Thompson poised to cover gaps through agency, upcoming draft

By CHRIS HAVEL
Packers’ re-signing of Cobb, Bulaga a byproduct of culture
Randall Cobb? Check. Bryan Bulaga? Check. Tramon Williams? Nope.
Williams signed a three-year deal today with Cleveland according to ESPN reports. Williams, who turns 32 today, will be the NFL’s only cornerback above the age of 31. Reports indicate it was a three-year deal, which was one more year than the Packers were offering.
Frankly, two out of three isn’t bad, especially because the Packers re-signed the two most important of their own free agents. Now, it’s on to building the balance of the roster.
The Packers have a need for at least two inside linebackers, a nose tackle, a tight end and a third-down back/return specialist. They also may need to add a cornerback with Williams’ departure.
Otherwise, the offensive line’s starting five is intact and under contract for the next two seasons. The receiving corps is talented and deep. The running back tandem is strong with Eddie Lacy and James Starks.
The quarterback is merely the National Football League’s finest.
Defensively, a B.J. Raji-Letroy Guion combo would be a good stop-gap solution to what ails the Packers at defensive tackle. Look for the Packers to sign at least one veteran inside ‘backer (Brandon Spikes)?
GM Ted Thompson has positioned the Packers nicely with the balance of free agency and the NFL draft still ahead.
The key dominos were Cobb and Bulaga. The receiver and right tackle elected to stay in Green Bay for less cash in hand, but more of a chance to win and boost future earnings in the process. According to ESPN business analyst Andrew Brandt both bucked the trend to accept the highest offer. Instead, they chose what they determined to be the best offer.
“Bryan Bulaga, more money in Buffalo. He stayed,” Brandt said last week on ESPN’s Football Today podcast. “… They buy into this culture of a draft-and-develop team that is always going to be good.”
Cobb did likewise.
“Randall Cobb is a prime example,” Brandt said. “I know for a fact – I’m pretty tied in with his situation – he left a lot of money on the table. And I knew it was going to be hard to pry him away from Green Bay. It’s a system he liked; he knows he’s playing with the best quarterback.”
Here’s how I rank the NFC North’s current skill position players:
“Randall Cobb is a prime example,” Brandt said. “I know for a fact – I’m pretty tied in with his situation – he left a lot of money on the table. And I knew it was going to be hard to pry him away from Green Bay. It’s a system he liked; he knows he’s playing with the best quarterback.”
Here’s how I rank the NFC North’s current skill position players:

• QB – Aaron Rodgers, Packers; Matthew Stafford, Lions; Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings; Jay Cutler, Bears.
• RB – Matt Forte, Bears; Eddie Lacy, Packers; Joique Bell, Lions; Matt Asiata, Vikings.
• WR – Calvin Johnson, Lions; Jordy Nelson, Packers; Randall Cobb, Packers; Alshon Jeffery, Bears; Golden Tate, Lions; Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings; Mike Wallace, Vikings; Davante Adams, Packers; Marquess Wilson, Bears.
•  TE – Martellus Bennett, Bears; Kyle Rudolph, Vikings; Eric Ebron, Lions; Andrew Quarless/Richard Rodgers, Packers.

The Packers’ skill position players, plus an entire offensive line intact, gives Green Bay a considerable edge over the rest of the division.
The defense is still a work in progress, but the framework for what may be an above-average group is in place. Williams’ loss in the secondary is a blow, but the Packers have time to find a replacement.
Casey Hayward is one possibility. Another is Micah Hyde. The Packers also could add a cornerback in the draft in one of the first three rounds. The special teams are in Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s hands, especially since he vowed to “change the culture.”
In other free agent news, the Vikings released ex-Packers receiver Greg Jennings. Naturally, Green Bay fans are wondering if there’s a chance Jennings could return.
It’s unlikely given Jennings’ criticism of Rodgers and the Packers on his way to Minnesota. Jennings’ value to the Packers is worth signing him only if their receiving corps sustains a critical injury. Jennings presumably will be signed elsewhere by the time that might occur.
The Packers remain about $21 million beneath the NFL’s $143 million salary cap. They have the wherewithal to sign a veteran free agent or two in the coming weeks.
Otherwise, brace for the draft because that’s where Green Bay’s most substantial help is going to come from. If Thompson can replicate last year’s draft the Packers’ immediate and long-range future looks bright.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.