Early Stab At The Roster

[RashanGary]

New Guess

1. Favre
2. Rodgers
3. Thompson

4. Jackson
5. Morency
6. Herron
7. Wynn

8. Driver
9. Jennings
10. Jones
11. Martin
12. Holliday

13. Hall
14. Miree

15. Franks
16. Lee
17. Some other TE from another team

18. Clifton
19. Colledge
20. Wells
21. Spitz
22. Tauscher
23. Moll
24. Coston
25. Barbre
26. Walter


27. Crosby
28. Ryan
29. Davis

30. Jenkins
31. Williams
32. Pickett
33. Kampman
34. Jolly
35. Harrell
36. KGB
37. Montgomery
38. Hunter
39. Cole

40. Hawk
41. Barnett
42. Poppinga
43. Bishop
44. Hodge

45. Collins
46. Manuel
47. Bigby
48. Rouse

49. Harris
50. Woodson
51. Bush
52. Blackmon
53. Walker

[Deputy Nutz]

Sorry, I just don't see them cutting Rouse who was a third round pick.

[HarveyWallbangers]

QB (3) Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Ingle Martin, Paul Thompson

RB (3) Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency, Noah Herron, Corey White, Deshawn Wynn, P.J. Pope

FB (2) Brandon Miree, Korey Hall, Ryan Powdrell

WR (6) Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Ruvell Martin, Carlyle Holliday, Shaun Bodiford, Robert Ferguson, David Clowney, Koren Robinson, Carlton Brewster, Calvin Russell, Chris Francies

TE (3) Donald Lee, Bubba Franks, Free Agent, Zac Alcorn, Clark Harris, Joe Werner

OT (3) Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, Tony Moll, Orrin Thompson, Travis Leffew

OG (3) Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, Allen Barbre, Junius Coston, Adam Stenavich, Pat Murray

OC (2) Scott Wells, Tony Palmer, Tyson Walter, C.J. Blomvall

DE (4) Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Michael Montgomery, Jason Hunter, Larry Birdine, DeVon Hicks

DT (5) Ryan Pickett, Justin Harrell, Corey Williams, Johnny Jolly, Colin Cole, Daniel Muir

LB (6) A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Brady Poppinga, Desmond Bishop, Tracy White, Abdul Hodge, Rory Johnson, Juwan Simpson, Spencer Havner, Tim Goodwell, Carl-Johan Bjork

CB (5) Al Harris, Charles Woodson, Jarrett Bush, Will Blackmon, Frank Walker, Patrick Dendy, Tramon Williams, Antonio Malone

S (5) Nick Collins, Aaron Rouse, Marquand Manuel, Atari Bigby, Marviel Underwood, Tyrone Culver, Charlie Peprah, Alvin Nbabuife

K (1) Mason Crosby, Dave Rayner

P (1) Jon Ryan, Ryan Dougherty

LS (1) Rob Davis

[vince]

I'd say that's REAL close, Harv.

Possibly sub Thompson for Palmer on OL and another RB for Bodiford...

[Joemailman]

I agree with Harv with 2 exceptions. Alcorn makes it and I think Muir beats out Cole. Also, if Bigby beats out Manuel, Manuel is released and Culver makes it.

[Bretsky]

Yes, I do appear to be wrong.

Naaaaa

[RashanGary]

Sorry, I just don't see them cutting Rouse who was a third round pick.

Oh shit, I did it off the top of my head and missed him.

[HarveyWallbangers]

McGinn reads this forum?

Roster remains work in progress for Packers
Several backup spots up for grabs
Bob McGinn

Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers might end up cutting some players of interest to other teams in 2 1/2 weeks, including Robert Ferguson, Dave Rayner, Abdul Hodge and Frank Walker.

But that doesn't mean the Packers have a deep roster in their third season under general manager Ted Thompson. What it does reflect is a logjam of mediocrity at wide receiver, linebacker and the secondary.

The condition was brought on by Thompson's decision to trade down nine times in his three drafts, accumulating a National Football League-leading 34 selections. Twenty-seven of those players remain on the 88-man roster.

"It's not like we've got this Super Bowl team and we brought in 10 new guys and we've only got six slots," coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's not where we are right now.

"I think it will be hard to cut because there's more unknown here. We're in the process of building the bottom half of our roster through the draft. To me, the biggest challenge is the middle part of our roster. Who is the starter? Who (plays) special teams? Or maybe they've got to do both."

