Looking At The Possible Green Bay Packers Roster Cuts This Week

by Brandon on Aug 29, 2011 2:01 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers Training Camp

The Green Bay Packers have to trim the roster from 83 players down to 80 by August 30th. Here's an article on the new roster rules from SB Nation. That's in addition to the three players released on Sunday. Who's next to go?

I'm not considering any of the remaining wide receivers, tight ends, or offensive lineman because those were the three positions thinned out on Sunday. With every starter basically out for the game, they'll still need to keep some depth at each position to field a couple different units. Off the top of my head, and with no inside sources to rely on, here's three players that I think could be released before the final preseason game.

LB K.C. Asiodu. He's missed the last preseason game and has been held out of practice due to a chest injury. He's an injury settlement candidate if he can't play this week, and they can't evaluate him.

S Anthony Levine. He's been struggling with a concussion suffered during a violent collision with CB Pat Lee in practice some weeks ago. He did a great job on the practice squad as a scout team player last season, and even if he was released now (because he can't play on Thursday) I could see him returning to the practice squad later this season.

DE Eli Joseph. He may be the most unimpressive defensive lineman in camp, and with DE C.J. Wilson returning from a concussion, they may not need so many defensive lineman on Thursday night.

Another option might be to place a couple players on I.R. They usually keep around a player or two who they may want to take another look at next year. They may want to keep DE Lawrence Guy and OL Chris Campbell, who don't appear ready to play on Thursday night due to their respective injuries, and they'd be good candidates for the I.R.

Who do you think might be gone before their next preseason game?

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Anthony Levine

I cannot see any way he gets cut on Tuesday unless his concussion is so bad that he will be out another month plus.

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by Tedaldtada29 on Aug 29, 2011 2:19 PM CDT reply actions

Time to sharpen the axe on some old "favorites"

I can’t see Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood getting jobs, so we can get rid of them. also quinn johnson isn’t going to play alot also, so whats the point of having him if we’ve got 5 TEs, and I read somewhere that D.J. Williams or Ryan Taylor can also play FB. those should be the three.

by Nels Winkler on Aug 29, 2011 2:34 PM CDT reply actions

Have they cut Giacomini yet? :)

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Aug 29, 2011 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

I've got a feeling that Driver might not make it

It sounds like there’s a couple two, three of these young guys they’re excited about. Y’know, with Jones back… It’s gotta’ be feelin’ a mite crowded in the WR meetings nowadays.

I don’t know that I’m seeing room for him.

by Curly Lambeau on Aug 29, 2011 3:23 PM CDT reply actions

Well Curly... you'd be wrong.

I know you’re prepaing yourself for an “I told you so” but Donald Driver isn’t going to get cut. There’s no doubt he’s slowed down and isn’t the DD of a couple years ago, but the guy is a physical specimen and a team leader. I wouldnt be surprised if he is done after this year, but GB wouldn’t lead him down the preseason path if they weren’t going to keep him. More than likely they’d have a private conversation that no one would ever know about and you’d read about Donald retiring. Personally, I hope he gratiously moves to the side and only gets on the field for limited reps. He’s still “nails” when you need him.

by Dancing Raji on Aug 29, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

agree w/ this

I hope he gratiously moves to the side and only gets on the field for limited reps. He’s still "nails" when you need him.

Never been a big Driver fan, but I would like to see him start wk 1, break Lofton’s record then kinda step aside for Jones, Nelson and Cobb to become the playmakers and take the slot. I respect Driver, but its time for the other younger guys to get his reps. Driver IMO, doesnt’ have the legs to do it every play of every game like he used to. Give him a limited role and he might actually become more productive relative to playing time.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Not me

I wanna see DD leave on a high note, whenever he wants to and whenever the coaches think they need to get more production out of that position. Which may not be soon. That’s the great thing about having so many offensive weapons. I don’t expect any one of the receivers are going to have a huge season, because they’ll all get a respectable amount of attention. But I do expect Driver will have a better season than last year if he stays healthy.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Aug 29, 2011 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Jennings usually has a huge season anyway

The man is a beast

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by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Aug 29, 2011 6:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Don't you think

THe coaches want more production than 50 rec for 500 yds from the #2 WR on the team. The same WR who led the team in drops. The same WR who wasn’t available a good amount of time. The same WR who finally got healthy late in the season, only to get injured AGAIN in the SB. Driver had 2 drops vs Indy, is that good enough?

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Says the guy who backs the DE who hasn't played a complete season yet

this debate has “ongoing saga” written all over it. Haha.

And you’re talking one season of decreased production coming on an injury AND basing a couple of lackadaisical plays in the preseason on this anti-Driver predictionism. Let me just remind you of how willing people were to write Jennings off after a poor 2009 performance – people went Skip-Bayless-let’s-call-him-a-wash-out after that year and he came back and schooled people last year.

