Chad Clifton

I appreciate what Clifton has done for us over the years, but I would like to move forward with the younger talent we have. Clifton is getting older and slower, whereas Newhouse and Sherrod are both younger and improving. There’s still a long season ahead of us though, so lets see how Newhouse performs the rest of the season and trust the coach’s development of Sherrod in practice. If Newhouse regresses considerably, and the coaches still don’t trust Sherrod, then resign Clifton. It’s still too early to make that decision though…

He’s one of the oldest starters in the NFL, and he’s obviously had some injury problems. He might decide to retire. If he doesn’t, I’m sure the Packers will give him a chance to return in 2012, but if he’s not as good as either Newhouse and Sherrod, the Packers won’t just let him keep his starting job because he’s the veteran. They’ve proven performance trumps seniority with decisions made over the past few years in re: to players like Al Harris and Favre.

I’m in the minority here, but with drafting Sherrod and Newhouse being decent enough, we don’t need Cliffy on the roster next year given his age, his declining athleticism, and his bad knees. No doubt by the 3rd or 4th round of this coming April’s draft, TT will opt to get a new O-lineman. I appreciate Clifton and all he’s done for us, but his time has come and gone.

I don’t see much chance Cliffy is back in ‘12… IMO, the real question is should he be the starter when he returns from his injury. I think the Packers are doing well enough on offense and Newhouse is doing well enough to warrant keeping the starting job even when Clifton returns. Cliffy might be slightly better, but the experience Newhouse is gaining is invaluable. As long as Newhouse isn’t hurting the offense, and he doesn’t seem to be, Newhouse should be the starter.

Clifton isn’t going to be the backup next year and I don’t think he would come back to be a backup either. No reason to have him back, when we have 2 young OT w/ loads of potential that need the reps and experience. Save the money and invest it in re-signing Rodgers to a long term contract at about 20M. Clifton has had a great career as a Packer, but its his time after this season to retire. Walk away w/ the 2 most rewarding years in his career w/ 2 SB rings!

There are four players who are older and this might be their swan song….Driver, Clifton, Grant, and Woodson. Driver and Grant are each a bit old for their position and as a result are falling down the depth chart to younger, more dynamic players. If the Pack wins the Super Bowl (and especially if they do so in historic fashion) I think these guys move on from the Packers with their head held high for the accomplishment. Driver into retirement and Grant to take a reduced role on a different team.

Woodson seems to have the most in the tank of the three guys. He’s not who he once was, but he still is a better corner than many in the league and can make plays. The move to safety might be coming quicker than expected with his slow down and the injury to Nick Collins. Either way I see him coming back again next year.

Cliffy I see as the most likely to retire though. His body is pretty beaten up, but he’s had a pretty darn good career. He’s set for Packer Hall of Fame honors….maybe even ring of honor as well considering what a stable he’s been to the Packers over his career and the success of the organization over that time. I guess I don’t know what he would get out of coming back other than money. The younger guys at his position would be ready to over take him in a straight competition, and I don’t know the value of coming back and going through camp in order to possibly get cut or ride the pine. Better to ride off into the sunset knowing that you were a key contributor on a team that may go down in history.

It was a given that Clifton wouldn’t play 16 games this season, and it’s even less likely he could go 16 next year. TT won’t bring Clifton back next year. Clifton’s been a great Packer and will go into the Packer HOF. Hopefully, he adds another ring this season. I would consider bringing back Clifton with the expressed understanding that he’s the backup at a reduced salary. Don’t know if Clifton could live with that.

Grant will not be back if Greene’s knee heals up. Starks, Green and Saine will be the backfield next season. Grant’s a class guy, but his on-field performance has dropped.

No reason to talk of Woodson’s retirement.

The Packers should offer Driver the same “ambassador” offer they put to Favre a few years ago. Put Driver on a 5 to 7 year contract to make appearances on behalf of the team. There’s no better man for the role. Donald can still make the big play, but he can’t get deep and is dropping a lot of balls. His goal is to play until 40 but there’s no realistic way for that to happen. I think MM and TT will confer with Driver privately this off season if they plan to cut him to give Donald the opportunity to retire, rather than be cut. Keep Driver, an alltime fan favorite, close to the team with a services contract; take advantage of that 1000-watt smile and great personality, keep Driver in the Packer family and get the next unknown, talented “Driver” onto the field next season.