M.D. Jennings … will he be the Packers’ starting safety opposite Morgan Burnett? Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

The NFL offseason can feel like the barren desert following the peak of free agency and the conclusion of the NFL draft.

Many dedicated fans try to appease their NFL cravings with Major League ballparks or even the NBA playoffs, but nothing can quite satisfy the football cravings.

Green Bay Packers fans should be careful that the middle of the offseason does not lull them to sleep. It is in these weeks of OTAs and the coming training camps that some of the best roster stories are born. The Lombardiave.com staff is committed to keeping you posted as these stories emerge and as the 2013 Green Bay Packers roster takes shape.

So, Packers fans, here is the first of many developing stories to keep your eye on.

Who will emerge at safety?
Obviously, Morgan Burnett is a lock to start in the secondary. Who will start opposite him is a another matter. Many were surprised that Ted Thompson did not select a safety in this year’s draft. I was not one of those people. If you take a careful look at the Packers’ pre-draft scouting, it showed that they were not aggressively pursuing the safety position. In fact, none of the players that the Packers met with at the Combine, personal workouts, and pro days played the safety position exclusively.

Green Bay has Jerron McMillian and M.D. Jennings already in-house and it seems that they will spend the coming weeks competing for the other starting safety position. These two both showed potential last season and must have done enough to gain the confidence of the coaching staff. It will be interesting to see which of these two flashes enough to earn a starting gig on a Packers’ defense – a unit that is attempting to rebrand itself with toughness and physicality.

It is difficult to predict which of these two comes out on top. Both are adequate in pass coverage, while McMillian seems to have more upside against the run. However, the Packers gave more playing time to Jennings in crunch time – specifically, in the playoffs.

Jerron McMillian will fight for the Packers strong safety position.Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Other players who could factor into the competition are Sean Richardson, an undrafted player with good size and speed out of Vanderbilt. He has shown promise, but spent last year battling a neck injury. Green Bay did not draft a safety in 2013, but they did draft one who has experience at the position.

Micah Hyde
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Micah Hyde spent time at safety during his collegiate career at Iowa. While it sounds like the Packers plan to keep him at corner, some believe he could be a natural fit at safety. Given the unexpected in camp (and we usually do experience the unexpected) Hyde could be called on to add to the safety competition. This is certainly a long shot, but heck, it could happen.

Every good drama requires tension that requires resolution. The Packers offseason will be filled with such stories. The competition at the safety spot will be just one that draws attention. Let’s hope we see the best in those few players and that one will rise to the occasion.

Who do you think will be “the one?”

The Green Bay Packers have relied on the arm of Aaron Rodgers, but look for balance this year.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Chris Brown, author of ‘The Essential Smart Football” and a contributor at ESPN’s Grantland, wrote “it’s understandable that most fans (and even many coaches) think of football plays in terms of the strict run-pass dichotomy.”

To that point, teams usually only do one or the other well. One-dimensional franchises with predictable offenses aren’t consistently competing for or winning championships as much as they’re jockeying for lottery position in the annual NFL draft.

Oakland, for example, has appeared in exactly one Super Bowl (XXXVII) since their reign of lawless-inspired championships in the mid-1970s and early 1980s and has struggled to finish with a winning record for most of the last two decades. Dallas has won just a single playoff game since they earned three titles in the 1990s. The Dallas Morning News constantly skewers Jerry Jones for his inabilities as both an owner and general manager and frequently chronicle the failures of quarterback Tony Romo.

For some Cowboys fans, Romo is the anti-Aikman or Staubach.

The Packers can’t continue to rely so heavily on Aaron Rodgers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

For both franchises, the element of offensive balance simply hasn’t existed in order to consistently be successful over the long run. While this may seem like an elementary concept, it has some truth.

We know this: the NFL has increasingly become a passing league. The recent passing trend has seen red-hot quarterbacks win the title. Aaron Rodgers was elevated to elite status with a victory in Super Bowl XLV in 2010 following an incredible statistical run that saw him throw nine touchdowns in four games. And there’s Joe Flacco who capped his recent Super Bowl XLVII championship run with the Ravens by tossing 11 scores during the postseason.

Consequently, as the league has evolved through the air, more traditional “run heavy” teams have seemingly taken a back seat in the pecking order. According to Pro Football Reference, nine teams in 2012 averaged less than 100 total yards rushing per game. Arizona finished 32nd with a paltry 75.3 yards per contest. Dallas, much to the chagrin of Jerry Jones and despite featuring talented back DeMarco Murray, ended up 31st with 79.1 yards per game. Jacksonville, a typically strong running team, was without running back Maurice Jones-Drew for most of the season and subsequently netted just 85.6 yards every Sunday to finish 30th in the NFL.

The high-octane Atlanta offense, led by recently-released running back Michael Turner, finished 29th in the league with just 87.3 per game.

These four teams averaged a combined 3.6 yards per rush. With the exception of the Falcons, eight of the nine teams (Arizona, Dallas, Jacksonville, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Cleveland) missed the playoffs in 2012.

Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris helped the Redskins lead the league in rushing last season.
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

In comparison, teams that have a strong running game tend to have success in making the postseason. Pro Football Reference shows that the Washington Redskins were the best running team in the league in 2012, averaging 169.3 yards per game. Collectively, the Redskins backfield netted 5.2 yards per carry. They qualified for the playoffs and lost to the upstart Seattle Seahawks in last year’s NFC Wild Card game. Dual-threat quarterback Robert Griffin III was hampered by a Seahawks defense that keyed to stop him. Ultimately he suffered an injury, relagating the team to one-dimensional status.

The Minnesota Vikings, who feature an elite Adrian Peterson, ranked second in the NFL by logging 164.6 rushing yards per game. The issue here is that Peterson also happens to co-exist in a one-dimensional offense which lacks a legitimate threat at quarterback. Minnesota drew a road matchup in a frigid Lambeau Field in the other 2012 NFC Wild Card game. The Vikings were quickly eliminated when Green Bay stacked eight or more defenders in the box or close to the line of scrimmage and limited their running game.

Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder was a non-factor. Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers committed to a game plan designed to contain the Vikings rushing attack, in part because Ponder led a passing game that averaged 170 yards per game, good for 31st in the NFL. This is a prime example of how a team that cannot successfully run the football, especially in cold weather on the road, are at a severe disadvantage.

According to Pro Football Reference, since Mike McCarthy took over as head coach in 2006, Green Bay has ranked in the top 15 in the NFL in yards per rushing attempt twice (2007 and 2009, at 12th and 13th, respectively) which is a major indicator of the Packers’ reliance upon Rodgers’ arm and their subsquent inability to dictate the run. We’ve all heard McCarthy talk about how he’d like to be able to do this. He knows toughness and a good ground game are important predecessor to controlling, closing out and winning games. Power running is critical in that it’s a catalyst to a team developing an attitude of toughness and becoming more physical – both elements that McCarthy has said Green Bay has lacked in recent years.

Terry Bradshaw
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

When you think of the historically tough teams over the history of the NFL you envision John Riggins of the Redskins in the 1980s. You think of Larry Csonka of the Dolphins and Franco Harris of the Steelers in the 1970s. You think of Jim Taylor wearing Green and Gold, running the power sweep up the alley, in the 1960s. These Hall of Fame power runners, not conincidentally, each won Super Bowl titles. However, they also operated within the parameters of well-balanced offenses. Washington featured quarterback Joe Theismann. Miami had Bob Griese. Pittsburgh lined up Terry Bradshaw behind center. Green Bay had Bart Starr. All four signal callers also are immortalized in Canton, Ohio. Defenses that lined up against these All-Time teams had the uneviable task of picking their gridiron poison.

For a variety of reasons, Green Bay has utilized a “pass to set up the pass” offensive philosophy. Personnel issues, injuries, blocking schemes and ever-changing assignments on a patchwork offensive line have necessitated this approach. Also consider the fact that the Packers feature the league’s best player behind center and it’s even easier to understand the strategy of putting the football in Rodgers’ hands on a vast majority of plays.

It’s no different than the approach Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula took with Dan Marino in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Dolphins essentially had no running game during Marino’s career. Everything went through Marino. Seasons lived and died on his arm. Consequently, Miami made only one appearance in a Super Bowl (XIX) and never returned during his tenure. In hindsight, the Dolphins’ lack of offensive balance was a clear catalyst in that title drought.

Despite Green Bay’s aerial prowess, when their offense stalls or fails to get into rhythm they are prone to enduring long stretches without generating points. Lack of offensive rhythm and the inability to run the football or turn to the running game to help the offense settle down were both major factors in each of the last two playoff losses to the 49ers and Giants. How many times in those defeats did we see Rodgers flip down his chin strap in disgust and trudge to the sidelines after yet another failed third down conversion attempt?

In Rodgers’ 2011 MVP season he completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 45 touchdowns and six interceptions. At times it looked easy for the Packers as they coasted to a 15-0 start that year. Reality showed that eventually they would regress to the mean, in this case generating offense had to come through other avenues than the pass. In week 16 that season, Kansas City continuously blitzed Rodgers and the Chiefs controlled the clock on the ground. Green Bay’s winning streak came to an end.

In 2012, the Packers saw defenses adapt to their vaunted passing game by dropping a surplus of defenders into coverage. Defensive linemen ran stunts and linebackers and cornerbacks regularly showed blitz as Rodgers made his pre-snap reads, only to have them fall back into the secondary once the play began. This srategy of flooding the underneath and zone passing lanes literally took away entire sections of the field. In previous seasons these pockets were ripe for the picking by the rocket-armed ex-Cal Berkeley alum.

Take away the running game – or in Green Bay’s case, the threat of one – and eventually defenses will adjust. Last season, Rodgers made his progressions while improvising behind a shaky offensive line. He was forced to rush throws into tighter windows or if receivers couldn’t shake coverage, he’d have to throw the football away, if he wasn’t already sacked. Predictably, the result was an excess of empty three-and-out possessions for Green Bay. For an offense that is built around the big play through the passing game, inability to dictate tempo by turning to a capable ground game often spelled disaster.

A team that can call a running play depending on the game situation and then execute that run effectively has a distinct advantge over the Arizonas,

Johnathan Franklin
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Oaklands and Jacksonvilles of the NFL. Undeniably, the mere presence of Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin presumably upgrades the Green Bay ground game and theoretically would take some of the pressure off of Rodgers.

However, for the Packers it’s not really about Lacy, Franklin or even possibly Angelo Pease becoming the next John Riggins, Larry Csonka or Jim Taylor. It’s about their ability to convert third downs, protect the football, pass block and operate within the constraints of a pass-oriented offense. Green Bay runners need to run with less finesse and more agression. They need to punish linebackers and safeties at the second and third levels with the football in their hands or as a decoy. That being said, it’s still not likely to envision a Packers box score with 35-plus rushing attempts. The additions of these three rookie rushers and an improved running game isn’t going to drastically change the dynamic of the Green Bay offense. McCarthy knows this. The rest of the NFL knows this. Fans know this.

Ideally, Green Bay will utilize their new backfield acquisitions to improve on their 20th-rated 2012 rushing offense. The goal is to demonstrate improved running between the tackles and turn in a higher yard-per-carry average. If they can do that it’ll be easier for McCarthy to continue to implement heavy play-action utilizing an array of swing passes, short crossing routes and curl patterns that will augment the emergence of a genuine power running game.

In Green Bay, the threat of a run is just as valuable as the ability to run. Offensive balance would help impove their chances of controlling and winning games in the postseason by being able grind out yardage and eat up valuable clock.

For the Packers, balance is the key to another championship.

Randall Cobb should be one the Packers’ top threats this season.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The 2012 Packers offense was not abysmal by any means, finishing as the thirteenth ranked offense in the NFL, averaging 359.4 yards per game.One thing that is certain, the Green Bay Packers 2013 offense will be different.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

But this was clearly a fall-off from the 2011 season in which the Aaron Rodgers-led offense finished third in the NFL at 405 yards per game. But at the end of the day the Packers were not Super Bowl champs in either season and in both of the previous years they had a bad showing in the playoffs.

In the ever-evolving NFL, change is constant and Coach Mike McCarthy understood adjustments needed to be made.

