Jordy Nelson signed to 3 yr extension

[Guiness]

I can see that too, which is why I wrote in one post that Jones might just be keeping Finley's money warm this year. If Cobb keeps coming on like he has, and, more importantly, keeps himself in one piece while returning kicks, Jones could be a decent trade commodity next spring. Not that they will get a lot for him, but he would be worth something to a receiver-starved team.

I would like to agree with this, but what happened this fall, honestly, startled me.

Why didn't Jones get some sniffs? The FA period was short, but frantic with a fair number of signings. I think many of us expected someone to throw at least #2WR money at him, but I didn't hear about any other offers.The way this season is playing out, he doesn't seem to be getting many looks. That could change if DD is out for a while, of course, but as it is right now, he's looking at a very bad year, statistically.

[bobblehead]

If the choice is between signing Wells or Finley straight up, I'm laughing out loud at anyone picking Wells. LOL. Seriously: LOL

But you understand that isn't what we are saying. We are saying extend Wells first.

[mraynrand]

But you understand that isn't what we are saying. We are saying extend Wells first.

I think it should be clear that I'm talking about their relative value. I happen to think Finley is much more valuable and will be harder to replace. Patler made some good arguments to the reverse, but I still don't agree. Patler and others already pointed out - and it's obvious - that signing these guys is an integrated process that has a lot of moving parts; the straight up comparison is for entertainment purposes only.

I probably shouldn't have said I'm LOL at the person picking Wells, but the IDEA of picking Wells. I don't need another beat down from Patler.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jordy Nelson is a great signing/extension at a fair price; Cobb is the future # 2 WR and Packers know this. The Finley extension will be a big hurdle and might get too expensive when all is said and done. I do hope the latter gets resolved as well.

I'm not sure. I could see him getting similar playing time, but I see Cobb as more of a inside/slot/#3 receiver. Jordy on the outside. I like Cobb for the role I see him having, but I don't think he'll be another Jennings. Even though Jennings is small, he can play outside regularly. Cobb is a poor man's Percy Harvin. Harvin is a great slot guy, but he's no better than average when you put him on the outside.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Finley is 24. Wells is on the wrong side of 30, right? Also, I think it would be much easier to find another Wells. Decent starting OCs aren't all that hard to find. Game changing TEs are. Just look at the Packers. They were terrible for many years, but have had decent starting OCs for the better part of 30 years or more. McCarren, Winters, Flanagan, Wells, etc.

[swede]

I can see that too, which is why I wrote in one post that Jones might just be keeping Finley's money warm this year.

If I'd thought of a line that good I'd trot it out more than once also.

[Guiness]

I'm not sure. I could see him getting similar playing time, but I see Cobb as more of a inside/slot/#3 receiver. Jordy on the outside. I like Cobb for the role I see him having, but I don't think he'll be another Jennings. Even though Jennings is small, he can play outside regularly. Cobb is a poor man's Percy Harvin. Harvin is a great slot guy, but he's no better than average when you put him on the outside.

I see Cobb being a DD replacement, going over the middle and making those catches that you can't make if you hear footsteps.

Jennings stays on the outside, and Nelson runs those seem routes.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Remember when the Governor of Kansas declared Jordy Nelson Day?

http://www.kmbc.com/r/26902736/detail.html

Everybody loves Jordy!

[Kiwon]

So Jordy's got his $5 million in guaranteed money. That kind of cash might change some players but I think there is little chance of that with Jordy Nelson. He'll earn his keep.

[pbmax]

It will be about money, first and foremost. Ted isn't signing a center to a blockbuster contract. Even Sitton took less than top of the market money. Wells signs if his expectation is Driver-like. A serviceable, non-embarrassing veteran contract with cash upfront to sweeten the deal. He would get more money than Lang or Newhouse, but less than Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod and Sitton.

I may be undervaluing him, but this is not where you spend. Draft and develop. Then sign Finley, Raji and Matthews. Then Rodgers.

[Patler]

It will be about money, first and foremost. Ted isn't signing a center to a blockbuster contract. Even Sitton took less than top of the market money. Wells signs if his expectation is Driver-like. A serviceable, non-embarrassing veteran contract with cash upfront to sweeten the deal. He would get more money than Lang or Newhouse, but less than Clifton, Bulaga, Sherrod and Sitton.

I may be undervaluing him, but this is not where you spend. Draft and develop. Then sign Finley, Raji and Matthews. Then Rodgers.

No one has suggested a blockbuster deal for Wells. The problem with your scenario is that it is too late to "draft and develop" Wells' replacement, unless you can do it with Dietrich-Smith or with Sampson Genus. He can't rely on having a rookie good enough to start because he will likely have to make a decision on Wells before the 2012 draft. TT might be in a bit of a corner with the need to re-sign Wells or another veteran center to at least a short term contract. He is more likely to do that with Wells than with an "outsider".

[denverYooper]

No one has suggested a blockbuster deal for Wells. The problem with your scenario is that it is too late to "draft and develop" Wells' replacement, unless you can do it with Dietrich-Smith or with Sampson Genus. He can't rely on having a rookie good enough to start because he will likely have to make a decision on Wells before the 2012 draft. TT might be in a bit of a corner with the need to re-sign Wells or another veteran center to at least a short term contract. He is more likely to do that with Wells than with an "outsider".

I don't see Wells looking for a blockbuster deal, either. My guess is that something gets worked out in season and relatively quietly before a Finley contract. It has nothing to do with choosing Wells over Finley, but more to do with his years of service, fit, and my belief that he'll be willing to take a discount to stay with this team.

The Packers right now can right now provide a bonus in their elite status, especially to these guys who have come up in the system and make the team what it is. Guys understand that they will be part of a team that has a good chance to contend for the Superbowl for the next few years and they've been in on the ground floor of that. It's not unlike getting compensated in stock options when someone takes a job at an up-and-coming company.

[pbmax]

No one has suggested a blockbuster deal for Wells. The problem with your scenario is that it is too late to "draft and develop" Wells' replacement, unless you can do it with Dietrich-Smith or with Sampson Genus. He can't rely on having a rookie good enough to start because he will likely have to make a decision on Wells before the 2012 draft. TT might be in a bit of a corner with the need to re-sign Wells or another veteran center to at least a short term contract. He is more likely to do that with Wells than with an "outsider".

Thompson has done it before. Colledge and Spitz took over as rookies and went to the NFC Championship game. The year before, he signed two free agents (or was Klemm a trade?) to start.

This team is in a different place. But I don't think this is either the position or the player who will change that approach. I suspect his offer will be in a certain ballpark and Wells will wait it out to see what else comes along if he doesn't think it's close enough to market. Like Sitton, he is either going to get a just off the market deal, or he will need to test the market.

[Joemailman]

Thompson has done it before. Colledge and Spitz took over as rookies and went to the NFC Championship game. The year before, he signed two free agents (or was Klemm a trade?) to start.

This team is in a different place. But I don't think this is either the position or the player who will change that approach. I suspect his offer will be in a certain ballpark and Wells will wait it out to see what else comes along if he doesn't think it's close enough to market. Like Sitton, he is either going to get a just off the market deal, or he will need to test the market.

Just to be sure, Klemm was a FA in 2005. Colledge and Spitz started as rookies in 2006. NFC Championship was 2007.

My question with Wells is how much of a chip he still has on his shoulder over the fact that the Packers basically handed Spitz his job a couple of years ago. I think he still probably wants to stay with the Packers, but may not be inclined to take less than the best deal he can get just to stay here.

[pbmax]

Colledge and Spitz started as rookies in 2006. NFC Championship was 2007.

Matt O'Dwyer was the other guard acquisition. An yes, I did forget the newbies were sophomores in 2007.