CheezWizHed

Packers claim TE Ben Sims and S Zayne Anderson. So who leaves now? Safety: I can't see them rostering 6 safeties. Is this the end for Leavitt? Anderson is another ST guru. Or perhaps Owens? TE: I'd think the most likely candidates here would be to come down to 9 OL (assuming Tenuta goes on the DL for our LS to resign) or 6 DL. So perhaps Ford or Newman? Perhaps they decided that Deguara didn't bring enough and are willing to part with him despite the extreme lack of experience at TE on the team?

13 players drafted/UDFA from 2022 + 15 rookies = 53% of the roster is from the last 2 years. Bakh became the most experienced player with 11 years. Preston Smith has been on the defensive side with 9 years.

I've been in soft-search mode for a while. I've been a first level people leader for a long time. My hiring manager was grooming me for his replacement, but then they reorged his position from existence. Since then, the response I get at the next level is that "you only know software engineering and we need people that can manage more things." Despite having an Electrical Engineering degree and several key moments of problem solving in the factory (on products that I don't even know) to show proof that I know much more than just "software engineering". My company seems to only promote people that have been here their entire careers. Being in software development, my team rarely needs to be in the office (we request them now to be in 1x/week for team meetings and whenever they need to be on a test station or other reason). But corporate mandate is a blanket statement for return to the office. I've laid out a plan for people to be in the office 2-3x/week and we will see how that goes. But I have a lead on a job nearby that has several former employees from my current job. One just made a recommendation for me on a director level position. The team is spread around the country, so inherently, they don't have as much reason to be in the office.

My hat is in the ring. I've taken my job as far as I can... tried to step up at my own company (only to be pigeon-holed to "software engineering only") and am now fed up with the company's response to "return to the office"... time to try outside the company.

2049 is the end of the world! Or maybe just the end of organized baseball? The oracle has spoken!

Facebook "suggested" a post from a Cardinal fan commenting on Wainwrights' 8+ ERA this year. I had so many delicious troll comments I felt like making: Is this the Cardinal way? Stay Classy! Isn't there an unwritten rule about this? Untuckem'! But I went with: How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his son??? And now I wait (or maybe I was banned already?)...

Agreed. I overstated it with "I'm guessing that we won't see him much early in the season unless there is a blowout." I think it will be much like Gary's first year. And I could remembering the time poorly on setting the edge. I know there was a number of games when he was poor at it and nearly benched because we were getting run on regularly.

So, we both list him 4th on the depth chart, but you didn't bury him as deep as I did? 😂 By the way, I don't list Hollins 3rd because I think he is better, but just by how the Packers seem to play them. Hollins plays a few snaps with the preseason starters with LVN. LVN stays in while Engabare replaces Hollins. Then LVN eventually steps out and Engabare remains. I should clarify that I think LVN will get snaps in the rotation. But I see them giving him the Gary treatment where it is limited. But I think LVN will hold the edge as a rookie better than Gary, which I think was his major issue with getting more snaps.

Production wise, I'd say he is about the same as Gary during his first year. He seems to be in the right place defensively (which Gary struggled with early), good hustle, he just isn't making any splash plays. By judging where he plays in preseason games, he seems to be about 4th in the rotation... Gary, Smith, Hollins, LVN, and Engabare even though Engabare makes more splash plays and similarly has a good grasp of the D, holds the edges, etc... I'm guessing that we won't see him much early in the season unless there is a blowout.

I'm not sure the state of NFL punters, but I doubt O'Donnell sits idle very long. He was a very solid punter I would say this is more about picking a younger player for the future (and perhaps $$) than it was about O'Donnell's punting ability. I think the early release was evidence that they were giving every other team some notice before final cuts to claim him. So with rookie K and P this year, you could say our kicking situation was just rebooted!

If you aren't getting laughs with Dad jokes, get better friends! 😂

Then pulled pork, ribs, brisket... I often have our church's youth group over (since I have kids that age) for food and hangout. One of the parents and I were talking about the last one. They asked their kids what I made (brisket). They said, "I'm not sure, but since it was the ****'s house, it was something smoked". I have a type...

Like moderating an internet forum! 😂

Normally, I'd agree with you, but only one RB led the pre-season in rushing. That is the only difference I'd make. He showed off his cutting, size, and speed. This isn't like the Goodson discussion last year. I had zero worries about losing Goodson. Remember that Taylor was a core ST last year too, but started the season on the PS because they could. I expect that to happen again. The PS is now an extension to the 53-man squad.

