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!

Minnesota kicks Moss to the Curb

It was just announced that the Minnesota Vikings will release WR Randy Moss after just a 4 weeks on the team.

After yesterday's loss to the Patriots, Moss apparently was badmouthing the team's strategy, and was that likely had to do with him being waived.

The Vikings are falling apart and it's wonderful! The vikings lost a 3rd round draft pick when they traded for Moss and since he was released, they will be on the hook to pay him out on his contract.

Randy will now have to go through waivers. The team with the lowest record (Buffalo Bills) will have the first chance to claim him off of waivers. If they decide not to claim Moss, then he will go to the team with the next worst record and so on. The waiver period is only 24 hours, so expect to see Moss in a new jersey tomorrow afternoon.

The Dust Has Settled...It's the Offseason...

There has been a little bit of news over the past few weeks that we have failed to report, but I think that at this point we’ve finally gotten over the heartbreaking loss we sustained in Arizona. So…here goes. Charles Woodson was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for 2009 much to the dismay of Rex Ryan, due to the Saints going to the Super Bowl and Favre foregoing the Pro Bowl Aaron Rodgers will be the starting QB representing the NFC this Sunday in Miami, and Vikings fans now get to endure what Packer fans dealt with more than once over the years…Favre throwing a season ending INT and now sitting and waiting to see whether he will retire or not. I personally would like to see him wait until around August 1st to decide and then say that he is done for good. The more likely Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson will be the QB, the better off we will all be.

Anywho, what do we talk about next? The Pro Bowl? Free Agency? The Draft? There are plenty of weeks ahead to discuss free agency and the draft, so I’ll address the Pro Bowl for now. The Packers had 3 players selected to play (only 1 to start), but due to injuries and decisions to forego the Pro Bowl we ended up with…well…still 3. But Woodson decided to sit it out and Clay Matthews stepped in as an OLB. Rodgers is the only starter, he and Matthews will be joined by Nick Collins (making his 2nd straight Pro Bowl appearance). I like seeing the Packers have some representation in this game. Not that it makes a big difference, but it shows that we have some talent and that it’s being recognized. I believe that Rodgers will be a great QB for the Pack for many years to come and that Woodson will continue to play extremely well in Capers’ new 3-4 scheme for a few more seasons. Clay Matthews was maybe the brightest spot on the defense this year, after missing the first few games of the season he dominated offensive lines and finished with a team-leading 10 sacks. I am looking forward to seeing him continue to develop and making many more Pro Bowls in for the Green and Gold. Collins is really the only question mark, not about his play, but about his contract. It’s understood that he’s a restricted free agent this year and he’s hoping to get a multi-year contract extension. So we’ll see what happens. I expect Teddy Thompson to make him a priority during this offseason and solidify part of our somewhat shaky defensive backfield. But I digress, I’m actually more interested in the Senior Bowl this weekend than I am in the Pro Bowl. I’m really just hoping that none of our guys end up getting hurt. I’ll be scouting the Senior Bowl for some talent that the Pack can grab in April. We’ll discuss Free Agency and the Draft in further detail in the coming weeks. GO PACK!

Packers match offer to Bush

Jarrett Bush was a restricted free agenct and had been given an offer on Friday from the Tennessee Titans. Since he is a restricted free agent, the Pack were given seven days to match the offer if they wanted to keep Bush. The Packers took only the weekend to make thier decision on Monday to match the offer and keep Bush on the roster for 2009. I think that this is a good move for the Packers, not a very exciting one, but a good move.

The last thing that the Packers need to do right now is lose more players on the defensive side of the ball. We know that several defensive players will be taken in the draft this year, but the current depth of that side of the ball has me worried about how effective we can be this year. Bush wasn't a defensive starter, but he is very active on special teams, and like I said, he adds a little depth to the secondary. It was really a no-brainer for the Packers, Bush isn't a high money player, and we weren't going to get anything in return for him, so it was worth keeping him.

