The Green Bay Packers took a different approach. They cut no one.

Instead, the Packers placed three players on the PUP list and one more on injured reserve (they had only 79 players [...]]]> Tuesday was the first of two scheduled cutdown days for NFL teams, with every team mandated to get down from 80 to 75 players.

The Green Bay Packers took a different approach. They cut no one.

Instead, the Packers placed three players on the PUP list and one more on injured reserve (they had only 79 players to begin with, not 80).

Cornerback Al Harris, strong safety Atari Bigby and running back James Starks were put on the PUP, meaning each player will be unavailable to practice and play with the team for the first six weeks of the season. They will all be eligible to return for the start of Vikings week, part one, in late October. Even if they aren’t quite ready yet at that time, each player is given three weeks to practice – without counting on the roster – before the team has to make a decision. The player has to be cut, activated to the roster or placed on injured reserve after those three weeks are up.

Speaking of injured reserve, that’s where promising rookie running back Quinn Porter found himself Tuesday. His season is now over.

Now that we’ve taken care of the specifics, let’s break down what this all means for the Packers.

Obviously, the biggest name on this list is that of Harris.

We heard roughly a million different timetables/possible return dates for Harris during camp. At first, the PUP list seemed to be his likely destination. Then, two weeks ago, we heard – from the National Football Post, a site run by Harris’ agent, Jack Bechta – that Harris could be back on the practice field before the Seattle game. That led many, myself definitely included, to say that Harris would surely be back for the season opener. That was as good as things got, though.

Harris couldn’t pass a recent physical and, with seemingly little progress made, the team decided to take the cautious approach and scratch him for the first six weeks instead of keeping him on the roster and hoping he’d be back for, say, the Chicago game in week three. The Packers are taking the smart angle here, even though it’s causing much hand-wringing amongst fans. The team simply does not face any deep, high-powered passing attacks until Favre comes to town in week seven.

With opponents like New England, both New York teams, Atlanta and, of course, the aforementioned Vikings (twice) littering the schedule from week seven on, Green Bay is deciding to save Harris until it really counts. Smart, smart, smart. This puts more pressure on the youngsters (Sam Shields, Brandon Underwood and Pat Lee), of course, but the early schedule should allow them to gain valuable NFL experience against teams that don’t appear capable of eating them alive. This wiil benefit the defense, as a whole, later.

The Bigby move, on the other hand, comes as no surprise. We’ve all known for awhile now that this is where he’d end up and he did. As I’ve said before, Bigby misplayed his hand in hoping for a new deal, which is why he didn’t get the ankle cleared up earlier. As a result, Bigby could find himself on the bench even if he returns healthy. Morgan Burnett has struggled at times, but has also shown huge upside. By week seven, Burnett could have the job locked up to the point where the team won’t want to mess with chemistry by giving Bigby his job back. At the very least, he will provide good depth.

I have to admit, I was surprised Starks ended up on the PUP list and not IR. His hamstring simply has not gotten much better during camp, from the sounds of it, and the Packers have a recent history of placing youngsters who are struggling with injuries on IR even if the injury isn’t necessarily a season-ender. Still, the move makes some sense after further examination. Starks, if healthy, should bring good value as a pass-catcher. And with only Kregg Lumpkin and fullback John Kuhn ahead of him on the depth chart, as of now, Starks could be a definite upgrade at the position come week seven.

Finally, we come to Porter. As stated before, he showed some promise, especially early in camp. His impact faded a bit over recent weeks and when he suffered the ankle injury, you knew that’d be a wrap for him this season. Clearly the team likes his upside, though, or else it would have cut him outright. A player to watch in years to come.

The Packers now have until Saturday afternoon to cut down from 75 to 53. Allen Barbre – I hope your house is drawing some offers.

-Chris Lempesis

But since you guys and gals seemed to like the first one so much, I’ve decided to throw in a bonus roster piece. And don’t worry – I’ll [...]]]> Originally, I had planned on doing two roster prediction pieces – one midway through the preseason and one at the end, before the final roster cuts are made.

But since you guys and gals seemed to like the first one so much, I’ve decided to throw in a bonus roster piece. And don’t worry – I’ll have another one of these up after game four Thursday also. The Green Bay Packers will cut five players Tuesday – we’ll have reaction on that later in the day – and have until Saturday afternoon to get their roster down from 75 to 53, in case you weren’t sure.

(Quick aside: Keep an eye out for OBOD’s season/fantasy predictions, both of which should be up within the next week.)

