How do you get to 53 next year?

[Packman_26]

I know it's WAY too early to seriously pick what the 53 will be next year. But I think we can already see how tough the cuts are going to be. Even if we don't consider the draft (which will have at least 5 players, more likely 7) I find an incredible amount of potential players to make the team.
I went through and found 37 players that I think are the most likely to be on the team for next year:

QBS
Rodgers, Aaron
Flynn, Matt
RBS
Grant, Ryan
Starks, James
Jackson, Brandon
FBS
Kuhn, John
WR
Jennings, Greg
Driver, Donald
Jones, James
Nelson, Jordy
TE
Finley, Jermichael
Quarless, Andrew
OL
Clifton, Chad
Bulaga, Brian
Colledge, Daryn
Wells, Scott
Sitton, Josh
Lang, TJ
DL
Raji, BJ
Pickett, Ryan
Neal, Mike
ILB
Hawk, AJ
Bishop, Desmond
Barnett, Nick
Chillar, Brandon
OLB
Matthews, Clay
Jones, Brad
CB
Woodson, Charles
Williams, Tramon
Shields, Sam
Bush, Jarret
S
Collins, Nick
Burnett, Morgan
Peprah, Charlie
K
Crosby, Mason
P
Masthay, Tim
LS
Goode

Picking 16 players from the rest is going to be very difficult to do. Maybe some of you disagree with some of my picks, but I think we can all agree that some very good players will have to be let go next year.
Here is a list of the current roster if someone else wants to give it a try: http://www.packers.com/team/players.html Don't forget that Jolly will likely be around as well.

[Lurker64]

Keep in mind that at least 4-5 guys we draft are going to make the roster.

[steve823]

I think we get Jolly back, he already is trying to reinstate himself back into the league. Also, I'm not so sure Barnett stays. But, I completely agree it's going to be hard to cut some people since we have so much talent. Other teams are going to be waiting for our cuts, but hey, its a great problem to have.

[Brando19]

Walden and Zombo will be on the team.

[Packman_26]

Walden and Zombo will be on the team.

I tend to agree with you, but does that mean that Poppinga is a goner? I also think they will draft an outside backer in the first three rounds.

[Lurker64]

I tend to agree with you, but does that mean that Poppinga is a goner? I also think they will draft an outside backer in the first three rounds.

Poppinga's not really a great fit for the scheme. The things he does best in the defense, Zombo does just as well if not better. His primary value to this team was on special teams, and we probably don't need to pay him what he's set to get paid to run down the field on kickoffs. Good guy, he's just a player you hope you're able to cut since he's not that good a player.

[pbmax]

Think outside the box. 16 guys will become injured just before camp, go on PUP and be available in case the free weights cause all those injuries again.

[Lurker64]

It's also worth noting that the number for next year may not be 53, it may be bigger. That's a concession I think the owners wouldn't mind giving up in CBA talks.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Nice problem to have. You also have to remember that several guys you listed are going to be free agents.

[Bretsky]

Get tells me they go 18 games and the roster is also expanded by about five

[Freak Out]

So 18 regular season but 2 pre correct? Is that what is being floated now?

[Lurker64]

So 18 regular season but 2 pre correct? Is that what is being floated now?

That's the proposal. The league doesn't want to keep with 4 preseason games (since fans hate paying for them/don't care about them) but doesn't want to lose 2 games worth of revenue.

Wouldn't be surprised to see rosters go to 60 if that were the case. 60 is a nice round number, divisible by 2, 3, and 5.

[bobblehead]

Get tells me they go 18 games and the roster is also expanded by about five

Again, just how brilliant is TT planning ahead and getting so many guys injured so he is fully prepared when the rosters expand under the new agreement. Sheer fucking genius that guy.

[vince]

That's the proposal. The league doesn't want to keep with 4 preseason games (since fans hate paying for them/don't care about them) but doesn't want to lose 2 games worth of revenue.

Wouldn't be surprised to see rosters go to 60 if that were the case. 60 is a nice round number, divisible by 2, 3, and 5.
And 1, 4 and 6.

I don't think anyone wants to pay that many more people. By the time you add in 7 more players, either the current players will get paid less under the salary cap or the salary cap will be higher than the owners want it to be. Neither option is real attractive to anyone. The rosters will increase, but I tend to think the number will be lower.

[Fritz]

Five fullbkcs, five tight ends. No punter. three defensive linemen.

[VermontPackFan]

Keep in mind that at least 4-5 guys we draft are going to make the roster.

