The Looking Ahead Thread

[Bucksfans1and2]

I'm starting this thread because I think there are a bunch of topics about the future of this team that could be discussed in one thread rather than filling up every Pregame, postgame, and ATL thread.

Some questions that seem to come up quite a bit:

Greg Jennings upcoming contract, Jennings will be a free agent after this season. Is he a packer after this year, if so what's he going to cost and do you think it's a good idea to pay him that. If he isn't, what does his departure mean for this team.

Jermichael Finley: The guy got a prove it contract and so far is just proving he sucks. The man has talent, but the production needs to match the number if he's going to still be a Packer

NFL Draft, Needs, guys we like, TT's time to shine

What's going on at Center after this year, draft a guy, give EDS an opportunity, sign another stopgap in Free Agency??

The Running Game: why does it suck, what needs to be done to improve it, is it going to cost us at some point?

[Newz]

What I would do:

* Attempt to tag and trade Jennings
* Trade Finley
* Cut Driver
* Cut/Trade Hawk
* Cut/Trade Woodson
* Let Benson go

Trade up/down in the draft and primarily target players at the position in the following order assuming you can get in a draft spot to make them your BPA:

1. OT
2. MLB
3. C
4. RB
5. DT/NT
6. TE
7. WR

This should also generate some serious cap room. I'd extend Rodgers, Matthews and Raji. I'd also be looking into free agency and if a player you believe can come in and make a big time impact is available, I'd pull the trigger like we did with Woodson when he first came on board.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

What I would do:
* Attempt to tag and trade Jennings
* Trade Finley
* Cut Driver
* Cut/Trade Hawk
* Cut/Trade Woodson
* Let Benson go
Trade up/down in the draft and primarily target players at the position in the following order assuming you can get in a draft spot to make them your BPA:
1. OT
2. MLB
3. C
4. RB
5. DT/NT
6. TE
7. WR
This should also generate some serious cap room. I'd extend Rodgers, Matthews and Raji. I'd also be looking into free agency and if a player you believe can come in and make a big time impact is available, I'd pull the trigger like we did with Woodson when he first came on board.

I don't see the huge need to get rid of Hawk and Woodson. Woodson is intelligent enough to always be valuable and Hawk has played pretty good this year. I would try to restructure both of them. Both seem like they would rather be in GB at this point in their career and I don't feel either has huge value on the open market.
What is the status of Smiff/Bishop in regards to being available next year? Are these the type of injuries it takes 16 months to recover or will they be ready for preseason? I'm more than ok with Clay/Bishop/Smith/Perry and Hawk being the backup middle LB.

Finley- I think Finley will be worth his contract next year. If he just learns to catch the ball he will definitely exceed his contract. Don't see the reason to get rid of him.

1. OT/C
2. C/OT
3. WR
4. RB
5-7 BPA
If we lose Jennings, I would like to try getting another WR to keep fresh guys ready to step up. That being said, we should be ok with Jordy/Cobb/Jones/Boykin. Either way, I like having Finley there at least as a threat whether he is being productive or not.

ETA: Looking at the depth chart, I wouldn't be upset if TT did his shotgun philosophy again this year by going O-line first 3 rounds. It would be nice going into next year not worrying about Rodgers getting taken out and ending the season.

Any update on sherrod?

[RiotPunch]

My plan would look something like:

+ Use the franchise tag on Jennings, and trade him for a high second-- let's say the Jets.
+ Restructure Woodson's contract or cut him. He is not worth what he is slated to make.
+ Cut Driver. It's pretty clear he doesn't have enough left to crack our rotation, and every penny is precious.
+ Release Jermichael Finley. Sick of his attitude and not cashing the checks that mouth writes out. He drops everything, blames everyone but himself and doesn't have the willingness or necessary mental make-up to do what it takes to be great. No one will offer anything for Finley with that $8M owed to him, pretty sure he can be cut for like $1.5M (not sure on that).
+ Cut Saturday.
+ Make Shields and Dietrich-Smith priority re-signings.

Team Needs:
1. OT
2. TE
3. RB
4. WR
5. S
6. C

Prospects/Fits I Like:
OL - Chance Warmack, G, Alabama || Taylor Lewan, LT, Michigan || Eric Fisher, LT, Central Michigan || Barrett Jones, C/G/T, Alabama || Jonathan Cooper, G/C, North Carolina
TE - Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame || C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa || Joseph Fauria, UCLA || D.C. Williams, Rutgers
RB - Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina || Andre Ellington, Clemson || Mike Gillislee, Florida || Knile Davis, Arkansas || Silas Redd, USC
WR - Justin Hunter, Tennessee || Terrance Williams, Baylor || Aaron Dobson, Marshall || Quinton Patton, Louisiana-Tech || Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee-Tech || Kenny Stills, Oklahoma
S - Kenny Vaccaro, CB/S, Texas (Woodson replacement?) || Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma || TJ McDonald, USC
C - Barrett Jones, Alabama || Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina || Mario Benavides, Louisville || Travis Frederick, Wisconsin

Quick Mock:
1 - Taylor Lewan, LT, Michigan
2 (GJ Trade) - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
2 - Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall
3 - C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa (Gronk-like skill-set if he puts it together)
4 - Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida
4 (Flynn Comp) - Mario Benavides, C, Louisville
5 - Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn
6 - Cory Grissom, DT, South Florida
7 - Caleb Sturgis, K, Florida

We reload and save the necessary coin to extend Aaron, Clay and Raji

[ReasonablySober]

We still can't rush the passer, generate movement in runblocking and protecting Rodgers is iffy on a game by game basis.

