Five Free Agents the Packers Should Sign

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NFL Free Agency starts in three weeks, but this date has not really mattered to fans since Ted Thompson has become the General Manager.  The Green Bay Packers are a draft and develop team, plain and simple.  However, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network broke the story that the Packers were going to spend in free agency and spend big.  The latest news has the Packers signing up to five free agents to revamp their limp noodle defense.  The defensive line, linebacking core and secondary all need upgrades. 

Photo: Jersey Al's Packer Blog

Let me clear a few things up for Packers fans.  The Packers are not going to sign Jimmy Graham.  They will not be signing Jarius Byrd.  The franchise tag will be used on several of the top free agents available.  So, let’s take a look at five options the Packers can realistically add to their team through free agency.

Re-sign Sam Shields

Priority number one is resigning Sammy.  He has continued to grow each of the last four seasons and had his best season in 2013.  Tramon Williams had a bounce back second half of the season in 2013, so locking up Shields on the other side makes sense.  He will not come cheaply, especially since Drew Rosenhaus is his agent.  I do not expect the Packers to use the franchise tag on Shields, however I am expecting a deal to come before free agency begins.

Sign a safety: TJ Ward or Donte Whitner

TJ Ward may be franchised, so I will not spend a lot of time on him.  If he is not tagged, the Packers should take a look at pairing up the 27 year old to form a stronger back end of the secondary.  Whitner is a 28 year old safety that has played for the 49ers and has his best statistical year in 2013.  Whitner has always been known for his run stopping ability, but his coverage was always a liability.  Everything changed this year when he partnered with Eric Reid.  Whitner turned a corner with his coverage and would be a welcome addition to the Packers secondary. *Note- There has been internal Packers discussion about moving Micah Hyde to safety.

Sign OLB Jason Worilds

The Packers have been looking for a complimentary OLB to pair with Clay Matthews for a while.  Nick Perry has shown some flashes, however he has not been able to stay healthy.  Enter Jason Worilds.  The fifth year player out  of Pitt would fit perfectly across from Matthews.  Worilds broke out this year, with 8.0 sacks and ended up starting for Pittsburgh the second half of the season.  The Packers are not giving up on Perry, just being realistic by bringing in some talent far superior to anything previously on the roster.

Sign DT Jason Hatcher

You may have noticed B.J. Raji has not appeared on this list.  The Packers need someone who can make a difference in the middle.  Raji seems to have lost that and paying him eight million dollars a year is insane.  Here comes Hatcher from the Cowboys.  The Cowboys are in salary cap hell, so they are letting Hatcher go.  The 32 year old will be a great veteran addition to the young defensive line.  Hatcher had a career year with 11.0 sacks.  Do not expect 11 sacks next year, but maybe 6 or 7 from the DT. Anything  would be a huge improvement over Raji’s goose egg this year. The signing of Hatcher would be a good start, but the Packers should still draft a DT in the 1st or 2nd round of the upcoming draft.   Several mock drafts have the Packers linked to Notre Dame’s Louis Nix III and Minnesota’s Rashede Hageman as 1st round picks.

Sign a DE: Lamarr Houston/Corey Wooten/Julius Peppers

Things get a little murky here.  It is difficult to imagine the Packers signing a very high profile free agent like Houston.  If he is not franchised, the Raiders have over $60 million in cap space to resign the defensive end.  The 6’3”, 300 pound defensive end is exactly the player the Packers need to solidify the defensive line.  At 26 years old, he would be a great long tern fit if the Packers are willing to spend big.

It is much more likely the Packers will spend less and try to get some bang for their buck.  I give you Corey Wooten and Julius Peppers.  The Packers are raiding the Chicago Bears closet.  At 6’6’’, Wooten is the tall, athletic end Dom Capers is looking for.  2010 and 2011 were injury riddled seasons for Wooten, but he broke out with 7.0 sacks in 2012.  In 2013, the Bears were depleted at DT, so they moved him inside.  His sack total dipped to 3.5, but he was being a team player.  Wooten could be a bargain this year in free agency.

Peppers is most likely a cap casualty.  He has an $18.18 million cap hit this year.  He is 34 years old, but still has a little something left in the tank.  A 6’7’’ defensive end that only has to play on passing downs would be quite the fit.  There have a been a few rumors of Peppers heading back to Carolina on the cheap, but why not the Packers?

