SB Nation - Joe Porter

Practice Squad: Packers Sign TE Tom Crabtree

Brandon — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:16:30 -0000

The Green Bay Packers just announced the signing of TE Tom Crabtree to the practice squad.

The big news here is that they didn't sign a cornerback to replace CB Trevor Ford, who was recently promoted to the active roster. Despite the loss of CB Al Harris, the other recent signing of CB Josh Bell meant they didn't need another DB. There was a rumor about them bringing back CB Joe Porter, but apparently that came to nothing.

As for Crabtree, he's been on-and-off the Chiefs practice squad a couple times this season. Over at Arrowhead Pride, Joel Thorman came across impressed with Crabtree's performance in the Chiefs final preseason game. On the other hand, Crabtree was ranked 62 out of 88 TEs available in the 2009 NFL draft. But as you can probably learn from any draft bust, it doesn't matter as much how good you looked during the pre-draft workouts as how you play once you get to the NFL. He doesn't fill a need, and certainly won't make it onto the active roster this season, but it appears he has good hands and football smarts. He should make a nice addition to the practice squad.

Analysis: Down to 53; Look Who Missed The Roster

Brandon — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:00:30 -0000

by John Russell - AP

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I started out by looking at who made the 53 man roster for the Green Bay Packers. But all the talk is about who didn't make the team. It's a big list, with 18 players released and 4 players placed on I.R., but there are three big surprises. I'll be going through the players on I.R. after the jump. Also, it's time to speculate who will make the practice squad.

QB Brian Brohm. It's not everyday a team releases the player who was the No. 57 overall pick less than two years ago. I'm a big fan, I think he's getting better and has a chance to be a good QB, but I can understand why he's out. He doesn't make good decisions and he has trouble throwing the ball deep. He really needs more reps; he'd be a perfect candidate for the old NFL Europe. And I can understand why they weren't able to trade him because his stats during the 2008-2009 preseasons have been bad. Also, GM Ted Thompson probably prefers carrying only two QBs on the roster. He might slip through and find his way back on the practice squad. I couldn't find any legitimate rumor of another team being interested in him.
RB Tyrell Sutton. Mike McCarthy prefers big backs. RB Ryan Grant and RB DeShawn Wynn are big backs. Sutton, at 5'7", is not. His only competition was truly RB Brandon Jackson, and it appears Jackson is a better blocker and receiver. Expect to see Sutton sign with another team very soon.
S Anthony Smith. The former 3rd round pick of the Steelers was a low cost free agent signing. He received no signing bonus, so there shouldn't be a salary cap hit for his release. He's had an outstanding preseason, although he did mix in a couple 15 yard penalties. Then they trade for CB/S Derrick Martin, who seems to be a very similar player, although he can actually play cornerback. I thought Smith had the job as the top backup safety all locked up.

