Pretty sure I don't like this idea but Goodell recently talked about the idea of adding two new teams if no teams end up moving to LA/Southern California. In this Yahoo article, Goodell discussed that adding just one team would create scheduling conflicts including having a team off every week of the season.

"We probably don’t want to go to 33" teams by adding just one new club if a suitable stadium is built in the Los Angeles area, Goodell said. Instead, the league would consider adding two. An odd number of teams would pose scheduling problems, including at least one club being off each week, and would create one division with five teams.

Further speculation mentioned that LA could house two teams, but logic says this would be a tremendous mistake. LA once had two teams and it ended up costing them both teams. There is still question for many of us if LA can even support one team really.

What I really hope though is that this need for a 34th team doesn't equal a team in London. I think it will be a tremendous burden on the league and players with the extra travel and what that does to the players. Plus, who's going to want to leave the country to play there...most of the players are probably going to want to sign with US based teams. I'd rather see a team in Canada than in London. I think adding teams in general is a poor idea though, the number we are at now is perfect.

Interesting last hour in the NFL for players of teams in the NFC North.

Reports have surfaced that Donovan McNabb cleared waivers meaning no team was willing to take him and the remaining $1.5 million salary. The follow up question is if someone will sign him to a vets minimum to come in and back up their guy. Houston is a logical choice but having just signed Delhomme, they might not be interested.

Ndamukong Suh lost his appeal of his fine. Honestly I am shocked how quickly this was reviewed. The league must have wanted to send a sign to the rest of the league about this kind of action is not okay and will carry a firm penalty. I was glad that the review was quick and that they didn't allow it to linger for another week. Suh will miss the Saints game.

Johnny Jolly, 28, is no stranger to run ins with the law...the law finally caught up according to a story on Yahoo today. Despite pleas from Johnny and his mother, the court came down hard on Jolly with a 6 year prison sentance. The news shouldn't be a shocker as he has been in trouble numerous times now despite a seemingly promising professional career. He was a promising 2 year starter for the Packers but this in effect ends his hopes of ever playing in the pros again. Its a shame to see a young person give up such a bright future and opportunity to succeed and get out of a rough past. He'll be a warning sign to the young kids coming into the league to leave their past in the past...

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I don't think I am interested...anyone interested? I know there are a LOT of people that are upset about our pass rush...is this the guy that you want to see on the team to help provide more pass rush?

Personally, I think he's too much of a locker room cancer kind of guy to take a risk of breaking up what we have going on here. I think the Eagles and Lions might have him on speed dial though. Heck he'd fit right in with the bad boy attitude the Lions seem to be going after.

Ran into an interesting article * from profootballweekly.com today. It talked about all the talent behind the scenes in GB that could get raided in this upcoming season. I know a lot of these names are names that WE know but it sounds like the rest of the league has taken note and this could be a year where we start to lose some of our talented coordinators, coaches, and even office guys. I think Capers will be safe. I don't see another team putting him in charge, but you never know I guess. Here are the rest the article mentioned (after the jump).

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http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/7155185/chicago-bears-release-chris-harris

Chris Harris was released today by the Bears after requesting a trade about a week ago. Anyone interested? You think he could make it work in a 3-4 after being in a cover 2 for most of his career? Its rare to see a pro bowl caliber player released mid season like this.

We could certainly use some depth at safety...

So I just got an email from Facebook Deals offering me tickets to the Vikings/Lions game in a month for $40 each...can you imagine your team needing to use an online coupon site like groupon to get the stadium sold out?!!?

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I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion about some of the names being cut throughout the league. There might not be a more exciting time for FA in a long time. Not only are there going to be more bigger names than usual but they is going to be a crazy frenzy to get them signed! I'll go over the names I've heard after the jump, feel free to chime in with more names that I missed as well any speculation about where they could land and if you are interested in seeing any of them in Green and Gold.