Bubble players: if cut, what are our chances of losing them? We often overvalue a particular guy and fear we lose them only to see them pass through waivers. Here is my take on this year's bubble players: QB: McGough: 0% chance he is claimed if cut RB: Taylor: 0% chance of being claimed. Works for the Packers, but little upside anymore. A year older than last year when no one claimed him. Wilson: 50% chance. Definitely a spark. RB isn't valued as much in a passing league, but his splash runs and leading the league might get someone's attention. Goodson: 0% chance. Injured and barely played. Someone else might grab him for their PS though. WR/TE: DuBose: 5% chance. Injury set him back, but looked OK in games. Being a 7th rounder might make someone look. Melton, Bonds, Chrest: Zero percent chance. Lots of these guys. Melton might stand out because of his speed, but injury and lack of production (due to that injury) will keep anyone away from a 53 man squad selection. Allen: 5% chance. His size and athleticism might make someone look if they need a blocking TE. OL: Newman: 75% chance. I've warmed to the idea of cutting Newman as he simply isn't getting better. Someone will grab him given his starting experience and draft status. But if we cut him... do we care? Caleb Jones: 25% chance. He has shown enough that someone might nab him as a 4th T Telfort/Tenuta/Empey. Zero chance. Might be interesting developmental, but not ready for a 53 man. If both Te* tackles are healthy, we probably lose one to someone else's PS, but not a 53 man waiver. DL: Ford: 60% chance. Just because he is a big man that is starting to look like he can contribute (kind of like 2nd year TJ Slaton... talent and size, but wasn't quite there yet). Chris Slayton: 0% chance. Wasn't claimed last year when he had a good preseason. Didn't splash much this year. LB: Cox: 75%. I keep bouncing around on him. Maybe because I'm trying to convince myself that if the Packers cut him, we can keep him on the PS. But I think all Cox really needed to show was that he could play as a team player. Talent wasn't questioned and would've been drafted if it weren't for other issues. At a premium position, someone will grab him given the physical talent and strong pre-seasons showing. Carpenter: 10%. If someone needs a ST player, he would be one to grab. Still a mile away from impacting the playing field, but has some upside there. Moseby, Banks, Phillips: Zero chance. CB: Ballentine: 10% CB depth with little upside. Versatility and capability might have someone grab him if they need a short-term depth piece. Jean-Charles: 10%. Similar to Ballentine, but shorter and younger. Had his moments in pre-season, but not much upside. Tyrell Ford, Hooper, Thomas. Zero. Between the five CBs here, Thomas might have the best upside. Not much distinguishing them from each other. So even if there is a claim here...next man up and move on. S Owens or Moore: 75% I have a feeling one is cut as Ford and these two are rather redundant. Experience gives them a good chance of being claimed, but it isn't a loss since we have the other two. Maybe one could be traded? Gaines: 10%. Similar to Ballentine or SJC above, could be a fill-in depth piece but limited upside. Sapp: Zero percent. Splashed a bit in pre-season, but needs more work. Good opportunity for Packer PS. ST: O'Donnell: 100%. His experience and leg gets him in somewhere. Welean: 50%. I'm not sure the state of punters in the NFL frankly. Showed he has an NFL leg... not sure if someone would bite on him being their main punter or not?

I'm there on Wilson too. I tend to hope the Packers keep him as there is certainly some potential there. But recent history tends to favor 2 RB. But Wilson and Cox are probably the two bubble players with the highest chance of being claimed if cut.

Yeah, I couple times I saw something kind of "meh" from him and had to think... did Rodgers do that last season (i.e. underthrow Watson or throw some contested balls)? And the answer was yes. The key will be how often he does it, but you expect the QB to attempt some splash plays that are semi-risky. His overall play though is very good. His poise, patience, and pocket presence (alliteration unintended) have all been excellent in the pre-season against vanilla defenses. The key will be if it remains that way in the regular season against blitzes and defenses built to stop him.

Fire Megrilled!

You got half of what you wanted...

Funny how hitting can be contagious. The bats are surely a bit hotter now than at any other time this year.

