Free Agents in 2010!

This is a big concern that the packers have heading into this next season. Although they are under contract until the end of the year, many of them are of pro bowl caliber. A few of them are Chad Clifton, Greg Jennings, Nick Collins, and Daryn College. They are all great and solid players for the organization, that the packers need to keep. So the big question is, will these players go out and try to earn a new contract this coming year. I really hope that the packers make an attempt to keep all of them, but mainly Jennings and Collins. They all are quite young except for Clifton, who is a nine year veteran. My gut feeling is that they will sign all but College back, or will take a huge pay cut. Both Jennings and Collins receive large contracts, and deserving so.

Can the packers make the playoffs next year?

I believe that they can, but it will be a tough uphill battle. It would not be all that possible for them to even win the divisional clown. Last year the packers were just plagued by injuries, that is why they were not the same team they were in 2007. There were two other obstacles that kept the packers out of the playoffs last year; they were the inexperience of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the tough schedule that the packers had to grind through. Both of those will not be a problem this coming year, both Rodgers and the schedule will be on target for them to make a playoff run. The new transition to the 3-4 defense should help slow down alot of offenses that they will face this next season as well. But the biggest thing that the packers did was build on their roster this offseason, via draft and free agency. They addressed all of their weaknesses in the offseason; which were a lack of pass protection, and a weak pass rush. Both were especially bolstered by green bay's first three draft picks, NT-BJ Raji, LB-Clay Mathews, OT-TJ Lang. Watch for the packers to win the division, and get back on the map. Who knows, maybe even claim a home playoff matchup!

Favre a Viking?

Recent reports cite that retired quarterback Brett Favre wants to return to the game he loves so much. Reports from credible reports, stated that Favre and vikings head coach Brad Childress were to meet at his house in Hattisburg, Mississippi. The reports were however put to rest when Favre declared through his agent Bus Cook that he had no intentions of unretiring. However, I along with others believe that he is indeed wanting to make a comeback. I believe that his decision to stay retired is coming to early, I believe that he does not want to return this early so he does not have to participate in any off season camps. If he does decide to return, he will announce it in late July; this would be just in time for many teams NFL mini-camp. But we shall wait and see what happens in until late July, maybe he will play, and maybe not. But one thing is for sure, if he returns, media coverage will be sure to follow. Can you say Favre watch!!

The packs trade to take 2 1st rnd picks?

As the packers were hoping to get there man(B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College), at the number nine overall pick was successful, they also made a bold move to trade into the first round for another pick. The packers traded for the 26th overall selection, and sent their second and two third round picks in exchange for the pick that was originally the New England Patriots. With that pick, the packers then selected Clay Mathews, a outside linebacker out of football university( University of Southern California). Mathews comes from a good football pedigree, and Raji, was a steal at the ninth overall pick. Both were outstanding picks for the packers, and should both make an immediate impact in the packers new 3-4 defense next year, especially Raji. TJ Lang and Jamon Meridith were both really good value picks, that will add depth to the offensive line that was weak at times last year. The packers fifth round pick that they invested in fullback Quinn Johnson out of LSU was a great addition to the team as well, he was rated the best lead blocker in this weekend's draft. Also, three late round picks were all dedicated to the defensive side of the ball; Jarius Wynn, DE, Georgia; Brandon Underwood ,DB, Cincinnati; and Brad Jones, OLB, Colorado; with there final pick. Out of the last three picks, I like Underwood the most, he has good instincts for the game. Overall, I would give the Packers the 2nd best draft in the NFL, over this past weekend. But, they say that it takes about 3 years for you to be able to evaluate a draft class. So until then we won't evaluate, but we will be watching with a close eye out for this draft class.

The Draft Buzz!

