Packers take care of their own

[Patler]

Some interesting info from Tom Silverstein about the Packers handling of expiring and expired contracts:

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112910499.html

Since 2007 the Packers have re-signed Rodgers, Williams, Woodson, Collins, Grant, Jennings, Driver, Barnett, Chiller, Poppinga, Bishop, Lee, Clifton, Tauscher, Wells, and Pickett. A very formidable group! No real "mistakes" even if we might wonder about how much was paid to Poppinga, Chiller and/or Lee. No question about the others, even if Tauscher was injured.

The only significant loss I can think of during that time has been Kampman.

Free agents to be include three safeties: Peprah, Bigby and Smith; three RBs/FBs: Jackson, Kuhn and Hall; two O-linemen: Colledge and Spitz; in addition to Jenkins, Crosby and Jones. Not a very daunting group to have to re-sign.


As for the task ahead, my feelings are as follows:

Peprah might be a tricky one, is he signed as a starter or backup? What will he expect? Bigby really shouldn't expect much, and might not even get an offer. He just can't stay healthy. Smith is a minimum salary guy to bring into camp at this point.

The situation with the backs is interesting. If Johnson is an ascending player at FB, do they need both Kuhn and Hall? Kuhn adds versatility that Hall does not, but Hall is more valued for ST. Hall also misses a bunch of games every year due to injury. Even minimum salaries at some point will make at least one of them expendable in favor of a younger, cheaper player.

Colledge and Spitz? One might be re-signed, but maybe neither will be. Might depend on what they really think about Lang, McDonald and Newhouse; and who they might draft.

Crosby I expect will be kept, and won't be real expensive anyway.

I think re-signing Jenkins will be a tough task. It is sort of telling that reportedly there have been no discussions about an extension. I think the Packers are making alternative plans, perhaps like they did with Cory Williams. Or, it could be another Kampman-like situation and they will simply let him go.

Jones? Depends on his expectations. I think they will try to keep him, but at a reasonable cost.

If the Packers do not win the SB this year, resigning some of the FAs to short term deals might be a little easier because of the lure of a very good SB opportunity in the future, and the Packers desire to invest a little more in the present to get it done. I could see that happening with Jones particularly, since he should have a long career ahead of him yet as a WR, and the Packers wanting his experience and proven ability. Less likely for a guy like Jenkins who is running out of time for a big money contract, even though the Packers may be willing to go an extra step with him for a SB run.

[pbmax]

I wonder if the Packers, even in the uncertain CBA situation, are thinking they can tag Jenkins to trade him like Williams? But he might be too old for that. A pass rusher over 30 makes me think of Joe Johnson, but other GMs might not be so shy.

[Patler]

I wonder if the Packers, even in the uncertain CBA situation, are thinking they can tag Jenkins to trade him like Williams? But he might be too old for that. A pass rusher over 30 makes me think of Joe Johnson, but other GMs might not be so shy.

That's an interesting comparison, Jenkins and Joe Johnson. I think a strong argument can be made that Johnson was a more accomplished player when the Packers signed him than Jenkins is now. As I recall, Johnson had at least one, and I think several Pro-Bowl appearances. Injuries have been a big part of both their careers. Jenkins future could easily follow the same path as Johnson's did.

[3irty1]

Perhaps if Neal had shown a little more this season we'd be in good shape to franchise and deal Jenkins but so far Neal is about as healthy and reliable as Justin Harrell. Capers seems to have a million boners for Jenkins and I'm guessing that's enough to bring him back.

[Patler]

Perhaps if Neal had shown a little more this season we'd be in good shape to franchise and deal Jenkins but so far Neal is about as healthy and reliable as Justin Harrell. Capers seems to have a million boners for Jenkins and I'm guessing that's enough to bring him back.

But what if Jenkins is looking for $7-9 million/year for 4 years with half of it guaranteed in bonus or first year compensation? I can't see the Packers paying that, regardless. This will be Jenkins only chance to max out on a contract, and there is likely some team out there that will give it to him.

[mraynrand]

That's an interesting comparison, Jenkins and Joe Johnson. I think a strong argument can be made that Johnson was a more accomplished player when the Packers signed him than Jenkins is now. As I recall, Johnson had at least one, and I think several Pro-Bowl appearances. Injuries have been a big part of both their careers. Jenkins future could easily follow the same path as Johnson's did.

Maybe it already has, and we just don't know it yet. That would be another reason a new contract hasn't been worked out. If Sherman somehow gets the job in Cleveland, maybe the Packers could trade Jenkins over there....

