He made it … but not the team full roster. He once again was signed to the practice squad today, along with seven others who were with the team in training camp. The group includes WR Tori Gurley and QB Graham Harrell, who many thought would make the regular roster.

GM Ted Thompson today made the announcement and it was made official by the Packers’ PR department.

The complete list of those signed to the practice squad are as follows:

WR Diondre Borel, T/G Ray Dominguez, C Sampson Genus, WR Tori Gurley, QB Graham Harrell, CB Brandian Ross, RB Brandon Saine and WR Chastin West.

It’s somewhat surprising given the success Harrell has had this preseason. Many, including lombardiave, considered him a lock to make the team, not only because he has shown promise, but because in this age of the quarterback, how could a team go with just two? The Packers seem pretty confident in Rodgers and Flynn staying healthy.

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, the Packers have at this point about 3:30 p.m., announced the release of 12 players, including Harrell. Rookie defensive end Lawrence Guy was also released, signed an agreement that would bring him back to the team with the stipulation he be place on the injured reserve list. That means the team thinks highly enough of Guy that they are willing to cut a deal like this.

Another surprise has been the announcement that safety M.D. Jennings has reportedly made the team. Jennings, as you might remember, made big special teams plays the final two preseason games – recovering two onside kicks, the first successfully completed by the Packers that led to the game-winning field goal by Mason Crosby and the send last week when he recovered the onside kick attempted by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Joby Branion, the agent who represents both Graham Harrell and rookie tight end Ryan Taylor, has told the Green Bay Press Gazette that Taylor has made the team – not a huge surprise given Taylor’s large presence on special teams and his skills in catching the football.

According to the Press Gazette, here’s a running list of the players the Packers have cut so far:

* FB Jon Hoese

* WR Kerry Taylor

* WR Chastin West

* S Anthony Bratton

* S Brandon Underwood

* G Caleb Schlauderaff

* NT Jay Ross

* DE Lawrence Guy, injury settlement, plan to bring him to IR and develop him in the offseason

* CB Brandain Ross

* WR Tori Gurley

* QB Graham Harrell

* C/G Nick McDonald

But Dunne’s story gives a different angle … One that only a mom might understand. 

That’s because that’s on whom the story focuses.

Cathy West, Chastin’s mother, isn’t impressed with her son’s accomplishments so far … and that’s been the case for as long as he’s been playing football.

Her modus operandi has been to not attend a game until she feels he is good enough. So far, he’s not to that point yet with the Packers.

“That’s when I know I’ve arrived — when she comes,” West was quoted as saying in Dunne’s story. “That’s what she’s done my entire life. Baseball. Basketball. Football. Whatever. She says, ‘Until you get good, that’s when I’ll come.’”

It doesn’t matter that West had five receptions for 134 yards including that 97-yard touchdown. 

Given the fact that West still faces long odds to even make the team, Cathy West may never see her son play in Green Bay. The team is probably sure to keep five receivers, but whether they keep six will depend on player moves at other positions … It could come down to a numbers crunch and West may be caught in the middle.

His hope is that the numbers don’t catch up to him and that his mother has the opportunity to see him play in green and gold.

One slept in his car in a Wal-Mart parking lot while pursuing his dream. One spent last season on the Packers practice squad waiting for his chance.

Last Friday night, both stood out in the Packers preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Will either one make the team?

The excitement for the fans during preseason is having the opportunity to watch players emerge from the shadows to win spots on the 53-man roster. That’s what we are seeing right now with running back Alex Green and wide receiver Chastin West. (more…)

Some of you may be thinking, who the heck is Chastin West?

The second year pro out of Fresno State has been catching some people’s attention in practice, and on Friday against Arizona. Aaron Rodgers has said that he likes Chastin West, and that he has a great work ethic.

As you all know, the Packers have a lot of depth at the wide receiver position (Jennings, Jones, Driver, Nelson, Cobb).  Will Ted Thompson keep a sixth receiver, and leave another position a bit thin?  The problem is that if Thompson tries to keep West on the practice squad, another team is sure to gobble him up. (more…)

It's still too early to tell about where the Packers are headed, but they are showing signs of improvement. Dan Hogan photograph

While Packers management isn’t saying much yet, there were some matters that came to the forefront after this “it doesn’t count” game. 

Let’s take a look at a few:

The Packers defense mounted little pressure on the quarterback for the second game in a row. Yes, the team was without starters Mike Neal and Clay Matthews, but if you take away the first three-and-out by the Cardinals their first team offense mounted drives that ate 6:29 and 7:34 off the clock, respectively. Those drives led to six points for Arizona.

The Packers gave up too many sacks. The offensive line at times seemed nonexistent and to watch your star QB crumble in a heap of 300-pounders in the first half of the second preseason game is a bit unnerving. Ted Thompson didn’t seem too concerned about it after the game, but one wonders if there’s going to be a “come to Jesus” meeting with the offensive line unit this week. ”It looked like a preseason,” Thompson said. “It’s  all part of the evaluation process.”

in addition to the absence of Neal, the defensive line took a hit when C.J. Wilson went to the locker room with a concussion and Rookie Lawrence Guy, a defensive end with a good chance to make the team, sat out with concussion-like symptoms.

Special teams were sporadic … A takeaway on a kick-off early in the third quarter led to an Arizona touchdown, but the kicking of Tim Masthay was again exceptional.

On the bright side, the offense was razor sharp when they went to the no-huddle. Rodgers seems very comfortable in it; Donald Driver had some nice catches and certainly isn’t looking 36 years old; Greg Jenning’s back shoulder catch for the first half TD was a thing of beauty; Alex Green’s catch and run on the screen pass that led to his own 2-yard TD plunge in the second half was impressive; and finally, Chastin West’s 97-yard touchdown catch was the best and most memorable preseason highlight in recent memory. Did his performance cement a roster spot on this team? Probably not, but it surely gave him the right to another closer look.

So, what do we take from this second preseason game?

A need for improvement in many areas and a clear signal that this team is again deep with talent.

This coming week is crucial for many of those on the bubble. The countdown to cuts is nearing and like all other 31 teams, the Packers have some tough choices ahead and only a couple more weeks in which to make them.

Let the games continue.