The Peyton Manning sweepstakes has greatly overshadowed all the other NFL free agents who have been trading places lately. The Green Bay Packers have seven players who could jump ship, here’s the skinny.
QB Matt Flynn
The record setter is similar to Aaron Rodgers in that he’s an underdog story: Flynn was a seventh-round draft pick in 2008, Rodgers had to ball at community college coming out of high school. Flynn has been rumored to be (excuse me while I continue to run this annoying phrase into the ground) “taking his talents to South Beach” for a reunion with former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.
I’m guessing the “Who Wants to Sign a Peyton Manning?” reality show will have to end before we know the destination for Flynn. Whichever QB-seeking GM that doesn’t get the final rose may be Flynn’s gentleman caller.
C Scott Wells
Wells has been the Packers’ most consistent offensive lineman over the last two seasons, and the only one to start every game.
Another seventh-round pick, like Flynn, he’s seen his stock skyrocket this year; as Wells is coming off his first Pro Bowl selection.
CB Jarrett Bush
When he was a restricted free agent, the Packers matched the Titans offer. Now, the dime cornerback and special teams player is unrestricted.
RB Ryan Grant
We covered not only Grant, but the entire running back situation in depth here.
DE Howard Green
Played a much bigger role in 2010 during the run to the Super Bowl than he did last year. He doesn’t fit the system as much.
CB Pat Lee
He hasn’t lived up to standards as a second-round pick in 2008. Fell way behind on the depth chart and is now pretty much only a special teams player.
LB Erik Walden
Started at outside linebacker opposite Clay Matthews most of last year, but made more noise off the field. Both his value on the open market, and his position within the Packers depth chart, should he return, are very much up in the air.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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