Gross, Faneca, Adams and Starks can really play, but no way Adams hits the market. The rest of them will cost an arm and leg. Remember the $40-$50 mil contracts that all those marginal guards were signed to last year? What will these guys get? YIKES!

quote:

Originally posted by Goalline:
Gross, Faneca, Adams and Starks can really play, but no way Adams hits the market. The rest of them will cost an arm and leg. Remember the $40-$50 mil contracts that all those marginal guards were signed to last year? What will these guys get? YIKES!

Yeah, you don't fork over that kind of cash unless you're signing a LT. Faneca would be great but once again you can get decent enough guard play from younger guys developing or mid tier guys. I think if we had two guards playing like Spitz we'd see a lot more consistency this season. They wouldn't be jumping around and it's obvious that Spitz really is developing and will most likely only get better.

I really wanted to see Tony Palmer and Spitz as starters. Hopefully Palmer can come back from his neck injury. Both are very strong guys.

quote:

Originally posted by Goalline:
Gross, Faneca, Adams and Starks can really play, but no way Adams hits the market. The rest of them will cost an arm and leg. Remember the $40-$50 mil contracts that all those marginal guards were signed to last year? What will these guys get? YIKES!

True. But at some point it might be prudent to go out and get an established player at the position. This constant rotation isn't getting it done.

I'd be all for TT going out and spending big bucks on an OL or DB this off season. The DB's look pretty bad though. The only one that interests me is Asante Samuel and his price will get stupid.

quote:

Originally posted by Henry:

quote:

Originally posted by Goalline:
Gross, Faneca, Adams and Starks can really play, but no way Adams hits the market. The rest of them will cost an arm and leg. Remember the $40-$50 mil contracts that all those marginal guards were signed to last year? What will these guys get? YIKES!

Yeah, you don't fork over that kind of cash unless you're signing a LT. Faneca would be great but once again you can get decent enough guard play from younger guys developing or mid tier guys. I think if we had two guards playing like Spitz we'd see a lot more consistency this season. They wouldn't be jumping around and it's obvious that Spitz really is developing and will most likely only get better.

I really wanted to see Tony Palmer and Spitz as starters. Hopefully Palmer can come back from his neck injury. Both are very strong guys.

I like Palmer too, but he seemed to struggle with the back side block that is a staple of the ZBS. Agreed, big money on a great left tackle is okay. Everyone else must first prove it in your system, before you fork off big bucks.
Great LT's never make it to free agency and I do not think "The Hotel" will be an exception.

I agree, to a point, about not sending big bucks to a FA guard. There are exceptions though. The Vikings gave big money to Hutch and he is a vital part of the best rushing attack in the NFL. Yea, A.P. is a stud and makes things happen but no RB is good enough to do it alone.

I really think Jake Scott is a solid Guard. He's young, experienced, and proven IMO. He'll be expensive but we really don't have a ton of money tied up in the Oline.

While I like TT's strategy so far with regard to FA and the salary cap, he's got to make a move outside the draft at either O-line or DB. Outside of Brett, the oldest players on the team are at CB and OT. Sometimes the span between being a starter and retiring is really short for players in their 30's.

TE might get more attention.

quote:

Originally posted by PackLandVA:
While I like TT's strategy so far with regard to FA and the salary cap, he's got to make a move outside the draft at either O-line or DB.

I think TT is a lot more patient than you are. He will go into FA when there is value there and when it makes sense.

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
This constant rotation isn't getting it done.

I understand your point, yet 11-2 says otherwise. It's not perfect, but they ARE getting it done.

I really like Cason as well and I don't know but I'm not sure he won't be available when the Packers pick. I've seen some draft sites rating him as low as the 5th best corner in this year's class.

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
Personally, I like Faneca. Here is the blurb associated with his FA status:

Faneca seems to be the most likely of this group to leave his current team. Rumors suggest that he plans on leaving after the season and has not discussed an extension with the Steelers. Faneca is a quality guard who has started in five Pro Bowls and been selected as a first team All-Pro five times as well. He also still has some prime seasons of his career remaining. Faneca will receive the most interest at his position, could be the most coveted offensive linemen after the season, and should also be one of the most coveted players available in all of the NFL.

Fanaca

He's going to cost a pretty penny, but one thing they would be getting for their money is a mean and nasty guy who wouldn't seem to have a lot of issues when it comes to putting a chop block on someone.

One of the few "bad" moves TT made was not keeping Wahle. Sure he would have cost a pretty penny but that would have really solidified our line at this point in time.

Oh well.... water under the bridge and you move forward.

