KGB is still signed for '08. Mike Sherman matched the ridiculous offer sheet from Philadelphia after '03. It was a 5-year deal.

The big question is whether the Packers will cut him because he's not worth the coin he's making.

However, since Thompson doesn't spend money on free agency, they have no other use for the money.
Al Michaels | 12.19.07 - 8:35 am | #

Yeah, I don't think they were exactly hurting for cap room, so keeping him after a bit of a resurgence this season makes sense to me.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 8:41 am | #

Yes having KGB on the other side helps Kampman out. When KGB is used as a pass rush specialist he isn't all that bad. Just pray they do not run a draw since he cannot play the run lol

I mean looking at this team where do you spend the money next season if you go looking for a FA? Or do you just keep locking up our homegrown young kids?

I love these good problems
Chris | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 8:53 am | #

I'm hoping there is a first round corner talent available to learn under Woodson and Harrison while they still have the talent to play.

As far as free agents, I have no idea. An outside linebacker, although Poppinga has played better the last two weeks.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 9:05 am | #

My biggest concern when I wrote that was Favre. If he plays another year or two, what I wrote is wrong. Once he does retire, it'll take them at least a year to settle the QB position, whether it be Rogers or someone else.
Jib | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 9:36 am | #

Poppinga has played better -- or more accurately hasn't been smoked as much -- but he'll never be fast enough to be a good cover guy. He's the most glaring position of upgrade. We could get better at either safety position too.

Offensively, depth in the backfield, depth at TE, depth at O line. Re Favre, I personally know how quickly skills and recovery can erode from 38 to 39, so I'm not gonna assume we get much from him in 08. I'm thinking regardless of what happens this season, we'll end up depending more on Aaron Rodgers than Favre next year. And I think with all the existing pieces in place, the Packers can win with Rodgers.
Tracker | 12.19.07 - 9:38 am | #

I thought the same thing when I read that too. While they will certainly have difficulty matching the overall record, as 13-3 or 14-2 is difficult in the NFL no matter how good you are, I think this team looks well positioned to be a strong contender for Championships the next couple of years at least. I think Favre is back either way next year ... either to go for a repeat, or to try and close the deal and get another ring before he retires. What will happen after next year seems much more uncertain to me.

My wishlist for improving this team in the coming seasons to either put them over the top, or keep them a contender would be:

1) Improve the depth and talent at CB. Harris is already in decline, and Woodson won't be far behind.

2) Defensive Linemen. Corey Williams is likely to be gone. We don't know yet what we have in Harrell. Getting another pass rushing end, and pocket collapsing DL to keep the position deep is the other key to this defense

3) Another RB to compete for a starting job with, or compliment, Ryan Grant.

4) Offensive line to improve depth and/or replacements for guards whose play, while improving, continues to be the weak links on the OL.
TD | 12.19.07 - 9:46 am | #

I'm not ready to give up on Brandon Jackson yet TD, but defensive line is probably a good place to spend some money.

I like the safeties, Rouse played well and I don't think Collins is bad. Bigby is excellent on short yardage situations and even in zone he plays okay. It's his man to man that is terrible.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 9:52 am | #

Oh, and Jib I wasn't trying to call you out and say you're wrong or anything, it's just that comment got me thinking about how well off the Packers actually are for the next few years.

Makes you really appreciate Ted Thompson's vision.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 10:20 am | #

I saw an article in the Press-Gazette this spring working out the situation with KGB. If we tried to get a Pass Rush End in FA, we'd be spending more for a less or equally capable person than KGB is under contract for. As it stands, KGB is a bargain.

I think TT had better try to extend Williams. I don't think we'll be able to replace him as cheaply as signing him now. Also, our draft position is going to suck this spring.
PCD | 12.19.07 - 10:37 am | #

Pickett, Cole, Jolly, Harrell. Jenkins also plays DT when needed. Muir showed well when he could get on the field, but that's tough to do at DT on this team.

The beauty of the depth that TT built at DT is that Williams is already replaced. Nice player, but he'll barely be missed, especially at the price you'll have to pay to keep him now or in the offseason.
Tracker | 12.19.07 - 11:05 am | #

What free agents or draft prospects will be available that might challenge a current Packer starter?

Here are positions for which i would have FA or draftees compete.

Backup TE. Donald Lee is going to fall over dead if we don't get a complimentary backup.

Offensive Line. Thompson's biggest mistakes and weakness are here. And his mafioso desire to see Favre dead.

Run stuffing lineman. Seems to me if you roster 11 D linemen then you don't have the guy you want.

I'd keep trying on linebackers for size. I'd like a nice trio but i rarely hear Poppinga's name called.

A running back. Morency is likely out. I'd draft one here as i don't think the need is That great for a FA.

Another cornerback but competition will be fierce. J Bush is likely out but do you really hate anyone else?

Receiver is good.

Safety is good. Atari Bigby is pretty good at Strong Safety. He doesn't belong anywhere else. I like Collins and Rouse.

Oh! Quarterback! Rodgers is good enough but fragile. Depth would be good.
Eric | 12.19.07 - 11:22 am | #

I'm fine with Nall as the 3rd QB, I'd wager he is easily the best third string QB in the league.

