RealGM

I know, I know, lets enjoy this one and I agree. My brain is always thinking about personnel stuff though, so thought I'd throw this thread up there.

Here are our 2011 FA's:

Brandon Jackson
Korey Hall
James Jones
Jason Spitz
Daryn Colledge
Cullen Jenkins
Atari Bigby
Mason Crosby

I'm not sure on Walden and Green, so someone will have to fill me in on those two.

The only guy I'd really like to lock up is Jenkins, but he'll also be coveted by other teams, so it will depend on what he gets offered. We do have Neal coming back off injury, and Jolly coming back in a contract year. Never can have too much DL talent though. I'd also like to bring Green back because that guy is a great run stuffer, and gives us insurance in case of injury. Lots of DL competition next year.

Regarding James Jones, he's a tough one to call. I'd let the market dictate him, but wouldn't call him a must re-sign. Lots of talent but the drops may never leave him. I think we could maybe get a WR in the draft to take his place. Nelson is the better player at this point, IMO.

What to do with Barnett is another issue. Personally, I'd trade him if we can get any kind of decent pick. Then try and re-structure Hawk. Hawk/Bishop is our best ILB duo, and I also don't believe Barnett will take coming off the bench well.

Overall, I'd say starting positions on lockdown barring something really odd happening are:

QB: Rodgers
WR1: Jennings
WR2: Driver
TE: Finley
RB: Starks (maybe can argue Grant)
RG: Sitton
RT: Bulaga
C: Wells (probably can debate this one)
LT: Clifton (same, but would depend on draft)

NT: Raji
DE: Pickett
OLB: Matthews
ILB: Bishop
ILB: Hawk
FS: Collins
DB1: Williams
DB2: Woodson

That is 17 spots I have as pretty much locked in, a few can be debated. I'd say OL help is a clear need regardless, both in talent and depth, doubt we give any kind of significant money to either Spitz or Colledge. Walden and Zombo filled in very nice at ROLB, but could use an upgrade there for sure. Also want to add some secondary depth behind Shields.

Packers have nine overall picks I believe, but someone can correct me on that if I'm wrong. This roster, assuming it can get some health, should have very few if any holes heading into next year.

Aside from the picture Fitz took with Jennings and Jennings' father last night (as if he was part of the damn team ) Fitz also had these tweets:

#FF my good friend & new to twitter, @GregJennings who I want to see have the game of his life on sunday!

Last night I thought my boy Aaron Rodgers had broken curfew.But it was his brother @theLukeRodgers lol http://twitpic.com/3whyri

I see you @GregJennings !!!!!

And another one (Biggie voice) @GregJennings

Proud of my boy @GregJennings in how he played tonight! Congrats to GB on becoming world champs

@NickBarnett congrats to you and the rest of your team bro

As we'vwe learned this season having depth is huge. But I agree, Barnett would not take to being a backup. If Hawk is resigned then Barnett has to go. I'd keep Crosby, he's not elite but I don't want to go through trying to find someone off the street. There is a reason kickers are available, they are rarely any good. I'd being back Jones on a reasonable deal. Who knows what Driver will be like next year. Now if we can get a guy like Fitzgerald (1% change), that would be great. But we need to give AR as many weapons as we can. Finley back is huge. Jenkins is tough. TT usually has his guys resigned before they hit free agency. Otherwise he just lets them go. Corey WIlliams was tagged. And then traded. I don't know if Jenkins is worth tagging.

I disagree that Driver is locked in at #2. I could see him down to as low as #4 behind Jordy and Jones.

I agree on Crosby, I'd bring him back.

I'm not that optimistic about keeping Jenkins at the moment. I love the guy though and would be sad to see him go. But between Green, Jolly, Raji, Pickett, Neal, Wilson, and maybe another guy added in the draft (deep DL draft) we do have enough talent there to not really miss a beat. Jolly in a contract year will hopefully be big.

The RB battle should be interesting next year as well between Grant and Starks. I think Starks is the better prospect and is better at catching the ball. My money is on him being the lead back.

