Studs and Duds, Lambs:

[Joemailman]

I think it is some of both. At Michigan it seemed like they used Gary to draw double teams to open things up for others. Didn't seem like they ever tried to create situations where Gary would have favorable matchups. Explains why Devin Bush said Gary should have been drafted earlier than Bush.

Gary had a lot to learn about how to play OLB when he got to Green Bay. Seems to be learning well.

[smuggler]

I was pretty surprised we signed Back for that amount of money, to be honest. We signed him to Hall of Fame money. I do this he's really good. But Joe Thomas dominant ? Munoz ? I was just surprised.

He's a two-time 1st-Team All-Pro and three-time 2nd-Team All-Pro at LT. I know that's still an offensive line position, but that's basically already Hall of Fame. No, he's not as dominant as some of the LTs in the HoF, but not every HoF is a GOAT at their position.

[MadtownPacker]

Sorry if I was too harsh Smuggler. Call it a combination of being superstitious and an ahole.

[Sparkey]

Absolutely. If they let him walk it will be a move that will be the dumbest TT move without TT.

Dillon and Williams ran behind that same line Jones did. I agree that AJ is a special player, BUT if it comes down to keeping the OLine together or keeping Jones I hope that OLine gets priority. If you want Rdogers playing another 6 years, the OLine has to stay to minimize sacks and hits.

[call_me_ishmael]

The Packers will draft AJO 2.0 and Linsley 2.0 this year. They'll use the #3, and #4 they get for them next year to fortify another spot. The wheel in the sky keeps on turning'. Both are good players but you have to prioritize relentlessly and while a star center is certainly great I just don't view it as that different than a very good center.

Bak is obviously great but I will admit my eye brow is raised a bit when we see Turner out there stymying the competition at 8M per year or whatever.

[RashanGary]

The Packers will draft AJO 2.0 and Linsley 2.0 this year. They'll use the #3, and #4 they get for them next year to fortify another spot. The wheel in the sky keeps on turning'. Both are good players but you have to prioritize relentlessly and while a star center is certainly great I just don't view it as that different than a very good center.

Bak is obviously great but I will admit my eye brow is raised a bit when we see Turner out there stymying the competition at 8M per year or whatever.

Well said. I agree with the general message

[smuggler]

Sorry if I was too harsh Smuggler. Call it a combination of being superstitious and an ahole.

I don't take it personal. I was debating pulling the trigger on the thread. Figured you'd just delete it, but I figured the risk to mojo of not starting was the greatest threat.

[Rutnstrut]

Dillon and Williams ran behind that same line Jones did. I agree that AJ is a special player, BUT if it comes down to keeping the OLine together or keeping Jones I hope that OLine gets priority. If you want Rdogers playing another 6 years, the OLine has to stay to minimize sacks and hits.

I agree with keeping the line intact above all else. I've said that for years, BUT. If they get creative they should be able to keep both. I doubt Rodgers will be playing past 40. So if the contracts catch up to them in 3 years, who cares?

[th87]

The Packers will draft AJO 2.0 and Linsley 2.0 this year. They'll use the #3, and #4 they get for them next year to fortify another spot. The wheel in the sky keeps on turning'. Both are good players but you have to prioritize relentlessly and while a star center is certainly great I just don't view it as that different than a very good center.

Bak is obviously great but I will admit my eye brow is raised a bit when we see Turner out there stymying the competition at 8M per year or whatever.

Jones is different. We haven't had a RB with his vision, quickness, and balance in a long time, and he makes our offense go. I think he's just as good as Kamara, and I'm seriously not trying to go back to hoping some Lacy type is the answer after Grant and Starks started to become ineffective.

[Upnorth]

He's a two-time 1st-Team All-Pro and three-time 2nd-Team All-Pro at LT. I know that's still an offensive line position, but that's basically already Hall of Fame. No, he's not as dominant as some of the LTs in the HoF, but not every HoF is a GOAT at their position.

If he recovers from his injury and plays 2 more years of high quality he will be in the hof.
Crazy thing is I think jenkins is trending that way as well. Still way to early but our line is amazing. Without Jenkins losung bak would have likely ended the season. Having Jenkins means we can keep firing on all cylinders.

[bobblehead]

I keep wondering if there is a way to sign both Linsley and Jones.

Someone had a good post about the top running back contracts and where those guys are now, a year or two after signing them. It's not good. Yet Jones is so dynamic that it's hard to think of the Packers being this successful without him. He's got vision and he's a team guy who really does want to say - it made me sad to see how important it seemed to him to show the world his Green Bay necklace. The guy can break off a big one in a way that Williams and Dillon cannot, and he's a real pass catcher. His pass pro is also solid. Good in the locker room.

But Linsley threw some incredible blocks. You don't want to weaken that line.

It's tough to be Gute. I think the only obvious move is to try to lure King back with a one-year "prove it" contract, and if he doesn't bit, then bye bye Felicia. But what to do with Jones and Linsley? Tough.

And in an aside, I miss PB and Patler. They offer good insight. The running commentaries about how the games are fixed, or how the Packers suck so bad (GBB), get old. Man, if you can't enjoy this year's version of the Packers, you are living a sad life.

I've seen Patler at times. PB should have never done the moderator thing. I think it stressed him out (I'm very regretful if I played a role in that). I miss his football insight as well. Not just him, but many who have left over the years. The good news is the last time we had a troll the size of Brandon I wasted my time responding with facts and such all season long. I knew it was pointless, but I do this to blow off steam. Its pointless with Brandon as well, but the last time was 2010 and we know how that ended...so I'm kinda committed now.

[bobblehead]

Why can't you sign Jones, franchise Linsley and massage a couple of contracts??

I've been out of the loop all year and don't know our cap situation, but that approach is almost always doable.

4th worst cap situation in the league. Those big splash plays Gutes made to start last season have ramifications. I said it at the time. I didn't mind signing ONE of those guys since we had no draft class to re sign, but all 4? That is what we are dealing with this offseason. Add in the declining cap and we may lose Lindsey, Jones AND Preston.

[call_me_ishmael]

4th worst cap situation in the league. Those big splash plays Gutes made to start last season have ramifications. I said it at the time. I didn't mind signing ONE of those guys since we had no draft class to re sign, but all 4? That is what we are dealing with this offseason. Add in the declining cap and we may lose Lindsey, Jones AND Preston.

The win a super bowl it's all moot. Had they not signed those dudes, I'm not sure they're here too begin with. Gotta go for it and be aggressive. They'll be fine.

[bobblehead]

Jenkins of just lights out great right now. What a player.

Gary is certainly showing signs of being very good; but I"m not anointing him into the Packer Hall of Fame yet

I'm actually near anointing him. He is doing the one thing I thought he wasn't capable of. Honoring the run and then shifting to pass rush. He actually is MUCH better vs. the run than Z has been. Preston is more rounded ONLY because he can cover a little. Gary is the real deal of late. His run D is really strong of late and he hasn't compromised QB pressure a bit. If he takes another step forward next year look out. I was very wrong on him. I was righteously pissed. I wanted Burns or Sweat. Burns isn't much of a run defender and Sweat doesn't pressure the QB like Gary has of late. Gary is sort of the tweener of those two. Setting the edge close to sweat and pressuring close to Burns. Not quite as good at either is in their strength, but better than both are in their weaker talent.(if you followed that verbal mess).

[bobblehead]

To be honest I assumed how little he developed at Michigan was a permanent sign.

Either I give the GB coaches and Gary a lot of credit.....OR....the Michigan coaches suck ..lol

Coach white. Look at the KC OLB while he was there.