Now that the Super Bowl is over and we have a new champion, the off-season officially begins. The Packers had a very good year but much can be improved. I have the top 3 story lines for the Packers this coming off-season.
1a. Sign Nick Collins - Nick Collins completed his fifth year as Packer this past season. And the previous two his play earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. He is now a free agent and deserves his money. Last offseason there was talk that he deserved a new contract but many Packers' executives wanted to make sure Collins was not a one year wonder. Collins proved otherwise this past season. He played in all 16 games for the Packers and recorded 53 tackles along with six interceptions. His work on the field earned him another trip to the Pro Bowl. Collins deserves a new contract and the Packers should be more than happy to sign him to a long-term deal. The core of the defense is fairly young and locking up a 26-year-old player who is currently in the prime of his career would do nothing but good to an already solid defensive unit.
1b. Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton - A tie for first with the Collins situation, bringing both of these experienced tackles back would be huge. Aaron Rodgers took a beating early in the year because Clifton was hurt and Tauscher was still recovering from surgery in the past offseason. If Ted Thompson can sign both of them to a one- or two-year contract, that would allow him to pick a tackle or two in the draft and get them ready for when the tackle tandem does retire. TJ Lang is thought high of by many Packers' coaches but they are not sure if he is ready for a 16 game schedule. So if Thompson can bring both of them back for at least one more year, that would allow the team to groom their replacements in plenty of time.
3. Get younger in both backfields - When you look at the elite teams in the NFL, most have a stable of good running backs, which usually compliment each other well. Ryan Grant is no doubt the number one back in Green Bay, but adding a CJ Spiller or Javhed Best via the draft would give Aaron Rodgers even more options. Also the Packers need to find some answers in the defensive backfield. Like the tackle position. Also Charles Woodson and Al Harris are not getting any younger, so adding a playmaker in the draft like a Kyle Wilson from Boise State or a Donovan Warren from Michigan would only help. Woodson and Harris both have miles left on their tires, but when they do finally retire, their back-ups better be ready to go. Whether that be Tramon Williams, Will Blackmon, Jarrett Bush or a cornerback from this year's draft.
The Packers are in great shape moving forward. There is young talent up and down the roster. But to be elite, they will need to solidify some positions before they can take the next step.
Rich Robbins
What are the Packers going to do about the linebacker situation. They have an array of linebackers but many of them are playing out of position and are not fit for a 3-4 defense. In addition you have the best pass rusher on the team, Aaron Kampman dropping into coverage on numerous downs, at least was the case before he got injured. What linebackers need to get the boot and which ones have earned the right to stay in Green Bay? I think something needs to change.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kampman is a huge off-season story for the Pack. I think if you can sign him to a one or two year deal for a decent salary do it, otherwise tag him and trade him somewhere. He does not fit in with the 3-4 system. Another person who needs the boot is Brady Poppinga. He is way over paid to not be playing. He may be solid on special teams but is not a 3-4 linebacker. Chillar, Hawk, Matthews, Barnett, and Jones are 5 solid linebackers and if we bring back Bishop he can play in the middle as well.
ReplyDeleteKampman will leave in free agency and sign with a 4-3 team. There is no doubt about that. And Poppinga will probably be cut as well. So the linebackers next year will include Barnett, Hawk, Matthews, Jones, Chillar and Bishop. And it would not surprise me if Thompson picked another one up late in the draft.
ReplyDeleteRich