Packers Reportedly Release Safety Charlie Peprah
The veteran safety and expected starter at safety was reportedly cut before the Packers' first training camp practice.
According to Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com, the Green Bay Packers have released safety Charlie Peprah:
The #Packers have released safety @CharliePeprah. Peprah confirms via text message. Thanks to @JHags56 for the tip.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) July 25, 2012
Peprah reportedly underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason, which kept him out of the entirety of the Packers' offseason practice program.
Being cut in July, however, before the Packers even began their training camp practices, comes as a surprise. Perhaps the knee was a larger issue than anyone let on.
The Packers held physicals and conditioning tests on Wednesday morning in advance of Thursday's first day of practice, so it's perhaps easy to assume Peprah did not pass one or both of those tests.
Peprah played in parts of five seasons with Packers dating back to 2006, including 25 starts over the past two years. In 2011, Peprah ranked third on the team in tackles (94), second in interceptions (five) and first in interception return yardage (147) in addition to having 10 passes defensed.
The veteran safety didn't begin either of the past two seasons as a starter but became one when injuries occured to Morgan Burnett in 2010 and Nick Collins in 2011. Peprah was a starter on the Packers team that won the Super Bowl during the 2010 season.
With the release of Peprah, the door has been opened to a pair of young safeties, M.D. Jennings and rookie Jerron McMillian.
Jennings would appear to have the inside track after spending much of the offseason program with the first-string when Peprah sat out due to injury. McMillian, a fourth round draft choice out of Maine, has all of training camp to state his case.
A much debated change of position for Charles Woodson took place over the course of the offseason, and judging by comments from head coach Mike McCarthy, Woodson will continue to primarily defend opposing receivers from the slot cornerback position. He may, however, play some safety when the Packers are in the base 3-4 defense this season.
Comments (24)
July 25, 2012 at 03:48 pm
More importantly, does anyone know if Justin Hagstrom got his mention on G&G?
July 25, 2012 at 03:51 pm
G&G concluded well before Hagstrom's tweet (according to the timelines), so I'm guessing a shout-out tomorrow?
July 25, 2012 at 03:54 pm
Let's hope.
July 25, 2012 at 04:19 pm
Who the fuck is Justin Hagstrom and why does anybody care?
Just kidding Justin.
July 25, 2012 at 04:23 pm
Hmmm. Chuck was a good backup, nothing more. The good thing about this is we're guaranteed he's not starting! So, a young fellow will be counted on. And that's fine, I can live with some youth growing pains, I couldn't live with another season of Peprah pains.
GBP 4 LIFE
July 25, 2012 at 04:35 pm
Sean Richardson's chances of making the team just went up tenfold.
July 25, 2012 at 04:40 pm
MD Jennings is very assignment sure. I remember him from the preseason last year.
McMillian's got way more physical skills, but he's gotta get up to speed on the pro game.
I like our guys.
July 25, 2012 at 05:22 pm
Ted probably saw enough to see fit for Charlie to not really have anymore upside, and for the other young players to fight over a spot in training camp.
It allows Charlie a chance to find a team before the start of pre-season football, also to take away his playbook before he might go to a rival or a team the Packers play this year.
It also gives the young players experience in the 1st and 2nd lines. They are probably worse than Charlie right now, but they have a upside greater than Charlie I would think, and what I think Ted was thinking.
Better to cut him now, and then have to debate if you want to cut him sometime before the season.
July 25, 2012 at 05:25 pm
Cut them a year early, isn't that what they say?
July 25, 2012 at 05:27 pm
Yes! Too bad they didn't do this last year. Good riddance.
July 25, 2012 at 06:33 pm
Never like to see a guy let go. I appreciate Charlie's services over the years and wish him luck in continuing his career.
July 25, 2012 at 07:52 pm
Jim Leonard anyone ???
PackerAaron
July 25, 2012 at 08:46 pm
I have it on very good authority that that's not happening until they see what they have in camp and a couple preseason games. Of course, by then he may be off the market. There is, of course, the issue of the major knee surgery he had last year and the fact that he finished the last two years on IR...
July 25, 2012 at 08:54 pm
Some view the patella tendon tear which Leonard sustained as a worse injury than the ACL. They don't expect him ready til Oct/Nov.
July 25, 2012 at 09:18 pm
You may be correct but ----
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/16/jim-leonhard-says-hes-he...
July 27, 2012 at 06:34 pm
My sources concur with Naglers' sources.
July 25, 2012 at 09:18 pm
Jim hates the pack, they told him they were going to draft him and drafted a different safety that year
July 26, 2012 at 07:53 am
Boo hoo.
If the Packers offer him a contract, he'd take it.
July 26, 2012 at 02:37 pm
Doubt he hates money.
July 25, 2012 at 08:32 pm
Its all about those valuable reps when you're dealing with young guys. Don't waste them on a vet with a low ceiling.
July 25, 2012 at 08:58 pm
After reading Peprah's comments to the fans and media after he was cut, I really hope he lands somewhere else and succeeds. Great guy.
July 26, 2012 at 03:48 am
Agreed. He's absolutely a great guy, and he contributed a ton during the Super Bowl year. That being said, his physical abilities are just limited, so it's not the worst thing to go with a young safety with more upside. Still, wish him the best, I'm SURE someone will pick him up.
July 25, 2012 at 09:02 pm
Peprah had a rough year last year but...I feel really shaky with a guy back there with zero starts.
July 25, 2012 at 10:37 pm
U know we love the long haired dbs! Lets go MAC!!!!