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Guys, for the fun of it, pre-training camp cut at Packers final 53 man roster plus 8 man practice squad (PS). Way too early, I know. But going through this exercise made me feel the depth on this team is possibly the best it's been in many years. Some really tough decisions likely. Welcome your take.

QUARTERBACKS (3)
Keep: Rodgers, Harrell, Coleman
Cut: Brown
Comments: Would prefer to keep only two QBs on 53, a third on PS like last year, free up roster spot for elsewhere. But Coleman likely too improved to keep there and not be plucked away. That said, just as tough to see him improving enough to be clear-cut #2, letting Harrell go.

RUNNING BACKS (5)
Keep: FB Kuhn (30), HBs Lacy (D2), Franklin (D4), Harris, Green
PS: HB Peace
Cut: FB Amosa, HB Starks
Comments: Love Kuhn, but would ideally prefer cheaper, younger FB. But unless FA rookie Amosa shocks us (or we sign a guy like Peyton Hillis), Kuhn sticks. Tough call between letting Green or Starks go, but betting on Green finally being fully healthy, able to show for first time why Thompson spent a 3rd on him, and being less injury-prone over time than Starks. Maybe Peace's flashes in OTAs not a fluke.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Keep: Cobb, Nelson, Jones, Boykin, Ross
PS: Johnson (D7A), Dorsey (D7B)
Cut: Walker, Gillett, Sinkfield, Cunningham, White
Comments: Assuming Johnson and Dorsey show enough to be worth developing, be called up if injuries deem necessary. White seemed to make some noise in OTAs.

TIGHT ENDS (4)
Keep: Finley, Quarless, Mulligan, Taylor
Cut: Williams, Bostick, Stoneburner
Comments: Quarless seems 100%, will be glad to have him back. Mulligan adds needed muscle to ground game. DJ Williams has never shown much, finally let go. Keeping Taylor over him and Bostick. See no reason to keep five TEs again.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Keep: Bulaga, Sitton, Dietrich-Smith, Lang, Newhouse, Bakhitari (D4A), Sherrod, Barclay, Datko
PUP: Tretter (D4B)
PS: Taylor, Van Roten
Cut: Gerhart, Lewis, Hughes
Comments: Hoping mystery-man Sherrod can make it back. Everyone seems to have forgotten about Datko, but like his chances if shoulder finally healthy, strength back. No true C behind EDS, but can always call up Van Roten from PS.

DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
Keep: Jones (D1), Raji, Pickett (33), Neal, Daniels, Boyd (D5B), Jolly (30)
PUP: Worthy
Cut: Wilson, Miller, Pena
Comments: Keeping seven vs. typical six because appears Neal may play OLB as well. Never thought much of Wilson, so Boyd effectively replaces him, offers higher ceiling. Figuring both Pickett and Raji can play NT, so loss of Miller not critical. Jolly more than a sentimental choice -- thinking he can still be a very effective 3-4 DE against the run. We need that.

LINEBACKERS (8)
Keep: OLBs Matthews, Perry, Moses, Palmer (D6), ILBs Hawk, Jones, Manning, Francois
PS: ILB Barrington (D7C)
Cut: ILBs Bishop, Lattimore, Savage, Wilson, OLB Mulumba
Comments: Surprised like most that Bishop appears not to be in team's plans. Expecting Manning is healthy, makes major jump. They wanted Francois back. Lattimore never developed into anything more than a good ST guy. Assuming draftee Palmer makes it over FA rookie Mulumba.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (9)
Keep: CBs Williams (30), Shields, Heyward, House, Hyde (D5A), Ss Burnett, McMillian, Jennings, Richardson
PS: CBs Nixon, Means
Cut: CBs Bush, Smith, Ss Fulton, Powell
Comments: Assuming Richardson's neck healthy enough for him to make it. Hyde effectively bumps Bush. Like having both Nixon and Means on PS.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Keep: Crosby, Masthay, Goode
Cut: Tavecchio
Comments: Would be quite a surprise to see Tavecchio beat out Crosby. But Crosby has to show last year's struggles behind him.
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Looks right on the money as far as I'm concerned.

I think that spot you have Ryan Taylor in is one to watch.. I think your instincts are right though, DJ Williams will need to show a big improvement as a receiver to warrant a spot. Taylor has proven his worth as a ST player.

Don't rest on Mulumba. I think he's definitely a PS player. He was a top pick of the recent CFL draft if I'm not mistaken...not that means anything, it just says there is something about him that caught someone's eye. He has a lot of potential though as a pass rusher.
Thanks Schumer. Depth does look good. A couple injuries will change that.

TE could be a 3 horse race, Taylor, DJ Williams, and Bostick. With Mulligan and Quarless healthy they have a pair of solid blockers. The 4th TE will need to be a good ST player with the most upside.

