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.

More Wonderful Woodson Musings

Charles Woodson's Hall of Fame Jersey

It seems now that retirement is all so real as is a spot in Canton Charles Woodson has changed his mind about which team he will represent when he goes into the Hall of Fame. The announcers said during the win over the Chargers that Woodson has now decided to represent both the Raiders and the Packers when he is enshrined after saying earlier he was going to represent the team he retired with, which is the Raiders.

Whatever epiphany hit Woodson between last week and this week the "Playmaker" realized one absolute truth about his storied career. If it wasn't for the Packers he probably would have been out of the league nine years ago and would never have had a Hall of Fame Career.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That and Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson Announcing His Retirement in Two Games

Evidently after not picking off Aaron Rodgers last Sunday Charles Woodson decided to call it a day as far as his career is concerned. It seems funny that he turned 180 degrees around from an earlier statement that he would be back next season and beyond. 

 

Actually I think what changed his mind was the injury he seemed to occur when he caused the fumble by James Starks. Even though he has played all season with a dislocated shoulder getting dinged on a normal hard hit he used to do in his sleep may have changed his mind.

 

No matter what caused it a part of me feels sad that Woodson is hanging up his cleats. I will cheer his Hall of Fame induction (even though it will be in a Raiders uniform). I know that part of the reason the Packers won their fourth Super Bowl trophy was the leadership and play of Woodson. 

The Playmaker Before The Claymaker

The Playmaker

I don't know if any of you Johnny Come Lately Packer Backers remember there was a face of the defense that wasn't William "Claymaker" Matthews III, who during his brief 7-year stay with the Green and Gold was better than Clay Matthews has been and probably ever will be.

 

His name is Charles Woodson and Sunday when the Packers invade the "Black Hole" Aaron Rodgers and company will face him again as the starting strong safety for the Oakland Raiders. He is the oldest defensive player in the NFL at 39 years of age and is currently tied for 4th in the NFL with 5 interceptions.

 

During his time with the Packers Woodson (2006-2012) was as good as they come culminating in him being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, something Claymaker has yet to achieve, and finished his time in America's Vacation Land tied for fourth on the Packers all-time interceptions list with 38 behind safety Bobby Dillon with 52 (1952-59), strong safety Willie Wood with 48 (1960-71), cornerback Herb Adderley with 39 (1961-69) and tied with strong safety LeRoy Butler (1990-01).

Bits and Pieces

EX-Packers:

 

The firing of former Packer Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin has brought a renaissance to the Dolphins offense turning a 1-3 start to a two-game winning streak under the interim coach. However, the Renaissance turned into the Dark Ages after the thumping by the Patriots on Thursday night.

 

However, the new found offensive excellence hasn't trickled down to former Packers' No. 1 receiver Greg Jennings. Under Philbin the 10-year veteran had caught 7 passes 54 yards (7.7 average) with no touchdowns. Since then he caught 1 pass for 13 yards in the first game - a 38-10 win over the Titans - and then doubled that production to 2 catches for 37 yards (23 long) in the 44-26 win over the hapless Texans. Against the Patriots Jennings was shutout.

 

Greg Jennings tries to tell Ryan Tannehill he's still on the team

He still hasn't caught his first touchdown pass of the season and his per catch average is the second lowest in his career at 10.4. His lowest came in 2012 - his last as a Packer - when he was injured and averaged 10.2 yards a catch. He missed the second game and games 5 through 12 and started only 5 of the other 8 games.

How Did They Do?

The Packers survived its opener at Soldier Field, 31-23, while the Chargers came back from a 21-10 halftime deficit to beat the Lions, 33-28, and the underdog San Francisco 49ers manhandled Adrian Peterson and Vikings, 20-3 Monday night. Can you say, "First place, baby."

 

Like I said in a previous post there are 30 ex-Packers on the active rosters of 20 teams and while a former ex-Packer did very well in his first game with his (new) team the others were quite ordinary on the whole.

 

Welcome Back, Jones

 

James Jones in his second Packers coming was spectacular catching all four balls thrown his way for two touchdowns. However, our favorite ex-Packer (sorry Brett Favre) Raiders strong safety Charles Woodson (I remembered his first name-remind me to tell that story sometime) was injured in the third year of his second Raider coming suffering a dislocated shoulder with 1:16 left of a 33-13 loss to the Bengals. Before he was hurt he had 3 solo and 2 assisted tackles.

Where Are They Now - After The Cuts

Since my last Where Are They Now when there were 45 ex-Packers on 22 teams a lot has happened. First I missed middle linebacker Jamari Lattimore with the Jets, so there actually 46 on 22 team and then during the next day another four ex-Packers were signed tight end D. J. Williams by the Redskins, middle linebacker Terrell Manning by the Falcons, defensive end Luther Robinson by the Chargers and tight end Ryan Taylor by the Chiefs upping the grand total to 50 just before the final cuts on Tuesday and Saturday.

A.J.Hawk

Almost immediately Williams, Manning, Robinson and Taylor were cut and then Cowboy running back Michael Hill, Seahawk cornerback Will Blackmon, 49ers inside linebacker Desmond Bishop, Panthers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin, running back DuJuan Harris from the Vikings, kick returner Jeremy Ross and defensive end Jerel Worthy from the Lions, quarterback Matt Flynn from the Jets, place kicker Giorgio Tavecchio and defensive end C. J. Wilson from the Raiders and tackle Aaron Adams from the Texans were put on waivers along with the NFC Championship Game Goat tight end Brandon Bostick by the Vikings and former No. 1 draft choice tackle Derek Sherrod by the Chiefs. By Saturday at 3 p.m. 17 ex-Packers were unemployed.

Tramon Williams

Outside linebacker Dezman Moses survived the cut to 53 with the Chiefs, but was cut almost immediately after tight end Brian Parker was claimed off waivers from the Chargers on Sunday. Then Wednesday he was re-signed when guard Paul Fanaika was placed on injured reserve.

Free Agency and Ted Thompson

It seems General Manager Ted Thompson feels good about letting Randall Cobb hit free agency. I've got a problem with that for two reasons. It will drive up the price if the Packers do re-sign him, but more importantly Cobb will end up signing elsewhere.

 

Randal Cobb

 

Thompson pre-empted Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson when it was their time to test the free agent waters and ended up with relative sweetheart deals. He could have done the same with Cobb as most reports kept saying Cobb was waiting for the front office to make a move and most Packers want to remain Packers.

 

From the lack of contract I have to conclude the development of Davante Adams has caused Cobb to be expendable. Like I said I have a problem with that. Except for the broken shin Cobb has been a durable player and last year took the step to become a superstar. In the Packer offense there is a need for three No. 1 receivers and right now before Cobb walks (and I think the odds are better than 75 percent he will and much to my chagrin will probably end up in Seattle to replace Percy Harvin) leaving just two.