Comings and Goings

I thought it might be nice to start a thread comparing this roster to last years. We had more "real" turnover than I can recall since TT took over the team. Are we better or worse? I'll start it off with the position that has me excited:

Tight ends. Anyone who sifts through my drivel knows I abhor a TE that is one dimensional. Its pointless. You are telegraphing to the D what your intention is.

This position is basically pure upgrade with no trade off. We lost a one dimensional TE who can't run block and is often injured and replaced him with one of the games true dual threats in Bennett and an up and coming dual threat in Kendricks. DickRod who is no threat at anything is a solid 3rd TE to have. With Monty in the backfield I pray MM and Arod audible often to create mismatches and march on scrambling defenses that can't decide which personnel to use and get caught with 12 men on the field when they try to figure it out.

Other turnover positions for discussion would be CB and OL I would think.

Cornerback:

Adds: King and House. Randall and Rollins both healthy

Losses: Hyde

Gunter was Packers top CB much of last year. This year it would appear he barely made the team. This is a much better situation, both in terms of health and talent.

Agreed on Bennett but in his 7th season I'm not sure Kendricks can still be considered up and coming.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zool

Agreed on Bennett but in his 7th season I'm not sure Kendricks can still be considered up and coming.

---

He knows the job and is aggressive, but us often bothered by those pesky appendages known as the arms and hands.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KYPack

He knows the job and is aggressive, but us often bothered by those pesky appendages known as the arms and hands.

---

I always have a soft spot for Badgers, but he's just okay at NFL level football.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KYPack

He knows the job and is aggressive, but us often bothered by those pesky appendages known as the arms and hands.

---

So he should be in the Dean Lowry Army?

One addition I like is a subtle change in team personality. I've felt the whole "Packer People" deal went a mite too far. A good pro team needs a variety of personalities for the guys to play off one another. We've lost some of our enforcers and some of the new guys replace that element. M Bennet keeps everybody loose while being a skilled player. Brooks is a certifiable scary, moody type guy.

For awhile there, we were more like a boy scout troop than a pro football team.

Last couple of years, Packers were playing around with Sitton, Lang, Bulaga, and Lindsley being injured all the time. Now they can play around with Evans and Lindsley being hurt all the time. That's at least a two-fold reduction in total injury time. Unless someone else steps it up (I'm not counting Barclay)

Loss of Tretter is a problem, but McCray will develop into an effective backup at least at guard - because he is so fat, it just takes pass rushers longer to get around him.

O-line overall is better, APRH.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joemailman

Cornerback:

Adds: King and House. Randall and Rollins both healthy

Losses: Hyde

Gunter was Packers top CB much of last year. This year it would appear he barely made the team. This is a much better situation, both in terms of health and talent.

---

I consider Shields as a CB loss this season, too. While he didn't play much last year, they expected to have him, he was in the prime of his career, and planning for replacing him is happening this year, just like the loss of a free agent.

Yoko is gone. That alone should improve the band.

No Carnival of Light bs either way please.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Patler

I consider Shields as a CB loss this season, too. While he didn't play much last year, they expected to have him, he was in the prime of his career, and planning for replacing him is happening this year, just like the loss of a free agent.

---

The premise of the thread was comparing this year to last year. For all practical purposes, they did not have Shields last year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Patler

I consider Shields as a CB loss this season, too. While he didn't play much last year, they expected to have him, he was in the prime of his career, and planning for replacing him is happening this year, just like the loss of a free agent.

---

He lasted about three plays! But your point is solid. They drafted Randall and Rollins to replace House and Williams. Got House back, but don't know where he's at. King is Shield's replacement and he doesn't look ready. Either Randall or Rollins will have to replace Hyde. Right now it looks like a wash or less than the start of last year, even APRH.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joemailman

The premise of the thread was comparing this year to last year. For all practical purposes, they did not have Shields last year.

