Projected Roster

[Bernman]

One benefit if we actually decided to trot out a nickel base with a bunch of DB's who are equipped to tackle is we wouldn't have to scramble to adjust to offensive personnel much. That's a frustrating thing to do because the o gets a head start both in substituting first and knowing their own game plan. Often times on d you can't match-up in time or you don't have an opportunity to read the offense beforehand, you just have to react after racing on to the field.

Another benefit would be not needing as many fat boys who need to be rotated. Although that's not as bad because at least those substitutions can be made right after the last play.

To give you an idea of how much of a factor all this can be to coaches, Nick Saban tried to get a rule implemented in college for there to be a minimum amount of time used after the last play, because he didn't like the advantage no-huddle, spread offenses were receiving.

[eagle13]

Last year McCarthy implemented a defensive strategy that was described something like "Personnel not Scheme" or was it the other way around? Regardless his intent was not to have so many substitutions with guys running off and on. Another intent he had was to play many of the same guys across situations and then do a larger substitution in a non hurried opportunity (like possession change) to give the guys a breather. That's part of the reason he likes players able to play multiple positions like Matthews, Peppers, Neal, etc.

[wichmae]

Who are the 3? Barrington, Ryan, Thomas?

Yessir

Think they just give Bradford the boot, hey?

It sounded like he was pretty horrendous last year. Hopefully he takes a step forward this year and can force his way onto the roster. Your prediction wouldn't shock me though. I wouldn't be surprised to see them moving Clay all over the place again this year.

I think you can stick him on PS and be just fine

[SpursNBucks]

Last year McCarthy implemented a defensive strategy that was described something like "Personnel not Scheme" or was it the other way around? Regardless his intent was not to have so many substitutions with guys running off and on. Another intent he had was to play many of the same guys across situations and then do a larger substitution in a non hurried opportunity (like possession change) to give the guys a breather. That's part of the reason he likes players able to play multiple positions like Matthews, Peppers, Neal, etc.

Was that him or Capers? I didn't think M3 got that involved with the defense, that's not his forte. I think any Coach like players that can play more than one position - because it makes you more versatile and if someone goes down it gives you more options. Ideally I don't think you want to be moving players around to different positions during a game. In the case of Clay it might make sense because he is pretty dynamic. I think the Bears did it with Urlacher. It's not a big deal when you move someone on the line inside on 3rd down passing situations and bring in a rush specialist on the outside - teams do that all the time.


Bottom line for me is this - Clay Mathews is best utilized rushing the passer. I don't think he is terrible defending the run- almost all great pass rushers give up something against the run because they over commit to getting to the QB- it's why a lot of teams run at a Demarcus Ware or Aldon Smith. Even the great LT could be a liability against the run because of his commitment to getting to the QB. I think you just live with it, and hope your ILB on that side can cover for him.

[HKPackFan]

As we all know Ted rarely makes any significant personnel additions after this point. Undrafted rookies, street FAs and an occassional cut from another team. In other words what we see is what we got.

OFFENSE – 24
3-QB- Rodgers / Tolzein / Hundley
3-RB- Lacy / Starks / +1
1-FB - Kuhn OR Ripkowski
6-WR- Cobb / Nelson / Adams / Montgomery / Janis / Aberderis
3-TE- Rodgers / Quarless / Beckman
8-OL- Sitton/ Lang/ Bakhtiari/ Bulaga/ Linsley/ Barclay/ Tretter/ +1

DEFENSE – 26
7-DL- Daniels / JonesD / Raji / Guion / Boyd / Pennel / +1
6-OLB- Matthews / Peppers / Neal / Perry / Mulumba / Elliot
4-ILB- Barrington / Ryan / Bradford / Palmer
5-CB-Shields / Hayward / Randall / Rollins / Goodson
4-S- Burnett / Dix / Hyde / Richardson

SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K- Crosby
P- Masthay
LS- Goode
PR- Hyde / Montgomery / Aberderis / Randall
KR- Montgomery / Aberderis / Randall

1 POSSIBLE VARIATION
DB- Banjo in place of a DL or LB.

I'm pretty much in agreement with most of this, have a couple minor adjustments. This is my PRE-Training camp prediction, which might change once I see how a couple players perform. This is WEEK 1, meaning with 3 suspended guys some of those replacements will be handing in their playbooks post-game.