As always, before I begin, I’d like to remind Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he should, please, not sue me for, basically, ripping him off. Imitation…flattery…remember?

Enjoy.

Quarterbacks (2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn

Comments: No change here from last time. I still haven’t seen enough from Graham Harrell to warrant giving him a spot, especially with this team so deep at other positions. There’s an outside chance he could change my mind with a great showing Thursday, but I doubt it. Lock him up a spot on the practice squad.

Running backs (3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Kregg Lumpkin

Comments: First, let me say this idea that the Packers will keep only two backs and use John Kuhn as the third guy there is completely ridiculous. With the pounding NFL backs take, three full-time backs is a must. The Packers would be just one injury away from Kuhn seeing significant time at the position. Do you really want that? I don’t. Now, for the change here, Lumpkin is in and Quinn Porter is out. Porter’s got more potential, yes, but his ankle injury dooms him. Plus, there’s just something about Lumpkin that I like. He’s managed to hang around in some form or another for over two years now – that says something.

Fullbacks (2): Kuhn, Quinn Johnson

Comments: Dear readers, I was very torn on this position. Part of me thinks Johnson is a poor fit for this team. Part of me thinks Korey Hall is a better fit and brings far more special teams value. But I just can’t shake this feeling about Johnson. His size and dominant blocking potential could make him a great change of pace guy – if the team can find the right role for him. Plus, as I said before, Hall and Kuhn are basically the same guy. I am just not sure you need two Kuhns, hence Johnson makes the cut yet again, but only by a hair. The only thing I’m really sure of is that three fullbacks will not be on the roster again.

Wide receiver (5): Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain

Comments: No change here - for now. Swain hangs on because of his special teams value, but there are two players who could shake this position up before the week ends. Charles Dillon still has some upside, as I wrote last week, and we now have Jason Cherry entering the mix. Cherry’s return touchdown Thursday night makes him an intriguing player, especially with Will Blackmon still battling knee troubles. Cherry will handle the bulk of the return duties this week and, with another good showing, he could crack the roster. In that case, I think Swain’s out.

Tight ends (4): Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Spencer Havner, Andrew Quarless

Comments: With the Packers only keeping two fullbacks in this scenario, the option remains for them to hang on to four players here. I’m coming around on the idea of keeping four, as well. This gives Mike McCarthy a lot of options, options he will take advantage of. Still, there’s simply no way five tight ends make it to the roster, as much as I like Tom Crabtree’s potential. He’s a practice squad guy.

Offensive linemen (9): Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Mark Tauscher, Bryan Bulaga, T.J. Lang, Marshall Newhouse, Evan Dietrich-Smith

Comments: No changes here from last week. I still think Jason Spitz will be traded soon enough. Breno Giacomini was better against Indy, but I just feel like his shot has already come and gone.

Defensive linemen (7): Cullen Jenkins, B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Justin Harrell, Anthony Torribio, C.J. Wilson

Comments: Still keeping seven here? You bet. Jenkins’ injury, while he should be ready for week one, only furthers my thinking that an additional player is needed here. The only change is that Wilson is in and Jarius Wynn is out. Like Giacomini, he had a shot, but didn’t capitalize. Wilson has some intrigue to him, but could also be bumped out if the team upgrades here in a Spitz trade.

Linebackers (8): Clay Matthews, Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop, Brady Poppinga, Frank Zombo

Comments: I toyed with the idea of keeping nine here – Cyril Obiozor being that last guy – but that just seems like too many, so we’ll stick with the same eight as last week. Poppinga’s had his best camp in years and Zombo is having a great preseason. Those two seem like enough depth at outside linebacker for me. And again, this position could get shaken up if a player is added here in a Spitz trade.

Cornerbacks (6): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush

Comments: Remember what I said last week about Al Harris being out there for week one? Yeah, go ahead and forget all that. Harris won’t be ready. When he returns is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure: If he’s not ready, Bush makes this roster (groan). The team needs someone there until Harris is back; five is not enough. Another possibility is adding someone here via roster cuts elsewhere, in which case Bush is again gone. Let’s hope.

Safeties (4): Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Derrick Martin, Blackmon

Comments: No change here, but I’m starting to worry about Blackmon’s knee. He doesn’t seem to be available for more than one day at a time. That’s troublesome this late in camp. I don’t think he’s a PUP guy just yet, but if Cherry sticks as a returner and the team can find a suitable safety option via roster cuts, you have to wonder if the PUP list isn’t the best place for Blackmon.

