With the release of WR Brett Swain, TE Spencer Havner, and tackle Theo Sherman there is no real surprise as the Green Bay Packers get started early on the first wave of cuts due Tuesday.

Havner was the fan favorite of the three, having started out as a linebacker, and then moving to tight end where he had a modicum of success in 2009. He caught seven passes for 112 yards and four touchdowns.

He was cut last year, picked up by the Lions and then brought back to Green Bay after the injury to Jermichael Finley in game four. He was injured shortly after his return and spent the remainder of the season on IR.

Swain was a seventh-round draft choice in 2008, played in 22 games with one start over two seasons. He caught six passes for 72 yards last season.

Sherman signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent on July 28.

Desmond Bishop is being tabbed as a starter at inside linbebacker, but who will back up inside is something yet to be decided. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With day three of Packers camp in the books and the first day of pad work being held Monday night, there seem to be three things (among others) developing that are of interest to the final coming together of a team.

First, the rookies – it looks like first and second round choices, Derek Sherrod and Randall Cobb, are being looked to quickly for contributions.

Cobb, according to tweets last night and early morning news reports, made several difficult catches yesterday, showed impressive bursts of speed and is being touted as everything he’s been billed in the early going. Getting his timing with quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to take some time. (more…)

Jermichael Finley is reportedly slimmer this season, but is still being limited during the early practices. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Headed to the Packers facility at 7 p.m. for day two of training camp?

Well, here’s some things you will find:

Day two of practices will again see tight end Jermichael Finley, safety Morgan Burnett and defensive lineman Mike Neal in limited participation, as they continue their rehabs. Rookie defensive lineman Eli Joseph (hamstring), tight end Andrew Quarless (hip flexor) and linebacker Diyral Briggs (hamstring) have yet to pass their physicals.

In addition, Mason Crosby, Spencer Havner and Brett Swain will be watching from the sidelines because they can’t practice until Aug. 4 … CBA rules.

Released Saturday were wide receiver Jake Allen, cornerback Scorpio Babers, defensive tackle Conrad Bolston, center Brennen Carvalho, safety Tyrone Culver, linebacker Spencer Havner, tight end Joey Haynos, running back Noah Herron, guard Ryan Keenan, linebacker Danny Lansanah, defensive tackle Alfred Malone, running back Vernand Morency, defensive tackle Daniel Muir, cornerback Joe Porter, wide receiver Johnny Quinn, wide receiver Taj Smith, wide receiver Brett Swain, tackle Orrin Thompson and fullback Corey White.

None of these entirely surprise me. There are a few guys such as Allen that could have made an impact in the future, but the Packers are just too crowded at wide receiver. Swain was the only 2008 draft pick cut. Swain failed to live up to expectations as he was compared to New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker early in the workouts.

The cuts that have the most impact on the team are the cuts of Morency and Herron.  Morency seemed like he had the best chance to make the team after Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson, as he was the most proficient pass blocker and would be the most experienced.  Herron seemed like he would have value on special teams, but the Packers roster just became too crowded and he had to go.

The emergence of undrafted rookie Kregg Lumpkin is the main reason why Morency and Herron became expendable.  Lumpkin rushed for 153 yards on 38 carries this preseason and showed great potential as a running back.  Playing behind Grant and Jackson, Lumpkin gives the Packers three running backs with less than two full years of NFL experience.  The former Georgia Bulldog will most likely see the field frequently as there are still doubts about Jackson’s ability as a running back and blocker.

The Packers also placed defensive tackle Rodney Allen, offensive lineman Junius Coston, and long snapper J.J. Jansen on injured reserve, ending their seasons.  There are plenty of offensive linemen on the Packers roster to pick up for Coston and it appears the Packers will sign Thomas Gafford to take Jansen’s spot.  Gafford was with the Packers for the offseason and training camp before being released.