The Packers have plenty of holes and hopefully free agency will help fill a few and the draft will take care of the rest.  I still am a little skeptical of Thompson really hitting free agency hard, but the draft alone will not fix the Packers defense.  I did not address a few of the other free agents the Packers have, so let me hit those quickly.  I think Evan Dietrich-Smith is gone, with JC Tretter the most likely to fill in.  I am not sure anyone is going to pay James Jones the money he wants, but I do believe he will sign with the New York Giants to reunite with new offensive coordinator McAdoo.  I also believe Finley will be with another team next season and I fully expect the Packers to address the TE position in the draft.  I still have a gut feeling that Brandon Bostick will be a really good TE in a year or two.

Packers fans can finally look forward to free agency, but do not expect this trend to continue every year.  This has the feeling of a one night stand between Ted Thompson and the free agent market.


Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

-Steve Perhach

Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live in-game commentary, breaking news, rumors, previews, and post game discussion. Follow the entire writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, and @10iskristin

Breaking Packers

In honor of Breaking Bad’s return this week(great show – check it out) and to help alleviate the doldrums of training camp, and just maybe to help forget the middling preseason performance against the Cardinals, it’s time to breakdown the Packers offseason and training camp thus far using some memorable quotes from Breaking Bad’s first five seasons. It should go without saying but consider this the spoiler alert disclaimer.

“You are a wealthy man now. One must learn to be rich. To be poor, anyone can manage” – Gus Fring

Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews both signed enormous contract extensions during the offseason. For Rodgers it was his second big contract, while for Matthews this was his first big deal after his expiring rookie contract. Rodgers deal made him the highest paid player in NFL history yet remains cap friendly for the Packers. Considering the importance of quarterback and how amazing Rodgers has been through 5 seasons, it’s possible Rodgers is still underpaid (as much as $54 million can be considered underpaid). Matthews on the other hand became the highest paid linebacker in the league and has been one of the more feared pass rushers in the game. However the deal for Matthews becomes tricky considering his injury history. Matthews has battled hamstring problems since his rookie year and while he has only missed 5 games over four seasons, a player that relies on so much explosive power needs to be healthy to be effective. At $13.5 million a year, Matthews must remain an All Pro caliber player or the Packers will quickly find themselves unable to justify that much money for a non-impact player.

“Yeah b**ch!” – Jesse Pinkman

Jesse Pinkman’s explicit catch phrase goes to Tramon Williams. Young defensive backs Davon House and Micah Hyde have been playing well in training camp. They have started to push for playing time while Williams recovered from injury. Williams has yet to return to form of the 2010 season and watched as Thompson drafted four defensive backs in the past three drafts. But House and Hyde both struggled against the Cardinals in preseason action, getting beat on deep balls and not inspiring much confidence either are ready for every down responsibilities. Williams has to feel more at ease that he can jump right back into the #1 corner spot once his knee is full go.

“Some straight like you…he’s just gonna break bad?” - Jesse Pinkman

During his time in Green Bay, Greg Jennings seemed like a standup guy. He embraced the community and never said anything remotely inflammatory. Cut to this past offseason when at seemingly every opportunity Jennings took jabs at the Packers organization and former players. Jennings is cut from the same interview cloth as Brett Favre. He always gives answers without any consideration to political correctness or how his comments may be construed. Even still, his laments about his ex-team are bizarre and confusing. I’m not sure at what point he will heed the advice of Vikings coach Leslie Frazier who advised “That’s not how we do things” but it seems at least for now, discretion is not the better part of valor for Greg Jennings.

“I am not in danger. I am the danger” – Walter White

After disappointing back to back playoff exists, as well as the infatuation with read option offenses, the Packers have seem to fallen out of favor as a Super Bowl contender by most ‘experts’. In preseason power polls by various outlets the Packers rank anywhere from 5th – 8th and are a consensus fourth in the NFC behind the 49ers, Seahawks and Falcons. Perhaps subdued expectations are just want the doctored ordered for this team with questions on the offensive line and everywhere on defensive. But make no mistake, the Packers are one of half a dozen serious Super Bowl contending teams and to overlook them would be dangerous.

Photo: Deadspin - Braun with bodybuilding bros

“Yeah Mr. White! Yeah science!” - Jesse Pinkman

This one is for Wisconsin sports fans. A summer filled with a disastrous Brewer season and PED scandal of franchise player Ryan Braun does not make for fond memories. Much like Jesse is happy to be saved by Walter’s chemistry, Wisconsin sports fans are saved by football and the Green Bay Packers. Everything takes a back seat during football season in Wisconsin. People are decked out in green and gold, radio stations are blasting Packer centric cover songs and the mood is decidedly more cheerful. This one is quite simple…yeah football!