OFFENSE – 24
3-QB- Rodgers / Tolzein / Hundley
3-RB- Lacy / Starks / *Crockett (I'm rooting for Crockett. But if his ankle is not ready by this weekend for camp, he might fall behind and my pick changes)
2-FB - Kuhn/Rip
5-WR - Cobb / Nelson / Adams / Montgomery / Janis (no abby )
3-TE Rodgers/Perillo/Beckman (Quarless suspended probably at least 1 game, Beckman cut week 2)
8-OL- Sitton/ Lang/ Bakhtiari/ Bulaga/ Linsley/ Barclay/ Tretter/ Rotheram

DEFENSE – 26
6-DL- Daniels / Raji / Boyd / Pennel / *Ringo/ *Thornton (Guion & Jones suspended, I think Thornton is cut week 2, Ringo week 4)
5-OLB- / Peppers / Neal / Perry / Elliot / Hubbard
5-ILB- Clay / Barrington / Ryan / Bradford / Palmer
6-CB-Shields / Hayward / Hyde/ Randall / Rollins / Goodson
4-S- Burnett / Dix /Richardson / Banjo

SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K- Crosby
P- Masthay
LS- Goode

PR- Montgomery / Hyde / Cobb /
KR- Montgomery / Randall / Cobb /


The one area I'm very unsure of is the FB position. Will they go with Kuhn and risk putting RIP on the practice squad? Would TT risk losing at 6th round draft pick? Or does RIP put up too good a fight on Special Teams and hitting LBs?!

I feel Kuhn/RIP/Abby are fighting for 2 roster spots. One of them is getting cut. Abby is probably stolen away if he's on the PS and RIP may or may not be, depending on if he performs well and puts together some good special teams and blocking tape, another team might grab him. Abby will have to show his knee is 100% ok, make spectacular catches, do awesome on Special Teams and REMAIN HEALTHY all camp to have a chance.

I really want to watch these 3 in camp and then change my roster, because not all 3 of these guys can make it.

Also, Crockett hurt his ankle in OTAs. If he can't go in the beginning of camp he probably falls behind, doesn't get enough reps and maybe gets a PS spot. In that case I think they settle on Neal being the 3rd RB.

Beckman/Perillo I don't know yet, hopefully one of them steps up.


On defense I think Ringo and Thornton get spots by default OR some undrafted guy who blows up in TC. Either way I think they are all cut when Guion and Jones come back.

I think they go 10 deep on the LBs. It's a toss up between Mulumba/Hubbard. I think Mulumba is the odd man out. Also possibly an unexpected rookie comes along to grab a spot for one Hubbard or Bradford/Palmer.

10 deep on the DBs. Goodson is on the bubble as the 6th string corner and could be beaten out by a rookie I think we brought a bunch of extra DBs to camp. Banjo also has to work his butt off on special teams to make the final cut as the 4th string safety, but he's probably a safe bet.

I think the return duties are Ty's to lose. He was drafted to return so he better start showing it right away.

I don't want to get overly specific about Clay as an ILB or OLB. He will play both. I just moved him to ILB to show an even 5/5 split.

[WiscoKing13]

I'm at 44 "locks today"
QB-Aaron/Tolzein
RB-Lacey/Starks
FB-Kuhn
TE-Quarless/Rogers
WR-Nelson/Cobb/Adams/Montgomery/Janis
T-Bulaga/Bakhtiari/Barclay
G-Sitton/Lang/Tretter
C Linsley
19

CB-Shields/Hayward/Rollins/Randall/Gunter
S-Burnett/HaHa/Hyde/Richardson
ILB-Barrington/Palmer/Ryan
OLB-Peppers/Clay/Perry/Neal
DE-Daniels/Guion/Boyd/Jones/Boyd
DT-Raji/Pennel

22

Crosby/Masthay/Goode

QB-Only 3 days in but Blanchard is clearly the number 3 guy so far in camp, Hundley is really going to improve to make this team.
RB-Haven't heard anything on the 3rd RB competition
FB-Same as above, would think they could easily stash Rip on the P/S and give him a shot next year
WR-Abby isn't making this team if can't practice, haven't heard of anyone else really showing up to make the Pack carry 6.
TE-Too early to see who the 3rd and possibly 4th TE(with quarless suspension) would be.
Oline-Lane is probably in the lead for the 8th OL

CB-Gunter has come on early as the camp favorite and I think he makes the team over Goodson.
S-Won't count Banjo as a lock, but I see him being on the 53 due to special teams.
ILB-I don't think Bradford makes this team, would like to see Thomas have another strong camp.
LB-I think Elliot makes the team due to special teams and I think they keep one more Mulumba/Hubbard
DL-Sadly not a lot of competition behind the guys i'm considering is a lock, probably one of Thornton/Ringo make the team.

