The regular season is right around the corner, but Green Bay has tough decisions already in front of them. It starts with decision the 53-man roster. Here's my take after watching the Packers this preseason....

QBs
Aaron Rodgers
Matt Flynn

Outlook: No surprises though Graham Harrell made a late run for a roster spot. I suspect hell land on the practice squad. Matt Flynns emergence this preseason means Green Bay is unlikely to seek veteran help.

RBs
Ryan Grant
Brandon Jackson
Kregg Lumpkin

Outlook: The Packers will keep three RBs, but dont be surprised if they look outside the organization for their No. 3 player. The fact James Starks wasnt put on IR suggests they arent as high on Lumpkin as they once were.

FBs
John Kuhn
Quinn Johnson

Outlook: Kuhn is guaranteed a spot because of his versatility. The decision between Korey Hall and Johnson is going to be very difficult. I think it should be Johnson because hes the best lead blocking FB the Packers have had in along time. I think Green Bay is too deep to go with three FBs again.

WRs
Greg Jennings
Donald Driver
James Jones
Jordy Nelson
Brett Swain

Outlook: These five have consistently been the top five at their position. Jason Cherry could be a sixth option, but I suspect hell land on the practice squad.

TEs
Jermichael Finley
Tom Crabtree
Spencer Havner
Andrew Quarless

Outlook: Could the Packers keep five TEs? Sure, but they probably wont. I think the final spot is down to Donald Lee and Quarless. While Lee is the veteran presence youd like this group to have, he doesnt do anything particularly better that Crabtree and Quarless cant do themselves.

OL
Chad Clifton
Mark Tauscher
Bryan Bulaga
T.J. Lang
Marshall Newhouse
Daryn Colledge
Josh Sitton
Jason Spitz
Scott Wells

Outlook: Newhouse and Dietrich-Smith are too good not to put on the roster. Unfortunately, only one can make it. Im going with Newhouse because of versatility and long-term potential. Plus, keeping three centers is almost a waste. Youll only activate two anyways. Nick McDonald should make the practice squad.

DL
Cullen Jenkins
B.J. Raji
Ryan Pickett
Mike Neal
Anthony Toribio
Justin Harrell
C.J. Wilson

Outlook: If GB opts to go with six defensive lineman like I think they could, then you definitely have to consider keeping the more reliable Wilson or Jarius Wynn over Harrell. However, Cullen Jenkins injury means they may opt to keep a seventh guy, which means Harrell makes the team.

LBs
Clay Matthews
Brad Jones
Frank Zombo
Brady Poppinga
A.J. Hawk
Nick Barnett
Desmond Bishop
Brandon Chiller

Outlook: Robert Francois could make a run at a spot if they keep nine, but I think these eight have been entrenched for some time now.

DBs
Charles Woodson
Tramon Williams
Sam Shields
Brandon Underwood
Patrick Lee
Nick Collins
Morgan Burnett
Derrick Martin
Charlie Peprah
Will Blackmon

Outlook: The final decision came down to Lee and Jarrett Bush. I went with Lee, but the probability that both dont make the team is also very high. Green Bay may need to look outside the organization for help here. Will Blackmons versatility allows the Pack to keep only five CBs instead of six.

STs
Mason Crosby
Tim Masthay
Brett Goode

Outlook: Masthay has edged out Chris Bryan for the punting job.
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I think 7 d-linemen is a strong possibility, especially if they keep Harrell around. Toribio could probably be put on the practice squad again this season since he's still eligible for it with Pickett being the primary backup there behind Raji.

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I don't see why this is the case. Putting Starks on the PUP list instead of the IR is common sense - it still frees up a roster spot and it allows the coaches to have another look at him midseason. If he still isn't ready then IR him. There is no point putting him on IR if he's elligible for the PUP.

