Report: Wells Has Picked New Team

[Upnorth]

I can see it now: Wells walks and signs a relatively cheap deal with Philadelphia. Then Green Bay's offense gives up a bunch of sacks and becomes the 2nd worst statistically. However, Clay Matthews almost singlehandedly keeps Green Bay in games with huge plays every week and the defense rises to become the cream of the crop. We all sit around and talk about how Wells was a key cog in the offense but that hey, he's still giving up some sacks in Philly so he wasn't the whole reason.

I see what you did there, and I like it!

[pbmax]

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/02/21/ranking-the-2012-free-agents-centers/

1) Chris Myers, Houston Texans

Age as of 1st September, 2012: 30

2011 Grade: +32.6

Key Stat: No team ran off their center more this year than the Texans, 180 times at 4.1 yards per carry.

Behind the Numbers: Myers has played in the shadow of Nick Mangold and Matt Birk for the last two seasons, but with both struggling through injury and Myers raising his game against nose tackles, the Houston starter rose to the top in his contract season to take our first team All-Pro start at center. Myers’ is a perfect fit for the Texans’ zone scheme, but his improvement against nose tackles this season–his run blocking grade was +8.9 against teams who operate some sort of a 3-4 defense compared to -1.5 last season–may just pique the interest of teams running other schemes.

[pbmax]

I see what you did there, and I like it!

I would prefer Yoop's story if, like Jenkins, it started with "Coming off a Super Bowl victory ..."

[Upnorth]

I would prefer Yoop's story if, like Jenkins, it started with "Coming off a Super Bowl victory ..."

I see what you did there, and it has filled me with questions of what might have been...

[woodbuck27]

Ì`m trying to see what you mean there.

[TheRaven]

Tyler Dunne on the Centers likely to be available (list was published some time ago so things, like Jeff Faine's availability, have changed)

Tyler Dunne, March 10, 2012: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/142173353.html


Green Bay -- Mike McCarthy wants him back. Left guard T.J. Lang and teammates want him back. But four days before the start of free agency, the Packers and center Scott Wells still have not found common ground.

Deadlines can always spark movement. And there's a chance Wells tests the market, his asking price drops and the Packers are more willing to compromise. But the shot clock is on. If the Packers lose Wells, they'll have to find a new center for the first time in eight years.

As their interest in Houston Texans free agent Chris Myers shows, the team may not be afraid to give another center a lot of money. The position is valued by management, a good sign. The mistake would be trying to skate into training camp without a sure thing at center. The Packers' zone-blocking scheme and up-tempo passing attack demands a lot from the center.

Here are some possibilities:

UFA Chris Myers, Texans: Widely considered the top center available in free agency. Myers, 31, said the report of Green Bay's interest was "news to him" and he wants to stay in Houston. Still, he's going to test the market. Helped Houston overcome a rash of injuries in 2011 with 2nd-best rushing attack and 13th-best total offense.

UFA Samson Satele, Raiders: A league source told The San Francisco Chronicle that Satele isn't in the team's plans. Started two years in Miami and then the last three in Oakland. Only 27 years old. Raiders' rushing game ranked 2nd and 7th the last two seasons.

UFA Dan Koppen, Patriots: Missed all of 2011 with an ankle injury. The 32-year-old has been a mainstay on New England's line, a starter since 2003. There's a good chance he returns to New England. As quarterback Tom Brady said, "There's only one other butt on this planet I like: Koppen's and my wife's."

UFA Nick Hardwick, Chargers: San Diego has been negotiating with the 30-year-old Hardwick. Has been the starter since 2004. The Chargers may look to shore up its line before addressing Vincent Jackson and their receivers.

Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin: Had a great Combine, with 32 reps on the bench press, and G.M. Ted Thompson got an up-close look at him at Wisconsin's pro day. As noted here, the guard Zeitler may fit best as a center in the pros.

Peter Konz, Wisconsin: Did not participate in Wisconsin's pro day due to his dislocated ankle. Plans on working out for teams in early April and said his ankle is at "90 percent." Still remains the top get at center in the draft.

Ben Jones, Georgia: If the Packers opt to address defense early in the draft, Jones is one possibility. Played in Georgia's no-huddle offense. Smart player but not physically overwhelming.

Quentin Saulsberry, Mississippi State: Green Bay covets versatility along the offensive line. Multi-tasking is often required from linemen at camp. At Mississippi State, Saulsberry played all three positions. A mid-round option.

(Note: Leading up to free agency, we're taking a look at one issue facing each position.)

Nice post, and only confirms to me that Wells is the best option of the bunch for our offense. As long as the price is reasonable and basically in line with what Myers can command, why not bring back the guy that has proven he knows our system and our whole offense respects and trusts? Myers is the best of that other bunch and he is barely younger than Wells, so why change just to do so?

