Packers Free Agent Needs: Offensive Backs
by Brandon on Feb 22, 2010 1:07 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Free Agency
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PrintTwo general items up front: 1. Restricted free agents aren't real free agents. Anyone worth keeping will receive a high tender (1st and 3rd round, 1st round, or 2nd round picks as compensation) and it won't cause any salary cap problems in an uncapped year. "Teams have the leverage." Other NFL teams aren't going to offer a big contract and surrender a high draft pick. 2. The best thing the Green Bay Packers could do in free agency is resign all their current free agents.
This is category is the easiest one, and I'm lumping the Quarterback, Running Back, and Fullback positions into this one post.
Quarterback: I can't imagine them signing a veteran free agent QB of any shape or size. They might use a late round draft pick on a QB to develop and then stash on the practice squad for next season.
Running Back: RB Ahman Green is a free agent, but he wasn't signed until last October, and there appears to be little interest in him around the NFL. He might be resigned, but not until after the April draft. It's possible they might be looking for a new 3rd string RB to replace RB DeShawn Wynn and RB Kregg Lumpkin instead of resigning Green (or drafting a RB), but it would be a low cost move.
Fullback: Restricted free agent and starting FB John Kuhn received a low tender last February (no compensation if signed), and he still was resigned last April, so he's likely to draw little interest. Even if he isn't resigned, FB Quinn Johnson is the future, and the Packers should have little interest in other free agent fullbacks.
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Cautiously Optimistic
I for one was happy to see Green out there producing. He seems to have a little left in the tank and was by far the best option behind Grant. What do think of using Jackson as more of a reggie bush type(special teams, etc.). I think they could do far worse than just standing pat. It would be nice to see Grant, run behind a solid o-line for a full season.
I think we need to hold off on Green…I really don’t think anyone is going to come knocking at his door anyway, no one did last year and now he’s got another year on those tires. I think bringing in someone to replace the Wynn/Lumpkin disaster would be a very smart move though. I’d like to see us take a chance on a speedy scat back/receiving back in the 3rd round or later…
Packers need not worry about the FB position
I was pleased with what I saw from Quinn Johnson, and Spencer Havner was extremely productive..and lucky.
2010 WhiteSox Baseball: "even if it works it's still stupid"
Spencer is a TE
And luck? He did nothing but make big time catches for touchdowns! Reliable is not lucky.
You are right though,
Quinn is the future and could become and elite run blocking FB… now if he could only catch the darn ball.
free agent needs
i don’t think there will be many moves at all this year in free agency..teams will keep their own and fill the rest through the draft. imo all 32 teams will protect most of their picks this year, especially with the uncertainty of the cba for 2011.
sleeper back coud be montario hardestry out of ten.., could get him in the fourth round.
Ooo I forgot about Hardesty. He and Brown formed a really nice backfield for UT this year.
by packallday555 on Feb 22, 2010 10:09 AM CST up reply actions
Tomlinson just released by SanDiego,
Packers….L.T….Grant….1-2 punch….dream on.
2010 WhiteSox Baseball: "even if it works it's still stupid"
not much interest in him around the NFL, could get him on the cheap.
2010 WhiteSox Baseball: "even if it works it's still stupid"
:) We’re not the only fans dreaming of an LT signing. This would be a dream come true for the Packers. Grant would still be our #1, but in a 60-40 split on carries with LT. LT would definatly be the 3rd down guy though. Please Ted, please look into Tomlinson!
You’ve got to convince him to take a 40% role though too…there are still plenty of teams that would be willing to give him the 60-70% role. I think…
But that's not what he wants
LT clearly said he wants to be on a Superbowl caliber team, and that makes the Packers candidates, if nothing else. Now it’s up to Ted Thompson to realize you sometimes have to make a big move if you want to reach the next level — and I think he does. I’m all for building through the draft, but not exclusively so.
The Dude abides
I still don’t see us as real contenders:
1. We still have TT running the show. He’s all about youth and building through the draft. Why would he change that NOW for an aging RB?
2. LT is still going to want some big bucks…he WILL end up overpaid.
3. Our Oline sucks…why would he want to come to a team with a terrible Oline?
4. We don’t really throw to our RBs much now…history shows he wouldn’t get a lot of opportunity. The argument would be that it would change when he’s here but its still a strike against us.
5. Teams like the Patriots or Saints or Eagles or Colts or even Cowboys could all use him who are probably more likely to bring him in (if Bush resigns with the Saints, they can come off the list).
