Is this the year Ted Thompson utilizes free agency?

Well the NFL season is finally over and a whole other season begins, THE OFFSEASON! In this period of parody in the NFL, basically any team can improve their team through free agency and the draft. Who knew teams like the Ravens and Falcons could make the playoffs with rookie head coaches and rookie quarterbacks, unheard of. Even the lowly Arizona Cardinals stepped out and played in one of the best Super Bowls ever. We all know what the Packers did last year. Taking a huge step back in the standings, but also took a huge step forward in replacing the legendary Brett Favre with the young Aaron Rodgers. I'll be honest, I didnt think Rodgers would be that good so early in his career. Now he is cemented as the starter for the entire offseason without all the Favre crap looming over his shoulder. This is his team and hopefully the team can improve on a 6 win season. A season that most Packer fans put the blame on the Defense. Bring in Dom Capers and the 3-4 Defense. The change will move Aaron Kampman to the Outside Linebacker spot and hopefully an improvement in stopping the run. The Packers are still one of the youngest teams in the league, but now its time to move forward. Players like AJ Hawk and Justin Harrell must live up to their high draft picks or else move on. Hawk has been very consistent but i expected more big play making with him being the 5th pick overall a few years back. Harrell was drafted high even with a history of injuries in college. Big surprise hes been on the injured list his entire career in Green Bay. It seems Thompson does a better job drafting players in rounds 2 -4 then he does with 1st rounders. Players like Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Nick Collins have been great finds in the draft and a big part of the team. With a high draft pick this year and an estimated $25 million under the salary cap for 2009, the Packers could easily contend for the NFC North Division. Big name free agents like Julius Peppers and Albert Hanyesworth are out there but in the past Thompson has insisted in building through the draft. Its time to make a splash. This team is too talented to not be in the playoffs and bringing in a Pro Bowl like player on Defense could definitley put the Pack back in contention in the NFC. Look what influence Reggie White had on the team in the mid 90's when he was signed by Ron Wolf. Positions of need for this offseason will include another Outside Linebacker opposite of Kampan, more depth on the Defensive Line, another Corner to learn under the aging Woodson and Harris, and also an Offensive tackle will all be looked at to improve the team. Im not saying to sell the farm on one player but do something within the free agency market.

Favre calls it quits

After 18 record breaking seasons in the NFL, Brett Favre retired for the 2nd time and most likely the last time. Favre, who has basuically every important career record for a qb, spent his last season of his career as a Jet, but will always be remembered as a Green Bay Packer and winning Superbowl 31. By the end of his career in Green Bay, Favre and the Packers were on shakey ground after last years offseason in which Favre went back and forth in retiring with the Packers and finally the Packers decided to go with the young Aaron Rodgers. Farve wanted to come back and asked to be released so he could sign with the team of his choice. The Packers refused to do so and eventually traded Favre to the Jets. Time will only tell if the two sides can mend their differences.

Are the Brew Crew done making moves for the Offseason?

Last year the Brewers made history and broke their 26 year streak of not making the playoffs. A lot of their success came from the big left hander CC Sabathia and clutch hitting by the Brewers young bats. However this offseason the Brewers lost CC to free agency and their usual ace Ben Sheets, who is often injured, has yet to sign with another team. If they wanna make it back to the postseason this year their going to have to rely on their young hurlers of Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra to do so. The bullpen is gonna look a little different also. Salomon Torres retired and Guillermo Mota and Eric Gange were not resigned, Thank God. This led to the brewers making their biggest offseason addition by bringing in the all time leader in saves in Trevor Hoffman. Are the brewers done with making moves? As of now the club has suggested yes. As for the fielding lineup, things are goin to look pretty similar as of last year. Some positions in question are 2nd and 3rd base however. At 3rd its gonna be Bill Hall and one of the brewers top prospects in Mat Gamel. Gamel lit up the minors last year and could possibly push Hall out for that thirdbase spot in Spring Training. The other position in question will be 2nd Base. Is this the year Rickie Weeks breaks out or will it be the same old same old? Weeks has showed streaks were he plays great but his inconsistensy has driven brewer fans crazy. Time will tell if he can make the grade or will they have to bring in someone else? Ray Durham was brought in during the season last year to rotate with Weeks at 2nd, but as of now he is not on a major league roster. As for me i wouldn't mind if the brewers find another veteran starting pitcher and an infielder. The brewers offense should be great led by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, but with the losses of CC and Sheets and the youth of Gallarado and Parra, the pitching staff could use another arm. Who knows what the brewers will do though as for now. Will another mid season trade occur that could spark the team. Speculation is always surrounding trading Prince Fielder due to that fact that many beileve he won't sign a long term deal with the club. This off season the club did sign him to a two year deal though so they should have some time to make any decisions. As for me i got spring fever and cant wait til opening day. Will brewer fans be partying like its 2008 or starting a new streak of no postseason baseball in Milwaukee?