Packers GM confident in roster as is

eagle13 · Post #1 » by **eagle13** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:02 pm

A sure bet: Packers GM confident in roster as is

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/41797307.html

"Despite coming off a 6-10 season and being in the midst of a major schematic change on defense, the Packers are not a team with a lot of glaring needs, Thompson said.

... since he's holding nine picks this year, including the ninth pick overall and four in the top 83, it would be logical to think he's expecting a couple of starters out of this class. But he's not even certain he needs to do that.
"I don't know that's a particular goal," Thompson said. "It would be nice. It kind of depends on what's there when it's our turn to pick. We're pretty solid in our starting lineup."
Rather than prepare for those loses by signing free agents, Thompson will utilize the draft to continue building with younger players. Over the last four years, he has signed just two players over the age of 28, mostly because, he said, younger players are more durable and less injury-prone."

Glaring needs = DE, OLB, backup NT.
potential obvious needs = do we have a solid RT or are both Gs solid? How is S if Bigby does not return.

Solid starting lineup? DL, OL, OLB, S

Young players are less injury prone? Harrell. 2nd rd pick WR - was it Murphy? Bigby. Blackmon until last year.

"...it would be logical to think he's expecting a couple of starters out of this class. But he's not even certain he needs to do that." No new starters from FA or draft? Whatever Ted.

Post #2 » by **Wade-A-Holic** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:12 pm

Didn't he also recently say that need may play into our selection at #9? That would indicate to me that he's looking for a starter somewhere.

LUKE23 · Post #3 » by **LUKE23** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:53 pm

I want Jolly and Poppinga's spots upgraded for sure. Otherwise, I feel pretty confident in the D.

On O, we could use an upgrade at RB, but Grant/Jackson is a decent combo. WR is set, QB is set. Need OL improvement. TE I think we're good, I like Lee and I think Finley has enormous potential.

So for our starters, I'd say 3 spots (one OL, DE, OLB) need upgrading for sure, RB could use upgrading.

eagle13 · Post #4 » by **eagle13** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:31 pm

Add Hodge & Wynn to list of our young players w/ injuries. Guess Ted didn't notice.

eagle13 · Post #5 » by **eagle13** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:35 pm

LUKE23 wrote:I want Jolly and Poppinga's spots upgraded for sure. Otherwise, I feel pretty confident in the D.

On O, we could use an upgrade at RB, but Grant/Jackson is a decent combo. WR is set, QB is set. Need OL improvement. TE I think we're good, I like Lee and I think Finley has enormous potential.

So for our starters, I'd say 3 spots (one OL, DE, OLB) need upgrading for sure, RB could use upgrading.

Could be right about RB. Hope Grant brings it this year.

BTW - IF we keep 2 FBs and just 3 RBs like last & most years - and suppose Grant & Jackson stick - who do you like more Wynn or Lumpkin and why?

Post #6 » by **Jollay** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:12 pm

In the article it says TT plans to be up against the cap after he retains our FAs in the next couple of years.

Well, if that actually happens, then I'm fine with not spending for a starter this offseason.