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

For fans of the Green Bay Packers, yesterday’s news that Greg Jennings had signed a five-year deal with division rival Minnesota brought out a lot of emotions.

Many viewed it as the end of great players’ time with Green Bay, and accordingly felt sad and nostalgic. Others, unfortunately, responded in an ugly and classless way, wishing injury and misfortune on one the principals of the Packers’ last Super Bowl winning team. It’s regrettable and disappointing that so many fans would treat a classy person like Greg Jennings that way, but such is the case with a fanbase as large and passionate as the Packers’.

Partially due to that emotion, many myths have been propagated regarding Jennings and his move to Minnesota. We address them here, and explain why they are indeed untrue:

Myth: The Packers offered Jennings more money than the Vikings

Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The misunderstanding is rooted largely in the difference between average salary and total money. Assuming the rumored $10 million per year offer from Green Bay was real, that doesn’t automatically mean Jennings took less money to go to Minnesota.

The contract Jennings signed averages out to $9.5 million per season. While that figure is less than the Packers’ offer, we can assume with confidence that Green Bay wasn’t offering five years. My best guess is their offer was in the order of $30 million over three years. Not only is that less total money, but it would mean Jennings would hit the free agent market when he is a 33-year-old. Receivers at that age, especially ones who are under six feet, generally don’t garner much interest. By signing the five-year deal with the Vikings, Jennings gives himself the best chance at earning big money into his mid-30s.

Myth: The Vikings will definitely cut Jennings before his five years are up

Greg Jennings (85) celebrates a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

While the contract Jennings signed only guarantees $18 million, that doesn’t mean he can only depend on earning that amount. Even if we assume Jennings will decline in productivity over the course of the deal, the Vikings have no reason to release Jennings until at least three years have elapsed. At that point, Jennings could easily renegotiate his deal and still receive more money than he would have had he been an unrestricted free agent heading toward his thirty-third birthday. This deal gives Jennings leverage at age 33 that he wouldn’t have had with Green Bay. The worst case scenario for him is the Vikings cut him after three seasons and he still picks up checks for the remaining guaranteed money.

Myth: Jennings demonstrated disloyalty by going to Minnesota

You can apply this to any player on any team. The players don’t owe their teams, teammates, or fans anything, nor should they. In the NFL, the team can cut players or force them to accept pay cuts for any reason. Players are treated like chattel and then reprimanded when they try to optimize their value. To decry a player for leaving your favorite team, no matter what team he leaves for, is an absolute farce.

Donald Driver (left) and Greg Jennings (85) talk during training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, anyone who thinks there are exceptions to this are living in a fantasy. Take Donald Driver. He spent his entire career with the Packers and said repeatedly that he’s happy to have only played for one team, but that’s easy to say once you’ve retired. So quickly do people forget that when his rookie contract expired, he nearly bolted. Had the Packers not come back with an offer for more money, Driver wouldn’t have lasted five years with the club.

Would Driver have been a bad person to have done so? Absolutely not, and neither is Jennings for leaving now. This is how the NFL works, and moreover, it’s always been this way. Some fans may pine for an era when players stuck with their original teams and those clubs fostered brotherhood, but that simply never happened. Even the Lombardi Packers were made up of many retread players. Hall of Famers like Fuzzy Thurston and Emlen Tunnell were signed from other teams. Accordingly, to contend that the NFL “became too much like a business” is a hilarious falsehood. It’s the same way it’s always been.

Myth: Ted Thompson needs to be fired

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) talks with general manager Ted Thompson during the Green Bay Packers organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

I hope most of you aren’t in this camp. Ted Thompson isn’t perfect, but he doesn’t misevaluate very often. His track record when it comes to deciding whether to re-sign players or walk away is incontrovertibly good. Two years ago, Thompson predicted that Jennings might become too expensive or too much of a liability and drafted Randall Cobb as a replacement. At the time, many considered Cobb’s selection as a “luxury,” but he’s already proven those critics wrong.

Cobb has effectively become the Packers go-to receiver in only two years in the league, during which time Jennings has missed 11 regular season games. That’s not to say Jennings is no longer a good player – he is – but the Packers are better served developing their young players and finding new talent through the draft.

In the end, both the Packers and Jennings made the right decision. Jennings received the long-term security he understandably desired and Green Bay retains the cap room necessary to keep their most important players – Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews – in a Packer uniform for many years to come.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. St. Louis Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-13. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The question for the Green Bay Packers was never should they try to sign Steven Jackson, but rather how much should they bid?

That didn’t stop hoards of fans from attacking Packers GM Ted Thompson when his proven free agency approach led to the former-St. Louis Rams running back signing with Atlanta. Some have even gone as far as to demand Thompson’s ousting. Granted, most fans are smarter than that, but it just goes to show you how quickly people forget a championship run followed by two straight division crowns.

May 22, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson during organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Thankfully, the Packers’ organization doesn’t operate at the whim of the fans. Neither does Ted Thompson. During this free agency period, the Packers GM has approached former-Packer Cullen Jenkins and the aforementioned Jackson expressing interest. In both cases Thompson gauged the players’ level of reciprocal interest and gave both his price.

Thompson doesn’t look to sign players, he looks to acquire value. There’s no better way to build a team in the salary cap era. In Jenkins’ case, the New York Giants expressed greater desire (and overpaid accordingly). Jackson’s situation was a little more complicated. Several times since opting out of his contract with St. Louis, Jackson expressed considerable interest in coming to Green Bay. The Packers initially didn’t share the enthusiasm.

That changed this week, and blogosphere was abuzz over the potential marriage. The Packers are widely considered to be deficient at running back, and Jackson fits Green Bay’s zone-blocking scheme. But this is the NFL, and personnel decisions are not so simple.

This is where some fans disconnect with reality. The Packers need to preserve cap space to extend Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews. Thus, any deal with a free agent like Jackson must not cut into those funds. Even if Jackson returns to his 2010 form, unlikely as that is, he’s not worth the trouble if it means Green Bay losing its star quarterback or premier pass rusher. Despite this, the irrational segment of the fanbase wants to send Thompson to the guillotine.