“You asked if I was in the meth business or the money business? Neither. I’m in the empire business”  - Walter White

One of the show’s defining moments demonstrating Walter’s mentality when it comes to his illegal activities goes to Ted Thompson. Almost from the onset of taking over as GM, Thompson has made several crucial choices, most notably opting for unproven Aaron Rodgers over icon Brett Favre. While not all of his decisions have worked out, Thompson has positioned the Packers to be a completive force in the NFL and perennial playoff fixture.  Remember for every not resigning Cullen Jenkins or not trading for Marshawn Lynch, Thompson does not mortgage the future to realize immediate success. So rest easy Packer fans, you are witnessing a football empire.

Until next time, Beer, Brats, and Championships.

- Neal Olson (@olewr7)

Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live, in-game commentary, breaking news, previews and post game discussions. Follow the entire Wisconsin Sports Blog writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, @TABrown23, and @10iskristin.

Green Bay Packers Season Preview - Defense

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

For whatever reason, it seems the Green Bay Packers have given it their all in proving this long heard football axiom. The 2011 and 2012 seasons saw the offense rank first and third respectively in points scored while the defense was dead last in yards allowed in 2011. Last year the defense improved to a solid 11th in yards allowed, but after watching the 49ers run rampant in the NFC divisional playoff round I don’t think anyone is scared seeing the Packers D on their 2013 schedule. Since letting DE Cullen Jenkins leave via free agency after the 2010 season and losing S Nick Collins to career ending spinal injury in week 2 of 2011, the Packers defense has allowed just under 260 yards passing and 2 TDs a game(including playoffs). Since both absences were nearly simultaneous it is impossible to point to one as reason for the decline of the pass defense. I tend to lean more toward the Collins injury as the most important but both pass rush (or lack thereof) and pass coverage has been missing. Let’s explore a little more shall we?

The Culprits

Ted Thompson has made a lot of brilliant moves during his tenure as GM of the Packers, but letting Cullen Jenkins sign with the Eagles after the 2010 Super Bowl was not one of them. Following his blueprint of letting older free agents go and relaying on more economical(read cheaper) younger players, starting defensive end opposite Ryan Pickett in 2011 fell to a combination of Jarius Wynn and CJ Wilson. In 2010 while playing alongside Jenkins, who tallied 14 QB hits and 9 tackles for loss, Wynn and Wilson combined for 10 QB hits and 4 tackles for loss. Without Jenkins in the mix in 2011 Wynn and Wilson’s productivity plummeted, combining for just 3 QB hits and 9 tackles for loss.  The evidence was overwhelming enough; Thompson spent three of his first four draft picks in 2012 on defensive front seven players trying to find someone capable of taking pressure of Clay Matthews. With the Eagles in 2011 Jenkins registered 11 QB hits and 11 tackles for loss and while those numbers do not necessarily translate if he had stayed in green and gold, Jenkins certainly would have provided more firepower than anyone else on the roster that season.

The case for replacing Nick Collins is not quite so cut and dry statistically, however the falloff was much greater. While a solid player, Cullen Jenkins is not an All Pro level player. Collins was a three time 2nd team All NFL player at safety from 2008-2010 and a ball hawk, generating turnovers via interception and forced fumble. Collins most iconic Packers moment, his Super Bowl 45 interception returned for a TD best exemplifies his free ranging and big play ability. Yet despite all the turnovers and defensive touchdowns, Collins best attribute was recognition of offenses and ensuring the rest of the Packers defensive backs where properly aligned and understood the coverage for each play. In the NFL where physical ability only takes you so far, preparation through film study and on field recognition and adjustment is what separates the great players from the average. Replacing the understanding of 7 year veteran Collins with second year player Morgan Burnett and journey man Charlie Peprah was a gigantic task, particularly when combined with a less effective pass rush.

