For those that missed the link, it said this: since 1990 there have been 10 cases where it was confirmed that a player suffered a ruptured hammy. Of the 10, only 5 players played more than 1 NFL game following the injury. Regardless of where you stand on the debate about his value when healthy, the likelihood that Bishop was going to recover to be fully productive was pretty slim.

It isn't just the salary, but to pay a salary with such a risk makes this an easy move. To be honest, I am glad they let him go early so, if he IS pretty well ready to play, he has some time to find another team. The fact remains, if he re-injurs it or has another problem with the same leg, the Packers would be on the hook for his salary and that is far more likely than his having a quality year.

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Yup. Gotta play the odds. It makes the contract they gave Brad Jones make a lot more sense, as well. Plus, releasing him gives Bishop a chance to get a nice salary with another team of his choice. If he can't find work at a reasonable price, perhaps the Packers give him one more chance. Who knows, but at least he has the opportunity to prove to other teams he's fully recovered.

[-x , you asked to have it explained to you! I thought I was being a good friend. [grin1]

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Personally, I think this is a mistake.. for a defense that lacks fire, you have now shipped out one of the few parts that provide a spark.

Bishop's lateral quickness prior to the injury was marginal.. so I get it from that front and the concerns about offenses continuing to stretch defenses.

But somebody better step up and become the juice for this defense.. maybe the rook Jones will become that guy.. maybe lighting will flash and Jolly flips the switch. Sorry, but we need more fire and Bishop was one of the few to provide it.

Color me not a "fan" of the move.

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When Desmond Bishop took over for Nick Barnett, I had mentioned the defense just "felt" like it was more tough with the change. The Packers won the Super Bowl that season.

I wonder the role hamstring injury history played in his release because it seems like defense that needs to get "bigger, faster" just got less physical.

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Desmond Bishop is awesome and yes very physical. But he just overdoes it. I don't see that going away. The Super Bowl was great, but I don't see him learning from his and slowing down. I think he will get injured again unfortunately. It hurts me to say that because I like him as a player, but that is just what I see happening.

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Time will tell if he still has anything left after the injury. it is too bad.

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I was surprised at the release of Bishop, according to him, The Packers did not even attempt to negotiate a restructure, that tells me there was a legitimate concern on Bishops recovery status.

I do what I always do, that is list all the lbr's and try to see what Ted & co. are looking at.

Here are the Linebackers currently on the Packers 90 man roster.
I listed them by the year they were drafted or signed.
The Packers will will keep at minimum 8 LBr's, but have kept 9 and I think at 1 point last year there were 10 lbr's on the final 53.
I am betting on 9 for this year.

A.J. Hawk......................................................................2006
Clay Mathews, Robert Francois(FA)...................................2009
Jamari Lattimore(FA)......................................................2011
Nick Perry, Terrel Manning, Dezman Moses(FA)..................2012
Nate Palmer, Sam Barrington,..........................................2013
Jarvis Reed(FA), Donte Savage(FA), Andy Mulumba(FA)......2013

Mathews, Hawk, Jones, and Probably Perry will be the starters.(Base D)

Hawk and Jones both played in all 16 games last year, Hawk started all 16, Jones started the last 10.
They have both proven to be durable,solid players, although not playing up to some on this forums expectations, Ted and Co. know what they can expect from them, with Hawk restructuring and Jones being rewarded for his solid play in 2012 the writing was on the wall for Bishop.

Let's not forget Perry was transitioning from d-lineman to olb in his rookie year and should show that 1st to 2nd year improvement that coaches look for, his injury may slow down that process, but being a 1st rnd pick, he is probably expected to be able to catch up quickly.

Francois and Lattimore have proven in the past they both can be spot starters and contribute on Special Teams.
They are both under contract and I can see why Ted would choose to keep them over Bishop.

That leaves 3 spots left to fill Manning and Moses came in the same draft class as Perry, I see Ted & Co. holding on to both, hoping they also will make that 1st to 2nd year improvement. Both are still working under rookie contract and will also be Special teams players.

Palmer, Barrington, Mulumba, Reed, and Savage will fight it out for the final spot, with probably 2 of the 4 left going to the practice squad.

There really isn't enough information on any of these guys to make that decision until they put on the pads and prove they can play.

Whichever draftees and/or UDFA lbr's make the final 53 and PS. I hope they get a chance to develop and not have to be thrown into the starting lineups because of injury.

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