Mike Sherman's first test in his new role as both general manager and coach begins today (Feb. 16) as free agency officially begins in the National Football League. Between now and March 2, the Packers can deal exclusively with their own free agents, including safety Darren Sharper and kicker Ryan Longwell. After that, it's the league's version of an XFL coin toss -- whoever gets to the player first (with the most) wins.
NFL free agency issues are greatly confused by the salary cap. In Sharper's case, the Packers may use the franchise tag designation (in which they are required to pay him the average of the five-highest paid safeties) to scare away other teams (no NFL franchise "tag-ee" has ever left their original team), but the move usually generates ill will and a holdout; it's happened before with Dorsey Levens and Antonio Freeman.
Longwell appears poised to test the market. The kicker wants a deal that would rival Mike Vanderjagt's in Indianapolis (around $7 million over 4 years), and the Packers have a history of shunning guys who use their feet to earn a paycheck. Unfortunately, that means they may have to replace the NFL's most accurate kicker in history (84.7 percent) just as the team attempts to become a contender again.
Sherman has a couple of things around to help him in the next few months: Ron Wolf and the NFL Draft. The semi-retired Wolf is still hanging around the office until June 1, and college players will be chosen April 21-22. Using both of these, Sherman is looking for major help at wide receiver, linebacker, the defensive line and in the secondary. If he finds answers to all four, he thinks the team can win the Super Bowl.
But how likely are the Packers to make a big splash, something they really haven't done since signing Reggie White in 1993? Since the team is already about $6-8 million above the cap, probably not too likely. But Brett Favre's deal may be restructured and Earl Dotson, Brian Williams, Frank Winters, and even Ross Verba will probably be shown the door; these moves would give the Packers some leeway, but probably not enough free cash to sign the "impact" stars Sherman covets.
Defensive line: Like last season, this is probably the team's most glaring need, especially in light of leg injuries to tackles Santana Dotson and Steve Warren. But as evidenced by the team's failure to get Sam Adams to even fly into town last winter, it's difficult to craft an attractive deal to land a quality D-lineman without money to burn. Miami ends Trace Armstrong and Jason Taylor are both available, as are conference rivals Tracy Scroggins (Detroit) and Fernando Smith (Minnesota). St. Louis' Kevin Carter is the group's big fish but is a remote possibility for the Packers. Tennessee DE Kenny Holmes, a key member of the Titan's No. 1 defensive unit, may be a viable option. Holmes is still young enough that he won't cost a fortune, but he may get priced out of Nashville as the team focuses on re-signing WR/KR Derrick Mason. Dallas DT Leon Lett is also an unrestricted free agent.
Linebacker: The Packers survived here despite losing budding star Williams in 1999. Nate Wayne was a classic Wolf find and signed a four-year deal late in the year. Bernardo Harris is accomplished, but K.D. Williams and Mike Morton don't frighten anyone. While not as sexy as defensive lineman in the market, guys like Denvers John Mobley, Dallas Dexter Coakley, Minnesotas Dwayne Rudd and Baltimores Jamie Sharper are almost certainly beyond the Packers' budget. Mid-range players like the Rams Mike Jones, Cincinnatis Adrian Ross and Miamis Derrick Rodgers are more likely options. Though I don't know who the Packers are targeting, it's a very good bet this position will be addressed in the open market.
Wide receiver: Personally, I believe Antonio Freeman will have his best year since 1998 in 2001, but the Packers are not going to rely on that possibility. Wolf no doubt has a draft pick in mind here and there is some quality talent available. Players who could be around when the Packers pick 17th in the first round include Reggie Wayne (Miami), Rod Gardner (Clemson), Freddie Mitchell (UCLA's mouthy star) and Chris Chambers (UW). New Orleans' picked up Joe Horn last year, proving that there are some pro bargains available. Kansas City speedster Kevin Lockett, Oakland deep-threat James Jett, the Jets' Dedric Ward, Seattle's Sean Dawkins and the aforementioned Mason are options (Mason being the least likely and most expensive).
Defensive secondary: If Sherman truly thinks an additional player is needed here to contend, then the team is likely to damn the consequences and sign the 25-year-old Sharper. With LeRoy Butler willing to re-structure his deal at strong safety, the focus will then be on the corners. Mike McKenzie and Tyrone Williams are both plus-players, but McKenzie was dinged up for a good portion of 2000. There are big name corners out there (Jason Sehorn, Aeneas Williams), but the team is unlikely to go in that direction. Mid-rangers include Kevin Abrams (Detroit), Kevin Mathis (New Orleans) and Rob Kelly (safety, New Orleans). This looks like another Draft need.
As for the possibility of replacing Longwell, San Francisco's Wade Richey (unrestricted) and Seattle's Rian Lindell (if Longwell reunites with Mike Holmgren) have been mentioned. Plus, Sherman and Wolf may have their eye on a cheap veteran punter in light of Josh Bidwell's 2000 travails.
New head man Mike Sherman is sure to be indoctrinated quickly whatever the outcome.
Sports shots columnist Tim Gutowski was born in a hospital in West Allis and his sporting heart never really left. He grew up in a tiny town 30 miles west of the city named Genesee and was in attendance at County Stadium the day the Brewers clinched the 1981 second-half AL East crown. I bet you can't say that.
Though Tim moved away from Wisconsin (to Iowa and eventually the suburbs of Chicago) as a 10-year-old, he eventually found his way back to Milwaukee. He remembers fondly the pre-Web days of listenting to static-filled Brewers games on AM 620 and crying after repeated Bears' victories over the Packers.