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I just ran into this one in an email from Footballguys and I was floored. Apparently in 1993, all the plaintiffs that were involved in the situation then were granted immunity from the franchise tag for their careers. This whole concept makes me absolutely sick. I can't believe a player would even accept this and that it wouldn't cause a total revolt among the other players. Not even sure why they would be granted this, especially with all the things that have been said over the course of the process.

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I ran into this on the Daily Norseman and thought it was pretty interesting. An article from the NY Times goes over the popularity of the 32 teams over the course of the season and notes reasons for spikes and declines.

Throughout the course of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles were BY FAR the most popular team on Madden. It was clearly the doing of one Michael Vick as his emergence on the scene sparked a fast climb that really never went down. The Minnesota Vikings coming off their great 2009/10 season were the #2 most popular team though it fell quickly with the departure of Moss and the decline of the team. It shouldn't be surprising with how they did last year that they were a popular team. The Baltimore Ravens slipped into the third spot and were amazingly consistent throughout the year.

The Packers finished the season on the top as the most the popular team after seeing a very steady climb once the playoffs hit. After beating the Bears they rose to the top and it wouldn't be surprising to see them in the running with Philly and a few other teams for that spot at the beginning of next year (as long as Vick stays in Philly).

The Cardinals sat in the basement for most of the year with almost no movement the entire year. A few shockers though were successful teams like Tampa Bay finishing at #29 and Houston Texans at #23. To some, seeing Oakland in the top 10 might be a shocker but speed kills in Madden and we ALL know how much Al Davis likes speed with his players.

Not really sure how to take this when a player is given almost an entire season to prove he's worth having a bigger role and then repeatedly shows he's really best regulated to the same role he was in before.

I like Brandon Jackson when he's being used right, as a 3rd down back...but I guess most of our suspicions were proven right this year when he underwhelmed as THE MAN for our running game. I really hope we can bring him back but I also hope we don't expand his role...he is what he is. Anyone disagree?

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Watching NFL Network right now and they are talking about coaches on Packers that might be hired away for Defensive Coordinator roles. In particular, Winston Moss (ILB Coach/Asst HC) and Mike Trgovac (D Line coach) are thought of very highly and are likely to get opportunities to be D Coordinators with one of a number of teams looking for that role:

• Arizona
• Tennessee
• Philadelphia
• Oakland

They also speculated that teams might have an interest an Matt Flynn...especially for a team like Seattle who's GM was in Green Bay when Flynn was drafted. Could be an interesting off season, while we were all worried about Capers being stolen it might end up being key members of his staff that are robbed from us.

I know we've debated on A.J. Hawk all year but I ran into something today from NFP on Yahoo while I was looking for interesting stories. Dan Pompei is one of their authors who wanted to make HIS selections for All Pros. His list included a few Packers...still none on offense but I don't object to those omissions. While we have elite talent at a few positions, I wouldn't argue they are better than the people he nominated.

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I thought this was a really interesting portion of a story on SI. Apparently Thompson had an "Emergency Board" with lists of players available in case of injury. I can only imagine how often this board was used in a season like this season. Its stuff like this though that make him who he is as a GM.

Many things were discussed with Thompson: Atlanta's unseasonable freezing weather, Thompson's East Texas roots and, in greatest detail, the Packers' "Emergency Board,'' a giant magnetic slab that sits on the wall of an office about 30 feet from Thompson's. It contains the names of any potentially available football player whom the Packers might need to sign, should injuries deplete their roster. It has happened frequently this year -- the Packers have 15 players on injured reserve and have tapped the emergency board (and other means of filling vacancies) frequently and effectively.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tim_layden/01/15/packers.falcons.insider/index.html#ixzz1BDjcRdAa

I know people are hot and cold on him. Some wish he went after more FAs...or ANY free agents (haha) but look at this year. Missing 15 players on IR. Al Harris gone. Jolly in jail. This team is missing like half of its starters from last year and they haven't missed a BEAT! Obviously coaching gets some of the credit here but they don't have a chance if Thompson doesn't get the right guys in there. The impact guys on defense are astounding. Peprah? Burnett? Shields? Walden? Green? Starks? Quarless? This team is anchored by second day draft picks and free agents, yet where are they?

