News From The Pack

By tomorrow afternoon, the dreams of 22 men hoping to play for the Green Bay Packers will be dashed as the team cuts to the final roster limit of 53.  In the wake of the 17-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night, here's one man's opinion (mine) of who might stay and who will go.

On offense, the Packers will probably stick with just two quarterbacks so Graham Harrell will go, but not for long.  If not picked up elsewhere, he'll return to the practice squad.   No change at the running back position, two halfbacks, three fullbacks with Kregg Lumpkin the odd man out.   Brett Swain has held off the charge of Charles Dillon and Patrick Williams for the final wide receiver spot.  Chastin West and Jason Chery will also move on.   Despite a tight competition at tight end, Green Bay won't keep all five and despite a nice camp, Tom Crabtree gets cut but he's another good practice squad possibility.  On the line, draft picks Brian Bulaga and Marshall Newhouse are better than Alan Barbre, Brenno Giacommini, Nick McDonald and Chris Campbell.   There may be shoppers for Jason Spitz. 

On defense, Justin Harrell had no issues with his back in Kansas City but there are issues with his play and it's time to move on.  Defensive line depth appears shaky with Mike Neal the only ready to play reserve.  Ronald Talley Anthony Toribio will also go.  Despite a nice showing coming from the indoor league's Green Bay Blizzard, Maurice Simpkins won't make it at linebacker, nor will Cyril Obiozor, Alex Joseph and Robert Francois.  In the secondary, the easy cuts are D.J. Clark and Anthony Levine.  Jarrett Bush may have saved his job with a solid game, Charlie Peprah could be replaced with a safety cut somewhere else and Will Blackmon's knee is a big enough concern to consider the PUP list and possibly IR.   Finally, Tim Masthay outkicked Chris Byran to win the punting job.

It was clear an hour before kickoff that Packers head coach Mike McCarthy wasn't going to take any chances in the pre-season finale at Arrowhead Stadium.  A dozen players didn't even dress, inlcuding Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant, Chad Clifton on offense and Charles Woodson, Cullen Jenkins and Clay Matthews on defense.   This was a night for the backups to make a last ditch effort to make the roster and many did well enough to make the final deliberations difficult.  That the Packers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-13 is immaterial.    Matt Flynn started and played three quarters.  The first four series were three and outs, Green Bay's offense managed 18 yards in the first quarter, and wound up with 433 on the night.  Flynn finished 23 of 37 for 304 yards and led only two scoring drives, a 40 yard Mason Crosby field goal and 1 yard Kregg Lumpkin touchdown run.  Graham Harrell finished up the night and directed one more field goal drive.  The Packers went for it on 4th down 4 times and failed every time, three times in the red zone.    The defense gave up a whopping 132 yards rushing in the first half and clamped down after that as Kansas City finished with 145 on the ground.  The Chiefs built a 14-0 lead on a 2 yard touchdown pass from Matt Cassell to tight end Leonard Pope and a one yard run from Jackie Battle.  A couple of standout efforts from the Packers included a pair of wide receivers, Brett Swain caught 6 passes for 130 yards including a wide open 77 yarder and Charles Dillon had 6 receptions for 85 yards.  On defense, former Green Bay Blizzard linebacker Maurice Simpkins had a team high 7 tackles and beleagured Jarrett Bush had a strong game with three tackles, two behind the line of scrimmage and an interception.  Tim Masthay again outpunted Chris Byran and appears to have won that job but the cuts won't be easy.  Here's comments from Mike McCarthy after the game:

It's the final tune up for the starters and the final exam for 22 players as the Packers meet the Chiefs in Kansas City Thursday night.   The first stringers will play only a series, some starters might get a few extra snaps like rookie safety Morgan Burnett, but this game is all about the backups battling for a job.   The final roster of 53 must be set by Saturday.   The Packers will likely give extended looks to some veterans who have found their way onto the bubble, players like Alan Barbre, Brenno Giacommini, Jarret Bush and Charlie Peprah.   Long shots like Frank Zombo, Sam Shields and Jason Chery can solidify their roster spots with solid games.   Here's a quick trip through the locker room to hear what some coaches and players have to say about the pre-season finale.

