wpr
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13 years ago
An Early Training Camp Look at the Final 53 

Isn't nice to have training camp again? Sure there may not be the same sort of hitting, physical camp that we have seen in the past....in fact I don't know if there's been a single fight yet (disappointing)....but the race is still on!

It's interesting to me that this year the races that interest me the most aren't the ones I was expecting. I thought I would get wrapped up in the Starks vs. Grant horse race for the starting back. Maybe get into Morgan Burnett fight Charlie Peprah for that starting safety spot. I definitely thought I would love to see Lang and Sherrod duke it out for the starting LG position.

But no, these starting spots really don't capture my imagination. What has been catching my attention has been in who is catching pass catching passes. The two battles I love to hear about (alas not in Green Bay to watch) is the receiving corp and the last man standing in the TE group. Who gets to hang on and who is surprising so far has been much more interesting than the other battles so far....at least for me.

The other reason that I find this part of camp compelling is because I think these battles are going to shape the roster as a whole. There's lots of talent here, and I think these battles are going to spill over into other position groups and have the Packers keep more in some positions and less in others.

So let's take a look at my take of who is on the final 53...

Quarterbacks (2) Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn. I know Mike McCarthy would feel more comfortable with three quarterbacks (hell a good number of us probably would too) but I just don't see the Packers keeping three unless Graham Harrell really lights it up in the Preseason.....and I mean light it up so much that it's a guarantee that some team will snatch him up when he's cut. Harrell has promise but I'm not expecting that to happen and he spends another year on the PS.

Halfbacks (4) Ryan Grant, James Starks, Alex Green, Brandon Saine. My first surprise, four of these guys being kept after only two kept last year. This comes all down to the Packers being once bitten twice shy. Last year risking keeping only two left our offense going through some real growing pains last year....and I think this year they over compensate with keeping some extra guys. The first three are pretty straight forward, but the last one is my going out on a ledge guess with this roster. Saine is big, strong, and fast. He fits with what Mike McCarthy likes in backs and should help with the rotation while growing into something good for the future....mainly he's kept for development for the future and not trusted to make it to the PS.

Fullbacks (1)
John Kuhn. If there is any part of this where I will catch holy hell it's here. Going from three for two years in a row down to one...and a hybrid one at that. No to that UDFA kid from the Gophers, no to Quinn Johnson. Just Kuhn and here's why....I don't think the rookie is going to make the case to really make the roster. As for Johnson, well my money is on him being that same guy that's he's been the first two years here. Not good at catching, not good at special teams, but really REALLY good at blocking. That got him a pass the first two years, but this year there is so much talent at other positions that block, catch, and play special teams that Johnson loses out to a guy who can contribute at all three positions while he can only do one.

Offensive Line (9)
Chad Clifton, T.J. Lang, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Derek Sherrod, Nick McDonald, Marshall Newhouse, Caleb Schauderaff. Most of this is pretty straight forward really. The main questions is if it's nine or ten, who the last one or two will be, and who's the starting LG. I think nine, although ten wouldn't surprising especially if they want to stash a guy here instead of say running back or corner (it's been known to happen). The biggest question about the guys I've listed is why Schauderaff over Evan Dietrich-Smith? My only answer? Schauderaff was drafted and I think they keep him around to see if he can become what they wanted him to since the drafted him. EDS was kept around for a similar reason last year after showing something so he has a pretty good case as well.

Wide Receiver (5)
Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb. Now things get interesting and it's because of two dudes: Jones and Cobb. Jones came cheap for the next three years and still has a pretty high upside. He could be something special....or he could be a guy with promise and stone hands. Time will tell, but he throws a monkey wrench in that last roster spot for guys with promise like Tori Gurley or Shaky Smithson and the standby of Brett Swain (who is probably going to go the route of Ruvell Martin). If Jones is throwing a monkey wrench into those plans the person who is turning up the heat is Cobb. If there is a star of this camp it's Randall Cobb. He's making plays, learning the playbook faster than most of the other rookies (I guess he is staying about one day ahead of where they are actually at in teaching the offense), and he's looking seriously legit. By the end of the year he's probably pushing everyone short of Jennings and maybe Finely for playing time and balls thrown to him if he can keep up the pace he's had so far. Could the Packers keep six? Maybe, but I doubt it's for Swain. If they do keep six it's because Gurley or Smithson really start to shine and they want him around but can't stash him on the PS. Don't know if that will happen, the preseason games will tell.

Tight Ends (5)
Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor. That's right I went with five. Three fullbacks was so last year! This season's fashion is TE and they are going to load up. Williams and Taylor shined while Quarless was injured, Finley held out, and Crabtree was...I guess there but who knows? These two rookies shined and shined bright. Williams is shorter than your normal TE and my guess is he fills in for some of the FB work if he can block at all. Taylor is a special teams whiz and should be able to contribute a bit. Crabtree is still the blocking leader and I guess has been stepping up his recieving game. The only one who is a question is my mind is Quarless. He had some dropping problems last year and started this year injured. My money is on Quarless out if they go under five unless Taylor cools off.

