I wanted to accomplish a few things today. To start, I want to tell you several interesting things that I have been hearing. Also, it’s time to call somebody out – the good way.
Before The Packer’s Lounge was even an idea, I started blogging on a little blog called The Packer Page. Just a handful of people would come there in a day, and I soon found out that running a blog was no simple task. I was amazed at the skill and dedication of the larger Packer blogs, and have always admired and come to relate to what it takes to keep things moving on a daily basis.
Besides the Nagler Land Ranch, there has always been one constant on my reading list – Brian Carriveau. I have to give Railbird Central a shout out today. When I first started reading there, I honestly thought that Brian was some old guy. Now of course we know that he looks like a 12-year-old school boy with mutton chops, but that doesn’t change the fact that Railbird is in the cream of the crop when it comes to independent Packer news and opinion.
I personally feel that Brian Carriveau has really done some of his best work this year, and am happy that he is headed to JSOnline with blog in hand. Congratulations Brian, and thanks for the inspiration for today’s and many other day’s articles.
Why am I being nice? Weird.
As I said, it is Brian who inspires today’s little bit. Yesterday, he wrote a piece on the yearly rumor mills started by various Packer blogs around the internet. Often citing unknown or unmentioned sources, they get Packer’s fan all twisted in a knot as they spew fiction almost as quickly as they can make it up. The worst thing is, their rumors aren’t even exciting.
This in mind, I have collected everything I have heard from those in the know. Solid rumors that you Packer fans can take to the bank.
Here is the…
Shh… it
More than one person has been telling me that Ted Thompson is enamored with Jet’s multi-purpose running back Leon Washington. Thompson is fully prepared to pay the highest tender even it means losing his first pick.
The scouting team is super high on USC safety Taylor Mays. If Mays drops out of the top-ten, look for the Packers to do everything they can to move up and take him in the first round.
Don’t be surprised if the Packers take a long hard look at bringing in Rex Grossman this season as a backup and stop gap for Aaron Rodgers. The Packers coveted Grossman when he was drafted, and at a bargain price would love to have him as a third quarterback.
Don’t expect Atari Bigby to be around next season. An unidentified source stated that coaches were unhappy with Bigby for not returning after being injured in the playoff game. Apparently, Bigby could have played but chose not to risk further injury.
The Packers will offer Aaron Kampman an obligatory contract, but don’t expect it to be nearly in the range of Kampman’s other offers. Ted Thompson feels that he can get a much better value for his dollar either in the draft, or on the free-agent market.
Finally, after playing it cool his entire career, expect Tramon Williams’ agent to start pushing for a new contract. Although he didn’t play much better than an average nickel back this season, Williams’ agent knows he has the leverage right now, and don’t be surprised to see a holdout come training camp.
Join us next week for more Shh..it.
22 - People Actually Wrote Something Here
Hofschneider Said,
Hey… read this! Just another rumor that makes me smile…
http://www.totalpackers.com/20.....an-mcnabb/
It would be a perfect match; an overrated player, who can not win when it counts to an overrated franchise, who can not win, when it counts.
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Max Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
ha, like it.
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Erik Said,I’ve heard the Packers are drafting Tim Tebow, they’re trading Aaron Rodgers, a first round pick and a cabin in Door County to the Rams to get the first pick of the draft to make sure they can have him.
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Brian Carriveau Said,Thanks for the kind words, Alex. Appreciate it. Those are some juicy rumors, by the way.
P.S. The sideburns are a Carriveau specialty.
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Max Said,Love rumors, keep em coming.
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
PackersRS Said,I have no idea why you linked the “it” part of the expletive words to the site you did… They make a wonderful job of compiling other fans’ work and not giving credit… I think C.D. is the only that’s worth reading, and I do that in his own site… Also, don’t remember, but I think they to, if they also link posts from Old Bag of Donuts… another nice site…
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
FITZCORE1252 Said,DUDE,
If you still have that ‘Zona game on disc or DVR, check out Jennings going up to Bigby on the sidelines. I noticed it live, Jennings asked him what the ‘dilly yo’ was, Bigby kinda shook his head like “nah, I ain’t going back in” (looked real smug too, wouldn’t even look at Greg), and #85 just looked at him like “you serious” and walked away? Fuck Bigby, the guy has an average skill-set with no heart and no sense of team. That end of the year stretch in ‘07 has bought his ass enough time.
I hope we stay away from Mays, I’m on the West coast, saw alot of his games. This time last year he would have been a top 5 pick, he didn’t do himself any favors returning for his Senior year. The kid is a specimen, but, from what I’ve seen he’s the typical “ATHLETE” not “FOOTBALL PLAYER”.
He ALWAYS tries to lay the wood (misses tackles/picks in the process), to a fault. He has 5 picks in his career, I think 3 were his Fresh year (don’t quote me, but it’s close). He has very poor ball skills and takes forever to get from hash to hash.
The kid will probably blow up the combine. Which is good. Hopefully some team falls in love with his measurables and takes him long before we could… Don’t buy the hype.
