The Green Bay Packers currently have too many healthy defensive backs, which makes the recently reported charge of disorderly conduct a big problem for CB Brandon Underwood. It's only a misdemeanor, but it's unusual to have a criminal charge filed in the middle of a divorce case. This isn't the first time he's brought some unnecessary drama into his life. Last summer, he had earlier run in with the law, and he was dismissed from Ohio State for academic reasons. The latest charges could bring a suspension from Roger Goodell, but I'm just speculating on that point.
In the end, he's going to have to prove it on the field. He didn't look too sharp as a rookie in 2009. While Mike McCarthy saw improvement from him last offseason, it didn't show up on the field when the preseason began. He played little role on defense during the regular season and their playoff run.
I expect the Packers will keep 10 defensive backs. A few players are obvious locks, and some players on the current roster such as Atari Bigby may become free agents and not re-sign. No bad play can remove CB Jarrett Bush from the roster or the coaches good graces. Of the players left, I see three players (including Underwood) battling for two roster spots:
CB Davon House. I still think he was a steal in the 4th round, but I haven't seen him on the field yet either. While the Packers usually keep all their recent draft choices, being a 2011 draftee doesn't make him a lock.
CB Pat Lee. The former 2nd round pick has already had one lost season (on I.R. for all of 2009) and only 11 tackles with no interceptions in his other two seasons combined. He showed some promise as a rookie, but I haven't seen any since then.
Obviously this position could still be bolstered whenever free agency opens. Maybe that should be a priority because I'm not sure either Lee or Underwood still deserve their roster spots. The good news for those two players, there should be a roster spot available for either of them if they improve on their 2010 season.