Will the Packers match offer to keep Jarrett Bush?

On Friday night the Tennessee Titans extended an offer to Restricted Free Agent Jarrett Bush. This means that the Packers were given 7 days to match the offer if they wish to keep Bush on the team, and if they dont, it turns out that the Packers gave him the lowest tender, and would be given little compensation if he was to leave. Bush played all 16 games last season, mostly on special teams, and he ended the season with just 11 tackles. So it really isn't a huge loss to our team if Ted Thompson decides to just let him walk. I find it sad right now that i'm wasting time talking about whether or not the Packers are going to match an offer on a player who doesn't really make that much of a difference to the team's well being. I guess thats what happens when you try to cover the offseason for a team like the Packers who do basically nothing in free agency. Oh well, Jarrett Bush is a top story for me today, and I hope you are all interested.

What ever happened to Kevin Burnett?

Last week there were rumors that the Packers had been in contact with OLB Kevin Burnett from the Dallas Cowboys. Time went on and no visit was scheduled and there was no new information on the status of the Packers' interest. On Tuesday the 10th, Burnett signed with the San Diego Chargers. So what is going on in the Packers' front office? Burnett is not a superstar player who we would have needed to shell out big bucks to get, and he also wouldn't have been a player that would have single handedly taken us to the Super Bowl, but i think that he would have added depth to our linebacking corp. I wouldn't say that I am disappointed that we didn't pick up Burnett, because in the long run I dont see him making that big of a difference. I just like to see that the Packers are looking to improve our team, and when we sit back and do nothing, it seems to me like we aren't trying very hard to do that.

Depth Needed?

There isn't a whole lot going on right now with the Green Bay Packers. We have done virtually nothing in free agency and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon. As I was sitting at my desk thinking about the NFL and the Pack, I found myself looking back to the 2008 season and one glaring question jumped out at me...what will happen to the Packers if Aaron Rodgers has a season ending injury like Tom Brady did? I think that if that happened, we would be in serious trouble.

This season Rodgers got banged up a little and we got a glimpse of our depth at QB, and it wasn't pretty. Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm, both were drafted last season and neither seems to be able to through worth a damn. I have a feeling that if we needed to rely on one of them, we had might as well call it a season. So my question is this: why don't we pick up a decent back up QB in free agency? I'm not saying that we need to spend a lot of money and pick up an all-star or anything, just a decent back up. There are some guys out there who would be perfect candidates; guys who may not lead us to a Super Bowl, but guys who can at least throw the ball. Jeff Garcia is still a free agent, so are Byron Leftwich, Rex Grossman, J.P. Losman and Kyle Boller. All of these players have experience as starters in the NFL, and they would all be quality back ups who could provide some security should we need it. I think of it in the same way as owning a gun; its better to have one and never need to use it, than to need one and not have one.

P.S. You have to love a QB who can pull of a moustache! I just couldn't resist using this photo.

CB Williams Holding out?

Rumors are circulating that Packer Cornerback Tramon Williams may be holding out for more money. Williams is the #3 CB on the depth chart for the Packers and could play a big role in the future should Woodson and Harris be moving on towards the end of thier careers.

The Packers have done pretty much nothing this free agency, so they have plenty of Cap room to rework Williams' contract, but is he worth it? Williams started in over half of the games this year and ended up with over 100 tackles and 5 picks, but he also gave up the most plays greater than 20 yards. There is a lot of potential with Tramon Williams and I see him as the type of talent that will be a great asset to the Packers Defense for years to come. Although I never like to see players hold out for more money, sometimes it is inevitable and sometimes it is worth it in the long run. With all of the so called "experts" saying that the Packers need to address the cornerback position, it would seem logical that the Packers would make an attempt to keep Tramon around and happy. Ted Thompson is the only one who has an idea of what the Packers will look for with their first round selection, and some say it will be Malcolm Jenkins, CB from Ohio State with the 9th Pick Overall. If the Packers are thinking about picking up Jenkins, maybe they have different thoughts on keeping Williams around. I think that at this point, there is too much uncertainty regarding the strategy of the Packers' front office this offseason to know what we can expect.