While Thompson will never speak publicly about what transpired with Jackson, it’s easy to read the tea leaves. Jackson wanted (and received from the Falcons) a long-term commitment. The Packers, seeing Jackson’s age and the abuse he’s taken over nine seasons, didn’t want to commit for more than a season or two.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) pushes away Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson (21) during the 4th quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The result was Jackson making Green Bay his backup plan, and that’s OK. Thompson’s approach prevents Green Bay from falling into salary cap hell. Look no further than the AFC North. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens both had to purge many of their best players just to get under the salary cap. In a few years, this offseason’s big spenders Seattle and Miami will have to do the same thing. It’s hard to win championships when you find yourself cutting your best players, something the Packers under Thompson very rarely had to do. When Green Bay does release a big contract early, it’s a case like Charles Woodson; a player who can no longer play at a high enough level.

Bringing this back to Jackson, it’s easy to see why Thompson balked at a three-year deal. Jackson’s productivity has dropped every year since 2009. Over that span, he led the NFC in carries with 1,171. That figure doesn’t even account for his catches out of the backfield, which add on another 177 touches. The combination of these hits has demonstratively worn Jackson down. Despite playing in all 16 games last year, he barely surpassed the 1,000-yard mark while averaging only 4.1 yards a carry. That’s hardly an elite back, let alone one worthy of a three-year contract after age 30.

Don’t agree? Let’s compare those numbers to a similar player who Packers fans are familiar with: Ahman Green.

Ahman Green battered defenses for many years, but the hits wore him down by his 30th birthday.

During his prime, Green was a powerful runner who also displayed great hands out of the backfield. His 1,883 rushing yards in 2003 and 594 receiving yards in 2001 are both team records. Green played well through his first seven season, but then the accumulated carries began to wear him down. His final full season in Green Bay, the then 29-year-old Green rushed for only 1,059 yards and 5 touchdowns. That season was eerily similar in many respects to Jackson’s final year with St. Louis. After that season, Green never rushed for more than 300 yards in a season again.

Now, that doesn’t mean Jackson will rush for less than 300 yards this year, but he won’t be the elite player most fans expect him to be. In all likelihood, 2013 will be Jackson’s last shot at a 1,000-yard season. Yet Atlanta will be paying him starter’s money for two additional years. It won’t be a surprise if Jackson doesn’t survive to the end of that contract. When that happens, there’ll be a lot of people who conveniently forget that they trashed Ted Thompson for not signing Jackson this offseason.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: St. Louis Rams running back (39) Steven Jackson runs the ball in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While we wait with baited breath for Steven Jackson to announce where he’ll play in 2013, let’s remember back to 2009 when the now former-St. Louis Rams running back nearly ended up in Green Bay.

Torry Holt was one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the 2000s, but in 2009 he was age 33 with his best days behind him.

It was a very tumultuous time in St. Louis’s history. The Rams were coming off an appalling 2-14 season which saw head coach Scott Linehan axed after four games. Linehan never earned the respect of the team leaders Torry Holt, Marc Bulger, and the aforementioned Jackson, and the entire season was marked by mutiny.

When interim head coach Jim Haslett failed to shift the momentum, St. Louis made sweeping changes. Billy Devaney was promoted to general manager, and within a month the team also had a new head coach. Steve Spagnuolo, fresh off a championship season as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, was brought in for the rebuild.

With these pillars now in place, the Rams looked to expunge their bloat and rebuild the roster with young talent on cheap contracts. St. Louis released Torry Holt in early March, and team officials began discussing internally the possibility of trading their franchise running back.

At this time, Green Bay was right in the middle of its transition out of the Brett Favre era. Aaron Rodgers, while extremely impressive in his first season under center, was not enough for the team to overcome its various deficiencies. Head coach Mike McCarthy hired Dom Capers to remodel the defense while GM Ted Thompson made a few calls to see who might upgrade the other side of the ball.

With Aaron Rodgers a full season into his career as a starter and Driver and Jennings forming one of the NFL’s best wideout tandems, the Packers believed their offense was about to take off.

The Packers offense wasn’t without talent, however. Besides Rodgers, Green Bay boasted two 1,000 yard receivers in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver and a 1,200 yard back, Ryan Grant. Not wanting to dilute the air attack, Thompson made a formal offer to the Rams for the suddenly available Steven Jackson. The compensation details vary depending on the source, but the offer did include Grant and draft picks.

What appealed to Green Bay was not only Jackson’s powerful running style, but also his utility in the passing game. Jackson had just caught 40 passes out of the backfield for 379 yards, the first of a five-year streak of 300+ yard receiving seasons that continues through today. The running back also demonstrated reliable pass blocking, something that Grant had not developed (and never would). Thompson felt that with Jackson, Green Bay could vault into the upper echelon of the league.

Dec 30, 2012, Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

But it was not to be. The Rams ultimately decided to hold onto their star player, hoping that he would be part of the turnaround in St. Louis.

As we know now, the Packers ended up a playoff team without Jackson in 2009, and a Super Bowl Champion a year later. The Rams, on the other hand, have yet to win their division, make the playoffs, or even break .500 in the years since their near trade with Green Bay.

Now with a championship under his belt, Thompson can’t be too upset the Rams kept Jackson. He’ll have even less reason to care if Jackson signs with the Packers – at discount – later this week.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed (20) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers cut Charles Woodson after seeing his salary rise and his talent no longer match the cost. However, the Packers now have a hole at safety due to the fact that Jerron McMillian is still not ready to be a starter. The Packers need a short-term player at safety who will be a force. The Packers know that Morgan Burnett can play at either safety spot so this gives the Packers some options.

The best option for the Packers is getting Ed Reed on a big, one-year deal. Reed would be an amazing signing for the Packers and give them a free safety that is still playing at a very high level. Reed is still the interception machine that he has always been and he has his keen eye on where quarterbacks will throw the football. Reed will break up tons of passes and be able to slow down big time passers in the NFC North like Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler.

