Just as my draft fills in a striking and urgent need (defensive line strength and pass rushing capabilities) another hole in the dam opens up.
Christ, Packers. I'm not a freakin miracle worker here!
Quote:
The free agent market opened without an agreement between the Green Bay Packers and center Scott Wells, increasing the possibility that Wells will sign elsewhere in the coming days. (Bill Huber of Scout.com, in fact, suggests it's a done deal.)
But the start of the new league year did bring the Packers some news: Defensive end Mike Neal has been suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
The suspension is another roadblock in Neal's disappointing tenure with the Packers. A second-round pick in 2010, injuries have limited him to nine games and a total of six tackles in two seasons. And the announcement comes at a time when the Packers are almost certainly looking for options to enhance their pass rush, be it at Neal's defensive end position or at outside linebacker.
There's no reason to think the Packers will cut ties with Neal, but it's grown almost impossible to count on him as the full-time starter they envisioned him as when veteran defensive end Cullen Jenkins departed last year. Now more than ever, defensive end is one of the Packers' most notable weaknesses.
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I thought the Packers getting the tackle position fixed last few years would do it. Marshall Newhouse was a pretty solid anchor for half of the year, and Bulaga has turned into a damn fine RT. Clifton figures to come back, but he's been gimpy and not as reliable as in the past. Rookie Derek Sherrod's career may very well be over with that awful, awful injury he sustained last season against KC.
Now they have a glaring need at center to accompany their continual RB woes and drastically thinning secondary depth. Nick Collins is still up in the air if he will come back healthy, and Tramon Williams is the only corner they can really depend on for the future. Jarrett Bush was terrible, and Woodson ain't getting any younger.
Had I known about Wells walking prior to the draft, I definitely would have gone Konz in the 1st. But eh... what can ya do.