2014 Free Agency Rumors and or Speculation

[woodbuck27]

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

[SkinBasket]

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

[mraynrand]

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

[denverYooper]

Take it easy guys. Old tightwad Teddy never signs FAs.

[Zool]

He clearly has no idea how to run a professional football org. We on the other hand are experts, just ask us.

[mraynrand]

Take it easy guys. Old tightwad Teddy never signs FAs.


Take it easy guys. Old tightwad Teddy never signs FAs.

Take it easy guys. Old tightwad Teddy never signs FAs.

[smuggler]

Somebody bust loose the ole Foreigner 8track

[pbmax]

Somebody bust loose the ole Foreigner 8track

♫ ♫ Fill my eyes... with that double vision ♪♪ ♪♪

[pbmax]

Tyler Dunne ‏@TyDunne 5m
In addition to his #Steelers visit, two more teams are interested in James Starks. Source says #Packers are still in the mix.

[pbmax]

Packer Report ‏@PackerReport 36m
Was always amazed how Rodgers could throw a 0-yard pass and Jones would always gain 6 on it. Practically easiest yards in football. #Packers

Has been going on in college football for years. Its not really amazing unless its press coverage and the play really isn't designed for that.

[pbmax]

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl 3h
OT Marshall Newhouse to visit the #Bengals this week, per source.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 3h
Giants sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie http://wp.me/p14QSB-9rlj

[woodbuck27]

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Free agents Brandon Weeden and Henry Melton will both visit the Cowboys on Monday

Ohh no a fricken echo.

Who's playing Heidi?

[pittstang5]

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl 3h
OT Marshall Newhouse to visit the #Bengals this week, per source.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 3h
Giants sign Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie http://wp.me/p14QSB-9rlj

I hope the Bengals sign Newhouse, then we don't have to worry about him ever playing another snap in GB.

[pbmax]

Julius Peppers


YEAR BASE S. BONUS MISC. CAP HIT DEAD
2014 1,000,000 2,500,000 - 3,500,000 7,500,000
2015 8,500,000 2,500,000 1,000,000 12,000,000 5,000,000
2016 7,000,000 2,500,000 1,000,000 10,500,000 2,500,000
2017

CONTRACT:3 yr(s) / $26,000,000
SIGNING BONUS $7,500,000
AVERAGE SALARY $8,666,667
GUARANTEED:$7,500,000

2015-16 Per Game Bonus: $500,000
2015-16 Workout Bonus: $500,000
Incentives: $4 million

[Joemailman]

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/285199/report-rex-badly-wants-rodgers-cromartie


The NY Daily News' Manish Mehta reports Jets coach Rex Ryan wants to sign free agent Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie "badly."

Apparently not "badly" enough. DRC signs with Giants - 5 years, 39 million, 10 million signing bonus, 14 million guaranteed. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000334734/article/dominique-rodgerscromartie-giants-sign-5year-deal

[pbmax]

I hope the Bengals sign Newhouse, then we don't have to worry about him ever playing another snap in GB.

He would not be the worst backup. Can play both sides. Next guy, if on roster, will need to learn that. Handy in Game Day actives.

[woodbuck27]

Tyler Dunne ‏@TyDunne 5m
In addition to his #Steelers visit, two more teams are interested in James Starks. Source says #Packers are still in the mix.

The Packers are still in the mix and way back on the shelf.

[pittstang5]

He would not be the worst backup. Can play both sides. Next guy, if on roster, will need to learn that. Handy in Game Day actives.

I'm willing to take my chances.

[woodbuck27]

Wow what a fantastic St. Patty's Day gift for me.

I'm watching the great lead guitarist and singer Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mack "solo and unwired' on Hi Fi High Definition. I love the guitar and this fella is my favourite lead of all the most popular bands. His acoustic guitar just shakes out the tunes.

He's done several songs but I love 'Big Love' From 'Tango in the Night' (1987).

OK I'm surprized to find it but here's the actual performance of 'Big Love'.:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSWt0b4K8E

Lindsey Buckingham discusses his playing style, and plays 'Big Love'.

11,639 Views

[woodbuck27]

Apparently not "badly" enough. DRC signs with Giants - 5 years, 39 million, 10 million signing bonus, 14 million guaranteed. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000334734/article/dominique-rodgerscromartie-giants-sign-5year-deal

The best chance for the next hit is always the man up and not the man on deck.

[woodbuck27]

Apparently not "badly" enough. DRC signs with Giants - 5 years, 39 million, 10 million signing bonus, 14 million guaranteed. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000334734/article/dominique-rodgerscromartie-giants-sign-5year-deal

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000334783/article/report-rex-ryan-pissed-drc-signed-with-ny-giants

Report: Rex Ryan 'pissed' DRC signed with N.Y. Giants

By Gregg Rosenthal ... Around The League Editor

Published: March 17, 2014 at 07:44 p.m. ... Updated: March 17, 2014 at 08:27 p.m.

[red]

Wow what a fantastic St. Patty's Day gift for me.

I'm watching the great lead guitarist and singer Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mack "solo and unwired' on Hi Fi High Definition. I love the guitar and this fella is my favourite lead of all the most popular bands. His acoustic guitar just shakes out the tunes.

He's done several songs but I love 'Big Love' From 'Tango in the Night' (1987).

OK I'm surprized to find it but here's the actual performance of 'Big Love'.:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSWt0b4K8E

Lindsey Buckingham discusses his playing style, and plays 'Big Love'.

11,639 Views

eh. his playing is just too stiff and weak sounding for me

give me gilmore any day of the week over buckingham


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi7cuAjArRs

thats a powerful lead you can feel in your bones

[pbmax]

Wrong Thread! (http://packerrats.com/showthread.php?26653-Wrong-Thread&p=778853&viewfull=1#post778853)

[woodbuck27]

eh. his playing is just too stiff and weak sounding for me

give me gilmore any day of the week over buckingham


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi7cuAjArRs

thats a powerful lead you can feel in your bones

I really enjoy David Gilmour red. Comfortably Numb is right up there as a favourite song of mine. I like Jimmy Page as well. There are many fine lead guitarists I enjoy as well but there's just something I like that's special in Lindsay Buckingham's style of play. He's very clean in his style with an acoustic guitar and pickup and he shakes down the joint with his finish to Big Love.

[denverYooper]

Hell yeah Red. Gilmour is phenomenal.

[woodbuck27]

Wrong Thread! (http://packerrats.com/showthread.php?26653-Wrong-Thread&p=778853&viewfull=1#post778853)

Scream ! The movie !!

The Irish are allowed to screw up on St. Patty's day pbmax.

Hell ....we've been doing that for centuries.

HAPPY St. Patrick's Day ...... Have a beer and lighten up....

Here pbmax:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTkqpV8vlCr9N-8f-OTJs5i-Q4xnLLJRBBrRqCrP2loWqpcZZGOEQ

[red]

Scream ! The movie !!

The Irish are allowed to screw up on St. Patty's day pbmax.

Hell ....we've been doing that for centuries.

HAPPY St. Patrick's Day ...... Have a beer and lighten up....

Here pbmax:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTkqpV8vlCr9N-8f-OTJs5i-Q4xnLLJRBBrRqCrP2loWqpcZZGOEQ

yup, this is a fuckin irish takeover

i'm irish, and i'm fuckin piss drunk

i'll talk about all the great guitarist i want

and now, the single greatest piece of recorded music


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN2sIKpSu10

[mraynrand]

http://s3.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20110412&t=2&i=385597646&w=320&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=2011-04-12T194134Z_01_BTRE73B1IPI00_RTROPTP_0_US-BUCKINGHAMhttp://upshf.com/images/upshf/mcginn_bob.jpg

[gbgary]

i'll talk about all the great guitarist i want

and now, the single greatest piece of recorded music


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN2sIKpSu10

i still have that album.

[Willard]

yup, this is a fuckin irish takeover

i'm irish, and i'm fuckin piss drunk

i'll talk about all the great guitarist i want

and now, the single greatest piece of recorded music


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN2sIKpSu10
I am Irish too and I LOVE me some "Machine Gun". Good God, Jimi. That is some powerful shit.

[gbgary]

with the starks signing ted can concentrate almost entirely on the defense in the draft...almost.

[smuggler]

Could use depth on the oline, one more receiver, and a TE.

[pbmax]

Tom Silverstein ‏@TomSilverstein 4h
Don't know Starks numbers yet. $17.5M before those 2. RT @priceisright53: where do #Packers stand in cap room after Guion & Starks deals?

[red]

i'm guessing starks gets 2 or 3 per year, probably closer to 2

and if he does get that, how does it make eddie feel? starks is the backup, lacy is the clear #1 and the workhorse, but his backup could be making 4 times as much (lacy will make 560,000 this year)

rookie deal or not, that sucks for lacy. and if it was me, i'd be a little ticked

[red]

Bengals about to be suckered into taking the human marshmallow

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/18/bengals-announce-visit-with-marshall-newhouse/

[Patler]

Bengals about to be suckered into taking the human marshmallow

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/18/bengals-announce-visit-with-marshall-newhouse/

I wish him well. I hope he gets a nice contract and has a long career. He stepped in when GB was in dire straits. He started for two years, yet seemed to cause no problems when benched in favor of a rookie. From his play last year, he might have been letting it bother him, but he didn't cause a problem.

[Smeefers]

I wish him well. I hope he gets a nice contract and has a long career. He stepped in when GB was in dire straits. He started for two years, yet seemed to cause no problems when benched in favor of a rookie. From his play last year, he might have been letting it bother him, but he didn't cause a problem.

Well, I hope he gets herpes and knowing the Bengals locker room, they all share jocks, so I hope the whole team gets herpes. From him.

Sometimes being argumentative is fun.

[pbmax]

Well, I hope he gets herpes and knowing the Bengals locker room, they all share jocks, so I hope the whole team gets herpes. From him.

Sometimes being argumentative is fun.

Well, if he went to Cleveland or Tampa, there is a reasonable chance he could contract a staph infection by just walking around.

[Joemailman]

Not exactly Free Agency news, but reports are the Eagles are open to trading DeSean Jackson. Patriots 49ers have talked to them. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000335079/article/eagles-desean-jackson-draws-patriots-49ers-interest

[Rastak]

i still have that album.


Me too.

[bobblehead]

Adam Caplan ‏@caplannfl 3h
OT Marshall Newhouse to visit the #Bengals this week, per source.


Was really hoping the vikings followed history and signed our FA

[run pMc]

I don't wish Newhouse anything bad; except for last year he stepped in and did ok. He's a backup, and not someone you want starting more than a game or two. You'd always be looking to replace him.
I think he's done in GB and a change of scenery will do him good.

[Rutnstrut]

I don't wish Newhouse anything bad; except for last year he stepped in and did ok. He's a backup, and not someone you want starting more than a game or two. You'd always be looking to replace him.
I think he's done in GB and a change of scenery will do him good.

Who in the hell where you watching that you thought was Newhouse? At no point did he EVER do ok, except when he was on the bench. He's terrible.

[pbmax]

Who in the hell where you watching that you thought was Newhouse? At no point did he EVER do ok, except when he was on the bench. He's terrible.

He played better than Clifton in the 2011 Giants playoff game. Terrible doesn't do him justice. Limited perhaps.

[woodbuck27]

He played better than Clifton in the 2011 Giants playoff game. Terrible doesn't do him justice. Limited perhaps.

Marshal Newhouse is limited.....to being "at best" a backup on the OL.

[deake]

Any body know what's happening with Flynn?

