Future Value Sticker Shock

[Patler]

Prior to acquiring Tretter and Linsley, I would have agreed with you. But Campen has said he made the case for a while that converting people to center was an uphill climb. Both Linsley and Tretter paid good dividends early in their career at Center.

I suspect the position has climbed a little in Ted's mind, however, its also possible it hasn't climbed enough to pay Linsley that much money. I would then not be stunned to see a true center drafted in the middle rounds.

I intended to ask about this before. I don't understand your point about Tretter and Linsley. If anything, it proves that either way works, in spite of what Campen may have argued. Linsley was an experienced center, but Tretter was a two- year tight end who was converted to a tackle for two years, with no experience at center in college.

I don't think there is any reason to think TT under-values the position. While MM wasn't enamored with Wells and tried to replace him with the larger Spitz, that was the coaches' opinions. It doesn't really indicate much, if anything about TT. When Wells proved himself, TT resigned him midseason to a long, well-paying contract. Historically, TT has signed a few, but not a lot of players to early extensions. It speaks highly of his opinion of Wells.

What TT does devalue are players who haven't been reliable physically, regardless of position. He will resign them, but on terms that protect the salary cap. If the players can do better somewhere else, he lets them walk. There have been many examples, and mostly the Packers have been correct in letting them go. Wells fell into that category the second time. Tretter did this year. With Tretter it was an easy decision for them, because they have Linsley.

As for EDS, I don't think they regarded him as having the starting ability they wanted, and they seem to have been correct in that as well. He started one season for TB, and has been a reserve guard since then. When he was allowed to leave, there were comments about their decisions generally in FA that year being to force themselves to get better, and not being satisfied with the status quo. Tretter was expected to be the guy, with Linsley as their fallback. It worked with the combination for three years.

[pbmax]

I intended to ask about this before. I don't understand your point about Tretter and Linsley. If anything, it proves that either way works, in spite of what Campen may have argued. Linsley was an experienced center, but Tretter was a two- year tight end who was converted to a tackle for two years, with no experience at center in college.

Thompson drafted Linsley and all concurrent reporting and scouting had him pegged for Center. Tretter was slightly different but immediately after the draft, the Packers plan was not to cross train him, but stick him at Center.

That was not the usual plan of attack. He had kept and paid Wells, signed FA Saturday and shuffled cross trained guys over to center before (both UDFAs-Barclay- and more permanent drafted fixtures-Sitton and Lang).

But he had not drafted people destined for Center before. And Campen reported the benefits were obvious.

Is this actually evidence of Thompson changing him mind? Probably not. But it was evidence that drafting a player and fitting him into Center was a viable and worthy strategy. I actually think Ted would prefer to draft Tretter again rather than a one position player like Linsley, but both worked out.

[Patler]

Thompson drafted Linsley and all concurrent reporting and scouting had him pegged for Center. Tretter was slightly different but immediately after the draft, the Packers plan was not to cross train him, but stick him at Center.

That was not the usual plan of attack. He had kept and paid Wells, signed FA Saturday and shuffled cross trained guys over to center before (both UDFAs-Barclay- and more permanent drafted fixtures-Sitton and Lang).

But he had not drafted people destined for Center before. And Campen reported the benefits were obvious.

Is this actually evidence of Thompson changing him mind? Probably not. But it was evidence that drafting a player and fitting him into Center was a viable and worthy strategy. I actually think Ted would prefer to draft Tretter again rather than a one position player like Linsley, but both worked out.

As far as that goes, when they drafted Spitz they said he would end up at center, but they needed him at guard at first. I think he was there some already his second season, like Tretter. I suspect Tretter would have been "cross trained" his rookie year too, but he was injured in his first OTA and missed the season, except for a couple practices late. Letting EDS walk rushed his development for year 2 at center, but he was soon their super-sub and did some practicing elsewhere too.

Linsley may be a lost cause anywhere but center.

There is talk now that Amichia could end up at center, too. It will be interesting to see where all he practices.