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Mike Pennel

Packers Release DT Mike Pennel

January 9th, 2017 at 5:15pm CST by Ben Levine

The Packers gave Mike Pennel a second chance following a suspension earlier this season. With another four-game ban coming to an end, it appears that the organization has had enough. ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky reports that the Packers have released the defensive tackle. The 25-year-old’s roster exemption was set to expire today.

Mike Pennel (Vertical)The former undrafted free agent was suspended for the first four games of this season after having violated the league’s substance abuse policy. Pennel returned to the Packers and appeared in eight games, but he was slapped with another four-game ban in early December. Considering it was a second offense, the defensive tackle was initially facing a ten-game suspension. Pennel actually filed suit against the NFL and the NFLPA, claiming that the impending appeals board was only going to consist of two neutral arbitrators (as opposed to the standard three-to-five). The suit was dropped after the two sides came to an agreement, and that agreement presumably cut the suspension from 10 games to only four games.

Either way, the defensive lineman is going to have to find his next opportunity elsewhere. In eight games this season, Pennel only compiled seven tackles. The defensive lineman logged 103 defensive snaps as he found himself behind Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, and Datone Jones on the depth chart. 2015 was a “career-year” for Pennel, as the lineman finished with 25 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble in 16 games.

Pennel was only signed to a minimum salary contract through this season, and he missed out on a portion of that base salary and signing bonus thanks to the pair of suspensions.

Packers’ Mike Pennel Suspended Four Games

December 6th, 2016 at 5:14pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Packers defensive tackle Mike Pennel will serve his second four-game suspension of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse program, the league announced today. Pennel had been suing the league over a discrepancy in the appeal process, but he dropped that suit yesterday and came to an agreement via the appeal procedure, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.Mike Pennel (Vertical)

[RELATED: Julius Peppers Non-Committal On 2017]

Pennel, 25, could have been facing a 10-game ban as a result of a second failed drug test, but evidently negotiated that suspension down to four contests through meetings with the league. In his lawsuit against the NFL, Pennel contended the league only intended to provide two neutral arbitrators instead of the standard three-to-five, and asked that the entire appeal hearing is put on hold until the NFL appoints a third arbitrator.

In eight games this season Pennel has notched 103 defensive snaps as a rotational lineman behind starters Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, and Datone Jones. Signed only through 2016 at the minimum salary, Pennel will miss out on his base salary for the remainder of the year and will also forfeit the applicable prorated amount of his signing bonus.

Pennel’s suspension will begin immediately, meaning he will be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He will miss games against the Seahawks, Bears, Vikings, and Lions.

NFC North Notes: Packers, Lions, Boldin, Bears

December 5th, 2016 at 9:25pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Packers defensive tackle Mike Pennel‘s lawsuit against the NFL and NFLPA has been resolved, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal tweets. As such, the NFL has agreed to appoint third arbitrator to hear Pennel’s appeal of his impending 10-game suspension. That appeal hearing was originally supposed to take place tomorrow, but the meeting has now been postponed, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

Here’s more from the NFC North:

  • In the midst of his 15th NFL season, Packers edge rusher Julius Peppers isn’t committing to playing in 2017, reports Jason Wilde of ESPN.com (Twitter link). “I’m not saying that I don’t want to play next year,” said Peppers. “I’m not saying that I do. I’m just saying that right now I don’t know.” The 36-year-old Peppers is having another solid season, as he’s posted 6.5 sacks while grading as the league’s No. 26 edge defender, according to Pro Football Focus. He’ll be a free agent at season’s end.
  • Veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin earned a $500K incentive bonus when the Lions won their eighth game of the season on Sunday, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). Under the terms of the one-year deal he signed with Detroit, Boldin could possibly earn another $500K in not-likely-to-be-earned bonuses. Even in his age-36 season, Boldin is still producing, as he’s put up 52 receptions and six touchdowns this year.
  • Although they currently own the No. 4 overall pick in 2017 draft (pending the outcome of Monday Night Football), the Bears should focus on posting victories with their core rather than angling for a higher draft choice, argues Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times. Chicago is now 3-9 after beating San Francisco on Sunday, earning the win on the back of running back Jordan Howard‘s three touchdowns. Other recent acquisitions, such as quarterback Matt Barkley, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, and linebacker Leonard Floyd also provided “glimmers of hope,” as Jahns writes.

