Green Bay Packers: Sign DE Thornton, TE Lyerla, DE Robinson, CB Clay
The Green Bay Packers announced this afternoon the signing of third round draft choice Khyri Thornton, a defensive end out of Southern Mississippi, as well as three undrafted players, including controversial tight end Colt Lyerla, to bring the team’s roster to its limit of 90 players.
In addition to Thornton and Lyerla, the Packers also drafted Charles Clay out of the University of Hawaii and Luther Robinson out of the University of Miami.
Here is how Lyerla felt about the signing:
To make room for the four players signed this afternoon, the Packers cut tight end Raymond Webber.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders running back Shane Tucker (1) is tackled by Southern Miss Golden Eagles defensive lineman Khyri Thornton (98) in the first quarter of their game at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports photograph
While the signing of Thornton, Lyerla, Clay and Robinson is important, it’s also significant to note that if the Packers have intentions of re-signing veterans like Jermichael Finley or Johnny Jolly they will have to cut other players to do so.
Lyerla, the tight end with what many feel is first round talent, went undrafted and unsigned until the Packers brought him in for a tryout during the rookie minicamp held last weekend. His checkered past and drug use raised the red flag for all NFL teams, but the Packers gave him a shot and liked what they saw.
And while Packers general manager Ted Thompson told reporters on Saturday that he needed to sleep on the decision about Lyerla, he also indicated that it would require deep consideration by coaches before they reached a final decision.
That decision came late this afternoon.
In addition to signing Lyerla, the Packers also signed undrafted free agents Charles Clay, a cornerback with 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash, as well as defensive end Luther Robinson out of the University of Miami.
Adding defensive help has been a clear objective by the Packers and with Clay, a player who has also played safety in the past, and Robinson, the Packers have loaded their 90-man roster with as much help on that side of the ball as possible.
Thornton is a defensive lineman that many have felt was a reach in the third round, but the Packers are high on his upside and feel he will add a speedy dimension to the team’s defensive line.
Below is the full press release issued within the last hour by the Packers public relations department:
PACKERS ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES
The Green Bay Packers have signed S Charles Clay, TE Colt Lyerla, DE Luther Robinson and DE Khyri Thornton and released TE Raymond Webber. The transactions were announced Monday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.
NON-DRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS:
No |
Name
Pos
Ht
Wt
College
HS Hometown
25
Charles Clay
S
5-10
204
Hawai’i
Hilo, Hawaii
46
Colt Lyerla
TE
6-4
247
Oregon
Hillsboro, Ore.
97
Luther Robinson
DE
6-3
301
Miami
Fort Pierce, Fla.
DRAFT SIGNING:
Rd |
Name
Pos
Ht
Wt
College
HS Hometown
3a
Khyri Thornton
DE
6-3
304
Southern Mississippi
Panama City, Fla.
Clay, 23, played in 12 games with six starts as a senior in 2013 and ranked fourth on the team with 69 tackles (41 solo), including 5½ tackles for a loss. He added a sack, four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Clay appeared in 12 games with one start as a junior and registered 29 tackles (20 solo), four passes defensed and a fumble recovery. He spent his first two seasons (2009-10) at Southern Methodist University.
Lyerla (LIE-ur-luh), 21, played in 28 games with 12 starts during his three seasons at Oregon and caught 34 passes for 565 yards (16.6 avg.) and 11 TDs. As a sophomore in 2012, he hauled in 25 passes for 392 yards (15.7 avg.) and six TDs. Lyerla caught seven passes for 147 yards (21.0 avg.) as a true freshman in 2011, with five of those catches going for TDs. He added 12 tackles during his career on special teams.
Robinson, 23, appeared in all 13 games with one start as a senior for the Hurricanes in 2013. He registered 24 tackles (seven solo), including a tackle for a loss, and added a fumble recovery. As a junior in 2012, he played in 10 contests and posted 13 tackles (seven solo), a QB hurry and a fumble recovery.