No one over the age of 30 as is Ted Thompson's modus operandi. . .
01. UFA - TE/HB: Kris Wilson - Kansas City Chiefs - 6'2" - 250 lbs. - Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
02. CUT - DT: Larry Tripplett - Buffalo Bills - 6'2" - 293 lbs. - Two year starting DT for the Buffalo Bills, would come in and help provide some of pass rush that the team lost when they traded Corey Williams. Slightly undersized for the Packers defense, but he filled a similar role in Buffalo the past two years and put up pretty good numbers. Would be an ideal backup to Johnny Jolly and insurance in case he fails to recover from his injury on schedule.
03. CUT - OT: Shane Olivea - San Diego Chargers - 6'4" - 315 lbs. - Former starter in San Diego, but fell out of favor with new coaching staff. Could compete at RG and RT and is young enough to still develop. Might have an injury concern with his back that needs to be checked thoroughly, but if he clears his physical he would be an excellent addition.
04. UFA - Bennie Sapp - CB/ST: Kansas City Chiefs - 5'9" - 190 lbs. - Signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
05. RFA - CB: Reynaldo Hill - Tennessee Titans (RFA-7) - 5'11" - 185 lbs. - Spot starter and special teams player in Tennessee. Solid player who lacks the great athleticism to be a special player. Would make an excellent nickel CB and special teams player. Packers would have to give up their 7th round pick to sign him.
06. UFA - QB: Quinn Gray - Jacksonville Jaguars - 6'3" - 258 lbs. - Signed with the Houston Texans.
07. UFA - FS: Matt Ware - Arizona Cardinals - 6'2" - 215 lbs. - Backup player with special teams potential. I've always loved his size, but I wonder why no one has tried him at FS. I would have had Michael Boulware here, but he was just signed by Minnesota.
08. UFA - RB/KR: Reno Mahe - Philadelphia Eagles - 5'10" - 212 lbs. - Solid special teams player and spot player. Has very good hands and runs good routes. Average athlete with less than ideal speed. Good special teams player. Would be a minimum contract guy who would then have to earn his way onto the roster as a reserve and special teams player.
09. CUT - OC: Drew Hodgdon - Houston Texans - 6'3" - 300 lbs. - Former 5th round pick is a bit undersized and limited athletically. He never really developed into the player that they expected, and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Would compete for a roster spot as a reserve. Long-shot to make the team, but I love to get guys into camp and let them compete.
10. UFA - WR: David Givens - Tennessee Titans - 5'10 - 210 lbs. - Big money receiver who blew out his knee and hasn't played for almost two years. Still young enough to maybe make a comeback though.
Any others?
Full Version: My Top 10 Free Agents still available. . .
QUOTE (Ellis269 @ Mar 22 2008, 04:10 AM) 
No one over the age of 30 as is Ted Thompson's modus operandi. . .
01. UFA - TE/HB: Kris Wilson - Kansas City Chiefs - 6'2" - 250 lbs. - Versatile player who would compete for playing time at TE, FB and H-Back in the Packers offense. Has very good hands and is a willing blocker and special teams player.
02. CUT - DT: Larry Tripplett - Buffalo Bills - 6'2" - 293 lbs. - Two year starting DT for the Buffalo Bills, would come in and help provide some of pass rush that the team lost when they traded Corey Williams. Slightly undersized for the Packers defense, but he filled a similar role in Buffalo the past two years and put up pretty good numbers. Would be an ideal backup to Johnny Jolly and insurance in case he fails to recover from his injury on schedule.
03. CUT - OT: Shane Olivea - San Diego Chargers - 6'4" - 315 lbs. - Former starter in San Diego, but fell out of favor with new coaching staff. Could compete at RG and RT and is young enough to still develop. Might have an injury concern with his back that needs to be checked thoroughly, but if he clears his physical he would be an excellent addition.
04. UFA - CB/ST: Kansas City Chiefs - 5'9" - 190 lbs. - Back up CB and special teams player. Lacks the size to be a potential starter, but he's tough and a solid tackler. I like his intensity as well.
05. RFA - CB: Reynaldo Hill - Tennessee Titans (RFA-7) - 5'11" - 185 lbs. - Spot starter and special teams player in Tennessee. Solid player who lacks the great athleticism to be a special player. Would make an excellent nickel CB and special teams player. Packers would have to give up their 7th round pick to sign him.
