Packers miss out on waiver claims, begin adding to practice squad
-- A day following final roster cut-downs, teams around the league are still shuffling to make room for potential claims off of the waiver wire.
The Green Bay Packers weren't one of them.
Waiver claims are based on draft priority, so whichever teams picked the highest in April's draft will have the first pickings.
The Packers, who initially selected at No. 14 before new general manager Brian Gutekunst pulled a few strings to end up four spots lower at No. 18, were essentially at the middle of the pack.
That isn't to say the Packers didn't put in any waiver claims on players on their radar, but they were just too low on the totem pole. As many as 17 teams reportedly put in successful waiver claims, and 15 others didn't make a single successful transaction.
The Packers likely aren't done adjusting their roster ahead of next Sunday's season-opening tilt against the Chicago Bears -- complete with new defensive end Khalil Mack -- but any new addition will have to come from either the free agency pool, via trade or by signing a player from another team's practice squad directly to the 53-man roster.
The Packers' initial roster contained two running backs, eight wide receivers and four outside linebackers.
Here are the rest of the Packers' practice squad signings as they come in:
- Kendall Donnerson, LB, per Ryan Wood
- James Looney, DL, per Ryan Wood
- Adam Pankey, OL, per Michael Cohen
- Greer Martini, LB, per Rob Demovsky
- Austin Davis, C, per Ryan Wood
- Tyler Lancaster, DL, per Packer Report
- Joel Bouagnon, RB, per Packers
- Joe Kerridge, FB, per Packers
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (187)
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Sounds like Thomas is joining the Colts PS. Not thrilled we lost him given out depth.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Me either, I might rather have him than Morrison.
Bure9620
September 02, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Morrison can tackle and Thomas cannot. This might mean Oren Burks will be ready soon also.
TKWorldWide
September 02, 2018 at 09:49 pm
Defensively speaking, I am a big fan of tackling.
Qoojo
September 02, 2018 at 01:31 pm
I just read that he wanted to come back to packers, but packers were not interested.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 01:36 pm
If true, looks like Jones is a cover linebacker in all but name. Thomas was the only other backup to Burks in that role (unless Crawford is, but as a former DE, seems unlikely).
Turophile
September 02, 2018 at 04:55 pm
I'm hearing they put Kerridge and Bouagnon on the PS. Is that right ?
If it is, then two spots left to fill the PS.
KamThomps
September 03, 2018 at 01:02 am
It is true.
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Two ways to look at the absence of playets lost to waivers - BG accurately gauged his roster to keep the best players regardless of position... Or we didn't actually have NFL quality at the bottom of the roster.
I'm going to prefer the former narrative until at least the new car smell has faded
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 12:43 pm
The other way to realize there is no way to make a perfect set of decisions. Nobody knows if some of these guys will develop. At least we have BG willing to make moves and repair mistakes, TT was to slow to do so for my preferences.
Community Guy
September 02, 2018 at 01:05 pm
so far, i have followed and understood most of Gute's moves. i have to assume that 8 receivers is in anticipation of at least one receiver being looked at by another team.. with a trade likely. i await the next transaction. maybe something happens prior to Aaron Jones return at the beginning of week 3?
maybe waiting on releasing the last WR increases the chances of that WR to be available to the team.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 12:41 pm
No team claimed any Packer players off waivers because______
Ding Ding Ding...times up
1) No team wants any of our players
because_____
!) They just aren't that good.
Rak43
September 02, 2018 at 12:53 pm
No team claimed any of the SB champion Eagles cuts either, So what's your point?
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 01:04 pm
Don't bother, Rak.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 01:06 pm
The point is to be pointed just for the apparent acuity of it.
egbertsouse
September 02, 2018 at 02:05 pm
Wow! I wonder what that sentence translates to in English.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 02:44 pm
At least there is punctuation.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 01:09 pm
Here you go...
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFQnF1qaZt
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
September 02, 2018 at 01:14 pm
or because Gutey was so astute he kept all the players there would have been interest in and kept them on the 53.
Yea Gutey!!!
Tundraboy
September 02, 2018 at 01:31 pm
But if Fackrell....
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 02:08 pm
I haven't defended Fackrell for quite awhile now,contrary to someone's belief,but what does it say that Fackrell's ' ifs ' are better than Biegels actual bites....Fackrell is still on the team for whatever reason but it's surely better than any reason for keeping another player...as disparaging as it may be for some.
holmesmd
September 02, 2018 at 04:50 pm
LoL. The reason may have something to do with the fact that they are disastrously thin at OLB. Fackrell is not at all impressive, hasn’t been productive, and is like 28 yrs old. SMH. If we didn’t have a paucity of players at OLB, he would have been cut long ago....and not picked up by ANYONE.
Tundraboy
September 02, 2018 at 11:12 pm
True. Fackrell did have Biegel nipping at his heels.
croatpackfan
September 02, 2018 at 01:36 pm
OLB Vince Biegel (New Orleans Saints)
ILB Ahmad Thomas (Indianapolis Colts)
Ding Ding Ding...You are troll
stockholder
September 02, 2018 at 04:39 pm
We needed to fire Moss!
Hawg Hanner
September 02, 2018 at 04:52 pm
Why? Because he can only work with talent and not create it from nothing?
Rebecca
September 02, 2018 at 05:07 pm
What happened to you? Calling people trolls. Are we going down that path now? Are we? Seriously?
