I propose a question to those with panties in a bunch: Who?

[prsnfoto]

The problem is now since they have addressed nothing all the holes can't be filled by the draft so unless TT finds some gems on the scrap heap we go into next season without improvement.

Why not? He made a major overhaul of the o-line in the draft last year...

We lost our starting RB, we need another WR and have no TE yes the line is an improvement over 2005 but it is a far cry from good, we were max protecting all the time last year thus giving Brett less options. I think they will improve again this year but to think a rookie RB,TE, and WR are all going to contribute in the same year is drinking a lot of Koolaid. I am not in the spend money like water club but some of these needs have to be addressed in FA, maybe TT has a plan he did last year.

[GBRulz]

Re: I propose a question to those with panties in a bunch:

Who should we have signed?

We all wish we had Ahman Green back but he didn't want any of that.

Who cares? He was a 30 year old running back who can't stay healthy.

Now, since people are complaining for the sake of complaining, exactly who should we have signed thats going to step in and contribute immediately and be a massive upgrade? You could argue Steinbach, and thats well and good, but we already spent a second round pick on Darren Colledge. Are you going to throw in the towel on him?

The one player a fair argument could be made for is Deon Grant.

Who should we have signed??!?

Other than Green's major injury in '05, what playing time has he missed for you to say "he can't stay healthy" ?

I agree the FA pool is a little thin and there is alot of overpaying going on. But really, what is overpaying when the cap has gone up substantially over the past two years?

Yes, I'm still ticked that Green was let go. Other than that, I really would have liked to see us get Griffith.

And I don't think people are complaining for the sake of complaining. This team is on the upswing and it seems like we're creating more holes to fill instead of taking a step forward. Couple that with the tough schedule next year and I think people have every right to be concerned.

[ny10804]

I'll play devil's advocate:

Graham would have been a great pickup. He's going to have a Bubba Franks circa 2003-like year with the Broncos.

Travis Henry would have been a very good signing. He would have been a legit #1 back.

Griffith would have given us one of the best players at his position.

Joe Horn would be a great #3 receiver, even if it was only for one year.

Same can be said for Drew Bennett, except for more than one year.

McMichael would be our starting tight end.

Grant would have filled our biggest need.

Dominic Rhodes would have been a good platoon back with Morency.

[Brando19]

Dominic Rhodes, Ken Hemlin, Justin Griffith, or Graham.

[Spaulding]

Partial, I'm with you. Although for the wow factor of signing a few FA's for positions of need (FB,RB,WR,TE,S) I'm not that concerned about our roster given the draft is still forthcoming as are continued roster changes straight thru the entire season.

This FA class is clearly very weak. The better question is what is slated to be available next year. Rumor has it (I'm searching for a web site with specifics) that it will be far far deeper barring teams extending contracts during the season. With the salary cap going up as it has more and more players are going to test the market.

TT is thinking long term, many of us are thinking short term as Brett could retire anytime. Logically (not emotionally) it makes perfect sense. Would be interesting to know TT's vision for the next three years.

Not signing some of the available FA's to 1 or 2 year contracts makes me assume he wants to develop the young players on the roster and see what he has rather than stunting threir growth. I buy that.

Not resigning Green I believe was a mistake regardless of the fact he was 30 and coming off a major injury in 2005. He's a flat out player and aside from Brett and Donald, many ways the face of the Packers. I'll hate seeing him in another uniform. He can still contribute, keeps himself in phenominal shape and I see no reason he can't be a solid player for 2-3 more years. This one hurts but all the other actions I have to trust in TT that his master plan will keep the Packers financially able to resign their own better young players (see Kampman, Jenkins) and hopefully Barnett as well as be in a position when the FA class is good and a player fits our schemes and team chemistry that he can act.

All these arguments about TT being too frugal is crap. His job depends on fielding a solid team and so much discussion between him and McCarthy goes on behind closed doors as well as with contacting FA's that the rampant speculation that goes on with the fans is like my wife's "As the World Turns" soap opera.

The draft can't come fast enough!!

