Packers Calendar: Decision Day on Tryout Players, Including Colt Lyerla

The Packers have two roster spots open to sign tryout players from their rookie minicamp this past weekend.

The Green Bay Packers wrapped up their two-day rookie minicamp this past Saturday, but general manager Ted Thompson said he wouldn't have decisions made on which tryout players to sign until Monday.

Currently, the Packers have filled 88 of 90 spots on their roster, leaving the potential open to sign up to two players that tried out for the team over the weekend. It's possible the Packers could sign more than two players but would have to release one or more players to make room.

In particular, many observers are waiting to see what the team ultimately decides to do with tight end Colt Lyerla, a talented young man with a troubled past that was among 28 players the team brought in on a tryout basis.

"We did a lot of work on Colt," said Thompson. "He's a very talented athlete. We interviewed him at the combine. We went through all those procedures, talked to a lot of people. He's a young man that made some mistakes, and we feel like he was worth bringing in and taking a look at."

Thompson was reportedly leaning toward signing Lyerla, according to a report from Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, although the organization has yet to make any decision official.

It's possible that the Packers have already decided who to sign and just haven't announced it yet, or it hasn't reached the league's transaction wire that will be released Monday afternoon.

As for Lyerla, his situation is bears some similarities to what the Packers dealt with defensive lineman Johnny Jolly a year ago.

"You weigh it all," said Thompson. "And every case is an individual case. We have always believed that, or I have always believed that there are certain things that people can atone for, acknowledge their mistakes and get on with their lives. And I am a proponent of those kind of people that try to do that. And that’s where we’re at with Colt."

On Monday, rookies will be integrated into Phase 2 of the team's offseason training program, which lasts until the end of the week. Starting next week, the entire team will begin Phase 3, which includes Organized Team Activities and a team practice environment.

Also on Monday, the NFL's Spring League Meeting begins the first of its three-day run in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers are traditionally represented by team president Mark Murphy and others as they decide on the host of Super Bowl LII in 2018 and discuss other league matters.

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (6)

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

May 19, 2014 at 10:42 am

There are people who believe that 9/11 was a government plot. There are people who believe that Sandy Hook was a government plot. There are people who deny the Holocaust happened - it was all a Jewish plot. There are people who think that Timothy McVeigh was a hero, or was framed as part of a government plot, depending on the day. People are free to think what they want and say what they want, but I would not defend their sanity for a second. I'd rather that the Packers did not sign Lyerla unless he has demonstrated a monumental change in thinking, but sanity has not always been a requirement for NFL players.

0 points
0
0
Clay Zombo's picture

May 19, 2014 at 02:42 pm

There are also many people who believe in a God(Jesus, Allah whatever) and believe everything they read from a 5000 yr old book. That to me is equally insane but who's judging.

If you happen to be one of those beiievers than are you not obligated to forgive and give this guy a second chance?

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

May 19, 2014 at 03:58 pm

The original comment indicates a preference unless Lyerla has undergone a "monumental change in thinking," so I think inherent in my statement is an openness to the guy getting a second chance. Not that anyone at the Packers will really give a ripp what I think, and not that Lyerla will ever need to seek my forgiveness on anything.

0 points
0
0
Ibleedgreenmore's picture

May 19, 2014 at 10:49 am

Well like all things the team will do what they feel is best. All I know is this kid is very talented.

0 points
0
0
Mrweit27's picture

May 19, 2014 at 11:49 am

I only come up with 87 players on the roster now. Do you have a link that shows the 88?

0 points
0
0
HankScorpio's picture

May 20, 2014 at 06:09 am

"On Monday, rookies will be integrated into Phase 2 of the team's offseason training program,"

===============================

Speaking of phase 2, does anyone know if the CBA puts rookies immediately into phase 2 of the substance abuse program for college indiscretions?

0 points
0
0