WR Jake Allen. He was on the practice squad last season, but it wasn't enough to get him a good look this preseason. I rarely saw him on the field. He could return to the practice squad once again.
CB Trevor Ford. He was just awful in the game against Tennessee. He wasn't physical at the line and he couldn't keep up with the receivers in coverage. He's the least surprising cut.
OL Andrew Hartline. He had a good preseason, but he just couldn't beat out OL T.J. Lang or C Evan Dietrich-Smith. Although it probably helped Dietrich-Smith that he can play center too. He could return on the practice squad, but it will depend on who else was released around the NFL.
WR Kole Heckendorf. He had a good preseason and it should be enough to get him onto the practice squad.
LB Danny Lansanah. Another 2008 practice squad alum. He's a good player and a big hitter, but there are just too many good inside linebackers currently on the roster. He's another 2009 practice squad possibility.
RB Kregg Lumpkin. The running back everyone expected to be released. I'm still surprised he made the team last season. I'm pretty sure he's not eligible for the practice squad.
DE Alfred Malone. Rinse and repeat: another 2008 practice squad alum who had a good preseason and could make it on the 2009 practice squad.
WR Ruvell Martin. He should have made the team again this season, but he had some preseason miscues. He just didn't offer anything as a receiver that they couldn't get from WR Brett Swain. But while Swain actually showed some promise as a punt returner and as a cornerback (seriously, he wasn't that bad in the Tennesee game), Martin blew his opportunity as a holder and a punt returner (fumbled a punt return at Tennessee). He doesn't seem like a guy who will draw much interest from another team.
OL Jamon Meredith. The 5th round pick had a rocky college career in South Carolina, but the talent has always been there. He played almost exclusively at left tackle this preseason, and it seemed like he's a great run blocker. I'm really surprised they kept Dietrich-Smith over him.
NT Dean Muhtadi. He's under 300 lbs. but he always played at nose tackle. He never seemed like a good fit, but he could be signed for the practice squad.
LB Cyril Obiozor. The undrafted, college defensive end, was always a project, and he got caught in a numbers crunch. Just too many good linebackers in camp. He was probably battling 7th round LB Brad Jones for a spot, and Jones outplayed him. He's another practice squad possibility.
CB Joe Porter. Rinse and repeat: another 2008 practice squad alum who had a good preseason and could make it on the 2009 practice squad.
OL Dane Randolph. The undrafted lineman from Maryland was always a long shot, and he only played 3rd string right tackle this preseason. He's not bad, but there's just no room for him.
DE Ronald Talley. He made a couple plays this preseason, but he got beat out by DE Jarius Wynn, who made a lot of good plays.
NT Anthony Toribio. He spent a lot of time in opponent's backfields this preseason and I was hoping he grabbed one of the final roster spots. He should be playing somewhere in the NFL, but he might slip through the cracks.

Injured Reserve:

DE Justin Harrell. The frequently injured one is the least surprising addition to the I.R. Although this gives him another season to try and rehab, I don't expect he'll ever play for the Packers again.
CB Pat Lee. This sucks. He missed most of the preseason with a back injury, he finally gets healthy for the final preseason game, and he hyperextends his knee. He looked good at cornerback against Tennessee, and he made a great kick off return (on which he hyperextended his knee). With several injured players already in the secondary, they couldn't afford to stash him on the 53 man roster and wait a few weeks for him to return.
TE Evan Moore. He didn't seem hurt in the Tennessee game. He sure didn't play well this preseason (multiple penalties, at least one fumble) so I was expecting his release.
S Charlie Peprah. He played only on special teams in 2007 and 2008, but the coaches apparently like him anyway. He might have been able to return, but as I mentioned with Pat Lee above, they really can't wait.

Analysis: Green Bay Packers Trade for Derrick Martin

Brandon — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:50:47 -0000

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

3 months ago: Baltimore Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin (29) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Britt Davis (17) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 24-23. At left is Ravens Tom Zbikowski (28). (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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I haven't posted my game review from the final preseason game yet, but it was pretty obvious why they might trade for a cornerback. CBs Pat Lee, Will Blackmon, and Brandon Underwood are all battling injuries, and CB Trevor Ford looked just awful, and he too was hurt in the last minute. WR Brett Swain played cornerback in the 4th quarter, and except for his tackling (which is something I'm sure he never practices), he was their best CB on the field. CB Jarrett Bush and CB Joe Porter are better, but they were both playing at safety, where depth is a problem too because of injuries to S Aaron Rouse and S Charlie Peprah.

With depth an issue, they made a trade for CB/S Derrick Martin, according to Aaron Wilson at the National Football Post. Baltimore will receive a 6th or 7th round pick in 2010 in return. Although Baltimore's secondary isn't loaded with big name players, including former Packer CB Frank Walker, they were a very good unit last season, so he's been competing for playing time against some good players. Martin was injured all last season, and although he's played CB in the past, the Ravens were using him exclusively at safety this preseason. Baltimore Beatdown expected that Martin would win a spot on the 53 man roster, so he should be good.

UPDATE: Great minds think alike. Mitchell and I were writing about this at the same time and his post got up before mine. Check out his post below.

