Packers ink Ahman Green

To me, that shows 3 things: 1) They are not happy with the running game, as I cannot imagine Green was brought back to replace Wynn, since that would mean playing special teams also. 2) they are finally admitting the team is way too young at certain position groups with teh signings of Tauscher and Green, there is leadership clearly missing 3) They are getting desperate at 1265 lombardi ave, and I think the clock is ticking for McCarthy there.

Personally, I love what Ahman has done for the Packers in the past, but he is 32 and was injured the past 2 seasons. In general, with 30 a RB is pretty much done. I am stunned that he was signed, and not Lumpkin promoted from the PS, or someone else signed who is younger.

@Peter

I agree with your first two points, but I don't think this is a "desperate" signing. I think they have realized that Ryan Grant is never going to be able to catch the ball, and they want Green as a third-down option for screens and short passes. Your point on leadership is well-taken, but if anything I am encouraged by (for once) Ted Thompson seeming to admit that his youth-only approach hasn't been successful enough. Call me crazy, but I'm excited about GB signing Green. Maybe after a year off he's got some of his juice back...

Lot of folks on other sites calling this a desperation move but I think this is a smart one and there's nothing desperate about it. Green knows the offense, the coaches and the system - that's half the battle right there. Is he as good as he was? We all know he isn't but Wynn's roll on this team was primarily as the third down back - Grant and Jackson can't block worth a lick and neither is good at screens. He was also a good short yardage guy with a knack for finding creases in a crowd. Not surprised a bit given the lack of availability with Jackson and Wynn.

@ Thom Ferris
I think you hit it right on, this is to get our screen game back, and relieve some of the pressure on Rodgers, Grant is not a good receiver, where as Green has always been a great receiver out of the backfield. And Green does not need to play special teams, that is what we have 3 Full backs for:)

Yes...let it all play out on the field........

The signings this week show Teddy Thompson is so far out there...he is destroying the Packers. He needs to be fired. People who perfom that poorly are in the real world.

Thompson wanted the team to be young...he went too young instead of leadership...they are once again having a poor season. He is a poor GM.

McCarthy is more concerned about wanting to look good on paper...he has forgotten how to coach a team. He doesn't not understand players. Case in point... he thought Brett Favre was not in the right mindset to play football. During the first part of the season last year (before getting hurt).. Favre was doing well. This year... he is doing GREAT!!

Perhaps this is showing why Brett Favre WAS more important to the team than the management wanted to admit. It seems their ego's in Green Bay were more important than the good of the team.

The signings this week show the Packers are desperate to have some form of leadership (Donald Driver is such a nice guy & very talented player...he is just too nice to be a leader outside the recievers). Bringing back players who they didn't want around before shows they are grasping for some sort of footing like they had 2 years ago. Again this year... they are watching from the bottom of the standings (we'll forget the Lions since everyone else does).

Yes...let it play out on the field.

Packers...young team in need of leadership, coaching & direction.

Vikings...vetrans who want to win, have leadership & a winning record.

That's the best way to show em... :)

I guess us Packer fans must take off another year & hope the management is gone next year. They install a new coach who knows the game & is not hung up on long language playbooks & wants to win. Hopefully a GM who wants to win NOW.

If the Vikings were to win it all. Perhaps Favre might retire....for good.
This (& the fired management) would open up the doors for Packer fans to have some hope...

Peter - there's a lot of talk of re-emphasizing the short passing game (as needs to be done due to line issues) and Green is a tremendous fit for doing that. Look at Kevin Faulk and Sammie Morris in NE, both have been very productive in their 30s in this same roll. Plus Green has always been good at picking up blitzes.

Short of a trade for Steven Jackson or something along those lines, what else available would be a better fit? The unfortunate reality is that starting caliber tackles aren't out walking the streets right now. Plan B is to scheme around it and Green is the best available fit to do that.

Craig - if you insist on ranting and raving, could you at least do us a favor and be brief about it? Lot of web real estate there to say you hate TT for trading Favre.

Scott - I understand, and Green is a good receiver, no doubt about it. I also agree that there is not much out there, and ironically, I was hoping that Steven Jackson was a trade target (and maybe he was, we don't know). I am sceptical, since backup RBs need to play Special Teams, and I have not seen Green do that at all. Maybe they plan him to be the kick returner too, but I am not sure. He also was injured the past 2 years, and his time may simply be over (I am hoping it is not). jason Wilde said that he worked out for the rams in august, and they didn't sign him, despite not having a good backup RB (Gado is their first option), and he was not in camp with anyone either, so may not be in good football shape to begin with. the reason I see it as a desperation move, however, is that I think McCarthy and Ted T realize that both Wynn and Brandon Jackson are not dependable, besides their injury problems they haven't really shown much. As much as poeple are on Ryan Grant, the Packers had nothing behind him. I thought their first option would have been to activate Lumpkin, or look for someone else on another practice squad, but maybe you are right and they are counting on him knowing the system and being able to contribute right away. But I believe if they were thinking that the running game in general is fine, they'd simply have activated Lumpkin and moved on, since in a way Wynn and Lumpkin are very similar (size, style, and ability). signing a completely different type of back than what they have on the roster currently shows that they recognize the missing piece, though, and people should give Ted and Mike credit for that. Building and keeping a team is not easy, and I would really hope people out there would finally stop to be dogging Ted over the QB decision. it was the right move. Give #12 Minnesota's defense and a decent OL, and he'd be viewed as being the best QB in the league. I also can't believe people think Favre was a leader on this team and he was the only reason all was working. The guy had his own locker room and didn't even think he should participate in anything the team was doing. How is that leadership?

The Packers are thinking ahead to Brett Favre's ballyhooed return to Lambeau. If they use Green properly, they can divert some attention from Favre. Hopefully, Green Bay will introduce Ahman as their starter, allowing Favre to look on as the crowd salutes another legendary Packer with a standing-O. Then, they can take a leaf from Oakland's book.

When Tim Brown made a landmark reception at home, Oakland stopped the game, causing its opponent to lose all momentum while the Raiders brought Brown's family onto the field for a ceremony that faetured a teary speech by Tim. It was like calling a 20-minute timeout.

Green needs 46 yards to set a Packer record for rushing yards. If the Packers are smart, they will allow Green to gain 45 yards against Cleveland; one carry might do it versus the flu-ridden, snake-bitten Browns. Then, whenever the Packers want to stop the game against the Vikings, they can bring in Green to gain his one yard, stop the game to announce that Ahman has broken Jim Taylor's franchise record, and allow Green to clutch the ball and ramble about what it means to be a Packer. All that attention will deflate Favre, who will covet it, and sap the energy of the bored Vikings. Mark Tauscher will also be returning for his second stint as a Packer, and the atmosphere created should leave Brett feeling more nostalgic than vindictive.

The pack has lacked a homerun hitter at the tailback position. Grant and Jackson are not very fast. Wynn was certainly not fast Its a third string running back signing. They are not looking for Ahmann to carry the ball 30 times a game, but if given a crack he can bring it to the house. His prescense on third down should at least keep the defense a bit more honest.

i am glad to see green come back but only time will tell if he has anything left , he was great for the packers for years but personally i wish we could cut teddy boy and bring wolf back.