To some degree the Packers offensive attack over the past three years has been boom or bust. Most of the boom came from the passing game. It’s hard to fault McCarthy for building around Aaron Rodgers, arguably the best quarterback in the game with an arsenal of receivers at his dispense. As a whole, the receiving corps was deep and talented. The problem was the offense’s predictability and the offensive line’s woeful showing.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

In 2011, the Packers clearly benefited from the talent at wide receiver and Rodgers’ ability to get them the ball. But other teams caught up to their scheme in 2012. They defended the pass and came after Rodgers fast and furious, sacking him 51 times on the year. The running game was irrelevant and the offensive line was clearly not functioning as a well-oiled machine.

The offseason moves and the draft indicated the Packers are working to bring balance to their offense in 2013. From a financial perspective it was not a big surprise that wide receiver Greg Jennings was not signed. But the talent of the receiving unit does take a hit. With that said, most teams in the NFL, and especially teams in the NFC North, would be happy to have Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and tight end Jermichael Finley at their disposal.

The subtraction of Jennings was balanced by the addition of second round draft pick Eddie Lacy and fourth round selection Johnathan Franklin at running back. The logic here is undoubtedly to create a more balanced attack. In theory, by upgrading the running game, defenses will no longer be able to disregard the Packers rushing attack and key in on the passing game.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Taking things one step further, Coach McCarthy recently announced that the offensive line would be getting a bit of a make-over, same faces really, just in different places. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga will flip-flop to left tackle and the same for right guard Josh Sitton, who will move to left guard. Last season’s left guard T.J. Lang, of course, is set to move to right guard. It seems the Packers are comfortable with Evan Dietrich-Smith at center. Right tackle, on the other hand, is an open competition between last year’s left tackle Marshall Newhouse, second year man Don Barclay, 2011 first round pick Derek Sherrod, and rookie David Bakhtiari from the University of Colorado.

The moves on the offensive line indicate the Packers are wisely looking to protect the blind side of franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers and look to run behind a mauler of a guard in T.J. Lang on the strong side. The competition at right tackle will be interesting to watch develop.

On paper, which of course is not where the games are played, the Packers looked to be improved from an offensive perspective. If injuries hit the receivers, depth could be an issue. If the rookie running backs flop, then it’s back to square one in that department. And if the offensive linemen can’t make the adjustments, then that could be disastrous. But all of it is speculation and that is why the games are played.

In the end, the 2013 Packers season should be a fun one to watch unfold.

Of the changes made, which do you think will have the largest positive or negative effect?

It’s his way or the highway and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has many ideas for improving his team in 2013. He’s not standing still.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The NFL doesn’t stand still and neither do the teams that make up the league – and that includes Green Bay Packers and their head coach, Mike McCarthy.

That’s a good thing because we know if you become complacent in this ever-changing environment you will find yourself two steps behind and slipping on the third step trying to catch up.

When McCarthy announced yesterday that his plans were to flip-flop his offensive line – moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga and right guard Josh Sitton to the left side to swap with left guard T.J. Lang and left tackle Marshall Newhouse – it was a sign that the head coach was not happy with the status quo. He’s shaking things up – letting people know that number one, he’s concerned about the 51 sacks of Aaron Rodgers last year, and number two, that he’s serious about jumpstarting the team’s rushing attack.

The Packers offensive line will see dramatic changes this year.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“We’re built that way because we’re blessed with Aaron Rodgers and we need to maximize the ability and create the opportunities for our perimeter group,” McCarthy said yesterday. “Running the football’s important. we’ve placed a high importance on it. We’ve created a lot of competition at the running back position with our new draft picks. We feel that overall, with our offensive personnel, the competition for opportunity has been greatly increased since we last played.”

He’s also not sold on former left tackle Newhouse. While he’s officially moving him to the right side, McCarthy isn’t saying he will be the starter. In fact, Don Barclay, who finished out as the starter last season at right tackle, is penciled in as the 2013 starter. Yes, there will be competition for the right tackle position, but Barclay showed a mean streak and a skill at run blocking that gives him the edge, at least at this point in the game. More will be nailed down once the teams get on the field and in the classrooms for the spring run-throughs.

The Packers are doing everything they can to protect Aaron Rodgers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“It’s really a combination of (many) things,” McCarthy said. “No. 1, it starts with (the fact) we have a right-handed quarterback. His back side is obviously the left side. Both Josh and Bryan are our two most accomplished offensive linemen. So that’s really the starting point. But there’s things that we’re going to do as we move into the season, particularly football scheme-wise, that we feel this is the best decision for us.”

In essence, what this all tells us is that though the Packers offense has been one of the most prolific the past several years, McCarthy feels it’s still not good enough.

Throw in the fact that the Packers drafted two highly-touted running backs – Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin – two offensive linemen – David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter – as well as two jumbo-sized wide receivers – John Dorsey out of Maryland and Charles Johnson out of Grand Valley State – and you’ve got a recipe for potential change and improvement.

We know for sure that Lacy and Franklin are going to come into camp and compete immediately for a starting spot on the team. As for the new receivers – we know they’re not going to come in and unseat Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb, but with Jones in the final year of his contract and the potential for him to test the free agent market, the Packers have at least brought in some fresh legs to compete. Whether either or both of these new guys stick remains to be seen, but they put the coaching staff in a position to look closely at what they bring to the table. The same goes for the new offensive linemen … they will add depth and talent.

“It really doesn’t (matter) for us because of the way we play,” McCarthy said. “In the system I grew up in, you always wanted to be more athletic on your left and have your power players on your right side. You like to have that element as part of your offensive line, but, let’s be honest, we spread people out. And (with) our ability and our talent in our perimeter group, it’s important for both our right tackles and left tackles to be athletic.”

And that’s what makes the NFL so great. New players, new season, new opportunities.

Standing still is not Mike McCarthy’s modus operandi. He’s shown us with the movements along the offensive line and the new faces in town that he’s moving on.

We all better be ready for it.

Evan Dietrich-Smith took over the center position from Jeff Saturday late last year.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the NFL Draft last week, the Green Bay Packers had many holes to fill, but with only eight picks at their disposal at the start – which grew to 11 – all of them, of course, couldn’t possibly be addressed.