Packers sign Safety Smith

The Packers made thier first free agent acquisition by signing former Steeler Safety Anthony Smith. The Pack has been after a safety this offseason for some reason. Smith has some experience in a 3-4 defense, but didn't start a single game for the Steelers in 2008 and had only 9 tackles on the year. My question is, what do we really expect out of this pick up? We have Nick Collins and Atari Bigby as starting safeties for this season and I suppose adding depth on defense isn't the worst thing, but as expected, any addition that the Packers were going to make this offseason weren't expected to be a big name or an immediate contributer but more of a value player. Its always exciting for me to see that the Packers are adding new players to the team, but we let Igor Olshansky, who could have made an impact on the D-Line go to the Cowboys, and there is no sign that they are seriously looking at anyone else who may be able to help this team greatly in 2009.

Would Jason Taylor look good in Green and Gold?

Former defensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor was cut this week by the Washington Redskins after having a mediocre 2008 season that was plagued with injury and brought him only 3.5 sacks. There is speculation that the Pack might be interested in Taylor, but as we have seen so far this season, just because the Packers are interested in someone doesn't mean that they are going to open up the wallet.

Since the Packers have changed up their coaching staff and announced that they will be changing defensive schemes, I have read a lot of different articles about the types of players that the Pack will need and the types of players that work best in a 3-4. All signs pointed to a "streamlined" DE/OLB type of player that is tall, fast, and lighter than the typical 4-3 defensive end. Jason Taylor fits the mold at 6'6" and 244 lbs. There are some question marks that go along with his ability and skill level, but there are other things that he can bring to the team such as leadership, and experience. I think that Taylor would make a great Packer, even if it is only for a couple years. He would at least add some depth to a defensive line that doesn't have any, especially since Colin Cole left for Seattle.

Another Hole to Fill; DT Cole headed to Seattle

Packer DT Colin Cole is gone. Cole signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, leaving the Packer defense even more needy than before. There was some interest by the Pack in Chris Canty from Dallas, who would have been a great addition to the 3-4 scheme, but he was signed by the G-Men on Sunday. So once again I find myself disappointed that the Packers have done nothing in Free Agency and we are relying completely on the Draft. I think that the Packers are putting all of their eggs in one basket, and I think that the Packers at times need to be less frugal in the front office and pull the trigger on making the franchise better.

Vikes Loading Up!

The Minnesota Vikings are making some moves offensively this offseason. They have already added Sage Rosenfels and now it looks like T.J. Houshmanzadeh is the next potential Queen. I have some thoughts on the Vikings in 2009, and they make me kind of nervous. The Vikes took home the NFC North crown in 2008 and it seems as though they just keep adding more weapons to their roster. Rosenfels doesn't really scare me that much because I don't think that he is a big step up from Tavaris Jackson. If the Vikings land Housh, I would start to worry some.

They added Bernard Berrian last year. Berrian is the type of player who can stretch the field and can be a deep threat. If you were to combine him with Housh, who is more of a possession receiver and is very good in short routes, it could be a deadly combination. I hate the Vikings with a passion, but I am not going to deny that they are going to be the team to beat this year in the North, and maybe even the NFC.

Free Agency: I Like What I'm Seeing

Ted Thompson, with the exception of Charles Woodson, has never really done much in free agency, but in 2009 he just might venture into new free-agent territory.

Friday, the first full day of free agency, he had his scouting staff try to bring in defensive end Chris Canty of the Dallas Cowboys for a free-agent visit knowing the Packers will be competing with at least a couple and probably more teams if they get in on the bidding.

