2019 Free Agency Thread

[Deputy Nutz]

Oh my god, nitpicking son of a bitch. There is a total difference between an edge rusher in a 4-3 and an edge in a 3-4, and Strong side linebacker in a 4-3 versus a 3-4. Check how the SAM gets paid in a 4-3 versus a 3-4. Big difference. The Packers paid out 22 million in their OLBs last year, I can't really believe their is a SAM 4-3 linebacker making any where near half of that type money.

[Fritz]

Its the chicken vs the egg scenario. Does a good pass rush boost the secondary or does a good secondary boost the pass rush? The Patriots demonstrated in the Super Bowl that aggravating the QB still works in handling the 21st century pass happy offenses. Taking away the run game is still the number 1 key to playing good team defense and making offenses one dimensional. Safeties are important dynamic on a football field and in the 3-4 they can be heavily relied on to be over hang players and alley run fillers.

Outside linebackers in a 3-4 are still the most valuable position on the field. They have to be pass rush specialist and dynamic against the run. Without them you should just play a 4-3

True, true.

I suppose if the players Wist likes really can play, then it would work out by making the safeties' jobs easier.

I do think, though, a steady, veteran hand back there can really help, too. When Glover Quinn signed with Detroit a few years back, he instantly fortified what had been a mess of a back end. He was not a superstar, but he righted the ship. Maybe Ibrahim Campbell can be that guy, or maybe they'll sign someone. I'd like to see Tramontana go back to cornering.

[pbmax]

Oh my god, nitpicking son of a bitch. There is a total difference between an edge rusher in a 4-3 and an edge in a 3-4, and Strong side linebacker in a 4-3 versus a 3-4. Check how the SAM gets paid in a 4-3 versus a 3-4. Big difference. The Packers paid out 22 million in their OLBs last year, I can't really believe their is a SAM 4-3 linebacker making any where near half of that type money.

Julius Peppers played a lot of SAM while he was with the Packers. TE side, two point stance, occasional coverage. Mostly pass rush and holding an edge. Lotta money to be made if you can get to the QB on pass downs. He also played a lot of pass rush end for the Bears and Panthers.

Defenses are not so static anymore that Brady Poppinga could make an average NFL wage being a run stuffing SAM.

But I did omit the power end of the 4-3 (Reggie's position). That is the one that is hard to find if you transition to 4-3. Because the OLB you are converting isn't going to be as effective in a 5 or 7 technique. You need a bigger guy who can still pass rush and most 3-4 lineman don't have the mobility.

Matthews couldn't do that. Perry maybe.

[wist43]

Wist, you write that "So let's say you land Barrett and Smith, and draft White?? In one short offseason you've substantially rebuilt and improved your front 7.

That would make a bigger impact on your defense than anything you did at the safety position."

But couldn't you argue that if you signed two good free-agent safeties, and drafted another one high, you could make as big an impact on the safety position as drafting one guy up front?

You're basically arguing for throwing a ton of players at a problem.

No... you're not looking at it correctly. Safeties aren't going to make your pass rush better - maybe tack on a couple of coverage sacks per year; whereas, pass rush makes all 3 levels of your defense better.

And my solution to our LB woes is not "throwing a ton of players at a problem, it is identifying 3 problem areas and targeting them with 3 quality, talented players.

Barett, Smith - and throw in Barr as an "and/or" guy - are proven guys that can be had affordably; and, White is an outright stud.

Be wise, follow my advice, and sit back and watch our front 7 crush the NFC North

[RashanGary]

I see wists point to an extent but I do strongly disagree about safety play. Safeties are impossible to avoid because they’re covering the middle of the field. Great safeties make it so much harder on qbs. And vice versa. They’re very hard to cover up if they’re bad. The middle of the field will get picked apart by good qbs. I’d love to see the ILB, white. I’d also love a playmaking safety to go with. QBs gonna have a lot harder time going over the middle if we get smarter, faster stronger in there. That affects the whole defense just like pass rush does.

SB winning teams almost always have a great safety. It’s almost as consistent on championship teams as QB play is.

[wist43]

Sign a smart, savvy vet back there...

We've neglected the front 7 forever, while we've had endless high draft pick dart throws at the secondary... Clark is okay, I know you guys think he's Reggie White in there, but at least he hasn't been a bust; Perry is done, and never was much anyway; Matthew's is done; Fackrell is a backup; Gilbert didn't step up; Ryan is a backup; and Martinez is average.

