Thoughts...

[pittstang5]

Here's a thought. If the Eagles release Jenkins, which last I heard is a possiblity, should TT think about signing him. I doubt it, but I think this scenario is slightly more believable than signing Williams. Also, who knows if Jenkins would want to come back.

However, due to TT's track record and the Packers Cap situation, I think Packers will do nothing in free agency except try to sign and/or rework their own players. I'm thinking the only way the Packers are going to attempt to fix there defensive problems is going to be through the draft.

[Bretsky]

Is this a teaser thread for me ? Not falling into the trap...TT won't go after any high profile FA's

[Scott Campbell]

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.

That's quite a conspiracy theory.

[ND72]

I don't really think we'd go after him, but it's the offseason and I wanna talk some football instead of all this political stuff going on in the world...and lets face it, the NBA sucks.

First off, Texans won't franchise Williams because of the weirdly HUGE franchise rate. I do expect them to sign him back, but there is that possibility that Williams wants to see what he's worth. However if I'm him, that is a younger building team, I'd stay. I would LOVE Williams opposite Matthews, but I know it won't happen.

[sharpe1027]

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.

I agree that all three are unlikely to be upgraded in one draft. On the glass-half full side, at least the holes have serviceable guys already in place so it won't be a complete disaster if they can't find upgrades. For example, I like Peprah a whole let better than Marquand Manuel. RDE has at least a possibility of Neal stepping up if he can bounce back from injury and at ROLB they have a few young guys that hopefully can improve.

Even if they only find one gem in the draft, with a few quality depth guys added, I am hopeful that the defense will still be good enough.

[Pugger]

If we can find someone to improve our pass rush then our defense will be good enough.

[swede]

That's quite a conspiracy theory.

I saw the tension between Rodgers and the defense in the Discount Double Check ads. Raji was clearly dismissive of Rodgers, Matthews was civil, yet brusque, and even the Cheesehead was leaning D by the end of the ads.

Everyone is feeling the pressure. Who could blame TT and McCarthy for drafting another 11 offensive players? We could win games 77 to 63.
The raging ego of this defense needs to be reigned in.

[pbmax]

Twitter and Silverstein were aflutter with the thought that the $22 million cap number for Williams must be a mistake, because his salary was $13 million (going from memory there) and the cap number was near $10.8 mil. So 120% doesn't get you to $22 million. So something is not square with that interpretation.

Secondly, I am not sure how hard the Packers chase a DE. I know Nutz is onto something with their subpar play, but they same cast of characters performed admirably last year in the run defense. Its imperative to remember that Jenkins did not start at DE in base and was not in nickel unless it was a definitive passing down (or to spell Pickett). He was also the starter and key to psycho. And Neal was no more absent this year than last.

Not trying to say an upgrade at DE would not help, but that its not as paramount as pass rush in either form (OLB or DE). I think the position takes a backseat to the skill set.

[Lurker64]

I'm not sure we can afford Jarrett Bush, let alone Mario Williams.

[Fritz]

Twitter and Silverstein were aflutter with the thought that the $22 million cap number for Williams must be a mistake, because his salary was $13 million (going from memory there) and the cap number was near $10.8 mil. So 120% doesn't get you to $22 million. So something is not square with that interpretation.

Secondly, I am not sure how hard the Packers chase a DE. I know Nutz is onto something with their subpar play, but they same cast of characters performed admirably last year in the run defense. Its imperative to remember that Jenkins did not start at DE in base and was not in nickel unless it was a definitive passing down (or to spell Pickett). He was also the starter and key to psycho. And Neal was no more absent this year than last.

Not trying to say an upgrade at DE would not help, but that its not as paramount as pass rush in either form (OLB or DE). I think the position takes a backseat to the skill set.

Good point. However, I'd really like to see them draft one of each early on (like between rounds one and three) as well as a nose tackle they can develop in order to give Raji a breather from time to time. I'd like to see the Beejster play fewer - significantly fewer - snaps this year. And not cuz he's hurt.

[Pugger]

When does FA start?

[KYPack]

When does FA start?

March 13 is the start date for most NFL vets. It can vary from player to player depending on when their roster bonses are listed in their contracts. Indy is expected to cut Manning well before that date, for instance.

[pbmax]

March 13 is the start date for most NFL vets. It can vary from player to player depending on when their roster bonses are listed in their contracts. Indy is expected to cut Manning well before that date, for instance.

FA is March 13th, KY is right. But bonuses in existing contracts like Manning's can be due any time. Peyton's is due March 8th.

[Upnorth]

Mario has big name recognition and the media still puts positive spin on him. That will increase his price in the eyes of some GM's and put him out of the discount TT likes. Luigi on the other hand comes with an identical skill set but without as much hype. Also he has less wear and tear as the 2nd player so has less miles on him, and his long lean body style would work better in our system. Finally I can't imagine Mario in anything but red, Luigi already has shown love for green!

P.S. Could you imagine how good they would be at blocking punts and jumping for hail mary's?

[Smeefers]

I could see us picking up Vonnie Holliday, not Mario Williams.