While the Packers and GM Ted Thompson have been commended for their work in addressing several areas of need last weekend, there are still some areas on the team that need attention – most of which are right up the middle.

Any baseball fan knows the importance of a strong middle core – a competent unit of players starting with the catcher and moving outward to pitching, shortstop, second base and center field. Having a strong middle will keep any team together.

Aaron Rodgers will continue to call signals for at least the next five years.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the same for football. The Packers solidified its offensive backfield and we already know what they did when they extended Aaron Rodgers’ contract – they guaranteed that the best quarterback in the league stays in Green and Gold for at least the next five years. However, when it comes to center and safety – and even inside linebacker – there are question marks on how best those positions will be filled in 2013.

Yes, the Packers did re-sign center Evan Dietrich-Smith to a restricted free agent contract, but Mike McCarthy would surely like to see some competition for that position. When the Packers drafted David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter, they did a nice job of bringing in players who might be moved inside to either guard or center. But whether they fit in those positions won’t be known until they actually hit the field during rookie orientation and OTAs.

Many also question why Ted Thompson didn’t draft a safety in this year’s draft. While the strong safety position was manned most of last season by M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian because Charles Woodson was injured for the greater majority of the season, the jury on their play is still out. No doubt both of these players will continue to grow into the position, Thompson has indicated he’s confident in them.

One might wonder if the Packers would consider bringing Charles Woodson back (at their price, of course) at least for one more season to solidify the strong safety position. Woodson is still unemployed and hasn’t drawn much interest among other NFL teams. Whether the Packers want to go that route won’t be pursued unless there is a clear need. While McMillian and Jennings are adequate, the Packers may consider, at the very least, bringing in some competition.

So up the middle there are still many issues yet to be decided. In which direction the Packers go will be interesting to watch.

Stay tuned …

Notre Dame Fighting Irish former player Tyler Eifert is interviewed during Notre Dame pro day at the Loftus Center. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports photograph

I guess anything is possible when one starts considering the direction Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson will take in the NFL Draft, but the closer we get to the D-Day (Draft Day) the more I’m convinced a tight end will not be the first round selection for the team.

But why are so many mock draft composers out there in love with the Tyler Eifert-to-Green Bay pick? Take a trip around the Internet and you will find many, including walterfootball.com, who are projecting Eifert going to Green Bay.

I don’t see it.

Jermichael Finley stiff-arms Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon after catching a pass at Lambeau Field.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Number one, Mike McCarthy loves Jermichael Finley – he’s said so more than once – and he’s going to do everything in his power to keep him around after this, Finley’s final season under contract with the Packers.

Number two, the Packers have Andrew Quarless and D.J. Williams in reserve roles and Ryan Taylor, the special teams ace, already on the roster.

Number three, the Packers have too many other more important holes to fill before even thinking about a tight end. Consider offensive line, defensive line and safety among those needs.

As for Finley, he was the Packers most proficient pass-catcher the second half of last year behind Randall Cobb. His value, despite the angst he causes the fans, is astronomical for the Packers. Yes, his salary is third highest, at this point among those players on the roster, but he is also instrumental in the Packers offensive success.

Yes, there are times he disappears from the statistics, but that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t felt. He draws double-teams and occupies space in the middle of the field to open up sideline routes and running  back routes. He’s a talent that must be accounted for on the field – a value that McCarthy feels is important to making his system go.

So, why not draft Eifert or another tight end?

Because I feel the Packers are going to try to commit long-term to Finley. His upside is too huge to let him walk … and even if they don’t commit long-term, they still have him for one more year to allow them to take the time to continue to develop the players in-house.

Even more importantly, there is no imminent need to draft a tight end if the Packers lose Finley after this upcoming season, they can then take the steps to address the situation.

There is no need at this point and I feel Thompson will see it that way, too.

Oct 20, 2012; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (left) catches the ball while being defended by Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Antone Exum (1) during the third quarter of the game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 38-17.
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

With the NFL Draft fewer than 30 days away, we here at Lombardiave.com are taking a few moments out of each day to take a look at players who might be available when the Green Bay Packers are on the clock at #26.

The past couple of days we took a look at some of the running backs who might be available to the Packers in this year’s draft and today we move on to the wide receivers.

DeAndre Hopkins (6) carries the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Furman Paladins.Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

We focus today on DeAndre Hopkins, a 6-1, 214-pound receiver who might  be smallish in stature, but has played much bigger – and in big games – during his college career at Clemson.

In three years at Clemson, Hopkins helped the Tigers become one of the premier offenses in the nation. He had a highly impressive 2012, catching 82 passes for 1,405 yards (17.1-yard average), and 18 touchdowns.

He catches the ball well at just about any spot on the field and though he’s not a speed burner, one of his best attributes is his ability to create separation and get open.

However, one of the best thing about Hopkins is that he could easily fall to the late first round and may be available when the Packers are on the clock. Whether Ted Thompson will select a receiver in the first round will depend on how the draft falls and what he sees as his best options at that point.

Given that the Packers lost Greg Jennings to Minnesota last month, Thompson may see this as a perfect opportunity to restock his stable of receivers, but with so many needs in other areas, he may also be looking to the second or third rounds for a receiver. With the possibility of two or maybe even three receivers projected to be picked in the first round, Thompson may have plenty of talent from which to choose – and that talent pool may include Hopkins.

However, there are those who feel that if Hopkins falls to the second round, he won’t last long.

DeAndre Hopkins (6) carries the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Furman Paladins at Memorial Stadium. Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

With that said, there are reasons that teams will be high on this receiver. According to walterfootball.com, a few of the positive attributes he possesses is that he runs great routes, separates from defenders, has great body control to make sideline catches, creates yards after the catch, is unselfish and has improved each year over the course of his college career.

Weaknesses include a drop here and there, his size, and the fact that he doesn’t have elite speed.

To me, and to others, he’s a Greg Jennings-type receiver who would be the perfect replacement for the long-time Packer. Though the Packers have a cadre of pass catchers in-house for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, picking up at least another through the draft might be a wise move for Thompson.

In my mind, Hopkins could be that guy.

Here’s a video of DeAndre Hopkins …

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

It’s April Fool’s Day and the only jokes being played on fans across the National Football League don’t involve fans of the Green Bay Packers.

