So, which ones (Packer vets) will be cut?

[Patler]

Lots of overstocked position groups, with veterans of several seasons fighting for roster spots with drafted rookies. Injuries could make the decisions for them, but absent that, who will be the losers?

Fullback - one of Kuhn and Hall will be gone, maybe even both, if Johnson is the player he seems to be.

RB - There seems to be at least one extra between Lumpkin and Wynn, unless only one FB is kept.

O-line - (13 listed on the roster now) It won't seem right without Tauscher, and I really wanted him to leave on his terms, but it seems doubtful that there will be a roster spot for him. Lang & Meredith will stick along with Clifton, Colledge, Spitz & Sitton. That leaves three or four spots for Wells, Barbre, Giacomini, McCaskill, Moll & Preston. Can they find a trade for Wells? They seem to be high on Giacomini's potential, so I expect he makes it. They still talk-up Barbre, and a move to tackle may help him. I suspect Moll's opportunity is done, and unless he absolutely stands out in preseason his Packer career will end. Might Preston be cut?

WR - Does Ruvell Martin have a battle on his hands for the # 5 spot, or will the Packers keep a 6th from among guys like Swain, Allen, Heckendorf, Simmons, etc.

D-line - I suspect Raji will be kept along with Jenkins, Pickett and Jolly (if he isn't in jail), but what about Jarius Wynn? That would be 5 of perhaps as few as 6 that they might keep. NT's Bledsoe, Soi & Toribio seem to have little opportunity in GB at this point, what about DE's Malone & Montgomery? If Harrell is not healthy, might he be cut in only his third year? 11 on the roster now, 4 or 5 likely to be cut.

LB - Mathews, Barnett, Hawk, Kampman for sure, Thompson highly likely. Poppinga and Chiller would seem fairly certain, but what about draftee Brad Jones? If all are givens, and if they keep 9 or 10, that would leave 1, maybe 2 spots for Bishop, Havner, Hunter, and Lansanah.

CB - Woodson & Williams, but might Harris be traded? If not, there isn't a lot of room for Underwood, Lee, Blackmon, Bush, Porter or Abrams. Maybe just two will stick. Might Lee or Blackmon be cut? Hard to believe it would be Blackmon to go, unless another kick returner jumps out. Almost seems like there are just two spots available for Harris, Lee, and Underwood.

Safety - Collins, Bigby, but who else from among Smith, Rouse, Peprah, and again Bush? Bush's versatility(he is equally average at CB and safety) plus his ST contributions would seem to lock up a spot for him. Rouse could be gone, maybe Smith, maybe Bigby if he can't stay on the field.

Very interesting competitions lining up for training camp. More competitive than ever for roster spots. Should be very, very interesting.

[ND72]

Re: So, which ones (Packer vets) will be cut?

O-line - (13 listed on the roster now) It won't seem right without Tauscher, and I really wanted him to leave on his terms, but it seems doubtful that there will be a roster spot for him. Lang & Meredith will stick along with Clifton, Colledge, Spitz & Sitton. That leaves three or four spots for Wells, Barbre, Giacomini, McCaskill, Moll & Preston. Can they find a trade for Wells? They seem to be high on Giacomini's potential, so I expect he makes it. They still talk-up Barbre, and a move to tackle may help him. I suspect Moll's opportunity is done, and unless he absolutely stands out in preseason his Packer career will end. Might Preston be cut?

LB - Mathews, Barnett, Hawk, Kampman for sure, Thompson highly likely. Poppinga and Chiller would seem fairly certain, but what about draftee Brad Jones? If all are givens, and if they keep 9 or 10, that would leave 1, maybe 2 spots for Bishop, Havner, Hunter, and Lansanah.

CB - Woodson & Williams, but might Harris be traded? If not, there isn't a lot of room for Underwood, Lee, Blackmon, Bush, Porter or Abrams. Maybe just two will stick. Might Lee or Blackmon be cut? Hard to believe it would be Blackmon to go, unless another kick returner jumps out. Almost seems like there are just two spots available for Harris, Lee, and Underwood.

Safety - Collins, Bigby, but who else from among Smith, Rouse, Peprah, and again Bush? Bush's versatility(he is equally average at CB and safety) plus his ST contributions would seem to lock up a spot for him. Rouse could be gone, maybe Smith, maybe Bigby if he can't stay on the field.

