What is the most interesting roster battle?

[Patler]

Going into TC I thought WR might be, but it has fizzled out. Swain and Allen have had moments, but nothing that will make me overly sad to see one or both go.

RB is mildly interesting, with at least one and perhaps two more than they can carry. Sutton is a good story. Lumpkin has been kind of quiet. Wynn started strong, but ......

OL - interesting only with respect to who starts where and whether Wells stays if not a starter. The battle for roster spots is sort of ho-hum between Moll and Meredith for the last spot, perhaps. Who starts at RT is a question, but I'm not sure Barbre and Giacomini have done enough to make it interesting.

TE - interesting only because of Havner as possibly a two-way backup.
FB -sort of interesting, but then again, they're fullbacks; how exciting can it be??
QB - nothing
Kicker & LS - no competition.
Punter - I suppose they have to keep one of them, but maybe not!

Dline - Harrell's injury and possible, maybe even probable placement on IR took much of the uncertainty out of the roster battle.

DB's - this is actually kind of interesting, with more players having something going for them than there are spots available. Even if Rouse' injury takes him out of the running it looks like room for 1 safety and 1, maybe 2 corners from CB Brandon Underwood, CB-S Jarrett Bush, S Charlie Peprah, CB Pat Lee, CB Trevor Ford and CB Joe Porter. Lee's injury could let the Packers stash him on IR for the season.

But, LINEBACKER! That's where it gets interesting. Kampman, Chillar, Hawk, Bishop, Barnett, Matthews, Thompson, Poppinga, Jones, Obiozor, Lansanah. At least one and probably two of the last four will be gone. Jones is said to be showing a real knack after finally getting on the field, and he seems to have the potential that you like to see in a low round draft choice. Poppinga is who he is, a valuable special-teams player and a very good team oriented guy. Obiozor is starting to get good press and apparently Kevin Greene has taken a liking to him and his potential. Lansanah had been sort of quiet through training camp but was credited for a lot of Bishop's blitzing success in the first game. This will be an interesting battle and may result in a surprise or two before the start of the regular season.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

OL - interesting only with respect to who starts where and whether Wells stays if not a starter.

Wells is at least the 6th best offensive lineman. There is zero chance that he gets cut. Ya, its a bummer that he can only play center, but with Spitz's flexibility, Wells gives them quality depth at all three inside positions.

But, LINEBACKER! That's where it gets interesting. Kampman, Chillar, Hawk, Bishop, Barnett, Matthews, Thompson, Poppinga, Jones, Obiozor, Lansanah. At least one and probably two of the last four will be gone.

Wonder if they would trade Poppinga

[bobblehead]

RT is the one I'm paying attention to just because I think one of them emerging is a must for a productive season.

sounds similar to what we have at many positions where we have two guys with opposite skills. From what I have read Barbre has been run blocking very well, but less than adequate at pass pro, while Lang has been just the opposite.

In the end I think MM has been wanting a smash mouth run game for so long that he goes with Babre, but that is just my hunch....any way I find it the best battle in camp.

[Patler]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

OL - interesting only with respect to who starts where and whether Wells stays if not a starter.

Wells is at least the 6th best offensive lineman. There is zero chance that he gets cut. Ya, its a bummer that he can only play center, but with Spitz's flexibility, Wells gives them quality depth at all three inside positions.

But, LINEBACKER! That's where it gets interesting. Kampman, Chillar, Hawk, Bishop, Barnett, Matthews, Thompson, Poppinga, Jones, Obiozor, Lansanah. At least one and probably two of the last four will be gone.

Wonder if they would trade Poppinga

They won't cut Wells, but I think if they go with Spitz at center it is a distinct possibility that Wells could be traded. Clearly he would not be in their long range plans anymore, and he should have some decent trade value. The problem with trading Wells is that they might then have to keep Preston, and so far he reportedly has not looked very good. If Preston comes on the next 3 weeks, and Spitz/Sitton is the combination they decide to go with, I think Wells will be gone.

Somebody who needs ST help and a backup linebacker might be willing to give something for Poppinga. The Packers of a few years ago would have been willing to. There should be others in that situation now.

[Scott Campbell]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

The problem with trading Wells is that they might then have to keep Preston, and so far he reportedly has not looked very good. If Preston comes on the next 3 weeks, and Spitz/Sitton is the combination they decide to go with, I think Wells will be gone.

I got the impression that the rookie FA from Idaho State had moved well ahead of Preston.

[Patler]

RT is the one I'm paying attention to just because I think one of them emerging is a must for a productive season.

sounds similar to what we have at many positions where we have two guys with opposite skills. From what I have read Barbre has been run blocking very well, but less than adequate at pass pro, while Lang has been just the opposite.

In the end I think MM has been wanting a smash mouth run game for so long that he goes with Babre, but that is just my hunch....any way I find it the best battle in camp.

It's kind of fun to theorize how the line might shape up in 2 or 3 years. Does Meredith replace Clifton? Does Colledge move out there? If Meredith takes it, is Colledge allowed to walk for a big money contract elsewhwere, opening a place for TJ Lang to start? If Colledge is allowed to walk, how do Lang, Sitton, Barbre and Giacomini filll in the 2 guard and RT positions? Could one of them eventually play LT?