(Update: One of our followers on Twitter graciously informed me that Blackmon is not, in fact, eligtible for the PUP list. So, yeah, forget those last couple of sentences. Still, the knee worries me.)

Specialists (3): Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode.

Comments: The big change here is that Masthay’s in and Chris Bryan’s out. Masthay has been gaining steadily for the past two weeks or so, while Bryan seems to have peaked. Thursday night will provide the final verdict, but for now, I’m comfortable sliding Masthay on to the roster.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Comment, baby, comment!

-Chris Lempesis

(One more game and it’s finally over.)

That changed Sunday.

The Packers got back to work on the practice field and there was some fairly significant news to come out of it. So, that being the case, we’ve decided to whip [...]]]> The Green Bay Packers had been very quiet since Thursday night’s preseason pounding of the Indianapolis Colts.

(One more game and it’s finally over.)

That changed Sunday.

The Packers got back to work on the practice field and there was some fairly significant news to come out of it. So, that being the case, we’ve decided to whip up a batch of training camp stew for you. Not a bad way to start off the week, right?

As always, the information in this report comes courtesy of the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Green Bay Press Gazette and ESPN Milwaukee’s Jason Wilde.

• Well, we have a winner in the left guard battle: Daryn Colledge. Head coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement after practice today and, really, it comes as no surprise. Colledge, despite getting a better-than-expected (at least in my mind) test from Bryan Bulaga, has been solid in camp for the most part. And with the offensive line, as a whole, playing so well, McCarthy clearly did not want to mess with that, even if it means rolling the dice with a player who has experienced an up-and-down career. The move also means Bulaga can fully heal up, as he’s been dealing with a hip flexor throughout camp.
• Still, even with Colledge winning the job, I don’t think his leash is all that long. Bulaga has shown he can play the position – and play it well – and my best guess is that McCarthy won’t be afraid to go to him at that spot if Colledge has a tough start to the season.
• The Al Harris saga continues. Sunday we found out that Harris is likely out for the season opener and the team is now faced with the decision to either put him on the 53-man roster or place him on the PUP list, making him unavailable until week seven. Quite honestly, I’ve been wrong so often on Harris that, at this point, I am not totally sure what the team should do with him.
• One thought, though: If he’s unavailable for the Philly game, don’t you then have to look at the schedule? Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Washington and Miami would be the five games he’d miss. How many of those teams have deep receiving corps? By my count, none. In that case, it seems to make sense to put him on the list and have him ready for Minnesota on Oct. 24. He’d surely be 100 percent by then. Again, just a thought.
•  Of course, that decision would be easier if Brandon Underwood wasn’t struggling with a shoulder injury. But he is, meaning Sam “My Guy” Shields is getting a look at the nickel spot. I like Shields, but as a nickel? Hopefully, Underwood’s shoulder isn’t that bad.
• Let’s break up the injury news and talk about punters. Tim Masthay outboomed (not sure if that’s a real word) Chris Bryan again Sunday and appears to have taken the lead in the battle there (remember, Masthay was better Thursday, as well). I thought Bryan had the job locked up after his nice start to camp. But Masthay’s gaining on him steadily. No clear winner yet, but I’d guess that will change by Friday morning. In fact, I’d say one of the last decisions the coaches make will be on this position.
• Back to the injury news that’s bad. Cullen Jenkins continues to miss time with his calf injury. He’s all but out for Thursday at Kansas City. Fortunately, though, he should be locked-and-loaded for Philly. And, really, isn’t that all that matters? Seriously, can you imagine the d-line without Jenkins? Scary thought.
• On the bright side, Brad Jones and Clay Matthews appear ready to return, possibly as soon as Thursday night. As much as I don’t want anyone of note to play in this game, I do think it’s important for those two to get a handful of snaps in to shake off the accumulated rust.
• Anyone else starting to worry about Will Blackmon’s knee injury that still isn’t up to par? Anyone else thinking Jason Cherry could crack the roster as a return guy if he turns in another good showing Thursday?
• Should I talk about Quinn Porter’s apparently serious ankle sprain or save it for an updated 53-man roster for Tuesday? I’ll save it, but I think Kregg Lumpkin should be happy about this news.

-Chris Lempesis

The offensive line, Ryan Grant and Aaron Rodgers all turned in very good performances. The defense wasn’t perfect, but rebounded after a tough start to play well, despite the absence of a [...]]]> There were a great many positives to take away from the Green Bay Packers’ 59-24 pounding of the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

The offensive line, Ryan Grant and Aaron Rodgers all turned in very good performances. The defense wasn’t perfect, but rebounded after a tough start to play well, despite the absence of a few key players. The much-maligned special teams unit had some blips of trouble, as always, but was much better overall than it had been in the first two preseason games.

