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Aaron Kampman Wanted To Thank You

2010-03-21T04:41:07Z

From JS Online, LB Aaron Kampman ran an ad in the Journal Sentinel to thank Packer Nation for their support over the years. The font is very small so I've typed the full text after the jump.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support, encouragement and friendship. It's been an honor to serve this community for the past eight years as a member of the legendary Green Bay Packer organization. Linde and I thank God for the years we've spent in Wisconsin, and we thank you for welcoming us with open arms.

For my family, this has been so much more than a job. We've experienced many public and private successes that will stand in our memories forever. Most importantly, we experienced them with you.

I look forward to the day when I'll bring my three boys to Lambeau Field and reminisce about what it was like to be a part of Packer Nation.

Thank you and God bless!

Outside Linebacker - The Packers Miss Out On Joey Porter

2010-03-20T13:00:26Z

More photos » Lynne Sladky - AP

6 months ago: FILE -- This is a Jan. 4, 2009, file photo showing Miami dolphins linebacker Joey Porter yelling before an AFC wild-card playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. The trash-talking, headline-making, in-your-face linebacker hasn't changed with age. (AP Photo/ Lynne Sladky, File)

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After recently signing LT Chad Clifton and RT Mark Tauscher to multi-year deals, I've moved on from my preoccupation with the pass blocking, and instead focused on the need for another pass rusher.

Though LB Joey Porter seemed to fit the bill perfectly, an outside LB who's always played in the 3-4 defense and recorded 26.5 sacks over the past two seasons, he didn't seem to be a good match with the Packers because he left Miami on bad terms, and seemed almost certain to end up in Arizona anyway. After a brief detour to visit the Redskins, who have become the official destination for all veterans trying get more money from their preferred team, he's finally gotten the contract he wanted from the Cardinals. From Revenge of the Birds:

At 33-years old, Porter may still have enough gas in the tank to provide the Cardinals with that edge pass rusher that can still pressure opposing quarterbacks. He's seen four pro bowls and four all-pro selections, and has totaled 92 sacks for his career. The Cardinals didn't have many other options available through free agency, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt has been prone to allow rookies to develop on the bench their first season - therefore, drafting a starting at linebacker seemed out of the question. Now a rookie can develop under a seasoned veteran like Porter.

I'm glad Porter never got on the Packers radar, too much baggage and I'd prefer they look for someone in the draft, but he certainly could have filled a need. Hopefully the pass rush (or lack of one) is not a problem next season.

Distracted By Hoops and Hockey

2010-03-20T01:44:15Z

I've been distracted away from the Green Bay Packers by the Wisconsin Badgers hockey team in the WCHA Final Five, and the basketball team in the NCAA tournament.

The hockey team got shut out by St. Cloud, 2 to nothing. They couldn't solve freshman goalie Mike Lee. From Chris Dilks:

Equally frustrated was Wisconsin defenseman and Hobey Baker finalist Brendan Smith, who fired a team-high seven shots on Lee, and had a game-tying blast go off the post with a little over a minute left in the game.

The basketball team sweated it out, but got the win. The Badgers have been struggling because Brian Bohannon is struggling. From Bucky's 5th Quarter:

If Wisconsin is going to beat a great-shooting Cornell team Sunday -- let alone Kentucky in the Sweet 16 -- it's going to need its best shooter to start scoring points.

By the way, the CBS sports widget over at SB Nation is awesome. I got to watch the game at my desk, so don't let my boss know. It also came equipped with a "Boss Button" to switch to a Dilbert inspired fake Power Point presentation. See it below.

Reviewing The Recent Mock Drafts For The Packers

2010-03-19T15:00:37Z

It seems like every mock draft I've come across lately (NFL Draft Scout, NFL.com, Shutdown Corner) has moved QB Sam Bradford up to No. 1. I'm not a believer, but it's the Rams franchise and they can do whatever they want. Incredibly it means DT Ndamukong Suh is moving down to No. 2, or even No. 3, or even No. 8. He's the best player in the draft, so that just seems crazy.

Unfortunately most of these mock drafts still have the Packers selecting an offensive lineman. As much as that's a long-term need, since LT Chad Clifton and RT Mark Tauscher can't play forever, the need for a pass rusher to replace LB Aaron Kampman is too obvious to overlook. Maybe the value for a pass rusher/OLB type isn't there at the end of the 1st round and they're a candidate to trade down.