While I don’t expect a grand in yardage from Double D this year, I do expect increased production, if he stays healthy.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Aug 29, 2011 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Injuries, drops, lack of production..

Making excuses for the fact that he’s older and not as good as he used to be. And has been passed in production by Jones (11ypr to Jones’s 13.5 or so) And is also likely to be passed by Nelson this year as well. Driver is at best the 4th best WR on the team, is 37?, injuries mounting and producition dropping.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

My Point Is...

that you’re all, “Oh, trust the coaches, they know what they’re doing!” except where Driver is concerned. You can’t have it both ways; either they’re infallible or they’re not.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Aug 30, 2011 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

HUH?

Don’t have a clue what your saying… I think Driver starts but Jones and Nelson get more playing time. Driver probably a little more than Cobb. My point is his production has dropped in stages. From a 1200 yd season, to barely 1000 yds and now he is a 600 yd reciever. If he weren’t a valued team leader he would already be gone! Just like Jenkins… He sticks one more year, IMO for his leadership, even tho I don’t think its necessary any longer.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Driver

I think Stroh said it best that he’s around because of his leadership. That’s nothing to look over. Even though he had a down season last year, he was still an asset for us. I too feel it would be best to give the younger WR’s more opportunities this year though. Start Driver in the first couple games, let him break the record, then let Jones and Nelson step in the #2 role and fight for that role. Cobb won’t get many opportunities as a rookie, but he’ll step in from time to time.

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Aug 30, 2011 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

How about we don't hand anything over to anybody?

Whoever plays the best gets the spot. Not like the #2 in GB means all that much. It’s Jennings, Finley, and whoever gets hot.

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by Omaha Sun on Aug 30, 2011 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions

So you would sit Driver on the bench?

Don’t you think he would take that as a sign of disrespect? I certainly think he would…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions

He would never be there.....

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 30, 2011 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Based stricly on performance I think he would.

But I don’t think the Packers would do that to him either.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions

For his couple drops this preseason...

there is an entire 49er defense that needed pacifiers last season to stop their crying over him single-handedly owning them. He’s still got it.

He makes 20 yard in-routes on 3rd and long look like routine plays for this offense. He’s money.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 30, 2011 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I think he’s still got it too but only to a degree. He can’t be used like he was a couple of years back. It doesn’t seem like his body can handle it.

I’d say let him be out there for the first drive in two receiver sets and then shuffle him out with the other guys as the game goes on.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Aug 30, 2011 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions

One play doesn't mean he's still got it.

That came after returning from being shelved for a few weeks when he was fresh. He doens’t have the legs to do it every game all year. Give his reps to Jones and Nelson to save him. Keep him in a limited role and he can be more productive compared to playing time.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Nah, I’m definitely not looking for an “I told you so.”

I love Driver. I’d be very happy if he’s not cut. But, the more I think about it, the more sense it makes to let him go now. We’d be keeping him for sentimental reasons, and the Packers have shown recently that they don’t do that. …and it’s not a good thing to do, anyway.

West has shown enough to stick. Gurley has too, although I don’t see him leading the league in jersey sales anytime soon :^) But, seriously, those two guys would come cheap, they’d help on STs, and they’re only going to get better whereas DD’s only going to get worse. How long before either of them is more of an asset to the team than Driver is?

And, for somebody who wants to play the leadership card… That’s fine, you’re not wrong. I used to pick Driver up on my fantasy teams just ‘cuz I liked him, and I’d respond to criticism from the other owners by saying that I was picking him up for leadership. “He’s good in our fantasy locker-room,” I’d say.

I’ll be sorry whenever he goes (whether it’s this year or whenever), and I’ll miss him when it’s 3rd and 7 and we need somebody to go over the middle and make the tough catch. He’s one of the more fun players to root for that we’ve ever had. But time waits for no man. I think it’s his time to go. I don’t WANT it to be his time. But I think it’s time.

by Curly Lambeau on Aug 30, 2011 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

He's gonna make it, no doubts.

He’s started the preseason games, and played well. He can still run, and his hands are still good (while I did see a few more drops last season). And most importantly, they wouldn’t send him out like that. When he goes out, they will talk to him, and he will respectully step down. They won’t have him play the entire preseason and then just cut him. I could see it being possible if he was playing bad and constantly injured this preseason, but that’s not the case.

"I should run a marathon backwards, so I can see what 2nd place look like"
- Royce Da 5'9"
I've always wondered if he's actually 5'9".

The Lombardi trophy should either be in it's birth place, or else on a vacation in South Beach.

by BlackPack-fan on Aug 29, 2011 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Driver isn’t getting cut. This is not the way he would lose his job. It would be handled differently.

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by Wiedmann on Aug 29, 2011 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep. His value as a team leader exceeds his value as a wr.