That’s because those jokes involve the guys who play the most important position on the team – quarterback. There’s no joke with the Packers – they have the best player in the league, bar none, and the team’s going to reward him for it – very soon.

Tony Romo
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Have you seen what’s going on around the league lately? You’ve got quarterbacks changing teams faster than an Aaron Rodgers laser to Randall Cobb; you’ve got teams signing quarterbacks for way more than they’re worth (Tony Romo) – and former quarterbacks calling them on it (Donovan McNabb); and you’ve got injured quarterbacks healing and seeking solace from the President of the United States (RGIII).

We’ve seen former Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn hightailing it out of Seattle after sitting on the bench for a season and landing in Oakland; you’ve got a soon-to-be former Raiders quarterback (Carson Palmer) with his bags packed and waiting to go to Arizona; you’ve got former Arizona Cardinals and former Philadelphia Eagles QB Kevin Kolb headed to Buffalo to fight it out for a job with Tarvaris Jackson (remember him?); and of course we’ve got the stories about Tony Romo signing a long-term extension with the Cowboys for millions too much, Donovan McNabb complaining about it, and all that topped by Robert Griffin III being invited to the White House.

Matt Flynn
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

So much drama – very little impact when it comes to winning games on the gridiron.

Compare that with what’s going on in Green Bay. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has done it right once again. He is about to become the richest man in the National Football League and you haven’t heard one word from him about it. Those close to the situation are saying that the deal could be announced literally at any moment with the latest information indicating the sides were only $2 million apart in their negotiations. That’s minimal when you consider the millions upon millions of dollars that will make up those final numbers.

Brett Favre

Yes, we’re spoiled when it comes to quarterbacks – at least we have been for the past two decades. With Brett Favre hanging on for 16 years as a Packers quarterback and Rodgers following up those years of longevity with his own run the past 5-plus years, there are some young Packers fans who know nothing but success from that position. Of course, they don’t remember the Jerry Tagges, the Randy Whites, the Anthony Dilwegs, the John Hadls and the Carlos Browns.

Count you blessings, Packers fans, because when Rodgers signs that multi-year extension we will continue on for many more years (God forbidding any injuries) with a quarterback who has Hall of Fame written all over him.

And when you watch all these other teams struggle with finding a franchise quarterback, understand it’s clearly not an easy thing to do.

Just feel good about not having to worry about having a Tarvaris Jackson as your quarterback.

You’ve got it pretty lucky these days, folks …

South Carolina Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore (21) runs the ball out of his own end zone against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Last Oct. 27, the nation cringed when they watched South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore suffer a severe knee injury that was thought at the time to be a possible career-ender. It was the second straight season that Lattimore suffered a season ending knee injury only adding to the intrigue when he performed at his pro day last week.

But the suspense all but ended last week when scouts from across the NFL broke into applause after his workout – a performance that some say may have lifted his draft status into the first round, certainly as high as the second or third round. But there are others who feel Lattimore may be more of a risk than reward.

The question for those who follow the Green Bay Packers is whether the team would be willing to take a chance on Lattimore – if they are indeed serious about taking a running back in the first or second rounds – maybe even the third round.

Lattimore, who is hoping to play in 2013, won’t be ready to play immediately as he continues his rehab. So, whichever team selects him will have to wait some time before he hits the field.

Could Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball be on the Packers’ list of running backs to consider in next month’s draft?
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

However, with other running backs, such as such as Alabama’s Eddie Lacy, Wisconsin’s Montee Ball or Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell may all be available in the first round should Thompson wish to improve his offensive backfield with a high running back pick.

When healthy, the 6-foot-1, 221-pound Lattimore was impressive on the field. As one of the most impressive running backs in the nation during his time at South Carolina, he rushed for 2,677 yards on 555 carries (4.8 avg.), which included him scoring 55 touchdowns in his three seasons.

The Packers may be leaning toward Lacy and Ball as safer picks, but Lattimore may bring a huge upside for the team that selects him in April’s draft.

Could that be the Packers? Ask Ted Thompson – he’s the only one who can answer that question.

Will Barrett Jones fill a huge need for the Packers?
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers and every other team in the National Football League have started the official kickoff to the league season with specific needs.

Many of those teams have attempted to deal with their needs through the free agent route, but not the Packers. As has been the case in years past, it’s the draft where they focus. Whether it’s running back, offensive line, safety, linebacker – whatever the position – it looks as though Packers GM Ted Thompson is committed to finding those guys through the draft.

But if you’re looking not only at the Packers, but are interested in finding out what NFC North Division rivals Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions need to fill holes on their team, you might want to take a look at the spiffy infographic put together by fanspeak below. It’s easy to read, compact and even printable if you want to have a copy handy for the upcoming draft days.

It’s worth a peek as we continue to evaluate how teams will proceed through the rest of free agency and into the draft. Will the Steelers commit to Ahmad Bradshaw and fill that need at running back? Will the Packers try to hone in on Matt Elam at safety or might they try to bolster their offensive line by picking Barrett Jones with one of their first couple of picks.

Yes, it’s all a guessing game, but I sure is a fun one.

Enjoy the infographic … and while you’re at it, check out fanspeak.com … great site.

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) talks with president Mark Murphy (center) and general manager Ted Thompson (right) – the triumvirate that makes the bulk of football-related decisions for the Packers – have their hands full in trying to improve the team.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The offseason isn’t the time to sleep for National Football League teams, including the Green Bay Packers. It’s hump day and time for Packers officials to get to work.

First on the agenda is welcoming former New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty to town on a free agent visit that’s expected to last through Thursday. Included in the visit will be a physical examination, a tour of the facility and, of course, meetings with team officials including Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy.

Chris Canty

Canty has already had visits with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs and it’s reported that the Titans have already presented him with an offer. There were also reports earlier this week that Canty was prepared to give the Carolina Panthers a “reduced hometown discount” to play there in his home state. However, there haven’t been any followup reports on whether that might come to fruition.

