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Happy to jump ship
Denver Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker watched the Cincinnati Bengals trounce his former Packers team last week and was asked what he thought. "Obviously, we have a chance to be a Super Bowl team," Walker told the Denver Post. "Obviously, they have a chance to win four games." Walker, disgruntled in Green Bay, was traded in April to the Broncos for a second-round draft pick. "It just made me happy to know I'm here and not dealing with that anymore," Walker said. "This is a winning organization, and I'm better off here." Walker said he wants to see certain Packers players perform well and mentioned Al Harris, Charles Woodson, Bubba Franks and Robert Ferguson. (Edit: Where's the Love for Brett y'all? Bite me Javon!)
Third-round jinx
When Thompson cut defensive lineman Kenny Peterson, he rid the Packers of all of Mike Sherman's third-round draft picks. Sherman, the former coach and general manager, ran the Packers' drafts from 2002-2004. He drafted five players in those third rounds: safety Marques Anderson in 2002, Peterson in 2003, and cornerback Joey Thomas, d-tackle Donnell Washington and punter B.J. Sander in 2004. That left the Packers with only one of nine players from the 2003 draft class. That's first-round pick Nick Barnett, their starting middle linebacker. Thompson kept 10 defensive linemen, including two rookies (sixth-round draft pick Johnny Jolly and undrafted free agent Jason Hunter). Peterson was bothered by an ankle injury throughout training camp, and appeared to aggravate it Friday against the Titans. "He had the injury at a difficult time," Thompson said. "We had a young kid (Hunter) that came on and played really well."
Injured reserve
A pair of promising undrafted rookies, tackle Josh Bourke and running back Arliss Beach, were placed on season-ending injured reserve. Thompson said doctors discovered a back injury that would have kept Bourke out for a significant amount of time, perhaps all season. *Bourke missed the final two preseason games due what was believed to be a calf injury, but it turned out his back was the issue. *Beach sustained a high-ankle sprain in the Aug. 28 game at Cincinnati. "It's a high-ankle sprain, and those things take forever," Thompson said. "It's a doozy, I think."
Kickers survive
It was hardly a surprise, but kicker Dave Rayner and punter Jon Ryan survived the final cut and almost certainly will kick in the regular-season opener against Chicago on Sept. 10 at Lambeau Field. Though Thompson has had a string of kickers and punters in for workouts the last few weeks, there appears little chance he will make a change before the opener. "I never say never," Thompson said, "but I wouldn't anticipate change there."
Extra Points
Thompson said fullback William Henderson should be ready to play in the opener. Henderson had a knee scope on Aug. 21 to remove loose cartilage and missed the last two preseason games. … Teams can start signing players to the practice squad at 11 a.m. today, when the waiver period ends. Among those the Packers may retain for their eight-man developmental unit are safeties Atari Bigby and Tra Boger, fullback Ben Brown, receiver Chris Francies, cornerback Patrick Dendy and defensive end Dave Tollefson.
Pick-and-choose time
GM scours waiver, free agent lists
By Tom Silverstein
journalsentinel
Rather than waste the time of players he wasn't going to keep anyway, Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson left his 53-man roster open-ended. After releasing 19 players and putting three on injured reserve, the Packers trimmed down from 73 players to 51, two below the NFL-mandated limit. Contrary to some corporate practices these days, the Packers aren't going lean. Thompson merely left the positions open because he and his personnel department are combing through the waiver and free-agent lists to find players who can potentially upgrade their roster. With only four wide receivers and eight offensive linemen, odds are the Packers will pick up one of each from the scrap heap created when final cuts were made Saturday. Thompson wasn't guaranteeing anything, but it's a good bet that by sometime today the roster will be filled. "I'm sure we won't be at 51 forever," the understated Thompson said. "During the course of the season all teams will fluctuate between 53 and 50. Right now we felt comfortable doing what we did today." In saying he was comfortable, Thompson meant he didn't think the Packers unnecessarily cut anybody just to keep two roster spots open. In the next 48 hours or so he'll have a chance to fill the remaining spots with players he deems better than the ones let go. (MORE)
Roster is a work in progress
Thompson's not done
Molding the 2006 Packers
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette
After a full training camp, Ted Thompson isn't finished making over the Green Bay Packers' 2006 roster. The team's general manager reduced his team on final cutdowns to 51 players, two below the NFL maximum, and it's likely he'll fill one or both of those spots as soon as today, when released players are awarded on waivers. Thompson's moves included cutting two injury-prone players once regarded as promising prospects, halfback Najeh Davenport and second-year cornerback Mike Hawkins, as well as one 2006 draft pick of note, fourth-rounder Cory Rodgers. The Packers selected Rodgers to fill a major void at kick and punt returner. But of at least as much interest were the areas he left short on the roster: receiver, where he kept only four players when most teams keep five or six; offensive line, where he kept only eight players instead of nine or 10; and safety, where he kept only three players instead of at least four. (MORE)
Injured Blackmon beats injured Hawkins
Out of roster spot
By Rob Demovsky / greenbaypressgazette
