Tracking the 2023 Green Bay Roster

[Schultz]

FTR, as it turns out, benching Rodgers and playing Love would have ended up being the smarter move last season. I would have viewed that as a "WTF, lets go for it in 2023, we aren't going anywhere this season." Some fans might have viewed what the Packers did as "WTF, lets play all the starters, we might pull off a miracle!" I just don't think that team was set up to be SB bound.

I agree with you that the Packers probably don't win 4 out of their last 5 last season had they benched Rodgers, but they may have won a game or 2. More importantly, Love would be much more seasoned and their draft position and waiver wire position might have set them up much better for the future.

Our disagreement is old news. You did not address my real point.

 

[Half Empty]

Sounds like the Packers tried to sign Tariq Carpenter to the PS, but he decided to sign with another team. Can't find who that team is though.

Steelers

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Our disagreement is old news. You did not address my real point.

Are you talking about whether the Packers went all in or not?

IMO though there has to be a time when you just say "what the flock and go for it just as much as there's a time to rebuild. Also in my opinion they are currently doing the latter without ever really doing the former.

Like I said, I think they safely straddled both positions of being all in, with an eye to the future.

Did they go "fully all in"? Probably not fully, but pretty close. They over-leveraged (pushed money out into the future) a lot of contracts to keep current players or bring in new ones. Gute put a lot of assets to try and fortify the weakness of the team, the defense. He used high draft assets, as well as signing some high end free agents (Smith x 2, Amos, Campbell, Wilkerson).

Unfortunately, either the draft assets didn't pan out or the DC's failed, to elevate the defense enough. Wilkerson was a bust, as were a few of the FA additions that Gute made for the offense (Graham, Funchess, Watkins).

Do you really think they are in rebuild mode now? I actually think they are in "wait and see" mode. That is, wait to see if Jordan Love is THE man and if he is, how long before his game elevates the offense? Because if he is the man and can play average or above, than besides Rodgers being gone, this roster is better than the one they had in 2022.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

An entertaining watch. Any miracles on the Packers roster this year? How about a 70 yarder from Love to Watson, with no time left on the clock, to beat the Bears on opening day?

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[Schultz]

Are you talking about whether the Packers went all in or not?



Like I said, I think they safely straddled both positions of being all in, with an eye to the future.

Did they go "fully all in"? Probably not fully, but pretty close. They over-leveraged (pushed money out into the future) a lot of contracts to keep current players or bring in new ones. Gute put a lot of assets to try and fortify the weakness of the team, the defense. He used high draft assets, as well as signing some high end free agents (Smith x 2, Amos, Campbell, Wilkerson).

Unfortunately, either the draft assets didn't pan out or the DC's failed, to elevate the defense enough. Wilkerson was a bust, as were a few of the FA additions that Gute made for the offense (Graham, Funchess, Watkins).

Do you really think they are in rebuild mode now? I actually think they are in "wait and see" mode. That is, wait to see if Jordan Love is THE man and if he is, how long before his game elevates the offense? Because if he is the man and can play average or above, than besides Rodgers being gone, this roster is better than the one they had in 2022.

Draft wise I agree they straddled. Maybe they don't regret going all in draft wise after a couple of seasons of coming up just short but IMO they should. Minus Rodgers this roster is better because a large portion of their starters have another year of experience and a couple of vets are apparently healthy compared to opening day last season. IMO.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Draft wise I agree they straddled

I think every draft is a "straddle". Any team expecting to draft instant Pro Bowlers that will take them to the SB in a year or 2, is going to be disappointed. Especially, when you are historically picking late in every round. I view a draft as backfilling your roster for the upcoming season, with the hope that 50% of them, eventually become quality starters. Not to beat a dead horse, but all those thinking that the drafting of Love "cost the Packers a SB", are overestimating the impact of 1 player, chosen at the back end of round 1 no less. Those people should have been arguing that it would have been wiser of Gute to trade that pick away, for an instant impact player.

Anyway, for what it is worth. I view "going all in" as signing high end free agents, pushing money out to fit under the cap and willing to trade valuable draft assets for valuable players. That last part is something we haven't seen much of from TT or Gute. Maybe that is what you are referring to when you say you don't think they went all in? A willingness to give up future draft capital, to acquire players who are ready right now? Perhaps the John Hadl trade is and always will be etched into Packer managements memories?

 

[OldSchool101]

I think every draft is a "straddle". Any team expecting to draft instant Pro Bowlers that will take them to the SB in a year or 2, is going to be disappointed. Especially, when you are historically picking late in every round. I view a draft as backfilling your roster for the upcoming season, with the hope that 50% of them, eventually become quality starters. Not to beat a dead horse, but all those thinking that the drafting of Love "cost the Packers a SB", are overestimating the impact of 1 player, chosen at the back end of round 1 no less. Those people should have been arguing that it would have been wiser of Gute to trade that pick away, for an instant impact player.

Anyway, for what it is worth. I view "going all in" as signing high end free agents, pushing money out to fit under the cap and willing to trade valuable draft assets for valuable players. That last part is something we haven't seen much of from TT or Gute. Maybe that is what you are referring to when you say you don't think they went all in? A willingness to give up future draft capital, to acquire players who are ready right now? Perhaps the John Hadl trade is and always will be etched into Packer managements memories?

I agree. I’ll add that this 2023 Roster up n down is as talented (although raw) as any we’ve seen in the last 10+ seasons (less QB and maybe Safety and someone could argue ST Specialists)

The biggest question we have isn’t IF as it is WHEN will these players gel.

