Early 53 Estimate

[OS PA]

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
FB - Quinn Johnson, John Kuhn
RB - Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, James Starks
WR - Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones
TE - Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Andrew Quarless, Spencer Havner
OT - Chad Clifton, Bryan Bulaga, Allen Barbre
OG - Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz
OC - Jason Spitz, Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith
OG - Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Evan Dietrich-Smith
OT - Mark Tauscher, TJ Lang

DL - Cullen Jenkins, Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, BJ Raji, Jarius Wynn, Mike Neal, CJ Wilson
OLB - Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Brady Poppinga
ILB - AJ Hawk, Brandon Chillar, Nick Barnett, Desmond Bishop, Cyril Obiozor

CB - Charles Woodson, Al Harris, Tramon Williams, Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood, Will Blackmon
SS - Morgan Burnett, Atari Bigby
FS - Nick Collins, Derrick Martin
K - Mason Crosby
P - Chris Bryan
LS - Brett Goode


This is my best guess at what the roster would look like if we started the season tomorrow.

I am not sure if we'll keep Evan Dietrich Smith over Newhouse, this also leaves out Breno Giocomini. I could see us cutting Barbre instead if he doesn't player better at LT.

This is leaving out Trevor Ford and Jarrett Bush at DB and it's taking into account the chance that Jeremy Thompson has to either retire or be put on IR for the season.

Also, given our TE's play like WR's I felt that in order to keep both Havner and our new TE, we may just go with 4 wide receivers instead of the annual 5.

Anybody have a better guess at the 53 man roster?

[RashanGary]

I really can't stand the corners. Not real satisfied with the OLB depth either.

[Lurker64]

Offense(24)
QB(2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn.
RB(3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, James Starks
FB(2): Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall.
TE(3): Jermichael Finley, Spencer Havner, Andrew Quarless
WR(5): Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Brett Swain.
T(4): Chad Clifton, T.J Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Mark Tauscher.
G(3): Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge.
C(2): Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith

(Possibly Newhouse beats out EDS for the last interior OL spot, and Spitz/Wells are the Center duo.)

Defense(26)
NT(2): Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji
DT(4): Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, Mike Neal, Jarius Wynn
(could be Harrell instead of Wynn if healthy, or Ronald Talley/CJ Wilson if he plays great, but four guys are going for one roster spot here).
ILB(4): A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop.
OLB(5): Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Cyril Obiozor, Brady Poppinga, Jeremy Thompson.
FS(2): Nick Collins, Derrick Martin
SS(2): Morgan Burnett, Atari Bigby.
CB(7): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood, Al Harris, Josh Bell, Will Blackmon.


Specialists(3)
K(1): Mason Crosby
P(1): Damned if I know, but somebody.
LS(1): Brett Goode.

Pretty confident in the numbers, if not the names. 6 DL, 9 OL, 10-11 DBs, 9-10 LBs.

[Brohm]

Just some thoughts:

I think Barbre = Moll last year. Get him some LT reps and trade him for whatever at the end of camp.

J. Thompson is probably done with his neck, leaving Popps as a swing OLB and opening up a spot for Harrell if he can come back. Or another OL.

Newhouse will make it somewhere (need a real back-up OG to develop). The Spitz/Wells Spitz/Colledge competitions are coming to a head, someone will have to go if not this year next. Giacomini has to play out of his mind and grab a starting position or he is gone as a RT only.

[pbmax]

I do think, unless Barbre has a terrible tendency problem with the right side of the O Line, that he is being fed to the wolves on the Left side. If he can't pass block on the right, is it going to go better for him on the left?

[wist43]

I really can't stand the corners. Not real satisfied with the OLB depth either.

JH, weren't you just setting setting me straight in another thread b/c I made the exact same argument??? lol...

We got better with Burnett I think... but TT did nothing else to help a vastly undermanned and overrated defense.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Offense(24)
QB(2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn.
RB(3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, James Starks
FB(2): Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall
TE(3): Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Andrew Quarless
WR(5): Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Brett Swain.
T(4): Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, Bryan Bulaga, T.J Lang
G(3): Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge
C(2): Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith

NT(2): Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji
DT(4): Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, Mike Neal, Jarius Wynn
ILB(4): A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop
OLB(5): Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Cyril Obiozor, Brady Poppinga, Jeremy Thompson.
FS(2): Nick Collins, Derrick Martin
SS(2): Morgan Burnett, Atari Bigby
CB(7): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood, Al Harris, Josh Bell, Will Blackmon

Specialists(3)
K(1): Mason Crosby
P(1): Damned if I know, but somebody
LS(1): Brett Goode

Pretty close to mine. But I'd say Donald Lee will be on this team. Also, we don't know if Jeremy Thompson will be back yet. Josh Bell is probably on the bubble. It seems like management feels Brad Jones and/or Obiozor will be good players.