[Smeefers]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/65465/packers-still-in-good-salary-cap-shape

The packers still have about about 17 mil in cap space, not including starks contract. About 5 of that is for signing free agents, so we realistically have about 10 mil left in cap space. Not to bad. We could still pick up a couple players if we wanted. Normally TT likes to carry some cash over to the next year though, so I'm not expecting any more splashes.

[gbgary]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/65465/packers-still-in-good-salary-cap-shape

The packers still have about about 17 mil in cap space, not including starks contract. About 5 of that is for signing free agents, so we realistically have about 10 mil left in cap space. Not too bad. We could still pick up a couple players if we wanted. Normally TT likes to carry some cash over to the next year though, so I'm not expecting any more splashes.

don't forget we need to get cobb and nelson extended.

[gbgary]

Any body know what's happening with Flynn?

not a single thing. doubt he'll make another windfall run like he did a couple of years ago. :D

[Rutnstrut]

Any body know what's happening with Flynn?

I know TT better have him signed by the time camp starts, last year proved that winging it doesn't work with your back up QB.

[red]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/65465/packers-still-in-good-salary-cap-shape

The packers still have about about 17 mil in cap space, not including starks contract. About 5 of that is for signing free agents, so we realistically have about 10 mil left in cap space. Not to bad. We could still pick up a couple players if we wanted. Normally TT likes to carry some cash over to the next year though, so I'm not expecting any more splashes.

i'm guessing any more free agents that are brought in are going to be at or near the vet minimum, and therefore will not be eating up any cap because they will just be replacing someone else who's already making near the minimum

same goes for rookies, most of them other then the first rounders, will be making near the minimum

like the guion signing, its a 1 year deal near the vet minimum (under 1 million total). his signing has little to no effect on the cap if the guy he replaces on the 53 man roster was due to count 5 or 6 hundred thousand

if you take what we have now (about 17 million), add in the rookies class, and the starks deal, i bet we still have 14 million or so in cap space

you could then resign both nelson and cobb and set up the deals where one gets a big roster bonus this year (10 million +) and the other gets a big roster bonus next year

[mraynrand]

He played better than Clifton in the 2011 Giants playoff game. Terrible doesn't do him justice. Limited perhaps.

I prefer Fugitive-esque, Super8-esque, catastrophic train wreck.

[run pMc]

They'll sign Kuhn and then use the rest on Cobb/Nelson/draft picks.

[Fritz]

Marshall Newhouse is the paradoxical backup you are glad is sitting on your bench (he's got experience as a starter, still relatively young and healthy) but you hope to god never, ever has to actually play.

[woodbuck27]

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/10632166/michael-vick-visit-new-york-jets-weekend


Source: Michael Vick, Jets to meet


Updated: March 19, 2014, 5:10 PM ET

[bobblehead]

Who in the hell where you watching that you thought was Newhouse? At no point did he EVER do ok, except when he was on the bench. He's terrible.

Well, to be fair, he looked like a solid backup the entire time he was starting. Once he became a backup he looked more like a fry cook.

[Fritz]

I dunno, Bobble. Every time I saw Newhouse play, I thought "man, he looks like a backup."

And when I saw him on the bench, I thought "man, he looks good on the bench."

[red]

he looked horrible the few times he got in there late in the year

i held my breath every time i saw him out there because i knew we couldn't loose anymore qb's

it also made me wonder about sherrod. why, if he has any future, and he was suppose to be completely healthy at the end of last year, was he not the main backup instead of newhouse. i mean, i think i remember one play where he didn't even get out of his stance before his guy was around him and on top of a-rod.

he was a disaster imo. he may not have bitched when he got demoted, but his work effort when he was on the field last year made raji look like "overachieving employee of the year"

[Fritz]

I think this is Sherrod's make or break year. Either he will start, or he will be a quiet backup, gone next year.

I liken it to the year Harrell finally got healthy.

And then he got hurt on an extra point attempt. Poof.

[Bretsky]

Brad Jones is the paradoxical backup you are glad is sitting on your bench (he's got experience as a starter, still relatively young and healthy) but you hope to god never, ever has to actually play.


FIXED

[pbmax]

FIXED

We will have our revenge this year when he makes THE jump.

[pbmax]

Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 3h
No idea what make of: RT @JermichaelF88 I 'm striving toward this acting thing. I'm definitely gonna work hard on that whatever comes my way

[Fritz]

No, Bretsky, Brad Jones is a situational player. I think there are a couple particular situations in which he can be effective. You think there are no situations in which he can be effective. Either way, he's situational. See?

[Bretsky]

We will have our revenge this year when he makes THE jump.


One stop forward...three steps back

[Bretsky]

No, Bretsky, Brad Jones is a situational player. I think there are a couple particular situations in which he can be effective. You think there are no situations in which he can be effective. Either way, he's situational. See?

Situationally sub par....just like Newhouse

[mraynrand]

Newhouse makes Gary Brown look like Jonathan Ogden.

[smuggler]

It seems Finley is done. Alas.

[pbmax]

Newhouse makes Gary Brown look like Jonathan Ogden.

Now that is just mean. No one is that bad.

(Long Live Bruce Wilkerson!)

[Fritz]

Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 3h
No idea what make of: RT @JermichaelF88 I 'm striving toward this acting thing. I'm definitely gonna work hard on that whatever comes my way

He's taking acting lessons from professional soccer players so he can convince the refs that he's been molested by a safety when he's actually merely gotten a bump on the arm.

[bobblehead]

he looked horrible the few times he got in there late in the year

i held my breath every time i saw him out there because i knew we couldn't loose anymore qb's

it also made me wonder about sherrod. why, if he has any future, and he was suppose to be completely healthy at the end of last year, was he not the main backup instead of newhouse. i mean, i think i remember one play where he didn't even get out of his stance before his guy was around him and on top of a-rod.

he was a disaster imo. he may not have bitched when he got demoted, but his work effort when he was on the field last year made raji look like "overachieving employee of the year"

Yea, watching Marshall do his best matador imitation and seeing Sherrod on the bench bothered me. Now, knowing stubby, he doesn't like to use guys who haven't practiced much over guys who have...he continually gave MD Jennings the start only to bench him for Richardson. Its his thing. I hate his thing, but it least it gives me hope that Sherrod isn't an entirely lost cause. Truth though, we will know the whole answer by the end of TC this year.

[red]

by that time sherrod will be on IR again

[Fritz]

Hush, Red. Don't be talking that way.

[mraynrand]

It seems Finley is done. Alas.

I thought that was Sharper

[Tony Oday]

Is Flynn still on the team?

[pbmax]

Is Flynn still on the team?

FA

[pbmax]

Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 1h
Blog post about Packers remaining cap space and possible upcoming costs: http://tinyurl.com/nw9m8jb

Short version: about $14 mil

[mraynrand]

Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 1h
Blog post about Packers remaining cap space and possible upcoming costs: http://tinyurl.com/nw9m8jb

Short version: about $14 mil

I'm lazy: does that include rookie salaries?

[red]

can someone explain to me why "real reporters" keep saying this shit?


The Packers are trying to sign at least a couple more of their free agents; likely will need between $5 million and $7 million for their rookie class; and likely will try to extend the contracts of receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson, perhaps among others, sometime this year.

how the fuck do you even come close to this number?

the salary cap counts the 53 or 55 guys on the roster with the highest cap number

our 1st round pick last year (datone, #26 overall) had a cap number of about 1.5 million. our second rounder cost 600,000, and the numbers go down for each player from there. tretter counted 500,000 for a 4th rounder, hyde counted 450,000, sam barrington, a 7th rounder, cost 360,000 against the cap

so to add up, one guy making 1.5 million, and about 9 guys averaging about 450,000 each =

so there their stupid 5.6 million dollar number

the problem is, those guys are going to be replacing 10 guys that are already on the roster, who at worse are making the minimum. so rounds 2-7 are gonna be close to a wash, you're replacing minimum wage guys with other minimum wage guys. the only guy who will move the cap space is the first rounder. and guess what, he'll be at worse, replacing another minimum wage guy, so at the most the cap space would move about a million bucks for the whole draft class.

am i missing something, because every national guy and everyone who follows them keeps chirping about how you need 5 to 7 million in cap space to devote to your draft class

is there some weird rule, where rookie contracts don't displace other guys already on the roster?

anyone?

and where does this clown get 14 million from, both my sites for cap space (which are both pretty damn accurate, have us with more then 16 million, even after the starks signing. must be nice to be a packer beat writer. don't have to know jack shit, can just make up things out of thin air (14 million), and just spout off your opinion as fact and anyone that dares question you is an ignorant fool who isn't "in the loop", and take home a nice paycheck.

so all i have to say. wheres my fucking money?

[red]

I'm lazy: does that include rookie salaries?

no it doesn't. but its all wrong anyways. it may as well be an article on the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns

[Cleft Crusty]

nm

[pbmax]

no it doesn't. but its all wrong anyways. it may as well be an article on the ratio of unicorns to leprechauns

Right now the cap number the League cares about is the Top 51. So you have to account for 2 additional players on the eventual regular season roster. You also have many of those low end deals on players #54-65 currently under contract. All the PS guys are on future contracts. So the Top 51 may be closer to the Final 53 that it might first appear.

$5-7 might seem high (Packers seem likely to have 9 draft picks if comp picks come in as predicted) but that number is usually north of

[red]

edit, just confirmed my way with a couple other sources

I'm right, rookie contracts are mostly just offset

signing our rookies, would add about 1-1.5 million to our cap number IF, the only guys that are replaced are the guys making the minimum (420,000), and we currently have 13 of those guys on the roster.

if the rookies replace vets, that cap hit for all rookies will be even less, or even a complete wash

http://overthecap.com/explaining-the-nfl-rookie-pool-and-its-impact-on-the-salary-cap/


However when reading this it is easy to jump to conclusions that the Chiefs need to be $7.445 million under the cap today just to sign rookies. Not exactly. We need to remember that in the offseason the salary cap is based on the “Rule of 51” which means only the top 51 cap charges (plus dead money) count towards a teams salary cap. Most teams have more than 51 players under contract. The Chiefs have 55.

This means that each of the Chiefs 7 draft selections will displace a player who is currently counting towards the salary cap limit. Most of these players earn $405,000. So if you have 51 or more players under contract here is the general rule as to how you calculate the net cap space that is being eaten up by your rookie pool:

Year One Rookie Pool – (405,000 x number of draft picks)

For KC that is equal to just $4.61 million a big difference between the $7.445 million we first thought we needed to set aside. So is the Chiefs have at least $5 million in cap room they can sign free agents and not need to worry about their rookie dollars being compromised. If you are a team with less than 51 players that you will need to adjust your calculation accordingly to

Year One Rookie Pool – (405,000 x (number of draft picks – (51- players under contract) )

These are your net cap space requirements for rookies or what I would call your “Effective Rookie Pool”.

last year our rookie pool was about 6.2 million. lets say 9 draft picks. lets say we have 10 picks. 10 x 420,000 (2012 minimum)= 4.2 million. or an "effective" rookie cap hit of somewhere around 2 million

NOT between 5 or 7 million like that fucking dullard dougherty said

[pbmax]

Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora 2h
Lions continue looking at safeties; ex-Dolphin Chris Clemons visiting with them today

[pbmax]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/21/report-jermichael-finley-months-away-from-signing/

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/james-starks-deal-is-worth-3165-million-b99229794z1-251347841.html

McGinn say Finley at least "2 months" away from signing, maybe several more months. He says the Seahawks said stay in touch and his source has interpreted that as he is either not physically ready or his timeline is still uncertain for the upcoming season.


Finley underwent a cervical fusion Nov. 14 after suffering damage to the C3-C4 area of his spine. He was injured Oct. 20 on a hard hit by Cleveland safety Tashaun Gipson.

