NICK COLLINS, TONY GONZALEZ, AND A "TO DO" LIST

So the word has already spread that Nick Collins hasn't shown up in Green Bay for the beginning of the offseason program. That is interesting considering he is currently under contract, and Tramon Williams, who has yet to sign his exclusive rights tender to remain with the team, is taking part in the strength portion of the program. Collins obviously wants the Packers to look into extending his contract now, after a Pro Bowl season in 2008, rather than risking his production going down in the new 3-4 and losing out on money. However, Aaron over at Cheesehead TV doesn't think that signing Collins should be in the top six (that's as far as he goes) of Ted Thompson's offseason priorities. I agree, but think that they should try to get it done at some point, but not rush and overpay because he still needs to prove he will be the same player in the new defense. Resigning Greg Jennings is the obvious choice at the top of Aaron's list, as well as Ted Thompson's according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Moving down along CTV's list at number four is trading for Tony Gonzalez, which Packergeeks has also posted about today. The Packers have been talked about as one of the top possible destinations all along, since the rumors of a Gonzalez trade came about during the 2008 season. Packergeeks says that Thompson should be willing to give up a second rounder for Gonzalez, but I completely disagree. Gonzalez is still a top notch tight end, definitely still in the top 5 in the league. But he is 33 years old, and only has a few more years left in his career. While some help at the tight end position could benefit the offense, with the switch to the 3-4, the defense and bringing in players that fit the new mold is a much greater need. The offensive tackle spot needs to be figured out before we go out and trade a second rounder for a tight end. I wouldn't mind possibly a third rounder, because in the first two rounds we could go for a defensive front seven player and a tackle (or possibly two front seven-ers), but any earlier is paying too high of a price for a position that isn't nearly the glaring need that these others appear to be.