A guard for us?

[woodbuck27]

I think the Oline is in dangerous shape, what will it look like when the inevitable guy or two is lost to injury?

If a vet is available, Thompson must sign him, even if it is conflict with longterm interests.

This may indeed be OUR best chance, and T2 has to thourougly explore the possibility. The consequence could be tossing away the entire season?

We are dreadfully thin on experience and depth on OUR OL ,and that situation demands action from T2, or he is going to be criticized for not caring (really) about the 2006 Edition of "the Packers".

Nomore excuses, nomore plausable "set that aside explanations" and later come back with . . " well we learn from OUR mistakes and I was wrong there ". That won't wash ! We need REAL help on OUR OL . . .NOW!!!!

The fans deserve more. from OUR GM.

Get in gear Ted Thompson. Improve OUR team now for 2006 - PLEASE.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Spend a few bucks on a short-term stop-gap to back up at tackle? Sure.

Spend big $$$ for a long-term starter at guard when we already have a bunch of young talented guys, and a scheme that does not require elite players? No.

I generally agree.

I'm assuming the Vet would be capable of playing guard or tackle in a pinch. And I don't mind if he is expensive. Maybe this particular guy doesn't fit the bill, I don't know.

Alternatively, they have to consider Colledge to be a backup tackle.

The choices are all bad. HAve to make the best of the situation.

[BF4MVP]

A Pro Bowl alternate who has only been in the league 4 years?

I think Thompson would seriously have to consider that..

Nothing against Colledge or Spitz of course.

[woodbuck27]

A Pro Bowl alternate who has only been in the league 4 years?

I think Thompson would seriously have to consider that..

Nothing against Colledge or Spitz of course.

That option has to be explored thouroughly - seriously considered, because this is a young and experienced player that may cost us in $ but prevent the cost of OUR Team collapsing.

The prudence of the bet has to exceed the risk of failure on OUR OL and consequently, sacrificing any real progress we may gain this season.

Many of you may argue that what will one quality player meaqn to us in a re-building phase? What about the pride of the players that have served us in the past? What about the pride of most that will make OUR Roster?

What is that worth after finishing 4-12 last season?

Packer pride !!!

[Partial]

you can't tie up 5% of the salary cap on a guard though. Too much money!!

[woodbuck27]

you can't tie up 5% of the salary cap on a guard though. Too much money!!

We don't give him the bank, but we do give him an opportunity to help us at the price that T2 believes is fair.

We may "in fact" have it covered in camp, but we are walking a thin line at best.

[KYPack]

I don't think most of you know how good Steinbach is. I see this guy a lot and Eric Steinbach is the real deal. He would be perfect for us, but I doubt we get a shot at him for a couple reasons:

1. The Bengals will probably use the franchise tag on Steinbach

2. TT doesn't like a lotta big $ FA's. Steinbach would be huge dollars for a guard.

[the_idle_threat]

Keep in mind, this guy is a guard, not a tackle, and is not going to be available---if at all---until free agency at the end of this season. We can't get him now even if we want to.

Our biggest need right now is a backup tackle for this season, now that our top 2 backups are done for the year.

This guy will not help us there.

Meanwhile, I seriously doubt we will find a free-agent guard this late in the offseason who will be able to come in and start any more effectively than the young guys we already have. Any castoffs will be backup material a la Matt O'Dwyer.

If our young guards flop this season, then maybe we consider signing this guy next offseason, though there's no reason to believe he will sign for any less than Mike Wahle did with Carolina. By that time, I expect the young guys we have will have proven themselves. They already have a lot more talent than the scheme requires.

[packiowa]

Eric did play in a zone scheme for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Personally, I would be ecstatic to get him, but don't expect to get a former 1st rounder cheap.

The next move would be to get Gallery to play tackle. Then we can fix Bruce Nelson's career ending injury and give him the center position and the Green Bay Hawkeyes will be complete.

Next years crop of Hawkeyes that G.B. may consider:

Scott Chandler (te)-- former wr. He can catch the ball. Late pick

Mike Jones (g)-- highly recruited guard that never redshirted. He's the one I want for next year.

Marshall Yanda (ot)-- former juco. he could go really late, but probably will sign as a free agent at best

Kyle Schlicher (k)-- Schlicher the kicker. He's not Kaeding, but he's good.

[the_idle_threat]

As I recall, Steinbach was considered by many to be first round talent, but actually fell to the top of the second round.

Technicality, really, as he missed the 1st round by one slot.

[packiowa]

Very true. I forgot that he dropped.

Anyway, as you said, being a guard, #33 is virtually the first round. He was the first guard (4-5 ot and Faine at center) taken that year and the only G in the first two rounds.

[Partial]

Pack Iowa, great to have you here!

[the_idle_threat]

He is definitely a top talent at guard. I remember thinking that Cincy had a hell of a draft that year, getting Carson Palmer #1 overall and then landing Steinbach. Now, their offense reflects it.

That being said, I still think he's a bad fit for the Pack, for multiple reasons as explained above.

Also, people seem to forget that Colledge is a 2nd-round guard, and Spitz is a 3rd rounder. That's good talent at guard. Let the young'ins develop.

[Partial]

He is definitely a top talent at guard. I remember thinking that Cincy had a hell of a draft that year, getting Carson Palmer #1 overall and then landing Steinbach. Now, their offense reflects it.

That being said, I still think he's a bad fit for the Pack, for multiple reasons as explained above.

Also, people seem to forget that Colledge is a 2nd-round guard, and Spitz is a 3rd rounder. That's good talent at guard. Let the young'ins develop.

Amen on the 2nd and 3rd rounders this year. That's what i'm saying. They may sign some guys to 1 year deals for depth this year, but next year they will add depth to the OL on the second day of the draft.

As for the Cinci draft, I was in the Palmer was gonna bust crew. Boy, was I wrong!

[the_idle_threat]

There were legitimate questions regarding Palmer, b/c as I recall, he only had one good year in college.