Packers DL Mike Pennel Facing 10-Game Ban

November 29th, 2016 at 6:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Packers defensive lineman Mike Pennel has filed suit against the NFL and the NFLPA as he faces punishment for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, according to Eric Heisig of Cleveland.com. Pennel has already served a four-game ban this season as a result of a failed drug test, so a second positive test would equal a 10-game suspension, as Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com notes.Mike Pennel (Vertical)

[RELATED: Green Bay Packers Depth Chart]

Pennel received notice of a second failed drug test earlier this month, and appealed his punishment three days later — that appeal is currently set for the beginning of December. But Pennel isn’t content with the appeal process, as his filing contends that the league only intends on providing two neutral arbitrators instead of the standard three-to-five. In his complaint, Pennel also asks that the entire appeal hearing is put on hold until the NFL appoints a third arbitrator.

Pennel, 25, has played in seven games since returning from the suspended list. He’s notched 95 defensive snaps as a rotational lineman behind starters Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, and Datone Jones. Pennel is signed through 2016 at the minimum salary, and would stand to lose quite a bit of income if the 10-game ban is upheld.

Pennel becomes the second NFL player in recent days to file a lawsuit against both the NFL and the NFLPA, joining Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who is complaining of “unfair labor practices” while serving his own 10-game suspension.

Packers Activate Pennel, Goodson

October 15th, 2016 at 2:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers will be without James Starks against the Cowboys but did not promote a running back from the practice squad to help their backfield’s depth. Instead, the team activated defensive lineman Mike Pennel and cornerback Demetri Goodson, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Granted one-game roster exemptions for both players coming off four-game suspensions, Green Bay waited a week to activate each backup contributor. The Packers’ cutting quarterback Joe Callahan earlier this week left them with an empty roster spot, and they waived defensive tackle Brian Price to clear another space, per Demovsky.

A third-year player coming off a substance-abuse suspension, Pennel made five starts for the Packers last season. He’s played in 29 games over the past two years after joining the Packers as a UDFA in 2014. The former Colorado State-Pueblo performer registered a sack, forced a fumble and made 24 tackles last season. He’s expected to join Christian Ringo and Dean Lowry among the Packers’ backups up front.

Goodson has also been a backup for the past two seasons, playing in 20 games since being taken in the sixth round last year. The former Gonzaga point guard served a four-game PED ban and will help a depleted Packers cornerback corps that’s still without Sam Shields. Opposite starter Damarious Randall is questionable, with nickel man Quinten Rollins potentially out for Week 6 as well. Both are battling groin injuries. So, Goodson could be called upon in the event the duo is unable to go.

Starks suffered a meniscus injury this week and could be out for multiple games, according to Demovsky, so Green Bay’s backfield could take on an interesting dynamic considering no other backup running back resides on the active roster. Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery could be called upon for spot-duty carries behind Eddie Lacy, Jason Wilde of ESPN.com tweets. Fullback Aaron Ripkowski is the only other active-roster ball-carrier.

Extra Points: Garoppolo, Cards, Packers

October 10th, 2016 at 10:00pm CST by Zachary Links

What would it take for the Patriots to trade Jimmy Garoppolo? ESPN.com’s Mike Sando (Insider sub. req’d) asked around the NFL to try and figure out where the QB’s market might be. “You get a first and a second in a heartbeat, but you ask for two firsts,” one executive said. “That is where the divide is. And the middle ground might be a first and two seconds. San Francisco got two seconds for Alex Smith, but he had already failed.” A better question might be: Would the Patriots trade Garoppolo?Given his strong play to start the season and Tom Brady‘s age, it’s possible that the Patriots would not entertain offers at all.

Here’s more from around the league:

  • Cardinals GM Steve Keim told 98.7 FM in Arizona (Twitter link) that guard Evan Mathis could potentially return from IR this year. Of course, Mathis could only return after eight weeks on IR and the team can only activate one player from IR this year. That means that even if Mathis is healthy enough, the Cardinals might opt to promote a healthy Chris Johnson or Tyvon Branch instead. Mathis sustained a bad ankle injury against San Francisco on Thursday, prompting the team to put him on the shelf. Over the weekend, Mathis hinted that he is planning on retiring after the 2016 season, so it is possible that he has played his last down of football.
  • The Packers have been granted one-week roster exemptions for defensive tackle Mike Pennel and defensive back Demetri Goodson, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Pennel (substance abuse) and Goodson (PED) are both coming off four-games suspensions. The exemptions expire on Monday, so if Green Bay wants either of the two to play on Sunday, the club will have to make a transaction.
  • After promoting quarterbacks coach Marty Mornhinweg to replace fired offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, the Ravens don’t plan to hire a new QBs coach, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters, including Jeff Zriebec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Instead, longtime coach Craig Ver Steeg — listed as a senior offensive assistant in the club’s media guide — will assist in quarterback meetings.
  • A botched hold cost the Chargers a chance at overtime on Sunday, and San Diego will “explore options” at holder, according to head coach Mike McCoy (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN.com). Drew Kasar, the man who mishandled the snap in question, will remain the club’s punter, however.