The Answers

2011 was rock bottom defensively for the Ted Thompson Packers. This led to the first six picks of the 2012 draft focused on the defensive side of the ball. Combined with 2013 first round draft pick Datone Jones from UCLA, the defense is loaded with young players ready to prove themselves. Odds are one or two will separate and become a difference maker this season. Here are the favorites in terms of impact in descending order:

#1 S – Morgan Burnett – fresh off a 4 year $25 million dollar extension, Burnett is entering his fourth season in the league and third as an entrenched starter. If you’re a fan of history, 4th year safeties in the Packers organization are primed for break out seasons. Predecessors Leroy Butler, Darren Sharper and Nick Collins all became Pro Bowl players during their fourth year.  All this points to a good omen for Burnett, who has shown flashes the past two years defending passes and as an occasional blitzer. Look for defensive coordinator Dom Capers to use Burnett in a more flexible roll (similar to Charles Woodson) to roam in coverage or attack the QB off the edge.

#2 DE – Datone Jones – a lot of pressure has been put on the rookie from UCLA to liven the defensive line that has been awfully stagnant since Jenkins departure. Early reports out of training camp indicate Jones to be impressing with both his strength and speed, something the Packers are hoping will combat the trendy ‘read option’ offense that terrorized them against the 49ers in the playoffs. The Packers think so highly of Jones he has even taken some reps on kickoff coverage, a rarity for defensive linemen.

#3 OLB – Nick Perry – his size and speed are rare even by NFL standards(between Perry and Jones they are definitely looking for a Jenkins-like replacement) That combination was on full display last season when the power generated in sacking Andrew Luck caused the referees (non-replacement even) into thinking he had helmet to helmet contact with the Colts QB. Like Jones and any other pass rusher, Perry has to show the ability to consistently beat one on one matchups while teams concentrate most efforts into slowing down Matthews.

#4 S – Jerron McMillan/ MD Jennings – one of these two players has to emerge and warrant all the first team defensive reps. Thus far in camp they have been splitting opportunities practice to practice. While the competition surely brings out the best in both players, it hampers the cohesiveness the defensive backfield needs to prevent assignment and alignment issues of years past. Both players saw action last year as rookies but were inconsistent in performance. McMillan has been making a few more standout plays disrupting the offense early on and seems to be the front runner.

Just missed the cut – CB - Davon House , CB – Sam Shields, DL – Mike Daniels.

Note - For what it’s worth, Casey Hayward has already broken out and is probably the 4 or 5 most important defensive player already but it would be nice to get him healthy and back on the practice field sooner rather than later.

The Verdict

The defense has taken a beating these past two seasons. Earlier than expected playoffs exits put everyone on notice, but especially Dom Capers who battled rumors and speculation his time as defensive coordinator should end. Mike McCarthy quickly ended those thoughts and gave Capers the dreaded ‘vote of confidence’ in a feisty post season press conference ensuring Capers would be back this season. The bottom line is Capers has been provided with plenty of young, defensive talent over the past two years and is now in a make or break season. They have already lost two seasons of Aaron Rodgers sublime career and cannot count on too many more windows of opportunity. Hopefully 2013 is remembered as the season the defense rose to meet the quality of play from the offense, if not Dom Capers might be looking for work in the offseason. And who even knows, maybe the Vikings are looking for more castoffs?

Until next time, Beer, Brats, and Championships.

- Neal Olson (@olewr7)

Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live, in-game commentary, breaking news, previews and post game discussions. Follow the entire Wisconsin Sports Blog writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, @TABrown23, and @10iskristin.

A Small Preview of the 2013 Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers and company are set to start up training camp this upcoming week, which means that the 2013 NFL season is right around the corner. Many experts are predicting another NFC North championship, which would give them their 3rd straight. With the Super Bowl being the ultimate prize yet again, is the team balanced enough?

As has been the case the past few seasons, the team’s success begins and ends with Rodgers. While there are certainly other great players on the team, they would not be a true Super Bowl contender without #12 hooking up with receivers all game. He is coming off another great season in 2012, which should see him taken as the 3rd QB on average in fantasy football 2013, and the team feels that as long as he is in the middle of his prime, they have a chance to win the Super Bowl.

Since winning it all in 2010, the Packers have fizzled out of the playoffs the past couple seasons in unimpressive fashion. Between just a mediocre defense overall and a lack of dependable talent running the football, teams have been able to counteract Rodgers in a variety of ways. The Packers spent this off-season trying to fill those gaps, and at least on paper, it appears as though they are onto something.

Eddie Lacy (left) and Johnathan Franklin (right) are set to take over the Packers' running game. Photo: Sportige.com

A pair of rookies will get a chance to make an instant impact running the football, as both Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin bring speed and power to the position. Lacy has the inside track on getting starter touches, but both could play a huge role balancing the offense.

