Packers pre-draft moves

Now, don't get excited, Packer fans. We're not talking about anything major. Might not even qualify as anything minor. But in the quiet, quiet world of Packers free agency signings, the news that the Pack signed a nose tackle -- a definite need -- is something that at least makes us wake up from our offseason slumber. Even if it does deal with a name that most of us probably haven't heard of before. Unless you were a really rabid fan of Utah State a couple years ago.

The Packers signed Brian Soi, a 2007 undrafted free agent with the Dolphins. He was released before the start of the regular season. In 2008, he spent some of the offseason with the Giants. So, counting on Mr. Soi to be the answer at the critical nose tackle position is probably not going to happen. But...ya never know. Which is perhaps why GM Ted Thompson took a flyer on him. Physically, he seems to fit the bill: 6'3" and 334 pounds.

So if you want to know more, you can check out the Packers' news release about him here.

Long snapper traded
Wait...who was our long snapper last year? Oh yeah, Brett Goode. And do you remember that he was a last minute fill-in after the originally designated replacement for long-timer Rob Davis, rookie J.J. Jansen, was injured just before the start of the season? Jansen spent all season on injured reserve. And Goode was so good that the Pack decided to keep the known commodity. But apparently, at least one other team still saw some potential in Jansen: Carolina. The Panthers gave the Pack a future conditional draft pick for Jansen. So, nothing for the Packers to lose and perhaps even something to gain. And for young Mr. Jansen -- who was performing very well prior to his untimely injury -- he also still has something to gain.

So here's something that doesn't happen in football: a win-win.

You can read a bit more here.

New Poll Question: How many games will the Pack win this season?

Just added to the righthand column is a poll asking you how many games you think the Pack will win this season based upon the opponents and schedule. We'll run this through the end of April. So give us and your fellow Packer fans an early idea as to how you're feeling about things.

And what's with this Paulus hype?
Is there any more over-hyped story over the last several days than this bit about Duke point guard Greg Paulus trying out in front of the Packers? Or being recruited by Michigan? Yes, he has a year of college eligibility left, and was arguably the most highly recruited QB coming out of high school...but he's played basketball for the last several years, not football.

And which also leaves Packer fans wondering: Huh???

More here...as if you haven't heard these bits before.

No more Super Bowlers

The last remnant of the Packers 1997 Super Bowl team announced his retirement today. Long-snapper Rob Davis, who along with Brett Favre were the last remaining members of that Super Bowl roster, decided to call it quits after 12 seasons, 11 with the Pack. In fact, after Favre (255) and Forrest Gregg (187), Davis' 167 games played ranks third in team history.

Davis won't be out of work, though. In fact, he won't be leaving Green Bay. Packers GM Ted Thompson named Davis director of player development.

Who's the leader of the Pack?

Undoubtedly we'd answer that question with the name Brett Favre. And that's true in so many ways, on and off the field. But you might be surprised to learn that, among a survey of some Packers' players, another name pops up that you might not expect, especially as regards leadership in the locker room: long snapper Rob Davis. Today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has an excellent article about this topic of team leadership and Davis in particular. You can find it here.

Packers Pep Rally Underway
Tonight's sold-out fan pep rally at Lambeau Field is underway. 15,000 fans are bundled up and enjoying themselves. Actually, some have been enjoying themselves for hours: where else but at Lambeau would fans tailgate before a pep rally? Bring on some fomer Packer favorites -- Jerry Kramer, Frank Winters, Dorsey Levens, Antonio Freeman and more -- along with outgoing Packers CEO Bob Harlan and GM Ted Thompson, and you have the makings of a fun night. For those fans in Wisconsin who couldn't get a ticket tonight, the rally is being broadcast live on WTMJ-4 TV out of Milwaukee. Again, where else but here?

Pre-rally coverage showed fans on hand from all across the country, and even one fan from Germany.

It's great to be a Packers fan! And it will be great to get a win tomorrow!