Predict the cut down to 75

[Guiness]

Who goes in the first round? The Packers are currently at 88, having just signed a WR named Butler. Interesting, he's from Louisiana-Lafayette, same place as Ringo and the RB Harris, another UDFA. They must've seen something they liked when they were having a look at Ringo.

Here's who I think will go. No big surprises in the first round of cut downs, mostly bottom of the roster guys who were hurt and couldn't practice/play, or who didn't get on the field during the first two preseason games.

Mostly rookies, but 3 first year guys and Nelson. First 11 I'm pretty sure of, The last two I think are the bubble guys, and could stay or go.

Jordy Nelson to IR 8-(
Jared Abbrederis - I think he goes now, they have to IR or waive him
Jimmie Hunt, WR
Javess Blue, WR
Alonzo Harris, RB
Vince Kowalski, OL
Fabbians Ebbele, OL
Tavarus Dantzler, LB
Josh Francis, LB
Lavon Hooks, DL
Kyle Sebetic, CB

Bubble guys, pick 2
Harold Spears, TE - been ok, but 5th TE on the depth chart
Tay Glover-Wright, CB
Andy Phillips, OL

Added bonus: official dark horse pick to make the 53 - WR Ed Williams!

[Harlan Huckleby]

Alonzo Harris won't get cut, he was out Saturday with injury. If Neal were injured this Thursday, Harris is potential keeper. Harris is also PS possibility. He looks like FB.

I'm not going to weigh-in on the Fabbians Ebbele decision, leave that for others to debate.

[smuggler]

I doubt we cut Abby tomorrow. I'm pretty sure he's gone at the cut to 53, though. I suspect Hooks or Dantzler might stick for one more week, maaaaybe Kowalski. Everyone else you listed is donezo.

[Guiness]

I put Harris on because Crockett got carries against the Eagles and looked ok. Abby, I think they cut bait sooner rather than later, I think the main question there is if they still see something and IR him for another year.

Feel free to replace Ebbele or Kowalski with Jeremy Vujnovich, pretty sure it's just a matter of order.

[Smidgeon]

I put Harris on because Crockett got carries against the Eagles and looked ok. Abby, I think they cut bait sooner rather than later, I think the main question there is if they still see something and IR him for another year.

Feel free to replace Ebbele or Kowalski with Jeremy Vujnovich, pretty sure it's just a matter of order.

I don't think Abby makes the team, but if he can get healthy before the cut to 53, that's one less injury settlement they have to pay.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I was only kidding about Ebbele, never saw his name before.

I'm more in love with Harris than most because he has a lot of speed for a FB-sized player. Plus (according to him) he's a good pass catcher, the drops are out of character.

I don't know if Harris is an NFL player, but he is nifty for his size.

McGinn on Vujnovich

Jeremy Vujnovich, the second-year free agent from Division III Louisiana College, played the entire second half (40 snaps) and gave up just one hurry.

After Bakhtiari, Vujnovich might be the next best pass blocker at left tackle. He needs even more strength and bulk, but his feet are NFL-caliber.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-casey-hayward-fails-to-impress-at-cornerback-b99565722z1-323393111.html

A guy to try to get to PS

[Guiness]

Didn't know that about Vujnovich, if he got that long of a look I think he makes it past this round of cuts. He was on the PS last year.

The only thing I could find about Ebbele is that he's 6'8" - taller than Julius Peppers.

Interesting Smidgeon - do they keep him around in hopes that he gets healthy before they let him go? Feels slimy, but I could see it.

[Pugger]

I suspect they won't IR Abby but will release him at the next cut downs and then put him on PS so he can practice. I don't see anybody claiming him seeing he hasn't played yet and he can't practice if he is put on IR.

[MadScientist]

Interesting quote from MM:

(On Jared Abbrederis) I'm hopeful Jared Abbrederis practices today. That's one of the moving variables we have in getting ready for 75.


Really sounds like they hope he is cleared to practice so they can cut him and let someone else stick around for Thursday's game.

[pbmax]

Rob Demovsky ‏@RobDemovsky 7m7 minutes ago
The #Packers have released QB Matt Blanchard, according to a source.

Wow. Thought they would try to trade either him or Tolzien. He HAS to get picked up in a League where Josh Freeman is still a QB.

[Guiness]

Rob Demovsky ‏@RobDemovsky 7m7 minutes ago
The #Packers have released QB Matt Blanchard, according to a source.

Wow. Thought they would try to trade either him or Tolzien. He HAS to get picked up in a League where Josh Freeman is still a QB.

Did I ever whiff on that one. I looked briefly at him, but figured they only had 4 QBs in camp, and would keep him for at least another round even if it was just as a camp arm.

