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As promised let's take one last look back before we look forward. During the dread lull Kevin, Evan, and I went about the task of projecting the Packers roster based on what we saw at the time. Since that projection has finished the Packers have completed some roster moves, made some surprise cuts, and just about filled the practice squad. Here's how we did:
QB Projection: Aaron Rodgers, Graham Harrell
What the Roster Actually Looks Like: Rodgers, Harrell
What We Said Then:
The only thing that might throw a wrench into this is the possibility of a trade. We wrote about the possibility of a Colt McCoy trade yesterday, but I don't envision that or any other trade happening. Mike McCarthy has had nothing but positive things to say about Graham Harrell, whose completion percentage and interception-to-attempts ratio in preseason last year were palatable, though not spectacular. Expect a better 2012.
What We Are Saying Now:
Most of the preseason Harrell didn't show us a better performance than last year. It got so bad that at times many parts of Packer Nation were crying out for a trade which would acquire one of the many WCO veterans out there to handle the backup duties. Harrell did save his best for last with an impressive outing against the Chiefs. Harrell is not as good a backup as we had last year, but he should be able to do that job. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers is awesome.
HB Projection: James Starks, Alex Green, Brandon Saine
What The Roster Actually Looks Like: Cedric Benson, Starks, Green, Saine
What We Said Then:
Halfback may be the thinnest position on the team. Despite this, it's not hard to see what TT & co. are planning to do at the psotion this year. Currently the Packers have James Starks, Alex Green, Brandon Saine, Marc Tyler, and Du'ane Bennet. Last year the Packers kept three running backs on the 53 and one on PS for development and there is no reason to expect the Packers to deviate from this same formula in 2012.
What We Are Saying Now:
This was without a doubt the thinnest position on the team through the preseason. As a result we saw Ted Thompson make a somewhat unexpected move by signing Cedric Benson. This signing mixed with the frustrating balance between injury status and potential upside of Starks caused the Packers to break from what they have done the last couple years and keep four halfbacks and keep one additional halfback on the practice squad (Tyler).
FB Projection: John Kuhn
What The Roster Actually Looks Like: Kuhn
What We Said Then:
Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn.
What We Are Saying Now:
Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhn.
WR Projection: Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Donald Driver, Tori Gurley
What The Roster Actually Looks Like: Jennings, Nelson, Jones, Cobb, Driver, Jarrett Boykin
What We Said Then:
First of all six seems about right this year. Five is probably too few considering the current amount of talent. Why not keep as many as reasonable? It keeps the group farily young as well as insure against injury. On the other hand keeping seven is not very practicable. Yes we have talent, but roster building needs to take in the full picture of the team instead of looking at only one position or just one side of the ball.....Between the affordability of Jones, the promise of Cobb, and the new money to DD these three aren't going anywhere. Yes, yes, you can trade Jones[,] but don't count on it....The only job question is Gurley or Borel.
What We Are Saying Now:
After a disappointing preseason for Gurley and Diondre Borel, both players failed to make the team (although Borel made the practice squad). Fellow UDFA Boykin though played his way on to the roster with consistent play in practice and the games. It's still the deepest receiving corp in the league with a nice mixture of young talent and veteran wisdom.
TE Projection: Jermichael Finley, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor
What The Roster Actually Looks Like: Finley, Crabtree, Williams, Taylor
What We Said Then:
This is currently [the] en vogue position in the NFL with the rise of Jimmy Graham and the shirtless wonder: Rob Gronkowski. The Packers have also liked this position for the last few years filling the position with guys who can block, catch, and play special teams. So for as much as people would like to keep 7-8 WR's and watch the offense come in waves, look for the team to keep 4 TE's around in order to help round out other areas of the team.
What We Are Saying Now:
No real surprises so far. The big questions arise when Andrew Quarless comes off the PUP. Will the Packers keep only four TE's then or go back to the five they had last year?
OL Projection:: Marshall Newhouse, T.J. Lang, Jeff Saturday, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Derek Sherrod, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Andrew Datko
What The Roster Actually Looks LIke: Newhouse, Lang, Saturday, Sitton, Bulaga, Dietrich-Smith, Don Barclay
What We Said Then:
The Green Bay Packers' offensive line is fairly set in stone, though their could be a battle for a couple of backup spots. Four starters are locked in, while the two guys fighting for the left tackle spot will both make the roster for sure. The Packers had eight offensive lineman on their opening day roster last season, a fairly standard number that they'll probably stick with this time around.
What We Are Saying Now:
Alas, there was no battle for the left tackle position. Sherrod never got right in the preseason and now sits on the PUP. Generally the majority of the backups didn't look NFL ready, so most of them were cut. Don Barclay was a slow riser through the camps and eventually played his way on to the team. He will have to be the swing tackle until Sherrod gets back off the PUP. Datko looked up and down, he also suffered a concussion and is now on the practice squad.
Wrapping Up The 2012 Roster Projection Series Articles:
Through The First Round Of Cuts
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