QUOTE: “Not one of us knows what effect his life produces, and what he gives to others; that is hidden from us and must remain so, though we are often allowed to see some little fraction of it, so that we may not lose courage.” -- Albert Schweitzer
Wednesday, I wrote about the Patriots being fortunate to lose in the first round of the playoffs since it will allow them to be active in free agency. Well, the same can be said for the Packers, who also lost in the first round. However, the Packers have a completely different team than the Patriots in terms of youth and talent, and the cure for their ills won’t necessarily come from free agency. But there might be a blue-chip player who can make a difference if they’re open-minded.
On offense, the Packers have extremely talented skill players, but their needs are in the offensive line, where free agency does not often provide answers. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher played well down the stretch and solidified the line late in the season, but was their play perfect? No, but it was much better than having to put T.J. Lang and Allen Barbre at tackle. The Packers need help in their offensive line, which will have to come from the draft. Will Lang and Barbre get better? Maybe, but the Packers front office can’t hang their hopes on either player. They must be aggressive in their approach to securing linemen. The Packers must find linemen who can play with power in the run game and can keep the pocket clean in pass protection to afford quarterback Aaron Rodgers time. If Rodgers has time, if he has comfort in the pocket, there’s no telling how good he can be. With Rodgers playing at his current level, the supporting players around him will be easy to find, but finding quality linemen will be the stiffest challenge.
On defense, the Packers have to be concerned. They had the No. 2-ranked defense in the NFL, but in each of their six losses, they gave up more than 30 points a game. Their inability to play effectively against top passing teams has to cause concern, but more than the talent base, they have to be concerned about how easily the Cardinals attacked their scheme last week. The Cardinals’ wide receivers weren’t just open, they were wide open, and this must force defensive coordinator Dom Capers to make adjustments. Clearly, the Cards copied the game plan of the Steelers by stacking their wideouts and creating problems for the Packers’ defensive backs. When playing a pure man-to-man team, stacking the wideouts allows the receivers to get off the line cleanly, but it also places a burden on the defense to sort out the coverage and communicate with each another — something the Packers failed to do. When a team can attack the scheme as well as the Cardinals and Steelers did, it has to force the Packers into making adjustments.
I know the Packers were missing veteran cornerback Al Harris, who would have helped sort through some of the calls, but if the Packers want to continue to play all this man-to-man coverage, they’ll need to add more corners. This may come from free agency, but knowing that Packers GM Ted Thompson doesn’t embrace free agency, I’m sure they’ll draft another corner.
Yet here lies the problem for Thompson. He has a very good team that’s one solid offseason from competing for a Super Bowl title, but all his needs will not be met in just the draft. He has to be more open-minded in his approach to free agency and try to fix some of the current concerns on the team before the draft. He should really give great thought to trying to add a player of the caliber of the Panthers’ Julius Peppers. If Peppers is a free agent, he’ll command a huge pay day, but he would be a perfect fit coming off the edge to help Clay Matthews rush. One more blue-chip player would really make a difference to the Packers on defense.
This is not to imply that Thompson should spend like a drunken sailor, but he should consider spending for quality. And he has to use every avenue available to improve his team because he can’t address every need in just the draft. He’s on the cusp of something very good in Green Bay, and he needs to just make a few moves to get this team over the top.
So like the Patriots, it might have served the Packers well to lose in round one of the playoffs. Thompson just needs to make a few moves in free agency to get this team over the hump.
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Very interesting mike, but when is the last time the packers went after a player in free agency??
Thank you Mike, you answered a question I had been wondering since listening to the podcast a couple of days ago. Other than Peppers, are there any other free agents who may be able to fit the holes that you have identified for the Packers?
Could you or someone here at NFP do an article of free agents when the CBA is sorted out? I agree 100% that Thompson needs to add at least one starting quality FA at OLB, CB, or OL. He is decent at drafting, but there are only so many holes that can be filled with those picks. Acquiring FAs should allow some flexibility of draft day as well. So if we fill OLB with Peppers and retain Clifton or Tauscher... trading up for a guy like Joe Haden or an OT that we covet isn't out of the question.