The Green Bay Packers think rookie cornerback Will Blackmon could play in the next month, so instead of leaving him on the physically unable to perform list, they added him to their active roster on Saturday instead of another injured cornerback, Mike Hawkins. Hawkins, a fifth-round draft pick in 2005 who came in with loads of talent, was placed on injured reserve, but his agent, Alex Balic, said his client was waived injured, meaning his short tenure with the Packers is over. Hawkins had a series of nagging injuries over the last 16 months, including a bruised quadriceps in Friday's preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans. He missed the first two preseason games with patellar tendonitis. Last season, he had minor knee surgery before his rookie training camp, and during the season had to miss time or drop out of games because of knee, ankle and groin injuries. By keeping another injured player, Blackmon, the Packers indicated they had grown tired of Hawkins' injury problems and no longer felt his ability and 4.28-second speed in the 40-yard dash was worth keeping. (MORE)
Davenport runs out of time
By Jesse Osborne / madison
The Green Bay Packers finally ran out of patience with running back Najeh Davenport. The oft-injured Davenport was the biggest name among 19 final cuts made Saturday as the Packers moved into compliance with the NFL-mandated, 53-player limit in advance of next week's regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears. "It was difficult," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said of the decision to release Davenport. "He's been here, he's done a good job, he did everything we asked. "Najeh, I'm sure, will be working somewhere." The 6-foot-1, 247-pound Davenport has been productive when he's played - he rushed for 1,068 yards and seven touchdowns on 217 carries over four seasons with the Packers - but durability and availability have been constant issues. Davenport, who was the team's No. 2 running back for much of his tenure when healthy, appeared in just 39 of 64 possible regular-season games. (MORE)
Davenport Axed, Team roster at 51
By Bob McGinn / journalsentinel
The Green Bay Packers don't know who is going to lighten the load for running back Ahman Green this season, but now it won't be Najeh Davenport. Davenport, an old-fashioned pile-driver with a long history of injury, was released Saturday as the Packers took a novel approach by cutting down to 51 players, two shy of the mandatory 53-man roster limit. General manager Ted Thompson waived 19 players and in effect said goodbye to cornerback Mike Hawkins, one of three players placed on injured reserve. Thompson and his staff of scouts intended to scour the waiver wire late Saturday night and into this morning. Barring a trade, the Packers were expected to claim at least two players by the 11 a.m. deadline and then know the result of those claims later in the day. (MORE)
Rodgers flames out
Fourth-round draft pick cut after terrible showing
By Bob McGinn / journalsentinel
You've got to be really, really bad in the era of the salary cap not to make the team as a player drafted in the fourth round. Cory Rodgers fit the bill. The Green Bay Packers swallowed hard and cut their losses Saturday, releasing Rodgers less than two months after giving him a signing bonus of $465,120. General manager Ted Thompson drafted the junior out of Texas Christian confident that he would fill the team's glaring need for a return specialist and develop in time as a big-play receiver. Instead, Rodgers fumbled almost as many punts as he fielded and didn't know what he was doing as a wide receiver. "In terms of critiquing my job, which is to evaluate talent, that was something I wished would have worked out better," Thompson said. "It was just everything. It just didn't work out this time." Because of the mistake, the Packers will be forced to count $348,840 against their salary cap for Rodgers in 2007. If, however, another team claims him, that $348,840 would accelerate immediately onto the team's cap this year. (MORE)
Thompson cuts Rodgers, his losses
By Dylan B. Tomlinson / postcrescent
No NFL general manager likes to admit he made a mistake. When the Green Bay Packers selected Cory Rodgers in the fourth round of April's draft, Ted Thompson thought he was getting a punt and kickoff returner who he could count on for years. What he got was a player who couldn't field a punt. Thompson admitted that mistake when he cut Rodgers on Saturday. "Certainly, in terms of critiquing my job, which is to evaluate talent, certainly that was something that I wish had worked out better," Thompson said. (MORE)
Thompson gets rid of trash
in building younger team
By Chris Havel / GBPressGazette
The Green Bay Packers reduced their roster to 51 players Saturday. Apparently, General Manager Ted Thompson decided there weren't 53 worth keeping, and after training camp and the preseason games, I can't say I disagree. This is the first time in recent memory, and perhaps the first time since I began covering the team in 1991, that there isn't a single player that deserved a better fate. That is rare, and somewhat sad, but undeniably true. Perennial disappointments Najeh Davenport, Rod Gardner and Kenny Peterson were like clutter in the garage. They took up space but served no purpose. They were first-team flotsam, with no 11th-hour stay of execution in sight, and rightfully so. Davenport and Peterson were injury-prone underachievers, bona fide double threats compared to Gardner, who merely underachieved. (MORE)
I'm reading through all the NFL mock drafts and I thought of this neat little exercise. For one round only, if you could bring back any player in their team's history that you can bring back in their prime that would immediately help their team, who would it be? Here is how I see it.
Houston Texans This is a team with a lot of needs and a short history. However, we'll pick out of a pool of old Oilers players. Since we know Reggie Bush is going to be a Texan, let's go defense. I'll take Elvin Bethea. He was an 8 time pro bowl defensive lineman, and the mark of a good defense always starts at the line of scrimmage.