The Packers had an interest in Canty in 2008 when he was a free agent leaving the Dallas Cowboys, but he bypassed the Packers and went straight to New York where he found a quick home and a satisfactory contract. It’s unclear whether the Packers will offer a contract to Canty during his stay here, but if they are serious about landing him, they most likely will. It’s been reported that Canty will want to have a contract and new home by the “unofficial” start of the free agency period this weekend when agents can start negotiating openly with teams before the “official” start of free agency on Tuesday, March 12.

That’s just one of the things on the Packers’ list today. There are also several college pro days occurring across the country, including the University of Wisconsin’s day in Madison. Because of the close proximity of the campus, there are always Packers coaches and scouts at that particular event and Thompson has been known to attend himself.

However, with Canty in town, it’s unclear whether Thompson will find the time to do both – most likely he will, considering Canty will be in Green Bay for two days.

Other pro days, as reported by Cheeseheadtv are Alabama A&M, Duquesne, Eastern Washington, Kent State, Mississippi State, North Alabama, Northern Arizona, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Texas Tech and West Texas A&M.

Everybody gets excited during the season, but you know, folks, this is the time of year that makes or breaks National Football League teams. This is the time of year when all the important work gets done.

We here at Lombardiave.com will continue to try to stay on top of all the developments each day – whether it’s free agency, the draft, pro days or whether Ted Thompson had dinner at Red Lobster the night before – well, maybe not that in-depth, but we’ll continue to do our best … keep stopping back for the latest.

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Jan 08 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atlanta Falcons guard Justin Blalock (63) defends against New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) during the second half of the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at the MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alan Maglaque-USA TODAY Sports

A couple of items that came across my desk this morning that were shoved to the back burner because I thought they were kinda crazy and still do – the Green Bay Packers might have an interest in DL Chris Canty AND may consider slapping the franchise tag on free agent WR Greg Jennings.

Say I’m not seeing and hearing things … the interest in Canty I can understand. The Packers went after him hard four years ago when he came free of his contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Instead he signed with the New York Giants where he had four pedestrian seasons. In 2009, he played in eight games and had eight tackles and five assists. In 2010, he started all 16 games, registered 28 tackles, 11 assists and had one-half of a sack; in 2011, he was a bit more productive in 16 games – he had four sacks, 32 tackles and 16 assists. Last season, he had three sacks, 20 tackles and five assists before being let go as a salary cap casualty.

Those are certainly far from Hall of Fame numbers, so why would the Packers have an interest in him. After all, he is going to be 31, has played eight seasons already int he NFL and is probably on the way out within the next couple of seasons. Well, the Packers have to find a way to improve their defensive line. If Canty were brought in, he would compete for the defensive end position played the last few years by Ryan Pickett. Would Canty be an improvement over Pickett? That’s debatable, but competition on the line would be a good thing.

Canty is said to have scheduled a visit with the Packers and the Jaguars and is also said to have an offer on the table from the Titans. He may visit, but may also shun the Packers once again, which wouldn’t be a huge surprise or disappointment in my eyes.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Jennings

However, the “holy cow” moment this morning came from a report attributed to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. He said that it was “interesting to hear the #Packers are still considering franchising Greg Jennings. Thought that ship had sailed. Apparently not.”

I thought that ship had been long gone out of port, but could it be that the Packers have sent an SOS to bring it back?

I hope not. I love Greg Jennings, but his days with the Packers are and should be done. Jennings had an opportunity to sign an extension last year, turned it down and then said recently that he had a want for a $14 million contract. If the Packers were to slap the franchise tag on him, it would cost them $10 million for a single season. Jennings could refuse it, but then he wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere and would be unpaid.

However, I can’t see Ted Thompson committing $10 million to a single player for a single season. He doesn’t operate that way. The Packers are right around $20 million over the cap. They will have to sign their draft choices and restricted free agents, which will cover about half the $20 million – then they are supposed to give the other $10 million to a 30-year-old receiver who has missed more than 10 games the past two seasons with injuries?

I don’t think so. Rapoports sources are simply out of their mind or vastly misinformed.

But then again there are some reports that this could be a sign and trade situation, which wouldn’t be all that bad … would certainly keep Jennings out of a Vikings uniform …

So, back to the backburner go these stories. And I hope to keep them there.

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Jermichael Finley (left) has lined up for five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Will be be brought back for another?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The more I think about it, the more I look at their salaries and upside, the more I watch the young kids breaking their butts at the NFL Combine, the more I feel it’s time the Green Bay Packers cut ties with A.J. Hawk and Jermichael Finley.

A.J. Hawk has been a solid contributor for the Packers since being the number one draft pick for the team in 2006.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Don’t get me wrong, I am huge a fan of both Hawk and Finley. Both have produced for years with the Packers. Both probably have quite a bit left in their tanks.

But this is professional football. Number one, it’s a young man’s game and I think that of all his attributes, General Manager Ted Thompson gets it. That’s why he has perfected the draft and develop scheme that has produced three division championships and a Super Bowl championship since 2005.

Hawk, who has spent seven years with the Packers after having been selected as the team’s first round pick (number 5 overall) in 2006, has been a battler. Remember back in 2010 when he didn’t play a single down in the team’s opener at Philadelphia and then was thrown onto the field when injuries hit the team? Not only did he rise to the occasion, but he became an integral part in the team’s Super Bowl run that year. In that season, he made 71 tackles and had 39 assists, his third best season up to that point in his career. He also had three interceptions. In his first season he had 84 tackles and 37 assists and in 2007 he had 78 tackles and 27 assists.

A.J. Hawk
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

However, Hawk had a significant downslide in 2011 (57 tackles, 29 assists) before rebounding with a solid year in 2012 (81 tackles, 39 assists). Those look like good numbers on the surface, but if you look at where those tackles were made, more of them than not were well beyond the line of scrimmage. Hawk is around the ball much of the time, but many times after 3, 4, 5 or even more yards have been gained. And we won’t go anywhere near his drop back and pass coverage skills.

Yes, Hawk has contributed, but for most, he’s just one of the guys. He’s not a standout player who slices into the backfield to break up running plays, he rarely gets to the quarterback and doesn’t strike fear into the eyes of an offense.

With D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop expected back from injuries suffered in 2012, the odd man out, at least in my eyes, is Hawk. And if we consider the dollars that a player of his age (29) is due, more than $5 million, it’s time to consider moving on.