I'll start the campaign today...Ted Thompson for Executive of the Year (for the second time)

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Ran into an interesting "rumor" on Yahoo. Apparently the Vikings are looking into bringing in some very interesting former head coaches as coordinators/coaches. Josh McDaniels, former HC for the Broncos, is rumored to be the lead candidate to be the OC in Minnesota. This move shows that Minnesota is going to be going QB in the draft in my book as McDaniels is thought to be somewhat of a QB guru for some reason. Bevell, in this situation, is either demoted to QB coach (which would be odd with a guy like McDaniels in house) or just released. Not sure where he lands, I was always surprised that he was an OC in the first place...seemed like too quick of a jump for him. 

Singletary, on the other hand is being considered as a LB coach with the current LB Coach taking the DC job there. Big drop off for Singletary from HC to position coach though. I guess i thought he'd but up for a DC job somewhere. I know we are gearing up for the playoffs, but I thought this was an interesting topic of conversation about our those damn Vikings!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/McDaniels-and-Singletary-joining-Vikings-;_ylt=AjwQOMr6DzmA1ALbtBN9F3tDubYF?urn=nfl-304558

a Yahoo sports writer creates article titled:

The 5 most embarrassing moments for the Green Bay Packers special teams in 2010

I saw it listed among the articles today and just had to laugh that a non-Packer beat writer would take the time to detail just how awful our Special Teams unit really is. We've certainly had our share of blunders so without further ado, here is their list:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-7451202

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Jay Glazer is reporting that Brad Childress has been fired and Lesley Frazier will be the interim HC in Minnesota. There is a press conference set for 3 pm (moved from its normal noon time) so more should be learned at that point. MN Viking fans are thrilled (I know my wife said I just made her day when I emailed that tidbit to her).  It will be interesting to see what they do next. One thing they talked about on KFAN here this morning is that with Childress gone, they can actually start to have conversations with other potential coaches (guys like Cowher, Billick, Parcells). None of them would have talked to them with a HC still in there.

Apparently Aaron Kampman didn't get out of Green Bay quite soon enough as our injury bug struck him despite him playing for Jacksonville now. The news out of Jacksonville is that Kampman has suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's practice and is out for the season.

Kampman signed a four-year, $25 million contract during the offseason and he has helped improve a pass-rush that produced only 14 sacks last season. Thanks to Kampman, who leads the team with four sacks, the Jaguars already have 14 in their first eight games. Kampman tore the ACL in his left knee last November, but recovered in time to make an immediate impact this season. He will be placed on injured reserve and have surgery at a later date.

ESPN is reporting the Titans are bringing in Randy Moss off waivers. This is a pretty scary pickup for them. How do you stack the box when you have to account for Randy Moss as a deep threat too. CJ owners in FF have to be THRILLED with this news!

With Shawne Merriman, he was claimed by the first team on waivers so we have no idea who else put in a claim for sure. The Bills need LB help more than any other team so why not take the chance. Both moves make some sense in my book...

What is going on here...NFL Network is reporting that the Vikings cut Randy Moss! Not even joking...

http://www.nfl.com/

I guess they are citing him giving up in the game and also his insubordination. Wow...how does this affect the Vikings? Harvin goes back to obscurity? 8 back in the box? Time for a complete meltdown...its all falling apart now.

Have to think Rice is going to be back soon or they CAN'T do this move!

Maybe this will help to keep the site clean of too many trade rumors and talking about trades people think we should do. There's a lot of trade blabber out there right now with the deadline hitting on Tuesday (I think) so lets get it all out of our system in here.

• Oakland says EVERYONE is on the block...interested in Nnamdi Asomugha or one of their backs?
  
