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!

Philbin Hired by Dolphins

Is that your final answer or would you like to phone a friend? I know it's a lame joke, but I laughed when I saw that picture.

Anywho, I'm sure you've heard by now that the Miami Dolphins hired Packers' Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin as their Head Coach. You have to be happy for the guy considering all that he's gone through lately. I think that the change of scenery and new responsibilities will give him and his family a good avenue to move on from the recent tragedy and start their next phase of life. Now on to the more important question:

What does this mean for the Packers?

First and foremost, it means that Mike McCarthy needs a new OC. McCarthy (and the Packer organization) has a history of promoting from within. Therefore, it seems the most likely candidate for the job is Quarterbacks Coach Tom Clements. He is familiar with the offense and has good rapport with Aaron Rodgers. It also helps that Rodgers himself said that Clements is the best candidate for the job. Rodgers also said that if Clements is promoted, Billy Joe Tolliver is a likely candidate to fill the QB Coach position. Those are the things I heard through the grapevine anyway.

On a side note...Not that this affects the Packers at all, but I believe that this hire makes Miami the most likely place for Matt Flynn to land (as I predicted in December). Flynn is comfortable with Philbin and it is likely that Philbin's offense will be similar to that of McCarthy's. It's what I would do if I were Philbin or Flynn...unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely that the Packers will receieve anything in exchange for Flynn other than a decent (3rdish round) compensatory pick in the 2013 draft. Better than nothing I suppose.

In Other News:

The Oakland Raiders passed on all Packers' assistants and hired the Defensive Coordinator from Denver. This shocked everyone as it seemed all but a given that Reggie McKenzie was going to hire either Winston Moss or Dom Capers. But I'm happy that he didn't. Let's all hope that Moss and Capers can get their acts together this offseason and Ted Thompson can provide them with some talent to revive the defense for 2012. More news to come as it is available. GO PACK!

Flynn has Career Day, Packers tame Lions...15-1!

On a day where the outcome did not matter for the Packers, and Rodgers, Matthews, and Woodson could not be found on the back of any green jerseys on the field, Matt Flynn shone bright! I'll admit that circumstances beyond my control prevented me from being able to actually watch any of the game...but I wish that I had been able to. Here's the best i can do on my analysis:

Things I Liked

Matt Flynn - It's highly likely that the former 7th round draft pick earned himself a starting job in another town outside of Wisconsin on Sunday. Throwing for 480 yards and 6 TDs (both Packer franchise records) makes all Packer fans wish he still had some time left on his contract. My best guess is that he'll end up in Miami.

Jordy Nelson - Jordy has been extremely good this year. He tacked 3 TDs onto his already impressive total. Let's hope his momentum continues through the playoffs.

Chad Clifton - Clifton returned from his 10 week absence and played well. So well in fact that McCarthy did not waste any time naming him the starter at Left Tackle in 2 weeks. He played a total of 25 snaps.

Things I Didn't Like

Defense - The defense gave up 520 passing yards...520! I don't care how many turnovers you force, that's too many. I know that Woodson and Matthews weren't playing, but it's still not acceptable. If we end up playing the Saints in the playoffs, i have a bad feeling that the outcome will be different.

There you have it, the best I can do with the information available. The Pack play again in 2 weeks (1/15) at 4:30 EST. They will face the lowest seed remaining after this week's wild card games. More to come after next weekend...GO PACK!

Packers Stomp Raiders, Easily Move to 13-0...

The Packers quietly moved to 13-0 in the wake of the Bears collapse against the Broncos. The boys in green and gold are 1 win away from clinching home-field advantage. They have already clinched the NFC North Division Title and a 1st round bye. All it will take now is one more victory against either the Chiefs, Bears, or Lions to seal the deal. 46-16 is pretty impressive, here's my analysis:

Things I Liked

DEFENSE - I was shocked to see how well the defense played. True to their form, they picked off Palmer 4 times and forced and recovered a fumble to total 5 turnovers for the game. They also put significant pressure on Palmer, even though they were only able to record 1 sack it was enough to have an effect on the game.

RYAN GRANT - Grant looked like his old self for the first time all season recording 85 yards on 10 carries and 2 TDs. Hopefully he can be consistent and the Packers' running attack will be at full force going into the playoffs.

JORDY NELSON - Jordy has scored a touchdown in every home game so far this season. With Greg Jennings' knee in question, he will be expected to step up even more.

MASON CROSBY - Mason carried his weight yesterday by converting all of his Field Goals. It made me wish i had him on my fantasy team.

Things I Didn't Like

INJURIES - Greg Jennings and Brandon Saine were both injured in the 3rd quarter. Jennings' injury was to his left knee and could be serious. His status is still in question. Saine's looked to be concussion-like and I am not too concerned. I also noticed Ryan Pickett walking to the locker room but don't have any information on that. I noticed that McCarthy quickly pulled Rodgers after that and Matt Flynn finished the rest of the game.

The only other thing I thought i might want to write about here was the offensive line as they gave up 3 more sacks. But I noticed that Derek Sherrod (2011 1st round pick)was getting reps at Left Tackle. So this could end up being a good thing and I will hope for the best on the Packers o-line front. There you have it, my analysis. Next week the Pack travel to Kansas City to take on the now head-coachless Chiefs. GO PACK!