Here are Hawk’s career statistics:

Jermichael Finley

Jermichael Finley is a tight end who attracts a great deal of attention from opposing defenses.
Raymond T. Rivard

I feel much the same about Jermichael Finley. He’s a huge talent. He has contributed to a prolific offense that has, for the most part, been the standard of the industry. He had one of his best seasons in 2012 – most of which came in the second half of the campaign – and he’s toned down his comments in the media.

In his five-year career, Finley has had 198 catches for 2,485 yards (12.6 yard average), and 17 touchdowns. That includes 2010 when he played in only five games.

Those are impressive statistics, and yes, he is a talent. But he is also heading into the final year of a two-year contract which has an upside and a downside. Should the Packers keep him, he will have huge incentive to have a big year and will most likely leave it all on the field. On the flip side, if he does have that big year he will most likely walk in free agency and the Packers would lose him anyway.

So, what to do with the mercurial player? Do the Packers try to trade him? Do they keep him? Or do they cut him, cut their losses and look to the draft for someone who could be an heir apparent? The team does have tight ends who would be serviceable (Tom Crabtree, if they re-sign him; Andrew Quarless, who is coming off a missed season due to a horrendous knee injury; D.J. Williams, who is an unknown; and Ryan Taylor, who has been a special teams contributor), but they need the type of player who can stretch the field and attract attention over the middle. Finley has provided that threat.

So, why shouldn’t the Packers keep him? Well, let’s start with the head games and the drops. He has spouted off in the media about a lack of chemistry with his quarterback, his agent has joined in the discussion. He has been a disruption in the locker room and his dropped passes have caused consternation across the franchise and especially among the fan base.

Here are Jermichael Finley’s career statistics:

Where to go?

The bottom line is that should the Packers cut ties with Finley and Hawk, they will save several million against the salary cap – money that could be freed up to be apportioned across new contracts that will come due in the coming year for Aaron Rodgers, B.J. Raji, and Clay Matthews.

The Packers got the ball rolling early in adding to their available funds this offseason when Donald Driver and Jeff Saturday retired. Then they cut the $10 million that would have been due Charles Woodson, and with the impending loss of Greg Jennings to free agency, the Packers are in very good financial shape as they head into thick of the offseason. They should have plenty to sign their draft choices and to begin negotiations with Matthews and Raji. More than likely, they will wait until 2014 to sign Rodgers – his contract will be a whole different animal as he is likely to get at least an eight-year deal worth at least $20 million per year.

I say the Packers move on by cutting ties with Finley and Hawk. They go with the players they have in-house and use their draft and develop philosophy in adding new talent to the mix.

What do you think?

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New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw has pounded the Packers over the years.
Jim O photograph

A couple of weeks ago, the New York Giants released running back Ahmad Bradshaw and I immediately thought, ‘the Green Bay Packers have got to have an interest.’

Well, time has passed and it seems there isn’t a whole lot of interest among any of the 32 NFL teams in his services, including the Packers.

Given his injury history, I’m sure many teams have cast only a glance, but from what I’ve seen of this guy he could bring a whole new attitude to the Packers backfield. He runs with abandon, punishing tacklers in his wake. Maybe that’s why he’s had the injury history. But he seems to be the prototypical NFL runner – he can run it between the tackles, but has the speed to also get around the corner when asked. In addition, he can catch the ball out of the backfield.

Anytime this guy has played against the Packers and has been given the ball, I have cringed … he’s always running north and south and gouging the defense for yard after yard. Was Ted Thompson watching the same Packers vs. New York Giants games when we all saw him continually run into the Packers secondary?

If so, you would think he wouldn’t waste time in at least exploring the opportunity.

Before we get back to the injuries, consider that he’s just 26 years old – young for an NFL running back; he’s got two Super Bowl rings and comes at a relatively small price. He was scheduled to make $4.25 million this year, but could probably be signed to an incentive-laden contract with a base much less than that $4.25 million – especially if there are few other teams that come forward.

But then again, we get back to the injuries. In 2012, he missed two games, but still collected 1,015 yards (4.2 yard average); he had 659 yards in 2011 (missed four games); and in 2010 he had 1,235 yards.

In six seasons with the Giants, he has rushed for 4,232 yards (4.6 yards per carry), with 32 touchdowns. He has coughed the ball up a lot, however – 19 times during those six seasons. He fumbled seven times in 2010.

What that tells me is that he’s either had some really bad luck or is simply injury-prone. That’s why a contract would have to include incentives. Despite the injuries, he comes back strong and continues to be productive.

He would also be a huge improvement over Cedric Benson and would be a great complement to DuJuan Harris and Alex Green.

What do you think? Should the Packers pursue him before someone else takes the leap?

Let us know with a comment below; tell us on our Facebook page or send a tweet on Twitter.

As long as the Green Bay Packers have Aaron Rodgers in the backfield, they will compete for a championship.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe they can’t find another angle, maybe it was the only thing they could think about, but NFL Network analysts Heath Evans, Lindsay Rhodes, and Willie McGinnest took a shot at answering the question – is the window closing on the Green Bay Packers?

Could Greg Jennings be headed to Minnesota to join forces with Adrian Peterson? Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The question was one asked as part of a segment where the three expressed their views on all four teams in the NFC North. As the winner of the division two straight years, the Packers, with a 15-1 divisional record over those two years, are seeing some significant changes this offseason, starting with the retirement of Donald Driver, continuing with the release of Charles Woodson and the impending departure of wide receiver Greg Jennings. Yes, it seems the old guard is starting to be a thing of the past and it’s time for a new regime.

Does that mean the window’s closing? Absolutely not. Are the other three teams doing all they can to narrow the gap? Certainly. But the Packers are a team that continues to evolve, thanks to the creative and forward thinking of Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and their staff. Using the draft – and even more importantly – the undrafted free agent route they continue to bring in players that up the competition on the field and deepen the talent pool of the 53-man roster.

As long as the Packers take care of their core – Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji – as well as those who make this team elite – James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang and that incredibly young and talented group of defensive backs, the Packers will year-in and year-out be the team to beat in the division and one of the top five teams in the conference, if not the league.