06. UFA - QB: Quinn Gray - Jacksonville Jaguars - 6'3" - 258 lbs. - Backup QB who has very good size and athleticism. Played well in limited time last year, but wasn't retained by a team that could have probably used him. Would make a decent reserve for Aaron Rodgers, but lacks the upside to be anything more than a stop-gap. Likely wouldn't command too much money.
07. UFA - FS: Matt Ware - Arizona Cardinals - 6'2" - 215 lbs. - Backup player with special teams potential. I've always loved his size, but I wonder why no one has tried him at FS. I would have had Michael Boulware here, but he was just signed by Minnesota.
08. UFA - RB/KR: Reno Mahe - Philadelphia Eagles - 5'10" - 212 lbs. - Solid special teams player and spot player. Has very good hands and runs good routes. Average athlete with less than ideal speed. Good special teams player. Would be a minimum contract guy who would then have to earn his way onto the roster as a reserve and special teams player.
09. CUT - OC: Drew Hodgdon - Houston Texans - 6'3" - 300 lbs. - Former 5th round pick is a bit undersized and limited athletically. He never really developed into the player that they expected, and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Would compete for a roster spot as a reserve. Long-shot to make the team, but I love to get guys into camp and let them compete.
10. UFA - WR: David Givens - Tennessee Titans - 5'10 - 210 lbs. - Big money receiver who blew out his knee and hasn't played for almost two years. Still young enough to maybe make a comeback though.
Any others?
01. UFA - TE/HB: Kris Wilson - Kansas City Chiefs - 6'2" - 250 lbs. - Versatile player who would compete for playing time at TE, FB and H-Back in the Packers offense. Has very good hands and is a willing blocker and special teams player.
02. CUT - DT: Larry Tripplett - Buffalo Bills - 6'2" - 293 lbs. - Two year starting DT for the Buffalo Bills, would come in and help provide some of pass rush that the team lost when they traded Corey Williams. Slightly undersized for the Packers defense, but he filled a similar role in Buffalo the past two years and put up pretty good numbers. Would be an ideal backup to Johnny Jolly and insurance in case he fails to recover from his injury on schedule.
03. CUT - OT: Shane Olivea - San Diego Chargers - 6'4" - 315 lbs. - Former starter in San Diego, but fell out of favor with new coaching staff. Could compete at RG and RT and is young enough to still develop. Might have an injury concern with his back that needs to be checked thoroughly, but if he clears his physical he would be an excellent addition.
04. UFA - CB/ST: Kansas City Chiefs - 5'9" - 190 lbs. - Back up CB and special teams player. Lacks the size to be a potential starter, but he's tough and a solid tackler. I like his intensity as well.
05. RFA - CB: Reynaldo Hill - Tennessee Titans (RFA-7) - 5'11" - 185 lbs. - Spot starter and special teams player in Tennessee. Solid player who lacks the great athleticism to be a special player. Would make an excellent nickel CB and special teams player. Packers would have to give up their 7th round pick to sign him.
06. UFA - QB: Quinn Gray - Jacksonville Jaguars - 6'3" - 258 lbs. - Backup QB who has very good size and athleticism. Played well in limited time last year, but wasn't retained by a team that could have probably used him. Would make a decent reserve for Aaron Rodgers, but lacks the upside to be anything more than a stop-gap. Likely wouldn't command too much money.
07. UFA - FS: Matt Ware - Arizona Cardinals - 6'2" - 215 lbs. - Backup player with special teams potential. I've always loved his size, but I wonder why no one has tried him at FS. I would have had Michael Boulware here, but he was just signed by Minnesota.
08. UFA - RB/KR: Reno Mahe - Philadelphia Eagles - 5'10" - 212 lbs. - Solid special teams player and spot player. Has very good hands and runs good routes. Average athlete with less than ideal speed. Good special teams player. Would be a minimum contract guy who would then have to earn his way onto the roster as a reserve and special teams player.
09. CUT - OC: Drew Hodgdon - Houston Texans - 6'3" - 300 lbs. - Former 5th round pick is a bit undersized and limited athletically. He never really developed into the player that they expected, and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Would compete for a roster spot as a reserve. Long-shot to make the team, but I love to get guys into camp and let them compete.
10. UFA - WR: David Givens - Tennessee Titans - 5'10 - 210 lbs. - Big money receiver who blew out his knee and hasn't played for almost two years. Still young enough to maybe make a comeback though.
