An Amatuers Stab at 53

Strohman — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:22:37 -0000

I am going out on a limb to try to predict the 53 man roster. Its something I have usually avoided, but thought I would give it a shot to see if I can stand up to the alleged media experts! Mine has a few small surprises that I have not seen elsewhere, so you're forwarned.

QB (3) Rodgers, Flynn, Brohm

Not much to say here, its pretty well cut and dried. Any thought of releasing Brohm was dispelled by his decent play vs. Tennessee. Not that I ever thought he would get released.

RB (7) Grant, Jackson, Wynn, Sutton, Hall, Kuhn, Johnson

Don't think many thought of keeping 7 RB, but Sutton is too good to get thru waivers and Johnson has WAY too much potential. The surprise is keeping both Hall and Kuhn. Both are HUGE ST performers though and have too much value to just release them. A trade here is a stong possibility after the cutdown. Packers will then be able to make a deal from a position of strength, not necessity.

WR (5) Driver, Jennings, Jones, Nelson, Martin

Easily the most obvious position to handicap! Don't think there was ever much chance someone would unseat Martin. Though Martin may have trade value as someone else's 3rd or 4th WR. Swain is close enough to being ready and with Finley playing almost like a WR instead of a TE, Martin could be dealt. Again it would happen after the cutdown to give the Packers more leverage, and thats assuming Swain clears waivers and makes the practice squad.

TE (2) Lee, Finley

Some thought of keeping Havner as a ST, LB and TE hybrid. If a trade occurs Havner would be among the first players they would consider bringing back to the 53 man roster.

OL (9) Clifton, Colledge, Spitz, Sitton, Barbre, Giacomini, Wells, Lang, Meredith

Packers go with Merediths potential rather than the more versatile, though dubious backup, Moll. Trade attempt for Moll and Wells may yield a draft pick. I doubt anyone would give up a pick for Moll, but Wells has some legitimate value. If Wells is traded, the Pack would have to decide between bringing in Dietrich-Smith or another waiver-wire Center. There is no way the Packers only keep Spitz at center.

DL (6) Pickett, Raji, Jenkins, Jolly, Montgomery, Wynn

Montgomery, while being on the light side for a 34 DE, has proven to be stout enough vs. the run to keep, at least for this year. Wynn played himself onto the roster with his pass rush abiltiy. He too, is a little light, but given a year could put on another 10 lbs to make him a better fit. He has the long arms that really help him control the OL he faces. Harrell as usual is injured, so he goes on the IR. The Packer might like to keep him on the 53 to find out what he could do in the 34, but just can't justify it... He is likely gone next year, I believe he has a roster bonus due next spring.

LB (9) Kampman, Hawk, Barnett, Poppinga, Matthews, Thompson, Bishop, Chillar, Jones

This was a relatively easy position as well. Jones played himself onto the 53 man roster. Thompson disappointed a little in training camp once the pads went on, but Ted Thompson won't quite be ready to give up on him. He has some really good skills, but needs to put them to better use by playing much more physically. He surprised the Packers with his abiltiy to drop into coverage and has the frame to excel as a pass rusher, given time. Obiozor is definitely going to the practice squad. He has been a pet project of Kevin Greene's this training camp.

DB (9) Harris, Woodson, Collins, Bigby, Williams, Smith, Blackmon, Bush, Lee

Lee is the final player to make my 53 man roster. It was very close between him and Underwood. The Packers are dearly hoping they can get him on the practice squad. His stinger might force a move to IR, but that wouldn't allow him to practice until next offseason, so the PS is the best place for him. Lee's injury may force the Packers to put him on IR as well, but that seems unlikely. The Packers need Bush for his ability on ST and to backup multiple positions. He has played better in the new 34 Defense than he did in the old press coverage in the 43. He still has value as a DB, not just ST.

ST (3) Crosby, Kapinos, Goode

Kapinos improved dramatically as training camp progressed that he made the roster, not just by default. He is always going to be in danger of losing his job. Whether by poor performance or in the offseason because he doesn't have a big leg. If he improves this season in his hangtime and continues to put the ball inside the 20 he will make himself a good career. I just don't think he'll be in GB for long though, due to his very average leg and the Packers being a cold weather team that generally makes them more likely to keep a big leg, over a technical punter with an average leg.

So there you have it... An ametuers view of the Packer 53 man roster, before a post cutdown trade or two. Anyone willing to make any better calls on the roster are free to make their suggestions, but I'll stand by my 53 man team, barring a trade.

SB Nation User Blog: Strohman

An Amatuers Stab at 53