I LIKE THE GREEN AND YELLOW... BUT THIS IS INTERESTING

There have been a bunch of cool stories about the Packers organization considering changing the team's jersey back in the 90's lately. I'll just provide links below:

Green Bay Press-Gazette
ESPN Page 2
Packers Uniforms

PEPPERS NO MORE, BUT HOPE FOR A RAVEN

Well, the Lambeau faithful can forget about Julius Peppers wearing green and gold next year. Those dreams have come to an end as Carolina has put the franchise tag on him this afternoon, which means he will be paid near $16-17 million in 2009. It has been widely publicized that Peppers wants to be traded, to a team who plays the 3-4, and he has named the four teams to which he would accept being traded (though only the Cowboys have been made public). But with the amount of money the Packers have to spend under the cap, do not expect Ted Thompson to make a run for a deal. He is known not to indulge in big free agent contracts, and if a trade were to be made, a long term contract would most definitely ensue. This will not happen in Green Bay, unfortunately.
However, Baltimore has placed the franchise tag on Terrell Suggs, which will also cost them a hefty penny. This could limit their abilities to resign Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard. Many Packer fans have been calling for a hot pursuit of the former Badger Leonhard, and it is a possibility. We need a safety, and he knows the 3-4 from being in Baltimore. However, Rex Ryan has moved from being defensive coordinator for the Ravens to the new head coach of the Jets, and Leonhard may be inclined to follow his coach up the east coast. Ray Lewis and Bart Scott are both tremendous linebackers, but both play the inside. The Packers are looking for Nick Barnett to recover from his ACL injury and play alongside AJ Hawk in the middle. Outside LB is more of a priority. Lewis and Scott are also both being rumored to consider moving up the coast to New York to follow former coach Rex Ryan. The only way I see either Lewis or Scott coming to GB is if Dom Capers wants to move Hawk to the outside. Leonhard is more of a possibility, but you can't forget TT's lack of tendency to make a play in the market.

THE COACHING WHEEL

Many people have been saying lately that 2009 could be a do or die year for Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. I am on the other side of that street, however, unless the Packers flop with another 6-10 record or worse. McCarthy took over a 4-12 team after the 2005 season, and after struggling out to a 1-4 and then 4-8 start, his influence began to take over as the Packers closed out the season with 4 straight wins and finished 8-8. The 2007 season speaks for itself at 13-3. And 2008, admittedly, was a struggle. But I do not blame the 6-10 record on McCarthy. He has always been an offensive minded coach (previous jobs he has held are quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach, offensive quality control, and offensive coordinator). And his offense has never been the problem in Green Bay. In 2006, the offense was 9th in the league. In 2007, 2nd. In 2008, 8th. Rather, it has been the defense, under Bob Sanders that seems to have been the Pack's Achilles' heel, finishing 12th, 11th, and 20th from 2006-2008. The team will be moving to a 3-4 defense, and there needs to be a little bit of leeway for a transitioning period.

I am also a strong believer that not all blame can be put on a coach, and they have a tendency to catch a lot of undeserved heat. The Packers defense has definitely been affected by injuries. But, eventually, someone needs to catch the brunt of the blame and its much easier to lay it on one person rather than an entire defensive squad. And it was time for Sanders to go.

Now that I am on the track of coaches being fired, there have been a lot of rumors about Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach. And his story reminds me a lot of former Packers tight ends coach and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski. Jagz was fired, embarrassingly, by Boston College last month after he interviewed for the New York Jets head coaching position. How un-American is that? A guy is looking to pursue moving up the ladder in his profession, and he is canned for chasing his American dream? He ended up as the offensive coordinator in Tampa. BC should be ashamed. Texas Tech is trying to work out a contract extension with Leach, but the two sides can't come to an agreement. Tech is upset that Leach interviewed for the University of Washington's vacant position, supposedly without telling anyone in Lubbock. The terms of the extension that the two sides are at odds about are in reference to how much the school would owe Leach if he were fired and what should happen if he were to want to interview for another coaching position. Tech is, in essence, trying to keep Leach from chasing his American dream, the same way BC did to Jagodzinski. And for that, Tech and BC, you should be embarassed.

MAT-CHU! STAFFORD COULD BE NEXT SNEEZE IN DRAFT WOES FOR DETROIT

Acme Packing Company has an interesting post up this morning. Not many people in Packer nation have been paying much attention to Matthew Stafford because, well, he's not coming to Green Bay, therefore he won't directly affect the Pack. We may, however, have to face him twice every year if the Lions, as expected, take him at the number one spot in April's draft. And Acme thinks this might be a good thing for the green and gold.

They point out that he has all of the physical tools that will give him the opportunity to succeed. He's 6'3", 236, and is a good athlete. He has a big arm. Does Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, or Tim Couch ring a bell? Stafford's numbers in his three years at Georgia compare negatively to his predecessor, David Greene, according to Football Outsiders. They both played under Mark Richt in the same system as Bulldogs. And Greene, well, let's just say he didn't have much success in the NFL. In fact, he never took a regular season snap. He's already retired at the age of 26. So hopefully, at least for Cheeseheads' sake, this means something, and the Lions get another bust that will result in two more wins each season for years to come.

THANK YOU MR. ZYGI WILF GUY

First of all, that name sounds like a Vikings name. Like a real viking. Zygi Wilf. Yeah... Anyways...

It seems like it really, REALLY is over for Brett now. Like, REALLY. Last night I read that the Vikings have no interest in Brett Favre taking over the throne of quarterback mediocrity that is Minnesota. And that has been the one place rumored to be able to spark Brett's interest to return from retirement yet again. Thank God. This comes just after he had admitted part of his coming back last year was to "stick it to" Ted Thompson. I wouldn't be able to live seeing Favre in a Vikings jersey, nonetheless have to face him twice.

Minnesota's owner Zygi Wilf said in an interview with the Star Tribune (Minneapolis), "I would have been interested 15 years ago... No, I'm not interested. No way. I think he's done well, he retired, it's good. He's a great guy. I'm just happy that we don't have to keep on facing him." So thank you, Mr. Wilf, for NOT being interested in Brett and threatening to bring him to rival Minnesota. I appreciate that.

But 15 years ago you would have been interested? What about a year and a half ago when during the 2007 season he went 65 for 91 (71.4 comp %) for 695 yards 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in two Packers wins at a combined score of 57-16.

AND SOME DECISION MAKING BEGINS...

It's getting closer and closer to the free agency period, and it's almost time for Ted Thompson to start making some decisions and moves. The Green Bay Press-Gazette is reporting the first couple of decisions that Thompson has made (reportedly):

1. Re-sign Mark Tauscher. The practicality and probability of this re-signing "probably went up" after needing ACL surgery because he would not be able to seek out as much money on the open market. This is important. He should be ready for training camp and if he fully recovers, it gives the Packers the ability to continue grooming Breno Giacomini and select another young tackle in the draft without throwing him into the fire in his rookie season.
2. Let Colin Cole and Mike Montgomery go. Neither fit very well in the 3-4. Montgomery is undersized for a DE and not agile enough to play outside linebacker. Also, the Packers don't believe Colin Cole can play "stout enough for that crucial, blocker-eating position" (nose tackle).
3. Bring back 5 of 6 restricted free agents. The lone guy out is Shaun Bodiford, but his history of injuries easily explains his departure. Offer tenders to Atari Bigby, Ruvell Martin, Jarrett Bush, Jason Hunter, and John Kuhn.