[Lurker64]

Offense(24)
QB(2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn.
RB(3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, James Starks
FB(2): Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall
TE(3): Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Andrew Quarless
WR(5): Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Brett Swain.
T(4): Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, Bryan Bulaga, T.J Lang
G(3): Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge
C(2): Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith

NT(2): Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji
DT(4): Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, Mike Neal, Jarius Wynn
ILB(4): A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop
OLB(5): Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Cyril Obiozor, Brady Poppinga, Jeremy Thompson.
FS(2): Nick Collins, Derrick Martin
SS(2): Morgan Burnett, Atari Bigby
CB(7): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood, Al Harris, Josh Bell, Will Blackmon

Specialists(3)
K(1): Mason Crosby
P(1): Damned if I know, but somebody
LS(1): Brett Goode

Pretty close to mine. But I'd say Donald Lee will be on this team. Also, we don't know if Jeremy Thompson will be back yet. Josh Bell is probably on the bubble. It seems like management feels Brad Jones and/or Obiozor will be good players.

There were a few toss ups on there. I went with Havner over Lee because I think Lee is on the decline and Havner is on the rise. I think of the CBs, both Bell and Blackmon are on the bubble and somebody who shows up in camp and does well in coverage and returns respectively can steal either of those jobs. There's a four man competition for one roster spot at DE. The second fullback is a toss-up between Kuhn and Hall. I'm guessing Hall sticks, because Kuhn's primary advantage over Hall was as a hammer and a rusher, but who knows. Jeremy Thompson could be off this roster, but I have an inkling Ted is going to grab Bryan Thomas from the Jets and he'd take an OLB spot (presumably away from Jeremy Thompson).

It would take a miracle for either Barbre or Giacomini to make the roster, but miracles sometimes happen. I think the bubble OL is EDS, as Newhouse could eke him out (as Spitz and Wells can both play C as well). Keeping only 4 WR is possible as well, but unlikely.

[3irty1]

Offense(24)
QB(2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn.
RB(3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, James Starks
FB(2): Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall
TE(3): Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Andrew Quarless
WR(5): Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Brett Swain.
T(4): Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, Bryan Bulaga, T.J Lang
G(3): Josh Sitton, Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge
C(2): Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith

NT(2): Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji
DT(4): Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, Mike Neal, Jarius Wynn
ILB(4): A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop
OLB(5): Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Cyril Obiozor, Brady Poppinga, Jeremy Thompson.
FS(2): Nick Collins, Derrick Martin
SS(2): Morgan Burnett, Atari Bigby
CB(7): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood, Al Harris, Josh Bell, Will Blackmon

Specialists(3)
K(1): Mason Crosby
P(1): Damned if I know, but somebody
LS(1): Brett Goode

Pretty close to mine. But I'd say Donald Lee will be on this team. Also, we don't know if Jeremy Thompson will be back yet. Josh Bell is probably on the bubble. It seems like management feels Brad Jones and/or Obiozor will be good players.

There were a few toss ups on there. I went with Havner over Lee because I think Lee is on the decline and Havner is on the rise. I think of the CBs, both Bell and Blackmon are on the bubble and somebody who shows up in camp and does well in coverage and returns respectively can steal either of those jobs. There's a four man competition for one roster spot at DE. The second fullback is a toss-up between Kuhn and Hall. I'm guessing Hall sticks, because Kuhn's primary advantage over Hall was as a hammer and a rusher, but who knows. Jeremy Thompson could be off this roster, but I have an inkling Ted is going to grab Bryan Thomas from the Jets and he'd take an OLB spot (presumably away from Jeremy Thompson).

It would take a miracle for either Barbre or Giacomini to make the roster, but miracles sometimes happen. I think the bubble OL is EDS, as Newhouse could eke him out (as Spitz and Wells can both play C as well). Keeping only 4 WR is possible as well, but unlikely.

I think Barbre and Giacomini have a better shot of making the team than EDS. Whatever kept Giacomini off the PS must still exist. EDS has already survived one trip to the PS so it might make sense to send him back. That's my thinking anyways. Newhouse should definitely make the team.

[3irty1]

There are a couple chronic teases and just-a-guys who can't stick around forever. Some names that come to mind:

Korey Hall, maybe the odd man out with all the FBs and TEs on the roster
John Kuhn, "
Colledge, Bad attitude and is looking more and more replaceable all the time
Donald Lee, not contributing as much as his check would indicate.
Havner, some off season trouble and a crowded roster for FBs and TEs
Harrell, supposedly looking and feeling great again
Poppinga, relic from the bob sanders era
Jeremy Thompson, injured and tarzan/jane poster child
Jarrett Bush, would get cut if he didn't have naked pictures of TT
Blackmon, nearly worthless on defense and injury prone hasn't progressed since being drafted

Some of these guys you hate to just cut and get nothing for like College, Poppinga, Lee, and the FB's who could likely be productive starters for another team.

