That's three weeks the upper brass at 1265 Lombardi Ave. will have to work out why the 2008 season went from high hopes after a 2-0 start to bitter disappointment.

It's a safe bet that general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy have had meetings to discuss what they can do to make sure that 2009 season doesn't end as early.

Well, they didn't ask, but here's some unsolicited advice.

First off, open the wallet.

The Packers have enjoyed more salary cap room the last couple years than most teams and have not used it to their advantage.

Sure, they used some of it this season to get quarterback Aaron Rodgers under contract for the next six seasons, but that barely scratched the surface of how much cap space is available. They could have used some of that cash to sign a player or two last season.

Someone like Corey Williams comes to mind. Instead of paying the defensive lineman, who posted seven sacks a year ago and gave the Packers an inside pass rush, they dealt him to Cleveland for a second-round pick and counted on 2007 first-round pick Justin Harrell.

Call that penny-wise and pound-foolish. The Packers never had an interior pass rush this season. Now they'll have to spend this off-season to rectify that problem. And they'll have to spend more than they would have on Williams.

Here's another tip: Don't worry about being the youngest team in the league.

Sure, that's a nice title to have when a team is rebuilding.

But the Packers are not rebuilding. Even with Rodgers having replaced legend Brett Favre this season, there was no excuse for the Packers to fall to 6-10 from 13-3.

Rodgers' numbers this season were close to Favre's last season. Rodgers threw for 4,038 yards this year; Favre threw for 4,155 a year ago. Rodgers matched Favre's 28 touchdowns. He threw two fewer interceptions (13 vs. 15); his rating of 93.8 was barely below Favre's 95.7 a year ago.

The Packers scored just 16 points fewer than they did a year ago - that's a point per game.

No, these Packers are not rebuilding. So while younger is better than older in some cases, it isn't when experience matters, and experience is often the difference between winning and losing.

So spend some money on a free agent or two. I'm not saying mortgage the future on someone who is past his prime.

But a couple of solid veterans - one, maybe even two, who can rush the passer - would do wonders.

The 2008 Packers went 0-7 in games decided by four points or fewer. That may cause a more cautious general manager to think they're closer to the top than they really are.

Remember Lindy Infante's "seven plays from the playoffs" comment after a 4-12 record in 1991? That squad lost six games by four points or fewer. A year later, under a new coach (Mike Holmgren) and new quarterback (Favre), they were 9-7 and building toward a Super Bowl.

But don't just assume that these Packers are a lock to win those close games next year.

Thompson's philosophy in the draft has always been to trade down and get more picks. That was smart in his first couple of drafts in 2005 and 2006. Those rosters needed to be restocked.

The 2009 Packers don't need that. The 2009 Packers need a couple of impact players.

The ninth pick in the draft could yield a player that can make an impact.

An impact player in the draft and maybe an impact player in Free Agency, and the Packers should be right back in the thick of the NFC North race next season.

Ryan Pickett and Charles Woodson were added in Free Agency in 2006. Brandon Chillar was added last year. Those moves have worked out.

The Packers can't wait for this year's youngsters to become impact guys next year.

It's time to make a splash in Free Agency.

Just do it.

Send e-mail rbraun@journalsentinel.com

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