The Green Bay Packers have signed punter Derrick Frost and long snapper Brett Goode and released punter Jon Ryan and linebacker Abdul Hodge.Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions Monday.
Derrick Frost, a fifth-year pro from Northern Iowa, spent the past three seasons with the Washington Redskins (2005-07) after beginning his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns (2004).
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Brett Goode originally signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a non-drafted free agent in April 2007 and participated in training camp before being released. He re-signed with the Jaguars in March 2008 before his release in June.
Thompson, McCarthy speak General Manager Ted Thompson is about to make a previously unscheduled media conference to talk about the moves made earlier in the day: releasing punter Jon Ryan and linebacker Abdul Hodge, and signing punter Derrick Frost and long snapper Brett Goode.
Here's what he's saying ...
* Why change at punter? "We felt like it helps the team get better. Jon's a great guy. He's done a good job here. I think consistency might have been the overriding factor. But it's tough."
* Is hang time biggest issue? "I think Jon's really improved. He's obviously very talented, very strong athlete. He can hit punts like no one I've ever seen." But technique, get-off time, etc., were issues.
* What so attractive about Frost? "We do like his consistency. He's got very good mechanics, nice hands, good athlete. ... We think he's a pretty solid player."
* What think about second half of last year with Frost? "He had some bad wind games like we did, but he also looks like the kind of guy that can kind of adapt in those situations."
* Want more of a directional punter? "That's a very important aspect. ... We do think that Derrick brings that ability a little bit, but it's sort of the whole package." Mentions consistency again.
* Concerned about new snapper, holder and punter in opener? Thinks Frost is an excellent holder. Notes long week of practice before Monday night game.
* Try hard to trade Hodge? "We made calls on most if not all the guys that we wound up releasing." Calls it "normal stuff."
* Any intention of carrying seven linebackers? "Sure." But after added thought, "this was best way to go about it."
Coach Mike McCarthy is up next. Here's the newsiest of what he has to say:
* On Matt Flynn being No. 2 on depth chart: "Matt Flynn's going to take the No. 2 quarterback reps." Pleased with progress of both players, but reps are limited. Didn't feel splitting reps was in team's best interest. Felt Flynn was more productive in preseason, "but it's a competition that will continue. ... Brian will have a chance to get the job back." Likes that Flynn can get out and make plays in space. Plays game with edge, is aggressive. Liked film at combine -- fundamentally sound, good mechanics, good athlete.
* On whether good for Brohm to step back: Doesn't look at it that way. "He's been put in some tough spots, but that's football, it's preseason football." Ball not coming out of hand consistently. Fundamentals that were good in college haven't been that way here.
* On injured players: Will wait until end of week. Certain players will not work until end of week. Tuesday's practice will be like a normal Wednesday for those who do practice.
* On changes on special teams entering opener: Had positive experience with Ryan. "You have to trust your evaluations. That's why we grade players. ... This is just a matter of trusting your evaluations."
* Mike Stock have familiarity with Frost? Worked out in college, but did not overlap in Washington. Echoes Thompson's remark about consistency. "The No. 1 factor they felt is he has a very high level of consistency."
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Good to see I was right about Flynn, but why release Jon Ryan and Abdul Hodge?
Ryan's a young guy, he's made some mistakes but he also has a lot of upside. And Abdul Hodge was a beast this preseason! I'm a big TT supporter but this pisses me off about Hodge.