The defense has actually improved from year-to-year, so expect another slight improvement in 2013. Anchored by Clay Matthews, the younger players have started to finally feed off of him. A young, talented secondary will be a year older and wiser this season, which should help them stop the passing game a bit more.

Losing Greg Jennings will hurt the offense a little, but there are plenty of wide receivers on the roster who can fill his role. This team is probably not as good as the 15-1 2011 squad, nor are they as bad as the 11-5 2012 squad. Expect 12-13 wins for the Packers in 2013, with another divisional crown to their name.

Until next time, Beer, Brats, and Championships.

- Jeff White of FanDuel.com

Follow us on Twitter (@WISportsBlog) for up to date news on the Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks, and Golden Eagles. We feature live, in-game commentary, breaking news, previews and post game discussions. Follow the entire Wisconsin Sports Blog writing team on Twitter: @AndrewVrchota, @jheldred, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go, @olewr7, @Stevie2Westside, @Mik3_Schu, and @10iskristin.

Packers Nation, Take a Deep Breath

This offseason has gone exactly as Ted Thompson had planned.  Maybe not to the t, but pretty close.  Draft and develop.  Draft and develop.  No matter how many times TT comes out and says this, Packers fans erupt in madness when NFL Free Agency opens every offseason.  The fans are frustrated by the lack of free agents signed by the Packers and letting some of their own players get away for modest prices.  He let Charles Woodson go?!  He wouldn’t pay Greg Jennings?!  Fans were enraged, calling for his head.  Let’s take a step back and look at what TT HAS done for the Packers.

He does not overspend on players.  The NFL salary cap is a delicate issue and TT knows how to play with it.  He let Charles Woodson walk because as valuable as Woodson is, he is not worth the $10 million cap hit.  So many teams go out into free agency to fill needs and end up over paying (Hello, Colts and Erik Walden).  In the long run, the Packers are much better off, paying their own players who perform, which is exactly what TT does.  Aaron Rodgers is due the largest contract in NFL history and contracts for Matthews and Raji are not far behind.  TT is trying to put together as much cap space as possible for players he KNOWS will contribute.

You have no idea who this is.

He knows how to draft.  Every GM has a few misses in the draft, but let’s focus on the positives for a minute.  Aaron Rodgers (best pick yet) Greg Jennings, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Jermichael Finley, Casey Heyward, Bryan Bulaga, James Starks, BJ Raji, Clay Matthews, TJ Lang, Brad Jones, Josh Sitton, Desmond Bishop, Mason Crosby, AJ Hawk, Daryn Colledge, Nick Collins.  All big impact players and he drafted countless other role players that fit well in the Packers scheme. Don’t forget about all of the undrafted rookies he signs that turn into talents such as Frank Zombo, Sam Shields, Don Barclay, Dezman Moses, to name a few.  The man flat out drafts well and this is why the Packers have been so good since he took over in 2005.

He puts a winning team on the field.  TT has a knack for finding talent and putting the team possible out there to represent the green and gold.  Since 2005 (the year TT took over GM) the Packers are 78-50, tied for 5th best in the NFL.  Now, if 2005 is taken out (team was 4-12) because that wasn’t really TT’s team on the field and start in 2006, the Packers are 74-38, second to only the New England Patriots.  Throw in a Super Bowl victory, three division titles and five playoff appearances in TT’s tenure, Packers fans don’t have much to complain about.

Packers fans need to take a deep breath and have some faith.  TT knows what he is doing.  Barring a major injury, the Packers should win the NFC North again and be in the playoffs.  All Packers fans should be ecstatic that TT is their GM.  It could be a lot worse, since 2006, the St. Louis Rams are 30-81-1. The Packers don’t sign free agents, get used to it! 

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Steve Perhach (@Stevie2Westside)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu, @jheldred, @B_Toom_3, @olewr7, and @Stevie2Westside. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

What Ted Thompson Could Do With Four Million Dollars

It's been one of those weeks if you are a Green Bay Packers fan. It's been another "Ted Thompson" free agency period that we have become so accustom to where Ted sits back and doesn't pounce on any big free agents. It's a sign of confidence that I highly admire in Thompson. My own philosophy is that teams that are desperate are the one's who feverishly sign as many free agents as possible and break the banks and salary caps. Ted has an extraordinary amount of trust in his homegrown talent and is hesitant to sign free agents year after year.

