National Football League News
Packers Cut Manuel, Miree, Two Draft Picks to Get to 53
Sep 2, 2007, 5:02 GMT
Green Bay, WI - Safety Marquand Manuel, fullback Brandon Miree, and two 2007 Draft picks were among the players released by the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, as Mike McCarthy's club reached the NFL-mandated 53- man maximum.
Manuel was a 16-game starter for the Pack last season, finishing the year with 81 tackles and an interception. But second-year man Atari Bigby beat Manuel out for the starting job on the strong side during training camp, making the former Bengal and Seahawk a former Packer as well.
Miree appeared in 10 games for Green Bay a season ago, starting three, helping to pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Ahman Green and also catching nine passes out of the backfield. But the University of Pittsburgh product was deemed expendable after rookie Korey Hall, a sixth-round draft choice out of Boise State, played well in the preseason after being moved from his college position of linebacker.
The two '07 selections cut were wide receiver David Clowney (fifth round) and tight end Clark Harris (seventh round), both of whom could re-appear when the team names its practice squad on Sunday.
Also released Saturday were tight end Zac Alcorn, defensive end Larry Birdine, wide receiver Shaun Bodiford, cornerback Patrick Dendy, wide receiver Chris Francies, linebacker Tim Goodwell, linebacker Spencer Havner, linebacker Rory Johnson, guard Travis Leffew, safety Alvin Nnabuife, kicker Dave Rayner, wide receiver Calvin Russell, guard Adam Stenavich, tackle Orrin Thompson, quarterback Paul Thompson and running back Corey White.
Notables in that group include Bodiford, who played in six games as a kick returner with Green Bay last season; Dendy, who participated in 12 contests in 2006, starting three; Francies, who suited up for six games as a Packer a season ago; and Rayner, who handled kicking chores for the Pack last season but was predictably beaten out by 2007 sixth-round draft choice Mason Crosby.
Also on Saturday, the Packers placed safety Tyrone Culver (shoulder), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knee), and guard Tyson Walter (undisclosed) on season- ending injured reserve. All three were part-time players for Green Bay during the 2006 campaign.
Finally, Green Bay worked a trade with the Giants, obtaining former Notre Dame running back Ryan Grant in exchange for an undisclosed future draft pick.
The Packers open their season on Sept. 9th, when they welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to Lambeau Field.
© 2007 The Sports Network