A year ago this week, the Packers had 30 players judged to be on the fence and another 26 as long shots to make the 53-man roster. Today, there are 38 players on the fence and just 18 long shots.

It has made for increased competition, the watchword of Thompson's rebuilding effort. Whether it makes for a better team remains to be seen.

"Let's be honest," McCarthy said. "We want all our positions to look like the D-line and the corners. The outside person might not feel that way about our corners, but we've got some young guys that have made tremendous strides."

Unfortunately for Thompson and McCarthy, two of the offensive skill positions are so weak that the entire offense could be compromised.

"The two positions that I worry about are running back and tight end," McCarthy said. "Because we don't have the competition there that you do elsewhere."

No team fared worse than the Packers on special teams over the last two seasons. The organizational push to improve means special-teams capability could split ties in several positions.

All teams must be down to 75 players on Aug. 29, then to the final 53 on Sept. 2.

On Sept. 3, the Packers can sign up to eight players to the practice squad. Candidates are any free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit (six games on the 53-man roster or injured reserve) or who were on the 45-player active roster for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season. A player who has been on a practice squad for three weeks or more in two seasons also is ineligible.

WIDE RECEIVERS (4 to 6)

Locks: Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones.

On the fence: Ruvell Martin, Carlyle Holiday, Robert Ferguson, Shaun Bodiford, David Clowney.

Long shots: Chris Francies, Calvin Russell, Carlton Brewster.

Comment: The Packers really could use a vertical threat, but Clowney, a fifth-round pick, doesn't look ready and might be headed for the practice squad. Ferguson still can run and will sell out on special teams, but unless he does something dramatic in the last three games the Packers seem prepared to move on with someone more durable.

Martin, not real fast and almost too tall, is a quarterback's dream with his huge frame and attention to detail. He could write the book on how to impress in camp. Holiday is another power player without a second burst. Plus, he also can cover kicks. Jones, Martin and Holiday are alarmingly similar in style and speed.

Bodiford's chances hinge on his ability to win the return job. He's quick and courageous but needs route refinement. Francies spent 10 weeks on the 53 in '06 but appears outgunned this time.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

Good bets: Donald Lee, Bubba Franks.

On the fence: Zac Alcorn, Clark Harris.

Long shots: Joe Werner.

Comment: The Packers' band-aid approach figures to go another year with Lee and Franks splitting time. They'll try to use Lee as the receiver and Franks as the blocker. Both have been OK in camp.

Tory Humphrey, who broke his ankle in the first practice, might have claimed the No. 3 job by default. Alcorn will be 27 next week and should be more mature, but he tends to get so down on himself that he compounds his mistakes. His soft hands have betrayed him too often and his blocking has been disappointing. Harris, a seventh-round pick, doesn't have a distinguishing characteristic and probably isn't worth keeping. Thus, the No. 3 tight end might well be someone presently on another team.

Werner, the former UW-La Crosse basketball player, has worked hard, caught everything and shown necessary guts. He needs a year on the practice squad and in the weight room to make a real bid.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

Locks: T Chad Clifton, T Mark Tauscher, C Scott Wells, G Daryn Colledge, G Jason Spitz, G Allen Barbre.

Good bets: T-G Tony Moll.

On the fence: G-C Tony Palmer, T-G Junius Coston, C-T Tyson Walter.

Long shots: T-G Travis Leffew, T-G Adam Stenavich, G Pat Murray, T Orrin Thompson, C C.J. Blomvall.

Comment: Barbre, the fourth-round pick, has had a better camp than Moll and appears to have usurped the status as sixth-best lineman.

Palmer, the Rams' seventh-round pick in '06, is a thick, strong point-of-attack run blocker and a popular guy among his teammates. A guard by trade, he has worked extensively at center in camp. Coston, a fifth-round choice in '05, has shown left-tackle feet and probably has had his best camp. They look to be the eighth and ninth players.

If the Packers aren't sold on Palmer as the No. 2 center, versatile veteran Tyson Walter might stick. Walter would add some experience (he's 29) to a youthful group but isn't all that strong. Leffew can play everywhere except center but is undersized. Stenavich, the Marshfield native, struggles to hold up physically. Murray might be worth a practice-squad contract.

QUARTERBACKS (2 or 3)

Locks: Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers.

