Shaky and Peanut Sign with Packers

Packers fans can rest assured that we won’t be resting on our laurels through the frenzy of free agent signing this week.  The Green Bay front office announced that the highly coveted Shaky Smithson, WR from Utah, and Peanut Joseph, NT from Temple – both undrafted free agents – have landed with the Packers.

Is this the future for Shaky and Peanut???

Although “Shaky” may not be the most re-assuring name for a wide receiver, at least he’s not a brain surgeon.  Or a calligrapher.  And while one might hope for more of a "Brazil nut" or "Macademia" for a nose tackle, “Peanut”, a name presumably appropriate for its irony, could add some depth behind B.J.  Most likely scenario is none of these guys make the team, but Sam Shields was plucked from last year’s undrafted free agent class, and now he has a Super Bowl Ring… as a neck tattoo.

So who am I to judge?

Other than Shaky and Peanut, the Packers dive into the free agency mosh pit hasn’t had many surprises.  In case you’re out of date, here are the highlights:

• Nick Barnett was cut.  No real surprise – saved the Packers $5 million in salary for a guy who is probably past his prime, is injury prone, and, in all likelihood, would be a back-up to Hawk and Bishop.  
• Daryn Colledge, as expected, is almost certainly leaving via free agency .  It would be great to re-sign him, but the salary could be a hard nut to swallow and it sounds like he’s already out the door.  I’m a little concerned about the O-line.  Not quite sure what their plan is for back-filling him.
• Mason Crosby was re-signed to five-year deal worth $14.75 million, including $3 million guaranteed – making him one of the most highly paid kickers in the NFL.  I like Crosby.  Not sure I like him that much, but I’m not GM.

The two biggest question marks remain Cullen Jenkins, who we all assume is gone (Redskins being the leading candidate), and James Jones.  Rodgers put in a strong case to bring Jones back today stating, "James is extremely talented and he's a guy that I think we need to bring back without a doubt. He should be priority No. 1 and I mean that with all my heart. He really should be priority No. 1. We don't win the Super Bowl without him and we need him."

My gut is Jones doesn’t come back, but you never know – there are several big-name WRs in the free agent pool this year, so Jones may discover he can’t get what he thinks he can get, and return to an heir-apparent #2 in Green Bay after Double-D retires.  I’d like to see him stay.  Maybe they can give him some of the money that Barnett and Colledge won’t be getting.

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