$8 Million Dollar Question Answered

Very interesting feeling looking at the following text on my phone today:

Packers activate DT Harrell, Release DE Gbaja-Biamila.
from Packers.com

And there you have it - a pre-season question answered, after Ted finally saw the writing on the wall with Kabeer's play over the last 7 games.

The last great game play of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was in the NFC Championship game- a game where I must say he and Kampman excelled together. It's actually sad that his peak seasons, the Packers could never find a true bookend to amplify his pass rushing skill. Unfortunately- that's all he ever was as a defensive end- an extremely skilled (top 3 NFL for 4-5 years) 1 skill player.

For the record in 2008 - K.G.B. had 9 tackles, half a sack, and a pass defensed (in garbage time of the Colts game). Considering he was the highest paid player on the Packers - his future on the team has been in doubt since training camp.

Onto the other news- Justin Harrell. For the record I have already officially called him a bust. Prematurely I know. I don't usually do that because everyone gets their three years, but sometimes people just don't feel like they will grow to be superstars... As I have said in the podcast, Nothing will make me happier than Justin Harrell being the greatest pick the Packers have had since 1957.

So Justin. Can you be a hero?

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Comments (10)

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DaveK's picture

November 01, 2008 at 04:35 pm

Man, sometimes the right decision can make you feel like crap. I don't think it was about money. I think they needed a roster spot and looking at the roster he was most expendable given his production this year. He is a speed rusher without the speed anymore. He'll always be a Packer favorite of mine though.

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ILoveARodg's picture

November 01, 2008 at 05:06 pm

Yeah, it's too bad, since KGB was a first class person as well. I cannot say that I disagree with the decision, since it was also irritating to see his play this year and think about the paycheck. All the best to KGB though, maybe he'll just retire a Packer!

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Cheezer's picture

November 01, 2008 at 05:41 pm

How do you get texts like this?

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nc packer backer's picture

November 01, 2008 at 05:46 pm

Welcome to the business of the NFL. Its a young mans game. KGB was a heck of a player, but age slows us all down. For KGB the knee injury made him suspect. Harrel has the pressure of playing in front of his people and filling the spot vacated by KGB.

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nc packer backer's picture

November 01, 2008 at 05:49 pm

Oh yea I forgot the pressure Harrel has to face with being a #1 pick. Big shoes for a big man to fill. TT is putting it all out there, no guts no glory.

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Cheezer's picture

November 01, 2008 at 06:43 pm

Harrell isn't replacing KGB. Montogomery and Thompson are.

It's sad to see him go, but he never did recover from that knee surgery. He was paid well for his years of service to the team and now it is time for the team to move on.

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joshywoshybigfatposhy's picture

November 01, 2008 at 08:20 pm

i've never been one to believe in the boogey man, or superstition, or karma, but i do hope that this was a situation similar to the release of koren robinson. i hope it was discussed with kgb beforehand, and that every attempt was made to make it a good parting - from kgb's statement, it sounds like it was.

but kabeer has been (or at least appeared) to be nothing but a positive presence - much like driver, though with unfortunately diminished skills. i have no problem with this decision from a football/business standpoint, but as stated by some - sometimes it hurts to make the right decision.

if only that were the case more often - if more players hustled and showed humility regardless of their financial security. i think kgb still has some play left in him, and i wish him well wherever well finds him, but i think he could teach a lot of young guys a valuable attitude lesson, and you can never have an excess of good vibes.

i'm raising my glass to a quality human being tonight, who happens to also be a professional athlete. class act.

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PackerAaron's picture

November 01, 2008 at 08:29 pm

Josh - stellar comment. Well stated.

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PackerBelle's picture

November 01, 2008 at 10:51 pm

It is nice to see someone shows as much class as KGB has with this decision. He will be missed as a person but unfortunately his play didn't cut it anymore. He will be missed and I wish him all the luck in the world.

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coreyb's picture

November 03, 2008 at 02:52 pm

As for Packer Texts - <a href="http://www.packers.com/fan_zone/mobile_alerts/" rel="nofollow">here is a link to Packer Mobile alerts</a>

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