Packers Free Agent Needs: Special Teams

by Brandon on Feb 20, 2010 7:00 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

As was noted recently, the Green Bay Packers special teams were awful in 2009, and have been awful in most recent seasons. The exception was 2007, according to Football Outsiders, back when K Mason Crosby was better on kickoffs and CBs Will Blackmon and Tramon Williams were returning punts for TDs.

They really could use a new punter. No embarrassing single punts stand out, but P Jeremy Kapinos's year end net average of 34.1 was the worst in the NFL for a 16 game punter. Unfortunately, the best free agent punter is likely ex-Packer P Jon Ryan, and his return to Green Bay under any circumstances seems unlikely. And P Craig Hentrich is finally retiring, so he's not returning to Green Bay either after spending the past 12 seasons with the Titans.

But one interesting free agent might be Pro Bowl (as a special teams player) WR Kassim Osgood. From Arrowhead Pride:

Reason for Consideration: If we're going to sign any guy from this list, Osgood would be my choice. He made the Pro Bowl last year (and 2007 and 2008) as a special teamer. He's a great gunner on S/T and would immediately make the Chiefs much better in that area. However, on a team starved for receivers, Osgood can also make his name at that slot if given the chance, and on the loaded Chargers, that's just not going to happen.

He won't have any opportunities as a receiver with the Packers either, but he can certainly fill a role as a 5th WR. Though there's probably is a good reason teams don't spend big money on No. 5 receivers who are also good on special teams. Maybe a good gunner isn't even worth $1 million per season.

So what about the special teams? Is this something that can be fixed in free agency? Or is it something that (HELP US) the current special teams coaches have to fix with the players they already have?

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Comments

Probably would have been easier to write this about what we DON’T need. The list for what we DO need is long and depressing!

by TrevorR on Feb 20, 2010 11:12 PM CST reply actions

WOW

You must have a pretty low opinion of the Packers if you think the list for what they need is soooo LONG!!! I don’t think we have very many needs at all…

1. A true LT to take CLiftons place
2. A CB for more depth and to maybe become a starter in a year or two, depending on whether you think T. Williams is a viable starter. We will need another CB for when Woodson is done, but thats a good 3 years away!
3. An OLB to compliment Matthews and take pressure off him.

Those are things I see we NEED!!!

Some other things that I would like to see, but are definitely NOT needs…
1. Another safety to give depth and MAYBE start ahead of Bigby
2. Another CB, cuz you can NEVER have too many CB…
3. A speed RB/kick returner/reciever

by Strohman on Feb 21, 2010 1:55 AM CST up reply actions

Hey Stroh ~ @ Least We Agree WHAT WE NEED MOST! : ) LT, LT, LT!!!! Bang that DRUM!

But…, I do think we need more than you are suggesting! I went through the Roster today and counted 20 guys I’d like to see either up-graded, traded, or just plain cut!!! I won’t go through the whole list… Although I think we’d agree on most!! (Harrell? BUSH?? ETC!!!!)

Anyway ~ I agree we NEED:

1. A TRUE LT!!!! Even if we give Clifton a one year deal for depth…

2. I believe we need an OLB more than a CB… but, you are right!!!!

3. We also need another STARTING CB!!

4. I would ADD ~ RB to the NEED List!! I love Grant… but, we need another guy as good or better… and NOT McCluster… (IMO)

Some things I would like to see… They may not be MAJOR NEEDS… But, are very much concerns!!

1a. MORE OL DEPTH!!! (RT & G) Even if Lang ends up playing RT… or LG!!

2b. An ILB to START AHEAD OF HAWK!!!!

3c. A TRUE STARTING SAFETY AHEAD OF Bigby!!!!!

4d. Another CB!! (KICK/PUNT RETURNER!)

5e. A REAL STARTING PUNTER!!!! ( I had a better average as a Junior in HS!!!!)

6f. Someone to push Mason Crosby!!

I truly think we have to take a very close look at the roster and see where to cut our loses!!!!
I sure hope TT & MM are doing their homework and have a decent plan for the Draft! I went through our drafts since TT has taken over… Man we sure screwed up a few picks and he also redeemed himself on a few… This year more than any other year we need to hit PAYDIRT!!!!! : )

GO PACK!!!!!

by Bird Dog Uni on Feb 21, 2010 3:27 PM CST up reply actions