UPDATE #2: It's a straight up trade of OL Tony Moll for Martin. Moll was the starting RT at the end of last season, filling in after RT Mark Tauscher went down with an injury, but he was always prone to the occasional lapse (i.e. missed assignment, holding penalty) so he was out of favor, and never even consider as Tauscher's replacement this season. He was probably going to be released, so acquiring a needed player for the secondary was a good move.

Preseason Preview: Green Bay at Arizona

Brandon — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:00:11 -0000

More photos » by Matt York - AP

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Back in 2008, the Green Bay Packers traveled to San Francisco for their 2nd preseason game and it was a disaster. They looked awful and lost the game 34-6. So it might not be a shock if they look flat in this game after two great preseason games at home. Traveling to the west coast can take something out of a team.

Arizona is switching defensive schemes for 2009, and so far they've looked pretty good. Although the starting defense has only been in on six drives so it's a pretty small sample size. Their offense might not be in great shape since two of their top three WRs (Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston) are out with injuries. They'll probably be without their top two draft picks too; RB Chris Wells and DE Cody Brown. With all the injuries, depth is a problem for them, so they might struggle in the 2nd half when the backups are in.

After last week's game against Buffalo, the coaches determined that RT Allen Barbre, RG Josh Sitton, and LB Brady Poppinga would be starters. No one is playing for a starting job in this game. Although I'd expect the starters will play the entire 1st half, and probably the first series of the 2nd half. Some backups might be playing for roster spots in the 2nd half, but I bet the coaches already have a good idea of who will survive the roster cut down to 75 on Tuesday (Sept. 1st).

What to watch for:

Can the 1st team defense continue to dominate the opposing offense like they've done the last two games? Obviously Arizona's offense is a much bigger test then Cleveland or Buffalo.
Will the offensive line be able to open running lanes and protect QB Aaron Rodgers?
See if Arizona opens up their offense in the 2nd quarter. Although the Packers will keep most of the starters in for the entire 1st half, they might pull CB Al Harris and CB Charles Woodson in the 2nd quarter to give a lot of playing time to CB Joe Porter, CB Brandon Underwood, and CB Trevor Ford. All three players are on the roster bubble. Last week, Buffalo was finally able to get their offense moving when that trio came in at cornerback because they give receivers a lot of cushion.

Analysis: Green Bay Packers defeat Bills 31-21

Brandon — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:13 -0000

More photos » by Jim Prisching - AP

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This was another impressive win. While the first team offense and defense were on the field, the Green Bay Packers jumped out to a 21-0 lead and Buffalo committed 3 turnovers. RB Ryan Grant ran well and QB Aaron Rodgers had time to find open receivers. The defensive front seven were constantly in Buffalo's backfield, and QB Trent Edwards was usually on the run. It was by far Buffalo's worst preseason game this season.

Unfortunately there were a couple injuries. According to Tom Pelissero:

QB Matt Flynn had a shoulder sprain but he feels OK.
S Nick Collins has bruised ribs. The x-rays were negative, but he'll probably take it slowly next week.
Undrafted rookie TE Devin Frischknecht was taken to the hospital with a shin injury.

There aren't a lot of starting jobs being fought for in training camp. DT B.J. Raji is trying to start ahead of DE Johnny Jolly, but it seems like a given that Raji will be the starter at some point. LB Clay Matthews, LB Jeremy Thompson, and LB Brady Poppinga are battling for the starting outside LB spot, but Poppinga is winning that by default as the others are still being held out with injuries. On the offensive line, C Scott Wells outplayed RG Josh Sitton in this game while RT Allen Barbre outplayed RT Breno Giacomini, but Pete Dougherty believes Sitton is ahead of Wells. One play shouldn't knock a player out of a starting job, but the one block that Giacomini blew led to Flynn's injured throwing shoulder, so it's a bit more glaring.

Yes, it was just one game, and yes, it was just one preseason game, but it couldn't have gone much better. Continue after the jump for the complete game review.

