The Green Bay Packers put together their practice squad over the weekend, and it looks as I expected, but I'm a little surprised they brought back Diondre Borel over Tori Gurley (who signed on the Vikings practice squad). Gurley held onto his pass attempts this preseason while Borel dropped a couple, but Borel did a good job as a return man and the ability to play special teams can sometimes make all the difference.
The one new (to the Packers) player signed to the practice squad was OL Chris Scott, who was released by the Steelers. He's a former 5th round pick who played very little in his rookie year and was on the practice squad in 2011. He entered training camp at the bottom of the Steelers' depth chart. He's able to play guard and tackle; playing multiple positions is a trait the Packers like in their backup lineman (see: Barclay, Don).
Scott's addition, plus the return of Greg Van Roten and Andrew Datko to the practice squad, gives the Packers 10 offensive lineman. Mike McCarthy explained that only 7 offensive lineman are active most games, so it doesn't matter how many lineman are on the 53-man roster; he just needs 10 for depth and the scout team. Also, Derek Sherrod will return from the PUP list in a few weeks.
As for the rest of the practice squad. I'm not sure why they need a 5th TE, but Brandon Bostick is back. QB B.J. Coleman has so much to learn that he doesn't belong anywhere but the practice squad, though his big throwing arm is for real. I don't think DE Lawrence Guy has much of a NFL future, but he's eligible for the practice squad while a better player (DT Daniel Muir) isn't. They needed another back (full back or running back) to bring the total to 6, Mike McCarthy usually keeps a combined total of 6 FBs and RBs on the roster, and RB Marc Tyler appeared to be the best of a thin group who didn't make the 53-man roster.
Showing posts with label Daniel Muir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daniel Muir. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Packers 90-man Roster: Defensive Line
While the Green Bay Packers have created competition on the defensive line by drafting and signing several new players, there aren't enough roster spots for all of them. Most of the competition will be at defensive end, and these are the players from Packers.com that are considered at that position:
I'm expecting three of these players will make the 53-man roster, so the competition should be fierce. Guy was stuck on injured reserve last season, and now (assuming he'll return healthy), he has to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster, though he still may be eligible for the practice squad. Hargrove and Neal are staring down suspensions. While Hargrove may have no chance of changing the commissioner's mind over his participation in the pay-for-performance scheme while he was with the Saints, Neal might have his suspension lifted on appeal because his situation is similar to Andre Brown's. Based on what I read during the open OTAs, Worthy might be considered the top defensive end because of his ability as a pass rusher. Merling, Wilson, and Wynn are going to have to give the team a reason to keep them this preseason, but they all have potential.
Here are the defensive tackles (plus Jones who's listed as a "DL"):
Three-and-three: the Packers should keep three defensive ends and three defensive tackles. Jones spent 2011 on the practice squad, and that's his only hope of staying with the team again in 2012. Muir only played in 4 games in 2011 before the Colts released him, so he'll have to prove that he still belongs in the NFL, which I don't expect he'll be able to do. That could make it easy to keep Pickett, Raji, and 4th round pick Daniels (assuming his lingering shoulder injury doesn't land him on the I.R.).
The wild card is former Packer Johnny Jolly. Reading between the lines on a recent comment from team president Mark Murphy, who mentioned that he just wants Jolly to "lead a productive life" and notes that Jolly's been out of football for a couple years, it looks like the Packers aren't including Jolly into their plans. He might have some football left to play, but it seems they don't want to take back a player who could easily provide more headaches.
Overall competition level: high at defensive end, low at defensive tackle. Other than Pickett, Raji, and Worthy (Daniels will stay either on the active roster or I.R.), the other three positions could be made up of any combination of these players. These two positions will be ones to watch this preseason.
| Player | Height | Weight | Age | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guy, Lawrence | 6-4 | 304 | 22 | 2 |
| Hargrove, Anthony | 6-3 | 282 | 28 | 8 |
| Merling, Phillip | 6-5 | 315 | 27 | 5 |
| Neal, Mike | 6-3 | 294 | 24 | 3 |
| Wilson, C.J. | 6-3 | 290 | 25 | 3 |
| Worthy, Jerel | 6-2 | 308 | 22 | Rookie |
| Wynn, Jarius | 6-3 | 285 | 25 | 4 |
I'm expecting three of these players will make the 53-man roster, so the competition should be fierce. Guy was stuck on injured reserve last season, and now (assuming he'll return healthy), he has to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster, though he still may be eligible for the practice squad. Hargrove and Neal are staring down suspensions. While Hargrove may have no chance of changing the commissioner's mind over his participation in the pay-for-performance scheme while he was with the Saints, Neal might have his suspension lifted on appeal because his situation is similar to Andre Brown's. Based on what I read during the open OTAs, Worthy might be considered the top defensive end because of his ability as a pass rusher. Merling, Wilson, and Wynn are going to have to give the team a reason to keep them this preseason, but they all have potential.
