With the Green Bay Packers offseason coming to a close and preseason activities starting to ramp up, prognosticators from around the NFL are evaluating how their offseason went. ESPN is no exception, tasking writer Bill Barnwell with assessing free agency and the draft and slapping a grade on them. For Barnwell, that grade for the Packers was a "B-" as he watched their offensive line fall into tatters.
The good for Green Bay
One of ESPN's favorite moves for Green Bay was bringing in tight end Martellus Bennett, who was signed to a team-friendly contract.
He went underutilized as a member of the New England Patriots but is a much more consistent target than Jared Cook was last season. Plus, the team can end the deal after one season if the ankle injury Bennett suffered last season proves to be a more debilitating one than the Packers expected.
Green Bay also received approval from ESPN for their revamping of the secondary. The team saw Micah Hyde walk in free agency but brought back former team cornerback Davon House. The team also went for players for the secondary in the NFL Draft, selecting cornerback Kevin King and safety Josh Jones. Hopefully, those players will take some of the pressure off of do-it-all safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
The bad for the Packers
Meanwhile, the Packers received low marks from ESPN for letting their offensive line fall into disarray. Guard T.J. Lang departed for the team's NFC North rival, the Detroit Lions. Super sub JC Tretter also left for the riches of the Cleveland Browns. They signed guard Jahri Evans, but he is well past his prime at 33 years old.
If the line is unable to protect Aaron Rodgers or get a running game going, the team's Super Bowl dreams may die early.
Additionally, Barnwell doesn't seem to feel the team made any real improvements at linebacker, a position of struggle for the Packers last season. None of the incumbent inside linebackers have a ton of potential, leaving the ESPN writer to suggest that second-round draft pick (and projected safety) Josh Jones should take snaps at the position.
Julius Peppers left the franchise in free agency to return to the Carolina Panthers to close out his career. Stalwart Clay Matthews is a concern due to durability issues. The team also gave a sizable chunk of cash to Nick Perry following a breakout year, despite no indication that his level of play will be sustainable going forward in his career.
