A LITTLE LATE, BUT NONETHELESS

On Tuesday, the Packers signed defensive tackle Brian Soi. Soi has the size of a NT in the 3-4 at 6'3", 334, but hasn't been able to catch on with the Dolphins in '07 or the Giants in '08. In trying to research Soi, I found some interesting information. While only these two stints with NFL teams have been documented, and he has never actually played, he is quite the veteran and should bring some leadership to the Packers.


Please catch onto the sarcasm there; Rotoworld lists him as being 109 years old.

A FEW NEW NAMES TT SHOULD CHECK OUT

Now that Chris Canty is out of the picture, Ted Thompson should move on to Igor Olshansky of the San Diego Chargers, and the Journal-Sentinel is saying that is exactly what he plans to do. His numbers aren't amazing, 29 tackles and 2 sacks in 2008, but his experience in the 3-4 in San Diego could definitely help the Pack's transition. Also, he will probably come much cheaper than Canty did to the Giants. I'm all for seeing what type of money Olshansky is seeking, and then seeing if it fits into Ted Thompson's small budget for free agency.

A couple other guys I think TT should check out are Jason Taylor and Vonnie Holliday, two veterans who could fit in because of their experience with Dom Capers in Miami. Taylor would be an outside linebacker to play opposite Aaron Kampman and help ease the transition to the 3-4, and Vonnie Holliday could bring some experience, skill, depth, and competition to the defensive end positions. It just depends on the money they'll be looking for. If their asking prices aren't too high, Thompson should realize that one or two year answers could be the best fit for transitioning to the new defense, giving young players a chance to learn the new system. The guys at Cheesehead TV and Packergeeks agree. Here too.

MY FIRST REAL FEELING OF HOPE... KINDA

While at the Pro Bowl, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers admitted to NBC's Tiki Barber he wants out of Carolina, saying, "I just feel it's time to move on." He also went on to admit he wants to play in the 3-4 next season. Could this be the moment Ted Thompson has been putting off making any big free agent splashes for? Peppers has averaged over 10 sacks per season in his career, and Aaron Kampman led the Packers with 9.5 in 2008. It's hard to predict how smoothly Kampman's transition to OLB will be in Dom Capers new scheme, but bringing in a threat like Peppers could only help Aaron by taking a little bit of pressure away from him. While excited at the possibility of Peppers being in green and gold next season, I have seen Ted Thompson's lack of spending free agent dollars over his first few offseasons in Green Bay, so I try to remain realistic. Other teams in the mix according to Rotoworld.com are the Browns, Broncos, Dolphins, and 49ers.