Shutdown Corner threw a curveball and suggested the Packers might draft Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews:

Ryan Grant was the second-most efficient back in 2009, according to Football Outsiders’ statistics, but those numbers don’t factor in blocking. To put it bluntly, Grant is a terrible pass-blocker.

I've never watched a Packer game and criticized Grant for his pass-blocking. I'm sure he's not the best blocking back on the roster, RB Brandon Jackson usually came in on passing downs and made some great plays as QB Aaron Rodgers's protector, but finding a back who's a better blocker wasn't a need I had even considered.

No disrespect to Mathews. At 6'0", 218 lbs., and a 4.45 40-yard dash, I calculated his speed score at 111, which is about as good as Grant. I can understand why he's moving up draft boards.

49ers (ex)GM Scot McCloughan and His Ties To The Packers

2010-03-19T12:00:29Z

In a crazy pre-draft move, the 49ers have reportedly shown the door to their well respected GM Scot McCloughan. From Rob Rang:

McCloughan has a very good eye for talent. His ability to read the board and project which players will rise or slide is acknowledged by other teams throughout the league. He'll be missed in the San Francisco draft room, should it come down to that.

I did not know McCloughan had a connection to GM Ted Thompson. Both were hired by the Packers in 1994 and then worked together under Mike Holmgren in Seattle. From the Press-Gazette:

In 1999 Mike Holmgren took McCloughan with him to Seattle to become the Seahawks' director of college scouting. A year later, Holmgren hired Thompson to run his personnel department, and from 2000 through 2004, McCloughan worked closely with Thompson on the Seahawks' drafts.

When the Packers hired Thompson as GM in 2005, he wanted to bring McCloughan with him, but the 49ers hired McCloughan that same offseason to run their personnel department.

If McCloughan is out of work, there's a good chance Thompson will be interested in bringing him back to the Packers, though Cleveland and Seattle are just as likely landing spots also.

While the Packers recently lost John Schneider to Seattle, they still have Reggie McKenzie running the personnel department and John Dorsey as the director of college scouting, and I can't complain about the job those two have done in recent years. Bringing in McCloughan seems like having too many cooks in the kitchen. Though if Thompson wants it, then Greg Bedard expects hiring McCloughan would be done.

Glanville finally confirms he had Favre trade

2010-03-18T23:28:46Z

Jerry Glanville now is admitting he's the one who traded Brett Favre out of Atlanta.Back in the mid-to-late 1990s, the former Falcons coach said former Falcons General Manager Ken Herock was the mover behind tradng Favre back in 1992. Herock always maintained it was Glanville who wanted to get rid of Favre. In more recent years, Glanville has talked about Favre's excessive drinking in his one year with the Falcons but has not directly said he wanted to trade him.But in a recent radio interview with WNSR in Nashville, via a post on ProFootballTalk.com, Glanville said he had Favre traded after his rookie season."I had to get him out of Atlanta. ... I could not sober him up," Glanville said. "I sent him to a city where at 9:00 at night the only thing that's open is Chili Joes. You can get it two ways, with or without onions. And that's what made Brett Favre make a comeback was going to a town that closed down. If I would have traded him to New York, nobody to this day would have known who Brett Favre ever was."

I know copy and pasting is a cheap way to make a post however...........the content warrants it is done so everyone could read it. The "....I could not sober him up" quote jumped out at me.

Thoughts??

Will Blackmon Signs One-Year Qualifying Offer

2010-03-18T15:00:44Z

More photos » Mike Roemer - AP

7 months ago: Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs (16) makes a first down against Green Bay Packers cornerback Will Blackmon, left, during the first half of an exhibition NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

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I noticed yesterday that CB Will Blackmon appeared to be in Green Bay though it wasn't expected that any of the unsigned Packer restricted free agents would attend the weight training and conditioning that began this week.

Well he must have known he was going to sign, and sure enough it was announced the next day. I'm still not sure he's a good CB, he so rarely plays on defense it's hard to form an opinion, but he is the best kick and punt returner on the roster. For a special teams unit that desperately needs a jump start, Blackmon is a welcome return. And it's not surprising he signed the qualifying offer. With all the injuries he's sustained, he missed the final 13 games last season, it wasn't likely that he'd attract a lot of attention as a free agent.

