Ben Taylor

[Patler]

There is no disagreement that Diggs needed to be cut. So forget about his old contract, that is not relevant. I am looking at point where Diggs became a free agent.

I think the Packers should have made an attempt to sign him. And Diggs' market value was evidently minimal. So from financial considerations alone, the Packers would have been in the game with Ben Taylor money.

That's all. Not about money.

Once the guy was cut, I think bringing him back was out of the question. It's one thing to have done that with Ruegamer, who lost out on only a few hundred thousand. With Diggs it would have been more like (We didn't want to pay $3 million, but we will pay $700k". Trying to put myself in the shoes of either the player or the team, I think I would prefer to part ways in that situation.

[billy_oliver880]

Wow y'all might as well be arguing the price of cabbage in china. We got to be hard up for entertainment if we are talking about a 2nd stringer on the team.

[Harlan Huckleby]

yes, it does seem that once a player is cut, they usually don't return.

Diggs is still young. A one-year deal at low salary is no big problem. He is looking to prove himself and restore his market value. Carolina is place to do it.

[Harlan Huckleby]

billy,

Are you aware that China produces over one third of all cabbage in the world? A lot of American family farms are directly affected by cabbage imports. Maybe you should think about other people, and get your facts straight, before you open your mouth again with some smart aleck remark.

FYI:

Commodity Profile: Cabbage
Agricultural Issues Center
University of California

Overview
New York, California and Texas are the largest producers of U.S. fresh-market cabbage,
although all 50 states produce cabbage commercially. According to the FAO, China and
India are the world’s largest cabbage producers, with China alone accounting for over
one-third of world production in 2001.
By USDA Economic Research Service estimates, coleslaw accounts for 40 to 45
percent of cabbage utilization in the United States, fresh head cabbage accounts for 35
percent, and other various fresh-cut products account for 5 to 10 percent. The other
important use of cabbage is sauerkraut, which accounts for 12 percent of cabbage
utilization. As there is little overlap between the fresh cabbage and sauerkraut markets,
these two commodities will be discussed separately.
Demand
Domestic fresh cabbage consumption varied from 1970 to 2001 (Figure 1). Consumption
was 8.7 pounds per capita 1970. In 1980, consumption reached a low of 7.6 pounds per
capita. In 1987 it rose to 9.1 pounds, peaking in 1993 at 9.3 pounds. Per capita
consumption subsequently declined but rebounded in 2000 and 2001, reaching 9.0
pounds per capita in both years. According to the USDA, the increase in cabbage
consumption in 2000 and 2001 is attributable to the marketing of fresh-cut products,
including fresh slaw products and the use of red cabbage in fresh-cut salad mixes; growth
in away-from-home eating (affects coleslaw consumption); and nutritional research
showing the benefits of cruciferous vegetables.
Domestic consumption of canned cabbage (sauerkraut) has declined since 1970,
from 2.3 pounds per capita in 1970 to 1.3 pounds per capita in 2001. Consumption
peaked in 1971 at 2.5 pounds and then followed a downward trend until reaching its
lowest point in 1996 at 1.0 pounds per capita.
Although the United States is a net exporter of cabbage, trade is not a major factor
in the cabbage industry. The United States exported only 3.4 percent of domestic
production in 2002. Total U.S. cabbage exports are comprised mostly of fresh cabbage
and were valued at $22.5 million in 2002 (Figure 2). The largest market for U.S. cabbage was Canada, which received over $20.2 million, or 90 percent, of U.S. cabbage exports in 2002. Japan and Mexico were the next largest destinations for U.S. cabbage. In 2002, Japan received over $1.1 million in U.S. cabbage and Mexico received $717,117. Fresh cabbage made up over 87 percent of U.S. cabbage exports in 2002. Fresh cabbage exports have increased since 1989, when they were only $2.2 million. Exports peaked in 1998 at $20.9 million before declining to $16.1 in 1999. By 2002 exports had risen to $19.7 million. The largest destination for U.S. fresh cabbage was Canada, which received $17.6 million in fresh cabbage from the United States. Japan and Mexico were other important destinations for U.S. fresh cabbage. The largest customer for U.S. sauerkraut was Canada, which received $2.6 million, or over 91 percent of sauerkraut exports in 2002. Japan and Mexico were the second and third largest markets, respectively, for U.S. sauerkraut. SupplyIn the United States, New York, California and Texas are the largest producers of fresh-market cabbage. In 2002, the three states combined to produce 47.8 percent of the nation’s 24.4 million cwt of fresh cabbage. New York, alone, produced over 4.1 million cwt, or almost 17 percent, of total fresh cabbage. In 2002 total fresh cabbage production was down 6.3 percent from a 10-year high of 26.1 million cwt in 2001 (Table 1). The value of U.S. fresh-market cabbage in 2002 was $301.5 million, down from over $340.2 in 2001. In 2002 the average domestic inflation-adjusted price for fresh-market cabbage (in 1996 dollars) was $11.52 per cwt (Table 1), down from $12.44 per cwt in 2001 . Since 1992, when the average fresh cabbage price was $9.92 (1996 dollars), prices have generally increased. Cabbage enters the United States under a 0.54 cent per kilogram tariff for countries not granted preferential trade status. Sauerkraut imports into the United States face a 4.8 percent ad valorem tariff for countries not granted preferential trade status.Total imports of cabbage (fresh and sauerkraut) were $14.9 million in 2002, down 2 percent from 2001, when imports peaked at $15.2 million (Figure 3). The largest sources of U.S. cabbage imports were Mexico and Canada. Imports from Canada in 2002 were valued at $8.1 million and accounted for 54.2 percent of total cabbage imports. Mexico exported almost $5 million in cabbage to the United States in 2002, comprising one-third of all imports. All of the imports from Mexico were fresh cabbage. Fresh cabbage, valued at $13.3 million in 2002, made up 89 percent of total U.S. cabbage imports. Canada was the largest source of fresh cabbage imported into the U.S. in 2002 when cabbage imports from Canada were valued at over $7.7 million. Sauerkraut imports totaled $1.6 million in 2002. Germany provided two-thirds ($1.1 million) of U.S. sauerkraut imports in 2002, a 101.6 percent increase from 2001. More than 30 percent of the sauerkraut imports came from Canada and Poland, making them the other important sources of U.S. sauerkraut imports.

