Official Green Bay Packers Forum Thread

[Spidey]

The Green Bay Packers have issued qualifying offers to five restricted free agents, it was announced Thursday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Players receiving qualifying offers were S Atari Bigby, CB Jarrett Bush, DE Jason Hunter, FB John Kuhn and WR Ruvell Martin. CB Tramon Williams, an exclusive-rights free agent, also was issued a one-year tender offer.

At least we're keeping Bigby and Tramon Williams

Happy about keeping Tramon. I'll reserve judgment on Bigby. Personally I don't see him as the future at safety. People were so enamored by his big hits that they frequently overlook that he was borderline horrible in coverage. He's worth keeping cause at the moment, we don't have anyone better. But if someone signed him, I would take the 2nd rounder in a heartbeat.

[Primetime]

Why do we insist on keeping Bush. Hate that little bitch.

[Spidey]

Why do we insist on keeping Bush. Hate that little bitch.

No kidding. He's awful. I don't understand why we continue to hold onto him. The only thing he has going for him is that he can play CB or S. But he doesn't do either well so does that even really matter.

[Spidey]

Haven't posted about anything in here for a while but it was reported that we reached out to Canty, who I think would have been an excellent addition to the defense. However, I think we were a long shot from the get go. Canty's agent said that he was going to make this weekends visit and probably start getting into offers. The Packers wouldn't have been able to get him in until next week. We inquired too late. Canty also mentioned wanting to play in a 4-3 where ends are a bit more glamorous, even though he would likely be bumped to DT on any passing down.

Well the reports look like they were true. Sounds like Canty is close to a deal with the Giants, who already signed Rocky Bernard. That likely ends any shot at a big name this FA unless its later after someone is cut.

In other bad news, Colin Cole signed with the Seahawks. Packers expressed interest in keeping him, especially if Canty got away.

The line depth is getting a little low, which sucks. Not freaking out about it though as if we are going 3-4 I think the line depth isn't as crucial as it used to be. But we don't want to get too thin.

[Spidey]

Canty has now officially signed with the Giants.

NFL.com is reporting that Cole signed a five-year, $20 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus. 6 million guaranteed.

[bucky]

Canty has now officially signed with the Giants.

NFL.com is reporting that Cole signed a five-year, $20 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus. 6 million guaranteed.

Seattle WAY overpaid for Cole. I liked the guy, but he was a backup on a pretty mediocre D-Line. We are getting even thinner at D-Line, but I'd rather see Cole leave than drastically overpay him.

[packersfan4eva]

best thread ever. the packers never do shit in free agency...and it pisses me off. they need a cb, and there don't seem to be many stellar ones in the draft this year

[Spidey]

With Canty gone now, the Packers need to strike quickly on San Diego's Igor Olshansky IMO. Would be a good addition and likely much much cheaper than Canty went.

Another guy I'd like to see be brought in is Jim Leonhard. Maybe it's just the Badger fan in me but I think he'd be a great addition at Safety. He played quite well for the Ravens last year.

[Spidey]

And it appears Ted Thompson agrees with me...

Packers have contact with other DL while Kuhn visits Arizona
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Mar. 2, 2009 1:32 p.m.

In the aftermath of free agent defensive linemen Colin Cole and Chris Canty signing with other teams, the Green Bay Packers have had preliminary discussions with three other prospects.

The agents for San Diego's Igor Olshansky, Baltimore's Marques Douglas and New England's Mike Wright have all had preliminary discussions with the Packers, although no visits have been set up, according to NFL sources. All three of the players would be able to help the Packers at the end position.

It's unclear the level of interest on the Packers' part with Douglas and Wright, but Olshansky appears to be someone they'll have more discussions about.

Olshansky and Douglas both played end in the 3-4 defenses and would not have trouble making the transition. Wright has played end and tackle for the Patriots and would be well-suited for end in the Packers' scheme.

Olshansky, 26, and Wright, 27, are unrestricted free agents. Douglas, 31, was released by the Ravens on Friday after playing in 16 games with them last year.

Of the three, the 6-6, 309-pound Olshansky is the only one who was a regular starter last year. He played in 16 games with 13 starts and compiled 29 tackles and two sacks. He is a big, strong run defender with limited lateral movement, which is a bit of a negative because the Packers' ends won't be standing still slugging it out with tackles the way most 3-4 ends do. They play just one gap and have to be able to engage the guard as well as the tackle.

Olshansky doesn't appear to have a lot going in free agency right now, although that could change.

The 6-2, 292-pound Douglas was a starter for three seasons in San Francisco and for two seasons in Baltimore before that. He was traded prior to last season from Tampa for a conditional draft pick. The Ravens are considering re-signing him, but he has also drawn interest from the 49ers, Broncos and Jets, according to the Carroll County Times.

The 6-4, 295-pound Wright, started two games for the Patriots. He had 28 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks in 16 games. He isn't as strong as Olshansky, but he may add more pass rush ability. He has visits scheduled this week, a source said without identifying the destinations.

In the meantime, one of the Packers' own players, restricted free agent fullback John Kuhn, is drawing interest around the league. Kuhn is visiting the Arizona Cardinals today and may visit an AFC team next week, according to his agent, Kevin Gold.

Kuhn played for Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt in Pittsburgh when Whisenhunt was the offensive coordinator. The Cardinals appear to be looking for a replacement for aging Terrelle Smith and Kuhn has proved to be an adequate blocker and special teams player.

[MvP]

Packers fan here...very boring time for us no doubt. Thompson loves the draft...

[packersfan4eva]

...and that's why he traded away our first round draft pick last year...

he always does pretty well in the draft, interesting to see who we pick up this year.

[MvP]

...and that's why he traded away our first round draft pick last year...

Yeah..for more draft picks lol

[packersfan4eva]

still, we coulda drafted jordy nelson or brian brohm without trading away our 1st round pick

[packersfan4eva]

http://packers.com/news/releases/2009/03/09/1/

The Green Bay Packers have signed free agent safety Anthony Smith. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signing.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Smith spent three seasons with Pittsburgh, drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2006 draft (No. 83 overall). In 46 games (14 starts), he has amassed 94 tackles (80 solo), and four interceptions among 10 passes defensed. Smith started a career-high 10 games in 2007.

Smith, 25, started three years at free safety for Syracuse, earning All-Big East honors his junior and senior seasons. His 14 career interceptions rank third in school history.

well, i don't think he's very good.

[Spidey]

http://packers.com/news/releases/2009/03/09/1/

well, i don't think he's very good.

Actually I'm quite pleased with this one personally. Everything I've read on the guy says he has the tools to be a great safety but just isn't there mentally. He was pretty highly thought of coming out of Cuse. I think at the very least hes an upgrade over Rouse and Peprah. A coach like Darren Perry may be exactly what Smith needs to turn that corner.

I think everyone overlooks any positives about the guy because of the whole NE fiasco. He certainly got embarrassed there but he was young with little experience. Doesn't mean he doesn't have potential and couldn't a solid player.