Collins signs one-year tender

The two biggest concerns for me in free agency were keeping Ryan Pickett and Nick Collins for next season.  Pickett received the franchise tag and Nick Collins has signed his one-year tender.  The 5 year-pro will make $3.3 million in 2010.  The 2005 2^nd round pick has 13 picks the last two seasons.  With the switch to a 3-4 some may have thought the organization wanted to see how he played in the new scheme.  He succeeded with another Pro Bowl selection this time as a starter.  This is a good sign as the teams may be edging closer to a long term deal.

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Tags: Nick Collins, Packers

Kampman signs with Jaguars

One of the things many of us fans anticipated happening this free agency period finally took place.  Most expected Aaron Kampman to leave the Packers and their 3-4 scheme for a team that runs the 4-3.  The 2-time Pro Bowler has found a new home with the Jacksonville Jaguars to the tune of 4 years and $26 million dollars.  The Florida Times-Union is reporting that $11 million dollars of the deal is guaranteed.  The Iowa product knows how to bring the heat as a defensive end with 37 sacks from 2006-2008.  Last year as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 was a forgettable season.  In hindsight, Green Bay should have tried to trade Kampman before last season and gotten something in return.  He had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on December 4^th.  The injury took place in Week 11 against the 49ers.  As he waved to the crowd while the cart drove off the field, you got the sense this was the end of his career in Green Bay.  I have the utmost respect for Kampman and wish him well in Jacksonville.  We’ll see if he’s ready for training camp, but is a sneaky IDP sleeper in 2010.  Don’t hold the 3.5 sacks playing out of position against this high motor player.  If he’s healthy I could definitely see Kampman putting up decent numbers as a 2^nd defensive lineman or as a waiver pickup.

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Tags: Aaron Kampman, Jaguars, Packers

The Greatest Football Team Ever Assembled

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Tags: Anthony Muñoz, Bob Lilly, Bruce Matthews, Deacon Jones, Dick Butkus, Dick Night Train Lane, Don Hutson, Forrest Gregg, Gale Sayers, Jan Stenerud, Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Joe Greene, Joe Montana, John Hannah, Ken Houston, Larry Little, Lawrence Taylor, Mel Blount, Mike Ditka, Ray Guy, Ray Nitschke, Reggie White, Ronnie Lott, Walter Payto

Clifton re-signs for 3 years

The Packers have re-signed LT Chad Clifton to a three-year deal worth $20 million.  Big Cliff has started 138 of 143 games for Green Bay since they drafted him as a second round pick in 2000.  Before the 2009 season, Clifton had surgeries on both shoulders and both knees.  Last season the durability became an issue for the 10-year veteran.  I’ve written about whether or not it was time for him to leave.  I’m of the belief of letting go of a player a year too early, than a year too late.  As offensive tackles get older they tend to struggle with smaller quicker players as they lose the ability to cut off angles.  Speed rushers gave Clifton fits last season as well.  My fear has been that the decline has begun and he’ll start to look like Orlando Pace did for the Bears in 2009.   General Manager Ted Thompson must believe there still some good football left in Clifton.  Thompson has proven with his track record not to be the sentimental type.

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Tags: Chad Clifton, Packers, Ted Thompson

Packers tender 9 players

Before free agency starts teams have to make decisions on their restricted free agents and the Packers decided to tender 9 players.  Safety Atari Bigby, cornerback Will Blackmon, guard Daryn Colledge, safety Nick Collins, defensive lineman Johnny Jolly, fullback John Kuhn, guard-center Jason Spitz, and cornerback Tramon Williams received undisclosed tenders.  Exclusive-rights free agent tight end Spencer Havner received a tender so he’s locked up for 2010.  Collins is the most important player out of the group, while Spitz is your starting center.  Kuhn is a solid fullback, but Quinn Johnson has a higher upside.  Some fans may view the other players as replaceable parts.  Bigby hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his time with Green Bay.  Colledge hasn’t developed into the player the team was hoping for after the early selection.  How much longer is the team going to give Colledge to prove himself?  Jolly has legal problems and is an undisciplined player.  Blackmon is explosive on returns, but like Bigby can’t stay healthy.  Williams was completely overmatched last year in the secondary.  What is the young corner’s learning curve at this point?  Restricted free agent halfback DeShawn Wynn didn’t receive a tender from the team.  So he’s free to pursue work elsewhere, however the Packers might want to bring him back cheaper.  Wynn hasn’t been able to help the team as a Reebok Sideline Apparel Model.  Punter Jeremy Kapinos didn’t receive a tender, so he’s looking for work. His 15 punts downed inside the 20 ranked No. 32 in the league among punters with 56 or more attempts.  Tim Masthay was signed to a futures contract in January, but I anticipate a punter being taken late in the draft to compete for the spot.

