Looking At The Packers Free Agent Losses On Offense

by Brandon on Aug 3, 2011 9:01 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

Following up on my previous post about the Green Bay Packers free agent losses on defense, I turn to the other side of the football and look at the offense. More offensive players have found new homes, but the names aren't as big as they were on defense.

Here's the free agent tracker from NFL.com showing the new teams for these former offensive starters.

LG Daryn Colledge, Cardinals. The team and player were a very good fit in the sense that Colledge needed to find a new home, and the Cardinals needed a new left guard after Alan Faneca retired. Otherwise, your guess is as good as mine why did the Cardinals chose Colledge over any of the other guards available in free agency. AZ Central said Colledge fills "an immediate need."

FB Korey Hall, Saints. Canal Street Chronicles says that Hall is "one of three FBs currently on the roster all fighting for one spot" which might mean he has an uphill battle ahead, or their looking for Heath Evans's replacement. Hall's good enough to win a starting job, if he's healthy, and staying healthy has been a problem for him over the past couple seasons.

RB Brandon Jackson, Browns. Dawgs By Nature thinks "Jackson is an ideal complement to the tandem of Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty" and pointed out his 43 receptions in 2010. If all they're looking for is a good blocker and receiver, then the Browns made a good move, but the price (two years for $4.5 million) seems like too much.

TE Donald Lee, Eagles. The Eagles dream team just continues to get better! Seriously, as Bleeding Green Nation mentioned, Lee will give them the blocking TE they've been lacking, and it might help open up their offense because TE Brent Celek won't have to "block so much."

OL Jason Spitz, Jaguars. The player I thought would be looking for a backup role instead found a three-year contract in Jacksonville. NFL.com currently has him listed as a center, but Big Cat Country expects he'll be given "every chance to win the starting left guard position." As you might recall, Spitz rarely played left guard with the Packers, and I recall one disastrous preseason game against the 49ers in which he was completely awful at left guard. But he was being groomed as the Packers center of the future back in 2009, and maybe he'll get another chance to start at center with the Jaguars.

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Comments

Jackson was a great pickup for the Browns. I don’t think the price was too high at all though, I thought it was just fine. I think he was the best signing of one of our free agents. Jenkins should do well in Philly if he can stay healthy but given his history, that is a big if!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Aug 3, 2011 9:17 AM CDT reply actions

Your hyperinks are red, bro.

Don’t know if they were supposed to be.

All is vanity.

by levnclf on Aug 3, 2011 10:06 AM CDT reply actions

A.J. Hawk cut ?

I can’t find any information on this, am I reading old news? I know 10 mil is huge, but didn’t he just re-sign for a lesser amount? I’m so confused

"I don't know how a guy gets single covered in that situation when you're dropping eight men," Tony Dungy, 12/20/09

by PackaCracka on Aug 3, 2011 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

I think I'm reading old news

thats been regurgitated by yahoo sports

"I don't know how a guy gets single covered in that situation when you're dropping eight men," Tony Dungy, 12/20/09

by PackaCracka on Aug 3, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions

You are correct

I remember reading that article some time ago.

by GregR on Aug 3, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Good write-up

I don’t think we’ll miss any of these guys. Actually, any other year, I don’t think any of them would’ve gotten nearly as much attention in FA. It’s just that everybody wants players from the previous year’s champ.

The FA losses we’ll feel are the ones on defense, if anything. But, on offense… nah. If anything, re-signing Jones was kind of a luxury, I think. …more than we needed, really.

by Curly Lambeau on Aug 3, 2011 11:01 AM CDT reply actions

kind of a luxury, I think. …more than we needed, really

unless the injury bug continues and a top receiver goes down. Who thought we’d need all those depth players last year?

by Tmad on Aug 3, 2011 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Driver might be an injury waiting to happen at this point.

As sad as I would be to see that happen, I would be excited to see Cobb get more chances in the slot.

All is vanity.

by levnclf on Aug 3, 2011 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Well, even with a WR injury...

We’ve got Nelson, Swain and then the rookie to step in to the starter spot.