Mike,
I agree with much of your assessment, but believe a couple other comments/suggestions may help Green Bay as well.
1) The secondary will also be helped with the return of Will Blackmon who was in the nickel and dime packages and excels as a KR. GB does need to look for CBs in the draft to eventually replace Woodson and Harris.
2) Green Bay should consider signing FA S Antoine Bethea from IND whom I would see as an upgrade to Atari Bigby. He's a Bob Sanders type player who would fit nicely with Nick Collins, who must also be resigned.
3) Earlier in the year, someone at NFP had an article about GB drafting C.J. Spillar out of Clemson. He is a much needed addition to give GB a speed RB who can break long plays and would complement Ryan Grant's pounding style. GB would likely need to trade up to get him, but perhaps a trade with Aaron Kampman and either a 2nd or 3rd round pick could get them where they need to be and save their 1st round pick for a T or CB.
Thanks,
sub
Ted Thompson signing Julius Peppers?!! Mike, what are you smokin' this morning? Ted doesn't tip his paperboy.
I am not overly concerned about the scheme and how Pitt and Az attacked it.
GB was down 3 CBs by the time those games came around and its no surprise that Warner and Big Ben were able to beat Jarrod Bush- a special teams player and rookie 7th rounder Brandon Underwood considering both QBs played in the Super Bowl 12 months ago and practiced and studied in how to attack this defense for the biggest game of the year.
Next year GB gets Harris back, Pat Lee back and maybe Will Blackmon as well as help at safety
Vs the vikes, GB were missing (2) safeties and Favre was able to beat back up safeties like Matt Giardano and Derrick Martin and Jared Allen had his way with an overmatched Daryn Colledge- forced to switch from LG to play LT.
I also think Mike L. is off in his dismissal of TJ Lang. Lang is anascending player and looks very much like a guy you could bet on, Barbe is done.
And a big fat no thanks on Peppers, although I could see GB making a play for a different blue chip player. Peppers is over-rated and over-paid- two things that will make him unattractive in GB
Finally, in response to the question by Norman- the Defensive Player of the Year was Charles Woodson- a free agent acquisition by the Packers.
I think this analysis is right on, except for one point...TJ Lang and Allen Barbre do not belong in the same sentence. Lang played very capably for the most part. Barbre was a train wreck: he wasn't terrible in the run game, but he was catastrophically out-of-step in pass protection.
The 2010 Packers will get better in a few ways...
1) The team will be more comfortable in the 3-4
2) Al Harris and Will Blackmon come back to boost the secondary, and maybe (hopefully) Pat Lee takes a step forward
3) Thompson will unload Kampman--and he will get something of value in return
4) Our core of young guys will continue to improve and mature
I agree that the Packers are on the cusp, and I would love to see Thompson add another piece to the puzzle via FA--but only if it's the right player at the right price! If it isn't there, stay the course and build through the draft, especially since this draft looks to be a good one.
I like the idea of drafting Brian Bulaga LT from Iowa in the 1st, then a corner in the 2nd.
I think this analysis is right on, except for one point...TJ Lang and Allen Barbre do not belong in the same sentence. Lang played very capably for the most part. Barbre was a train wreck: he wasn't terrible in the run game, but he was catastrophically out-of-step in pass protection.
The 2010 Packers will get better in a few ways...
1) The team will be more comfortable in the 3-4
2) Al Harris and Will Blackmon come back to boost the secondary, and maybe (hopefully) Pat Lee takes a step forward
3) Thompson will unload Kampman--and he will get something of value in return
4) Our core of young guys will continue to improve and mature
I agree that the Packers are on the cusp, and I would love to see Thompson add another piece to the puzzle via FA--but only if it's the right player at the right price! If it isn't there, stay the course and build through the draft, especially since this draft looks to be a good one.
Isn't Peppers one of those guys that only plays when he feels like it? I can see why Thompson wouldn't want to bring him in - or players like Moss back when. He would be making a dangerous brew that was very expensive. Having said that, improvements need to be made. I wonder what his reasons for not pursuing Jared Allen were - would have been wise to have him in Packer colors rather than trying to block him in Viking purple. Meanwhile, the unused cap money keeps wasting away...
