The Offseason Begins

[Deputy Nutz]

I would resign Tracy White, Corey Williams, Ruvell Martin, Atari Bigby, John Kuhn, Rob Davis, Colin Cole, Vernand Morency, Ryan Grant and Tory Humphrey.

Even if they don't all make the roster, you might as well let them come in and compete.

I will actually agree with this list, although I wouldn't break the bank on Williams because 2009 is not nearly as friendly to us in terms of overall free agents.

I like Asante Samuels and I hope the Packers give it a legit shot at going after him. I like the youth the Packers have in the secondary, but some like Bush and Williams are just too rough around the edges, and Blackmon can't seem to get over his foot injury.

[Jerry Tagge]

I'm having a tough time figuring out where the Packers go from here in the off-season. They won 13 games, but got dominated on both sides of the ball when it counted most. Yet, there aren't a lot of positions where it seems there is likely to be a change in the starting lineup next year. Safety and Left Guard perhaps. Will this be another off-season of building depth and counting on young guys to develop, which did happen this year? Or are there guys who we think of as solid starters who will be replaced?

Sometimes all players need are experience. I remember Robert Brooks muffing punts and dropping passes in his rookie year. I remember Craig Newsome and Doug Evans getting beat deep. I remember an offensive line that couldn't run block and had some problems with pass protections. I remember Dorsey Levens not running very well his first couple of years.

Yes, the Packers have some players they need to replace. I agree that Collins should be replaced with Bigby. I also think we need a SAM for Poppinga. He plays with a lot of heart but can't cover the TE.

Packers are close to a Super Bowl. I think this year's experience will help the team, even with a disappointing loss to the Giants.

There were way more positives than negatives this year, something that hasn't happened for quite some time. I think the Packers will be even better next year if the young players develop and the entire team - players and coaches - learn from their mistakes.

[Patler]

Sometimes all players need are experience. I remember Robert Brooks muffing punts and dropping passes in his rookie year. I remember Craig Newsome and Doug Evans getting beat deep. I remember an offensive line that couldn't run block and had some problems with pass protections. I remember Dorsey Levens not running very well his first couple of years.

Spitz, for example is way ahead of where Marco Rivera was at a comparable stage. Rivera didn't even become a starter until his third season, and wasn't very good then. He got better each year for quite a few years. Spitz could follow a similar path. He seemed to settle in a bit the last half of the season.

[Partial]

Some positions I would like to see TT address are the interior offensive line (I would like to have a running game that opens up the pass, not the other way around), more depth on the DL (Someone to cut Kampmans snaps by 20-25% so he is more effective late in the season), two new cornerbacks to compete with the starters and for the nickel spot, another tight end, and some depth at linebacker, hopefully relieving Popp of his starting spot.

I am hopeful Ted brings in another 10-11 guys in the draft. It seems to work out fairly well and we end up with a few good players regardless of what round they were picked in. It would be nice to go into next season with some confidence in the back-ups at our key positions like the tackles, the DEs, and the CBs.

[Patler]

Some positions I would like to see TT address are the interior offensive line (I would like to have a running game that opens up the pass, not the other way around), more depth on the DL (Someone to cut Kampmans snaps by 20-25% so he is more effective late in the season), two new cornerbacks to compete with the starters and for the nickel spot, another tight end, and some depth at linebacker, hopefully relieving Popp of his starting spot.

I am hopeful Ted brings in another 10-11 guys in the draft. It seems to work out fairly well and we end up with a few good players regardless of what round they were picked in. It would be nice to go into next season with some confidence in the back-ups at our key positions like the tackles, the DEs, and the CBs.

I agree. He has brought in DTs, but not DEs capable in the running game. He needs one, because Montgomery is not it. Careers go fast. Kampman will already be in his 7th season next season. He has played a lot of snaps the last 3 seasons, but going forward may need to be in more of a rotation to maintain his effectiveness.