Yes, only 4 more days till draft day! With the packers holding the 9th overall selection, they could go a variety of ways. Many believe that Ted Thompson will trade down to later in the 1st round or in the early 2nd round. In my opinion, I believe they will as well; depending on the players that are still on the board during there pick. I think that they could be involved in a trade scenario that could land them another pick as well. I think that if Mark Sanchez is available at 9th overall that green bay should take him and trade him for a bonus pick. If that scenario doesn't come up, then I like the packers to take an offensive tackle. This years class has some depth at the OT position, My hope is that either Jason Smith(Baylor) or Eugene Monroe(Virginia) are available. Monroe is the safer pick, but Smith has alot of upside; If they trade down, look for them to go after other good OTs such as William Beatty(UCONN), Ebben Britton(Arizona), Micheal Oher(Mississippi), Andre Smith(Alabama), or TJ Lang(E. Michigan). The next area that they could use with the 9th overall slot is a defensive tackle; the most prolific player at the position is Boston College's BJ Raji. He is a good safe pick, with alot of good and safe abilities that could make him a star someday. However, the pack may not want to spend top ten money on another DT and get burned again, ala Justin Harrell. So look for them to trade down or address the DT needs in the later rounds; Look for them to chase after either Peria Jerry(MISS) or Ziggy Hood(Mizzou), as bargain picks. The packers could chase a versitile defensive end/outside linebacker as well. They are interested in the versatility of three defensive players in this years draft. They are Tyson Jackson(DE) out of LSU, Micheal Johnson(DE) Georgia Tech, and Clintin Sintim (OLB) Virginia. All of these players should be available to the packers in there second round pick, the question is which one do you take? I would take either Sintim or Jackson. Sintim has great awarness and can cover WRs well, as well as stuff the run. Jackson on the other hand, can rush the passer effectively from either the edge or you can slide him in the DT spot and get the same amount of production. I think that the pack should look at either a wr or a rb to compete with the veterans. At WR they take either Micheal Crabtree(Texas Tech), or Jeremy Macklin(Mizzou), at least one of these two will be available to them at 9th overall. The running backs they should take a good look at are Knowshon Moreno(Georgia), Shonn Greene(Iowa), Javon Ringer(Michigan State) or Andre Brown(N.C. State). All can fit the packers zone blocking scheme well, but Moreno is the elite star in this group; Brown is injury prone but shows flashes of greatness, and Ringer would be a perfect fit in the zone blocking scheme, and as a complement back for Ryan Grant. Those are my thoughts, and we will see when the story unfolds this weekend!

Is there pressure on the Packers front office?

Just think about it for a second, do they? or don't they? I think that much of packer nation would agree that they indeed have some sort of pressure upon them. I mean after all, the packers last draft was less than impressive, with non of the picks even cracking the starting line-up. They have made little movement this off season, in terms of trades and acquisitions. Some would say that they don't need a big time signing or trade; But rather that the reason for the disappointing 6-10 record last year was injuries and youth at the quarterback position. I would agree with that to a certain degree, but they are switching their defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4, and it will not be quite an easy transition as they hope. They may need a few players that have some experience playing in the 3-4 scheme. The pack brought in a few free agents that had the experience, but failed to sign any. This was a result of not offering them enough money, and they saw other teams sign them. With no trades in progress right now, and the division getting better( Ala Cutler trade(bears), Rosenfels(vikings), J.Peterson & A. Henry(both lions) ), there is much pressure on the Packers front office this draft!

What would you do as the Packers General Manager?

Isn't it always nice to put yourself in a position of power? I couldn't think of a position I would rather have in the front office of an organization than the head man, the General Manager (GM). The packers current GM is Ted Thompson, he has held the position since the 2004-05 season. He has been highly scrutenized for many of his tactics and operations for running the organization. Some examples are immediatly upon arriving, he released three of the aging packers veterans on the team. You might ask yourself what is wrong with that picture? The catch is that they were all experienced veterans that had reached the pro bowl once in there careers. Another example of what some packer fans called the idocracy, was when legendary quarterback Brett Favre was traded last August. This of course rang alot of peoples bells in Wisconsin, which then really struck a bad tune with packer fans. Packer fans have now subsituted tyrant for the name Ted, in Ted Thompson. So my question for you is, could you manage one of the most storied franchises in all of sports?