Packers’ 5 key moves:
‘To Do’ to ‘Ta Da’
Packers’ five crucial offseason moves
to contemplate as free agency, draft near
By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Thus far, the Packers’ offseason has been all about rearranging the front office.
Now, it’s time for the decision-makers to put it on the line.
Packers’ president Mark Murphy is more involved, according to reports, and head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Brian Gutekunst have charted a course to upgrade the operation.
Nevertheless, I suspect the Packers will need all the assistance they can get. So in the spirit of providing well-intentioned if unwelcomed advice, here are the Packers’ top five key moves this offseason (reverse order):
** No. 5 – The backup quarterback position demands an upgrade in terms of competition and quality. It is too important, as we saw in 2017, to yield any realistic chance of playing at a .500 level in Aaron Rodgers’ absence.
Brett Hundley will have an offseason to analyze, adjust and move ahead in his quest to become a B+ or better backup. Whether he can become a starting-caliber NFL QB remains to be seen, but in the meantime Hundley needs to be at his best.
Frankly, if he doesn’t show serious and sudden improvement throughout the offseason after seeing so much action in 2017 it will be disappointing.
Aside from that, the Packers need to decide whether it’ll be a draft pick, a free agent or Joe Callahan who will be Hundley’s primary competition this season.
If it’s Callahan it’ll be a signal Green Bay believes in Hundley. If the Packers believe they are a Super Bowl contender they can’t be derailed by the lack of a quality backup QB.
Therefore, I’d make a play for a veteran, competent, professional QB in free agency. Pay the price, bring them in, and pray that they’ll never be needed.
** No. 4 – Offensive line needs an infusion of talent and tenacity, and could get a measure of that in this April’s draft. My best guess is to look for an offensive lineman to Green Bay in the third round, a place where quality athletes will be available.
It’s a necessary counterbalance in case Bryan Bulaga doesn’t rebound from a variety of injuries. Bulaga is as tough as they come, and when he’s healthy, he’s an exceptional player.
The problem is he’s been hurt too much.
I’d look in the draft, then the second tier of free agency, for a competent backup tackle.
** No. 3 – A tight end is critical. The Packers would be best served to go get one in free agency. I know the sting remains from the Martellus Bennett fiasco. However, Gutekunst can’t be dissuaded by that.
The fact is the Packers are painfully, woefully thin at tight end. The Badgers’ Troy Fumagalli in the fourth round, or a veteran free agent, or both would be welcome.
** No. 2 – Iowa defensive backs such as Desmond King and Micah Hyde have been very effective in the NFL. There’s no reason to think the Hawkeyes’ Josh Jackson won’t be tempting and available to the Packers in the late first round, should they decide to move up in a trade.
Jackson is tall (six feet) and slender (180) but possesses tremendous ball skills, great instincts and terrific speed.
Jackson will be a situational defender early in his career, which might sound like a knock. In fact, it’s the way of the NFL these days.
** No. 1 – The Packers need the biggest, toughest and bad-^&% defensive end/outside linebacker they can get at No. 14.
This is one of Green Bay’s most pivotal picks in years. They can’t blow it. They can’t miss. It may not be fair, but the reality is that Gutekunst’s career begins with an immediate need to identify and acquire defensive help, on the double.
Marcus Davenport, a 6-foot-5 ½, 265-pound pass-rushing demon, hails from UT-San Antonio and is highly regarded among scouts and draft-nicks alike.
North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb is probably too much to hope for, but Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds, who can run like the wind and deliver a blow, should be there at 14.
If you’re wondering about a receiver, I believe in two things: Jordy Nelson’s ability to rebound and have a tremendous season, and Rodgers’ ability to make second-, third- and fourth-round receivers look like all-pros sooner than later.
Get Your Tickets for All Important Sports and Concerts! Buy Tickets Now >>
"
"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