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 05:28 pm
Rebecca,
Croat is usually quite kind. It's the person he's talking to that is the issue....
fthisJack
September 03, 2018 at 08:22 am
when you start throwing alternative facts out there, then it is a problem.
JonathanSpader
September 02, 2018 at 06:29 pm
Interesting that the Saints are the ones who signed Vince Biegel and they cut Jayrone Elliot. Biegel showed nothing in preseason. Elliott had 2.5 sack/2 forced fumble performance in the preseason opener against Jacksonville. I wouldn't mind seeing Elliot added to the Packer's 53.
4thand10
September 02, 2018 at 07:24 pm
@JS. I’m thinking it’s the direction the defenses are going that has a lot to do with it....some are keeping the 3-4 some are transitioning to a 4-3 and some have hybrids where they are looking for a body type or skill set. Biegel my not be an edge rush OLB in Pettines system, but he could be a blitzer type role player for someone else.
Grandfathered
September 02, 2018 at 08:07 pm
Elliot flashes in preseason games, but seems to slack off after that. Reminds me of the co-worker to gets too comfortable in their job and feels there is no reason to improve. And for some reason, he still felt the need to carry guns, cash and a large quantity of MJ around in his car.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 08:30 pm
Grandfathered,
I think you have somehow merged Jayrone Elliot and Letroy Guion together into one player you simply don't like.
Skip greenBayless
September 02, 2018 at 02:01 pm
Tarynfor12, why such a negative attitude on the Packers players? The season hasn't even started.
egbertsouse
September 02, 2018 at 02:08 pm
You have to keep in practice, it’s like training camp.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 02:16 pm
Nice....at least I practice in my camp.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 02:14 pm
Because they are so head and shoulders above all others, they need to be taken down a notch.
The season has started but many just refuse to accept having witnessed it.
Skip greenBayless
September 02, 2018 at 02:31 pm
Ok Taryn, fair answer.
barutanseijin
September 02, 2018 at 02:44 pm
Y’know, people are allowed to have different opinions. I find Pollyanna fans kinda ridiculous, but i’m not going to bug them with questions about why they’re overly optimistic.
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 06:20 pm
I find Pollyanna fans ridiculous too. Almost as much as Eeyore fans. The most annoying fan of all though? The Know-It-All-Fan who won't admit when he/she is wrong.
Spock
September 03, 2018 at 08:17 am
IMHO, here's how the fan breakdown works:
Pollyanna (all is good, nothing can go wrong), upbeat fan (homer), average fan (homer with reservations about some aspects of team), glass half full fan (pessimistic but holds out some hope for the team), Debbie Downer (see's no hope for team despite positive evidence), Taryn (BF with COW).
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 03:39 pm
And now she's on PFT feeding the Vikings and Bears trolls.
Taryn. Just stop. Bulaga and Bakh will be fine.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/09/02/bears-will-be-aggressiv...
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 03:49 pm
Just speaking what many are fearing and being truthful. You know it, they know it and the Packers the first two games will be hard pressed to not show it.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 03:58 pm
Let me add also...
I 'm more likely to not be suffering at seasons end in the ' Pit of Misery ' with you and others.....Dilly Dilly!
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 04:32 pm
freefromwhatyouare says:
September 2, 2018 at 4:25 pm
“As a Packers fan”
That's you hiding behind another screen name isn't it...of coarse it is...you know it, i know it, we all know it.
As to your implication of different screen names being used by me...doesn't it match mine used here.
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 05:08 pm
Actually, no. It isn't me. I don't comment on PFT - I don't have a high enough idiot threshold to go back and forth with the purple trolls.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 05:27 pm
You seem to be able to dis them a lot here in the safety of Cheesehead land though. I unlike yourself and others have no reason to dis the rivals anywhere, when the play of my team would make for hypocrisy in doing so.
I do have hope for factual dissing of the rivals, but until then, I can only dis the team that breaks my heart because more is expected from them than the rivals.
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 05:32 pm
I have no problem dissing the Vikings or the Bears. Or the Lions for that matter. I just don't have the energy to argue with people who can't agree on the color of the sky. It's like having a political debate with someone who is a loose acquaintance. Too much energy is exhausted for little to no progress.
But here, for the most part, we agree on things. So here I give credit where it's due. Not to teams who haven't actually WON anything in decades (or ever). The Vikings look good now. I have complete faith they'll eff it up this year. It's the Vikings thing to do.
And, failing that, sometimes it's just funny to joke around.
fthisJack
September 03, 2018 at 08:32 am
you not only dis your team, you are misinformed and are quick to spread it around.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 05:18 pm
I followed the link and found the post.
What I found hilarious is that another user not only accuses Bearmeat of being a vikings troll, but suggests that "Tarynfor12" is a fake account used by Bearmeat!
Good times, good times.
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 05:52 pm
I LOLed at that too.... ;)
holmesmd
September 02, 2018 at 04:45 pm
You’re so silly. I’m still perplexed as to why you post here? Ok, “the Packers suck and have terrible players and coaches” So why the interest, just curious?
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 05:05 pm
Because I'm a fan, though some may think that means troll, who demands more than mediocrity and highly esteemed Division Titles....and I have a computer,internet access and mostly because I can. : )
fthisJack
September 03, 2018 at 08:33 am
just because you can does not mean that you should.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2018 at 05:14 pm
If no team put in a waiver claim on Biegel, that speaks volumes to me. I thought Pankey might be claimed, but he really isn't quite ready to play this season, so he seemed iffy.