Safety Sean Richardson underwent a cervical fusion on Jan. 15, 2013, after suffering a herniated disc in the C5-C6 area of his spine. It was 10½ months later before the Packers' medical staff gave him full clearance to practice and play as a member of the 53-man roster.



Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/james-starks-deal-is-worth-3165-million-b99229794z1-251347841.html#ixzz2wcuCDnvs
Follow us: @JournalSentinel on Twitter

Bob also says:
Cap situation: After the signing of Starks, the Packers were $16.149 million beneath their adjusted salary cap of $141.8 million.

They rank eighth in available room, trailing Cleveland ($31.8 million), Cincinnati ($28 million), Oakland ($27 million), Jacksonville ($25.1 million), the New York Jets ($24.4 million), Miami ($19.2 million) and Philadelphia ($16.2 million).

[red]

Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora 2h
Lions continue looking at safeties; ex-Dolphin Chris Clemons visiting with them today

GAhhhhHH

[red]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/21/report-jermichael-finley-months-away-from-signing/

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/james-starks-deal-is-worth-3165-million-b99229794z1-251347841.html

McGinn say Finley at least "2 months" away from signing, maybe several more months.

i'm guessing that when he says maybe several more months, he's saying, several more months before he's cleared for football activities

which seems a lot more plausible then the crap finley and his agent have been spewing about him being cleared "any minute now"

[pbmax]

i'm guessing that when he says maybe several more months, he's saying, several more months before he's cleared for football activities

which seems a lot more plausible then the crap finley and his agent have been spewing about him being cleared "any minute now"

Yes. I doubt anyone waits until he is cleared for starting to sign him. But he probably has to be further along in rehab than he is now. A lot can change, why pay someone for the unknowable?

Bet its the same for Jolly. Will sign sometime this summer.

[pbmax]

edit, just confirmed my way with a couple other sources

I'm right, rookie contracts are mostly just offset

signing our rookies, would add about 1-1.5 million to our cap number IF, the only guys that are replaced are the guys making the minimum (420,000), and we currently have 13 of those guys on the roster.

if the rookies replace vets, that cap hit for all rookies will be even less, or even a complete wash

http://overthecap.com/explaining-the-nfl-rookie-pool-and-its-impact-on-the-salary-cap/



last year our rookie pool was about 6.2 million. lets say 9 draft picks. lets say we have 10 picks. 10 x 420,000 (2012 minimum)= 4.2 million. or an "effective" rookie cap hit of somewhere around 2 million

NOT between 5 or 7 million like that fucking dullard dougherty said

Is this Twitter account you?

scudbot ‏@Scudtech 3h
@PGPackersNews @PeteDougherty The cap hit for the #Packers Year 1 rookie pool is about $1.725M, not $5M-$7M. http://overthecap.com/2014-rookie-pool-estimates.php …

[Patler]

Unless things have changed, there is one salary cap hurdle relating to rookie salaries that the team has to get over in the off season. The league assigns each team a rookie salary cap allocation which has to fit under their cap, and which can not be exceeded in signing their rookies. I'm not sure when the date is that teams have to meet the rookie allocation, but it is shortly before or after the draft.

Example:
Team is $3M under the cap at $130M with their highest 51 players.
Based on draft position, league assigns a pool of $6M for their 7 draft picks.
When the day arrives to meet the number, the teams highest 44 signed players must be below $127M so that plus their rookie allocation is less than 133.

If a team is close to the cap limit with their 51 highest, and has relatively high draft spots, or has accumulated extra high picks, they might have to tweak their roster a bit to account for the rookie allocation. Once the rookies are signed the unused rookie allocation is just like any other cap dollars.

At least, that is what it was under the old CBA, and I believe it still is.

[pbmax]

So red and scudbot are correct about needing to account for contract numbers that may no longer count in the Top 51 calculation when looking at the cap impact of the rookie pool, but with Patler's post, we know that the rookie deals must be counted within the 51. I think that all fits the framework discussed here.

Mainly its a only a question of which contracts to count prior to getting to the 53 man roster. If you want to know how much remaining cap space will be used by the rooks, then you want red's Net number. But if you want to know who counts in the post draft calculation, you have to eliminate the lowest contracts below 51 to fit the new rookie deals in. Once you get down to 44 (or 51 - #_of_draftpicks), then its the full number published by the League.

[mraynrand]

Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora 2h
Lions continue looking at safeties; ex-Dolphin Chris Clemons visiting with them today

Lions are still pissed that they missed signing MD Jennings or Jerron McMillian.

[Patler]

So red and scudbot are correct about needing to account for contract numbers that may no longer count in the Top 51 calculation when looking at the cap impact of the rookie pool, but with Patler's post, we know that the rookie deals must be counted within the 51. I think that all fits the framework discussed here.

Mainly its a only a question of which contracts to count prior to getting to the 53 man roster. If you want to know how much remaining cap space will be used by the rooks, then you want red's Net number. But if you want to know who counts in the post draft calculation, you have to eliminate the lowest contracts below 51 to fit the new rookie deals in. Once you get down to 44 (or 51 - #_of_draftpicks), then its the full number published by the League.

The way I always looked at it was this, until the rookies are signed (when it just goes back to the highest 51, regardless of who they are, the off season cap calculation is this:

(Salary cap total for a team) - (league-assigned rookie allocation) = salary cap available for the top "x#" of players.
"x#"of players = 51 - (the number of rookies used for calculating the rookie allocation pool).

[red]

Is this Twitter account you?

scudbot ‏@Scudtech 3h
@PGPackersNews @PeteDougherty The cap hit for the #Packers Year 1 rookie pool is about $1.725M, not $5M-$7M. http://overthecap.com/2014-rookie-pool-estimates.php …

nope not me, but the guys seems really smart

[red]

The way I always looked at it was this, until the rookies are signed (when it just goes back to the highest 51, regardless of who they are, the off season cap calculation is this:

(Salary cap total for a team) - (league-assigned rookie allocation) = salary cap available for the top "x#" of players.
"x#"of players = 51 - (the number of rookies used for calculating the rookie allocation pool).

i think what we are talking about is just 2 different ways of getting the same number, in the end

which is, if we have 16.1 million right now, and we don't sign anymore free agents (i know, thats really hard to believe), then after we sign all our rookies, we're gonna have somewhere around 14-14.5 million in cap space left

this is also based on the idea that the rookies will only replace the lowest paid guys already on the roster. if the rooks beat out guion or a guy like raji, then we could actually gain cap space and have more then 16.1 million when its all said and done.

[red]

raiders just sent a 6th round pick to the texans for matt schaub

that was a really fast fall from grace

[mraynrand]

if the rooks beat out guion or a guy like raji, then we could actually gain cap space and have more then 16.1 million when its all said and done.

that's just enough for one middle finger (at Ted!)

[Rutnstrut]

Situationally sub par....just like Newhouse

Newhouse is gone, now if we can get rid of Brad Jones I will consider free agency a success.

[pbmax]

i think what we are talking about is just 2 different ways of getting the same number, in the end

which is, if we have 16.1 million right now, and we don't sign anymore free agents (i know, thats really hard to believe), then after we sign all our rookies, we're gonna have somewhere around 14-14.5 million in cap space left

this is also based on the idea that the rookies will only replace the lowest paid guys already on the roster. if the rooks beat out guion or a guy like raji, then we could actually gain cap space and have more then 16.1 million when its all said and done.

There are going to be a couple more signings. Probably Kuhn and Jolly. Possibly Pickett. Those vet deals might push down something more than the rookie minimum.

[Rutnstrut]

There are going to be a couple more signings. Probably Kuhn and Jolly. Possibly Pickett. Those vet deals might push down something more than the rookie minimum.

Jolly and Kuhn are guys that IMO are solid contributors and great locker room guys that you need. But then again I'm one of the few here that are a big AJ Hawk fan, I like solid work ethic type players. They check the ego and do their job, they aren't world beaters but show up every game. Just the opposite of Raji, Brad Jones...

[red]

Jolly and Kuhn are guys that IMO are solid contributors and great locker room guys that you need. But then again I'm one of the few here that are a big AJ Hawk fan, I like solid work ethic type players. They check the ego and do their job, they aren't world beaters but show up every game. Just the opposite of Raji, Brad Jones...

i agree locker room leaders are a good thing to have, but that hasn't stopped the team from moving on from the likes of driver and woodson in the recent past

[red]

boy, the jets really just upgraded from sanchez to a guy who fumbles the ball on every other snap

vick to jets

jets cut sanchez

geno smiths future in doubt

[woodbuck27]

boy, the jets really just upgraded from sanchez to a guy who fumbles the ball on every other snap

vick to jets

jets cut sanchez

geno smiths future in doubt

I think that the Jets really need to concentrate on getting a real franchise QB in place.

I also realize that's not easy to get done.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4659/desean-Jackson

"The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane reports the Eagles have "intensified efforts" to trade DeSean Jackson in the last week."

".... the Eagles have been actively shopping Jackson, as opposed to simply fielding offers. Jackson is due a massive $10.7 million in scheduled salary and bonuses this year, making any trade difficult."

"The Panthers, join the Jets, 49ers and Patriots as teams known to have looked in on the Eagles' No. 1 receiver."

[mraynrand]

Newhouse is gone, now if we can get rid of Brad Jones I will consider free agency a success.

:) Repped

[woodbuck27]

Newhouse is gone, now if we can get rid of Brad Jones I will consider free agency a success.

Great News !!

[mraynrand]

i'm guessing that when he says maybe several more months, he's saying, several more months before he's cleared for football activities

which seems a lot more plausible then the crap finley and his agent have been spewing about him being cleared "any minute now"

When Finley IS signed he will be in a wicker chair at Pier One Imports.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bi3xj3rCIAEt0qP.jpg

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4718/earl-bennett

The Tampa Tribune says "there's a chance" the Bucs will take a look at free agent WR Earl Bennett.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3419/rob-bironas

Titans released K Rob Bironas.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8748/brandon-moore

Chiefs waived DL Brandon Moore.

" Moore spent the majority of 2013 on the Chiefs' practice squad and was signed to a reserve/future contract earlier this offseason."

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5911/kendrick-lewis

Texans signed FS Kendrick Lewis, formerly of the Chiefs.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5881/john-jerry

Giants RG John Jerry's one-year deal is worth $770,000.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3545/lance-moore

Steelers signed WR Lance Moore to a two-year contract.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6047/michael-palmer

Steelers re-signed TE Michael Palmer to a one-year contract.

[bobblehead]

Newhouse is gone, now if we can get rid of Brad Jones I will consider free agency a success.

I would give you mad props for this post except that you didn't note the MD Jennings was unloaded to the bears while we signed Peppers. I would say we not only finished the Bears in '13, but have gone a long ways towards destroying their '14 season as well.

[Iron Mike]

When Finley IS signed he will be in a wicker chair at Pier One Imports.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bi3xj3rCIAEt0qP.jpg

Looks more like Cracker Barrel...

[mraynrand]

Looks more like Cracker Barrel...

the furniture still has tags on it....from maybe Pier One?? I think Finley is big into wicker and drift wood furniture. Set up you cameras at Pier One, I tells ya. Maybe Fin will do some sit ups!

[Bossman641]

the furniture still has tags on it....from maybe Pier One?? I think Finley is big into wicker and drift wood furniture. Set up you cameras at Pier One, I tells ya. Maybe Fin will do some sit ups!

Cracker Barrel has rockers outside that they sell, so the tags make sense. Good eye Iron Mike.