Also, I think they keep 6 CBs. With only Woodson and Tramon reliable I think they want more cover than just Underwood (injured) Shields (raw) and Lee (unproven). Bush would be #6 which may also help STs but I wouldn't be surprised to see a guy playing for us currently on another team's roster.


Personally I'd also ditch Swain, although I can see the coaches keeping him around. I think there are better football players that have been cut from this list than him. With Finley and Quarless (and two other TEs) we have plenty of receiving options. Swain would probably account for 10 catches all season on offense. Any time he is on the field it means better players are sitting on the bench. We can stick two WRs on the PS and activate them if we pick up and injury or two.

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This is exactly how I see it, but you articulated my opinion far better than I could have.

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i'm hoping jarrett bush is finally cut.

justin harrell will make the team simply b/c there is no dept @ his position.

james starks is a big guy with speed and good hands catching the ball, if he could just get healthy he could be a force @ rb.

I like hall over johnson b/c hall is more athletic and can catch the ball out of the backfield.

I think Mike McCarthy likes fb that are athletic, and can do more than just block.

I feel hall is more athletic, a better receiver, and is better on special teams than quinn

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I wish we threw out of the backfield more than we do, especially to a fullback.

I love it when a FB is rumblin' and bumblin' downfield, mowin' over those girly-men DB's.

I like the pre-season that Kuhn had. I'm thrilled that he is a virtual lock to make our team. That was in question here, prior to training camp.

I don't much care which of the other two (Hall or Johnson) make the final 53. They are both good, imo.

I just don't want 3 again. I thought that was stupid.

I want Quinn Johnson. Dude can't catch. Isn't versatile. Doesn't matter. He lays tha PANCAKES!!!

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IMO

cut Lumpkin, move Kuhn to RB, keep Hall

Quarless isn't ready yet just like Finley wasn't ready his rookie season but he's shown to much potential to cut IMO. No where has proven they can play H-back but Lee and Crabtree doesn't know how to run routes or read defensive yet, Havner isn't a very good blocker. Lee is the only complete TE that is NFL ready other than Finley. I say take a spot a spot from WR or the defense and keep 5. Unless Lee get something very good in a trade offer.

Newhouse vs. Dietrich-Smith is a tough one... I'm leaning slightly to Dietrich-Smith as he can't be put on the PS and Newhouse can and Dietrich-Smith has played in games looked alright. But Newhouse does have more upside but isn't ready to play right away. Also there is always the option to keep them both and trade Spitz IF someone offer good trade value for him (but my guess is that's not going to happen).

I haven't been impressed with Toribio (cut him for the 5th TE IMO) and I would think Pickett could step back into NT at any time to give Raji a breather and I don't think I'd keep Wynn over Harrell even with only 6.

I think the team could trade Bishop if the right offer came along (but unlikely)

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Good post Porky.

I do think we look outside for DB help as our drop off after our top 3 CBs (Harris, Woody, and T Williams) is significant, especially with how bad Harris' injury is. Although I do think there's a good chance Harris will be 100% when he gets back as his work ethic is sick. He's like Driver in that respect.

I like us keeping 5 WRs as you never know when you need that 5th WR. Heck, sometimes it's simply a WR gets the wind knocked out of him and needs to sit out a series. How many times have you heard of an offensive player telling the reporter that he waited to get off the field to throw up as he didn't want the opposing team to see him throw up?

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Putting Starks on IR tells me that they feel good about their No. 3 RB. Putting him on PUP tells me that they think like you're thinking. They can activate him and then cut their No. 3 RB. In this case, that's Lumpkin. It's more or less what they think about Lumpkin than Starks. If they really liked Lumpkin, Starks would be on IR.

Swain is probably hanging around because of special teams. I think he's been working with the first unit all the way through camp. But if Jason Cherry proves to be a viable return man, Swain is most certainly not a lock to make the team.

I don't think people understand just how bad Patrick Lee has been this camp. I thought about going with Jarrett Bush over him not only because of special teams, but because of cover skills too. There seems to be a problem there.

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