Packers Could Get Outside Linebacker After All
This piece would make us happy.
Hey, Green Bay Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson has done nothing to wow us thus far this offseason.
The Packers have been silent in free agency. They haven’t made a peep on the trade market. The team’s draft made us scratch our head several times. So, with the Packers seemingly only a player or two away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender, Thompson has, get ready… built for the future.
Why the light bulb would suddenly go on now, we’re not quite sure, but sometimes we here at Total Packers like to live in a land of make believe called the present.
With that said, much was made of the fact the Packers failed to address the outside linebacker position in the draft. The Packers have been looking at the spot opposite Clay Matthews since the end of the season. The team let Aaron Kampman sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars and currently have second-year man Brad Jones and a couple of question marks to fill the spot. Those question marks are Jeremy Thompson, who suffered a severe neck injury last season and may not play football again, and Brady Poppinga, who, let’s face it, isn’t good.
At the very least, the Packers could use some depth at the position.
Enter Adalius Thomas.
Thomas was cut by the New England Patroits today, after falling out of favor with coach Bill Belichick over the course of the 2009 season.
Thomas is 32 and has seen his production decline in recent years, but would be a valuable veteran addition for the Packers who can get to the quarterback if, you know, the team wants to live in the present at all. He could also serve as a mentor to Jones until he’s ready to take over the position full time.
Thomas’ best year was 2006, when he notched 83 tackles and 11 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens. Last season, Thomas was used as a situational rusher in New England and tallied 34 tackles and three sacks.
There’s word Thomas would like to join the New York Jets, but the Packers would be fools for not giving this guy a call.
Then again, we’ve got pretty low expectations at this point.
Update: The plot thickens. Thompson has been released by the team and is going to retire from football because of his injury.
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Wow, pretty negative. I thought two of our main problems last year was instability at tackle and safety. Both problems were addressed. We were also low at D-line when Pickett was injured. How were these issues not addressed both for now and the future?
I don’t agree with your pessimism really at all.
Hilarious.
Every time a Free Agent becomes available, every Packer fan simultaneously forgets that TT is the GM and wonders, “Could the Packers sign _______?”.
And 99.9% of the time that question is asked, the Packers don’t sign the player. Good to see you guys get in on the action.
Just another reason why the off-season blows.
Come on Ted. FOR REAL. I’m real okay with the draft if we pick this guy up. Do it!
Shit, his agent’s Bus Cook…
Seriously, Adalius Thomas? Not so sure he would be the answer, if Belichick couldnt keep him in line what would make you think he would contribute??? Not to mention the pay day he would likely be seeking, I really doubt the rewards would justify the risk. Now if they could get him reasonably priced on 1-2 yr deal, maybe…..huge maybe! I would say wait to see who else comes available. This could be an active season for guys getting cut and traded so personally I think it is best to be patient. Besides it really isnt that dire, it is only April!!!
Is this guy lazy? Why didn’t Belichick like him because he didn’t work very hard? Thanks Ted for not being dumb and just picking up any player just because he is available.
We have the one of the best linebackers of all time for a linebacker coach and one of the best defensive minds of all time in a defensive coordinator in Dom Capers. I suggest everyone who doubts our linebackers you tube Kevin Green and see what a gem we have on our coaching staff. Our linebacker core will be better than last year for the simple fact that they will have one more year of experience in Dom Capers 3-4
Lets the Jets have him…one more head case for them to manage. If you read there boards (the favre trade sucked me in) you would swear every jet fan automaticly think every player in the NFL is just waiting to get out of there contracts to go join the jets…funny to watch them implode..not quite jamarcus russell funny but nonetheless entertaining.
I’m sure they have more OLB coming in to tryout.
For example, this one here just posted today:
http://media.www.thepinelog.com/media/storage/paper954/news/2010/04/26/Sports/Knicky.Signs.Free.Agent.Deal.With.Green.Bay.Packers-3912929.shtml
A two-time first-team All-Southland Conference selection, and a four-time all-conference honoree, Knicky finished second in the nation in sacks (1.04 pg). He recorded 41 tackles, including 15 for losses, and 12.5 sacks in 2009, only one sack shy of tying the league’s single-season record. Knicky was named 2009 SLC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Central Arkansas’s Larry Hart.
“Knowing that no one wanted to offer me a scholarship out of high school makes you play with a bit of a chip on your shoulder,” Knicky said. “I came to work everyday and gave everything I had. SFA was a great opportunity for me and I couldn’t ask for anything more. It has been a great journey.”
oops my mistake, he is a DE. But I’m still sure they will have others coming in.
Hey fans, remember when I only started 7 games yet recorded 4 sacks and 26 solo tackles? Clay, bless his heart, had 10 sacks and 37 solo tackles starting in 13 games.
To me that production seems pretty comparable.
I think the writer on this site is related to Chicken Little! Just because you say the sky is falling does not make it so!!!!!!!!
Faneca would be the better pick up give A-rod time to get the ball out d was great last year!!! Had injuries but still great