[Fritz]

I really don't think Jenkins will be back. I suspect that Jones will be gone, too, in favor of a draft choice. He's going to want too much to stay, I think. And the Packers could be thinking that with Nelson coming back and Finley getting healthy, Jones might be too expensive.

[Patler]

I really don't think Jenkins will be back. I suspect that Jones will be gone, too, in favor of a draft choice. He's going to want too much to stay, I think. And the Packers could be thinking that with Nelson coming back and Finley getting healthy, Jones might be too expensive.

Agreed. I look at Jenkins' return as a long shot, especially since the Packers have learned they can play OK without him, even without Neal and Jolly, both of whom could be back next year. Jones will be kept only at the Packer's $#, whatever they are willing to pay, which won't be a big contract. Nelson gives them a #3 while they wait for a rookie to develop. I think Quarless has flashed enough that he gives them potential options, too, with Finley's return next year.

[VermontPackFan]

I wonder if the Packers, even in the uncertain CBA situation, are thinking they can tag Jenkins to trade him like Williams? But he might be too old for that. A pass rusher over 30 makes me think of Joe Johnson, but other GMs might not be so shy.

I dont think the Packers will just let Jenkins walk like Kampman, he is simply too valuable. Kampman was coming off a serious knee injury and clearly wasnot a good fit for our D. In my oppinion, GB makes every attempt to reach a fair agreement with him but will tag him if necessary. If they decide the price is too high, maybe a trade but I see him playing at Lambeau next year. Especially with all the pieces we have coming back for a SB run next year. Better than average 3-4 DE's who play the run and pass well and are versatile enough to play inside do not come around very often.

[VermontPackFan]

I really don't think Jenkins will be back. I suspect that Jones will be gone, too, in favor of a draft choice. He's going to want too much to stay, I think. And the Packers could be thinking that with Nelson coming back and Finley getting healthy, Jones might be too expensive.

Agree on Jones, just does not fit TT's makeup of a Packer

[gbgary]

i'll bet jones is back. with DD maybe having one more year as a number two he'd be the logical replacement. tt's not going to sign a fa wr and we won't be in a position to draft a starter. jenkins??? who knows. interest from other teams may be tempered due to his injury history.

[Patler]

I dont think the Packers will just let Jenkins walk like Kampman, he is simply too valuable. Kampman was coming off a serious knee injury and clearly wasnot a good fit for our D. In my oppinion, GB makes every attempt to reach a fair agreement with him but will tag him if necessary. If they decide the price is too high, maybe a trade but I see him playing at Lambeau next year. Especially with all the pieces we have coming back for a SB run next year. Better than average 3-4 DE's who play the run and pass well and are versatile enough to play inside do not come around very often.

I still believe Kampman could have done just fine with another year in the system, and Capers having a chance to better learn how best to use him. As it was Kampman had 25 "pressures" in a half season, and seemed to be coming on when he hurt his knee. He played a lot better than people give him credit for.

I think Jenkins perceived value has diminished with the Packers having to play without him this past month. The defense didn't miss a beat without him, and should be better off next year with Neal back, maybe Jolly back and Wilson having experience and an off-season.

My biggest concern is that Jenkins has missed over 25% of the games under his current contract. That isn't likely to get any better as he gets even older.

[vince]

Is the CBA deadline the same day as the start of free agency? So much of this is difficult to speculate on without knowing whether there will be a salary cap, what the cap will be, when it goes into effect, what roster sizes will be, where the restricted/unrestricted line will fall, etc.

The Packers are in the top 5 in spending in this uncapped year I believe. A lot of it was front-loaded money, but many of the new contracts are still more pay-as-you-go, so it's not as if the team will likely be sitting on a ton of cap space if there is a cap. Some tough decisions may need to take place - or maybe not if whatever agreement that comes into effect doesn't include a cap until 2012 perhaps.

[gbgary]

So much of this is difficult to speculate on without knowing whether there will be a salary cap...

when has tt worried about being over the cap recently?

[VermontPackFan]

I still believe Kampman could have done just fine with another year in the system, and Capers having a chance to better learn how best to use him. As it was Kampman had 25 "pressures" in a half season, and seemed to be coming on when he hurt his knee. He played a lot better than people give him credit for.

I think Jenkins perceived value has diminished with the Packers having to play without him this past month. The defense didn't miss a beat without him, and should be better off next year with Neal back, maybe Jolly back and Wilson having experience and an off-season.

My biggest concern is that Jenkins has missed over 25% of the games under his current contract. That isn't likely to get any better as he gets even older.

Agree, no one is a bigger AK fan than me. He could have adapted and played better with a years experience in the system especially after Capers had a better understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. I think they let him walk w/o compensation because of the injury and perception that he was not a natural fit.