With the pre-season half-way over, current prediction:
OFFENSE
QB (2): Rodgers, Harrell
Cut: Coleman (Practice Squad/PS)
Comments: Harrell makes it by default, since Coleman way too green. Do not like Harrell at all, do not share McCarthy's/Thompson's faith in him -- at least what they say publicly. Still would prefer acquiring Colt McCoy from Browns at nominal cost, having him as a more talented and experienced #2. I do think odds are good Coleman makes it through waivers onto PS.
HB (4): Benson, Starks, Green, Saine
Injured Reserve/IR: Bennett
Cut: Tyler
Comments: Including Kuhn at FB, would mean 5 RBs total. I think justified based on Starks', Green's and Saine's injury history -- especially Starks' and Green's. Tyler may run hard, but overall unimpressive to me. Believe we could pick up a back as good any time. Not convinced worth devoting a PS developmental spot to.
FB (1): Kuhn
Cut: Cooper, Hoese
Comments: Had expected Cooper would show more to earn a PS slot, but haven't seen it or read about it.
WR (6): G. Jennings, Nelson, J. Jones, Cobb, Driver, Gurley
Cut: Borel, Moss (PS), Boykin (PS), Smithson, Gilleylen, Brewer
Comments: Gurley and Borel seem to be jockying for 6th slot. I just like Gurley's size/red zone potential. Moss and Boykin both seem to have potential for developing further on PS. People keep talking about trading Jones, but I think odds are low that happens.
TE (4): Finley, DJ Williams, Crabtree, Taylor
PUP: Quarless
IR: Lair
Cut: Bostick, Cosby
Comments: No surprises. Lair already on IR. Not sure what Packers do if Quarless healthy to return after being on PUP first six weeks. Maybe put him on IR at that point, give him all 2012 to recover, unless one of top 4 TE's gets injured and creates an opening.
OL (8): OT's Bulaga, Newhouse, Taylor, G's Sitton, Lang, Wells, C's Saturday, Dietrich-Smith
PUP: OT Sherrod, G Brooks
IR: OT McCabe
Cut: OT's Datko (PS), Allard, G's Dominguez, Barclay, Van Roten (PS), C's Draheim (PS), Genus
Comments: Sherrod disappointingly starts year on PUP. Brooks already on it. McCabe already on IR. EDS first up at C or G, but Wells provides good veteran depth at G as well. OT Taylor makes it by default, cut when Sherrod makes it back. Would prefer Thompson pick up a veteran OT like Kareem McKenzie or Veron Carey to replace Taylor. Had hoped for more from Dominguez. Good depth on PS to develop with OT Datko, G Van Roten (or possibly Barclay), C Draheim.
DEFENSE
DL (7): Raji, Pickett, Worthy, Daniels, Wilson, Muir, Merling
Suspended: Neal (4 games), Hargrove (8 games)
Cut: Guy (PS), Wynn, J. Jones
Comments: Raji, Pickett, Worthy, Daniels locks. Jones, Wynn easy cuts. Guy hasn't shown much, and since eligible for PS, put him there, give another year to develop. Coaches seem to like CJ Wilson as a base/run-stuffing DE, so he makes it. With two rookies on the DL and Daniels really only able to be a designated inside rusher, warrants keeping 7. Muir, Merling have shown enough to keep, offer strong rotation. If none of the 7 get injured, guessing Neal replaces Merling upon his return, and Hargrove will replace Muir. Jolly unfortunately never given chance to factor into this equation.
LB (8): OLB's Matthews, Perry, Moses, ILB's Hawk, DJ Smith, Lattimore, Manning, Francois
Suspended: OLB Walden (1 game)
IR: ILB Bishop, OLB Zombo
Cut: OLB's So'oto, Jones
Comments: When Walden eligible to come back in week 2, guessing Packers will keep 9 LBs, make cut somewhere else on roster (my current prediction is Richardson at S) . Francois makes it as last LB because he can play both inside and outside. So'oto just hasn't shown anything, and Jones unimpressive to me. Zombo may be eligible for PUP, not sure. Otherwise, maybe worth putting on IR, giving him another shot next year. If NFLPA and NFL agree on allowing teams to bring back one player from IR, and if after surgery Packers determine Bishop could be healthy sometime later in the season, then he may be their choice to use this option on.
DB (10): CB's T. Williams, House, Hayward, Shields, Bush S's Woodson, Burnett, McMillian, MD Jennings, Richardson
Cut: CB's Ross, Merrill, Turner, S's Levine, Pellerin (PS)
Comments: CB Ross, S Levine in 2nd year have shown little. Among rookies, maybe Pellerin worth putting on PS. Supposedly, he can play S or CB. Richardson makes it as 10th DB. But Packers could just as easily put him on PS in week 2 to make room for bringing back Walden, bumping Pellerin off. Sure hoping House's shoulder heals enough next couple of weeks for him to play with a harness. Because if it doesn't, he supposedly would need surgery, likely then go on IR, and compete with Bishop as the player to designate for bringing back later in the season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode
Comments: Already decided.
Add Reaction
ðŊâĪïļððððĪððđððâïļððŧððŋðĒðĪŠðĪĢâ
ððĪ·ðĨðððĪŊOriginal Post