Dont forget about Justin Harrell

[packrulz]

We have to consider what free agents TT will want to keep:
Unrestricted: K Mason Crosby, S Atari Bigby, S Charlie Peprah, RB John Kuhn, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Korey Hall, LB Matt Wilhelm, OL Jason Spitz, OG Daryn Colledge, DE Cullen Jenkins, WR James Jones, S Anthony Smith.

Exclusive rights: WR Brett Swain, TE Spencer Havner.
I guess injury prone guys like Bigby, Jenkins, and Spitz should probably be let go, I hate to lose Jenkins, but if they get Jolly back we should be fine there.
BJack is a good backup and is great at picking up the blitz to protect ARod, I hope they sign him.
Crosby has a strong leg and is worth signing.
Kuuuuhn is a good FB worth keeping around, but Hall is probably gone.
Colledge really came on at the end of the season, but he has been inconsistent in his career here, and his bitching about his contract turned me off on him, besides, I think Lang would make a better LG.
Jones dropped a lot of passes, but Jordy Nelson dropped as many, TT likes to sign his own men, so I think he'll stay.
Peprah stepped up this year, he proved he can play, he can stay.
Wilhelm, Smith, Swain, and Havner are probably gone.
Teams will be scooping up some good FA's from the Pack, but they can't keep everybody.
Most of the mock drafts I've seen have the Packers taking an offensive lineman or outside linebacker in the draft but I'm not so sure, drafting at 32 will make it unpredictable, if there is a run at those positions I could see TT taking a DT or CB (one that returns punts) also.

[Lurker64]

Dont forget about Justin Harrell

Now that he has his ring, he can call it a career.

[denverYooper]

Now that he has his ring, he can call it a career.

Yeah. He can just hang out and enjoy mama's cookin'.

[VermontPackFan]

Now that he has his ring, he can call it a career.

That is pretty sweet that he got a ring considering how little he has played for 4 years. I still say he makes the team next year if healthy. I know that is a big IF considering his injury history but he has the talent...

[Patler]

That is pretty sweet that he got a ring considering how little he has played for 4 years. I still say he makes the team next year if healthy. I know that is a big IF considering his injury history but he has the talent...

Harrell - going to be tough for him to make the team. Raji, Pickett, Neal, Wilson, probably Jolly (who should be reinstated) and Green (who provides a useful alternative) make the team; and that's as many as they have kept in recent years. That doesn't even include Jenkins or another draft pick. Unless people get injured, and/or Jolly is not reinstated, and/or Green turns out as more of a novelty than a useful component, I don't see much opportunity for Harrell to make the squad next year.

[Scott Campbell]

There will be a lot of teams dumpster diving in Ted's trash.

[Joemailman]

The league should have the Packers make their final cuts and then hold a supplemental draft.

[VermontPackFan]

Harrell - going to be tough for him to make the team. Raji, Pickett, Neal, Wilson, probably Jolly (who should be reinstated) and Green (who provides a useful alternative) make the team; and that's as many as they have kept in recent years. That doesn't even include Jenkins or another draft pick. Unless people get injured, and/or Jolly is not reinstated, and/or Green turns out as more of a novelty than a useful component, I don't see much opportunity for Harrell to make the squad next year.

Sitting here today it would seem almost impossible right? But I am picking him as my 2011 dark horse candidate to make the team, K.Lumpkin was my 2010 pick. Anything can happen between now and then but big guys get injured often and if Harrell is healthy (another impossibility) I think he plays his way on to the final 53.

And now that I think about it, who knows what the final roster count will be next year. 53 may turn to 57 or 60 if the season expands?

[swede]

If Justin Harrell does not make the 53 man roster he wouldn't make a 60 man roster.

If he is healthy enough he is in. I don't seem him as being on the bubble--it's more pass/fail.

[Joemailman]

If Justin Harrell does not make the 53 man roster he wouldn't make a 60 man roster.

If he is healthy enough he is in. I don't seem him as being on the bubble--it's more pass/fail.

He was healthy enough this year to make the team, and couldn't last the first quarter of the first game without getting hurt again. He'd have to be awfully good in the preseason for the Packers to take that chance again. The Packers were lucky this year that he got hurt so quickly that Jarius Wynn was still available. I don't think they'll take that chance again.

[swede]

He was healthy enough this year to make the team, and couldn't last the first quarter of the first game without getting hurt again. He'd have to be awfully good in the preseason for the Packers to take that chance again. The Packers were lucky this year that he got hurt so quickly that Jarius Wynn was still available. I don't think they'll take that chance again.

Oh I agree. That is why I say that 3-7 more spots on the roster won't make a difference. They either put him on a 53 man roster with a strong feeling that he's ready and capable of terrific contributions (low chance) or they find that he is not physically ready (high chance) or that his upside is no better than that of younger, healthier players (high chance).