But if you’re looking for the biggest positive, you need look no further than the 6-feet, 5-inch, 247 pound wrecking ball of humanity that is tight end Jermichael Finley.

With six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in just one half of play, Finley showed himself to be a true matchup nightmare, capable of punishing opponents in a variety of ways.

Need someone to work the seem? No worries – he’s got you covered, thanks to his freakish combination of size and speed. That allows him work his way through the back two lines of a defense and get open long enough to make a play.

Want him to line up wide? Sure, he can do that, too. In fact, he’s even more dangerous there than he is in his normal spot. He simply towers over cornerbacks, gaining a mental edge before the ball’s even snapped. You think I’m making this up? Imagine you’re a 5-feet, 11-inch, 195 pound corner. For you, a 6-2 or 6-3 receiver is big. Finley? He’s a giant. You can be as tenacious as you want, but don’t tell me you wouldn’t be a bit put-off by him, either.

He’s certainly impressive in these two roles. But Finley’s real value, to me, lies in his ability to run the quick routes, the five-to-seven yard routes. The deeper stuff is nice, but in this role, Finley serves as a truly unstoppable yard chewer, an extra large addition to the running game, if you will. And, again, with his sheer size, there’s almost no way he’s not picking up a few extra yards. This should allow the Packers to avoid third-and-long situations, for the most part. Even when they find themselves in one, though, again, there’s Finley.

And, make no mistake, opponents will have to shift their focus, defensively, his way. Whatever side of the field he’s on, that’s the side they’ll have to watch.

“Fine – go for it, signed Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Ryan Grant, James Jones, etc. all.”

He opens everything up. For everyone.

Much has been made of Finley’s cocksure ways. No question about it, the man is as arrogant as they come. Some have questioned his intelligence. A low blow, yes, but I’d tend to agree – the man is clearly not a rocket scientist.

(And when his contract’s up – likely long before that – he will become an irritant with his surely enormous extension demands. But that’s for another day.)

Do either of these things bother me, though?

Not. One. Bit.

This is football, for God’s sake. These guys should be arrogant. They should think they’re better than the guy lining up across from them. We spent years praising Brett Favre for his humility. You know what we found out? That was all a bunch of crap. He’s the most arrogant guy out there – by far. Would you take back all the years of greatness we got out of Favre because of that?

I know I wouldn’t. And I don’t want to see Finley change, either. If that’s what gives him his edge, so be it.

Because while I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of great pass catchers in my life – Sterling Sharpe, Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman, Driver, Jennings, Taco Wallace (wait – scratch that one) – I’ve never seen anything like No. 88 in a Packers uniform.

And at the infantile age of 23 years old, the fun is just getting started.

TGIF, America. TGIF.

-Chris Lempesis

That could be especially true in this one, as the Green Bay Packers take on the Indianapolis Colts and some cat named Peyton at Lambeau Field tonight [...]]]> Well, the third preseason game is here. And, as Denny Green once famously informed us, this is the one that teams do not, in fact, play like it’s bull(expletive), bull(expletive)!

That could be especially true in this one, as the Green Bay Packers take on the Indianapolis Colts and some cat named Peyton at Lambeau Field tonight at 7 p.m. Lambeau Time on ESPN.

As usual in game No. 3, we should see the starters for each team play at least one half. That’ll be good, but here’s what I’d like to see from the entire team – starters, backups and guys who will be bagging groceries in a week:

Offense

• A clear-cut winner emerge in the Daryn Colledge/Bryan Bulaga battle at left guard. Of course, that doesn’t mean I want to see one player struggle more than the other (even I don’t dislike Colledge that much). Rather, I’d like to see one guy turn in a dominating performance and win the job outright. It’s time to get the starting five set.
• A lot of the running game in the first half, Brandon Jackson in particular. We all know what Ryan Grant can do and, while I think he should get a decent amount of carries, Jackson should be the main guy when the starters are in. He’s been good in the first two games, but it’s time for him to be tested against another team’s starters.
• Greg Jennings on the sidelines in sweats, please. Don’t need his back spasms getting any worse.
• Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and James Jones make some plays in the first half. Those guys have been quiet in the first couple of games – Driver was out last Saturday, though – and it’d be nice to see them become involved.
• Jermichael Finley just keep doing what he’s been doing.
• A clear-cut winner emerge in the Quinn Porter-Kregg Lumpkin battle for the No. 3 running back spot. Both are injured and I’m not sure of either’s status. But at least one of them needs to suck it up and get through this – after all, an NFL job is on the line.
• Matt Flynn build on his nice showing from the Seattle game. These next two games are potentially huge for his future if he wants to be an NFL starter someday.
• Spencer Havner and/or Andrew Quarless make some big plays. The Pack are going to keep four tight ends, as much as that baffles me, so the bottom two might as well be good.
• Breno Giacomini finally add some “Steak” to all the “Sizzle” the coaches have sold us on with him for the entire offseason. His future in Green Bay depends on it.

