Finley, Williams & Hawk

[Patler]

Assuming that Woodson is gone, only Finley, Williams and Hawk seem to be arguably overpaid for 2013:


Jermichael Finley- $8.75 million
Tramon Williams - $8.5 million cap hit
A.J. Hawk - $7.05 million

Interestingly, they are now #s 2, 3 and 4 on the highest cap hit list for the Packers in 2013. After those three, everyone else seems to be worth what they will be paid, give or take a little.

If TW of 2010 can return, he will be a bargain at 8.5.

Any further cap savings on the horizon?

[Patler]

It just doesn't seem right that Finley is the 2nd highest paid player on the Packers, does it?

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I think the most logical person of the three would be Hawk. Clearing both Hawk and Woodson off the books, the 7 million carry over from 2012, and not re-signing Jennings will leave the team with enough money to sign Rodgers, Matthews, and Raji to contract extensions.

While both Finley and Williams are overpaid based off their 2012 performances, neither has that many years left on their deals. Finley has one year left on his deal and no other TE on the roster comes close to his athletic ability and playmaking potential in the passing game. Quarless coming back healthy would create a great one-two punch because of his blocking ability, but I don't think he has the same presence in the passing game. Williams only has two years left on his current deal and with another year removed from his shoulder injury we might see a version of TW closer to 2010 than 2011 or 12.

Hawk on the other hand has 3 or 4 years left on his deal that calls for about 7 million/year. He has never been one to create turnovers or apply significant pressure on the QB. That type of money should be reserved for impact players, not 29 yo average players. Between Bishop, Smith, and hopefully a decent draft pick you may see better MLB play at a much cheaper price.

Personally, while I think it is worth keeping Finley if the money is there, I would rather trade Finley and keep Jennings if I had the choice. But since Jennings seems all but gone I would hold on to Finley.

[run pMc]

No way they cut TW; in a passing league you need all the good CBs you can keep. Remember having to trot out guys like Josh Gordy and Patrick Dendy?
It seems like Hawk is a target every year. He and Finley are definitely 50/50 -- I wonder if renegotiating with Finley to reduce his cap number by extending him a year would happen?

[MadScientist]

The key is not just what they make, but who will replace them. Because of that I think there is an 80+% chance that Finley stays and a bit better than 50% on keeping Hawk, though hopefully with some renegotiation. He may not be great, but at least he was there, unlike all the other injured ILB's.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I have a salary cap question for you plater: Since the packers are carrying over 7 million from last season doesn't that mean that with everyone under contract they had 7 million left to spend? If so, shouldn't that mean that with Jennings off the books we should have been 15 million under the cap before the Woodson release? With Woodson released I was expecting the cap room to be about 25 mil but I'm hearing 16 to 17 mil now. What am I missing?

[sharpe1027]

I have a salary cap question for you plater: Since the packers are carrying over 7 million from last season doesn't that mean that with everyone under contract they had 7 million left to spend? If so, shouldn't that mean that with Jennings off the books we should have been 15 million under the cap before the Woodson release? With Woodson released I was expecting the cap room to be about 25 mil but I'm hearing 16 to 17 mil now. What am I missing?

For one thing, the remaining players' salaries have probably increased from last year.

[3irty1]

I think Hawk is safer than any of us want to believe.

[red]

I think Hawk is safer than any of us want to believe.

I agree

Plus you only save 2 or 2.5 million by cutting him

With woodson now gone, hawk is the leader of that defense. I don't see much else in terms of leadership on d.

Like it or not

And i'm not saying urlacher and hawk are in the same class, but i lived in the chicago agea in the early 00's. Every year bears fans wanted unlacher gone jus like many packer fans want hawk gone.

Hawk isn't flashy at all, which is all that seems to matter to most, but he' s not horrible either. And not that overpaid for a starting lvet leader at his position

[King Friday]

I think Hawk is safer than any of us want to believe.

I would agree. Hawk's not going anywhere, because by the time you pay for his replacement you don't gain any room against the cap. The guy is highly durable and while he doesn't make a lot of big plays, he is usually reliable to make the right play most of the time. Besides, this team needs MORE LBs, not fewer.

[pbmax]

Williams is the closest call because his level of play fell during the year and its not obvious why, unless the Packers were fooling themselves by playing him versus the opposition's #1 WR every game.

Finley will be back because he came close to earning that salary at the end of the season. Hawk had his best year in 5 years and he isn't leaving after that, esp. with the 3rd string at ILB next to him.

[Fritz]

Hawk just appears to be too slow and pedestrian. Am I wrong in that assessment?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think Hawk has been better than some think, but I think we go a different route. You can win with him, but he's not going to get any better. He's average. He's not going to get you beat but he won't make many plays. Assuming Bishop and Smith are recovering from their injuries, then I'd save the money on Hawk and use it elsewhere.

[Tony Oday]

Hawk will improve this year when we add a stud DL along with Raji. Williams is a reaaly good CB sign him long term. Finley is a dime a dozen coming out of college now, dump him and his ego.

[Pugger]

I don't see anything happening with any of these players until we get closer to the ends of their contracts.