2014 Free Agency Rumors and or Speculation

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://jerseyal.com/GBP/2014/02/04/bj-raji-green-bay-packers-2013-evaluation-and-report-card/

3) Expectations coming into the season: High. Raji was the 7th best 3-4 defensive end in 2012 according to ProFootballFocus and while Raji didn’t have outstanding statistics, most notably recording 0 sacks in 2012, Raji was still the best defensive linemen for the Packers, especially against the run. Many fans were expecting Raji to be a candidate for a mid-season extension in 2012, much like fellow 2009 1st round draft pick Clay Matthews but instead the Packers allowed Raji to finish out his contract with Raji trying to maximize his next contract with some great play. Again while impressive number probably were never in Raji’s cards, a couple dominating games with Raji splitting double teams and getting a couple sacks was not out of the question if Raji returned to 2010 form.

[red]

is woodley worth going after? not that we would go after him even if he was worth it

guys got tons of experience in a system similar to ours

[HarveyWallbangers]

is woodley worth going after? not that we would go after him even if he was worth it

guys got tons of experience in a system similar to ours

I would normally say perhaps, but Woodley has been injury prone the last three years (missed 3-6 games each year), so I'm guessing no. We already have three OLBs (if you include Mike Neal) who can't stay healthy.

[pittstang5]

cardinals, eagles and us are some of the teams interested in mike neal

according to Mike Garafolo

I hope Neal stays. At this point, even with his injuries I'd take him over Perry. Perry just pisses me off - he's so hot and cold.

[pbmax]

http://jerseyal.com/GBP/2013/12/19/w...eman-b-j-raji/

http://jerseyal.com/GBP/2014/02/04/b...d-report-card/

This timeline seems problematic. At some point in the offseason Raji turned down $8 mil per year. The D starts out on fire. The D and Raji tank (wasn't Bears game when the run D collapsed, same game as Rodgers getting hurt) and the offer gets pulled.

Jolly was hurt later.

Between those two events, Raji was playing so poorly they pulled the offer. I tend to think the early season Raji they described was the 2012 version, not 2013. He was not in the backfield much and we all attributed it to more attention paid to occupying gaps and not letting runners get free.

I still think, though have no evidence, that the best explanation for Raji's late season disappearance was the pulling of the contract after his early season averageness.

[pbmax]

is woodley worth going after? not that we would go after him even if he was worth it

guys got tons of experience in a system similar to ours

Steelers are in cap trouble so you would think you could find help. But they reason they are in cap trouble is injury and age. Woodley has one of those problems and the Packers don't need more of it.

[mraynrand]

Now, after Raji’s disappearing act, $8 million per season seems like about $7.5 million too much.

brutal

[mraynrand]

Actually, I would argue that Raji at his best has been a more impactful player than Jackson.

Raji's best >> Jackson's best. No doubt in my mind. But right now?? Who can tell? Both have severely underperformed. If Raji is truly stuck where he was at the end of the season, Jackson is better. But Raji can play better. But he might not ever again. I'm not 'blindly trusting' TT, but have to acknowledge that he has a better idea where Raji's head is at. Raji as he is, is worthless, but if he returns close to top form, he's worth the 4 mil/ year.

[Smidgeon]

you don't have to overpay to come to GB. We have perhaps the best QB in the league. A strong offense. In the playoff hunt every year. A super bowl contender nearly every season. Believe it or not some guys want to win and will go where the money and the best shot to win. If we offer Player A the same deal as Miami where is the dude going to sign? If he's worth a shit as a competitor it's here. If he's just a party guy then we don't want him anyway.

And that's why a lot of players skip over GB. It's only later in their years that players will sacrifice almost anything (even some money) for a chance at a championship. But TT doesn't seem to want aged players. So there isn't a lot of mutual interest.

[Smidgeon]

I don't recall us ever being beat out for an offer because TT doesn't go after big free agents. We get the low hanging fruit. IIRC even the Woodson signing was late and it was up in the air between us and maybe TB? I don't recall us doing much in the early stages of the FA period.

What I fear is we will go into 2014 without a legit safety. I don't think we can afford a rookie back there blowing coverages and thinking too much. we need a guy who is experienced and somewhat of a difference maker. If we sit and wait we will pay the price again in the secondary.

True, but also remember that Woodson didn't want to be in GB. He chose GB because Tampa wanted him as a safety, and GB wanted him as a corner. He hated GB. He said it was only after being here a while that the place grew on him. So even though Woodson was late, he wasn't low-hanging fruit for GB. For him, GB was his only option.

[Smidgeon]

Andrew Brandt once said the biggest obstacle to getting players to visit the Packers first is that Thompson would not commit to certain contract parameters before the visit. If possible, the players' agent wants to go to the best offer first, create a reverse car dealership hotbox where the player is about to leave for his next favorite team (think Childress in Minneapolis not being allowed to leave for GB) and then drive a hard bargain to get the higher end of the agreed upon parameters.

Forgot about this one too.

[Smidgeon]

Not afraid of Seahawks. Not the same matchup problem as 49ers. Maybe more worrisome if the replacement refs are calling the game.

Fixed.

[Smidgeon]

Where do the Broncos get all this money from?

"Massaging" the cap. The same way they did in 1997.

[Fritz]

And that's why a lot of players skip over GB. It's only later in their years that players will sacrifice almost anything (even some money) for a chance at a championship. But TT doesn't seem to want aged players. So there isn't a lot of mutual interest.

This is a good point.

So, after yesterday's flurry, no signings yet today?

Any Packers visiting anyone today, besides Finley and EDS (I don't know if Finley's visit is today, or if it's for later in the week)?

Any word on Neal visiting anyone, or James Jones, or Quarless?

ANd how's the BJ Raji World Tour going?

[mraynrand]

You guys really didn't think TT was going to sign anyone did you??

As for our pathetic defense - I'm serious when I say we should just forget about it, and quit throwing draft picks and money at it. All those high picks, and all that money... and we're one of the worst defenses in the league. We could get those results with street FA's across the board.