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Now that we know about the Packers Roster Cuts and the current composition of the 2011 Packers 53-man Roster, the next order of business is putting together the practice squad. Below are my thoughts on how this might shake out.

Author’s Note: The practice squad has since been formed. You can find the actual Packers Practice Squad here.

This isn’t really a prediction, because there is no way to account for players possibly being claimed outright or signed by other teams after they clear waivers. We are simply taking a look at the positions where the Packers would like to have an emergency player “on-call” and some players the Packers might want to keep.

Quarterback (1): The Packers are crossing their fingers that Graham Harrell’s uneven performances in preseason games will make other teams look elsewhere for practice squad quarterbacks who are a bit more NFL-ready at this time. If Harrell is claimed or signs with another team, the Packers will surely bring in another quarterback for the practice squad.

Running Back (2): The Packers have taken a bit of a risk here by only carrying four running backs in total on the 53-man roster. It’s the first time they’ve done that and also the first time they’ve carried only 1 fullback. We know that Kuhn can fill-in at RB if needed, so that’s not an big need, but I believe the Packers will keep running back Brandon Saine iof he clears waivers. More importantly, the Packers MUST place another fullback on the practice squad. I imagine it shouldn’t be a problem keeping Jon Hoese, but without having seen much of him myself, I can’t say if the Packers think he’s worthy. if not, they will go elsewhere to add a fullback to the practice squad.  Read more... (795 words + 3 images, estimated 3:11 mins reading time)

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The Turk pays the Packers a Visit

Here’s your complete list of Packers roster cuts and trades the team implemented to get them down to the mandated 53-man roster limit:

G Caleb Schlauderaff - Seemed overmatched in the running game, which does not come as a big surprise. Was supposed to be strong pass blocker but did not distinguish himself. Would have been a good practice squad candidate, but the Jets came calling with a trade and Schlauderaff is now a Jet.

CB Brandian Ross - Since flashing early in camp, Ross has been relatively quiet. With Davon House assured a spot, Ross had a slim chance at best.

CB Josh Gordy - This was probably a difficult cut for the Packers – Gordy flashed excellent speed and football instincts, but struggled a bit in man-to-man coverage. With development, could turn into a good backup corner in the NFL. Packers will surely sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

S Brandon Underwood - The move to safety helped Underwood, but in the end, he did not distinguish himself enough from the likes of M.D. Jennings to warrant keeping the often-in-troubleUnderwood around. A fresh start for him on another team is probably best for him, anyway.

WR Tori Gurley - The only cut that really pains me. I have high hopes for Gurley down the road and will be praying like hell that he clears waivers and sits comfortably on the practice squad all year. Tori, if you’re phone rings and it’s not a Wisconsin area code – DON’T ANSWER IT!  Read more... (1304 words + 3 images, estimated 5:13 mins reading time)

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Green Bay Packers Trade Quinn Johnson

As many have speculated, Packers players being cut today are coveted and in demand by other NFL teams. Ted Thompson has been fielding offers and has managed to pull off some trades, in effect getting something back for players that were just going to be cut anyway. Here’s what we know so far:

FB Quinn Johnson - The Tennessee Titans are reported to have made a trade for Packers fullback Quinn Johnson. As reported on Twitter by Jim Wyatt, Titans FB Ahmard Hall has been suspended 4 games for violation of policy on performance-enhancing substitutes. Hence, The Titans came knocking on Ted Thompson’s door and the two teams were were able to work out a trade for an undisclosed future draft pick.

Entering his third season with the Packers, Johnson was facing what was probably a make or break preseason for him. He had to show that he could be more versatile than just being a run blocker. There was no evidence to show that he had, so the handwriting was on the wall for Johnson. Luckily for him and the Packers, he now has a new team to play for.

G Caleb Schlauderaff - The Green Bay Packers sixth round draft pick, who was released today in the final round of roster cuts, has been traded to the NY jets for a conditional draft pick. This was reported on twitter by Chase Callahan of Rep1Sports, Schlauderaff’s agent.  Read more... (355 words + 3 images, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

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Game 1 for the Green Bay Packers is just days away, and optimism is high for the PACK’s 2010 season hopes. But before we get that far, let’s take a look at the current roster. I have some real issues with the current composition of said roster and some of the players still around, as well as those gone. So let’s get right after it.

My biggest question for TEDDY & MIKE is why SPENCER HAVNER is no longer in town? I didn’t notice any drop-off in his overall performance this summer. I also think his biggest asset is his versatility, which is a subject we hear about in Coach-Speak all year. How many things can a player do for his team? So HAVNER is now in Detroit with his ability to play special teams, TE and LB.

Meanwhile, the roster in Green Bay is populated by 3 FB (and don’t kid yourself into believing JOHN KUHN is a realistic 3rd string RB option at the NFL level) and 4 TE. TOM CRABTREE and KOREY HALL had better shine on ST this season since they aren’t likely to see the field from scrimmage very often.

Many NFL teams don’t even have a true FB on their roster, most have 1. So MIKE has 3 of them. Is it possible that  DONALD LEE had no trade value around the NFL last week? WHITEY, show some damn imagination once in a while. This one-trick-pony draftees-only act is going to cost this team down the road, in it’s desired journey to the Super Bowl.  Read more... (1059 words + 1 image, estimated 4:14 mins reading time)

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The Green Bay Packers have reduced their roster to the League-required 53 man limit. As there are every year, there were a few surprises. No longer on the Packers 53-man roster today are:

• OL Allen Barbre
• DT Anthony Toribio
• DE Ron Talley
• RB Kregg Lumpkin
• OLB Cyril Obiozor
• S / RET Will Blackmon
• WR / RET Jason Chery
• WR Charles Dillon
• TE Spencer Havner
• OL Evan Dietrich-Smith
• LB Alex Joseph
• LB Robert Francois
  
• DE Jarius Wynn
• OT Chris Campbell
• OT Breno Giacomini
  
• LB Maurice Simpkins
• WR Chastin West
• WR Patrick Williams
• S Anthony Levine
• CB D.J. Clark
• P Chris Bryan
• QB Graham Harrell
  

Let’s take a quick look at some of these moves.

Spencer Havner: I’m kicking myself right now, because I came “this close” to predicting this move but I chickened out and decided to go with a Lee trade as any easy way out of the 5 TE predicament, instead. Regardless, I never believed the Packers would keep 5 tight ends, and I was sure they were not going to risk losing Quarless and Crabtree. Quarless will be a better pass catcher and Crabtree a better blocker than Havner will ever be. The one thing holding me back on Havner was his ability to play LB in an emergency. Otherwise, I’m not shocked by this and actually agree with it.  Read more... (935 words + 2 images, estimated 3:44 mins reading time)

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