[Packman_26]

Anybody want to give it a try now? Holy cow that is going to be tough.

# NAME POS. HT. WT. AGE EXP. COLLEGE
56 Barnett, Nick LB 2-Jun 236 29 9 Oregon State
64 Battles, Adrian G 3-Jun 318 24 1 Minnesota State
Bell, Josh CB 11-May 177 26 4 Baylor
20 Bigby, Atari S 11-May 213 29 6 Central Florida
55 Bishop, Desmond LB 2-Jun 238 26 5 California
53 Briggs, Diyral LB 3-Jun 248 25 3 Bowling Green
75 Bulaga, Bryan T 5-Jun 314 22 2 Iowa
42 Burnett, Morgan S 1-Jun 209 22 2 Georgia Tech
24 Bush, Jarrett CB/S Jun-00 200 26 6 Utah State
69 Campbell, Chris T 5-Jun 328 24 1 Eastern Illinois
54 Chillar, Brandon LB 3-Jun 237 28 8 UCLA
76 Clifton, Chad T 5-Jun 320 34 12 Tennessee
Cobb, Randall WR 10-May 191 20 R Kentucky
73 Colledge, Daryn G 4-Jun 308 29 6 Boise State
36 Collins, Nick S 11-May 207 27 7 Bethune-Cookman
83 Crabtree, Tom TE 4-Jun 245 25 2 Miami (Ohio)
2 Crosby, Mason K 1-Jun 207 26 5 Colorado
62 Dietrich-Smith, Evan C/G 2-Jun 308 24 2 Idaho State
80 Driver, Donald WR Jun-00 194 36 13 Alcorn State
Elmore, Ricky LB 4-Jun 256 23 R Arizona
88 Finley, Jermichael TE 5-Jun 247 24 4 Texas
10 Flynn, Matt QB 2-Jun 225 25 4 Louisiana State
49 Francois, Robert LB 2-Jun 255 25 2 Boston College
61 Goode, Brett LS 1-Jun 255 26 4 Arkansas
40 Gordy, Josh CB 11-May 195 24 1 Central Michigan
25 Grant, Ryan RB 1-Jun 222 28 5 Notre Dame
43 Greco, Michael S 3-Jun 224 24 1 Central Florida
Green, Alex RB Jun-00 225 22 R Hawaii
95 Green, Howard DE 2-Jun 340 32 7 Louisiana State
Guy, Lawrence DE 4-Jun 304 21 R Arizona State
35 Hall, Korey FB Jun-00 236 27 5 Boise State
6 Harrell, Graham QB 2-Jun 215 25 1 Texas Tech
91 Harrell, Justin DE 4-Jun 315 27 5 Tennessee
41 Havner, Spencer TE 3-Jun 250 28 3 UCLA
50 Hawk, A.J. LB 1-Jun 247 27 6 Ohio State
House, Davon CB Jun-00 195 21 R New Mexico State
32 Jackson, Brandon RB 10-May 216 25 5 Nebraska
48 Jackson, Cardia LB 1-Jun 236 22 1 Louisiana-Monroe
77 Jenkins, Cullen DE 2-Jun 305 30 8 Central Michigan
85 Jennings, Greg WR 11-May 198 27 6 Western Michigan
45 Johnson, Quinn FB 1-Jun 263 24 3 Louisiana State
59 Jones, Brad LB 3-Jun 242 25 3 Colorado
89 Jones, James WR 1-Jun 208 27 5 San Jose State
30 Kuhn, John RB Jun-00 250 28 6 Shippensburg
70 Lang, T.J. T/G 4-Jun 318 23 3 Eastern Michigan
22 Lee, Pat CB Jun-00 196 27 4 Auburn
34 Levine, Anthony S 11-May 199 24 1 Tennessee State
8 Masthay, Tim P 1-Jun 200 24 2 Kentucky
52 Matthews, Clay LB 3-Jun 255 24 3 Southern California
67 McDonald, Nick C/G 4-Jun 316 23 2 Grand Valley State
23 Nance, Dimitri RB 10-May 219 23 2 Arizona State
96 Neal, Mike DE 3-Jun 294 23 2 Purdue
87 Nelson, Jordy WR 3-Jun 217 25 4 Kansas State
74 Newhouse, Marshall G/T 4-Jun 319 22 2 Texas Christian
26 Peprah, Charlie S 11-May 203 28 6 Alabama
79 Pickett, Ryan DE 2-Jun 340 31 11 Ohio State
51 Poppinga, Brady LB 3-Jun 250 31 7 Brigham Young
81 Quarless, Andrew TE 4-Jun 252 22 2 Penn State
90 Raji, B.J. NT 2-Jun 337 24 3 Boston College
17 Robinson, Antonio WR 1-Jun 195 25 1 Nicholls State
12 Rodgers, Aaron QB 2-Jun 225 27 7 California
68 Ross, Jay DT 3-Jun 302 23 1 East Carolina
Schlauderaff, Caleb G 4-Jun 302 23 R Utah
78 Sherrod, Derek T 5-Jun 321 22 R Mississippi State
37 Shields, Sam CB 11-May 184 23 2 Miami (Fla.)
71 Sitton, Josh G 3-Jun 318 24 4 Central Florida
27 Smith, Anthony S Jun-00 200 27 6 Syracuse
Smith, D.J. LB 11-May 239 22 R Appalachian State
72 Spitz, Jason C/G 3-Jun 305 28 6 Louisville
44 Starks, James RB 2-Jun 218 25 2 Buffalo
16 Swain, Brett WR Jun-00 200 25 3 San Diego State
65 Tauscher, Mark T 3-Jun 320 33 12 Wisconsin
Taylor, Ryan TE 3-Jun 254 23 R North Carolina
28 Underwood, Brandon CB 1-Jun 191 24 3 Cincinnati
93 Walden, Erik LB 2-Jun 250 25 4 Middle Tennessee State
63 Wells, Scott C 2-Jun 300 30 8 Tennessee
11 West, Chastin WR 1-Jun 216 24 1 Fresno State
57 Wilhelm, Matt LB 4-Jun 247 30 9 Ohio State
Williams, D.J. TE 2-Jun 245 22 R Arkansas
38 Williams, Tramon CB 11-May 191 28 5 Louisiana Tech
98 Wilson, C.J. DE 3-Jun 290 24 2 East Carolina
21 Woodson, Charles CB 1-Jun 202 34 14 Michigan
94 Wynn, Jarius DE 3-Jun 285 24 3 Georgia
60 Young, Curtis LB/DE 1-Jun 270 24 1 Cincinnati
58 Zombo, Frank LB 3-Jun 254 24 2 Central Michigan

