Lunatics Running the Asylum?

That’s how Andy over at Packer Geeks wants things done over at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

Andy’s proposal, prompted by a Packer Geek reader named Joe, is for Ted Thompson to sign UW Whitewater running back Justin Beaver, who had a try out with the Packers during this past weekends rookie orientation camp. The reason this needs to happen?

I really do think it would be a good PR/business move. Listen, a few months ago, Green Bay fans received the devastating news that Favre was calling it quits. Die-hard Packer fans, no matter how tough, are dealing with the emotional scars of seeing perhaps the most popular Packer ever, retire. While signing Justin Beaver won’t bring Favre back or heal Favre-retirement wounds, it might help infuse some extra excitement for the team at a time we could really use it.

It’s the last part that’s patently absurd. The team doesn’t need an infusion of ‘extra excitement’ but the fan base does, so let’s sign a guy that has about a 3 percent chance of making it through the first week of training camp. Andy goes on to address this very point, saying:

When I compare his obvious skills to someone like Noah Herron, I can’t help but think there is way more upside with someone like Beaver. I could understand NOT giving Beaver a shot if the backfield had other major talent besides Grant, but it doesn’t.

First of all, “major” talent? Perhaps not. But as I’ve said before, Brandon Jackson will surprise this season, and Vernand Morency should not be counted out, simply because of how adept he is in blitz-pick up. What Andy is missing is that signing Beaver is not just about the numbers at the running back position. Signing him takes a spot away from other positions where numbers are needed, positions that traditionally need much more depth, such as defensive back or defensive line (both positions where Thompson has already signed undrafted players to contracts.)

Look, I don’t want to start another dust up with my friends over at Packer Geeks (especially after Steve’s inspired Obama-Drinking-Pabst post) but Andy’s thinking here is seriously haywire for a man who claims to want to one day run the Packer organization.