Thompson Dives Further Into Free Agency, Signs Hargrove...

In an uncharacteristic move, Packers' GM Ted Thompson signed 5-time pro bowl Center Jeff Saturday last week...and in an even more uncharacteristic move, he signed another free agent yesterday!

Any real packer fan knows that Thompson is extremely cautious and slow moving when it comes to free agency. In fact, the Packers hadn't signed an unrestricted free agent since 2009. That's why it's such big news that the Pack have signed 2 solid free agents in the last 2 weeks.

The Packers have agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawk and New Orleans Saint Anthony Hargrove. He's not a top tier guy, but will be solid and fill a big hole on the d-line. He will likely be the starter at DE, joining BJ Raji and Ryan Pickett on the defensive front.

This is a big move because it fills a need and is one less position to address via the draft. The only holes left now, in my opinion, are at Safety and OLB. We will have more clarification on the safety situation within the next week or so when Nick Collins meets with Packers' management and team doctors to determine his health and ability to return to football. OLB will almost certainly be addressed in the draft, but with the way this offseason is shaping up, who knows?

It's been an uncharacteristically exciting offseason for the Packers...GO PACK!

Packers Ink Jeff Saturday

This has been a really exciting offseason so far. If only the games were a little closer...

Peyton Manning is released by the Colts...He signs with the Denver Broncos...

Colts clean house...release Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, other household names...

Tim Tebow is traded to the Jets...wait...is he? Yes, he is...

And the biggest news of the week for the the Green and Gold...Jeff Saturday signs with the Pack!

This is huge news for the Green Bay faithful. With the departure of Scott Wells, there was a gaping hole in the middle of the offensive line. In my humble opinion, I think that the o-line is the most important part of our team. Rodgers can't throw if he doesn't have time, receivers can't catch if Rodgers can't throw, and we can't win if we can't throw and catch...

The signing of Saturday gives the Packers a stopgap to groom a young center. I will assume that Ted Thompson will make it a priority in this year's draft to get a center. Saturday allows for the ability to not have to trade up in the 1st round to try to get Konz out of UW. I don't have details on the contract yet, but it's exciting news and I feel much better now. GO PACK!

Packers' Free Agents Sign Elsewhere...

As is the norm, Ted Thompson and the Packers have been extremely quiet this offseason. It should come as no surprise to any real Packer fans that no free agents have even visited Green Bay. It should also come as no surprise that the ties between QB Matt Flynn and C Scott Wells are now cut.



Wells forewent the Packers' offer to stay in Green Bay and found more money in St. Louis. This is not surprising because Thompson does not like to sign aging free agents. Wells is 31. Will the Packers now pursue a veteran to fill the huge void in the middle of the offensive line, or will they trust their typical strategy and try to find a capable rookie via the draft? I, personally, am hoping for a mixture of the 2. I'd like to see us get middle dollar veteran to start the season, and groom a rookie for the future. I'm really nervous that this could become another Cullen Jenkins-Mike Neal situation (By the way, Neal is suspended for the 1st 4 games of the 2012 season for the use of PED's...he's turning into Justin Harrell...)




Now on to Matt Flynn...I had been saying for months that I thought Flynn would sign in Miami. When Philbin was hired as the head coach in January, I thought it was a done deal. But, much to my surprise, Flynn met with Miami last week and left without a contract. He then signed a 3-year $26 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. It's eerie to think of the similarities between Flynn's and Matt Hasselbeck's paths...late round pick...career backup behind a Super Bowl winning QB...brought to Seattle by a former Packers' staffer...now we just need to hope that Flynn throws a game-losing INT in overtime to Al Harris to allow the Packers to advance in the playoffs...

The Flynn situation does little to affect the Packers. We all expected him to leave. Now we're hoping that we can get a 3rd round compensatory pick for him in 2013...Wells, however could prove to be more difficult to cope with. I wish them both the best. GO PACK!

Finley Signs 2-year Deal Worth $15 Million

That's right, JerMichael Finley, whom nearly everyone expected to be branded with a franchise tag this offseason has reached an agreement with the Packers that will keep him on the roster through the 2013 season. This is a smart deal for both the Packers and for Finley. It's not enough money to break the bank or the cap, but is enough to appease Finley to where he wouldn't have been able to find more money elsewhere. This gives the Packers 2 years to decide whether Finley is worth a big contract going into the 2014 season. It also gives them a 2 year buffer to determine whether he will develop into the elite Tight End that his potential has suggested. This does raise other questions now, however...

The Packers still have a franchise tag to use. The two marquee free agents left on the checklist are Center Scott Wells and backup QB Matt Flynn. While Wells was a pro bowler this year, it appears unlikely that the Packers will be willing to shell out $10 million to keep him around for another season. It's more likely that Thompson will be able to strike a deal with him prior to free agency in 3 weeks.

Flynn is a more intriguing option. The franchise tag for quarterbacks is estimated to be $14 million for 2012. That's a high price for a backup QB...especially when your starter and league MVP is due $8 million. So, the only reason to tag Flynn would be if Ted Thompson is confident that he can find a team willing to trade for him and restructure his contract. It all sounds well and good, but there are risks.

I've said for months now that I thought Flynn would land in Miami, and with Philbin as their new coach, it sure seems like I knew what I was talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if the dolphins would be willing to part with a 2nd round draft pick for a potential franchise QB, but the wrench in the cogs of this idea is that Peyton Manning is likely going to be a free agent by March 8th and Miami has expressed interest in him. I find it highly unlikely that they would be willing to trade for Flynn and sign Manning. So I believe it will be either/or. Obviously, I'd like to see the Packers get more than a compensatory pick in the 2013 draft for Flynn. But I'd rather see him walk than end up with him on the payroll in 2012 and be hamstrung by it. Stay tuned for updates...GO PACK!

Driver Hints at Future...

Donald Driver has been a long time favorite in Green Bay. He went from an unknown 7th round draft pick out of Alcorn State to the Packers' all-time leading receiver in yards and receptions. But as much as he has meant to Packer fans on the field, I feel that he has meant even more off of it. He's the kind of guy you want to root for, the kind of guy you want your kids to look up to, and the kind of guy you wish you were friends with (check out his website here: www.donalddriver80.com).

There has been speculation that 2011 was Driver's last season in Green Bay due to his worst statistical season since his rookie year and the emergence of younger receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Donald himself even seemed to be thinking that way the week after the Packers' disappointing loss in January. But comments he made recently lead me to believe that my thoughts about him are true. Driver is a Packer to the core...

“The organization knows what I’ve done on and off the field, and they want to keep me around as long as possible,” said Driver, WISN-TV reported. “If that means sitting down and taking pay cuts to stay around, then you take pay cuts to stay around. I’ve always said it’s not about the money for me anymore.

“What I’m pushing for is for my legacy to stay around in the state of Wisconsin and around the world forever. So the money’s not a big issue.”

Easily one of the classiest guys in the league, I personally hope that he is able to continue to wear #80 at Lambeau Field, win another Super Bowl, and be inducted into the Hall of Fame having worn the Green and Gold throughout his entire career.

GO PACK!