[vince]

Here's a stab at it.

QB: Rodgers, Flynn, Harrell
RB: Grant, Starks, Green
FB: Kuhn, Hall
TE: Finley, Williams, Crabtree, Taylor
WR: Jennings, Driver, Cobb, Nelson, Swain
OT: Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG: Lang, Sitton, McDonald
C: Wells, EDS
ST: Crosby, Masthay, Goode
DE: Pickett, Jenkins, Neal, Green, Wilson
NT: Raji
OLB: Matthews, Elmore, Zombo, Walden
ILB: Hawk, Bishop, Jones, Smith, Wilhelm
CB: Williams, Woodson, Shields, Lee, House
S: Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Bush

[Bretsky]

I'd think Quarless makes it........kind of doubt Willhelm makes it
Also noted no Barnett; makes sense.

[Lurker64]

At a guess:
(Offense:25)
QB(2): Rodgers, Flynn, Harrell
RB(3): Grant, Starks, Green
FB(1): Kuhn
TE(3): Finley, Quarless, Crabtree
H-Back(1): Williams
OT(4): Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG(4): Sitton, Lang, Schlauderaf, McDonald
OC(2): Wells, EDS
WR(5): Jennings, Nelson, Driver, Cobb, Swain

Defense(25)
DL(6): Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy, Green
ILB(4): Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Smith
OLB(5): Matthews, Zombo, Jones, Walden, Ellmore
CB(6): Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Lee, Bush
S(4): Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine

Specialists(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode.

[vince]

Check your math Lurk.

[Lurker64]

Check your math Lurk.

In my defense, the top three CB group is good enough that some of those people should count as two people.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

At a guess:
(Offense:25)
QB(2): Rodgers, Flynn, Harrell
RB(3): Grant, Starks, Green
FB(1): Kuhn
TE(3): Finley, Quarless, Crabtree
H-Back(2): Williams, Taylor.
OT(4): Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG(5): Sitton, Lang, Schlauderaf, McDonald, Battles
OC(2): Wells, EDS
WR(5): Jennings, Nelson, Driver, Cobb, Swain

Defense(25)
DL(6): Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy, Green
ILB(4): Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Smith
OLB(5): Matthews, Zombo, Jones, Walden, Ellmore
CB(6): Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Lee, Bush
S(4): Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine

Specialists(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode.

This is pretty much how mine would look. If they go back to the old rules were you need 6 years to be a free agent I would have some changes. I would replace Swain with JJ, Taylor (H-back) with BJac, and Battles with Colledge. Taylor goes to the practice squad instead.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Man if we go back to the old rules this year we should have a deep offense. Adding JJ, Bjac, and Colledge to that would be scary.

[vince]

Lurk and MD there are 56 guys on your 53-man roster.

