ANOTHER PICK FOR THE PACK!

BREAKING NEWS: Ted Thompson is elated. HE NOW HAS ANOTHER DRAFT PICK!... in 2011's draft. The Packers have traded longsnapper J.J. Jansen, who spent his entire rookie season last year on IR, to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional pick in 2011. The pick will depend on how long Jansen lasts with Carolina. Jansen would have been the longsnapper for the Pack in '08 if he hadn't torn his ACL, but the team signed Brett Goode (pictured above) in his absence and he proved to be an adequate replacement.

AND AS A PRESENT... WE GET...

Jarrett Bush. While he isn't an amazing player and keeping him isn't a very exciting move, I don't see how matching the Titans offer sheet can be knocked. He was second on the Packers in special teams tackles in '08, and special teams was obviously a weak spot. It can't hurt to keep your second best special teams tackler, even if his role changes. Bush is only 25, so there is still a ton of time for improvement, and while many people don't see much change in his future role, the kid gets it done on kick and punt coverages.

I mean, it's not a crazy rah-rah exciting present for St. Patrick's Day, like that Super Nintendo was for Christmas in the early 90's, but it's like that underwear that you opened after it. You weren't crazy about getting it, but you know it would definitely be of use. So while it's not a splash move that some Packers fans have been hoping for, it's something. I mean, it's not like Julius Peppers is now being shopped for a second round pick (reportedly).

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.

DON'T BUILD ME UP JUST TO BREAK ME DOWN...

First off, I'd like to apologize for slowing down my posts on the blog. I had a lot of car trouble that I was running around trying to get fixed and then I had a shoot for ESPNU to take care of. So, this post should have gone up a few days ago, but I just never got to it.

The guys over at Cheesehead TV had an interesting post on Tuesday, linking to The National Football Post; and I saw it just after I had done my blogging about Julius Peppers. Michael Lombardi, in his Diner Morning News article on Monday, talked a whole lot about Julius Peppers and how the Panthers need to try to keep him. But as I said on Tuesday, he wants to play elsewhere in the a 3-4 in 2009. And Michael Lombardi says, "Well he'll have many options, with the first being the Packers." Peppers' first option is the Pack? Don't build me up just to break me down Lombardi... If Peppers goes into free agency, it is a possibility, although Ted Thompson will have to break his wallet in the market for once. If the Panthers franchise tag him in order to get something in return for him, however, I doubt the Thompson makes a play because we know how he loves his draft picks. And Carolina would want a decent share of draft picks for their star defensive end. This is an exciting possibility for Green Bay; I just wish it could be March already.