National Football League

Green Bay Packers 53-man roster picture begins to slowly clear

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Green Bay Packers and GM Ted Thompson yesterday raised a few eyebrows among fans and those around the NFL with the release of Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton.

Seemingly out of the blue, many speculated this move was based from a contractual issue, while others opined the Packers felt he was too expensive, too old and too beat up to be a consistent contributor.

Though the move seemed rash, many still believe in Ted Thompson, have stepped aside and let the chips fall – though news today that Sitton’s first visit will be with the Chicago Bears was a bit disheartening.

Sitton, one of the best offensive linemen to play in Green Bay over the past couple of decades, said that he was “sad” to leave Green Bay, but it was the fans who seemed more sad than the player.

Social media exploded with comments and satire throughout the day, blaming Thompson for what some felt was the beginning of the eventual demise of the team.

“Fans” of the team made calls for his head.

But none of that changes what this team has become: One that once again focuses on youth.

Josh Sitton
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, the Packers still have Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Bryan Bulaga, Mason Crosby and a slew of others who have been around a while.

But it’s the youth that will play huge roles … and that includes offensive lineman Lane Taylor, the guy many expect will step into the gaping hole left by Sitton at left guard.

Will Taylor seamlessly slide into the line and hold his own as the Packers embark on the 2016 campaign? Will the Packers opt instead to use Taylor as a stopgap while eyeing an eventual move of now-starting-center J.C. Tretter to left guard once former-starting-center Corey Linsley comes back from injury?

Those are questions yet to be decided as this roster continues to evolve over the course of the next few days.

Another questionable move by the Packers was the cutting of Rick Lovato, the only long snapper in camp.

That question was answered today as ESPN’s Rob Demovsky wrote this morning that Green Bay will re-sign former long snapper Brett Goode, who was recovering from a leg injury suffered late last year.

From late last night … The Packers will have a long-snapper after all; Brett Goode to re-sign https://t.co/fOuktlfcyh

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 4, 2016

Brett Goode, the Packers long snapper for the past eight years, appears to be returning to Green Bay. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The re-signing of Goode will help shore up the special teams and help restore one-third of the snapper-to-holder-to-kicker trio that once was Goode-Masthay-Crosby. Masthay is gone, but Crosby and Goode will help hold that triumvirate in place heading into the season.

One other questionable move was the cutting of wide receiver Geronimo Allison, the guy who made play after play in preseason. The hope is that he survives the wire and is brought back to the practice squad.

In the end, Packers fans hadn’t had more of a surprise factor since the cutting of Lynn Dickey and Paul Coffman way back three decades ago. When then-head coach Forrest Gregg made that move the team fell to a 4-12 record and he was gone two seasons later.

We don’t expect the Packers to have a losing record in 2016 because of the loss of Sitton, but we should expect some bumps along the way as this new Packers roster takes shape and starts in on the 2016 season.

Stay tuned …