Ed Reed will also be a great veteran to bring into the locker room to replace Charles Woodson. Reed is the type of mentor that Jerron McMillian could use at safety. Reed could definitely help McMillian develop into the safety he showed signs of during this past season. Reed would be an excellent signing for the Packers – but will Ted Thompson make the move.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers today decided not slap the franchise tag on Greg Jennings, thus clearing the way for the longtime Packer to pursue the free agency market. Jennings put his home up for sale last month in preparation for this day, despite the rumors that got started a couple of weeks ago that Packers brass were still considering using the franchise tag on Jennings.

Needless to say, when the news broke about Jennings not being franchised, Twitter came alive with comments about Jennings, the Packers and both the team’s and Jennings’ futures.

I took a few minutes to compile some of those tweets from among my Twitter friends.

These will give you a flavor of the fans’ reactions to today’s news …

@bronisboss 52 days ‘til 2013 #NFL Draft. And # pk #Packers ’06 Draft WR Greg Jennings; 425 rec, 53 TD rec 7 seasons w/GB, 2-tm #ProBowler

— Russell S. Baxter (@BaxFootballGuru) March 4, 2013

As I predicted a week ago (lombardiave.com/2013/02/26/gre…), Packers bypass franchise tag for Greg Jennings lombardiave.com/2013/03/04/gre… via @lombardiave

— Jason Hirschhorn (@JBHirschhorn) March 4, 2013

I don’t really think Jarred Cook or Greg Jennings will be that coveted in free agency. Especially Cook.

— Kyle Casey (@kylecasey094) March 4, 2013

I don’t think, there is a team, that will pay Greg Jennings 12 millions per year. Sorry Greg

— Daniel (@danpack6) March 4, 2013

The rumor going around NFL circles is that Greg Jennings will want $12 million per year. If it’s true, the… fb.me/1G4WYiYcE

— ThePackMentality (@PackMental) March 1, 2013

Great piece by my guy Jason “Greg Jennings, the Green Bay Packers, and the Franchise Tag lombardiave.com/2013/02/26/gre… via @fansided @lombardiave

— Dan Turczynski (@D_Turcz) February 28, 2013

@thestickmen The same thing comes to my mind as the Greg Jennings situation: how much $$ for @aaronrodgers12 & @claymatthews52 re-signings?

— Jay Sorgi (@jsorgi) February 28, 2013

New from JS: Ted Thompson just says no to franchising Greg Jennings bit.ly/ZYyq4Z

— tom silverstein (@TomSilverstein) March 5, 2013

With the last news, Mike #Wallace and Greg #Jennings will be the two WR more coveted on free agency market #NFL

— Mathieu Boulay (@MatBoulay) March 5, 2013

@gregjennings Chase #greatness, not dollars! The Lord will provide your needs. There’s only 1#packers and the fans want you to stay!

— Jeremy Hermann (@JDHermann) March 5, 2013

Packers decide not to put franchise tag on Greg Jennings. Damn, now I have to tear down that Jennings Fat Head in my son’s bedroom.

— Greg Ambrosius (@GregAmbrosius) March 5, 2013

#Packers GM Ted Thompson made prudent $ move not franchising #Greg Jennings, but #85 played well & gave back; best in future to a class act.

— Tom Pipines (@pipspicks) March 5, 2013

December 30, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ricky Jean Francois (95) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer (6) during the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 27-13. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, the eternal enigma wrapped inside the proverbial mystery, has been the center of attention the past couple of days, what with all the talk surrounding potential free agent wide receiver Greg Jennings, and the rumors surrounding defensive linemen Chris Canty and former Packer Cullen Jenkins.

When NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport rumored that the Packers were considering slapping the franchise tag on Jennings, everyone said, “what?!?”

But the free agent news continued mounting the past 48 hours as the names of Canty and Jenkins were raised and joined today by that of Ricky Jean-Francois, a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers, who, if not signed by the start of free agency, will become unrestricted.

Cullen Jenkins

So, we know a bit about Canty and Jenkins, but who is this Jean-Francois guy?

Chris Canty (99) during the second half of the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at the MetLife Stadium. Alan Maglaque-USA TODAY Sports

Well, he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 draft out of LSU and has been a defensive end backup for the Niners. With 49 tackles and three sacks in 51 games, he was a good enough player to be included in the Niners’ line rotation and saw the field enough to stick with them for four years. However, last year, he played in just eight games, registering two sacks, 12 tackles and 10 assists. He might be one of those players who could be an underachiever and needs a fresh start with a new team.

What’s really interesting to me in all this is that free agency is even being mentioned alongside Ted Thompson’s name. Yes, he dipped into the chase for free players last year, but it hasn’t been his mode of operation overall in the past. Of course, we know him as the draft and develop king.

So, why the recent change? Well, it might be that Thompson sees a real need on the line, not only because the Packers were really poor against the run last year but because it looks like second-year player Jerel Worthy won’t be ready for training camp and might not even make it back to the field before the start of the 2013 regular season. Jean-Francois is also known as a run-stuffer.

As we get through the NFL Combine and move into the month of March and the official start to the NFL season, the interest will begin to rise across the league. It looks like we here in Packers Nation may also have our ears to the rails as we continue to listen for any other free agent rumblings.

Stay tuned …

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Packers cornerback Sam Shields will most likely receive a nice boost in his salary this spring.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

By Tuesday, March 12, 3 p.m., the Green Bay Bay Packers will face a decision on how to proceed with the five restricted free agents among their ranks.

What will be their direction and what can they afford at this point?

Of the five – Sam Shields, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Tom Crabtree, Frank Zombo and Robert Francois – it will be Shields and Dietrich-Smith who will command at least a bit more than the veteran minimum. Published reports today are saying that those two, who were starters for portions of last season, will be offered about a combined $4 million and some change.

Throw in Crabtree, who will be offered just more than another million and you’ve got three solid, contributing players at about $5 million against the Packers salary cap, which currently sits at around $20 million.

Whether Frank Zombo is back with the Packers will depend on whether any other teams offer him a nice salary boost and whether the Packers want to match it.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

As for Zombo and Francois, they are on their own. Unless someone else swoops in and picks them up at a price they can live with they most likely will be brought back to compete for a spot on the team. Zombo, the ever-injured linebacker, may simply be cut, but Francois has contributed in spot linebacking situations and has been a contributor on special teams, so he is valued a bit higher.

