Thought's on Dr. Z's rank/available FA WR's

[NewsBruin]

From Zimmerman's ranking of the Packers:

Koren Robinson has been suspended for the year, Robert Ferguson is lost with a Lisfranc injury to the foot. OK, there's room for one. All applicants line up over there. Well, there are some familiar faces: David Boston and Corey Bradford, Scottie Vines and Tyrone Calico. OK, GM Ted Thompson, who's it gonna be? Oh, I see, you're promoting a free agent, Chris Francies, from the taxi squad? I'm sure you know what you're doing. I just don't want to be there when you tell Brett Favre.

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Okay, I'd rather us pass on opinions about the messenger, but of those available WR's, do you think any of them should get a tryout with the Pack? I'm fine with not auditioning Boston (I just don't think his personality or body would hold up right now), but Bradford and Calico are still young pups. Vines? Never heard of him.

Do y'all think any of those four would be a good tryout candidate for the Pack?

[packinpatland]

This is a case where it's ok to kill the messenger.

Don't mean you NewsBruin.

[MJZiggy]

Note to Dr. Z: There's this guy--his name is Bodiford. He's been hired, the position is filled and there is no open roster spot to speak of. Have a nice day and pay attention next time. Geez.

[run pMc]

David Boston - no. he's been suspended for steroids before; so he's another KoRo. Plus, I'm not sure his head is screwed on right.
Corey Bradford - no. he's played w/ Favre before, but I'm not sure he's a good fit for the WCO. Seemed like GB used him for deep routes, not the short routes you see in M3's offense.
Scottie Vines - no. I thought he was on GB's practice squad at one point, and played in a few games for us a few seasons ago before going to DET. The Bodiford kid might be just as good, or better, considering Vines couldn't make it in DET.
Tyrone Calico - no. Wasn't this the guy who got busted in the backseat with a 16 year old in Nashville? Thought he had some injury issues too. If he couldn't stick in TEN (not exactly WR rich squad), I doubt he'd make an impact.

I generally like Z's technical analysis/commentary; it's more interesting to me than the same old gossip and obvious statements some writers make. Missing out on the Bodiford pickup indicates this was written before that news broke, or he didn't do his research (which is weird, cuz I thought he was a research nut).
Most of the nat'l sportswriters don't seem to do much research on GB, since they were 4-12 last year and aren't seen as a playoff contender this year either. It's like they have a "they won't be in the playoffs, so why bother?" attitude, and just go on stale information to make their arguments. Maybe they need a journalism refresher course. LOL

[run pMc]

...And a no to Charles Rogers, simply because of injuries, prior suspensions, and attitude issues. That's a guy who got happy being paid while on IR and decided he didn't want to work for the rest of his $.

No to Jerome Pathon. It seems like he's available every year, and every year some team signs him mid year as an emergency replacement, and he doesn't do anything. If he was that good, he'd be in camp and he'd stick with a team.

Anybody else I'm missing? A lot of these guys are names; GB might be just as good with an unknown who is hungry. Game experience is important, but TT doesn't seem to be worried about that right now. For a #4 WR, I suppose he doesn't need to be. All the same, I'm not comfy with Ruvell as our #2 WR. Makes you wonder what the squad would look like if we'd picked up Marques Colston instead of Cory Rodgers in the draft, huh? Oh well, woulda shoulda coulda.

[Bretsky]

Re: Thought's on Dr. Z's rank/available FA WR's

From norton's ranking of the Packers:

Koren Robinson has been suspended for the year, Robert Ferguson is lost with a Lisfranc injury to the foot. OK, there's room for one. All applicants line up over there. Well, there are some familiar faces: David Boston and Corey Bradford, Scottie Vines and Tyrone Calico. OK, GM Ted Thompson, who's it gonna be? Oh, I see, you're promoting a free agent, Chris Francies, from the taxi squad? I'm sure you know what you're doing. I just don't want to be there when you tell Brett Favre.

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Okay, I'd rather us pass on opinions about the messenger, but of those available WR's, do you think any of them should get a tryout with the Pack? I'm fine with not auditioning Boston (I just don't think his personality or body would hold up right now), but Bradford and Calico are still young pups. Vines? Never heard of him.

Do y'all think any of those four would be a good tryout candidate for the Pack?

WTF would we NOT try these guys out ? I have no problem with passing on Boston. If healthy Vines might be a nice fit. He's developed as a WR since GB took a flyer on him year's ago. Going into this game I think it would be challenging to find a worse WR core this weekend. With the lack of experience that makes is even more scary.

As another poster pointed out, I'd take Gardner in a second right now.

B

[MJZiggy]

Why, B? Gardner was here all summer and disappointed to the degree that he got beat out by the guys you're disparaging. They are young, they are hungry and want nothing more than to prove themselves. Bodiford didn't even clear waivers before we jumped on him. Why because he beat out all of the guys on that list by actually making a team. This is the part everyone seems to be missing. These guys are available because they couldn't make a team. Bodiford could and from all I'm hearing the Lions didn't want to let him go either. Why take someone that's already failed for us over someone who Martz is crying over losing?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm willing to see what the new guy can do. He might suck, but he might be a diamond in the rough. We'll see. Hopefully, Jennings can play and stay healthy all year.

[Bretsky]

Why, B? Gardner was here all summer and disappointed to the degree that he got beat out by the guys you're disparaging. They are young, they are hungry and want nothing more than to prove themselves. Bodiford didn't even clear waivers before we jumped on him. Why because he beat out all of the guys on that list by actually making a team. This is the part everyone seems to be missing. These guys are available because they couldn't make a team. Bodiford could and from all I'm hearing the Lions didn't want to let him go either. Why take someone that's already failed for us over someone who Martz is crying over losing?

