Packers Work Out Returner, Safety
Smith was a Pro Bowler in 2008.
Ted Thompson may not be done tweaking the Green Bay Packers roster yet.
The Packers brought in former Tampa Bay returner Clifton Smith and former Jacksonville safety Gerald Alexander for workouts, Tuesday.
Smith was Pro Bowl return man for the Buccaneers in 2008 and has career averages of 28.3 yards on kickoff returns and 12.1 on punt returns. He’s scored a touchdown on each, both in 2008, but was released by the Bucs on Saturday.
Signing Smith would make sense for the Packers, particularly because they wouldn’t have to expose starting cornerback Tramon Williams on punt returns. However, if Thompson was going to offer Smith a contract, he likely would have done so today.
Smith had a workout in Miami scheduled after leaving Green Bay.
The Packers reportedly had concerns about Smith’s injury history. Smith suffered a concussion in October and another in December. The second ended his season. He also had knee problems this preseason.
The Packers interest in Alexander also makes sense.
He’s started 27 games in his career, including 16 with Detroit in 2007 and 10 with Jacksonville last season. Alexander’s best season was 2007, when he recorded 81 tackles and two interceptions.
While he may not be starting material, the Packers current backups at safety — Charlie Peprah and Derrick Martin — aren’t either and Alexander may be an upgrade.
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I’d worry about lack of reps for a new safety in Capers system. I remember Derrick Martin fresh off a trade looked like he didn’t know his thumb from his dick when injuries brought him off the bench early last year.
Bring em both in, especially Alexander if the price is right (i.e. vet minimum).
Let’s bring former Ashwaubenon High School star Aaron Stecker out of retirement. Perfect return man.
Smith signed with Miami. I think the trip here was all about leverage to get a bigger deal out of them.