I thought all the moves were supposed to be announced by 3?

[mraynrand]

I'm more in love with Harris than most because he has a lot of speed for a FB-sized player. Plus (according to him) he's a good pass catcher, the drops are out of character.

how many drops before they are 'in character?' Seems like James Jones' bar was set at about '1' :)

[mraynrand]

Did I ever whiff on that one. I looked briefly at him, but figured they only had 4 QBs in camp, and would keep him for at least another round even if it was just as a camp arm.

I thought all the moves were supposed to be announced by 3?


Pacific?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Brandon Fields please

[Smidgeon]

Did I ever whiff on that one. I looked briefly at him, but figured they only had 4 QBs in camp, and would keep him for at least another round even if it was just as a camp arm.

I thought all the moves were supposed to be announced by 3?

Submitted to league office by 3. I don't think anyone is obligated to announce them. If I'm wrong on that last point, the Packers wait as long as possible to announce theirs. Typically one of the last ones to do so.

[smuggler]

Released:
Tavarus Dantzler (LB).
Fabbians Ebbele (OT).
Josh Francis (ILB).
Lavon Hooks (DL).
Vince Kowalski (OT).
Adrian Hubbard (LB).
Matt Blanchard (QB).
James Butler (WR).
Kyle Sebetic (DB).
Harold Spears (TE).

IR (after waivers):
Javess Blue (WR).
Jimmie Hunt (WR).

IR:
Jordy Nelson (WR).

[MadScientist]

Biggest surprise to me is they kept Abby (now that he is cleared) and cut Blanchard. I figured they'd try to get him on the PS. Maybe he asked to be cut so that another team with crappy QB's could pick him up.

[pbmax]

Weston Hodkiewicz ‏@WesHod 8m8 minutes ago
The five players the #Packers cut Monday all cleared waivers today

[Patler]

Released:
Tavarus Dantzler (LB).
Fabbians Ebbele (OT).
Josh Francis (ILB).
Lavon Hooks (DL).
Vince Kowalski (OT).
Adrian Hubbard (LB).
Matt Blanchard (QB).
James Butler (WR).
Kyle Sebetic (DB).
Harold Spears (TE).

IR (after waivers):
Javess Blue (WR).
Jimmie Hunt (WR).

IR:
Jordy Nelson (WR).

You might see some of these back on PS in a week. An article at the start of camp said some GMs use the first cut for players they want to "sneak" onto PS. No one is looking to claim players this week, with so many cuts to be made between now and the final cutdown. By and large everyone cut now will clear waivers. Then it comes down to where a player WANTS to go.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hubbard, Blanchard and one of the OTs back.

[pbmax]

If only these guys had played soccer and learned how to fake a devastating leg injury.

[HarveyWallbangers]

You might see some of these back on PS in a week. An article at the start of camp said some GMs use the first cut for players they want to "sneak" onto PS. No one is looking to claim players this week, with so many cuts to be made between now and the final cutdown. By and large everyone cut now will clear waivers. Then it comes down to where a player WANTS to go.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hubbard, Blanchard and one of the OTs back.

Is Blanchard even eligible? This is his 4th training camp. If so, I'm not sure they'll resign him. Four QBs in the organization is a lot. With Tolzien being a UFA next year maybe they will though. I'm guessing this is the last we see of Hubbard.

[Joemailman]

Released:
Tavarus Dantzler (LB).
Fabbians Ebbele (OT).
Josh Francis (ILB).
Lavon Hooks (DL).
Vince Kowalski (OT).
Adrian Hubbard (LB).
Matt Blanchard (QB).
James Butler (WR).
Kyle Sebetic (DB).
Harold Spears (TE).

IR (after waivers):
Javess Blue (WR).
Jimmie Hunt (WR).

IR:
Jordy Nelson (WR).

I wonder if they really plan to keep Blue and Hunt around, or if they will be offering them injury settlements.

Edit: Blue and Hunt are on the waived/injured list. They will be offered injury settlements.

[Bretsky]

Still think Blanchard had a more diverse skill set than Tolzien

[Joemailman]

Still think Blanchard had a more diverse skill set than Tolzien

Perhaps, but I think they're going with the guy with more experience in the offense. Just like they did last year when they went with Flynn even though Tolzien played better in the preseason.

[Bretsky]

Perhaps, but I think they're going with the guy with more experience in the offense. Just like they did last year when they went with Flynn even though Tolzien played better in the preseason.


I think you are right; Tolzien always makes himself hard to cut due to his insane study habits. Don't want that ability leading us in the game though.