Here are the defensive tackles (plus Jones who's listed as a "DL"):
| Player | Height | Weight | Age | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones, Johnny | 6-4 | 310 | 23 | 1 |
| Daniels, Mike | 6-0 | 291 | 23 | Rookie |
| Muir, Daniel | 6-2 | 322 | 28 | 5 |
| Pickett, Ryan | 6-2 | 340 | 32 | 12 |
| Raji, B.J. | 6-2 | 337 | 25 | 4 |
Three-and-three: the Packers should keep three defensive ends and three defensive tackles. Jones spent 2011 on the practice squad, and that's his only hope of staying with the team again in 2012. Muir only played in 4 games in 2011 before the Colts released him, so he'll have to prove that he still belongs in the NFL, which I don't expect he'll be able to do. That could make it easy to keep Pickett, Raji, and 4th round pick Daniels (assuming his lingering shoulder injury doesn't land him on the I.R.).
The wild card is former Packer Johnny Jolly. Reading between the lines on a recent comment from team president Mark Murphy, who mentioned that he just wants Jolly to "lead a productive life" and notes that Jolly's been out of football for a couple years, it looks like the Packers aren't including Jolly into their plans. He might have some football left to play, but it seems they don't want to take back a player who could easily provide more headaches.
Overall competition level: high at defensive end, low at defensive tackle. Other than Pickett, Raji, and Worthy (Daniels will stay either on the active roster or I.R.), the other three positions could be made up of any combination of these players. These two positions will be ones to watch this preseason.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Bring On The Colts: Packers Sign Jeff Saturday and Daniel Muir
I'm probably not as enthusiastic as most Green Bay Packers fans are about the signing of free agent center Jeff Saturday, who's spent the previous 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He was ranked as the 5th best center last year and the Packers need a center after Scott Wells signed with the Rams.
But many people expected him to retire. The Colts were willing to offer him another contract, but not as a player. They wanted him to work in their front-office. While he apparently wanted and received a two-year contract, this looks like a one-year stop gap. The Packers should still have a center on their wish list in the upcoming draft. At least now they have a veteran option if the rookie doesn't work out, or a rookie available in case Saturday decides to retire.
I'm really surprised Saturday didn't join Peyton Manning in Denver, but they must not have offered much money and/or showed any interest. GM Ted Thompson doesn't splurge in free agency and isn't known to outbid anyone. While the terms might not be rich, maybe two-years and $6 million, Mike McCarthy had dinner with Saturday, and it appears the team made an effort to show that he was wanted. That bit of respect can go a long way. [It ends up being two-years and $7.75 million, $4 million in 2012, which is richer than I expected. It's probably what they wanted to pay Scott Wells, but Wells was obviously able to find a more lucrative contract with the Rams.]
Another minor move was the signing of DT Daniel Muir. I don't want to make a big deal about it because I don't expect he'll even make the team next year. But with the recent suspension of Mike Neal, and no guarantees that they'll find a good defensive lineman or two in the draft, they could use some more bodies. Muir was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Packers in 2007, and he showed some promise as a pass rushing defensive tackle in his first season. After the Packers traded Corey Williams in 2008, I was expecting Muir to emerge to take Williams's place as a rotational tackle. Instead, he had a poor preseason, and he was released before the start of the 2008 season. He did land with the Colts, and he had a solid 2009 season (10 games started, 52 tackles) during their Super Bowl run. But he was really bad in 2010, He barely played at all last season before his release in November. He's got NFL size (6-2, 312 lbs.) but not NFL ability.
But many people expected him to retire. The Colts were willing to offer him another contract, but not as a player. They wanted him to work in their front-office. While he apparently wanted and received a two-year contract, this looks like a one-year stop gap. The Packers should still have a center on their wish list in the upcoming draft. At least now they have a veteran option if the rookie doesn't work out, or a rookie available in case Saturday decides to retire.
I'm really surprised Saturday didn't join Peyton Manning in Denver, but they must not have offered much money and/or showed any interest. GM Ted Thompson doesn't splurge in free agency and isn't known to outbid anyone. While the terms might not be rich, maybe two-years and $6 million, Mike McCarthy had dinner with Saturday, and it appears the team made an effort to show that he was wanted. That bit of respect can go a long way. [It ends up being two-years and $7.75 million, $4 million in 2012, which is richer than I expected. It's probably what they wanted to pay Scott Wells, but Wells was obviously able to find a more lucrative contract with the Rams.]
Another minor move was the signing of DT Daniel Muir. I don't want to make a big deal about it because I don't expect he'll even make the team next year. But with the recent suspension of Mike Neal, and no guarantees that they'll find a good defensive lineman or two in the draft, they could use some more bodies. Muir was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Packers in 2007, and he showed some promise as a pass rushing defensive tackle in his first season. After the Packers traded Corey Williams in 2008, I was expecting Muir to emerge to take Williams's place as a rotational tackle. Instead, he had a poor preseason, and he was released before the start of the 2008 season. He did land with the Colts, and he had a solid 2009 season (10 games started, 52 tackles) during their Super Bowl run. But he was really bad in 2010, He barely played at all last season before his release in November. He's got NFL size (6-2, 312 lbs.) but not NFL ability.