Packers will have tough cap decisions to make

[pbmax]

I'll concede a faulty memory too, but I don't recall Finley's greatest moments from 2009 catching in traffic over the middle. My recollection is that most of his greatest moments come from favorable matchups - on a smaller db or slower LB. That was certainly true of his 3 TD game versus Chicago for example.

Much has been made of the decline of his hands. Not convinced that's more perception than reality. Kinda like Ahman Green ruining the 2003 Packers with fumbles.

The contested catches I most remember are from the twin Cardinals games at the end of 2009. But perhaps he was even more dominant in early 2010 when he seemed to be the focus of the offense. His hands were never perfect, but he seemed a different level from those trying to cover him.

To be fair, the offense was going it fits and spurts early in 2010. So he's not a one man offense. But he was a difference maker.

[mraynrand]

The contested catches I most remember are from the twin Cardinals games at the end of 2009.

ha ha! The playoff game is the one I recall where he exploited match ups!

[Guiness]

it was 123 million in 2009 and it is 123 million today

if the cap would have continued growing the way it was before 2009 (going up between 7 and 15 million a year) the cap today would be over 150 million

Saw that on Wikipedia as well - the only source I seemed to be able to find. What I'm getting at is that in 2009 Eli Manning signed a then record contract, 7yrs $107M - averages $15.3M. 4 years later, same salary cap, all the boys are getting $20M/year. That money came from somewhere.

[pbmax]

Raji has sacrificed himself for the sake of the linebackers by eating up multiple blockers.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/dom-capers-believes-packers-defense-will-shore-up-holes-b99108124z1-225598482.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I would sign this Raji to a big deal.

[denverYooper]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...medium=twitter

I would sign this Raji to a big deal.

They rank in the top 10 in fewest first downs allowed on third and 5 or more but sit tied for 29th in passing touchdowns allowed.

Maybe that's why I've felt better about the D lately. I never trusted them on 3rd and long the last 2 years.

They have played the entire season without safety Morgan Burnett and cornerback Casey Hayward because of hamstring injuries, but they have not missed a start anywhere else on the unit

These guys returning should help the passing TDs.

[Willard]

Several weeks after this thread went dormant I finally get around to identifying the players destined to leave after the season: tramon Williams, bj Raji, jermichael Finley, bush, Kuhn, Wallace, Pickett. That is some serious cap freed up.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...medium=twitter

I would sign this Raji to a big deal.

Reading that LINK above I feel this is a key issue with our 'D'. Without a real shutdown corner we see the secondary doubling up a lot. Having to do that leaves the Packers short up front and opportunity to blitz the QB. I'll be disappointed if TT retains Tramon Williams at anywhere close to what he's being paid now.

I feel that TT has to get a solid shutdown CB in his next draft. We need to see more picks from our secondary. With the physical limitations on the current secondary it's all they can do to try to cover the big talented WR's opposing teams run at us today.

PACKERS !

[hoosier]

Several weeks after this thread went dormant I finally get around to identifying the players destined to leave after the season: tramon Williams, bj Raji, jermichael Finley, bush, Kuhn, Wallace, Pickett. That is some serious cap freed up.

If they let Raji and Pickett walk then aren't they just back where they were at the end of last season, needing to completely retool the defensive line? Signing Raji to a big contract might not make much sense if you are continuing with Capers and his preference for the nickel, but in that case I think they need to find a way to keep Pickett around for those times when they need an unmovable object in the middle and hope that Boyd is ready to contribute something next year.

[Brandon494]

Smh we have this discussion every year. The older and fragile guys are the ones who will be let go, when was the last time TT let a good younger healthy player walk. Raji stays, Finley bye bye.

[denverYooper]

Those cap decisions look a lot easier now.

[hoosier]

Smh we have this discussion every year. The older and fragile guys are the ones who will be let go, when was the last time TT let a good younger healthy player walk. Raji stays, Finley bye bye.

If Raji is seeking $8.5M/year it could be tough to re-sign him even if they wanted to. But do you want to pay that much to a guy who is only supposed to be on the field for 30 plays per game?