The Before Camp Way Too Early 53 Man Roster Thread

Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan
Running backs (4): Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, Aaron Ripkowski
Receivers (6): Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Trevor Davis, Jeff Janis, Malachi Dupre,
Tight end (4): Martellus Bennett, Richard Rodgers, Lance Kendricks, Beau Sandland
Offensive line (9): David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Corey Linsley, Jahri Evans, Lane Taylor, Jason Spriggs, Don Barclay, Kyle Murphy, Lucas Patrick,
Defensive line (5): Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Ricky Jean Francois, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams
Outside linebackers (5): Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell, Vince Biegel.
Inside linebackers (3): Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas.
Cornerbacks (6): Davon House, Kevin King, LaDarius Gunter, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Lenzy Pipkins

Safeties (5): Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Josh Jones, Kentrell Brice, Marwin Evans
Specialists (3): Mason Crosby, Justin Vogel, Derek Hart

Packers camp math: 50 guys for 13 spots with 40 virtual locks
Rob Demovsky
ESPN Staff Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Mike McCarthy no doubt wants everyone on his roster to believe he's fighting for a job in training camp, but that's far from the truth.

In fact, there might be fewer open roster spots on the Green Bay Packers this year as compared to recent years, for a few reasons:

General manager Ted Thompson, who has the final say over the roster, signed five veteran free agents: Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks and Jahri Evans on offense, plus Davon House and Ricky Jean Francois on defense. Barring injury, they're locks to make the 53-man roster.

He also drafted 10 players, and everyone knows Thompson likes to keep his draft picks.

It's a deep team that returns all but two starters (T.J. Lang and Jared Cook) on offense -- a third if you count Eddie Lacy, who played in just five games last season -- and lost only two key players (Julius Peppers and Micah Hyde) on defense from a squad that reached the NFC Championship Game and has made the playoffs eight straight years.

By subjective count, there are 40 players who already have roster spots locked up even before they hit the field for Thursday's first training camp practice. That leaves 50 players for the final 13 roster spots, and it will be a battle to the end since the NFL eliminated the cut to 75 players and will allow all 90 to remain until Sept. 2, when rosters must be trimmed to 53.

"Any time you have the opportunity to coach the players longer, it's a benefit to your program," McCarthy said on the eve of camp. "I think any coach in this league would like to have a 90-man roster the whole season. The opportunity to keep coaching guys because the toll of the season is tough on your team -- I think it's a great benefit. How you rep them, I don't really see it changing a whole lot as far as how you go into the preseason games. I think it will be very helpful in the fourth preseason game. I think that's obvious."

With that in mind, here's a look at those who should already have a roster spot locked up:

OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (2): Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
No guarantee the Packers will keep a third quarterback, especially if they think they can sneak Joe Callahan and/or Taysom Hill to the practice squad.

Running backs (3): Ty Montgomery, Aaron Ripkowski, Jamaal Williams
Fourth-round picks (Williams) don't get cut, but fellow rookie draft picks Aaron Jones (fifth round) and Devante Mays (seventh round) will have to earn their spots.

Receivers (3): Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb
They could keep as many as seven receivers. Several from the group of Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis, DeAngelo Yancey, Malachi Dupre, Max McCaffrey and Geronimo Allison (suspended for Week 1) will be on the team, but none is a lock.

Tight ends (3): Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Richard Rodgers
This group looks pretty well set at three.

Offensive line (6): David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Corey Linsley, Lane Taylor, Jahri Evans, Jason Spriggs
The five starters plus Spriggs (the No. 3 tackle) should be joined by at least two and as many as four others. Kyle Murphy, Lucas Patrick and rookie Kofi Amichia (sixth round) figure to be factors.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Defensive line (5): Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Ricky Jean Francois, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry
Like tight end, this position might not have any spots up for grabs.

Linebackers (8): Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Blake Martinez, Jake Ryan, Joe Thomas, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell, Vince Biegel
The only reason Biegel wouldn't be a lock is if he's not recovered yet from his May foot surgery. They'll likely keep at least one more linebacker, and it could come down to Jordan Tripp, Reggie Gilbert or Johnathan Calvin.

Cornerbacks (5): Davon House, Kevin King, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter.
There might be one more spot open in this group for the likes of Josh Hawkins, Herb Waters, Donatello Brown or Lenzy Pipkins.

Safeties (4): Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Josh Jones, Kentrell Brice.
Marwin Evans was on the roster all of last season and could be the fifth guy here.

Specialists (1): Mason Crosby
It's possible the regular-season punter and long-snapper aren't even on the roster at this point. Justin Vogel, an undrafted rookie, will have to prove he's an NFL-caliber punter, while street free agent Derek Hart should be looking over his shoulder to see if veteran snapper Brett Goode is re-signed right before Week 1, like he was last year.

realitybytes said:

Tight ends (3): Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Richard Rodgers
This group looks pretty well set at three.

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I'd rather see Beau Sandland get a shot and say goodbye to Mr. Rodgers. Rodgers has proven he can't block and is slow as molasses. Sandland is stronger and faster and is a decent blocker in the run game. I will be watching Sandland to see if he can push out Rodgers.

Dubz41 said:

Tripp is my designated ST replacement for Janis. Not as fast, but also backs up at a position with big questions about depth.

Click to expand...

hey, dubz - just ran across this article talking about your guy:

http://www.packersnews.com/story/sp.../?hootPostID=6671bfe7ddbdee2fc459f72f0117eb11

Jordan Tripp becoming core special-teams player for Packers

Jordan Tripp didn’t play a defensive snap for the Green Bay Packers last season, but he left a strong impression.
An inside linebacker by trade, Tripp quickly became one of the Packers' top special-teams players after they acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks in December. He finds himself in a favorable position early in camp, playing with the first group on all special-teams units.

