The Cuts and Signings: The Aftermath

The NFL cut down day was Saturday and the Packers made those cuts and I was wrong on 11 of them. The first day after the Day was Sunday and Ted Thompson/Brian Gutekunst was silent on adjusting the lineup, but, of course, they signed 8 of those cuts to the practice squad and 3 of those signings were 3 players I had kept, but were cut (running back Joel Bouagnon, fullback Joe Kerridge and guard/tackle Adam Pankey).

The other practice squad signees signed on Sunday were center Austin Davis, outside linebacker Kendall Donnerson, defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster, defensive tackle James Looney and inside linebacker Greer Martini leaving two spots open. Other moves were waiving running back Devante Mays, tackle Kyle Murphy and cornerback Quinten Rollins from injured reserve with injury settlements even though those moves haven't been officially announced yet and may never be.  

Hopefully There Will Be a Redemption in the Rematch in the Desert

Looking For 'The Redemption in the Rematch in the Desert'

Three weeks ago the Packers were riding high on a three-game winning streak having averaged 28 points a game heading to Glendale, Arizona to face one of the strongest teams in the league - the Arizona Cardinals. Three hours later Aaron Rodgers was pulled from the game mercifully after being sacked 8 times and the Packers were embarrassed with a 38-8 loss.

The game hurt the Packers psyche so much they let the hated Minnesota Vikings not only beat them at Lambeau Field, but take away the North title the Packers have held for four straight seasons.

Last week The Hangover of the Disaster in the Desert was still being felt for another quarter as the Packers fell behind 11-0 to another team that was coming on late in the season - the Washington Redskins.

"Black Hole" of Oakland Edition

The 'Black Hole'

Aaron Rodgers will be making his first trip back home to play at the O.co Coliseum, which is know more as the "Black Hole" in Oakland and the home of the Oakland A's. The Packers will be playing in Oakland for the first timein 12 years with the last game being the infamous Dec. 22, 2003 game the day after Brett Favre's father died. Favre threw four TD passes and beat the Raiders, 41-7. Ahman Green rushed for 127 yards.

 

We could only hope for a similar outcome, but not similar circumstances. The Packers go in with a one game lead in the North Division over the Vikings, who hosts at the Bears Sunday at noon.

 

The Packers will be playing the game without cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) and wide receiver/kick returner Ty Montgomery (ankle). Wide receiver Davante Adams (foot), defensive tackle Mike Daniels (hamstring), guard T.J. Lang (shoulder/ankle) and center Corey Linsley (ankle) listed as questionable.

Post-Game Analysis: The Defense - Backfield in Motion

The play of the secondary has been much better than I would have guessed, but in a different way. With the loss of Tramon Williams and Davon House to free agency there is a big hole to fill on the left side at cornerback and it seems it just might have been filled, but not by the person everyone would have thought, except for me, of course.

On the Island:

The game started with Casey Hayward manning Williams' spot and Sam Shields on the right side. Neither had any stats, but did a decent job of keeping Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo in check holding them to 2-of-4 with one long pass by Garoppolo for 16 on the left side.

Quinten Rollins

2015 #2 (62) draft pick Quinten Rollins took over for Hayward and undrafted free agent rookie LaDarius Gunter replaced Shields. These two have been the talk of the camp leading up to the game and Rollins has been the talk of the town afterwards.

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.