RB will be fun to watch, play to stay. Bush will be a Packer again. Frowner
Great job again sschumer

Interesting to see how they handle the QB spot. Harrell is more polished in case he actually needs to play, but his ceiling is not much higher than "serviceable". Coleman may have a higher ceiling, but he's not ready for prime time. What if GB put Harrell on PS- would another team be more likely to grab him or BJ ?
quote:
Originally posted by sschumer:
Fair point about Wilson Coach. But aren't the guys he's most likely competing with for a spot -- Boyd and Jolly -- as well?


We haven't seen either of them in TC yet, either.

Jolly has an uphill climb after the suspension/incarceration, and he's 30. Boyd is a complete unknown at this point.

Wilson has started in base for us before. He's limited, but he's good against the run.

Time will tell, but I'm not ready to project either of them over Wilson.

At least not yet.
quote:
Originally posted by RatPack:
TE could be a 3 horse race......


I've got it as a five horse race. Once you get past Finley and Quarless it appears pretty wide open and anything could happen. I'm not convinced they're quite ready to give up on Williams yet but his time is definitely getting short and he needs to perform when it matters.

As a follow up to sschumer's fine  work on the 53....

 

here is an in-depth rookie scouting profile on back up QB BJ Coleman

 

This was written in April of 2012 and offers some insight into what the Packers saw/liked about him as a prospect. He's been through a full season and another QB camp so its safe to say he's improved since this article.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.c...anning-transcription

 

GB might have to keep another QB on the 53 or risk losing this prospect to one of the former Packer front office guys scattered around the league

 

Nice job schumer, I can only quibble with a few choices.

 

I predict this season will long be known as "the year of living dangerously". It will be a contrarian delight with many surprises.

 

Right tackles will be left tackles.Left tackles will be right. We will run when we should pass. Pass when we should run. All tendency profiles will be broken.

 

Crosby will be replaced by the most lovable little Euro weenie since Chester was throwing bottles of Fleischman into his fireplace.

 

Hell, Mc Carthy will even keep the foot on the gas and run up scores instead of just talking about it. By November he'll be wearing a dark hoody ala Belechick. 

 

Thompson will become his fun loving side kick and straight man. No pun intended.

 

In view of Thompson's new found joy for comedic, look for these surprises.

 

"BJ" Coleman is named the number 2, after winning a $100 bet with Thompson that he can throw a football into the new upper deck. TT lovingly calls him "country" and despite rumors of BJ sexting with WBAY anchor Cami Rapson the fix is in for A-Rod's replacement.

 

TT keeps Stoneburner on the 53 just because quote: "his name is too damn cool to cut".

 

And in a final defiant giggle filled flipoff to the media, league and fans, TT picks up a street free agent corner named Agnew just for the ****s and giggles of pairing him on the practice squad with Nixon.

 

But seriously, this is going to be a fun year. Mark it down. Nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

 

Originally Posted by Coach:
I think Wilson will be there. He's still cheap.


He's the Jarrett Bush of the DL...fans hate him, but he just won't go away. He's got a better shot at making the final 53 than Jolly IMO...Jolly would have to play near the level he left at to keep him. I think if Jolly makes it, Wilson is more likely to be on the squad than Daniels.

Originally Posted by PackFoo:
Originally Posted by Coach:
I think Wilson will be there. He's still cheap.


He's the Jarrett Bush of the DL...fans hate him,

I don't think fans hate Wilson. He's a much better better defensive player than Bush. I just think fans want to see him replaced as a starter.

Last edited by El-Ka-Bong

H5's comment on Starks being out of football began a thought:

Woe be unto any RB not named Lacy or Franklin that incurs an injury in TC. Harris could possibly have the most leniency, but one would doom Green or Starks.

The same is bound to apply along the O- and D- lines; likely at TE as well.

 

I hope everyone comes out of TC in good shape, but I especially want to see the guys that were hurt last year--Perry, Manning, and especially Sherrod and Quarless--have the opportunities they didn't/haven have.

Originally Posted by Timmy!:

..... haven have.

I completely agree, and tbh, I am glad they are making the move to finally draw a line about repeatedly hurt guys.  Of course for cap reasons, it makes sense too, but the philosophy has to be 'next man up' as long as you can scout and draft well.

 

In ROTTT I trust.  It seems to have worked well so far.  Of course this is another year, another training camp, and another gnashing and drooling worth bit of another season.

 

I had hadn't expected less.

 

They are only going to keep 6 defensive linemen. Have  to add either a TE or a WR. Can't go with 4 and 5 only. Also won't go with 3 Qbs on the roster. Packers just won't do it.

 

Rodger and Harrell are almost locks. If Coleman shows anything they might promote him and trade/cut Harrell. 

