Packers Priority Signings For 2010

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

It may be early, but the next upcoming dilemma for the Packers will be resigning three key players. Greg Jennings, Nick Collins, and Aaron Kampman. Who is the top priority? Who is most deserving? Who can they afford to let test the free agent waters?

This is a very interesting topic and here are my decisions and opinions as a I sit in my make-believe G.M. position with my comfortable G.M. chair.

1. Greg Jennings, WR - Another Green Bay receiver who is not getting enough attention. He is starting to get more though and should have another great year. Statistically, he has improved and in my opinion, Greg Jennings is the top priority for a number of reasons. The knock on him after the draft was he is not fast enough. He has shown great separation and excellent route running ability can overcome elite speed.

He is physical and more importantly, a team player. Drafting receivers is the biggest crapshoot in my opinion, you never know how fast they can develop or effective they can be until usually their third season. Locking him up long term is in the teams best interest and most of all, Aaron Rodgers'. Rodgers to Jennings sounds real good for the next few seasons.

2. Nick Collins, FS - I am going with Nick Collins as second priority. This position has been less than stellar since the departure of strong safety Leroy Butler before the 2000 season. Collins is entering his fifth season and has been consistent except for the 2007 season. On paper, what I like is that he is a fourth quarter player. As the game goes on he gets better.

In 2008, Nick Collins averaged 38 tackles, 34 solo, ten pass deflections and six picks in the second half of games. He is a smart player and understands what offenses are trying to do. Having Charlie Peprah and Aaron Rouse help as reserves, but until either emerge as legitimate starters, the Packers must lock up Collins long term.

3. Aaron Kampman, OLB- This is totally predicated on his success in the new 3-4 defense. Let's look at it both ways. If he is not successful, which we really won't know until after the season, I believe the Packers could afford to let him go. Personally, I like Kampman. His position and work ethic is actually similar to Jarrett Johnson's when he switched from end to linebacker in Baltimore. Johnson has been solid, but not spectacular.

The Packers have a good stable of linebackers right now. Drafting Clay Matthews out of USC, along with having Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brandon Chillar and my sleeper stud Desmond Bishop are all key ingredients for the 3-4 to be successful. Linebackers, linebackers and more linebackers.

Now if Aaron Kampman is successful, do you resign him or could you find a better fit in free agency or the draft? It's hard to look at statistics when they are at defensive end, so this situation presents the biggest question mark. As an end, his numbers have been steady and his high motor is tough to replace.

For some reason I come up with more reason to replace him rather than resign him. It is a young man's game, and Kampman entering his eighth season, is not getting younger. It would have to be a wait and see situation until we see how far he comes in the new 3-4 scheme.  

Overall, this will be an interesting year for the Packers in a lot of ways. The future of these key players are crucial for Green Bay to keep it's play-makers. Another saying in the NFL is "next man up."  

Who will that be if any of these players leave via free agency or are released? The closer you can get to that answer, will go a long way in determining which one of these players you can place at the top of the list. Then again, contract years are always a players best year right?

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