If you could sign only one, would it be Bulaga or Cobb?

[pbmax]

The semi-scary part of this is those deals are now over. Usually, TT announces a contract extension or new deal before that happens. When our players hit FA, they are pretty much gone. Some guys make it to contract end and resign (Hawk? Neal?), but not many.

That may not hold in these cases, these are big multi-year deals which impact a big part of our salary make-up.

I really think we can only do one of these "big boys". One major deal and we will barely have room to address other players, the rooks (less of a problem now) and Peppers. The "we've got 35 million in room" is more of a phantom than people think.

Technically, Hawk, Bulaga, Jones and Shields have gotten to FA but re-signed. So its possible at that late date. Bulaga is the concern there. He might be the highest rated tackle and might attract very early, very dumb money. Cobb has more competition.

A lot might depend on what Peppers is willing to do to lower that number. You know Capers and M3 want the big guy back.

[Joemailman]

It's going to be tough to shoehorn those contracts in our salary structure. Bulaga was at 4 mil last season. What kind of deal will he get on the market that we will have to match?

+ Bulaga was a 1st round pick, Cobb a 2. TT likes to roll his own and keep his roster intact. At least one of his high draft choices will walk. That's gotta be a tough call for Thompson.

My gut says Cobb, but man, it's right down the middle on this one.

It would be unheard of for TT to let Cobb or Bulaga go. When TT drafts players who turn out to be really good, they always get a 2nd contract. They might not get a 3rd, but they always get a 2nd. I'd be shocked if he lets Cobb get away. I'd be slightly less surprised if he let Bulaga go. TT can save about 18 million by letting Tramon, Hawk, B. Jones and Bush go.

[KYPack]

It would be unheard of for TT to let Cobb or Bulaga go. WTT can save about 18 million by letting hen TT drafts players who turn out to be really good, they always get a 2nd contract. They might not get a 3rd, but they always get a 2nd. I'd be shocked if he lets Cobb get away. I'd be slightly less surprised if he let Bulaga go. Tramon, Hawk, B. Jones and Bush go.

Each man in that latter group has lost physicality, quickness, and overall speed. I'd take Bush and Tramon (At a smaller, shorter contract).

AJ & Jones?

Hawk should retire and Jonesy should move on to a team where he can play effectively. I have no idea where that team is.

[woodbuck27]

Each man in that latter group has lost physicality, quickness, and overall speed. I'd take Bush and Tramon (At a smaller, shorter contract).

AJ & Jones?

Hawk should retire and Jonesy should move on to a team where he can play effectively. I have no idea where that team is.

Has Brad Jones ever considered lawn bowling?

[mraynrand]

Has Brad Jones ever considered lawn bowling?

[wist43]

No contest - Cobb.

Buluga is just another 1st round JAG. Not a bust, but not a great player either - average.

[Pugger]

You have Aaron Rodgers.

That makes the choice easy. You keep Bulaga and ensure having a deep, talented OL to protect him.

While Cobb is a fabulous talent, a QB like Rodgers can make average talents look pretty damn good if he has an OL to protect him.

That said...with $30M+ available to spend if Thompson does the right thing and takes an axe to the deadwood on the roster...there is no need to have to make the choice. You keep both.

How long have we longed for an O line that can protect The Franchise? If we keep Bulaga we just might end up with one of the top O lines in the league.

I too hope we can keep both.

[Patler]

No contest - Cobb.

Buluga is just another 1st round JAG. Not a bust, but not a great player either - average.

JAG?? Some would disagree with you on that. From the JSO article I linked:

According to Pro Football Focus, the only right tackles to have better overall years than Bulaga were New England's Sebastian Vollmer, Philadelphia's Lane Johnson and Baltimore's Ricky Wagner. And Wagner was the only right tackle with a higher pass blocking grade than Bulaga.

[King Friday]

Most would disagree on wist's viewpoint of Bulaga.

Bulaga is certainly not JAG. I can agree with the sentiment that he isn't great, simply because he hasn't been been able to play consistently like he did in 2014. Whether it is injury or changing position or whatever...he's had periods of mediocrity that count against him. However, I believe his play in 2014 proves that he has settled in at RT and can play at a very high level if he can stay on the field.

Someone who is JAG does not play at a high level for any noteworthy period of time.

[pittstang5]

I vote for Cobb.

I like Bulaga, but his injury history is the determining factor for me.

[ThunderDan]

I pick Bulaga.

We finally had a well functioning OL for once, let's try and keep it together for a few more years.

[woodbuck27]

Monday Feb. 09, 2015

Milwaukee- Wisconsin...Journal Sentinel

Which Packers free agent should be the team’s top priority?

Randall Cobb (70%)

Bryan Bulaga (27%)

Tramon Williams (1%)

Someone else (1%)

Total Responses: 3129

[HarveyWallbangers]

Unless the money is completely out of whack, I easily choose Cobb. Mainly due to health concerns. Cobb had the one injury, but has been health 3 of 4 years. Bulaga has only been healthy 2 of 5 years.

[smuggler]

I'd pick Bulaga, depending on the health of Abbrederis.

[woodbuck27]

But that's not really what TT did. He signed Jennings, Jones, and Finley to deals after their rookie contracts were up. Cobb leaving now would break that mold. Draft & develop. Cobb is hitting his prime, not the TT way to let him walk now. He'll get the deal done.

With the changes that we're now seeing in regards to offense and coaching /play calling. I'll be surprized if TT lets either leave Green Bay. As you posted TT is a draft and develop GM. Both of these players are TT success stories when he's had plenty of failures.

It's time for Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews to help out.To consider what restructuring their contracts will do to keep the Packers strong and to remain in the conversation for a Super Bowl. Take away Randall Cobb or in that case disagree with a representative Packer Nation Poll and you certainly hurt the Packer 'O'.

Ted Thompson and the Packer Powers should be looking at their quality QB and a five year window. Both of these Packers want to stay in Green Bay. Don't allow Randall Cobb to get away.

Here's the good news Packerrats.

Ted Thompson will find a way to sign Randall Cobb unless his price tag goes through the roof exceeding Packer CAP responsibility. Tick tock....the time is soon at hand and Free Agency 30 days away.