Will Desmond Bishop make a comeback after a significant injury?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, they have holes to fill (running back, offensive line, defensive line, inside linebackers), but that’s what the draft is for. There are also some important questions – will they bring back Cedric Benson? Will they keep Jermichael Finley and A.J. Hawk? Will D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop come off their significant injuries in time to bring stability to the position? Will the young defensive backfield take the next step in 2013?

But the window is far from closing on the Green Bay Packers in 2013. They are still the elite of the division and the NFC.

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Green Bay Packers manager Ted Thompson has some tough decisions facing him this offseason.
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers, like all National Football League teams, are facing the dreaded numbers, but fear not – Ted Thompson understands those numbers better than anyone and is working them to make the 2013 unit better.

He must … because of today’s number one number: Six.

Yes, the Packers play the sixth most difficult schedule in 2013.

In order to compete at that elite level, the Packers have to get better – and that requires battling all the numbers and making decisions at this time of year that will have huge ramifications six months from now.

Other figures Thompson must get his arms around are those surrounding the salary cap. He’s already added about $10 million to the team’s available cap with the release of 15-year veteran Charles Woodson, but there are many who say he won’t stop there. Adding that $10 million to the cap number the team already had available – $7 million – Woodson’s number puts the Packers at about $17 million. Add to that the $3.5 million the Packers gain from the retirement of Jeff Saturday, and the Packers are around $20 million.

Sounds like a nice round number, right?

Well, I don’t think Thompson is done yet. Next on the list is 29-year-old A.J. Hawk. Why Hawk, you ask? He had his best season last year.

You would be absolutely correct. He had 81 tackles, 39 assists, and three sacks while starting all 16 games and two playoff games. Those are good numbers. But the number staring Thompson in the face is the $5.45 million cap allowance for Hawk – a player who, at 29, will probably start to decline in production.

What to do with A.J. Hawk is a huge decision that will be made by Ted Thompson this offseason.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

However, doing this would be a risk. The Packers have two inside linebackers, D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop, coming off of serious injuries. Whether they will be ready by the start of the regular season is a question mark at this time. We all know about injuries in Green Bay – how many players have been said to be ready to come back, but don’t meet the date expected? One of those was Charles Woodson, who was expected back in early December last year and didn’t get back until the playoffs. How much that issue played in the decision to release him we’ll never know, but Thompson is always one to go with the younger guys and he’s got a boatload of them in his defensive backfield with which to work.

In addition, Brad  Jones, who played well, but not great, is an unrestricted free agent. Thompson must decide what to do with him, keeping in mind that there are two young linebackers who haven’t seen much action, Terrell Manning and Jamari Lattimore, champing at the bit to get going. They might be good enough for Thompson to decide to go with them.

Whatever decisions Thompson makes, he has to consider the best way to deal with restricted free agents CB Sam Shields, center Evan Dietrich-Smith, tight end Tom Crabtree, outside linebacker Frank Zombo and inside linebacker Robert Francois. Most likely, Zombo will be gone, but it seems that Francois has stuck with the team for good reasons.

With all that on his mind, Thompson must also consider the draft – he’s got to find enough money to pay the incoming class of draft picks, one compensatory pick and any of the undrafted free agents he picks up off the street.

In addition to Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji is one of the key players whose contracts must be extended in the next year.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Most importantly, he’s got to juggle the books well enough to find the funds to extend the contracts of Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, and B.J. Raji. However, that most likely will be a two-year project. I feel they will work first on Matthews and Raji and then do what they can in 2014 to extend Rodgers for at least another eight years at about $20 million-plus per year.

And there seems to be a wild card in all this, as well – Jermichael Finley. What to do with the mega-talented tight end who has shown flashes, but has lacked consistency? He is in the final year of a two-year contract, but was one of the best tight ends in the league down the stretch last year. By the way Mike McCarthy talked about him in his season-ending press conference, it sure sounded like he wanted him back. He counts $7.95 million against the Packers’ salary cap. He has been a distraction and annoyance in the locker room at times, but he has come up with some big plays at opportune times for the team. There are many fans who are done with him, many who love him.

I’m just glad it’s Ted Thompson making the call on this one. Freeing up nearly $8 million in cap space would go a long way in improving the team over the long haul, but keeping him on the roster gives the team that downfield threat over the middle that helps free up other receivers. Tough call on this one.

But to get back to that number one number, six, Ted Thompson has his work cut out for him. That’s why the offseason is so intriguing and why the Packers success in 2013 hinges so heavily on the decisions being made now and in the next month.

Stay tuned …

And in the meantime, here are some Jermichael Finley highlights …

Don’t expect Steven Jackson to be running to daylight for the Packers this next season.

Steven Jackson and the Green Bay Packers – doesn’t it seem we’ve been down this road before?

Last fall, after the Packers starting running back Cedric Benson went down to injury and Alex Green turned out to be a sorry replacement, all the talk of the town was that the Packers were going to trade for Jackson. Never happened and I don’t think it ever will. But that didn’t stop John Clayton of ESPN to continue the discussion.

Clayton thinks the Packers are likely suitors and that Packers GM Ted Thompson should put an offer into the hat.

Here’s what Clayton recently wrote:

“I think that would be a great idea. Jackson isn’t going to make $7 million this year. Jackson has until the start of free agency to void the last year of his Rams contract. Although the Rams want him back, I think he will hit the market. If that is the case, Thompson could offer $5 million and see whether that could lure Jackson to Green Bay. He would be perfect for that offense.”

The real question is whether Thompson will even consider going down that road again. He took a turn off his usual beltway last year and signed both center Jeff Saturday and Benson, but those deals didn’t turn out too well in the end. Saturday was benched about three-quarters through the season and Benson was lost after five games with a foot injury.

Does Jackson offer something the Packers need that badly? Yes, their running game is abysmal, but the team needs to address its offensive line first. They could have Adrian Peterson in the backfield and I don’t think the results would be much different than they were for the Packers last year.

The problems with the running game run much deeper than fixing it by signing a big name runner. The team needs some power up front to start opening holes for running backs to run through. After they get the offensive line solidified, things will take care of themselves.

And I feel Steven Jackson won’t even be part of the discussion.