 

RB, I don't think Kuhn makes it. He's not a real FB as he doesn't move the pile.With Lacey I think Kuhn is toast. They might keep a big pile driver at FB like Amosa and team he and Pacey on 3rd downs. I think you can be guaranteed Lacey and Franklin will get spots. Green gets one other then Harris, Pease and Starks battle it out. If the Mulligan can play HB and FB on short yardage GB might not keep any true FB on the roster. Starks, Green and Lacey would be 3 really big guys. Lacey, Green, Franklin, are my bets to be the top 3 RBs. If Starks doesn't win the starting job he's gone. Pease is a wild card. I like him. He's not tall but solid and faster bigger and tougher than Harris.

 

TE. The reason you keep 5 is for STs. At least 5 make the roster. Finley, Quarless, Mulligan, Taylor and Wiliams. Bostic is a 50/50. He might beat out any of the last three or even be the 6th, depending on how may WRs and RBs the team keeps.

 

 Green Bay — A lot of the things the Packers and Graham Harrell said last year, they’re saying this year.

The back-up quarterback has matured. He knows the offense better. He’s stronger. His ball has more zip. And all of that probably is true. But everybody — from Harrell to Mike McCarthy — also knows that in 2013 it will all need to translate to progress on the field. On game day. When it matters.

Harrell will enter training camp as the Packers’ back-up behind Aaron Rodgers. But he’ll also have a lot to prove.

 

“Ultimately it comes down to performance,” McCarthy said after an OTA practice this off-season. “He has a very good grasp of the offense, he’s very comfortable, he knows the adjustments, it flows for him. At the end of the day, Graham has to go out and perform. That's something that we go back to last year, he didn't have the greatest training camp, but he finished strong.

“I look for him to make improvements, I look for B.J. (Coleman) to compete with him. B.J. needs to continue to grow. He's got a lot in front of him and he has a lot of work to do, too.”

 

This summer, don’t be surprised if the gap between Harrell and B.J. Coleman closes.

 

Neither player was particularly great in OTAs and minicamp. But through rookie orientation camp — which Coleman was eligible for as a 2012 practice-squad player — and the off-season practices, the former seventh-round pick out of Tennessee-Chattanooga did show marked improvement.

 

Coleman has the superior arm and the confidence to deliver the ball on difficult routes down field. Confidence on draft day -- when Coleman told the Packers this would be their best pick ever -- hasn't wavered.

Coaches have worked with Coleman on not being robotic. His footwork, McCarthy said, also needed improvement. Like Harrell, the 6-foot-3, 231-pound Coleman will need to prove his worth in the exhibition games. Unlike Harrell, he barely had an opportunity to do that last season. Reps will, or should, be more evenly split through practices and the games this summer.

Before Harrell's near-perfect preseason finale against Kansas City, he was erratic under the lights.

 

Green Bay has been fortunate, for years, at quarterback. Brett Favre never missed a start, from 1992-2007 as the Packers’ starter. Since then, Rodgers has missed one to injury. Still, every contender knows the potential peril of its starter going down. In Matt Flynn, the Packers could at least rest easy. With Harrell and Coleman, they can’t yet. The two have combined for four career pass attempts. This will be a critical training camp for both players.

 

“I think the most important thing is to control what you can control," Coleman said. "Every single guy in this locker room is a competitor or they wouldn’t be here. My goal is to come in and do everything I possibly can, get the best knowledge I can of the offense. And the coaches are going to do what’s best for the organization. I’m honored to be here, I’m blessed. And I’m excited. I like competition. Competition is what brings the best out of certain players."

 

The early prediction here is that Coleman does catch Harrell.


Graham vs Harrell


Good thoughts.  Never too early for us fans to conjecture.

 

For the most part I agree.  But ...

 

RB--I have seen just one good run from Alex Greene and it was a hole so big my Grandma could have run through it.  Fluke.  Don't trust him.  Doubt either he or Starks make it, but I'd prefer Starks.  IF he can stay healthy for more than 3 days at a time!!!

 

ILB's--Boy, this is a real weakness for us, I think.  Makes me nervous.  Happy to see them letting Neal try to play some LB, maybe that will help.

 

DB's--Keep Bush for special teams AND for experience/continuity.  I know he's driven us all crazy at times, but this is a VERY young team, and we need some experienced players to provide leadership and direction on the field.  I really, really like Davon House, as I mentioned in another thread.  Also Casey Hayward and M.D. Jennings, as well as TW and Sam Shields and Burnett.

 

Nixon making the Practice Squad?  No way.  Not Packer People.  Think he's a crook.  And if you're old enough to understand my joke, you're really an old fart!  

 

QB--I've just about had it with Harrell.  Gonna go out on a limb and say he won't make it.

 

Special Teams--Crosby darn well better be on fire in Training Camp or I would make a change!  Those 3-point FG's can make the difference between a W or an L in lots of games!

 

Tight Ends--Still disappointed we didn't try to re-sign Crabtree.  I liked him.  Oh, well.

 

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