IPBprez
Cheesehead
Posted Mar. 18, 2006
Chris Havel
Packers’ GM is on right path
St. Patrick’s Day was a good day to be a Green Bay Packers fan.
William Henderson decided to stay in Green Bay, Adam Vinatieri at least visited here and GM Ted Thompson continued to be active in free agency.
The Packers’ good fortune wasn’t due to the luck of the Irish. It was due to the color green, not as in Green Bay, but as in the color of money.
After the Packers opened free agency at a snail’s pace Monday, Thompson got busy by signing ex-St. Louis Rams nose tackle Ryan Pickett and re-signing offensive lineman Kevin Barry and defensive tackle Kenny Peterson at mid-week.
Thompson finished strong Friday by wisely paying to retain Henderson’s experience and leadership, and by at least taking a serious run at Vinatieri. The Packers couldn’t afford to let Henderson continue the exodus to Minnesota, and they needed to let fans know there will be life after Ryan Longwell’s decision to sign with the Vikings.
Vinatieri left town without a contract, but Thompson and the Packers at least seem serious about landing New England’s clutch kicker. Of all the positions to count pennies, place-kicker isn’t it. In today’s parity-driven league, a top-notch kicker is worth his weight in gold.
With the NFL draft just six weeks away and free agency in mid-swing, Thompson’s moves are encouraging.
Jagodzinski’s scheme
In terms of staffing, one of the most important yet least discussed changes is the Packers’ hiring of Jeff Jagodzinski. A lot is riding on the offensive coordinator’s ability to implement the zone-blocking scheme, and on the line’s ability to execute it.
The scheme’s success hinges, to a great deal, on the coach’s ability to teach it. If Jagodzinski’s version of the zone-blocking scheme does for Green Bay’s running game what it did for Denver’s and Atlanta’s, the team’s outlook improves drastically.
Whether Brett Favre returns or Aaron Rodgers takes the reins, the quarterback is going to need better than last year’s abysmal running attack. The new scheme also could be the edge that turns Ahman Green and Samkon Gado into a respectable 1-2 punch.
Furthermore, Barry’s combination of power and agility might blossom. The Packers didn’t give Barry a hefty raise to resurrect the U-71 package. They did it, because they expect him to be a reliable backup tackle, if not a starter at guard.
Free agency, NFL draft
In regards to free agency, Thompson’s deliberate approach is difficult to accept but easy to understand. It appears he is waiting for other teams to overspend on big-name free agents so he can swoop in and get second-tier players at a bargain.
In terms of the draft, Thompson’s game plan remains a mystery, but history and common sense suggest he will select North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams at No. 5. If Williams is gone, I suspect he will consider Texas quarterback Vince Young. If he isn’t sold on Young, look for him to trade down and add an extra pick or two.
Stay tuned.
Chris Havel can be reached by voice mail at (920) 431-8586 or by e-mail at PackersNews.com
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Chris Havel
Packers’ GM is on right path
St. Patrick’s Day was a good day to be a Green Bay Packers fan.
William Henderson decided to stay in Green Bay, Adam Vinatieri at least visited here and GM Ted Thompson continued to be active in free agency.
The Packers’ good fortune wasn’t due to the luck of the Irish. It was due to the color green, not as in Green Bay, but as in the color of money.
After the Packers opened free agency at a snail’s pace Monday, Thompson got busy by signing ex-St. Louis Rams nose tackle Ryan Pickett and re-signing offensive lineman Kevin Barry and defensive tackle Kenny Peterson at mid-week.
Thompson finished strong Friday by wisely paying to retain Henderson’s experience and leadership, and by at least taking a serious run at Vinatieri. The Packers couldn’t afford to let Henderson continue the exodus to Minnesota, and they needed to let fans know there will be life after Ryan Longwell’s decision to sign with the Vikings.
Vinatieri left town without a contract, but Thompson and the Packers at least seem serious about landing New England’s clutch kicker. Of all the positions to count pennies, place-kicker isn’t it. In today’s parity-driven league, a top-notch kicker is worth his weight in gold.
With the NFL draft just six weeks away and free agency in mid-swing, Thompson’s moves are encouraging.
Jagodzinski’s scheme
In terms of staffing, one of the most important yet least discussed changes is the Packers’ hiring of Jeff Jagodzinski. A lot is riding on the offensive coordinator’s ability to implement the zone-blocking scheme, and on the line’s ability to execute it.
The scheme’s success hinges, to a great deal, on the coach’s ability to teach it. If Jagodzinski’s version of the zone-blocking scheme does for Green Bay’s running game what it did for Denver’s and Atlanta’s, the team’s outlook improves drastically.
Whether Brett Favre returns or Aaron Rodgers takes the reins, the quarterback is going to need better than last year’s abysmal running attack. The new scheme also could be the edge that turns Ahman Green and Samkon Gado into a respectable 1-2 punch.
Furthermore, Barry’s combination of power and agility might blossom. The Packers didn’t give Barry a hefty raise to resurrect the U-71 package. They did it, because they expect him to be a reliable backup tackle, if not a starter at guard.
Free agency, NFL draft
In regards to free agency, Thompson’s deliberate approach is difficult to accept but easy to understand. It appears he is waiting for other teams to overspend on big-name free agents so he can swoop in and get second-tier players at a bargain.
In terms of the draft, Thompson’s game plan remains a mystery, but history and common sense suggest he will select North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams at No. 5. If Williams is gone, I suspect he will consider Texas quarterback Vince Young. If he isn’t sold on Young, look for him to trade down and add an extra pick or two.
Stay tuned.
Chris Havel can be reached by voice mail at (920) 431-8586 or by e-mail at PackersNews.com
Heard that Young scored a 6. If that's not correct; what did he score? And please try not to scare the crap out of me.