The Packers got down to the mandatory roster limit of 75 players this afternoon by moving 4 injured players to either the physcially unable to peform or injured reserve list, inlcuding starting defensive back Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby.   Harris is attempting to come back from major reconstructive knee surgery after getting inured last November 22 against the San Francisco 49ers.   Bigby was also placed on the PUP list after undergoing ankle surgery shortly after arriving to training camp.  Also placed on the PUP list is rookie running back James Starks.  The 6th round pick from the University of Buffalo pulled a hamstring on the first day of camp and hasn't practiced since.  By going on the physically unable to perform list before the start of the regular season, the players will not be allowed to be reactivated until after the 6th game of the season, against Miami on October 17.  At that point, the Packers will have a three week window to work out the players and do one of three things, put them on the active roster, move them to injured reserve for the rest of the season, or waive them.   With Harris and Bigby out, veteran Tramon Williams moves into the starting cornerback position and 3rd round pick Morgan Burnett will open the season as the starting strong safety.   The Packers also placed running back Quinn Porter on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury, he's now lost for the entire season.

The training camp practice schedule has come to a close, the final pre-season game in Kansas City awaits Thursday night and now it's time for General Manager Ted Thompson to roll up his sleeves and do what he considers the dirtiest work of his job, cutting the roster.  This may be his toughest cut to 53 in his 6 years on the job because the starting units return basically intact and promising youngsters have pushed veteran backups to the limit.  Matter of fact, I have a list of several vets who are in danger of getting pink slips after a visit from the Turk.  On offense, draft picks Brian Bulaga and Marshall Newhouse have both impressed as players who are likely NFL tackles, but who can play guard as well.  That's why both Allen Barbre and Breno Giacommini are on the danger list.  Barbre flamed out as the opening day right tackle last season and hasn't recovered.  Giacommini, with ideal size at 6-8 and 325, doesn't seem to be getting any better.  As dependable as Donald Lee has been in his career with the Pack, he's no longer the starting tight end with good reason, the emergence of Jermichael Finley into a star.   The Packers love the entire tight end group but can they keep all five?   You don't want to give up early on draft choice Andrew Quarless, free agent Tom Crabtree is the best blocker of the bunch and Spencer Havner gives the coaching staff incredible flexibility as a two-way player.  Lee must be serviceable on special teams if he's not starting and he's had break downs in kick coverage in the pre-season.    He could be in trouble.  If the Packers go heavy at tight end, they won't keep three fullbacks this year and that could leave second year pro Quinn Johnson teetering on the fence.   On defense, Sam Shields appears to have supplanted the scourge of Packers fans, Jarrett Bush, in nickel and dime packages as well as special teams.  Charlie Peprah will stick only if Will Blackmon's knee isn't ready or until Atari Bigby's ankle is healed.   The Packers have four locks on the defensive line, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Cullen Jenkins and Mike Neal.  If 6 are kept, there may not be room for returning veterans Jarius Wynn and yes, even Justin Harrell.   Names you know will be on the Packers cut list this weekend.   Here are some comments from the GM on the distasteful and neccessary roster deliberations that are about to begin.

The last remaining battle for a starting job on the Packers offense has been won.  Head Coach Mike McCarthy announced after today's hot and breezy practice on Ray Nitschke Field that veteran Daryn Colledge has hung on to his starting job at left guard.   Number one pick Brian Bulaga challenged Colledge for the past two weeks in camp, but Darryn's steady play and Bulaga's hip flexor injury last week led McCarthy to make the call, Colledge will start in Philadelphia on September 12.   Other notes from Sunday's practice....more than a dozen players were withheld because of injury, aside from Bulaga, Al Harris and Atari Bigby, Quinn Porter, Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop, Brad Jones, James Starks, Jarius Wynn, Chad Clifton, Cullen Jenkins, Alan Barbre and Brandon Underwood did not work out.  Decisions on playing time in the final pre-season game in Kansas City on Thursday night will be made early this week.     With Jenkins out, rookie Mike Neal took reps as the starting right defensive end.  Frank Zombo and Brady Poppinga continued to work with the ones at outside linebacker.   

Quotes from the coach and in the locker room....Mike McCarthy, Daryn Colledge and Brian Bulaga on the decision to have Colledge retain his starting job at left guard.

