Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Beaver's career with Green Bay put on hold
 Green Bay Packers running back tryout Justin Beaver works out during training camp practice on Friday, May 2, 2008 at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay, Wis. (Shawano Leader photo by Cory Dellenbach) |
GREEN BAY — Justin Beaver’s quest for a spot on the Green Bay Packers’ 80-man roster might not be over, but for now at least, it’s on hold.
The Packers informed the former UW-Whitewater standout halfback’s agent, Scott Smith, on Monday that they were signing three of the 19 tryout players that participated in last weekend’s post-draft rookie orientation camp, and the 5-foot-7, 191-pound Beaver was not among them.
That doesn’t mean Beaver’s hopes of keeping his white No. 33 jersey are completely dashed, however.
For starters, the Packers still have one open roster spot, and Beaver didn’t get a flat-out thanks-but-no-thanks from them Monday.
And, at the NFL’s spring owners meeting in the Atlanta suburb of Buckhead, Ga., beginning on May 19, the league will consider expanding team rosters from 80 to 86, and that could net Beaver a contract if the measure passes.
With NFL Europe developmental league having dissolved last year and no NFLE-exemptions to add training-camp bodies this summer, general managers and coaches throughout the league are hoping to receive the six additional roster spots to combat camp attrition.
“I know they liked what I did,” Beaver said Monday. “I gave it 110 percent and made an amazing impression. I have no regrets, and it will take more than this to get me down. I’ve been through too much in my life to give up that easily. I’m still very hopeful.”
Coach Mike McCarthy raved about Beaver after Sunday’s final practice, saying, “I’ll tell you what, he’s been very impressive. He’s done a very nice job. He plays with a lot of energy, very quick, explosive. As far as, does he have a shot? That’s something actually we’ll discuss ... I would love for him to have an opportunity, because he’s been impressive.”
The Packers didn’t draft a running back and signed only one undrafted rookie at the position — Georgia’s Kregg Lumpkin of Georgia. The club brought two backs — Beaver and Maryland’s Lance Ball — in for the camp on a tryout basis.
The team has five halfbacks under contract: Brandon Jackson, DeShawn Wynn, Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and Lumpkin. Starter Ryan Grant, an exclusive-rights free agent, has yet to sign his tender. The team also has four fullbacks (John Kuhn, Korey Hall, Corey White and Ryan Powdrell) on the roster.
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