He celebrated the big news with a BBQ at his place.

NFC North Cornerback Transactions

2010-03-18T12:00:35Z

While neither CB Nathan Vasher or CB Karl Paymah are great players, they are both were both spot starters last season and the Bears and Vikings are going to have to find replacements for them. We talked about the release of Vasher here, and over at Niners Nation, they think Paymah will provide depth but he isn't expected to start.

The Bears have already moved on and signed CB Tim Jennings before they released Vasher. Jennings played primarily in the nickel package last season for the Colts, but it's not expected that Colts fans will miss him.

For the Vikings, letting Paymah go is maybe just a sign that they intend to give rookie CB Asher Allen more playing time in 2010.

What's Going On In Seattle?

2010-03-18T04:33:21Z

Yes, this is still a blog about the Green Bay Packers, but I'm going to digress about a bad trade. The Chargers traded 3rd string QB Charlie Whitehurst to the Seahawks for a swap of 2nd round picks (40th to 60th) and a 2011 3rd round pick. From Field Gulls:

So, we dumped a 2011 third round pick, moved from the 40 overall pick to the 60 overall pick, and dropped ten million dollars over two years to acquire San Diego's third-string quarterback that's heading into his 28-year-old season.

Who wants to defend this move?

Whitehurst is the son of former Packer starting QB David Whitehurst for those old guys like me with long memories.

The trade for QB Matt Hasselbeck eventually worked out for the Seahawks, but 28 year old QBs are usually 3rd stringers for a reason. It's a risky move to find out if Whitehurst can become the next Hasselbeck, and it's awfully pricey to swap a high draft choice, and surrender another one, to find out. This is the 2nd day in a row I've pointed out a recent bad trade by the Seahawks. Neither move is a crippling blow, but it's certainly two steps backwards.

Franchise Players

2010-03-18T01:38:07Z

A new series on SB Nation's NFL blogs brought to you by me! Five most important players to the franchise. Just one catch:

They have to be with the team for the long term future (four years or more)

In no order:

Aaron Rodgers, QB-Easy.

Greg Jennings, WR-Rodgers' favorite deep receiver, definitely important to the success of a franchise (Good QB and WR's)

Nick Collins, FS-Big-time playmaker in the secondary, and always great to have.

Ryan Pickett, NT-Anchor for the 3-4, he'll be around for a little while longer, until Raji is ready to take over. There's a reason he was resigned.

Clay Matthews, WLB-Pretty good rookie season, and looks to have great future ones. 3-4 OLB's aren't always easy to find, but TT hit on this one.

Your turn!

Eagles release G Shawn Andrews, Bears release CB Nate Vasher

2010-03-17T21:34:59Z

Can we at least hear that the Packers are talking to SOMEONE! Someone other than Australian guys that no one knows. Here are two positions that we need help with. Vasher isn't a starter anymore, but that's not what we need. Vash could be a great 4th CB, anything would be better than Jarrett Bush at this point.

We've had depth problems on the offensive line, and while Andrews wouldn't be a starter, he would be another great veteran to help Lang, Barber and if he take a lineman in the draft, him too. At this point I just would like to hear that Thompson at least realizes that Free Agency is going on right now. I know he loves to build through the draft, but you need to sign a free agent or two. Come on Ted!

Could The Packers Make A Trade?

2010-03-17T16:01:14Z

Here's a good salary cap article at Football Outsiders by J.I. Halsell. It's especially interesting because it points out who is available in a trade based on the contract tendered to them as a restricted free agent:

When looking at where players have been tendered, keep in mind that these tenders tell you how much a club values a player. For example, in lieu of giving running back Cadillac Williams the more lucrative first-round tender or first- and third-round tender, the Bucs chose to extend the original-round tender, which is for less money and would only give the Bucs a second-round pick if he were to leave as an RFA. The tea leaves tell you that the Bucs are willing to part with Williams.

He lists six restricted free agents who fall into this catagory: DE Darryl Tapp, DE Marcus Spears, WR Brandon Marshall, OL Alex Barron, RB Cadillac Williams, and CB Carlos Rogers. Also, with the exception of Tapp and Marshall, who were both drafted in 2006, they were all drafted ahead of QB Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 draft.