This piece I have put together does not insist that I think Ted Thompson should go out and get free agents, nor do I think he will. This is simply to take a look at what is left out there that (in the case Ted does open up his check book and spend a little) could help the Packers in areas where they wouldn't have to waste a draft pick on. Heading into the draft, Our biggest needs are offensive line, defensive line, safety, and linebacker.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are sitting around 22 million in cap room. (Was at 18.7 million until today when A.J. Hawk's pay cut was announced that he went from 7.05 million to 3.6 million) Ideally, the Packers would end up spending that on extensions for Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. Also, with the draft approaching, teams usually spend about 5-6 million on their draft picks. With that said, it is expected that the Packers could continue cutting some players on the roster. One move that Green Bay could take a look at is cutting Tramon Williams, who is set to make just under a down payment on a house of 6 million dollars in 2013. He's 30 years old which isn't terrible for a defensive back. His number declined in from 2011 to 2012. It has been rumored that he may have to compete for a starting spot heading into trainings camp this year. The possibility is definitely there.

So, going with that and a few other cuts (Marshall Newhouse, for example), let's say Ted Thompson has a good 10 million dollars sitting on his desk staring him in his eyes. 5 million for free agency, the other 5 million for draft picks. What kind of talent is out there that Ted could get the most for his money? Basically, TT is Macklemore and free agency is his thrift shop. Let's see how Ted could pop some tags.

Ted Thompson on his offseason vacation enjoying a soft drink with two locals.

Rashad Jennings - RB - Age: 27 - 2012 salary: $574,612
Ted's 2013 Contract Offer: 2 Years, $1,500,000 ($250,000 signing bonus) 

Rashad Jennings spent most of his 2012 backing up Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew until MJD was injured and Jacksonville went with a running back by committee for the rest of the season. Jennings saw more touches, but not as many as scouts would have liked to see to see Jennings' full potential. It's worth noting that the Jaguars had the second worst record in the NFL last year, thus gave up on their season quite early. Rashad is a big, power runner which would compliment the Packers' speedy DuJuan Harris really well. He's a great blocker and a great pass catcher. He can also break for big runs at straight speed as well as break through arm tackles like it's nothing. His durability is a question, but so was Cedric Benson's and we ended up signing him last year. Speaking of Benson, Ted paid under a million dollars for Cedric so I can't imagine he wants to spend more than that on another runner. The upside for Rashad Jennings and the Packers is far to great to ignore.

Danario Alexander - WR - Age: 24 - 2012 salary: $490,000
Ted's 2013 Contract Offer: 4 Years, $4,000,000 ($1,000,000 guaranteed)

Alexander caught everything last year, including Champ Bailey

Where do I begin here? Let's get the negatives out of the way first I suppose. He's had five knee surgeries during his football career, starting when he played for Missouri. Last year in November, Alexander was asked on how his knees feel and commented that "My left knee felt just like my right knee...No thought goes into how it feels, and no effort is spent trying to baby it. Same with the hamstring. After everything I’ve dealt with, I consider myself blessed to feel this way." Shortly after this interview with San Diego Union-Tribune, Danario had one of the best two-month stretches by any wide receiver in recent memory. In November to December, Alexander racked in 37 catches for 657 yards and 7 touchdowns. He definitely shined in a very lackluster Chargers offense. He finished the season with the highest per-play efficiency rankings among receivers for many analysts. So essentially, if he can pass your team's physical inspection, he sound be a nice, cheap steal in this free agent class. The Packers need for him is obvious. Greg Jennings went to the Vikings. Donald Driver retired. The Packers need depth at wide receiver as James Jones' contract is set to expire after this season and Jordy Nelson's the next after. Alexander could be a legit deep threat for Aaron Rodgers, which could add yet to the already elite arsenal for our offense.

Sebastian Vollmer - OT - Age: 28 - 2012 salary: $650,000
Ted's 2013 Contract Offer: 2 Years, $2,000,000 ($650,000 guaranteed)

Here is Vollmer ripping Chris Long's head off.

By now you should all know I'm not a fan of Marshall Newhouse. But, if you didn't, well now you do. Bryan Bulaga is going to get a look at left tackle during training camp, which puts a partial void at the right tackle position. I like Don Barclay, don't get me wrong. However, I know our track record with offensive linemen and injuries so in my eyes the extra depth can always help. Sebastian Vollmer is six-foot-eight, three hundred thirty pounds. He bounced back from an injury in 2011 and had an outstanding season in 2012 for the Patriots. He's very good at both run and pass blocking. Vollmer is quite versatile as he can play both left and right tackle. Ted wouldn't have to spend much on Vollmer, and giving him a look would be very smart if they want to keep Aaron Rodgers around for a while. Eric Winston is another free agent offensive tackle on the market, but would likely require a contract where he would be making a few million dollars a year, which is something Ted wants to avoid as he doesn't like big gambles and "all-ins" for free agents.

