Z Gone for a bit

[Tony Oday]

https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/z-on-ir

That makes the Gary draft pick pretty important! This team is playing for January but they have to remember they need to get to the tournament first.

[George Cumby]

Boy, we really need some of that Berry enthusiasm.

[CaptainKickass]

Boy, we really need some of that Berry enthusiasm.

Sorry guys. Times are looking tough at this particular moment in space and time. The best I could conjure up on short notice is some Halle Berry enthusiasm:


https://jakemcmillan.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/halle-berry-hot-sexy-bikini-top-2.jpg?w=591
https://jakemcmillan.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/halle-berry-hot-sexy-bikini-top.jpg?w=628


It's horrible news in my opinion because I am not confident that Gary or anyone else on the roster is close to as good as Z.

Preston better stay healthy and the Dline better come through. The team could really use the offense to be the bread and butter and sort of carry the day for a while. Maybe even carry the whole season.

[Tony Oday]

In a year Gary will be better then Z.

[George Cumby]

In a year Gary will be better then Z.

I was thinking by the end of this season.

[CaptainKickass]

In a year Gary will be better then Z.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ru8DMW-grY

[Fritz]

Boy, we really need some of that Berry enthusiasm.

Howzabout some Drew BARRYmore enthusiasm??

https://i1.wp.com/comicbooksgalaxy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Drew-Barrymore-topless.jpg?resize=585%2C766&ssl=1

[George Cumby]

That's one.

Where's the other 39?

[smuggler]

I felt suspicious that he got IR'd right after the captainship snafu.

[Fritz]

I felt suspicious that he got IR'd right after the captainship snafu.

I'm not sure at whom Z would be pissed, as I think it's his teammates who vote for the captains.

Could he be mad at Gutsy for not surrounding him with teammates who would vote for him?

[smuggler]

I'm not saying he's mad at the organization. But he might not be good zen in the locker room.

[Fritz]

I'm not saying he's mad at the organization. But he might not be good zen in the locker room.

I guess we never really get out of junior high, do we?

Interesting thought you have, though. A Cooling off period for his ego and his back?

[smuggler]

Maybe so. Just a thought. Hopefully it's not nearly to that point.

[call_me_ishmael]

Didn't he just get an extension?

[Joemailman]

Didn't he just get an extension?

Not an extension. They restructured it lower the cap hit in 2021. The contract runs through 2022 with a cap hit in 2022 of 28.1M. Packers could save 15.75 on the cap by cutting him in 2022. They would eat 12.4M of dead cap.

[Joemailman]

I felt suspicious that he got IR'd right after the captainship snafu.

Back injury we know nothing about. (MLF says he knows how it happened). Contract restructure. Not voted as a captain. Would seem these are connected somehow. :drma:

[Freak Out]

There are a couple good free agent LBs sitting at home right now....not named Clay.

[Bretsky]

Back injury we know nothing about. (MLF says he knows how it happened). Contract restructure. Not voted as a captain. Would seem these are connected somehow. :drma:


WINNER WINNER WINNER

Those who cover the GB Packers on a near full time basis and talk with players (of course none of them know anything more than any of us) have been chatting on this for a couple weeks now.

Some are even predicting a possible trade.

He's no doubt unhappy with his contract, and he knows it's his last year here. Barely practices, 18 snaps, and leadership in question. There are issues.

[call_me_ishmael]

Man you really think they let Z go? I understand the camp situation but how many studs can you get rid of in one year? It does make you
Wonder if they will resign 17.

[Bretsky]

Man you really think they let Z go? I understand the camp situation but how many studs can you get rid of in one year? It does make you
Wonder if they will resign 17.


I really doubt t they trade him

But I think his cap hit is 28 MIL next year so this is probably his last yr here.

So if he's unhappy and a bad chemistry guy............

[Fritz]

....but then in the last two weeks, given how piss poor the pass pressure has been, Z would appear to have some leverage.

[call_me_ishmael]

Are they yanking around Z here? Dude has earned an extension. Where is it? If you're not going to pay your players that have earned it, then what are you even doing? It's not like contracts are a real 5 years anymore. They owe him two years guaranteed than we'll see contract IMO.

[smuggler]

He's about to be thirty and is currently having a slight issue where he can't get on the field. An extension sounds kinda stupid right now. He's about to get traded, if my instincts are right.

[call_me_ishmael]

He's about to be thirty and is currently having a slight issue where he can't get on the field. An extension sounds kinda stupid right now. He's about to get traded, if my instincts are right.

30 is not that old in the world of two year contracts. My point is it never should have come to this. Good players should not go into the last year of their contracts. They get renewed before camp. No lame ducks. How do you do a guy like that after two all-pro years? It’s not surprising that he is mad.

[smuggler]

Next year is the last year of his contract.

[Bretsky]

Next year is the last year of his contract.


And I think he has a huge cap hit next year....aka......he either gets extended (which he wanted), let go, or traded

[call_me_ishmael]

Next year is the last year of his contract.

Ahhh, well, that explains it, my mistake.

[Fritz]

Hey, how can we have a "Last Dance" in Green Bay if the girls are all feeling rejected and unwanted and become very sad?

[smuggler]

And I think he has a huge cap hit next year....aka......he either gets extended (which he wanted), let go, or traded

Yep, and that'll get resolved in the offseason unless they decide to trade him.

