Herron and Morency released among Packers' cuts

One or the other was expected to be part of the running back corps. Actually, the likelihood seemed to be that both would make the club. In the end, both veterans Noah Herron and Vernand Morency were cut as the Packers got down to their 53-man roster. Along with DeShawn Wynn, released earlier in the week, these three backs were beaten out by undrafted rookie free agent Kregg Lumpkin. As part of their backfield decisions, the Packers kept two fullbacks -- a rarity in the league these days -- in the persons of Korey Hall and John Kuhn.

The roster at this time contains no long snapper, although that will likely change soon. Rookie snapper, J.J. Jansen, was one of three players placed on the injured reserve list after his knee injury in Thursday night's final preseason game. The Packers are expected to put in a claim on Thomas Gafford, who was waived by the Bears a few days ago. Gafford was in the Packers' '06 training camp and again this summer, before being waived Aug. 3 because the team needed a roster spot. The Packers reportedly are also holding tryouts today for at least three long snappers...so, if you happen to be driving near Green Bay today...what the heck...stop on in...especially if you can precision snap a football five to fifteen yards. For more on the snapper situation, check out this story.

The Packers did keep seven linebackers...for now. One of those players, possibly special teams standout Tracey White, might be the odd man out when the Pack adds a long snapper.

There will be a few more moves likely made this morning. Teams have until 11 a.m. to make claims on waived players. Teams will be informed by the league in early afternoon whom they have been awarded as part of the process.

For a story on the running backs and other moves, check out this article. For commentary on the players kept, check out this article.

For the Packers official notice of cuts, etc., check it out here. If you prefer to get the same news here, the following is from the official notice:

"The Green Bay Packers released 19 players and placed three on injured reserve. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions Saturday.

Released Saturday were wide receiver Jake Allen, cornerback Scorpio Babers, defensive tackle Conrad Bolston, center Brennen Carvalho, safety Tyrone Culver, linebacker Spencer Havner, tight end Joey Haynos, running back Noah Herron, guard Ryan Keenan, linebacker Danny Lansanah, defensive tackle Alfred Malone, running back Vernand Morency, defensive tackle Daniel Muir, cornerback Joe Porter, wide receiver Johnny Quinn, wide receiver Taj Smith, wide receiver Brett Swain, tackle Orrin Thompson and fullback Corey White.

Defensive tackle Rodney Allen, center Junius Coston and long snapper J.J. Jansen were placed on injured reserve."

Packers vs. Titans preview

The Packers take on the Tennessee Titans tonight - less than 30 minutes from now actually -- at Lambeau Field. Starters are expected to play about 10 plays for the Packers, while the Titans' starters, according to head coach Jeff Fisher, may play into the second half.

The key for tonight's game is the number of players playing for roster spots. Teams have to be down to the league-mandated 53-man squad by Saturday. That means about 20 players will be cut within the next two days.

As has been noted here in prior posts, the most competitive area is at running back where there are reportedly two spots open, with three players competing for them. Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and Kregg Lumpkin will be looking to perform well tonight. Another area where tough cuts will likely be made is at linebacker. Again, too many players available for one too few spots.

One area that was originally thought of as a place of depth was defensive line. But with lots of injuries, some of the lesser-knowns need to step up. In doing so, they may also be earning a spot long term. Particularly if they can exhibit a pass rush, as well as stop the run...neither of which the Packers have shown much of an ability to do yet this preseason.

It will also be intriguing to watch the two rookie backup quarterbacks. Neither Brian Brohm nor Matt Flynn have provided much confidence that, should something happen to starter Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will still have an effective offense. One or the other needs to demonstrate consistency tonight, and they both will be given plenty of opportunity to do so given Rodgers' limited playing time.

The final score won't matter. Getting starters out without injuries and having players -- especially for the 6 spots which head coach Mike McCarthy says are still up in the air -- step up and claim their spot decisively will be the key outcomes tonight.