GBP 4 LIFE
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
If we want a big hitter with poor coverage/ball skills, why spend a 1st rounder when he’s already on the team?
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RonLC Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
With you on him Fitz. Sounds just like a guy named Bigby.
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Posted on January 29th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Max Said,Please Ted. get rid of Bigby, Bush and Colledge.
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
I’m not opposed to keeping Bush, as long as he N-E-V-E-R E-V-ER gets on the field for anything not related to special teams. I agree kick Atari to the curb (give the job to Smith, ooh wait…). If we could keep Colledge as a relatively cheap back up that would be cool, but the guy sure looks like nothing more than a backup (hope they keep Wells @ Center and give Spitz the LG slot).
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Posted on January 30th, 2010 at 5:54 am
Asshalo Said,“the Packers take a long hard look at bringing in Rex Grossman…”
I think I just threw up a little bit.
Mays falling to us wouldn’t surprise me at all. Wouldn’t mind getting him, Mike iupati (idaho guard), Brian Beluga (Iowa), CJ Spiller, Kyle Wilson (Boise CB), Carlos Dunlap (DE, Flordia; recent DUI may have killed that before it started), Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland) .
Jersey Al, if you’re out there what do you think about Ricky Sapp out of Clemson. He is probably a late first rounder, second rounder. He’s got speed (faster than CM3) and size. May be able to say the same thing about Sean Weatherspoon, Jerry Hughes or Brandon Grahmn. You could probably nab one of these guys in the second.
1st or 2nd rouders bound to piss-off masses of fans if Drafted by the Packers: Golden Tate, Tim Teebow, Arrelious Benn (WR ILL), Tony Pike, Colt McCoy
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Jersey Al
Twitter: JerseyAlGBP
Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I’m here – just taking a little break and re-acquainting myself with the wife and catching up at work.
As for Sapp, he’s probably the best LB pass rushing prospect, so I don’t think he’ll last until the second, but could be there for the Packers’ first pick. I like him a lot, but if there is an OT that I like at that first pick, I have to take the OT. Sapp has great potential as a speed rusher, but lack of strength is an issue. Needs to seriously hit the weightroom, which means it could take him several years to develop into the player he should be, as opposed to Matthews, who was a weight room warrior. Plus, Thompson recently said he will try to bring back Kampman, so if that is true, then OLB is not a priority.
I think Thompson will look to fill needs early this draft, as he did last year. That should mean OT, and I think there will be some good ones waiting for the Pack.
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Asshalo Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 12:15 am
Haha, I meant it like, “Al if you come across this…”
Hughes or Grahmn being available at our pick in the second is possible. Both are more strength than speed too. But if we are going for needs it’s probably going to be a DB or OT in the second.
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
If Spiller fell to 23 I would be ecstatic.
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 12:37 am
Graham had a heck of a Senior Bowl. I could definitely see him transitioning to a 34 OLB.
Don’t know if everybody saw the Senior Bowl? Taylor Mays got a gift wrapped pick (barely had to move), I watched him close… hope we stay away!
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 12:50 am
For the record, if we could grab Golden Tate late in the 2nd, I would be all for it. We could do a lot with that kid. That kid has the po to be a D. Jack type (return man/WR/Rb, he had 25 rushes this year with a 74. yd avg.), think Reggie Bush or Percy Harvin, we need that to get over the top.
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 12:55 am
That’s a 7.4 yd avg, don’t bust my chops.
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Asshalo Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 3:48 pm
If we drafted an OT in the first it’d be okay to pick up Tate in the second. also depends who else is available.
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Posted on January 30th, 2010 at 11:32 am
RonLC Said,Rumors are fun and make the off-season bearable. This year however, I would say that you really have to get into TT’s mind to come close. Logic is out the window. Wtih the potential for the capless year with changes in the RFA and UFA status and GB’s unique “pay as you go “situation the Packers are likely planning for the future business position of the team. Look for them to unload salaries where possible and add through the draft and unsigned FA’s. GB has no sugar daddy (Snyder, Jones, etc.) to pay above annual revenue earned. They are dependent on reserves that suffered in the market collapse but, recovered some this year. They have payments each year assigned to the stadium renovation. The upside of other revenue is limited by the small market. In short they must live within their budget or they will not survive if revenue sharing is weakened (the primary goal of J Jones).
I heard MM a week or so ago saying that at the present time they were evaluating the team on a “business basis” and it was taking all their time. As time goes on in the off-season I hope the reporters with inside contacts start feeding us information as to what this all will mean. My guess is the team for 2010 will be assembled with economics being a key oblective in its’ constrcution. This will be a real test of TT’s “draft and develop” theory. It might be a lot like MLB where you see a team like the Brewers get a young player like Fielder and can keep him only until they can no longer afford him.
The next two years could change the NFL forever.
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FITZCORE1252 Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Definitely worrisome times. Nobody thinks a deal will get done before next season, but I really hope that there is not a stoppage in 2011, they need to get something done.
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RonLC Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I heard the NFLPA’s new “Ambulacne Chaser” will be laying down his position on Thursday. Stay tuned!
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Posted on January 30th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
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