P-Masthay is clearly out punting Mandell

Also we should be making 56 man rosters with Quarless suspension coming soon on top of Guion/Jones.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think Hundley is a near lock to make the team. Even if he struggles they will want to see how he looks after a year of coaching before releasing him.

I went to whitewater so hope Blanchard makes it in the NFL but I just feel like this is one fight he can't win no matter if he out plays Hundley or not. Barring injury this is more a try put for him to make some other tram than it is a real shot to make the packers.

[askdavescat]

I'm at 44 "locks today"
QB-Aaron/Tolzein
RB-Lacey/Starks
FB-Kuhn
TE-Quarless/Rogers
WR-Nelson/Cobb/Adams/Montgomery/Janis
T-Bulaga/Bakhtiari/Barclay
G-Sitton/Lang/Tretter
C Linsley
19

CB-Shields/Hayward/Rollins/Randall/Gunter
S-Burnett/HaHa/Hyde/Richardson
ILB-Barrington/Palmer/Ryan
OLB-Peppers/Clay/Perry/Neal
DE-Daniels/Guion/Boyd/Jones/Boyd
DT-Raji/Pennel

22

Crosby/Masthay/Goode

QB-Only 3 days in but Blanchard is clearly the number 3 guy so far in camp, Hundley is really going to improve to make this team.
RB-Haven't heard anything on the 3rd RB competition
FB-Same as above, would think they could easily stash Rip on the P/S and give him a shot next year
WR-Abby isn't making this team if can't practice, haven't heard of anyone else really showing up to make the Pack carry 6.
TE-Too early to see who the 3rd and possibly 4th TE(with quarless suspension) would be.
Oline-Lane is probably in the lead for the 8th OL

CB-Gunter has come on early as the camp favorite and I think he makes the team over Goodson.
S-Won't count Banjo as a lock, but I see him being on the 53 due to special teams.
ILB-I don't think Bradford makes this team, would like to see Thomas have another strong camp.
LB-I think Elliot makes the team due to special teams and I think they keep one more Mulumba/Hubbard
DL-Sadly not a lot of competition behind the guys i'm considering is a lock, probably one of Thornton/Ringo make the team.

P-Masthay is clearly out punting Mandell

Also we should be making 56 man rosters with Quarless suspension coming soon on top of Guion/Jones.

Pretty much agree with most all of this, good assessments.

I feel that for all the physical tools Pennel supposedly has, he better really show improvement this camp, or Ringo will jump by him.

I also think that GB will do everything they can to keep all three OLB's of Elliott, Mulumba, and Hubbard. Perry's contract is up after this year, and I can't see them offering him a second contract. Also, Neal is just a guy, and I could see them trying to move on from him after this year as well.

MM seems to really like Blanchard, but it's hard for me to imagine TT giving up on a 5th round pick. And given Hundley's name recognition, he would seem much harder to stash on the PS than Blanchard. I suspect in the end GB will end up trying to keep Blanchard on the PS, and let the two fight it out next year for who GB ultimately decides to keep.

[HKPackFan]

Agreed. Unless Blanchard becomes Mr august I don't think it's a major risk to put him on the PS. Hundley though Won't make it on the PS.

[Ron Swanson]

-Sadly, Abby is most likely cut. Can't take up a roster spot if you're never healthy. I think Janis is a better player anyways.

-Stash Blanchard on the PS. Hundley and Tolzien will both make the cut. TT learned his lesson 2 years ago that it's better to have a veteran back up behind Rodgers, and you don't spend a draft pick on a QB just to cut him after the first training camp.

-Wouldn't count out McCarthy wanting both Kuhn and Ripkowski on the 53. He's carried two FB's on the roster before with Kuhn and Korey Hall.

-I hope Jayrone Elliot sticks around. Maybe it's that he reminds me so much of KGB, but I also love his versatility. You can play him at either end or linebacker, whereas I think Hubbard and Mulamba are strictly OLBs.

[HKPackFan]

5 days into training camp Gunter looks better than Goodson as a DB. Let's see if Gunter can carry that on in preseason games AND can perform on Special Teams.

[BigDee]

Need to get Crockett on the field before its to late.

[HKPackFan]

Need to get Crockett on the field before its to late.

With eddie resting I feel Crockett really missed out on a good opportunity.

[SpursNBucks]

As we all know Ted rarely makes any significant personnel additions after this point. Undrafted rookies, street FAs and an occassional cut from another team. In other words what we see is what we got.

