2012 Green Bay Packers Roster 3.0

With two preseason game in the books on the road v. Chargers and at home v. Browns, there are still a handful of fringe roster spots up for grabs and almost every practice squad position is far from decided, especially when you factor in that a number of guys that the Packers cut at the end of the preseason will make other team's 53-man active rosters.  Based on what I've seen so far, here are my updated thoughts on what the 53-man roster and 8-man practice squad should look for the 2012 Green Bay Packers:

Quarterback (2): Aaron Rodgers and Graham Harrell
Analysis: In limited action, Rodgers looked sharp.  In extensive action, Harrell has looked anything but sharp.  Week 4 of the preseason will be a big week for Harrell because he will play almost the entire game, which will go a long way to determining whether the Packers add a veteran quarterback to back-up Rogers or stick with Harrell.

Running Back (4): Cedric Benson, James Starks, Alex Green, and Brandon Saine
Analysis: Anxiously anticipating the start of the Cedric Benson era, which will ironically start against his former employer tomorrow night on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Fullback (1): John Kuhn
Analysis: Depending on what Green and Saine show the next few weeks, the Packers might use Kuhn as their 3rd down back because Starks is still hurt and Benson does not have a reputation for being a good blocker.

Tight End (4): Jermichael Finley, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, and Ryan Taylor
PUP (1): Andrew Quarless
Keep: Analysis: Despite all the injuries at some point it might come down to choosing between Williams and Taylor because the Packers have so many needs on defense that they might not be able to keep as many tight ends as they would like.

Wide Receiver (5): Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, James Jones, and Randall Cobb
Analysis: Discussing injuries is becoming a recurring theme of this post but it bears mention because the Packers need to get Jennings and Finley on the field to see what their offense looks like with a full compliment of offensive weapons at their disposal.

Tackle (4): Bryan Bulaga, Marshall Newhouse, Derek Sherrod, and Andrew Datko
Analysis: Nice to see Newhouse back on the field and healthy because with Sherrod still hurt and Datko a rookie, the Packers really need Newhouse to not only stay healthy but improve in 2012 to help their offense continue to perform at a high level.

Guard (3): Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, and Reggie Wells
Analysis: Absent injuries you can write in Lang as the starter at left guard and Sitton as the starter at right guard with a sharpie so it makes sense to choose between Wells and Ray Dominguez for the "swing" backup guard spot since both are below average.  I decided to keep Wells because he is a veteran that can play tackle while Dominguez can only play guard.

Center (2): Jeff Saturday and Even Dietrich-Smith
Analysis: Look for EDS to get snaps at all three interior offensive line positions because he will be the primary backup interior lineman.

Defensive End (3): Jerel Worthy, Phillip Merling, and C.J. Wilson
Suspended (2): Anthony Hargrove and Mike Neal
Analysis: I have been less than impressed with Merling, Wilson, and Jarius Wynn so far this preseason so I couldn't bring myself to keep all three guys.  I kept Merling because despite being a disappointment, at least it gives the Packers some new blood at defensive end.  That means it came down to Wilson and Wynn, which is pretty much a coin toss at this point with Wilson winning because he has been better in the bast defense.

Defensive Tackle (4): B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Daniels, and Daniel Muir
Analysis: The only guaranteed defensive line roster spots are Raji, Pickett, and Worthy.  After those guys, the name of the game is versatility.  That gives a guy like Daniels and Muir a leg up because they can play any spot along the defensive line.

Outside Linebacker (5): Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Erik Walden, Brad Jones, and Dezman Moses
PUP (1): Frank Zombo
Analysis: Keeping Moses on the active roster instead of the practice squad has less to do with production and more to do with the fact that trusted veterans like Charles Woodson said Moses has a chance to be special.

Middle Linebacker (4): D.J. Smith, A.J. Hawk, Robert Francois, and Jamari Lattimore
Analysis: No one besides Smith has stood out in a positive way at middle linebacker, which is part of the reason why I hope the Packers consider playing some 4-3 instead of 3-4.  The Packers finally have a ton of defensive lineman while they look a little thin, talent-wise, at linebacker.  If the Packers moved to the 4-3 for a few plays they could slide Hawk outside, let Matthew rush the passer and have Smith clog up the middle.

Cornerback (5): Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House, Casey Hayward, and Jarrett Bush
Analysis: Bush and Hayward both looked a little better this week than they did last week.  Since Shields and House are hurt, if I had to choose a starter opposite Williams I would actually choose Hayward so Bush could continue to focus on special teams where he has thrived.
 
