2012 NFL Free Agency: Previewing the Green Bay Packers

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 10:00 AM PST in 49ers Opponents

Fooch's Note: Wes is looking at free agency for each of the 49ers 2012 opponents. He wrapped up the divisional foes over the weekend (Story Archives) and is moving on to non-divisional opponents.

The Packers are in an odd Free Agency position. After an extremely successful regular season and a quick exit from the playoffs, they are going to have to balance the tension between keeping the team a similar as possible in order to replicate that success with fixing some serious needs.

This situation is compounded by the fact that they have, like, almost no Free Agents. In actuality, they have eight (follow after the jump for the list). The two big names on that list are Matt Flynn and Jermichael Finley. Flynn is obviously a big name in a somewhat similar role to the whole Kevin Kolb thing last year. Finley, on the other hand, is actually a huge cog in that offense (even if he does drop the ball on occasion). I would imagine that the Packers will try to bring him back.

In terms of making moves by acquiring FAs, I can only really think of one area of that offense that needs help: the o-line. If you are going to win games by having an awesome QB, you better keep him upright. For awhile there, that offensive line was crumbling due to some serious injury problems and Rodgers was getting nailed.

For the most part, though, the Packers have greater needs on their defense. While Clay Matthews is a great pass rusher, it's really hard to generate any sort of impact when you are being double-teamed. If they were to find a couple of pass rush options in FA it would go a long way in helping the defense.

Moreover, their secondary could use some work. They should look toward FA for help there, especially at safety. With the whole Nick Collins neck issue up in the air (and I think we can all hope that it isn't career ending and he makes a full recovery, it might be wise for them to start shopping around.

Unrestricted Free Agents: QB Matt Flynn, RB Ryan Grant, TE Jermichael Finley, OC Scott Wells, DT Howard Green, LB Erik Walden, CB Patrick Lee, S Jarrett Bush.

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Man, it’s super lonely in here…

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 12:53 PM PST reply actions

Like, seriously, that comment just echoed like 40 times or something.

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 12:54 PM PST up reply actions

Guys? Is that not impressive to anybody?

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 12:55 PM PST up reply actions

Whatever. That’s cool. I’ll just sing a song or something.

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 12:59 PM PST up reply actions

Mmmmmm. Washington. Washington. 12 stories high made of radiation.

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 1:02 PM PST up reply actions

Finley

Just to give you something to do, how do you think losing Finley impacts their offense?

Follow @NinersNation

by David Fucillo on Feb 13, 2012 1:04 PM PST reply actions

Hey! A friend!

Well Finley didn’t put up huge, huge numbers last year, like some other TEs, but the dude is still a weapon. From what I saw of the Packers, their success is pretty much predicated upon how successful their passing game is on any given Sunday. Thus, having Nelson, Jennings, Driver etc, in terms of their multi-faceted receiving core is bound to leave some guys open. Finley is a guy who can fly under the radar and catch 8 TDs for a team that needs as many receiving TDs as possible.

On a smaller scale, think of the last Super Bowl. The Patriots were just going to cover Cruz and Hicks all day, so on that last drive, Manning went to Manningham and (ex-49er, if I recall) Pascoe a few times. This is just my recollection, mind you, I don’t remember exactly how many times he threw to those two in that drive. It creates a screwed if you do, screwed if you don’t situation. If you cover Nelson with one guy in order to get cover Finley more efficiently, you get burnt. Double cover Nelson or Jennings or whatever and leave a lesser man to cover Finley, Rodgers will find that weak point in your defense every time.

If you are going to make pretty much the only part of your game the passing game you have to have some serious depth to throw to. I think Finley provides that.

by WesHanson on Feb 13, 2012 1:14 PM PST up reply actions