Interesting that I actually drafted the following post over a week ago.
“I realize it’s a bit early for this sort of post, but I think the Packers should take a careful look at the NYG’s DE Osi Umenyiora after the season ends. While Umenyiora will technically be under contract next year yet, he had been looking for a new contract or to be traded earlier this year – and if a new contract is not figured out (which looks unlikely at the moment), it is likely he’ll be traded. The Pack should get in on this. He could really help balance out the lack of pass rush and overall lack of activity on the ride side of our defense. He’ll be expensive, but by not re-signing Finley and letting Flynn go – and perhaps clearing off cap space in other ways, we could make room for a player like Umenyiora. While his injury history is a bit concerning (he missed 4 games this year), in 2011 he finished with 9 sacks and 2 forced fumbles (and of course a monster sack/forced fumble yesterday against the Pack). These aren’t bad stats considering he missed time due to injury. In 2010, he had 11.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles – 10 FORCED FUMBLES. That is astonishing.
Make a splash TT and go after someone who can play. We’ll need to focus on defense this offseason through the draft and free agency. Read here for more on Umenyiora.
packergeeks 
January 16, 2012 at 1:16 pm |
Intriguing, but it will never happen Andy. TT will draft BPA…which means wide receivers and tight ends.
January 16, 2012 at 8:32 pm |
That’s really not fair. Last year, they drafted one WR (Cobb, who certainly turned out OK), and a couple of TEs in the 5th and 7th round.
Last year, they drafted one TE (Quarless), and no WR/TEs in 2009. In 2008, they drafted Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley.
I don’t think there’s much room to complain about using a couple picks for wide outs, considering who they’ve gotten in the past.
January 17, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Hey Dave,
My WR/TE comment was a bit tongue in cheek. There have been exceptions. My main point was TT will stay the course and draft best player available and not get sucked in to drafting for need; unless the need and the BPA line up. It seems the only reason TT picked up free agents in the past (Woodson, Pickett) were early in his tenure in Green Bay and he needed to upgrade the talent base quickly.
January 17, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Sorry, Scott. My sense of humor is kinda bruised right now 😦
January 16, 2012 at 3:58 pm |
Ok – what do you suggest TT give up in a trade for 4-3 defensive end with a long injury history with one year left on his contract? Do you play him as a DE or OLB in the 3-4?
January 16, 2012 at 4:22 pm |
Actually, outside of missing a few games this year and all of 2008 – Umenyiora has been a reasonably reliable player (played in all 16 games in 6 of his 10 seasons). With Capers’ schemes anyway, it doesn’t really matter if we’re in a 3-4 of 4-3 – I’d just make sure he is in a position to rush the passer. I think he’d be fine in a 3-4 as the ROLB rushing the QB a fair amount. I think his age and his injury this year will drop the price on him some – but I think we could consider offering our late first round pick or a 2nd round pick. I think he’s that good and I think we could expect to get a good 3 years out of him. TT will never do it, but I think we need to make a Julius Peppers-like splash on someone who can rush the passer (if not on Umenyiora, then someone else).
January 18, 2012 at 8:20 am |
i don’t see osi dropping into coverage, and i don’t see him eating up blockers so speedy linebackers can run by him for the sack.
it’s why kampman left, and it’s why osi wouldn’t work.
January 18, 2012 at 9:18 am |
Yeah, a first or second round pick for a guy that might not fit the system doesn’t seem likely or sensible. I do like the premise though that TT should make a move to get a impact player opposite Matthews. I’d rather use the first round pick on a guy like that then trade it for older 4-3 DE with an injury history who is going to require a BIG contract. (remember Osi held out until right before the season because he didn’t get a new deal)
Packer needs:
– ROLB
– CB you can never enough CB’s in the pipeline and if Woodson has to move to S then you definitely need a better 3rd CB.
– C need to resign Wells or find replacement
– DE – Need better here but Neil may surprise if healthy
– S if Collins doesn’t come back
– TE Finley and Quarless are question marks.
– OL – you never pass up a starting caliber OL in the draft. Never.
All this talk about Driver leaving. Is it me or is he the only WR that showed up to play last weekend? I know he has a big cap number and only plays about half the snaps on offense but I just get the sense that he wants to stay and the Packers want to keep him. He’ll take a pay cut and stay and more then make it back with endorsements in WI that he wouldn’t get with his new team.
January 18, 2012 at 1:16 pm |
Or….this:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/137580733.html
January 18, 2012 at 2:00 pm |
interesting davek. he was pretty good for the eagles this past year so I think he’d probably be decent again for us next year.
January 18, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Why let him hit FA? The Packers could trade for his contract. 4th round pick? If the Eagles are going to cut him anyways they might jump at getting that kind of compensation.