ROSTER ANALYSIS

[Pugger]

Focus on the Tight Ends.

[hoosier]

JSO has Ross's needle pointing straight down and Ty Walker's rising like a helium bubble. Walker could be this year's Boykin.

[swede]

JSO has Ross's needle pointing straight down and Ty Walker's rising like a helium bubble. Walker could be this year's Boykin.

I don't think it is too out of the question to call him this year's Driver. He has been very successful and very productive at every level. His combine numbers look pedestrian, but he plays way faster than his numbers because he is quick and instinctive. Didn't he make the tackle on Peterson's pick?

Edit: I do see the UDFA difference, Hoozh.

[Fritz]

JSO has Ross's needle pointing straight down and Ty Walker's rising like a helium bubble. Walker could be this year's Boykin.

This means, obviously, that Walker has been looking at the nice piece I posted above, and Ross has not.

[Bossman641]

Ross has me concerned. It doesn't seem like he has the natural feel of a WR. I've read one too many stories on him slipping out of a cut or not working back towards the ball and it resulting in a INT/incomplete pass. My concern though is, if not him, who at returner? No chance do I want Cobb back there. We have enough trouble keeping players healthy as is without risking things further. Franklin doesn't appear to be a natural returner. Who's left after Cobb, Ross, Franklin?

[Smidgeon]

The part that didn't sink in until I read the article but with which I can't disagree is that MM and TT seem to have accepted that Coleman has too much development in front of him to challenge Harrel--Harrell--for the Q2 spot before the season starts.

I'm hoping this doesn't mean they're giving up on him. I liked the pick last year, and think he's got a chance. Hopefully he just needs another offseason.

[Patler]

Ross has me concerned. It doesn't seem like he has the natural feel of a WR. I've read one too many stories on him slipping out of a cut or not working back towards the ball and it resulting in a INT/incomplete pass. My concern though is, if not him, who at returner? No chance do I want Cobb back there. We have enough trouble keeping players healthy as is without risking things further. Franklin doesn't appear to be a natural returner. Who's left after Cobb, Ross, Franklin?

In 2012 the Packers kept Driver active for 13 games, yet he rarely saw the field on offense, and he didn't play STs until the last few games. Ross can be at least as useful on offense as Driver was last year, and much more valuable than Driver on STs.

[Patler]

The part that didn't sink in until I read the article but with which I can't disagree is that MM and TT seem to have accepted that Coleman has too much development in front of him to challenge Harrel--Harrell--for the Q2 spot before the season starts.

I'm hoping this doesn't mean they're giving up on him. I liked the pick last year, and think he's got a chance. Hopefully he just needs another offseason.

Probably depends on if he seems to be learning at all, or not. I suspect he may be destined for the practice squad again.

[hoosier]

Ross has me concerned. It doesn't seem like he has the natural feel of a WR. I've read one too many stories on him slipping out of a cut or not working back towards the ball and it resulting in a INT/incomplete pass. My concern though is, if not him, who at returner? No chance do I want Cobb back there. We have enough trouble keeping players healthy as is without risking things further. Franklin doesn't appear to be a natural returner. Who's left after Cobb, Ross, Franklin?

Easy: Johnny Jolly. We already know he can pluck the ball out of the air. Yes, he will have lots of short returns, but when the blocking works and he gathers a full head of steam, what gunner is going to want to have anything to do with tackling him?

[Bossman641]

In 2012 the Packers kept Driver active for 13 games, yet he rarely saw the field on offense, and he didn't play STs until the last few games. Ross can be at least as useful on offense as Driver was last year, and much more valuable than Driver on STs.

Didn't we go light on OL and LB last year though?

[Harlan Huckleby]

Easy: Johnny Jolly. We already know he can pluck the ball out of the air.

I think the new big guys that got drafted in 5th round, Miller & Boyd, looked pretty good. It's possible that Jolly could lose a roster spot to one of those guys. I think Jolly has shown enough to earn a roster spot on some NFL team.

[Joemailman]

Didn't we go light on OL and LB last year though?

Packers went with 7 on the OL last year. That's light. Probably were thinking they'd have Sherrod at some point. Went with 9 at LB.

[Joemailman]

I think the new big guys that got drafted in 5th round, Miller & Boyd, looked pretty good. It's possible that Jolly could lose a roster spot to one of those guys. I think Jolly has shown enough to earn a roster spot on some NFL team.

Miller is an UDFA who was on the Bears PS last year. Boyd was drafted this year. It's a tough call on Boyd. I think Jolly would help the team more this year, but Boyd might get picked up by someone if the Packers try to stash him on the PS. Very few of TT's draft picks from the first 5 rounds have not made the team that first year.

[Fritz]

I think, if Jolly continues to improve his conditioning, and his skills return, that he's a better player than Josh Boyd. I haven't read that Boyd has been impressive, at all. I wonder if he could be stashed on the PS. He seems to be not quite a nose tackle, not quite a -4 DE.

[pbmax]

Miller had a better game than Boyd. Boyd needs some time in a new system. Scoop McGinn has covered this but he is being asked to do everything different now compared to college. He stays and will be inactive. Miller is interesting in Jumbo packages. Good luck seeing the first down marker with Raji, Pickett, Miller and Jolly out there.