Thoughts...

[ND72]

Mario Williams....IF he reaches free agency, do we have the $$ to even think of going after him? Does Ted reach into the piggy bank if it's a possibility?

[MadScientist]

No, not unless we don't want to keep AR or CM3. The problem with having a really good team is that the talent gets expensive to keep without even considering top talent from other teams.

Even if we did have the $$ and even if TT was willing, Williams will still never hit FA so the question doesn't matter.

[BlueBrewer]

Mario Williams....IF he reaches free agency, do we have the $$ to even think of going after him? Does Ted reach into the piggy bank if it's a possibility?

Sorry but that is a fantasy, he would be way too expensive for Ted and our cap.

[Pugger]

Opps!

[Pugger]

I'll be VERY surprised if he becomes a FA.

[sharpe1027]

Other discussions suggest they will need to be creative just to keep their current guys and sign their draft picks. With all of the pro-rated salary components, they can't just cut guys with big salaries to get immediate money. They might have to gut the team to make it work.

[Upnorth]

If he is very discounted we would. Unfortunately he's not discounted.

[Deputy Nutz]

I think Mario Williams would be a vital part of improving the defense, but he is going to get Franchised and make about 10 million a year for Houston, although Houston has some talent at defensive end. Still the Packers need to get a difference maker at defensive end, right now they got one decent end in Pickett but he can't presure the passer, they need guys that can get up field and create big plays, Raji is limited without another active defensive linemen.

I guess this off season will open a window so fans can get a better peek into the workings of Ted Thompson and whether he truly feels that the Packers have severe limitations in terms of personal on defense. Last year he failed to provide the defense with any significant upgrades choosing to draft three offensive players in the first 3 rounds. I believe it is still Thompson and McCarthy's strategy to protect Rodgers from any and all criticism by providing and focusing on upgrading the offense above all else.

Thompson did draft Mathews and Raji, in fact he moved up to get two first round picks to spend on the defense, but that is also when the Packers switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The Packers needed an overhaul considering they had a defensive personal suited to play in a 4-3.

Thompson believed in Mike Neal, he drafted him, but it was a failure and cost this team another Super Bowl. I do believe that if the Packers solidified their defensive line, the Packers ROLB position wouldn't have been so piss poor. You simply can't throw a band aid on this situation and hope it improves by training camp.

[red]

i don't think we have the cap room for him

i've been thinking a lot about how our cap situation is going to be looking in the next year or two

we've got some young guys getting ready to get some big contracts soon

[pbmax]

I think Mario Williams would be a vital part of improving the defense, but he is going to get Franchised and make about 10 million a year for Houston, although Houston has some talent at defensive end. Still the Packers need to get a difference maker at defensive end, right now they got one decent end in Pickett but he can't presure the passer, they need guys that can get up field and create big plays, Raji is limited without another active defensive linemen.

I guess this off season will open a window so fans can get a better peek into the workings of Ted Thompson and whether he truly feels that the Packers have severe limitations in terms of personal on defense. Last year he failed to provide the defense with any significant upgrades choosing to draft three offensive players in the first 3 rounds. I believe it is still Thompson and McCarthy's strategy to protect Rodgers from any and all criticism by providing and focusing on upgrading the offense above all else.

Thompson did draft Mathews and Raji, in fact he moved up to get two first round picks to spend on the defense, but that is also when the Packers switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The Packers needed an overhaul considering they had a defensive personal suited to play in a 4-3.

Thompson believed in Mike Neal, he drafted him, but it was a failure and cost this team another Super Bowl. I do believe that if the Packers solidified their defensive line, the Packers ROLB position wouldn't have been so piss poor. You simply can't throw a band aid on this situation and hope it improves by training camp.

Williams played OLB in Phillips 3-4. So he would not seem to be an answer to a 3-4 DE question.

[Brandon494]

I think we should trade Driver and a 3rd round pick to the Giants for Jason Pierre-Paul....oh wait this is real life not Madden 12.

[ThunderDan]

I think Mario Williams would be a vital part of improving the defense, but he is going to get Franchised and make about 10 million a year for Houston, although Houston has some talent at defensive end. Still the Packers need to get a difference maker at defensive end, right now they got one decent end in Pickett but he can't presure the passer, they need guys that can get up field and create big plays, Raji is limited without another active defensive linemen.

I guess this off season will open a window so fans can get a better peek into the workings of Ted Thompson and whether he truly feels that the Packers have severe limitations in terms of personal on defense. Last year he failed to provide the defense with any significant upgrades choosing to draft three offensive players in the first 3 rounds. I believe it is still Thompson and McCarthy's strategy to protect Rodgers from any and all criticism by providing and focusing on upgrading the offense above all else.

Thompson did draft Mathews and Raji, in fact he moved up to get two first round picks to spend on the defense, but that is also when the Packers switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The Packers needed an overhaul considering they had a defensive personal suited to play in a 4-3.

Thompson believed in Mike Neal, he drafted him, but it was a failure and cost this team another Super Bowl. I do believe that if the Packers solidified their defensive line, the Packers ROLB position wouldn't have been so piss poor. You simply can't throw a band aid on this situation and hope it improves by training camp.

The Texans aren't franchising Williams this year. For some reason he would count $22.9 M against the cap if tagged. Some combination of his $18 M 2011 number plus excalator.

The Texans will work as hard as possible to sign a long-term deal. My guess is they tell Mario to try the waters and they will match any contract offer.

[KYPack]

I think Mario Williams would be a vital part of improving the defense, but he is going to get Franchised and make about 10 million a year for Houston, although Houston has some talent at defensive end. Still the Packers need to get a difference maker at defensive end, right now they got one decent end in Pickett but he can't presure the passer, they need guys that can get up field and create big plays, Raji is limited without another active defensive linemen.

I guess this off season will open a window so fans can get a better peek into the workings of Ted Thompson and whether he truly feels that the Packers have severe limitations in terms of personal on defense. Last year he failed to provide the defense with any significant upgrades choosing to draft three offensive players in the first 3 rounds. I believe it is still Thompson and McCarthy's strategy to protect Rodgers from any and all criticism by providing and focusing on upgrading the offense above all else.

Thompson did draft Mathews and Raji, in fact he moved up to get two first round picks to spend on the defense, but that is also when the Packers switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The Packers needed an overhaul considering they had a defensive personal suited to play in a 4-3.

Thompson believed in Mike Neal, he drafted him, but it was a failure and cost this team another Super Bowl. I do believe that if the Packers solidified their defensive line, the Packers ROLB position wouldn't have been so piss poor. You simply can't throw a band aid on this situation and hope it improves by training camp.

Firstly, love the "Bigfoot" avatar. But, in a Mariners uni?

We've started last season with a couple holes on D and a 3rd one opened up. Now we sit with those same 3 holes. We need a S (Collins makes a miracle return?) and RDE and ROLB. That's a bunch of patching. I think we'll get one filled, but all 3?

A tall order.

[gbgary]

Opps!

did you fart or something?

[Pugger]

did you fart or something?

I accidently put in a double post.