Packer update on FA thinking @ CB and the OL.
Packers: Woodson not the only free agent on 'radar'
Written by PackerChatters Staff
Friday, 31 March 2006
Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers are chasing their biggest free-agent target yet this offseason, but even if they don’t sign defensive back Charles Woodson, they are likely to add more lower-level free agents before training camp begins.
Woodson, the former Oakland Raiders Pro Bowl cornerback, postponed his visit to the Packers from Thursday and today to early next week. The Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be the only teams pushing hard to sign him.
The Packers have plenty of salary-cap room to sign Woodson  about $20 million  though General Manager Ted Thompson showed in his pursuit of kicker Adam Vinatieri earlier this month that he won’t go beyond what he considers a reasonable price, no matter how much money he has available.
Regardless, the Packers probably aren’t done in free agency, and among other things, figure to bring in a guard or two.
“Player acquisition is a 12-month activity, and we’ll participate in that as so,†coach Mike McCarthy said. “Weââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll always try to upgrade our roster. Time will definitely answer that question.â€ÂÂ
The interior of the offensive line is one of the Packers’ biggest holes after their failure to replace guards Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera adequately last year. They lost center Mike Flanagan to Houston in free agency last week, and haven’t signed anyone to either position this offseason.
Among the guards available are Carolina’s Tuten Reyes, Tampa Bay’s Matt Stinchcomb and St. Louis’ Tom Nutten.
There’s no indication the Packers have shown serious interest in any of those players, but in their new zone-blocking scheme, they’re looking for smaller, more agile niche players who might not be as highly regarded by other clubs. Thus, as the offseason goes on, they might come across other guards who are released who might fit their scheme.
In the meantime, the Packers will be working to develop the likes of third-year pro Scott Wells at center and second-year guards Junius Coston and Will Whitticker.
Also, Kevin Barry will get a long look at tackle and perhaps guard, and if he’s of starting quality at right tackle, the Packers will consider moving Mark Tauscher to guard.
Coston might be a young player to keep an eye on. New offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski had targeted him as a late-round prospect for Atlanta’s zone-blocking scheme while he was scouting last year’s draft as the Falcons’ offensive line coach. The Packers drafted Coston in the fifth round.
Coston, who played collegiately at North Carolina A&T, was too raw to earn playing time last season, but might be ready to compete for a starting job.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll say this: He has definitely dived into the offseason program and is spending time with the coaches,†McCarthy said. “He looks like he’s gearing up to take advantage of his opportunity. I think he’s a talented young man with a bright future.â€ÂÂ
The Packers have been in contact with free agents at other positions, such as Minnesota linebacker Raonall Smith, though no visit has been scheduled.
If Woodson’s price ends up too high, the Packers could turn to someone like San Francisco’s Ahmed Plummer, a first-round draft pick (No. 24 overall) in 2000 who missed the final 13 games last season because of an ankle injury and 10 games in 2004 because of a shoulder injury. McCarthy was the 49ers’ offensive coordinator last season, though he said he has limited knowledge of Plummer because of the injury.