Fix those three things, everything else is window dressing IMO.

[BUCKnation]

My top draft priorities would be a top MLB, overall OL help especially at C, along with a RB, WR, and TE (if we dump Finley and Jennings). Throw in the normally secondary targets like a S and DL players and that is your draft.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm sick of drafting guys in round one who may be marginally better than a 7th round pick or street free agent. So for god's sake how about landing a difference maker, regardless of position?

[Run-MKE 311]

I would let Jennings walk if you cannot get him on proper terms. Cobb is going to be a star in this league, Rodgers literally gushes over the guy each chance he gets.

In keeping with this first point, do whatever it takes to financially secure Clay and A-Rod, no exceptions here when you have the offensive and defensive MVP's of the league.

Let J-Mikes contract run out after next season and wave bye, he has had his chances. I have supported him, but I see no change in his performance or attitude and his agent may be the biggest tool in the twitter universe (thats saying something).

C-wood is done after this year which is fine, take that horse out to pasture. I really like what we are seeing with the young defensive backfield.

The O-line is still a mess, but I will let someone with far better football IQ to elaborate on that point. Pretty tired of the zone blocking scheme though.

[RiotPunch]

I don't see the need for an ILB. Bishop is a great one, Hawk has shown great improvement, Smiff was starting to really figure it out, Terrell Manning will hopefully pan out and Francois is an adequate backup as well.

I agree with both of your comments, DB. I have faith, though, that Perry/Worthy/Neal/Daniels will improve as pass rushers with time. We might have a shot at a truly elite pass pro LT prospect in round 1 this year in Taylor Lewan and Eric Fisher-- if one of them is available I think you have to take him. Sherrod could still turn into a nice lineman, but take the better bet to keep Aaron upright.

I also really think the center gig is EDS's to lose, he'll get the first crack at it and will do well in my opinion. As far as a playermaker/difference maker goes, Kenny Vaccaro is my guy.

[Newz]

If we had a chance at a good LT in this years draft I would definitely take him. Even if Sherrod panned out and turned into a good player, you could still run:

LT: 2012 Pick
LG: Bulaga
C: ?
RG: Sitton
RT: Sherrod

[RiotPunch]

Some scouts viewed Sherrod as a guard prospect coming out as well, but yeah I'd be okay with that. Any chance Lang could slide over to center?

[James1980]

I think center is a bigger need than tackle.

Newhouse/Sherrod
Lang
?
Sitton
Bulaga

[ReasonablySober]

I think center is a bigger need than tackle.

Newhouse/Sherrod
Lang
?
Sitton
Bulaga

Agreed. Saturday has been a **** abortion.

[RiotPunch]

Saturday has been looking a lot better as of late, but I think this will be his last year in the league. Evan "Sweat Pants" Dietrich-Smith could be our guy at center-- but I wouldn't be mad about grabbing Barrett Jones either.

[LUKE23]

We've been good rushing the passer this year. We're 3rd in sacks percentage in the league (8.6%) against a strong schedule, although that statistic doesn't measure against when you're blitzing vs. when you're only rushing minimal guys. I think if we could just stay healthy on defense, we'll see a pretty nice pass rush moving forward. Perry will develop, we're currently missing our best ILB blitzer in Bishop, and I still believe Neal, Daniels and Worthy will be good rush ends. To me, we have a ton of talent to develop overall on D right now. I think the bigger concern is rushing D and for that we need Raji healthy and to have Smith and Bishop in the middle on D. That would solve a lot of it.

Hawk sucks. Like REALLY sucks.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I'm sick of drafting guys in round one who may be marginally better than a 7th round pick or street free agent. So for god's sake how about landing a difference maker, regardless of position?

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm.
Rodgers
Hawk
Harrell
Raji
Matthews
Bulaga
Sherrod
Perry
Really don't know who you are talking about besides Harrell?

[Turk Nowitzki]

Agreed. Saturday has been a **** abortion.

He has?

I'm not necessarily disagreeing, I just haven't noticed him doing anything significantly worse than any of the other lineman.

[ReasonablySober]

I see him getting his ass kicked virtually every game.

And MCOTR, Sherrod and Perry have yet to distinguish themselves, but it's early and injuries have been an obvious factor.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I see him getting his ass kicked virtually every game.

And MCOTR, Sherrod and Perry have yet to distinguish themselves, but it's early and injuries have been an obvious factor.

So the default is that they are barely better than a UDFA/7th Round pick?
I think Perry/Sherrod have both shown enough they aren't busts and solid starters unless injuries derail their career, which at that point I don't understand your position phobia since injuries could've derailed a guy even if was BPA.

I don't see how you can have a view-point on those 2 besides ignoring them since they are to be determined. I think our line would be so much better with Sherrod with moving either Lang or Newhouse out of the lineup.

ETA: Perry and Sherrod both were starters as rookies, so unless you think most 7th round picks and UDFAs start at key positions as rookies, I think they are more than marginally better than that.

[ReasonablySober]

Sherrod has yet to start.