Packers Interested in Another Veteran Center?
The Packers reportedly have an interest in free-agent center Jason Brown, who was released by the St. Louis Rams after the 2011 season.
By Zach Kruse
The Green Bay Packers signed veteran center Jeff Saturday shortly after long-term starter Scott Wells bolted to St. Louis in free agency, but it appears as if the team still has an interest in re-stocking the position by any means necessary.
According to Jason La Canfora of NFL.com, the Packers remain on the radar for former Rams and current free-agent center Jason Brown.
Free agent G/C Jason Brown mulling options. Visited CAR and SF; BAL, GB, TENN also interested. BAL made a conservative 1yr offer
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 13, 2012
The 28-year-old center was released by the Rams after starting 46 of the last 48 games in St. Louis. Brown was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, eventually making 45 starts over four years.
After emerging as a solid player in St. Louis, the Rams gave Brown a five-year, $37.5 million deal in 2009. Just two years into that deal, St. Louis was ready to show Brown the door, saving almost $3 million in cap room in the process for next season. It was likely an easy decision, as Brown was replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Tony Wragge towards the end of the 2011 season.
The interest from other teams makes it seem unlikely that Green Bay would get serious about signing Brown, especially after the miserable run he's suffered through the last two years.
According to Pro Football Focus, Brown ranked as the No. 22 overall center over 584 snaps last season. But that eclipsed his 32nd ranked finish to the 2010 season, in which Brown was one of the worst run-blocking centers PFF has ever graded in five seasons.
While Brown likely won't land in Green Bay, the team's continued interest in players at the position further suggests GM Ted Thompson will use a pick or two on the interior offensive line in a couple of weeks at the NFL draft.
Comments (39)
April 13, 2012 at 06:50 pm
Ted is looking for a deal
April 16, 2012 at 05:48 am
Or Brown's agent is looking for a deal and hyping up interest in his client.
My guess is the Packers have told Brown that if all else fails, they'll take him. Or their interest is from prior to signing Saturday.
April 13, 2012 at 07:53 pm
2010 -- Year of the Fullbacks
2011 -- Year of the TightEnds
2012 -- Year of the Centers
I don't get this.
I thought they had some faith in Genus.
We don't need platoons of players at the most useless of positions -- why not 3 or 4 long snappers?
What we need are dLinemen. Have we learned nothing from the last two losses to the Giants?
Zach Kruse
April 13, 2012 at 07:55 pm
I wouldn't get too worked up. I'm guessing the Packers are low on the list for Brown
April 13, 2012 at 09:27 pm
I'm sorry.
It's just been stressful.
Record setting defense.
One and done (or is it none and done?)
13 more days...
April 14, 2012 at 07:39 pm
Useless of positions? C is the most important position on the line...at least according to Mike McCarthy.
You want a useless position---try 5-tech DE. There aren't more than a handful of players in the NFL worth much at that position and you can draft the Neal's and Harrell's every year it won't make a difference.
Don't believe me? Check GB's drafting record of DLinemen the past 20 years.
April 13, 2012 at 08:34 pm
Another innocuous post, another overreaction. What is there not to get about trying to cost-effectively upgrade the roster top to bottom?
This same guy will be crying a river if Saturday gets hurt and Genus is our only fall back.
And last I checked, 'the year of the FB' was also the year of the 4th SB. Let the FO do the thinking...you stick to the watching.
April 13, 2012 at 09:54 pm
That's right! No opinions for anyone, damn it!
Here's what everyone should post after reading any article about Packer football...
"I am not as good at playing football, coaching football, or acquiring good football players as the Green Bay Packer's players, coaches, and front office people are so I am not qualified to have an opinion on this matter. If I mistakenly post a response that might in any way be considered disparaging or uncomplimentary of the Green Bay Packers I understand that it is the obligation of posters much more knowledgable than I to reprimand, chastise, and/or berate me."
April 13, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Content, rebuttal free projection at its finest.
