Aaron's Answers: Packers won't get boxed in
Throughout the offseason, I’ll be answering reader questions in a weekly mailbag here at PackersNews.com. If you’d like to submit a question in the future, just email me at anagler@gannett.com.
Well, how about that for a week of free-agency activity? Ted Thompson has been busy addressing his roster and Packers fans have been busy sending me emails, so let’s get to them, shall we?
From Eric Fox:
I feel like the Packers have to draftKevin King. We’ve heard that the Packers like length at corner (despite their draft history) for years, and this kid seems like he has the feet/length/tape to be a great fit. If he’s available at 29, and the Packers pass on him for someone who doesn’t play OG, I will throw a hall-of-fame hissy fit.
Aaron’s answer:
The worst thing you can do is box yourself in during the draft, Eric. I suspect you know this. Yes, King is an impressive specimen with good length and the strength to disrupt receivers off the line of scrimmage. However, standing at 6-foot-3 he’s much taller than the traditional corner the Packers like to utilize. (Bob McGinn wrote on this a few years ago.)
All that said, the Packers could very well select him, making you happy. But if they don’t, just remember that talent is found throughout the draft, through all seven rounds. Not just during the nationally televised circus that is the first round.
From Susan Carlson:
Is there any chance we could signRicky Jean Francois,Tim Lelito orAndrew Tiller?
Listening toWilde & Tausch today, Wilde was concerned about the # of teams Francois played on, Tausch not so much. It says Francois was released right after he openly criticized the direction the Redskins are taking. Seeing how that team is run, vocal criticism would not go well I'm sure. I have a friend who is a Redskins fan, and if you think fans here whine about Ted, you should talk to him!!!
Lelito has played center, guard and tackle, why not give him a look???
I'm not a Ted basher by any means, but they should have these guys in for a look see!
Aaron’s answer:
Well Susan, as you probably know by now, the Packers did end up signingJean Francois to a one-year deal Thursday. I know things seem to play out slowly in free agency, especially when Thompson is involved, but rest assured that there are always things happening behind the scenes. The Packers just do a much better job than most of keeping those things in-house.
As for Lelito and Tiller, Lelito signed with the Titans earlier this week. While I haven’t heard anything on the Tiller front, we do know the Packers had Byron Bell in for a visit. Though he left without a deal, that doesn’t mean he can’t sign later on. Thompson and the Packers often have guys in and then sign them down the line when they’ve explored their options (Jared Cook being a recent example from just last offseason). Ryan Pickett went through the same thing back in the day.
I know it can feel maddening waiting to see how things will play out on the roster-building front, but have patience and trust that the wheels are always turning at 1265 Lombardi.
From Adam J. Lavoie:
Are they cutting Letroy Guion now that they signed a big guy? With Kenny Clark being the starter now we don't need a below-average DT that'll miss 25% of the season.
Aaron’s answer:
Adam, the Packers obviously haven’t said anything about it, but it’s not difficult to connect the dots here.
As I wrote when the league announced Guion’s suspension, it’s hard for the Packers to continue to justify Guion’s spot on the roster when they are continually dealing with off-the-field issues for a player who is increasingly limited on the field.
It’s one thing to deal with off-field headaches when the player in question is a valuable asset. That’s just life in the NFL. But after watching Guion’s play take a serious nosedive over the course of the 2016 season, I can’t imagine he’ll be on the roster much longer. Maybe they hang on to him until after the draft, but I tend to think he’ll be gone sooner rather than later.