Predict this year's Jon Ryan Award Winner!
by PackApologist on Aug 17, 2011 9:52 PM CDT
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PrintOne of the most used phrases in the Packer fans lingo recently is "in TT I trust." Now Mr. Thompson has earned this deference of opinion, but let's face it...it doesn't always work. In fact it seems every year there is one move made come the final cut down that just causes all of us to scratch our heads and wonder what is Thompson thinking?
In fact this move also usually prompts us to state that line we all know so well.
Well as we travel through training camp and the preseason it's the most fun, for me at least, to gaze into my crystal ball and try and foresee who will make the roster and who will be cut....but it's also something that can get bored fast if you do it too often. To break up this fun and give it a different flavor I figured it would be a good time to predict the winner of this year's winner of the Jon Ryan Award!
What is the Jon Ryan award? I'm glad you asked. Back in the summer of 2008 the Packers continued their "commitment to special teams" by keeping only one kicker and one punter on the roster and not having a competition. Well, this wasn't looked at too strangely until the final cut down. Out of the blue TT decided to cut the only punter the Packers had on the roster...Jon Ryan. Ryan wasn't a bad punter the previous year and he had a pretty average camp. The Packers stated something to the effect that he didn't have a strong enough leg for the winter or some nonsense like that. Ryan went to the Seahawks and decided to become awesome. The Packer then gave us a parade of crap full of the tired and weary that the Statue of Liberty talks about leading to pretty much the worst punting team in the NFL.
Every year since there has been one truly unusual decision that TT has made with the roster since. Typically it's been keeping three fullbacks. Well it's early enough that we can keep track of nominations, but late enough that we have a pretty good sense of where the talent is located on this team.
So tell me APC community, who are this year's canidates for the Jon Ryan Award!
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I am trying hard not to pick a rookie.
Quarless crossed my mind, along with Crabtree. But I think 5 TE’s make it at the expense of Quinn Johnson.
If they keep Schlauderaff over McDonald or Newhouse, I will puke.
Gordy and Levine are also in the mix for the award.
I am going to go with Brad Jones. He is player with some positional flexibility. I could see him having some success with a team like the Colts or something.
twitter.com/AlfredAugust
No way Newhouse doesn't make the team
My depth chart has (after the 6 OL starting/competing) goes:
Newhouse
McDonald
Schlauderaff
I think they’ll keep 9 and those 3 will make it.
I think there’s no way Jones doesn’t make it. He’s easily in the top 4 OLB. Who would make it over him? Elmore? So’oto? I think they’ll keep 9 LBs, and even if they only keep 8, Jones will be one of them.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
JSOnline
Puts Jones on the fence..
On the fence: OLB Brad Jones, OLB Jamari Lattimore, OLB Vic So’oto, ILB Rob Francois
I think he’ll probably make it too… But it doesn’t appear to be a sure thing. Elmore is having a horrid camp. I didn’t figure he would be able to play 34 OLB. Lattimore is having a really good camp from the sounds of it and is especially good on ST, so it wouldn’t surprise if they kept him over Jones. So’oto has the size for OLB that Jones does not. So that makes him more attractive in that way if they think he can get alot better.
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They also have CJ Wilson & Charlie Peprah on the fence...
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
Yeah I saw that too...
To me they would be close to locks. But I don’t see anyone behind Wilson or Peprah
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
The Safeties
Maybe they are hearing good-to-great things about MD Jennings? I know they like Levine a lot. Still, cutting Peprah would be a huge surprise for me.
twitter.com/AlfredAugust
by Tedaldtada29 on Aug 18, 2011 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions
The OLB's
Yeah, Elmore has been disappointing. We definitely got the wrong Arizona guy as Brooks Reed and D’Aundre Reed, from the little I have heard, look like for sure NFL players.
Both Lattimore and So’to are roster-able for me, but I am not sure I would cut Jones for them. On the other hand, I am usually infatuated with upside, so it would be hard for me to let either one of those guys go.
Is there any chance Lattimore or So’to could make the practice squad unclaimed? Maybe we won’t know that for another couple of weeks?
twitter.com/AlfredAugust
by Tedaldtada29 on Aug 18, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
It will be interesting to see who makes the PS this year
Really it’s only 8 guys and even more problematic is that we could go in so many different directions. Gurley and Smithson could be great additions there for next year if they slip through. So’to and Lattimore could be too. Hell a couple of the corners and o-line guys could work there as well. Finally let’s not forget Saine who was able to move the ball last week.