Bure9620
September 02, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Really wonder if Biegel is asked to be on the PS. If not, the Packers were sigfiicantly lower on him than I thought. I just don't see Fackrell as that much better, or better at all actually.
ZacharyJacobson
September 02, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Signed with the Saints' PS.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 02:47 pm
He's just not strong enough or explosive enough for the NFL, he couldn't even beat 3rd string Tackles. Fackrell at least has length to use in coverage. I'm honestly not too bullish on either of them. I like Donnerson better than both those guys he is raw but has strength to set the edge and to bullrush.
dobber
September 02, 2018 at 02:50 pm
Biegel isn't an NFL edge player. He needs to play in space, IMO. Best suited on the outside in a 4-3.
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 01:22 pm
Wow. We missed so bad on him he wasn't even picked up by Waivers. I try not to be the fan judging GM because obviousky we don't have the experience or information, but the OTHER 31 do... and that is truly damning. Seems moving on from TT truly was 3 years too late.
On the flip side: now that draft trade is King v Watt 1:1, mano-el-mano, winner takes all. Go Pack Go!!!
dobber
September 02, 2018 at 02:51 pm
Watt who?
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 05:26 pm
I would caution that just because nobody picked up Beigel after a full year in the league and showing little improvement, it doesn't mean that nobody would have taken Beigel in the draft other than the Packers.
Projecting talent in the NFL draft is a crap shoot- it's not only about how good a player is at the moment, it's about how you think he will grow.
GMs and scouts today have the advantage of seeing how Vince Beigel actually developed after an entire year and a full offseason program & training camp.. and it wasn't good.
Lare
September 02, 2018 at 06:41 pm
If Kyler Fackrell is one of the top four OLBs on your roster, you don't have much depth at the OLB position.
Bure9620
September 02, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Nevermimd.....Biegel signing on the Saints PS.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
September 02, 2018 at 01:15 pm
What is with the Saints and Packer players?
Used to always be the Vikings picking up Packer players.
kevgk
September 02, 2018 at 03:26 pm
Lions have been signing a ton of Packers in recent years. Maybe the scounting department is very good at finding decent players out of undrafted guys or something.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 01:37 pm
Personally I don’t mind.
Lare
September 02, 2018 at 12:45 pm
The Packers can still sign players off of other teams' practice squads, they just need to add them to their 53-man roster.
JBUBN
September 02, 2018 at 12:50 pm
"IF THEY JUST AREN'T THAT GOOD", We better hope no
misses any time--fat chance!
Rak43
September 02, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Hopefully BG can add some quality o-line help because a few injuries there could really tank the Packers season with the lack of depth they have.
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 01:07 pm
OT, OLB and ILB are desperately needed, yes. Even someone who can not just get blown away at the point of attack when the starters are out for a few snaps would be welcome.
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 01:13 pm
"can not just get blown away at the point of attack when the starters are out for a few snaps would be welcome."
That's Spriggs 2.0 this year. Speed continues to be an issue,but he's at least serving as a stumbling block there.
If needed, I suspect with game planning and a with a healthy dose of help from Lewis, he'll be ok.
Bearmeat
September 02, 2018 at 06:21 pm
That's the hope.
What about OLB/ILB? :(
PAPackerbacker
September 02, 2018 at 01:49 pm
Agreed. Maybe Gute can make a trade for an OL with one of the WR's. There certainly are enough of them on the roster.
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 01:10 pm
I am probably in the minority... But the key pieces of our roster are set. We'll churn the bottom thankfully, but if a player like Thomas has to start for any meaningful period, we're in trouble regardless.
Even at OLB, will be looking at a project (read Odom) not eveb a key low level contributor (i.e. Brooks or Dial). It's just unlikely key talent is unloaded at this juncture.
Still- we are in as good shape as we were during the off-season if optimsm, Mack or the lack of waiver pickups doesn't change that.
Bullish, not bearish.
holmesmd
September 02, 2018 at 04:54 pm
LoL.
Wes Ross
September 02, 2018 at 01:14 pm
I cannot believe they kept Davon House, but cut Biegel.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 01:20 pm
Really?
Wes Ross
September 02, 2018 at 01:25 pm
Yeah. I just don't see where House adds more value with the current roster. Plus, walking away from a 4th after 1 year - in which he was injured most of the time - just surprises me. Maybe they have someone else targeted, but... of those particular two, I'd have kept Biegel and let House go.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 01:30 pm
House is a serviceable back up with experience who played decently in the preseason. Beigel was an unserviceable backup with negligible experience who consistently looked unable to meet the physical requirements of his role and made Fackrell look decent.
I don’t see the comparative.
Qoojo
September 02, 2018 at 01:35 pm
I think the real complaint, and the reason this is even brought up is because one played for WI. The choice between House and Beigel is about as much of a no brainer as these decisions go.
Wes Ross
September 02, 2018 at 02:08 pm
Nah, that's not it at all. I couldn't care less where anyone went to college.
Lame, passive insults aside, I just don't agree with your perspective.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 02:51 pm
Did you watch either of them play? What is it you do care about?
