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.