Bills vs Packers coverage; Bills vs Packers recap; Bills vs Packers boxscore; Buffalo Rumblings

For my complete game review, I'm using the NFL.com play-by-play.

First Quarter

(13:06) (Shotgun) 23-M.Lynch left tackle to BUF 29 for -1 yards (77-C.Jenkins).

It's good to see DE Cullen Jenkins healthy and busting into the opponent's backfield again.

(12:36) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass deep left intended for 83-L.Evans INTERCEPTED by 51-B.Poppinga (36-N.Collins) at BUF 45. 51-B.Poppinga to BUF 37 for 8 yards (63-G.Hangartner).

The refs have their preseason too. S Nick Collins got to WR Lee Evans early and they could have called pass interference. But Collins still looked great, he seemed to be all over the field, before they pulled him early due to a rib injury.

(11:18) 25-R.Grant right tackle to BUF 23 for 1 yard (95-K.Williams, 99-M.Stroud).

If your keeping track whether C Scott Wells or RG Josh Sitton should start, DT Marcus Stroud shoved Sitton aside to tackle RB Ryan Grant at the line of scrimmage.

(8:57) 25-R.Grant left tackle to BUF 17 for -2 yards (56-K.Ellison).

Getting stuffed on 4th and 1 might be a sign that the Packers' offensive line is struggling. Buffalo committed all their linebackers into the middle determined to stop the run. On this play, there were just more defenders then blockers on the line. This overcommitment comes back to bite them.

(8:53) 5-T.Edwards sacked at BUF 9 for -3 yards (97-J.Jolly).

(7:43) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards sacked at BUF 5 for -7 yards (97-J.Jolly). FUMBLES (97-J.Jolly), RECOVERED by GB-50-A.Hawk at BUF 5. 50-A.Hawk to BUF 5 for no gain (5-T.Edwards).

It was a nice play by DE Johnny Jolly, but I can't say enough how about unimpressed I was by Buffalo's offensive line. They played back on their heels the entire game. The 1st string defense killed them with speed from the linebackers and power from the defensive lineman. On the sack, LB A.J. Hawk and LB Brandon Chillar just ran right around the offensive lineman in a second. QB Trent Edwards was either running for his life or throwing quick 5 yard outs to avoid the rush. Buffalo's O-line wasn't good last season and they jettisoned three starters, including current Packer C Duke Preston, from that group. They're rebuilding their line, and it's just not ready.

(7:33) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 85-G.Jennings for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Once again, Buffalo run blitzed their linebackers to fill the gaps in a short yardage situation. This time, QB Aaron Rodgers dropped back and hit WR Greg Jennings on a quick slant. The cornerback was outside and Rodgers threw it inside where there were no linebackers back in coverage.

(4:09) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 88-J.Finley to BUF 35 for 21 yards (20-D.Whitner).

This was one of many plays by TE Jermichael Finley. He was showing off what he can do in the passing game. He was running by their linebackers and is too big for their corners and safeties. He showed the same thing last week vs. Cleveland. He'll have to prove it during the regular season too, but so far, he's looking like a big, dangerous target in the middle of the field.

The Packers march down 79 yards for their 2nd TD. The offense looked great, but this was some plain vanilla defense. They used a four man rush that wasn't providing enough pass pressure, their linebackers were focused on the run, and their secondary and linebackers were getting killed in single coverage. The offense looked better than the defense, but their defense would have played it differently during the regular season.

(:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short left to 22-F.Jackson to BUF 43 for 13 yards (21-C.Woodson).

This was the first play I noticed with DT B.J. Raji and he dropped into pass coverage. He seemed to have no trouble with the Buffalo offensive line, but you could say the same thing for Jolly and Jenkins. Like I said above, I wasn't impressed at all with Buffalo's O-line.

Second Quarter

(13:59) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 5-T.Edwards pass short middle to 22-F.Jackson to BUF 41 for 4 yards (77-C.Jenkins). FUMBLES (77-C.Jenkins), RECOVERED by GB-51-B.Poppinga at BUF 41. 51-B.Poppinga to BUF 41 for no gain (63-G.Hangartner).

