Green Bay — Back in the summer of 2005, the Green Bay Packers had a glut of mediocre cornerbacks and a gaping hole at weak-side linebacker. So when it was time for roster cuts, first-year general manager Ted Thompson sent raw cornerback Chris Johnson to St. Louis for linebacker Robert Thomas, who became a 10-game starter that season.

Two summers later, Thompson realized his running back trio of Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency and DeShawn Wynn just wouldn't cut it. So again, Thompson went the trade route and plucked Ryan Grant from the New York Giants for a sixth-round draft choice.

Last year, instead of waving offensive lineman Tony Moll, Thompson sent him to Baltimore for safety Derrick Martin, and he wound up being one of Green Bay's top players on special teams.

The moral of the story is this: When the Packers have to trim their roster on Aug. 31 and Sept. 4, look for Thompson to start wheeling and dealing again.

Green Bay has a surplus of offensive linemen, fullbacks and tight ends. The Packers also need help at outside linebacker and safety. So Thompson figures to be looking for a trade partner.

"Those kinds of conversations really haven't gotten going yet," Thompson said recently. "There are the great fishing expeditions where they just call and say, 'Do you got anybody that you are looking to move?' Nobody says anything, so we've got to get into that.

"I think we have got to see  . . .  where you think you are stronger and where another team might be another stronger. It's got to work for everybody. It's not difficult, but the stars have to align a little bit.

Thompson, who believes he's close to assembling a Super Bowl roster, will probably be extremely active. With that, here's a stab at how Green Bay's opening day roster will look.

QUARTERBACKS (2)

Keep: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn

Cut: Graham Harrell

Analysis: Flynn might have some value in a trade, but that likely won't come until this off-season. Harrell has a shot of landing on the practice squad.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)

Keep: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Brett Swain

Cut: Charles Dillon, Shawn Gore, Patrick Williams, Chastin West, Jason Chery

nalysis: Swain, coming off reconstructive knee surgery, has had a quiet summer. But none of the others have done enough to pass him for the No. 5 job. Dillon and Gore could wind up on the practice squad.

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Keep: Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Spencer Havner, Andrew Quarless

Cut: Tom Crabtree

Analysis: This is arguably the deepest spot on the team, so a player like Lee or Havner could certainly be traded. The Packers are likely to keep four, though, as they did in McCarthy's first season. Regardless, Crabtree figures to wind up on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS (5)

Keep: Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, John Kuhn, Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall

Cut: Kregg Lumpkin, Quinn Porter

Injured reserve: James Starks

Analysis: Kuhn, who ran for nearly 4,700 yards in college at tiny Shippensburg (Pa.), has been impressive with the ball in his hands. If the Packers feel comfortable he could handle the load should both Grant and Jackson go down in a game, Green Bay can keep three fullbacks for the second straight year. Johnson has stepped up his play and was integral in the Packers' game-winning drive against Seattle. Hall is smaller than you'd like a fullback to be, but he is versatile and a valuable player on special teams. Both deserve roster spots more than Lumpkin and Porter.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9)

Keep: Chad Clifton, Bryan Bulaga, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton, Mark Tauscher, Daryn Colledge, T.J. Lang, Marshall Newhouse, Evan Dietrich-Smith

Trade: Jason Spitz

Cut: Breno Giacomini, Allen Barbre, Nick McDonald, Chris Campbell

Analysis: For the first time in eons, this is a position of strength in Green Bay. That's why it makes sense the Packers will move somebody, and while Spitz is the odd man out in Green Bay, he'll certainly have value to somebody. Newhouse wins out largely because he was a fifth-round draft choice this year, and Thompson hates to part with his own guys. Giacomini may have played himself off the roster with two rotten preseason games, which could open the door for the feisty Dietrich-Smith.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6)

Keep: Cullen Jenkins, B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Mike Neal, Justin Harrell, Jarius Wynn

Cut: C.J. Wilson, Anthony Toribio, Ronald Talley

Analysis: The Packers will try getting Wilson through to the practice squad, a place Wynn isn't eligible for. Wynn also rates slightly better than Wilson as an edge rusher. Harrell, who's had a solid summer, makes it on performance, not draft status.

