Packers Release a Quarterback, Sign Free Agent Defensive End

The Packers have released a quarterback today, all but assuring that there will be only three players at that position on the team moving forward. They also signed a veteran defensive end.

Jason Wilde @jasonjwilde

The ‪#Packers‬ make a couple of personnel moves: They sign Miami DE Phillip Merling, release TE Cameron Ford and QB Nick Hill.

10:55 AM - 23 May 12

This effectively clears the way for B.J. Coleman to earn the third quarterback position and potentially compete with Graham Harrell for the primary backup spot. Hill was praised by the team, but they apparently did not feel he had the knowledge and experience to compete with Harrell or the physical tools to compete with Coleman.

Ford was an undrafted rookie tight end from Wake Forest and was signed on May 3rd. With the number of tight ends on the roster, he was a long shot to make the team out of camp.

Phillip Merling was a former second-round pick in 2008 and was a reserve defensive end for the Miami Dolphins over the past four years. He suffered an injury to his Achilles tendon in 2010, and played only 15 games over the past two years. He did play in all 16 games in each of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, however, recording 3.5 sacks. Here's a fun fact about Merling: his only career interception came in 2008 against Brett Favre, then a member of the New York Jets; Merling returned it for a touchdown.