With no more preseason tape to go off of, decision time looms for the Green Bay Packers.
They have until 5 p.m. Lambeau Time on Saturday to get their roster down from 75 to the final 53.
I’ve done three of these already. I’ll be keeping the same basic format for my final roster prediction piece – again, this is not what I think will happen, but what I think should happen - but will also include my predictions for who will make the eight-man practice squad.
You wanna get nuts? Come on – let’s get nuts!
Quarterbacks (2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
Comments: Nothing new with this group. Again, just didn’t see enough from Graham Harrell to warrant giving him a spot. He may or may not make it through waivers – my guess is that he will – but if he does, he’s a practice squad guy for sure.
Running backs (3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Kregg Lumpkin
Comments: As I’ve said before, the idea of John Kuhn as “Emergency backup” here scares me quite a bit. That alone causes Lumpkin to stick, but it’s not just that. I really think he’s got some potential still. I also believe there’s a possibility of adding a player cut elsewhere.
Fullbacks (2): Kuhn, Quinn Johnson
Comments: While I’ve at least accepted the idea that the team could keep three fullbacks yet again (groan), it wouldn’t happen on my watch. Kuhn’s the main man and Johnson has been getting a lot of snaps there recently. He’s not going anywhere. As for Korey Hall, it’s unfortunate he has to go, but he’s too similar to Kuhn to keep around. Special teams value alone does not warrant Green Bay keeping three fullbacks. Simple as that.
Wide receivers (5): Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain
Comments: Swain killed any doubt about his roster status with a nice showing Thursday night (Jason Cherry did the exact opposite). He also plays a crucial special teams spot. Not much else to say. Man, does this group look nice or what?
Tight ends (4): Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Spencer Havner, Andrew Quarless
Comments: Haven’t changed my thinking that there’s simply no way this team can justify keeping five players here. Tom Crabtree’s had a nice preseason, yes, but he’s simply a victim of circumstance on this one. Practice squad? For sure. I have changed my thinking on the idea of trading Lee. He’s quietly been very good in camp and must be kept. If Finley’s hurt, the position is in trouble without him.
Offensive linemen (9): Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Mark Tauscher, Bryan Bulaga, T.J. Lang, Marshall Newhouse, Evan Dietrich-Smith
Comments: Still think Jason Spitz is going to be moved before the cutdown deadline (and if the team can get anything for Breno Giacomini, that’d be nice, too). He could bring nice value back at another position. Dietrich-Smith’s been solid in camp and is ready to fill the backup center job, anyways. This group makes Green Bay as deep as its been on the line in years.
Defensive linemen (7): Cullen Jenkins, B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Justin Harrell, C.J. Wilson, Jarius Wynn
Comments: This team needs seven d-linemen. You are simply not going to change my mind on that. What has changed for me, though, is who fills out the back end of the group. Both Wilson and Wynn have been left off the roster at various points in this process for me, but I’ve got them both making it now. Anthony Toribio was pretty bad Thursday night and Pickett can easily slide back over to nose tackle if Raji was hurt. Wouldn’t mind seeing the team add a player here in a possible Spitz trade.
Linebackers (8): Clay Matthews, Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones, Brady Poppinga, Desmond Bishop, Brandon Chillar, Frank Zombo
Comments: The song remains the same here, though I was impressed with Cyril Obiozor on Thursday. That, though, is a case of too little, too late. Zombo’s been solid throughout and has some real upside. I doubt the team upgrades here, either via a Spitz trade or roster cuts. Remember, the Packers liked Jones enough to avoid adding anyone at OLB during the offseason. If he’s healthy, he’s the guy.
Cornerbacks (6): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush
Comments: Damn you Bush! You’ve thwarted me again! Yep, that’s right – Bush is a lock to make this team with Al Harris being out the first six weeks. There’s an outside chance the team picks up someone else’s roster cut, but really, the Packers only need someone here until Harris returns. In that case, it might as well be Bush. At least he knows the system. I guess.
Safeties (4): Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Derrick Martin, Charlie Peprah
Comments: Wait – where’s Will Blackmon? He’s not on this team – that’s where. Sorry, but Blackmon’s troublesome knee is just too much of a concern to warrant keeping him around. Maybe the Packers pick him back up in a few weeks, maybe not, but keeping an oft-injured player around because he does one thing well just doesn’t make sense to me at this point. Peprah’s never been a favorite of mine, but he’s been better recently and is healthy (plus I think the team may upgrade here in a Spitz trade). As for what to do at returner, the team could either pick up someone after cuts are made or go with Brandon Jackson at kick returner and Tramon Williams at punt returner.
Specialists (3): Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode
Comments: Still going with Masthay as the punter. Chris Bryan’s subpar showing over the last two weeks sealed his fate. He may have more upside, but Masthay is the better option right now. That earns him the nod.
Practice squad (8): Harrell, Crabtree, Charles Dillon (WR), D.J. Clark (CB), Alex Joseph (LB), Nick McDonald (OL), Anthony Levine (S), Robert Francois (LB)
That’s what I think. What say you?
And we’ll be back Saturday after the cuts are made (or sooner, in the event some sort of trade goes through).
-Chris Lempesis
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