[smuggler]

WickerJerMichael

[Guiness]

raiders just sent a 6th round pick to the texans for matt schaub

that was a really fast fall from grace

Kudos to the Texans to get that - he was definitely on his way out, I'm surprised they convinced a team to give them anything. Does he have a favorable contract?

just checked - far from it, $10mil base, $14M cap hit because of LTBE bonuses. What the hell were the Raiders thinking trading for that??? All they had to do was wait until he was released, and sign him for a Matt Cassel level contract.

[Rutnstrut]

I would give you mad props for this post except that you didn't note the MD Jennings was unloaded to the bears while we signed Peppers. I would say we not only finished the Bears in '13, but have gone a long ways towards destroying their '14 season as well.

I was so giddy with the fact of not having to worry about Newhouse getting Rodgers killed, that I had forgotten about the awesome sabotage move of Jennings to the Bears.

[mraynrand]

Cracker Barrel has rockers outside that they sell, so the tags make sense. Good eye Iron Mike.

are they from Pier One? :)

[Smeefers]

Kudos to the Texans to get that - he was definitely on his way out, I'm surprised they convinced a team to give them anything. Does he have a favorable contract?

just checked - far from it, $10mil base, $14M cap hit because of LTBE bonuses. What the hell were the Raiders thinking trading for that??? All they had to do was wait until he was released, and sign him for a Matt Cassel level contract.

They traded for the exclusivity. The trade wouldn't of happened if shuab had refused to renegotiate his contract.

[red]

They traded for the exclusivity. The trade wouldn't of happened if shuab had refused to renegotiate his contract.there have been no reports about that arrangement

usually it become know well in advance of a trade that the player would be willing to take a pay cut (like chris johnson) or the player will announce he won't take a cent less (revis), making a trade impossible

we heard nothing from schaub

plus, the raiders almost need him to count his 10 or 11 million against the cap. the raiders are somewhere around 31 million under the cap, with no real yong talents to resign, and all the high priced free agents on the market already gone. its almost impossible for them to get near the cap floor without them just handing out money to guys like schaub this year

one thing the raiders can do, which hasn't been talked about much, is he can be cut immediately, with no cap hit for the raiders. so they pretty much spent a 6th rounder to see if last year was just a fluke, or if schaub is completely done. also, if the raiders get franchise QB early in the draft, then they can just flat out dump him if they want

[Rastak]

there have been no reports about that arrangement

usually it become know well in advance of a trade that the player would be willing to take a pay cut (like chris johnson) or the player will announce he won't take a cent less (revis), making a trade impossible

we heard nothing from schaub

plus, the raiders almost need him to count his 10 or 11 million against the cap. the raiders are somewhere around 31 million under the cap, with no real yong talents to resign, and all the high priced free agents on the market already gone. its almost impossible for them to get near the cap floor without them just handing out money to guys like schaub this year

one thing the raiders can do, which hasn't been talked about much, is he can be cut immediately, with no cap hit for the raiders. so they pretty much spent a 6th rounder to see if last year was just a fluke, or if schaub is completely done. also, if the raiders get franchise QB early in the draft, then they can just flat out dump him if they want


Excellent points.

[Patler]

The Raiders have agreed to trade a late-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft to the Texans in exchange for quarterback Matt Schaub. He is currently on his way to Oakland for a physical.

The move is the latest in an attempt by Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie to win now and bridge the gap so that last year’s and this year’s upcoming draft picks are the centerpieces in the future. Nine of the 10 players the Raiders have signed this month are all at least 29 years old but their contracts are easy to get away from after the 2014 season if need be.

Throw in their need to use up 2014 cap space, and it makes sense for the Raiders.

[smuggler]

The Raiders don't *have* to use cap space per se. They should use it if it would improve their team. If it makes their team worse, it makes no sense. (The penalty for being under the floor is that you have to pay out the delta to get back to the floor in one manner or another.)

[Teamcheez1]

Our offensive line is now doomed, Newhouse has been signed by the Bengals.

[Fritz]

Our offensive line is now fixed, Newhouse has been signed by the Bengals.


FIXED.

[pbmax]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 24m
Woody Johnson mention, of DeSean, interest "at the right price" and "if he fits into the culture of our locker room." Questions persist.

Owners should be seen and not heard in football matters. What is the purpose of answering this question? Why publicly answer a question: "Maybe".

[mraynrand]

Why publicly answer a question: "Maybe".

I dunno

[pbmax]

there have been no reports about that arrangement

usually it become know well in advance of a trade that the player would be willing to take a pay cut (like chris johnson) or the player will announce he won't take a cent less (revis), making a trade impossible

we heard nothing from schaub


Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Raiders QB Matt Schaub restructured deal with OAK, lowering base salary and cap # this year; still can earn $15-$20M the next two seasons.

[Bretsky]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 24m
Woody Johnson mention, of DeSean, interest "at the right price" and "if he fits into the culture of our locker room." Questions persist.

Owners should be seen and not heard in football matters. What is the purpose of answering this question? Why publicly answer a question: "Maybe".


I would not want anything to do with Jackson; he was a hard negotiation last time and now that he has most of his guaranteed money he comes back and wants more THREE years before his deal is done. If I were the Eagles I'd do the same. His own team has had enough of his antics

[Fritz]

I'm with you, Bretsky. Screw that kind of drama queen.

[red]

agreed, d-jack is a grade A POS

him and chris johnson our the current poster boys for the "me first" nfl

[pbmax]

I would not want anything to do with Jackson; he was a hard negotiation last time and now that he has most of his guaranteed money he comes back and wants more THREE years before his deal is done. If I were the Eagles I'd do the same. His own team has had enough of his antics

Where did you read that he wants to redo his contract? Because most of the noise about his possible departure seems to be that the team really doesn't want that cap hit/cash outlay on the team any more.

This article says the Eagles decided to pull the plug weeks ago (single sourced, so buyer beware): http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Eagles-notes-Birds-decided-to-move-on-from-DeSean-Jackson-over-a-month-ago.html

[Guiness]

Where did you read that he wants to redo his contract? Because most of the noise about his possible departure seems to be that the team really doesn't want that cap hit/cash outlay on the team any more.

This article says the Eagles decided to pull the plug weeks ago (single sourced, so buyer beware): http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Eagles-notes-Birds-decided-to-move-on-from-DeSean-Jackson-over-a-month-ago.html

It doesn't seem at all clear why they want rid of him - just that Maclin and Cooper were both extended this off season, so it seems one of those 3 will be squeezed out.

You would think DeSean would attract at least a little attention on the open market - Percy Harvin certainly did, and it seems you'd expect a bit more guaranteed production out of Jackson. Not much official noise outside of the Jets, although it's unclear if teams are allowed to talk about him...

[pbmax]

They can't talk about him as he is under contract. There are rumors about the Jets, 49ers and Seahawks.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/24/on-desean-jackson-the-truth-is-elusive/

[smuggler]

Pretty sure the 49ers and Seahawks arent interested.

[red]

Pretty sure the 49ers and Seahawks arent interested.

they did both come out and say they absolutely weren't interested

[pbmax]

Yep, and Nick Saban wasn't going to leave the Dolphins either. Not all rumors are true, but not all denials are either.

[Bretsky]

Where did you read that he wants to redo his contract? Because most of the noise about his possible departure seems to be that the team really doesn't want that cap hit/cash outlay on the team any more.

This article says the Eagles decided to pull the plug weeks ago (single sourced, so buyer beware): http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/eagles/Eagles-notes-Birds-decided-to-move-on-from-DeSean-Jackson-over-a-month-ago.html


Was discussed on NFL Network...who also had the Eagles version of Bob McGinn in and he thinks the Eagles want to rid their team of Jackson

[Joemailman]

Pretty sure the 49ers and Seahawks arent interested.

You know you've screwed up when you're considered to be too much of an asshole for Pete Carroll to be interested in you.

[pbmax]

Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky

Latest salary-cap update, which includes the most recent deals, has the #Packers at $15,742,829 under the cap, per @ESPNStatsInfo.

[pbmax]

Apparently Bob never learned what the dollar sign on his Selectric actually meant.

Bob McGinn @BobMcGinn
Charles Woodson, 37, doesn't continue on for the $$. His 1-yr deal w/#Raiders has $1.15M guaranteed. Cash value: $2.5M. Cap charge: $3.5M.

[pbmax]

Was discussed on NFL Network...who also had the Eagles version of Bob McGinn in and he thinks the Eagles want to rid their team of Jackson

I think its bunk. Hasn't even been hinted at anywhere else.

[Bretsky]

I think its bunk. Hasn't even been hinted at anywhere else.

You should stop wasting your time looking at articles and just listen to the NFL network on Sirius....far more entertaining and you get5x as much info as the junk in print. Plus occasionally they remind you as a Packer fan how valuable Cullen Jenkins to Green Bay:)

[pbmax]

You should stop wasting your time looking at articles and just listen to the NFL network on Sirius....far more entertaining and you get5x as much info as the junk in print. Plus occasionally they remind you as a Packer fan how valuable Cullen Jenkins to Green Bay:)

This is is too obvious to miss. Every paper in Philly and NJ is trying to figure out why he's being shopped. If the report was anywhere, they would pick it up. And if they didn't, PFT would. Right now the most comprehensive version of events is from http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/news/news.aspx?id=4680529 who have decided that the Eagles have determined Desean has thrown up too many gang signs in pictures, suffered a robbery and is therefore approximately two attempted murders away from becoming Aaron Hernandez.

[pbmax]

James Ihedigbo tweets he’s joining Detroit Lions (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/24/james-ihedigbo-tweets-hes-joining-detroit-lions/)

[Carolina_Packer]

Just saw on the ESPN bottom line that Lions GM Martin Mahew (gesundheit) said they would not exercise 2015 option on DT Nick Fairley. The article said this is a move to motivate him to take his conditioning seriously. http://www.freep.com/article/20140324/SPORTS01/303240098/detroit-lions-nick-fairley You can make this move after 2014 season, why announce it now? Can't you tell him this privately instead of having it reported in the press? I know they want to motivate him, but there is also the matter of his trade value, and if you announce it now to the world that you aren't picking up a 2015 option, aren't you devaluing your own player to anyone that might want to trade for him?

[Guiness]

Just saw on the ESPN bottom line that Lions GM Martin Mahew (gesundheit) said they would not exercise 2015 option on DT Nick Fairley. The article said this is a move to motivate him to take his conditioning seriously. http://www.freep.com/article/20140324/SPORTS01/303240098/detroit-lions-nick-fairley You can make this move after 2014 season, why announce it now? Can't you tell him this privately instead of having it reported in the press? I know they want to motivate him, but there is also the matter of his trade value, and if you announce it now to the world that you aren't picking up a 2015 option, aren't you devaluing your own player to anyone that might want to trade for him?

The 5th year option has to be picked up before the player's fourth season, although I'm not sure of the exact timing.

Most of those decisions will be easy, although the Pack might have a tough one with Sherrod. Also not sure if teams who traded for players (Gabbert, Carmini) have the ability to pick up the option, I would think so.

[Guiness]

This is is too obvious to miss. Every paper in Philly and NJ is trying to figure out why he's being shopped. If the report was anywhere, they would pick it up. And if they didn't, PFT would. Right now the most comprehensive version of events is from http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/news/news.aspx?id=4680529 who have decided that the Eagles have determined Desean has thrown up too many gang signs in pictures, suffered a robbery and is therefore approximately two attempted murders away from becoming Aaron Hernandez.

Pretty damning stuff, and the Eagles are right to be spooked after Hernandez. I didn't hear about flashing that sign on the field to DeAngelo Hall, that's something else, did he receive any punishment for that?

Knee jerk feeling is that he's been doing this very publicly, which kind of says he's trying to be cool and get some 'street cred'. But it could be serious and teams are right to be cautious.

