Playing Catch-Up: Graham Harrell Cut, Packers Add New Kicker

In addition to the release of quarterback Graham Harrell, the Packers signed rookie kicker Zach Ramirez of Portland State.

After being busy for much of the weekend, it's time to get caught up on the latest Green Bay Packers news.

We've allowed other news outlets to do most of the heavy lifting, but here's a quick recap...

The biggest item was the cut of quarterback Graham Harrell, one of six players released on Monday. Harrell was the incumbent No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers as recently as this past Friday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Through four training camps in total and three exhibition games this season, Harrell just didn't show enough improvement for the Packers to keep him around.

The door is open for Vince Young to be the team's primary backup, but the team has not ruled out B.J. Coleman yet either. Both of them figure to see a lot of action in the team's preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday.

Also cut were wide receivers Alex Gillett, Omarius Hines and Justin Wilson, along with defensive lineman Gilbert Pena and running back Angelo Pease.

By making a few roster moves, the Packers were able to sign kicker Zach Ramirez, a rookie out of Portland State.

There's now a three-man kicking competition taking place in Green Bay, joining Mason Crosby and Giorgio Tavecchio, but it may not last for long.

The Packers have to be down to at least 75 players by Tuesday afternoon, and it's likely they release at least one of the three kickers.

Ramirez connected on 10 of 11 field goals on Sunday at practice, missing only from 53 yards. He'll have at least two more days of practice before the Packers have to make more mandatory roster cuts.

0 points
 

Comments (20)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
PackerBacker's picture

August 26, 2013 at 08:28 am

C'mon. Who really believes that Coleman has a legit shot at the number two spot. I don't even understand why they would say that. Coleman's been doing cleanup duty for the last 1.5 weeks. No way.

I gotta think that unless Crosby completely melts down in practice on Tuesday, they will let Tavecchio go in the cut to 75.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

August 26, 2013 at 10:51 am

I'd like to see Coleman get better quality time to see what he can do. Guys got an arm. He also has a lot better grasp of the playbook than Young.

Is he likely to beat out Young? Maybe not right now, but here are two things to think about. #1 Vince Young may not be able to run the playbook mentally. He ain't the sharpest tool in the shed. #2 He may not be able to run the playbook physically. I looked at the play sheet from Friday, and he attempted ZERO intermediate and ZERO long throws. So, college superstar who runs well, has a questionable arm, had some success in the NFL, but D coordinators already know exactly what to do to beat him. Sounds like another guy who has bounced around alot - yeah I'm comparing Young to Tebow. If disaster strikes and Rodgers is lost for the year I would expect to see Coleman take over from Young after three for four games. In fact I'd put money on it.

0 points
0
0
Stroh's picture

August 26, 2013 at 11:03 am

"D coordinators already know exactly what to do to beat him."

Yet he still has a winning record as a starting NFL QB, but quite a bit IIRC. 31-19 I believe. He's not the prototypical Packers QB, but he is a winner and a good leader.

0 points
0
0
Stroh-Hater's picture

August 26, 2013 at 11:28 am

I hate you Strohman.

0 points
0
0
PackerBacker's picture

August 26, 2013 at 11:45 am

Quit being a D-bag and go away Hater.

0 points
0
0
PackerBacker's picture

August 26, 2013 at 11:45 am

Record is not a QB stat.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

August 27, 2013 at 07:35 am

2010 4-5 in his last season with the Titans.

2011 Eagles he was 1-2 with 4 TDs and 8 INTs.

2012 Buffalo - he was cut in August.

0 points
0
0
Stroh's picture

August 27, 2013 at 07:42 am

31-19 as a starter. Recent isn't much to look at but fact remains he's a winner. Not like I'm saying he's ever gonna be a starter again. But much rather have Young than freakin Harrell! I can see Young going 2-2 if he had to play 4 games w/ Rodgers out. Do you think Harrell would do that well? I don't...

0 points
0
0
PackerBacker's picture

August 26, 2013 at 11:53 am

I don't think we'll be seeing Coleman again until next preseason. He'll be buried on the PS for one more year. Then hopefully he'll make a charge for #2 next year.
I think if A-rod goes down for more than a little bit, they'll ride out VY and call plays meant for his style of play. They'll bring up Coleman, but only as backup for VY. The decision they make now won't change if AR goes down. That's why they're making the decision now.

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

August 26, 2013 at 02:45 pm

I think Coleman is still in the running for the backup job. He played well Friday night too and if not for Stoneburner forgetting that it wasn't flag football, would have had a TD pass. It wasn't just Young who flashed.

0 points
0
0
I bleed Green More's picture

August 26, 2013 at 09:32 am

I like the new kicker, maybe its to late for him but boy he hits from 70 yards out in his videos.

0 points
0
0
jim's picture

August 26, 2013 at 10:10 am

70 yards... no rush... no lineman in front of him... doing it at his will in his time. great that he can hit at that distance, but what does it mean if he is rattled by a rush, kicks low kicks, or is slow to approach the kick. not saying that he isn't good, but don't read too much into it too quickly.

0 points
0
0
RC Packer Fan's picture

August 26, 2013 at 10:28 am

Also beings its a video, it doesn't show how many attempts he took to make that 70 yarder...
Basically I look at it as he does have a strong leg. But its a lot different kicking on a practice field to kicking in a game, to attempting to kick a game winner with 3 seconds left.
All I kept hearing was how Giorgio is tearing it up in the kicking competition. His first kick in live action he missed... Its a lot different kicking in games then practice.

0 points
0
0
packsmack25's picture

August 26, 2013 at 10:25 am

Welcome back BC! Was starting to worry that something was wrong up on the Carriveau Plateau. Glad to see it was just some well-deserved time off.

0 points
0
0
Brian Carriveau's picture

August 26, 2013 at 02:33 pm

Haha, thanks, man. I needed a brief break.

0 points
0
0
TommyG's picture

August 26, 2013 at 10:34 am

Young will be the number two QB. Giorgio should already have his bags packed. Ramirez will go PS just in case Crosby machine guns slocum this year.

0 points
0
0
I bleed Green More's picture

August 26, 2013 at 10:38 am

All valid points, its just fun to see but he did well on first day so we will see what shakes out.

0 points
0
0
copakerfan's picture

August 27, 2013 at 12:54 am

Careful of what you guys wish for. Young is tossing INT's every time he touches the ball-just like old times (should have had one last weekend before the TD). Pretty interesting commentary on ESPN today regarding Young + AR didn't seem to have a ringing endorsement of his remaining backups or how the staff handled the situation. Will be pretty funny when Young and BJ both turn in pitiful performances and Greenbay is left without any backup options. The OL is worse than last year, that's why MM isn't playing AR at all - he;s afraid hell be injured before the first regular season game. Not sure if there are any other options out there that can do better than Harrell, in hindsight this may turn out to be a complete disaster .

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

August 27, 2013 at 07:26 am

<em>The OL is worse than last year, that’s why MM isn’t playing AR at all – he's afraid hell be injured before the first regular season game</em>

This is just ignorance on parade.

0 points
0
0
Limehouse's picture

August 27, 2013 at 10:10 am

I'm going to go ahead and say it first: Kickalicious. Go get him.

0 points
0
0