Packers set practice squad with 2014 personnel

That headline has a dual meaning: (1) the Packers have set their 2014 practice squad and (2) all 10 practice squad signees were with the Packers during the just completed 2014 preseason.

Key among those signees was S Chris Banjo, who many -- including this writer -- felt was a surprise cut when the final 53-man roster was made.

(Photo by Associated Press)
Signed to the practice squad, along with Banjo, are WR Kevin Dorsey, C Garth Gerhart, WR Alex Gillett, RB Michael Hill, LB Adrian Hubbard, TE Justin Perillo, DE Luther Robinson, T Jeremy Vujnovich and WR Myles White.

The transactions were announced Sunday by Packers Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, Ted Thompson.

Packers finalize practice squad; get ready for 49ers

Following the flurry of cuts and waivers to get to their 53-man roster last Friday, the Green Bay Packers finally nailed down the eight spots on their practice squad. Most of the eight have already been with the Pack, either as rookies this training camp or as practice squad players previously. The eighth and final spot, however, was filled by a two-year veteran cut from the Steelers, Chris Scott, an offensive lineman. Considering that GM Ted Thompson only kept seven offensive linemen on the active roster, adding an experienced lineman to the practice squad gives the team at least a bit of depth. A bit. The Packers also kept seventh-round pick Andrew Datko and undrafted rookie free agent G Greg Van Roten on the squad. Only one defensive player, DE Lawrence Guy, made the squad.

Anyway, here's the practice squad roster:

• QB B.J. Coleman
• WR Diondre Borel
• RB Marc Tyler
• TE Brandon Bostick
• T Andrew Datko
• G/T Chris Scott
• G Greg Van Roten
• DE Lawrence Guy

Noticeable by his absence is WR Tori Gurley who was finally lured away to the ViQueens practice squad. The Packers had paid him more this last year to keep him on their practice squad after the 'Queens had initially tried to sign him to their practice squad. Given the abundance of receivers the Pack had in camp this year, it was apparent that probably only he or Borel and not both would make the practice squad. The Pack opted in the final analysis for Borel.

49ers coming to Lambeau to kick off the season

The Packers had their first practice of the regular season yesterday as they began preparation for the San Francisco 49ers coming to Lambeau Field this Sunday. A few players were held out, including B.J. Raji who sustained an ankle sprain on the first play of the final preseason game. Today is the team's regular day off before they again resume preparations tomorrow.

Currently, the Packers are slotted as 5-point favorites over the Niners, who bring a talented defense into town. San Fran had a very good season last year, but they picked up four easy wins going against the likes of Seattle and Arizona.

We'll be back nearer game day to provide both a game -- and season -- prediction.

Until then...say it with me: It's great to be a Packer fan!

Green Bay is still home to Brohm after all

Stop the presses!

After yesterday cutting last year's second round pick, QB Brian Brohm, the Packers apparently waited to see if he cleared waivers today. He did. And they offered him a spot on their practice squad, which Brohm accepted. Good move for both. Brohm's home is still in Green Bay.

Other members of the practice squad include: WR Jake Allen, CB Trevor Ford, LB Cyril Obiozior, RB Kregg Lumpkin, OT Jamon Meredith, DE Ronald Talley, and NT Anthony Toribio.

According to what Packers GM Ted Thompson said at his news conference this afternoon, Brohm was a casualty of the strength of the Packers roster. And he added that the Packers are not at this time looking for any additional quarterback help. As to placing Justin Harrell on injured reserve for the season, Thompson indicated that "No one is giving up on anybody." He said Harrell will (once again) go through ongoing rehab to see if they can resolve his back issues. One has to assume, though, that this next season will be Harrell's last chance to make any contribution whatsoever. As to the Packers' take on rookie free agent Tyrell Sutton, Thompson said, "Came down to us having a number of good backs. Sorry to lose him. But we gave him a big hug." I'm sure he appreciated that, Ted. At least he got picked up by Carolina. Thompson said that the team did not put in a waiver claim on any player.

Thompson also said, "There's a confident air in our locker room." (Add your own joke here.)

A week from today the Packers open at Lambeau against Da Bearz. Need we say more than, Go Pack Go!??? Well, yes, and we will as the week moves along. In the meantime, feel good about this team. Whether or not you breathe in that locker room air. (In the Chicago locker room I think that air is just the after effects of a bad burrito.)

Practice squad additions, waiver losses

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, RB Kregg Lumpkin cleared waivers and has been signed to the Packers practice squad. Rookie fan fave Tyrell Sutton, sadly, was claimed by Carolina. The Pack had offered him a practice squad contract if he cleared waivers. Dang.

LB Cyril Obiozor also cleared waivers and chose to sign onto the Packers practice squad rather than with another team's practice squad despite that team having fewer linebackers.

QB Brian Brohm, the biggest name among the Packer cuts, according to the Journal-Sentinel "has cleared waivers, but he is taking his time deciding which practice squad he plans to join. The Packers are waiting to hear from him and are holding a spot open, but he's definitely talking with other clubs, a league source said."

That's the latest. Stay tuned.

Packers sign 8 to practice squad

From the official Packers' press release:

"The Green Bay Packers signed eight players to the practice squad Sunday. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signings.

Signed to the practice squad were wide receiver Jake Allen, center Brennen Carvalho, tight end Joey Haynos, linebacker Danny Lansanah, defensive tackle Alfred Malone, cornerback Joe Porter, wide receiver Brett Swain and running back DeShawn Wynn."

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)