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Tags: Atari Bigby, Daryn Colledge, DeShawn Wynn, Jason Spitz, Jeremy Kapinos, John Kuhn, Nick Collins, Tramon Williams, Will Blackmon

Pickett draws franchise tag

Teams around the NFL have used the franchise tag to lock up defensive tackles and the Packers have followed suit.  Vince Wilfork of the Patriots, the 49ers Aubrayo Franklin, and Richard Seymour of the Raiders all received the franchise designation.  Add Ryan Pickett to the list.  The Ohio State product will make $7.003 million in 2010, unless the sides come to terms on a new contract.  Green Bay has the right to match a contract offer that Pickett signs with another team or receive two first-round draft choices as compensation.  I don’t believe either scenario is likely to happen.  The franchise tag is a hefty raise for Pickett.  Pittsburgh’s Casey Hampton just signed a 3-year deal and that contract could be used to set a bar for Pickett.  I wouldn’t want to go 4 years because he’s already played 9 seasons.

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Tags: Aubrayo Franklin, Casey Hampton, Franchise tag, Packers, Richard Seymour, Ryan Pickett, Vince Wilfork

Earl Thomas selected in Mock Draft

With the Packers first round pick of the 1st Annual Fanball Sports Network NFL Mock Draft the Green Bay Packers select Safety Earl Thomas of Texas.  His athleticism is just too good to pass up.  Thomas is more talented than a number of the restricted free agents Green Bay has in the secondary.  If Thomas isn’t ready to start the team can buy him a year to learn.  The lack of talent in the secondary was the Achilles heel of the 2009 Packers.  His speed allows him to cover a lot of ground and his 77 tackles were second on the Longhorns last season.  The 8 interceptions and 16 passes broken up show a player that has good coverage instincts.  Thomas has enough speed to play corner if injuries build up in the secondary. If Taylor Mays were still on the board I would have selected Thomas. LT Brian Baluga of Iowa and OLB Sergio Kindle of Texas were the two players I would have selected over Thomas. I believe the selection of Thomas addresses a need and upgrades the overall talent in the secondary.

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Tags: Earl Thomas, Mock Draft, Packers

Westbrook looking for work as well

Another aging running back is on the market looking for work as the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to part ways with Brian Westbrook.  He missed eight games because of two concussions and an ankle injury.  As a Westbrook fantasy owner you were always aware that he usually missed the game before the bye week.  Durability has always been a concern for this PPR legend.  In 2007, Westbrook led the NFL with 2,104 yards from scrimmage with 1,333 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns.  His physical skills haven’t diminished to the extent of LT, so he could be a more attractive option.  I’d consider him as a third down back or as part of a committee backfield.  Concussions are serious business and Westbrook must make a determination if he wants to continue playing.  He’d fit on the Packers as a change of pace back behind Ryan Grant.  Westbrook is terrific at picking up the blitz and serving as an outlet receiver.  I don’t think his body would be able to handle the heavy workloads of years past.  I’d take Westbrook over Tomlinson at this point.  Westbrook is the Eagles’ all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (9,785). He also ranks second in rushing yards (5,995) and third in receptions (426) and total touchdowns (68).

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Tags: Brian Westbrook, Packers

Martin signs two-year extension with the Pack

On Monday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirmed with agent Brad Cicala that his client Safety Derrick Martin agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Packers.  The four-year veteran would have qualified as an unrestricted free agent, but is among the many preparing to get hosed, if the NFL and player’s union being unable to come to a labor agreement by March 5th.  If a deal can’t be reached unrestricted free agency qualifications would move from four years to six.  Martin was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.  He played in 14 games including one start finishing the campaign with 25 tackles.  His role on the team is secured because of his ability to be an asset on special teams.  Martin could be in line for an increased role depending on the futures of other members of the secondary.

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Tags: Derrick Martin, Packers

LT looking for work

The greatest running back of the new millennium is now unemployed.  The San Diego Chargers have released LaDainian Tomlinson after an injured plagued 2009 season which saw career lows of 223 carries, 730 yards, and 3.3 yards per carry.  The 12 rushing scores are a product of playing in such a high powered offense.  LT caught only 20 balls as Darren Sproles took away a lot of playing time.  A $2 million dollar bonus due in early March guaranteed the release.  His 9 year career with the Chargers cements his place as one of the greatest running backs ever to play the game.  I view Jim Brown and Walter Payton as the greatest running backs ever.  Gayle Sayers and Barry Sanders are in the argument as well.  Tomlinson is in the discussion as far as I’m concerned.  The 2006 season of 2323 total yards and 31 scores is one of the greatest seasons by a running back in NFL history. 

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Tags: Ahman Green, Barry Sanders, Brandon Jackson, Chargers, Darren Sproles, Gayle Sayers, Jim Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson, Packers, Ryan Grant, Walter Payton