Packers Roster, As of June 22, 2015

Sit back and relax.  Get some rest before the season begins.  The Packer Roster is at this time at 89 players.  As a reminder, here is the NFL Roster Math -

Final 53 man roster - 53 players

Practice Squad - 10 players

Injured Players - ????  players

So, out of the 89 players, 63 plus with make it!

Here is the latest list: (Click to Enlarge Image)

Now, we have 4 special teams players - 1 Long Snapper, 1 Kicker, & 2 Punters!  One punter
must go!

We have 44 offensive players:
4 Quarterbacks - we will keep 3
2 Fullbacks - 1 maybe 2
5 Running Backs - we will keep 3
12 Wide Receivers - We will keep 5-6
6 Tight Ends - We will keep 3
15 Offensive Linemen - we will keep 7-8

So, looks like 23-25 players

And, there are 41 on defense:
8 Safeties - will keep 4-5
7 Cornerbacks - will keep 5
8 Inside linebackers - will keep 4-5
8 Outside linebackers - will keep 6
10 Defensive linemen - 6-7

That is 25-27 players.

The Packers always error on the side of youth - practice squad, rookies get first chance!

Practice Squad Rules:
Generally, teams like to keep young players on the practice squad so they can develop without taking up spots on the active roster. Undrafted rookie free-agents are popular along with late-round draft picks. A player can be eligible if he does not have an accrued season in the NFL, although the NFL has now approved a maximum of two spots on the PS for players with no more than two accrued seasons. To have an accrued season, you have to be active for at least six regular-season games. A player can also go to the practice squad with an accrued season provided they were on the 45-man active roster for less than nine-regular season games.

So, let the NFL Roster Math Begin!  Some REALLY difficult decisions.  Players must PROVE their worth, and that will happen in August - practices & Pre-season games!  The next few weeks I will look at several players that are on the bubble!  Here is a partial list:

Defense
Adrain Hubbard - 1
Chris Banjo - 2
Demetri Goodson - 2
Jayronne Elliot - 2
Carl Bradford - 2
Khyri Thorton - 2

Offense
Rajion Neal - 1
Jeff Janis - 2
Jared Abbrederis - 2
Lane Taylor - 1

Rookies, rounds 1-5 usually make the team, late rounds, 6, & un-drafted free agents MAYBE!
Here are some interesting people:
Aaron Ripkowski - round 6
Christian Ringo - round 6
Kennard Backman - round 6
Adrian Coxson - UDFA
John Crockett - UDFA
Tavarus Danzler - UDFA
Vince Kowalski - UDFA
Matt Rotheram - UDFA

So, R-E-L-A-X, enjoy your summer, and let me do the work!

First Pre-Season Practice - July 30

The first pre-season practice is 41 days away!  So, what will the Packers do now?

1 - Aaron Rogers works on golf game & maybe pops the question to Olivia?

2 - Clay Matthews works on singing & voice lessons! (And offensive line!)

3 - John Kuhn works on his broadcasting skills

4  - Mike McCarthy ponders - do I shave or not!

And, the most important question...... will Packer Buddies get to the Super Bowl?

Terry, Phil, Jim, and Bill are ready for 2015!!!!

Team Bonding Day - Great Idea!

As fans we spend a lot of time second guessing our coaches.  We disagree with the general managers draft picks.  Or we question a players talents.  But, at times we forget our teams are made up of REAL people!  The Mike McCarthy idea of team bonding I think is a GREAT idea.  Why?

1 - Teams that are closer usually sacrifice for each other on the field

2 - Mixing offense & defense, positions, ages, is not always possible when the season begins!

3 - A day off practice is NOT always a bad thing!

4 - People, players, like to have fun!!!

So, let the shooting begin!

Some quotes from today:

Andrew Quarless:

“I’m not accustomed to being in the woods,” said tight end Andrew Quarless, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. “I’m not from that type of lifestyle, but it’s definitely fun to get out here and challenge myself. I’m getting a little upset, missing a few, but I’ll get better.”

