Packers Question of the day - Free Agents?
We all know it's scarce that the Packers invest in a big-name free agent. Jared Cook wouldn't necessarily fall under that category, thus, negating him from that portion. However, Julius Peppers, signed in 2014, sure would.
There's some big names on the market. If you could bring in any one of them, whether it be the recently released Sio Moore or Antonio Cromartie, who would it be to help bolster the Packers' roster in positions of need?
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (32)
Tundraboy
October 05, 2016 at 09:24 am
Cromartie.
KenEllis
October 05, 2016 at 09:30 am
Rather than wasting time on a meaningless exercise -- the thought of the Packers actually picking up a veteran that could assist them in returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 6 years, why not ask a more thought provoking question?
Why do teams like Denver, NE, and Seattle (all of which have been to the Super Bowl multiple times since GB's last appearance) sign veterans to their rosters -- even during the season (CJ Spiller being the latest example), while GB does not?
lebowski
October 05, 2016 at 09:32 am
It has a name, and it's name is Ted
ZacharyJacobson
October 05, 2016 at 09:26 pm
My questions are intended to provoke thoughts and conversation. Instead of nitpicking it, just answer it.
lebowski
October 05, 2016 at 09:31 am
I agree, Cromartie. A little experience in our D backfield could go along way. Youngsters every where you look, Burnett seems to miss more time each season and I think we're all concerned about Shields' health.
dobber
October 05, 2016 at 09:59 am
Can someone look up the PFF rating for Cromartie so far this season? He's been absolutely flammable in the little bit I've seen of him. While I understand the notion of veteran leadership, I don't see him elevating the play of our corners. If you're going to get torched, you might as well get torched on guys who have a chance to learn and develop from it. Not on a rental who looks like he's lost a lot.
If TT DID take a shot on someone off the street like this, it would signal that Shields likely is done and that they don't have faith in their depth at CB.
TKWorldWide
October 06, 2016 at 07:56 am
GB has a pro scouting dept. I'm sure they have evals on all these guys. If they deem them to be not worthwhile that's good enough for me. Sure, I've heard of Cromartie and I know that at least he USED TO BE good, but that's all I've got, since I don't have a scouting department.
Bearmeat
October 05, 2016 at 09:53 am
This isn't going to happen. But yeah, I'd take a flyer on a vet back there. Ted will only sign someone if there's another serious injury.
Randall's responses to reporters questions were... um... not good...
RCPackerFan
October 05, 2016 at 09:53 am
I thought one free agent could have really helped the team and that was CJ Spiller.
The biggest reason is because he would provide something different from the rest of the RB's.
Also, Starks has not done a whole lot yet either.
I haven't seen him play but what is the story on Justin Forsett?
He could possibly be a guy that could be a good rotational player at RB.
dobber
October 05, 2016 at 09:56 am
Forsett asked for his release from the Ravens. I never take that as a good sign.
L
October 06, 2016 at 03:51 pm
T.Montgomery is the guy I hope the Packers are preparing to be a hybrid 3rd down back/slot receiver with most of his playing time being spent in the backfield. Dude's over 6' tall and weighs around 220 lbs with recorded body fat between 4-10% so he's got the size and muscle mass to be a competent pass blocker and obviously the hands to be an excellent receiving threat out of the backfield; not to mention, he's also a pretty explosive athlete (SPARQ-x rating of 116.8 which is in the 81st percentile of receivers and approximately 61st percentile for running backs).
CJ.Spiller is not worth a roster spot unless Lacy or Starks were injured. The only reason he's on the Seahawks is because of the injuries to CJ.Prossie and T.Rawls. Once those two are healthy Spiller will be expendable, but perhaps he'll get hurt before then and the Seahawks will have to look for someone else to fill in temporarily.
Same situation for J.Forsett. Only reason to sign him to the team is if Lacy or Starks got hurt. It's not as if either Spiller or Forsett provide anything on special teams, so they'd simply be bench warmers game-in and game-out until an injury occurred.
RCPackerFan
October 05, 2016 at 03:12 pm
I hope Montgomery is that guy. I hope they keep using him as a RB/WR. Though I prefer him as a receiving option as a RB then a runner. He is a guy I would love to see get matched up against LB's and Safety's. It would be a mismatch.
I'm not sure I trust him to protect Rodgers though.
dobber
October 05, 2016 at 03:21 pm
But that's just it: if Montgomery or Cobb is lining up in the backfield, you've got no intention of using them in protection. As a defense, I think you diagnose that right away. He's either releasing or he's being handed the ball. It would be great to see him run a wheel route or the like on a LB, but you're telegraphing some things when you put him back there.
RCPackerFan
October 06, 2016 at 07:15 am
And that is why I think a more pure RB like Spiller would be better.
But if they are able to run effectively with Montgomery or Cobb in the backfield it does make it less predictable.