[Lurker64]

Lurk and MD there are 56 guys on your 53-man roster.

When I last fixed it, there were 54. I just cut Taylor.

[BobDobbs]

Here's a stab at it.

QB: Rodgers, Flynn, Harrell
RB: Grant, Starks, Green
FB: Kuhn, Hall
TE: Finley, Williams, Crabtree, Taylor
WR: Jennings, Driver, Cobb, Nelson, Swain
OT: Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG: Lang, Sitton, McDonald
C: Wells, EDS
ST: Crosby, Masthay, Goode
DE: Pickett, Jenkins, Neal, Green, Wilson
NT: Raji
OLB: Matthews, Elmore, Zombo, Walden
ILB: Hawk, Bishop, Jones, Smith, Wilhelm
CB: Williams, Woodson, Shields, Lee, House
S: Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Bush

Man they've got to get training camp going, so the fun can begin.
This is pretty close to what I'd be thinking. Except, we haven't kept three QBs to start the season for awhile and I think Harrell is till PS eligible.
We should go back to two FBs. I think Johnson is finally going to beat out Hall, but that's a crapshoot.
There's no way both Crabtree and Taylor will beat out Quarless barring injury or hooker binge.
Cobb will make it and Jones will probably leave unless 2010 FA rules apply. I think Swain will lose his spot because they won't want to go with a receiver corps that's that small. They'll keep someone with more size as the fifth.
They're no going to pay Jenkins nine million a year that's going to have to be saved for CMIII. I think Jarius Wynn will beat out Guy.
Anyone who can predict what will happen at Linebacker should be working on their investment portfolio instead of wasting their time being the Nostradamus of the NFL, but here goes.
Brad Jones beats out Ricky Elmore at OLB. They love Chillar and his long hair, he stays.
That dime spot and fourth safety are going to be super competitive they might keep 10 DBs, but I'm guessing 10 LBs because of special teams.
Oh and lastly, McDonald takes over for EDS as backup center and Caleb "Brush Yo" Schlauderaff is the third guard, just so I can get dibs on the nickname.

QB: Rodgers, Flynn
RB: Grant, Starks, Green
FB: Kuhn, Johnson
TE: Finley, Quarless, Williams, Taylor
WR: Jennings, Driver, Nelson, Cobb, Chaistin West
OT: CLifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG: Sitton, Lang, Schlauderaff
C: Wells, MacDonald
ST: Crosby, Masthay, Goode
DE: Pickett, Neal, Green, Wilson, Wynn
NT: Raji
OLB: Matthews, Zombo, Walden, Jones, DJ Smith
ILB: Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Wilhelm, Briggs
CB: Woodson, Williams, Shields, Lee, House
S: Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Bush

[Lurker64]

Of course ultimately doing this now is futile, since assuming there is an opportunity to sign college free agents, TT will sign a gaggle of them and invariably one or two will make the roster.

[Smeefers]

So no one thinks Spitz has a shot in hell in staying on the team? I suppose, he just seemed so very good to me not 2 years ago and now he's garbage. I do have a tendency to hang on to guys i like for way to long. I still thought Lee was a contributer until he flopped around last year.

[RashanGary]

At a guess:
(Offense:25)
QB(2): Rodgers, Flynn, Harrell
RB(3): Grant, Starks, Green
FB(1): Kuhn
TE(3): Finley, Quarless, Crabtree
H-Back(1): Williams
OT(4): Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG(4): Sitton, Lang, Schlauderaf, McDonald
OC(2): Wells, EDS
WR(5): Jennings, Nelson, Driver, Cobb, Swain

Defense(25)
DL(6): Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy, Green
ILB(4): Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Smith
OLB(5): Matthews, Zombo, Jones, Walden, Ellmore
CB(6): Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Lee, Bush
S(4): Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine

Specialists(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode.

This is a good guess. Colledge and Jenkins have a chance to stick, but this is a solid guess knowing what w know.

[BobDobbs]

So no one thinks Spitz has a shot in hell in staying on the team? I suppose, he just seemed so very good to me not 2 years ago and now he's garbage. I do have a tendency to hang on to guys i like for way to long. I still thought Lee was a contributer until he flopped around last year.

I think Spitz actually has a good shot. Both he and Lang really slid last year. Maybe it was injury, hard to tell. I mean at the center position we have Wells, Spitz, Evan Dietrich Smith, MacDonald, and Schlauderaff said he was told he'd take some snaps at center. We have no one dominant there, but Wells played great last year. Behind him who knows. Most everybody, including myself, really has no idea about Oline play.