Defensive Line (6)
B.J. Raji, Mike Neal, Howard Green, Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson, Lawrence Guy. Look for C.J. Wilson to bloom this year into real contributor. He's good against the run and should get better at the pass rushing as well (I know this is a hope, but I think it's in him). Other than that major question here is Jarius Wynn or Guy? Guy should have more upside and help much more in the long run answer the question of who is going to replace Cullen Jenkins? He's in, Wynn hits the streets.

Inside Linebackers (4)
A.J. Hawk, Desmond Bishop, K.C. Asiodu, D.J. Smith. So Asiodu and Smith aren't exactly Brandon Chillar or Nick Barnett, but they should be good enough to back up and spell two very durable and talented players in Hawk and Bishop. Even better is the fact that both should be contributors on special teams.

Outside Linebackers (4)
Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Frank Zombo, Erik Walden. Who is opposite the Claymaker? My money is on Zombo but really just flip a coin and then flip it again is probably it. I also don't think Rickey Elmore makes it. So far he hasn't really shaken things up and so far I have heard how he's mostly missed on one-on-one drills. I think the Pack can stash him on the PS and they do.

Cornerbacks (6)
Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House, Jarrett Bush, Pat Lee. Again a case of once bitten twice shy. In the Super Bowl the game almost slipped away because of depth problems and so six corners stick around just in case. The first thing I don't have to talk about really. The rumblings I've heard are great camps put in so far by House and Bush (shocker I know), they stick. Lee is the major question mark. Frankly, I've given up on him and this could be another one of those places where the Pack could keep only five of these guys and then keep an extra receiver, Dlineman, or Olineman.

Safety (4) Nick Collins, Charlie Peprah, Morgan Burnett, Anthony Levine. Why Levine instead of say Brandon Underwood? Couple reasons: 1. Levine has potential to be a bruising hitter, something the Pack could use, 2. Underwood is a knuckle head who has washed out at corner and has been arrested twice in two offseasons. Levine didn't make the team last year but this year I think he steps up and makes that 53, remember his study buddies last year were Burnett and Shields. One of those guys made noise last year and the other was about to make some noise last year before coming up hurt. I think Levine gets it more than Underwood ever will and grows into a real player for the Packers.

Specialists: Tim Masthay, Mason Crosby, Brett Goode. These have got to be the safest positions on the team outside of Aaron Rodgers and maybe Clay Matthews. No one is running against them and Crosby and Masthay have been improving (slowly). Goode, well the less you hear about a long snapper the better he is and I for one have never really heard much about him other than this time of year when we just type in the fact that he's making the team....that says it all.

Acme Packing Co wrote:


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zombieslayer
13 years ago
I like the 2 QBs. If Rodgers goes down, we make the Playoffs but go one and out. Flynn's good, but we can't win it all with him. If Flynn goes down, the season's over.

I like the 1 FB. FB is the most useless position in the NFL nowadays. Having 4 was silly last year as we should have kept an extra CB. I was proven right in the SB.

I really hope the author is wrong with 5 TEs. I don't want 5 TEs. Let's keep 3 or 4 and either put the extra player on the OL or keep Swain. If there's one more player (3 TEs), put him on D.

As much as I hate saying this, err on the side of having the extra D player. D > O. You know me. I'd much rather see offensive firepower. But my research has shown D > O.

Good read.
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Packers_Finland
13 years ago
My projected 53 has

Quinn Johnson, Jarius Wynn, Robert Francois, Rick Elmore

instead of

Brandon Saine, Ryan Taylor, Tom Crabtree, K.C. Asiodu
This is a placeholder
nerdmann
13 years ago
Looks pretty good to me. I agree they should keep Brandon Saine. The times I've heard him mentioned, he's looked good. Also I don't think there's any way they cut Quarless. If they can PUP him they do that, otherwise they could also stash him on IR.
Agreed also on Levine over Underwood. Levine has the ability to be another Charlie Peprah out there. Dunno what Underwood's problem is. Supposedly he was coming on last year, but hasn't done anything since.
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wpr
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13 years ago
It is amazing how much flexiblity QB has in it's last slot at each position.

wouldn't be shocked to see 3 QBs

I figure they got with 3 RB. that means Saine is out. PS if they can keep him. With Grant, Starks and Green as running backs they don't need a 4th for just in case. Even so that is what Kuhn is for.

2 FB. The FB position may seem worthless to some because they don't run with the ball a lot or make a lot of receptions but then neither does the OG. In the game today the FB is the final piece to the wall of blockers for the RB and maybe more importantly QB. I like Kuhn. Hard worker. Over achiever but When they need to protect Aaron Rodgers or make sure the RB gets 2 yards Johnson is better suited to do the dirty work.