Defense

• Some pass rush from someone in the starting unit. I know, I know – Green Bay may once again be without its entire starting linebacking corps (A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones, Clay Matthews and Nick Barnett). And I know that it’s really, really hard to get pressure on the great Peyton Manning. But whoever may happen to be starting on defense, it’s imperative that some form of a pass rush gets established here, just so the team can be more sure in that area heading into Philly on Sept. 12.
• B.J. Raji get some real push up the middle. The big fella’s been solid, if unspectacular, during camp thus far. Let’s see a little spectacular tonight.
• Cullen Jenkins join Jennings on the sidelines in sweats, please. That ankle has to be ready for the games that count.
• Manning challenge Charles Woodson at least a couple of times, so we can see what really happens when two elite talents go right at each other.
• Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood be less terrible than they were last week. With Woodson returning, these guys will draw the nickel and dime spots, respectively, and should get a good test against a deep Colts receiving corps.
• Morgan Burnett do better. It’s time for him to start coming around a bit, rookie or not. And, even though it’s a game that doesn’t count, you know Manning will throw right at him.
• Someone emerge at d-line from the group of Justin Harrell, C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn. A key spot in the rotation is there for the taking, fellas.
• Sam Shields make some plays so he can shut all the doubters up. Come on, man – you’re “My Guy” for 2010 training camp. Don’t make me look silly.
• Two words: More Zombo!

Special Teams

• Mason Crosby keep doing what he’s been doing over the past 10 days.
• Everyone else be much, much, much better in every single area. That is all.

And, as usual, I’ll end this with the thing I’d like to see more than any of the rest: NO INJURIES!!

We’ll be back afterwards to wrap it all up. Enjoy the game, everyone.

-Chris Lempesis

With 21 training camp practices, a “Family Night Scrimmage” and two preseason games under their collective belt, we’ve seen enough of a body of work to begin determining what the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster could look like come Sept. 12.

But what should it look like?

Obviously, this is [...]]]> (Note: The Stew will return later Tuesday. I promise.)

With 21 training camp practices, a “Family Night Scrimmage” and two preseason games under their collective belt, we’ve seen enough of a body of work to begin determining what the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster could look like come Sept. 12.

But what should it look like?

Obviously, this is just one man’s opinion, but if I were running the show in Titletown, here’s how my roster would look, as of now. I’ll provide comments after each position, as well.

(Also, please don’t sue me for ripping off your idea, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Greg Bedard. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Right??)

Quarterbacks (2): Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn.

Comments: If I had done this 10 days ago, I might have included Graham Harrell on here. But Harrell is still far too raw to deserve a roster spot, especially with how deep the team is at other positions. He’s a practice squad guy, though, for sure.

Running backs (3): Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Quinn Porter.

Comments: As I’ve said before, if James Starks is healthy, this spot is set. His hamstring just isn’t healing, though, and I think he’s headed for injured reserve. Porter and Kregg Lumpkin are battling to a near deadlock, as of now, but Lumpkin’s injury and the fact that the team really seems to like Porter’s potential gives Porter the nod by a hair.

Fullbacks (2): John Kuhn, Quinn Johnson.

Comments: Kuhn has been getting some reps at running back recently, due to the team’s injury issues there. He hasn’t been terrible and is far too valuable in goalline spots to be let go. Johnson, while still raw, is very powerful and provides a change of pace as Kuhn and Korey Hall are, essentially, the same player. That earns him a spot.�

Wide receivers (5): Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain.

Comments: I think Charles Dillon has some intrigue to him, but Swain’s been around a lot longer and provides some special teams value. That gives him the nod, though I expect Dillon to be a practice squad guy. Not much else to say about this group, right?

Tight ends (4): Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Andrew Quarless, Spencer Havner.