OL - Clifton, Barbre, Lang Meredith, Colledge, Spitz, Sitton, Wells, Preston, & Gicomoini will make the team.

LB - Hawk, Matthews, Barnett, Kampy, Bishop, Thompson..and then I would assume you will see a fight with the rest. one thing about 3-4 teams is they traditionally keep more LB's than we're used to keeping. So if we kept those 6, plus 2-3 more, it wouldn't surprise me.

CB - Woodson, Harris, Williams, Blackmon, Lee

S - Bigby, Collins, Rouse, Smith, Underwood (I read he'll probably play safety in the NFL, but can play the role of both)

[pbmax]

Is Bush's matched RFA tender guaranteed in any way before the start of the season? And wasn't it for multiple years?

[Patler]

Re: So, which ones (Packer vets) will be cut?

OL - Clifton, Barbre, Lang Meredith, Colledge, Spitz, Sitton, Wells, Preston, & Gicomoini will make the team.

LB - Hawk, Matthews, Barnett, Kampy, Bishop, Thompson..and then I would assume you will see a fight with the rest. one thing about 3-4 teams is they traditionally keep more LB's than we're used to keeping. So if we kept those 6, plus 2-3 more, it wouldn't surprise me.

CB - Woodson, Harris, Williams, Blackmon, Lee

S - Bigby, Collins, Rouse, Smith, Underwood (I read he'll probably play safety in the NFL, but can play the role of both)

Certainly could happen, but 10 O-linemen is a bit heavy, and 10 DBs seems too many, although it has happened. Since they are likely to keep 9, maybe 10 LBs, it would sem 9 OL or 9 DBs at most is more likely. I will be surprised if Bush does not make the team, after what they did this off season with him. The certainly won't keep 10 DBs + Bush.

Likely minimum roster spot numbers:
3 ST -K, P, LS
5 RBs
3 QBs
8 WRs & TEs
8 OL
6 DL
8 LB
9 DB

That leaves three spots, probably a 9th OL, 7th DL and 9th LB.

[Bossman641]

I could possibly see Rouse being cut. One thing is for sure, the overall talent level of this team has definitely grown from the past 4-5 years. Every year the battles get more competitive.

[ND72]

Re: So, which ones (Packer vets) will be cut?

OL - Clifton, Barbre, Lang Meredith, Colledge, Spitz, Sitton, Wells, Preston, & Gicomoini will make the team.

LB - Hawk, Matthews, Barnett, Kampy, Bishop, Thompson..and then I would assume you will see a fight with the rest. one thing about 3-4 teams is they traditionally keep more LB's than we're used to keeping. So if we kept those 6, plus 2-3 more, it wouldn't surprise me.

CB - Woodson, Harris, Williams, Blackmon, Lee

S - Bigby, Collins, Rouse, Smith, Underwood (I read he'll probably play safety in the NFL, but can play the role of both)

Certainly could happen, but 10 O-linemen is a bit heavy, and 10 DBs seems too many, although it has happened. Since they are likely to keep 9, maybe 10 LBs, it would sem 9 OL or 9 DBs at most is more likely. I will be surprised if Bush does not make the team, after what they did this off season with him. The certainly won't keep 10 DBs + Bush.

Likely minimum roster spot numbers:
3 ST -K, P, LS
5 RBs
3 QBs
8 WRs & TEs
8 OL
6 DL
8 LB
9 DB

That leaves three spots, probably a 9th OL, 7th DL and 9th LB.

I agree with that as well. Isn't it a bitch to have too many good players? I'm sure we'll have a couple of surprising cuts. Definately like the "meat" of the team though. If our OL is solidified, and our defense brings the shit, we're in for a good year, IMO. I am hoping Kampy & Clay work out at OLB, if they do, our D is gonna be nasty to watch!

[rbaloha1]

Re: So, which ones (Packer vets) will be cut?

Lots of overstocked position groups, with veterans of several seasons fighting for roster spots with drafted rookies. Injuries could make the decisions for them, but absent that, who will be the losers?

Fullback - one of Kuhn and Hall will be gone, maybe even both, if Johnson is the player he seems to be.