L
October 06, 2016 at 03:56 pm
To be clear I don't believe Cobb could or should be attempting to pass protect because he's way too valuable as the team's primary slot receiver and I don't think he has the body composition and mass to hold up well in pass protection; however, T.Montgomery currently doesn't see the field all that much so his potential value could only go up by being used in such a role and he actually has the body composition and mass to handle some pass protection. Allow me to stress the key word of "some" because I'm not saying T.Montgomery needs to be on the field for every 3rd down and pass blocking the majority of them, but by playing him more often as an option out of the backfield (specifically on 3rd downs) he should be capable of providing some pass protection here and there in order to prevent the offense from being too predictable (as you point out) and his body should be more than capable of handling that limited task.
L
October 05, 2016 at 10:05 am
Is Sio Moore or Antonio Cromartie really an improvement over the young developing players we have already?
Sio Moore is a little intriguing given his age, draft profile, and past performance with the Raiders; however, there's likely a reason Jack Del Rio didn't like him and was willing to trade him for a 6th round pick in the 2016 draft. This year he's been bad in coverage and has missed several tackles; plus, I doubt his attitude and locker room presence were good given the Colts didn't exhibit much patience with him. I'd rather see the Packers stick with the 3 young guys we have, but maybe it'd be smart of the Packers to bring him in to see if he's worth adding to our emergency list.
Antonio Cromartie is clearly showing signs of his age. His performance has dropped off sharply since 2014. Cromartie allowed an NFL-worst 18.8 yards per reception among cornerbacks who were targeted at least 40 times last season; not to mention, he's been dreadful so far this year too. He certainly wouldn't offer anything to the Packers unless the team's CB position was absolutely decimated by injury, but even then I'd bet on the Packers retaining the services of Goodson and perhaps bringing back Daniel before looking to Cromartie.
dobber
October 05, 2016 at 11:24 am
Daniel was released from the PS and has since hooked on somewhere else, but I'm at a loss as to where. That does't mean that the Packers couldn't sign him back to their 53, though.
Finwiz
October 05, 2016 at 12:07 pm
I think I heard Washington, last week.
EdsLaces
October 05, 2016 at 10:04 am
Cromartie is terrible now ...no thanks.
rdent
October 05, 2016 at 11:00 am
Won't happen,barring major injuries TT will sink or swim with what he has,remember next man up!
Gianich
October 05, 2016 at 11:50 am
Article is missing part of it's title. That being, "Questions of the day; free agents? FOR A REASON"
Gianich
October 05, 2016 at 11:53 am
Meanwhile :
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/10/05/jon-ryan-named-nfc-speci...
SpudRapids
October 05, 2016 at 03:50 pm
I'll take TT's batting percentage on letting guys walk any day... can't win em all
Since'61
October 05, 2016 at 12:25 pm
If Shields is returning then I would not bother with Cromartie. If Shields is not returning then I would give Cromartie a look. However, I would only sign him for depth, not to start. He might still have some value due to his experience in a nickel or dime package. As for starting I don't think that he would be any better than Randall or Rollins at this point. Thanks, Since '61
al bundy
October 05, 2016 at 01:00 pm
I don't see how you can not work in free agents for positions of need. Especially skill positions like D backs and receivers.
You cannot always rely on 2nd and third round draft picks being able to come in and make an impact unless they were true first rounders who just got by other teams without needs.
A GM has to use the draft wisely, and fill gaps with free agents. This draft and development crap is just CHEAP ball. Trying to get by with lesser talented players for lesser money.
dobber
October 05, 2016 at 02:04 pm
That's all fine, philosophically, but the article is asking who to sign NOW.
PaulRosik
October 05, 2016 at 04:00 pm
Let me rephrase the question for you. Hey all of those of you who hate TT and how he does things, start spilling your venom here.
TommyG
October 05, 2016 at 07:02 pm
Reading the names on the FA list might make someone dream of pro-bowl greatness. Think back to the amazing plays, the touchdowns, how many times the announcers said their names. Now think about WHEN those things occurred. Was it 2006, 2007, 2010 even? 2006 was a decade ago. There are reasons why big names end up as FA: they are worn out, oft injured, injury prone, asking for more money than their performance warrants. Do not look at this list of names and dream of greatness. These are no longer great players.
stockholder
October 05, 2016 at 08:40 pm
I would think TT would make a trade for a cap friendly player first. And as long as this team puts up wins he will not bust his ass. That would just make to much sense.
ray nichkee
October 06, 2016 at 06:13 am
This is a perfect opportunity for chaka to make an appearance.
hybridauth_Facebook_100000663083241
October 06, 2016 at 07:23 am
We could use a Vet CB...Randall has been getting smoked on a regular basis, if Sammy doesn't make it back...could be in trouble
NickPerry
October 06, 2016 at 07:28 am
I wouldn't mind seeing Moore signed as long as he was given a chance next year. Since Zack is asking the question of "Boosting the Roster" a player I've thought of is Keenan Lewis. I know he's been injured and had hip injuries in the past, but he might be worth a look.
Cromartie is all about the $$$. He'd still probably ask for some ridiculous amount even unemployed.