WHAT OCCURS FIRST IN THIS FREE AGENCY PERIOD

[HarveyWallbangers]

Anthony Smith

Comment: Smith has good size, explosiveness and aggression. He runs very well and is an above-average athlete. There is ample upside here and Smith is also a factor on special teams. He is a fantastic hitter who does a great job of separating the receiver from the ball and also acts as an intimidator on the backend. He is brash and made a name for himself, in a negative manner, with his comments guaranteeing victory against New England last season. He is very vocal and talks a lot. It is clear he overestimates his abilities as a football player at this young stage of his career. He overruns too many plays, bites on play-action when he needs to stay home and in general, is overly aggressive. While this aggression results in big plays and highlight reel hits at times, he must be more reliable on the backend. This is especially true due to the presence of the free-wheeling Troy Polamalu. Pittsburgh cannot afford to have both of their safeties out of position in hopes of cashing in on the big play.

Mike Adams

Comment: Adams plays hard with passion. He will give up his body and mix it up in run support. He does not shy away from contact, has good body control and athletic ability. Adams plays well downhill. He is not a frontline starter and lost his starting job in the second half of the season. Adams is primarily a backup player due to his lack of size. He does not track the ball well in flight and is not smooth in his transition from pass protection to run. He is best with straight-line coverage. Adams is more of a true strong safety in his play, but he needs better range. He is a tough, high energy, competitive player. Adams is not a highly touted player and will make his best contributions as a special teams player because of his aggressive style of play.

It seems like they are worried about Bigby's injury/long-term potential (and it would appear they don't think Rouse is the answer). Both of these guys seem like in-the-box safeties.

[Fritz]

One wonders if the new secondary coach would be able to temper some of Mr. Smith's over-agressiveness.

[HarveyWallbangers]

One wonders if the new secondary coach would be able to temper some of Mr. Smith's over-agressiveness.

I think Darren Perry coached Smith in Pittsburgh, so probably not. Then again, Smith is older. Maybe he'll be humbled by the lack of interest in him as a FA.

[HarveyWallbangers]

More on Smith.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/40804302.html

[Fritz]

Here's a line from that blog: "The source said that if Smith came to the Packers he'd be one of the most gifted players on their defense."

Unfortunately for yours truly, growing up in the seventies meant hearing the term "he's gifted" as a euphemism for a guy who was well hung. Therefore, when I read lines like those above, I cannot help but flash back to the meaning of "gifted" I knew as a teen, and thus cannot hlep but think that penis size must be important in the NFL.

[Joemailman]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...er/index.shtml

The Green Bay Packers appear determined to add a safety with experience in the 3-4 defense and have a strong interest in free-agent Anthony Smith, an NFL source confirmed Thursday.

The NationalFootballPost.com first reported the Packers’ interest in Smith, who played in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense the past three seasons. The source said Smith in fact visited the Packers’ on Wednesday, and that the team is strongly considering signing him.


Could it be?!!!

As Harry Caray would have said, "It might be...It could be...It Is!!!!!

[SnakeLH2006]

Here's a line from that blog: "The source said that if Smith came to the Packers he'd be one of the most gifted players on their defense."

Unfortunately for yours truly, growing up in the seventies meant hearing the term "he's gifted" as a euphemism for a guy who was well hung. Therefore, when I read lines like those above, I cannot help but flash back to the meaning of "gifted" I knew as a teen, and thus cannot hlep but think that penis size must be important in the NFL.

Snake takes great offense to that comment. Why hate on God for what he gave a precious few of us?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Thompson sees several FA DEs that he think could do the job (Olshansky, Holliday, Carter, Douglas, Weaver, Wright), and he's going to get one that is feasible. Tons of 3-4 DEs available in FA, but not the draft. In the draft, there are tons of 3-4 OLBs available.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/40884587.html

Article states that the Packers have passed on Vonnie Holliday for now, but have shown interest in Kevin Carter. Carter is two years OLDER than Holliday, so it seems out of the norm. I have heard Carter played quite well last year though. He's another one who played under Dom Capers. Wonder if Capers has any say in these decisions?

[SnakeLH2006]

I think Thompson sees several FA DEs that he think could do the job (Olshansky, Holliday, Carter, Douglas, Weaver, Wright), and he's going to get one that is feasible. Tons of 3-4 DEs available in FA, but not the draft. In the draft, there are tons of 3-4 OLBs available.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/40884587.html

Article states that the Packers have passed on Vonnie Holliday for now, but have shown interest in Kevin Carter. Carter is two years OLDER than Holliday, so it seems out of the norm. I have heard Carter played quite well last year though. He's another one who played under Dom Capers. Wonder if Capers has any say in these decisions?

You would think Capers has a say bigtime...Who else knows better than old Dom about the 3-4? Carter is old though, as I'd be happy if we could get Burnett...That kid looks like a good fit in GB. Carter is not the mold of a rare TT FA signing. And thank god.

[pittstang5]

I think Thompson sees several FA DEs that he think could do the job (Olshansky, Holliday, Carter, Douglas, Weaver, Wright), and he's going to get one that is feasible. Tons of 3-4 DEs available in FA, but not the draft. In the draft, there are tons of 3-4 OLBs available.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/40884587.html

Article states that the Packers have passed on Vonnie Holliday for now, but have shown interest in Kevin Carter. Carter is two years OLDER than Holliday, so it seems out of the norm. I have heard Carter played quite well last year though. He's another one who played under Dom Capers. Wonder if Capers has any say in these decisions?

True, it seems out of the norm for TT to sign an "Older guy." I didn't put Carter on my list of potential FAs that the Packers might pursue because of that fact. However, after reading the article, it mentions that Carter could move inside on passing downs - i'm assuming moving over to NT position. Now when I think about it, TT seems to like players that have versatility. Look at the O-line - need I say more.

I'm also thinking that the Packers might take a look at Mike Wright from NE. I believe he can play both the NT spot and DE.