Yeah, good points. As far as #1 goes I’m really hoping we see TT turn that around. You can and should build a solid core through the draft but TT has already done that. He needs to make a move that instantly improves our team, and preferably one that would improve the defense. It would be nice to not have to have our offense score 30+ points every game in order to beat some of the better teams in the league.
by packallday555 on Feb 23, 2010 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
I disagree
The biggest bullet that Thompson dodged last year was not having a legitimate backup QB. Perhaps Flynn has matured, but I recall his rookie season when he had to take a couple of meaningful snaps, and it didn’t work out very well at all. The team all year long was one Daryn-College-whiff away from complete disaster. I think it is IMPERATIVE that Thompson sign a veteran QB as insurance.
As for RB — I think a serious upgrade is in order. Grant is signed, but that doesn’t mean we have to keep him. Green, obviously, isn’t a feature back any more, but I don’t think Ryan Grant is either, and you certainly can’t count on Jackson or Wynne. Free agency is tough, so I’d like to see this position addressed in the draft.
No no no.
Grant is fine, he does exactly what we want him to do: hold on to the damn ball (AP anyone?)
Resign Green,
Bring in LT,
Grant, Tomlinson, Green
That would be a great. Any one of these guys can take it to the house.
Not any more
LT and AG no longer are feature backs. Grant is just not that good. I think an upgrade is necessary, but hey, I’m a Notre Dame grad so I’m all for Ryan Grant.
"Grant is just not that good"
wrong. check the stats sir, they don’t lie. Top 10 back in the league.
2010 WhiteSox Baseball: "even if it works it's still stupid"
How many RBs in the NFL have outgained Grant in the past 3 years?
Ryan Grant has run for 3,412 yds in his three years at Green Bay. (Doesn’t include his 200 yard day against Seattle, or other playoff games.)
Only the following 3 RBs have gained more over the past 3 years.
Adrian Peterson has around 1000 more yards and 130 more carries.
Thomas Jones has about 500 more yards over three years, and many more carries.
Steven Jackson has gained 48 more yards than Grant on 28 more carries.
(And not many have scored more TDs than Grant, either.)
Some other RBs could be mentioned as being better receivers out of the backfield.
And of course there is Chris Johnson, who is just a couple hundred yards behind Grant in two years in the NFL, and had the best year of any back in NFL history last year.
There are certainly a few better all round backs, but to say that Ryan Grant is not that good is pretty silly.
Maybe we should get rid of A-Rod, he was only 5th in NFL passing stats. Driver’s never led the league in catches, yards, TDs – cut him. Same goes for Jennings.
The stats are great but if your in an offense with a very good passing game, and so-so blockers your going to put up some yards if you get enough carries. Grant is an average back. He doesn’t have breakaway speed. He doesn’t make very good cuts. Doesn’t break very many tackles. In fact, usually he ends up getting lit up. And he has horrible vision. If we gave Brandon Jackson the same amount of carries we did Grant, he would have had very similar stats.
by packallday555 on Feb 23, 2010 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
Rex Grossman is a UFA
Is probably a bad idea though if he could play like he did around 05-06 and be legitimate competition to Flynn he could be a good signing, though this is optimistic and the last few years it seems he has burned all of his bridges.
Totally with you on Grant. It’s clear when watching him that he is just pretty average. An upgrade would be awesome but I highly doubt it happens.
by packallday555 on Feb 22, 2010 10:15 PM CST up reply actions
agree
“The biggest bullet that Thompson dodged last year was not having a legitimate backup QB.”
I agree 100%
LT
I realize he’s not what he used to be, but having two decent backs could definitely be a good thing. Particularly if he can be got on the cheap.
Plus, who knows, maybe LT is not as washed up as the Chargers think he is. I seem to remember a safety — who’s name sorta sounds like Aaron Harper — who was let go by the Pack because he was “washed up” … and he’s had a decent season or two since then.
by Bizryter on Feb 22, 2010 9:25 PM CST reply actions
tomlinson
he would be a good fit for the texans——they’re a playoff caliber team, he’s from texas and slaton had neck surgery and his future is in doubt.
LT
Forget about it… Won’t happen!!! Period, end of story!!!
IF THompson wants a 30+ yr old, used up, little left in the tank RB (and I don’t think he does), Ahman Green is ready, willing and able… Not to mention THompson probably has him on speed dial… LOL
And if you think that LT is a younger, better version think again… A. Green was little used his 1st 2 yrs in Seattle and the past 2 yrs in Texas. LT may be a bit younger, but in reality they are virtually identical in RB/football age.
Thompson will give Green the call LONG before he would give LT the same call, and Green is in GB staying in shape hoping for a call from Thompson!!!
Couldn't agree more!!
I just posted above with about 5 reasons why this won’t happen. I don’t even think it makes THAT much sense really. I am not really interested…too expensive for what we’d get. Grant isn’t young enough to really gain from LT like you’d want him to…
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