Here is the latest version of the OTS.

RUMOR:

n.

A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.
Unverified information received from another; hearsay.

With the “official” news of the Colts releasing Peyton Manning on Wednesday, 3-7-12, Matt Flynn, who is now the second best QB on the market will now wait to see where Manning goes, but the wait won’t be too long. The teams wanting Manning & Flynn will try to make it a quick signing of Manning, so Flynn will have his choice of who will be left between Mia, Cle, Sea, KC, SF and Den. While NYJ and to a lesser extent Bal and Buf have their eyes on Manning alone and will monitor his asking price.

I hear Thompson called around but with Manning’s uncertain future (at the time) and no team trying to deal for the Rams #2 overall pick (RGIII), Thompson decided to not try & tag Flynn. Not to mention a deal with Cleveland was not progressing the way Thompson would’ve liked.

I hear that OLB, DE & CB are the Packers top 3 priorities going into the draft and Thompson intends to make sure he fills those voids early and often.

Here is a list of a few players that the Packers had contact with at the combine formally or informally:

Bruce Irvin-OLB-WVU
Zach Brown-OLB-UNC
Ronnell Lewis-OLB-OU
Cam Johnson-OLB-UVA
Tyrone Crawford-DE-Boise St.
Dre Kirkpatrick-CB-Alabama
Ron Brooks-CB-LSU
Steven Gilmore-CB-South Carolina
Jamell Fleming-CB-OU
David Wilson-RB-Boise St.
Brandon Washington-OG-Miami
Andrew Datko-OG-FSU
Julian Miller-DE-WVU
Ryan Broyles-WR-OU
Chris Greenwood-CB-Albion College
David Molk-C-Michigan

The Packers would like to resign Jarrett Bush to a deal but fear that another team, namely the Rams, will over spend for the special team’s captain. Bush, who has improved as a DB, is held in high regards as a ST player.

A few people I know that are scouts feel that Scott Wells “overvalues” himself and is looking for $8 million a year. The Packers are offering around $4.5-$5 million but Wells wants more. There is hope with-in the walls on 1265 that like other players last year, Wells will see the market & his offers and will end up coming back to GB for a 3 year deal.

There are some indications that the Packers have interest in Broncos LB Wesley Woodyard. Woodyard can play either inside or out and is also a very good ST player.

A player that may slip to the Packers and they have identified him as a player that they would like is Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick. He has the size and physicality the Packers look for and has been well coached by Nick Saban, not to mention battle tested. There are a few off the field questions (namely being busted for possession of weed a month and a half ago which the charges were dropped) but his reputation on and off the field has been alright (besides that.)

There have been some rumblings that the Packers and Thompson will be a little more active in FA this year, but active doesn't mean a huge "splash signing" like some fans may hope.

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Thanks for the rumors but I must say I am disappointed in all of them.

edit:

did some research on wesley woodyard, found some decent info,

december:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_19567227 

february:
http://www.milehighreport.com/2012/2/11/2789265/denver-broncos-free-agent-review-wesley-woodyard 

20 hours ago:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncosmailbag/ci_20107993/broncos-mailbag-when-nfl-drafts-best-available-player 
"Klis, Wesley Woodyard is a player we absolutely CANNOT let go. I never felt so safe about a player being good enough to replace D.J. Williams until Woodyard broke out of his shell this year. I personally believe he could replace D.J. next year and the Broncos would still have a major talent at weak-side LB. Plus Woodyard has GREAT coverage skills. Will he stay?
--Jamal, Portsmouth, Va.

I would be surprised if Woodyard leaves. Free agency doesn't open until Tuesday and my guess is the Broncos won't get super serious about re-signing their own free agents until about, oh, Monday.

Williams and Woodyard both share the same agent in Tony Fleming, but otherwise I wouldn't put them in the same category. Woodyard is a terrific special teams player and he can be a tackling machine in a pinch, but at 225 pounds, I think he would agree he's not nearly as stout as Williams, who has to be among the top five NFL players who has never made a Pro Bowl."

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He (Woodyard) has been a captain of the Broncos since his rookie year, is 25 and a player that plays the game it was meant to be played. On and off the field he'd make Packers fans happy. I'd LOVE to see him in Green Bay.

These rumors may not be the juiciest, but they are what they are and they aren't getting peoples hopes up for Mario Williams only to be let down. Logical & honest.

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I like the list of players the Packers supposedly are interested in. None of those guys would be a terrible draft pick, as long as they're not reached for.

I'd love Dre Kirkpatrick. I like the fact we're interested in keeping Jarrett Bush. 8 million for Scott Wells is far too much.

I love that the Packers are interested in David Molk. Bottom of the 3rd, I would love if we picked him.

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What? Mario Williams is gonna sign with the Packers? WOOHOO!!! I'm buying my Super Bowl tickets ... right meow!


The lack of rumors is Ted Thompson's fault. The dude doesn't say shit about shit and doesn't take many miscalculated risks. And as a Packers fan, I admire that. I like stability and consistency with the team I root for.

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A rumor from another corner.. one that makes logical sense with how the Packers do business.




He definitely has be physical tools IMO.


Teddy the Comedian...

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I thought the funniest bit was when Ted said he wouldn't speculate on what the Packers plans are.

That is so dry, my eyeballs turned to dust.

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It would be amazing if Dre Kirkpatrick fell to us at #28, but there is no way that happens. I would be okay with the Packers pursuing a player like Nick Perry in the first round.
I really cannot believe that Scott Wells is asking for $8 million. Unless my math is off, he is basically asking for what Ryan Kalil (Panthers) was inked for last year (per year), $49 million/6 years = $8.1 million ($28 million guaranteed) . Maybe not the same length of contract or as much guaranteed, but still. Wow.
...and I doubt he finds that anywhere.

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Not that outrageous considering Wells is a better center than Kalil, but Kalil's deal was way overpaid. No center is worth that money.

Nick Perry would be great at #28. Just what we need. Kirkpatrick is a guy I wouldn't mind trading up for if he hits the 20s. He's not getting past the Lions probably.

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I was trying to angle it to the "that's way too much for a center to get paid" by comparing it to Kalil, but failed to mention I thought Kalil was overpaid. The only center I'd be willing to fork that money to is Nick Mangold.

I wouldn't mind the Nick Perry selection at 28 either.

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