[Upnorth]

Ì`m trying to see what you mean there.

PB is reminding us all that our expectations were destroyed last year. If we were all jelly beans he would be the crappy hard candy that snuck in from grandma's bowl covered in pocket lint! (JK PB)

So yeah, Wells would be a big loss that might go unnoticed much like CJ last year.

[woodbuck27]

PB is reminding us all that our expectations were destroyed last year. If we were all jelly beans he would be the crappy hard candy that snuck in from grandma's bowl covered in pocket lint! (JK PB)

So yeah, Wells would be a big loss that might go unnoticed much like CJ last year.

CJ .... is who (É)

[Upnorth]

CJ .... is who (É)

Cullen Jenkins
DE in our superbowl winning year then signed with Philly last year during FA (free agency) and had an underwhelming year. Many used this to discount his impact on the packer roster as pointed out by yooper (Denveryooper).

Does this help answer the question?

[woodbuck27]

Cullen Jenkins
DE in our superbowl winning year then signed with Philly last year during FA (free agency) and had an underwhelming year. Many used this to discount his impact on the packer roster as pointed out by yooper (Denveryooper).

Does this help answer the question?

Thanks Upnorth. Clear as mud now. (-:

RE: Cullen Jenkins maybe we should consider this:

IMO, it takes time for a player to aclimatize to a different team, the community and get familiar and comfortable with the new team's system. This is a transition (judged negative as it was) that may not factor realistically in terms of analysis and what Cullen Jenkins may have 'in fact' meant for our pass rush if we had retained him.

The question might be:

After this move by Cullen Jenkins did he go into a sudden decline?

[TheRaven]

I believe Jenkins was a solid player in a replaceable position (DEs are less valued in 3-4 schemes, not to say they are not important).

Wells is a good player in a leadership role on a position that protects and drives the best offense in the league.

Being able to step in and lead a group in a zone blocking scheme is more difficult to replace than a DE in a 3-4 scheme. Besides the fact that Wells ranks higher in terms of quality against his peers than Jenkins does against his.

In a perfect world, it would have been great to retain Jenkins. In a realistic world, it was the right move to let him go, even before taking into account his 'underwhelming' 2011 campaign. I don't know if I can say the same for Wells though.

[denverYooper]

After commenting on the Titans' Wellsphilia, McGinn has this insight today

Long, deep friendship between Mike Reinfeldt and Ted Thompson could be factor with Wells. Reinfeldt well aware how important Wells is to GB.

[denverYooper]

We can break out the girlfriend analogies again:

MR: "Ted, so are you and Scotty on the outs?"
TT: "Hey Mike, yeah, well, uh, it's complicated"
MR: "Because I was thinking about maybe seeing if he'd like to go get some ice cream... You know... just as friends"
TT: "Sure, uh, I suppose that would be alright. I'm going to be honest though, I still have feelings for him"
MR: "I understand buddy. We're just going to get a little snack but only so I can talk you up to him"

[woodbuck27]

I believe Jenkins was a solid player in a replaceable position (DEs are less valued in 3-4 schemes, not to say they are not important).

Wells is a good player in a leadership role on a position that protects and drives the best offense in the league.

Being able to step in and lead a group in a zone blocking scheme is more difficult to replace than a DE in a 3-4 scheme. Besides the fact that Wells ranks higher in terms of quality against his peers than Jenkins does against his.

In a perfect world, it would have been great to retain Jenkins. In a realistic world, it was the right move to let him go, even before taking into account his 'underwhelming' 2011 campaign. I don't know if I can say the same for Wells though.

I understand completely your point of view here RE: The loss of DL Cullen Jenkins in a 3-4 front VS the appearing immenant loss of C Scott Wells as he established himself on our offense.

The loss of Scott Wells if that happens? Is a loss of concern that we have to trust TT has a plan to compensate his coachs with. As a packer fan I don't see us returning to the Super Bowl next season. There is too much to mend. Ted Thompson must maintain some room in his CAP management. He cannot afford Scott Wells or he underestimated his market value in terms of his prior negotiations with this player. Maybe Scott Wells is hell bent to get out of Green Bay? Maybe his pride is bent?

[Fritz]

After commenting on the Titans' Wellsphilia, McGinn has this insight today

I hope McGinn has to give back some of his pay for pusblishing comments like this.

"Hey, Ted, I know that this is a cut throat league, and there are only 32 NFL GM jobs in the whole world, and if I don't perform and produce a winner I'll be out of a job quicker than the time it takes for a rabbitt to copulate, and I know we're in the market for a center and we have some cap room, but you're my friend so honest, I won't sign Scott Wells. I know you need him up in Green Bay."

Huh?