In his latest chat Green Bay Press Gazette reporter Rob Demovsky said the Packers usually keep 9 defensive backs on the 53 man roster.

Considering we're expected to draft at least one corner and one safety, which four players do you think are going to miss out?

This is what we have at present:

1. Woodson
2. Harris
2. T-Will
4. Pat Lee
5. Blackmon
6. Underwood
7. Josh Bell
8. Jarrett Bush

9. Collins
10.Bigby
11.Derrick Martin

12. Rookie CB
13. Rookie S

---

1. Woodson
2. Harris
3. Williams
4. Underwood
5. Blackmon
6. Bush
7. Collins
8. Bigby
9. Martin
10. Rookie S

This is a pretty hard one. I think that we'll be keeping Blackmon, Bush and Martin mainly for STs. If you look at it like that, you can open up an extra spot, as we'll only have 3 pure safeties and 4 real CBs. That's why I put down 10 instead of 9.

One 'shocking' move has to be made, I think. In my scenario, it'd be giving up on Lee after he's played just 5 games.

If we draft a rookie CB, it might be the end of Bush or Blackmon.

This looks about right to me, but it's one over the normal 9 DBs quoted in the article. Now, the team certainly could keep 10, but if the exercise is to choose 9, I'd drop Harris off the list largely because of Coach's words about him in his press conference. He stated that he views Al's recovery time very similar to Tauscher's last year, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar move (ie. Al comes in after week 5 or so). By that point you'd think there would have been an injury or two that would take care of the additional roster spot on its own.

Look, I know we all love Al, but at some point you have to remove the name and emotion and base this decision on a 35 year old CB coming off of major knee surgery who is under contract for $2.5 million next year. And given that it's not certain he'll be ready for Week 1, management certainly can't be blamed for taking a wait and see approach as they did with Tausch.

Frankly, it would be risky to count on him - even as a nickle back. My guess is that management plans on playing next year without him and sees anything beyond that as an added bonus.

---

OK, I don't know how this works so someone will have to enlighten me here, but I'm hearing that Harris probably won't be ready by game 1. If not, is he not on the opening roster? You can't have someone on IR then activate him later on in the season, can you?

So, if Harris isn't ready by game 1, do we start the season with 52 players or do we cut someone when Harris comes back? If the latter, then the 9 DBs who start the season won't be the same 9 when Harris comes back, assuming that spot is filled by a DB.

---

The Packers could place him on the Physically Unable to Perform list (provided he was placed there before training camp, I believe), which would keep a roster spot free. He would then be required to sit out the first six games. During this time, he would be forbidden to practice with the team, but could continue his rehabilitation, etc. After six games, the Packers would have three weeks in which to bring him back into practice. After he started practicing, the Packers would have three weeks in which to sign him to the active roster. If he failed to begin practicing within the three-week window or the team failed to sign him within three weeks after he began practicing, he would remain on the PUP list the remainder of the season.

---

Thanks Non.

From what I've heard, there's a pretty good chance that that will be the route we may have to go with Al. I hope not. I hope he's 100% by game 1. But I wouldn't count on it.

Harris is a workaholic though. If anyone can beat a major injury's timetable, he's as strong a candidate as anyone.

---

What I hope to see... it is time for Lee and Blackmon to either step up or out... not available.. find the door and get healthy.

1. Woodson
2. Harris - PUP
2. T-Will
4. Pat Lee Healthy and make an impact, if not bounced for Bell or a talented rookie.

5. Blackmon - Almost same boat as Lee.. except with his return ability it gets a slight advantage..

6. Underwood - Mark it down.. this kid, raw as he is right now.. with develop into a hell of a corner for us.. need to add some meat and strength without losing those quick feet. He is a lock on the roster this season.. I will eat with post without salt or pepper if he doesn't prosper.

[strike]7. Josh Bell
8. Jarrett Bush[/strike]

9. Collins
9a - Rookie S
10.Bigby
11.Derrick Martin

12. Rookie CB Practice Squad
13. Rookie S - Practice Squad

---

You about have it right 93, except Jarret Bush isn't going anywhere. He is just to valuable on ST's, if not that, I've been saying it for 2 years now, he has to have naked pictures of Ted Thompson stashed somewhere. LOL

IMHO The Packers are going to bring BACK as many as these guys as possible and hope they don't get injured. There is a lot of talent there, they just can't seem to stay on the field.

Someone will get an early injury, which will make room for any new draft pick to make the team.

Will be interesting to see when and how many db's Ted Thompson drafts, if he waits till the later rounds, those guys will most likely end up on the PS, if Ted Thompson drafts a safety in the first 3 rounds, someones job is in jeapardy. BUT IT WON'T BE JARRET BUSH!!!! :icon_smile:

---

Don't count out Bell! Yeah he gave up that one heart crushing soul destroying season ending TD, but hey...

---

Good discussion so far. Cheers.

For those out there who think Bush will be gone, let me just remind you who the guy in my avatar is-

Jarrett Bush is a 6'0" 200 lb. 25 year old safety/cornerback/special teamer with 62 games of NFL experience, all in a Packer uniform.

His size is near prototypical, being almost identical to Charles Woodson in height and weight. He's still very young, despite having 4 years of experience, and durable, playing in all but two games over that time. He was playing in the NFL two years before Pat Lee, despite being 3 months younger than Lee. By all accounts he is a hard worker and a good person, with no off the field incidents and an Olympic track star girlfriend. He plays not one, not two, but THREE positions where the Packers are relatively weak, and he's at an age where many players are just coming into their prime. He's not going anywhere.

---