Cutdown day in the National Football League is a time of tough decisions. It's a time for taking chances, cutting losses and admitting mistakes.
This weekend, the Packers got rid of their best punchline.
Najeh Davenport rushed for 1,068 yards in 217 carries with seven touchdowns in four seasons, but his biggest claim to fame as a Green Bay football player was his July, 2002, arrest for defecating in the laundry basket housed in the closet of a dorm room of an unsuspecting Barry University coed, was cut Saturday as the team reduced its roster.
The Packers, it seems, have decided to look elsewhere for a "No. 2" running back.
Also waived were tight end Zac Alcorn, safety Atari Bigby, safety Tra Boger, wide receiver Carlton Brewster, fullback Ben Brown, kicker E.J. Cochrane, cornerback Patrick Dendy, wide receiver Chris Francies, wide receiver Rod Gardner, linebacker Tim Goodwell, cornerback Antonio Malone, linebacker Roy Manning, safety Jeremy Modkins, guard Siitupe Peko, defensive end/defensive tackle Kenny Peterson, wide receiver Cory Rodgers, defensive end Dave Tollefson and center Pete Traynor.
Other than Davenport, who was plagued by injuries and inconsistency, the surprises on that list included Gardner, a veteran, and Rodgers, a rookie who proved incapable of catching a punt, which is a bit important if you want to be a punt returner.
Placed on injured reserve Saturday were running back Arliss Beach, tackle Josh Bourke and cornerback Mike Hawkins. The Packers made a handful of moves on Saturday, claiming three players on waivers -- cornerback Jarrett Bush (Carolina), guard Tony Palmer (St. Louis) and safety Charlie Peprah (New York Giants). The Packers also released Jason Horton.
Bush, a 6-foot, 194-pound rookie out of Utah State, signed as a free agent with Carolina following the 2006 draft. In four preseason contests, he had 13 tackles, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery for the 4-0 Panthers. An All-Western Athletic Conference performer in college, Bush started two years at Utah State after beginning his career at American River Junior College. A three-sport athlete, he also lettered in wrestling and track as a prep.
Palmer is a 6-2, 326-pound rookie who earned All-Big 12 honors each of the past three seasons at Missouri, including first-team recognition in 2005 when he did not allow a sack. A mainstay on the Tigers’ offensive line, he started his final 42 games in succession. The Rams’ final selection in the 2006 draft, Palmer was a compensatory, seventh-round choice (243rd overall).
Peprah, a 5-11, 202-pound rookie from Alabama, was selected by the N.Y. Giants with the 158th overall choice in the fifth round of the ’06 draft. In four preseason contests, Peprah notched five tackles, one special-teams stop, one interception which he returned 19 yards vs. the N.Y. Jets Aug. 25, and one pass defensed. A four-year starter at Alabama, where he played both corner positions, safety and nickel back, he recorded nine career interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and broke up 24 passes. As a senior running back at Plano (Texas) High School, he averaged 9.7 yards per carry with nine touchdowns.
This weekend, the Packers got rid of their best punchline.
Najeh Davenport rushed for 1,068 yards in 217 carries with seven touchdowns in four seasons, but his biggest claim to fame as a Green Bay football player was his July, 2002, arrest for defecating in the laundry basket housed in the closet of a dorm room of an unsuspecting Barry University coed, was cut Saturday as the team reduced its roster.
The Packers, it seems, have decided to look elsewhere for a "No. 2" running back.
Also waived were tight end Zac Alcorn, safety Atari Bigby, safety Tra Boger, wide receiver Carlton Brewster, fullback Ben Brown, kicker E.J. Cochrane, cornerback Patrick Dendy, wide receiver Chris Francies, wide receiver Rod Gardner, linebacker Tim Goodwell, cornerback Antonio Malone, linebacker Roy Manning, safety Jeremy Modkins, guard Siitupe Peko, defensive end/defensive tackle Kenny Peterson, wide receiver Cory Rodgers, defensive end Dave Tollefson and center Pete Traynor.
Other than Davenport, who was plagued by injuries and inconsistency, the surprises on that list included Gardner, a veteran, and Rodgers, a rookie who proved incapable of catching a punt, which is a bit important if you want to be a punt returner.
Placed on injured reserve Saturday were running back Arliss Beach, tackle Josh Bourke and cornerback Mike Hawkins. The Packers made a handful of moves on Saturday, claiming three players on waivers -- cornerback Jarrett Bush (Carolina), guard Tony Palmer (St. Louis) and safety Charlie Peprah (New York Giants). The Packers also released Jason Horton.
Bush, a 6-foot, 194-pound rookie out of Utah State, signed as a free agent with Carolina following the 2006 draft. In four preseason contests, he had 13 tackles, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery for the 4-0 Panthers. An All-Western Athletic Conference performer in college, Bush started two years at Utah State after beginning his career at American River Junior College. A three-sport athlete, he also lettered in wrestling and track as a prep.
Palmer is a 6-2, 326-pound rookie who earned All-Big 12 honors each of the past three seasons at Missouri, including first-team recognition in 2005 when he did not allow a sack. A mainstay on the Tigers’ offensive line, he started his final 42 games in succession. The Rams’ final selection in the 2006 draft, Palmer was a compensatory, seventh-round choice (243rd overall).
Peprah, a 5-11, 202-pound rookie from Alabama, was selected by the N.Y. Giants with the 158th overall choice in the fifth round of the ’06 draft. In four preseason contests, Peprah notched five tackles, one special-teams stop, one interception which he returned 19 yards vs. the N.Y. Jets Aug. 25, and one pass defensed. A four-year starter at Alabama, where he played both corner positions, safety and nickel back, he recorded nine career interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and broke up 24 passes. As a senior running back at Plano (Texas) High School, he averaged 9.7 yards per carry with nine touchdowns.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
