Packers 2014 Offseason: Does Green Bay Need to Sign a Center?

[Pugger]

When he was healthy in 2012, Jones didn't leave the field after he took over. He was an every down linebacker.

Then perhaps we should hope Jones' mediocre play in 2013 was due to injury and he'll return to 2012 form.

[Guiness]

The Packers have to have someone capable of playing center at a passable level, so they have to sign someone.

Have to? lol, are you paying attention to the same team, run by the same GM as I am? I fully expect 10+ first year players on the Pack again this year.

If TT will go into the season with a rookie protecting the franchise's blindside, I don't think he'd bat an eyelash at putting Tretter out there week 1.

Having said that, I'd like to see EDS back. I don't think he'll cost that much. The question might be what other positions he can back up if they expect Tretter to start.

[run pMc]

Have to? lol, are you paying attention to the same team, run by the same GM as I am? I fully expect 10+ first year players on the Pack again this year.

If TT will go into the season with a rookie protecting the franchise's blindside, I don't think he'd bat an eyelash at putting Tretter out there week 1.

Having said that, I'd like to see EDS back. I don't think he'll cost that much. The question might be what other positions he can back up if they expect Tretter to start.

They have something like 17 RFA and UFA's, so you can bet TT will see youth served. I've heard EDS is the #2 ranked FA Center behind Alex Mack, if that's true he'll get some interest, but I don't know that he'll get a Scott Wells-like offer. He doesn't have the reputation/track record Wells did when he left, and most teams don't want to throw a lot of money at C. EDS has proved he can backup the G spot, so he's not a one position OL.
The bigger question is if he comes back do you risk a legit competition between him and Tretter? Depends on what you're paying him, I suppose, but most teams can't afford to have a backup center making $3-4million on your roster.
The longer this gets debated, the more I think TT lets EDS shop around and if there's no big money thrown his way they make him a modest offer, otherwise they'll draft a C or sign a couple of UDFA's to compete with Tretter. They extended Lang and Sitton mid-season; they didn't with EDS when they could have. Maybe that's reading between the lines, but I'm thinking it's about 75/25 that he's gone.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I have a really good feeling about Tretter so I'm in favor of letting EDS go and rolling with him. If you can bring back EDS on a cheap contract I think having him back would be good insurance though.

[Bretsky]

Is EDS nothing more than the offense's version of Brad Jones? Less? More?

I think he's better than Just a Jones

[smuggler]

I would prefer to have EDS back, cost aside, but he'd be a backup next year, so I don't think he will be. We would want him for ~1mil/yr and he could probably get three to four times that on the open market, so why would he return?

[woodbuck27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1949460-br-nfl-1000-top-34-centers/page/31

NFL Overall Rank @ Center:

@ NO. 5. - Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay Packers.

1. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns

2. Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

3. Dominic Raiola, Detroit Lions

4. John Sullivan, Minnesota Vikings

********************************

6. Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins

7. Manny Ramirez, Denver Broncos

8. Roberto Garza, Chicago Bears

9. Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland Raiders

10. Chris Myers, Houston Texans

GO PACK GO !

[pbmax]

That list is for the birds.

[QBME]

That list is for the birds.

If, by that, you mean that 40% of the players listed (including the top three) have been re-signed and thus rendering the list diminished in usefulness you would be absolutely correct.

[pbmax]

If, by that, you mean that 40% of the players listed (including the top three) have been re-signed and thus rendering the list diminished in usefulness you would be absolutely correct.

That and the idea that EDS is the fifth best center in football means the person who wrote it is comically inept at player review. Even the Packers want him replaced.

[red]

That and the idea that EDS is the fifth best center in football means the person who wrote it is comically inept at player review. Even the Packers want him replaced.

yeah, i've been a little baffled at how some of these guys can rank EDS so high

do they actually watch our games? i think they just rank him so high because they actually knows his name, thanks to suh stomping on his arm


imo, eds isn't bad, but also nothing special

[Striker]

I think EDS is probably above average. He won't blow you away, but he's a solid player and a capable starter.

[Fritz]

yeah, i've been a little baffled at how some of these guys can rank EDS so high

do they actually watch our games? i think they just rank him so high because they actually knows his name, thanks to suh stomping on his arm


imo, eds isn't bad, but also nothing special

Red, EDS ranks high on the list of concerns of men over the age of 40.

[pbmax]

I think EDS is probably above average. He won't blow you away, but he's a solid player and a capable starter.

He is an effective pass blocker. He is a poor run blocker. That's a tough skill set at center.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-focus-centers-around-dietrich-smith-as-he-hits-open-market-b99220553z1-249089031.html

Packers focus centers around Dietrich-Smith as he hits open market.

GO PACK GO !