Any others?
I don't think Larry Tripplett would do much to replace the inside pass rush Green Bay lost by trading Williams. Tripplet has had only 8.5 sacks in his career including only 1 last season. Williams recorded 7 sacks each of the past two seasons.
I hate that the Pack never pursued Eric Johnson as cheap as he could have been. In saying that I would go with Kris Wilson TE.
Shane Olivea is really good also. It seemed last year he was not very effective on his runblocking. Maybe injury caused it or lack of passion after he signed his extension. Whatever it was whenever I watch LT games the right side was penetrated all the time. I am thinking maybe teams began attacking him more and he was exposed since he is undersized for their power scheme. He may be listed as 315 but he looked 305 and you need a little more beef on the strong side. Even when L.Tomilinson broke the rushing TD record San Diego primarily ran to the left. S.Olivea was mainly the cutback side and better pass blocker.
After all that S.Olivea would fit perfectly in the zone scheme. Very similar to C.Clifton as a finese run blocker but gets the job done. He is just not nearly as good as Clifton is a pass blocker.
Shane Olivea is really good also. It seemed last year he was not very effective on his runblocking. Maybe injury caused it or lack of passion after he signed his extension. Whatever it was whenever I watch LT games the right side was penetrated all the time. I am thinking maybe teams began attacking him more and he was exposed since he is undersized for their power scheme. He may be listed as 315 but he looked 305 and you need a little more beef on the strong side. Even when L.Tomilinson broke the rushing TD record San Diego primarily ran to the left. S.Olivea was mainly the cutback side and better pass blocker.
After all that S.Olivea would fit perfectly in the zone scheme. Very similar to C.Clifton as a finese run blocker but gets the job done. He is just not nearly as good as Clifton is a pass blocker.
I like the idea of signing Kris Wilson and Quinn Gray. That would make me feel better about the upcoming season. Wilson is supposed to be a very balanced TE that can catch and block well. Quinn Gray seems to be about the best backup QB option at this point.
my only other on would be ryan fitzpatrick for a backup QB. he is a RFA (7th rd tender)
good post. i think the best fits for the Pack of those guys is Quinn Gray (for the reasons you listed) and Reno Mahe (solid teams player).
I would worry about Olivea because of his drastic drop-off, but he before last year he was a good performer. has he ever played in the ZBS? As far as Tripplette goes, i would rather see the team draft a DE and let Cullen Jenkins play the DT pass-rusher role.
also, who is the mystery man from KC?
I would worry about Olivea because of his drastic drop-off, but he before last year he was a good performer. has he ever played in the ZBS? As far as Tripplette goes, i would rather see the team draft a DE and let Cullen Jenkins play the DT pass-rusher role.
also, who is the mystery man from KC?
Mystery man is CB/ST: Bennie Sapp - Kansas City. Good special teams guy, but probably not much more than that. I like the upside of Williams and Blackmon more and the special teams play of Bush slightly better than Sapp's.
QB: Quinn Gray signed with the Houston Texans today.
For me personally, I'd like to see the team sign TE/HB- Kris Wilson (3 year deal similar to Justin Griffith last year to backup Donald Lee and see PT as TE, FB and H-Back), T/G: Shane Olivea (I think that the new coaching staff and system had more to do with his drop-off in play more than anything else. . . maybe 2 million per year for 2 or 3 years), DT: Larry Tripplett (1 year 2 million to provide veteran depth and leadership while the young bucks develop) and RB/KR: Reno Mahe (1 year minimum contract and an opportunity to make the team through hard work and special teams). I think that all 4 of these players would help the depth of the team and allow TT to focus on adding the best players through the draft. Plus, I'd consider a move that's slightly outside the box. I get hammered every time that I bring this up, but I'd love to see TT and MM go out and try to recruit Jeff Samardzija into being a two sport athlete. He's got great talent and upside and he's still young enough to develop. The Packers have more than enough cap space to make him a competitive offer that would cover the bonus money that he'd have to pay back to the Cubs and then some. (somewhere in the range of a 4 or 5 year contract with about 2-2.5 million per year, plus incentives.) Just look at the contracts that guys like Berrian, Stallworth, Curtis, Bennett, Jurivicius and Givens have all signed recently. I like the Shark's skill set, upside and red zone threat better than just about all of those guys. Imagine a fab five of Driver, Jennings, Jones, Samardzija and Martin. That would be tough to defend. . . especially in the red zone. At the very least, it would be worth looking into.
