Packers Roster Prior To Waivers
A look at the 53 men who currently represent the Green Bay Packers.
By PackerAaron
It's an important distinction, "prior to waivers" - looking at the roster as it sits now you have to think Ted Thompson and company will be looking hard at the waiver wire for some help along the interior of the offensive line. That's about the only real area of concern, depth wise.
Looking at the bottom of the roster, I would bet Pat Lee, Brad Jones or Jamari Lattimore are candidates to be cut if an offensive lineman is found on the waiver wire, though that's just pure speculation on my part.
The roster as it stands now:
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn
RB: Ryan Grant, James Starks, Alex Green
FB: John Kuhn
TE: Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, Tom Crabtree, Ryan Taylor, D.J. Williams
WR: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb
OL: Chad Clifton, T.J. Lang, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Marshall Newhouse, Derek Sherrod, Evan Dietrich Smith.
DL: B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Howard Green, Jarius Wynn, C.J. Wilson
LB: Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk, Erik Walden, Frank Zombo, Vic So'oto, Jamari Lattimore, Brad Jones, Robert Francois, D.J. Smith.
DB: Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush, Pat Lee, Charlie Peprah, M.D. Jennings, Davon House.
Specialists: Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode
We've talked about the team possibly keeping five tight ends, so that's really not a surprise. I was a bit surprised by the release of Graham Harrell, but the Packers must feel good about their chances of getting him through waivers and back on their practice squad.
Interesting to note that the team originally intended to bring Caleb Schlauderaff back to the practice squad, going so far as to inform the rookie of their plans, only to end up trading him to the Jets shortly thereafter. As thin as they are along the interior, Thompson must feel Schlauderaff is just too raw to make any meaningful contribution any time soon.
Speaking of Thompson, Jason Wilde was smart to highlight this quote from Thompson's press conference last week:
There’s a million different scenarios the way the final 53-man roster could be made up. Everyone focuses on the final 53 — it’s not a final 53, it’s a starting 53. We’re required by the league rules to be at the 53-man roster. That 53-man roster will change throughout the season. Hopefully, not as much as it did last year, but history tells you it’s going to change. Nothing’s stagnant. The numbers aren’t stagnant, but there are a million different scenarios. Depends on how many of this, how many of this, how many of this.
Once the waiver wire has run its course I'll have a few more thoughts but for now, these are your 2011 Green Bay Packers.
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Comments (26)
September 04, 2011 at 03:48 am
I'm pretty sure they'll be after another guard. With just EDS playing C and both G spots its really taking a BIG gamble.
September 04, 2011 at 05:37 am
Aaron, what is the status of J. Jolly? Did I miss something?
Sad, but predictable, ending for B. Underwood. A real shame.
I'm surprised by Harrell too. Very surprised actually. Look forward to your future comments after waivers
September 04, 2011 at 08:54 am
Jolly was caught and suspended for the purple drank, then caught with it again, second time enough for intent to sell I believe. So he's all done.
PackerAaron
September 04, 2011 at 11:13 am
Andrew - I asked the NFL that exact question a few weeks ago. They have no update as to what his status is. He can apply for reinstatement but there's been no word he's even done that.
September 04, 2011 at 06:50 am
I've learned to not second guess Ted Thompson. We are Superbowl Champs. I'll trust his judgement with the roster cuts/moves he has made. I think Harrell will make it through waivers to get to the practice squad, as well.
September 04, 2011 at 06:51 am
Harrell was a surprise to me too, I expect him on the practice squad unless another team grabs him first.
September 04, 2011 at 07:01 am
I read somewhere Chris Campbell had shown improvement just like Newhouse. And then he had the meniscus surgery. I know he's listed as a 6-5 and 327 OT. But is there any chance he could be put on the PS and be coached to play OG or is he strictly an OT?
Speaking of PS, my choices of our players are Gordy, Levine, 2 of (Borel, Gurley, West, and Taylor), Dominguez, Campbell, Harrell, and Cardia Jackson.
Does anyone know if McDonald, Guy, or Smithson are PS eligible?
September 04, 2011 at 07:39 am
Guy and Shaky Smithson were put on IR
September 04, 2011 at 08:27 am
Yes, I know and I didn't make clear what I was asking. Someone mentioned the team may do an injury settlement w/ them and then waive them. Could they then sign onto the PS?
September 04, 2011 at 09:57 am
Got an answer re McDonald from Rob Demovsky:
"With only eight offensive linemen on the roster, the Packers will need a couple of linemen on the practice squad. Center Nick McDonald, who was released, has practice-squad eligibility even though he was on the roster all of last season."
