PFW: Packers Could Release a Number of Veterans

[vince]

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/05/30/packers-could-release-number-of-veterans

Our sources in Green Bay would not be shocked if the team released a sizable number of familiar veterans this offseason. Included on the list of potential casualties is eighth-year TE Donald Lee, who is now looking up at Jermichael Finley on the depth chart; sixth-year LB Brady Poppinga, whose pass-rush shortcomings could prove to be his undoing; fifth-year CB-S Jarrett Bush; and fourth-year OT Allen Barbre. We also hear it's almost a given that one of the team's three fullbacks (John Kuhn, Korey Hall or Quinn Johnson) will be sent packing.

I'd be surprised (but not disappointed) to see Poppinga gone considering the lack of experience and depth at OLB.

[Brando19]

I'd like to keep Lee for the upcoming season until the new guy develops...but the rest of them should have been gone last season. I'd be suprised if Quinn Johnson gets the axe.

[The Leaper]

I also doubt Lee will be chopped this year...we will likely keep 3 TEs, and he is certain to be one of the 3 best in camp. It isn't like he's ultra-expensive or that we need the cap space. His days in GB probably are numbered...but I expect him to be on the roster in 2010.

Poppinga? He's probably the guy who is most likely to get axed if a veteran LB was to get canned. He's 30 with no remaining upside and very one-dimensional. It isn't like we have a sure-fire youngster to upend the depth chart though. It would be a surprise for a kid to show enough to earn the roster spot IMO. Could happen...but not likely.

Bush should've been a roster cut years ago. Barbre...sure, why not? Add Colledge to the list while you are at it. Now that we have some experience at FB, we probably don't need to stockpile them. Those guys may be fighting for only 2 roster spots at camp.

[rbaloha1]

Its about time with some of the vets who are on the roster primarily due to special teams play.

[Guiness]

While I think Lee stays, I would think it's his last year due to Quarless. And if Q is light's out in camp, he could be gone this year.

If he stays, an FB has to go. I just can see us chewing up 6 roster spots between FB and TE!

Barbre's been here for 4 years? Wow. He's a guy I'd be surprised to see make it through camp.

Who's around at WR could be interesting. If there's no drop off in Driver (and no reason to believe there will be) and he remains a starter, are Jones and Nelson a sure thing to make the roster? If Nelson remains the KR, he will be, but if not I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them peddled for a low round choice.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jordy is a good player and probably are best kick return. No way he gets peddled for a late round pick. He's also cheap and developing and 2-3 years away from FA.

[mraynrand]

I don't care much for Chillar, but perhaps that's because the Packers ask too much of him in coverage since they only have one legit safety. Like to see an upgrade there.

[bobblehead]

I don't care much for Chillar, but perhaps that's because the Packers ask too much of him in coverage since they only have one legit safety. Like to see an upgrade there.

Chillar was forced to play safety/hybrid last year due to the injury/failures at safety. Its unfair to ask a 250+ lb. guy to play safety, even with modifications. We got exposed early last year when Bigby got hurt, yet still skin swears bigby blows.....I think he is a slightly below average starter.

Its no secret that I'm a chillar fan. I actually think there is a chance he plays opposite clay this year....we'll see if I'm crazy or not. In any event I doubt you see him in deep coverage this season (unless things go very wrong).

What about frankenbacker? He was coming on last year and likely makes the minimum (compared to 3 million? for Lee). If he has similar upside to Lee, is better on ST, and was already contributing as a TE last year, does no one but me think he makes the roster?? I could see Finley, Quarless, and Havner without a doubt. I think between Havner and Lee, the salary could very well determine the final roster spot (and ST).

same situation with our other guys on that list. Given that they haven't fulfilled their upside, and younger cheaper guys are coming in who still might develope, I think you go young. If a guy hasn't proven himself a starter by his 5th year, its likely time to cut ties and go with youth.

[Lurker64]

Nice analysis bobblehead, but I'd have to say that whether or not we can cut Lee is ultimately going to come down to how much Havner and Quarless show as a blocker. Havner was our worst blocking TE last year, Lee was probably our best (though Finley was definitely above average as a blocker). I could easily see them keeping Lee simply because he's a better blocker than the alternatives, but if Havner or Quarless show any promise as blockers, Lee could well be gone.

[Bretsky]

Down with Bush

And are any of those 3 fullbacks good anyways ? I'd be surprised if Johnson does not make the team but the other two....fall into the who cares category for me

[OkayKyle]

I know Kuhn is the starter, but look at how much better Grant is when Korey Hall is the fullback. I can't find the stats right now, but is anyone able to look at Grant's yards per rush when Hall is the FB compared to Kuhn? I remember seeing a startling stat last year showing that Grant is much more effective with Hall in - I would hate to see him go.

[mission]

I know Kuhn is the starter, but look at how much better Grant is when Korey Hall is the fullback. I can't find the stats right now, but is anyone able to look at Grant's yards per rush when Hall is the FB compared to Kuhn? I remember seeing a startling stat last year showing that Grant is much more effective with Hall in - I would hate to see him go.

Pretty sure those stats referred to when Quinn Johnson was in. At least the article I wrote, which was calling for more QJ playing time... numbers were startling.

[rbaloha1]

QJ is a violent and powerful blocker. Ideal lead blocker. Expect to start with one of the vets released -- probably Kuhn due to Hall's st play.

[Lurker64]

The fullback situation is complicated, I have no idea who's going to be kept or cut.

Johnson blocks like he's laying down the hammer of god, but he's no threat to run the ball or catch the ball. Last season, he also had trouble getting the hang of the offense, but hopefully this will change. He's definitely someone you want going into the hole ahead of you.

Kuhn is a better blocker than Hall, and our best fullback when it comes to running the ball. Since we don't have a "power back" to speak of, he has often been our short yardage back. He's got pretty limited upside though.

Hall is our best receiving FB, as he can both catch the ball and has a good idea about what to do with it when he has it. He's also a heck of a ST player, and he knows the playbook very well. But he's not a punishing blocker, in fact his blocking isn't regularly much better than "just good enough". He's also struggled with injuries in recent memory.

This will be an interesting battle in camp, let's hope they don't keep three of them again.

[The Leaper]

Lurker...I pretty much agree with your assessment of the FBs. I really don't see how we can keep 3 of them this year. Previously, the experience wasn't there and our team didn't have the talent level to demand only 2 FBs....but there is no excuse to retain 3 of them this year. There will be talent at another more valuable position available that will force the extra FB spot to be cut.

I'm not sure any one has a foot up on the rest...should be a great camp battle. If I had to bet money on one of the 3 to make the roster, I guess I would go with Kuhn...he can block and tote the rock.