The fumble was all Jenkins. He read the screen, avoided all the offensive lineman trying to block him, and stripped RB Fred Jackson. It's the 2nd turnover for LB Brady Poppinga who's been in the right place at the right time on both of them.

(13:15) 25-R.Grant left guard to BUF 22 for 14 yards (20-D.Whitner, 24-T.McGee).

In the battle for the starting right tackle job, RT Breno Giacomini blew open the entire middle of the field for Grant to run through on this play.

(12:08) 12-A.Rodgers pass short left to 25-R.Grant to BUF 10 for 13 yards (92-R.Denney).

The Packers are usually lousy on screen passes, but this one worked. C Scott Wells came off clean and made a block to spring Grant for a few extra yards.

(10:54) 12-A.Rodgers pass short right to 80-D.Driver for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

The description doesn't show Rodgers scrambling and waiting for WR Donald Driver to get open. The pass was behind Driver, but the defender couldn't get to it.

(7:12) 32-B.Jackson right end ran ob at BUF 46 for 4 yards (43-B.Scott). PENALTY on GB-78-A.Barbre, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at 50 - No Play.

By this point, RT Allen Barbre is behind Giacomini in the starting right tackle battle.

(3:57) (No Huddle) 14-R.Fitzpatrick up the middle to BUF 34 for 1 yard (55-D.Bishop).

This could have been a big play for Buffalo. The coverage was great, but the defensive lineman were blocked and lost contain. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had the entire middle of the field open, but LB Desmond Bishop kept his contain and tackled him.

(3:16) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 17-J.Jenkins (29-A.Smith).

I'm really starting to like free agent S Anthony Smith, but then he drops a INT thrown right to him. That doesn't mean he isn't a good backup, but I can see he's talented and I can also see why he lost his starting job in Pittsburgh.

(2:00) 11-B.Brohm pass short right to 87-J.Nelson ran ob at GB 32 for 10 yards (26-A.Youboty).

(1:54) (Shotgun) 11-B.Brohm pass short middle to 87-J.Nelson to GB 45 for 13 yards (30-K.Simpson).

(1:31) (Shotgun) 11-B.Brohm pass incomplete deep right to 89-J.Jones (46-E.Lankster). PENALTY on BUF-46-E.Lankster, Defensive Pass Interference, 34 yards, enforced at GB 45 - No Play.

(1:06) (Shotgun) 11-B.Brohm pass short left intended for 82-R.Martin INTERCEPTED by 27-R.Corner at BUF 9. 27-R.Corner to BUF 12 for 3 yards (82-R.Martin).

I'm a fan of QB Brian Brohm. He's clearly the 3rd QB on the roster, but that doesn't mean he isn't getting better. He's a talented pocket passer. He showed a little of it on back-to-back completions to WR Jordy Nelson. Unfortunately he then threw too late and behind to WR James Jones, but the defender hit Jones as he was trying to catch up to the play. The interception wasn't intended for WR Ruvell Martin; he was trying to hit Nelson underneath but he overthrew it. Either way, the pass that was intercepted was a bad decision.

(:41) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick sacked at BUF 26 for -5 yards (59-B.Jones). FUMBLES (59-B.Jones), RECOVERED by GB-55-D.Bishop at BUF 26. 55-D.Bishop to BUF 26 for no gain (79-J.Scott).

As if the Packers didn't have enough tough choices at linebacker. LB Nick Barnett was still held out for this game, but rookie 7th round pick LB Brad Jones was finally cleared to play. He beat the right tackle on the pass rush and he played well in pass coverage. If he keeps this up, they might have no choice but to make room for him on the roster.

Third Quarter

(14:52) 28-K.Lumpkin right end to GB 45 for -5 yards (97-J.McCargo). FUMBLES (97-J.McCargo), recovered by GB-60-D.Preston at GB 37. 60-D.Preston to GB 37 for no gain (53-M.Buggs).