[Fritz]

Just saw on the ESPN bottom line that Lions GM Martin Mahew (gesundheit) said they would not exercise 2015 option on DT Nick Fairley. The article said this is a move to motivate him to take his conditioning seriously. http://www.freep.com/article/20140324/SPORTS01/303240098/detroit-lions-nick-fairley You can make this move after 2014 season, why announce it now? Can't you tell him this privately instead of having it reported in the press? I know they want to motivate him, but there is also the matter of his trade value, and if you announce it now to the world that you aren't picking up a 2015 option, aren't you devaluing your own player to anyone that might want to trade for him?

Now we know why Fairley fell in the draft.

Plus, this could potentially be a signal to the Suh camp that Mayhew is going to be sure there's enough future cap room to pay Suh the money he'll have to push off from this year as they try to renegogiate Suh's contract to get some breathing space.

[Patler]

The 5th year option has to be picked up before the player's fourth season, although I'm not sure of the exact timing.

Most of those decisions will be easy, although the Pack might have a tough one with Sherrod. Also not sure if teams who traded for players (Gabbert, Carmini) have the ability to pick up the option, I would think so.

Anytime after the final game of his third year, but prior to May 3.

[run pMc]

Fairley fell in the 2011 draft in part because of character/maturity concerns.

"The Broncos loved Fairley as a productive, 3-technique defensive tackle, but they didn’t value him as a top 10 pick because of his character issues.

Fairley wound up going No. 13 to Detroit and has been nothing but a headache since. Those character issues have re-surfaced in the form of a marijuana and DUI bust in the past two months. Fairley also suffered a foot injury in his rookie yeat that required surgery and forced him to miss six games. He had just one sack."
http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2012/05/28/nick-fairley-dt-broncos-draft/13655/

...and people complain about Datone/Perry being busts. They each got more sacks in their rookie years, and neither raises red flags for character. I know they play different positions, so maybe it's unFairley to compare with Perry, but still. ;)

Was surprised to hear about Fairley, he can be disruptive (on and off the field) when he wants to, and I'd think the option would be comparable if not cheaper than what he'd get in FA. Raji got $4M and he hasn't had a sack in 2 years.

[red]

Fairley fell in the 2011 draft in part because of character/maturity concerns.

"The Broncos loved Fairley as a productive, 3-technique defensive tackle, but they didn’t value him as a top 10 pick because of his character issues.

Fairley wound up going No. 13 to Detroit and has been nothing but a headache since. Those character issues have re-surfaced in the form of a marijuana and DUI bust in the past two months. Fairley also suffered a foot injury in his rookie yeat that required surgery and forced him to miss six games. He had just one sack."
http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2012/05/28/nick-fairley-dt-broncos-draft/13655/

...and people complain about Datone/Perry being busts. They each got more sacks in their rookie years, and neither raises red flags for character. I know they play different positions, so maybe it's unFairley to compare with Perry, but still. ;)

Was surprised to hear about Fairley, he can be disruptive (on and off the field) when he wants to, and I'd think the option would be comparable if not cheaper than what he'd get in FA. Raji got $4M and he hasn't had a sack in 2 years.

they both seem pretty similar. both have tons of physical gifts, both had red flags in the draft

both of flashed great potential

but overall, both have greatly underperformed in the pros

at least raji hasn't been busted for smokin, although if he did, it would explain the laziness ans sluggish behavior

[pbmax]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !


Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 53m
Here's a blog on why there's no way Packers will exercise 5th-year option on Sherrod: http://pck.rs/1p24X71

[red]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !


Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 53m
Here's a blog on why there's no way Packers will exercise 5th-year option on Sherrod: http://pck.rs/1p24X71

make sense based on what the article says. that 5th year is based on a salary the NFL comes up with. if they pick up that 5th year, the salary they would have to give to sherrod (fully guaranteed) would be somewhere around 8.8 million for that year

there is no way sherrod is worth that even if the team did have confidence in his ability to be the starting LT (and i don't think they have any faith in that based on him not getting any reps at the end of last season)

[Carolina_Packer]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !


Pete Dougherty ‏@PeteDougherty 53m
Here's a blog on why there's no way Packers will exercise 5th-year option on Sherrod: http://pck.rs/1p24X71

Just curious about your reaction. Are you upset because you think Sherrod is worth the 5th year option?

Are there any other options (no pun intended) here beside exercising the team option for the 5th year, or letting him play out this year to become a FA?

I feel bad for Sherrod's circumstances, but no team can wait on a guy in that tough of a spot. The team was in a bit of a tough spot too. You want your first round talent to be on the field, but when they are not healthy, you can't just sign another 1st round tackle the next year, can you? How many first round tackles can you afford on your roster? Where do you put them all when they are all back healthy? Having to play/pay cheaper guys was where the team was at, given the injuries to Sherrod and Bulaga. That's a good bit of treading water waiting for your guys to get healthy.

[bobblehead]

Yea, what Red said. Even if Sherrod comes in, wins the LT job, plays very well, we will be able to re-sign him for less than that number. He would have to be named to the Pro Bowl to be worth that....not that I would complain.

[Fritz]

Wow. I agree with Red. I do hope Sherrod kicks ass and takes the LT job from Bahkteria, stays healthy, and plays great. But even if all that happens, it wouldn't be enough to garner an 8 mill a year deal.

And I think PB was expressing mock dismay, btw.

[QBME]

Bears sign Jared Allen, per this mornings Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-jared-allen-signs-four-year-deal-20140326,0,4637847.story

[Joemailman]

Packers sign Peppers and Guion. Bears sign Allen and Jennings. Isn't it about time for the Vikings to start signing some former Packers?

[pbmax]

Just curious about your reaction. Are you upset because you think Sherrod is worth the 5th year option?

Are there any other options (no pun intended) here beside exercising the team option for the 5th year, or letting him play out this year to become a FA?

I feel bad for Sherrod's circumstances, but no team can wait on a guy in that tough of a spot. The team was in a bit of a tough spot too. You want your first round talent to be on the field, but when they are not healthy, you can't just sign another 1st round tackle the next year, can you? How many first round tackles can you afford on your roster? Where do you put them all when they are all back healthy? Having to play/pay cheaper guys was where the team was at, given the injuries to Sherrod and Bulaga. That's a good bit of treading water waiting for your guys to get healthy.

Joking. I have been defending Sherrod from the bust label for a while and I just wanted to put that spin on the post.

He is not worth that fifth year option if the numbers in the article are anywhere close to accurate. I do think he might still be able to play but he is still developing and he would need a contract that reflects that before getting a big number from any team.n With Bulaga back to RT, I think he and Bach will have a whale of a competition at LT.

[mraynrand]

Joking. I have been defending Sherrod from the bust label ....

I don't know if others agree, but I typically reserve the 'bust' label for guys who are healthy but just can't play anywhere close to the level of expectation. Tony Mandarich, John Michels were busts, Justin Harrell was not.

[red]

I don't know if others agree, but I typically reserve the 'bust' label for guys who are healthy but just can't play anywhere close to the level of expectation. Tony Mandarich, John Michels were busts, Justin Harrell was not.

i look at bust, and wasted draft picks as the same thing

harrell was a wasted draft pick in a guy who gave us nothing in return
worthy has been a wasted pick that gave us nothing in return
that WR from way back when, was it murphy, gave us nothing in return
worthy has given us nothing in return
raji has given us little in return

calling a guy a bust or an injury casualty only matters if you're trying to blame or defend the GM who drafted them

but in the overall scheme of things, they were high draft picks that ended up doing nothing for the team (or next to nothing in the case of raji and worthy), just wasted picks

[mraynrand]

i look at bust, and wasted draft picks as the same thing

I don't. And I bet Terrence Murphy would agree with me. I don't blame or defend the GM for Murphy's injury. There are lost picks, wasted picks, and busts, and all sorts of stuff in between. It seems as if you're just looking at the bottom line of contribution, and that's fine. Guys either contribute or not; if they contribute less than expectation, for whatever reason, it's disappointing. But in my view, that doesn't make 'em all busts.

Worthy is still an open question, BTW.

[woodbuck27]

i look at bust, and wasted draft picks as the same thing

harrell was a wasted draft pick in a guy who gave us nothing in return
worthy has been a wasted pick that gave us nothing in return
that WR from way back when, was it murphy, gave us nothing in return
worthy has given us nothing in return
raji has given us little in return

calling a guy a bust or an injury casualty only matters if you're trying to blame or defend the GM who drafted them

but in the overall scheme of things, they were high draft picks that ended up doing nothing for the team (or next to nothing in the case of raji and worthy), just wasted picks

BUSTS!

[denverYooper]

http://v029o.popscreen.com/aFZFSW90enkzX0Ex_o_is-this-some-kind-of-bust-naked-gun-2-12-the-smell-of-.jpg

Is this some kind of bust?

[Smidgeon]

I don't know if others agree, but I typically reserve the 'bust' label for guys who are healthy but just can't play anywhere close to the level of expectation. Tony Mandarich, John Michels were busts, Justin Harrell was not.

I agree with this. I spent a lot of time attempting to defend Harrell from the bust label. I don't think I made any fake internet points though.

[red]

I don't. And I bet Terrence Murphy would agree with me. I don't blame or defend the GM for Murphy's injury. There are lost picks, wasted picks, and busts, and all sorts of stuff in between. It seems as if you're just looking at the bottom line of contribution, and that's fine. Guys either contribute or not; if they contribute less than expectation, for whatever reason, it's disappointing. But in my view, that doesn't make 'em all busts.

Worthy is still an open question, BTW.

i am just looking at the bottom line, and i even say that that is what i'm doing

i said calling a player a bust or lost for injury only matters when trying to defend the guy who drafted him

in the overall picture, all those players gave us nothing, no matter if it was due to injury or the player just sucked

a draft pick that ended up giving us nothing, or IMO a wasted pick

[pbmax]

Jason Wilde ‏@jasonjwilde 3h
Per @RapSheet, Allen’s deal: 4 years, $32M. Voids to 3 years, $24M. $15.5M is fully guaranteed. Peppers got 3 years, $26M, $7.5M guaranteed.

That voidable year is one of the new features the compensation pick guy said teams use to goose their chances at a higher comp pick. Can be used to increase the total value of deal with not much risk to team.

[mraynrand]

http://v029o.popscreen.com/aFZFSW90enkzX0Ex_o_is-this-some-kind-of-bust-naked-gun-2-12-the-smell-of-.jpg

Is this some kind of bust?

Yes, and with a lighter shade sweater, we might see some fake internet points.

[mraynrand]

a draft pick that ended up giving us nothing, or IMO a wasted pick

http://www.marijuana.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/cheech-chong-smokin.jpg
but not a
http://www.peterclose.com/images/products/churchill/churchill_bronze_bust.jpg

[pbmax]

Reports: Packers, Titans show interest in Mike McGlynn

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/26/reports-packers-titans-show-interest-in-mike-mcglynn/

[MadScientist]

Reports: Packers, Titans show interest in Mike McGlynn

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/26/reports-packers-titans-show-interest-in-mike-mcglynn/

From the reports, he is to guard what Marshmallow is to tackle. The same reports indicate he played better at center, so maybe there is some hope to be a backup there. The problem is that the Packers usually want the backup to play guard or center, and McGlynn doesn't cut it at guard.

