Green Bay made official March 9 the signing of free-agent safety Anthony Smith to a two-year deal worth nearly $1.5 million, including a $100,000 roster bonus.

Smith, a part-time starter his first three years in the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers, comes in as a backup behind Pro Bowler Nick Collins and Atari Bigby. Yet, given Smith's know-how of the 3-4 scheme implemented by the Packers this year and that Bigby is recovering from late-season ankle surgery, a starting job isn't out of the question for the newcomer.

What's more, Smith could be a starter of the future with Collins and possibly Bigby, an unsigned restricted free agent this year, entering the final year of their contracts.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Packers have been far from a major player in free agency, but they took a step toward fortifying themselves for the big offseason switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme.

They signed safety Anthony Smith, who wasn't tendered a qualifying offer by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a restricted free agent. Smith gained three years of experience of playing in the Steelers' 3-4 system.

Plugging holes on the reconfigured defensive line remains the biggest priority for Green Bay as it continues to scour what's left in the free-agent pool and looks ahead to the April 25-26 draft.

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. The Packers reportedly have interest in aging, but resourceful free-agent end Kevin Carter, 35, who previously was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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: Free-agent right tackle Mark Tauscher is taking a break from his rehab at the team's facilities to spend a few days in Maui, Hawaii, for the NFLPA board of player representatives meeting to select a new executive director.

Tauscher, who remains the Packers' player rep, is two months into his recovery for reconstructive surgery on his left knee. He is expected to be sidelined the entire offseason.

The Packers are interested in re-signing Tauscher but want to see how he progresses with the rehab before making an offer to the 10th-year veteran.

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

--S Anthony Smith: Not tendered as RFA by Steelers; $1.485M/2 yrs, $100,000 RB.

PLAYERS LOST

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