On the fence: Ingle Martin, Paul Thompson.

Comment: Martin appears to have reached a plateau. He's not accurate or poised. For a second-year man, he makes too many mistakes.

Signed May 16, Thompson has made significant strides and finds himself squarely in the picture if the Packers keep three, as they have done every year of the Favre era. He has great size, a good arm and excellent mobility. However, he's green as grass.

RUNNING BACKS (5)

Locks: RB Brandon Jackson.

Good bets: RB Vernand Morency.

On the fence: FB Korey Hall, FB Brandon Miree, RB Noah Herron, RB DeShawn Wynn, RB-FB Corey White.

Long shots: FB Ryan Powdrell, RB P.J. Pope.

Comment: Both positions remain in a complete state of flux. When will Morency return from his knee injury? Can Jackson carry the load? Is Wynn anything more than a tease? Do the Packers need to obtain a veteran ball carrier? Do they have a starting fullback?

Wynn flashed his great feet and vision, just as the seventh-round pick did at Florida. He even ran hard at times. But he can't stay out of the training room. Herron has done the Tony Fisher third-down thing for 1 1/2 seasons, just not as well. He has serious physical limitations. And White, given a $500 signing bonus May 15 to play fullback, has had to perform strictly as a running back. He's a 235-pound power back who runs high and in a straight line. Pope might be headed for injured reserve but wasn't the answer, anyway.

William Henderson is gone, but his replacement has yet to be found. It was expected to be Miree, but he's marginal and has been out about 10 days with a stinger. Hall has made a rapid conversion from linebacker to fullback and looks like a keeper. Powdrell showed up in less than tip-top shape and hasn't challenged.

DEFENSIVE LINE (9 or 10)

Locks: DE Aaron Kampman, DE Cullen Jenkins, DT Ryan Pickett, DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DT Justin Harrell.

Good bets: DT Corey Williams, DT Johnny Jolly, DE Michael Montgomery.

On the fence: DT Colin Cole, DE Jason Hunter, DT Daniel Muir.

Long shots: DE Larry Birdine, DE DeVon Hicks.

Comment: Jolly and Montgomery needed excellent camps to earn roster berths and came through with them. Jolly probably has played the best of all the tackles. Montgomery added about 15 pounds, is much more stubborn against the run and hasn't lost his pass-rushing knack.

The fifth berth at tackle looks like a dogfight between Cole and Muir. If it's Muir, an impressive rookie free agent from Kent State, the Packers might be able to obtain a late-round pick for Cole. Muir has more pass-rush skill than Cole and might be as stout.

Hunter is playing better than he did a year ago as a rookie free agent. He's also 15 pounds heavier and more aware. If a fifth end makes it, it could be a close call between Hunter and Birdine, who after a slow start has come on.

LINEBACKERS (5 or 6)

Locks: WLB A.J. Hawk, MLB Nick Barnett, SLB Brady Poppinga.

On the fence: WLB Tracy White, MLB Desmond Bishop, MLB Abdul Hodge, WLB Rory Johnson, SLB Spencer Havner, MLB-WLB Tim Goodwell.

Long shots: SLB Juwan Simpson.

Comment: White, the club's No. 1 special-teams performer in '06, has improved from scrimmage and should stick.

It's uncertain if both Bishop and Hodge would make it. Bishop is running ahead of Hodge to be Barnett's backup. He's bigger, a tad more athletic and healthier than Hodge, whose chronic case of patellar tendinitis could threaten his career. If Hodge is playing at the end of camp, he might bring a draft choice via trade.

Johnson is by far the most athletic of the players fighting for the No. 4 outside berth but didn't get in until the last 5 minutes in Pittsburgh. The Packers need to find out what they have in him. Havner is versatile, shows rush ability and is OK on special teams. Goodwell can find the ball but is fourth-string in the middle and probably too slow for outside.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (9 or 10)

Locks: CB Charles Woodson, S Nick Collins, CB Al Harris.

On the fence: S Marquand Manuel, CB Will Blackmon, S Aaron Rouse, CB Jarrett Bush, S Atari Bigby, CB Patrick Dendy, S Tyrone Culver, CB Tramon Williams, CB Frank Walker, S Marviel Underwood.

Long shots: S Charlie Peprah, S Alvin Nnabuife, CB Antonio Malone.