[KYPack]

OK, good.

HH is back to "abnormal".

[Patler]

HH, I agree with your last comments about Diggs. I hope he does well. I always liked him.

You've raised my cabbage-awareness level. I'm not sure if simply saying "Thank You" is adequate. There are many issue in life, such as cabbage, about which I am so naive. Now, there is one less.

[Zool]

I had no idea the complexity of the cabbage market in relation to American farmers. I personally think that 'kraut is more a test of bravery than it is a food but thats my opinion.

Anything that smells like that just doesnt taste good. Guess you have to be German.

[billy_oliver880]

billy,

Are you aware that China produces over one third of all cabbage in the world? A lot of American family farms are directly affected by cabbage imports. Maybe you should think about other people, and get your facts straight, before you open your mouth again with some smart aleck remark.

Hey man you need not argue a thing about American family farms. I was born and raised on one. I always joke that farming is just an expensive hobby. Thank you for the info about cabbage. You aren't telling me anything I do not already know about how imports affect farmers. Perhaps you think about your local farmer when you go and buy that inexpensive milk, cheese, and eggs. I was just making a point to show how slow the news is right now. I mean you are arguing about a potential second stringer on the team man. Forgive me for not just going and laying down HH. I think you need to settle down man. Take a joke once and awhile. You will not change my personality but good luck trying.

[Harlan Huckleby]

sorry about losing my temper there, farm boy, I've cooled down.

[billy_oliver880]

sorry about losing my temper there, farm boy, I've cooled down.

Life is good mon.