[HarveyWallbangers]

What are you basing your Tolzien opinions on? The guy has had two good preseasons back-to-back. He probably deserved a shot last year. His arm strength and accuracy are solid. He has knowledge of the playbook--which he didn't have when we signed him off the street and he had to play a couple of years ago. The coaches and his teammates seem to have complete faith in him. How could you want Blanchard over Tolzien? Blanchard was better than most fourth stringers, but I don't want him close to starting a game. This is his fourth year in the league and he's only a year younger than Tolzien.

[run pMc]

Agree. I'd rather never see Tolzien in a game (unless it was because GB was up 21 with 2:00 to play), but he's better than Blanchard. Hundley was a R5 pick and had passed Blanchard up in camp, so they weren't going to keep him and releasing him now to become the starting QB for Washington is doing him a favor. Maybe. Besides, they played him a full quarter in the Eagles game so he has tape...it's not like GB did him wrong.

[Guiness]

Butler surprises me a bit, wasn't he just signed a week or so ago? I could see Hubbard coming, didn't think it would be this early.

[smuggler]

Pretty sure they just had Butler in due to shortages at WR coupled with the fact that they weren't going to leave Cobb and Adams in for long vs Philly

[Patler]

Is Blanchard even eligible? This is his 4th training camp. If so, I'm not sure they'll resign him. Four QBs in the organization is a lot. With Tolzien being a UFA next year maybe they will though. I'm guessing this is the last we see of Hubbard.

I think Blanchard is eligible, but I'm not positive. I think he spent parts of just two seasons on PS squads, so would be eligible for a third so long as the active roster stays at a full 53. With PS squads now increased to 10 players, keeping a 4th QB for development might make some sense for backup when Tolzien and maybe even Hundley are gone in a year or two.

You might be right about Hubbard. My thought was that physical specimens like him tend to be given more than their fair share of opportunities, and early in camp he reportedly showed significant improvement. He had been considered a high round draft prospect until the medical concern about his heart came up.

[Fritz]

I think Blanchard is eligible, but I'm not positive. I think he spent parts of just two seasons on PS squads, so would be eligible for a third so long as the active roster stays at a full 53. With PS squads now increased to 10 players, keeping a 4th QB for development might make some sense for backup when Tolzien and maybe even Hundley are gone in a year or two.

You might be right about Hubbard. My thought was that physical specimens like him tend to be given more than their fair share of opportunities, and early in camp he reportedly showed significant improvement. He had been considered a high round draft prospect until the medical concern about his heart came up.


Are you saying he lacked heart?

[Guiness]

So I missed on Hubbard, Blanchard and Butler, and they kept Abbrederis, Alonzo Harris, and two of the guys on my maybe list, Tay Glover-Wright and Andy Phillips.

I really didn't see Blanchard or Butler coming, but in retrospect, Hubbard makes sense.

[Patler]

Are you saying he lacked heart?

Nope, just the opposite; too much heart, as in overly large physically. Scared teams off until expert cardiologists cleared him. Unfortunately, that came after the draft, according to Hubbard, anyway.

[KYPack]

I think Blanchard is eligible, but I'm not positive. I think he spent parts of just two seasons on PS squads, so would be eligible for a third so long as the active roster stays at a full 53. With PS squads now increased to 10 players, keeping a 4th QB for development might make some sense for backup when Tolzien and maybe even Hundley are gone in a year or two.

You might be right about Hubbard. My thought was that physical specimens like him tend to be given more than their fair share of opportunities, and early in camp he reportedly showed significant improvement. He had been considered a high round draft prospect until the medical concern about his heart came up.

I heard all that stuff about Hubbard having a great camp, too. Then I saw him plodding, lost, and out to lunch all the time. I think they would've given him a shot if he flashed, but very little of that happened.

[Pugger]

What are you basing your Tolzien opinions on? The guy has had two good preseasons back-to-back. He probably deserved a shot last year. His arm strength and accuracy are solid. He has knowledge of the playbook--which he didn't have when we signed him off the street and he had to play a couple of years ago. The coaches and his teammates seem to have complete faith in him. How could you want Blanchard over Tolzien? Blanchard was better than most fourth stringers, but I don't want him close to starting a game. This is his fourth year in the league and he's only a year younger than Tolzien.

Tolzien right now is probably better than a handful of QBs that will be starting this season.

[Pugger]

Agree. I'd rather never see Tolzien in a game (unless it was because GB was up 21 with 2:00 to play), but he's better than Blanchard. Hundley was a R5 pick and had passed Blanchard up in camp, so they weren't going to keep him and releasing him now to become the starting QB for Washington is doing him a favor. Maybe. Besides, they played him a full quarter in the Eagles game so he has tape...it's not like GB did him wrong.

Blanchard's fate was sealed when we drafted Hundley. He we not drafted that young man from UCLA Blanchard would have been an intriguing developmental QB for us this season.