Looking At The Unsigned Packer Free Agents

by Brandon on Aug 3, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Offensive guard Mark Tauscher #65 of the Green Bay Packers blocks against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The free agent market is getting thin, but the Green Bay Packers still have some former starters (and a former 1st round draft choice) out on the street. What does the future hold for these players?

Here's the free agent tracker from NFL.com showing the players still available.

SS Atari Bigby. He was never known for his coverage skills, which combined with his injury prone past, is hurting his free agent value. He could be signed by a team who is looking for an injury replacement later this season.

LB Brandon Chillar. While I was concerned about the future of his surgically repaired shoulder, a recent hamstring injury is probably keeping teams away. He should sign somewhere, once his hamstring is feeling better.

DE/DT Justin Harrell. His career could be over. He's certain to receive some tryout offers, and he could resurface later this season. As always, his future will depend primarily on his health.

RT Mark Tauscher. I'm a little surprised he didn't retire instead of waiting for the Packers to release him. He may be waiting to see if the Packers give him a call later, as they did back in 2009 when they needed a replacement for the failed Allen Barbre experience. However, I don't expect the Packers will make that same call again in 2011, and he doesn't appear to have any interest in playing for any other team. I'm expecting they'll hire him for another role within the organization, but something might not be available right now. "A first ballot Packer Hall of Fame guy."

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Any chance that we can resign Tauscher? If Sherrod opens up the season as the starting left guard, then we will be really thin at tackle. Clifton and Bulaga are a solid tandem, but it wouldn’t hurt to have Tauscher on the bench. I think he’d be a great sign if we can get him for near league minimum.

by FeartheChop on Aug 3, 2011 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

They have an abundance of OT

If Clifton goes down, Sherrod can move to his natural LT position or they can insert Newhouse at LT. If Bulaga goes down they can move Sherrod or Newhouse over, or insert Lang at RT. We’d all love to have Tauscher back, but they really don’t have a spot for him. Right now we have Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod, Newhouse as the top 4 OT and could move Lang to play RT if needed. I don’t think theres enough roster spots to add Tauscher.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 3, 2011 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Personally, I think Lang should be the primary back-up at RT. I don’t remember him ever playing anything but solidly at that position. He struggled at LT, but he was excellent at Right.

But, anyway… yeah, we’ve got lots of tackles. Sorry, Tausch. Hope they find him a job as beer taster or something. They could hire him as the somalier at Curly’s Pub. “…very good, sir, and may I recommend something in a Miller Lite for the lady?”

by Curly Lambeau on Aug 3, 2011 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

none of these guys are needed - they can all walk and we'll be fine

Tauscher deserves everyone’s respect for his work over the years, but all of these guys are expendable. Bigby could have started packing his bags as soon as Morgan Burnett was drafted, Chillar is definitely behind Jones, Walden, etc., and Harrell has never done anything for us – a rare botched draft pick.

by rip_city_swagger on Aug 3, 2011 6:05 PM CDT reply actions

Safe to assume that all four are gone?

I figured that Bigby might have the best chance of returning, but I see little chance, barring injuries in the secondary, the he could make the roster as our secondary is crowded with talent. Despite sentiment, I see no way Tauscher returns unless there is some emergency. Perhaps Chillar is the only one who might return?

by NYCPac on Aug 4, 2011 1:53 AM CDT reply actions

I think there is a ZERO percent chance of Bigby coming back. NOt sure what role he’d take on the team, he’d be the third safety. Maybe if injuries haunt us again he gets a call later…

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

by TrevorR on Aug 4, 2011 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Green already has his number!

by msc32887 on Aug 4, 2011 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Harrell for vet's minimum?

I think the only reason preventing that is that TT simply wants to sever ties completely.

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 4:57 AM CDT reply actions

…and rightly so. He wasn’t cut for the money, he was cut cause he can’t stay healthy. A player with skill who never gets on the field is a waste of money and worthless.

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

by TrevorR on Aug 4, 2011 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I think it was partly the money

He was due a roster bonus of 500k or something like that. Without that, I think he might have stayed on at least through camp.

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 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Whatever the reasons, he's gotta' go.

You hope that he can someday be the player he could’ve been and that he was drafted to be, but, at this point, if it’s going to happen, it’s gotta’ be with a different club. If anything, we’ve held on to him too long already.

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

Yeah maybe that is possible, but if they felt he had the skills or any confidence of him being healthy, $500K is a pretty minor signing bonus in the terms of NFL contracts.

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

by TrevorR on Aug 4, 2011 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions