Cheese Curds, 2/8: On Packers' fines & how to measure T.J. Lang's value

The Green Bay Packers have plenty of tough decisions to make in free agency this year, as players from all different positions are set to hit the open market in March. However, one of the toughest decisions this offseason revolves around Pro Bowl guard T.J. Lang.

In the past, the Packers have been comfortable with letting high-priced interior linemen go. Think back to Ted Thompson's first year, when he jettisoned Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera and their huge salaries, which in turn freed up plenty of cap space. If that's too far back, look at Josh Sitton's release in September. Lang is certainly one of the leaders in the locker room and he wants to be back, but his value is cloudy at this point.

While today's Cheese Curds address Lang's future, we also have some more tidbits about the Packers' 2016 season as well as the Super Bowl teams. Included are details on the fines the Packers received this season, plus some big coaching moves for last Sunday's losing team.

Packers guard T.J. Lang faces uncertainty in off-season | Packersnews.com
Lang hopes to stay in Green Bay, the place that has become his home over the past eight years. However, broken bones in his foot and hip surgery might affect whether the team is willing to bring him back - or at least for how long.

Packers' season-ending Dope Sheet | Packers.com
The final stat recap of the year notes a few interesting things, like the fact that the Packers' five NFC North titles in the last six years are the best in the NFC, with no other team having more than three.

Aaron Rodgers' facemask put Packers over $185,000 in season fines - ESPN
The Packers had a huge batch of fines this year, for some reason, with Aaron Rodgers' facemask in the NFC Championship Game being the final one. Datone Jones was hit with the biggest bill for the year, owing over $45,000 for just two fines - one of which was a helmet-to-helmet hit on Matt Ryan in week 8.

James White was so excited after scoring Super Bowl-winning TD that he forgot to keep the ball - SBNation.com
Oops! Where is that football now? Nobody seems to know, though it seems to be an easier thing to lose track of than a player's jersey.

Falcons hire Steve Sarkisian as offensive coordinator - NFL.com
That's the same Sarkisian who spent one week as Alabama's offensive coordinator. He and Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn have both worked for Pete Carroll, however, which could help explain the hire.

How new OC Sarkisian fits Falcons offense | PFF
You'll continue to see a lot of play-action in Atlanta, as well as a heavy use of screen passes and run/pass options. All told, it shouldn't change their look all that much.