Let me be more transparent than this.
Just going to say this now. None of this matters if the Packers don't get a No. 1 corner. That said, I smell a trade coming…
— Total Packers (@totalpackers) March 12, 2017
First, I am so proud of Big Ted for actually fulfilling the entirety of his duties for the Green Bay Packers for the second time in his 13 years as general manager.
The other time he did it was in 2006, when he signed Charles Woodson, Ryan Pickett and Marquand Manuel in free agency.
This — after signing two guys who have never played for the Green Bay Packers before — is truly a monumental occasion.
But let’s talk about this defense.
Cornerback, specifically.
Right now, we’re looking at the 1983 Packers.
Hey, we’ve got Lynn Dickey, James Lofton, John Jefferson and Paul Coffman — we can sling it!
Unfortunately, those early-80s Packers teams could put up 50, but their damn defenses were so bad, they’d give up 50 + 1.
Go ask Bart Starr.
I see only three options for the Packers to get what they really need — a No. 1 cornerback.
Option 1
The New England Patriots Malcolm Butler — trade for him.
We know Butler is available. He was reported to be the initial bait for the Patriots to acquire receiver Brandin Cooks from the Saints. Instead, the Pats got Cooks for their first-round draft pick (No. 32) — a steal, if you ask me.
Butler is a restricted free agent, so the Packers could make an offer with a poison pill, but the easy thing to do is make a trade and then sign Butler to a long-term deal.
Look, the Patriots have a No. 1 corner after they signed Stephon Gilmore in free agency. They also lack a No. 1 draft pick now. I would be real happy giving up No. 29 for this guy and the Patriots would have Cooks and move up two spots in the draft, while — since they signed Gilmore — giving up nothing.
See you in the Super Bowl, Patriots.
Option 2
Similar scenario. The Los Angeles Rams threw the franchise tag on Trumaine Johnson for the second year in a row. They’ve since let everyone know he’s available via trade.
The Rams aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Trust me, I know. I live in L.A. and was forced to watch most of their games last year. Disgusting football. Wanted to stab myself in the eyes repeatedly.
Anyway, I’m certain they would happily take a draft pick in exchange for Johnson. First, maybe even a second. Hell, maybe even a third.
They can’t franchise Johnson again, which means — if he’s smart — he’ll be gone to a team that’s actually worth a shit next year anyway.
The Packers would need to work out a deal with Johnson that’s south of the franchise tag level ($16 million this season), but that shouldn’t be so hard.
The Rams don’t want this guy around long-term. Everyone knows that. They’re trying to get something for him now and will likely take the best offer, rather than wasting him on a losing team and getting nothing but a compensatory pick.
We call him Trader Ted from time to time, but only because of the draft (So… I can turn this second-round pick into five sevenths, a sixth and fifth? Done!).
Trade. Ted.
Option 3
Yup. The option no one likes.
Let’s just hope Damarious Randall rebounds and turns into a No. 1 corner.
I mean, we drafted him in the first round. He MUST be a No. 1 corner!
Everyone cross your fingers!
What About Option 4?
Yes, I know what you’re thinking.
Well, we’ll just draft a corner in the first round and that will solve this problem!
I’ve got news for you.
You don’t pull a day one No. 1 corner out of the draft at pick No. 29.
Sorry to burst your bubble.
This gets done one of three ways.
Nice options, but it they are listed from most likely to least likely: 4, 3, 2, then 1.
You forgot an option. Get some pass rushers. A team that can consistently rush the QB doesn’t have to worry as much about their CBs getting beat like rented mules on every down.
Excellent comment. Must put pressure on the QB, then CB’s will be better.
This may be true at the beginning of a game. But eventually the pass rush wears down, as the OLBs get tired, exposing your secondary. Then one wonders how the other team came back.
Idk….My feeling has been that Ted was going to go with option 3. He’s fairly stubborn, and his 2 guys at corner have only been in the league 2 years, and showed some flash the 1st year.
This isn’t to say he won’t draft a corner, he probably will to replace Hyde, and if that pick takes Rollins or Randall’s outside position, then so be it.
Not saying it’s right, just saying it’s Ted.
But then again, we retained Perry (no gain), we lost Hyde (loss). So as of today, the defense is running at a deficit.
If we lose Lang, overall, we’ll be running a deficit on offense also.
Option 5 would be getting some help at each level of the defense, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Guion. Another big fat guy up front (Poe/ Hankins) to wrestle with TJ Lang (Lion), a speedy interior defender like Zach Brown or a Pass Rusher like Barwin perhaps and then a cheap fix in Davon House on the back end while still taking yet another corner early in the draft for added insurance.
I don’t see TT trading a pick for Butler or Johnson. Would either be a great upgrade? Sure. It is more likely a cheap go at House or maybe Claiborne. Then roll with what you have and draft a corner early, even if you get a House or a Claiborne.
I’ll go with option #6…TT has to retire for medical reasons.
All this begs the question….why does Belichik not value Butler enough to keep him around. There is something about him that Belichick is willing to live without. In spite of Butler singlehandedly winning the Super Bowl.
Buyer beware.