RG Evan Dietrich-Smith got beat and let DT John McCargo hit RB Kregg Lumpkin in the backfield. Lumpkin still should have held onto the ball.

(12:53) 7-J.Kapinos punts 47 yards to BUF 2, Center-61-B.Goode. 26-A.Youboty to BUF 2 for no gain (82-R.Martin). PENALTY on GB-16-B.Swain, Interference with Opportunity to Catch, 15 yards, enforced at BUF 6.

I keep reading Tweets about the great camp WR Brett Swain is having. He hasn't played much as a receiver in the first two preseason games, and he blew it on special teams. With all the good receivers in camp, he can't afford to have another bad play like this again.

P Jeremy Kapinos looked good on five punts, but he'll have to keep it up.

(11:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep right to 13-St.Johnson to BUF 48 for 24 yards (27-W.Blackmon).

Buffalo had a lot more success passing the ball in the 2nd half. The Packers' 3rd string defense came in and didn't provide much pass rush. Outside LB Spencer Havner and LB Cyril Obiozor have made some noise in camp, but they couldn't near the QB in this game. Although rookie DE Jarius Wynn and DE Ronald Talley did a pretty good job at getting into the backfield on a couple plays.

(8:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short right to 88-J.Stupar to GB 21 for 12 yards (24-J.Bush). Green Bay challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. (Timeout #1.)

The refs in preseason form; the pass bounced off the turf before it was "caught". But it didn't matter...

(8:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left intended for 33-D.Rhodes INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Bishop at GB 17. 55-D.Bishop to GB 20 for 3 yards. Lateral to 29-A.Smith to GB 20 for no gain (73-K.Chambers). GB-33-B.Underwood was injured during the play. PENALTY on GB-33-B.Underwood, Illegal Block Above the Waist, 10 yards, enforced at GB 20.

Next time, don't lateral it. But otherwise it was great play as Bishop jumped all over the quick slant.

(7:31) 11-B.Brohm pass incomplete short right to 45-Q.Johnson (96-C.Bryan).

Buffalo DE Copeland Bryan was a pain in the butt. He shoved Barbre back into Brohm on this play.

(7:26) (Shotgun) 11-B.Brohm pass short left to 46-D.Frischknecht to GB 12 for 1 yard (54-N.Harris). GB-46-D.Frischknecht was injured during the play.

I don't like to see anyone hurt, but I was pulling for undrafted rookie TE Devin Frischknecht. He was taken to the hospital with a shin injury. I would be shocked if he's not placed on I.R. this week.

(5:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 15-F.Huggins to GB 48 for 15 yards (40-J.Porter).

I'm picking on CB Joe Porter here, he was the chief offender, but the same can be said for CB Trevor Ford and CB Brandon Underwood. They're all fighting for the 5th cornerback spot, or maybe a job on the practice squad. I don't know if it's how they play, or if by design, but they all gave a lot of cushion. They're all great in coming up in run support and they appear to be good tacklers. But Buffalo came back in the game because the tight coverage and the pass rush vanished.

(1:13) (No Huddle) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 88-J.Stupar for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Rookie LB Brad Jones was in on the coverage, but he was all over the tight end in coverage. Somehow the pass missed hitting Jones and the tight end grabbed it.

Fourth Quarter

(12:24) 10-M.Flynn sacked at GB 18 for -8 yards (96-C.Bryan). FUMBLES (96-C.Bryan), recovered by GB-68-B.Giacomini at GB 16. 68-B.Giacomini to GB 16 for no gain (93-C.Ellis).

Well if you're wondering how Barbre beat Giacomini for the starting right tackle job, this might have been the play. He was beat by Bryan to the outside. QB Matt Flynn had his night cut short because he Bryan hit him while he was throwing.

(4:53) 23-T.Sutton left end pushed ob at BUF 41 for 10 yards (71-A.Etukeren). PENALTY on BUF-46-E.Lankster, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at BUF 41.

