Jakest3r
16 years ago

After three straight years of a steady climb, the Packers are tumbling back down the mountain.

One could surmise theyve just gotten the bad breaks in a lot of close games and have come out on the short end and theyre a better team than their 5-7 record indicates.

But that would be untrue. Bad teams, or pedestrian teams, lose close games.

If it happened once, or perhaps twice, then you could possibly consider it an aberration. But when it has happened four times, as is the case with the Packers as four of their seven losses have come by four points or less, then we have a problem.

So what do they do to fix it?

Perhaps an attitude adjustment would be the answer. Not from the coaching staff or players -- though that certainly wouldnt hurt -- but from the general manager.

Ted Thompson has done a good job with the draft to shore up a team that went 4-12 in his first season, then moved to 8-8 and then last years splendid 13-3 group.

The Packers have drafted a league-high 43 players since 2005, and they have served their purpose of adding quality and depth. It also has kept them young.

But theyre still coming up a little bit short.

They need to add a little more leadership on the team, a little more experience and some proven talent.

Thats were Thompsons two least favorite words enter into play: Free agency.

Thompson has often referred to that offseason exercise as "dangerous waters," and he would be correct in that assessment. But they are waters that, when fished properly, can reap trophy catches.

In his four years in Green Bay, Thompson has made only one significant unrestricted free-agent signing, cornerback Charles Woodson, and only one good signing, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.

He also signed safety Marquand Manuel, but it didnt impair his budget to get him, and he quickly cut ties when it became clear he would not measure up.

Woodson has been a trophy catch.

He has helped make the Packers secondary one of the better groups in the league.

He has made a significant difference to the overall success of the team.

Thompson needs to find a couple more like him, and this offseason may be his best chance to snare some of that talent.

Everyone, including all of China, knows the Packers desperately need help along the defensive line.

They need someone who can rush the passer and give Aaron Kampman some much-needed help.

Julius Peppers would certainly look nice in a Packers uniform. That also would preclude him from trying to dislodge quarterback Aaron Rodgers head from his body, as he did last week.

Albert Haynesworth may also be on the market and certainly would be of help.

There could also be some decent linebackers like Eric Barton of the Jets or Jonathan Vilma of the Saints.

There may be a large group of offensive linemen available, like the Cowboys Marc Colombo or the Chargers Mike Goff or the Panthers Jordan Gross.

The bottom line is this upcoming free-agent class could have more than its share of players who can make a meaningful difference.

If the Packers are to get where they want to go, its time for Thompson to carefully wade into the waters and see what he can catch.

Mike Woods writes for The Post-Crescent of Appleton

Mike Woods column wrote:


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dhazer
16 years ago
With all the cap space we have why not go after both Peppers and Haynesworth, wouldn't that be an awesome front line which would make our lbs and secondary look that much better.
Just Imagine this for the next 6-9 years. What a ride it will be 🙂 (PS, Zero should charge for this)
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doddpower
16 years ago
I'm not even sure Haynesworth is going to be a free agent or not. The Titans may decide to pay him. However, if he is available, you HAVE to sign him.

Have some balls Ted. Think of how much he would improve our defense. Kampman, Haynesworth, Pickett, and Jenkings? We go from having a pathetic defensive lines to one of the better units in the league. Also, the play of Jolly, Harrell, and Cole would likely improve since they would be more fresh.

Pass rush would be improved, linebacker play would be better, and of course secondary play would be better.

If possible, I think he has to go for it.
Packers_Finland
16 years ago
Let's take Mike Goff. He's a player.
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JNelson87
16 years ago
Every year I think Ted will make a big move in FA and land us a legit player.. he never does though. This year he signed Chillar, that's it. He's been good but he's obviously not the difference maker we could get if Ted Thompson had some balls and signed a few guys. I don't think this off season will be any different.. if anything we'll sign a guy like Robaire Smith from the Browns or Ebenezer Ekuban.
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Cheesey
16 years ago
TT tried to make some moves, but they didn't work out.
Sometimes it's not his fault.
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tromadz
16 years ago
This'll be a good thread. I can see it now.
Rockmolder
16 years ago
I totally agree with the writer. The least he can do is sign Gross and maybe move him to Guard.

One of those two D-lineman would be great, but I don't see Ted Thompson just giving away millions to get them... although it worked wonders when we got Reggie. He should look at that and sign Peppers. They're somewhat comparable, although no one playing now even comes close to Reggie.

Both do have to get into the FA pool though. Like said before, I asume the Titans will sign Haynesworth to a long-term deal and Peppers, although more likely to become a FA, could just resign aswell ofcourse.
HoustonMatt
16 years ago

With all the cap space we have why not go after both Peppers and Haynesworth, wouldn't that be an awesome front line which would make our lbs and secondary look that much better.

"dhazer" wrote:



Why not? I'll give you a few reasons.

Greg Jennings
Aaron Kampman
Nick Collins
Daryn Colledge
Jason Spitz
Johnny Jolly
Chad Clifton
Mark Tauscher
Will Blackmon
Ryan Pickett

All of these guys have contracts ending after this year or next. Most of them next year. And that's not all of them. Some of these guys can go, but some of them need to be extended.

There's also a lot of uncertainty with the state of the economy and what the new CBA is going to look like. All valid reasons to avoid a restrictive long-term contract for a player who may or may not perform well in your system.
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Pack93z
16 years ago



There's also a lot of uncertainty with the state of the economy and what the new CBA is going to look like. All valid reasons to avoid a restrictive long-term contract for a player who may or may not perform well in your system.

"mattresell" wrote:



That to me, is exactly the reason we have been so dormant in the FA market... we have x dollars in cash reserves to compete with the signing bonus's that make up todays contracts.. so you trend lightly.. IE.. sign player you know first.. then wade into the pool.

I expect some activity, but any big names probably won't be coming to Green Bay.. CBA right now is too big of a concern.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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