Michael Hoomanawanui - TE - Age: 24 - 2012 salary: $540,000
Ted's 2013 Contract Offer: 3 Years, $1,900,000 ($700,000 guaranteed)

We lost Tom Crabtree to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which was poor management by the Packers for not tendering him. But, it's water under the bridge now. The Packers have four other tight ends, with Jermichael Finley at the top of the depth chart. Then you have the injured Andrew Quarless, the unproven D.J. Williams, and Ryan Taylor who has caught one pass for 11 yards in 3 NFL seasons. Hoomanawanui was 3rd in command with the Patriots last year under Gronkowski and Hernandez. Hoomanawanui is a much better blocker than Crabtree, is a better offensive threat than Crabtree, and has a way cooler name than Crabtee. I say Ted grabs him, just so I can see all of the Packer fans attempt to spell his name on social media outlets.(especially since "traitor" was so difficult).

With these four signings, Ted Thompson just spent $3,633,000 with just over 6 million to use for draft picks. Now these would be perfect scenarios, however they aren't at all farfetched. The Packers might take the high road and focus strictly on the draft to patch their holes, but I wouldn't be surprised if we brought in one or two players to help our needs.

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Andrew Vrchota (@AndrewVrchota)

Follow us on Twitter for up to date news on Brewers, Packers, Badgers, Bucks and more. Live in game commentary, breaking news, previews, and post game discussion. @WISportsBlog @AndrewVrchota, @JoeP_Norton, @SMahon2Go @ryan_937, @Mik3_Schu, @jheldred, @B_Toom_3, and @olewr7. Finally, find us on Instagram! (wisportsblog)

Packers Needs By Position: Defense/Special Teams

Yesterday, I looked at the Packers’ needs on offense. Today, I’ll look at the defense and special teams. Let’s go.

Defensive End

•   Mike Neal
•   Mike Daniels
•   Jerel Worthy
•   CJ Wilson

Neal, Daniels, and Worthy are all in the same boat; young players that have shown flashes of dominance but can’t maintain a high level of play over the course of a game. Neal has been around longer and has had more injury issues as well as a suspension, so he’s probably on thinner ice than the other two. Wilson is a solid run defender but doesn’t bring much in the pass rush department. An upgrade would be useful here.

Free agency doesn’t offer much, and certainly not in the 3-4 end category. The team brought in Chris Canty (who’d likely be an end in the Packers’ system) for a visit, but he’s pretty average and they haven’t offered a deal yet. Mike Devito, Richard Seymour, and Ricky Jean Francois would be fits, and Israel Idonije and Jonathan Fanene could probably handle a transition to the 3-4. I’ve always liked Trevor Scott and Matt Shaughnessy but they’re both too undersized for the scheme. All four of the current ends are Ted Thompson draft picks, and it seems likely he’d address the position that way, though a reunion with Cullen Jenkins would have been nice, however he signed with the Giants today. Oh well.
Need: High

Defensive Tackle

•   Ryan Pickett
•   BJ Raji
•   Jordan Miller

Pickett is still useful but is well past his prime. Raji is their best lineman but hasn’t quite been the dominant force they need him to be. After a tremendous 2010, BJ’s performance has dropped off the last two seasons. Miller hasn’t seen any regular season snaps and is likely a non-factor.

There are some free agents with 3-4 mileage but the team isn’t going to replace Raji or Pickett, unless the team decides it’s time to cut Pickett. Isaac Sopoaga is a pretty good player and can play tackle or end, he’d be a hell of a fit but will have a high price tag. A rookie to groom behind Raji and Pickett seems like a probable thing that will happen.
Need: Low

Inside Linebacker

•   Desmond Bishop
•   DJ Smith
•   AJ Hawk
•   Brad Jones (FA)
•   Rob Francois
•   Terrell Manning
•   Micah Johnson

What A.J. Hawk thinks of your run game.