LINEBACKERS (9)

Keep: Clay Matthews, Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop, Brady Poppinga, Frank Zombo, TBD

Cut: Cyril Obiozor, Maurice Simpkins, Robert Francois.

Injured reserve: Alex Joseph

Analysis: The guess here is Green Bay will still sign - or trade - for another outside linebacker. The Packers are in this predicament because the options after Matthews have been extremely disappointing. If Green Bay can't add another outside backer, Obiozor sticks. Bishop would certainly like to be traded to a place he'll play more, but the Packers seem likely to keep him for another season. Zombo has been impressive the first four weeks of camp and could be the surprise of the roster.

CORNERBACKS (5)

Keep: Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Brandon Underwood, Pat Lee, Sam Shields

Cut: Jarrett Bush, D.J. Clark

Physically unable to perform list: Al Harris

Analysis: Shields, who's been absolutely offensive trying to field punts and kickoffs, sticks because of his 4.20 speed and upside. After years of driving Packer Nation batty, few tears are likely to be shed over Bush's departure. He was picked on again by Seattle's reserves and had personal foul and pass interference penalties on consecutive plays. Enough's enough. Despite great progress in his rehabilitation, Harris will spend the first six weeks watching.

SAFETIES (5)

Keep: Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Derrick Martin, Will Blackmon, TBD

Cut: Charlie Peprah, Anthony Levine.

Physically unable to perform list: Atari Bigby

Analysis: With Bigby out the first six games, the Packers' don't have a third safety they can play from scrimmage. Heck, until Burnett puts more on film, no one can be sure they have two. That's why it's imperative Thompson adds another player here before the Sept. 12 opener in Philadelphia. Blackmon's bubble could pop as well, but the guess is he'll win the punt return job and survive.

SPECIALISTS (3)

Keep: K Mason Crosby, P Chris Bryan, LS Brett Goode

Cut: P Tim Masthay

Analysis: Bryan and Masthay have both proven they're NFL-caliber punters. But Bryan gets the edge due to upside and his ability to pin foes inside their own 20.

adambr2 wrote:Another guy not mentioned that I think should be considered as trade bait is Poppinga. We haven't really been able to find him a role in the 3-4 and he might be better off returning to a 4-3 defense. This will allow us to get younger at LB and at the same time free up that roster spot to bring in some outside help thru a different trade that I mentioned before.

adambr2 wrote:Another guy not mentioned that I think should be considered as trade bait is Poppinga. We haven't really been able to find him a role in the 3-4 and he might be better off returning to a 4-3 defense. This will allow us to get younger at LB and at the same time free up that roster spot to bring in some outside help thru a different trade that I mentioned before.

Fan174 wrote:

adambr2 wrote:Another guy not mentioned that I think should be considered as trade bait is Poppinga. We haven't really been able to find him a role in the 3-4 and he might be better off returning to a 4-3 defense. This will allow us to get younger at LB and at the same time free up that roster spot to bring in some outside help thru a different trade that I mentioned before.

I really like Poppinga as depth.

He's actually a PERFECT fit(for his skills, not that he's great at it) in the 3-4 as opposed to 4-3. He was an undersized 4-3 DE in college and as pass rushing specialist.

He's a 3-4 OLB'er and sensational depth.

BrainDed wrote:

adambr2 wrote:Another guy not mentioned that I think should be considered as trade bait is Poppinga. We haven't really been able to find him a role in the 3-4 and he might be better off returning to a 4-3 defense. This will allow us to get younger at LB and at the same time free up that roster spot to bring in some outside help thru a different trade that I mentioned before.

Yeah,, Him and Spitz in a package could net someone of significance if there is that special someone available

Fan174 wrote:(I don't see anything special about Havner

Fan174 wrote:Teams have interest in his ST's play and his ideal CB frame and measurable numbers.

Fan174 wrote:We're probably MOSTLY done adding players,