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Packers Roster Moves – The State of the Union
Packers GM Ted Thompson
Ted Thompson has been a busy guy lately.
Despite a lengthy lockout this off season, things have finally returned to business as usual for the Green Bay Packers’ GM ever since NFL players and owners signed a new collective bargaining agreement in July.
Thompson, to his credit, hasn’t wasted any time.
As of July 30th, 2011, all 10 of the Packers’ 2011 draft picks are under contract.
These 2011 rookie players include:
Rd. Player
1 (32) OT Derek Sherrod – Signed 7/30/2011
2 (64) WR Randall Cobb – Signed 7/29/2011
3 (96) RB Alex Green – Signed 7/30/2011
4 (131) CB Davon House – Signed 7/30/2011
5 (141) TE D.J. Williams – Signed 7/29/2011
6 (179) OL Caleb Schlauderaff – Signed 7/29/2011
6 (186) LB D.J. Smith – Signed 7/29/2011
6 (197) DE Ricky Elmore – Signed 7/29/2011
7 (218) FB Ryan Taylor – Signed 7/29/2011
7 (233) DT Lawrence Guy – Signed 7/29/2011
Ted Thompson has also been busy evaluating undrafted rookies and “street” free agents. To that end, he has invited at least 16 players to Packers training camp so far, including:
QB Diondre Borel
S Anthony Bratton
T Ray Dominguez
DE Chris Donaldson
C Sampson Genus
WR Tori Gurley
FB Jon Hoese
S M.D. Jennings
LB Elijah Joseph
LB Jamari Lattimore
CB Brandian Ross
RB Brandon Saine
T Theo Sherman
WR Shaky Smithson
LB Vic So’oto
WR Kerry Taylor
The Packers have quite a few players facing Free Agency this year. Thompson has re-signed or is in the process of re-signing several key components of the Packers’ gold and green machine, including:
K Mason Crosby – Re-Signed 7/30/2011
TE Spencer Havner – Re-Signed 7/30/2011
WR James Jones – Agreed In Principle To New Contract (Has Not Signed)
FB John Kuhn – Re-Signed 7/31/2011
WR Brett Swain – Re-Signed 7/30/2011
Unfortunately, Thompson also faces the unpopular annual task of releasing free agent players from the roster and not offering them new contracts. Some players have found new homes already while others are still out looking for work. So far, these players include:
S Atari Bigby – Unknown – Jersey Number Issued To Rookie Alex Green
LB Nick Barnett – Signed By Buffalo Bills
LB Brandon Chillar – Released 7/29/2011
OL Daryn Colledge – Signed By Arizona Cardinals
FB Korey Hall – Signed By New Orleans Saints
DT Justin Harrell – Released 7/29/2011
RB Brandon Jackson – Signed By Cleveland Browns
DL Cullen Jenkins – Signed By Philadelphia Eagles
DL Johnny Jolly – Unknown – Likely Suspended
TE Donald Lee – Signed By Philadelphia Eagles
LB Brady Poppinga – Released 7/29/2011
S Anthony Smith – Will Not Be Re-Signed
OL Jason Spitz – Signed By Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Mark Tauscher – Released 7/29/2011
The Packers awarded Ted Thompson a contract extension following Green Bay’s victory in Super Bowl XLV. So far in 2011, Thompson’s been earning his pay.
3 Comments
Really appreciate this compendium, Kenn. Good to see all of these moves in one place.
It’s hard to keep track of everything since things have been happening in bunches over the course of days, rather than weeks!
My biggest concern looking at all of these moves right now is the offensive line. With Colledge, Spitz and Tauscher gone, the Packers are looking at a starting O-line consisting of an aging Clifton, Rookie Sherrod, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton and 2nd year man Bryan Bulaga.
I don’t see a lot of depth, either. I hope Ted knows what he’s doing. Favre got killed the year that Rivera and Wahle were released. I understood it was purely financial, but still…killed!
I agree with your comment, Kenn – it was worth putting on mine too. I do trust Ted – Colledge is the one that makes me REALLY uncomfortable, and not because I like him. The others I mostly agree with, but he seems awfully daring!