His snaps will decline, especially with a healthy FInley and the slow integration of Cobb into the offense. But he’ll leave as a Packer on his own terms, with a pay cut of course.

by msc32887 on Aug 30, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Already taken the paycut...

Only thing left is to big him farewell. Probably after this season…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

They probably will treat him the way they treated Nitschke

If I remember right – and I’m old enough to be remembering wrong – Nitschke retired right before the ‘72(?) season to make way for, I think, Joe(?) Carter at MLB. They had a nice pre-game ceremony for him and the fans gave him a well-deserved ovation. Of course, I could be getting that ceremony mixed up with the ceremony when they retired his number. Did I mention that I’m old? SIGH

Anyway, the point is that I remember it being pretty well discussed in the press during the pre-season that GB would have to cut Nitschke before the season started, and no one wanted that. So, the team spoke with Ray and Ray retired instead.

by Jurp on Aug 30, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Jim Carter...

ANd he was treated mercilessly. Very unfairly, much like Rodgers when he became the starter. Death threats and the like… Time to release a player like that is in the offseason, so fans have time to get used to the idea of another player taking his job.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

DD Not Going Anywhere Except ....

Into the Packer record books ….. He’s still the 2nd best WR on the 53 until someone proves otherwise ….. Cobb’s a rookie & both Nelson & JJ still have the dropsies……. Too many fans are believing the negative hype given to DD by the media ……. All because of his age …… Ridiculous.

by WoodyG on Aug 29, 2011 7:01 PM CDT reply actions

You do know Driver led the team in drops last year don't you?

50 rec for 500 yds isn’t better than Jones, its worse.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Regardless .....

Nelson & Jones have never been starters …… DD has started for the last 9 years & has proven himself beyond reproach …. Let the media bury DD & some naive fans, but not me ….

by WoodyG on Aug 29, 2011 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions

They've never been starters

Precisely cuz Driver and Jennings have been in front of them. Its time that changes… Let Driver be the defacto starter. But a starter in name only. Time to let Jones, Nelson and Cobb take most of his reps.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Ha!

Nelson & Jones have never been starters …… DD has started for the last 9 years & has proven himself beyond reproach …

Only three years ago, people were using this same argument to support their demands to give a certain aging QB his starting job back when he decided to un-retire.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Aug 29, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Touche!!!

Drivers time to move over is now! Let him keep the starting #2 WR spot out of respect, but give most of his playing time to Jones, Nelson and Cobb.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

In reference:

I was one of those people. I didn’t know the whole story about his return. I was in Pottstown, PA working when I heard that #4 was retiring. ESPN played that damn poem by Deanna and I cried like a 10 year old kid whose dog died. Then just before he signed with the Viqueers, I found out the whole story and all the sneaky shit he pulled. I heard about McCarthy and TT telling him they spent 2 damn draft picks on QBs, ’cause he was staying retired. I think he tarnished his legacy, both as a player and definitely as a family guy with the deal about Jen Sterger. Probably a couple of years before he gets his jersey retired.

by biggun33 on Aug 30, 2011 6:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Personally, I don't EVER want to see Favre's number or jersey retired

I think that he doesn’t deserve the honor. Was he great? Yes, especially under Holmgren’s leadership. Does he have records? Yes, primarily because he played so long. Was he a team player? IMHO, No. Was he a class act? Definitely not. And it’s those last two that, for me, call for Number 4 to be given to some rookie punter as soon as possible.

And no, I’m not bitter about his leaving for the Vikes. I was just never a huge fan once his off-the-field crap started happening.

by Jurp on Aug 30, 2011 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

#4

While I agree with much of what you said, he still was a part of a great evolution of Packer football. For 30 years the Packers were the cellar dwellers of the division and league, but Favre came around along with many other talented players and changed what Packer football was about. Right now he currently ranks as the 2nd best QB in Packer history and owns various QB records, so he rightfully deserves to have his number retired. Even though he has not been a classy player/person, the Packers should step up and be the classy ones here, retire his number, and let him walk in retirement on a higher note.

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Aug 30, 2011 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I would say

Wolf and Holmgren changed what Packer football was all about, w/ a helping hand from Harlan. Favre and the other players just showed us that change on the field, but it was Wolf and Homgren who implemented it.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with Stroh.

And, I am with Jurp all the way.

Jabooty, to me, number retirement is a more prestigious honor than selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, and the reasons you give for retiring his number are really great reasons to put him in the Hall, but fall short of being enough to justify his number retirement.

Some reasons why I don’t think Favre bridges the gap between the two honors:

only led the Packers to one championship in 16 seasons.
The various passing volume records he holds include most interceptions and most fumbles. Just goes to show that you can accumulate any such volume records if you play long enough. The efficiency records that he didn’t shatter are much more meaningful.
He has not, as you said, been a classy player/person.