It gives Tripp a genuine chance to make the 53-man roster, should he hold onto all four special-teams jobs. Core special teamers line up for kickoff coverage and return, as well as punt coverage and return.

Tripp said he caught onto special teams coordinator Ron Zook’s schemes “right away” after arriving last season.
“You either catch on quick,” Tripp said, “or you don’t get a chance. That’s how this league is. You have to take advantage of your opportunities and make it happen. Because if you don’t, they’ll find someone who will.”

The Packers had three traditional inside linebackers take defensive snaps last season: Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez and Joe Thomas. Many teams with a 3-4 base defense keep at least four at the position, making inside linebacker an ideal position for the Packers to keep a core special teamer.

There’s still a long way to go in camp, but Tripp picked up where he left off last season. If it continues, don’t be surprised to see him on the 53.

“Just continue to maximize every single shot that you get,” Tripp said. “If you have an opportunity to block a punt, you have to block a punt. If you have an opportunity to block your man, say you’re able to shoot that guy free for a long return or a touchdown, you have to do that. Whatever it is, you have to execute it with the proper technique, and make sure you do it when it’s crunch time. Because you don’t get a second chance.”

UPDATE: Sorry- Dick Rod is gone as MM keeps two FBs instead. TE on practice squad. Anyone's guess who gets released when Geronimo comes back. Guion is gone after his suspension.
Tripp is my designated ST replacement for Janis. Not as fast, but also backs up at a position with big questions about depth. Also listed Jones as a LB because I think that's where most snaps will come for him. (because we'll be ahead in most games with the opposition throwing to try to catch up!)
My angle:
Offense - 25
QB (2)
Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
RB (3)
Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones
FB (2)
Aaron Ripkowski, Joe Kerridge
WR (6)
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Trevor Davis, DeAngelo Yancey, Malachai Dupre
TE (3)
Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Beau Sandland
OL (9)
David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Jahri Evans, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy, Kofi Amichia, Don Barclay
Defense - 25
DL (5)
Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Ricky Jean Francois
OLB (6)
Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Vince Biegel, Kyler Fackrell, Jayrone Elliott, Jordan Tripp
ILB (4)
Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Josh Jones, Joe Thomas
CB (6)
Davon House, Kevin King, Damarious Randall, LaDarius Gunter, Quinten Rollins, Herb Waters
S (4)
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, Kentrell Brice, Marwin Evans
ST (3)
Mason Crosby, Justin Vogel, LS
Suspended: WR Geronimo Allison, DT Reefer Guion

PS candidates: QB Joe Callahan, OT Adam Pankey, G Geoff Gray, ILB Cody Heiman, OLB Johnathan Calvin, RB Devante Mays, TE Aaron Peck, CB Daquon Holmes

Here is mine right now...somethings could could change in the next 2 weeks.

Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan

Running backs (4): Ty Montgomery, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones

Fullback (1) Aaron Ripkowski

Receivers (6): Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Trevor Davis, Jeff Janis, Malachi Dupre

Tight end (4): Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Beau Sandland, Richard Rodgers

Offensive line (9): David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Corey Linsley, Jahri Evans, Lane Taylor, Jason Spriggs, Don Barclay, Kyle Murphy, Kofi Amichia

Defensive line (5): Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Ricky Jean Francois, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams

Outside linebackers (6): Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell, Vince Biegel,Jordan Tripp

Inside linebackers (3): Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas.

Cornerbacks (6): Davon House, Kevin King, LaDarius Gunter, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins,Herb Waters

Safeties (5): Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Josh Jones (ILB/S), Kentrell Brice, Marwin Evans

Specialists (3): Mason Crosby, Justin Vogel, Derek Hart

you guys both have tripp listed as olb, but the media says he is an ilb. not that it makes a big difference. you both agree he'll make the final 53.

Offense
QB (3): Rodgers, Hundley, Callahan
RB (4): Montgomery, Williams, Jones, Mays
FB (1): Ripkowski
TE (3): Bennett, Kendricks, Rodgers
WR (6): Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Davis, Dupre, Janis
OT (4): Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Spriggs, Murphy
OG (2): Taylor, Evans
OC (1): Linsley, Barclay

- I think Packers would like to trade Hundley for a good value, but probably won't be able to get it until maybe the next offseason. Packers have faith in Callahan as a future #2 QB.
- I have a strange hope/feeling that Davis will break out, which could be totally wrong. Then had to get a rookie WR and Janis is more being kept as a ST guy than a WR.
- I think the Packers would like to keep another OL with all the their four top inside linemen all being in contract years. But with keeping 3 QBs, 4 RB and 6 WR it just wasn't working.

Defense
NT (2): Clark, Jean Francois
DT (3): Daniels, Lowry, Adams
OLB (6): Matthews, Perry, Fackrell, Elliott, Biegel, Gilbert
ILB (3): Martinez, Ryan, Thomas
CB (6): House, Gunter, Randall, Rollins, King,Hawkins
SS (3): Burnett, Jones, Evans
FS (2): Clinton-Dix, Brice

- I think Gilbert vs Calvin could be an interesting battle for the last OLB spot

- I think the Packers are going with more 5 S and 3 ILB, with Burnett and Jones working more at ILB. Also Evans for right now is mainly a ST guy.

Special Teams / Other List
K Crosby
P Vogel
LS Hart
Suspension: NT Guion
PUP: CB Goodson

- I'm strongly thinking if Hart make a few mistake, that LS Brett Goode could be back with the Pack.