If you get two injuries, well, then that’s when you start to get creative with our three talented TEs. …which, I’m already looking forward to seeing Jennings, Finley, Quarless and this rookie TE on the field together. I mean, what the H are other teams going to do with THAT formation?

by Curly Lambeau on Aug 3, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

2 TE

I love the idea of a 2 TE set w/ Finley and Quarless or Williams lined up on the LOS. Then motion both of them out to a slot and get them in space vs a LB or S. You go from what looks like a run formation, immediately to a pass set and both TE being excellent recievers. Just no way I can see to defend that formation very well. Looks like a run set, then suddenly it becomes a pass set w/ 4 great recievers! Thats just not fair…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 3, 2011 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

And then sneak Rodgers up the middle for a yard!

Totally take them by surprise…they’ll never know what hit them!

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 3, 2011 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions

But in all seriousness, I think McCarthy said...

in something I read recently (possibly here) that he was installing like 47 new concepts into the offense this season. Can’t wait to see what they are!

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 3, 2011 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Swain

is probably gone. At least according to Vandermouse (sp?). He’s also saying that House will beat out Underwood at CB (!) so take that for what it’s worth.

I think Swain’s been great on ST, but I do find it hard to believe they’ll keep 6 WRs.

by GinSlinger on Aug 3, 2011 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully Underwood does get beaten out.

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 3, 2011 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Underwood is a FS behind Collins now.

And Bush is a CB. Got switched end of last year…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 3, 2011 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope House makes the roster.

TT didn’t draft him just for kicks; he saw something in the kid.

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 3, 2011 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely

On some sites House was projected as a 2nd round pick. I loved the guy headed into the draft. He’s got the type of ability that might allow him to become the next Woodson. Not as good obviously, but a reasonable facsimile. One of my favorite players in the draft this year.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 4, 2011 2:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Lets hope he has a penchant for Pick-6's.

I can imagine the taglines.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 4, 2011 3:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Davon takes one to the "House"?

Hugh Laurie put to shame by 2nd cousin. He’s no longer the most popular House.

13.

Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!

by Wiedmann on Aug 4, 2011 5:02 AM CDT up reply actions

I imgine Chris Berman

will likely call him ‘Animal’ House.

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."

The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Aug 4, 2011 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Guarenteed!!!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 5, 2011 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Hence my

(!). I know that, but that a Green-Bay based, Packers beat writer doesn’t makes his take on Swain less credible in my view.

by GinSlinger on Aug 4, 2011 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Last season we were on our knees and with prayer when the back-ups had to play.This season,we’’ll be on one knee…simply enjoying watching them …perform in their play.

by Tarynfor12 on Aug 3, 2011 1:01 PM CDT reply actions

all of these guys were expendable

and overall, other than Cullen Jenkins, I don’t think we lost anyone that would have had a big impact this year. Hall and Jackson might be decent for worse teams, but with the drafting of Alex Green and re-signing of John Kuhn, they were rendered largely useless for the Packers. Lee was never going to play after Finley’s return, Quarless’ emergence, and the drafting of DJ Williams.

On Colledge, he was serviceable, but it’s clear the Packers feel like they have enough upcoming talent to let him walk. When you have a QB like Rodgers, you don’t get cute or let anything on the O-Line lapse, and the fact that they let Colledge leave shows they are confident in the guys who will replace him (TJ Lang?) I also think that with the rest of the line solidified, they were more comfortable changing out at LG. It will be interesting to see if they do indeed have Sherrod playing at LG this season after he saw snaps there in training camp. On paper, that would be a really stout O-Line for us.

by rip_city_swagger on Aug 3, 2011 6:16 PM CDT reply actions

Packers re-loaded

Jackson’s biggest contribution was 3rd down receiver out of backfield and blitz coverage, his running production was minimal, more negative than positive and was a glaring weakness for the offense until emergence of Starks. Upgrades thru draft will be an improvement over loss of most of these players excepting Jenkins on defense where his experience will be missed. Returning players will have to step up or defensive line could be this year’s Achilles heel.

by Shavager on Aug 5, 2011 8:55 AM CDT reply actions