And the cuts start rolling in...

Dan Haddinger — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:01:46 GMT

According to ESPN, here are the Packers cuts so far:

Wide receivers Jake Allen, Johnny Quinn, Taj Smith and Brett Swain, cornerbacks Scorpio Babers and Joe Porter, defensive tackles Conrad Bolston, Alfred Malone and Daniel Muir, center Brennen Carvalho, safety Tyrone Culver, linebackers Spencer Havner and Danny Lansanah, tight end Joey Haynos, running backs Noah Herron and Vernand Morency, guard Ryan Keenan, tackle Orrin Thompson and fullback Corey White.

They also placed defensive tackle Rodney Allen, center Junius Coston and long snapper J.J. Jansen on injured reserve.

Some of the cuts are a little surpising, in my opinion. Getting rid of both Herron and Morency? That gives us a VERY young backfield. Combine that with the age of all of our QB's and we've got a group of kids who have no idea who the ThunderCats are.

We'll just see if Ted is looking to pick anyone up from wire. Looks like there's been a few bigger names let go.

My choice (and yes I know I sound like a homer) but let's bring in Nick Hayden. Panthers cut him today too and we could use someone with a good motor on the D line.

Best/worst case scenarios for Packer running backs

Brian Carriveau — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:57:18 GMT

Today we take a look at the best and the worst case scenarios for the Green Bay Packer running backs for the 2008 season:

Ryan Grant -- After a holdout early in training camp, Grant is in the fold. But now he's nursing an injury that may or may not set him back. Whether being in training camp would have given Grant better conditioning and decreased his susceptibility is up for debate. It appears he'll be ready to go for the season opener on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, though. Best case, Grant has the same type of season he did last year, but it begins week one. He rushes for at least 1200 yards and takes a lot of pressure of Aaron Rodgers. Worst case, Grant doesn't live up to the hype and is a middle of the road NFL running back. He starts but doesn't strike fear in anyone.
Brandon Jackson -- It's time to see whether the hype given to Jackson from head coach Mike McCarthy is warranted or not. After a rookie year in which he slowly but steadily improved, Jackson stands to play a significant role in the offense even if he doesn't start. Best case, Jackson shows that the Packers have 1 and 1A running back with him and Grant much like the New York Giants duo of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Worst case, Jackson eventually loses his grip on the top backup job and finishes the season somewhere in the realm of 200 rushing yards.
Vernand Morency -- Remember when rushed for over 100 yards in a game in the 2006 season after the Packers traded for him? And when he rushed for 99 in another? Remember the high expectations? It wasn't all that long ago, and I doubt he's lost that much. Best case, Morency's solid play both running the ball and in his pass protection have him pushing for Jackson's hold on the No. 2 halfback spot. Worst case, I can envision a scenario where the Packers either cut or trade Morency when they decide either Noah Herron or Kregg Lumpkin is a better choice. Not a likely scenario but possible.
Noah Herron -- The book on Herron has always been that he's a solid but not spectacular performer. The type of guy you can rely to play mistake free football, but not the type who's going to break off a 50 yard touchdown run. Best case, Herron's continued solid play has him becoming the third down specialist because he can catch the ball out of the backfield as well as take on blitzing linebackers. Worst case, the Packers keep a potential game breaker like Lumpkin instead of going the safe route with Herron.
Kregg Lumpkin -- The Packers are doing more than just kicking the tires with Lumpkin through their first two preseason games. They're taking him for a very, very long test drive. With the exception of his one costly fumble, he's played pretty well too. Best case, the Packers think that if they cut Lumpkin, someone's going to gobble him up before they can stash him on their practice squad. Therefore, he actually makes the roster. Worst case, he's on somebody else's practice squad. Someone in the NFL is going to give him a shot if it isn't the Packers.
DeShawn Wynn -- It's hard to envision the Packers giving Wynn another chance. With Grant and Jackson being locks, it looks like either Morency, Herron, and Lumpkin would all be more reliable options than the up and down Wynn. Best case, the Packers brass disagrees with me and Wynn somehow, someway finds his way onto the roster. Worst case, he's looking through the newspaper classifieds.
Korey Hall -- The Packers got a pleasant surprise when last year's sixth round draft choice became a starter for them. He didn't wow anyone, but he made a lot of NFL All-Rookie teams at fullback. That being said, there weren't a ton of rookie fullbacks. Best case, Hall learns and grows and takes a big step up in his second year, which includes a couple touchdowns on the receiving end of passes. Worst case, the Packers phase the fullback out of the offense like a lot of other teams in the NFL. Hall becomes primarily a special teams player.
John Kuhn -- There's a segment of fans out there who attribute last year's successes in the running game to Kuhn whose blocking paved the way for some long touchdowns for Grant. If he can continue to do that along with being a consistent special teams contributor, he should find himself a spot again. Best case, Kuhn unseats Hall in the starting lineup at fullback. He also contributes a touchdown or two. Worst case, the Packers decide they're only going with one fullback and Hall is it.
Ryan Powdrell -- Powdrell's biggest asset is that he's a big, bruising fullback. Whether that works in his favor or not, I'm not sure. Best case, Powdrell is asked to be on the practice squad, which would actually be a step up for him seeing as he spent all last season on injured reserve. Worst case, the Packers go with Kuhn and the only big, bruiser they need.
Corey White -- White's biggest asset is that he's versatile. He's a fullback but can play halfback in a pinch like he did during the 2007 preseason. Best case, White is back for his second stint on the practice squad and even that is looking like a long shot. Worst case, pink slip.

Photo credit: Mark Hoffman/Journal Sentinel

Railbird Central : Corey White

And the cuts start rolling in...

Best/worst case scenarios for Packer running backs