The Green Bay Packers locked up their number two most important player this week by making Greg Jennings the second highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. I don’t have any problem comparing Jennings with Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, all both of them do is make big plays. And in Jennings case, he has one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks also locked up for the foreseeable future and nothing but big things can be expected of both. This has the makings of a record-breaking combination that rarely happens in today’s NFL.

This is another example of the Packers taking care of their core players and not risking money on over-the-hill or never-have-been free agents. Rodgers got his money last year, Jennings this year. I expect guys like Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Johnny Jolly to be next. I think the Packers will hold off on Nick Collins, whose value has dropped with every day he missed learning the new defense this offseason. The Packers are deep in the secondary and unlike last year with running back Ryan Grant, I doubt very highly that they will give in to Collins. Colledge and Spitz are more important if you ask me. Keeping Rodgers healthy should be top priority.

One thing is sure and that is Jennings will not be an Antonio Freeman and disappear after getting big money. Jennings is a class act and sets a huge example in the locker room and on the field. The Packers certainly got a steal when they took him with the 52nd in the 2006 draft. All he has done from day one is start and average 16 yards a catch and hauled in 24 TDs in three years, 21 of them coming in the last two seasons alone. The guy is a big play machine and if he and Rodgers stay healthy the Packers are going to be tough to stop.

If it was my money, I’d lock up Colledge and Spitz next, and try to steal Ryan Pickett and Atari Bigby for a reasonable price and let Collins and Aaron Kampman play a few games in 2009 before making a decision. The later two are not happy and do not appear all that thrilled about the new defense, so no need to rush to pay those guys. If it turns out they excel in the new scheme then the Packers will take care of them.

Man I can’t wait for the season to begin. I think training camp is going to be very positive and expectations will be high as well. With all that has transpired since the end of last season’s disappointing 6-10 record it is hard to argue the Packers haven’t taken huge steps in the right direction. The fruits of their labor will not begin to be known for another six weeks, but as an owner, I like the way my team is shaping up. Confidence is high.

First and foremost I am so sick of Brett Lorenzo Favre. But apparently you people aren’t. What I don’t understand is who gives a rat’s ass about a guy who hasn’t played for the Packers in two years and hasn’t played well for anybody in eight years. This is just astonishing and really reflects bad on Packers’ fans. Why you people can’t get over this is simply beyond explanation. It makes no sense. I urge all Packers’ fans to simply let the Favre lovers (and Packers haters) rant all they want but just don’t give them the satisfaction of a response. The Packers are primed for a great year and we shouldn’t be letting these bozos change the subject to Favre every two seconds. As John Rambo would say “Let…it…go!”

The Packers have playmakers at every key position and will have a new-and-improved defense to go along with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. That is what we should be talking about. Favre is the Vikings headache now and just like last year in New York it can only end badly for him. But who cares? Only Favre lovers. And I don’t care what anybody says, there is no middle ground. Either you are with us – the real Packers fans, or you are with the terrorists, oops, the Favre lovers. Quit to trying to walk the line, because you can’t. Packers’ fans have moved on to bigger and better things, Favre fans are still harping over the events of last summer when Ted Thompson wouldn’t give into their brat from Mississippi. There is nothing worse than a Favre fan scorned.

I have to admit that I am laughing every day at the mess this already making of the Vikings. Their locker room is already divided over whether or not they should bring in Favre and the media frenzy that will follow it will only be a huge distraction. I can’t wait to watch it unfold. I just wish I could come to Packernet and talk Packers for a change. It’s up to you all, you can keeping talking about it but I’m sick of reading it, so I won’t. Say what you want, act like babies and call each other names, do it all. I don’t give a crap anymore. I haven’t blogged about Favre since May 5 and this will be my last blog entry ever about a player that doesn’t play for the Packers. You can try and egg me on but I will not comment, in fact I highly doubt I will even read any of the comments I get from this entry unless somebody complains about a vulgar post or something.

The bright side of all of this is that other than the Nick Collins and Aaron Kampman mini-controversies, there is very little to talk about in Packerland right now. Things are progressing nicely with the new defense and with running back Ryan Grant attending all the offseason activities, the offense should be even better than the unit that ranked 8th in the NFL last year even though they were only 17th in rushing. Add another season from Grant like he had in 2007 and the Packers are back in the playoffs for sure and Rodgers is a Pro Bowl selection. I’m really looking forward to seeing both play this year.

Like last year after Thompson made a huge mistake in cutting punter Jon Ryan, the Packers weakest position is again punter. Thompson needs to find a veteran, no matter how many rocks he has to overturn, the team simply can’t afford to go through another season like they did last year at that position. I was not thrilled with kicker Mason Crosby’s sophomore performance and giving him a little competition could only be a good thing as well.

Come on Packers’ fans, lets move on and worry about things that actually affect the team. If you can’t do that, I feel for you, but there are plenty of places you can get help. Admitting you have a problem is the first step. Good luck.

I think Rex Grossman would have been the perfect backup to Aaron Rodgers this year. The Packers dodged a major bullet last year when Rodgers was able to stay healthy, but why press your luck? Grossman is always at his best coming off the bench and could have gotten the Packers through a short-term loss of Rodgers. I can’t say that about the bozos backing up Rodgers now. And having that veteran presence on the bench puts a little more pressure on Rodgers to stay on the field by playing well. That strategy worked pretty well for Mike Holmgren when he always had a veteran backup behind Brett Favre. Guys like Jim McMahon, Steve Bono and Doug Pederson were there as insurance. Right now, if Rodgers goes down, so do any hope they have at improving on last year.

I think I would like to see the Packers take a chance on Mike Vick. He could be the number two QB and number one gadget play player.  Vick could ease himself back into the NFL as a backup quarterback and part-time offensive playmaker and is not likely to command a lot of money. The guy has played in and won big games, including handing the Packers their first ever home playoff loss, so playing in the cold at Lambeau isn’t a problem. The man paid his debt to society and I think he would be a good fit in Green Bay.

I’m starting to think all the hubbub about Aaron Kampman may have been overblown. He seems to be adjusting well, but his silence and attitude toward the media is still somewhat curious. Here’s hoping he comes around and returns to the old AK were are used to seeing.

I think I am very disappointed already in first-round draft pick Clay Matthews. I mean, come on, how do you a pull a hammy in your first practice? No excuse is acceptable, and his absence more than likely has already cost him a starting job with the way Jeremy Thompson is performing. I hope this is not a sign of things to come for Matthews, but after watching Justin Harrell the last two years, one can’t help but be skeptical.

I think the Packers will be better with Jason Spitz at center, but only if they can replace him at right guard. He might be their best lineman.

I think I’m impressed with the way B.J. Raji has presented himself so far in Green Bay. He has done what is asked, studied hard by all accounts, and has been very professional with the media. I think he might have a long career in Green Bay. I don’t think, however, this is necessarily the end of Ryan Pickett in Green Bay, the Packers will find a way to use both and keep both happy. At least I hope so, Pickett is a solid veteran presence in the locker room and the Packers hopefully find a way to keep him after this year.

I think I might have something to say about someone in the next few days, but not a fault of my own.

Please accept my apologies for the problem we had with our hamsters (as Florio would say). The issue has been resolved and confidence is high it will never happen again. Rest assured Packernet is alive and well.

I would love to chime in on the latest news, but my self-imposed moratorium is still in effect until the situation is resolved one way or the other. You know me, though, it is damn hard to bite my tongue.

We are back though, and Packernet should be much faster than in the past. All is good.

More to come, and soon. Thanks a ton for sticking around. I am much obliged.