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

[woodbuck27]

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2014/1/28/5355020/packers-2014-offseason-center-need-dietrich-smith-jc-trotter

2014 Offseason Roster Evaluations

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

By: Evan "Tex" Western  @TexWestern on Jan 28 2014, 4:01PM

" The Packers have virtually no professional experience at center remaining under contract for 2014. We argue that bringing Dietrich-Smith back is an urgently-needed and prudent move. " FR. LINK

[woodbuck27]

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2014-packers-roster-evaluation/2014/1/28/5351092/packers-2014-offseason-review-evan-dietrich-smith-center-grade

Packers 2014 Offseason Review: Evan Dietrich-Smith Solid at Center

By DanTurczynski  @DanTurczynski on Jan 28 2014, 9:00a

GO PACK GO !

[woodbuck27]

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2014-packers-roster-evaluation/2014/1/28/5354208/packers-2014-offseason-center-free-agency-nfl-draft

Packers 2014 Offseason: Possible Free Agent and Draft Targets at Center

By: DanTurczynski  @DanTurczynski on Jan 28 2014, 2:00 PM


GO PACKERS !

[run pMc]

Depends on if EDS signs with GB or signs elsewhere.
If someone throws silly money at EDS then they need to find someone to compete with Tretter.
EDS was a UDFA and I don't think TT wants to spend a lot on that spot, so Alex Mack is not going to happen.

"Sign a C" might mean bringing in a UDFA or take a C-G swing player in the late rounds.
I thought Van Roten could play C but maybe I'm wrong. They'll go into camp with at least 3 players getting snaps at C.

[mraynrand]

Mack has started all 80 games for the Cleveland Browns, and has molded the Browns' offensive line into one of the NFL's best.

news to me

With Finley out of the picture, it's time to...

BRING BLACK WELLS!

[smuggler]

They need a number 2 slash fallback for Tretter

[pbmax]

Let's just say what needs to be said; trade EDS for Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn.

[mraynrand]

Joe Thomas and Brady Quinn.

The future is now!

Josh Weeden and Trent Richardson

The future is now!

Johnny Manziel and Ra'Shede Hageman

The future is now!

[Bretsky]

I don't buy into the need to resign EDS; he's a 3 Mil a year guy
He's an average center IMO....well...I think he's average....but nothing to break a bank on

I think on the open market he'll garner over 3 MIL per year and he's looking to get paid IMO

[pittstang5]

At this point, with all the potential FA players the Packers could lose, I really don't think keeping or losing EDS is that big of a deal. If we keep him, good, if not, I don't think it's the end of world. Shields - well, that's a different story.

IMO, EDS is average/below average at best. Worse case scenario, I don't think there would be much drop off from EDS to Tretter. Tretter has the measurables and intelligence to be a good center. Granted he doesn't have any NFL game experience, but he has this whole offseason to train and get ready. Coaches were pretty high on him, but again, that doesn't mean squat until he plays.

The Packers have Tretter, Van Roten and Gehart. I'd like to see them add a Vet. FA to compete as well but I have no clue who would be available. I think Gehart is TC fodder. Van Roten can be plugged into any of the interior lineman spots - he's strictly a back up. Sign a Vet. center and let Tretter and said vet fight it out in TC.

If TT doesn't bring in a Vet, maybe he drafts a center. But TT tends to draft tackles for interior o-line positions and then expects them to play all interior positions - which is fine, if you have five solid starting o-lineman.

[Patler]

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

[MadScientist]

EDS would be a good backup, but he started all last season and will expect starter money. Tretter may become a good center, but at the moment all we have a few minutes in practice to go on, and that is a big risk. The Packers have to have someone capable of playing center at a passable level, so they have to sign someone. Perhaps they can do something with EDS so he gets a contract with minimal signing bonus so they can cut him or renegotiate it to backup level pay if Tretter does pan out. They'd be overpaying for 1 year, but it wouldn't be an anchor of a contract for the future.

[run pMc]

Well, he's better than Jeff Saturday, but I agree you don't break the bank with him. If they like Tretter (some scouts liked him more than Bahktiari) they'll let EDS walk -- I think everything from $ to years are going to be sticking points; I don't know that you want to sink a lot of either on EDS if you have his replacement on the roster already. I'd rather they sign Shields and bring in a cheap vet or draft an interior OL to push Tretter.

That Saturday got a Pro Bowl nod last year tells you something about the C position (and the voters knowledge) -- I think they can probably plug somebody else in there. Historically C was where you put the smallest/weakest guy on the line; with all the A gap blitzes and monster DT's I think that's changed, but IMO it's an easier spot to fill than OT, QB or RB.

The comparison with Brad Jones is probably apt -- which scares me. The more I think about it, the more I'm ok with EDS signing elsewhere.

[bobblehead]

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

Linemen don't get situation substitutions so I don't think that is a good comparison. Jones has nickel value (although debatable how much.) EDS is a solid every snap player. He has more value than Jones in my book. I honestly believe the Jones and Burnett deals were bad deals in reaction to needing "veterans/continuity" on defense. I would have let Jones walk and kept Bishop for my gamble. I would have put off any Burnett deal another year.

My strategy for the defense this year would be to make sign one of many DL available in FA, sign shields and then if I can possibly afford it, sign one of the 2 big name Safeties. I would offer Neal a deal based on his play NOW, not what I think he might be. I would lowball the rest and let them walk if they wanted.

In the past I would have resigned Wells, but with EDS I would offer him 4 years $18 million, and structure it as 2 years 8 million with a million dead money if I cut him.

[Patler]

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