The Time to Retool Your Roster is Now

Let the Lady Packerbackers make the call-Steve Weatherford
 instead of Tim Masthay?

The final cuts were not unexpected although I missed on four (running back Rajion Neal was cut instead of Alonzo Harris; defensive end Christian Ringo instead of defensive tackle Bruce Gaston; inside linebacker Carl Bradford instead of outside linebacker Nick Perry and safety Jean Fanor instead of Chris Banjo).

 

Now let's look at the best free agents now available and who Packers General Manager Ted Thompson might be interested in or should be interested in. The Giants cut punter Steve Weatherford in a cost-cutting move and I think he should be signed immediately before someone else gets him.

 

Tim Masthay is in his second year of struggles and Weatherford's stats last year were better than Masthay's. You just can't have an erratic punter or place kicker. Being patient with Mason Crosby when he lost it three years ago worked, but it hurt in between. Masthay lost it the second half of last season and is still in his "slump". A good punter is now available and I vote for signing him.

The Unkindest Cuts of All Are on Offense

I still have 20 players to cut from the offense and here they are. Brett Hundley has done so well he won the battle with Matt Blanchard for the No. 3 quarterback position and so well he can’t be cut and stashed on the practice squad, so like last year Thompson will have to keep three quarterbacks, unless he can pull off a trade. If he can’t then either Hundley or Tolzien will be traded next year like Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Brunell and Aaron Brooks since it wouldn’t be fair to make either sit for five or six more years behind Aaron Rodgers.

 

#34 Rajion Neal & #19 Myles White seemed to have won a job

It was a spirited battle for the No. 3 running back spot behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks with Rajion Neal, Alonzo Harris and John Crockett all having played well. I think Neal won the job taking up where he left off before being injured last year. Hopefully, Harris and/or Crockett will be signed to the practice squad.

My Defensive Cuts Are In

The final 35 cuts are due this week with 13 coming on Tuesday and the final 22 next Saturday. Here are my thoughts on the final defensive cuts and how the defensive roster with look going into the season opener at the Bears.

 

The defense has the biggest question marks going in and I don’t see a much different group than played last year. On the defensive line I would cut defensive end Khyri Thornton and nose tackles Bruce Gaston and Lavon Hooks.

 

That leaves Letroy Guion (suspended for the first three games) and Datone Jones (suspended for the first game) at left defensive end. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers seems to be preparing to use a two-man line early, so I wouldn’t keep one of those three until Guion comes back.

 

B.J. Raji and Mike Pennel will be at nose tackle with Pennel also available at left end. While Gaston has played well and often there is no room for him. I would try to sign him to the practice squad.

 

Right defensive end will be Mike Daniels, Josh Boyd and Christian Ringo. I am keeping Ringo and Boyd, for that matter, because both can play inside and Ringo has played well. Boyd hasn’t been as good as he was before being injured, but I think he still has an upside.