Kuhn is gone since Hall is good on special teams.

RB - There seems to be at least one extra between Lumpkin and Wynn, unless only one FB is kept.

Between Lumpkin and Wynn. The better special teamer wins.

O-line - (13 listed on the roster now) It won't seem right without Tauscher, and I really wanted him to leave on his terms, but it seems doubtful that there will be a roster spot for him. Lang & Meredith will stick along with Clifton, Colledge, Spitz & Sitton. That leaves three or four spots for Wells, Barbre, Giacomini, McCaskill, Moll & Preston. Can they find a trade for Wells? They seem to be high on Giacomini's potential, so I expect he makes it. They still talk-up Barbre, and a move to tackle may help him. I suspect Moll's opportunity is done, and unless he absolutely stands out in preseason his Packer career will end. Might Preston be cut?

Wells and Moll are cut. Assuming Tauscher is gone. Its possible if Cliffy is injured and someone steps up Cliffy is cut.

WR - Does Ruvell Martin have a battle on his hands for the # 5 spot, or will the Packers keep a 6th from among guys like Swain, Allen, Heckendorf, Simmons, etc.

Martin is gone. Swain remain. The others are cut.

D-line - I suspect Raji will be kept along with Jenkins, Pickett and Jolly (if he isn't in jail), but what about Jarius Wynn? That would be 5 of perhaps as few as 6 that they might keep. NT's Bledsoe, Soi & Toribio seem to have little opportunity in GB at this point, what about DE's Malone & Montgomery? If Harrell is not healthy, might he be cut in only his third year? 11 on the roster now, 4 or 5 likely to be cut.

Bledsoe, Soi & Toribio, Montgomery are cut.


LB - Mathews, Barnett, Hawk, Kampman for sure, Thompson highly likely. Poppinga and Chiller would seem fairly certain, but what about draftee Brad Jones? If all are givens, and if they keep 9 or 10, that would leave 1, maybe 2 spots for Bishop, Havner, Hunter, and Lansanah.

Poppinga or Chillar are cut. Havner, Hunter and Lansanah are fighting for a slot.

CB - Woodson & Williams, but might Harris be traded? If not, there isn't a lot of room for Underwood, Lee, Blackmon, Bush, Porter or Abrams. Maybe just two will stick. Might Lee or Blackmon be cut? Hard to believe it would be Blackmon to go, unless another kick returner jumps out. Almost seems like there are just two spots available for Harris, Lee, and Underwood.

Safety - Collins, Bigby, but who else from among Smith, Rouse, Peprah, and again Bush? Bush's versatility(he is equally average at CB and safety) plus his ST contributions would seem to lock up a spot for him. Rouse could be gone, maybe Smith, maybe Bigby if he can't stay on the field.

Rouse is borderline.

Very interesting competitions lining up for training camp. More competitive than ever for roster spots. Should be very, very interesting.

Possibly the deepest roster in the NFC next to the Cowboys. Expect many of the Packers cuts to be on active rosters of other teams

[vince]

I think 7 is the minimum WR/TE on the 53-man, which McCarthy did in 07.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29221624.html

I think 9 is the minimum o-linemen, and 10 o-linemen this year is possible.

Here's my early stab at the 53-man depth chart.

QB - Rodgers, Flynn, Brohm
RB - Grant, Jackson, Lumpkin
FB - Johnson, Hall
WR - Jennings, Jones
WR - Driver, Nelson, Simmons
TE - Lee, Finley
T - Barbre, Giacomini
G - Sitton, Preston
C - Spitz
G - Colledge, Lang
T - Clifton, Meredith

OLB - Kampman, Thompson, Hunter
DE - Harrell, Jolly
NT - Pickett, Raji
DE - Jenkins, Malone
OLB - Matthews, Poppinga
ILB - Hawk, Bishop, Lansanah
ILB - Barnett, Chillar
CB - Woodson, Blackmon, Lee
SS - Bigby, Smith
FS - Collins, Rouse
CB - Harris, Williams, Bush

PK - Crosby
P - Brooks
LS - Goode

Practice Squad
Sutton, Brodell, Moore, Wynn, Soi, Jones, Underwood, Abrams

That would mean the following vets would be cut:
DeShawn Wynn, Kuhn, Martin, Humprhey, Moll, Wells, Kapinos, Bledsoe, Montgomery, Havner, Peprah

I've got 10 LB's and 10 DB's (and only 5 WR's and 2 TE's) because these guys are the ST demons as well.

