LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN: CORNERBACKS

The Packers rookie camp is in full swing and I thought it would be a good time to examine the roster for the 2105-16 season.

 

I will start with the defense since General Manager Ted Thompson decided to use its first two picks on defensive backs after letting cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Devon House leave during free agency and special teams ace/cornerback Jarrett Bush remain unsigned.

 

Let's start with the crux of the matter the cornerback situation. Coach Joe Whitt has six-year veteran Sam Shields returning on the left side, but has to replace Williams on the right side. House was the top reserve off the bench with four-year backup Casey Hayward and two-year Demetri Goodson behind him.

 

Hayward is an interesting case. He began his career as a second round draft pick and made a big splash intercepting six passes as a rookie mainly from the slot corner spot. His sophomore season was a total loss beginning the season with a hamstring injury that never healed. Last year he was surpassed by House as the top reserve and this year he enters the final year of his rookie contract at a crossroads. He either takes over at right corner or will probably be allowed to try free agency next year.

 

Goodson was a project when he was drafted in the sixth round after playing football for only two seasons and was active for six games, including the last four, but never took a snap on the defense only playing on special teams. He had five solo tackles with two coming in the final game.

 

Tay Glover-Wright

Added to the mix is Tay Glover-Wright, a two-year guy who played on the practice squad last year and three-year veteran Micah Hyde, sort of, but Hyde's best position is in the slot, which is also Hayward's best position.

 

AND NOW FOR THE FINAL WORD AT LEAST FOR NOW

The draft isn't over until it's over and then it really isn't over until the undrafted free agents are signed and as right now (Sunday night May 3rd) we have a list of the guys signed or about to be signed.

 

Malcolm Agnew

First a break down of their positions. There were five wide receivers, four running backs, three linebackers, two guards, two defensive backs, a tight end, an offensive tackle and a nose tackle. In addition, there were seven players invited to the Rookie Camp for a tryout. Of those there was a quarterback, two offensive linemen, two defensive backs, a tight end and a defensive lineman.

 

I actually know one of the signees, running back Malcolm Agnew from Southern Illinois University. He is the son of Ray Agnew - an 11 year veteran who played defensive tackle for the Patriots, Giants and Rams - and the brother of fullback Ray Agnew III - who also played at SIU and had a tryout with the Browns and is now with the Cowboys.

John Crockett