The Green Bay Packers continue to make cuts in a day-long effort to get their roster to the league-mandated 53-man limit.
Quarterback Graham Harrell and guard/center Nick McDonald headline the most recent cuts the Packers have made.
Harrell was holding down the Packers third quarterback job, but it looks like the team will keep just two on the active roster again in 2011. The Packers will likely attempt to bring Harrell back for a second stint on the practice squad, but he could be claimed by another franchise. Harrell showed flashes this preseason and many thought he had the potential of sticking on the Packers roster. If he is claimed, the Packers will have no alternatives for a No. 3 quarterback, and backup Matt Flynn could leave after 2011 in free agency.
McDonald was an undrafted free agent in 2010 who impressed coaches during his first professional season. A year later, however, it was clear McDonald hadn’t made the necessary improvements and was struggling to grasp the center position. His play Thursday against the Chiefs, in which he airmailed a snap that resulted in a safety and had a false start penalty, was likely his last straw. McDonald still has practice squad eligibility, despite sticking on the Packers 53-man roster for the entire 2010 season. He wasn’t active for a single game and the limit is nine. He could still stick.
Here are more recent cuts:
S Anthony Levine: He had a good shot at making the team but suffered a freak accident that forced him out of action with a concussion. It’s just a guess, but I think Levine makes the team with a full camp and preseason.
WR/KR Shaky Smithson: Expectations were too high for Smithson, who just never possessed the kind of speed to be an impact returner. His botched punt against the Chiefs sealed his fate.
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Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.
You can read more of Zach's Packers articles on AllGreenBayPackers.com.
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are they banking on him wanting to launch his career here? i doubt flynn will be back next year
Suppose it’s not really a suprise given we olny kept 2 QB last year but I thought Harrell would make the 53. Does the 46 man roster rule make it more likely other teams only keep 2 QB and Harell makes it to the practice squad ?