2010 Free Agency Update; Green Bay Packers

by Josh Branco on Apr 13, 2010 12:15 PM PDT in 49ers Opponents

Our next free agency update covers the Green Bay Packers, who signed safety Nick Collins to a 3-year contract extension. The deal is worth $26.75 million, and includes $14 million in the first season. Collins is a very underrated player, and this extension is well deserved. He has picked off 13 passes in the last two years, and only missed five games due to injury since becoming a starter five years ago.

The team has also brought back offensive lineman Jason Spitz and tight end Spencer Havner. Spitz signed a 1-year $1.7 million contract, and is expected to compete for the starting left guard position. Havner was second on the Packers' depth chart last season, but his participation in the off-season program has been limited due to an injury he suffered in a motorcycle crash. He should be fine by training camp, so Havner's job appears secure.

Apart from these acquisitions, the only move of note has been the departure of Aaron Kampman. Kampman had a been a productive player throughout his career in Green Bay, but the club's move towards a 3-4 defense slowly phased him out of the picture. He has since signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be interesting to see if Kampman's production improves now that he will be playing in a more familiar 4-3 scheme.

The Packers' biggest need heading into the draft appears to be left tackle. Mocking the Draft has them picking OT Charles Brown from USC with the 23rd overall pick. Brown is a talented player from a pro style offense, and his selection would address one of Green Bay's most pressing issues.

Team needs and 2009 Draft results after the jump...

Team Needs

Left Tackle - Green Bay needs to select a capable replacement for Chad Clifton at left tackle. Clifton is aging and his play in decline.
Cornerback- Al Harris and Charles Woodson are a very good starting duo, but the club needs to add to their depth at the position. Teams are always looking for good young cornerbacks, so this area will be addressed at some point in the draft.
Safety- Nick Collin's contract extension has solidified one of the safety spots, but the team could still look to improve upon incumbent Atari Bigby. Bigby will be back with the team in 2010, but his starting position could be in question if the Packers choose to select a safety.
Outside Linebacker- Look for Green Bay to add some depth at this position during the later rounds of the draft.
Running Back- The Packers have been rumored to have interest in Brian Westbrook, but it is believed he may not be able to pass a physical. Westbrook could still produce as a third down back in Green Bay's offense, but it is unclear if the team is willing to take on such an injury prone player. At 31, Westbrook is not getting any younger, and it may be more prudent for the Packers to acquire a younger player via the draft.

2009 Draft Results

DT B.J. Raji (Boston College)
OLB Clay Matthews (USC)
OT T.J. Lang (Eastern Michigan)
FB Quinn Johnson (LSU)
OT Jamon Meredith (South Carolina)
DE Jarius Wynn (Georgia)
CB Brandon Underwood (Cincinnati)
OLB Brad Jones (Colorado)

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Comments

Atari Bigby

I think he still has gas in the tank. He just basically has to stay healthy.

by Drew Kerr on Apr 13, 2010 3:26 PM PDT reply actions

I agree

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Apr 13, 2010 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

He's not old, this is like his 4th year

He’s just average as a starter

by Donald Driver on Apr 13, 2010 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Hate the Packers

by bignerd on Apr 13, 2010 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

RT is Mark Tuascher and he's 32

T.J. Lang filled in for a couple of games and was very underwhelming. I’ve got to think that a RT is on their list somewhere. He only started three games and played about 15-20 snaps the rest of the games. He gave up 5.5 sacks in that time, 3 of them in one game.

Colledge is a lousy guard and he’s basically all they have. He was so bad that Mike McCarthy said they’ll have an open competition for the spot. To compound it Colledge isn’t happy with his RFA tender and is going to miss off season activities.

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Apr 13, 2010 4:20 PM PDT reply actions

You're thinking of Allen Barbre who was awful

Most people think that Lang is the answer at right tackle, because when he played he impressed (for a rookie). Colledge is not all we have, Sitton was our best lineman last year at RG and Spitz should be above average when he wins the job away from Colledge (who is damned annoying). Anyways the moral of the story is they’ll take one guy early and then wait till later in the draft.

by Donald Driver on Apr 13, 2010 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

That might be it

I just knew that I watched a couple of games and thought that your RT had a similar style of play to our very own Adam “Turnstile” Snyder. I’m not familiar with your backups, but I just know Colledge has to go.

Do you think you’ll target a guard in the first? Iupati or Pouncey maybe?

Member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010

by smileyman on Apr 13, 2010 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Lupati would be the only guard that we would consider

because of his versatility. If TT thinks that Lupati can play tackle he’ll take him maybe. But the inside of our line isn’t the real problem. At right guard Josh Sitton is more than solid and at center Scott Wells is an excellent technician even though he lacks the power that McCarthy wants. Spitz was considered our best lineman back in 2008 when he was a guard (before an ill-advised switch to center this past year then a season-ending injury) so he’ll likely go to LG (he was RG before) now that I think the Packers are finally willing to close the door on Colledge being a starter. I think Colledge will be a decent backup though. Outside of those four though, no one’s played enough to where I have confidence in them. There’s no doubt in my mind that an LT will be picked by the Packers in either the 1st or 2nd but the interior of the line is more of a late round need. Barber was the RT in the first four or five games of the season (you probably watched Packers-Bears on Sunday night in week 1) who got absolutely brutalized on national television. Twice.

by Donald Driver on Apr 13, 2010 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions