It wasn’t magic or genius that got them under the salary cap, they just used the Mastercard to pay off the Visa. That doesn’t take a magician or a genius. When the bill comes due and the house of cards crashes down, I imagine Russ will be retired in Boca and Brian will have a new higher paying job in Jacksonville or Houston. Ah, the American dream!

I’m thinking the back office did a great job. Gutsey wanted 2 more years where the Packers are considered contenders for the SB and they delivered Rodgers and much of the talent to make it happen.Depending on many factors, could be contenders while in CAP hell.

So yeah they did their job, now the talent acquisition to fill in the rest of the roster has to happen and that will extend into TC.

Isn’t it amazing that the teams over the cap made the most signings ?

There is No better time than the present. Stay on Top. And with all the doom and Gloom over the cap Hell. Good job, Well done! The next step is replacement. Watson works for me. The other WR who can take the top of the Defense off; is Jalen Tolbert. These two guys together: would be a threat the Packers haven't had since they won the Super-bowl. Replacement just doesn't work in this draft. Game changers do.

I'd have to agree with you, Cory. We've all lived through years and years of seasons where Ted Thompson only made rare dips into the FA pool.

While he did make some big splashes with Woodson, Pickett and Peppers, in general, it still felt like he left way too many opportunities on the table and relied too heavily on the draft -- especially even after some of those high draft picks like Datone Jones and Nick Perry never panned out.

I'm pleased with how the off-season has gone. I was one on here calling to trade Rodgers and sell high for a massive haul -- Denver I think would've done it. While that did not come to fruition, I'm also not upset with the front office for the Adams trade, because he already refused to play on the tag and basically had his mind made up to want to play for Oakland.

So while they matched the Raiders offer, I think it was more so to manage people's perceptions that they weren't going to roll over and let him walk. The offer to me, was mostly symbolic, while they full well knew Adams wanted out.

No matter how bad any situation is, there is always some good that will come out of it. Despite losing Adams, it cleared $20M of cap space and quickly enabled the signings of Douglas and Tonyan. I still can't believe Campbell is back. So the defense is largely intact, it just needs more depth at the CB position with Sullivan and King gone, and some DT help for Kenny in the draft would be nice (I think Jarran Reed is just a guy, but hope I'm wrong).

It coulda been a grand slam, slam dunk, perfect 10 off-season if Gutey woulda pulled the trigger for the Denver haul by trading AR.

Lets see where things go with this year's roster and where the pigeons land over the next 3 years with the cap.

Murphy saying goodbye at the beginning of the smoke and rubble, i don't have a lot of faith in the in-house replacement he is grooming to be Harlan-like. I see this guy as trying to take the reins from MM and directing the football operations guys just like Howdy has done.

Sigh...

Perspective is everything. If you an "all-in" type of fan, Gute has made all the right moves to keep the Packers in contention for the next 2-3 years. If you have a longer term perspective, all of the void years on player's contracts (particularly the overhang after Rodger's three year deal is done) are going to provide a crash landing for the start of the post Rodgers era. And please don't tell me the expanding cap will bail the Packers out. The Packers are going to be stuck with a bunch of dead money under any circumstances and a team that didn't engage in void years will have more cap space at their competitive disposal. That dead money will always put the Packers at a competitive disadvantage versus more conservative teams no matter what the cap is.

So short term versus long term - what's your preference?

Watson looks like real deal but is not one of the top receivers in the draft. A good one yes but while tall and fast he played against poor competition. He also isnt a great route runner, or have ability to open his hips and smoothly change direction. He is more like MVS as in straight ahead speed. Interesting how a certain player becomes the favorite on here, so everyone keeps repeating it. Would I like him on the Packers? Absolutely but probably with a move up inside top 40 in round 2, which is where I think he will go. Maybe inside top 4 to 6 picks in round 2.

You draftnics want a couple of sleepers? How about a faster Jordy Nelson who is better than Watson and no one talks about him? How many of you have even heard of Alex Pierce? 6'2 & 3/4" and 208 lbs with 4.3 speed. Faster than Watson! Great player and take him over Watson.

Than a favorite of mine who will be an absolute steal late 2nd round or even 3rd round only because he is small at 5' 8" 170 lbs with 4.2 speed. Calvin Austin is a water bug guy with crazy Tyrek Hill talent. Play in slot or outside to take top off. Can change direction on a dime and has 3 or 4 speeds leaving everyone in dust. Packers have never had a player with this skill set and would be so fun to watch him deployed within MLF's offense.

Highly recommend fans check these two players out on YouTube.

My favorite though is Jameson William's. He is the 'one' receiver in the draft that stands head and shoulders above the others. The game changer! The guy defenses will fear. He is the Chase or Jefferson in the draft. I'd recommend Packers do whatever they can to secure him injury or not. I would then try to get someone like Cedric or Calvin later in round 2 or 3. The other WR I am very high on is Jahan Dotson. Little smaller than ideal who is dynamic! Also can throw ball very well that would keep defenses on their toes.

My main point is don't fixate on Watson! There are better WR's and a lot of talent this year at WR's. Watson is one of many. He has certain skills and yes he would replace MVS, but why not do better?

Concerning the trade, I think it was a good thing and had to be done. Don't get me wrong, I think Devante Adams is a great WR and guy, although maybe a little over rated because of who is throwing to him. But the Packer offense, mainly Rodgers, was too focused on getting the ball to Adams despite there being other options that were open. You could see it in the film from the playoff game where Aaron throws into double or tight coverage when guys like Tyler Davis were standing alone wide open and our QB has tunnel vision with Adams. I know Davis is not a great player at this point but when the Defense is giving you an easy completion for sure yardage, you take it. Now Aaron will be forced to scan the field for the best option and not just automatically zone in on one player. Defenses were double covering him a high percentage of the time and now with whomever they pick up, they will be left guessing because our offense wont be so predictable as it was when you knew Adams was getting the ball early and often.

Over the years I have quit getting hyped about certain players as the Packer ‘s draft always seems to play out much differently than I would have expected.

The last few years I have started playing with a draft simulator, without trades, and have gotten some drafts I felt would really help the Pack. Then the actual draft comes and is not even close to mine. Since I don’t watch college ball I guess that’s to be expected

I would love to go to the draft one time just to feel the energy of the crowd and welcome the new Packers

Cory, I hope that Brian Gutekunst was lurking to the future, while he was executed orders from above.

Despite I do not like so much void dead cap money, I think highly of Gutekunst. I think he is good evaluator and, what is more important he have capable personel on his team. That second thing is the most important for Packers success now and in the future. I wish if he has his hands free to lead the team.

It surprises me so many fall over backwards so willingly to avoid the obvious, fundamental contradictions inherent in how we got here. The three wise monkeys are alive and well.

Watson blew up the senior bowl according to multiple reports. So much for “he didn’t face top competition”. The CB’s there voted him the top WR. The senior bowl isn’t the end-all-be-all, but he will go higher than many think. PFF has underrated him as have many sites. A lot of them simply have not updated their boards for some time. They usually don’t until closer to the draft. I highly doubt he lasts until 53 or 59. Will he get picked at Packers 28? Possibly. If they think he is good enough and don’t believe they can get him by waiting until 53.

The Adams trade was a no brainer because Adams would have likely sat out, when you read about it, he told them after the last game he didn't want to be in Green Bay anymore and wanted to be traded to the Raiders...it was a good deal to get something for a player who would have been a problem next season...he did not want to be in Green Bay anymore...

Keep this in mind. 14 of the 32 teams need a WR. Thats in their top 3 needs.