Safety (4): Charles Woodson, Morgan Burnett, Jerron McMillian, and M.D. Jennings
Analysis: Last week against the Browns it looked like McMillian took a step ahead of Jennings but look for that positional battle to remain undecided till right before the start of the regular season.

Specialists (3): Mason Crosby (K), Tim Masthay (P), and Brett Goode (LS)
Analysis: Too bad that Crosby missed a long distance kick against the Browns because despite all the platitudes showered on Crosby, I am still not convinced he is worth $3 million a year, especially if he can't hit from longer than 50 yards.

Practice Squad (8): B.J. Coleman (QB), Marc Tyler (RB), Tori Gurley (WR), Shaky Smithson (WR), Sampson Genus (C), Terrell Manning (MLB), Anthony Levine (S), Sean Richardson (S)
Analysis: The chances of Gurley actually making it through waivers instead of getting claimed by another NFL team for their 53-man roster are slim but I choose to take a glass half full approach.  In terms of the rest of the practice squad, Coleman might make some noise because he looks like he has a cannon for an arm.

The Packers hit the road to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.  Hopefully the Packers get in a Skyline trip because I know every time I visit my in-laws in Dayton, I make sure to have some tasty fast-food chili that is almost as good as Real Chili. Check back tomorrow to read my quick thoughts on the Packers/Bengals preseason game and Monday for my quick thoughts on the roster cut-downs from 90 players to 75 players.

2012 Green Bay Packers Roster 2.0

As I've said many times, I am never shy about giving my thoughts on what Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson and company should do with the 53-man roster and the 8-man practice squad.  With one preseason game in the books since my 2012 Green Bay Packers Roster 1.0 post some things have actually changed.  The Packers signed two veterans (Reggie Wells and Cedric Benson) instead of relying on rookies.   Based on what I've seen so far, here are my updated thoughts on what the 53-man roster and 8-man practice squad should look for the 2012 Green Bay Packers:

Quarterback (2): Aaron Rodgers and Graham Harrell
Analysis: Harrell looked okay at best in the first preseason game against the Chargers.  This bolsters what I chatted with Bob McGinn about recently, I am not sure why the Packers don't offer the Cleveland Browns a conditional 6th round draft pick for Colt McCoy.  I get what McGinn is saying about head coach Mike McCarthy wanting to all QB's players in his "vaunted" quarterback camp but based on the way Harrell played versus the Chargers, it looks like he hasn't learned too much.  McCoy is not a long-term answer at the quarterback spot, nor are the Packers looking for anyone besides Rodgers to take snaps at QB in the regular season, but McCoy gives the Packers a better chance to win than Harrell if Rodgers (God forbid) got hurt.

Running Back (4): Cedric Benson, James Starks, Alex Green, and Brandon Saine
Analysis: I would much rather take a flyer on Benson than have to see Ryan Grant carry the ball even one more time for the Packers so yes, I support the decision to sign Benson instead of Grant.

Fullback (1): John Kuhn
Analysis: The Packers no longer lineup in a traditional I-Formation, which doesn't put Kuhn's roster spot in jeopardy but will dramatically curtail his snap count as a true fullback in 2012.

Tight End (4): Jermichael Finley, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor, and Tom Crabtree
PUP (1): Andrew Quarless
Keep: Analysis: If Quarless was healthy the Packers would probably keep five tight ends for the second year in a row.  Unfortunately Quarless suffered a gruesome injury at the end of 2011 so now his chances of playing in 2012 are in jeopardy.

Wide Receiver (5): Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, James Jones, and Randall Cobb
Analysis: I floated a random theory recently to my buddy UP that Donald Driver winning Dancing With the Stars helped secure his roster spot with the Packers for 2012.  Don't get me wrong, general manager Ted Thompson is the last guy in the world to bow to public pressure.  Cutting Driver before winning Dancing With the Stars would have been a PR nightmare but after Drive won Dancing With the Stars it became virtually impossible.  Finally with all due respect to every wide receiver currently on the roster, Driver is still currently the third best receiver behind Jennings and Nelson.  Cobb may be better in 2013 or 2014 but Driver is still a better wide receiver in 2012.

