Packers offer contract to Tramon Williams

[MJZiggy]

And you knew Al would end up on IR how? We knew Chuck would struggle this year how (recalling that Chuck himself said if he couldn't play corner anymore he'd play safety)? You can't have a whole team of high priced vets and I'd say I'd rather have the guys that we have than some of those folks around here have been clamoring for. Let's remember how all those vets you guys have wanted played for their new teams. Who wanted Haynesworth (Washington's $100 million backup)? Frankly, I want Thompson to lock up ALL of our GOOD players, not just the vets or the youth.

WHOA!!!!!!!!!

Was that a 'what if'? Al (Harris, right?) is on the IR? That happened when?

Read the quote that that post was responding to. Apparently TT was supposed to know everything that would go wrong with every player he resigned. So apparently TT was supposed to know when he extended Harris that he would wind up on IR and not resign him, right?

[Zool]

I'll gladly return to the back of the bus on this topic, if ANYONE can point to one decision that Ted made that hasn't been defended. Just one.

This will happen about the same time he makes a move that's not criticized. The rest of us in the middle just sit back and watch the gifted few argue.

[Guiness]

And you knew Al would end up on IR how? We knew Chuck would struggle this year how (recalling that Chuck himself said if he couldn't play corner anymore he'd play safety)? You can't have a whole team of high priced vets and I'd say I'd rather have the guys that we have than some of those folks around here have been clamoring for. Let's remember how all those vets you guys have wanted played for their new teams. Who wanted Haynesworth (Washington's $100 million backup)? Frankly, I want Thompson to lock up ALL of our GOOD players, not just the vets or the youth.

WHOA!!!!!!!!!

Was that a 'what if'? Al (Harris, right?) is on the IR? That happened when?

Read the quote that that post was responding to. Apparently TT was supposed to know everything that would go wrong with every player he resigned. So apparently TT was supposed to know when he extended Harris that he would wind up on IR and not resign him, right?

Ok, I'd skipped most of the argument, and only read the what was directly quoted. I thought Harris had slipped onto the IR while I had a nap!

[bobblehead]

I'll gladly return to the back of the bus on this topic, if ANYONE can point to one decision that Ted made that hasn't been defended. Just one.

This will happen about the same time he makes a move that's not criticized. The rest of us in the middle just sit back and watch the gifted few argue.

Is that similar to not offering an opinion so you can criticize everyone else in hindsight?

[mraynrand]

Yes you can, but if you're hypocritical about it because he can do nothing RIGHT in your eyes (not yours, leaper's). I'll call that out. To me this is a SUPREME example of hypocrisy by criticizing the age of the players no matter what the age of the players he signs is. He only signs kids, he NEVER signs veterans. He signs a few veterans, it's about time he offers some money to a young player with upside rather than these aging ineffective players. So how's he supposed to win in this argument? Please tell me.

Well, I can't speak for leaper, but I think it's bigger than that at this point. Honestly, I doubt that anyone believes that Thompson can't "do anything right". I certainly don't. I've said time and time again that he's a great talent evaluator for example.

That being said, anytime that you bring up any decision that Ted's made, you are summarily attacked with "facts", "statistics", "supposition", and reasons why you have to be wrong. There is no valid reason to criticize the guy.

FWIW, I think you're spending a lot of time defending a guy that doesn't give a shit what we think. It's why he gets the big bucks and makes the big decisions. He'll live or die by them, and as fans, so will we.

I just maintain that he isn't perfect, and he makes his share of mistakes. No one is "allowed" to discuss those mistakes here. That's all I was saying in this thread.

You and I had a pretty good conversation. Over the coming days, one of two things will happen.

1 - Every point that I made will be dissected, analyzed and all those reasons I talked about will be brought to the surface.

2 - No one will say anything.

In any event our good discussion will not continue on a larger level.

[mraynrand]

Thompson has thrown way too much money at the aging veterans on the team who won't bring much in return for that cash. .

this has got to be the first time this has been uttered on this board (not that I'm disagreeing).

I know. All we've been hearing for years is that TT won't open his wallet for veterans and that he wants to always have the youngest team in the league. Now he catches hell for signing vets...

Well, this is just slightly out of context. But that really doesn't matter when defending "he who shall not be criticized". Anything goes to make that defense!

[pbmax]

I gave credit to TT for bringing back Tauscher and Clifton; those were great moves. Ditto for Driver and Harris.

But TT is not above criticicm and I'm not going to join in on the general sarcastic tones toward those who question him

Its hindsight of course, but Tauscher now looks like bad money, doesn't he?

Even before the injury he was more turnstile than tackle. Of course, that would still place him ahead of Barbre. If Lang had not been hurt/rehabbing (and that alone might explain the new contract) I think Tausch would be the backup at RT.

[mraynrand]

I gave credit to TT for bringing back Tauscher and Clifton; those were great moves. Ditto for Driver and Harris.

But TT is not above criticicm and I'm not going to join in on the general sarcastic tones toward those who question him

Its hindsight of course, but Tauscher now looks like bad money, doesn't he?

