Just to follow up on Kevin's earlier article, I think the scramble to sign free agents, unrestricted, restricted, and undrafted, is going to be intense once it starts. The Green Bay Packers might want to play it safe and re-sign their own free agents as quickly as possible.

The recent progress in negotiations looks real because the owners don't appear to be up in arms about going back to a system that guarantees the players a percentage of revenue (instead of a fixed dollar amount as they wanted earlier). Based on the percentage of revenue the players are going to receive, I think there's going to be a cash floor that each team is going to have to spend. And I think teams are going to find themselves below it because they've been cautious signing free agents over the past couple years. Some teams could be looking to spend.

The free agent rush is expected to be like a reality show stampede, and while some teams are going to be looking to target players they've had on their radar for a while, the Packers might play it safe and lock up their own players quickly. They're probably better off keeping their own players then going after others they might not know as well. The one exception is that I still expect another team has DE Cullen Jenkins on their radar, and he'll sign elsewhere quickly.

There is a risk they'll overpay for someone, but at the same time each player might want to sign the first reasonable deal offered so they aren't lost in the free agent shuffle. While some teams could take that advice the wrong way and throw crazy dollars at a player, I don't expect the Packers to do that under any circumstances. Instead of letting a player test the water, like they did with LT Chad Clifton last year, they might want to make sure that the first offer Daryn Colledge, Mason Crosby, James Jones, and John Kuhn sees is from them.

Now that we know who the Green Bay Packers unrestricted free agents will be, we can tell you who’s likely to be back and who isn’t.

For several players, the writing is on the wall — they’ve played their last game with the Packers. Here’s a look at who’s likely coming back and who’s likely gone, based on the likelihood of their return.

Cullen Jenkins — 0 percent
If the Packers wanted Jenkins back, they would have done something before now. The defensive end approached the team about an extension prior to last season and even said he’d take less money to stay in Green Bay. The team hasn’t even discussed a new contract with him. His age (30) and injury history mean he’s moving on.

Atari Bigby — 0 percent
In March, coach Mike McCarthy termed Bigby’s future with the Packers a “business decision,” which is code for “we won’t be re-signing Atari Bigby.” The team has Morgan Burnett coming back from an injury and they re-signed Charlie Peprah before the lockout. Bigby, who did not receive a tender offer before the lockout, is constantly injured and the Packers have no need for him.

Matt Wilhelm — 5 percent
Wilhelm is an inside linebacker. The Packers are stacked at inside linebacker. The only reason he was on the team in 2010 was because the position was decimated by injury. If Wilhelm has any chance of returning, it’s because he’s a valuable special teams player. With all the talent they already have on the roster, keeping a guy around to play on special teams doesn’t make sense.

Jason Spitz — 15 percent
Has there been a player on the Packers’ roster that has regressed more than Spitz? In 2008 he started 16 games at guard and played well. In 2009, Spitz began the year as the team’s starting center, but a back injury derailed him and he couldn’t unseat Scott Wells when he returned. Since then, Spitz has played terribly. Whether the back injury or his confidence is to blame, the Packers have more talented backups waiting in the wings.

Daryn Colledge — 25 percent
Colledge has been a durable starter for the Packers, but he’s easily the weakest link among the team’s starting offensive linemen. The Packers made it fairly clear they were ready to move on by not discussing an extension with the guard during the season. A team with a hole at guard will pay Colledge more than the Packers. The team has capable players like T.J. Lang ready to step in.

James Jones — 30 percent
This isn’t so much a question of the Packers wanting Jones back, because they’d definitely take him at the right price. It’s more a question of the market. There are receiver-hungry teams out there and Jones will get a big payday and a chance to start from one of them. Those are two things he won’t get in Green Bay.

Korey Hall — 50 percent
The only fullback currently under contract is Quinn Johnson and we know the Packers love fullbacks. Still, this is probably the year the Packers keep fewer than three on the roster. Hall is a core special teams player, but rarely plays on offense. It’s possible that gets him a new contract, but he’ll have to fight for a roster spot once training camp begins. Perhaps the biggest thing working in Hall’s favor to return is there won’t be much of a market for him.

Brandon Jackson — 50 percent
The Packers drafted running back Alex Green in the third round, adding him to an already crowded backfield that includes Ryan Grant and James Starks. It’s hard to see Jackson fitting into that backfield, but the Packers value his ability in pass protection, which is an area Green will take some getting used to. There isn’t expected to be a huge market for Jackson, either, and those reasons could be enough to get him a deal with the Packers.

John Kuhn — 60 percent
Kuhn has already said he expects to return to Green Bay and he’s the team’s best fullback. He also proved himself as a solid short-yardage back in 2010. Plus, he’s a folk hero. The Packers won’t break the bank to re-sign him, but there’s a good chance Kuhn returns. That is, unless another team decides to throw big money at him.

Anthony Smith — 75 percent
Smith is nothing more than a backup, but he’s a decent insurance policy. He won’t cost much and the Packers won’t have much competition for his services. Smith plays better in the 3-4 than the 4-3, so that somewhat limits his options. He also seemed to say he plans to return to Green Bay and expects a deal when the lockout ends on Twitter.

Mason Croby — 90 percent
We know the Packers want to re-sign Crosby. We know Crosby wants to return. It seems unlikely another team will try to outbid the Packers for Crosby and his mediocre resume. If you’re betting, this is as close to a sure thing as you’ll get in free agency.

I would switch 2 players on the list.

Brandon Jackson- 30% because of Ryan Grant returning, James Stark showing up in the post season, and Alex Green taking over for Brandon Jackson. I think there would be some teams looking for Brandon Jackson's skill set (Indianapolis Colts come to mind.)

James Jones- 50% because the Packers would sign him in a heartbeat, for the right price...and maybe a little more depending on if what he is asking for isn't completely outrageous. Then we have Jennings, Jones/Nelson, Driver, Cobb with a side of Finley. Bye bye Swain.

Originally Posted by: G-Force 

Don't understanding the B. Jackson love from Packer fans and probably never will. 2nd round draft pick waste if you ask me. His greatest quality is blocking? WTF? The kid has absolutley no vision running from scrimmage. He was billed a zone blocking scheme running back. Well, he's had ample opportunity to prove that and failed miserably. Good riddance, if it were up to me he could start packing his bags right now.

We are however, indepted to B-Jackson for Urlacher losing his jock strap on a frozen Soldier Field in the most important game of the rivalry's history.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

I'm not going to cry if he's gone. However, he's a good 3rd down back.

Note I specifically said 3rd down back.

What I didn't say is he's a good 1st & 2nd down back. He's not. He's already proven that.

I'm calling things as I see them. On 3rd down, you want a guy who can block if he had to or catch a screen and get a 1st down if he had to. That's what B-Jack is for.

Originally Posted by: zombieslayer