Rak43
September 02, 2018 at 04:47 pm
Not sure what you were watching out there Ross but I think 99% of fans could see Biegel is not ready and had zero to contribute this year. How you prefer a stiff to a 6'1 CB with experience who has shadowed Julio Jones and made multiple int's and plays on an NFL field is beyond me. House adds an element of experience and insurance to a very young secondary. Biegel adds nothing other than another project to work with that may or may not develop.
JerseyAl
September 02, 2018 at 09:40 pm
Vince Biegel. Have a look:
https://twitter.com/SconnieSports/status/941142488965943297
Bear
September 02, 2018 at 01:57 pm
Biegel couldn’t fight through a block. Looked pretty useless out there.
Bear
September 02, 2018 at 02:00 pm
Biegel couldn’t fight through a block. Looked pretty useless out there.
dblbogey
September 02, 2018 at 02:45 pm
You can say that again. Oh, you already did.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 02:58 pm
I'm just glad that it looks like the days of keeping guys around who don't show anything over the guys who preform seams to be over.
No more Justin Harrells, Vince Biegels, Andrew Datkos, Will Whittickers, Carl Bradfords, Derick Sherrods, Jerron McMillons.
Put out or ship out.
Qoojo
September 02, 2018 at 04:29 pm
Sherrod was due to a bad injury while playing. Harrell hurt his back. It would be a pretty empty roster if the GM jettisons a player every time they get hurt.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 04:41 pm
Sherrod got hurt after losing the starting job he never won and being the backup to Newhouse. Harrell couldn't walk past a dummy bag without hurting himself.
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 05:20 pm
Or A J Hawk
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 05:34 pm
If you are saying "AJ Hawk couldn't fight through a block", you never understood what AJ Hawk's job was in the first place.
That's similar to criticizing the Fullback in a HB lead play for not being able to juke a linebacker in the hole.
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 06:11 pm
I never said that at all oppy. I know what Hawks position was. Hawk was durable, a pretty good tackler and steady. If he would have been a 3rd round pick or beyond, it would have been a good pick. Thats hardly what you would expect from 5th overall pick of the draft.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 07:53 pm
He was drafted to play OLB in Bob Sander's 4-3 defense, a role that asks him to play in space and utilize his athleticism (people forget Hawk was quite athletic LB coming out of the draft.)
He had to change his body type, and his play, to do what was being asked of him in Capers' 3-4 scheme as the Mac/strong inside LB, which is engage and occupy guards or fullbacks in the hole so the Will backer stays clean and can make the play.
It's hard for a player to live up to fan's expectations of being a play-making linebacker he was drafted to be... when his job changed into being the guy who did the dirty work so the weak inside backer could be the playmaker.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 05:55 pm
AJ Hawk was a good NFL player. Not great but good. 2nd all time Packers Tackler behind Butler.
Packer Dave
September 02, 2018 at 02:04 pm
House's jam is as a press corner. Jacksonville give him big bucks not long ago. If our scheme doesn't revert to Caper's zone mumbo jumbo he'll do well.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 05:40 pm
+1 Packer Dave.
There was actually a post game interview with House last year where a reporter was asking House about why the Packers CB's were giving opponent WR's free releases off the LOS.
House tried to dodge the question a little bit, but eventually conceded that the technique they were being asked to play doesn't call for jamming the WRs.. which was mind blowing. You could tell House wasn't thrilled with it, either, but he carried that "I'm doing what they are telling me to do" gloom with him.
I would like to think that the new DC will allow a guy like House, who's bread and butter is physical play at the LOS, to utilize his strengths.
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 05:14 pm
Maybe House had a better hair cut or something important like that. Because as we all saw Biegel.played lights out in the games he played last year and in this years preseason.
It must be another case of colusion in the NFL because no other team signed him either.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 05:58 pm
Well, his lights were out perhaps.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
September 02, 2018 at 01:18 pm
I'm pretty excited that the Pack is resigning most all the key players waived yesterday. What about Abu?
Gutey comes out of the roster reduction looking like he knew exactly what he was doing with the 53 and who he let go. He is an All - Star!!!
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 01:34 pm
Wow, just found this nugget:" Inside linebacker Ahmad Thomas hoped to return to the Packers, but a source said they turned him away. "
I thought he was solid depth for the "new NFL" ... But pack didn't even want him fir P.S.
Coldworld
September 02, 2018 at 05:59 pm
Wonder what he did wrong in the course of a week. This is a real head scratcher linked to the Crawford one of yesterday.
PAPackerbacker
September 02, 2018 at 01:47 pm
Surprises me too. I thought he would have made the 53 over Fackrell and Crawford. Or at least returned to Green Bay on the PS.
Daren726
September 02, 2018 at 01:52 pm
Obviously, Must be better alternatives out there from other teams/more pressing needs to sign Thomas to the PS. Just have to wait for it. I’m surprised also.
Since'61
September 02, 2018 at 01:46 pm
Good to see Donnerson and Pankey made it to the PS. Looney good to have for depth. 4 more guys to go on the PS. Gute doing OK yet again. Thanks, Since '61
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 05:25 pm
I was hoping for Donnerson. The rest meh i thought Donnerson showed good backside pursuit against the Chiefs.
sonomaca
September 02, 2018 at 02:05 pm
No RB’ on PS yet. Would think they need some depth there. Also, would like to see a tackle, if they can find one worth signing.
sonomaca
September 02, 2018 at 02:06 pm
In addition to Pankey.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 03:01 pm
RB depth is a commodity these days. It's just not that hard to find 'a guy' off the street. Maybe they think the RBs they cut are 'just guys' and can make it to week 3 with what they've got.