[Patler]

So no one thinks Spitz has a shot in hell in staying on the team? I suppose, he just seemed so very good to me not 2 years ago and now he's garbage. I do have a tendency to hang on to guys i like for way to long. I still thought Lee was a contributer until he flopped around last year.

Chances are good that Spitz will be a FA under a new CBA. I would expect him to look for a better opportunity than he now has in Green Bay. I don't expect him to even be in camp.

[Smidgeon]

I think Spitz actually has a good shot. Both he and Lang really slid last year. Maybe it was injury, hard to tell. I mean at the center position we have Wells, Spitz, Evan Dietrich Smith, MacDonald, and Schlauderaff said he was told he'd take some snaps at center. We have no one dominant there, but Wells played great last year. Behind him who knows. Most everybody, including myself, really has no idea about Oline play.

Wells is also starting to gain a reputation around the league of being a very underrated center. So I think they're okay for a starter there.

As for Spitz, I think his back did him in the same way it did Harrell's.

[Lurker64]

Oops, I caught my counting error. QB(2) should just be Rodgers and Flynn. I think we roll with 2 QBs again this year, as Harrell is precisely nothing special. TT and MM won't be afraid to go with a rookie backup to Rodgers the year after next when Flynn leaves.

[Guiness]

Lurker's right - you know that there's probably at least one UDFA lurking in the grass out there.

I see a lot of draft choices on the various lists. I'd be awfully surprised if all 10 cracked the lineup.

Colledge is absent from most lists - who's our LG? Bulaga was playing very well there before he got hurt, does he go back, and Sherrod is the RT?

[Lurker64]

Lurker's right - you know that there's probably at least one UDFA lurking in the grass out there.

I see a lot of draft choices on the various lists. I'd be awfully surprised if all 10 cracked the lineup.

Colledge is absent from most lists - who's our LG? Bulaga was playing very well there before he got hurt, does he go back, and Sherrod is the RT?

LG plan is probably either Lang at LG and Bulaga at RT with Sherrod backing up Clifton at LT -or- Bulaga at LG, Sherrod at RT, and Lang backing up both tackle spots. Colledge is a free agent and we won't overpay to keep him. Unless he's restricted, which you kind of have to hope not because that means there's no CBA.

[Tarlam!]

Dont forget about Justin Harrell

Who?

[Guiness]

Who?

Big guy. Wore #92 at Tennessee.

[HarveyWallbangers]

QB Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
RB Ryan Grant, James Starks, Alex Green
FB John Kuhn, Quinn Johnson
WR Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Brett Swain
TE Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, D.J. Williams, Tom Crabtree
OT Chad Clifton, Bryan Bulaga, Derek Sherrod, Marshall Newhouse
OG Josh Sitton, Daryn Colledge, T.J. Lang, Nick McDonald
OC Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith

DL B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Howard Green, C.J. Wilson, Jarius Wynn, Lawrence Guy
OLB Clay Matthews, Frank Zombo, Brad Jones, Erik Walden, Ricky Elmore
ILB A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop, Brandon Chillar
CB Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House, Jarrett Bush
S Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Charlie Peprah, Anthony Levine

K Mason Crosby
P Tim Masthay
LS Brett Goode

I think there will be one surprise, so it's hard to make a prediction. The surprise could be that either Colledge or Jenkins will be resigned, Jones will resign at the expense of Driver, Barnett will stick, or the Packers could surprise and plug their ROLB hole with somebody like Lamar Woodley. For now, I'm going to predict that Colledge will be easier to resign than Jenkins or Jones. I had a hard time with Swain. I think they'll find a way to replace him. For now, he's on the roster. Generally, the Packers seem to go with 25 on offense, 9 or 10 on the OL, about 6 at FB + Te combined, 5 WRs, 8 or 9 LBs, 5 or 6 CBs, and 6 on the DL. I'm a little unbalanced on the DL, It could be that either Lee, Underwood, or Gordy beats out Wynn or Guy. I stuck with Johnson at FB for the same reason he's stuck so far. He gives them something different than Kuhn (who you can give the ball to) and Williams (who you can throw the ball to).

[Tarlam!]

Big guy. Wore #92 at Tennessee.

Ah. Thanks. I'd forgotten.