I think though that out PS is going to have what happened last year where just about every single guy we cut ended up on some other roster. Man it sucked, but that’s what happens when a team is saturated with talent.
by PackApologist on Aug 18, 2011 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Practice Squad
I want:
Saine
West
Borel
Campbell/Schlauderaff
Lattimore
So’oto
Brandian Ross
MD Jennings
I really want Borel and the defensive players.
twitter.com/AlfredAugust
by Tedaldtada29 on Aug 18, 2011 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions
No Shaky?
Come on, he’s got to make it before Borel. Really both have looked good, but I like the guy who could add that return potential when Cobb starts to take more of a role in the offense and might need to move away from the returning game.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, I would definitely put Smithson above Borel
and Tori Gurley & Antonio Robinson, for that matter.
Gurley probably won’t make it to the PS, unfortunately… :-(
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
He might...
I was actually pretty disappointed with Gurley’s performance last week. He really didn’t do that much…even dropped a pass if I’m not mistaken. He keeps doing things like that and I don’t know if a team really makes a big move for the kid.
Although there are teams that are extra desperate for receiver help out there so you never know.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Borel
Is the most likely to make the team. Hope we can get him on PS. Gurley has been disappointing from what I"ve read. He needs to get alot better beating press coverage. He’s not stong enough or quick enough right now. Smithson is pretty good, but Borel has turned the most heads. He has excellent quickness to beat press coverage and to get in/out of breaks reallly well, which gets him open. He’s also a former QB, so he has an understanding for spacing and knows how important running good routes is. No reason Borel can’t return kicks and punts. Got the size, speed, quicks to be a really good one. I’m sure he’s inexperienced at it, but w/ a little training he should be an excellent returner. He’s seems to have made the biggetst impression on the coaches.
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Those are all wonderful opinions
Borel may have the coach’s eye…he may not though. I haven’t heard much out of him other than a few things here and there. Smithson appears to be more of the number two return guy and was targetted more often down the stretch in the last preseason game. To me that speaks more than the random reports that come out of what the coaches are thinking.
Also I am highly skeptical of “teach” returning. Well, kick return can be taught. It’s mostly hitting the hole with speed and power. Punt returning though is more art and more feeling your way through. Borel is a former QB and doesn’t strike me as having that same feel. No, I don’t think he’ll be a returner some day.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Davon Bess beggs to differ
As does Brad Smith. IIRC Both were college QB’s who are among the best KR/PR in the NFL. Cribbs I believe might have been a college QB too. Cobb was and he had no problems becoming a good return man. All it takes to be a good return man is fearlessness, good hands and quickness.
Borel is similar size (6’ 200 give or take) to Smithson, but is much quicker, faster and more athletic. Borel actually played some WR.
According to JSOnline.
hadn’t been a wide receiver since 2007. All the rookies have been overshadowed by Cobb, but Borel has a ton of potential. He did drop a pass at the Cleveland 3 on Saturday night, but his hands are fine and his quickness is top-notch. He had a nice 23-yard punt return in Cleveland, too.
Hardly a random report!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Who was the dope that fumbled the kickoff redo...
after getting tackled inside the 10 on the one before?
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 19, 2011 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
One bad series makes him an abject failure as a return man?
Even tho he had a really good return the week before and the ability to become a good return guy.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Yes...
abject failure as a return man?
That’s exactly how I put it.
Actually I was asking who it was, because I couldn’t remember.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 20, 2011 5:23 AM CDT up reply actions
By that measure
I guess Cobb is totally out of the discussion as a punt retruner too. He lost yardage on a punt return last week.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
WHO WAS THE GUY!?!?!?
is what I was asking….
and still haven’t gotten an answer.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 21, 2011 1:47 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It was Borel
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
Thank you...
that at least confirms the animosity.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 21, 2011 2:26 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Animosity?
I’ll give you animosity.