Canty was a fourth-round draft pick out of Virginia by Dallas in 2005. At 6-foot-7 and 304 pounds, he has prototypical size for a 3-4 defensive end, a position that doesn’t generate big statistics because it requires skills more like a 4-3 defensive tackle than a 4-3 defensive end. He’s played defensive end in the Cowboys’ 3-4 scheme all four years in the league and had three sacks last season and nine sacks for his career.

He is scheduled to visit the New York Giants Saturday, and Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and Monday according to Brad Blank, his agent.

The Packers, San Francisco and Tennessee also want to bring in Canty, but Blank said his client probably will take only one or maybe two other visits after this weekend. He’ll determine where else to go after getting firm contract offers and seeing which of the other teams remain most interested. There’s also a chance it won’t get to that point, because many clubs push hard to a sign a free agent while he’s visiting, and Canty might not get out of New York or Seattle without a deal.

“It’s a perfect situation for him because of the 3-4,” Blank said of the Packers. “These other teams are 4-3.”

After Blank gave the Packers a general idea of the contract Canty appears in line for, the team’s co-director of football operations, Reggie McKenzie, still wanted Canty to visit as soon as possible after Seattle. But the sides put off setting up a visit until the Packers can confirm they’re still in the running after Canty’s meetings with the Giants and Seahawks.

The Packers’ interest indicates they think highly of Canty as a possible piece in their new 3-4 defense, and they have more than enough salary-cap room (about $34 million) to sign him, though that also would probably mean eventually losing one or more of their own players who will be free agents a year from now. Canty isn’t in the small group of elite free agents this year but is in the second tier of players available.

“I think there is legitimate interest,” Blank said.

Information from packersnews.com

I like that the Thompson is making some early attempts at filling the needs of the Packers' defense in free agency. As impressed as I've been with a some of the draft picks that he's brought to the team (i.e. Greg Jennings), it's been equally disappointing to see some of the other high picks that we've wasted (i.e. Justin Harrell).

I think that it is important to draft well, but it is also important to address the immediate needs of the team with proven players in the NFL through free agency. This team was 13-3 2 years ago and was playing in the NFC Championship game. There is definite talent and potential on the Packers' roster...the key is to fill the few question marks on the defensive side of the ball quickly in order to give us an opportunity to get back to where we were in 2007.

Good job, Ted...I like what I'm seeing so far. There are a lot of other good free agents out there that I'd like to see us pursue.

Do you trust Ted Thompson?

Anyone who knows a little about the Green Bay Packers and follows them some, knows what kind of General Manager Ted Thompson is. Thompson is not known to be a big player in free agency, but rather likes to take a more active approach to the NFL Draft. He is known for trading draft picks on draft day and he seems to focus most of his attention on that.

This brings up my concern for Ted Thompson. In an offseason like this where the team is making a large transition between a lot of new coaching changes and most notably a defensive scheme change, would the Packers be better off trying to add depth and value to the team through free agency, or continue to build the team through the Draft? The more important question is this: Do you trust Ted Thompson? Do you trust that the Pack is in good hands and that we are making steps in the right direction towards winning another Super Bowl?

I have mixed thoughts. I have a lot of faith in Ted Thompson. I dont think that what he does is very exciting, but I feel that he is consisent in the front office. The Packers are one of the youngest teams in the league. We have very talented core of young players that the team is being built around. I think that concentrating on the Draft is beneficial while the team is so young and they can all get better and come together at the same time. I'm picturing the team building up to a point where they can be Super Bowl winners or contenders for 3 or 4 years in a row. On the other hand, the draft carries with it a lot of uncertainty, and with the changes we are making on defense, it would be nice to know if the players we add to the team are going to be able to contribute right away. I dont see the Packers picking up anyone though free agency this year, so hopefully our draft picks will pan out and we will be able to find a couple steals in later rounds. Like I always say, only time will tell.

Free Agency rapidly approaching; what can we expect out of the Packers?

The NFL scouting combine is in progress and teams are all trying to figure out how to come out ahead on Draft day. But the draft is still two months away and there will be plenty of time for everything to fall into place. In five days however, some teams will be looking to pull the trigger in free agency which starts this Friday. Ted Thompson is not typically a big player in free agency, but with a lot of needs, can we expect any moves to be made by our front office?