[Tony Oday]

Just had back surgery...

[HarveyWallbangers]

WINNER WINNER WINNER

Those who cover the GB Packers on a near full time basis and talk with players (of course none of them know anything more than any of us) have been chatting on this for a couple weeks now.

Some are even predicting a possible trade.

He's no doubt unhappy with his contract, and he knows it's his last year here. Barely practices, 18 snaps, and leadership in question. There are issues.

Your insiders look wrong again. Looks like a legit injury. Maybe you should follow different insiders.

[Joemailman]

Mike Garafolo

#Packers LB Za’Darius Smith underwent back surgery this week, sources tell me and
@RapSheet
. He’s expected to be out an extended period of time, though the hope is it’s not a season-ending situation.


https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/01/report-packers-not-counting-on-zadarius-smith-returning-this-season/


Mike Garafolo of NFL Network originally reported the surgery news. The report came with “hope” that Smith could return.

But it sounds like a return this season is more of a pipe dream and isn’t the most likely outcome.

Smith, an All-Pro last season, reported to training camp with the back injury and was placed on the non-football injury list. He missed all but one day of practice during camp. He returned to play a small role in Week 1 against the Saints but was shut down soon after. The Packers believed shelving him for a few weeks would allow his back to heal and give him a shot at being a full-time player again this season, but at some point it was determined to have the surgery.

[pittstang5]

Well this sucks. So now what? Does Gutey trade for someone? Anyone out there on the market yet that could at least come in and be serviceable? You're not gonna replace Z, but i don't think the Pack can go all season with just Preston Smith. I'm not mentioning Gary cause he hasn't done shit and couldn't even hold Z's jock.

[Teamcheez1]

Bye Z. We enjoyed your short time here.

[Joemailman]

Nobody can replace Z, but the pass rush was much improved last week without Z. I think what they'll miss most is his inside rush.

[RashanGary]

Glad Preston came back in shape and Gary progressed. Garvin looks ok too.

But Z is a difference maker. We miss him.

[Sparkey]

They should kick the tires in Jamie Collins.

[Fritz]

Nobody can replace Z, but the pass rush was much improved last week without Z. I think what they'll miss most is his inside rush.

Oren Burks looked promising coming inside on a blitz or two. I wonder if they'll try to make it up that way.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Well this sucks. So now what? Does Gutey trade for someone? Anyone out there on the market yet that could at least come in and be serviceable? You're not gonna replace Z, but i don't think the Pack can go all season with just Preston Smith. I'm not mentioning Gary cause he hasn't done shit and couldn't even hold Z's jock.

Claymaker.

[Sparkey]

Just landed back in GreenBay‼️ I Can’t wait to get back on the field with my bros������������ #GoPackGo

Tweeted today 10:06am

https://twitter.com/zadariussmith/status/1454102273030774786?s=20

[RashanGary]

Just landed back in GreenBay‼️ I Can’t wait to get back on the field with my bros������������ #GoPackGo

Tweeted today 10:06am

https://twitter.com/zadariussmith/status/1454102273030774786?s=20

Hmmm. Maybe it was a minor surgery and he’ll play. If we get really healthy we have a shot

[Sparkey]

Hmmm. Maybe it was a minor surgery and he’ll play. If we get really healthy we have a shot

I thought I read that he herniated a disc in his back. If so, it was probably a microdiscectomy. Recovery time is around 4 - 6 weeks.

[Joemailman]

Tom Silverstein

#Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he's hopeful Za'Darius Smith will be back but he said until they get him in the building and take a look at him, they don't know how far away he was.

[call_me_ishmael]

Tom Silverstein

#Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he's hopeful Za'Darius Smith will be back but he said until they get him in the building and take a look at him, they don't know how far away he was.

He’s away from the team? That sounds odd, right?

[texaspackerbacker]

I just read a tweet from 10am today from Zadarius saying he was "landing in Green Bay" and looking forward to be back with the team soon.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I just read a tweet from 10am today from Zadarius saying he was "landing in Green Bay" and looking forward to be back with the team soon.

No shit, Sherlock! Read the previous posts.

[smuggler]

Hey, leave tex alone. He was drunk, like some of the other posters, yesterday.

[Joemailman]

He’s away from the team? That sounds odd, right?

Not if he had the surgery somewhere other than in Green Bay. I'd recuperate from back surgery at home.

[smuggler]

Plus it's not like the Green Bay area has world class rehab facilities. If he would have had to go to Milwaukee anyway, why not just go to Birmingham if you're Z?

[Sparkey]

I don't know about rehab, but I do know they have one of the best orthopedic foot surgeons in the country in Green Bay.

[run pMc]

I read he has a home in GA, and he was rehabbing down there post-surgery.

If he can come back and contribute that would be a big boost to the pass rush. We really need Jaire back though.

Either way, a little hope on the injury front is welcome news.

[RashanGary]

Green Bay’s defense is currently 8th in YPG and 9th in PPG. Getting Z and Jaire back would make keeping that ranking a real possibility.

[RashanGary]

Z coming back would be so huge. Z, P, Gary and Mercilus would be a great rotation. Lowry is playing really well. Clark is too. We’d be pretty solid up front once Z is back in the fold.