Comments: Truth be told, if I were in charge, I’d look to trade Lee. He’s had a bounce back camp and could bring help elsewhere. That won’t happen, though, so I’ve gone with these four. Tom Crabtree is tough and has some upside, but not enough to warrant a spot. Practice squad? You bet.

Offensive line (9): Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Daryn Colledge, T.J. Lang, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Marshall Newhouse.

Comments: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein reported over the weekend that the Packers could very well be showcasing Jason Spitz for a potential trade. As of now, I’m guessing that happens (hopefully getting an outside linebacker or defensive lineman in return). In that case, Colledge – as much as he drives me insane – sticks. Dietrich-Smith then takes over Spitz’s spot for the backups. After Saturday night’s abysmal showing, I’m ready to pull the plug on Breno Giacomini. Boy, it’d sure be nice to have the emerging Jamon Meredith on this roster still, wouldn’t it?

Defensive line (7): Cullen Jenkins, B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Justin Harrell, Anthony Torribo, Jarius Wynn.

Comments: This team has to keep seven here, in my mind, especially when you consider that everyone outside of the three starters are complete unknowns (even Neal, as much as we all like his potential). In that case, it’s best to take a “Safety in Numbers” approach, although this position could look different in the event of a Spitz trade. Torribo is quietly putting together a solid camp and Wynn earns the nod over C.J. Wilson strictly because he’s been in the system a year longer. Wilson’s a practice squad lock, however.

Linebackers (8): Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop, Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Brady Poppinga, Frank Zombo.

Comments: The first seven are pretty much expected, but the eighth name may come as a surprise. Zombo was battling some injuries early in camp, but has really come on strong in the past two weeks. He showed some flashes against Cleveland before being really good, for the most part, against Seattle. That gives him the nod over Cyril Obiozor, who hasn’t done much for me. This position is also subject to change in the event a player is added here in a Spitz trade.

Cornerbacks (6): Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Al Harris, Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, Sam Shields.

Comments: Lock this up: No PUP list for Harris. He’ll be out there as the nickel against Philadelphia in week one. In that case, the team is set up pretty nicely at this position as Underwood and Lee will be the fourth and fifth corners, giving each time to learn things a bit slower. Shields is wretched as a returner, but has some real potential as a corner. That spells the end for Jarrett Bush (I’ll give you a minute to rejoice).

Safeties (4); Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Derrick Martin, Will Blackmon.

Comments: Atari Bigby’s going to be placed on the PUP list any second now, but I still think the Packers can get by with four at this spot. While he’s still learning the position, Blackmon can make plays, when healthy, and should be okay as the all-purpose backup for Collins and Burnett. Martin is a horrible safety, but an ace special teamer, something this team needs badly. Charlie Peprah doesn’t make it; he does nothing for me.

Specialists (3): Mason Crosby, Chris Bryan, Brett Goode.

Comments: While no clear winner has emerged between Bryan and Tim Masthay, Bryan’s got more upside as he’s been able to do some things in camp, in terms of directional kicking. If he can develop that, he could become a nice weapon for the special teams unit. That gives him a spot over Masthay. Crosby’s getting better and Goode’s been, well, good (I wait every training camp to make that joke!).

Obviously, this thing could change quite a bit in some spots over the next couple of weeks, but for now, I feel good about how this looks.

What say you, OBOD readers? Comment, baby, comment!

-Chris Lempesis

In other words, a lot of players didn’t play.

The entire starting linebacking corps was out, for example, as were [...]]]> With the “dress rehearsal” preseason game – i.e., game No. 3 – against the Indianapolis Colts just five days away, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy took a cautious approach Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

In other words, a lot of players didn’t play.

The entire starting linebacking corps was out, for example, as were Charles Woodson and Donald Driver.

Still, some things of note came out of Green Bay’s 27-24 road win over the Seahawks. Since the Packers were shorthanded, to say the least, for this one, it seems sort of silly to write an actual game recap.

Instead, let’s take a trip to the question department to discuss some of what went on:

• Question: What, if anything, should we make of the collective performance of the “starting” units?

Answer: If you believe the preseason means anything – and everyone has differing opinions on that - you could say that the Packers very much were who we thought they were (copyright, Denny Green). In other words, this game didn’t change my feelings on the team one bit.

The starting offense was once again fantastic, with two scores in two drives. Aaron Rodgers personified this with yet another sterling showing (8-of-11, 116, two touchdowns, 20-of-24, 275 yards, three touchdowns, no picks in just over two quarters of preseason play). Jermichael Finley and Greg Jennings are clearly the top two targets and the offensive line looked great (and was much better in run blocking). Again, all pretty much what you expected.