Rookie LT Jamon Meredith looked good on this drive. On this play, he cleared the left side open for RB Tyrell Sutton. He's still behind LT Tony Moll for the backup spot and still in a major fight to make the roster.

(4:07) 23-T.Sutton left tackle to BUF 11 for 10 yards (21-J.Wendling).

(3:25) 11-B.Brohm pass short right to 19-K.Heckendorf to BUF 3 for 8 yards (47-C.Harris).

(2:55) 23-T.Sutton right tackle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

WR Kole Heckendorf, the pride of Mosinee, is still a long shot to make the roster. I don't know against who he is competing. I guess it's possible he could beat out WR Ruvell Martin. But he really looked good; showing good hands while taking some big hits.

Sutton followed up a great first preseason game with another one. But he still is the last running back given playing time, so I would guess the coaches still have him behind Lumpkin and RB DeShawn Wynn.

(2:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-G.Hamdan pass short right to 44-X.Omon to GB 10 for 52 yards (40-J.Porter).

There were about three blown tackles on this play. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is going to burst a blood vessel when he watches this replay.

(1:49) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-G.Hamdan pass incomplete short left to 88-J.Stupar [94-J.Wynn]. PENALTY on GB-29-A.Smith, Defensive Pass Interference, 9 yards, enforced at GB 10 - No Play.

Back to what I was saying about Smith on the dropped INT; he makes a couple good plays but then mixes them in with a bad one. Although I couldn't see the pass interference on this one.

Final OTA Practice - Nick Collins, Jeremy Thompson, and Will Blackmon

Brandon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:29 -0000

More photos » by Mike Roemer - AP

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I was a panelist on the Wednesday Live Blog at Cheesehead TV. Thanks again to Corey and Aaron for inviting me over. This week, they interviewed CB Joe Porter. Next week they are scheduled to talk with Greg Bedard from the Journal Sentinel and former Packer VP Andrew Brandt. Plus I got the chance to make a RB Travis Jervey reference.

I followed the final OTA practice on Greg Bedard's live blog, and noticed several things.

I'll preface my comments that it's ridiculous to read too much into 7-on-7 drills, during June practices, with no pads. No one is going to lose their starting job over a bad June practice. And if the players who are looking sharp in June don't do the same in the August preseason games, they're not getting off the bench or maybe not even staying on the roster.

S Nick Collins arrived for practices. Mitchell was all over this earlier.
LB Spencer Havner, who spent all of 2008 on the practice squad, lined up at tight end.
OLB Jeremy Thompson was on the first team defense while OLB Clay Matthews was on the 2nd team. They are holding him back as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered earlier this month.
LB Brandon Chillar played inside in place of LB Nick Barnett. So much for my theory that Chillar would be playing outside.
CB Will Blackmon played ahead of CB Pat Lee. Again, something I was wrong about as I expected Lee would be ahead of Blackmon.
OL T.J. Lang is expected to compete at RG, but got to play at RT. Mike McCarthy doesn't know yet which position best suits Lang.

Friday Injury Report, Week 17 vs. Detroit

Brandon — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:14:25 -0000

Player	Pos.	Injury	Friday Participation	Friday Status
Chad Clifton	T	Knees	Limited Participation	Probable
Donald Driver	WR	Knee	(Not Listed)	N/A
Breno Giacomini	T	Ankle	Out	Out
Korey Hall	FB	Knee	Full Participation	Questionable
Justin Harrell	DT	Hip	Out	Out
Al Harris	CB	Illness	(Not Listed)	N/A
Spencer Havner	LB	Ankle	Full Participation	Probable
Brandon Jackson	RB	Wrist	Limited Participation	Doubtful
Greg Jennings	WR	Concussion	(Not Listed)	N/A
Johnny Jolly	DT	Ankle	(Not Listed)	N/A
Joe Porter	CB	Concussion	Full Participation	Probable
Aaron Rouse	S	Ankle	(Not Listed)	N/A
Jason Spitz	G/C	Knee	Full Participation	Probable
Charles Woodson	CB	Toe	Full Participation	Probable

It's a big list because a lot of guys sat out or were limited on Wednesday or Thursday, but almost everyone showed up on Friday. It looks like T Breno Giacomini will remain inactive for the 16th game this season. FB Korey Hall should be back for this game. RB Brandon Jackson will probably miss another game. And, I know you're all shocked, DT Justin Harrell will miss another game. Otherwise, everyone else should be good and ready.

