Green Bay - Ted Thompson's two biggest days of the year are just a week away.
"He's a draft-driven guy and he does a good job doing it," an executive in personnel for another National Football League team said at midweek. "They're a pretty solid team and they've got a bunch of picks. Why do you need to be aggressive in free agency when you don't have a lot of needs?"
The personnel man views the Packers as a team without many holes entering the draft next weekend.
"Their No. 1 need is an outside linebacker who can rush the passer," the scout said. "The 3-4 is going to be good for them. It's a nice changeup, especially for the NFC North and the NFC where you don't see a lot of 3-4 teams. Then I think there is a bigger need at offensive tackle than defensive end."
Green Bay has nine choices, including an extra third-round pick from the New York Jets for Brett Favre and an extra sixth-rounder from New Orleans in one of the 13 trades in which Thompson has moved down during his four drafts for the Packers.
"You've got to understand their philosophy," the scout said. "They stack their board and work their board the best that they can. (Jordy) Nelson last year just happened to be their highest-graded guy on their board and they took him. What did he do for them? How long can (Donald) Driver go? There is logic to what they do."
The executive agreed to assess the status and degree of need at each of the Packers' positions:
Wide receiver: "They're fine. No needs."
Tight end: "I don't think they have a blocking-type tight end. Then again, I don't know that's what they're looking for. I think they need a bigger body if they want to be a running team. But this guy (Mike McCarthy) likes to spread the field. I don't know if a 'Y' tight end is in the cards."
Tackle: "They need to draft here. That's probably a priority for them. I think (Chad) Clifton is getting near the end, too. I think they were better inside last year than they were outside. I think they really need two tackles. They've got some guys there, but I believe they're looking for a left tackle-trait guy. If they got that guy they can play him at right tackle out of the gate. What has (Breno) Giacomini done yet? Not a whole lot."
Guard: "They got (Jason) Spitz and (Daryn) Colledge. Those are two good players. (Josh) Sitton. They've been kind of hitting that area. I think they're fine."
Center: "They'd get bigger with Spitz. I always felt (Scott) Wells was a role player, anyway."
Quarterback: "I think they're fine."
Running back: "That's an area they could upgrade if the right guy fell their way. Get a complete back. Now it's running back by committee. I don't think they truly believe they have a guy that can do all three phases of the game well. But I think they're functional."
Fullback: "I think they're functional for as much as they use them. They play them, but at the end of the day they're a spread team."
Defensive end: "I think they got what they need. If their board shows a guy that can play the spot, they could pick a guy. It's always good to have these guys. They've got (Michael) Montgomery. They could use another guy, but they don't have a void. (Jeremy) Thompson could always go back to that spot. I actually believe (Cullen) Jenkins will be playing a lot of three-technique (DT) for them. They play a lot of 'under' defense."
Nose tackle: "(Ryan) Pickett. It's what he played before. It's no different. It's not a voided area. They got (Justin) Harrell. They could draft another guy to create a little more competition and depth. But they have a starter."
Left outside linebacker: "They're actually going to stand (Aaron) Kampman up? Wow. Isn't he a little too big for that? You ever picture this guy being a linebacker? So Kampman is like a Kevin Greene. I don't think he's as agile as Kevin Greene. I've got to see Kampman play. Let's face it. Kampman's not rushing the passer right now. This defense drops the left outside linebacker. The right outside linebacker will get the majority of the rushes. "
Right outside linebacker: "That's an area of need. That's a No. 1 priority. Unless you believe (Brady) Poppinga is James Harrison or Joey Porter. Just think of all the guys in the league that play that spot for very successful defenses. Isn't (Brandon) Chillar more of a right inside? I think Chillar is more of a role player."
Inside linebacker: "(Nick) Barnett will line up to the tight-end side. He's more of a take-on guy because he played middle. He will basically be playing the same thing he has been playing. So will (A.J.) Hawk. Hawk was the 'Will' in the 4-3, and when you convert it to a 3-4 he becomes the flow linebacker. I think they're fine. They could use some depth."
Cornerback: "They've still got the same guys. They're pretty good. They'll extend (Tramon) Williams. Good move to match on (Jarrett) Bush."
Safety: "Pro Bowl free safety. They'll extend (Nick) Collins. Fine there. Who's the strong safety? I think they're looking for that guy. (Atari) Bigby? (Charlie) Peprah? (Aaron) Rouse? (Anthony) Smith had good ball skills, good awareness and good range. He's got a degree of tightness and has missed some tackles. We think he's got starter ability. He's a good backup."
Kicker: "(Mason) Crosby isn't great but he was a draft pick for them. He's now in his third year. He could use some competition."
Punter: "There's not a whole lot there (on the roster)."
[ol]Return specialist:[/ol] "They've used a couple guys, right? (Will) Blackmon is OK. I have no problem with Blackmon."
Long snapper: "(Brett) Goode just took over."