Qoojo
September 02, 2018 at 04:33 pm
I think the rule is that players are guaranteed their full season salary if they are on the roster at the official start of the season (might only apply to veterans). Perhaps that is a consideration here given Jones is coming back, and like you said, everyone else was "just a guy".
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2018 at 05:18 pm
Right, which is why I would have cut Bell. I don't want to pay him $1.2M base like we did with RJF last season. Still, note that veterans can get their full salary if they are on the roster for game one (so Bell isn't in the clear yet) but they can only do it once in their careers.
LayingTheLawe
September 02, 2018 at 02:08 pm
The headline of the article made it sound like the Packers did something wrong and not that they just didn't collect any waiver claims. Deceptive.
sonomaca
September 02, 2018 at 02:10 pm
Thomas situation odd. Called him in today. He thought it was to sign to PS. Then, they told him he wasn’t wanted. Sounds like lack of coordination or communication. I thought Murphy had created a new structure to sort these things out.
Community Guy
September 02, 2018 at 03:09 pm
agree, unless something changed between the call and his arrival at Lambeau.
Lphill
September 02, 2018 at 02:45 pm
I thought maybe Biegel could have played inside but I guess not . Turned out to disappoint us he seemed solid in college.
JQ
September 02, 2018 at 02:47 pm
On Biegel-To me, I’d wonder if Gutey didn’t like the pick last year when TT drafted the kid, and that he simply hasn’t shown enough promise as an OLB to justify a roster spot. It will be interesting to see how Vince does in New Orleans.
This reminds me a bit of the Carl Bradford pick a few years back. He too was a high motor player who was highly effective in college, but he just didn’t cut it as an OLB. So the Packers tried moving him inside. But he just didn’t develop into a viable NFL player, during or after his time in Green Bay.
4thand1
September 02, 2018 at 02:57 pm
Monty is the only player suiting up and playing from the 2015 draft class.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 03:15 pm
Here are 6 years of results from Ted (Master of the Draft)
2010 Bryan Bulaga
2011 Randall Cobb, Davon House
2012 Nick Perry, Mike Daniels
2013 David Bakhtiari
2014 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Davante Adams
2015 Ty Montgomery
Not enough to keep a roster competitive to say the least.
dobber
September 02, 2018 at 03:24 pm
I'm not really disagreeing with your point, but if the average NFL player plays 3 seasons or less...?
Whenever management turns over, we can expect a purge of pet projects, too (and an installation of a whole new group of projects). It's about time for some of those players.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 03:37 pm
If they average player plays 3 seasons shouldn't we have a lot more left from 2015?
dobber
September 02, 2018 at 03:56 pm
Touche!
Rebecca
September 02, 2018 at 05:29 pm
Even Jeff Janis had 3 seasons, 4 in fact. He’s the kind of player who skews the nfl average years played. Football stats are extremely deceiving.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 06:42 pm
Rebecca,
Football or not, statistics are not deceiving, they tell a particular story which is a reflection of actual data.
It is up to the individual to understand what a statistic really represents.
Can Statistics be portrayed in a way that makes the message misleading? Yes. Can people misinterpret the statistic, assuming it infers information that is does not? Absolutely. Can people use some statistics, but ignore others, to intentionally mislead? You bet.
But the statistics themselves, if taken from real, legitimate data, are not deceiving. People need to understand what they actually represent or measure, however.
Rebecca
September 03, 2018 at 08:41 am
Agree, yes the stats themselves are just facts. I was clearly referencing the interpretation of stats to make a pont. Not everyone takes the time to research the minutia of the facts.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 07:39 pm
The average length of an NFL career doesn't imply anything about the player still playing with the team that drafted them. Below are the players from the 2015 draft (Packers drafted 8) that met the 3 year career average. * denotes likely career has ended.
Damarius Randall, Browns
*Quentin Rollins
Ty Montgomery
Jake Ryan (Injured, still in NFL- likely to continue his career I would assume)
Brett Hundley, Seahawks
*Aaron Ripkowski
*Christian Ringo (Bengals/Detroit, waived yesterday)
Some of these players may still latch on with other teams PS.
Kennard Backman was the lone "below Average Career" player from the Packers 2015 draft class, having only played one season.
Averages are funny things, and the "Average career" doesn't really exist, it's a mathematical approximation. Packers took 8 Players in the 2015 draft. By my count, they will have accounted for 25 seasons by the end of 2018 (projecting players currently on rosters, including Jake Ryan, complete the 2018 season). 25 seasons / 8 players = 3.125 years per player. The 2015 draft class has already "met" the "average career" expectancy level. Keep in mind, Randall, Montgomery, Ryan, and even Hundley, I would expect to have careers continue on for a bit, even further adding to the "above average career length" of the 2015 Packers draft class.
I am not arguing that 2015 was a successful draft class. What I am pointing out is that the "average NFL career" is a mathematical construct and if people are going to use it to either validate or discredit a draft class, we need to understand exactly what "average NFL career" constitutes. If that's the measurement being used, the 2015 Packers draft class is already "above average".
