Packers FA watch

[Patler]

Regarding fullbacks:

The guy they signed - the first thought that came to my mind is that they always have at least two in training camp, and during the off-season they sometimes sign and release several. I don't think the signing right now means a darn thing at this point.

Kuhn - became Kuuuuuuuuhn around 2010, when he actually served as the primary ball carrier for at least portions of a couple games due to injuries. He ended that year with 84 carries. Luckily for him, his contract was up that year too. All of a sudden he was a decent FB, good third down back, who played well on special teams and had just proven that in a pinch he could still be your ball carrier. FBs were still valued then. Leech signed a contract that same year for 3 yrs/$11M. Kuhn got 3 years for $7.5M. Very good timing on Kuhn's part.

[Patler]

There was this on Tuesday, too:

The Green Bay Packers are working out fullback Jonathan Amosa today, according to a league source.
Amosa is a 5-foot-11, 247-pounder who was withthe Packers during training camp.
Amosa played collegiately at the University of Washington.

During the 2013 off season they had Kuhn, Amosa and Ryan Roberson. Roberson lasted only a couple weeks and was released when they signed Amosa. Amosa was cut at the end of camp.

[mraynrand]

I read that Kuhn was making a lot of the protection calls and doing other QB functions when Rodgers was out. That's one reason why his playing time increased. Also, he was in there to pass protect because the quick release stuff they had worked on all summer was kaput with the back ups in. Kuhn may have been a lot more valuable than people think (within reason, sine they only won two games). Plus the great pickup at Chicago of course. He's like the running-back equivalent of Mike Prior. And yes, I compared him to another white guy.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I read that Kuhn was making a lot of the protection calls and doing other QB functions when Rodgers was out. That's one reason why his playing time increased. Also, he was in there to pass protect because the quick release stuff they had worked on all summer was kaput with the back ups in. Kuhn may have been a lot more valuable than people think (within reason, sine they only won two games). Plus the great pickup at Chicago of course. He's like the running-back equivalent of Mike Prior. And yes, I compared him to another white guy.

Calls plays, and other things. Plus, he plays every down. Sounds to me like an offensive version of your favorite inside LB.

[oldbutnotdeadyet]

Lacy frees up a lot of freedom at FB for us IMO. Lacy showed he is reliable as a 3rd down pass blocker last season which means our FB won't need to double as a 3rd down back. Liania is supposed to be a thumper so if nothing else he should be more fun to watch.

Who the hell is liania? Can't seem to find a picture or stats. When I search, it just says 'whodafuckisthisguy'.

[mraynrand]

Calls plays, and other things. Plus, he plays every down. Sounds to me like an offensive version of your favorite inside LB.

Exactly. And the Packers pay a premium for guys who know how to relay signals, regardless of any other discernible talent.

[bobblehead]

http://www.packersnews.com/article/2...yssey=obinsite

Mike Vandermause column:

Six 'keepers' among 20 Packers free agents

Jan. 23, 2014

GO PACK GO !

Largely accurate. I might move a few guys around a bit, but not much off of what most of us think.

[mraynrand]

Largely accurate. I might move a few guys around a bit, but not much off of what most of us think.

"3. Evan Dietrich-Smith: Two years ago, the Packers let starting center Scott Wells walk and it didn’t go well, so Thompson should learn from that mistake."


But ostensibly, EDS was the mistake. I dunno, I'm not all that impressed with EDS (hey, that rhymes). FA chant of the week: "We need PEDS, not EDS!"

[hoosier]

who's to say anybody else couldn't make that play?

we've gotten to the point where we're happy when a guy can just stay on the field and make a play that he's suppose to make 99 times out of 100

The Peppers block came after someone else blew an assignment (or an idiotic blocking scheme was called), it was not an ordinary pickup. MM clearly values reliability in pass pro from his running backs, and if Kuhn can do it better than anyone else (and who are we to second guess MM and TT on that?) then the Packers will pay him.