[Joemailman]

i look at bust, and wasted draft picks as the same thing

harrell was a wasted draft pick in a guy who gave us nothing in return
worthy has been a wasted pick that gave us nothing in return
that WR from way back when, was it murphy, gave us nothing in return
worthy has given us nothing in return
raji has given us little in return

calling a guy a bust or an injury casualty only matters if you're trying to blame or defend the GM who drafted them

but in the overall scheme of things, they were high draft picks that ended up doing nothing for the team (or next to nothing in the case of raji and worthy), just wasted picks

If Raji has given the Packers little in return, then I guess winning the Super Bowl didn't matter. Raji was awesome in 2010 with the amount of plays he was on the field for when other guys were hurt. The Packers don't even make the playoffs with out his contributions that year. And there was also the little matter of returning an INT for a TD in the NFC Title Game.

The other guys I see your point. But not with Raji.

[pbmax]

From the reports, he is to guard what Marshmallow is to tackle. The same reports indicate he played better at center, so maybe there is some hope to be a backup there. The problem is that the Packers usually want the backup to play guard or center, and McGlynn doesn't cut it at guard.

Well, if he can play center adequately, then his performance as backup guard might be livable. Even if he won the center job, he would not be the #1 backup guard. Might be able to live with that if he is a decent enough starter at C.

[red]

If Raji has given the Packers little in return, then I guess winning the Super Bowl didn't matter. Raji was awesome in 2010 with the amount of plays he was on the field for when other guys were hurt. The Packers don't even make the playoffs with out his contributions that year. And there was also the little matter of returning an INT for a TD in the NFC Title Game.

The other guys I see your point. But not with Raji.

so 1 good year, and 4 shit years = a successful career so far in you opinion?

no one else in free agency wanted him, just us. if it wasn't for us he might still be unemployed with his career up against the ropes

if he doesn't completely turn things around completely this year, his career could very well be over. the rest of the nfl saw the same thing we all did last year, a fat lazy fuck who quit on his team. and no one else wanted to take a chance on that POS

so for me, yes, he's a borderline bust, and he's on the wrong side of the line right now

[pbmax]

so 1 good year, and 4 shit years = a successful career so far in you opinion?

no one else in free agency wanted him, just us. if it wasn't for us he might still be unemployed with his career up against the ropes

if he doesn't completely turn things around completely this year, his career could very well be over. the rest of the nfl saw the same thing we all did last year, a fat lazy fuck who quit on his team. and no one else wanted to take a chance on that POS

so for me, yes, he's a borderline bust, and he's on the wrong side of the line right now

That's the problem with you choice of qualifiers: two options.

In 2011 he was one of the few functioning parts of a collapsing D. He had 3 sacks (down from 6.5), 2 passes defensed, a fumble recovery and 24 tackles+assists (solos were down from 2010). That's not the same as the terrible year he had in 2013.

The big question is what has happened to his pass rush. Even playing nickel rush in 2012 he had no sacks to go with his 2 passes defensed. By 2013, he was off the field entirely for passing downs. I wonder what they plan for this year.

[Joemailman]

so 1 good year, and 4 shit years = a successful career so far in you opinion?

no one else in free agency wanted him, just us. if it wasn't for us he might still be unemployed with his career up against the ropes

if he doesn't completely turn things around completely this year, his career could very well be over. the rest of the nfl saw the same thing we all did last year, a fat lazy fuck who quit on his team. and no one else wanted to take a chance on that POS

so for me, yes, he's a borderline bust, and he's on the wrong side of the line right now

How do you know no one else wanted him? Do you have taped recordings of his agent's phone calls? Not everybody gets signed right away in free agency, although to listen to you rant the first couple days of free agency, one might think they do. But I digress. I get that Raji's play declined the past 2 years. The contract he signed reflects that. But he has contributed more than your over the top ranting would suggest.

[SMBASS]

I credit Raji for 2 good years out of 5. (2010 and 2011) 2009, he held out of camp the first two weeks until his rookie contract was signed. Played some that year but didn't have much of an impact. 10 and 11 we're pretty good years and I agree with D.Y. that Raji's contributions were a big factor in our winning the SB after the 10 season. The part that continues to bother me is that after he showed the early promise and impact play making ability, he's completely disappeared the last 2 years and doesn't appear to be playing with any heart or urgency. Hard to say what the issue or issues are, (Desire, position, scheme, etc.) but 2 good years out of 5 just doesn't cut it and that's part of the reason why I probably would have let him walk. He hasn't been a complete bust by my definition, but for being the No. 9 pick who has the amount of talent he's obviously shown, he's simply not getting the job done.

I hope he wakes up and has a monster year so we can at least get a good return on our 1 yr./4M rental. In order for us to have a good D this year I think we need to find someone who can hold the point in the middle of the D line and cause a little disruption every now and then. I don't think he has to be a world beater, just someone who can at least play some minutes and has the ability to eventually become comparable to how Pickett was playing a few years ago. Hopefully T.T. finds someone who can be groomed and ready for 2015 when I think Raji will be gone regardless of how he plays this year.

[SMBASS]

Damn..."Double post."

[red]

How do you know no one else wanted him? Do you have taped recordings of his agent's phone calls? Not everybody gets signed right away in free agency, although to listen to you rant the first couple days of free agency, one might think they do. But I digress. I get that Raji's play declined the past 2 years. The contract he signed reflects that. But he has contributed more than your over the top ranting would suggest.

over the top?

he has the potential to be out of the NFL in 2 years if he doesn't do a complete 180 with his career imo

the amount of effort he has given the last two years is just shocking when you actually watch what he does. a man his size should not get manhandled by a tackle or a TE. yet raji got pushed around by a single blocker on almost every play last year

he gave up,plain and simple, he phoned it in.

[packer4life]

I think the majority sentiment is that Raji is not a bust.

This is the year Sherrod proves he is not the bust.

[Bretsky]

This is is too obvious to miss. Every paper in Philly and NJ is trying to figure out why he's being shopped. If the report was anywhere, they would pick it up. And if they didn't, PFT would. Right now the most comprehensive version of events is from http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/news/news.aspx?id=4680529 who have decided that the Eagles have determined Desean has thrown up too many gang signs in pictures, suffered a robbery and is therefore approximately two attempted murders away from becoming Aaron Hernandez.

Did U listen to Chip Kelly's interview today ?

[Bretsky]

I think the majority sentiment is that Raji is not a bust.

This is the year Sherrod proves he is not the bust.


Raji is just a disappointment

This is just hopefully the year Sherry develops a man name and starts playing. I hope I'm wrong but fully expect disappointment

[red]

Raji is just a disappointment

This is just hopefully the year Sherry develops a man name and starts playing. I hope I'm wrong but fully expect disappointment

hawk, as a #5 pick is a disappointment

i wish raji was half the player and leader that hawk is

pff had him ranked 2nd to last out of all 3-4 DE's last year, out of the entire NFL. they also said he took 120 some snaps at NT and ranked near dead last there too. so for those holding out hope that things will change with him moving to NT, well pff tells of he sucks there too

i'd love it if raji turns it around and plays great this year, thats great for the team, but what i saw from him last year, i don't see it happening

[Carolina_Packer]

As far as a 4th year player hoping for the 5th year option (first rounders only, right?) I wonder if anyone tried to suggest a possible delay in the decision for players like Sherrod who have so little service time that it would be difficult to make a decision on that option, even after May 3rd. Obviously, this would have to be done on a case by case, but I could see a team being allowed wait until after the 4th year to decide on an option if you have a player like Sherrod who hasn't been able to get on the field. Why should he be in the boat as far as consideration for that compensation? Why should the club possibly have to pay big bucks to gamble on giving a big option to someone who hasn't been able to develop because of injury? I'd also hate to see the Pack just dump him, and then have him get healthy and go elsewhere and live up to his potential.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Bears sign Jared Allen, per this mornings Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-jared-allen-signs-four-year-deal-20140326,0,4637847.story

The Bears signing Allen takes a little of the luster off of the Packers signing Peppers. Allen probably has a little more in the tank then Peppers, the Bears upgraded. But the Packers benefit too.

[mraynrand]

Packers sign Peppers and Guion. Bears sign Allen and Jennings. Isn't it about time for the Vikings to start signing some former Packers?


FYI - In case no one mentioned it, Guion is the guy Tolzien faked out of his jock with the spin move on his TD run.

[mraynrand]

The Bears signing Allen takes a little of the luster off of the Packers signing Peppers. Allen probably has a little more in the tank then Peppers, the Bears upgraded. But the Packers benefit too.

In the Packer games, Allen was pretty ineffective and largely uninterested-looking*. Still had over ten sacks, but I think the big slide has started. Was it a motivation thing? Minnesota's offensive ineptitude will sap the desire from anyone; could be that's what happened to Allen.





*twisted ankle at GB

[smuggler]

Allen in his prime was nothing special against the run. Now he's an outright liability. As to which is a better playrr today, it's hard to say, but Green Bay defi itely has the more advantageous contract. The Brars guaranteed the first two seasons of Allens deal and also have a guaranteed roster bonus in year three.

[Bretsky]

Allen in his prime was nothing special against the run. Now he's an outright liability. As to which is a better playrr today, it's hard to say, but Green Bay defi itely has the more advantageous contract. The Brars guaranteed the first two seasons of Allens deal and also have a guaranteed roster bonus in year three.


The whole Allen thing was funny and predictable
"I want to play for a winner"
I want to go somewhere that has stable QB and coaching and is set up to run for a SB
Him and his family went to Seattle hoping to close a deal. Want to play for a winner....

BLA BLA BLA


SHOW ME THE MONEY; IT'S FUNNY HOW THINGS CHANGED....

[Guiness]

Allen in his prime was nothing special against the run. Now he's an outright liability. As to which is a better playrr today, it's hard to say, but Green Bay defi itely has the more advantageous contract. The Brars guaranteed the first two seasons of Allens deal and also have a guaranteed roster bonus in year three.

The deals seemed very similar to me? They have Allen for 2 years for 15.5, so if he falls off dramatically this season they pay for 2 anyways. Only year one is locked for the Pack, for 9M if they want to get out of it after that, or 2 years for 17.5. There is 4M in bonuses available to Peppers, but I don't know how LTBE those are.

[pbmax]

Did U listen to Chip Kelly's interview today ?

No. Do tell.

[run pMc]

i am just looking at the bottom line, and i even say that that is what i'm doing

i said calling a player a bust or lost for injury only matters when trying to defend the guy who drafted him

in the overall picture, all those players gave us nothing, no matter if it was due to injury or the player just sucked

a draft pick that ended up giving us nothing, or IMO a wasted pick

Fair enough. But any draft pick will be either above, below, or at expectations based on where they were drafted and their reputation. That said, a significant chunk of picks are going to be below or barely at expectations (are R7 picks expected to make the team? start? just play ST?) so patience with any GM is required. Even Matt Millen got something incredible like seven seasons.

I'd say Raji has performed below expectations the last 2 years. Prior to that it was at expectations. Not sure if that makes him a bad pick, but I don't think GB wins the 2010 SB without Raji.

You can call Justin Harrell a bad pick, wasted pick, or a pick that had bad luck with injuries...but I'd hesitate to call him a bust. He was never healthy enough for enough games to show us if he could play IMO. Brian Brohm was a bust because you could see he couldn't play. Terrence Murphy (or Mark D'Onofrio, Gary Berry, etc., if you want to pick on Ron Wolf) were 'bad' picks because of injury/medical. Personally I think checking the spinal cord/neck for stenosis should be part of the standard medical...and if it is, I'm not smart enough to know why it isn't caught and flagged.

[run pMc]

FYI - In case no one mentioned it, Guion is the guy Tolzien faked out of his jock with the spin move on his TD run.

Not expecting much from Guion except TC competition and depth. It sounds like he will backup Raji at NT and be moved around the line sometimes.

If you count the DL group as Peppers, Raji, Datone, Daniels, Worthy, Boyd, and Guion...Guion is likely last on the depth chart (who's better, him or Worthy?)