OL I can see Schauderaff making it over Evan Dietrich-Smith for the final spot. It will be interesting to watch the line come together.

WR they got the right 5. When Jones signed on that was the death blow to Swain and any of the other long shots. I can see keeping 6.

TE 5??? are you kidding? Most likely it will be 4. Taylor may be a ST stud but he still has an uphill battle a head of him. Quarless, Crabtree and Williams all have unique talents so it will be interesting to see who the staff values more. It also will depend on how many players are kept at other positions as well.

DL. 6 seems like the right number of players with 5 dressing each week. No need to keep guys who won't be contributing week end and week out. I hate to lose Wynn but I won't be shocked to see Guy slip past him on the roster after all Wynn was released last year as well.

ILB I can see them rolling the dice and going with just 3. Hawk and Smith play so much they don't need backups. Smith ends up on the PS and they bring him in if there are health problems so where. In the mean time Brad Jones slides in if there is a game day emergency.

OLB 4 Jones, Zombo and Walden are on perpetual audition. If there is a street FA that Ted likes better one of them could be bumped.

CB 6 I can't believe Lee makes the squad again. But he came in handy during the 2nd half of the SB last year. I won't be shocked if they got with just 5.

S Underwood is so gone I can't believe he is still in camp. 4 seems reasonable at this position.

ST 3 one of the no brainers of TC.
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beast
13 years ago

Last year they kept 26 O and 24 D ... could happen again... all depends on depth.

I have a hard time seeing them suddenly going to 1 FB after 3 FBs. And they can be good role players just like any other position. Also I've read Johnson might had the best pass block of his career in this training camp so maybe finally he's getting that down.

I keep hearing fans say it's going to be an uphill battle for TE Taylor to make it... but from what I've read Taylor and Williams have shined at TE while Crabtree has flash here or there but then disappears for a while. I could see them going with 4 and Crabtree being the odd guy out. I could also see them going with 5 TEs but I think it's pretty unlikely. If they do one would have to be very good to great at H-back... which I think would have to be Crabtree as I'm not sure the others are ready from a blocking stand point... but Crabtree wasn't great as an H-back last year... but he could of grown and become better at it.


I don't prefer Underwood because his off the field troubles but they're giving him a chance if he's healthy he might be the best for the last spot. If he can't go I'm thinking they move Bush to FS (where he has played and practice from before as a 2nd position) and keep another CB.

Also I've read good things about OT Campbell... problem is Clifton, Bulaga and Newhouse are all ahead of him and Sherrod has SO much potential as the 1st round pick... for Campbell to make it someone will have to make the switch to OG (like they're trying to do with Sherrod).



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Pack93z
13 years ago
Without a single preseason game nor really much in the notable mention of practices to base any type of judgement on.. why would you try to predict the final 53 at this point?

Just don't understand why.. what is the basis you used on a organization that is more or less a earned roster spot staff. Meaning you earn your spot in practice and the field.. why the rush to put out a list Acme Packing Co?

I can understand the fun in doing this type of activity on a forum such as this to drive discussion, talk about players, and what not; but as a blog type or any type of journalist type format I don't see the point.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Stevetarded
13 years ago
I also see them going 1 FB this year. Quinn Johnson just hasn't seemed like he can figure it out. It's cool and all to see a FB run out and pancake a fool but that isn't really necessary from the position. All you need the FB to do is go where he needs to be, pick out the defender and get in front of him. Kuhn is more suited to that than QJ. Not to mention Kuhn has been much better at pass blocking and adds rushing/receiving threat.

Plus you throw in the 2 TEs they added that are probably better at STs than QJ and the fact that the TEs end up lining up in the backfield a lot (as FBs) anyways.
blank
beast
13 years ago

Without a single preseason game nor really much in the notable mention of practices to base any type of judgement on.. why would you try to predict the final 53 at this point?

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 



Maybe the same reason people try to predict who the Packers will draft as soon as the season is over?

Or maybe the same reason we kept trying to talk Packers during the lockout even though their was normally really new to talk about?

Or the same reason we try to guess the normal of wins they'll get before the first preseason game?




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Pack93z
13 years ago

Maybe the same reason people try to predict who the Packers will draft as soon as the season is over?

Or maybe the same reason we kept trying to talk Packers during the lockout even though their was normally really new to talk about?

Or the same reason we try to guess the normal of wins they'll get before the first preseason game?

Originally Posted by: beast 




I had edited it prior to your posting as I figured it might not be clear what I was driving at...


I can understand the fun in doing this type of activity on a forum such as this to drive discussion, talk about players, and what not; but as a blog type or any type of journalist type format I don't see the point.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 



"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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