Shortly after Halsell's article was published, Seattle did actually trade Tapp to the Eagles for DE Chris Clemons and a 4th round pick. Over at Field Gulls, they are not putting a smiley face on this trade. The John Schneider/Pete Carroll era doesn't seem to be getting off to a good start.

Would any of these remaining players interest the Packers?

Spears. At best, he'd be the 5th lineman on the Packers's 3-4 defense. Plus he's looking for a new contract similar to former teammate DE Chris Canty, who received 6 years, $42 million from the NY Giants in 2009. I can't see why they would make a trade for him.

Marshall. Does he have the most baggage of any player in the NFL? I doubt the Broncos would accept less than a 1st round pick for him. Plus he'll want big money for a long-term deal, or the Packers would risk losing him after 2010 (depending on the next labor deal). And there would be negative PR after WR Donald Driver is moved to the bench prematurely. Pass.

Barron. While there's no truth to the rumor that they plan to name the false start penalty after him, he does have some value as a league average right tackle. If the Packers hadn't signed RT Mark Tauscher, a trade for Barron would have some merit, but it doesn't make any sense now.

Williams. I'm not sure he can do anything RB Ryan Grant or RB Brandon Jackson can't do. He'd come at a very high price for a potential 3rd string RB.

Rogers. I don't think the Packers should trade for him, but he's a better option then the previous four players. Over at Hogs Haven it appears they think Rogers is a good tackler who can get beaten deep and can't hold onto an INT to save his life. He's not a bad player, but he has never lived up to expectations and the Redskins probably wouldn't take less than a 3rd round pick for him. At that draft position, the Packers might be able to find someone just as good.

Are any of these worthy trade candidates?

Update on Tauscher's New Contract, Havner's Arrest

2010-03-17T12:00:37Z

According to the Press-Gazette, RT Mark Tauscher's new contract is for a maximum of 2 years, $8.7 million. Baring a complete collapse in training camp, which is highly unlikely, in 2010 he'll cost around $3.9 million as the starter. And if he loses his starting job, he'll be paid just over $3 million in 2010 with no future dead money when the salary cap returns. Overall a good, low cost move for a potentially valuable starter.

On Monday night, it wasn't clear whether TE Spencer Havner was arrested for an alleged DUI, but now it's known he was arrested and charges may be filed. LB Nick Barnett sent a "get well" tweet.

As far as Twitter goes: CB Will Blackmon and LB Clay Matthews both sent tweets (here and here) from LB Aaron Kampman's farewell party. On an unrelated contract note, it would appear that Blackmon is in Green Bay for the start of the offseason weight lifting and conditioning program although restricted free agents usually don't attend in case of injury.

Would Someone Please Start A School For Punters

2010-03-17T05:10:40Z

The Green Bay Packers just signed my new best mate from Australia, from JS Online.com:

The Packers have signed a punter, former Australian Rules Football player Chris Bryan to a three-year contract, according to his agent/coach Nathan Chapman.

Yes, a three-year contract, though it's certainly for minimum wage with no guarantees. Apparently it's a good time to be a free agent punter:

"It's a bad market," an AFC coach said. "Hunter Smith is the guy to go after. I still think he's pretty good. I feel the same way about Masthay that I do about Kapinos. You sure want somebody else in there."

The dearth of punters led Houston on March 8 to re-sign Matt Turk, 41, for one year at $1.85 million.

How hard can it be to develop a punter? Obviously he has to be a good athlete, but a good punter doesn't exactly need coaching. It's more like they need a trainer. And you can select from the entire NCAA pool of athletes. Can't the NFL informally nudge some ex-punter/kicker into scouting year-round for punter and kicker prospects, he can spend three or four weeks training them in the spring, and then schedule a punter/kicker Pro Day sometime before the April draft? It sounds like the audition organized by Gary Zauner in March is halfway there, but they need to do something like a bigger version of what Nathan Chapman is doing in Australia to get these guys ready for the NFL. Or maybe P Matt Turk doesn't want the competition.

GB signs Australian punter Chris Bryan

2010-03-17T01:01:02Z

GB signs Australian punter Chris Bryan

Chapman spent time with the Packers during training camp in 2004. He currently mentors Aussie player that want to make the transition to the National Football League. Video of him punting.