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by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 22, 2011 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions
OLB
Between Lattimore and So’oto, I would say Lattimore has the best chance to make the roster, based promarily on his ST and potential to gain wt and keep his speed and ability. So’oto probably the best chance to clear waivers and get on the practice squad. I doubt they would keep either one over Jones tho. More likely they would keep one of them in addition to Jones and have 5 OLB on the roster.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
By now,
it causes most of us to start to lift our hands up to scratch our heads, then lower them to our sides again, shrug our shoulders and say, “Well, I may not understand it, but, after all, it is Ted.”In fact it seems every year there is one move made come the final cut down that just causes all of us to scratch our heads and wonder what is Thompson thinking?
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
one of two
it will either be keeping Spencer Havner or Brett Swain and getting rid of young players with potential.
BTW-I think this should be renamed the “Vonta Leach Award” to commemorate TT keeping 3 fullbacks while cutting the Pro Bowl one.
havner couldn’t make the team last year, why would he make a more talented team this year? Swain might lose out to a younger WR, but they have to be able to play good ST.
Leach was never a good FB in GB. He had about 3 yrs to show it and it never happened. They gave him a chance but he didn’t step up until after he got released. That happens quite a bit… When a player realizes his dream of playing in the NFL might just be over and he gets another chance, he’s that much more motivated to do what it takes. Had high hopes for Leach as a FB for the Packers but he just didn’t play well in GB. And certainly not nearly as well as in Houston!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
No Jon Ryan it stays
It’s one thing to cut a guy who goes off to be productive elsewhere when you have other guys on the roster who play that position….it’s another when you cut a guy when you have no one…and I kid you not NO ONE else there….and then that player becomes productive.
Add in the fact that FB’s are being replaced more and more with tight ends and I just don’t shed too much of a tear for us cutting Vonte Leach. Jon Ryan on the other hand stung for years….really until the end of this past year when we actually developed a punting game again.
by PackApologist on Aug 18, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
My prediction is Ryan Taylor
This year they stop the 3 FB’s and decide to keep 5 TE’s, with the last name on the list being Ryan Taylor. Similar position and lots of young talent there….too much for TT & MM to pass up.
So you are saying they are going to cut Ryan Taylor?
by Tedaldtada29 on Aug 18, 2011 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
No I'm saying he makes the 53
He’s the 5th TE in my book. Since they like him so much they do the thing that no team in their right mind does and keeps 5 TE’s.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions
I think that's almost a foregone conclusion.
Unless they’re sure they can get him on the PS.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
My wager is they don't take that gamble
Really the TE’s have looked pretty good so far with the exception of Quarless. If anyone is on the fence it’s him. Well, him and Havner who I just always assume is out unless he makes the team as a linebacker.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 1:12 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought Quarless has actually looked good...
kinda hoping he wouldn’t in order to make the decisions easier, but I like what he from what I saw of the first Preseason game.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 19, 2011 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
One good game doesn't make the team
He’s also missed a good amount of practice so far with injuries.
Also while he looked good, he didn’t look THAT good. He looked pretty okay over all…that’s not going to save you when there can be compelling cases for just about every one of the guys he’s fighting against.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think they'll get rid of Quarless after drafting him in the 5th rd just last year
He still has way too much potential to do that. I think they would let go of Crabtree before Quarless (but I don’t think either is at risk to not make the 53). Definitely at least 4 TEs and likely 5.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
Since when do 5th round picks get protected?
A first round pick of coarse….a second round pick well okay maybe….but a fifth round pick? Really?
No, I don’t think Quarless has much security in his draft order. He has also been battling injuries for most of camp and there are two new rookies at his position that have shown as much or more potential than him. Add in the fact that Tom Crabtree just works his ass off and finds away to get the job done and Quarless is in trouble.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
TT protects all his draft choices
even down to the 7th round.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
blah, stupid keyboard
So is Ricky Elmore going to make the team even though he’s done nothing?
Is Lawrence Guy going to make the team even though he’s had injuries and not done much?
There have been lots of guys drafted by TT that stay on a for a year and then get cut when it’s clear that they don’t have the stuff. A great example of this is Jamon Meredith. Being a fifth round draft pick didn’t save him. Breno wasn’t safte after being a fifth round pick either. Aaron Rouse wasn’t safe being a third round pick.
All of these guys may have a spot the year they are drafted….or at least a benefit of the doubt (I still think Elmore gets axed), but once that year is up they are cut like anyone else if they don’t produce.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions
You are talking about guys who were sucking horribly
Quarless is just looking average. They’re completely different situations.