GB really needs a corner who comes in and impresses everyone. I thought Blackmon might be one, but his career has been stuck in neutral. I expect they will need at least one new starter at corner by 2009, if not both.

[Deputy Nutz]

Needs
1. secondary, the Packers will return all four starters and do have some younger talent in back up positions. Age is a concern at the two cornerback positions and the young talent is still rough around the edges to predict if a starting caliber corner can be made out of Bush, Williams, and Blackmon. Collins is simply not an impact player at safety and Bigby is still shows that he can be a liability in coverage. Bigby's play has improved throughout the season and had one very good game in the playoffs and and one good game against the Giants in run support. Aaron Rouse is still the number one back up followed by Charlie Peprah. Rouse has shown a knack for big hits on special teams, and ability to jump routes in his short time as a starter in the middle of the season for the Packers.

2. Offensive Line, the Packers have age concerns at the tackle positions, but Clifton and Tauscher still have at least one year left in the tank, there is no need to address the tackle situation in free agency. At left tackle Darryn Colledge still seems like the best choice to slide into that position when Clifton is done. Colledge has struggled at left guard and next season will be a make or break year for both him and Spitz as starters. There is nothing but youth behind them on the roster. Scott Wells has struggled at times this season being bullied at the point of attack. He is the Packers best linemen at getting blocks at the next level but when he is asked to block guys at the line of scrimmage he usually falters. A bigger more athletic center could be groomed from the 2008 draft to take his place. If the Packers really want to get better in a hurry along the offensive line, especially the interior of the line they will address it strongly in free agency.

3. Linebacker, Hawk and Barnett both had very good seasons. Poppinga had a good season for Brady Poppinga, he didn't get hurt he made some plays, but the fact is there is nothing special about him outside of his work ethic. He is a liability in coverage and lacks football instincts. He is a brute that can make big hits when blocking fails, but once a hand is layed on him he has trouble making the play. He suffers against cut back runs due to over pursuit. The Packers could hope that Hodge gets healthy in the off season and can add to the mix at strongside linebacker, or the Packers could look early in the draft for an up an coming player that has some coverage ability. Free agency could be an option but more interms of special team help and for depth, think Ben Taylor.

4. Defensive End, Aaron Kampman ran out of gas at the end of the year, he only required one on one blocking and he struggled disengaging from blockers. He lacked push on his bull rush and got little penatration. He simply can't be asked to 60 plays game in and game out, he needs a player to take some plays for him that can make a splash. the Packers were more concerned with the right defensive end spot with Jenkins and KGB. Jenkins has been a let down this season after signing his extension. Jenkins is ok against the run, and KGB did well when he was used for less than thirty plays a game, but at the same time KGB is still a one trick pony, he lacks more than a speed rush. Montgomery is so so coming back from injury and he will again have to fight for a roster spot. I can see the Packers addressing the depth at defensive end in the draft.

5. Running Back, as good as Ryan Grant has been, he has only done it for one half of a season. The Packers simply have no consistent player at running back on their roster. The most veteran player is Morency who just finished his third season. Bringing in multiple veterans for depth and support if Ryan Grant is a one hit wonder would not be a bad idea. Otherwise the Packers have all the youth they need at this position with Grant, Jackson and Wynn. All have talent and bringing in more rookies to compete with them might not make sense at this point.

6. Punter, probably a bigger need for a punter than some other positions, but Ryan is just average, and someone needs to be brought in to compete with him in camp.

7. Quarterback, Favre might hang it up. if so that leaves one signed player in Aaron Rodgers, and although he has looked decent in limited play against Dallas and in pre season he is still relatively unproven player. If Favre doesn't come back it is Rodger's job to lose and will most likely be the starter for at least one season. If Rodgers can't stay healthy the Packers will have issues. The Packers will have to bring in at least one solid veteran to back Rodgers up, and then draft one if not two players to groom as Rodger's future back up.

