I'm not sure I'd make him into Brad Jones II (since he has, IMO, shown bigger flashes than Jones ever did). But, on the other hand, I'm not sure he's shown anywhere near enough flashes to justify excitement. He's a guy. Good backup quality I suppose. Not someone worth betting a "potential grow into high quality starter" pot on.

They need more than Mike Neal signings if they really want to improve the D above mediocrity. All they've done with the Neal signing (and, for that matter any signing of defense players that doesn't go beyond last year's roster) is demonstrate that they're not willing to get any worse than they were last year.

Not enough.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

Hes obviously better than mulumba and palmer so yeah he improves the team

Originally Posted by: steveishere 

Here are the FA's left, who do you want?
Who on this list is going to make The Packers better?
The 2nd day of FA isn't over yet.

Everyone pretty much knew Ted wasn't going to sign anyone day 1.
(Sam Shields but I guess he doesn't count) ?
(Mike Neal day 2 again he doesn't count) ?
Can we be a little patient?

The longer these guys stay unsigned the cheaper they will come.

FYI, I have no problem bringing Raji back at 4 mil for 1 year, he either gets his shit together or he will be gone, but looking at the list, not much improvement can be made.

Jolly and Pickett both will be more valuable as proven vets.

Pickett isn't what he used to be, but rotate him with Jolly instead of playing them side by side with one of them playing out of position is a real probable option.

The days of the Datone Jones's and Josh Boyd's is here, but it's always good to have those proven vets to make the transition a little smoother.


16. Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
18. Giants defensive end Justin Tuck.
24. Packers defensive end B.J. Raji.
40. Bears defensive end Corey Wootton.
51. Texans defensive end Antonio Smith.
64. Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood.
77. Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers.
88. Lions defensive end Willie Young.
C.J. Wilson

29. Dolphins defensive tackle Randy Starks.
32. Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton.
36. Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher.
80. Seahawks defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.
84. Texans defensive tackle Earl Mitchell.
93. Raiders defensive tackle Pat Sims.
96. Seahawks defensive tackle Tony McDaniel.
98. Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas.
Johnny Jolly
Ryan Pickett

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan 

Hes obviously better than mulumba and palmer so yeah he improves the team

Originally Posted by: steveishere 

I like the signing. Just a fine red pubic hair past barely.

Originally Posted by: dfosterf 

He's the same guy we had last year, playing a hybrid OLB position, meaning, he is bigger than most OLB, and fast to the QB, but suffers in coverage. How does that improve upon what we had last year?

Another square peg in a round hole. I hope he makes a giant leap at this new position for him, but to think this is somehow improving the team is a stretch. And, if he gets $4M or more, add that to Brad Jones and there is the money for Jairus Byrd, or any of a number of other quality FAs that were signed these past two days.

He will have to improve on 5 sacks and 1 FF, 1 PD and 1 INT. BTW, the INT and PD both came against a beleaguered WAS.

I'm sorry, but Ted falling in love with his own players and resigning them to mid level contracts, or more, just fills the roster with mid level talent. That's not going to do it, and that is hardly an improvement.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

The former defensive end tied for the third on the team with five sacks, including four in the final seven games.

Neal
That's what made it surprising last month at the NFL scouting combine to hear coach Mike McCarthy say he felt Neal's best position still was an inside pass rusher.

"I still think the best thing, in my opinion, that Mike Neal does is rush from a '3' technique, particular in third down in the sub package," McCarthy said. "I think he's a real force in there."

So where does that leave Neal for 2014 now that he has re-signed with the Packers?

The best answer might be that he plays some of both, which was actually the intention last season. Both McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers have said their plan for 2014 is to get more versatile and be more multiple in their defensive packages.

http://espn.go.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/8241/neals-return-gives-defense-flexibility 

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan