Apologies for the hiatus on Packers' content, but with the deadline for NFL teams to cut their rosters down to 53 players (tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET), here's my take on who the Packers should keep for their active roster. This is not what I believe the Packers will do, but rather what they should do. Ted Thompson has run the tightest of ships during his tenure in Green Bay and will make moves accordingly, but here's an extra opinion for you to all debate.
QB (2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
Why: Graham Harrell did not wow anyone during the preseason, even for a third string quarterback, and the Packers have felt comfortable in the past going with two quarterbacks. 2011 is no different.
RB (3): Ryan Grant, James Starks, Alex Green
Why: Pretty easy, here. With John Kuhn able to run the ball, Dimitri Nance and Brandon Saine became disposable. Green showed flashes of excellence late in the preseason and Grant and Starks should split carries by season's end.
FB (1): John Kuhn
Why: The Packers' tight ends have proven viable options as pass protectors in the backfield, and Kuhn is good enough as a lead blocker. There's simply no room for Quinn Johnson, who showed little during the preseason.
WR (5): Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb
Why: Chastin West and Tori Gurley were excellent in the preseason, but the reality is that the position has too much depth for either to stick. It'd be nice if one of the two slipped through waivers and onto the practice squad, but it's doubtful.
TE (5): Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor
Why: It seems crazy to keep five tight ends on the roster, but all five offer something different and can contribute in 2011. Taylor and Crabtree have proven themselves on special teams, which helps both make the team.
OL (9): Chad Clifton, T.J. Lang, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Derek Sherrod, Marshall Newhouse, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Caleb Schlauderaff
Why: The Packers could keep eight players here, sending Schlauderaff to the practice squad, but they are thin on the interior and Dietrich-Smith, a center reserve, and Schlauderaff, a reserve guard, will help the depth.
DL (6): Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Mike Neal, C.J. Wilson, Howard Green, Jarius Wynn
Why: The defensive line is all set in stone for the Packers. No one knows when Neal will return, which makes health a major issue for the position.
LB (9): Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk, Erik Walden, Frank Zombo, Brad Jones, Vic So'oto, D.J. Smith, Robert Francois
Why: The two players in question here are So'oto and Francois, but both have done enough to earn a roster spot. So'oto came on very strong late in the preseason and Francois does enough on special teams to hang on. Smith has proven himself as a viable backup that could make Francois expendable.
CB (7): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush, Davon House, Pat Lee, Josh Gordy
Why: House hasn't been given a chance to show his true skills off but his fourth round selection earns him a spot. Lee struggled in the preseason but provides special teams depth, and Gordy is a potential up-and-coming star made in the mold of Sam Shields.
S (3): Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Charlie Peprah
Why: It's risky for the Packers to go into the season with just three safeties, especially given Burnett's injury concerns, but Jarrett Bush and even Charles Woodson can fill in if two safeties were to go down.
ST (3): Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode
Why: It's all they've got, and it's pretty darn good.
Comments