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 06:45 pm
Final thought, if career length would be used as a determinant for above or below average drafting, it would be far more useful perhaps to find the MEDIAN nfl career length, rather than be concerned with the AVERAGE career length.
Knowing the number of years at which half the NFL players' careers' exceed, and half the players' careers' fall short of, would be a far better mark to use, IMO
JonathanSpader
September 02, 2018 at 06:50 pm
JJ, Damarious Randall is still sort of there as a pick he's just now named Kizer. So it's not like we have nothing to show for that draft selection. If Kizer turns into a legitimate backup or starting QB it's not a wasted 1st round pick in 2015.
Rollins was a reach in the 2nd round and we got 1 good year from him his rookie year. He's on an injury settlement we'll see if he continues his NFL career with the Packers or in general.
TY Montgomery is a GB Packer still as covered.
Jake Ryan was an injury this year and I can't fault TT for the 4th round pick of Ryan he was good at the role he played and was healthy until this year.
Bretty Hundley was traded for a 6th round pick so we still have something for a 5th round pick. We just don't have the 1st rounder that many of us thought he could be traded for based off of preseason wonderment.
Christian Ringo was what your standard 6th round flier usually turns out to be in the NFL. A great special teams player who's now with the rival Lions. He was a comp pick anyways.
Kennard Backman was a 7th round comp pick who didn't work out. Oh well.
2015 was definitely one of TT's worst drafts but not quite the dumpster fire fans make it out to be.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 08:37 pm
2010-2015 drafts was a 6 year dumpster fire IMO.
JonathanSpader
September 02, 2018 at 08:44 pm
Based on what?
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 10:43 pm
The dearth of quality players drafted that are on the roster and consistently contribute during the game.
TarynsEyes
September 02, 2018 at 03:26 pm
Actual contributors...
Bulaga
Cobb
Daniels
Bakhtiari
Adams
The rest really wouldn't be noticed if never were on the team...in reality thinking, one would accept they never should have been on the team.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 03:35 pm
I agree with leaving Dix off your list.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
September 02, 2018 at 03:42 pm
With Ted and this year Gute always having an extraordinary number of extra draft choices (more than other teams) that supposedly increases your chances of success yet you look at who remains from those draft choices and everyone has to admit.....DISMAL is being nice!
Qoojo
September 02, 2018 at 04:35 pm
What about the whole starting OL? Clark?
11Bravo1p
September 02, 2018 at 05:12 pm
You forget to mention that Morgan Burnett (2010), James Starks (2010), Casey Hayward (2012), Eddie Lacy (2013), JC Tretter (2013), Micah Hyde (2013), Corey Linsley (2014) and Jake Ryan (2015) who were also picked by Thompson during those years.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 05:59 pm
I don't forget. They are not on the team today. If you have a "Draft and Develop" stragety it onlys works if you develop players for your team, the Chargers and Bills don't count.
MytQ
September 02, 2018 at 06:33 pm
Apparently the players drafted in 2016 and 2017 are not on the team anymore and Ted never drafted them. Way to cherry pick.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 08:40 pm
A six year cherry pick? Most GMs don't last 6 years.
croatpackfan
September 03, 2018 at 02:40 am
And where is Hayward, Hyde, Linsley, Eddie Lacy?
Skip greenBayless
September 02, 2018 at 03:57 pm
I'll be totally honest. If not for Jones' injury I was actually thinking one guy not on the radar that had the potential to get cut could have been Monty. I say this due to his inability to stay healthy and the fact he's really a man without a true position at this point. Yes, he's a swiss army knife but the knife is made in China meaning it easily breaks and doesn't last long. He's almost in Justin Harrel and Mike Neal territory. I like him don't get me wrong but I was thinking if there would be one "surprise" cut out of no where I would have picked Monty. Hopefully he has a full year of good health.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
September 02, 2018 at 03:43 pm
Well thought out comment
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 05:35 pm
Oh oh, we agree on something.
Skip greenBayless
September 02, 2018 at 08:25 pm
That's nice to know. The good news is we have the next 15 years to debate on Boyle. lol
billybobton
September 02, 2018 at 03:02 pm
not a surprise except to the'experts' who graded it above average while those of us pointing out the stupidity and lack of success with bringing in player to play positions they never played before, or to bring in basketball players with top draft choices instead of as free agents; got rolled
who was right?
Donster
September 02, 2018 at 03:10 pm
The latest list...
RB Joel Bouagnon, C Austin Davis, OLB Kendall Donnerson, FB Joe Kerridge, DL Tyler Lancaster, DL James Looney, LB Greer Martini, G/T Adam Pankey.
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 03:13 pm
Interesting to see Kerridge on there. McCarthy probably wanted insurance if his FB-less offense doesn't run smoothly.
Kind of shocking no one not in camp yet.
DraftHobbyist
September 02, 2018 at 03:25 pm
You're missing two signings: RB Joel Bouagnon and FB Joe Kerridge.
NJMagic
September 02, 2018 at 03:29 pm
Anybody else want Lenzy back over Waters?
From Indy:
"....and cornerback Lenzy Pipkins were waived in corresponding moves."
It'd be a nice little coup to get Morrison and Pipkins.