Has everyone but me given up on Brandon Jackson??
ESK | 12.19.07 - 12:30 pm | #

Also, this notion that some still cling to that the offensive line is getting Favre killed need to die. It's simply not true. Favre has been sacked only 15 times or 2.8% of drop backs. This is second on the league only to Drew Brees. He has been sacked fewer times than any other starting QB besides Brees and Drew Anderson.

Seriously, enough with the "o-line is the sux!!1!!" talk. It's horse shit.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 12:36 pm | #

I haven't heard the "o-line sux" talk. I have heard they're not run-blocking well, and that comes from McCarthy. They could stand to upgrade a guard position, maybe both.
Tracker | 12.19.07 - 12:58 pm | #

see Eric's post tracker, you fucking nimrod!


Just messing around, haven't called you any names lately.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 1:02 pm | #

I agree that the line doesn't suck ... but they have weaknesses at gaurd that may be able to be shored up in the offseason. Also, while still good OT's ... both Clifton and Tauscher seem to have seen thier games slip a bit, suggesting degrading performance in the coming seasons.
TD | 12.19.07 - 2:42 pm | #

Is there a statistical category for hurries, pressures, and snot beat out of you after you release the ball? Sacks are not the only indicator of how well you protect a quarterback.

Seriously, how many times does a guy have to be benched in a season for underperforming? The line performs well against weak teams. Performing well against good teams is desired and a non trivial affair. Thompson should have paid Mike Wahle. As it stands the O line is adequate. But they'll have trouble in the playoffs.
It should perform better against
Eric | 12.19.07 - 3:34 pm | #

must edit better
Eric | 12.19.07 - 3:37 pm | #

You're right, I'll trust your foggy memory of poor performances over numbers. Good call.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 3:50 pm | #

Eric, FO keep hurries in their advanced stats, which I stupidly have not yet paid for. (Next year.) However, here's a freebie compiled after week 10:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com...ra-points/5828/

There were 20 players averaging over one hurry per game, and the Packers had two of them. KGB at 1.19 per game, and Kampman at 1.08 per game.

The O-line is by no means perfect, but they are very good. It is likely that the performance increase that they will experience from continuity would exceed (and be cheaper than) any gains you might get in the free agent market. O-line is expensive. Drafting O-line is always smart, and we always do it.

All O-lines have trouble against good teams. And QBs are often more responsible than the O-line for the sacks that they take. While Favre generally has excellent pocket presence, he did get himself hurt to some extent in the Dallas game with his insistence on throwing the deep ball. The line played quite well after he was knocked out.

ESK, you are the only one still holding out hope for BJ. A wasted pick of a below average third down back.
PaulNoonan | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 4:17 pm | #

screw you paul, screw you straight to hell. I love the BJ and I always will.
ESK | 12.19.07 - 4:56 pm | #

You know I'm talking about Brandon Jackson, right?
PaulNoonan | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:01 pm | #

ESK; as you should. You'll be right more often than not. And you won't embarrass yourself with statistical myopia. Look it up.

Paul; the guard play has improved. I would still like to see competition there and at all the positions i listed. That doesn't necessarily mean anyone gets replaced. I'm unconvinced there will be significant FA value in the offseason. Barring a surprise Rookie the Packers likely won't get better personnel except from skill development within.

Confession. I'm not ready to give up on Brandon Jackson. I'd like to see more of him in garbage time.
Eric | 12.19.07 - 5:14 pm | #

I agree with you Eric. Ya know what, the way I remember it the Red Sox never won the World Series and Ned Yost isn't the Brewers manager!

I love this system, who needs facts when you can just creatively remember stuff!
ESK | 12.20.07 - 7:47 am | #

Brandon Jackson will contribute next season. I believe you forget he is only 22 years old, a baby by pro football standards.
ESK | 12.20.07 - 7:48 am | #

Really ESK, Argumentum Ad Hominem isn't one of your strong suits.

When offensive line play was questioned you resorted to Sacks as the only statistic of merit. The mere mention of three other stats which are just as important threw you into a girlish hissy fit. But since you couldn't rationally discredit the argument you instead attack the character of your betters.

You lost. Be a Man about it and move on.
Eric | 12.20.07 - 5:10 pm | #

The think is, you didn't cite any stats, you just mentioned the idea of them. The only stats I have access to are sacks and sack percentage. If you'd like to show me that Favre is hurried/knocked down at a much higher rate than he is sacked I'd be very interested in your argument.
ESK | 12.20.07 - 6:50 pm | #

I highly doubt the Packers will be as good next season. Too many of their important pieces are old and will likely get worse. This includes-- Harris (on his last legs), Woodson, Clifton, Favre, Tauscher, and Driver. There are some potential replacements on the roster, but no one pushing these guys for playing time. The transitions at each position will likely be rough.

Plus, the impact FAs (like Assante Samuel) will be too rich for the team, unless Favre retires. And, as someone mentioned earlier, they're going to be drafting late as all hell.

Unless you have a healthy franchise QB in his prime, you can't expect to be competitive every year. Live in the now, fellow Packer fans.
Mr.Man | Homepage | 12.21.07 - 11:46 am | #

I am genuinely worried about Woodson, the rest, not so much. Especially not Driver. His role as go to guy has diminished over the season, and the other receivers are stepping up nicely.

He is still dependable to run great routes over the middle and get the first down. He'll be fantastic in this role for at least through next season.
ESK | 12.21.07 - 1:14 pm | #