The “starting” defense was also what you figured the depleted unit would be, allowing two scores in four drives. The run defense was once again top-notch (the starting d-line was in the house for this one) but the pass rush was non-existent and corners Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood can officially be placed in the “Not Ready for Primetime” category, as of now. Not too worried about that, though, since those guys very well could end up as the No. 4 and No. 5 corners when the season starts.

As for the special teams…well…we’ll get to them in a minute.

• Question: Okay, minute’s up. Will the special teams ever actually, you know, improve?

Answer: I wish I could say they will, but as of now, it appears unlikely. Once again, the coverage units were terrible, allowing far too many open lanes and missing a ridiculous amount of tackles. The return units were only a little less terrible than last week against Cleveland, but still nowhere near good enough (as much as I like Sam Shields’ potential, as a corner, the team must take him off return duty as he’s way too much of a liability).

Granted, yes, some of the guys drawing special teams time will be bagging groceries at your local supermarket in a couple of weeks, but still, those players alone weren’t the problem. Several key special teams players turned in awful performances once again. I fully understand it’s the preseason, but when you play on a unit that’s been as heavily scrutinized as this one has, you’d think the group would want to be better, if only to shut everyone up. Well, they weren’t.

What the hell is Shawn Slocum doing, anyways?

• Question: Is there anyone we should feel better about coming out of the game?

Answer: There’s a few guys, actually: Brandon Jackson, Matt Flynn and Mason Crosby. Jackson (11 carries, 80 yards and a game-winning touchdown run) ran extremely hard and looks to be improving in finding open spaces to hit. He’s an underrated part of what the offense will do this season, for sure.

Flynn (10-of-20, 130 yards, one interception) was much, much better than his numbers would indicate. His confidence and poise were better than they’ve been throughout camp thus far and he showed good decision-making, as well. He moved well in the pocket and, for the first time in 2010, gave me confidence that this team could survive for a stretch with Flynn if something happened to Rodgers (God forbid). Because, you know, Flynn could actually work with linemen who can block and receivers who can catch, in that scenario.

After having seemingly everyone doubt him during the offseason/start of camp, Crosby has very quietly rebounded (2-for-2 Saturday, including a 51-yarder, for example). He appears to be getting better and better during the practices, as well. I’m still not sold on him totally and likely won’t be until Sept. 12, at the earliest. But, for now, you have to feel good about the progress he’s made. For me, that’s more than enough right now.

• Question: Who improved their chances of making the roster in this one? Who’s chances were hurt?

Answer: There’s two of each, actually. Outside linebacker Frank Zombo had a really strong night and could push for the eighth linebacker spot. Fullback John Kuhn just continues to show a diversity of skills and is so valuable in goalline situations. The fullback battle is now between Korey Hall and Quinn Johnson.

The biggest player who should now worry is tackle Breno Giacomini. He was beat repeatedly in the game and is starting to wreak of “All Sizzle, No Steak,” at this point. Looking good in practice is nice and all, but it means nothing if you can’t block during the game. This is his third preseason with the team. He should be better, especially against backups.

The second player is Allen Barbre. Okay, so he was likely gone, anyways, but by giving up a sack that got Flynn absolultely popped, it’s really official now.

(Okay, okay, I can’t stop on four questions, because I hate the number four. Hmmm…I need a fifth question…wait, I got it!)

• Question: Did you ever decide on a new jersey, Chris?

Answer: Sure did. I’m going with a beauty: A Rodgers 1929 throwback jersey. I know, I know – I ripped the new jerseys back in March. Since then, though, I’ve really come around on them. In fact, I now love them. Sorry, A.J. Hawk jersey, I’ve just got to move on.

-Chris Lempesis

Good thing Morgan Burnett got all those offseason reps with the starters, huh?

I say that because, on Thursday, we found out Atari Bigby’s [...]]]> (Two notes: First, the Stew will return next week. Second, big props to OBOD reader Kathy Wutkowski, who gave me the idea for this post. Writer’s block hits us all, sometimes, you know?)

Good thing Morgan Burnett got all those offseason reps with the starters, huh?

I say that because, on Thursday, we found out Atari Bigby’s return from ankle surgery could be much later rather than sooner. Originally told he’d be out until early September, we’ve now learned Bigby is indeed a candidate to be placed on the PUP list, meaning he may not be available to return to the Green Bay Packers until week seven, at the earliest.