[run pMc]

The deals seemed very similar to me? They have Allen for 2 years for 15.5, so if he falls off dramatically this season they pay for 2 anyways. Only year one is locked for the Pack, for 9M if they want to get out of it after that, or 2 years for 17.5. There is 4M in bonuses available to Peppers, but I don't know how LTBE those are.

Seems like Allen got more guaranteed money, but he's younger and has more sacks, which will get the CHI fans whipped into excitement.
I think the change of scenery will energize Allen for a while, maybe even a season, and then he'll fall off a cliff. He's been durable, and can rush the QB but he isn't a dominant DE anymore and even when he was you could run at him. Peppers allegedly is flexible and athletic enough to play some coverage as a LB. It's not a bad signing for CHI and will help the other DE (Houston) pressure the QB.

Looking at the NFCN teams --
CHI has added a bunch of FA on defense, so they should be better but paid a lot for a middling, aging defense (and they signed Cutler!)
DET cut Delmas, Burleson and signed Ihedibo, Tate and Pettigrew...they have to deal with Suh and didn't option Fairley and thus could lose both next year. They are in win-now mode and that does not usually work out well.
MIN has a new coach and a lot of roster turnover...and they still have Ponder and Cassel. They've spent a chunk of money on defense and should be better there but they aren't better than several NFC teams and Peterson turns 29 this year. They won't have the dome advantage for the next 2 seasons, but that's another story.

[denverYooper]

In the Packer games, Allen was pretty ineffective and largely uninterested-looking*. Still had over ten sacks, but I think the big slide has started. Was it a motivation thing? Minnesota's offensive ineptitude will sap the desire from anyone; could be that's what happened to Allen.

*twisted ankle at GB

Yeah. Even if he has a bit of a refresh this year, Allen is still a known quantity and has lost a lot of his fear value as a Packer killer. He'll probably help the Bears some, but signing him didn't fix the defense's biggest problem -- they still have a lot of old guys.

[RashanGary]

I have as much respect for Jared Allen as I do any defender over the last 10 years or so. He's a better 4-3 DE than Peppers imo, and would be a better 3-4 DE. Hes just more stout and equally talented at rushing the passer. Peppers intrigues me because he's said to be a freak athlete. If he can move around like a linebacker, he (along with the entire elephant position) bring unpredictability to our 2-4 front.

I like the peppers vision, but liked Allen better as a player.

[Jimx29]

Bears sign Jared Allen, per this mornings Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-jared-allen-signs-four-year-deal-20140326,0,4637847.story
More accurately the last line should say "keep having"

http://i57.tinypic.com/f1gs90.jpg

[woodbuck27]

http://v029o.popscreen.com/aFZFSW90enkzX0Ex_o_is-this-some-kind-of-bust-naked-gun-2-12-the-smell-of-.jpg

Is this some kind of bust?

RE: Busts ...It's so confusing:

Yea there's your bust form and then this:

http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/hof/Adderly_Herb_Induction_180-220.jpg

Not many NFL players out of the total have "this bust" attached to their legacy.


B. J. Raji:

Is B.J. Raji a bust of not!? He'll determine the correct response to that.

Have you read this article that sets down a perspective view after the 2011 season on this question?:

http://www.totalpackers.com/2012/03/11/b-j-raji-is-the-worst/

B.J. Raji Is The Worst.

Now that address's this word "BUST" and B. J. Raji after the 2011 season when he made the Pro Bowl and ironically was ranked:

Pro Football Focus ranked Raji 46th out of 46 defensive tackles in run stop percentage in 2011. The question I'd ask myself is:

Has he demonstrated better play over the course of the 2012 and 2013 seasons?

In my view of him the correct response is a flat out "NO".

B. J. Raji was picked NO.9 overall, and he helped the Green Bay Packers gain it's fourth Super Bowl Championship after the 2010 regular season. Since then he's clearly played poorly to just awful. It's been right in front of any of you watching the Green Bay Packer games over these past three seasons. Can we possible see it so differently and Raji?

Shape it as you need to (for whatever reason) but it's obvious that he'll be back as a Packer next season, because of the needs of Ted Thompson in the "whatever makes Ted click category". I feel that TT payed to much for a a very possible BJ Raji rental.

If it wasn't for Ted Thompson; BJ Raji might at best be signed by some other NFL team to slightly better than an NFL Vet minimum contract or worse:

He might have been reduced to hoping for a CFL contract offer.

Will he turn it around in 2014? That's left to be seen and will be an interesting watch. He has a lot to overcome:

** He has to overcome quiting on the Green Bay Packers in 2013.

** Quiting on himself (in a contract year - 2013).

** He has to overcome what is clearly three consecutive letdown seasons 2011-13.

He has to overcome two consecutive seasons and will it be counting after 2014 and "NO SACKS" ?

** He has to overcome "the dumb and or arrogance" label by his decision; rejecting TT's rumored $8 million$ offer early in the 2013 season; seeing that taken off the table. What's the cost to ego there?

How much would you wager that he will overcome all of the above? $20.00 - $100.00 - $1000.00 !?

How many of you are going that $Grand$? Putting your money where your thoughts are?

Maybe your standards are low? Maybe It's a "whatever" excuse?

Here's where I believe it is and Packers DL and B. J. Raji:

If BJ Raji doesn't get an outstanding effort in a supporting cast on the Packers DL he'll flounder again in 2014. He has to turn that around with an about face in terms of his lazy attitude and work his tail off between games to strengthen and condition like he never imagined he could this off season and throughout 2014. He needs further support from Ted Thompson in terms of effective support on the DL.

If he has a markedly better 2014 season and tries Free Agency again next season? What B. J. Raji will another NFL team be signing? The 2014 version or the 2011-14 version?

I believe his next better contract may come with a prudent TT and the Green Bay Packers. I say may , as I won't bet a nickel on what I saw from him over the course of the past three seasons.

If I could I's offer him this advice:

Simply work his tail off as a Green Bay Packer for hopefully an extended contract with the team that invested a ninth overall pick in him. I'd say to B. J. Ragi: Open your mind.

Really it's simply this:

B. J. Raji must change dramatically or his NFL career and/or football career wherever is over.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/374/ryan-pickett

" The Green Bay Packers evidently reached out to DT/NT Ryan Pickett on the eve of free agency.

also reached out to Pickett on the eve of free agency. The 34-year-old has yet to make a visit after playing 546 snaps last season." From LINK above.

[red]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/374/ryan-pickett

" The Green Bay Packers evidently reached out to DT/NT Ryan Pickett on the eve of free agency.

also reached out to Pickett on the eve of free agency. The 34-year-old has yet to make a visit after playing 546 snaps last season." From LINK above.

thats great news, hopefully he ends up coming back

pickett is a much more valuable and important part of the d-line then raji is imo

[3irty1]

I heard DeSean Jackson was straight up released.

[red]

I heard DeSean Jackson was straight up released.

confirmed

lots of talk that the eagles didn't like his involvement with gangs, and flat out wanted him gone because of it

probably trying to avoid their very own hernandez drama

[3irty1]

I guess he's got affiliations with the cribs! Christ how can you suck this much at being rich?

[red]

crips not cribs

http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/03/eagles_desean_jackson_off-the-field_troubles.html


And when the Eagles looked more deeply into why Jackson was missing meetings, they found that his friends were becoming a more powerful -- and negative -- influence in his life.

Now the Eagles have even more serious concerns -- Jackson's continued association with reputed Los Angeles street gang members who have been connected to two homicides since 2010.

[pbmax]

The last article I read seemed mostly about concern trolling Jackson's gang signs in photos and his music label.

This one is goes a step further to an absolutely understandable area of concern. However, there is a clear separation between Jackson's relation to this and Aaron Hernandez's history.


Now the Eagles have even more serious concerns -- Jackson's continued association with reputed Los Angeles street gang members who have been connected to two homicides since 2010.

snip

Jackson was, however, associated with Theron Shakir, one of the two men charged with the murder. Along with co-defendant Marques Binns, Shakir is a purported member of the Crips. In addition, Shakir, known as "T-Ron," is a rapper who recorded for Jaccpot Records, a label owned by Jackson. The two were close enough that they appear together frequently in photographs -- including pictures posted by Jackson to Instagram while Shakir sat in jail awaiting trial for the teen's execution.

Shakir was acquitted of the charges.

http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/03/eagles_desean_jackson_off-the-field_troubles.html

[3irty1]

crips not cribs

http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/03/eagles_desean_jackson_off-the-field_troubles.html

Oh good call. I'd like to say that was a typo but the truth is that I live too much in Iowa to remember my LA gangs.

[Guiness]

Wow, pretty big news. Something spooked the hell out of the Eagles for sure.

I can't see him being signed quickly - the outright release by Philly when there was no a cap or skill issue is going to give everyone pause. Was there even a payment coming up? I can't see this being the end of the story.

[smuggler]

I made a separate thread for DJax.

[Smidgeon]

Oh good call. I'd like to say that was a typo but the truth is that I live too much in Iowa to remember my LA gangs.

Hilarious!

Whereabouts in Iowa are you? I used to call that state home...for 20 years.

[3irty1]

Hilarious!

Whereabouts in Iowa are you? I used to call that state home...for 20 years.

Currently Cedar Falls.

[red]

COCK

ASS

texans sign chris clemons, last legitimate free agent safety that TT had no intention of bringing in to help our shit safety play

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/28/texans-signing-chris-clemons-stocking-up-on-safety-help/

[smuggler]

I'm a little annoyed and will be moreso if the Texans got a favorable contract.

[Joemailman]

COCK

ASS

texans sign chris clemons, last legitimate free agent safety that TT had no intention of bringing in to help our shit safety play

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/28/texans-signing-chris-clemons-stocking-up-on-safety-help/

Terrence Brooks>Chris Clemons. :razz:

[smuggler]

Maybe eventually, almost certainly won't be in 2014.

[red]

Terrence Brooks>Chris Clemons. :razz:

really have no choice now

either unproven rookie

or unproven 2nd year never been a safety hyde

[red]

Maybe eventually, almost certainly won't be in 2014.

thats the way i see it. haha and pryor look like they might be able to step in an be quality right away. but those guys might not be there at our pick

the rest are gonna be projects.

hyde is gonna be a project, having never played the position before

imo, we needed a massive improvement at safety now, and until we get that leaky back end fix, our D will continue to suck

[Smidgeon]

Currently Cedar Falls.

Cool. I spent most of my years in Clinton, north of the Quad Cities, and the rest in Ames and Des Moines.

[Bretsky]

COCK

ASS

texans sign chris clemons, last legitimate free agent safety that TT had no intention of bringing in to help our shit safety play

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/28/texans-signing-chris-clemons-stocking-up-on-safety-help/


DITTO YOUR SENTIMENTS

[Bretsky]

Terrence Brooks>Chris Clemons. :razz:


Terrance Brooks AND Chris Clemons is greater than Terrance Brooks

I doubt he cost that much

[Bretsky]

No. Do tell.

Just another refernce to the money...and more today from msn

Jackson upset the Eagles when he lobbied for a new contact shortly after they were eliminated in the playoffs. His departure leaves the Eagles with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin as the starting wide receivers.

[red]

Terrance Brooks AND Chris Clemons is greater than Terrance Brooks

I doubt he cost that much

well the texans asked daniel manning to take a pay cut earlier in the day. then they signed clemons. is easy to assume clemons has been signed to now replace manning

manning counted 4.5 million against the cap. its safe to assume clemons will cost less then that

[Bretsky]

well the texans asked daniel manning to take a pay cut earlier in the day. then they signed clemons. is easy to assume clemons has been signed to now replace manning

manning counted 4.5 million against the cap. its safe to assume clemons will cost less then that


My guess he falls into the 2=2.5MIL range. We've signed garbage for more than that

[red]

My guess he falls into the 2=2.5MIL range. We've signed garbage for more than that

yup, on both counts

[SMBASS]

Packers free agent DE C.J. Wilson signed by The Raiders. Didn't see any terms of the deal released yet. I guess the signing of Guion helped seal the end of the CJ experiment. McKenzie picking up another ex-Packer.