Pinter/Don Free agents will encompass a lot of players. If not CBA is in place, then teams can cut any player without an impact as there will be no "Cap Hit" any aging veteran with a bad (read bad for the team) contract can be cut and the salary will not have to be paid, or accounted for against the cap. (Any prorated portion due from a signing bonus would still have to be paid though) So look for a lot cuts, and lot of overpriced but still talented personell to be available.
Pinter/Don Free agents will encompass a lot of players. If not CBA is in place, then teams can cut any player without an impact as there will be no "Cap Hit" any aging veteran with a bad (read bad for the team) contract can be cut and the salary will not have to be paid, or accounted for against the cap. (Any prorated portion due from a signing bonus would still have to be paid though) So look for a lot cuts, and lot of overpriced but still talented personell to be available.
Best way to help an overmatched secondary? Add a pass rusher to complement Clay Matthews. In that regard, Peppers wouldn't be a bad idea, but it'll never happen. There are, however, a lot of very good 'tweeners' in the draft, and linebacker seems to be a position where rookies are capable of helping out right away. I agree about Lang, not sure he's a left tackle but he can definitely be the right tackle of the future. Teamed on that side of the line with Josh Sitton, we're set. Now the left side of the line.... yikes.
Mike:
I agree with a lot of your assessments until you come to Peppers.
He's not a LB, and the Packers just went thru that "Let's take a DE and play him at LB" with Kampman. Sure Peppers is an athletic freak, but he's up for $20 million next year and Thompson won't pay a Diva lineman and I agree with him. Hell, bring back Kampman as a PR specialist. Brad Jones showed he can rush the passer. What he had trouble doing is setting the edge and I expect him to do a much better job of that next year.
Will Blackmon is NOT the answer at corner, and I think if Thompson drafts a return man/corner he loses his place, but Pat Lee may help. He'd of been on the team instead of IR both years if the NFL's IR rules weren't so completely idiotic. Thompson will definitely draft a corner this year, and hopefully a tackle (some underclassmen I presume). We also need an up and coming safety. Having to drop to Matt Giordono (lotta vowels like Lombardi) was a huge problem.
Thank you Mike, you answered a question I had been wondering since listening to the podcast a couple of days ago. Other than Peppers, are there any other free agents who may be able to fit the holes that you have identified for the Packers?
The Packers also need to finally get serious about Special Teams. They've been below-average in this area for far too long. I still believe Mason Crosby has potential to be a very good kicker, but they can do better than Jeremy Kapinos at punter. I think it's very questionable that Will Blackmon will be the same player after the ACL injury, and he was ineffective on kickoff returns even before the injury. Jordy Nelson is not the answer there either, and may not be used as a returner anyway if he plays a bigger role at WR next year. I hope Ted Thompson will make a serious inquiry about Josh Cribbs in Cleveland, because I think he could be the addition that puts us over the top. But I'm doubtful that the Browns will make him available, even though he wants out.
I don't see Peppers as either a 3-4 end or OLB: FAIL
I was waiting for the Kampman/Peppers comparison. Kampman was a great 4-3 DE who was a liability at OLB in the 3-4. Why should we expect Peppers to be much different (at a much greater cost)? With all the problems the Packers had with their secondary depth, it makes the decision to cut Anthony Smith that much more confusing. I also agree that relying on Blackmon, Lee and a 35 year old Harris recovering from major knee surgery is not a good idea. I think we have more problems as safety than corner though. Bigby can't stay healthy and Collins is a reincarnation of Sharper. Jumps routes so he's got good interception stats, but a bad tackler and he takes terrible angles. Tough to get away with that when he's always got a backup lining up next to him.
I would also like to see Thompson address our abysmal kicking game. Crosby fell apart down the stretch and at the very least needs some competition in camp. After watching Feely punt for the Jets last week, the Packers should just cut Kapinos and use the roster spot on a player who could actually help the team.
