Thompson poised to cover gaps through agency, upcoming draft

fpadmin | 03/16/2015

Lions, Vikings, Seahawks, Cowboys & Bears…Oh My!

All coming to Lambeau this year! Grab your spot from us in late April.

By CHRIS HAVEL
Packers’ re-signing of Cobb, Bulaga a byproduct of culture
Randall Cobb? Check. Bryan Bulaga? Check. Tramon Williams? Nope.
Williams signed a three-year deal today with Cleveland according to ESPN reports. Williams, who turns 32 today, will be the NFL’s only cornerback above the age of 31. Reports indicate it was a three-year deal, which was one more year than the Packers were offering.
Frankly, two out of three isn’t bad, especially because the Packers re-signed the two most important of their own free agents. Now, it’s on to building the balance of the roster.
The Packers have a need for at least two inside linebackers, a nose tackle, a tight end and a third-down back/return specialist. They also may need to add a cornerback with Williams’ departure.
Otherwise, the offensive line’s starting five is intact and under contract for the next two seasons. The receiving corps is talented and deep. The running back tandem is strong with Eddie Lacy and James Starks.
The quarterback is merely the National Football League’s finest.
Defensively, a B.J. Raji-Letroy Guion combo would be a good stop-gap solution to what ails the Packers at defensive tackle. Look for the Packers to sign at least one veteran inside ‘backer (Brandon Spikes)?
GM Ted Thompson has positioned the Packers nicely with the balance of free agency and the NFL draft still ahead.
The key dominos were Cobb and Bulaga. The receiver and right tackle elected to stay in Green Bay for less cash in hand, but more of a chance to win and boost future earnings in the process. According to ESPN business analyst Andrew Brandt both bucked the trend to accept the highest offer. Instead, they chose what they determined to be the best offer.
“Bryan Bulaga, more money in Buffalo. He stayed,” Brandt said last week on ESPN’s Football Today podcast. “… They buy into this culture of a draft-and-develop team that is always going to be good.”
Cobb did likewise.
“Randall Cobb is a prime example,” Brandt said. “I know for a fact – I’m pretty tied in with his situation – he left a lot of money on the table. And I knew it was going to be hard to pry him away from Green Bay. It’s a system he liked; he knows he’s playing with the best quarterback.”
Here’s how I rank the NFC North’s current skill position players:
“Randall Cobb is a prime example,” Brandt said. “I know for a fact – I’m pretty tied in with his situation – he left a lot of money on the table. And I knew it was going to be hard to pry him away from Green Bay. It’s a system he liked; he knows he’s playing with the best quarterback.”
Here’s how I rank the NFC North’s current skill position players:

QB – Aaron Rodgers, Packers; Matthew Stafford, Lions; Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings; Jay Cutler, Bears.
RB – Matt Forte, Bears; Eddie Lacy, Packers; Joique Bell, Lions; Matt Asiata, Vikings.
WR – Calvin Johnson, Lions; Jordy Nelson, Packers; Randall Cobb, Packers; Alshon Jeffery, Bears; Golden Tate, Lions; Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings; Mike Wallace, Vikings; Davante Adams, Packers; Marquess Wilson, Bears.
TE – Martellus Bennett, Bears; Kyle Rudolph, Vikings; Eric Ebron, Lions; Andrew Quarless/Richard Rodgers, Packers.

The Packers’ skill position players, plus an entire offensive line intact, gives Green Bay a considerable edge over the rest of the division.
The defense is still a work in progress, but the framework for what may be an above-average group is in place. Williams’ loss in the secondary is a blow, but the Packers have time to find a replacement.
Casey Hayward is one possibility. Another is Micah Hyde. The Packers also could add a cornerback in the draft in one of the first three rounds. The special teams are in Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s hands, especially since he vowed to “change the culture.”
In other free agent news, the Vikings released ex-Packers receiver Greg Jennings. Naturally, Green Bay fans are wondering if there’s a chance Jennings could return.
It’s unlikely given Jennings’ criticism of Rodgers and the Packers on his way to Minnesota. Jennings’ value to the Packers is worth signing him only if their receiving corps sustains a critical injury. Jennings presumably will be signed elsewhere by the time that might occur.
The Packers remain about $21 million beneath the NFL’s $143 million salary cap. They have the wherewithal to sign a veteran free agent or two in the coming weeks.
Otherwise, brace for the draft because that’s where Green Bay’s most substantial help is going to come from. If Thompson can replicate last year’s draft the Packers’ immediate and long-range future looks bright.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

"

Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
"

-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly