Looking ahead to Free Agency

[Scott Campbell]

The Flynn situation isn't a first for the Packers. The comparison to the Corey Willimas tag and trade to Cleveland might be as good as the comparison to Matt Cassell.

[Brandon494]

By Kevin Seifert

We have no evidence that Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson plans to veer from his recent offseason policy of building exclusively through the draft. The last significant veteran free agent the Packers signed was linebacker Brandon Chillar in 2008, and in the past two seasons the Packers have won 29 of 37 games without tapping the quick fixes available in the free agent market.

All the same, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is already laying the groundwork in the event of an exception to that approach. Speaking Wednesday on his ESPN 540 radio show, Rodgers said he plans to spend some time at the Pro Bowl this week talking up the advantages of playing in Green Bay. Rodgers referenced a 2009 episode when defensive lineman Chris Canty turned down a visit and said he is trying to get "in some of these guys' ears about how we got it in Green Bay."

"Green Bay is becoming a more desirable place, I've got to think," Rodgers said. "It's not the same place that Chris Canty refused to take a trip to unless there was a contract in place. … We haven't really been a big free agent team. That being said, I think there's a good possibility that we might go out and get somebody on the defensive side of the ball, or as we've done in the past, use one of our top draft picks to pick maybe an outside rusher or maybe a defensive back."

The Packers certainly have a need for either a pass-rushing defensive end or linebacker. Typically, teams lock up established pass-rushers with long-term contracts before free agency, but the projected $120 million salary cap could flood the market with more credible players than normal. If, for example, the Detroit Lions can't keep defensive end Cliff Avril, you wonder if the Packers would considering him as a 3-4 linebacker. Stay tuned.

[mraynrand]

Do you like Cliff Avril, B4? I thought the Packers handled him pretty easily, this year at least.

[Brandon494]

Do you like Cliff Avril, B4? I thought the Packers handled him pretty easily, this year at least.

I think he would be a great fit opposite of Clay Matthews, he had 11 sacks and 6 forced fumbles last season for the Lions. I do believe they will most likely use the franchise tag on him but I like the idea of Rodgers going out and recruiting players to come to GB, hopefully it works.

[Pugger]

That's true, but once he's tagged and he signs his tender, that line of thinking will be removed.

Flynn is not going to be tagged.

[Pugger]

Do you like Cliff Avril, B4? I thought the Packers handled him pretty easily, this year at least.

He's probably better than anybody we have right now opposite Clay.

[gbgary]

i'm not Looking ahead to Free Agency. we don't really participate at a level worth thinking about (back ups).

[mraynrand]

He's probably better than anybody we have right now opposite Clay.

Take out 'probably' and I agree with you. I was mostly wondering if this is where to spend FA money. TT is due for another FA gem, like Pickett or Woodson.

[Brando19]

i'm not Looking ahead to Free Agency. we don't really participate at a level worth thinking about (back ups).

I tend to agree, but I have a feeling we'll make a splash this year.

[Joemailman]

If TT signs any free agents this year, it won't be for backups. Packers have depth. They just have 3 positions on defense though where guys who should be backups are starters.

[gbgary]

If TT signs any free agents this year, it won't be for backups. Packers have depth. They just have 3 positions on defense though where guys who should be backups are starters.

but he won't pay starter price. the only starters he'll go for are ours. we have a bunch of free agents coming up next year that'll be expensive to keep...mainly mr matthews.

[Brandon494]

but he won't pay starter price. the only starters he'll go for are ours. we have a bunch of free agents coming up next year that'll be expensive to keep...mainly mr matthews.

You also have to factor in the players who will be coming off the books when its time to resign Matthews.

[gbgary]

You also have to factor in the players who will be coming off the books when its time to resign Matthews.

yeah. forgot to mention Raji with Matthews. look at the names that become fa's at the end of the 2014 season...yikes!!

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/

[Brandon494]

yeah. forgot to mention Raji with Matthews. look at the names that become fa's at the end of the 2014 season...yikes!!

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/

I think we will have no trouble with the way TT builds thru the draft. Also Driver, Woodson, Clifton, Grant, Pickett, and possibly Collins will be off the books by 2014 who make up 6 of the top ten highest contracts on the team.

[Joemailman]

I think we will have no trouble with the way TT builds thru the draft. Also Driver, Woodson, Clifton, Grant, Pickett, and possibly Collins will be off the books by 2014 who make up 6 of the top ten highest contracts on the team.

Yep. Those players (not including Grant, who is a free agent) would have a cap hit of 31 million in 2012. TT definitely knows how to handle the cap.