[RashanGary]

I really can't stand the corners. Not real satisfied with the OLB depth either.

JH, weren't you just setting setting me straight in another thread b/c I made the exact same argument??? lol...

We got better with Burnett I think... but TT did nothing else to help a vastly undermanned and overrated defense.

I agree with you that CB and OLB (especially depth) are the weakest spots on our team after this draft. I don't agree that a GM should pass up on the opportunities to add real quality to the team because of a desperate attempt to fill that perceived hole.

Here's a blast from the past:

QB Brett Favre 36
RB Samkon Gado 23
RB Ahman Green 28
FB William Henderson 34
FB Vonta Leach 24
WR Donald Driver 30
WR Robert Ferguson 26
TE David Martin 26
TE Bubba Franks 27
TE Donald Lee 25
LT Chad Clifton 29
LG Scott Wells 28
LG Adrian Klemm 28
C Mike Flanagan 32
RG Will Whitticker 23
RT Mark Tauscher 28
LDE Aaron Kampman 26
LDT Grady Jackson 32
RDT Cullen Jenkins 24
RDE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila 28
LLB Paris Lenon 28
LLB Na'il Diggs 27
MLB Nick Barnett 24
RLB Robert W. Thomas 25
RLB Paris Lenon 28
LCB Ahmad Carroll 22
RCB Al Harris 31
SS Mark Roman 28
FS Nick Collins 22
K Ryan Longwell 31
P B.J. Sander 25
PR Antonio Chatman 26

[pbmax]

Colledge, Bad attitude and ...

Nick Collins (stayed away from voluntary stuff in 2009), Al Harris (talking to Wilde summer of 2006 or 7), Aaron Kampman (last year wouldn't talk to media until camp), Ryan Grant (an ACTUAL holdout), Greg Jennings (testy interview as he was not as productive as he had been in previous seasons and everyone was speculating why) and possibly Donald Lee (don't remember) have all made perfectly clear (or outright public) that they were unhappy about their contract or playing status on the team.

Colledge has one radio interview reported by Bedard (not sourced to anyone we can identify) in which he expressed his unhappiness with be a RFA instead of a UFA. Each Rat would be mortally offended if the terms of your work conditions changed right before you were about to cash in.

Tempest in a Teapot. And no different that what has gone before.

Of course, he could still suck all season long, but at least we will have video evidence of that.

[RashanGary]

Here's where and why I disagree with some of the things conclusions you draw.


You look at our roster now and see CB depth and OLB depth as a very large concern, one that is evidence that Ted will never build a champion because that is sure to haunt us this year, sure to be the reason we don't win it.


Here's why I disagree. Look at the rosters of the past. Our starters in 2005, for a large part, are worse than our backups. Just about every good player on that team is between the ages of 29 and 36. Just about every good player on our current team is between the ages of 22 and 28. Ted is continuing to resign these guys into their 2nd deals. The whole team appears to be going UP. The new team is incredibly young and strong on the DL and finally looks to be rounding the corner on the OL. WE have a young franchise QB. We have weapons all over the place. We have depth at just about every position, although not all of them and no team in the lague does. Our holes today (Woodson/Tramon Williams at CB and Matthews/Jones at OLB) would have been considered strengths on teams of the past and on other teams in the league today.


This is a pretty great team. It has it's many strong points and what looks like two spots that we'd like to improve, but overall, it's a better team than even last year and if 2007 and 2009, we were competitors, we look to be front runners in 2010.

You're taking the absolute most negative possible view point in every situiaton. I think the reality of this team is that it's pretty great.

And your assumption that teams have to be perfectly balanced, I just don't agree with. PB made this point in another thread, but if we win the SB, we won't be the first team to win with the strength of our defense being the DL and the weakest point being the CB's.

[falco]

Tempest in a Teapot. And no different that what has gone before.

You can bang this drum all day long PB, and people just won't listen.

Its like last year when everyone was mortally offended by the claims that Nick Collins was unhappy and holding out... everyone got upset when it came out that his dad had passed away... yet no one acknowledged the fact that even his agent claimed he was holding out due to contract issues!

[Bretsky]

I'm enjoying Wist and JH's debate.
Extreme negativity vs. Extreme Optomism.
And both are making good points.
I find myself in between.