April 14, 2012 at 10:52 am
Content, rebuttal free projection REPLY at its finest.
April 13, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Shea McClellin
April 14, 2012 at 02:36 am
Cow, pkrNboro just stole your "best comment of the week" award
April 14, 2012 at 06:20 am
damn.
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shea mcclellin
April 14, 2012 at 10:11 am
Now that kind of thinking I can dig.
April 13, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Take a stand packer fans, no one watch the openning game .NFL can't snub the packers like that just cause jerry sorryass Jones crying he want to start the season!
April 13, 2012 at 10:44 pm
^^ Enabler
April 13, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Football isn't 'rocket science'. Although fans have much less information to work with, it's still not impossible for a fan to make insightful observations regarding the state of his football team.
"Just watch, don't think." ?? ---- Try it yourself first.
April 14, 2012 at 10:10 am
Not impossible for most, fans, but any, fan, that can be thrown into a panic over interest in a backup C, when we have no true backup C, should, for their own health and sanity, not to mention those who unknowingly fall upon stated state of panic, should in fact, refrain, from thinking.
April 14, 2012 at 11:15 am
Jamie,
Your comments seem a little pedantic and stilted and don't allow for any humor or wit.
Panic? a little strong.
I am concerned that the Packers are stock-piling players of limited utility. National sportswriters and other fans have felt the same way over the years.
Not sure of the definition of "true backup center", but I believe EDS qualifies: he's been a Packer for several years and knows the offense, and is the same size as Wells. However, I think EDS is a little light to be a backup guard as his play has been a little spotty in that regard.
Additionally, others have mentioned that Genus is well-regarded by the Packers, perhaps as evidenced by his re-signing in January. Genus has played center since he was 7, with the exception of his freshman year in college.
In addition to Saturday, we have EDS and Genus. So, IMHO I think we've got the center position covered. I think Rodriguez will develop at guard.
In short, let's focus on the defense -- where holes abound.
In closing, please feel free to argue until the reply button goes away...
Regards,
pNb
April 14, 2012 at 09:28 pm
A person may, might, in fact, come to the conclusion, based upon, supposed, continued interest in Brown, that despite your self-appointed, in-depth, knowledge of personnel valuation, and, of course, evaluation, the actual Packers FO personnel charged with, and duly learned, experienced, and thus salaried, as such, in the art of NFL team building, do not, in fact, consider Dietrich-Smith or Genus, despite his lengthy tenure at the position, as much as the indisputable fact that he has played C since the age of 7, 'with the exception of his freshman year in college', is meaningful to this discussion, as viable replacements should the newly acquired 36 year old C, who has indicated the likelihood that he may only play one year, 1) in fact, retire after one season, 2) hit the wall physically as older players tend to do, or 3) injure himself before or during the season, and/or do not wish to back themselves into a, proverbial, corner during the 2012 NFL draft, perhaps to allow more freedom to select a similarly rated defensive player, if available, and not require the selection of a 2012 draft eligible C, and though I find that I may be, rambling, I venture to pose one question, which is, do you, perhaps, have inside information, that the Packers, supposed, continued interest in Brown, does, in fact, preclude the Packers from all work related to an acceptable level, by your standards, of course, of 'focus on the defense', by which you appear to be in a utter state of frenzied consternation? Do tell.
April 14, 2012 at 09:31 pm
I really doubt the Packers will offer anything more than a 1 year deal, vet. minimum or very close to it.
And they better be focusing on all areas of the team, not just defense, if they intend to be competitive beyond 2012.
April 15, 2012 at 12:30 pm
I read the first couple sentences of Jamies novel but then my brain interrupted saying "blah blah blah". My brain can't handle reading "crap" written for the sole purpose of being written. Maybe I am too primitive but then again football is not an "intelligent" mans game.
April 14, 2012 at 06:24 am
I prefer "athletic supporter" thankyouverymuch.
