text: By Brian Carriveau on Sep 07, 2010 with 9 Comments
  A few thoughts on a couple of the more controversial roster moves the Packers made as it appeared general manager Ted Thompson kept around several players based upon potential at the expense of experience:
  Andrew Quarless and Tom Crabtree over Spencer Havner: At first I was as confused as everyone else. For a guy that scored four touchdowns last season as well as showing the versatility to play on both defense and special teams, it didn't make sense to let go of Havner. But the Packers have a better receiving option at tight end in Quarless and a better blocking option in Crabtree. And Crabtree will probably take over Havner's special teams duties. Quarless will probably struggle to be active on game days, but he also has bigger upside than Havner.
  Nick McDonald over Evan Dietrich-Smith: This was the biggest head scratcher for me. I like the way McDonald competes be he's undersized from a strength standpoint. On the other side of the coin, I always liked the way Dietrich-Smith competed and thought he had some bulldog in him in the trenches. With Seattle claiming "EDS," it shows that NFL personnel types liked what they saw in him too. Besides, couldn't the Packers have developed McDonald on the practice squad if they wanted? I didn't see him being a waiver wire pickup by another team.
  C.J. Wilson over Jarius Wynn: I thought the Packers would keep Wynn because he doesn't have any more practice squad eligibility while Wilson does. Cutting Wynn also meant you're giving up on the guy one year after investing a draft choice in him. But perhaps the Packers made the correct choice. Wynn wasn't picked up on waivers and appears to be without a job right now. Meanwhile the Packers can afford to bring Wilson along slowly.
  Charlie Peprah over Will Blackmon: Blackmon's injury issues certainly played into the decision, but Peprah put together a very solid preseason at safety and was probably better on the defensive side of the football. And while Peprah isn't a return specialist, he's probably just as good if not better than Blackmon on special teams coverage units. I think Peprah is playing at his highest level ever, and I'd actually be interested to see what he can do on defense, although a lot of people would probably disagree with that opinion.
  At this point in time, all names mentioned are fringe roster players ....... Hopefully, none will have any impact on 2010 .......
  Havner wasn't going to get any better at ILB or TE ....... His 15 minutes of fame as a GB Packer is over .......
  September 08, 2010 at 01:21 pm
  Brian, I like you were surprised by Havner, but I do see the logic. Of course Havner will get his two shots per year at the Packers and TT, kind of like someone else we know :)
  September 08, 2010 at 02:49 pm
  I don't want to see Charlie Peprah playing defense.
  I figured you'd say that, Ruppert.
  September 08, 2010 at 03:22 pm
  Rather see Peprah than the other choices at backup safety. He's likely the first to be gone when Atari and Al are back, and later they can pick up Blackmon when he is healed. Not likely a guy who has returned punts for TDs in the NFL will go unsigned though.
  September 08, 2010 at 03:33 pm
  He's not spectacular but he can get the job done. He will be in position and he will be able to play the ball.
  September 08, 2010 at 04:43 pm
  Former Packer TE Troy Humprey was just resigned by the Saints and they waived CB Leigh Torrence. Perhaps he would be an upgrade over Bush? Saints play the 3-4 which doens't hurt either.
  September 08, 2010 at 09:08 pm
  Nothing against Peprah personally. It's just that I don't want there to be a situation where we are forced to go that far down the depth chart.
  So who IS the first one to go when Harris/Bigby comes back? Like millions, I reallllllly want it to be Jarrett Bush.