I’m not saying he’s untouchable because he’s a 5th, but that he would have to play much worse to be cut.
Elmore might be cut; I’ve heard he’s had a very poor camp. He’s sucking horribly, apparently. TT protects his draft choices, but he’s not an idiot. He knows when to cut bait.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
I'm saying that TT doesn't protect ALL his draft picks
Quarless may not suck horribly, but he’s not exactly lighting it up either. He was lukewarm to disappointing last year (with stone hands) and he’s following up this year with injuries and an average preseason performance.
Add all that in with a very tough race for a roster spot or two and you find a guy with some potential on the bubble.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Quarless
Is a guy that has a ton of potential. He really needed the OTA’s and learning opportunities w/ the coaches to bring his game to another level. He was pretty bad last year, but was forced into action before he was ready to play. But IMO, Quarless has the chance to be the most complete TE on the roster. Finley and Williams are pure recievers, and will always struggle blocking. Crabtree and Taylor are good blocker and ST players but won’t ever scare anyone as recievers. Quarless is a decent/good blocker, and has athliticism to be a recieving threat. His whole game needs refinement, but he’s loaded w/ potential. I really wanna see what he can become w/ a full offseason of IDP’s, OTA’s and coaching.
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I just don't see it happening
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
Elmore and Guy are PS material
Elmore showed in college he could rush the passer. I’m not a fan of his and haven’t ever thought he was good enough to make the team, but he was productive in college, so he’s worth a SP spot. Guy has been set back by the concussion, but he’s got a long way to go and nobody will pick him up w/ no training camp to speak of. I think Thompson will put both on PS. If they don’t show in training camp, thompson will put draft picks on PS to give them a chance to develop.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
I don't think Quarless is in much danger
Hes just too talented an athlete, and can develop into a terrific TE. I would be extremely surprised if they don’t keep him. Crabtree is the best blocker so he’s probably safe. I still think keeping 5 TE and 1 FB is the way to go. Kuhn, Crabtree and Taylor can make up any possible role Johnson might provide. Taylor and Crabtree are both valuable on ST. Quarless, Finley and Williams are the best recievers. Quarless has the ability to become the most well rounded TE on the roster.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
He's in danger only if they keep four
I would bet that the Pack keeps five…in fact that’s a drum I’ve been beating longer than you I believe…but if they do only keep four then Quarless is the one out. Like you said, Crabtree looks good and should be in, Finely is locked in, and then Williams and Taylor have both impressed and stepped up….with Williams being most of what Quarless could be (only not as tall).
That’s why Quarless could be on the outside looking in. Mostly if only four TE’s are kept.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm thinking more & more that they are only going to keep two QBs
Especially with Flynn probably leaving after this year, that’s a risky move (for the future anyway, not so much this year).
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
Gotta think it's 5 tight ends
Especially given Finleys injury history
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by White92 on Aug 19, 2011 6:30 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Donald Driver
It’s the only way that Thompson could piss off more Packer fans than he did back in 2008.
Not that I want it to happen, but exactly how large would the resulting mob backing Driver be? Tens of thousands? Hundreds?
http://twitter.com/WhalesLarry ...but only if you want to see someone still trying to figure Twitter out.
by Mitchell Maurer on Aug 19, 2011 3:06 PM CDT reply actions
You know it would be the worst this year too
The dude’s 40 yards short of a franchise record. That would be kicking sand in the face of many fans.
The problem is though it also wouldn’t be that surprising a development either. Cobb is lighting things up and would play the role that DD would be filling at this point in his career (slot). James Jones and Jordy Nelson already are wrestling over who will be his heir (and Cobb will probably replace both of them if they don’t get their act together). Finally there are lots of young guys who were FA pick ups that are impressive too in Borel, Gurley, and Smithson. The stereotypical TT thing to do in that case is cut the overpaid vet, who is DD.
Good answer.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Crap I really can't type today...
Title should read You know it would be the worst year for that too
Stupid fingers.
by PackApologist on Aug 19, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
That's almost too good an answer
I’d lead the mobs in the Carolinas.
Maybe
That would be surprising, but not completely unexpected.
Maybe that would happen in a similar situation with Tony Richardson & the Jets last year. I was floored when I heard he was cut, but then later found out they needed the roster space until they could trade away a player, and then Richardson promptly re-signed.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
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