We will know better by middle next season but the effect of this roster won’t be realized until we get that extra Day1 selection and he’s up to speed next season or 2025. I’m expecting a few rough patches with all these young guys but if we can squeak out 7-8 wins? I think we’ll be playoff competitive very quickly. We won’t be so young in 2024 to 2025 as most of these guys will have their training wheels off.

I’m most excited to see what this young
DL and very deep LB room does. We’ve got serious work to do against the Run and QB pressure rate. Those areas need major help

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

We will know better by middle next season but the effect of this roster won’t be realized until we get that extra Day1 selection and he’s up to speed next season or possibly 2024.

Are we getting a 2023 1/2 season, in between this one and the 2024 one?

I think its good to be optimistic about this young team, but there are still a lot of "have to happens" before I would put this group in the "contending for SB's each season" category. Love is the #1 key, but so are the young TE's and WR's. Then on defense you have questions about youngsters like LVN, Wyatt, Walker, Stokes and the safeties. After that you have aging veterans and big salaries to deal with.

So yes, I am excited about the potential of this roster, but still a lot of pieces have to come together.

 

[Poppa San]

So yes, I am excited about the potential of this roster, but still a lot of pieces have to come together.

I'm optimistic not having to start any rookies except at slot, TE and on STs. Several 1st year starters but they all have some snaps on their resume. Youth with rookies is more of a challenge IMO. The Def, OL, and RBs are for the most part seasoned. The WRs, TE, and QB are the ones that need to grow up quick.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm optimistic not having to start any rookies except at slot, TE and on STs. Several 1st year starters but they all have some snaps on their resume. Youth with rookies is more of a challenge IMO. The Def, OL, and RBs are for the most part seasoned.

Agree. If the Packers avoid any major injuries to starters, the majority of the youth movement should have this year to develop.

The WRs, TE, and QB are the ones that need to grow up quick.

The success of the offense in 2023 revolves around the passing game, growing by leaps and bounds. This is about as raw of a group as I can remember.

 

[OldSchool101]

I'm optimistic not having to start any rookies except at slot, TE and on STs. Several 1st year starters but they all have some snaps on their resume. Youth with rookies is more of a challenge IMO. The Def, OL, and RBs are for the most part seasoned. The WRs, TE, and QB are the ones that need to grow up quick.

Other than RB. Basically everyone who scores points.
We’re screwed!

 

[Poppa San]

We’re screwed!

aka under rated, challenging, overlooked.

 

[OldSchool101]

aka under rated, challenging, overlooked.

Yes

emerging

I learned it’s a nice way of saying I’ve fallen behind the others!
Just being whimsical

 

[milani]

An entertaining watch. Any miracles on the Packers roster this year? How about a 70 yarder from Love to Watson, with no time left on the clock, to beat the Bears on opening day?

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I am hoping to see a rare take it to the house punt return. Been a long, long time.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Packers signed DL Jonathan Ford to the practice squad and released C James Empey from the PS. Have to wonder if Ford was searching for a better opportunity elsewhere. I think he was on the 53 man all last year?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I am hoping to see a rare take it to the house punt return. Been a long, long time.

Micah Hyde had the last one against the Lions on 12/28/2014, his second one of that season.

Go to the 17 minute mark to see.

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[Pokerbrat2000]

Actually, Micah Hyde has had the last 3 punt returns for TD's for the Packers.

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[milani]

Micah Hyde had the last one against the Lions on 12/28/2014, his second one of that season.

Go to the 17 minute mark to see.

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Yes. That one came after the Lions were pinned in deep. I think Rodgers got hurt in the first half and came back later gimping it on one calf.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just in watching a handful of Ben Sims preseason snaps, I really like what I see. I'm also aware that it was preseason and that doesn't always corelate into duplication in the regular season. However, he appears to be a decent blocker as well as pass catcher.

Packers film room: A closer look at new TE Ben Sims' preseason with Vikings

Breaking down some plays featuring new Packers TE Ben Sims, who spent the preseason with the Vikings.

packerswire.usatoday.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This popped up in Twitter for me today. Still a top 25 Packer moment!

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[GBkrzygrl]

That's one I will never forget.

 

[tynimiller]

Roster Updates - OP updated

Jonathan Ford DL signed to Practice Squad 9/1/2023 and James Empey released - I missed this sorry

OL Michael Jordan (iOL) signed to Practice Squad and Austin Allen released 9/12/2023

Jordan is a savvy good experienced past low level starter (even started games his rookie year) with center experience - with Empey leaving week or so prior makes sense we looked to him...and releasing Allen shows the team really likes what they have in Sims after week one.

 

[Poppa San]

OL Michael Jordan (iOL)

If he is competent does this make Newman a tradeable commodity?

 

[tynimiller]

If he is competent does this make Newman a tradeable commodity?

That's tough to say...I do feel it is more and more likely a move of Newman or Yosh is on the horizon. Is Michael Jordan a starter level guy? No. I'd argue Newman has more diverse value to a team, but not necessarily our team because he is currently like OT5 (Bakh, Tom, Yosh, Walker)...but could be another teams starting RT or OT3 or swing guy at OG or OT.

 

[tynimiller]

Michael Jordan history in the league for those curious - drafted in 2019 by Bengals:

2019 - 620 snaps at LG, 13 at RG PFF Grade overall 43.7 (56.8 Pass / 42.6 Run) Gave up 6 sacks and had 6 penalties
2020 - 731 snaps at LG PFF Grade overall of 55.7 (40.8 Pass / 63.4 Run) gave up 3 sacks and had one penalty
2021 - 703 snaps at LG PFF Grade overall of 50.7 (49.0 Pass / 55.4 Run) gave up 6 sacks and had 5 penalties
2022 - ONLY 53 snaps...
2023 - hasn't had any