---

Sure they did. He was one starting CB. His loss really couldn't be addressed the 'Packer way' until the offseason.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mraynrand

He lasted about three plays! But your point is solid. They drafted Randall and Rollins to replace House and Williams. Got House back, but don't know where he's at. King is Shield's replacement and he doesn't look ready. Either Randall or Rollins will have to replace Hyde. Right now it looks like a wash or less than the start of last year, even APRH.

---

Hyde was the 2nd slot CB at times, part time safety and Rover. His job is probably taken by the combo Burnett/Jones in that order. Dix plays back more than Hyde ever did.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zool

Agreed on Bennett but in his 7th season I'm not sure Kendricks can still be considered up and coming.

---

Playing with bad QB's and changing offensive systems for all those seasons to the model of stability and ARod tells me the best is yet to come. 50 catches last year. I could see 40 this year as the 2nd TE.

And the part I like best. He is an excellent blocker who had 50 catches.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mraynrand

Sure they did. He was one starting CB. His loss really couldn't be addressed the 'Packer way' until the offseason.

---

I see your point. The CB roster with Shields last year did look pretty solid. My point though is that that was an illusion because Sam Shields was one hard collision away from the end of his career. We just didn't know it. Given what I see as the extreme unlikelihood that the Packers will suffer the injuries at CB this year that they did last year, I think the players they will likely put on the field is superior to what they put on the field last year.

One last point on TE. You have to remember that Kendricks isn't replacing Cook as the starter. He is the backup. You could be right, he isn't ascending, but I think he is a big improvement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joemailman

I think the players they will likely put on the field is superior to what they put on the field last year.

---

I hope you're right. Lots of question marks right now, no? Two guys returning from injury, House is a question mark (will he play at the top level he showed in stretches here and first year in Jacksonville?). Will King come around and play a solid edge corner (I think that's all they will ask him to do)? Can Randall or Rollins fill the Hyde role?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bobblehead

One last point on TE. You have to remember that Kendricks isn't replacing Cook as the starter. He is the backup. You could be right, he isn't ascending, but I think he is a big improvement.

---

He looked more fluid than Rodgers, that's for sure. Didn't see him block much, so don't know about that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bobblehead

One last point on TE. You have to remember that Kendricks isn't replacing Cook as the starter. He is the backup. You could be right, he isn't ascending, but I think he is a big improvement.

---

He's there to block and misdirect and line up in a bunch and defeat press coverage occasionally.

I also hope he is there for goal line Bubba Franks play. Block, fall down, stand up, catch touchdown.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pbmax

He's there to block and misdirect and line up in a bunch and defeat press coverage occasionally.

I also hope he is there for goal line Bubba Franks play. Block, fall down, stand up, catch touchdown.

---

Richard Rodgers is pretty good at the fall down part.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joemailman

The premise of the thread was comparing this year to last year. For all practical purposes, they did not have Shields last year.

---

So at what point was last year last year?
At what point am I allowed to refer to a player as being a loss from last year who is being replaced this year?

Does Lacy count as a loss from last year? He played in only four more games than Shields. There was minimal contribution from him. How about Tretter? He played only 6 more games than Shields. Can I comment on either of them and still comply with the premise of this thread?

From a roster building perspective, there isn't much difference between the losses of Tretter and Lacy on the one hand and Shields on the other, except for which game of the season was their last. The 2016 roster was built expecting each to be available. 2017 has been built knowing all are gone.

Then there is Montgomery. Is he a "loss" at WR who is replaced as a WR this year? He was a WR last year for more games than Lacy played.

Maybe you guys who have actually been able to watch practices have seen some good things on Kendricks, but from what I have seen, I like R Rodgers better than him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KYPack

One addition I like is a subtle change in team personality. I've felt the whole "Packer People" deal went a mite too far. A good pro team needs a variety of personalities for the guys to play off one another. We've lost some of our enforcers and some of the new guys replace that element. M Bennet keeps everybody loose while being a skilled player. Brooks is a certifiable scary, moody type guy.