That doesn't even account for a couple draft picks the next few years. There are more players that I think I want to find positions for than there are positions to put them in. That's a long way from what it was a few years ago when there weren't even enough guys that I wanted to keep.

[pbmax]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

The problem with trading Wells is that they might then have to keep Preston, and so far he reportedly has not looked very good. If Preston comes on the next 3 weeks, and Spitz/Sitton is the combination they decide to go with, I think Wells will be gone.

I got the impression that the rookie FA from Idaho State had moved well ahead of Preston.

That's what McGinn reported. Diedrich-Smith is thought to be able to do both center and guard. He got a lot of snaps at both in the first pre-season game.

[Scott Campbell]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

The problem with trading Wells is that they might then have to keep Preston, and so far he reportedly has not looked very good. If Preston comes on the next 3 weeks, and Spitz/Sitton is the combination they decide to go with, I think Wells will be gone.

I got the impression that the rookie FA from Idaho State had moved well ahead of Preston.

That's what McGinn reported. Diedrich-Smith is thought to be able to do both center and guard. He got a lot of snaps at both in the first pre-season game.

That, and they can't hide him on the practice squad. He won't clear waivers. This is the guy that Wells needs to be looking over his shoulder at.

[Scott Campbell]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

FB -sort of interesting, but then again, they're fullbacks; how exciting can it be??

Call me crazy, but this one interests me more than any other position in camp. I believe Quinn could be the largest upgrade on O this year, and potentially makes the difference between a decent running game, and a great one. And if you add a great running game to this offense?

[Patler]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

The problem with trading Wells is that they might then have to keep Preston, and so far he reportedly has not looked very good. If Preston comes on the next 3 weeks, and Spitz/Sitton is the combination they decide to go with, I think Wells will be gone.

I got the impression that the rookie FA from Idaho State had moved well ahead of Preston.

That's what McGinn reported. Diedrich-Smith is thought to be able to do both center and guard. He got a lot of snaps at both in the first pre-season game.

I can't help but remember a comment I read when the Packers signed Preston. It was said to be from an unnamed scout who's team played Buffalo several times the last couple years. He said Preston can play center and both guard positions, but not very well. He said Preston is a guy who can get you through a game if your starter is injured, but you really don't want him starting the next week if your starter stays out. I thought that was kind of interesting. He seems to have value on the game day 45 as an emergency fill-in at several spots, but not much value otherwise.

I think Tony Moll is sort of the same, enough versatility to give you flxibility in who is active for games, since you hope he never plays anyway, but he's not the guy to starter in place of a starter..

[Scott Campbell]

Re: What is the most interesting roster battle?

I can't help but remember a comment I read when the Packers signed Preston. It was said to be from an unnamed scout who's team played Buffalo several times the last couple years. He said Preston can play center and both guard positions, but not very well. He said Preston is a guy who can get you through a game if your starter is injured, but you really don't want him starting the next week if your starter stays out. I thought that was kind of interesting. He seems to have value on the game day 45 as an emergency fill-in at several spots, but not much value otherwise.

I think Tony Moll is sort of the same.

That sounds like the definition of a player not good enough to make this Packer roster.

[sharpe1027]

RT is the one I'm paying attention to just because I think one of them emerging is a must for a productive season.

sounds similar to what we have at many positions where we have two guys with opposite skills. From what I have read Barbre has been run blocking very well, but less than adequate at pass pro, while Lang has been just the opposite.

In the end I think MM has been wanting a smash mouth run game for so long that he goes with Babre, but that is just my hunch....any way I find it the best battle in camp.

Where's the love for Breno?

[MichiganPackerFan]

Trades always scare me because it seems we always give up a player in an area of depth only to have cruel irony cause a rash of injuries at the same position.

[Scott Campbell]

Trades always scare me because it seems we always give up a player in an area of depth only to have cruel irony cause a rash of injuries at the same position.

This year were so deep that if we don't unload a couple via trade were going to lose them to cut downs. That is, unless we start stashing guys on IR.

[Patler]

Trades always scare me because it seems we always give up a player in an area of depth only to have cruel irony cause a rash of injuries at the same position.

This year were so deep that if we don't unload a couple via trade were going to lose them to cut downs. That is, unless we start stashing guys on IR.

That seems to be true at linebacker this year. Guys good enough to be in the NFL, and too many to be kept on one roster. I hope they can trade a linebacker or two rather than just releasing them. Unfortunately, some of it comes from an abundance of averageness, rather than good players falling in behind standouts as starters. Even so, those who will not be kept seem to offer enough that trades might be possible. They're not going to bring anything great, but even a 7th round pick is better than nothing when the alternative is just releasing the player.

What would really be interesting is if the Packers decided to trade from the top of the group rather than the bottom of the group. Committing to Bishop/Chiller/Lansanah and trading a Hawk or Barnett, for example. I don't expect that to happen at cutdown, but it would sure add drama. Those things happen in off-season.