September 04, 2011 at 09:17 am
I dunno if they will go after an OL. They kept 9 the past couple years but the 9th guy was never active.
September 04, 2011 at 09:22 am
As long as they have a guard/center or two on the practice squad, it doesn't matter if they add one to the 53-man roster. They won't make the extra lineman active, so if someone gets hurt, they will just bring the practice squad player up.
September 04, 2011 at 09:31 am
Hopefully the lack of backup O. linemen means TT is planning to resign Mark Tauscher next Monday after he can be signed without guaranteeing his contract for the whole season. If Tauscher is healthy he can still be a valuable contributor to this team, at least until Sherrod proves he's not the Tony Mandarich of 2011. Tauscher knows the offense and will benefit from the extra time off to let his body heal so there was no reason to bring him in during training camp. By signing him after the first game they aren't committed to paying him for the whole season if injuries at other positions create a need to free up cap room or a roster spot. One has to wonder if Sherrod would have made the 53 man roster if he were not a first round draft pick and if TT regrets not trying to move up past the Bears to draft Carimi.
September 04, 2011 at 10:02 am
Sherrod's stance looks strange to me -- it's like his feet are six feet apart. If it's any wider, he's doing the splits.
I checked youtube to see highlights from college, and while he played a little too upright, his stance wasn't as wide as what I've seen in preseason. Is this some sort of CampenFail?
Seems weird that the Packers have struck gold with other positions, but not the oLine. While Sitton is praiseworthy, it took Barbre, Giacomini, Moll, Meredith, Schlauderaff, et al to get to him.
September 04, 2011 at 10:34 am
Tauscher's done. He's not coming back as a player. Besides, the Packers have adequate (if green) OT depth. The interior is the concern, with only E.D. Smith backing-up both guard spots and C. They need another guard.
September 04, 2011 at 10:32 am
Clearly, Caleb (who showed nothing) wouldn't have made it through waivers as the Jets would have claimed him with the Packers getting nothong in return. When the Jets called the trade became inevitable.
Harrell needs to learn to hold onto the before he can be trusted w/an offense.He didn't deserve to make this team.
September 04, 2011 at 10:47 am
When will we hear if Packers claim anyone or if any of Packer cuts get claimed?
September 04, 2011 at 11:31 am
Does anyone wonder whether Graham Harrell, knowing the Pack was only keeping 2 QB's on the roster, might have tanked the final game to increase his chances of clearing waivers and staying with the Packers? Clearly his best shot to be an NFL starter someday is to stay in Green Bay and develop his skills. If he played too well, one of the teams with an a need for a #2 might have snagged him. As a #3 he should clear waivers and go to the practice squad. Maybe not consciously but subconsciously he must have known that having a poor game might be to his advantage in the long run.
PackerAaron
September 04, 2011 at 11:34 am
I don't buy that for even a nano-second.
September 04, 2011 at 11:41 am
That might be the stupidest thing I have ever read.
September 04, 2011 at 12:21 pm
LaserSurgeon, your pad level is high. Clean it up. Also, your earlier Mandarich comparison to Sherrod is WAY too premature!
September 04, 2011 at 05:27 pm
That, Mr. LaserSurgeon, is a Polluted Mindset.
September 04, 2011 at 11:51 am
As much as everyone hates "shuffling" - Bulaga may very well be your backup guard (with Sherrod or Newhouse sliding into the RT spot).
I have no problem with this...
Clifton - Sherrod - Newhouse
Lang - Bulaga - EDS
Wells - EDS - ?
Sitton - Bulaga - EDS
Bulaga - Newhouse - Sherrod
I'm more scared about the def. front 7. They are counting heavily on A LOT of unproven guys...
Lattimore
So'oto
Francios
Smith
Neal
Wynn
Wilson
Even Jones and Zombo are proven commodities.
I like what I've seen with all of those guys - but none of them are "sure-bets".
September 04, 2011 at 05:28 pm
I don not believe they would move Bulaga unless EDS totally tanks in a fill-in role.
September 05, 2011 at 10:20 am
Of the starting five OL, Bulaga (IMO) is the most versatile (could play four positions). If Wells got hurt, then EDS would have to play...but I doubt he plays if one of the guards goes out. Would they slide Bulaga inside and play Newhouse/Sherrod at RT?...I think it's a strong possibility.
September 05, 2011 at 12:08 pm
MM stated last season he prefers to only mess with one position when injuries occur, so I'd expect EDS to come off the bench anywhere on the interior before Bulaga is moved from RT.
Last season, even after Spitz played like garbage in replacing Colledge, they went to Spitz's backup (Lang) at LG rather than moving Bulaga.