[bobblehead]

My absolutely futile attempt at this goes something like this....given that I don't even know what/if any agreement will look like:

QB: (2) Rodgers, Flynn
RB: (3) Starks, Green, some guy TT trades a player he is going to cut for
FB: (2) Hall, Ryan Taylor
WR: (5) Driver, Jennings, Nelson, Cobb, Some guy TT trades a player he is going to cut for
TE: (4) Finley, Quarless, Crabtree, DJ Williams
OG: (4) Lang, Sitton, McDonald, Schlauderaff
OT: (4) Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
C: (1) Wells
DL: (6) Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy, Green (If Harell is healthy they go 7)
OLB: (5) Mathews, Jones, Elmore, Zombo, Walden
ILB: (4) Bishop, Hawk, Chillar, DJ Smith (too short to play OLB??)
CB: (5) Woodson, TWill, Shields, House, Underwood
S: (5) Collins, Peprah, Burnett, Bush, Bigby
ST: (3) Crosby, Masthay, Goode

I believe that is 53 if you include my RB and WR to be named later. I am equally sure that at least one guy NOBODY listed makes the roster and one guy that EVERYBODY listed does not. I think Quinn Johnson is about done since he is so one dimensional. I think Hall/Kuhn/Taylor could break down with any 2 of them....or we could sneak a guy onto the IR as TT likes to do when he doesn't want to cut one....legitimate case of turf toe, honest. I also think Barnett could be back if Smith or Wilhelm or nobody earns a shot.

[Tarlam!]

No way Grant is cut.

[vince]

Ballsy to say Grant gets cut. I don't think he'll be a cap casualty. His salary isn't really that high. $5.25 mil this year I believe. It looks to me like the cap will end up jumping up quite a bit this year or there may be no cap again, so I even think the Packers may re-sign Jenkins too, if he is willing to sign a deal like Clifton did last year that doesn't hamstring the team into keeping beyond his usefulness or take a big cap hit to cut him.

With the possible exception of LG (and I think ther's a good chance Lang/McDonald prove to be an upgrade), I can't find a weakness on offense anywhere.

Replace Underwood with Awesomewa and you're all set!

[Tarlam!]

Replace Underwood with Awesomewa and you're all set!

This. This is a move that would get TT a statue built, IMHO.

[bobblehead]

No way Grant is cut.

No Way sharper is cut.
No way Wahle is cut.
No way they let Paup go.
No way they trade Bert.
No way they cut Freeman.
No way they cut Levens.
No way they cut Hendo.
No way they....

I could play this game all day. After Sharpe held out Holmy cut him the INSTANT he was no longer useful. Grant used the Bert ploy to garner a nice contract....TWill held out for a cool million and was rewarded. I don't see Grant getting the benefit of any doubts this season. I actually find it more likely Barnett is kept than Grant.

[Brandon494]

Grant not getting cut

[Tarlam!]

No Way sharper is cut.
No way Wahle is cut.
No way they let Paup go.
No way they trade Bert.
No way they cut Freeman.
No way they cut Levens.
No way they cut Hendo.
No way they....

I could play this game all day. After Sharpe held out Holmy cut him the INSTANT he was no longer useful. Grant used the Bert ploy to garner a nice contract....TWill held out for a cool million and was rewarded. I don't see Grant getting the benefit of any doubts this season. I actually find it more likely Barnett is kept than Grant.

No way Grant gets cut, and your list compares apples with oranges.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Imagine this receiver group, if we go off last year's rules.

WR
Jennings, Driver, Nelson, Jones, Cobb

[Deputy Nutz]

QB Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
RB Ryan Grant, James Starks, Alex Green
FB John Kuhn, Quinn Johnson
WR Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb,
TE Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, D.J. Williams, Tom Crabtree
OT Chad Clifton, Bryan Bulaga, Derek Sherrod, Marshall Newhouse
OG Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, Schlauderaff
OC Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith

DL B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Howard Green, C.J. Wilson, Jarius Wynn, Lawrence Guy
OLB Clay Matthews, Frank Zombo, Brad Jones, Erik Walden, Ricky Elmore
ILB A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop, Brandon Chillar
CB Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House, Jarrett Bush, Pat Lee
S Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Charlie Peprah, Anthony Levine

K Mason Crosby
P Tim Masthay
LS Brett Goode

There you go, signing James Jones is going to be a key cog for this offense. Cobb simply won't be ready to handle the load as a receiver outside of a couple of packages. The Packers rotate their receivers so much that they are going to need four quality receivers and right now they have three on the roster. Swain isn't going to make this roster, he will be cut for a younger player

[Tarlam!]

Sorry Harv', but the critical drops by Jones don't leave me much room to salivate. I like the man from what I see in the press, but the player just broke my heart too often.

[Tarlam!]

Fully agree with the QBs and TEs, Nutz, I'll be surprised if Johnson makes it - I think they keep another inside OL. I'll be surprised if Jones signs for less money - I replace him with Swain.

On "D", Harrell will get the nod and Guy is PS.

Agree with the rest.

[LP]

I see everyone is keeping the punter. Ain't it great how times have changed!

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Okay here is mine. I will predit that we will wind up going back to the old rules and getting the players we tendered back.