Skip greenBayless
September 02, 2018 at 03:40 pm
That's very interesting. I like Pipkins over Waters but they clearly view Waters as a long term project with higher upside potential similar to Boyle. Yeah, that's a tough tough decision for Gute to decide on those two.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
September 02, 2018 at 03:46 pm
Wonder how teams can make accurate assessment that quickly. Poor Pipkins probably thought with the trade he was probably fairly safe.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 06:12 pm
That sucks. I heard Lenzy in a few interviews and he seamed like a very nice, grateful person.
croatpackfan
September 03, 2018 at 02:43 am
Well, I truly believe Lenzy is very good person, but, unfortunately, being good is just one important (but less important) part when you are assessing players...
Joe Witt claims that Herb Waters has Sam Shields capabilities!
Cartwright
September 02, 2018 at 04:04 pm
Like to see Gute being decisive and parting ways with Beigle. It shows me he calls them like he sees them and if you were watching Beigle pass rush there was nothing there.
cheesehead1
September 02, 2018 at 05:18 pm
So soon to give up on Biegal, but I trust our GM. Just hope King can be comparable or better than TJ Watt.
PackfanNY
September 02, 2018 at 04:30 pm
Maybe I am jumping the gun but I was hoping we might be able to find a pass rushing linebacker (trade?), a depth tackle and possibly a running back. I am a little concerned carrying 8 WRs and only two running backs (pending Aaron Jones suspension). I guess I was hoping Gute had something up his sleeve but maybe not?
Lare
September 02, 2018 at 04:58 pm
Doing nothing to improve the OL or the pass rush and now going into the season with only two injury-prone running backs certainly stacks the deck against Gutekunst having a successful first season as GM. While I think he's done a pretty good job, there's only so much you can do in one year.
As I've said before, 2018 may be a rebuilding year for the Packers as it'll take some time to restock many of the positions on this roster that were deficient in talent after a few years of poor drafts.
Injuries are going to occur throughout the season, and the Packers are going to struggle if they happen at a few key positions.
JonathanSpader
September 02, 2018 at 06:58 pm
I liked Jonathan WIlliams in preseason who was cut by the Saints. He rushed for 124 yards and 2 TDs.
croatpackfan
September 03, 2018 at 02:45 am
Do not forget that Randall Cobb might be used as RB if there will be necessity...
JonathanSpader
September 03, 2018 at 08:21 am
Randall Cobb sucks out of the backfield Croat. The defense can read an end around with Cobb a mile away. The play didn't work a single time in 2017. I'm hoping with Philbin's return that page in the playbook was burned. I'd rather see Davis or MVS used on an end around. Someone with flat out speed rather than shiftiness.
Oz40
September 02, 2018 at 05:13 pm
So the Eagles the Super Bowl champion i.e. slot number 32 had a successful waiver claim but the Packers didn’t?
Lare
September 02, 2018 at 06:31 pm
Yes, but it was for a linebacker who made it to the Pro Bowl last year as a special teams player, not a position that the Packers have much need for right now.
And New England had two successful waiver claims.
stockholder
September 02, 2018 at 05:22 pm
It's not the players but the coaching! MM is a great COACH! The true story is not signing defensive veterans and evaluating them proper. TT failed to do it. The biggest mistakes were on Defense, not offense. (Not MMs Forte. ) TTs best signing was Peppers. That said. He played his hand to keep the payroll down. And Put the offense on A-Rod! The time has come to trust MM, and pray A-Rod doesn't get hurt. 8 Wrs is perfect. Gute must fix the defense. Get Game changers. Biegel or any other cut were not game changers. Gute must sign defensive players. Seriously, Gute can get some bargains at LB, (like peppers.) Let's hope he can make a gamble or too. Find the next Peppers Gute! And Reid may be just worth a look. The more Gute tinkers with every position, the longer it will take to get this team right.
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 05:56 pm
Charles Woodson would disagree on who TT's best signing was. I will take a DPOY over what Peppers brought I was a huge fan of signing Peppers but, he did not have the impact of Woodson.
JonathanSpader
September 02, 2018 at 07:01 pm
Completely agree White Tornado Woodson helped get the Packers to a SB in 2010. Peppers flopped in Chicago but had his career revived when he joined the Packers. It'll be interesting to see how Mack fares in Chicago after seeing the way the old management misused Peppers.
stockholder
September 02, 2018 at 07:19 pm
your correct. Thats going way back. I was referring to the later years after the super-bowl. I have confidence in Jones, Dix and Brice. But lets look at who is behind them. Were seeing changes. Burnettt never was the answer either. Dix is going to be a FA. Forget the franchise tag there. So why shouldn't Gute sign a safety? Gute might get more for Dix now, than later. (if he decided to trade him for a peppers, etc.). Regardless it might be the best insurance he could get for this year and next. And dump the work in Greene,etc.
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 07:47 pm
Ryan Pickett was an exceptional defensive signing as well, but due to being a NT in a 3-4 Defense, most people wouldn't value his contributions because it's not sexy stuff that shows up an a stat sheet.
He was phenomenal.
Demon
September 02, 2018 at 09:55 pm
Pickett was a great signing!! And affordable when he signed. The thing that really sucks is Ted was actually good at free agency. Then for what ever reason he cometely abandoned it. Until the signing of a useless washed up head case tight end.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2018 at 05:23 pm
GB has been able to sign most of the players I wanted on the PS. Pipkens is interesting. Wonder if he wants to come back to GB and whether GB wants him on the PS?
