Packers tag Pickett

[Brando19]

I'm a HUGE fan of Ryan Pickett...looks like he'll be around at least another year if they can't work out a long term deal within a few days.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/02/23/packers-expected-to-tag-pickett/

[Lurker64]

We'd better hope there's no CBA extension at the last minute, since if there was we'd need that tag for Collins.

[RashanGary]

Good move. Pickett seems like one of those big space eaters that could last well into his mid to late 30's. Then there's the uncertainty of Jolly. Have to keep him around. I'd like to keep both Jolly and Pickett long term, but we'll see how long Jolly is suspended and if he can get his shit cleaned up.

[Brandon494]

Must keep Picket, he was a huge part of the improvement on defense.

[KYPack]

A whole herd of NT's are expected to get the tag thoughtout the league in the next few days. Teams want to hang on to their space eaters.

[pbmax]

Good point about Collins, but I bet there would be a window to redo him is the other tag option falls through. That doesn't mean he is going to sign though. The longer this goes on, the more it seems there is little agreement on what to pay him.

Given the numbers thrown around in the Sign Nick Collins thread, I almost can't see Thompson signing off on that deal.

[bobblehead]

Good point about Collins, but I bet there would be a window to redo him is the other tag option falls through. That doesn't mean he is going to sign though. The longer this goes on, the more it seems there is little agreement on what to pay him.

Given the numbers thrown around in the Sign Nick Collins thread, I almost can't see Thompson signing off on that deal.

NO deal is going to get done. The Jerry Jones of the league are trying to buy an advantage and they won't give in easy.

[Brandon494]

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Packers tag Ryan Pickett
It's official -- the Packers have placed the franchise tag on nose tackle Ryan Pickett.

“Ryan has been a good teammate and productive player for us on the field and also a good representative of the Packers in the community,” General Manager Ted Thompson said in a statement moments ago. “We look forward to having him be a part of our future.”

A former first-round draft pick of St. Louis who joined the Packers in 2006, Pickett is entering his 10th NFL season. He could have become an unrestricted free agent on March 5.

Though the Packers didn't announce it, they surely applied the non-exclusive franchise tag, which means Pickett still could agree to an offer sheet with another team. However, any new team would have to give up two first-round draft picks as compensation, and no one's going to pay that price for a 30-year-old player who's never made a Pro Bowl.

The Packers have been talking with Pickett's agent about a new, multi-year contract since last season. If Pickett signs the franchise tender and a new deal isn't worked out before the season, he would make $7.003 million in 2010.

Pickett played in 13 games last season, missing three down the stretch because of injury, and finished with 47 tackles (25 solo) for the NFL's No. 1-ranked run defense.

Pickett joins a list of defensive linemen who have been franchised in recent days -- Vince Wilfork (New England), Aubrayo Franklin (San Francisco) and Richard Seymour (Oakland). Like Pickett, Wilfork and Franklin are nose tackles in 3-4 defenses, and Pittsburgh widely is expected to franchise its nose tackle, Casey Hampton, as well.

The deadline for applying franchise and transition tags is Thursday.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
http://twitter.com/tompelissero

[pbmax]

You can edit the title, he got tagged today.

http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2010/02/24/2/

EDIT: Wow, I was 29 minutes late. Sorry for the double effort.

[gbgary]

We'd better hope there's no CBA extension at the last minute, since if there was we'd need that tag for Collins.

maybe they've done this with pickett because they're close to a collins deal. no?

[CaptainKickass]

Does anyone else have the "deja-vu" feeling that Pickett being franchised may be a precursor to him being traded?

If memory serves me correctly, the last time the Pack franchised a DT was Corey Williams. He was promptly traded to the Browns.

[Smidgeon]

Does anyone else have the "deja-vu" feeling that Pickett being franchised may be a precursor to him being traded?

If memory serves me correctly, the last time the Pack franchised a DT was Corey Williams. He was promptly traded to the Browns.

I doubt strongly Pickett will be traded. Proven NTs are difficult to find. Plus, while Raji will man the position down the road, this frees him up to move around the line and wreak pass-rushing havoc from multiple positions. I think it's just a business decision that allows GB to keep Pickett's service while a long term deal is worked out.

[get louder at lambeau]

Does anyone else have the "deja-vu" feeling that Pickett being franchised may be a precursor to him being traded?

If memory serves me correctly, the last time the Pack franchised a DT was Corey Williams. He was promptly traded to the Browns.

I doubt strongly Pickett will be traded. Proven NTs are difficult to find. Plus, while Raji will man the position down the road, this frees him up to move around the line and wreak pass-rushing havoc from multiple positions. I think it's just a business decision that allows GB to keep Pickett's service while a long term deal is worked out.

I doubt it too, but with NTs being so scarce right now, maybe someone will make Ted an offer he can't refuse. What would it take to convince you to trade him?

[Smidgeon]

Does anyone else have the "deja-vu" feeling that Pickett being franchised may be a precursor to him being traded?

If memory serves me correctly, the last time the Pack franchised a DT was Corey Williams. He was promptly traded to the Browns.

I doubt strongly Pickett will be traded. Proven NTs are difficult to find. Plus, while Raji will man the position down the road, this frees him up to move around the line and wreak pass-rushing havoc from multiple positions. I think it's just a business decision that allows GB to keep Pickett's service while a long term deal is worked out.

I doubt it too, but with NTs being so scarce right now, maybe someone will make Ted an offer he can't refuse. What would it take to convince you to trade him?

Hmm. Good question. If I were GM, considering both the scarcity of good NTs and the fact that GB has a viable backup NT on the roster with Raji, I'd trade him for a 1st in the top 20 picks this year or top 15 next year (due to the projected disparity of draft depth).

Too low a price or too high?

[get louder at lambeau]

Does anyone else have the "deja-vu" feeling that Pickett being franchised may be a precursor to him being traded?

If memory serves me correctly, the last time the Pack franchised a DT was Corey Williams. He was promptly traded to the Browns.

I doubt strongly Pickett will be traded. Proven NTs are difficult to find. Plus, while Raji will man the position down the road, this frees him up to move around the line and wreak pass-rushing havoc from multiple positions. I think it's just a business decision that allows GB to keep Pickett's service while a long term deal is worked out.

I doubt it too, but with NTs being so scarce right now, maybe someone will make Ted an offer he can't refuse. What would it take to convince you to trade him?

Hmm. Good question. If I were GM, considering both the scarcity of good NTs and the fact that GB has a viable backup NT on the roster with Raji, I'd trade him for a 1st in the top 20 picks this year or top 15 next year (due to the projected disparity of draft depth).

Too low a price or too high?

Probably too high? He'll be turning 31 around the start of this season, and is currently headed toward a one year $7 mil contract. Maybe a 2nd?