Even before the injury he was more turnstile than tackle. Of course, that would still place him ahead of Barbre. If Lang had not been hurt/rehabbing (and that alone might explain the new contract) I think Tausch would be the backup at RT.

But how much money will it end up being?

Here's what I found:

The two-year contract Green Bay Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher agreed to over the weekend can earn him as much as $8.7 million in salary and bonuses.

Here's the breakdown, as passed along by my colleague Pete Dougherty:

* Tauscher will receive a $1.8 million roster bonus this year in addition to $1.4 million base salary.

* In 2011, his base salary jumps to $4.1 million.

* In each year, Tauscher can earn a $200,000 workout bonus and $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

All in all, that's pretty good scratch for 32-year-old who was a free agent for about seven months last year while recovering from ACL surgery. It basically matches the compensation he was receiving before the injury, making about $3.4 million in 2007 and $5 million in 2008.

-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

http://twitter.com/tompelissero

So I assume he gets the roster bonus and will make the 3.2 mil this year. OK , that's a bit steep for a backup, but TT was only guaranteeing 1.4 mil if he didn't make the roster. I agree it's too much given what's happened, but PB I think you made the correct points - Lang was questionable and Bulaga was an unknown. I still think the main problem may have been that TT didn't find a guy he could plug in there, but I don't recall a FA or trade possibility that significantly improved the tackle position. If anyone knows who they could have brought in that would have been worth that same Tausch money, I'd be interested hearing about them (not an in-your-face here, I just don't know).

[pbmax]

That being said, anytime that you bring up any decision that Ted's made, you are summarily attacked with "facts", "statistics", "supposition", and reasons why you have to be wrong. There is no valid reason to criticize the guy.

This is the part of the argument I do not understand. This is an internet message board; everyone has an opinion and generally is happy to bold it or type it in all caps. Of course every point you make is going to be challenged. That happens to everybody. And some on this board (who are unfortunately not as funny as the best) do take posts to a personal level.

Now, I do understand that not agreeing with Thompson's approach to UFAs may put you in the minority on that issue. But that doesn't mean there is no valid reason to criticize the guy.

But you need to stay with the critique. Don't give in and just lament the opposition to your view or drop backhanded compliments and snark. Restate the facts of the case. In the immortal words of Emmit Smith (mis)quoting Jim Valvano: "Don't quit. Don't even quit".

For instance, I am not leaving this message board until everyone agrees with me that the Packers should run only to confuse the defense and late in the game with a lead (right now its me, McCarthy and a stat major in Omaha). And, despite Masthay's results vs. the Jets, they should almost never punt.

[RashanGary]

Tramon Williams is playing fricking awesome. Since day one, that guy came in raw as hell and found ways to make plays on the ball. He's a tier below the very best. Cromartie is not better than Tramon Williams.

Revis, Woodson. . . Sure. . . There are better guys, but Williams is a probowl type talent. He's to CB's as Greg Jennings is to WR's. A frickin playmaker.

He'll get paid.



And Sam Shields looks natural too. He plays to his leverages, has all of the tools. . . He looks aggressive out there, people don't pick on him. We might have a good starting CB in the making with him too.

[pbmax]

Williams also played well when Harris was out healing his spleen. But when Harris came back, Williams struggled. Not sure if it was the new role or reduced snaps or disappointment at not winning the job, but its good to see him reclaim that level of performance.

I just hope that stretch doesn't repeat itself when Harris is moved to the active roster.

[MichiganPackerFan]

Man, I really hope Williams isn't a punk about this and gets a fair contract without it becoming an issue.

He's our future (and present) in the secondary but if he's going after Top 5 position money we might have a problem.

He deserves top 5 money though. Name 5 cornerbacks in the NFL playing better than him.

Revis
Cromartie
Bailey
Asomugha
Samuel

This cracks me up: the follow was posted within 10 minutes!

[MichiganPackerFan]

I've been really impressed by his play and hope they lock him up long term. One of the ongoing roster concerns over the past few years has been CB depth that will ultimately replace Al & Charles, and it looks like we have an excellent successor. It is key to keep him here. Good CB's are HARD to find.

[vince]

The follow is highly debatable, albeit an exercise in futility.

Tramon is not as physical in run support as would be ideal, but he can cover with the best of 'em and is an adequate tackler. Pay the man.

[Guiness]

Williams also played well when Harris was out healing his spleen. But when Harris came back, Williams struggled. Not sure if it was the new role or reduced snaps or disappointment at not winning the job, but its good to see him reclaim that level of performance.

I just hope that stretch doesn't repeat itself when Harris is moved to the active roster.

This is very true, and I remember being confused at what seemed to be a drop-off in play when Harris came back.

When he was filling in, he was looking very good - maybe not as good as he does now, but certainly starting caliber. Then things seemed to take a turn for the worse, then he wanted multiple years instead of signing the RFA tender.

I guess we can chalk it up to some kind of a sophmore slump, or maybe teams around the league had film on him, and he needed to adjust.