Oppy
September 02, 2018 at 07:49 pm
Beyond being a total coup for the Packers in terms of the trade balance, I think it makes great sense because Tramon Williams won't be able to play forever. There will be vacancies at the positon in the future.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 02, 2018 at 05:23 pm
We got Donnerson back.
Good enough.
jeremyjjbrown
September 02, 2018 at 06:15 pm
I am happy to agree with that.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2018 at 06:08 pm
What about signing Kikaha? IDK him but I see good posters on other sites mentioning him as a guy who could be our 3rd or 4th best OLB if we signed him.
JonathanSpader
September 02, 2018 at 07:17 pm
Here's what I read about the Kikaha cut on a Saint's website about roster cut downs.
"The oft-injured Kikaha, a 2015 2nd round draft choice, just wasn't able to stand out well enough after being moved from defensive end, and wasn't able to provide significant versatility at the position. "
Pick Analysis: Changed last name from Jamora to Kikaha -- which is his mother's last name -- prior to 2013 season. Completed dominant two-year run that saw him earn first-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2014 and second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2013. Combined for 32 sacks, 40 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles during that stretch, starting all 27 games played. Finished 2014 with 19 sacks, including at least one in 13 of 14 games. Started first four games as freshman in 2011, but missed final nine after tearing ACL. Granted medical redshirt in 2012 after tearing ACL again in fall camp. In high school, member of team that finished as runner-up to state champion. Played defensive end and tight end. Also competed in judo and wrestling, winning league championship in judo.
STRENGTHS
Relentless. Bends the edge hard. Plays with his hand on the ground and stands up. Scheme versatile. Best fit is in 3-4. Intelligent player. Saw a streak of 14 consecutive games with a sack broken at Arizona in 2014. Excellent with his hands, possessing a variety of techniques. Was a judo champion when he was younger and a high school wrestler, so he understands hand placement and leverage. Good change of direction. Maintains low center of gravity on his rush without losing his wheels. Ability to recover and get back into a play.
WEAKNESSES
Can get swallowed up in the run game at defensive end. Has had knee issues in prior seasons. Perceived as a one-trick pony (pass-rush specialist). Upfield specialist and doesn't set the edge consistently. Needs work on playing consistently in space. Gets overly aggressive at times. Has had two ACL injuries and medicals will need to be scrutinized.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2018 at 07:56 pm
Thanks. You shamed me into going to canal street chronicles as well. Plus I have a little time now. Taken with the 44th pick in 2015. Has had three ACL tears.
"Our writer Ellias J. Williams proposed last week that Hau’oli Kikaha could be traded to a team needing a pass rusher. If that doesn’t happen I expect him to be cut to make room for players who contribute more on special teams. "
"He accumulated 4.0 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in his first six games before an ankle injury derailed what had the makings of a very promising rookie season. He’d eventually go on to finish with 55 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles in 15 games but with no sacks coming after the Week 7 game"
"Kikaha is more of an on-ball [rather than an off-the-ball] Sam LB that can set an edge, chase down plays from the backside, and give you pass rushing snaps on 3rd down. but doesn’t provide much in the way of special teams value"
Well, now I know a little more about him. 4 sacks in 211 snaps in 2017.
stockholder
September 02, 2018 at 08:15 pm
We need a bad boy on this club. Gillette anyone?
Oppy
September 03, 2018 at 07:51 am
Gillette? He's the best a man can get.. if I'm not mistaken.
Johnblood27
September 03, 2018 at 11:43 am
This guy sounds like a Belichick type of man.
Kraft would approve too...
He is right on the edge and it will be a close shave for him to make the roster.
Oppy
September 04, 2018 at 03:02 pm
It figures you'd 'single' out Kraft.
Cheesy move.
Hertel
September 03, 2018 at 12:20 am
Coaches and scouts know more than we do as fans
Oppy
September 03, 2018 at 07:54 am
They sure do, but fans get to publicly yap, scream, and complain to their hearts' content, or toss around crazy ideas that would never fly in those stuffy, professional front office football meetings. I like being an ignorant fan, so much more fun than being a professional NFL guy.
JonathanSpader
September 03, 2018 at 08:25 am
Saying the coaches know more is a cop out. Last year we as fans were screaming for Jones to get an opportunity at rb. Williams kept running into the OL in front of him and getting nowhere. When injuries to Williams and Monty finally gave Jones his opportunity boy did he run with it. Coaches and scouts can be wrong just as often as fans. Of course they know more it's their job but more importantly they have access to more information. Locker room behavior and closed practices to name a few. Doesn't m eww an they always make the right call.
marpag1
September 03, 2018 at 03:18 am
I find it rather comical that there is so much angst.... "Oh no! Other teams aren't terribly interested in digging non-factors out of the Packers dustbin! Dang, we're screwed!!"
Does it also matter that up to now the Packers don't seem terribly interested in other teams' rejects either? Works both ways, right?
People always get bent out of shape about dime-a-dozen players.
Oppy
September 03, 2018 at 07:55 am
I worked both ways, once.
I was young and needed the money for Packers-Cowboys tickets.
JonathanSpader
September 03, 2018 at 08:26 am
Did you walk uphill both ways to get to work Oppy?
Johnblood27
September 03, 2018 at 11:45 am
I wouldn't be crowing about getting worked both ways for money there big boy...
Oppy
September 04, 2018 at 03:03 pm
That was the joke, John