Before I get to the Packers the Super Bowl came and went
with the Patriots winning. I thought the Falcons had a very good chance to win,
but I saw a parallel to the Packers when the Falcons gave up a late score in
the first half when the Falcons defense eased up as if The Dom was their
Defensive Coordinator.
I was watching the game at The Cellar and when the Patriots
kicked that field goal to make it 21-3 I made the announcement the game had
turned and the Patriots were going to win.
Even though the Falcons scored to make it 28-3 I continued
to say the Patriots were going to win because the defense couldn't stop them.
After the Falcons did nothing after the Patriots botched on-sides kick I said,
"The game has turned". After the Falcons blew the potential
game-winning field goal and didn't do a thing after getting the ball near
mid-field I said without reservation, "The Patriots will score and make
the 2-point conversion to tie the game". I also said the Falcons won't do
anything to get near the game-winning field and I was right on both accounts.
When the game went to overtime I said, "The Patriots
will win the toss and march right down the field and score a TD". Once
again I was right on both. My explanation was and is, "I have seen this
game too many times before. The Packers have played that Super Bowl over and
over again and lost 9 times out of 10. Sadly with the retention of The Dom and
The Ted and even The Mac Packer Backers will continue to replay this Super Bowl
for many years to come.
Now on to other matters I have no control over. With
Executive Vice President/General Manager & Director of Football Operations
Ted Thompson catching his second wind after settling the issue whether not not
he is going to retire and the re-signing (although not officially) of
Director-Football Operations Eliot Wolf after he pulled himself out of the last
open General Managership at San Francisco and the fact the Packers didn't play
in the Super Bowl it's time to consider free agency coming and going, well sort
of, since we have the leader of the Anti-Free Agency League as our General
Manager.
Now that the practice squad has
been signed to reserve/futures contracts, except for cornerback Bene' Benwikere, who was signed
on January 17, it's time to consider the 11 unrestricted free agents. The
Packers also have 3 restricted free agents and 5 exclusive rights free agents.
(NOTE:
Benwikere recently visited the Jets a team with a need for cornerbacks, but how
good could Benwikere be if the Packers who are in desperate need of cornerbacks
let him go?)
The 3
restricted free agents are inside linebacker Jordan Tripp, outside linebacker
Jayrone Elliot and punter Jacob Schum. Schum did a decent job taking over Tim
Masthay. He will be re-signed and then we'll see if he gets cut at the end of
training camp, like Thompson loves to do with punters (i.e. Jon Ryan and
Masthay). Elliot is an interesting problem. He was injured this season starting
with a hamstring before the season and a hand during. My guess is he will be
re-signed for one last chance. Tripp was signed on Dec. 24 when he was
waived/injured by Seattle .
He is another interesting prospect with great physical skills, but he didn't
get a chance to show them. He will be re-signed I guess.
The 5
exclusive rights free agents are inside linebacker Joe Thomas, defensive tackle
Christian Ringo, fullback Joe Kerridge and running backs John Crockett and Don
Jackson. All ERFA are usually retained and cut during training camp if they are
released.
Thomas
was the pass defense inside linebacker and then beat out Blake Martinez for the
starting job when he returned from a knee injury. His claim to fame is knocking
the "C" off the helmet of Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey in the 5th
coldest game in Bears history. He earned a spot and will be re-signed.
Ringo
was drafted in the 6th round in 2015 and spent that year on the practice squad.
He made the 53-man roster this season and was active for 8 games and finished
with 2 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Kerridge was a Redskins undrafted free
agent that was signed to the practice squad and brought up for the last 8 games
when all the running backs were getting hurt. Both are hit or miss to make the
team next year.
Crockett
and Jackson finished on injured reserve and I guess both will be cut next year.
Now to
the crux of the matter. What to do with 11 UFAs. First and foremost is Julius
Peppers. He is too old and would cost too much to bring back. I also think he
will retire to save Thompson the embarrassment (although I don't think Thompson
can be embarrassed) of either re-signing him or letting him go.
Pro
Bowl guard T.J. Lang will also be let to walk (to the Bears) because he will
cost too much. Not much else to say. Thompson doesn't like high priced guards
(i.e. Marco Rivera and Mike Wahl).
Tight
end Jared Cook will be a problem. He sued the NFL when he became a free agent
with the Titans to be listed as a wide receiver instead of a tight end because
of the money angle. He is injury prone, but he will attract attention after his
play at the end of the season. Thompson will re-sign him, but at an inflated
cost. He better be worth it.
Micah
Hyde will also be a problem. He is too valuable to let walk, but I guess he
will get an offer Thompson won't match because he won't be a starter here. Just
like Casey Hayward Thompson will eventually regret letting him go.
Long
snapper Brett Goode was coming off a serious knee injury and by the end of the
season was snapping low snaps. Thompson has already signed a new long snapper
(Taybor Pepper). He will be let go.
Next is
former No. 1 draft pick bust Nick Perry. He had a great year and while I was
not a Perry fan I think he deserves a new contract, but not a long term
contract. He is still injury prone and tying him up for more than 2 years would
be foolhardy.
Now to
current No. 1 draft pick bust Datone Jones. Thompson declined his 5th year
option and I think he will be let go like Mike Neal was last year.
Next is the enigma of Eddie Lacy. I think he is worth
another contract. I can also see him being let to walk and do well as the
replacement for Adrian Peterson for the Vikings. My guess is he won't be re-signed.
Christine Michael (not Christian like Troy Aikman kept
calling him) is another enigma. He is fast and may be the fastest Packer of
all-time and showed flashes, but my guess is Thompson won't re-sign him. Just a
gut feeling.
J.C. Tretter won't be re-signed. He had his chance and blew
it twice with injuries.
Don Barclay won't be re-signed either or he will. For some
reason Thompson likes him. Barclay crapped out at tackle after suffering a
serious knee injury. He didn't play well at guard when Lane Taylor went down
against the Falcons. But he did play well at center during the preseason. My
guess is he will be re-signed.
Finally, Sam Shields and James Starks, two former stalwarts,
finished the season with concussions. I think both will be released and both
will try to play and both will be out of the league next season.
So my prediction for the Packers 19 free agents is Cook,
Perry and Barclay will be re-signed and Thomas will make the team.
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