Why Can't the Pack Fit Shields, Et Al, Under the Cap?

[Carolina_Packer]

Does anyone think it's possible they either ask Tramon to take a pay cut in the final year of his deal coming up, or just cut him loose and use that recovered cap space to give a contract to Shields? Do we have enough in the way of developing talent at CB to do that?

[pbmax]

Does anyone think it's possible they either ask Tramon to take a pay cut in the final year of his deal coming up, or just cut him loose and use that recovered cap space to give a contract to Shields? Do we have enough in the way of developing talent at CB to do that?

They could but he is on the upswing again. He might do a Crosby where he can make it all back in incentives.

Did Hawk restructure or take an actual pay cut?

[Joemailman]

I wouldn't be surprised to see TT restructure Tramon's contract. Give him an extension while reducing the 2014 cap hit.

[Patler]

Did Hawk restructure or take an actual pay cut?

Hawk did both, sort of. He "restructured" the final year of his rookie contract coupled with an extension by agreeing to be released and sign a new contract. Then last year he took a cut.

[pbmax]

Hawk did both, sort of. He "restructured" the final year of his rookie contract coupled with an extension by agreeing to be released and sign a new contract. Then last year he took a cut.

That explains the confused memories. I see Tramon more likely to restructure than take a paycut. It would be interesting though, to see what he gets on the open market. I doubt anyone matches the deal the Packers gave to him after the Super Bowl. He did end the year on an upswing though.

[pittstang5]

That explains the confused memories. I see Tramon more likely to restructure than take a paycut. It would be interesting though, to see what he gets on the open market. I doubt anyone matches the deal the Packers gave to him after the Super Bowl. He did end the year on an upswing though.

Tramon would have to agree to the restructure though...right? Me thinks he won't be willing.

I believe this - TT and Packers will find a way to keep Shields. It'll be interesting in the upcoming weeks/months as to how they do it. They have the franchise tag, although I think that is the final resort. If he gets the tag, that just cuts out signing some of the guys like Neal, Quarless, EDS, Pickett, etc. I'm not even throwing Raji in there cause I think he's moved on regardless.

[run pMc]

That explains the confused memories. I see Tramon more likely to restructure than take a paycut. It would be interesting though, to see what he gets on the open market. I doubt anyone matches the deal the Packers gave to him after the Super Bowl. He did end the year on an upswing though.

Minnesota or Detroit would take Tramon in a heartbeat. I'll go with the cliches and say "You can never have enough good corners", and "It's a passing league" because I think they are mostly true. At this point I call Tramon a good-but-not-great corner, they'd have to be desperate or stupid to let him go. I do think they'll look to restructure. House still hasn't put it all together, Hayward is better in the slot, and Hyde might be a Safety. Shields is worth keeping, but not at $11.3M.

[pbmax]

Tramon would have to agree to the restructure though...right? Me thinks he won't be willing.

I believe this - TT and Packers will find a way to keep Shields. It'll be interesting in the upcoming weeks/months as to how they do it. They have the franchise tag, although I think that is the final resort. If he gets the tag, that just cuts out signing some of the guys like Neal, Quarless, EDS, Pickett, etc. I'm not even throwing Raji in there cause I think he's moved on regardless.

If its a simple restructure, to either push off the decision day on the next big chunk of money, or a split of his base salary this year to lower the cap number, there is a reasonable chance he agrees as his money calculation two years out might not change much.

If they want to add a year or cut, then its got to be weighed against what he can get if released. And then he might resist.

[ThunderDan]

If its a simple restructure, to either push off the decision day on the next big chunk of money, or a split of his base salary this year to lower the cap number, there is a reasonable chance he agrees as his money calculation two years out might not change much.

If they want to add a year or cut, then its got to be weighed against what he can get if released. And then he might resist.

That's what I am thinking also. Extend Tramon another 2 years and spread the money out. Make sure Tramon gets his money but that the Packers can axe him if necessary and not have a large cap hit.

[call_me_ishmael]

I have a hard time saying any corner on an awful defense is a shutdown corner. He's a decent player. Above average possibly. Not great. I'd still sign him, though. I don't view him as a shutdown corner or a #1 corner type guy - certainly not a top 10 in the league type guy.

[3irty1]

I think calling Shields a shutdown corner is pretty liberal use of the term. He's very good against the type that makes a living on beating you deep but only solid starter in every other regard IMO.

[Guiness]

I wonder how he is viewed around the league? I've seen a few lists of the top FAs, players likely to be tagged, etc, and he isn't on any of them.

Are we all over-valuing him or are the idiots that write for BR, Sportsline et al. not seeing it? They might not be, but GMs around the league could have a different opinion.

[smuggler]

I have seen guys like Alterraun Verner listee ahead of him, which is flatly wrong. Shields gets downgraded for being on a weak Packer defense, but he's one ofIif not the fastest corner in the entire league. He has ball skills and has improved his tackling in the last few years. No, he is not a shutdown corner, but I don't even think there is such a thing in the league currently...

[mraynrand]

I wonder how he is viewed around the league? I've seen a few lists of the top FAs, players likely to be tagged, etc, and he isn't on any of them.

Are we all over-valuing him or are the idiots that write for BR, Sportsline et al. not seeing it? They might not be, but GMs around the league could have a different opinion.

Sam Shields: Overrated?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I wonder how he is viewed around the league? I've seen a few lists of the top FAs, players likely to be tagged, etc, and he isn't on any of them.

Are we all over-valuing him or are the idiots that write for BR, Sportsline et al. not seeing it? They might not be, but GMs around the league could have a different opinion.

I've seen him pretty high on some lists. I pretty sure I saw him listed as a top 10 FA somewhere. It only takes one to overrate him.