Bigby told reporters he was unaware his ankle injury was as bad as it was. He also said that, had he known it was that bad, he would have opted for surgery much sooner than the Aug. 6 date of his procedure.

And, as an old friend of mine used to say, I’m calling shennanigans on this one.

That’s right – I think Bigby is lying through his teeth.

The ankle was a problem all along. Bigby and his camp – remember, he switched over to super agent Drew Rosenhaus awhile back – purposely kept the ankle injury a guarded secret, as they were pushing hard for a new deal from the team. That’s why he sat out all the offseason activity. To show up with a bad ankle would sink his chances of receiving an extension. But, again, they couldn’t tip their hand on that point, hence, he and Rosenhaus took a hardline stance with the Packers.

But, once the team traded up to get Burnett  and continued refusing Bigby’s advances for a new deal, he was left with two options: Sign the reduced one-year RFA tender (down to $1.55 million from the original $1.759 million) or put $0 on his 2011 tax return. Bigby took the former of the two, inking his tender in late July. Of course, there was the little matter of passing a conditioning test first. Bigby and the team led us to believe that it is here where he re-injured his ankle.

Are you serious?

After spending months and months of avoiding any sort of real football activity, you mean to tell us Bigby hurt his ankle so badly that surgery was required during a conditioning test? Even Brett Favre would shake his head if you told him he had to pull off a bluff like that.

If this all sounds a little too, “The Government was behind the Kennedy assassination” for your taste, keep this in mind: Rosenhaus knows a thing or nine about bending the rules of basic human health in order to get his guys bigger deals. The most famous example of this came when he conned the Buffalo Bills into using a first round pick on running back Willis McGahee in 2003, despite the fact that McGahee was only a few months removed from having his knee destroyed.

No doctor on the planet would tell you a recovery was possible that fast, but Rosenhaus – the master of turning chicken you-know-what into chicken salad – threw up some video of McGahee working out a little bit and fielding some calls on his cell phone and PRESTO! A guy who should have fallen to round two at the earliest was gone before round one was up. More money for everyone, nevermind the fact that McGahee played in exactly no games his rookie season because of said knee injury.

He’s doing it now, too, with Minnesota Vikings wideout Sidney Rice. Rice hasn’t practiced at all during camp with an alleged hip injury, yet to read various media reports here in the Twin Cities, it sounds like some within the organization don’t think the injury is that bad at all. No, it has nothing to do with the fact that Rice is coming off a season in which he recorded 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns, yet is only scheduled to earn $550,000 this year. Nope – nothing at all.

Quite honestly, I’d have a great deal more respect for Bigby if he just said the following:

“You know what, guys? I’m busted. I tried to hide the injury because I wanted more money. The team called my bluff, the money didn’t come, I had to show up  and the injury got exposed. I got bad advice, completely overplayed my hand and now the team could be hurt, as a result. It was stupid of me and I apologize.”

They never say that, though, do they?

Now, compare what Bigby’s going through to the various struggles of Al Harris. Harris, who in 2008 told the team to remove his injured spleen so he wouldn’t have to miss any time (sorry, I know I mentioned this Wednesday, too, but I think it speaks volumes), has spent the offseason vigorously rehabbing his destroyed knee in order to live up to his pledge that he’d be ready for opening day.

You could point to Harris’ contract security and salary – he’ll make $2.5 million this year, the fourth year of a five-year, $17.8 million extension he signed in 2007 – and Bigby’s lack of those luxuries as a reason for the disparity in urgency between the two. Is there some truth in there? Yeah, a little bit.

But, to me, it’s more than that. It’s about a desire to play, a desire to win, a desire to not let the other guys down. Harris has that; Bigby doesn’t. Sure, the players publicly say they understand such situations as part of the “business” of football, but privately, you know they feel differently. They’re there. They showed up. They’re working. Why isn’t he?

And I’m no fool, either. I understand the pending labor unrest plays a part in all of this; guys are trying to get the money now before the salary landscape is potentially altered for years to come.

Of course, there’s the nagging optimist in me that says this team has a shot to be great, a shot to win the whole damn thing. Wouldn’t you want to do all you could to be a part of that, money be damned? Besides, even if the landscape is altered, if you’re a key player on a world championship squad – something Bigby could be if he returns to his ‘07 form – someone will pay you.  

“Super Bowl or die” has become the rallying cry for the 2010 Packers. Nick Barnett’s even had t-shirts made that you can buy.

Let’s get Bigby his own shirt: “Super Bowl or die…as long as I get mine first.”

-Chris Lempesis