Zero2Cool
14 years ago
http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100905/PKR01/100905047/Thompson-to-look-within-roster-for-return-game 

General Manager Ted Thompson and his scouting department pored over NFL cuts Saturday night and decided to forgo a waiver claim or trade to help their flagging return game and thin corps at running back.

So, barring a move after other NFL teams final roster tweaks Sunday, the Packers will go into the season with Jordy Nelson as their main punt and kick returner, and with only two halfbacks on their roster with no known fallback on their practice squad after Kregg Lumpkin was picked up by Tampa Bay.

The Packers were a prime candidate to add a return man after they concluded Will Blackmons reconstructed knee will prevent him from playing at a high enough level this season and Jason Chery wasnt sure enough with the ball to trust.

But Thompson made no claims, according to the NFL transaction wire, and decided not to pull the trigger on any trades he considered. That leaves the Packers no better off than last year, when their return game lacked dynamic qualities and finished No. 23 in the NFL in average yards per punt return and No. 19 in average yards per kickoff return.

I understand that (thinking), Thompson said when asked about the apparent shortcomings of his roster at returner. Again, we have a number of fellas that have done returns and done it pretty well. I think our special teams has been a focus all offseason. I know there were times during the preseason games where it didnt look like we were performing well, but we think we have got a good 53-man roster, and we think that leads to having pretty good special teams. So that is what we believe in.

Stefan Logan was the one pure return man available on waivers after the Pittsburgh Steelers released him Saturday. The Packers didnt put in a claim on him, though if they had they wouldnt have landed him because of the Detroit Lions claim, which would have ranked ahead of the Packers on the priority list for awarding players.

Its unclear what trades were available, most likely for future draft picks, though its a given the Packers at least discussed possibilities with other teams. Thats consistent with Thompsons history in which hes been reluctant to spend draft picks on return specialists.

In his six drafts with the Packers, Thompson has selected only one pure returner, Cory Rogers in the fourth round in 2006, and that pick was a total washout. Rogers remains the highest draftee Thompson has cut in the players first training camp. The other players he drafted with return abilities in the forefront of the teams thinking were receiver Terrence Murphy, a second-rounder in 2005 whose career ended in 06 because of a neck injury; Blackmon in the fourth round in 07; and receiver David Clowney in the fifth round in 07.

Well use the guys that we have got, Thompson said.

Blackmon signed an injury settlement thats believed to be for about two weeks, and when that time runs out, hes free to sign with any team. The Packers cant re-sign him until six weeks after the settlement pass. Thompson gave no indication whether the Packers will consider re-signing him at that point.

We had to get down to the 53-man roster and we base that on what we see, Thompson said. We felt like that (knee) was kind of holding (Blackmon) back.

The Packers also didnt sign Chery to their practice squad as a fallback returner, though he probably will be available if they change their mind.

So, it looks like Nelson will be their main returner, at least to start the season, assuming coach Mike McCarthy, like the second half of last year, is unwilling to risk the health of starting cornerback Tramon Williams to those duties.

Last season, Nelson actually had a respectable average of 25.4 yards on kickoff returns, which ranked No. 11 in the NFL, but he didnt present a home-run threat and was pulled from kickoff returns in the Packers playoff game at Arizona after a second-quarter fumble. His long return was of 54 yards.

On punt returns, Nelson averaged 5.3 yards, which would have ranked No. 26 in the NFL if hed reached the minimum number of returns to qualify.

Some of the Packers other options include running back Brandon Jackson on kickoff returns and receiver Brett Swain on punt returns. Rookie Sam Shields returned punts and kickoffs early in training camp but was dropped from that rotation because of repeated problems catching the ball.

At halfback, Thompson and McCarthy rolled the dice by cutting Lumpkin and going with only starter Ryan Grant and Jackson. The Packers might have targeted Lumpkin for their practice squad so they could promote him at a moments notice, but Tampa Bay claimed him off waivers Sunday.

One of the reasons the Packers risked going with only two halfbacks was fullback John Kuhns ability to function in a one-back offense in a pinch. He rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries (4.1-yard average) in the preseason.

They also have sixth-round draft pick James Starks on the physically unable to perform list. Starks is eligible to begin practicing after six games, but whether he can help the Packers this season is questionable considering he hasnt played in a game since 2008. He didnt play in his senior season at Buffalo because of a shoulder injury and failed his physical at the start of training camp because of a pulled hamstring.

Well cross that bridge when we get to it, Thompson said of whether its realistic to think he can help the Packers this season. Thats a fact. Thats just the way it is. Its the darndest thing. Were very frustrated and I know James was frustrated that he couldnt get out there. That was the option that was available, so thats what we took. Well see where we go once we get to that point.

According to the NFLs transaction wire, five players cut by the Packers were claimed by other teams: guard-center Evan Dietrich-Smith by Seattle, tight end-linebacker Spencer Havner by Detroit, outside linebacker Cyril Obiozor by Arizona, nose tackle Anthony Toribio by Kansas City and Lumpkin by Tampa Bay.

Also, punter Chris Bryan, who was cut Saturday, has a tryout this week with Tampa Bay.


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beast
14 years ago

Blackmon signed an injury settlement thats believed to be for about two weeks, and when that time runs out, hes free to sign with any team. The Packers cant re-sign him until six weeks after the settlement pass.




So the other 31 teams can sign Blackmon week 3, while the Packers have to wait until week 9?

Also I think it should be clear that Thompson isn't trying to get a pure returner. He want a guy to be able to play a position on offense or defense AND be the returner as well.
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Zero2Cool (9h) : February 5, 2002 (age 23) ok no. packers.com is wrong
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Zero2Cool (23h) : LB Isaiah Simmons. Signed. Called it!!! Oh yeah!
Martha Careful (23h) : ty bboystyle...fat fingers
bboystyle (23h) : Tom*
Martha Careful (28-Apr) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (27-Apr) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (27-Apr) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (27-Apr) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (27-Apr) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
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