They lost backup defensive tackle Colin Cole - one of their three unrestricted free agents - to the Seattle Seahawks, who signed him to a lucrative five-year, $21 million contract.

The Packers had yet to make so much as a ripple in the free-agent waters. They showed some interest in former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Chris Canty, who signed with the New York Giants, and brought in former Cleveland Browns safety Mike Adams for a visit.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

A high priority of getting nose tackles to anchor the defensive line in the new 3-4 scheme was heightened when the Packers lost dependable backup tackle Colin Cole in free agency.

The stout Cole, who spent the past five seasons in Green Bay, broke the bank as an unrestricted free agent. He landed a five-year, $21 million deal from the Seattle Seahawks, who identified him as a starter.

That leaves right tackle Mark Tauscher and defensive end Michael Montgomery as the Packers' remaining unrestricted free agents. Montgomery, a backup, isn't expected to be re-signed.

The team is waiting on Tauscher to recover from reconstructive knee surgery in January before deciding whether to retain the veteran starter, who could look elsewhere in free agency in the interim.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Defensive tackle: With the commitment made this offseason to change the base front from a 4-3 to a 3-4, the Packers will need a stout nose tackle to line up over center and occupy multiple blockers. Ryan Pickett gets the nod for now, but the new role could be too big for him. The Packers also will have to replenish depth at the position after veteran backup Colin Cole cashed in with a five-year, $21 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent.

2. Defensive end: The switch to the 3-4 means top pass rusher Aaron Kampman will be moving to outside linebacker. That leaves a void at one of the two end positions in the new scheme, and the other spot isn't foolproof with Cullen Jenkins' coming back from a torn pectoral muscle.

3. Tight end: Jermichael Finley, who came on at the end of his rookie season, probably will be cast in the starter's role for next season. Considering a drop in production from starter Donald Lee last season and little impact from Tory Humphrey, reinforcements could be warranted. Humphrey, a restricted free agent, didn't receive a tender offer from the team.

MEDICAL WATCH: The team is targeting to have linebacker Nick Barnett ready for the start of training camp after he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in November and underwent subsequent surgery.

Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, the team's oft-injured 2007 first-round draft pick, won't need further surgery for a troublesome lower back, at least for the time being.

Harrell has been rehabbing the injury in Green Bay the last several weeks. He was limited to only six games last season after undergoing two surgeries for a herniated disk he sustained while lifting weights at the outset of the team's offseason program.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--DE Michael Montgomery, another backup, also might not be brought back because he is undersized (6-5, 273) to be an effective end in the new scheme.

--OT Mark Tauscher has been a mainstay in the Green Bay lineup at right tackle since his rookie season in 2000, but his starting days could be over. Tauscher will need the entire offseason and perhaps training camp to recover from a late-season torn ACL and subsequent surgery, leaving him to possibly accept a one-year deal to return as a backup.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--WR Shaun Bodiford (not tendered as RFA) missed the entire 2008 season because of a back injury and is a long shot to be back with the team loaded at receiver.

--TE Tory Humphrey (not tendered as RFA) stayed healthy for a full season for the first time in four years with the club and showed some flashes as a pass catcher. The late-season emergence of rookie Jermichael Finley and returning starter Donald Lee doesn't bode well for Humphrey's moving up the depth chart, however.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Atari Bigby (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) will be spending most of the offseason rehabbing a surgically repaired ankle that caused him fits all of last season. When healthy, Bigby has been a tenacious and productive starter at strong safety.

--CB Jarrett Bush (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) has been a top special-teams player his first three years with the team, but he's struggled when called upon as a situational defensive back.

--DE Jason Hunter (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) has done good things on special teams and for him to stick with the team, he'll probably have to make a successful switch to outside linebacker since he's undersized (6-4, 271) to stay at end.

--FB John Kuhn (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) was an unsung player on offense in 2008 as a dependable run blocker and for grinding out some yards in short-yardage situations.

--WR Ruvell Martin (tendered at $1.01M with no compensation) is no better than the fifth wideout on the roster, but he has an upside as a big target (6-4, 220) to move the chains.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--CB Tramon Williams gained seasoning in 2008 with nine starts and produced with five interceptions to rank third on the team. Depending on the status of Al Harris, who isn't a shoo-in to be kept by the team in the new scheme, Williams could be promoted from the nickel-back role he primarily had.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.

PLAYERS LOST

--DT Colin Cole: UFA Seahawks; $21.4M/5 yrs, $6M guaranteed.