I’m just so excited about this coming season for Packers. Switching to a 3-4 defense in my view is a smart and long overdue move. It’s now in vogue, and forces mis-matchups to offensive teams. Hawk and Barnett will have a field day chasing down quarterbacks or runningbacks. I was surprised that Hawk floundered last season, probably due to his chest injury, but I’m loathed to make up excuses for any football player, even for my favorite team. What was particularly troubling was that Hawk had no forced turnovers at all. Perhaps Hawk’s last season was nothing more than a mere fluke, that happens even to the best players out there.
I don’t think Packers will be a major player in free agency for one very important reason: they’re very tight with money! Even though Packers have $25 million under salary cap, they’re loathed to give up that much room to sign a major free agent, instead going with a build-up philosophy through drafts and second-tiered free agents. Thompson is not known for chasing after big name players, though he did sign Charles Woodson and traded (or signed?) Al Harris. He usually prefers to reward Packers players like Aaron Rodgers signing a $20 million contract recently this past season. However, he could surprise us this time, considering he’s now in hot seat along with McCarthy, so he could do something drastic and unthinkable. Unlikely, but you never know, right?
The main action will be in NFL Draft this April. Packers pick at No. 9, so it’ll be exciting to watch who they will pick. I strongly suspect Thompson’s philosophy is to pick value over need. Maybe if Malcom Jenkins fell to that spot, Thompson will go ahead and pick him, as Packers isn’t sure if Al Harris is able to play lots of zone coverage in a 3-4 defense system. Or if Packers go with drafting need, then hopefully a big DT, who will be a key NT in 3-4 schemes, will become available at that time. Somebody like B.J. Raji from Boston College. Some scouts and experts still think Ryan Pickett can play NT, but who really knows? On other hand, Packers still could go after a linebacker, like Everette Brown from Florida State. Aaron Kampan is an excellent athlete, and has ideal size to play the outside linebacker, so he can be moved over to that position. But it’d be nice to draft a linebacker to back up an already elite crops of linebackers.
Packers will draft a lot on defense, but don’t be surprised if they draft a developmental player in OT. And you can’t go wrong if you draft another wide receiver, after all, Jordy Nelson had a great rookie season, especially if he can do some kick returns. But I think Packers is all set on offense, except for offensive linemen and perhaps runningbacks (I’m not entirely sold on Brandon Jackson).
Thompson and McCarthy will play smart even though they’re in hot seats. A good friend once told me, “In Thompson we trust!” Ha ha. I trust whatever they do, it’ll be for good reasons instead of doing stupid things just to save their necks. I can only hope rabid Packers fans will calm down for a minute and reflect on how good Thompson is really as GM. After all, he did draft Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings! I think Rodgers will be a perennial Pro-Bowl player once he has some experience under his belt, or in this case, towel. Hehe. Jennings, man, I love that player! He sails past cornerbacks or safeties and make some tough catches, scoring touchdowns left and right. I vividly remember his rookie year, where he played against perhaps the best CB ever, Champ Bailey. It was in overtime, and Jennings lined up in front of Bailey, somehow, he sailed right past Baily and made a touchdown catch. It was an unforgettable moment.
Oh, did I mention Ryan Grant? Enough said.
Like I said, it’ll be a great year for Packers, you just watch out for them! Pretty soon, you’ll stand in awe when Packers steamroll over Steelers in 2010 Super Bowl game. You just wait and watch! Go Pack Go!