GREEN BAY Gary Jennings Jr. Jersey , Wis. — Ted Thompson signed two unrestricted free agents.Packers CoveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Packers rookie Gary’s biggest critic is himselfTop Tweets: Former Badger TJ Watt has impressive four-year transformationPHOTOS: 2019 Green Bay Packers training campPackers’ Rodgers, LaFleur ironing out offense, building chemistryPlayers to watch at Green Bay Packers 2019 training campLaFleur: Offense still a work in progress as Packers open campPackers release defensive tackle Mike DanielsGreen Bay Packers 2019 training camp primerPackers’ Rodgers not ranked as a top-5 quarterback in Madden 20On Thursday, the Packers announced the signing of four such players.Second-year GM Brian Gutekunst wasn’t shopping from the bargain bin, either, in trying to improve a team coming off its first back-to-back losing seasons in a quarter-century. Rather, Gutekunst dived headfirst into the initial wave of free agency by signing outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, safety Adrian Amos, and offensive lineman Billy Turner. They each signed four-year contracts worth a combined $182 million, $57 million of which is guaranteed.Gutekunst, however, disagreed with the notion his aggressive foray into free agency was aimed at putting the Packers back among the NFL’s elite teams while quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains in his prime.“I don’t think so,” Gutekunst said. “I think, obviously, this is Green Bay, Wisconsin. We’re in a win-now mode all the time. I thought we needed to add to our defense significantly and I think these guys will. So http://www.seahawkscheapshops.com/cheap … nes-jersey , I don’t think it’s any different than it ever has been.”Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith replace the longtime starting tandem of Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, who are free agents. Matthews had 3 1-2 sacks last season while Perry had 1 1-2 sacks and was released earlier this week before being paid a $4.8 million roster bonus.Za’Darius Smith had a career-high 8 1-2 sacks last season for the Baltimore Ravens while Preston Smith had four sacks last season for the Washington Redskins. The new teammates met when Za’Darius Smith, a junior college player at the time, was on a recruiting trip to Mississippi State, where Preston Smith was an established star.“We really got cool when we actually went to the combine,” said Za’Darius Smith, who wound up playing at Kentucky. “He’s a Smith and I’m a Smith, so we were right behind each other (during drills). Got a chance to communicate, but one thing he did tell me, he was like, ‘Z, we’re going to do great things in this league.’ I kid you not. Now, we’re playing together.”Za’Darius Smith, who tied for 10th in the league with 25 quarterback hits, frequently moved from the edge to the inside on passing downs for the Ravens. He figures to be used in the same way by Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.“We are both versatile players,” said Preston Smith, who has 24 1-2 sacks in four seasons. “I see him play and he can rush inside and outside. I can do the same if needed. We both play fast and physical and violently. And I like his play style and I feel we will complement each other Ugo Amadi Jersey , and we’re going to do some great things here in Green Bay.”Amos comes from the archrival Chicago Bears. Last season, he had career highs of two interceptions, nine passes defensed, three forced fumbles and 73 tackles. He’s gone from not being in the starting lineup to open the 2017 season to one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties.“In NFL terms, that’s how you show who wants you,” Amos said. “People can say they want you and people can say they have enough or don’t have enough, but that’s the way they show you they want you, by getting you.”Turner started 11 games last season at Denver due to injuries. The Packers have a void at right guard, but neither Gutekunst nor Turner would say that will be his position. Gutekunst hopes Turner’s athleticism will be a good fit for new coach Matt LaFleur’s outside-zone running game.“I’m an offensive lineman, but I don’t think that I move like an offensive lineman,” Turner said. “I use my athleticism to my advantage, and it works well for me. Being able to move in space well and to run off the football and move guys around in the run game, I think, was part of the reason why Green Bay liked me, and it was part of the reason that I picked here.”None of the free-agent signings has earned postseason accolades. Gutekunst believes the arrow is pointing up. Turner is 27, the Smiths are 26 and Amos is 25. All four were drafted in 2015.“I do think that’s an important point, that we did want guys that we thought that their best football was ahead of them http://www.bengalsauthorizedshops.com/a … ple-jersey ,” Gutekunst said. “I think all four of these guys probably had their best seasons last year and they were trending in the right direction.” SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Nick Mullens is getting an extended look as the San Francisco 49ers‘ starting quarterback, and an important test awaits Sunday.Mullens will make the first road start of his NFL career against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his first chance to show how he handles a hostile environment after making his first two starts at home.After the 49ers lost No. 1 quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, C.J. Beathard got the first crack at replacing him.Beathard failed to impress over five starts, and the 49ers (2-8) turned to Mullens, who hadn’t played a snap in the NFL before his Nov. 1 start against Oakland.He threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns in that victory and played solid again in a Nov. 12 loss to the New York Giants. Now Mullens, an undrafted free agent who spent all of last season on San Francisco’s practice squad, will have his poise tested on the road.“That definitely is a big challenge,” Mullens said Wednesday. “I haven’t played on the road yet. But I think this team is excited. It’s important we start fast. It’s important for me to keep my same mindset. Don’t let the environment impact the way you play.”Mullens has completed 71 percent of his passes for 512 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in two games. Those numbers, along with the leadership he has shown, have placed him squarely in the 49ers’ thoughts regarding next season. Assuming Garoppolo makes a healthy return by training camp, which is expected, Mullens will be a legitimate contender for the backup role.But coming off a bye week, he’s trying to help the 49ers finish this season strong after a disappointing first 10 games. Tampa Bay’s defense, on paper http://www.oaklandraidersteamonline.com … len-jersey , would suggest Mullens can find his comfort zone Sunday.The Buccaneers have allowed the fifth-most yards per game in the NFL (395.9), and they sport the league’s worst turnover ratio at minus-23.Tampa Bay (3-7) has not generated a single defensive takeaway since Justin Evans made a first-quarter interception in the third week against Pittsburgh. Entering Sunday, the Buccaneers have played 32 consecutive quarters without a takeaway.The 49ers haven’t been much better with a minus-15 turnover ratio, second-worst in the NFL.“I think that’s one of the reasons for both teams not having much success,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said.Mullens has a unique method for trying to prepare for a road game, one that he used even before becoming the 49ers starter.He found audio files of artificial crowd noise, via Apple Music, slips on his headphones and listens to it at home, calling out signals over the noise as if he was at the line of scrimmage.“I have a very strict routine that I try to stick to, and it helps me prepare,” Mullens said. “And that does involve calling out the plays and envisioning the plays and seeing them in your head.”Given that preparation, it was somewhat surprising to hear Mullens say that he actually did take a couple days off during his bye week and spent it with his wife.Shanahan said he didn’t talk much to Mullens during the break.“You let him get away,” the coach said. “He’s heard enough of me for the time being.”NOTES: Garoppolo, who until recently was using crutches in his recovery from surgery for a torn ACL, has been cleared to at least watch practice from the sidelines, which he did Wednesday as a light drizzle fell. . Receiver Pierre Garcon (knee) did not practice but did agility work on the side. Guard Joshua Garnett (thumb) was held out. Linebacker Reuben Foster (hamstring) and center Weston Richburg (knee) both were limited.