Comment: Manuel remains the nominal starter but based on the way that he played last year doesn't appear guaranteed even of a roster berth. Bigby is getting his shot this week, but it would be a mistake for the Packers not to give Rouse an equally long look in the remaining games.

The 6-foot-4 Rouse has been on the No. 3 pair of safeties most of camp and his potential remains unknown. Quite possibly he isn't ready, but the staff needs to find that out. Bigby has far more range than Manuel and might be as physical in the box. Underwood, Bigby's partner throughout camp with the No. 2 defense, is 11 1/2 months removed from reconstructive knee surgery and isn't back where he was.

Culver, the No. 3 safety in '06, is more dependable than athletic. Both Culver and Peprah offer more in terms of instinct than speed and striking ability.

At cornerback, five players are in a pitched battle for what looks like three backup jobs. The front-runner appears to be the gifted Blackmon, who has come on after a rough first week. Dendy has been back at left corner in the nickel defense all camp but has taken more than his share of lumps. He carries out assignments to the letter but is limited by speed.

Bush, an excellent special-teams player, is much more consistent in coverage. Williams, a late cut by Houston as a rookie free agent in '06, is very physical for his gangly build and uses his long arms well in press coverage. Walker, the team's only unrestricted free-agent signing, has been slow making the major transition from playing mostly off with the Giants to pressing here. A gambler, he has the size and speed to make a late charge.

SPECIALISTS (3)

Good bets: LS Rob Davis, P Jon Ryan.

On the fence: K Mason Crosby, K Dave Rayner.

Long shots: P Ryan Dougherty.

Comment: If the cut were today, it'd have to be Crosby over Rayner. Both have met the challenge, but Crosby has slightly better numbers and limitless potential. Dougherty is one of the better free-agent punters to come through Green Bay in a while but isn't going to beat out Ryan, who seems improved. Dougherty, who also kicks off effectively, could find work elsewhere.

[sepporepi]

No way the keep Bishop and Hodge, especially not as the only two backups.
They are both MLBs.
My bet is Hodge is going on IR and bishop makes the team.

[Bretsky]

But that doesn't mean the Packers have a deep roster in their third season under general manager Ted Thompson. What it does reflect is a logjam of mediocrity at wide receiver, linebacker and the secondary.


Very true of this roster; we have a whole bunch of OK players. We're not really sure how good many of them are. Fun to speculate though. I'm higher on Jackson and Jones than I was a few months back. Wonder if any of these late rounder will turn out to be anything besides Crosby ?

[KYPack]

No way the keep Bishop and Hodge, especially not as the only two backups.
They are both MLBs.
My bet is Hodge is going on IR and bishop makes the team.

Agreed. Hodge is hurt & couldn't even fill against Pitt. That's his strong suit. Give the kid a year and let him make his big shot in '08.

They like Bishop. He gets a ton of reps for a kid.

[privatepacker]

Final Roster Spots

I just don't think we have seen the last FA RB or TE to come into camp. Living in Dallas you see a RB like Tyson Thompson and he's buried on the Cowboys but could see him in the Green and Gold easily. Same w/ another TE called Tony Curtis. I'm sure there are many other players like these 2 guys that GB must be look at once teams have to start cutting players or putting them on waivers.

[Joemailman]

QB (3) Favre, Rodgers, Thompson
RB (4) Jackson, Morency, Herron, White
FB (2) Miree, Hall
WR (5) Driver, Jennings, Jones, Martin, Holiday
TE (3) Lee, Franks, Alcorn
OL (8) Clifton, Colledge, Wells, Spitz, Tauscher, Moll, Coston, Barbre
DT (5) Pickett, Williams, Harrell, Jolly, Muir
DE (5) Kampman, Jenkins, KGB, Montgomery, Hunter
LB (6) Poppinga, Barnett, Hawk, Bishop, Johnson, White
CB (5) Harris, Woodson, Walker, Blackmon, Bush
S (4) Collins, Bigby, Rouse, Culver
ST (3) Crosby, Davis, Ryan

[HarveyWallbangers]

I like your list. A couple of ones that I'd change, but it looks close to me at this point.

[falco]

I feel a lot more solid about the roster this year. Not sure exactly why. I like the fact that a lot of Thompsons picks seem to have the capability to be starters. Of course, he is the one selecting the roster, but nevertheless...