Bucksfans1and2 wrote:I disagree that Driver is locked in at #2. I could see him down to as low as #4 behind Jordy and Jones.

Maybe. I think the #2 WR is already on the roster regardless though. I'll be surprised if we add a WR in the draft or FA that fills that spot.

Would love to have Jenkins back. Hell, I'd like to have everyone back. Market is going to dictate who returns, though.

One thing to consider is that under the old CBA, Jones, Hall, Jackson, etc. would be restricted free agents. It's possible that we see the same agreement in the new CBA.

I think Driver retires.

DrugBust wrote:Would love to have Jenkins back. Hell, I'd like to have everyone back. Market is going to dictate who returns, though.

One thing to consider is that under the old CBA, Jones, Hall, Jackson, etc. would be restricted free agents. It's possible that we see the same agreement in the new CBA.

It would be nice if it was for Jones. I like his talent, but his hands scare me. I'd like to kind of let the market feel him out.

DrugBust wrote:I think Driver retires.

I don't see him retiring with a team that has a chance to be really really good for the few years. He'll be back for another crack at it.

DD just turned 36 but he's only 385 yards away from 10,000. I think he comes back to get that and because this team should be contending for a superb owl next year as well.

Given Jordicai and (especially) James Jones inability to catch the ball, I can see why Driver seems to be somewhat of a security blanket for Rodgers with finley out and Jennings getting double covered.

What to do with mister dropsies. Man oh man do I not care for James Jones. He is almost as arrogant as his hands are bad, but the same was said about Brandon Lloyd. Like Luke said, I think the market will set his value, and it won't be much. I think he can be had for low money but I'm honestly lukewarm on even wanting to bring him back... Rilaman posted something after the huge drop in the falcon game by jones "what if he does this in the super bowl" well, it almost cost us. Ted seems to be pretty adept at finding good WRs in the draft, I'm all about drafting one and think this team could suffice with Jennings, Jordy, Driver, Rookie, Finley, Quarless as pass catching threats.

Also, I don't think Swain is as bad as his play might have suggested last night on the offensive end. That being said, he showed his true value on special teams. For the life of me I don't know why he can't run back kicks/punts, but hopefully rookie wr #4 can handle return duties for us.

I'm all in for Cullen Jenkins. Bring him back.

Colledge has surprisingly grown on me, and I think I'd like to see him back. Spitz is replaceable and I don't think he is brought back.

Driver will be back and he will be healthy next year.

DD is still a 1,000 yard receiver. I just hope this year was just an exception with the injuries to him like 2003.

Let's go get Scrabble and Fitz and go to work.

Starkiller wrote:Let's go get Scrabble and Fitz and go to work.

Oh, that's it?

DrugBust wrote:I think Driver retires.

I doubt it.

Also, I don't even think letting Crosby go is a possibility. He might not be in the top tier of kickers but there's no way we're getting anybody better this offseason.

I wish that they could still fire Slocum. They win the Superbowl in spite of Slocum, not because of him. If Ted really wants to improve his team, he would dump that bum.

Balls2TheWalls wrote:I wish that they could still fire Slocum. They win the Superbowl in spite of Slocum, not because of him. If Ted really wants to improve his team, he would dump that bum.

This so much. It's not even a matter of not having a returner, as I swear that our kick-off returners always have the opposition baring down on them by like the 15yd line.

I'm so not even ready to think about the off season.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS BITCHES

DrugBust wrote:I think Driver retires.

Really? That would suck. From interviews earlier in the season it seemed like he wasn't even considering it.

Marley2Hendrix wrote:

Balls2TheWalls wrote:I wish that they could still fire Slocum. They win the Superbowl in spite of Slocum, not because of him. If Ted really wants to improve his team, he would dump that bum.

This so much. It's not even a matter of not having a returner, as I swear that our kick-off returners always have the opposition baring down on them by like the 15yd line.

This is the first thing I wanted to bring up as well for the offseason - get rid of Slocum, right after the parade. Along those lines, we absolutely need a dedicated return man, FA or Draft pick that would slide in the #4 WR role (depending on what happens with Driver/Jones).