2012 Free Agent Watch

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...n-free-agency/


Comment woodbuck27: Please see the next post for this entire report of winners and losers so far in the 2012 FA.


Winner: Packers.

G.M. Ted Thompson rarely makes a big splash in free agency. The biggest exception came in 2006, when at the very public urging of quarterback Brett Favre the team signed cornerback Charles Woodson.

Other than that, the Packers under Thompson take a very conservative approach, building through the draft and using free agency on a limited basis, with low-cost talent addressing specific needs.

It’s not sexy this time of year. But this isn’t the time of year when championships are won. Unlike downtrodden organizations (such as the Packers themselves in 1993, when Reggie White chose Green Bay from a long list of suitors), the Packers don’t need to do anything to fire up the fan base or breathe life into the franchise.

It’s the right approach for this specific team.

The Packers have won, once again, by doing nothing.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/special-monday-10-pack-winners-and-losers-in-free-agency/

Special Monday 10-pack: Winners and losers in free agency

Posted by Mike Florio on March 19, 2012, 9:32 AM EDT

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/hampton-gives-steelers-more-than-3-million-in-cap-space/

Hampton gives Steelers more than $3 million in cap space

Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2012, 2:07 PM EDT

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/frank-gore-gushes-over-one-of-the-best-ever-peyton-manning/

Frank Gore gushes over “one of the best ever” Peyton Manning

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 18, 2012, 4:25 PM EDT

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/broncos-re-sign-middle-linebacker-joe-mays/

Broncos re-sign middle linebacker Joe Mays

Posted by Evan Silva on March 18, 2012, 6:45 PM EDT

[Cleft Crusty]

Apparently the contract isn't even that good, per JSO:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/143259726.html

3 years $19 million, $24 million possible.

I'll check my notes, but I think it's better than what he was getting in Green Bay.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/bengals-re-sign-reggie-nelson/

Bengals re-sign Reggie Nelson

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 18, 2012, 6:50 PM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

No available Contract info. in this report.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/low-demand-for-veteran-running-backs/

Low demand for veteran running backs

Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2012, 7:44 PM

Comment woodbuck27:

Peyton Hillis — got a one-year deal with a base value of $2.6 million.

Michael Bush , Mike Tolbert, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Smith, Cedric Benson, and Justin Forsett are currently looking for contracts.

[Patler]

Apparently the contract isn't even that good, per JSO:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/143259726.html

3 years $19 million, $24 million possible.

I'll check my notes, but I think it's better than what he was getting in Green Bay.

My reference to the contract not being "that good" was that it was not as high as originally reported, which was a three year deal for $26 M, with $10M guaranteed. It had nothing to do with what he had been paid in GB in the past.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/after-losing-out-on-nelson-jets-look-to-atogwe/

After losing out on Reggie Nelson, Jets look to O. J. Atogwe

Posted by Evan Silva on March 18, 2012, 8:35 PM EDT

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/alex-smith-dolphins-are-negotiating/

Alex Smith, Dolphins are negotiating

Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2012, 8:45 PM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

Reports say that Alex Smith already has on the table a three-year, $24 million offer from the 49ers.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/lions-will-host-david-hawthorne-on-tuesday/

Lions will host David Hawthorne on Tuesday

Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2012, 10:06 PM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

Lions hope to bring back linebacker Stephen Tulloch; that won’t stop them from taking a closer look at linebacker David Hawthorne who was with Seattle for the last 3 seasons.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I gotta say, I find it surprising that Michael Bush isn't getting more interest. I thought he performed pretty well last year and would have found a decent contract by now.

Any thoughts on him?

[pbmax]

My reference to the contract not being "that good" was that it was not as high as originally reported, which was a three year deal for $26 M, with $10M guaranteed. It had nothing to do with what he had been paid in GB in the past.

I think I have read that $26 mil is still a possibility if he and the team play at a very high level. But the compensation in the third year would encourage a redo. His minimum for two years is just over $13 mil and can be $16 if he starts this year (have not seen trigger laid out in detail). So if he flops, $10 mil guaranteed, if he starts and makes it to year two, between $13 and $16 mil. If he is lights out, new contract. Not a bad deal for either side.

[woodbuck27]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/18/ryan-clark-says-no-one-wants-to-join-the-dolphins/

Ryan Clark says “no one” wants to join the Dolphins

Posted by Mike Florio on March 18, 2012, 10:38 PM EDT

Comment woodbuck27:

Re: The Miami Dolphins and not seeming to be able to secure players and speculation the problem may be Miami G.M. Jeff Ireland.