Tackle (4): Bryan Bulaga, Marshall Newhouse, Reggie Wells, and Andrew Datko
Pup (1): Derek Sherrod
Analysis: It must have absolutely killed Thompson to sign Reggie Wells because he is a 10-year veteran at the ripe old age of 31, which is 10 years older than the free agents he normally signs.  With all the injuries the Packers have at tackle in Newhouse (concussion) and Sherrod (recovering from a broken leg), it gave Herb Taylor a chance to earn a roster spot.  Unfortunately Taylor struggled against the Chargers to prove that he is not the answer at left tackle so they might as well give Wells (Reggie not Scott) and Datko a shot.  If both Wells and Datko struggle, the Packers might be forced to move Bulaga to left tackle if Newhouse and Sherrod are still out with injuries.

Guard (3): Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, and Ray Dominguez
Analysis: Since Lang recently signed to a long-term extension, the Packers have both of their guards locked up long-term to give them their most stable offensive guard combo since Marco Rivera and Mike Whale left town.

Center (2): Jeff Saturday and Even Dietrich-Smith
Analysis: ESPN put Jeff Saturday in a horrible spot asking whether he would rather snap the ball to Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers during the Packers/Chargers preseason game.  I am glad that Saturday dodged the questions because the obvious answer is Manning but that would have been selling out the guy that currently fondles his butt.

Defensive End (3): Jerel Worthy, C.J. Wilson, and Jarius Wynn
Suspended (2): Anthony Hargrove and Mike Neal
Analysis: When the Packers drafted Jerel Worthy I immediately started hoping Worthy would morph into Cullen Jenkins 2.0.  I understand that is a tall order but if Worthy can give 100% effort instead of 75% like he did in college, I expect him to be a big contributor in 2012.

Defensive Tackle (4): B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Daniels, and Daniel Muir
Analysis: The only guaranteed defensive line roster spots are Raji, Pickett, and Worthy.  After that the name of the game is versatility.  That gives a guy like Daniels and Muir a leg up because they look like they can play any spot along the defensive line.

Outside Linebacker (5): Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Erik Walden, Brad Jones, and Frank Zombo
Analysis: Much like Worthy, because of draft position alone, the Packers are going to give Perry every chance to win a starting spot on defense.  If the Packers go 1-for-2 on Perry and Worthy for 2012, I will be happy.  Assuming Rodgers is healthy all season, if the Packers go 2-for-2 on Perry and Worthy in 2012, you might as well stamp their ticket to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. 

Middle Linebacker (4): D.J. Smith, A.J. Hawk, Robert Francois, and Jamari Lattimore
Analysis: Despite being an all-around good guy, at the start of training camp, I would have totally supported the Packers cutting the Business H.J. (A.J. Hawk) and letting Smith, Manning, and Lattimore fight for the other starting linebacker spots opposite Desmond Bishop.  Unfortunately it looks like Bishop is out for the year, now the Packers are going to not only have to keep Hawk but hope he has a career year.

Cornerback (5): Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House, Casey Hayward, and Jarrett Bush
Analysis: 2011 was not kind to Williams (injured shoulder), Shields (inconsistent play), and House (injured) so hopefully they can all turn over a new page in 2012.  If they do, with the addition of Hayward, the Packers actually look stacked at cornerback for the first tie in a long time.
 
Safety (4): Charles Woodson, Morgan Burnett, Jerron McMillian, and M.D. Jennings
Analysis: Thanks to absolutely no pass rush in 2011, the Packers were absolutely sieve-like in yielding the most passing yards in NFL history.  Not sure the combo of Woodson and Burnett will stymie that trend though unless Claymaker and Company can get after the quarterback better.

Specialists (3): Mason Crosby (K), Tim Masthay (P), and Brett Goode (LS)
Analysis: Absent injury the Packers are set at kicker, punter, and long snapper for the next five years.

Practice Squad (8): B.J. Coleman (QB), Marc Tyler (RB), Tori Gurley (WR), Shaky Smithson (WR), Sampson Genus (C), Dezman Moses (OLB), Terrell Manning (MLB), and Anthony Levine (S)
Analysis: Normally the Packers have a stacked practice squad but this year it feels a little down becausesome guys have yet to back-up their promise (Genus and Levine) while other rookies (Moses and Manning) don't look ready for the big time yet.

The Packers host the Cleveland Browns on Thursday in a game that will go a long way towards determining some of the position battles and roster spots mentioned above. Check back tomorrow to read my quick thoughts on the Packers/Browns preseason game and next Wednesday to see my updated predictions for who should make the 53-man roster and 8-man practice squad.