Packers try to keep their own

The Packers under GM Ted Thompson have always tried to retain their own valuable potential free agents rather than pull in outsiders. Them ya know is better than them ya don't...or something like that

That's why the Packers today issued qualifying tender offers to five of their own players: S Atari Bigby, CB Jarrett Bush, DE Jason Hunter, FB John Kuhn and WR Ruvell Martin. CB Tramon Williams, an exclusive-rights free agent, also was issued a one-year tender offer. Most of these offers are in the $1 million to $1.5 million range. Basically, the Packers reserve the right to match any offer each of these players might receive from another team by issuing these qualifying tenders. It's a preemptive strike before the free agency period begins at midnight tonight.

Who is on this list is as interesting as who isn't: WR Shaun Bodiford and TE Tory Humphrey. Bodiford is a player who always seemed to have a wealth of potential but he could never stay on the field; he's only played in six games over the last two seasons. Given that it would have cost the Pack a minimum of $1.01 million to continue to hope for that potential -- and given the depth of excellent receivers the Packers have on the squad already -- parting ways was the best option. As for Humphrey, his agent, Blake Baratz, is quoted as telling the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that "The Packers seem to want him back and he wants to come back." Baratz and the Packers have apparently already had discussions about Humphrey's return.

You can read the Packers' brief announcement about the tender offers here.

Robinson activated, Wynn put on IR, Grant named starting RB

As expected, the Packers activated WR Koren Robinson on Tuesday. To make room for him on the roster, rather than release receiver/returner Shawn Bodiford as some had speculated, the Packers placed rookie running back DeShawn Wynn on injured reserve for the season.

This does probably make the most sense, as Wynn has had problems all season staying on the field. After being named the starting running back for Monday night's game, he suffered neck and shoulder injuries on the first play of the game. One of the reasons Wynn supposedly fell to the seventh round in this year's draft was that he had a reputation for not being tough, for not playing through the dings that come with being a running back. Now, injuries are injuries. It's just that there are some injuries players have to learn to play through if they are going to have a NFL career. Whether Wynn will acquire some playing toughness will now have to wait to next season. He certainly has the physical attributes to be a powerful runner. There were flashes of that in the few carries he actually had. But...

Ryan Grant was named the starting running back on Monday. After his performance against the Broncos -- 22 carries for 104 yards -- he certainly deserves the opportunity. As Packers broadcaster, Wayne Larrivee, said about him, he was running with authority and delivering blows on the tacklers. And that's something that hadn't been seen much this season. Granted, Denver has the league's worst rushing defense. But the Packers had the league's worst rushing offense. At least we finally saw a glimmer of hope for that part of the game plan going forward. Let's hope that Grant can stay healthy for the remaining nine games.

Here's something you haven't seen since...

The Packers defeat last evening of the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 48-13 was the most points scored by the Pack in an exhibition game since...oh...1938, to be exact. Against the Cedar Rapids Crush. Remember them? And, the game was played in Escanaba, Michigan. Why the Packers were playing a team from Iowa in Michigan...well...that's another story for another time by another writer who really cares.

As for us, we can be happy that there was some definite progress from the week before. Brett looked like Brett...the really good Brett. Let's face it, a passer rating of 104.2 is really good...even if you don't understand what a passer rating is. And seeing Bubba Franks catch more than a few passes was also encouraging. Brandon Jackson looked good. James Jones continues to impress. The defense...very impressive, scoring twice in the first half. And Atari Bigby, who didn't look too sharp last week looked very solid this time around.

Special teams, however, suffered a loss when return man Shaun Bodiford left with an unspecified knee injury. Will Blackmon filled in and wound up having an 83-yard kickoff return as well as a nice punt return. Hopefully, Bodiford will return without a significant injury or time away.

All in all, an excellent preseason game #2. But, remember, it is still just preseason.

Shocking! Special Teams Still Not Special.

According to the Dallas Morning News' annual statistical analysis, the Packers' special teams ranked a bottom-of-the-barrel 32nd in overall performance in 2006. At least they were consistent: they were also ranked 32nd in 2005. Actually, according to the point system the Dallas Morning News uses in its scoring system, the Pack actually did worse this last season than the year before. And that despite changing the kicker, punter, kick returners and special-teams coach. Hmmm...that doesn't leave much to tweak, does it?

Anyone who watched any game these last two seasons saw...the horror! Special teams that couldn't cover punts or kicks, and that couldn't create returns or generate field position.

What's a coach to do? According to a story in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Coach Mike McCarthy says he is obviously not satisfied with this kind of performance but -- looking for some shred of a silver lining -- was pleased with the way veteran Charles Woodson handled punt returns...at least in terms of being sure-handed. But it's obvious more is needed than just hanging on to the ball. That's why McCarthy indicated he'd be taking a look at some of the young speedsters on the team, such as Shaun Bodiford. Expect the return positions to be wide open as the team seeks to overcome this two-year slump in performance. Hey, gang...it can only get better!