Two moves make me a bit nervous. The first is the signing of Campbell to a big contract. How often have we seen a guy have a great season in his contract year, only to become mediocre, injured or totally ineffective following a big payday? Way too often. Add in the Smith extension, which follows the same pattern, and you have two potential problems. Then again, they may both continue to be very good players, and the team will benefit. It's a gamble, and time will tell. But I'm thinking one of these guys will disappoint in a big way this year.

IMO The Packers need to draft TWO WR's in the first 2 rounds. I'm enamored with Treylon Burks and what he could bring to this offense. I don't care so much about his 40 times,especially when you watch his tape. IMO in the MFL offense, devising ways to get the ball in his hands in space WOULD be special.

Burks and Tolbert...Burks and Pierce... Hell, Olave and Burks or Burks and Williams from Alabama. Normally I wouldn't want the Packers to draft a player who may not be able to play in week one of his rookie season but Williams is SPECIAL. Pierce has been compared to Jordy Nelson only faster and Tolbert is a big WR who can FLY.

With the other 2 picks in the take a Edge and Safety. The Packers can wait until the 3rd or 4th for a OT and then look at WR AGAIN with speed.

I

I just don't get it: What do all the other moves matter if your quarterback is, um, far less than perfect when it comes to putting the team first?
As if it hasn't already happened that he's jerked us around in the offseason, and then let us down in the playoffs.
When we sell out our integrity, we tend to lose all the rest, as well.
***
I've been a huge fan of Gute for the most part, and it's sad that his general intelligence and effectiveness as a general manager will be undone by groveling before an arrogant quarterback with a strong and accurate arm but a weak and wayward heart.
A huge part of being a winner at quarterback is willing a team to victory and rallying a team to victory. All of the stats aside, it takes heart to be a true leader in moments of challenge: to inspire men and to bring out the best in them.
If I'm more than a little sad about the quarterback situation with the Packers, it's because it's hard to see an otherwise talented team doomed from the start by one runaway ego left unrestrained.
***
Along these lines, I received a book for Christmas that is a novel based on the life of Vince Lombari: "Character is What Counts."
The title seems to speak strongly to the Packers of today, but I haven't yet read the contents.
Are there any other fans who have a personal review of the book to offer, or at least a sincere blurb?

Christian Watson already looks like he has been in Packers' colors the last 3 years 😊

No doubt that Christian Watson could be one of the many WRs in play for the Packers. Especially so if Gutekunst works a trade down from 28 . I don’t think he will take Watson at 28, and have doubts he’ll be there at #53 >>>> all because of HYPE. Compare his college stats to MVS, PICK #174 of the 2018 NFL Draft.

*****
A perfect time for a note on REAL “over-drafting.” Would you take Christian Watson at 28? If so, would you take him at 22??? No? Why TF not?”

To me, it’s that simple. Do you believe in the player that much or not? If he’s not worth a slot 6 positions ahead in a draft, he’s probably not worth it.

*****

This whole scenario we appear to be in with the end of Aaron Rodgers’ time in Green & Gold could have features built into contract language that limits some - more - of the damage to the Packers’ future, so I’ll leave that alone. However, I see a narcissist full bore intent upon bettering his own standing and not that of the team.

If only he cared more about Lombardi Trophies than MVPs…

I don’t like it, but as a fan, have no choice but to be miserable, or, set it aside, see what happens, and hope for the best. Essentially, play along: “OK, so, in this scenario, yeah, it is equal parts mess and potenti… a… no. Check that. It’s a mess with - some - potential for success. An awful lot would have to go right, and if it did, we might be paying dearly for it. For how long?”

In my eyes, trading Rodgers, if at all possible, would be preferable.

Last year? Jesus, Maria ė José!!! Still can’t get that stink off. Tagging Davante Adams and then trading him was chef’s kiss, added to Gutekunst’s masterful roster additions. Still, a lotta junk to clear out of the drawer.

Tell me honestly, yes or no, is his deep ball getting better with age? And, we’re adding speed at WR…? OK.

We’ll see.