However, the Packers certainly value the contributions of Shields, Dietrich-Smith and Crabtree and will probably give them what they need for them to stick with the team. Shields, especially, has shown he deserves a shot as a starter next year. Though he started very slowly in training camp, by the time the regular season began, he was a regular contributor and showed some spunk and aggression in coverage. He was starting to come into his own before he got injured against Houston. He was out several weeks, but came back without missing a beat – demonstrating to the Packers that he is a player with which to reckon.

Dietrich-Smith, most well known as the player who was stomped on by Mr. Suh in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day 2011, took over as the starting center at the end of last season after Jeff Saturday was benched. He played well, but not great, and isn’t a shoe-in to be a starter next year. In fact, the packers most likely will go out and secure at least one lineman in the draft to compete.

Crabtree has shined in specific spots, most notably last year on the fake field goal against the Bears when he scored untouched and on a long pass play against the Houston Texans for a touchdown. He’s a decent blocker and gets open against specific coverages – and he’s a fan social media favorite. The Packers like his blue collar work ethic and will probably make sure they keep him on the roster.

The bottom line question is whether the Packers will make more room on the roster and attempt to clear more cap space as we move through free agency and into the draft. One of the bigger questions is whether the Packers cut ties with A.J. Hawk and Jermichael Finley to help with the camp situation. My guess is that Finley sticks and Hawk goes – just a gut feeling. Maybe Ted Thompson feels good enough with the cap money they have and moves on with Hawk and Finley … we shall see.

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Where has the 2009 and 2010 lockdown, ballhawking cornerback Tramon Williams gone?

The answer: He is gone and will never return. Williams is set to make just under $6 million in 2013 and just under $7 million in 2014, those numbers make him the third highest paid Packer on the roster. This is the point where the Packers should be asking themselves, ‘is Tramon Williams really worth $13 million over the next two seasons?’

If the answer isn’t obvious then there is a problem in Titletown.

For the past two seasons Tramon Williams has been a liability for a Packers defense that has been tough to watch, especially in the playoffs. During the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, Williams was one of the best corners in the NFL. In those two seasons Williams had 10 interceptions, 35 pass deflections and 96 tackles, even though he only started 26 of the possible 32 games during that span.

The last two seasons Williams has just six interceptions, including only two this past season. Williams’ tackling ability has also taken a hit over the past two seasons, especially this season. In particular the two regular season games against the Minnesota Vikings, Williams appeared scared to tackle Adrian Peterson (I know it’s not easy).

His poor tackling (at best) paired with his diminishing coverage skills Williams just isn’t worth the money anymore. In a division that has receivers such as Brandon Marshall and Calvin Johnson, the Packers need a corner they can count on to limit these players, and Tramon cannot do that anymore.

 It’s no secret that guys like Clay Matthews, BJ Raji and Aaron Rodgers will need their contracts extended in the near future and the ability to free up $13 million from a declining player makes sense.

All one has to do is look at the Packers’ roster and see that the secondary is in good hands without Williams. Sam Shields had his best season as a Packer in just 10 games this season. Shields intercepted three passes and defended 10 passes. He also had a huge pick-six of Colin Kaepernick in the eventual playoff loss to the 49ers.

Rookie Casey Hayward also had a huge year for the Packers in his rookie campaign and could even be named defensive rookie of the year (most likely not). Also, don’t forget about Davon House, who was actually penciled in as the starter for the 2012-13 season before he went down with a shoulder injury in the preseason. House, Hayward and Shields give the Packers a solid secondary crew that are all very young and will continue to get better.

I’m in favor of the Packers and Williams agreeing on a new contract in which Williams takes a significant pay cut, but if a deal cannot be reached then the Packers should either trade or release the veteran cornerback.

I’ve been a Williams supporter for years and I think he still has some good football left in him. However, the past two seasons have made me feel otherwise. The Packers need the money he makes to extend better players and because of that reason he has played his last down in Green Bay.

The 2012-13 for the Green Bay Packers may go down as one of the most frustrating season in Packers’ history.

Pre-season talk about winning the Super Bowl, paired with most experts picking the Packers and Patriots to face off in a 1996 Super Bowl rematch have all come and gone. The Packers finished the season at a mediocre 11-5 compared with expectations of 13 wins or more, especially coming off a 15 win season in 2011.

The team was humiliated in San Francisco, which included a historically poor performance by a defense that claimed to be much better than the atrocious season they had in 2011.  They had me fooled. When the smoke cleared and the game was all said and done Saturday in San Francisco the Packers “improved” defense had given up nearly 600 total yards to the NFL’s eleventh-ranked offense during the regular season.

Need we say more …?

The Packers also allowed 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to go wild on them. Kaepernick totaled 444 yards; including a quarterback NFL single game record 181 yards rushing. Time after time the Packers forced the 49ers into third and long situations, but would allow Kaepernick to escape the pocket and scramble for first downs.

On the night the 49ers were eight of 13 on third downs; all eight conversions were either via Kaepernick scrambling or throwing for the first down. The Packers seemed unprepared on defense at times and unwilling to make changes during the game; something Packers defensive tackle B.J Raji and cornerback/safety Charles Woodson were quick to point out in the post game interviews.

The Packers finished the season eleventh in total defense which was a significant improvement from a season ago when they finished dead last in total defense.

Unlike last season it was the Packers offense that struggled for the majority of the season. The 2011 Packers’ offense was a once in a lifetime type of year. They broke numerous NFL records and team records; most expected to see the same in 2012 from the high-powered offense. However, having a season like they did in 2011 was just out of the question. At times the offense looked lost, slow and not in any sort of rhythm. Yes, injuries to Gregg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Cedric Benson, James Starks, Bryan Bulaga and nagging injuries to Aaron Rodgers didn’t help, but they were not that effective when completely healthy either.

So what’s next for the Packers after a disappointing 11-5 season that saw them get bounced in the second round of the playoffs?

Let’s start on the defensive side of the ball and play a game called cut or keep.