Jared Abbrederis:

At one set of two adjacent stations, second-year receiver Jared Abbrederis had two clays fired simultaneously and hit both, twice at each spot. An avid hunter and Wisconsin native, Abbrederis looked right at home.

One more practice Thursday, then 6 weeks off!

Packer Roster June 2015 - Quarterbacks!

I say this every year - Aaron Rogers - enjoy him while we have him!!  We had.......

Brett Favre - 1992 - 2007 - that is 16 years
Aaron Rogers - 2008 - 2014 - that is 7 years

So, for 23 years we have had GREAT quarterback play!!!!

And, for 2015 we have Aaron Rogers!

Career stats: 10 years - started 7 years!
2286 completions of 3475 attempts that is 65.8%
Career QB rating - 106.0
Passing TD's - 226
Interceptions - 57 - that is 1.6% of his passes!

And,

1 - He is FUN to watch
2 - He "seems" to be having fun & staying humble!
3 - He is a leader on & off the field
4 - He has the ability to "check off" at the line of scrimmage into better plays
5 - He is dating a great looking lady!!!!

So, Aaron is back.  What is behind Aaron?

Scott Tolzien 6"2" - 213 - Year 5
Brett Hundley - 6'3" - 226 - Rookie
Matt Blanchard - 6'3" - 223 - Year 2

Scott Tolzien has had playing time.  Two years ago, when Rogers was banged up, he played a lot of minutes.  And, at this time he really was thrown into the fire!  Matt Flynn was not resigned, so as of June 2015, Scott Tolzien is the Packer backup QB!!

Packers drafted Brett Hundley, so he will make the team.  Drafting a QB to some is a surprise, but, competition is good at ALL positions!  Handley, out of UCLA, is an athlete.  Played in a pro style offense in college.  Has nice size and a good arm!  Tolkien will have his hands full keeping his backup spot!

Matt Blanchard is another QB for camp.  Do not expect him to challenge Tolzien or Hundley.

So, in my humble opinion, we have the BEST QB in football.  Backup, with Tolzien & Hundley battling is good!

But, PLEASE stay HEALTHY Mr. Rogers!!!!

A Happy Aaron is GOOD for Packer Fans!!

Packers Roster June 2015 - Offensive Line

Building a team.  If I was an NFL general manager (I know I'm dreaming!), I would build teams from the lineman on offense & defense.  Of course, throw in a great QB!

The Packer Offensive Line Starters:
OT - David Bakhtiari - Year 3 - 6'4" - 310
OT - Bryan Bulaga - Year 6 - 6'5" - 314
OG - TJ Lang - Year 7 - 6'4" - 318
OG - Josh Sitton - Year 8 - 6'3" - 318
C - Corey Lindsley - Year 2 - 6'3 - 301

This line is very good!  Will it get better?  First key is health & last year they stayed healthy!  Second is communication & with Rogers at QB and Lindsley in year 2, that should be even better!  Next is run & pass blocking.  Good offensive lineman can do both!  Individually, Bakhitari, left tackle has proven himself ever since his rookie season!  And, as experts say, to have a passing game you need a good left tackle.  On the right side, Bulaga has stayed healthy and had a nice season.  The guards, Sitton & Lang,  have experience and keep the pocket safe & open gaps for Lacy.  And last years rookie, Lindsley, had an awesome year!  Look for BIG things from this group!
And along with Clay Matthews, movie stars:

Top Back-ups:
JC Tretter - Year 3 - 6'4 - 307
Don Barclay - Year 4 - 6'4" - 305

Both Tretter and Barclay have experience.  Both Tretter and Barclay have been injured.  Both Tretter and Barclay had a chance to start.  So, stay healthy and they may push the starters & if we do have an injury, the offense should not suffer!

