Rodgers, or Malik Taylor all could be targeted more against a banged up Steelers defense.

Also, d-lineman Tyler Lancaster is still not with the team for COVID reasons.