That was one strange game.  The 50th anniversary of the Bishop's Charities game at Lambeau Field Thursday won't be forgotten soon, even if it was an exhibition.  The Packers went wild with big plays in a 59-24 victory before 69,987 fans on a perfect late summer night.   I never thought I would have to reference the Pack's one and only pre-season game way back in 1938, but this was the most points scored in an exhibition since that memorable 75-0 rout of the poor Cedar Rapids Crush.  And to think the Packers spotted Indy a 7-0 lead just 22 seconds into the contest.  A long kickoff return, a 49 yard Joseph Addai run and an 18 yard strike from Peyton Manning to Pierre Garcon put up a touchdown up before most folks got to sit down.  Even though the Packers answered with a Donald Driver 6 yard TD catch from Aaron Rodgers, the Colts built the lead to 17-7 early in the second quarter.  From there, it was a 52-7 laugher for the home team.  Rodgers would toss two more scoring passes before his night ended at halftime, a 15 yarder to a wide open Jermichael Finley on a play that Aaron got sandwiched, and a nice two minute drill capped by a three yard pass to James Jones that made it 28-17 at intermission.  Matt Flynn got into the act with two touchdown passes,  2 yards to John Kuhn, which came one snap after Frank Zombo sacked Manning and jarred the ball loose and Robert Francois scooped up and returned 35 yards.  Flynn also found Andrew Quarless on an 11 yard pass on the first play of the 4th quarter.  The special teams also got into the act as Korey Hall recovered a muffed punt in the end zone and free agent receiver Jason Cherry brought back a punt 75 yards for the night's final touchdown.  Green Bay piled up 430 yards of offense, picked up 33 first downs, controlled the ball for over 37 minutes and converted 7 of 13 third down plays.  The only blemish offensively were two lost fumbles by Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson.   After the defense backpeddled on the opening snaps, they allowed only 32 more rushing yards on 19 carries, coming up with 4 takeaways, interceptions from Morgan Burnett and Sam Shields.  The Packers must make five roster cuts by Tuesday before closing out the pre-season in Kansas City next Thursday night.   Here are some quotes from a very happy locker room at Lambeau:

While the big cut to the final 53 is still over a week away, I thought I would finish my roster breakdown today, in advance of the Packers pre-season matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.   The Packers defense will clearly have the toughest deliberations by the personel staff, primarily because of injuries.   By position....

Defensive Line:  The suspension of Johnny Jolly hurt, he was very productive in 2009 but the Packers hope the front three of Ryan Pickett, B.J.Raji and Cullen Jenkins will remain stout against the run.  Second round pick Mike Neal is a lock to get into the rotation up front and it's likely only two more will stick.   Justin Harrell is on perhaps his last gasp to show the team he was worthy of being a first round pick. Jarius Wynn, Anthony Toribio are holdovers behing challenged by Ronald Talley and 7th round pick C.J. Wilson, a practice squad candidate.

Linebackers:   This will be a veteran group that could get spiced up by an undrafted free agent.   Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brandon Chillar, Clay Matthews and Brad Jones are all safe.  Brady Poppinga and Desmond Bishop might squeeze in another year as a primary backup althought Bishop might be trade bait for help at either running back or in the secondary.  Frank Zombo, the undrafted rookie from Central Michigan has earned additional playing time because of his hustle all camp and he could find a spot on the final 53.  Likely cut victims include Cyril Obiozor, Alex Joseph, Rob Francois and Mauirce Simpkins.

Defensive Backs:  Al Harris and Atari Bigby could both begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, meaning the Packers won't have their services until after the 6th week.   Tramon Williams and rookie Morgan Burnett will have their jobs at the start, joining Charles Woodson and Nick Collins.  Will Blackmon will stay as the primary punt returner and backup at safety.  Brandon Underwood and Pat Lee are battling for the primary nickel job and both should survive.  Derrick Martin is a valuable special teams player.  The bubble is big in this group to include veteran holdovers Jarrett Bush and Charlie Peprah and free agents Sam Shields and Anthony Levine.

Specialists:  Only one decision to make here with Mason Crosby on track again this summer and Brett Goode returning to handle the snapping.   Tim Masthay and Chris Byran are neck and neck for the punting job but neither has kicked in an NFL regular season game.  Their stats are nearly identical, each with 4 punts so far, Bryan has averaged 45.3, Masthay 46.3 with one touchback and one downed inside the 20.  I'd give the slight edge to Masthay.

The 50th Bishop's Charities Game kicks off Thursday night at 7:00 PM at Lambeau Field as the Packers welcome the Indianapolis Colts.   Runner Ups in the Super Bowl, the reigning AFC Champions will offer a quality test for the Packers in the third pre-season contest, where starting units traditionally play through the first half.  Here are some comments on the matchup from both Green Bay and Indy:

With the expected starters playing the first half and some into the third quarter of tomorrow night's Bishop's Charities game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field, the players battling for roster spots will have precious few opportunities to shine over the final week of the pre-season.  After 4 weeks of camp, here's how I see the roster taking shape at each offensive position.

Quarterback:  The Packers kept only Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn last year, jettisoning draft choice Brian Brohm.  Former Texas Tech and Canadian Football League quarterback Graham Harrell is almost a lock for the practice squad and has a chance to stick as a number three.   Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin was right when he said of Harrell this week, "He kinda grows on you."