April 14, 2012 at 06:51 am
Jamie has the right idea. If TT can add a veteran player with starting experience to the Packers roster, where they'll be used as a backup and cost less than or around a million/year, I'm all for it.
April 14, 2012 at 09:50 am
Does anyone know when the Packers were interested in Brown? I heard reports right after he was released that the Packers were interested, but maybe they lost interest in Brown after they signed Saturday and La Canfora is just listing teams that have shown interest at some point.
April 14, 2012 at 10:34 am
Rational and valid at the same time. We have a winner folks!!
April 14, 2012 at 11:11 am
Perhaps La Canfora has another job as a pager."Calling MR Brown,teams calling for Mr.Brown"
April 14, 2012 at 10:44 pm
WTF Youguys?? EDS should be a fine backup at center, we have every reason to think so. So much digression on this blog. Is this Packer Blog degenerating? If I may ask . . .WTF has CHTV turned into?? I used to be enlightened here.
April 15, 2012 at 09:18 am
I blame it on sheer boredom.
April 15, 2012 at 10:11 am
I miss Prince Fielder, too.
April 15, 2012 at 11:23 am
If you have any reason to believe EDS should be a fine backup at center, please enlighten US.
Remember, EDS didn't make it past the final cut last season. He was only required because we needed a warm body.
April 15, 2012 at 12:09 pm
What is also being overlooked, by the myopic crowd, is what happens in 2013 should Saturday retire?
Brown is a possible 'one in the hand' option as opposed to the 'two in the bush' crapshoot of the draft. If TT can fill the backup C spot prior to the draft, he can then stick closer to his value board, as opposed to feeling forced to reach for a need in an effort to find a predecessor.
Should Brown not find a starting spot on the open market, than GB may be his best option. Brown spends a year learning our system and behind the best C of the last decade, and maybe a quality C falls to us in the draft and we have both birds 'in hand'. You then have roster choices to make, but that's a much better option than being relegated to EDS or Genus...I can promise you that!!
THAT'S how you take care of the NOW and the FUTURE.
April 15, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Myopic crowd ???
If you have any reason to believe that Saturday will retire after 2012, please enlighten us. He signed a 2-year contract & has been basically healthy his entire career.
Just once, try supporting your point of view without making up stuff, please.
April 15, 2012 at 01:45 pm
Ummm...maybe because Saturday said he'll play at least a year and will re-assess thereafter. Not to mention, if you think the length of a contract has any bearing whatsoever on when a player retires, being myopic MAY not be your only issue.
But please, don't let me stop you from adding relevant facts or even opinions on the actual subject of the Packers, supposed, continued interest in Brown.
April 15, 2012 at 02:27 pm
Spin it anyway you like, there's nothing anywhere that says Saturday signed a 2-year contract but will only play one year. All players by the age of 36 talk about retirement possibilities.
BTW, Brown will not wear G&G.
April 15, 2012 at 02:35 pm
So we can both agree that you've added nothing of substance to this post. At least we have that...
BTW, if in fact TT does have a continued interest in Brown, it's for a good reason, and thus, if Brown is not a Packer, indications, again, if there is actual, supposed, continued interest, it will likely be by his choosing, which thus makes your proclamation meaningless.
April 15, 2012 at 02:54 pm
You can attempt to insult me all you wish. However, you're really not worth my time or effort. You may want to plead your case with someone else or even some other place. Sorry.
April 15, 2012 at 03:19 pm
"Brown ranked as the No. 22 overall center over 584 snaps last season. But that eclipsed his 32nd ranked finish to the 2010 season"
Pass.
April 16, 2012 at 02:47 am
Guys, seriously, we must be really be bored. An unconfirmed report that the packers are interested in a player has us all up in arms? Do you know how many people we have been listed as interested in this off season? Enough to fill the 90 man roster like 5 times over.
Repeat after me.. Reporters speculating on twitter are not always right...
On a serious note I bet we were interested up till we signed Saturday.