The Green Bay Packers took care of several items of business over the weekend and opened training camp on Friday.
The team signed all 10 of their draft picks, re-signed receiver [intlink id=”204″ type=”category”]James Jones[/intlink], fullback [intlink id=”251″ type=”category”]John Kuhn[/intlink], tight end [intlink id=”700″ type=”category”]Spencer Havner[/intlink] and receiver [intlink id=”596″ type=”category”]Brett Swain[/intlink]. Fullback [intlink id=”965″ type=”category”]Korey Hall[/intlink] signed with the [intlink id=”234″ type=”category”]New Orleans Saints[/intlink].
Of the deals, Jones is perhaps the most important. The receiver signed a three-year deal after quarterback [intlink id=”25″ type=”category”]Aaron Rodgers[/intlink] and receiver [intlink id=”76″ type=”category”]Donald Driver[/intlink] lobbied management on his behalf.
The [intlink id=”35″ type=”category”]Minnesota Vikings[/intlink] and [intlink id=”69″ type=”category”]New York Jets[/intlink] showed early interest in Jones, but both teams signed other receivers, which likely made things a easier on the Packers.
Kuhn also agreed to a three-year deal, which reportedly makes him one of the highest-paid fullbacks in the league. The Packers may finally be down to the more traditional two-fullback roster this season with Hall leaving for the Saints.
Not much information is available about Swain and Havner’s deals, but both players will have an uphill battle making the team this year. The Packers are loaded at tight end with [intlink id=”209″ type=”category”]Jermichael Finley[/intlink], rookie [intlink id=”1624″ type=”category”]D.J. Williams[/intlink] who’s looked impressive early, [intlink id=”1036″ type=”category”]Andrew Quarless[/intlink] and [intlink id=”1236″ type=”category”]Tom Crabtree[/intlink].
If the Packers again keep four tight ends, Havner will have to beat out Quarless or Crabtree to make the roster.
Swain looks like the sixth receiver now that Jones has returned and the team drafted [intlink id=”1616″ type=”category”]Randall Cobb[/intlink]. It’s not good to be in that position on a team that typically only keeps five wideouts.
As for the draft picks, first-rounder [intlink id=”1613″ type=”category”]Derek Sherrod[/intlink] signed a four-year deal with a team option for a fifth year. The deal is reportedly worth $6.602 million with $5.3 million guaranteed and a $3.3 million signing bonus.
Sherrod has been working with the first team offense at left guard.
The Packers signed all of their draft picks on Thursday and Friday.
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I think they may keep Havner as a backup ILB. He was a two way player and is familiar with the system.
Jones and king kuhn locked up is a good sign. Maybe jones realized that he’s not yet worth 2nd reciever money and will hang on for a few years to see what happens. In my opinion he is a 2 on a team with a thin receiving core, but for the pack he’ll be a 3 till DD retires.
I still trust Ted completely, but it’s hard not to be partially disappointed with how free agency has gone so far.
The Packers re-signed the one free agent I was really hoping to see drop would-be touchdown passes for another team this year (Jones). The moves within the linebacking corps are curious, given how many injuries we saw to linebackers last year. I agree with Launchpad about moving Havner back to defense primarily, but even then, that group’s awfully thin.
Here’s to hoping Underwood isn’t still on the roster come September…
I wish we’d get a nasty left-guard…
Havner’s value comes on ST, especially with the key departure of Hall who was a special teams ace.
I’m pretty sure in pre season last year havner was playing at ILB with the 2nd or 3rd string and managed a pick. You never know maybe his true potential will come through
You would expect him to get picks though. He would have the best hands on the defense but the other stuff would be the problem.
Probably: I disagree with you on Jones. Despite the drops, Jones made some big plays for the Pack. Maybe more importantly, A-Rodg really wanted him back and honestly, he deserves to get what he wants, especially when its as simple as resigning a receiver.
Plus, the resigning of Jones was masterfully executed by TT. He allowed him to look around the league and try to get more money; when he didn’t get anything done, TT could get a better deal. Sure, this could have gone wrong, but it didn’t. So, I credit TT here.
It seems like we’ve lost more than we’ve kept/gained so far. Maybe that’s partially because these moves usually happen from March to June, and with all this action in just 4 days, my head’s spinning a bit.
My primary concerns BEFORE the lockout ended remained with special teams D/returns as well as the all concerning O-line. (we MUST protect Rodgers better this year) Now, with these moves, I find myself equally concerned about the D-line
Jermichael had a SERIOUS injury, one that can take a lot to come back from; are Havner, Quarless, and the rookies up for picking up the slack if Finley doesn’t return to the level of his 2009 play? I’m not sure….somebody reassure me, please!
About Jermichael: Last year that didn’t seem to really be a problem, did it? With all the receiving core coming back, plus Jermichael (slowly but surely) I think that’s one department they are definitely good to go in.