The Packers will sign at least one, probably 2 free agents starters in 2016.

[Tony Oday]

Guard?

Yup, seems like our MO.

[mraynrand]

Guard?

I think TT will draft a guard for sure.

[woodbuck27]

Are you seriously asking, or being sarcastic? (Voice inflection is difficult to interpret through written words!)

Strictly speaking, if you lose more UFAs than you sign, you should receive compensation for the difference. Also strictly speaking, if you sign as many as you lose, regardless of contract size, you will not receive compensation. In reality, it has not always worked out that way, and determining the level of compensation has been sort of a balancing act:

(# and quality of UFAs lost) - (# and quality of UFAs signed)

This year they lost two who signed large contracts indicating high quality (supposedly, playing time and post season honors also are factors in the calculation). Theoretically they will get two draft picks, both of which should be toward the higher end of the awardable picks. If the Packers had signed an UFA to a similar contract, it would likely would have offset one they lost and the net result would have been just one pick to the Packers.

It sometimes gets muddled, because rules require that 32 picks be doled out, no more, no less. If there are insufficient FA signings for compensation, the remaining picks are to be awarded in order of draft priority. I don't think that has ever happened. What does sometimes happen is that picks are lowered based on signings. If the Packers lost House and Williams but signed two real low level UFAs, they might have gotten one or two low round picks instead of the higher ones they are likely to get after signing no one.

What also seems to happen sometimes is that a team who has a net loss of 3 or 4 players receives fewer but higher picks than you might expect. For example, if there was a net loss of 4 that you thought might be worth 2 sixth and 2 seventh round picks, they might get 3 in the sixth, instead. It all depends on how active the market was, because only 32 picks can be awarded.

Not all losses are subject to compensation, and the league has never explained where the cutoff is. I think it varies from year to year, depending on how active the FA market was, so they can award the 32 picks. However, historically an UFA who signs a one-year minimum contract has not be compensated for, so the Packers will get nothing for the loss of Jamarii Lattimore.

Long and short of it is that if you sign a decent unrestricted free agent, it is likely to lower or eliminate a compensatory pick you might have otherwise received for a free agent you lost.

A solid explanation Patler.

Thanks.

[Joemailman]

Guard?

In American and Canadian football, a guard (G) is a player who lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team on the line of scrimmage.[1]

The guard's job is to protect the quarterback from the incoming defensive line and linebackers during pass plays, as well as creating openings (holes) for the running backs to head through. Guards perform speed blocking and "pulling"—sprinting out in front of a running back in order to block for him. Guards are automatically considered ineligible receivers, so they cannot intentionally touch a forward pass, unless it is to recover a fumble or is first touched by a defender or eligible receiver.

Right guards (RG) is the term for the guards on the right of the offensive line, while left guards (LG) are on the left side. Guards are to the right or left of the center.

.

[Patler]

I think TT will draft a guard for sure.

.

Draft, sure. Sign as a FA? I doubt it, at least not the "real" FAs people are clamoring for (you know, expensive, from another team, with a recognizable name....oh....and with an expired contract, not a terminated contract).

[Patler]

.

Thanks.

[run pMc]

I think TT will draft a guard for sure.

I think Ted will draft a tackle and move him inside to guard.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if TT drafted two tackles, a DT, two LBs, a slot CB and a TE. Maybe even a 3rd down RB.

[3irty1]

My guess is Ted will draft 2 tackles, 2 slot CBs, 2 slot WR, and 2 FB.

[call_me_ishmael]

I don't see Ted taking an offensive skill position player unless a tremendous value is available. I think the picks will be shake out to be 3 OL, 2 LB, 2 DL, 1 S.

[wist43]

Every once in a while he dips into FA - he signed Peppers 2 years ago, that should hold him over for another 3-4 years.

Hence, not likely to get any help via FA - unless you count signing our own FA's. And to that end, we have some I want to resign.

[Pugger]

Calvin Johnson

Only if he "retires" like Farve did, is cut or we make a trade. I don't see him pulling a Favre so unless Detroit cuts him he isn't wearing green and gold next season.

[Pugger]

I don't see Ted taking an offensive skill position player unless a tremendous value is available. I think the picks will be shake out to be 3 OL, 2 LB, 2 DL, 1 S.

We need a TE but from what I hear this isn't a good TE draft class this year.

[mraynrand]

Only if he "retires" like Farve did, is cut or we make a trade. I don't see him pulling a Favre so unless Detroit cuts him he isn't wearing green and gold next season.

a 2-fer!

[woodbuck27]

Only if he "retires" like Farve did, is cut or we make a trade. I don't see him pulling a Favre so unless Detroit cuts him he isn't wearing green and gold next season.

Calvin Johnson has some health issues.

He has to get that back.....for his gifts as an outstanding athlete to propel him back to or near the top in conversations and WR.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Calvin Johnson has some health issues.

He has to get that back.....for his gifts as an outstanding athlete to propel him back to or near the top in conversations and WR.

Calvin just needs a change of scenery as I think he mentally is just beat down being in Det. He goes to a contender and he'll bounce back like Moss did with NE.

[Tony Oday]

Calvin will be released and we will sign him. I 100% believe this. AR will have the best year of his career too after that.

[Patler]

I'm not sure Calvin Johnson's heart is in it anymore. A number of players have said they expect him to retire.
It would be interesting to see him in GB. A good way to avoid sacks, just throw high to CJ.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Calvin will be released and we will sign him. I 100% believe this. AR will have the best year of his career too after that.

Not gonna happen. Calvin's gonna make 10M/yr easy in FA. Can't afford him, Nelson and Cobb. Not when in 2017 they have to re-sign Sitton, Lang, Bak, Tretter and possibly Lacy.

[Pugger]

FAs Ted will probably sign:

Mason Crosby
Mike Neal
Letroy Guion
BJ Raji
Nick Perry
James Starks
Chris Banjo
John Kuhn

[Patler]

FAs Ted will probably sign:

Mason Crosby
Mike Neal
Letroy Guion
BJ Raji
Nick Perry
James Starks
Chris Banjo
John Kuhn

I figure it will be just one of Mike Perry and Nick Neal
and just one of BJ Guion and Letroy Raji.