Packers make first roster moves

To get to the the NFL-mandated 75-player limit of this week, the Packers have made 5 roster moves as of today. According to the Packers official website, they released RB DeShawn Wynn -- who started 4 games last season but couldn't seem to stay healthy then or now -- and FB Ryan Powdrell, along with WR Chris Francies and OL Ryan Considine. The Packers also placed last season's first round draft pick, DT Justin Harrell, on the reserve/physically unable to perform list meaning he can't be placed on the active roster during the first six weeks of the season. According to the info on the Packers official site, "After that time, they (the players) are eligible to practice with the club for up to three weeks. If a player is activated from the reserve/PUP list to the active roster, a subsequent roster move must be made to maintain the 53-man active roster limit."

So, what this all seems to indicate is that the running back situation is coming down to Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson, both locks, and perhaps a three-way battle for two spots between Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and the fast-rising rookie free agent, Kregg Lumpkin. Lumpkin leads the Packers with 17 carries for 87 yards this preseason, while Herron has 10 carries for 52 yards, Jackson nine for 54 and Morency one for 1. The Packers have always liked Herron's reliability, if not durability, and Morency's third down play catching passes out of the backfield. But Lumpkin has been intriguing. Check out this article to find out more about this young man from Georgia.

It also means, speaking of Justin Harrell, that the Ted Thompson doubters/haters out there will continue to fault him for making this pick last season. Certainly, the longer it takes for Harrell to even make it onto the playing field -- if he ever does -- the more he's going to have to show to mitigate the skepticism Packer fans will likely have.

Don't come aboard Noah's ark without being invited

That's the lesson a couple knuckleheads in Green Bay got loud and clear last Friday night. Reports emerged today that the home of Packers' RB Noah Herron was the site of an attempted break-in that night. Only problem for the alleged thieves was that Herron was home at the time. And, apparently, pretty well recovered from the injury that sidelined him all of last season.

When Herron heard the doorbell ring at about 11:15 p.m. he ignored it. He wasn't expecting any guests. Hearing noises on his deck and glass break, Herron called 911 to report a break-in. He then waited in his bedroom for the intruders. And while doing so, he unscrewed a bedpost from his bed. When the boneheads entered the bedroom - BAM!!! - Herron teed up one of them as if he was playing the Wack-a-Mole game. As of today, the guy is still in the hospital. The other genius was apprehended by police outside the home.

As Jim Rome advised tongue-in-cheek today on his ESPN show, Rome's Burning, maybe you want to know who's home you plan on breaking into before you do it. A 5'11" 215-pound NFL running back with a bedpost in hand might not be something you want to run into. Even more to the point, it's not really a good career path no matter what. Remember, kids: crime doesn't pay!

Herron has not commented on the incident. But you can read more about the details here if you're curious.

Herron placed on IR; Pack picks up a fullback

It was inevitable. RB Noah Herron, who suffered a knee injury in last Thursday's game against the Titan and had arthroscopic surgery as a result, was placed on injured reserve. With that new available roster spot, the Packers then claimed FB John Kuhn on waivers from Pittsburgh. Kuhn is a second-year player out of Shippensburg (PA). He's 6-0, 255 pounds and holds 27 school records and six Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference records. According to his Wikipedia entry (yeah...I know), "He finished his career with 4,685 yards rushing, 910 carries, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, all school records. Kuhn led the team in rushing for the third-straight season as a senior and is the only player in team history to total over 1,000 yards rushing in three-straight seasons." After spending 2005 on the Steelers' practice squad, Kuhn played in nine games with the Steelers in 2006. Again, not to minimize Kuhn's college career, but basically he's another body in a very weak backfield. (Sigh) But perhaps even stranger than the fact that there is a Wikipedia entry about him, Kuhn will actually join another Shippensburg University graduate on the Packers roster: long-snapper Rob Davis. Who knew?

In addition to these two moves, the Packers announced that they signed seven players to their practice squad: wide receiver David Clowney, wide receiver Chris Francies, tight end Clark Harris, linebacker Spencer Havner, tackle Orrin Thompson, quarterback Paul Thompson and running back Corey White. All these players were with the Packers in training camp and survived until the final cuts on Saturday. All, also, are good players worthy of developing further within the Packers fold.

Packers vs. Titans Replay on NFL Network Sunday 9/2 6 p.m. Central

As the headline here says...if you get the NFL Network and want to see all or part of the last preseason game against the Titans, it's on...NOW! (6 p.m. Central Sunday Sept. 2)