QB: Quinn Gray signed with the Houston Texans today.
For me personally, I'd like to see the team sign TE/HB- Kris Wilson (3 year deal similar to Justin Griffith last year to backup Donald Lee and see PT as TE, FB and H-Back), T/G: Shane Olivea (I think that the new coaching staff and system had more to do with his drop-off in play more than anything else. . . maybe 2 million per year for 2 or 3 years), DT: Larry Tripplett (1 year 2 million to provide veteran depth and leadership while the young bucks develop) and RB/KR: Reno Mahe (1 year minimum contract and an opportunity to make the team through hard work and special teams). I think that all 4 of these players would help the depth of the team and allow TT to focus on adding the best players through the draft. Plus, I'd consider a move that's slightly outside the box. I get hammered every time that I bring this up, but I'd love to see TT and MM go out and try to recruit Jeff Samardzija into being a two sport athlete. He's got great talent and upside and he's still young enough to develop. The Packers have more than enough cap space to make him a competitive offer that would cover the bonus money that he'd have to pay back to the Cubs and then some. (somewhere in the range of a 4 or 5 year contract with about 2-2.5 million per year, plus incentives.) Just look at the contracts that guys like Berrian, Stallworth, Curtis, Bennett, Jurivicius and Givens have all signed recently. I like the Shark's skill set, upside and red zone threat better than just about all of those guys. Imagine a fab five of Driver, Jennings, Jones, Samardzija and Martin. That would be tough to defend. . . especially in the red zone. At the very least, it would be worth looking into.
I like Olivea, Wilson and Mahe, in that order.
I like Olivea because he's a former starter from a good organization and adds immediate depth and experience to our line. With all the shuffling MM did last year to find the right combination, he could very well find his way into the starting lineup. Even if doesn't start, having him as a back up provides us with a nice insurance policy in case we need him.
I agree with Eye, I thought Eric Johnson would have been a nice pick up for us but I also like Wilson, but not as much as Johnson. Every young QB starting in the NFL should have "good hands" TEs at his disposal. He most certainly gives us the depth we need at that position, outside of Lee we have nothing. I think that Donald Lee is terrific but he'll need someone behind him. Early in Favre's career he had dependable guys like Jackie Harris, Ed West, Chumura and even Jackson. Each these guys had great hands which surely helped Favre out as he was learning the NFL game early in his career.
I list Mahe only because he has good hands out of the backfield, has played in a similar system in Philly and gives us more ST help. Rodgers will need to have players that he can pass to out of the backfield because you can bet every DC we go up against will be throwing everything at Rodgers so he'll need as many hands players around him that we can get.
I like Olivea because he's a former starter from a good organization and adds immediate depth and experience to our line. With all the shuffling MM did last year to find the right combination, he could very well find his way into the starting lineup. Even if doesn't start, having him as a back up provides us with a nice insurance policy in case we need him.
I agree with Eye, I thought Eric Johnson would have been a nice pick up for us but I also like Wilson, but not as much as Johnson. Every young QB starting in the NFL should have "good hands" TEs at his disposal. He most certainly gives us the depth we need at that position, outside of Lee we have nothing. I think that Donald Lee is terrific but he'll need someone behind him. Early in Favre's career he had dependable guys like Jackie Harris, Ed West, Chumura and even Jackson. Each these guys had great hands which surely helped Favre out as he was learning the NFL game early in his career.
I list Mahe only because he has good hands out of the backfield, has played in a similar system in Philly and gives us more ST help. Rodgers will need to have players that he can pass to out of the backfield because you can bet every DC we go up against will be throwing everything at Rodgers so he'll need as many hands players around him that we can get.
QUOTE (Ellis269 @ Mar 24 2008, 04:50 PM)
Mystery man is CB/ST: Bennie Sapp - Kansas City. Good special teams guy, but probably not much more than that. I like the upside of Williams and Blackmon more and the special teams play of Bush slightly better than Sapp's.
QB: Quinn Gray signed with the Houston Texans today.
