For now, at least, the Green Bay Packers own perhaps the most disjointed roster in their history.
Pending the possible addition of a center-guard off waivers, the Packers will have more tight ends and linebackers and fewer offensive linemen and running backs than they've ever had since the 53-man roster went into effect in 1993.
"It's an interesting makeup," a personnel director another National Football League team said Saturday night. "But they have to claim an offensive lineman. Then one of those heavy positions has to fall."
The Packers moved 27 players off the roster by the Saturday deadline of 5 p.m., including the release of quarterback Graham Harrell and 22 other players. They also traded fullback Quinn Johnson and rookie guard Caleb Schlauderaff and placed two rookies on injured reserve.
As it stands, the club has merely 24 players on offense, two fewer than their average of 25.9 from 1993-2010, and 26 on defense.
The Packers got there by keeping record (post-1992) highs at tight end (five) and linebacker (10) and record lows in the offensive line (eight) and running back (four).
If the Packers are awarded an interior offensive linemen Sunday afternoon, a tight end, linebacker, cornerback or safety could be in jeopardy.
"Everybody always keeps one, maybe two extra that you're not overly excited about but you have to keep until you see the waiver wire," an NFL executive said.
Teams officially were notified of all cuts early Saturday night. They have until 11 a.m. Sunday to put in waiver claims. Shortly thereafter, the league will notify teams if they've been awarded a player or players.
Unlike last summer, general manager Ted Thompson at least was able to get something for two players. A year ago, the Packers failed to make a trade, then had five of their players claimed on waivers and another signed as a free agent a few days later.
Johnson, a four-year veteran, was traded to the Tennessee Titans for what was announced as an undisclosed draft choice. A source said the pick was in the seventh round and is conditional on Johnson's contributions in Tennessee.
The Titans needed a fullback because their starter, Ahmard Hall, has been suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
"I wouldn't say Johnson had much value," another NFL personnel director said. "He was one-dimensional. More of a blocking fullback than he is a pass-catching fullback. He competes. Strong player."
At the same time, the Packers announced the trade of Schlauderaff to the New York Jets for an undisclosed draft choice. A sixth-round draft pick, Schlauderaff appeared to have little or no chance to make the team.
The Jets liked Schlauderaff before the draft and also intend to try him at center. He becomes one of nine offensive linemen in New York but one of them, guard Rob Turner, is out for about two months with a broken leg.
"We did some work on him today," a scout for another team said. "He was one of the guys we had targeted (on waivers). Little bit undersized but he definitely will get after you and be physical. I liked that."
The Packers' decision to keep five tight ends was "amazing," another scout said.
"Four would be the most a team has carried," he said. "Very interesting. That's heavy."
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