The NFL opening game is still three months away, but if you are an avid fan, no doubt you are chomping at the bit. How did the Green bay Packers do in Free Agency? How about the draft? What about other off season issues?
Other Off Season Issues
Let's start with other off season issues. Packer Land was up in turmoil as several sources published information that Brett Favre was so mad at Packer management for not signing Randy Moss, that he demanded a trade. What???? That's right; the face of the Packers wanted a trade. He later recanted and said he will retire a Packer and never really wanted to be traded. He was just frustrated. Can you blame him? Over the last couple years Packers management has consistently said they want Favre back. Yet when you compare the actions of team management, I think they secretly want him to go away. They have not done a thing to put players around Favre to help the offense despite the opportunity to do so.
If the Favre saga was not enough, the heir apparent to CEO Bob Harland was essentially given his walking papers. Team president John Jones had been picked by Harland was given the boot. The Team cited management/personality differences as the reason.
NFL 2007 Draft
Speculation was rampant that the Packers were going to go offense with their first pick. Surprise! The Packers went defense. While commonly acknowledged that the defense was pretty good and the offense was lacking play makers, the Packers took the player they felt was the best player available. This despite the fact they are still lacking a true #1 received and now they have a much depleted running game with the departure of Ahman Green. They did take a running back with the second pick; Brandon Jackson out of Nebraska. With the running back depth chart so weak, Jackson has a legitimate chance to start. The remainder of the draft was filled with taking players to add depth in certain areas.
Free Agency Losses
Once again, the team thought wearing the Green and Gold was enough for a player. Guess again, Aham Green got an offer for BIG BUCKS to play elsewhere and he took it. You cannot really blame him. It is clear the Packers are in a rebuilding mode and the Texans offered him way more money than the Packers were offering. Green was underpaid during his productive years, but the contact he has now is likely too much for a player coming off a major injury and on the downside of his career. In addition to Green, the Packers cut William Henderson and loss TE David Martin to the Dolphins.
Free Agency Gains
The Packers have a ton of cap space yet they did very little in Free Agency, signing only CB Frank Walker from the New York Giants. Walker has been a career backup who provides depth and experience to a position that always seems to be a trouble spot for the Pack. The Packers made token attempts to sign a few other players but really made no effort. While some teams will spend tons of cash on a single player, the Packers refuse to do so. This is not such a bad thing, but there were probably several middle tier players who could have really shored up some positions.
Early Prediction
The Packers will be a team that will surprise a few teams but overall are more than likely destined for an 8 and 8 record. The team is literally PACKED with young talent, but this talent is a few years away from blooming and the Favre legacy is at risk of leaving on a losing note. Too bad.
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Keith Scott is an avid sports fan. So much so, he runs a Sports Forum where you can post your thoughts and ideas about the Green Bay Packers Share your thoughts and ideas today!
Source: Arkilite.com Sport