OFFENSE – 24
3-QB- Rodgers / Tolzein / Hundley
3-RB- Lacy / Starks / +1
1-FB - Kuhn OR Ripkowski
6-WR- Cobb / Nelson / Adams / Montgomery / Janis / Aberderis
3-TE- Rodgers / Quarless / Beckman
8-OL- Sitton/ Lang/ Bakhtiari/ Bulaga/ Linsley/ Barclay/ Tretter/ +1

DEFENSE – 26
7-DL- Daniels / JonesD / Raji / Guion / Boyd / Pennel / +1
6-OLB- Matthews / Peppers / Neal / Perry / Mulumba / Elliot
4-ILB- Barrington / Ryan / Bradford / Palmer
5-CB-Shields / Hayward / Randall / Rollins / Goodson
4-S- Burnett / Dix / Hyde / Richardson

SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K- Crosby
P- Masthay
LS- Goode
PR- Hyde / Montgomery / Aberderis / Randall
KR- Montgomery / Aberderis / Randall

1 POSSIBLE VARIATION
DB- Banjo in place of a DL or LB.

h
I hope they go with one of the UFA rookie RB if they show something over Stark-production way downs /carry. Time for Kuhn to go.
Masthay is the worst P in the NFL. Hope Montgomery does all the return forget Hyde. Rest looks fine.

[WiscoKing13]

I'm at 46 "locks" after the first preseason game and 43 after suspensions week. 10 spots still up for grabs
QB-Aaron/Tolzein/Hundley
RB-Lacey/Starks
FB-Kuhn
TE-Rodgers/Quarless
WR-Nelson/Cobb/Adams/Montgomery/Janis
T-Bulaga/Bakhtiari/Barclay
G-Sitton/Lang
C Linsley/Tretter
20-19 with Quarless suspended

CB-Shields/Hayward/Rollins/Randall/Gunter
S-Burnett/HaHa/Hyde/Richardson
ILB-Barrington/Palmer/Ryan
OLB-Peppers/Clay/Perry/Neal/Mulamba
DE-Daniels/Guion/Boyd/Jones
DT-Raji/Pennel

22-20 counting Guion & Jones suspension.

Crosby/Masthay/Goode

3 Specials

QB-Moved Hundley back in after a solid week of flashes in camp and during the week. I still think they'll keep Blanchard on the P/S as the number 3 QB if A-Rod & Tolzien go down(we'd be scrwed), I think MM would go to Blanchard before Hundley.

RB-I think it's down to Neal & Crocket, I know Harris had a good run vs NE, but I don't see him as the type of 3rd RB we'd keep on the roster.

FB-With the way the roster is shaping I think they keep 2 FB's. I actually think if Rip keeps playing well in special teams he'll take Eilliot spot on SS and get on the roster that way.

WR-It's going to be hard to cut either White of Pinkard. If I had to chose i'd take Pinkard, hope we can keep 6.

TE-PLEASE SOMEONE STEP UP! I think Perillo is leading the pack, but will need to get back onto the field after the concussion. Backman has shown flashes but he's not going to contribute this year. We'll need at least 2 with quarless out week 1.

T-I took Barclay off and then put him back in while typing this. Awful performance vs NE and not a great training camp, but there doesn't appear to be anyone behind him.

G-Would like to see Josh Walker make the team, seen some great write ups on him and i'm not a big fan of lane taylor.

C-Nothing to see here

CB-I think the top 5 are locked, don't think they carry 6 with the ability to play Hyde at CB

S-Same as before, up to the final number if Banjo can stay on the team for special teams.

ILB-I think Bradford makes it by default, Thomas hasn't had the training camp he had last year and there's no one behind them.

OLB-Watching Elliot play vs NE pissed me off. All he did was run up field and around the OT to get to a QB who didn't step up in the pocket. That doesn't work in the regular season as they'll run right at you. I'm cheering for the dark horse in Rasco to make the team over Elliot at this point.

DE/DL-I'll group these since Guion/Pennel play both. Only 4 locks for week one, I think it's clear at this point that Gaston is pretty close to a lock at this point. Thornton has had the best week of his career, which isn't saying much, but if he continues like this he'll make the week 1 roster. He'll be cut pretty quickly when Guion/Jones come back.