8. Receiver, this is a solid group, but Koren Robinson is an average receiver with history, and Ruvell Martin just hasn't gotten leaps and bounds better. Sure going into camp with the current five makes it a top group in the NFL, but knowing Thompson if he thinks a wide receiver is the best player on his list when drafting anywhere in the draft don't be suprised to see him take a receiver in the first 3 or 4 rounds, especially one with return abilities. Outside of drafting a best player available, I don't see the need for addressing this position in free agency outside of camp bodies. The tight end position is much better going into 2008 than it was going into 2007. Donald Lee is a legitimate threat anywhere on the field and he is also an above average blocker. This team is also much better when Bubba Franks is healthy. He is still one of the best blocking tigh ends in football and his hands seemed to have improved from 2007. Franks is set to make some serious money in 2008, but unless the Packers look to improve through the draft with a big time player, it looks to me that the Packers will be a stronger team with both Bubba and Lee on the team. Depth is a concern with only Krause getting any playing time outside of Bubba and Lee.

[packrulz]

Some positions I would like to see TT address are the interior offensive line (I would like to have a running game that opens up the pass, not the other way around), more depth on the DL (Someone to cut Kampmans snaps by 20-25% so he is more effective late in the season), two new cornerbacks to compete with the starters and for the nickel spot, another tight end, and some depth at linebacker, hopefully relieving Popp of his starting spot.

I am hopeful Ted brings in another 10-11 guys in the draft. It seems to work out fairly well and we end up with a few good players regardless of what round they were picked in. It would be nice to go into next season with some confidence in the back-ups at our key positions like the tackles, the DEs, and the CBs.

I agree. He has brought in DTs, but not DEs capable in the running game. He needs one, because Montgomery is not it. Careers go fast. Kampman will already be in his 7th season next season. He has played a lot of snaps the last 3 seasons, but going forward may need to be in more of a rotation to maintain his effectiveness.

GB really needs a corner who comes in and impresses everyone. I thought Blackmon might be one, but his career has been stuck in neutral. I expect they will need at least one new starter at corner by 2009, if not both.

CB is definately a need for the Pack, Harris and Woodson are getting old, but I feel the Packers got beat in the trenches, I'm willing to forgive the DL because they were on the field for so long, but the offensive guard position was a pain for M3 all year, and they were manhandled by the Giants D-line, 28 yards rushing for the Pack the entire game! Still, I'm hoping for a good CB or DE in the 1st round and hope to find a project guard in the later rounds.

[Badgerinmaine]

I'd move a couple of things around, but I think Nutz is on the mark. Ryan isn't so bad that I would want to pick a punter before the 6th round, but I think the camp competition idea's good. Other than getting some secondary help, I think the Packers might be in a "best player available" mode on draft day.

[CaliforniaCheez]

1) CB to get a good one you really have to draft one.

2) OLB and TE depth can be addressed in free agency as well as the draft.

3) A back up Center who can long snap would be a nice find in the draft.

4) Nall is a good 3rd QB. But signing him puts off the inevitable. There is a need for a young QB that will take 3 years to develop.

5) DE KGB has 2 years left on his contract. He may start losing speed as he ages. Kampmann could use a reliever.


So I see #1 and #5 being high draft picks. 2,3,4 can be later rounds.

[Patler]

CB is definately a need for the Pack, Harris and Woodson are getting old, but I feel the Packers got beat in the trenches, I'm willing to forgive the DL because they were on the field for so long, but the offensive guard position was a pain for M3 all year, and they were manhandled by the Giants D-line, 28 yards rushing for the Pack the entire game! Still, I'm hoping for a good CB or DE in the 1st round and hope to find a project guard in the later rounds.

I'm not sure that the defense can be forgiven that much. After all you get off the field by stopping the other team, and the defense allowed a 14 play drive for a fieldgoal the first time the Giants had the ball. That was after the Packers offense had it for 6 plays, 25 yards and punted to the 18. To start the second half, they gave up a 12 play drive for a touchdown following the second half kickoff, and threw in two penalties for first downs on third downs to boot. Two drives for 26 plays and 10 points the first times the Giants had the ball in the halves. Absolutely no fault of the offense on those.