[oregonpackfan]

Actually I was wondering about that myself as I've actually heard people say 'sign anyone.' I don't want just anyone.

My sentiments exactly, MJZiggy! I think the majority of FA's are overpriced. In addition, historically the majority of FA's don't make that much of a contribution to their new teams. Yes, there are exceptions like Reggie White, etc. but most FA's, as a rule, are not worth the huge contracts pain to them.

By the wayl, my BVD's are not in a bunch. My wife won't let me wear her panties!

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think the RBs were all overpriced. I really don't mind what Thompson is doing at RB. I'm also cool that we haven't brought in a 3rd WR. The draft is deep at WR.

Randy McMichael would have been perfect for what we need. He wasn't overpriced either. There's no TE left that remotely compares to McMichael.

Justin Griffith would have been perfect for this offense. He wasn't overpriced either.

Deon Grant or Ken Hamlin were the safeties I wanted. Hamlin is still available. Grant is gone.

Rod Hood is the nickel corner I coveted. I'd settle for Frank Walker.

We could have easily have afforded 3 of these guys without long-term cap ramifications.

[Packnut]

Re: I propose a question to those with panties in a bunch:

Who should we have signed?

We all wish we had Ahman Green back but he didn't want any of that.

Who cares? He was a 30 year old running back who can't stay healthy.

Now, since people are complaining for the sake of complaining, exactly who should we have signed thats going to step in and contribute immediately and be a massive upgrade? You could argue Steinbach, and thats well and good, but we already spent a second round pick on Darren Colledge. Are you going to throw in the towel on him?

The one player a fair argument could be made for is Deon Grant.

Who should we have signed??!?

Ken Hamlin
Eric Johnson
Justin Griffith
ANY of the lesser known DB's coming in now who would play the nickel spot

4 simple signings that would'nt break the bank. They would'nt cause ANY future cap problems and they ALL fill a need. These 4 signings make us a play-off team and most importantly, give Favre 1 more chance.

[swede]

I think the RBs were all overpriced. I really don't mind what Thompson is doing at RB. I'm also cool that we haven't brought in a 3rd WR. The draft is deep at WR.

Randy McMichael would have been perfect for what we need. He wasn't overpriced either. There's no TE left that remotely compares to McMichael.

Justin Griffith would have been perfect for this offense. He wasn't overpriced either.

Deon Grant or Ken Hamlin were the safeties I wanted. Hamlin is still available. Grant is gone.

Rod Hood is the nickel corner I coveted. I'd settle for Frank Walker.

We could have easily have afforded 3 of these guys without long-term cap ramifications.

Exactly.

You make sound and reasonable points Mr. Wallbanger.

I haven't lost hope or anything with TT, but until the last few days I had thought that his rep for not hiring FA's was distorted to make him seem less reasonable than he actually was.

He either needs a new director of pro personnel or he actively ignores his pro personnel guy the way that Sherman used to ignore his scouts.

He proves me wrong of course when the 2007 draft class produces a TE, a safety, a RB, and another good WR.

[MacCool606]

I thought Griffith was a given - I didn't think twice about him. I can't believe he went so cheap to the Raiders.

[MJZiggy]

My wife won't let me wear her panties!

I see this as basically a good thing.

[Fritz]

There are reasons those players are free agents. Yes, some can help, but I trust that TT is moving this team in the right direction. Heck, right off the get go he's better than the people who manage the Queens and the Lions.

[The Shadow]

Fritz : Once again you are the voice of reason.

[Tony Oday]

I would say work out a trade and sign with michael turner for our 1st pick

Trade AR and a 5th for Moss

Signing Edwards would have been cheap

I like Hamlin but who isnt scared of a SEA Saftey?

WE need a nickle back but no idea where that would come from.

This is what I would do if I could but hell we would be in cap hell in a couple of years...maybe...

[LEWCWA]

I believe Hamlin would be nice here, I have to believe they are counting on Bubba being much better next season and have a slew of young guys already. I would have taken a flyer on Henry as well.