Packers clear even more roster space...

On September 1, 2007, Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson announced that the Packers had parted ways with 20 more players:

Paul Thompson, QB

Corey White, RB

Brandon Miree, FB

Shaun Bodiford, WR

David Clowney, WR

Chris Francies, WR

Calvin Russell, WR

Zac Alcorn, TE

Clark Harris, TE

Orrin Thompson, T

Travis Leffew, G

Adam Stenavich, G

Larry Birdine, DE

Tim Goodwell, LB

Spencer Havner, LB

Rory Johnson, LB

Patrick Dendy, CB

Marquand Manuel, S

Alvin Nnabuife, S

Dave Rayner, K

Safety Tyrone Culver, linebacker Abdul Hodge, and guard Tyson Walter were placed on injured reserve.

The Packers also acquired running back Ryan Grant from the Giants for "an undisclosed future draft pick."

My take: Some of these moves does not affect the roster that much, but three or four of the moves affect the roster greatly.

The release of quarterback Paul Thompson leaves Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre as the only quarterbacks on the roster. Many people thought Thompson had the number three quarterback position locked up after the release of Ingle Martin. Not so much.

Marquand Manuel's release signifies his classification as a Packers free agent bust. Brought in to help solidify the secondary, he did not help that much. I say good riddance, but it will be interesting to see how well the secondary holds up this year.

Mason Crosby has officially won the job as the Packers kicker with the release of Dave Rayner. Crosby had a down year in his senior season at Colorado, but I think he is the perfect man for the job. He has a big leg that can kick through the bad weather at Lambeau. I think he will be a success.

Putting Culver, Hodge, and Walter on injured reserve weakens each of their respective positions. It pains me to see young guys put on IR before the season even starts. I think Hodge could have contributed along with Culver in a backup/special teams roll.

The acquisition of Ryan Grant adds some more punch to the running game, while Brandon Jackson has a concussion (questionable for the season opener), Vernand Morency is out the first four weeks of the season, and Noah Herron is out at least the first three weeks of the season. DeShawn Wynn survived the cuts, so the Packers have two healthy running backs in Wynn and Grant. It remains to be seen, however, how much playing time either of them actually gets.

These cuts also signal the end of the preseason. The Packers went 2-2 this preseason, beating Pittsburgh 13-9 and Seattle 48-13, while losing to Jacksonville 21-13 and Tennessee 30-14.

Aaron Rodgers was the Packers' leading passer this preseason, completing 37 out of 59 passes for 382 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 98.6 QB rating.

Brandon Jackson, expected to be the opening game starter, was the leading rusher with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 40 attempts, dividing out as a mediocre 3.3 yards per rush average.

James Jones, the rookie out of San Jose State, had a very impressive preseason, catching 21 passes for 233 yards with a long of 32 and two touchdowns. Jones is said to be right on Greg Jennings' heels for the number two wide receiver spot behind Donald Driver. The only other Packers to catch touchdown passes were Carlyle Holiday and Noah Herron.

There we have it. The preseason is over. Bring on the Iggles!