The official APC NCAA Bracket Pool

2010-03-16T22:18:10Z

The official APC NCAA Bracket Pool

Join the official bracket pool of Acme Packing Company. The group password is "gopackgo".

Making The Case Against Mark Tauscher

2010-03-16T12:00:31Z

Everyone here seemed supportive of the news that the Green Bay Packers signed RT Mark Tauscher. But Greg Bedard makes three points against it:

1. It's a myth Tauscher spurred Packers' offensive turnaround

2. Should be able to replace performance level

3. The big one: It's past time to move on

Those are all good points.

I don't know if it's a full-fledged myth that he spurred their offensive turnaround, but I agree that he didn't turn them into a great offense all by himself. The second point is his best point: RT Allen Barbre was so bad that anyone would have been a major improvement.

His third point is the trouble. While OL T.J. Lang is good enough to start, there is no one behind him. See Greg's depth chart here. I want LG Daryn Colledge gone, so OL Jason Spitz moves into the starting left guard spot. Then if Lang starts, it leaves three guys (Barbre, RT Breno Giacomini, C Evan Dietrich-Smith) who should be battling for their roster spot lives. They could draft someone, but draft choices don't always work out, and they certainly know what they're getting with Tauscher. Lang should be the top backup, and he's certain to get some playing time based on all the injuries they played through last season.

NFL Mock Draft point: While most mock drafts have the Packers selecting an offensive lineman at No. 23 overall, signing Tauscher has to eliminate that thinking. Any lineman drafted would start the season no better than 7th on the depth chart, and he shouldn't be needed in 2011 either because LT Chad Clifton and Tauscher just signed for multiple years. Drafting an offensive lineman high also seems misguided when the top remaining priority should be finding a pass rusher to replace LB Aaron Kampman and to complement LB Clay Matthews. LB Brad Jones is a good pass rusher, but he's not someone who would ever demand a double team.

Spencer Havner Crashes His Motorcycle

2010-03-16T05:10:08Z

More photos » Mark Duncan - AP

4 months ago: Green Bay Packers tight end Spencer Havner (41) fights off Cleveland Browns safety Abram Elam on a 45-yard pass reception for a touchdown in the second quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

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Via JS Online.com, TE Spencer Havner's agent said in a statement:

"Spencer suffered only minor injuries this weekend in an accident, including a broken scapula, but he should be fully recovered in short order."

The article said the accident happened Saturday morning at 2:45 a.m. on a remote cul-de-sac in California. There is a report that he was sited for a DUI, but Greg Bedard tweeted that this might not be the case.

As far as the injury is concerned, Havner's agent is correct. He should be "fully recovered in short order." It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks for the shoulder blade to heal. He should be fine by the time OTAs begin on May 17.

Raiders Acquire OLB Kamerion Wimbley From The Browns

2010-03-15T16:00:52Z

More photos » Paul Sancya - AP

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LB Kamerion Wimbley had 11 sacks in his 2006 rookie season. He hasn't reached that level again, but he did have 6.5 sacks last season. At age 26, he's a young outside linebacker who has shown the ability to rush the passer. He sounds like someone the Green Bay Packers should have been interested in. Instead the Browns traded him to the Raiders for a late 3rd round pick. From ESPN's Bill Williamson:

He is not a bad player, but he may not be an ascending player, either. Wimbley has to show he can still improve. He will have to transition from the 3-4 that Cleveland ran to the 4-3 in Oakland. He is supposed to play outside linebacker, but he could also possibly play defensive end.

Is he someone the Packers should have traded for? Or is Wimbley an overrated player they should have avoided?

Packers Offseason Schedule Begins

2010-03-15T12:00:29Z

Here's the Green Bay Packers schedule between now and the beginning of training camp. Today is the beginning of the offseason program, which usually involves "weight lifting and conditioning." I would expect every player under contract to be in attendance. The big news last season was that S Nick Collins stayed away, he still had one more year to go on his rookie contract, but that didn't have any effect on his 2009 performance. When he was an exclusive-rights free agent last season, CB Tramon Williams reported for the offseason program, but he and the other restricted free agents should not be expected attend due to the risk of injury.