AROD.."Keeping Woodson should be a top priority"

[Pugger]

I'd like to keep Woodson too. He's one of the few players who can play with instinct and game speed inside.

If AR starts throwing hissy fits and making drama over players he wants and doesn't want, I'll be pretty disappointed. He's arrogant, the best players are, but at some point it can be too much. Hopefully he never crosses that line. Lucky for him, he got a lesson on what not to do from the last great QB in Green Bay, but it's always a danger with star players, getting too big for their britches. Damn human nature, it can be a real bitch.

I don't think AR was throwing a hissy fit. Somebody asked him a question and he answered it. I just don't see AR becoming anything like our last starting QB.

[ThunderDan]

To me, not paying AR a lot more would fall under the ruthless category and would show a disregard for how much he means to the team, and how important it is to work with him even when they are not forced to. Every situation is different. AR puts his body on the line for far less than he's worth. If you really appreciate him, if you really want to treat him with value as an employee, I think it's well within good judgement to bend a little and do it a year earlier than usual.

It's hard to compare the work world to the NFL, but this is a case where I think there are parallels. If you have a great employee, one who's not only the most valuable piece to your operation, but also a guy you trust to work his ass off as long as he's with the company, I don't think it's a bad idea, at all, to reward that person financially, even if you don't have to. It's about value and trust. AR has both in spades. He's the most valuable player in the NFL, and he's a guy you trust immensely. Dollars well spent, IMO.

I guess if I take a different look like Red, Idon't see it as tragic to wait a year either. The Packers have a history of doing things a certain way and there might be more benefits to treating him the same as his teammates who work their tails off and rely on their paychecks equally. The Packers do things a year early, typically and their extremely fair. Players know if they work hard, they're going to be treated well by the Packers. Jennings is a bit of an exception, but he also took a hard stance early in the season and appeared completely steadfast in getting very top dollar. It's hard to work with a guy a year early if he's completely unwilling to compromise and the Packers have other reasons that make it difficult to pay him. I do think that's the exception, and I don't think there is a feeling in the lockerroom that the Packers take advantage of their employees. I think there is an understanding there, and their approach to player contracts is very fair and very respected within the team. Maybe not putting AR on a pedestal is a type of respect for the team as a whole, and something AR can be proud of for holding his teammates in high enough regard that he didn't throw a fit when he very well could. I'm guys would respect AR a lot and appreciate him as a person for that. I think Matthews already has that respect. He's special as a player and hasn't demanded special treatment. He hasn't put himself above the other players in this regard. . . . Who knows, maybe there is a culture of respect for the team as a whole rather than special treatment and disregard for the little guy.

Look how much we saved on ARod's contract by signing him early last time. If you can save $3M a year for 5 years that allows you to keep a lot more talent around ARod to compete.

[Patler]

Woodson 2012 = Driver 2011.
The guy is done. If he is brought back in 2013 at any price it will be wasted money, just as Driver was wasted money this year.

[Joemailman]

Woodson 2012 = Driver 2011.
The guy is done. If he is brought back in 2013 at any price it will be wasted money, just as Driver was wasted money this year.

The one difference being that this team is not nearly as stacked at Safety as they were at Wide Receiver. It might be possible to justify bringing him back, but not for 10 million.

[Patler]

The one difference being that this team is not nearly as stacked at Safety as they were at Wide Receiver. It might be possible to justify bringing him back, but not for 10 million.

I'm not sure it matters how stacked they are or aren't at safety. Driver declined to the point that he was valued lower than a couple 1st year free agents. The same might happen with Woodson. The Packers could be faced with the same situation they were with Driver this year, wondering what to do with an old, old player who is not good enough to start, and not right for special teams.

[rbaloha1]

Woodson 2012 = Driver 2011.
The guy is done. If he is brought back in 2013 at any price it will be wasted money, just as Driver was wasted money this year.

Completely disagree -- Yes I have a Woodson jersey.

Capers need to allow CW to freelance more especially against the spread option stuff.

Yes, CW no longer has the same speed (despite what CW and coaches maintain). But CW like aging veterans counteract the lack of speed with diagnosing plays quicker like Ray Lewis.

CW only at half price is acceptable.

[Patler]

Completely disagree -- Yes I have a Woodson jersey.

Capers need to allow CW to freelance more especially against the spread option stuff.

Yes, CW no longer has the same speed (despite what CW and coaches maintain). But CW like aging veterans counteract the lack of speed with diagnosing plays quicker like Ray Lewis.

CW only at half price is acceptable.

Move to safety + free lancing + loss of speed = recipe for disaster.

The old freelancing Woodson was entertaining, but the defense was better when the coaches convinced him to play his responsibilities more faithfully.

While Woodson seemed a little slower in 2011, I thought the change was significant this year, and could be coupled next year with loss of quickness (if it hasn't already occurred). Just as Driver was no longer able to shake anyone this year, Woodson may be unable to cover anyone next year.

It's time to move on from Woodson.

[rbaloha1]

Move to safety + free lancing + loss of speed = recipe for disaster.

The old freelancing Woodson was entertaining, but the defense was better when the coaches convinced him to play his responsibilities more faithfully.

While Woodson seemed a little slower in 2011, I thought the change was significant this year, and could be coupled next year with loss of quickness (if it hasn't already occurred). Just as Driver was no longer able to shake anyone this year, Woodson may be unable to cover anyone next year.

It's time to move on from Woodson.

Capers needs to trust CW in order to keep qbs guessing. Is CW coming or playing coverage?

Rather have CW free lancing than Walden trying to play assignment football.

[Pugger]

I love Woodson as much as the rest of us but I'm with Patler here. We kept Driver too long and I hope we don't do that with CW. It was rather sad to see Driver in street clothes and inactive week after week when we could have used his roster spot for someone who can really contribute.

[rbaloha1]

I love Woodson as much as the rest of us but I'm with Patler here. We kept Driver too long and I hope we don't do that with CW. It was rather sad to see Driver in street clothes and inactive week after week when we could have used his roster spot for someone who can really contribute.

This is a poor comparasion.

CW played well upon his return -- stopping AP and covering Vernon Davis

Aaah the echo chamber I mean whisper chamber emerges. Please note this is not a political statement

[Pugger]

rb, do you want to pay Woodson $10M in 2013?

[Freak Out]

Woodson 2012 = Driver 2011.
The guy is done. If he is brought back in 2013 at any price it will be wasted money, just as Driver was wasted money this year.

I have to agree with the power hound on this one. For that money you want someone younger/faster/stronger and not as injury prone.

[rbaloha1]

rb, do you want to pay Woodson $10M in 2013?

I have continually said Woodson only at half price.

Unfortunately Woodson's warrior pride will not allow a pay cut and its aloha.

Unfortunately Hawk probably agrees to a significant reduction and is kept -- itai.

[Joemailman]

I have continually said Woodson only at half price.

Unfortunately Woodson's warrior pride will not allow a pay cut and its aloha.

That remains to be seen. If he wants to continue playing, he'd take a cut. I doubt anyone else would pay him 10 million.

[rbaloha1]

That remains to be seen. If he wants to continue playing, he'd take a cut. I doubt anyone else would pay him 10 million.

Then its retirement.