Specials-Nothing to see here

[WiscoKing13]

Here's my best guess at the 56 man Roster
QB-Aaron/Tolzein/Hundley
RB-Lacey/Starks/Neal
FB-Kuhn/Rip
TE-Rodgers/Quarless/Perillo/Backman
WR-Nelson/Cobb/Adams/Montgomery/Janis/Pinkard
T-Bulaga/Bakhtiari/Barclay
G-Sitton/Lang/Walker
C Linsley/Tretter
26-25 with Quarless suspended

CB-Shields/Hayward/Rollins/Randall/Gunter
S-Burnett/HaHa/Hyde/Richardson/Banjo
ILB-Barrington/Palmer/Ryan
OLB-Peppers/Clay/Perry/Neal/Mulamba/Rasco/Elliot
DE-Daniels/Guion/Boyd/Jones/Gaston
DT-Raji/Pennel

27-25 with Guion/Jones suspension

Crosby/Masthay/Goode

3 Specials

[HKPackFan]

Here's my best guess at the 56 man Roster
QB-Aaron/Tolzein/Hundley
RB-Lacey/Starks/Neal
FB-Kuhn/Rip
TE-Rodgers/Quarless/Perillo/Backman
WR-Nelson/Cobb/Adams/Montgomery/Janis/Pinkard
T-Bulaga/Bakhtiari/Barclay
G-Sitton/Lang/Walker
C Linsley/Tretter
26-25 with Quarless suspended

CB-Shields/Hayward/Rollins/Randall/Gunter
S-Burnett/HaHa/Hyde/Richardson/Banjo
ILB-Barrington/Palmer/Ryan
OLB-Peppers/Clay/Perry/Neal/Mulamba/Rasco/Elliot
DE-Daniels/Guion/Boyd/Jones/Gaston
DT-Raji/Pennel

27-25 with Guion/Jones suspension

Crosby/Masthay/Goode

3 Specials

Interesting draft picks you've cut: Thornton, Bradford, Goodson. They've all had 1 year to get their acts together and prove their worthiness but so far not so good. I pretty much agree with all three, I would practice squad Goodson/Bradford just to see if they could stick around. I don't agree with Ringo. On week1 they would only have Daniels, Boyd, Gaston available. That's way too thin, I think Ringo makes it to week 1, not sure passed that. I'd cut Pink and PS him to make room for Ringo.

Other interesting camp battles. You have Rasco beating out Hubbard and Vaughters. I think Hubbard got hurt, so that might hurt his chances. I think the battle is too early to tell from these 3. I'm glad you mentioned Rasco, now I will look for him in Game 2.

Other somewhat notable cuts: Francis, Dantzler, Joe Thomas. I kinda thought one of them would step up, Palmer never got me very excited, so a bit underwhelmed at the ILB depth. Hopefully Jake Ryan is good enough that the guys behind him don't matter.

I still think we have 3 games to decide the 3rd RB, Neal has the inside track but it's going to be a fun battle between him and Crockett and Harris.

Watching Kuhn and Rip has been fun. Kuhn showed he can still block on Harris's TD run, and Rip showed the fire we need on Special Teams, they both might be too good to cut, but it's been fun watching both. I also noticed Clements did not rip out and burn away the Kuhn Dive play from the playbook, was disappointed to see that.

Perillo and Backman seem OK, feel they might make it by default with quarless out. I think one of them is getting cut before week 2, maybe Backman gets PS stashed.

Disappointed in Lane Taylor and Matt Rotheram. I was hoping Lane Taylor would take the next step, and heard good things about Rotheram when we scooped him during college free agency. Still a ways to go but I saw a lot more Josh Walker than those 2.

Janis/Pink/White/Abby is fun to watch (minus abby, he's 3 weeks into a concussion, WTF). Janis seems to have the inside track but I think Pink has gained some momentum. White was all the rage in training camp, but his game performance was meh. I think they only go 5 and Janis squeaks in.

It's fun to track these guys and see the changes as the preseason progresses.

[RRyder823]

With them looking like they're keeping 6 CBs, I put Hyde there, 3 Safeties with Hyde also backing them up 5 WRs seems likely to me with Janis grabbing the 5th spot.

3 QBs are a lock. No way they risk losing Hundley.

Personally I'm most intrigued by that battle for the #3 RB spot. Right now I give Neal the edge but Harris could definitely overtake him.

Rip seems destined for the PS at this point unless he turns into a beast on STs

[HKPackFan]

Rip seems destined for the PS at this point unless he turns into a beast on STs

I feel he did that against the Patriots. Let's see if he can repeat it.

[crkone]

I think Kuhn, again, is not needed. Just throw a TE back there if need be. Lacy is already a beast in pass blocking and Kuhn isn't great at lead blocking (well except against 4th stringers).