Pack/Queens Lead Up

[LUKE23]

CJ Wilson's loss could hurt, especially facing a running team. Thankfully Pickett is a go.

[trwi7]

I was listening to Homer today (I like inflicting pain onto myself), and a caller phoned in to talk about the Spurs resting their starters. He suggested the Packers might be doing that with Woodson, Shields, Jennings, Clay, esp Jennings. That they are either 100%, or very close, and the Packers are aiming for 10 wins, and unleashing them in the playoffs. What do you guys think?

I think that was mostly a common thought/theme among a lot of fans on here, but when you start sitting them in big games like this one it challenges that theory.

How does it challenge that theory? If the theory is "aim to win 10 games" just to get INTO the playoffs, and "unleashing them in the playoffs" by resting them now. How does resting them in week 12 or 13 go against that theory? They're basically saying they're good enough to get into the playoffs without them and value them all being healthy in the playoffs over trying to eek out one or two more wins in the regular season. You can disagree, but the theory isn't challenged by resting them now. I could see if this was a win and get in scenario. But again, they feel they're good enough to at least get in, even without those guys. I tend to agree.

It challenges the theory because even if they win 10 games it doesn't guarantee they get into the playoffs. They could be in a tiebreaker with a team or two that wins 10 games with them and lose the tiebreaker and then they're out.

[jimmybones]

Like I said though, you can disagree with them on it, but they're basically saying we'll get into the playoffs without those guys. I'd bet money on them still making the playoffs with Matthews, Jennings and Woodson not playing another snap. I think they're going to roll Minnesota twice, those guys suck.

[Ayt]

It is ludicrous to think they are sitting those guys on purpose.

[humanrefutation]

If anything, sitting on Jennings would be a hamper because his timing with Rodgers would be off.

I do think that the team isn't rushing to bring back Woodson because his coverage skills have declined and they'd like to give some of the young guys some burn and get some experience. I don't think that's the case with Clay, though.

[El Duderino]

How does TT have an unwillingness to draft running backs? He took Jackson and Green in the 2nd round. He just sucks at identifying talented running backs.

Yeah. TT is an excellent GM. His faults have been finding talent on the offensive line and at RB though... which have lead to our poor running game.

And drafting receiving tight ends like Finley/Williams who can't block at all.

Granted, the Finley pick was a good one and i liked Williams in the 5th, but having soft blocking tight ends, combined with OL and RB issues have all contributed to a brutal running game.

[emunney]

Plus the injury to Quarless, who imo was hands down our best blocker as a TE.

[BUCKnation]

Plus the injury to Quarless, who imo was hands down our best blocker as a TE.

Yep. Any word on the progress of him coming back?

Also, I highly, highly doubt they are holding these guys back and saving them for the playoffs. They are definitely taking it slow with them though, which I have no problem with.

[DH34Phan]

Plus the injury to Quarless, who imo was hands down our best blocker as a TE.

Yep. Any word on the progress of him coming back?

MJS was reporting the other day that it's looking unlikely that he will contribute at all the rest of the season.

[BigDee]

By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel

Updated: 5:16 p.m.


Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers put TE Andrew Quarless and S Sean Richardson on injured reserve and signed RB DuJuan Harris and WR Jeremy Ross to their 53-man roster, the club announced Saturday.

The decision to put Quarless on IR isn't surprising because he's been struggling with swelling in his knee since coming off the physically unable to perform list Nov. 7. Quarless is coming off a torn ACL and MCL he suffered almost exactly a year ago and and had not appeared in a game this season..

Richardson's situation is a surprise. He had been taking part in special teams every week and didn't land on the injury report until Thursday after being a full participant in practice Wednesday. He was listed as questionable for Sunday after being a limited participant Thursday and Friday.

It's unclear if he has a serious back issue or just chronic pain that won't go away.

The decision to elevate Harris became evident this week when he started getting snaps with the No. 1 offense and with the special teams units. The 5-7, 205-pound Harris has been a standout on the practice squad after being signed on Oct. 24.

Harris signed with Jacksonville after going undrafted in 2011 and played in five games for the Jaguars, rushing nine times for 42 yards. He was released on Aug. 25 this year and claimed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was cut on the 31st.

He said he had been working at a car dealership in Jacksonville when the Packers called him about working out. At the time, the Packers had lost RB Cedric Benson to a foot injury.

The Troy first-year pro rushed for 2,530 yards in college and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. With Benson down for the year and Johnny White out with a concussion this week, Harris will be the No. 3 tailback.

When asked this week whether he thought he might be called up, Harris was coy about it, saying he just hoped that the coaches were taking notice of what he could do. He admitted he had been used more in practice, but said he wasn't sure if he would be signed.

Ross was signed a week before Harris and had also been impressive in his work on the practice squad. Most of his best work was on special teams, which is where he'll probably contribute if he is active Sunday against Minnesota.

Ross is a first-year player who played at California. He spent the final 13 games of the 2011 season on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, but was released after ttraining camp He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots.

Ross ranks second all-time for Cal in punt return average at 15.2 yards, behind only the 16.7 posted by DeSean Jackson (2005-07) . At Call, Ross totaled 2,287 all-purpose yards (201 rushing, 764 receiving, 471 punt return, 851 kick return).

The Packers will need someone to replace Richardson, who ranked sixth on the team with four special teams tackles despite being active for just five games. He missed six games with a hamstring injury he injured in training camp.[/quote]

[WiscSports1]

With Richardson going to IR, I'd guess this a typical Packer decision. The guy isn't hurt too seriously, but they want to keep him and they need the roster space so they stash him on IR. I suppose they figure Shields will be back. The new guys will take over his special teams role.

[BUCKnation]

Sucks to hear about Quarless.

[raysbookclub]

feel lame for thinking it, but it would be something if dujuan harris became a productive back for us this year.

[emunney]

Harris is intriguing. Snaps with the #1 offense you say? He's primed to be Newz's poster boy. He's got some burst. I always love to see somebody fighting his way onto the roster.