Bishop and Smith should probably be the starters if healthy. Both are coming off knee injuries so that’s not a given. Hawk is an average player who’s a cut candidate because of his price tag. He played well during the Super Bowl run but has had a rough couple of years since. Jones (who’s a free agent) has always been more of a 4-3 OLB type than a 3-4 ILB but performed admirably when forced into action. Ideally, he’s a backup. Francois is a good special teamer who has played well when given defensive snaps but was passed over last year for some reason when injuries happened. The reluctance to play him was rather puzzling. Manning hasn’t been able to get on the field since being drafted.

Free agency won’t be a thing. Not much out there to begin with. Probably a couple draftees/UFAs for competition and depth but unless Bishop and Smith are slow to recover I don’t see a major move happening.
Need: Medium

Outside Linebacker

•   Clay Matthews
•   Nick Perry
•   Frank Zombo (RFA)
•   Erik Walden (FA)
•   Dezman Moses
•   Jamari Lattimore

Eat your hearts out, literally.

Matthews kicks balls, metaphorically speaking. Everyone else......much less so, both literally and figuratively. Perry was drafted to be a bookend to Clay but sustained an ACL injury and missed most of the season, meaning the awful backups had to play. Walden has the occasional big game but overall was pretty bad and was an absolute disaster in the playoff loss to the 49ers, contributing to the defeat in a big way. He has no grasp of what contain is. Fortunately, he’s a free agent. Moses and Zombo play hard but aren’t good enough to be any more than backups. Lattimore isn’t anything to get excited about.

Even with Perry around the team can’t put itself in the same position it was in last year, especially considering Matthews isn’t exactly an ironman either. This seems like a position where free agency may be necessary. Paul Kruger is a hot (and probably expensive) free agent name but Shaun Phillips and Connor Barwin are solid players that can take some pressure off of Matthews. As is the theme, the draft is an option but with Perry around they already have a young prospect with starting potential. Either way depth is an absolute necessity.
Need: High

Cornerback

•   Tramon Williams
•   Sam Shields (RFA)
•   Casey Hayward
•   Davon House
•   Jarrett Bush
•   James Nixon

Williams has been average at best the last two seasons, and that’s kind. He’s not the aggressive playmaker he was, and isn’t physical in coverage anymore. He’s already been told he has to compete for a starting job, and rightfully so. Hayward had fantastic rookie season, and House showed promise after basically redshirting the previous year. Shields was also excellent despite some missed time and eased some concerns after a sluggish 2011. Bush is the special teams ace that shouldn’t see many defensive snaps.
 
The team has their five corners. Moving on....
Need: Low

Safety

•   Morgan Burnett
•   MD Jennings
•   Jerron McMillian
•   Sean Richardson
•   Chaz Powell

Like cornerback, there’s some promise here. Jennings and McMillian both showed some flashes, Burnett looked solid and was probably underrated amid the 2011 defensive disaster. All three could use a little work in run support, and Burnett at times seems hesitant to make plays on the ball. The team seems to like Richardson, who was a college teammate of Hayward’s. He could see a bump in playing time much like Jennings did in 2012. Jarrett Bush can also fill in here, though once again that’s far from optimal. Overall, none of these guys look like a star, but at worst they should be average players going forward.

While adding a free agent seems extremely unlikely, it’s a terrific class. It wouldn’t be outlandish for the team to bring in a veteran for depth or look to add a playmaker in the wake of Charles Woodson’s departure, but there’s better ways to spend cap space. Spending a draft pick here seems iffy unless it’s a best-player-available scenario.
Need: Low-ish

Kicker

•   Mason Crosby

Well all know Crosby had a bad year. In fact, 2011 was Crosby’s only actual good year, and he was bad enough in 2012 to even it out. His accuracy will probably never be great, but his leg cannon is a weapon on kickoffs and he’s still a threat to make a field goal from any distance.

Of the free agents, Steven Hauschka is the only guy I even remotely like, and his skill set isn’t all that dissimilar from Crosby. They won’t sign a FA anyways, it’s far more likely they bring in a camp body just to provide competition. They’re financially committed to Mason, so I doubt a change happens.
Need: Medium

Punter

•   Tim Masthay

Masthay is really, really good. Seriously, you guys.
Need: Nope

Long Snapper

•   Brett Goode

Most of you probably didn’t even know who the Packers’ long snapper is, which is as good a thing as you can say about a long snapper.
Need: Does anyone ever need a new long snapper?

Until next time, Beers, Brats, and Championships.

- Jerry Eldred (@jheldred)

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