A great turnaround from last year, but man did that loss leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I was waiting for the Kampman/Peppers comparison. Kampman was a great 4-3 DE who was a liability at OLB in the 3-4. Why should we expect Peppers to be much different (at a much greater cost)? With all the problems the Packers had with their secondary depth, it makes the decision to cut Anthony Smith that much more confusing. I also agree that relying on Blackmon, Lee and a 35 year old Harris recovering from major knee surgery is not a good idea. I think we have more problems as safety than corner though. Bigby can't stay healthy and Collins is a reincarnation of Sharper. Jumps routes so he's got good interception stats, but a bad tackler and he takes terrible angles. Tough to get away with that when he's always got a backup lining up next to him.
I would also like to see Thompson address our abysmal kicking game. Crosby fell apart down the stretch and at the very least needs some competition in camp. After watching Feely punt for the Jets last week, the Packers should just cut Kapinos and use the roster spot on a player who could actually help the team.
A great turnaround from last year, but man did that loss leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Mike perhaps sees one top player as the thing to get them over the hump. Similar to how a presence like Reggie White made everyone around him better(they were good players and became great). It has to be someone up front.
For the line, Lang may work to one side of the ball, as others note, Barbre looks like the best he can hope for is a switch to guard so people cannot run around him as easy.
Ted won't pay for quality in free agency because he honestly believes there isn't any. At least none for the asking price. That will be the Packers downfall. You outlined the problems well, but it's not Peppers they need. They were exposed in the defensive backfield and had no depth. Harris and Woodson are not getting younger. The same is true on the OL. Again the talent Thompson has drafted was exposed. He needs to add some players that will cost some money - but he won't.
Mike, do you think the pack or pats feel fortunate for losing? Your argument is idiotic at best. I guess the lions are the most fortunate team of all time because they get high draft picks every year.
The Packers really are a dangerous team in 2010 but they do need to take some risks in free agency. We'll see what happens, but I really like Green Bay's chances in the upcoming season. Thanks Lombardi!
Until the last year or two GB has been drafting "zone blocking" linemen, althletic under-300-lb guys, and it really hasn't produced a quality line. Recently they're bringing in more beef and I think that will be key to turning things around. Seems to me every team wants to zone block these days but few do it well.
Ted takes a lot of grief for his FA strategy, but he has hit on a few. The key is not overpaying. The average fan will say "Peppers is available as a FA", but if the asking price is driven up to a premium that impairs your cap position and ability to have quality at other positions, then no, the guy isn't *really* available. That said, Ted would do well to not limit himself to just cherry-picking bargains. As others have pointed out at NFP, the cap is not as limiting as it once was, maybe Ted hasn't quite caught up to that fact yet.
Is there a picture of Clay Matthews that doesn't look like the cover to a romance novel? Does he always drink water that way, by throwing it at his face and flipping his hair? So many questions...
hahaha +1 Luke L
Much of the difficulites in the AZ playoff game was due to poor communication by Packer defensive players or by AZ scheming for good matchups. I saw on several plays that when facing stacked formations, often the linebacker and a DB broke to cover the same AZ receiver, leaving one receiver, usually over the middle, wide open. Jarrod Bush was involved in several of these. AZ also commented after the game how they studied the Steeler game, noting that if they motioned a reciever across the slot, the Packer DB dropped off the receiver to the Packer inside linebacker, which created huge mismatches and led directly to scoring plays.
I think a big key is another pass rusher. This season we basically replaced the pass rush of Kampman with that of Matthews, with no other pressure from the tackles or other DE.
Nate B
First off Anthony Smith got benched by the St. Louis Rams. I repeat: First off Anthony Smith got benched by the St. Louis Rams. I dont see a point there.
And do you watch Nick Collins. he is way better than Sharper. how many 20+ yard runs did we give up this year. I dont know but it was probably top 5 fewest in the league. the reason is Nick Collins. he is an average tackler as far as technique, but he is always were he is supposed to be.
