with their EDGE rushers this off-season http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-demetri-goodson-jersey , bringing in two new Smiths."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareNFC North in Free Agency: Packers swap out edge rushersBrad Mills-USA TODAY SportsThis is the fourth and final installment of a series examining the free agent moves around the NFC North division.After last years dabbling in the shallow end of free agency, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst took off the organization’s water wings and waded deeper into the pool. He added key pieces to a defense that lacked depth last season, while cutting bait with some familiar faces.The new signings by the Packers changed the draft strategy of the team and how analysts might have looked at potential picks. There is still great advantage to adding a pass rusher in the draft, despite signing Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith as edge rushers, but now the need is less dire if the right prospect isn’t there with one of the team’s first two picks at 12 or 30 overall.Both Smiths have sack numbers that are lower than one would like to see from stud pass rushers given the large sums of money they received, but their situations can be seen as a cause for the lack of production. Preston logged 53 pressures in 468 pass rushing stats last year, which ranks among the league’s best. As we’ve heard quite clearly this off-season Muhammad Wilkerson Jersey White , it’s about how well disrupt the quarterback that’s important.Za’Darius Smith put together 8.5 sacks last season, but in limited action. There’s reason to think that perhaps the production was a flash in the pan, or alternatively, could mean that more opportunities for him to be disruptive will mean even greater sack production.The Packers also added a young safety in Adrian Amos. Not only was he taken from a division rival, but he helps plug a glaring weakness after Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was dealt to Washington last season. Eddie Jackson got a lot of the shine in Chicago, but his former teammate, Amos http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-deshone-kizer-jersey , is a skilled safety who allowed Jackson to do what he could in certain cases. Amos is a sound tackler who can provide run-game support in the box as well as cover deep.Bringing in new players weren’t the only moves the Packers made this off-season. They cut bait with long-time Packer Clay Matthews III by letting him walk in free agency and released Nick Perry just two years after signing him to a hefty extension in 2017. Matthews was an aging EDGE who probably wasn’t worth a new contract given that he’s mostly rotational pass rusher at this point. Perry, meanwhile, had one good year just in time to earn a fat extension, but around that, his time in the NFL has been marred by injury and spotty play. It was time to cut ties with the linebacker and start fresh. Gutekunst can now shift his focus to the draft without having urgent needs looming over the Packers’ two draft picks in the first round. Another EDGE? Adding a tight end in addition to re-signing Marcedes Lewis? An offensive lineman? All options are on the table.Major AdditionsZa’Darius Smith, EDGEAdrian Amos, SPreston Smith http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-lane-taylor-jersey , EDGEBilly Turner, OLRe-signedMarcedes Lewis, TEGeronimo Allison, WR (RFA)Departed in Free Agency/ReleasedClay Matthews, EDGE (Rams)Nick Perry, EDGE (unsigned)Randall Cobb, WR (Cowboys)Bashaud Breeland Vince Biegel Jersey , CB (Chiefs)Jake Ryan, ILB (Jaguars) Controlling Aaron Rodgers’ ego while also utilizing his skills with be a tough balancing act for the rookie head coach."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareFriday Cheese Curds: Good Luck, Matt LaFleurTrevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsWhen Mike McCarthy was fired as head coach h of the Green Bay Packers last December, fans knew things had gotten bad between the coach and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Now we allegedly know exactly how bad and it’s not a good look for anyone.Massages during meetings. Grudges held since 2005. Indifference. Open rebellion. It was a soap opera Packers fans haven’t endured in over a decade since the waffling of Brett Favre during the final years of his career.Thankfully the Packers now stand at the threshold of a new beginning with only Rodgers remaining from the triumvirate that previously brought Green Bay so much on field success.Replacing McCarthy and Ted Thompson are Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst, respectively. LaFleur just joined the team in January while Gutekunst, in his second season has general manager, has been with the team for several years. This means at least the GM knows how his quarterback really ticks.That brings us to LaFleur. He’s the giant unknown for multiple reasons http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-paul-hornung-jersey , none he really can control. He’s a first time head coach. He’s young (four years Rodgers’ senior) and no one really knows how he’ll handle one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.So that leads us to what he should be to Rodgers. Judging by LaFleur’s resume since that’s all we really have for now, he can challenge Rodgers intellectually which might be the best way to earn his respect. LaFleur is held in high regards for his football IQ (something McCarthy lacked according to some).Where LaFleur is inexperienced is handling egos in the locker room and that’s ultimately what could determine his success with Rodgers.Until the season actually gets underway, speculation is all we have to go on but LaFleur is now in an unenviable position and might actually be the biggest loser in all this. He had to have known a lot of this before taking the job but now with the public more aware of the inner workings at 1265 Lombardi, the pressures is now much higher.How he responds will determine the fate of the Packers for the next several years.You can read more on the tumultuous ending to the McCarthy era plus how the Packers can benefit from the end of the AAF in today’s cheese curds.What happened in Green Bay—Bleacher Report You’ve probably read it by now or at the very least heard about it.There is plenty of blame to be passed around for the disastrous end to the McCarthy era in Green Bay but it all boils down to one thing: ego. Former Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton retires from the NFL—PackersNews.comThe pair of guards who helped Green Bay win Super Bowl XLV both have called it a career in the same offseason. Thanks for the memories, Josh Sitton.Packers seeking gameday employees at job fair April 10-11–Packers.comEver want to work for the Packers and take part in the greatest fan experience in sports? Here’s your chance.8 Players the Packers could add from the AAF—Packers WireThe sad ending for a developmental football league that showed promise has freed up their players to look for jobs in the NFL. There are a few options that would make sense for Green Bay.California thief stuffs chainsaw down his pants-UPIWhile the operator’s manual might not say you shouldn’t do this, the risk/reward scenario here would dissuade most people from attempting this.