It’s a sad day in my household. The Green Bay Packers have released my boy, cornerback LaDarius Gunter.
They did so to activate receiver Geronimo Allison, who is returning from a one-game suspension.
#Packers move WR Geronimo Allison to the active roster & release CB LaDarius Gunter
📰: https://t.co/76EuhB6dDo pic.twitter.com/0WfC8kSelY
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 12, 2017
Gunter was an undrafted free agent who made the team in 2015. In 2016, he found himself trying to hold down the team’s No. 1 cornerback job after injuries and ineffectiveness sapped the position.
The Packers then went ahead and kept seven cornerbacks on their opening day roster. The biggest surprise among those seven was undrafted rookie Lenzy Pipkins. Another former undrafted rookie, Josh Hawkins, also made the squad.
Gunter played two defensive snaps in week 1. Hawkins and Pipkins didn’t play any. The bulk of the snaps went to Davon House, Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall. Rookie Kevin King got six.
Gunter certainly had issues with some top-line receivers. Notably Dez Bryant and Julio Jones in the playoffs. However, people forget he shut down Odell Beckham Jr. in the Packers’ first playoff game.
Gunter’s limitation is speed. However, as we always like to point out, Al Harris wasn’t the fastest guy either. If you’re physical, you don’t have to be the fastest guy.
Ultimately, the way the Packers’ defense played in week 1 — specifically the secondary — surely gives the team confidence they have what they need at the position moving forward.
Godspeed, LaDarius Gunter.
Just shows the cruel nature of the business. Thanks for being the only one not injured last year….there is the door.
Wasn’t Adam Pankey just promoted to the 53? If that’s the case, they don’t fully trust our guy Spriggs is ready yet, and Bulaga will spend some time on the bench with his injury.
The Packers still don’t have a shut down corner. There’s not a big difference between House, supposedly the top corner and Gunter. That will become clear on Sunday night.