[pbmax]

COCK

ASS

texans sign chris clemons, last legitimate free agent safety that TT had no intention of bringing in to help our shit safety play

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/28/texans-signing-chris-clemons-stocking-up-on-safety-help/


I'm a little annoyed and will be moreso if the Texans got a favorable contract.

Rest easy. If the Texans signed him, its the clearest indication outside of Wallbangers that he can no longer play in DB in the NFL. The Texans are where your secondary players go to die.

[smuggler]

CJ Wilson's deal was three years. The total amount is probably around $3mil or less, I'd wader.

[pbmax]

COCK

ASS

texans sign chris clemons, last legitimate free agent safety that TT had no intention of bringing in to help our shit safety play

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/28/texans-signing-chris-clemons-stocking-up-on-safety-help/


I'm a little annoyed and will be moreso if the Texans got a favorable contract.


Just another refernce to the money...and more today from msn

Jackson upset the Eagles when he lobbied for a new contact shortly after they were eliminated in the playoffs. His departure leaves the Eagles with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin as the starting wide receivers.

Found it: http://www.csnphilly.com/football-philadelphia-eagles/desean-jackson-hopes-eagles-re-do-his-contract

OK, you are off the crazy list. And this makes more sense than having a murder suspect on your record label as a reason to dump him. He also changed his agent, from Rosenhaus to Joel Segal.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Do people think Micah Hyde can be a starting safety? I know there was a lot of sentiment on this board for the Packers to move him last year, but he's not getting much of a mention. I'm thinking Thompson doesn't reach at safety. If he can find value (e.g. safety is BPA), then he'll do it. Otherwise, I think they roll with Hyde. I was a proponent of the move when it was brought up during the season. Not necessarily during the year since I don't think he trained at safety much, but for this year.

[vince]

Yeah I think Hyde can play safety. He can run - enough. He can play the ball. He can come up into the box when needed to support the run. He can blitz. He can tackle. He can cover in the slot. The only thing we haven't seen him do is cover over the top. I'm thinking he can do what McMillan couldn't do and turn his hips to run with the deep route without falling on his ass. He's fluid. He's a player who has the ability to force the action and I think he'll be able to cover over the top by keeping people in front and getting up and after the ball when it comes his way. I also think Richardson has a chance at safety. Plus there's a good possibility of upgrading the position through the draft.

My concern with the defensive backfield is if/when Tramon or Shields get hurt. I don't have a lot of faith in House after seeing his sometimes lackadaisical effort both in coverage and supporting the run last year. With Hyde at safety and Hayward in the slot (who I don't think are outside corners anyway), the Packers are razor thin behind Williams and Shields on the outside.

[call_me_ishmael]

Do people think Micah Hyde can be a starting safety? I know there was a lot of sentiment on this board for the Packers to move him last year, but he's not getting much of a mention. I'm thinking Thompson doesn't reach at safety. If he can find value (e.g. safety is BPA), then he'll do it. Otherwise, I think they roll with Hyde. I was a proponent of the move when it was brought up during the season. Not necessarily during the year since I don't think he trained at safety much, but for this year.

I think it's a bad idea to roll the dice like that. Shoulda signed JByrd. It's not like he would cost them anymore than they'd be paying Nick da pick right now if he was healthy. Both would be the top 2 paid safeties. I don't buy into "home town" discounts.

[Joemailman]

Yeah I think Hyde can play safety. He can run - enough. He can play the ball. He can come up into the box when needed to support the run. He can blitz. He can tackle. He can cover in the slot. The only thing we haven't seen him do is cover over the top. I'm thinking he can do what McMillan couldn't do and turn his hips to run with the deep route without falling on his ass. He's fluid. He's a player who has the ability to force the action and I think he'll be able to cover over the top by keeping people in front and getting up and after the ball when it comes his way. I also think Richardson has a chance at safety. Plus there's a good possibility of upgrading the position through the draft.

My concern with the defensive backfield is if/when Tramon or Shields get hurt. I don't have a lot of faith in House after seeing his sometimes lackadaisical effort both in coverage and supporting the run last year. With Hyde at safety and Hayward in the slot (who I don't think are outside corners anyway), the Packers are razor thin behind Williams and Shields on the outside.

Welcome back Vince!

I wish we knew which House we're going to get. The House of brick or the House of cards.

[vince]

Thanks Joe. Excuse me for stereotyping but House plays too often at noon like he's coming down from his morning high. Not encouraging to me. I wouldn't be shocked to see him go Cleditus on us this year. Hope I'm wrong obviously.

[pbmax]

Tramontana-Shields-Hayward(hammy)-House-Bush plus Jumal Rolle, James Nixon and Antonio Dennard is not exactly stacked unless Hayward is healthy AND House plays well. Hyde, as M3 seemed to indicate, seems ticketed for only limited snaps at safety.

And I don't assume Hyde can play safety. We speculate about this all the time and fondly remember Butler doing it, but more have failed trying to make this switch than have succeeded. McCarthy said the plan for him to play all 3 downs and one of the roles could be safety. They called Bulaga to tell him he was playing RT. This doesn't sound like a position change to me.

As for House, he needs to start, or at least play regularly before we'll know if all the variability in his play is technique/talent or just rust at this point. His play versus the 49ers wasn't terrible, he didn't blow any coverages I remember and generally was able to stay with Crabtree, but he made no plays on the ball. And that was what he used to do well. Problem is if Hayward is healthy, he isn't going to get regular snaps. And it will be at least one year before Williams is gone.

[mraynrand]

^ Packers need a corner in the draft.

[Joemailman]

Tramontana-Shields-Hayward(hammy)-House-Bush plus Jumal Rolle, James Nixon and Antonio Dennard is not exactly stacked unless Hayward is healthy AND House plays well. Hyde, as M3 seemed to indicate, seems ticketed for only limited snaps at safety.

If Hyde is only ticketed for limited snaps as Safety, how does that work with MM's statement that Hyde needs to be an every down player if Hayward is healthy?


"I got to a point in the season where Micah was standing on the sidelines too much. He's a good football player and I thought he deserved the opportunity to compete to play.

[red]

^ Packers need a corner in the draft.

another CB, won't help fix the secondary, we already have a lot of talent there. until we fix the safety play by finding 1 or 2 new starting safeties, the secondary is still going to give up massive amounts of yards

HOWEVER

tramon is in the last year of his contract, and hayward might not come back from his injury, and hyde might be shoved into the safety role which he may or may not be able to make work. so i can see cb as a need in the draft

[red]

If Hyde is only ticketed for limited snaps as Safety, how does that work with MM's statement that Hyde needs to be an every down player if Hayward is healthy?

maybe he means that he thought hyde played better then tramon and that maybe hyde will take over the starter role from tramon?

maybe it was a shot at tramon to start playing every game, not just the last 3 of the season, or he will be replaced?

[mraynrand]

Red, you draft mostly for a year and two down the road. Most draft picks won't step in as starters; many struggle to get in as spot players.

[red]

Red, you draft mostly for a year and two down the road. Most draft picks won't step in as starters; many struggle to get in as spot players.

thats the problem with the draft only approach (or the draft only 95% of the time approach this year), you do need your rookies to start, and you usually need 2 or 3 of them to start each year

we don't have a starting quality TE- we need to get one in the draft

we don't have a starting safety- we need to draft one

we only have 1 starting quality ILB- we need to draft another one

we might need a new starting FB- that would be another rookie

yes, in theory, you'd like to draft guys to be starters a couple years down the road. the way we do things, we don't have that luxury imo

[mraynrand]

thats the problem with the draft only approach (or the draft only 95% of the time approach this year), you do need your rookies to start, and you usually need 2 or 3 of them to start each year

we don't have a starting quality TE- we need to get one in the draft

we don't have a starting safety- we need to draft one

we only have 1 starting quality ILB- we need to draft another one

we might need a new starting FB- that would be another rookie

yes, in theory, you'd like to draft guys to be starters a couple years down the road. the way we do things, we don't have that luxury imo

When the Packers had injuries, Bacteria and Franklin started. Lacy was a starter from day one, and D. Jones was essentially a starter in the 2-4 sub package. Packers make good use of their draft picks, more than other teams. Still, they have to draft for the future: You could argue that Bacteria (tackle to replace Barclay), Tretter (center), Hyde (corner), Barrington (LB), and Franklin (RB), were all picks for the future, but were pressed into more service due to injury. That's drafting for the future and depth.

Packers have starting safeties, you (and others) just don't like them very much.
Packers have starting TEs (Scoreless and they like Bostick)


Packers will draft receivers - maybe WR and TE, corner, safety and probably d lineman to do exactly what their 2013 class did: push the current group, challenge for starting position, provide depth, and prepare for the future. Given how thin they are a couple of spots, wouldn't be surprising to see a couple start and another 1 or 2 play significant snaps. Drafting for the future isn't a luxury, it's a necessity; and the future for the Packers is usually this year, when all their players get hurt!

[Rutnstrut]

thats the problem with the draft only approach (or the draft only 95% of the time approach this year), you do need your rookies to start, and you usually need 2 or 3 of them to start each year

we don't have a starting quality TE- we need to get one in the draft

we don't have a starting safety- we need to draft one

we only have 1 starting quality ILB- we need to draft another one

we might need a new starting FB- that would be another rookie

yes, in theory, you'd like to draft guys to be starters a couple years down the road. the way we do things, we don't have that luxury imo

Don't forget, they don't have a starting center either.

[Joemailman]

Don't forget, they don't have a starting center either.

I'm pretty sure when the season starts someone will be starting at Center.

[red]

Don't forget, they don't have a starting center either.

there was a story on PFT that the team said that tretter was going to be the center by default

they may draft competition for him, but unless he really fails badly, tretter will win the starting center job, even though he's never played a snap in the nfl, and has never taken a snap in his life at center

[pbmax]

If Hyde is only ticketed for limited snaps as Safety, how does that work with MM's statement that Hyde needs to be an every down player if Hayward is healthy?

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=36651


McCarthy reiterated that position Tuesday, which could mean that Hyde will be the answer at the position if the Packers don’t pick a safety high in the draft.

“I’m going to say it again, make sure we’re clear: Micah Hyde deserves the opportunity to be an every-down player on our defense,” McCarthy said. “As we go into 2014, that’s our responsibility as a coaching staff – to create those competitive opportunities for him to get that done.

“I got to a point in the season where Micah was standing on the sidelines too much. He’s a good football player and I thought he deserved the opportunity to compete to play. [So] we’re going to give Micah the opportunity to play on all three downs – whether that’s corner, nickel, dime, safety, that’s the versatility I think he brings to our football team.”

This is the time of year he builds up certain players which is what I think he is doing here. Nothing he has said so far sounds like a concrete position switch. However, he could just be sandbagging here.

[Joemailman]

Assuming they don't sign or draft a Center, Lang would probably be the backup. He moved over to Center a couple of times last year when EDS had to come out of games. They briefly tried Barclay there last year before Bulaga got hurt. They may give him another try. They also have Garth Gerhart on the roster who spent most of last year on the practice squad. They have options if Tretter isn't ready.

[mraynrand]

Don't forget, they don't have a starting center either.

BRING BLACK WELLS. USE MONEY SAVED ON FINLEY!