Packers Bring Roster Down To 53

September 3rd, 2016 at 6:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers have announced the cuts that will bring their roster down to 53. The club has made the following moves:

Cut:

Placed On IR:

  • C Kyle Steuck
  • DT Tyler Kuder

Reserve/Suspended:

Randy Gregory Suspended Four Games

February 19th, 2016 at 3:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Cowboys edge defender Randy Gregory has been suspended for the first four games of the 2016 NFL season for violating the league’s policy on substances of abuse, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Gregory will be eligible to return for Dallas’ fifth regular-season game.Randy Gregory

Gregory, 23, didn’t see a ton of action during his first NFL season — he was slowed by an early-season ankle sprain and ended up recording 11 tackles over the course of 250 defensive snaps. Viewed as a surefire first-round pick – and a potential top-10 selection – based on talent, Gregory slipped in last year’s draft to 60th overall, where he was snatched up by the Cowboys. Off-field concerns, including a failed drug test at the combine, contributed to his slide.

While Gregory didn’t make any off-field headlines during his first year in Dallas, he has apparently failed several drug tests, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport points out that the NFL’s drug policy calls for a two-game fine and then a four-game fine before a player is suspended.

With Gregory set to miss the first quarter of the season and Greg Hardy potentially departing in free agency, the Cowboys figure to be in the market for pass-rushing help this offseason, in free agency and/or the draft.

In addition to Gregory, another defender, Packers defensive tackle Mike Pennel, also received a four-game ban for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, tweets Jason Wilde of ESPN.com.

Pennel, 24, started five games for the Packers last season, recording 24 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery on the year. Like Gregory, he won’t be eligible to return to action until the fifth game of his club’s regular-season schedule.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dunne On Replacements For B.J. Raji

August 23rd, 2014 at 3:40pm CST by Rob DiRe

An unfortunate injury to Packers’ nose tackle B.J. Raji has left the team looking for a way to replace his size and athleticism in the middle of their defense. The arm injury has been confirmed to be torn biceps, and will more than likely force him to miss the season, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter).

As big of a loss as this is for the defense, the team is not yet panicking, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (via Twitter). The team has a number of in-house replacements, including Josh Boyd, Letroy Guion and undrafted rookie Mike Pennel, according to Dunne.

Guion was one of the favorite free agent signings this offseason, but has missed virtually all of training camp with a variety of hamstring problems. He was thought of as a possible PUP candidate, but Dunne notes that the team might not feel comfortable waiting that long to see him in action now without Raji (via Twitter).

Dunne also notes that former Packer Ryan Pickett is an option (via Twitter). Pickett, who played nose tackle and defensive end for the team since 2006, is a free agent who has expressed interest in continuing his career with the Packers, as Dunne wrote earlier this offseason.

However, Dunne also mentioned that the team would most likely stand pat with what they have, knowing they have the option to play more nickel packages, which would put Mike Daniels and Datone Jones on the field, and alleviate the need for a true nose tackle (via Twitter).

Johnny Jolly, another former Packer defensive lineman, is also not currently in the team’s plan as a replacement for Raji, (via Twitter).

Packers Announce 14 UDFA Signings

May 16th, 2014 at 11:11am CST by Rob DiRe

FRIDAY, 11:11am: The Packers have announced one more UDFA signing, revealing today that they’ve also signed Iowa safety Tanner Miller.

TUESDAY, 4:18pm: Add one more undrafted free agent to the Packers’ list. Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette tweets that Washington State offensive lineman John Fullington passed his physical and signed with the team, and today’s NFL transaction wire confirmed the move. Fullington received a $5K signing bonus, according to Dougherty.

MONDAY, 7:28pm: The Packers have officially announced that they have signed 12 undrafted free agents, according to the team’s official website.

Here are all of the Packers’ new players:

  • Jake Doughty, LB, Utah State ($5K bonus, per Pete Dougherty)
  • Jayrone Elliott, LB, Toledo ($5K bonus)
  • Carlos Gray, DE, North Carolina State ($4K bonus)
  • Adrian Hubbard, LB, Alabama ($5K bonus)
  • Jordan McCray, OG, Central Florida ($3.5K bonus)
  • Rajion Neal, RB, Tennessee ($2K bonus)
  • Mike Pennel, DT, Colorado State-Pueblo ($3.5K bonus)
  • Justin Perillo, TE, Maine ($2K bonus)
  • LaDarius Perkins, RB, Mississippi State ($3K bonus)
  • Chase Rettig, QB, Boston College ($3.5K bonus)
  • Joe Thomas, LB, South Carolina ($5K bonus)
  • Ryan White, CB, Auburn ($2K bonus)