Erik Walden/Frank Zombo/Charles Woodson: Let Walk

Honestly this one is an easy decision, Walden has not been the most consistent player for the Packers and at times was downright awful. It was evident against the 49ers when he made an awful read a “read option” play between Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick. On the play Walden crashed down so hard on the line that he completely took himself out of the play. The result of the play: a 56-yard touchdown run by the quarterback. It has been play like this from Walden that has frustrated Packers’ fans all season; he has played his last down in Green Bay.

Frank Zombo has been a thorn in the side much like Erik Walden. Zombo has been constantly nagged by injuries and inconsistent play during his time as a Packer. He hasn’t played an entire season since joining the Packers; that includes playing just seven games this year totaling eight tackles and five games last season. Zombo had a bright future in Green Bay especially after how effective he was during the 2010 Super Bowl run for the Packers, but the truth is he has worn out his welcome.

Finally Charles Woodson. Woodson is due somewhere around $10 million next season, which is way too much for a guy who has clearly lost a step and at times hurts the defense via penalties more than he helps. I would love to see Charles stay in Green Bay, but to do so he would have to take a severe pay cut and it is yet to be seen if he would be willing to do that.

Robert Francois/ Brad Jones: Keep

Francois has been great on special teams for the Packers the last two seasons. Next season Francois could get his shot at making the defensive depth chart especially after the Packers hopefully release Walden and Zombo.

Brad Jones was very inconsistent filling in for the injure D.J Smith, who was filling in for the injured Desmond Bishop. Both Bishop and Smith will be healthy for the start of the 2013 season, which will slide Jones down to third on the depth chart. I think Jones is a very good linebacker and gives the Packers great depth, which is always needed in the NFL.

Sam Shields: Re-sign/Match any offer

Shields is a restricted free agent meaning that teams can offer Shields a contract and the Packers can either decide to let him go and receive compensation draft choices or they can sign him to a qualifying offer sheet matching another team’s offer. Shields is a promising young player who has had a great season for the Packers. He has gotten better every season since joining the Packers and will continue to get better as time goes on. Letting Shields slip away would be a very foolish mistake that I don’t see the Packers making.

Dom Capers: Keep on staff

I know just as well as every other Packers fan how frustrating Dom Capers can be at times, with that said he is a great defensive coordinator and I can’t see the Packers firing him just yet, although he should be on thin ice going forward. As I previously stated, Capers brought a defense that ranked thirty-second-ranked (dead last) in 2011 to the eleventh-ranked defense in 2012. In 2009 the Packers ranked second overall in total defense in Capers’ first year. In 2010, the Packers were fifth in total defense. Capers has obviously done the job here in Green Bay and deserves another chance to turn the defense around. I will, however, say that if Capers’ defense gives up another offensive explosion in the playoffs next season, or if for some devastating reason the Packers don’t make the playoffs next season, Capers should and would be fired.

Look for the Packers to go heavy defense again in the draft in 2013 as they continue to get younger and hopefully stronger on that side of the ball.

Now, let’s move on to the offensive side of the ball with the cut/keep game.

Donald Driver/ Gregg Jennings/ Tom Crabtree/ Ryan Grant: Say Goodbye

Although Donald Driver is one of my favorite Packers of all-time the truth is the Packers should have released him last season instead of subjecting him to the humiliation he suffered throughout this season. No. 80 should be retired in the near future at Lambeau Field.

 If Gregg Jennings still thinks he is worth Vincent Jackson 5 years/$55 million he is mistaken. The last few seasons Jennings has been injury prone and the offense has suffered because of it. Along with his injury problems his attitude this season was down right disrespectful. When he was asked throughout the year if he would be back with Green Bay he would basically say no without the slightest sense of sadness. In fact, a reporter asked him the other day after the loss to the 49ers what he would miss most about Green Bay, his response: “honestly nothing.” If that’s the way you feel about your teammates and this origination I have no problem letting Jennings walk.

Ryan Grant was a classic example of rental players brought in after numerous injuries to the running back corps, I have no doubt he will be cut, again by the Packers. Tom Crabtree will also be cut; he really doesn’t do one thing on the field particularly great. Tight ends like Crabtree come a dime a dozen and I’m sure Ted Thompson will be able to replace him through the draft.

Jermichael Finley/Cedric Benson/Jarrett Boykin/ Jeremy Ross: Keep

 I know Packer nation is split on whether to keep Finley or not based on his off-field antics in the locker room. However, the fact of the matter is that Finley has a ton of potential and let’s keep in mind that he is only 25 years old (26 in March). With the loss of Gregg Jennings, the Packers could once again make Finley the focal point of the offense like they did in 2009-10 when he dominated the NFL before getting hurt at Washington early in 2010. I’ve always been a fan of Finley and the Packers are much better with him than without.

I know it sounds like a foregone conclusion that Benson is done in Green Bay; however, I think that may be a mistake. Benson was cheap for the Packers (under $1 million in salary) and played very well before he was hurt. A backfield of Alex Green, DuJuan Harris and Cedric Benson would be very successful. That would of course means that James Starks may have played his last down in Green Bay.

Jarrett Boykin and Jeremy Ross could be the next in line of Packers great receivers that Ted Thompson always seems to find. I know Jeremy Ross’s last play wasn’t the greatest moment of his career. However, I think he has a great body at six foot, 220 pounds. He mixes that frame with great speed as seen on some of his punt returns this season. Under the radar for the Packers is Jarrett Boykin. Boykin is a very good athlete and will be a great slot receiver for the Packers much like Randall Cobb. I see a lot of similarities in Cobb and Boykin and the future is bright for both players.

The Draft:

 With the 26^th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packer select…

Barrett Jones, Center, University of Alabama

I’m a huge fan of Jones, he has all the tools that a great center needs to be successful in the NFL and the Packers would be lucky to snatch him up. He was the recipient of the Rimington Trophy (nation’s top center) and a member of the 2013 Crimson Tide National Championship team. At six foot, five inches, 302 pounds, Jones is an absolute rock which anchors one of the best offensive lines ever assembled in college football history. Jeff Saturday and Evan Dietrich-Smith were both mediocre for the Packers offensive line, which struggled the majority of the season. Adding Barrett Jones to the roster will begin to solidify one of the weaker aspects of the Packers roster: offensive line.