For me personally, I'd like to see the team sign TE/HB- Kris Wilson (3 year deal similar to Justin Griffith last year to backup Donald Lee and see PT as TE, FB and H-Back), T/G: Shane Olivea (I think that the new coaching staff and system had more to do with his drop-off in play more than anything else. . . maybe 2 million per year for 2 or 3 years), DT: Larry Tripplett (1 year 2 million to provide veteran depth and leadership while the young bucks develop) and RB/KR: Reno Mahe (1 year minimum contract and an opportunity to make the team through hard work and special teams). I think that all 4 of these players would help the depth of the team and allow TT to focus on adding the best players through the draft. Plus, I'd consider a move that's slightly outside the box. I get hammered every time that I bring this up, but I'd love to see TT and MM go out and try to recruit Jeff Samardzija into being a two sport athlete. He's got great talent and upside and he's still young enough to develop. The Packers have more than enough cap space to make him a competitive offer that would cover the bonus money that he'd have to pay back to the Cubs and then some. (somewhere in the range of a 4 or 5 year contract with about 2-2.5 million per year, plus incentives.) Just look at the contracts that guys like Berrian, Stallworth, Curtis, Bennett, Jurivicius and Givens have all signed recently. I like the Shark's skill set, upside and red zone threat better than just about all of those guys. Imagine a fab five of Driver, Jennings, Jones, Samardzija and Martin. That would be tough to defend. . . especially in the red zone. At the very least, it would be worth looking into.
QB: Quinn Gray signed with the Houston Texans today.
For me personally, I'd like to see the team sign TE/HB- Kris Wilson (3 year deal similar to Justin Griffith last year to backup Donald Lee and see PT as TE, FB and H-Back), T/G: Shane Olivea (I think that the new coaching staff and system had more to do with his drop-off in play more than anything else. . . maybe 2 million per year for 2 or 3 years), DT: Larry Tripplett (1 year 2 million to provide veteran depth and leadership while the young bucks develop) and RB/KR: Reno Mahe (1 year minimum contract and an opportunity to make the team through hard work and special teams). I think that all 4 of these players would help the depth of the team and allow TT to focus on adding the best players through the draft. Plus, I'd consider a move that's slightly outside the box. I get hammered every time that I bring this up, but I'd love to see TT and MM go out and try to recruit Jeff Samardzija into being a two sport athlete. He's got great talent and upside and he's still young enough to develop. The Packers have more than enough cap space to make him a competitive offer that would cover the bonus money that he'd have to pay back to the Cubs and then some. (somewhere in the range of a 4 or 5 year contract with about 2-2.5 million per year, plus incentives.) Just look at the contracts that guys like Berrian, Stallworth, Curtis, Bennett, Jurivicius and Givens have all signed recently. I like the Shark's skill set, upside and red zone threat better than just about all of those guys. Imagine a fab five of Driver, Jennings, Jones, Samardzija and Martin. That would be tough to defend. . . especially in the red zone. At the very least, it would be worth looking into.
I agree on the assessment of Sapp. Never been real impressed w/ him.
As far as Samardzija: If the guy wanted to play football or be a two sport athlete, he would be playing football or be a two sport athlete. I don't think we should even think about going after a guy who's heart is not into it. Also 2+ million a year for 4+ years is waaaaay to much to spend on an unproven WR The guys getting over $16 million guaranteed from the Cubs. My guess is that he's happy right where he is.
All very bleh if you ask me....
TE Kris Wilson signed with Philly. Another one bites the dust.
I think Wilson's singing has a fairly big impact on the draft. I thought they could wait until the 3rd round to get a tight end I think they have to get one in the 2nd round now.
And I think blocking is a more important attribute than receiving so that means they would be more inclined to get someone like Bennett or Carlson rather than someone like Rucker orKeller.
Schmidt might figure in here as well as he lined up at TE some times and Wilson was a TE/FB hybrid
And I think blocking is a more important attribute than receiving so that means they would be more inclined to get someone like Bennett or Carlson rather than someone like Rucker orKeller.
Schmidt might figure in here as well as he lined up at TE some times and Wilson was a TE/FB hybrid
Sapp signed with the Queens.
QUOTE (LuvdaPack36 @ Mar 26 2008, 08:02 PM)
Sapp signed with the Queens.
I had to check the wires on that one. I had a vision of Warren's ugly mug in a Viking helmet. I'm glad he's still retired.
Bennie is actually a pretty good signing for them. He's a very good special teams player and I've always been a fan of his intensity. He doesn't really have much upside as a CB, but in the right role he can play a big role for a team. I'd compare him to Tracy White or Jarrett Bush in that he'll never be a full time guy, but he has the potential to be a special teams star.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.