@ Vesini "Mike - It was good for the Patriots to lose in the 1st round, and now it was good for the Packers. Was it good for the Eagles and Bengals too? "
I would argue that it wasn't as good for the Bengals. Cincy historically has been frugal with spending money - and having the free agency limitation of the Top 8 teams this year might have been fortuitous to the Bengals. Now when they don't spend money on free agents, it'll be because of their frugality, instead of the requirement of only replacing players they lose to free agency.
Mr. Murder, do you really think Peppers could work in a 3-4 defense or as an OLB (i.e. have a 'Reggie White' type impact?) I'm not so sure. We'll have to compare the age of White when he went to the Packers and Peppers right now. Also, White didn't have the baggage issues that Peppers has with regard to difficult contract negotiations and a tendancy to take plays off. I think I agree with Scott Bolander.
Mike do you want a job with the Packers or what ? You are one of the biggest Packer homers
out there !
This is without doubt, the "National Packer Post" where all Packer fans can bemoan the inadequacies of their coach and management all the while getting Lombardi, Bowen, and Brandt to cater weekly articles gushing about the Packers and how great they are...it gets sickening after awhile. Every acticle about the packers gets about 75 posts while every other one gets 10 or 15. Keep up the good work and the Green Bay Gazette may buy you out.
Packers drafted someone on the OLine under 300#? When 1980? If you are to spout facts get them right. NO OLinemen were drafted that were under 300# since before Ted Thompson was there.
I think some people need to look at the size of ALL the starting Offensive Linemen in the NFL.
Packers are FAR from the Smaller Olinemen before or after the last two years.
Another myth started when they made the change to the zone scheme.
Get Peppers? Maybe as a 3-4 DE since he never played that position either.
He is 6-7 282# he is NOT a 3-4 OLB. Thats the position he wants to play. He is going to drop into coverage?
I don't see paying what will be a 30 year old 3rd down situational pass rusher the kind of money some team with give him.
I agree that Thompson should look harder at signing someone that can help up front but at least get someone that actually played the position before.
CW - I agree that the Bengals are generally frugal, but with wide receivers, you can usually draft what you need, as there are many types available nowadays - TEs & RBs who only catch passes, etc. And with the playoff berth, there might be a willingness to lower other salaries - read: the existing players with the CBA expiring - to offset the free agent dollars somewhat equally.
As for your Peppers comment - am I the only one who think Philly and the Panthers should swap McNabb and/or Vick for Peppers straight up? Philly get the pass ruher they need and Carolina gets a QB - either the old reliable veteran who excels with proper play-action (Donnie) or the younger, more mature (we think?) speedster who can still flick a 60-yarder when needed to Steve Smith?
Discuss!!!
Packers need O-line help? Thats obvious.
They were torched by Favre, Warner and to an extent Big Ben because the pass rush was inferior to those O-lines. Same old Same old. - No pass rush get killed by dropping LB's in to pass coverage
Mike, what kind of deal do you think the Pack could make for Kampman? Would he fit in as the other pass-rusher the Eagles need to play opposite of Trent Cole?
I agree with national packer post. Every week there is an article solely about the pack. I've heard of catering to your audience but if you posted more about other squads you'd get bigger audience.
One thing I got to mention bout az game, is it obvious to anyone else McCarthy made colossal mistake in playing hard in week17? Yes, the cards used a good bit from Pitt game but I gotta believe they got a real good idea of what the pack would do on d from that game. To the counter argument that the cards got torched just as bad, there defense wasn't exactly spectacular to begin with. Packer d overrated or McCarthy and capers completely outcoachef in final two weeks of season? Probably both...
I agree with national packer post. Every week there is an article solely about the pack. I've heard of catering to your audience but if you posted more about other squads you'd get bigger audience.
One thing I got to mention bout az game, is it obvious to anyone else McCarthy made colossal mistake in playing hard in week17? Yes, the cards used a good bit from Pitt game but I gotta believe they got a real good idea of what the pack would do on d from that game. To the counter argument that the cards got torched just as bad, there defense wasn't exactly spectacular to begin with. Packer d overrated or McCarthy and capers completely outcoachef in final two weeks of season? Probably both...