Coston played decent although it was vs. the Raiders. I think with a little more PT that Coston & Spitz will be a decent tandem.

I'm a little more concerned with our RT & LT. Specifically their age but that's another thread.

quote:

Originally posted by FRZ:
One of the few "bad" moves TT made was not keeping Wahle. Sure he would have cost a pretty penny but that would have really solidified our line at this point in time.

We were close to cap hell. Yeah, it was possible, but that would have extended the problems with the cap another year. I don't have an issue with the way TT handled Wahle, and I think even TT himself has regrets over not signing him.

quote:

Originally posted by Goalline:

quote:

Originally posted by PackLandVA:
While I like TT's strategy so far with regard to FA and the salary cap, he's got to make a move outside the draft at either O-line or DB.

I think TT is a lot more patient than you are. He will go into FA when there is value there and when it makes sense.

Where do you see probable improvement next year at either DB or OL (with regard to the younger players)? Like I said, Clifton, Tauscher, Harris and Woodson are getting up there in age. And while it's conceivable all could play at a ProBowl level next year, it's also conceivable any of the four's play could severely decline do to age or injury. And I think this is a concern given the of the other starting DBs and OLs. And the backups at those positions has been less than stellar.

Now I'm not suggesting TT overpay in FA, or even go after a big name. But I think relying on the draft and the 1st and 2nd year players they have on the roster (in those positions) is a mistake. The Packers are well under the cap and certainly are in a position to spend a little money.

I have said for a few weeks now after watching Spitz line up all over the place that he reminds of one of the most under-rated 49'ers of the 80-90's.

Anyone remember Jesse Sapolou. All he did was play football.

He had I believe 5 straight seasons of starting at every o-line position other than TE.

quote:

Originally posted by Schaap:

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
This constant rotation isn't getting it done.

I understand your point, yet 11-2 says otherwise. It's not perfect, but they ARE getting it done.

Beat me to the punch. The disarray can't be too bad......

quote:

Originally posted by oldnavy:
I have said for a few weeks now after watching Spitz line up all over the place that he reminds of one of the most under-rated 49'ers of the 80-90's.

Anyone remember Jesse Sapolou. All he did was play football.

He had I believe 5 straight seasons of starting at every o-line position other than TE.

Spitz reminds me of Frankie Bag-O-Donuts. I seem to remember him lining up at 2-3 different positions until he was able to settle in at Center. I don't necessarily advocate him being at C permanately, but O-lineman that can line up at different positions are extremely valuable.
I agree that both LT and RT are positions of more importance right now. Age and injury are catching up quickly to Tausch and Cliffy. Tough decisions are on the horizon this off-season.

quote:

Originally posted by PackLandVA:

Where do you see probable improvement next year at either DB or OL (with regard to the younger players)?

We were asking the same questions about TE, RB and WR earlier this year.There is talent each one of those positions. Is it good enough? Time will tell.

Good points. But I still think they need and should dip into FA. Again, i'm not suggesting they break the bank for a player. But they can't solely rely on the draft. They are wll below the cap, what's the point in not spending some of the money?

Build through the draft, augment through free agency.

quote:

Originally posted by PackLandVA:
Good points. But I still think they need and should dip into FA. Again, i'm not suggesting they break the bank for a player. But they can't solely rely on the draft. They are wll below the cap, what's the point in not spending some of the money?

Build through the draft, augment through free agency.

The point is, if you want to be good for a long time, you need money to sign those who have producted for you. In the next couple of years you will see 2 draft classes come calling. Maybe not so many from the first draft. If it is spent now, don't complain when GB can't afford to sign it's next "Whale".

GB currently has 7 OL on the roster. 2 on IR. And 3 on the PS.
Palmer may not be back. For an OL a broken neck is tough to come back from.

I think GB is going to have to look at a G & T in the coming draft. And unlike some on this board, I think there will some who can play well in the NFL without having to be 1st round stuff.

I also agree that the guys we have will get better. Younger guys generally don't play all that consistently. That is where I give MM kudos. Those guys are doing better than most of them do at this point in their careers.

quote:

Originally posted by Henry:
Mike Jenkins of USF would be excellent. He may drop because he had a arrest for disorderly conduct, which is a risk. He is a phenomenal player that could be in the Packer's range in the first.

I don't recall the details around the disorderly charge. I really like Jenkins too.

quote:

Originally posted by Hungry5:

quote:

Originally posted by Henry:
Mike Jenkins of USF would be excellent. He may drop because he had a arrest for disorderly conduct, which is a risk. He is a phenomenal player that could be in the Packer's range in the first.

I don't recall the details around the disorderly charge. I really like Jenkins too.

Small explanation