New Orleans Saints The Saints may be getting better very quickly this year. They have always had talent, but they have lacked the leadership and experience to win the big game. I would bring in Sam Mills. Offensively they will put up numbers with Brees, McAllister, and Sean Payton calling the plays. Sam would be another coach out in the field, and a leader in the locker room.
Tennessee Titans With an aging Steve McNair, and a young quarterback in their future, I think bringing in Bruce Matthews would be a perfect way to start rebuilding. You always start the rebuilding process from the line of scrimmage, and Bruce Matthews is about as good as they come.
New York Jets This one is almost too easy. Joe Namath is a no brainer. Just keep him away from hard liquor and Susie Kolber.
Green Bay Packers So many needs here. If Brett Favre retires, bring in......Brett Favre from 1996. If he comes back, bring back James Lofton. Javon Walker is just about out of there, and an aging Donald Driver will not get the job done. I wouldn't argue with possibly bringing back and offensive lineman from the sixties to create a seal here, and a seal here.
San Francisco 49ers This team is a fucking mess. To get this team on track, you need a guy to instill the right attitude. I like Mike Nolan but he has no one to carry his message on the field. Ronnie Lott and his nine fingers would be a good start.
Oakland Raiders The biggest need on this team is in the defensive backfield. There are so many options, but a shutdown corner makes this team 10 times better. Lester Hayes was the best 1 on 1 coverage corner I've ever seen.
Buffalo Bills There are two players that popped into mind almost immediately. I think will go defense and take Bruce Smith, and hope Willis McGahee runs for 1800 yards.
Detroit Lions Can Steve Yzerman play quarterback? No you say? Well, I guess we'll go with Billy Sims by default. And I thought being an Eagles fan was bad.
Arizona Cardinals If you give Kurt Warner time and Edgerrin James some holes, you are looking at a great offense. I would say Conrad Dobler, but let's go with Dan Dierdorf, just so we don't have to listen to him in the booth anymore.
Saint Louis Rams Another no brainer. Deacon Jones, but you need to legalize the head slap first.
Cleveland Browns Jim Brown left. Jim Brown right. I wish I was alive when he played.
Baltimore Ravens I am going to pick from the Baltimore Colts pool. Get out the high top cleats and the high and tight hair do. I just hope Brian Billick's ego could handle Unitas calling his own game.
Philadelphia Eagles I should go with Reggie White, but we (I mean they) have an immediate need at wide receiver. Mike Quick would be perfect with McNabb.
Denver Broncos With all due respect to Jake the Snake, John Elway would have won the Super Bowl last year, and he would win it this year.
Atlanta Falcons Hmmm, tough one here. Maybe we'll look at wide receiver here. Bad moon Rison? No thanks. Lets take Alfred Jenkins.He was the number one receiver on one of the most underrated offensive teams in the last 30 years.
Miami Dolphins If I was doing this in January, I'd say Dan Marino. But with Culpepper, Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers, I think Larry Little would be needed to anchor the offensive line.
Minnesota Vikings This is another team that needs an identity and leadership on defense. Let's take Jim Marshall. Just make sure he runs the right way when he recovers a fumble.
Dallas Cowboys Just trying to think how to make this team better makes me sick. But, I will stay professional here and go with Emmitt Smith. I feel so dirty.
San Diego Chargers I would say Dan Fouts, but let's give Rivers a shot. A lot of options at receiver, one of my favorites was John Jefferson. I wouldn't argue if you said Charley Joiner, Wes Chandler or Lance Alworth. If Jefferson would of stayed healthy, and stayed in San Diego, he would be a hall of famer.
Kansas City Chiefs Let's get them some defensive line help. Buck Buchanan would be a nice fit.
New England Patriots They have been decimated on the offensive line. John Hannah would be a great start to bringing this group back to prominence, and to doing commercials.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Not much to choose from here. I'm not sold on Chris Simms, so let's bring back Doug Williams. He may have won a Super Bowl in Washington, but his best years were in Tampa.
Cincinnati Bengals That offensive line would look great with Willie Anderson at RT, and Anthony Munoz at LT. Palmer would throw for 4500 yards on one leg with that kind of protection.
New York Giants I'm feeling sick again. I guess Lawrence Taylor, but you would have to shackle him to his hotel room the night before the game.
Chicago Bears Walter Payton. End. Of. Discussion.
Carolina Panthers I guess I didn't think this through. They could use help at tight end. Wesley Walls. Why the fuck not. It's getting late.
Jacksonville Jaguars Tony Boselli.would anchor that line for the injury plagued back field of Byron Leftwich and Fred Taylor.
Indianapolis Colts They don't deserve a Baltimore Colt. Eric Dickerson is the best I'll do, and that's not bad.
Seattle Seahawks Steve Largent. Who else is there?
Pittsburgh Steelers They have to fill a need at the number two slot at wide receiver. So lets take the second best number two wide receiver of all time (next to John Taylor), that is John Stallworth.
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