And, fighting to make the roster:
Lane Taylor - Year 3 - 6'3" - 324
Josh Walker - Year 1 - 6'5 - 328
Garth Gerhart - Year 2 - 6'1" - 315
Jeremy Vuyonovich - Year 1 - 6'5" - 300
Marcus Reed - Rookie - 6'3" - 345
Matt Rotterdam - Rookie - 6'5" - 325
Fabbians Ebbele - Rookie - 6'8" - 315
Andy Phillips - Rookie - 6'2" - 303

This is a good group of young talent!  Ebbele the BIG boy at 6'8"!  The you man from Pittsburgh, Matt Rotterdam could also push for a roster spot!  And probably 1 or 2 on the practice squad.  Again, the Packers have plenty of talent and depth at offensive line, the trick is finding room on the roster!

The Packer Running Backs As of June 2015

More interesting battles.  Of course, Eddie Lacy should be safe!  And his back-up, James Starks is probably safe also.  And then............... who knows?

At fullback, we have an interesting battle, the reliable Packer fan favorite - John Kuuuuuuuuuuuhn.  And the rookie - Aaron Rippppppppppppppkowski!

Running Backs:
Eddie Lacy - Year 3 - 5'11" - 230 lbs
James Starks - Year 6 - 6'2" - 218 lbs
Rajion Neal - Year 1 - 5'11" - 220 lbs
John Crocket - Rookie - 6'0 - 217 lbs
Alonzo Harris - Rookie - 6'1" - 237 lbs

Fullbacks:
John Kuhn - Year 10 - 6'0" - 250 lbs
Aaron Ripkowski - Rookie - 6'1" - 246 lbs

First Eddie Lacy.  A great rookie season, an even better year two!  7th in the league & 1,139 yards, with 9 TD's.  And, improvement catching passes - 42 receptions, 427 yards & 4 TD's.  And, a better
pass blocker for Aaron.  Plus, I think, just from what I read & the videos I see, an even better person!

The back-up James Starks.  The passed 6 years the 6th round pick out of Buffalo has been a huge asset!  At times a starter.  A different running style than Lacy, but still a VERY physical runner!  333 yards & 2 TD's.  18 receptions for 180 yards.  And, again a physical pass blocker!

And the battle for the 3rd running back - Neal, Crocket, & Harris.  All have NFL size.  Neal has one year on the practice squad.  Crocket & Harris are real rookies!  Crocket is interesting?  A North Dakota State, old division 2, second Bison to total over 5,000 career yards! Should have something to prove!  From the football powerhouse Louisiana-Layfeyette, any player with something to prove!

At fullback, a ten year vet against a rookie!  In a perfect world, the both make the team & Ripkowski learns from Kuhn!  But, with that 53 man roster, very difficult to keep 2 fullbacks!  REMEMBER, some team have NO fullbacks!  So, my bet, we have Kuhn for ONE more year, because he is a GIANT security blanket for Rogers!  And, Ripkowski makes the practice squad!

Ripkowski even LOOKS like Kuhn!!!!

All in all, we have a nice selection of running backs & fullbacks!

Packer Offense June 2015 - Tight Ends

The Packers Tight Ends?

What we know?

Names:
Andrew Quarless - 6 - 6'4" - 252
Richard Rogers - 2 - 6'4" - 257
Justin Perillo - 2 - 6'3" - 250
Kennard Backman - R - 6'3" - 245
Mitchell Henry - R - 6'4" - 252

Who has played?  Andrew Quarless had played 5 years of NFL football.  First as a back-up, now as a starter.  Compared to all the tight ends in the league, I would rank him in the bottom third.  According to Bleacher Report on ranking tight ends - they have him ranked 43 of 50 NFL tight ends!

And MOST important, Fantasy Football Rankings?  Quarless is ranked 23rd!
When you watch the Packers play, Quarless makes the basic plays, but nothing spectacular.  Run blocking is the same, not spectacular, but we get yards.  So, I would say Andrew is a good NFL tight end, but not game changing.

