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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.

NFL Combine Underway; Crabtree injury steals spot light

The NFL Combine has started in Indianapolis and teams are going through interviews with potential targets, offensive lineman are starting to run their drills, and the offseason picture is becoming clearer for every team as the weekend progresses. Along with the combine comes a lot of articles and blogs attempting to make predictions for draft day. I have read several blogs posted on ESPN.com that are following the happenings in Indy, but this morning, the main story followed the injury of Michael Crabtree. Crabtree got a stress fracture in his ankle, and he is projected to be out for 6-10 weeks. Some think that this may shake up the draft a little bit and he may slide down the board on draft day. I personally dont think that his draft stock will be that effected. He has a lot of time to make a full recovery before any training camps start and he is clearly the top WR and one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the draft this year. I would be very suprised if he fell out of the top 10 and if he wasn't the top wideout taken. But you never know what could happen, only time will tell.

Draft Prospects: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

Unanimously projected as a first round draft pick, Everette Brown could fit perfectly into the Packers’ new 3-4 defensive scheme. He is big enough to play defensive end at 6’4” 260lbs (although he could stand to put on a few more pounds in the weight room), and fast enough to play linebacker. Although at FSU he was strictly on the defensive line, Brown is talented enough to adapt to any position in the front 7.

The questions have to do with Brown’s ability to cover tight ends and running backs in the 3-4. But his absolute upside outweighs his downside immensely. I had the privilege of watching Everette play in Tallahassee and at the Bowl game in 2008, and he is the type of player that fits the mold of Mickey Andrews’ FSU defense. He has the potential to have a career worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as FSU and NFL greats such as Peter Boulware, Darnell Dockett, Cameron Wimbley, and Broderick Bunkley. He is fast enough to run around and strong enough to run through offensive linemen and running backs, he stands up well to a double-team, provides good run support, and seems to always find his way to the opposing QB regardless of the offensive blocking scheme.

Teams that run the 3-4 prefer their outside linebackers to be 6-3 or taller, and the weight generally ranges from 240 pounds to 265 pounds. Teams look for long and streamlined athletes such as Miami’s Joey Porter (6-3, 255), because they have to be versatile enough to rush the passer from the outside, hold up adequately at the line of scrimmage against the run, and cover at least the flats, and often more, in pass coverage. I believe that with the obvious need being in the front 7 for the Packers, Everette Brown would bring depth and explosiveness to the d-line and linebacking corps, making him a perfect fit at the 9th pick. Need more proof? Just watch the video below…

What kind of lions will the Lions be in ’09?

As the worst team in NFL history, the Detroit Lions have a lot of work that needs to be done, and it will start next week with free agency. I’m not going to begin to think that I know all that much about the needs of the Lions, because they have them everywhere! The one thing that I know is that they will be looking to pick up solid players through free agency, and they have 2 first round draft picks.

There are rumors circulating that the Lions might take a stab at Albert Hainesworth to help out on the defensive line. As well, John Kitna will most likely be released from the Lions, and with the #1 pick overall in this years draft, Matt Stafford, QB from Georgia looks like he would be the logical choice for the Lions. There are other options out there though at quarterback for the Lions. There are a lot of good, veteran quarterbacks that will hit the free agent market next week and I suppose that the Lions could address their needs through free agency, leaving their two first round draft picks available for other positional needs. We will find out soon enough what direction the Lions will take after the combine this week.
Overall, I expect the Lions to take Stafford in the draft and try to rebuild their team around him. I don’t think that the Lions will rebound as well as the Dolphins did in 2008 but they should win a few games but they will still not be very good. One thing is for certain, it can only get better for the Lions.

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.

The Queens of the NFC North: Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota was crowned the Queens of the NFC North in 2008, and it pains me to say that they will likely be the team to beat in the division once again in 2009.



Offense:
Strength: The obvious strength of the Queens’ offense is their o-line and the athletic ability of their running backs: Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Even though it was only a 1-point loss for the green and gold, the Vikes’ o-linement definitely controlled our d-line, and the RBs ended up with some ridiculous amount of yardage and touchdowns. I foresee this happening to most of their opponents in 2009 as well.
Weakness: When Gus Frerotte and Tavaris Jackson are your go-to guys at the QB position, it’s evident where your biggest need is. It surprised everyone when head coach Brad Childress did not pursue a QB in free agency, trade, or the draft of 2008, and it will surprise us all if they don’t make a move this year. The biggest need that must be addressed in the offseason is QB. There are a few good ones who are available through free agency or on the trading block (Kurt Warner and Michael Vick to name a couple obscure possibilities), and 2009 hold a lot of potential at QB within its draft class. Jackson and Frerotte might be good enough to win the division again in the NFC North, but they will not advance in the play-offs without someone to at least have the potential to threaten other teams’ defenses with the passing game.

Defense:
It’s tough to say where Minnesota has a weakness on Defense. Last year they finished high in most categories (12th in passing, 4th in rushing, and 8th overall). The big deficiency that I see is that they still have Darren Sharper starting at Safety. He’s getting old and is too slow to cover the elite receivers of the NFL which gives guys like Greg Jennings and opportunity to burn the Vikings deep. Other than that, let’s all just hope that some of their key players end up with injuries…

Draft Prospects: Brian Cushing, OLB Southern Cal

The Malnarn has gone into some detail regarding the needs of the Packers that will arise due to the change in defense from the 4-3 to the 3-4. I believe that the packers will need to address the front 7 of their defense by picking up a linebacker or defensive lineman either in Free Agency or the Draft. This is why the next Draft Prospect for the Green Bay Packers is Brian Cushing, OLB from USC.

Brian Cushing has moved to the top of the list for players that I like for the Packer’s first pick for 2009. He is fast, strong, and he flies around the field with intensity and emotion. I have watched his highlight video a few times and he really impresses me. I believe that the Packers need to acquire players this offseason that will make an immediate impact on our defense in order for us to be successful with the 3-4. I think that Cushing can take a lot of pressure off of Nick Barnett and more importantly, A.J. Hawk, and could also play a crucial role in blitz schemes and pass coverage with his speed.