Now, maybe none of those things, standing alone, should be enough to block his number retirement, but, collectively, they are enough, IMO.

the Packers should step up and be the classy ones here, retire his number, and let him walk in retirement on a higher note.

The Packers don’t need to retire #4 to be the classy ones.
The Packers were classy every step of the way, IMO, and mostly by not reciprocating the way Favre treated the Packers.
The Packers took the high road as much as Favre made it possible, and then some.

As far as I am concerned, Favre can walk in retirement in the rut that he dug himself.
I really do believe that his number shouldn’t be retired, and while I can readily admit that he should go into the Hall, I, for one, will not be celebrating it.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Aug 30, 2011 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree that he shouldn't go into the Packer HOF

But he will nonetheless! Unfortunately… He was the first and only, at that point, 3x MVP. And he does have alot of records to his name, some notorious, some not. but as you mentioned his records aren’t effciency ones. His SB ring, records and MVP’s put him in the Packer HOF.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 30, 2011 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Also, this isn't consistant.

Favre came around along with many other talented players and changed what Packer football was about.

It implies that, while Favre came in with all those other talented players, it was Favre alone who changed Packers football, and that those other talented guys had little to do with it.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Aug 30, 2011 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions

A little hasty..

Jones and Driver’s numbers were nearly the same last year.

The difference is that it was a career year for Jones, while it was the worst year statistically for Driver since ’03.

Jones also has 6 fumbles in 4 years, while Driver has 8 in 13. Who would you rather throw to with the game on the line?

I’m not saying that Jones isn’t on the upswing, and that Driver is near the end of his career. I’m just saying there is no way I cut Driver because I have James Jones and a bunch of question marks.

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Aug 29, 2011 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Wouldn't call it a career year for Jones.

His rookie year when he wasn’t sharing catches w/ Finley and Nelson he had 47 rec (compared to 50 last year) and indentical yards. I’m not advocating releasing Driver either. Let him be the starter in name, but use him much less and it could actually increase his production in relation to playing time. Let Driver start, but give alot of his playing time to Jones, Nelson and Cobb. IMO, it’ll save Drivers legs down the stretch and might keep him healthy this year so he can produce when we ask him to.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions

3 ascending WRs and 1 declining

Take your emotions out of it. yes, hes been a fave for years and still has some gas in the tank but DD is in decline and Nelson, Jones and Cobb are only getting better. They have all met at the cross roads, 3 are ascending and 1 is declining. If they cut him Id be suprised but not at the same time.

by Comeonarodge! on Aug 29, 2011 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Why do you keep replying as if I'm asking Driver to be released?

I’ve said, repeatedly now, on this thread, that Driver should stay another year. That Driver should start, but have his playing time limited. Not advocating cutting Driver at all. Hell I’m letting him keep the starting job out of respect to what he has done for GB and the Packers.

If he were released I would be mildly surprised. I really don’t have any emotion in regards to Driver. I respect him, but have never been a really big fan of his.

Otherwise I agree w/ your assesment of 3 WR on the way up, and Driver declining.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 29, 2011 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Nelson has great hands besides the SB,

besides the SB, he catches nearly everything. I think Nelson will be the #2 target for most of the season. Jones and Driver will be utilized pretty much even. Driver will absolutely make the team, for reasons I wrote in a comment a bit above^^^ this one, but he won’t be a primary target even if he starts the games. Plus he will likely be bothered by some injuries as the season wears on.

"I should run a marathon backwards, so I can see what 2nd place look like"
- Royce Da 5'9"
I've always wondered if he's actually 5'9".

The Lombardi trophy should either be in it's birth place, or else on a vacation in South Beach.

by BlackPack-fan on Aug 29, 2011 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Cutting to 80 is the easy part

It’s that cut to 53 that’s the real bear. Teams will be swimming around us like piranha…

by Welzy on Aug 29, 2011 9:47 PM CDT reply actions

Drops... overrated

Because we’re obviously focused on the daily comings and goings of the Pack… we’re blind to the obvious… the obvious being that EVERY WR drops passes. Ours are magnified because we are watching every single one of them on the 12 sportscenters a day and the 24 hour NFL network. Take any other successful passing team and you’ll see similar numbers. I wouldn’t want any group of receivers over GB’s. B****ing about these issues that still brought us to a Super Bowl victory is ridiculous. With 4 capable WR’s, a stud TE, and a crop of younger players in the same position… you’re not going to see huge individual numbers, except for the guy throwing the ball. Good lord… enjoy it people… stop disecting every bit of minutia.

by Dancing Raji on Aug 30, 2011 8:04 AM CDT reply actions

Keep DD as a

3rd down possession guy for a 1st when Rodgers sees the run/pass option based on the defense.DD should not be on the field for 1st and 2nd down plays.

by Tarynfor12 on Aug 30, 2011 2:36 PM CDT reply actions