I agree with national packer post. Every week there is an article solely about the pack. I've heard of catering to your audience but if you posted more about other squads you'd get bigger audience.
One thing I got to mention bout az game, is it obvious to anyone else McCarthy made colossal mistake in playing hard in week17? Yes, the cards used a good bit from Pitt game but I gotta believe they got a real good idea of what the pack would do on d from that game. To the counter argument that the cards got torched just as bad, there defense wasn't exactly spectacular to begin with. Packer d overrated or McCarthy and capers completely outcoachef in final two weeks of season? Probably both...
Dude, nice picture of Clay Matthews. Looks like its from the intro to Baywatch or something.
Reggie White was clearly the best available, and beyond that. Peppers is simply the best available. Mike mentions it being about value, pay big for big results.
The over/under shift for the front could allow you to stem Peppers off the line from one side and it would accelerate the reads. That would make his supposed weight disadvantage for 3-4 to his gain, much like the Pats used Vrable as end man on the line.
I totally disagree with trying for Peppers. He'll cost a fortune and won't necessarily work out. But a decent tackle or two, if available, would work wonders. Seldom does a rookie really work out at tackle. Further, we don't have to have all pro tackles. Good competent vets with an upside. Tauscher might be good for one more year, but I think Clifton's days are up. Lang has good potential, but will never be a left tackle. Colledge took a big leap backwards this year. Well and Sitton did well. That leaves Spitz and the roster ghost Giaco something.
In the secondary, I don't understand why anyone's excited about this guy Collins. Yes, he makes a few good plays, but less than enough and his coverage skills are suspect. Tramon Williams needs to toughen up, but he has good skills. Pat Lee is the great unknown, but the Pack is desperate for a cover guy. Bigby is a bit like Hawk, he does his job, but seldom more.
The article also ignores that the problem Sunday WAS NOT the outside rush. It was the inside pressure which is usually a strengh. The DLinemen had a real bad day. All they had to do is push the pocket. Also ignored is Jones. He did a fantastic job for a low round rookie and has pass rush capabilites as well as coverage skills. But he's as tough as nails and scrappy. Off season should see a very good player emerge.
Used to be a team was lucky to have two good receivers. Now, some teams have three with a good receiving TE. The spead is here to stay. The team that can defense the spread offense has a huge advantage.
Kampman is a free agent and if Thompson plans on getting rid of him, he will not resign him. There will be no trade of kampman at this point unless they franchise him (which they won't because of his injury). They'll let him test the market and probably put an offer out there. The Packers have a new CBA to worry about in addition to resigning a few key players like Clifton, Tauscher, Collins, Tramon Williams (who will want starter money), Spitz, Pickett, and Bigby. Most of those players the Packers will want back, but they'll likely lose a few.
Clifton and Tauscher - one will recieve a big offer somewhere and not be back. FA Tackles are hard to come by and I could see Clifton getting a deal for more money than Thompson wants to pay. Neither player should get more than a 2 year deal in my opinion, but a team that needs a left tackle (and some reports I have read have said that there is very little tackle depth in this year's draft), will give more.
Collins - The packers have to franchise him. They can't let him go. This is assuming there's a new CBA. No CBA and Collins may hold out. I'm not sold that Collins is worth a franchise tag, but there is very little at safety in all of the NFL, let alone on the Packers
Williams - They'll have to give him the top value as a restricted guy to discourage teams from going after him. He's a starter and eventual successor to Harris or Woodson (but probably Harris). With all the nickel that teams play, every team needs a 3rd and 4th corner.
Spitz is unrestricted, but coming off a back injury. He might be restricted though.
Pickett - the packers want him back, they are currently in talks according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bigby - He should be back but only because the Packers have nothing else there. They need a safety... bad.
I am a huge fan of your news and sports index, USA Today rocks! Keep up the good work in 2010!
With the gruesome schedule the Packers have for next season they (T.T.) better not be acting so late into free agency because believe me, their season will be in the dumps if they don't address some of their weaknesses this off season. Ted Thompson needs to be able to come out blazing with both guns firing or else the Packers will be done early in the season, with no chance of a wild card spot this time around...