I was impressed by Love yesterday. He hasn't seen much pressure this year, but he really was unfazed by it. I absolutely loved the little pump fake that got a blitzer up in the air and then he simply side-stepped and ran past him. BEEE-AAA-utiful. Love has shown enough in pre-season to be at least an average starter at QB. How will he be able to produce against starting defenses that are game-planned against him? How will he be able to adjust the offense, pick-up blitzes and hot reads? How will his accuracy look in tight coverage or throwing WRs open? Those are the things that will determine if he is a decent starting QB or a top-tier QB. I'm looking forward to the season!

I don't know if the Cowboys will be the best situation for Lance either. Dak is losing favor in Dallas and Lance needs some time to develop. Can MM develop him?

My final prediction of what the Packers will do: QB (2) - Love and Clifford (McGough/or waiver pickup on PS) RB (3) - Jones, Dillon, Taylor - Goodson and Wilson to the PS (hopefully). WR (6) - Watson, Doubs, Reed, Wicks, Toure, Heath. TE (3) - Musgrave, Kraft, Deguara - Allen to PS. Possible waiver pickup? OL (10) - Bahk, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, Tom, Nijman, Newman, Rhyan, Walker, Jones DL (6): Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Brooks, Wooden, Ford. OLB (6): Gary, Smith, Van Ness, Enagbare, Holiins, and Cox ILB (5): Campbell, Walker, McDuffie, Wilson, and Carpenter CB (4): Alexander, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine. Stokes on PUP - Going light initially. Stokes returns later and backed by PS promotions, having several similarly skilled players (Ballentine, Gaines, Thomas) that are unlikely to be claimed. S (5): Savage, Ford, Owens, Johnson, Leavitt. - Moore's lack of availability dooms him. Perhaps he sticks around on the PS. ST (3): Orzech, Carlson, O'Donnell - O'Donnell makes it as a holder to give Carlson the best chance. Prediction: 24 offensive players, 26 defensive players and 3 ST. Last in: Ford and Taylor First out: Allen and Ballentine

I thought about doing one list for "what I'd do" and another for what the Packers will do. Leavitt seems like something the Packers will do. Seems like a Rich B "guy" that will make the team if healthy. RB: If they do want Taylor over Wilson, I hope they cut both and do like last year. Like you said, no one is going to grab Taylor on waivers. Open the spot for someone else and elevate them from the PS. WR: I can't see them keeping Dubose. He hasn't shown enough to prioritize him over other similar guys (that everyone has). If we lose him there will be several like him available on waivers. TE: I'm going to guess no on Allen. Another guy I can't see on the final 53. He has decent value to us, but little to others. Another 53-man elevation option. Pearson has little value to us and none anywhere else (who has FBs anymore)? DL: When the Seahawks broke a bunch of runs late in the game, Ford was getting moved around a bit. He made good plays too, but when your main purpose is to plug the middle, you can't let backup OL clear you completely out of there. He might still make it, but I'd take Cox over him (if it comes down to that). Wouldn't surprise me to see heavy DL, OL, LB with minimal TE, RB, and CB while utilizing promotions from the PS to cover those 3 spots.

3rd RB options: Taylor: 33% Wilson 33% Neither 34% I'd hang onto Wilson, but I didn't see him in there pass blocking much, so I doubt the Packers keep him over Taylor. It wouldn't shock me to see them both cut and attempt to get both on the PS to elevate them during the early season. Newman vs Rhyan. Rhyan has looked pretty decent, but I still don't see him passing Newman. Both probably make it because there are not other backup Gs. Interesting to see Runyan at C. I'm not sure I've heard him trying that before. Safety: Savage and Ford starting. Johnson makes the backup. Leavitt was a team captain today so I assume he is on the team. Owens becomes questionable but probably makes it. Moore probably gets an injury waiver or maybe they "stash" him on the IR to return later? CB: I think they simply go with four to start the season (Alexander, Douglas, Valentine, Nixon) Lots of options for the PS. Little risk of losing anyone as we have several that are pretty comparable. Stokes on the PUP gives him an automatic 5th CB later in the season. OLB: Cox made a good final statement. I'm guessing he makes the cut. DL: Ford didn't look so hot and was rather movable for such a mountain of a man. I give him 50/50 odds of making the 53 man. K: Carson had a nice day. Might be an adventure, but the position is his. At least he has a good leg. P: No idea. Both are punting well. Might come down to holding and experience vs cost and upside.