Packers coaches can use Pro Bowl gig to advantage

By Hugo Guzman  |   Monday, February 04, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Green Bay Packers
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Head coach Mike McCarthy and his Green Bay Packers staff will soak up a little sun this week in Hawaii while leading the NFC team in preparations for Sunday's annual Pro Bowl game.

It's quite an honor and affords them the time to work with several of their own players but also other star athletes, although they got the job because they lost the NFC title contest to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Winning the game and earning bragging rights for their conference are goals to be sure, but the Packers' brain trust should take advantage of the opportunity and do a little friendly recruiting.

What does that mean? Well, Green Bay's coaches can scout prospective free agents just in case general manager Ted Thompson chooses to spend a little of his team's reported $25 million worth of cap room for 2008.

They could use depth and/or upgrades in the offensive line and secondary, and there are several intriguing options who'll be at practicing this week, including Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant and Dallas safety Ken Hamlin. If the Packers want to replace Brady Poppinga at linebacker, Chicago's Lance Briggs might be available.

And they probably could conveniently run into members of the AFC squad in the hotel lobby, such as Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca. Or maybe they could chat with Indianapolis center Jeff Saturday about whether either of the Colts' guards, Ryan Lilja or Jake Scott, might be interested in coming to Titletown. And then there's New England cornerback Asante Samuel.

Green Bay's contingent, which includes defensive end Aaron Kampman, wide receiver Donald Driver, cornerback Al Harris and tackle Chad Clifton, could visit with other prospective free agents from across the NFL who are visiting the islands with their teammates.

Either way, the Packers should gather as much information as possible. One never knows when it could come in handy in potential negotiations.
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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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