03-14-2019, 04:02 PM
From 2009 through 2016, the Packers had the best quarterback in the NFC—if not the whole NFL—and a permanent Do Not Disturb sign on their hotel room door during free agency.
The Packers won a Super Bowl early in that era. They went 15-1 and 12-4 in other seasons. Aaron Rodgers won MVP awards. Former general manager and free-agency conscientious objector Ted Thompson plucked some plums in the late rounds of the draft and from other team's practice squads to keep the Packers in the playoffs year after year. Those were some good times.
But as the years wore on and Super Bowl seasons became 10-6, road-playoff-loss seasons, it became clear that the Packers squandered some championship opportunities by going ice fishing every year instead of manning the phones during the free-agency period. And when Rodgers got hurt in 2017, it became obvious just how little talent was left on the roster.
The Packers won a Super Bowl early in that era. They went 15-1 and 12-4 in other seasons. Aaron Rodgers won MVP awards. Former general manager and free-agency conscientious objector Ted Thompson plucked some plums in the late rounds of the draft and from other team's practice squads to keep the Packers in the playoffs year after year. Those were some good times.
But as the years wore on and Super Bowl seasons became 10-6, road-playoff-loss seasons, it became clear that the Packers squandered some championship opportunities by going ice fishing every year instead of manning the phones during the free-agency period. And when Rodgers got hurt in 2017, it became obvious just how little talent was left on the roster.
The Packers now have a relatively new general manager (Brian Gutekunst, in his second year) a new head coach (someone named Matt LaFleur) and a radical new free-agency philosophy: actually participating in free agency.
In the 48-hour "tampering period" which marks the de facto start of NFL free agency, the Packers have signed more significant free agents than they signed in the last seven years of Thompson's tenure combined:
The moves also make good football sense: Two edge-rushers (who are also sturdy run defenders) can have much more impact than one, Amos fills a need at a reasonable price, and Turner provides veteran insurance against the $134 million quarterback getting creamed.
In the 48-hour "tampering period" which marks the de facto start of NFL free agency, the Packers have signed more significant free agents than they signed in the last seven years of Thompson's tenure combined:
- Former Ravens edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith: 26 years old, 8.5 sacks last season, four years and a reported $66 million
- Former Redskins edge-rusher Preston Smith: 26, 4.0 sacks last season, 8.0 sacks in 2017, four years and $52 million
- Former Bears safety Adrian Amos: 25, versatile enough to play a variety of roles in the secondary, four years and $37 million
- Former Broncos offensive lineman Billy Turner: 27, a multi-position sub, four years and $28 million
The moves also make good football sense: Two edge-rushers (who are also sturdy run defenders) can have much more impact than one, Amos fills a need at a reasonable price, and Turner provides veteran insurance against the $134 million quarterback getting creamed.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2825...ce=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial
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