There are several positions that the Packers need to address this offseason. With the defensive switch this offseason, there is a lot of talk revolving around the OLB/DE position and that is the position that I expect the Packers to draft in with their first round selection. So that will be one position that will be addressed right away, and hopefully that player makes an immediate impact, but can we expect our second and third picks to make any impact? There is so many question marks that go into the draft, so why not try to acquire someone who has already proven themselves as a solid NFL player? I would like to see the Packers find a quality player through free agency this year, an offensive lineman perhaps, or maybe someone that has played in a 3-4 defense in the front 7. I don't expect the Packers to be very active in free agency this year, but i always enjoy seeing the Packers adding quality contributors to the team. I hope to be pleasantly surprised next week.

Did the Pack make "The List"?

Julius Peppers is without question one of the most sought after free agents on the market in 2009. Peppers has made it very public that he does not want to be in Carolina any longer, and that he wants to play in a 3-4 defense. Just to point this out, the Packers are switching over to a 3-4 defense and they are in need of an OLB/DE hybrid. It seems to me like a pretty logical fit. However, the Carolina Panthers will most likely slap the franchise tag on Peppers sometime today and then they will be asking for something equivalent to a first round pick and two third round picks in return. The team that picks up Peppers will not only have to be willing to give up significant draft picks, but they will also have to be on "THE LIST!!!"

Yesterday, Julius Peppers aparently approached the Panthers with a list. The list included 4 teams that he would like to be traded to. Of the 4, only the Dallas Cowboys were released as being part of the list. So who else is on it?

There is part of me that wants to Packers to be on the list, and part of me that wants nothing to do with it. Julius Peppers would without question improve the Packer's defense if they signed him, but would he be worth it? I would love to see Peppers in a Packer uniform come Fall, but I dont really like the idea of having to give up several draft picks and give up so much in salary cap space for one player. The Packers are a very young team. I think that this is the time for the Packers to pick up the young talent in the first round of the draft. I think that the Pack needs to be patient and look at the long haul rather than break the bank to have a mediocre shot at the Super Bowl with Julius Peppers. There are a lot of good defensive players that will be available with the 9th pick in the draft that can make an immediate impact in 2009, my vote is to add more depth through free agency by signing a few players, than going for the home run with 1.

Is the 3-4 going to be the opening of Pandora’s Box? Matt Williamson thinks so.

This afternoon I popped my head into an online chat on ESPN.com regarding the NFL Scouting Combine. I came across a question regarding the Packer’s needs for the draft. It had to do with the Pack drafting a defensive tackle or end. Matt Williamson was answering these questions at the time, and this was part of his response, “I continue to bring this up, but going to a 3-4 for GB is a terrible idea and by doing so, they have multiplied their D needs dramatically”.

I partially agree with this statement when it comes to player needs. I think that there are needs on the defensive line for the Packers regardless of the defense that is being played next season. And if anything, having one less lineman on the field may be one less player to worry about for GB in the offseason. However, there are a lot more questions that go along with the switch. Can Kampman take on an OLB/DE role? Can our linebackers handle the change? Where does A.J. Hawk fit in, as an OLB or does he change over to a MLB since he filled in for Barnett some last season? Can our cornerbacks play zone schemes as well as they played man-to-man? The list of questions goes on and on.

One thing is for certain this offseason, Ted Thompson and our defensive coaching staff needs to address all of these questions this offseason. This defensive switch needs to be seamless if the Packers are to have any hope of winning the NFC North and being a contender in the playoffs, and the first step I believe will be in Free Agency at the end of the month. The Packers’ front office has not always been the most outgoing when it comes to free agency, but I believe that this is the year to be a mover and a shaker. I think that the Packers need to acquire the right personnel so that when training camps start, the endless list of questions have been answered.