(Offense:25)
QB(2): Rodgers, Flynn
RB(3): Grant, Starks, Green
FB(1): Kuhn
TE(2): Finley, Quarless
H-Back(2): Williams, Taylor
OT(5): Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Lang, Newhouse
OG(3): Sitton, Colledge, Schlauderaf
OC(2): Wells, McDonald
WR(5): Jennings, Jones, Nelson, Driver, Cobb

Defense(25)
DL(6): Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy, Green
ILB(4): Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Smith
OLB(5): Matthews, Zombo, Jones, Walden, Ellmore
CB(6): Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Lee, Underwood
S(4): Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine

Specialists(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode.


In case of an injury, Lang would be the next man up at guard. Bjac simply doesn't make the team.

[Guiness]

Crabtree gone?

I hope not. I like what another poster said about him - he blocks like his hair is on fire, and you're trying to rape his grand-ma!

[RashanGary]

Crabtree gone?

I hope not. I like what another poster said about him - he blocks like his hair is on fire, and you're trying to rape his grand-ma!

Somebody else said that? Wow, he must be a good blocker.

[RashanGary]

(Offense:25)
QB(2): Rodgers, Flynn
RB(3): Grant, Starks, Green
FB(1): Kuhn, [Williams, Crabtree, Taylor]
TE(5): Finley, Quarless, [Williams, Crabtree, Taylor]
OT(4): Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG(4): Sitton, Colledge, Lang, Schlauderaf
OC(2): Wells, McDonald
WR(5): Jennings, Nelson, Driver, Cobb, Swain

Defense(25)
DL(6): Jenkins, Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy
ILB(4): Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Smith
OLB(5): Matthews, Zombo, Jones, Walden, Ellmore
CB(6): Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Lee, Bush
S(4): Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine

Specialists(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode.


This is better than the roster we had last year. Superbowl!

[Guiness]

This is better than the roster we had last year. Superbowl!

When I look at our players, I keep thinking the same thing. This lineup is stronger than the one that won the Super Bowl! Our FA losses will be minimal, and more than offset by the guys we get back, most notably Grant, Finley and an OLB (Jones or Zombo). Add a year of seasoning to Shields and Bishop...wow.

The only place I can see trouble coming is LT. He was amazingly healthy, but there may not be enough bubblegum and bundle twine to hold him together another year. Let's hope someone steps up at that position.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

When I look at our players, I keep thinking the same thing. This lineup is stronger than the one that won the Super Bowl! Our FA losses will be minimal, and more than offset by the guys we get back, most notably Grant, Finley and an OLB (Jones or Zombo). Add a year of seasoning to Shields and Bishop...wow.

The only place I can see trouble coming is LT. He was amazingly healthy, but there may not be enough bubblegum and bundle twine to hold him together another year. Let's hope someone steps up at that position.

Agree about the LT position, but between Lang and Sherrod I think there is often insurance there. I am more concerned about the dline. That is the only positional group on the team I could see being weaker than last year. If Jolly wasn't such a complete ahole he would have added great depth. We need Wilson to take a big step up this year and need everyone else to stay healthy.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

(Offense:25)
QB(2): Rodgers, Flynn
RB(3): Grant, Starks, Green
FB(1): Kuhn, [Williams, Crabtree, Taylor]
TE(5): Finley, Quarless, [Williams, Crabtree, Taylor]
OT(4): Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse
OG(4): Sitton, Colledge, Lang, Schlauderaf
OC(2): Wells, McDonald
WR(5): Jennings, Nelson, Driver, Cobb, Swain

Defense(25)
DL(6): Jenkins, Pickett, Raji, Neal, Wilson, Guy
ILB(4): Hawk, Bishop, Chillar, Smith
OLB(5): Matthews, Zombo, Jones, Walden, Ellmore
CB(6): Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Lee, Bush
S(4): Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine

Specialists(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode.


This is better than the roster we had last year. Superbowl!

So you think we re-sign Colledge? I hope we don't throw a lot of money at him if we do. It would be perfect if this year is uncapped IMO. You buy another year out of Colledge, Jones, and maybe even Jackson at a very reasonable price. Gives us another year to replace Colledge, and gives us crazy depth and talent at Wr.

[bobblehead]

So you think we re-sign Colledge? I hope we don't throw a lot of money at him if we do. It would be perfect if this year is uncapped IMO. You buy another year out of Colledge, Jones, and maybe even Jackson at a very reasonable price. Gives us another year to replace Colledge, and gives us crazy depth and talent at Wr.

College has one huge asset...availability. Unfortunately I think someone else pays him more for that asset than we will.

[Tarlam!]

I think Woodson will play that rover position and they'll be in nickel an aweful lot. It wouldn't surprise me if he's officially listed as a safety.