Running Back:  Injuries have forced fullback John Kuhn to take a bunch of reps at running back and he has a knack for finding holes.   Good insurance for the positiion, headlined by Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson.  Kuhn's versatility could eliminate the need for a third running back, putting Kregg Lumpkin and free agent Quin Porter on the block.  Draft choice James Starks has yet to hit the practice field with a hamstring.  Injured Reserve or the practice squad are likely scenarios.  At fullback, Kuhn was joined by Korey Hall and Quinn Johnson last year.  There may be room for only two because of tight end depth and Johnson would be the odd man out.

Tight End:  Mike McCarthy called this the deepest group he's had yet.  Jermichael Finley is a star in the making, Donald Lee is the dependable veteran, Spencer Havner is mister versatility also playinig linebacker, Andrew Quarless is the draft choice with promise and Tom Crabtree has been one of the most pleasant free agent surprises and he may be the best blocker of the bunch.  Could the Packers keep all five?  It's possible.

Wide Receiver:   I don't expect any changes here with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Jordy Nelson forming one of the best quartets in the league.   Despite a minor injury, Brett Swain clearly stands above the rest in this group and should stick.   Charles Dillon, Chastin West, Patrick Williams and Shaun Gore will all depart.

Offensive Line:  Some tough calls here and the group could be altered if Ted Thompson finds a team in need of guards and shops either Jason Spitz or Daryn Colledge.  Colledge may fend off the challenge of number one pick Brian Bulaga.  Mark Tauscher, Chad Clifton, Josh Sitton and Scott Wells round out the starting five.  Spitz could be the swing guard and backup center could be held again by Evan Dietrich Smith.  After that, it gets dicey.  I think Allen Barbre and Brenno Giacommini are both in big trouble after failing to get noticeably better this year.  Rookie Marshall Newhouse may have more upside and he should stick.  TJ Lang should hold down the final spot.

I'll cut down the defense and special teams tomorrow.

The final night practice of training camp was held Monday night.  Head coach Mike McCarthy said the workout essentially brought to a close the training camp practice schedule.  The team will begin regular season preparation and practice work Tuesday and next week with a regular season routine in advance of the pre-season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.   First things first, the Bishop's Charities game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau this Thursday night.   The Packers continue to suffer a series of bothersome, not serious injuries.  Number one pick Brian Bulaga dropped out of practice Monday night with a hip flexor issue and Cullen Jenkins also left early with a calf strain.  The team is stretched thin at both the linebacker and running back positions.  The coaching staff moved Brandon Chillar back to inside linebacker after working two weeks on the right outside spot.  It's Chillar's natural position for one, and secondly, undrafted free agent Frank Zombo continues to impress outside.  Zombo had a sack against Seattle and the former Central Michigan defensive end is making a strong bid for a roster spot.  McCarthy said he's earned the extra reps and longer look.  Here's a quick spin through the locker room with quotes from the guys on the final evening session of the summer:

The Packers evened their pre-season record by beating the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 at Qwest Field Saturday night, the identical score but opposite result from the opener against Cleveland.    I'm not sure he has to take another snap, Aaron Rodgers looks ready to roll in 2010.  He directed two touchdown drives in his only two posessions, hitting 8 of 11 passes for 116 yards and scoring strikes to John Kuhn from a yard out and Jermichael Finley from the 12.  In about a half's worth of play this summer, Rodgers has been lights out, now 20 of 24 for an 83 percent completion rate for 275 yards, 3 touchdowns, no picks and a near perfect passer rating of 153.99.  The starting defense, playing without Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk, Charles Woodson and Al Harris, gave up 14 points to Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle offense which has plenty of nice receiving weapons.  Hasselbeck repeatedly found TJ Houshmanzadeh, Deion Branch and former Lions bust Mike Williams in the first half.  Branch caught an 11 yard touchdown behind Nick Collins in the first quarter.   The backups did a better job however, allowing only 113 yards in the second half when Charlie Whitehurst was in there.  Matt Flynn led the second stringers to a pair of field goals and third stringer Graham Harrell directed the game winning drive, capped by Brandon Jackson's 26 yard run to the 12 and then a dash around the right end for the winning score with 3:34 to play.  Sam Shields and Spencer Havner had interceptions for the defense but Shields continues to struggle fielding kicks.  He fumbled a kickoff but Havner denied a score with his pick.  The special teams are still very sloppy, allowing a 54 yard kickoff return after the Pack's first score, another 30 yard runback later in the game.  There were several penalties on special teams and backup safety Derrick Martin was ejected from the game for apparently punching a Seattle player during a punt return play.  No serious injuries reported by the Pack but Seattle may have lost their number one pick, offensive lineman Russell Okung had to leave the game in the first quarter with an apparent high ankle sprain.  It's a short week for the boys as they practice only twice this week before playing the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau on Thursday night.   Here's a quick swing through the locker room for some post game quotes from the Pack after the sleepy night in Seattle: