Chasing a Ghost or What Did You Do During Free Agency?

For the first time since Aaron Rodgers became a starter the defense or special teams weren't the reason for a less than successful season. The ultimate extension of General Manager Ted Thompson's philosophy of building almost entirely from within and ignoring obvious weaknesses while the clock was ticking on Brett Favre's last years and is ticking on Rodgers' prime years has hurt the Packers brand. The Packers last year were a little better than average.

Thompson was asked about the window closing on the Rodgers era and he said this, "We're not going to chase a ghost just because we think the clock is ticking."

Translation: I guess the ghost he is talking about is bringing a Super Bowl back to Green Bay. He has already wasted four of the best years a quarterback has ever had in the history of the game, so why should he be worried now that Rodgers is on the backside of his career and coming off his worst season ever. As long as the Packers make the playoffs that is good enough for Thompson and the Trust in Ted crowd.

See How Good This Worked Out

So after being truthful there Thompson continued with some more obvious truth, “We value draft and development." However he strayed when he continued, “We value free agency. We have guys like Julius Peppers, guys that have been free agents. If you can help us win football games and be a good teammate and that sort of thing, you have a place for us. So we’re not opposed to doing that."

Julius Peppers was let go by the Bears

I guess you can say Peppers was a free agent, but not the kind of free agent most people talk about. Peppers was released by the Bears and wasn't at the end of his contract. However, that is a distinction without a true purpose.

So with weaknesses on the offensive line, at wide receiver, running back, and not so much at tight end let's see what's out there in free agency, since this time before the draft is usually a good time to make useless observations if you're following the Packers I will join the talking heads and try to improve the team through signing free agents.

Charles Woodson was signed after the Raiders let him go

To be fair - and I'm always fair - over Thompson's first 10 years as General Manager he has signed 23 veteran free agents of all stripes. His first season (2006) he signed 5 and hit with 2 (CB Charles Woodson and DT Ryan Pickett).

Ryan Pickett and Brandon Chillar came from the Rams as free agents

The next five years he only signed 5 and hit again on 2 (LB Brandon Chillar and DT Howard Green-for the rest of the season only).

Howard Green was signed after he was cut by the Jets

In 2012 and 2013 he signed 11, but only center Jeff Saturday became a starter and he was replaced by Evan Dietrich-Smith by the end of the season. 2014 he signed two more and hit big with LB Peppers and DT Letroy Guion (both were cut by their teams). Last year he signed none. So with six good signings (but really only four were gems) Thompson has a 26.1% success ratio.

Letroy Guion was allowed to walk by the Vikings

Now let's look at where the Packers need help and I think the biggest need is on the offensive line. who is out there to help them.

Jeff Saturday was let go by the Colts, but had nothing left in his tank

Not a single starter had a good season. Guards Josh Sitton (99.4%) and T.J. Lang (91.1%) played the most, but David Bakhtiari (79.4%), Bryan Bulaga (74.0%) and Corey Linsley (73.2%) didn't heed the call 1/4 of the time forcing Don Barclay (37.2%) and J.C. Tretter (34.6%) and to a lesser extent Lane Taylor (11.8%) into action when Sitton was moved to left tackle after Barclay was horrible. Undrafted free agent Barclay was found lacking, but 2013 fourth round draft pick Tretter may have a future.

Sitton and Lang were called for holding too many times and Bakhtiari is above average at best and Bulaga is injury prone. Linsley seemed to have suffered a sophomore slump after a very good rookie season. At least, let's hope so. Undrafted free agents Lane Taylor (153 snaps) and Josh Walker (76 snaps) were also found lacking. A veteran backup would have been very useful this past season.

Free Agents Available (ranked): 6. LT Cordy Glenn (Bills), 13. LG Kelechi Osemele (Ravens), 24. LT Russell Okung (Seahawks), 30. RT Mitchell Schwartz (Browns), 38. LG Evan Mathis (Broncos), 40. LG Richie Incognito (Bills), 45. LG Jeff Allen (Chiefs), 47. C Stefen Wisniewski (Jags), 51. LT Donald Penn (Raiders), 54. RT Andre Smith (Bengals), 59. LT Kelvin Beachum (Steelers), 68. LG Ramon Foster (Steelers), 73. RT Joe Barksdale (Chargers), 79. RG Mike Harris (Vikings), 99. RG Chris Chester (Falcons).

I'm going for a left tackle here because Bakhtiari is above average at best and if a new left tackle is brought in he might be better suited to play the right side.

At left tackle are Glenn, Okung, Penn, and Beachum. Glenn is the cream of the crop even though he is not an elite player. Okung was good, but now seems to be injury prone.

As much as I would like to go for a high priced free agent for the line I don't see anyone on this list I would sign at left tackle. Also the Packers guards are as good or better than any of the free agents available and Linsley or Tretter are as good or better at center. So no signings here.