Is this guy worth what he wants? I’m not sure how Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod are coming along, but if neither is ready, the Tackles would probably be Marshall Newhouse and Don Barclay. I’d feel more comfortable if they signed Winston for RT and let Sherrod and Bulaga battle it out for LT with the loser being backup.

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As far as I know, Winston is a pretty good RT.

The fact he is unsigned after all this time is a red flag.

He may be hurt, or is asking more than they are letting on. (A lot of guaranteed years)

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I am thinking Ted sticks with Andrew Datko. This kid was projected as a early R3 talent coming off shoulder surgery and because of that we got him in the 6th last year. He was medically cleared post surgery, and spent all of last season building his strength on a 6-6 320 frame. Super smart. Good feet. One of those "no one works harder" types. Excellent at reading schemes. Allowed 1 sack in his last full season of play. I think we are better at OT than many might think, but that is just my guess.

"Why Packer fans should keep an eye on him: The best way I can state this is that Datko is a lot like James Starks. Starks was looking a solid 2-4 round pick before his injury in college that caused his draft stock to sink. The Packers got him in the sixth round and so far he has worked out alright, but he still struggles to get on the field. Datko was projected to be a second round pick by many until his most recent shoulder injury. If he can stay healthy then the Packers have a great swing tackle at the very least and a possible prototypical left tackle for nothing at the best. All he has to do is keep developing and stay healthy."
http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2012/6/25/3116501/rookie-spotlight-andrew-datko 

I bet they roll with him, maybe select another in the draft. That's just based on their trending.

Winston (6-7 302) would be a good pick up though for RT. Only 3 sacks allowed last season in over 1000 snaps. Total cap casualty. Great zone blocker. This would be one of those signings that could save a draft choice for better use on D. I'm all for it if they would do it. Eric Winston would be a great addition to our team, protecting Rodgers and opening up some lanes for our RBs.

I would say YES! Sign the guy!

I don't think it would be a bad signing.. however depending on the cap space after we get the Rodgers/Matthews deals done.. I think there are also other options that would be considerations for that portion of the left over cap space.

Shaun Phillips comes to mind.. a 3-4 OLB that had 9.5 sacks again last year.. might have a limited window in which he is effective yet, but might be a 2 or 3 year solution.. or at worst a rotational player with Matthews, Perry, Moses to give us more of a pass rush punch.

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Nobody wrong here, Winston would be a good signing, but is that position the one The Packers have the most need at?

The big ELEPHANT in the room,which seems to be being ignored right now is when is Ted going to get the deals with Aaron and Clay done?

The longer it takes, the fewer of these FA's,(who might become available at a lower price), will be left unsigned.

I guess the negotiations between Ted and AR's and Clay's agent gives him a built in excuse not to get involved in any FA negotiations with veteran players.

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Those players are under contract already. The extensions are being worked on by their Agent (I say Agent because I think they are represented by the same one) and Russ Ball, not Ted Thompson. Thompson approves contracts, Ball writes them.

I don't believe the Packers care about excuses as to why they didn't sign a Free Agent and I for one am pleased they don't care to consider the fans opinions/thoughts when leading the professional franchise of the Green Bay Packers.

No elephant, just a bunch of inpatient fans, which I think is great!

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The Packers have a lot invested in Sherrod and Bulaga so if they are ready physically I cannot see inhibiting either from getting the PT they need. Sherrod has started 5 whole games. I would guess if the medical staff is happy with where he is at physically they won't pay somebody else while taking away the snaps he needs to become a solid OL.
If I remember correctly Sherrod was not projected to be an instant starter but with experience had all the tools to be a very good OL. They say it takes two years for OL to succeed but fan wise I find very few with that kind of patience.

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Out of curiosity I googled eric winston pass protection. Didn't even click on the results and just looked at the brief text preview beneath each link. Copied and pasted:

Link 1: Everyone needs to be honest; Eric Winston was the worst of our starting linemen in pass protection last year.

Link 2: Eric Winston - Winston had some issues in pass protection with speed rushers and with guys who could make strong inside moves, but ...

Link 3: Most fans were shocked today when the Texans cut Eric Winston loose. ... but his pass protection has been a bit of an issue the last couple of ...

Link 4: Eric Winston 2013 player profile, game log, season stats, career stats, ... fits one scheme and is coming off a sub-par season in pass protection.

Link 9: Tackle Eric Winston continues to look for a job. He could be ... A steady run blocker but his pass protection was hit and miss. Smart guy and not ...

I bolded the part in Link 2 because isn't that what our OTs struggled with over the past few years? If he has trouble pass blocking on run first teams like the Texans and Chiefs, what chance does he have in GB?! Seems like a real roll of the dice if they were to sign him[suicide]

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thanks mucky. I was not keen on signing him to begin with. Rather see our current players grow and develop. But if he can't pass block he is useless.

edit- I just noticed my typo on the name. I be bad and will stand in a corner for 5 minutes. Times up.

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Wait.. I am confused.. one thread you are saying you want impact free agents.. in this one let the young guys grow and develop. Don't we have young guys at about every position? [grin1]

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