Richard Rogers has a nice rookie season.  By the end of the year he was contributing!  Early in the year some VERY poor run blocking!  MUST IMPROVE!  As far as a pass catcher, he should move ahead of Quarless this year.  AND, he may become one of the better tight ends as a pass catcher this year!

Justin Perillo, did contribute some on special teams and played a few offensive plays.  But, may have issues making the team this year.

Kennard Backman & Mitchell Henry are the rookies.  In OTA's Backman made some plays.  Backman drafted in round 6, should have the inside track.  And his chance of beating out Perillo for the #3 tight end looks good!

So, if Rogers makes a big step, the "OTHER" Rogers will find him!  The offense is one of the top teams in the league, a tight end added to the mix that makes big plays would make the Packers offense SCARY!

What Does the Packers Offense Look Like June 2015 - Wide Receivers?

We looked at the defense & I think we could be pleasantly surprised!  But the Offense, is one of the BEST in the NFL and I think it is BETTER!!!!!

Let's begin with the Wide Receivers:

Name          Years      Height/Weight
Jordy Nelson - 8            6'3" - 217
Randall Cobb - 4          5'10" - 192
Davante Adams - 2        6'2" - 215
Jared Abbrederis - 2       6'2" - 195
Jeff Janis - 2                   6'3" - 219
Myles White - 2             6'0" - 190
Ty Montgomery - R       6'0" - 216
Adrian Coxson - R         6'1" - 209
Ricky Collins - R           6'0" - 198
Javess Blue - R              6'0" - 188
Larry Pinkard - R          6'0" - 196
Jimmie Hunt - R            6'0" - 208


So, 12 wide receivers!  The Packers MUST be starving for Wide Receivers?  NOT!!!  For some reason, the Packers & Ted Thompson love to bring a bunch of wide receivers to camp!!!  And here we go!  First, the starters:

Jordy Nelson & Randall Cobb - great wide receivers, and great young men!  Check it out:

Nelson and Cobb are the best wide receiver duo in Green Bay history, statistically speaking. Their 189 receptions, 2,806 yards receiving and 25 touchdowns are the most by any Packers wide receiver duo in franchise history. It was the first time in franchise history that two receivers had 90 receptions. It was also the first time in franchise history that two receivers had ten or more receiving touchdowns.

When you watch them play, there is not question how good they are!  Nelson, bigger & faster than you would expect!  Cobb, shifty and VERY versatile! Was an ex QB!  They will have another incredible year, if the stay healthy!  Enough said!  And next....

Davante Adams - Adams became a starter half way through the year!  Stats - 38 receptions, 446 yards, and 3 TDS!  Remember, that is about half the year!  Could we have 3 receivers over 1000 yards each?  WHY NOT!

Next, the most likely to make roster?

Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis, Myles White, and Ty Montgomery.   This group scares me!  Why?  I think there is TALENT here & do we have enough room?  Abbrederis missed his rookie year with an ACL injury.  He is a Wisconsin boy and also could help in the return game!  Jeff Janis?  Another Jordy Nelson?  They say he is a "freak" athlete!  Last year could not get on the field!  What him closely this year!  Myles White has been around 2 years, mostly on the practice squad.  White seems to make the coaches happy & that is why he is still around.  And rookie Montgomery will stick, usually the top 4-5 draft picks always stick, plus it looks like he is a new Randall Cobb!  His first use will be the special teams!!

And the rest:

Adrian Coxson,  Ricky Collins, Javess Blue, Larry Pinkard, and Jimmie Hunt.  Is there a diamond in the rough here?  The name that jumps out is Adrian Coxson.  Good size at 6'1" - 209.  Interesting career!  One of the top twenty receivers out of high school, big schools were after him!  First stop Florida and big possibilities!  Family problems, his father gets sick & he wants to be close to home!  Moves to Maryland, close to home!  That says something about the man.  A coaching change and playing time becomes an issue, moves to small school Stony Brook!  Whew!  Will it be Coxson, Collins, Blue, Pinkard, or Hunt?  We will see in August!