Packers Sign Free Agent DL Letroy Guion, According to Agent

The agent of defensive lineman Letroy Guion took to social media on Monday, sharing the following:

Guion previously played for the Minnesota Vikings the past six seasons. According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Guion's deal is for one year with a base salary of $730,000, a signing bonus of $100,000 and weekly roster bonuses.

The signing of Guion signals yet another shift in the Packers' defensive plans as someone that has experience playing defensive tackle in the 4-3. While the Packers have yet to announce plans for changes to their defensive schemes, all indications are that change is in store after signing Julius Peppers.

Guion has started every game he's played the past two seasons, including 13 games in 2013 and 15 in 2012. More run stuffer than pass rusher, last year Guion had 21 tackles and one sack. His most productive season came in 2012 when he had 31 tackles and two sacks.

With the addition of Guion, it's perhaps not looking good that free agent defensive linemen Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly are re-signed by the Packers, not that the door is being closed entirely. Even if they do return, the Packers probably aren't going to want to pay much for a pair of players on the wrong side of 30.

Guion, on the other hand, is just 26 years old and will be motivated to play well on a one-year deal so he can hit unrestricted free agency next season.

Playing in the NFC North for his entire career, Guion also has a familiarity with the opponents the Packers will be facing twice per season.

Because he was also released by the Vikings, Guion will not count in the compensatory draft pick equation. The Packers still stand to receive a draft choice for losing Evan Dietrich-Smith in free agency, while neither Guion nor Peppers techncially count as unrestricted free agents due to being released.

0 points
 

Comments (10)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
RCPackerFan's picture

March 17, 2014 at 03:44 pm

I am not committing to the idea that the defense will be going to the 4-3 entirely. I think they will stick with the 3-4 base, but I think they will run a more of a hybrid type of scheme.

Guion would fit more of the 5 technique role with his size.

I think this is a good signing. At the very least it provides more depth which will provide more competition.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

March 17, 2014 at 03:48 pm

Exactly - I don't think this signing or Peppers signals a full-on switch to the 4-3. But I do think the defense is going to be a lot more hybrid/versatile this year, which I like a lot.

A nice young guy with good size - let's see what he can do.

0 points
0
0
Allan Murphy's picture

March 17, 2014 at 06:48 pm

that's what I think too !

0 points
0
0
ShawnO's picture

March 17, 2014 at 06:48 pm

This is exactly what is wrong with the Packers. The guys running the show are TOOOO OLD!!! They have been on this ridiculous kick of, We need more length in our D Line. We don't necessarily need more length, or more size, we just need better players and better coaching. Daniels has almost no length yet he was one of our better D lineman last year. We keep picking up D Lineman that barley make other teams rosters and think we are going to do something with them that they couldn't. I think we picked up 3 cheep free agent D Lineman last year and not one of them made the final team.

0 points
0
0
Clay Zombo's picture

March 17, 2014 at 09:51 pm

Guion might not make the final roster here this season either but im happy they are giving him a look. New England and Baltimore were also interested in this guy so that should tell you something. Both teams run some form of the 3-4 defense so there might be something to him at 5 technique.

I know that he played NT for the Vikings this year and that did not suit him very well. Not surprising though, hes a little light to play NT in a 4-3 or 3-4.

In case you didn't know, size and length are key for the 5 technique DE position in a 3-4. The DE must keep eyes in the backfield(height helps) and they line up directly in front of the OT and are responsible for 2 gaps so they must be able to stack and shed the OL to make a tackle, both height and arm length are helpful for that.

Give the guy a chance to compete before you write him off will ya. Hes 26-27 and hes been stuck with a loser franchise his whole career, maybe the "brainwashing" here will do him some good.

0 points
0
0
Allan Murphy's picture

March 17, 2014 at 07:06 pm

get a true safety now ??

0 points
0
0
HankScorpio's picture

March 17, 2014 at 09:04 pm

There are plenty of Safeties still out there.

0 points
0
0
Clay Zombo's picture

March 17, 2014 at 10:11 pm

Look for TT to bring in a safety who has been cut from another team as that is the theme of FA so far for GB. Or maybe TT looks for another over 30 type safety who won't count in the formula for comp picks.

I would love to see us sign Mr. Charles Woodson again. I know he won't play for peanuts but Id offer him a base salary of 2 million with another 2 million in incentives.

We need the wizard back man, the SB is calling and he has some unfinished business to attend to here anyway. Def TD return record is still waiting to be broken and he has yet to write his swan song.

Im starting the bring back "WOOD" campaign right now as a matter of fact.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 18, 2014 at 03:48 am

Guion has been a starter for the Vikings, but played at NT, to which he reportedly is not suited. Guion possibly wants to play DE and hit free agency in a year. With only $100,000 guarantee, TT is free to sign another FA for the D-line or draft a defensive lineman. Seems like a no risk signing for a guy who started 13 games last year and whom GB should know .

0 points
0
0
jinxcat's picture

March 18, 2014 at 03:28 pm

Guion and Peppers are both very familiar with our division rivals. Winning our division is paramount.
The defense is going to be very good this year, pass rushing and run stuffing.

0 points
0
0