The Packers have a lot of holes to fill this offseason. First, I think Favre is retiring. Rogers needs some work to find out whether he's the real deal or not. I'm one of the few people who think it's time for Favre to retire - he's done everything he can possible do in his career and has had so much personal loss and tribulation these past few years. He's going to retire at some time, and since we're clearly in rebuilding mode at this point anyway, getting another QB on the field to test his mettle isn't a bad idea, in my humble opinion. In my opinion, Ahman has reached the age where he's not as effective a runner as he used to be - Gado outperformed his numbers from an average per carry standpoint. Ahman's had a couple of years with various injuries and it looks to me like he's lost some quickness and the burst through the hole isn't there anymore. I think we let Ahman go, draft White from USC (I believe we can do this if we trade down and maybe pick up another pick or two in the process) which would have the nice little benefit of saving a little cap room if we picked at a lower spot. We'd have White who's a real bruiser between the tackles and Gado for a change of pace. I hope TT keeps Fisher around and I'm not sure about Najeh - all he does is get hurt, it seems. If they can get him for cheap, then we keep him. But chances are someone out there is willing to overpay for an overpriced injury prone running back. Try to keep the O-line intact - this is the single largest screw-up from last offseason letting two Pro-Bowl caliber guards go and keeping a TE around for big money. Also drafting a couple of offensive linemen higher than the 7th round would be a good move - give the young guys a chance to learn from the established vets. We also need D-line help, bad. I'm not sure how much Grady has left in the tank, to be honest. TT should find a couple decent FA's to help bolster this unit. Ty Law is going to be an FA again this year - and he had a great year this past year - 10 picks. Ahmad Carrol continues to struggle. The lingering doubt I have about Law is his ego. We're pretty set at receiver assuming Javon returns to anywhere near his '04 form. I'd like to see if the Pack can make something out of Rod Gardner as well - kinda like Holmgren was able to do with Andre Rison in 96. Just some ramblings on a slow Thursday afternoon...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>We also need D-line help, bad. I'm not sure how much Grady has left in the tank, to be honest.</div> Jackson will be gone. His contract is up and he wants big money. No way will Thompson be able to keep him. Aaron Kampman is also a free agent. He'll be the top priority signing, but he and TT are also pretty far apart as far as money talks go. This could be a big problem next year. The O-Line will remain intact. Tauscher, Clifton and Whitticker are all signed for a few years yet. I'm guessing Flanagan will be gone. He's in the final year of his contract and his age and injury history dictate it's time to draft a center or give the job to Wells or Ruegamer. Green will be gone. Davenport will stay, but only if he signs a bargain contract. I see William Henderson retiring, especially if Favre does. Knowing Thompson, he will constantly be looking to trade down and acquire more picks. He's the kind of guy who likes to draft 20 guys and see if he can get five or six to stick. Fortunately, I think Green Bay will get some decent compensatory picks for Wahle, Rivera and even Sharper. TT will be like a kid in a candy store come draft day...
I couldn't edit my post, so I'll just add the following separately... I predict Thompson drafts (in no order): Center Running Back D-Line Kicker Wide Receiver Corner Linebacker O-Line, Safety and Tight End seem pretty secure. I don't see another QB coming, either. Sander was hurt, but I'm guessing he won't draft a punter, either.
Actually William Henderson said if he's not re-signed by the Packers he'd like to go block for his little cousin Rudi in Cincy. I think Green will still be here on a 1 year incentive deal, along with him at the start of the pre season will be Gado, Fisher, and Noah Herron(who I really like as our new power back). O line wise, Jagodzinski said that Flanny Clifton and Tausch are all perfect for the Zone blocking scheme which leads me to think Flanny will be around for another year, he also has pushed already about getting some new gaurds in there, Personally I think Ruegamer is the best Gaurd we have right now and he's much better at Center than anything, Scott Wells is also a very servicable linemen, but he seems a little undersized for Gaurd but he outperformed Klemm by 100 percent. Klemm is a much better tackle than gaurd and will be around next year as a back up(preferably to Chad Clifton as evidence of the Monday night game in Carolina). On the D-Line I hope Grady returns but most likely he will not, Cullen Jenkins should be given a several year deal and I think He and Colin Cole should be adquate along with a draftee(unless Donell Washington can live up to his potential!) Although Grady was one of the biggest difference makers we had on the team. Kampman should definatly be re-signed the question is will Ted Cheap Ass Thompson give him what he's worth? I doubt it, according to him Marco Rivera and Mike Whale were easily replaced by Matt Od'wyer(Cut before the season) and Klemm (benched middle of the season), KGB is still one of the best Pass Rushers in the NFL but gets tired out by the run, so a decent DE to come in on running downs would help him out tremendously. At Linebacker we are solid, however there is major room for improvement, starting with getting a big Inside Linebacker either Schelegal at inside or A.J Hawk(PLEASE!) would be perfect here. Hawk could probably be put there as well but his speed makes him much more suited for OLB. Diggs is always hurt but when healthy is awsome, he will most likely be cut or traded, Rob Thomas will be around as the starter on which ever side the new DC thinks he should play on. Secondary is set in two spots With Collins at Safety and Harris at Corner, Roman will probably be kept to compete as will Carrol, I think we should bring in a veteran corner to compete with Carrol and Mike Hawkins for the spot, as well as a Safety to compete with Roman and Marviel Underwood.
Flanigan will be gone and quite frankly he should be gone. Wells is younger and in my opinion he can come in start and perform at a higher level. I think we'll resign Ahman Green for a year or two. I think he'll come cheap and it seems like he wants too be here. I don't see Henderson coming back. We've been looking to replace him for years now and he just seems to have stuck around. Now that we're clearly rebuilding in the eyes of everyone but TT and McCarthy, Henderson will likely be let go. Jackson won't resign with us in my opinion so rule him out. I heard KGB is on a thin line. Is he due a roster bonus? If so he'll be gone. I'd like to see Aaron Kampman resign he played well this year. We won't go after any big named free agent like Ty Law. TT believes you build through the draft. I could see us going for one impact type of player but not someone like Ty Law. Besides Law probably won't want to play here. I see Thompson drafting a center, guard, safety, D-Line, Linebacker, and maybe a RB and kicker. He'll trade down at least twice. Though one thing I give him credit for is he did have a great draft last year. We had 14 rookies on our team and only 2 undrafted. So he does have an eye for talent. I just hope Rodgers works out. I agree that Favre is probably going to retire.
I agree we need to keep Kampman. KGB is overpaid. Jackson's health is a concern for me - those big guys seems to get knee problems later in their careers - plus he'll want a whole love boat full of money. I don't think we need to draft a LB in the first round. I'm far more concerned about the O line and D line than the LB situation. And Ryan Shortbad had an awful year this year - so a kicker might be a possibility. I think TT needs to try to get White from USC or Williams from Memphis (prefer White). This year's draft seems to be long on offensive talent in the high rounds and short on defensive talent. I like Gado, but Herron looks like he's running with a plow or other large farm implement hooked to his backside (SLOW). If Henderson retires, is Leach ready to pick up the slack?
Leach looked pathetic in every game I saw him in and nearly cost us that detroit game with that amazing No Block. Back on the Herron subject I wonder if he could develop into a nice full back?