For awhile there, we were more like a boy scout troop than a pro football team.

---

Excellent post, I agree 100%.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KYPack

One addition I like is a subtle change in team personality. I've felt the whole "Packer People" deal went a mite too far. A good pro team needs a variety of personalities for the guys to play off one another. We've lost some of our enforcers and some of the new guys replace that element. M Bennet keeps everybody loose while being a skilled player. Brooks is a certifiable scary, moody type guy.

For awhile there, we were more like a boy scout troop than a pro football team.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rutnstrut

Excellent post, I agree 100%.

---

Apparently the DL they brought in today from the 49ers also plays with a bit of an edge. With him, Brooks and a couple safeties who like to hit, the character of the defense could change a little.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Patler

Apparently the DL they brought in today from the 49ers also plays with a bit of an edge. With him, Brooks and a couple safeties who like to hit, the character of the defense could change a little.

---

Those safeties are a super talented group. The addition of Brooks may play off Daniels natural fire and give us more of an attack minded defense. Brooks is a little like Wayne Simmons. A real bitch, but a tad nuts. he's a vet now. Hope he can channel his energies the right way and help get us going. We must generate heat on the QB to improve the pass D and help the young corners.

I know nothing of the 49er DE they're bringing in today. Who is Quentin Dial? How good is he? How old is he?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fritz

I know nothing of the 49er DE they're bringing in today. Who is Quentin Dial? How good is he? How old is he?

---

Not old. 27. Big. 6-5, 320. I seem to remember him as a pretty tough player. Not many sacks though. He was seen as a better fit in a 3-4.

Offensive Line: Depth definitely worse than last year.

Wide Receiver: A little better. Jordy a year removed from surgery. Adams still getting better. Allison looks stronger.

Running Back: Better. Monty has a chance to be a really good all-around back. The rookies look like they can all play.

Tight End: Big upgrade.

Quarterback: Status Quo.

Defensive Line: Better. Clark, Lowry and Ringo have all improved.

Outside Linebacker. Worse, unless Brooks comes through in a big way.

Inside Linebacker: Status Quo.

Cornerback: Better. House and King (and Josh Jones) more than offset loss of Hyde.

Safety: Better. Brice and Evans continue to improve. Jones adds athleticism.

Special Teams: Probably Status Quo.

I wonder about OLB?

Lost Peppers - Last year, many said he was well over the hill. Made a play now and then, but was taken advantage of, too. Was he more name and reputation than performance last year?

Lost Jones - Last year, many said he was not a fit at OLB. Stout against the run just as he always was as a DE. Seemed to apply pressure, at times, but didn't get there.

Gained Brooks - Reports I've read have him playing last year with little drop off from his prime. Might he be better than the 2016 version of Peppers? Might he be enough to replace both Peppers and Jones.

Gained New Guy - Expecting nothing.

Peppers had 10 sacks I believe. He had his moments.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fritz

I know nothing of the 49er DE they're bringing in today. Who is Quentin Dial? How good is he? How old is he?

---

Did he visit today? I haven't heard a thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pbmax

Peppers had 10 sacks I believe. He had his moments.

---

2016 - 7.5
2015 - 10.5
2014 - 7.0

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Joemailman

Offensive Line: Depth definitely worse than last year.

Wide Receiver: A little better. Jordy a year removed from surgery. Adams still getting better. Allison looks stronger.

Running Back: Better. Monty has a chance to be a really good all-around back. The rookies look like they can all play.

Tight End: Big upgrade.

Quarterback: Status Quo.

Defensive Line: Better. Clark, Lowry and Ringo have all improved.

Outside Linebacker. Worse, unless Brooks comes through in a big way.

Inside Linebacker: Status Quo.

Cornerback: Better. House and King (and Josh Jones) more than offset loss of Hyde.

Safety: Better. Brice and Evans continue to improve. Jones adds athleticism.

Special Teams: Probably Status Quo.

---

I'm excited!