Colin Cole- "Top Priority"

[Patler]

A counterpoint to all the Colin Cole detractors on this board:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/40068247.html

[vince]

I'm not sure how effective a counterpoint this is to those of us who would prefer to see a stronger back-up NT than Colin Cole, nor am I sure how much actual support there is for the conclusions McGinn draws here.

To the first point, there is clearly virtually no reliable depth on the current roster all along the defensive line, which makes Cole potentially more valuable because of the increased risk associated with having to replace what what little there is. But that doesn't change the quality of his play, which is what the "detractors" are pointing to.

Perhaps Cole can improve to something more than a guy who occupies a blocker, but count me as one of those who sees a vague reference to being
"more consistent holding his ground" and 2.5% pressures - 1 out of 40 - as unconvincing. That's almost negligible pressure. The fact that Colin Cole played as much as he did was a big reason this team couldn't stop the run OR pressure the quarterback last year (although he certainly wasn't the only reason).

To the second point, McCarthy doesn't - and shouldn't - criticize any player publicly. McGinn's only support for his conclusions appear to be his own interpretations of such comments. When combined with Thompson's comments and actions in this regard, it appears to be a stretch to say the team is "bent on keeping Cole." Both Thompson's and McCarthy's quotes about how they fully expect him to go to free agency, and the fact that there has been no apparent developments or substantive talks toward a signing here indicate otherwise. The team is fully willing to risk losing him.

How does the fact that both Thompson and McCarthy have gone on record saying they expect Cole to go to free agency indicate they are "bent" on signing him beforehand?

This brings up the possible bias of McGinn to set McCarthy and Thompson up once again for perceived failure. If they "fail" to resign Cole, McGinn has then positioned himself to pile on additional free agent "failures" and build public pressure against Thompson and McCarthy - something that draws attention, sells papers and brings added notoriety upon himself.

[packrulz]

I guess it depends where they think Cole fits in and is he worth $2 mil/year? In this article M3 has Jolly at DE and they don't even mention Cole: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/40066757.html
M3 thinks Cole is a NT so they have Pickett/Harrell/Cole/Toribio at NT so simply by looking at the roster I don't think TT has the depth on the Dline to let Cole go, especially considering Harrell and Jenkins have never had a healthy season.

[pittstang5]

2 mil. a year? That's all he's looking for? With contracts getting astronomically bigger each year, Cole is looking for an average of 2 mil. a year?

[Bretsky]

LMAO at the thought of putting Cole a top priority as free agency is soon ahead

[vince]

2 mil. a year? That's all he's looking for? With contracts getting astronomically bigger each year, Cole is looking for an average of 2 mil. a year?

I think the Packers would do well to improve Cole's important spot on the roster - without regard to price.

[Deputy Nutz]

Forgive me if I shoot myself in the head and get bits of brain and spine particles all over your shoes. I like Cole but do I think that he is a top priority? Hell no!!! Go after someone like Bertran Berry and make him a priority an then I will think this organization can pull it's head out of their ass.

Colin Cole? Boot my balls.

[texaspackerbacker]

A lot of people never seem to have any respect for what we already have.

Cole ain't great, but when you're talking about a second string NT, he's at least serviceable. I'm glad to hear Thompson and McCarthy seem to have a high opinion of him. Then again, maybe they're just doing the guy a favor, talking him up so he can get a better offer from somebody else.

I'd rather have Cole as a backup NT than: A. Using a very high draft pick for a NT or B. Taking a chance on some unknown quantity farther down in the draft.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Perhaps he's a top priority among the Packers UFAs. That's not saying much.

[CaptainKickass]

Time to ressurect the infamous


"Cole Train !!!!!"

http://packerrats.com/ratchat/viewtopic.php?t=1758&highlight=cole+train

.

[Patler]

Perhaps he's a top priority among the Packers UFAs. That's not saying much.

That's not what McGinn suggests. He clearly states that it is a top priority of the Packers to get Cole re-signed before the start of the free agent signing period.

I find McGinn's position a bit unusual, since Thompson was quoted recently as saying that Cole will be allowed to test the free agent market. However, if he can be signed for around $2 million per year, that is certainly cheap enough, less than the "average" NFL salary ($120+ million for about 55-60 players, more or less). I would re-sign him if I could, then look for something better. He could have value as a sort of swingman, a third NT and 5th DE. Could have value as a 7th D-lineman backing up all three positions.

[wist43]

Cole is built to be a NT... but he plays like a 3 technique. Another guy that doesnt fit the 3-4.

He simply can't hold the point, and at least neutralize the double team... if Cole is manning the NT position, the Packers will get run over.

[KYPack]

Cole playing the nose (zero technique, if you will)?

That 's a two gap responsibility, & I don't know if he can hack the program.

I think he's a back-up end and an emergency NT.

Cole is OK, but just OK as a back-up.

[rbaloha1]

Cole gets overpowered too much. Prefer the Packers find a true backup nt.

[Lurker64]

That's not what McGinn suggests. He clearly states that it is a top priority of the Packers to get Cole re-signed before the start of the free agent signing period.

But if we think about it a bit, wouldn't this necessarily be the case? To wit:
1) The Packers have three UFAs: Tauscher, Mongtomery, and Cole
2) Tauscher is injured, his recovery is still in question, and he might be done. At the very least he promises to not get much interest from other teams.
3) Montgomery wasn't very good in the old scheme and doesn't project well to the new scheme, so he probable won't be resigned at all.
4) Free Agency hasn't started yet, so they can't sign anybody not currently on the team.
5) For the RFA guys, all we need to do is figure out what to tender them at, and then there's no rush.
6) For the ERFAs, we don't need to do anything right now.

So assuming the Packers had any interest in doing anything right now before free agency (other than "scouting"), wouldn't it have to be "resign Cole"? Since they're probably not going to resign Montgomery, they won't resign Tauscher for a while pending his recovery, and it won't take very long to figure out "We should tender Bigby, Hunter, Martin, Kuhn, and Humphrey with the second round tender" (probably none of those guys being worth a first round tender, and the lowest 'draft status' tender would basically be literally meaningless for Bigby, Hunter, Martin, and Kuhn since they were all undrafted; Bush and Bodiford may not be worth keeping.). Bigby may be worth a first round tender, though. The difference is about $700,000 and though Bigby isn't great he is a starter; aditionally Bigby, Collins, Rouse, and Peprah are a better group of Safeties than Nobody, Collins, Rouse, and Peprah.