The 2013 Green Bay Packers will hopefully be full of new faces and new approaches. This team has all the talent to win another Super Bowl in 2014 and will be right in the hunt to do so again. Until August my friends, and as always Go Pack Go!

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I have no gripes with his draft history, the man has brought us Aaron Rodgers, Gregg Jennings, Clay Matthews, B.J Raji, Tramon Williams, and many more Pro Bowl players over the years.

My gripe with Thompson is his inability to sign free agents.

The Packers are a good football team, with the potential of being great. However, if you take away Aaron Rodgers from this team how many games do they win? I would be willing to bet that the best this team would go is 6-10, that’s how much Rodgers means to this team.

Thompson’s decision to not sign a veteran backup quarterback and roll with Graham Harrell is mindboggling. What Thompson is basically saying is that if Rodgers were to go down, Harrell would be the Packers’ savior.

Come on, Ted.

I applauded Ted for bringing in Cedric Benson, I thought it was a great move and it worked out well until his injury. Benson went down and again Thompson had the opportunity to get Steven Jackson in free agency, and he flopped.

As a result, the Packers are No. 23 in the NFL in rushing, teams just don’t have to respect the running game in Green Bay. That takes me to the offensive line; we cannot continue to keep blaming the poor running game on the running backs. The offensive line is getting blown up more times than not on running plays, which dooms the play from the get-go. Thompson made a move to get an old Jeff Saturday, which has been a neutral transaction for the Packers as he struggled to grasp the offense early.

The Packers lost Bryan Bulaga for the year, but again Thompson doesn’t seek veteran help. Instead he elects to go with a shuffled offensive line, which almost killed Rodgers on Sunday night. Rodgers is the entire franchise in Green Bay, and to not help him out at all, or at least show initiative that you are trying to do something to help the line is unacceptable.

Finally, the kicking situation has made Packers Nation lose their collective minds the last two months. Crosby is 12 for 20 this season with nine of those 12 makes coming from 42 yards or closer – that’s not getting the job done to say the least. What’s shocking is the Packers’ unwavering support for a kicker who is a career 76 percent kicker (fifth worst in NFL history of kickers with more than 100 attempts). To not bring in any competition for Crosby makes no sense to any fan. Look at San Francisco, David Akers has struggled all season, but is one of the best kickers in NFL history. Today, the 49ers brought in two kickers (Billy Cundiff and Nate Kaeding) that will either replace Akers, or at least give him a kick in the butt. The Packers have yet to bring in any competition for Crosby, who is a mediocre kicker at best.

Finally, this week the Eagles released defensive end Jason Babin. He is expected to clear waivers making him a free agent to sign with whichever team he would like. I’m willing to bet Thompson doesn’t even look at Babin, who would be a perfect fit for the Packers.

Without Clay Matthews the Packers have zero pass rush. I know they had five sacks against the Lions; however, three of those sacks were for three yards or less, so in reality those were no more than a run stuffed in the backfield. Babin and Matthews coming off opposite ends would be very helpful to the secondary, which has struggle, as has the defense as a whole.

It might not seem like a big deal, but signing key veteran free agents during the season can make or break a team. Take a look at the 2008 New England Patriots, they got a deal for Randy Moss and went on to go undefeated and make the Super Bowl. Moss was expected to go to Green Bay but Thompson didn’t pull the trigger. Then take a look at Justin Harrell No. 16 pick 2007 draft and Derrick Sherrod No. 32 in the 2011 draft – both are busts.

Again, don’t get me wrong, I think Thompson is a great general manager, but at times his decision-making makes me scratch my head. The Packers could’ve won the Super Bowl the last two years, but were one player away, one free agent signing away from being pushed over the top.

It’s the same this season, no trade deadline acquisition, or late season acquisition, may be the Achilles heel of the Packers and a potential Super Bowl run.

Packers quarterback Graham Harrell throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The 2012 NFL Cut Day has come and gone as the Green Bay Packers have gone with Graham Harrell. But Harrell is not the most proven backup – there are three former backup quarterbacks who have proven track records that Green Bay needs to consider.

New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer (8) unloads pass during preseason.

QB Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer was the backup for the Patriots and he has shown he has the potential to be a starter in the NFL but now is a free agent after being surprisingly cut by the Patriots as they chose to keep Ryan Mallett as the backup over Hoyer. Hoyer has been developed in the same system that helped Tom Brady become an elite and helped Matt Cassel go from a backup USC quarterback to the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs. Hoyer would be worth signing by the Packers as he could also be used as a trade chip next offseason to bring in a draft pick, unlike what they were able to do with Matt Flynn.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during preseason. Eric P. Mull-USPRESSWIRE

QB Seneca Wallace

Seneca Wallace is a proven veteran quarterback who has been solid when given the chance to start in the past. Wallace has some mobility to get out of the pocket and can sramble and pick up yardage. Wallace is a also a fairly acurate quarterback who might not make the big play but will get lots of solid completions. Seneca Wallace does not throw too many interceptions either. Wallace would provide a solid veteran presence as a backup and on the field if Aaron Rodgers were to be hurt as Wallace would be a smart signing just like Hoyer.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee (7) throws a pass against the Miami Dolphins. Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

QB Stephen McGee

Former Cowboys and Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee has come in when Tony Romo was injured in the past in Dallas and been a reliable quarterback in games. Now McGee may not be as well known around the league as Hoyer and Wallace but he is a proven backup that the Packers could potentially keep for multiple seasons. McGee has the ability to get out of the pocket when he needs to and is fairly accurate. He he will not make big plays as he has never averaged more than 5.41 yards per completion. McGee is not as known as Hoyer or Wallace but might just be the best possible backup the Packers could get.

Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces the 32nd overall pick of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

What a crazy offseason it has been … Peyton Manning being released from the Colts, Tim Tebow being traded to the Jets, and the Saints bounty scandal are the big headliners.

As an average Packer fan, you may think the Packers did the usual thing this offseason which was … nothing at all.

Though they may not be headline news, the Packers did make some key acquisitions and have somewhat lessened the importance for the upcoming draft for the Packers. GM Ted Thompson lives and dies by the draft which means his presence in free agency is hardly ever felt. Heck, before this year, he had not signed an unrestricted free agent since 2009.

