We predicted the final roster on Wednesday morning and hit on 48 of 53 players. The misses were Brett Swain, Nick McDonald, C.J. Wilson, Quinn Johnson and Charlie Peprah. In their places we had Jason Chery, Spencer Havner, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Jarius Wynn and Will Blackmon. Here’s a closer look at why the first five players are celebrating and the second five are searching for a new team: Swain: The former San Diego State star would’ve been on the 53 had we made...
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Whether Tom Crabtree does or doesn’t make the final 53-man roster will have no bearing on the Packers chances to reach the Super Bowl next February. In fact, even if the young tight end makes the team, there’s no guarantee that he would be active on game days. So why bother writing a post like this? Because the former Miami (Ohio) star has too much long-term potential to be discarded in lieu of dime-a-dozen players like Jarius Wynn, Brady Poppinga and Jarrett...
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With Johnny Jolly suspended for the season and Al Harris’ return from major knee surgery still very much up in the air, the Packers really needed Justin Harrell and Pat Lee to step up. Unfortunately – although not all that surprisingly – neither player has come through. Harrell is currently fourth on the depth chart at defensive end and Lee is barely holding on to the fifth spot at cornerback. Neither player is even guaranteed a place on the final 53-man roster....
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Coach Mike McCarthy’s decision to allow Jason Chery to return all kicks and punts against Kansas City gives fans a compelling reason to watch what would otherwise be an even more meaningless than usual final exhibition game. With a strong performance, the first-year wide receiver has a chance to win the return job and spare Cheeseheads everywhere another season of watching Jordy Nelson and Brandon Jackson meander their way from the end zone to just past the 20-yard line. Chery earned this...
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Sam Shields has been impressing people – me included – from the very first practice of training camp. In fact, the rookie from Miami showed so much potential that he all but locked up a roster spot weeks ago. Now he’s on the verge of winning the No. 3 cornerback job. The first accomplishment is surprising; the second is shocking. And kinda scary, if you’re a fan of the Packers. As talented as Shields is, the idea that a legitimate Super Bowl...
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While others have been predicting the final roster for weeks, we’ve patiently waited until today to take our best shot. And while things could certainly change between now and Saturday, here’s the way we see it: Quarterbacks (2) – This is easy. Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn on the active roster and Graham Harrell goes to the practice squad. The former Texas Tech standout lacks a strong arm, but he showed vast improvement over the course of the summer and deserves a...
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Call me an old curmudgeon, but the sight of Frank Zombo starting against the Colts didn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Sure it’s a nice story – an undrafted free agent making a serious run at a spot on the final roster while learning a new position – but I see it as more of an indictment on just how weak the depth is at outside linebacker. And since this position is unquestionably one of the most important in...
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The Green Bay Packers improved their preseason record to 2-1 by whipping the Indianapolis Colts 59-24 on Thursday night. The starting offense was terrific once again, the starting defense – minus Cullen Jenkins, Clay Matthews and Brad Jones – had a predictably tough time stopping Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning and the special teams actually did more good than bad. Here are some post-game observations: Had Jason Chery not dropped so many passes during training camp, his 75-yard punt return for a...
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Through four weeks of practices and two preseason games, Justin Harrell has proven a couple of things. One is that he’ll never live up to his lofty draft status. Even before Harrell injured his back for the first time in 2008, he never looked like an impact defensive lineman. He lacks the explosiveness and the tenacity that makes players like Chicago’s Tommy Harris, Oakland’s Richard Seymour, Minnesota’s Kevin Williams, Arizona’s Darnell Dockett and Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata so good. The other is that...
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Dom Capers appears to be serious about using Brandon Chillar at right outside linebacker in the nickel, and he seems to be just as serious about playing either A.J. Hawk or Desmond Bishop alongside Nick Barnett in that specialty package. “That competition is kind of wide open right now,” the veteran coordinator told Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel. “Between A.J. and Bishop, it’s going to be who shows the best during the preseason.” Now look, we like Capers. Heck, we suggested...
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