I totally disagree with trying for Peppers. He'll cost a fortune and won't necessarily work out. But a decent tackle or two, if available, would work wonders. Seldom does a rookie really work out at tackle. Further, we don't have to have all pro tackles. Good competent vets with an upside. Tauscher might be good for one more year, but I think Clifton's days are up. Lang has good potential, but will never be a left tackle. Colledge took a big leap backwards this year. Well and Sitton did well. That leaves Spitz and the roster ghost Giaco something.
In the secondary, I don't understand why anyone's excited about this guy Collins. Yes, he makes a few good plays, but less than enough and his coverage skills are suspect. Tramon Williams needs to toughen up, but he has good skills. Pat Lee is the great unknown, but the Pack is desperate for a cover guy. Bigby is a bit like Hawk, he does his job, but seldom more.
The article also ignores that the problem Sunday WAS NOT the outside rush. It was the inside pressure which is usually a strengh. The DLinemen had a real bad day. All they had to do is push the pocket. Also ignored is Jones. He did a fantastic job for a low round rookie and has pass rush capabilites as well as coverage skills. But he's as tough as nails and scrappy. Off season should see a very good player emerge.
Used to be a team was lucky to have two good receivers. Now, some teams have three with a good receiving TE. The spead is here to stay. The team that can defense the spread offense has a huge advantage.
I live in Michigan, where I follow the Lions (although this year, I didn't follow them - apathy has set in). I followed the NFC East this year, rooting for the Eagles.
My point is that I don't care that you devote more time to certain teams than others. And I think most of us agree. We can get stuff on our team from the local media. I appreciate getting a national perspective of the NFL, and the fact that you have certain teams that you use as examples more than others doesn't bother me. I can extrapolate your overall message to other teams. Just keep doing what you're doing. I'm not a Pats/Packers fan, but I don't mind you using them as examples, because most of the time, you're talking about concepts - not specific observations about players.
People are jumping on the Packers bandwagon to quickly. They had, by far, the easiest schedule in the NFL this year. (Bears (2), Lions (2), rams, browns, bucs (loss!) and the list goes on.
They struggled against every half decent team the whole year. I do think they have a hopeful future with some of their young players, but to say they are a free agent away from the superbowl next year is delusional.
Good to get somewhat of a quick reality check for the blind fans here who assume Lang will be a HOF tackle and Al Harris will be back shutting people down 9 months after an ACL tear on 34 year old knees.
The Packers definitely need to get veteran players in... they can't improve the team while being the youngest team in the league AGAIN. Even if they have a good draft, it will come at the expense of cutting players who have been in the system for a few years. One step forward, two back.
Also - for those who complain about the Packers coverage here... they are one of the 3 most popular teams in the NFL and this post received 50 comments in one day. For every one person who comments, there are probably several hundred who simply read. You need to cater to demand. Nobody wants to read an article about the 49ers or Chiefs.
I agree TT could go after one blue chipper in Free agency, but it should be DL or CB or Safety.
1. I agree with the many others who said we only need one or two more corners beause we lost our nickel and dime backs as well as Harris. I may be one to say that Al can go. Tramon will be a stud. 2. I, however, believe a stand out MLB that can cover, blitz, and support the run will be better in the draft. Whose to say that it was all the corners fault for not having the middle covered? Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk are good to a little above average, but Chillar is a bettter 3-4 linebacker than the other two. So adding a stellar MLB would be the best. And 3. T.J. Lang held his own for several games and did a desent job against Jared Allen. He is better and will be very good in the future. He may not be the answer at tackle though. I think I heard McCarthy say he may be better suited for guard. If we get the tackle needed, good bye D. College.
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Jan 14, 2010
10:50 AM
Mike - It was good for the Patriots to lose in the 1st round, and now it was good for the Packers. Was it good for the Eagles and Bengals too? Can you break down those teams other than the obvious items - Eagles need better O & D linemen, Bengals need better pass receivers, etc?