Using it on someone else really wouldn't have meant much anyways. With all the other guys who have been put on IR there have been open roster spots all year.

The injuries this season are dramatically more damaging to the Packers team than in 2010. Do not kid yourself. The players lost in 2012 were far more valuable than those lost in 2010.

I think Cedric Benson is better than both James Starks and Alex Green. With that said, I think the combination of the two will more than be enough to soften the loss of Benson.

But the point was they could have.. correct?

Just like the other guys they have placed on IR prior to Bishop, they could have designated them as well. Point was he could have been eligible.

But at the end of the day, maybe returning in the playoffs after a whole year off makes the issue moot. By doing it that early, they would have given up the tag for an area at that point where there was depth. Unlike other areas, like the Oline, where the tag would have maybe been more valuable to the team.

I think we should hold off on playoff talk, until the Packers secure a position lol

Correct, hence the reason that using it on Bishop in preseason, a position that looked deep, was a risk and very well may have played into not using it on him.

We had DJ Smith sitting there ready to roll.

Yes. 1 player per team. Twins statement of them being on the final roster is a correct statement, it just was this year teams could have used it for exceptions like Bishop that was placed on the IR prior to the rule being announced.

Edited by user Friday, November 30, 2012 11:20:06 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

That is a good question, personally I think this will be expanded much like MLB DL designation. It only makes sense for the NFL, clubs and players.

The NFL can get stars back in the same season and it would allow for players to heal and still keep the level of talent on the field Sundays as high as possible.

Clubs get more flexibility with the roster limits and carrying injured players on the roster.

And the players, if hurt may get to play again in a season where the club in the past may have IR'd them and filled their roster spot. Young players and players with incentives in their contracts would greatly benefit from this. Union has more dues coming and and more players drawing revenue.


I think a couple things were there in that decision.

1. Avoiding it being a way to stashing a player. I think this comes into play when they expand this program.. I think it has every intention of being expanded.

2. They were in a rush to implement and try it for evaluations of the success or failure of the program.