• Carolina has rumors flowing all over with Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams but says none of them are on the block (which is crazy...why wouldn't they try to get something for Williams before he leaves on his own)
• Willis McGahee might be available
• One of our own  wants us to go after Marion Barber since Dallas is now "out of it"
• Champ Bailey might be available for the right offer as Denver isn't quite ready for prime time.

What do you want to see the GM do? What rumors are you hearing? Lets make an effort to keep it all in one place so we don't end up with 10 fanposts about things that very likely won't happen...

With the recent rash of injuries, the Packers brought in a slew of new players for work outs. Most of them are people the average fan hasn't even heard of so its unlikely any of them are anything more than roster depth. The most interesting to note is RB Aaron Stecker who established himself as a decent runner with the Saints in the recent past. Other players to note included: DB Michael Greco, and linebackers Dominic Douglas, Cardia Jackson, Steve Octavien, Mike Rivera, and Lee Robinson. Octavien appeared in 16 games over the previous two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. The other linebackers are practice-squad eligible. None of them will make up for the absence of Barnett, but maybe the Packers will find a younger player to develop.

• Another interesting story is that Chris Bryan, the punter who lost out to Masthay, was released by the Buccaneers. Bryan ranked last in the league with a 37.4 gross punting average on 23 tries and his 34.3 net average was tied for 27th among NFL punters.
• Shawne Merriman's time with the Chargers has come to an abrupt end as they have placed him on IR with a "minor-injury designation". The designation means that once he is healthy enough to return, the team is required to cut him. There is still a chance he could be resigned for a much lower amount but its highly unlikely. This could be another option for the Packers if our injury woes continue. He's not the guy we all got to know a few years ago, but he's certainly better than Cardia Jackson!
• DeShawn Wynn was released by the Saints to make room for Julius Jones. He might be another option for the packers to consider since he knows the system and could step in immediately to help. They also released John Carney to make room for Matt Giordano, another familiar name for all of us.
• The Vikings got a taste of what we are all feeling as they placed promising young corner on the IR for the second straight year. Cedric Griffin has now suffered a "significant knee injury" in both knees which doesn't bode well for a young promising career or for the Vikings defensive backfield. They got some good news though as Sidney Rice is now off crutches...though he is still well behind the recovery plan they were hoping he'd be on.

In shocking news, its been announced that Lynch has been traded to Seattle. The shocking news though is that its reported he was obtained for a 4th rounder and a conditional 2012 pick. THAT'S IT! How could Thompson NOT pay that price??? I am quite frustrated with this news. We thought it was going to take a 2nd rounder and it turns out to be a 4th and a conditional. Not sure about all of you, but its not the fact that he was traded that bugs me but what they got for him that bugs me...

Peter King pointed out something I guess I had either forgotten about or ignored...

The Green Bay Packers can thank Brett Favre for one more thing, other than a lot of memories, when they take the field tonight in Chicago.

The Packers traded Favre to the New York Jets for a conditional draft choice in 2008. The pick became the Jets' third-rounder in the 2009 draft because Favre played more than 50 percent of the snaps in the 2008 season. So when the Packers started looking for an extra pick to pair with the 41st and 73rd overall picks to send to New England for the 26th overall pick in the first round on that draft day, GM Ted Thompson reached into his trove of choices and pulled out the Favre pick -- the 83rd. He sent the three picks to New England for that first-rounder and a fifth- to get a prospect many in the league thought had some holes because of a very spotty college career. The prospect started only eight games in five years, but Thompson had a feel for him. He thought the prospect would be just what his front seven was missing. And so the deal got made, and Thompson used the ultimate headache that had been the Favre nightmare to help him get his man.

NFL sack leader Clay Matthews.

So I guess in the end we can thank Favre for pushing his way out cause it was his compensation that helped open the door for us to get our hands on Clay Matthews. Talk about a GM going out on a line for a player he had a hunch on! I am just glad he didn't draft someone with the Favre pick!