Sep 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers center Brett Goode (61) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

He’s been with the Green Bay Packers since 2008 and hasn’t missed a single game in his 4.5 years with the team – though he hasn’t started a single game. He hasn’t scored a single touchdown; he hasn’t scored a single point; you mention his name and only the die-hard Packers fan will recognize it.

Today the Packers announced that they signed Brett Goode to a three-year, $2.715 million contract extension. That’s nearly $1 million per season for a guy who sees only a handful of snaps per game.

The key to that statement is “snaps.”

You see, Goode is the long snapper for the Packers, a key member of the placekicking and punting teams – the guy who makes sure the ball ends up accurately in the placekick holder’s hands and in the right spot for punter Tim Masthay.

While we may consider $1 million a lot for this specialized player, it may be one of the best signings of the year. It guarantees that the Packers keep intact a trio of players who are crucial in the team’s special teams proficiency.

The Packers signed punter Tim Masthay to a long-term contract earlier this season and locked up kicker Mason Crosby last year.

The importance of these central players might be compared to the importance of the middle of a baseball team – the catcher, pitcher, shortstop, second baseman and centerfielder. These positions are always occupied by the team’s best athletes and are crucial in the success of a team.

So, today’s announcement of the signing of Goode will provide the Packers with consistency where consistency and athleticism matter.

The signing of Goode was definitely a good thing … maybe the best thing the Packers have done yet this season.

Will Aaron Rodgers and the offense lead the Packers over the Seahawks Monday night? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

In order to defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night, the Green Bay Packers will have to have all three phases of their game clicking.

However, the Packers have been known to win games without one or two of the phases – offense, defense and special teams – working well. We all know how the defense suffered last season and how the offense carried the team.

But to get back to a Super Bowl, any coach and even any fan understands that all three phases of the game need to make plays.

So, when the Packers head to Seattle Monday, they will face an upstart team that has had a smothering defense, a great special teams unit and an offense that’s been doing just enough to win games.

The question is this: Do the Packers need to perform well in all three phases of the game to win? Or will they be able to get by with just their offense, their defense or even just their special teams.

With that asked, here’s a poll asking which phase of their game will excel against the Seahawks.