It looks like we will have 1 WR with NFL experience this week. I'd take Gardner; he'd be in sync with the QB and would run the right patterns. My guestimate is he has a crummy attitude and that is why he'll never reach his potential.

B

[Lurker64]

It looks like we will have 1 WR with NFL experience this week.

Wait, Francies and Martin are out? When did this happen?

[pittstang5]

I'll admit that last year I was dissappointed by TT not bringing in the top talent that was available when Walker went down. Hell, I'm still mad at myself for even considering Fred-Ex might be a good idea (shutters).

However this year, maybe it's because I'm expecting it, but I'm not shocked at the moves TT has made and to a certain degree, agree with them. Francis was the best option - he's been here since TC and the mini camps and knows the system......that, to me, trumps all the other available WRs.

The Bodiford guy.......Seems like Detroit really liked this guy and TT actually looked at him at draft time. Ziggy said it best....this guy was actually on a roster during the season and was still wanted, but became a casualty to the numbers game.

I guess TT sees it that young, hungry players are worth more to the Packers than old vets just looking for a pay-check.

[Sparkey]

Re: Thought's on Dr. Z's rank/available FA WR's

From norton's ranking of the Packers:

Koren Robinson has been suspended for the year, Robert Ferguson is lost with a Lisfranc injury to the foot. OK, there's room for one. All applicants line up over there. Well, there are some familiar faces: David Boston and Corey Bradford, Scottie Vines and Tyrone Calico. OK, GM Ted Thompson, who's it gonna be? Oh, I see, you're promoting a free agent, Chris Francies, from the taxi squad? I'm sure you know what you're doing. I just don't want to be there when you tell Brett Favre.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, I'd rather us pass on opinions about the messenger, but of those available WR's, do you think any of them should get a tryout with the Pack? I'm fine with not auditioning Boston (I just don't think his personality or body would hold up right now), but Bradford and Calico are still young pups. Vines? Never heard of him.

Do y'all think any of those four would be a good tryout candidate for the Pack?

WTF would we NOT try these guys out ? I have no problem with passing on Boston. If healthy Vines might be a nice fit. He's developed as a WR since GB took a flyer on him year's ago. Going into this game I think it would be challenging to find a worse WR core this weekend. With the lack of experience that makes is even more scary.

As another poster pointed out, I'd take Gardner in a second right now.

B

Lets assume that signing any one of those players, instead of Francies, gives the Packers TWO more wins this year......Ok, that puts them at 6 or 7 tops.

Will that help them make the playoffs ? NO

Will signing an aged veteran help them in two years ? NO

Will it help them in the 2007 draft ? NO


Lets let the kids learn, improve and grow as a team......Not try to one year, get well fix option that does nothing to help the future of the team.

[Bretsky]

Re: Thought's on Dr. Z's rank/available FA WR's

From norton's ranking of the Packers:

Koren Robinson has been suspended for the year, Robert Ferguson is lost with a Lisfranc injury to the foot. OK, there's room for one. All applicants line up over there. Well, there are some familiar faces: David Boston and Corey Bradford, Scottie Vines and Tyrone Calico. OK, GM Ted Thompson, who's it gonna be? Oh, I see, you're promoting a free agent, Chris Francies, from the taxi squad? I'm sure you know what you're doing. I just don't want to be there when you tell Brett Favre.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, I'd rather us pass on opinions about the messenger, but of those available WR's, do you think any of them should get a tryout with the Pack? I'm fine with not auditioning Boston (I just don't think his personality or body would hold up right now), but Bradford and Calico are still young pups. Vines? Never heard of him.

Do y'all think any of those four would be a good tryout candidate for the Pack?

WTF would we NOT try these guys out ? I have no problem with passing on Boston. If healthy Vines might be a nice fit. He's developed as a WR since GB took a flyer on him year's ago. Going into this game I think it would be challenging to find a worse WR core this weekend. With the lack of experience that makes is even more scary.

As another poster pointed out, I'd take Gardner in a second right now.

B

Lets assume that signing any one of those players, instead of Francies, gives the Packers TWO more wins this year......Ok, that puts them at 6 or 7 tops.

Will that help them make the playoffs ? NO

Will signing an aged veteran help them in two years ? NO

Will it help them in the 2007 draft ? NO


Lets let the kids learn, improve and grow as a team......Not try to one year, get well fix option that does nothing to help the future of the team.

Sparkey,

I agree with your logic; I just can't embrace it. I guess my former coaching ways will alwasy make me a win now kind of guy. Never give up or sacrifice this year for next...etc...

The other extreme is to realize you have no chance for the playoffs so you just tank the season and stockpile better players via draft and have a complete youthful makeover.

I know you are in the middle; I find myself always leaning toward #1; we could be 4-4 in a couple weeks and a game out of playoff contention. Yes, there I go dreaming again.

B

[MJZiggy]

That's quite an assumption, Sparkey. Somehow I don't believe that signing any of them gives us any more wins. I'd rather have the guy that was good enough to earn a roster spot over someone I just happen to have heard of.

[Sparkey]

That's quite an assumption, Sparkey. Somehow I don't believe that signing any of them gives us any more wins. I'd rather have the guy that was good enough to earn a roster spot over someone I just happen to have heard of.

You are right....A huge assumption and a best case scenario. My point being, signing an older vet does not, in any appreciable way, make this team better. Extreme's always seem to get the attention of others.