So what makes this season so different for Thompson?

Maybe having the worst-ranked defense had something to do with it. Also, losing All Pro center Scott Wells left a large hole to fill. One that a rookie just could not fill.

So Thompson went out of his comfort zone and signed former Colts center Jeff Saturday, who played with Peyton Manning his entire career. With Saturday getting way up there in age, his value in free agency was slightly diminished. His age has not caught up with him yet, so adding Saturday to the Packers O-line fills a large hole.

After Saturday, the Packers picked up defensive tackle, Daniel Muir, who also played with the Colts. Muir has not played in a year, but when he did play he was a very effective tackle on every team he was with and could add some needed depth to the Packers’ defensive line.

The final transaction for the Packers was with former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove. With his size being around 270, he could play as a defensive end in the Packers 3-4 scheme or at outside linebacker. I do believe, however, the Packers picked up Hargrove in hopes of him being able to fill the shoes of a position once held by Cullen Jenkins, who is now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

So with the offseason winding down, what’s next for the Packers?

It’s what Ted Thompson lives for. The NFL Draft.

The Packers have 12 picks with which to work this year which ties for the most picks Thompson has had since 2006, his second year on the job. With the very nice compensatory picks the Packers received, the team have a very nice selection of picks capable of making some moves in the draft. This could mean trading down in the draft for even more picks or trading up and getting a certain player the organization have had their eyes on. This means the Packers have some leverage in this draft which is where Ted Thompson shines as a general manager.

Who the Packers should look to draft in the early rounds would be either be a pass rusher who can play outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme or draft another young offensive lineman, because center Jeff Saturday is only a short-term solution.

Players who would seem logical include Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, USC defensive end Nick Perry, or Wisconsin center Peter Konz. If Konz is available, this would seem to be a logical pick and would fill a need for the future.

With another crazy offseason coming to an end in the NFL, all that is left before players begin practicing again is the NFL Draft. An event where teams gain more depth and players begin living the dream which they have had ever since being a kid. So, though free agency is basically over, there is still something to look forward to very soon.

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Newly-signed Packers center Jeff Saturday. Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

This past week, the Green Bay Packers landed their first significant free agent in years, Jeff Saturday. Taking a look back on the week’s happenings, we’ve included some stories that have focused on the signing of Saturday.

Take a step back and enjoy what everyone’s been saying about the deal.

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Jeff Saturday (left, 63) worked with Peyton Manning as the Colts' center for more than a decade. Having to tell Manning that he chose the Packers over his Broncos was difficult. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

When Jeff Saturday made his decision to join the Green Bay Packers, the first person he reached out to was his longtime Indianapolis Colts teammate and friend, Peyton Manning.

“Peyton is a close friend and I loved playing with him,” Saturday told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I loved the time we spent together. It was the most difficult call I’ve ever made. I told him before anyone else that I was going to Green Bay.”

Manning had pushed hard to get Saturday signed on to play in Denver with his new team, the Broncos.

But Saturday was rightfully looking out for himself. The fit, he said, in Denver just wasn’t right. He admitted that he felt like he would be second fiddle in the Mile High City and realized that he was highly appreciated and sought after by the Packers’ brass.

“I told him [Manning] I don’t think the Broncos wanted me as much as he did. They’ve got things going on that they’re happy with and are moving forward with and I didn’t think it was an exact fit. I always felt like in Green Bay I was their very first choice.”

And right he is. With the loss of starter Scott Wells to the St. Louis Rams, Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy faced a huge hole right in the middle of their offensive line. Signing a player like Saturday was crucial to the team. Thompson and McCarthy knew that drafting and developing for such an important position wasn’t the right way to go. They needed to fill the position with someone who had experience … and they needed to fill it immediately. Saturday was the perfect choice.

It was a win-win for the Packers and for Saturday. Not only do the Packers get a player with 13 years of experience, a perennial all-pro and an individual who will lead by example on the field and in the locker room, but Saturday gets to play for a team where he’s wanted; a team that continues to be on the rise.

Not only that, but the Packers got him signed to a two-year deal that will pay him adequately, but far less than the inflated salary Wells accepted in St. Louis. Thompson hit a home run on this one. He was smart in letting Wells move on and he gets an equal, if not better player while having the luxury of still drafting for the future. If the Packers can get two years out of Saturday, it could turn out to be one of Thompson’s best deals ever.

“They have a great offensive line and some really good, young players,” Saturday said. “They won 15 games last year; it’s not like I have to add a lot to it. But I think I can offer leadership, and being a veteran I can help the offensive line blossom into players they want to be.”

Amen, Jeff, Amen.

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Defensive end Anthony Hargrove is being named as a defensive end the Packers are considering. Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

An interesting post and tweet at CheeseheadTV.com about the Packers entertaining a visit from defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove (as first reported by NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora), has me as confused as Brian Carriveau, the article’s author.

While the Packers are indeed now in a defensive mindset mode after the signing of center Jeff Saturday, it’s still sort of mind-boggling that the Packers would even entertain the thought of bringing Hargrove to Green Bay. His checkered past is not unlike that of a Brandon Marshall or even a Randy Moss. Many run-ins with the law sprinkle his career, including being a member of the New Orleans Saints during its bounty-filled days.

Considering a player with this type of history goes against the Packers’ way of doing things, unless Hargrove has had a significant turnaround in his personal life, I can’t see the team signing him.

And it’s not only his personal issues that are of concern, as Carriveau points out. He’s on the small side as a defensive lineman at about 275 pounds. Unless the Packers would experiment by placing him at an outside linebacker position, he doesn’t really fit the mold as a down lineman.

Check out Carriveau’s piece on this rather bizarre consideration by the Packers.

Given what I’ve read about this guy, the Packers should probably stay as far away as possible … but maybe Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy know more than we do.

Remember: In Ted We Trust. Right?

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In addition, the Packers also signed Daniel Muir, a defensive end who was with the Packers in 2007 before signing with the Indianpolis Colts in 2008 and playing with the team up through 2011.

Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday (63) signed with the Green Bay Packers Friday, March 23. Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

Playing for years with four-time MVP Peyton Manning, Saturday has been one of the best in the league since being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colts back in 1999. Clearly, he’s one of the best stories to come out of the league in years and now he’s a Packer.