Fella's, that is a huge mess of a front 7.

[Joemailman]

List of possible free agent safeties is pretty good:

Landon Collins: Do-it-all safety with eight interceptions, 22 tackles for losses and four sacks in four seasons. All-Pro in 2016. The Giants might give him the franchise tag.

Tre Boston: Ballhawking free safety with eight interceptions and 17 pass breakups the last two seasons. Turns 27 in June. Likely to be a much cheaper solution than Thomas or Collins.

Adrian Amos: Quietly solid player for the Bears defense. Broke up nine passes and intercepted two others last season. Can cover and play the run and doesn’t turn 26 until April.

Lamarcus Joyner: Versatile safety who can cover the slot or drop into the deep half. Played on the franchise tag last season and is looking to get paid over multiple years. Smaller but tough; has only missed seven games the last four seasons.

Kenny Vaccaro: Played 13 games for the Titans last season, tallying an interception and two sacks. Veteran safety has played 81 games in six seasons.

Adrian Phillips: Former undrafted free agent burst onto the scene in 2018, producing 88 tackles and nine pass breakups for the Chargers. Ascending player that thrived with a bigger opportunity. Turns 27 in March.

[pbmax]

Sign a smart, savvy vet back there...

We've neglected the front 7 forever, while we've had endless high draft pick dart throws at the secondary... Clark is okay, I know you guys think he's Reggie White in there, but at least he hasn't been a bust; Perry is done, and never was much anyway; Matthew's is done; Fackrell is a backup; Gilbert didn't step up; Ryan is a backup; and Martinez is average.

Fella's, that is a huge mess of a front 7.

You keep saying the front 7. But you really mean LB. Clark, Daniels and Lowry/Wilkerson are going to be fine next year.

[wist43]

You keep saying the front 7. But you really mean LB. Clark, Daniels and Lowry/Wilkerson are going to be fine next year.

I like those guys okay, even if all of them disappointed to whatever extent last year.

Of course it could be argued that with such horrible LB play, offenses could focus on those guys. That said, Lowry was the only of those guys that didn't end the year on IR, and Adam's didn't do anything with his opportunity.

I would be okay with taking one of the DT's in the 1st round... certainly not my first choice though.

Every time I watch tape of White, I just can't imagine a scenario in which I am the GM of the Packers and I dont do whatever it takes to make him a Packer.

[Smidgeon]

List of possible free agent safeties is pretty good:

This list really emphasizes how special Nick Collins was.

I guess I'm still living in the past on that one.

[Fritz]

I like those guys okay, even if all of them disappointed to whatever extent last year.

Of course it could be argued that with such horrible LB play, offenses could focus on those guys. That said, Lowry was the only of those guys that didn't end the year on IR, and Adam's didn't do anything with his opportunity.

I would be okay with taking one of the DT's in the 1st round... certainly not my first choice though.

Every time I watch tape of White, I just can't imagine a scenario in which I am the GM of the Packers and I dont do whatever it takes to make him a Packer.

Lions said to be looking hard at him at #8.

[wist43]

Lions said to be looking hard at him at #8.

Yeah, I've heard that... I'd move up to get him.

If we can't move up, back up plan would be Polite.

I know they won't address LB in FA, so Polite fills a huge hole. Fackrell and Matthew's both need to be replaced, but I'm not sure the Packers see that.

[Upnorth]

Any one mention Adam Humpries as an upgrade over Cobb? Likely be cheaper and lots of upside considering he produced in the tampa scheme.

[Joemailman]

Any one mention Adam Humpries as an upgrade over Cobb? Likely be cheaper and lots of upside considering he produced in the tampa scheme.

Good player. Gets better every year. Not sure if WR is where the Packers want to spend money, and he might be fairly expensive because it's not a great pool of FA's at WR. He might be the 2nd best after Golden Tate. Great story though. Undrafted guy who had to go to a rookie tryout camp to make it.

[Joemailman]

Yeah, I've heard that... I'd move up to get him.

If we can't move up, back up plan would be Polite.

I know they won't address LB in FA, so Polite fills a huge hole. Fackrell and Matthew's both need to be replaced, but I'm not sure the Packers see that.

I'd go with the backup plan. It would take giving up their 3rd round pick to move from 12 to 7. I'd gladly take Polite or Ferrell and keep the pick.