Andy, I enjoyed that summary of the roster build.

You mentioned the failed signing of Joe Johnson. I live in California and the Packers played the Arizona Cardinals in 2003 on September 23rd (I had to look up the date) and the temperature was 102 with the wind a 4mph. It was so hot in the stands that my buddy had to leave our seats and go back into the shaded area within the stadium. I would have joined him except for the cute young gal sitting next to me. She gave me one of those little propeller things filled with ice and that made a world of difference.

You can imagine how hot it must have been for the players. I recall watching Joe Johnson during the game and to call it a "lackluster effort" would have been a great compliment and understatement. He was just a shell of his former self when he was a terrific defensive end in the league. I will grant you that playing in that heat had to put every player to the test, but Joe Johnson's effort had to be minimal and he merely waddled around the gridiron that day.

I agree with you that the two years that Joe Johnson played for the Packers he was a shell of his former greatness and was as you said a failed acquisition. Of course we also signed a couple of former super players nearing the end of their careers who failed as well.

Jeff Saturday, a long time center for the Colts. Jeff signed a two year deal in 2013 with the Packers for $7.75 million after playing 13 years in the league and there wasn't much left in that old body. He started for the Packers at center in his 14th year, but was benched during the month of December.

The other player who comes to mind is Hardy Nickerson who played for the Packers in 2002 which was his 16th year in the league. A great player who still had the heart to play the game, but was a victim of "Old Father Time" who is undefeated in every battle ever waged. There simply wasn't anything left in the tank for Hardy.