The signing helps the team fill a huge hole left when former starter Scott Wells left in free agency to sign with the St. Louis Rams. Not only will Saturday’s skill level allow for greater flexibility on the line, but his stature and leadership among players will be a welcomed addition to the team’s locker room.

The club’s PR department issued the following press release about Saturday this afternoon:

PACKERS SIGN C SATURDAY 

The Green Bay Packers have signed C Jeff Saturday. The signing was announced Friday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Saturday, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound 14th-year player out of North Carolina, played the first 13 seasons of his career (1999-2011) with the Indianapolis Colts. He appeared in 197 games with 188 starts for Indianapolis, starting every regular-season game in 10 of those seasons. Saturday ranks No. 5 in Colts history in games played.

Saturday has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times during his career (2005-07, 2009, 2010) and twice earned first-team All-Pro recognition from The Associated Press (2005, 2007). He moved into the Colts’ starting lineup in 2000, and over the past 12 seasons, was part of a line that allowed just 242 sacks, the fewest in the league over that span. The Colts registered at least 5,300 net yards each season from 2000-10.

Saturday entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. After being released by the Ravens in June 1998, he signed with the Colts in January 1999. Saturday was a three-year starter at North Carolina, where he earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition as a junior and senior.

A release about the signing of Daniel Muir is as follows:

PACKERS SIGN DT MUIR 

The Green Bay Packers have signed DT Daniel Muir. The signing was announced Friday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Muir, a 6-foot-2, 312-pound fifth-year player out of Kent State, played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2008-11, appearing in 40 games with 26 starts. He posted a career-high 66 tackles (54 solo) and a half-sack for the Colts in 2009.

Muir originally entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with the Packers in 2007. He appeared in three games for Green Bay as a rookie in ’07 and recorded eight tackles (four solo). Muir was a four-year letterman (2003-06) at Kent State, playing in 46 games with 45 starts.

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Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Manny Lawson (99) is reported to be on the free agent short list of Ted Thompson and the Packers. Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

Packers GM Ted Thompson may be getting in on the free agency action after all …before it’s all over.

It’s been reported tonight by Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Packers may be interested in the services of Cincinnati Bengals’ free agent linebacker Manny Lawson.

Though Lawson isn’t the pass-rushing beast that many feel is needed to complement Clay Matthews, he is very good in pass coverage and against the run and may be considered an upgrade from Erik Walden, Brad Jones and Frank Zombo.

So, now that the market is cooling down and the prices are dropping, it seems that Thompson is ready to pounce … and Lawson may be just the right fit for the Packers. To date, the only foray into free agency for the Packers has been to re-sign Jarrett Bush. There’s also been talk of a trade with the Denver Broncos to secure the services of one Tim Tebow – but that’s just been talk at this point.

Lawson is rated number 60 on profootballtalk.com’s Hot 100 free agents.

Jarrett Bush returns an interception. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

One particular play sticks out in my mind when I think of Jarrett Bush – it was the 2007 NFC Championship Game against the New York Giants – you remember the game – the Packers punted to the Giants and there was a fumble after a sizable gain.

The ball bounced around a bit and there was Bush in prime position to jump on it. Instead, he tried picking it up and had it immediately stripped. The Giants recovered and, well … the rest is history.

Each year, I keep asking myself, “Why is Jarrett Bush still on this team’s roster?”

Many other fans have felt the same at one point or another. The simple fact of the matter is that he is a superior special teams player, but a marginal defensive back. He has made timely interceptions from time-to-time and has been the team’s most valued defender on special teams. How many times has he downed the ball inside the 10 or 5-yard line? And there isn’t anyone who has more tackles than his 21 the past few years.

The Packers brass felt the same today as they signed him to a three-year contract. Specifics of the contract have not yet been released.

Bush said he wouldn’t leave the Packers unless he was offered a starter’s salary. Well, that didn’t happen, so he’s officially back.

Ted Thompson has once again stayed true to his mantra about signing his own. Bush is a solid signing – no matter how much we want to whine about it.

Jeff Saturday could be snapping for the Packers next season. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Ok, so the Denver Broncos, because of their Reggie White-sized signing of Peyton Manning, get an A for their grade in free Agency.

The Miami Dolphins – well, they have just flopped and failed, so yeah they get an F

The San Francisco 49ers have landed some big names – Manningham, Moss and possibly Mike Wallace, but their handling of quarterback Alex Smith has this team in purgatory. Yeah they get an incomplete until the Smith situation is resolved. If he comes back to the team, they get a B-minus; if he goes somewhere else, we may have to throw them the big F. Placing all their eggs into the Manning basket was a bad move, pissed off their QB and have so far left them without a starting quarterback. Do you think Jim Harbaugh has placed a call to the Broncos for Tim Tebow?

But let’s get to what we all like to talk about – the Packers.

Free Agency? Free Agency? Did you say Free Agency? Ted Thompson where are you?

Yes, it seems there may be have been some phone calls made, but so far nobody on the other end has been listening.

At least until now … it seems that with the loss of center Scott Wells, the Packers have made an overture to Indianapolis Colts longtime center Jeff Saturday. Though the chances of him signing with Green Bay at this point is remote, but hey, stranger things have happened.

According to some sources, the Packers have a visit set up with Saturday, but nobody seems to know when that will take place. Saturday has also been wooed by the Titans and of course, the Broncos. The beauty of rejoining the battery tandem of Saturday and Manning is appealing, but the Broncos already have a solid offensive line anchored by a talented young center, J.D. Walton.

So, could Saturday be the big fish in the shrinking pond of available free agents that may be hooked onto Ted Thompson’s line?

I hope so. Here is a durable, smart, and passionate player who would not only be a fine addition to the Packers locker room, but a solid fill-in for Wells. If there’s one player that Thompson should focus on before the conclusion of this free agency period, it’s Saturday. Landing an immediate starter through the draft is problematic and filling this hole in the Packers offensive line is one that will require immediate attention.

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Dec. 22, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday (63) points to the defense during the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.Indianapolis defeated Houston 19-16. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE