I know I’m late to the party but I’m going to give you my take anyway. After a much needed break I’m back and ready for action, even if we may only have a few more days to talk about football before the lockout begins.
Here is a quick take on the Packers’ free agents:
Safety Atari Bigby: The Packers have no use for Bigby any longer. He is as good as gone.
Guard Daryn Colledge: This guy gets no respect. Every year they try to replace him and every years he wins the job by getting better. I would hate to see him go if only for the continuity of the line. College, center Scott Wells and right guard Josh Sitton have given the line stability over the last year-and-a-half. Something that was severely lacking in the three previous years.
The problem with Colledge is he is sure to get a decent offer from another team, how high will the Packers go?
Running backs Brandon Jackson, John Kuhn and Korey Hall: The emergence of James Starks to go along with Ryan Grant I think means the end of special teams ace Hall. I really want to see Jackson back in that 32 jersey he so loves. He is invaluable on third down and what he offers the offense is more than what Hall offers special teams.
I can’t see Kuhn going anywhere, that should be an easy deal. Kuhn is a perfect fit here and I don’t see many teams that could get out of him what the Packers do. He would be a fool not to take whatever the Packers offer him.
Defensive end Cullen Jenkins: Jenkins is the new Favre – all upset because the Packers have fallen behind on their “I love you’s.” So sad. I can’t see Jenkins coming back with all the crying he’s done, it was a borderline distraction the whole second half of the season. Combine that with the fact he is always hurt and the expected emergence of Mike Neal and it’s don’t let the door hit you on the butt, Cullen.
Wide receiver James Jones: This is a tough one, he is the classic case of a guy who has enough talent to come back and haunt you if he leaves, but he also makes the mind boggling mistakes that drive you nuts. Somebody will probably pay him more than the Packers are willing to and my guess is that team is Chicago.
Safeties Charlie Peprah and Anthony Smith: The Packers have no use for Smith, But I would love to see Peprah back. The job opposite Nick Collins will likely be a training camp battle again, but this time Peprah will be the front runner instead of the underdog.
Lineman Jason Spitz: Failed in his only appearance last year, I doubt he is offered a contract.
Linebacker Matt Wilhelm, tight end Spencer Havner and wide receiver Brett Swain: Wilhem and Havner are for sure gone, Swain might have a chance to stick but his big drop in the Super Bowl didn’t help him any.
The sad thing is all this talk is probably moot. The owners and players are so far apart I think the upcoming lockout will last until September at the earliest because it more than likely is headed to the courtroom. I believe Dee Smith is going to go down in history as the man who shot the golden goose. This is about to get ugly.
Hopefully I’m wrong and we can get back to business as usual. They need some of the new positive Packernet karma. Give me a call Rodger…