[Patler]

...but the offensive guard position was a pain for M3 all year, and they were manhandled by the Giants D-line, 28 yards rushing for the Pack the entire game! Still, I'm hoping for a good CB or DE in the 1st round and hope to find a project guard in the later rounds.

I really can't get too upset about the failure of the ground game. Grant had 7 carries in the first half and just 6 in the second. MM always says it should be a 2 yard, 2 yard, 2 yard, 2 yard, all the way type attack. A wear them out attack, with yards per carry going up each quarter. Grants carries:

1st half - 2, 2, 3, 2, 0,1, 2
2nd half - 2, 13, 0, 7, -7, 2.

13 carries for Grant, 35 passing attempts for Favre. MM abandons the running game very quickly if it struggles early.

[packrulz]

...but the offensive guard position was a pain for M3 all year, and they were manhandled by the Giants D-line, 28 yards rushing for the Pack the entire game! Still, I'm hoping for a good CB or DE in the 1st round and hope to find a project guard in the later rounds.

I really can't get too upset about the failure of the ground game. Grant had 7 carries in the first half and just 6 in the second. MM always says it should be a 2 yard, 2 yard, 2 yard, 2 yard, all the way type attack. A wear them out attack, with yards per carry going up each quarter. Grants carries:

1st half - 2, 2, 3, 2, 0,1, 2
2nd half - 2, 13, 0, 7, -7, 2.

13 carries for Grant, 35 passing attempts for Favre. MM abandons the running game very quickly if it struggles early.

Hmmm, I never read where MM always says it should be a 2 yd attack, 2 & 3 yd rushes aren't good enough, 10 running plays gained 2 yds or less, according to your stats, so MM did try to run the ball, unsuccessfully. 28 yds rushing the entire game is horrible, Grant has swarmed by the Giants D, due directly to poor blocking by the guards. Passing Favre had TD's to Driver and Lee and that was all that was working at the time, and they ended up going into OT. The OG got their asses kicked in run blocking, that's why the Packers lost, the defense was on the field for 40 minutes, of course they got tired. You know how many 3rd down conversions the Pack had the entire game? 1.

[Deputy Nutz]

Out of the box draft here
1st round, Justin King CB Penn St
2nd round, Jason Jones DE Eastern Michigan
3rd round, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St
4th round, Shawn Crable OLB Michigan
5th round, Chad Rinehart OT Northern Iowa
6th round, Owen Schmitt FB West Virgina
7th round, Sam Keller QB Nebraska

I know the Packers don't have 6th pick and they would have some conditional picks due to free agent departures. But I thought it was some early fun.

[Patler]

Hmmm, I never read where MM always says it should be a 2 yd attack, 2 & 3 yd rushes aren't good enough

I think you misunderstood what I meant. (Poor wording on my part). MM has said it is a running attack that you have to commit to, because it is the type of attack that will have a lot of plays with small gains (two yarders) but then a cut back lane opens and you break one for 10-20 yards or or all the way. He has said that several times. It should have few lost yardage plays and quite a few short gains punctuated with real long gains. He also said it is a "wear them down" top of attack that pays its greatest rewards late in the game if you stick with it and the big d-linemen get tired of being cut.

[Partial]

Out of the box draft here
1st round, Justin King CB Penn St
2nd round, Jason Jones DE Eastern Michigan
3rd round, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St
4th round, Shawn Crable OLB Michigan
5th round, Chad Rinehart OT Northern Iowa
6th round, Owen Schmitt FB West Virgina
7th round, Sam Keller QB Nebraska

I know the Packers don't have 6th pick and they would have some conditional picks due to free agent departures. But I thought it was some early fun.

I would love Owen Schmitt. Dude is intense as can be and unlike Poppinga he could be a very effective H-back/TE kind of player. He's probably too big to be the base fullback according to what the scheme calls for.