My Packers Roster Predictions
(Joe Arrigo)

I have to admit, I am HORRIBLE at predicting the Packers roster. I have not got one right ever, but yet I get asked to try and do it every year. Well I will, yet again, attempt to nail down the final 53 men who will start the season for the 2010 Green Bay Packers.

QB's (2):
Aaron Rodgers (QB)
Matt Flynn (QB)

RB's (3):
Ryan Grant (RB)
Brandon Jackson (RB)
Kregg Lumpkin (RB)

FB's (3):
John Kuhn (FB/HB)
Quinn Johnson (FB)
Kory Hall (FB)

WR's (5):
Greg Jennings (WR)
Donald Driver (WR)
James Jones (WR)
Jordy Nelson (WR)
Jason Cherry (WR)

TE's (4):
Jermichael Finley (TE)
Spencer Havner (TE)
Andrew Quarless (TE)
Tom Crabtree (TE)

OL (9):
Chad Clifton (OT)
Daryn Colledge (OG)
Scot Wells (C)
Josh Sitton (OG)
Mark Tauscher (OT)
Brian Bulaga (OT)
Jason Spitz (OG/C)
T.J. Lang (OG/OT)
Marshall Newhouse (OT)


DL (6):
Ryan Pickett (DE/NT)
B.J. Raji (NT)
Cullen Jenkins (DE)
Mike Neal (DE)
Jarius Wynn (DE)
C.J. Wilson (DE/NT)


OLB's (8):
Clay Matthews III (OLB)
Nick Barnett (ILB)
AJ Hawk (ILB)
Brad Jones (OLB)
Brandon Chillar (OLB/ILB)
Desmond Bishop (ILB)
Brady Poppinga (OLB)
Frank Zombo (OLB)

DB's (10):
Charles Woodson (CB)
Al Harris (CB)
Nick Collins (S)
Morgan Burnett (S)
Tramon Williams (CB)
Sam Shields (CB)
Pat Lee (CB)
Brandon Underwood (CB)
Will Blackmon (S/KR/PR)
Derrick Martin (S)

ST's (3):
Mason Crosby (K)
Brett Goode (LS)
Tim Masthay (P)


P.U.P. List:
Atari Bigby (S)
James Starks (RB)


Injured Reserve:
Quinn Porter (RB)
Josh Bell (CB)


Practice Squad:
Graham Harrell (QB)
Evan Dietrich-Smith (C)
Anthony Levine (S)
Alex Joseph (MLB)
D.J. Clark (CB)
Patrick Williams (WR)
Chris Campbell (OT)

I struggled with keeping 3 fullbacks (cutting Johnson or Hall) and 9 offensive linemen (Dietrich-Smith being the odd man out), but I think Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy like Quin Johnson as a lead blocker and Kory Hall's special teams ability. While Dierich-Smith adds versatility to the line (G/C), unless Jason Spitz is dealt, he could be the odd man out on the OL.

On the defensive side of the ball, I had to cut Justin Harrell. I think that C.J. Wilson won't clear waivers and the coaches think he has a huge upside while Harrell's injury history and effort (at times) make him a huge risk. Charlie Peprah was the other hard player to cut. Unless Brandon Underwood's shoulder requires surgery (which is a possibility), Peprah looks to be the odd man out. I think it is a shame because his special teams ability could be used.

On special teams I have Masthay beating out Ryan based of the past few days and the Colts game. He has out kicked him, but with the final pre-season game remaining, a strong showing from Ryan could swing the punting competition back to the Aussie.

I do think Donald Lee is traded. The Packers have a surplus of Tight End talent and all have more upside then Lee. Havner can play multiple positions (on offense and defense) and had more TD catches last year then Lee, while Quarless has big time potential and Crabtree is an outstanding blocker. Lee dropped to many passes last year in big time games (at Minnesota and the playoff game) and is not the blocker Crabtree is.

Jason Cherry is my "surprise pick" to make the team. While Chastin West and Patrick Williams are better receivers now, Cherry's speed and return ability would add another dimension to the Packers special teams and gives him an edge. I think Brett Swain's injury history is a concern to the Packers coaching staff and front office.

When it is all said and done I know Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy will put the best 53 men on the Packers roster to try and bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Green Bay. But the Packer shave so much talent that another NFL team is going to land a very good player, but that's what happens when a team drafts talented players and also signs talented players (as undrafted rookie free agents). [url=Pro_News/aid=142.html]full article[/url].

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A couple of risk picks in there.

With our head office I'm not sure they're willing to gamble on so many new faces.

I think Shields will be the biggest 'surprise' pick to make the roster. I think it's almost a given how much praise he's been getting. Zombo being a close second. I don't see Chery making it despite his incredible speed, though Swain does get injured a lot it seems. I think the Packers would still go with Swain but the final preseason game will be telling.

I think we'll keep 6 TEs/FBs in total. If Crabtree makes it I think Quinn Johnson gets cut. If Quinn Johnson makes it, which I am doubtful the Packers are willing to keep him around with his brick hands, then Crabtree will get stashed on the practice squad and the Packers simply will have to hope nobody poaches him like they did Jamon Meredith.

Otherwise I think it's a pretty good list.

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Swain > Chery (no second r) ... the Colts back-up ST cover unit left a huge gap to run though and now everyone wants Chery? I don't get it...

Also why get rid of D. Lee? ... people hate on him because he's older and had a lot of drops last year... Havner is not ever 3 years younger, can't block half as good as Lee and doesn't have Lee's speed, also Crabtree can't get open near as well as Lee nor has he don't much of the H-back stuff where only D. Lee has excelled at so far (other than maybe some Finley). Unless they can get a good draft pick for Lee I think he should stay.

Newhouse vs. Dietrich-Smith is a tough one and could go ether way... but I believe Dietrich-Smith can't go on the PS anymore per NFL rules and Newhouse can.

I don't understand why Wynn over Harrell. Yeah Harrell has an injury history, and people have attacked him for effort and getting knocked to the ground (which other DL did as well and they wrote nothing about them). And Wynn had the head coach calling him out to give better effort. I don't see how Wynn is better in any way as far as the 3-4 DL other than the media hasn't attacked Wynn and they have attack Harrell. Wynn is a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB trying to play 3-4 DL and it's not working.

My guess has been Harris to PUP. Mike McCarthy has said it still could go ether way... in mine I kept Harris on the PUP and kept Peprah in his place. And Peprah has been looking like the best back-up at Safety. Not as good as Martin and Blackmon on ST team though but I think Peprah could push Bigby while Martin couldn't.

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Lee had a bad year in '09. I wouldn't be quick to get rid of him either unless we can work a trade and get someone good for him. He was pretty good in '07.

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I haven't seen anything really impressive about any of our guys competing for the #5 WR. If it came down to it I would almost rather keep our 3FB, 5TE, EDS, or even Justin Harrell over one of those 5th WR.

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Not a bad list. I don't mind someone taking a few fliers in their picks. Makes things interesting.

As for my list (from memory), like Beast, I put Harris on the PUP. Kept D Lee on the team and said he might be traded. I kept ED-S & Harrell. Lumpy gone. Swain not Chery. Other than that we are nearly identical. ::lol:


Unless I am mistaken the punter is Bryan not Ryan.

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