Detroit has a pretty long list of names on their injury list. Including their best player, WR Calvin Johnson, but he is listed as probable and should play. I'm familiar with everyone else on their injury report, but I don't know whether any of them will be missed.

Week 17 Injury Report

Sean Yuille — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:15:27 -0000

DETROIT LIONS
Pos.	Player	Injury	Status
QB	Daunte Culpepper	Right Shoulder	Doubtful
RB	Kevin Smith	Ankle	Questionable
WR	Calvin Johnson	Knee	Probable
DE	Dewayne White	Calf	Questionable
DE	Corey Smith	Hamstring	Questionable
DT	Chuck Darby	Calf	Probable
LB	Ernie Sims	Knee	Questionable
CB	Travis Fisher	Concussion	Questionable

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Pos.	Player	Injury	Status
RB	Brandon Jackson	Wrist	Doubtful
RB	Korey Hall	Knee	Questionable
OT	Breno Giacomini	Ankle	Out
OT	Chad Clifton	Knees	Probable
OG	Jason Spitz	Knee	Probable
DT	Justin Harrell	Hip	Out
LB	Spencer Havner	Ankle	Probable
CB	Charles Woodson	Toe	Probable
CB	Joe Porter	Concussion	Probable

NFL INJURY REPORT GUIDE
Status	Definition
Probable	75% chance that the player will play in the game
Questionable	50% chance that the player will play in the game
Doubtful	25% chance that the player will play in the game
Out	0% chance that the player will play in the game

Losing CB Pat Lee

Brandon — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:39:06 -0000

Rookie 2nd round CB Pat Lee hurt his knee in the New Orleans game and it looks like his season is over. Perennial practice squad LB Spencer Havner will take his roster spot.

Man the secondary is just getting killed. Rouse and Bigby are hurting. Collins is playing, but he's got some bumps and bruises. It looks like they are serious about moving CB Charles Woodson to safety. From Mike McCarthy's press conference, reporters' questions in bold and his answers afterward:

(Did Woodson come out of the game any different playing safety, as far as the cutting and movement with his foot?)
That's a good question. I did not ask him that. As far as when we go through the report with Pat McKenzie, he said Charles is doing better was where he was at, and wanted to keep him on the same schedule. I would say maybe not less cutting, but he was in a lot more tackles around the ball. I don't have a feel for that.

(With Woodson at safety and Lee injured, is Joe Porter a candidate to play some nickel or dime?)
Joe gets some work there in the dime. He's also a candidate to possibly play on special teams. All our practice squad guys that we've been bringing up, their vehicle to get on the 45 has been special teams.

But losing Lee and Woodson means CB Tramon Williams will start alongside Harris. CB Will Blackmon is the new nickel and behind him stands CB Joe Porter. He was just added to the roster from the practice squad.

Houston can pass the ball. Hopefully everyone can adjust to their new roles by Sunday.

Replacing Nick Barnett with Joe Porter

Brandon — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:58:53 -0000

Well not really.

But the Packers finally put LB Nick Barnett on I.R., along with DE Kenny Pettway. Barnett was injured weeks ago at Minnesota, but there was no rush to use his roster spot. The knee injury to Pettway happened on a kickoff on Sunday vs. Carolina.

Two players were added to the roster from the practice squad.

CB Joe Porter played a bit this preseason and wasn't very good. But with all the injuries at safety (Rouse, Collins, Bigby, and Peprah all have various injuries), another body was needed in the secondary.
DT Alfred Malone is your typical big body in the middle. But after watching all the defensive tackles do hardly anything at all against Carolina, I hope Malone gets some playing time. Might as well see what he can do. He can't do much worse.