McCarthy has repeatedly said that they lean toward keeping the best 53 and don't worry as much about how the numbers play out. I don't think the 7th DL (as of now) is as good, is as valuable to the team on Sunday, or has as much upside as either the 10th DB or LB.

[Ballboy]

I know this comment will be laughed at but I think Clifton maybe one of our last cuts. TT & more so MM have talked about the weekly swapping out of players on the OL for various reasons including injury. Clifton is up in years and seems NEVER to be able to practice due to injury.

I suspect, even if none of these rookies really shine, TT & MM might make the tough choice to let him go to try and build a little week to week cohesion(sp?) amoung the front 5. Colledge-??-Spitz-Sitton-?? would be the front 5 today.....who would win out the remaining spots?

[Lurker64]

Vince-

Did you mean to put Alfred Malone on the DE depth chart instead of Fred Bledsoe? Malone is a DE and Bledsoe is an NT. Capers is apparently high on Alfred Malone as a prospect, so I see him given every shot to make the roster.

7 DL is about the normal number that 3-4 teams keep on defense IIRC.

[vince]

Vince-

Did you mean to put Alfred Malone on the DE depth chart instead of Fred Bledsoe? Malone is a DE and Bledsoe is an NT. Capers is apparently high on Alfred Malone as a prospect, so I see him given every shot to make the roster.

7 DL is about the normal number that 3-4 teams keep on defense IIRC.

Yeah, thanks for that Lurk. I got those 2 guys mixed up. Corrected.

[mraynrand]

I know this comment will be laughed at but I think Clifton maybe one of our last cuts.

It depends. If his ceiling is the level he played at last year, he's in trouble, but you still have to have someone better or at least the same and improving to let him go. I think he is close to where KGB was last year. I didn't think KGB would make the final cut and I agree that Clifton will probably be close to getting cut. But I don't know at all where Clifton is physically, whereas there were reports out last offseason that KGB's knee was not responding...

[boiga]

A trade is another possibility for Nick Collins if he holds out for too long or too much. His exchange value is likely peaking and Underwood might project better at safety.

[Gunakor]

A trade is another possibility for Nick Collins if he holds out for too long or too much. His exchange value is likely peaking and Underwood might project better at safety.

Collins isn't a holdout. He's skipping voluntary work. He's a holdout when he starts skipping mandatory stuff. If he starts skipping mandatory stuff, maybe. Until then, he's our starter at FS coming off of an All-Pro season. He's not at risk of being cut.

[pbmax]

I know this comment will be laughed at but I think Clifton maybe one of our last cuts. TT & more so MM have talked about the weekly swapping out of players on the OL for various reasons including injury. Clifton is up in years and seems NEVER to be able to practice due to injury.

I suspect, even if none of these rookies really shine, TT & MM might make the tough choice to let him go to try and build a little week to week cohesion(sp?) amoung the front 5. Colledge-??-Spitz-Sitton-?? would be the front 5 today.....who would win out the remaining spots?

You can still stop the musical chairs and deal with Chad needing a day or two off. If you are concerned about Colledge (and he has been steadily getting better, at this point they may not worry about him at Guard) then you leave him at LG in practice and you line up the depth chart backup at LT and practice with the second stringer. Even if on short notice (Game Day inactive or game injury) you might still slide Colledge to LT and bring in another guard because he is the sixth best O Lineman, you can still commit to not sliding everyone around at practice.

Its not like Colledge hasn't been out on the edge before and in an emergency he can go there. If you have a week's notice and Chad's unavailable, then all bets are off.

But I think McCarthy/Philbin/Campen are talking about the backups moving all around. Barbre at RG, LG and RT. Moll at RG and RT. Don't remember where Breno practiced outside of RT. If these guys need to develop faster, then they need more reps at one spot.

Look what Sitton accomplished because as a rookie he had them excited about an upgrade at RG and out of fear of him not being ready, they refused to slide him around. And, except for an injury slowing him down, he damn near made it.