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Packers: Deep pockets, shallow plans
JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY - With more than $20 million to work with under the NFL's $109 million salary cap when free agency began at 11:01 p.m. Thursday night, so much cash might have been burning a hole in the pockets of some general managers.
But not Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson.
"It's not in my pocket," Thompson said Thursday evening. "It's not my money."
Maybe not, but he does control how it'll be used. And while it's reasonable to think Thompson will continue to be prudent with his free-agent spending, don't assume he's the Ebenezer Scrooge of the NFL, either.
In 2005, his first year as GM, Thompson developed a reputation for disliking free agency, and the title has stuck with him, even though he signed cornerback Charles Woodson (seven years, $39 million), defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (four years, $14 million) and safety Marquand Manuel (five years, $10 million) last year. He also re-signed defensive end Aaron Kampman to a four-year, $21 million deal.
So is his anti-free agency rep accurate?
"No. It never was accurate. I've never operated that way," Thompson said. "People take what I say (about), 'The best route to building a team is through the draft,' as me not wanting to be involved in free agency. We spend an inordinate amount of time studying it and trying to figure out what to do in free agency.
"I just think sometimes we can all have the attitude that the grass is greener, when in fact it might just be painted grass."
That said, it would be stunning if the Packers got into the high-stakes bidding for top-tier names in what is considered a relatively weak free-agent class - Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas or Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements - though Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter, Minnesota cornerback Fred Smoot and tight end Jermaine Wiggins, San Diego wide receiver Keenan McCardell and New Orleans wide receiver Joe Horn were among those released Thursday.
Thompson seems more likely to let the initial flurry of expensive signings pass, then see what remains available.
"This first wave, you're kind of going off faith because you don't get any real contact (with them) before you might have to commit to something," Thompson said. "Clearly with the raised cap, there are more teams with more money to spend. So obviously that means - because of supply and demand - that guys will likely get elevated contracts.
"Obviously, money is a factor in this, but this is still a football team. You have to decide if a player is going to help your team and if he's going to fit into your locker room. It doesn't do you any good to spend money for the sake of spending money."
Thompson also believes in the keep-your-own approach of his mentor, Ron Wolf, which he demonstrated by re-signing defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins to a four-year, $16 million deal Monday.
The Packers have two priority free agents of their own - running back Ahman Green and tight end David Martin.
A league source at the NFL scouting combine last week said Green is seeking a three- year, $15 million deal. Given how much Green likes it in Green Bay - he's scheduled to appear at the annual Fan Fest next weekend, even though he's a free agent - one would think he'd give the Packers a chance to match any offer he received.
Asked if he was any more optimistic about Green's return, Thompson replied, "I couldn't tell you. I know that we are continually having positive conversations with his people, but you never know."
Green never has been a free agent, having signed a one- year, incentive-laden deal just before the market opened last year. His agent, Joby Branion, did not return a message Thursday night.
Gathering Moss Thompson kept with his policy of not commenting on the persistent rumors of the team's interest in Oakland wide receiver Randy Moss, but he didn't deny the team has talked to the Raiders about a possible deal.
However, Thompson did say the team wasn't actively shopping backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Profootballtalk.com reported the Raiders asked for a first-round pick for Moss, and the Packers countered with offering Rodgers. Rodgers, reached Thursday, said he had not been told he was on the trading block.
"All I can say is," Thompson said, "you shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet."
JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY - With more than $20 million to work with under the NFL's $109 million salary cap when free agency began at 11:01 p.m. Thursday night, so much cash might have been burning a hole in the pockets of some general managers.
But not Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson.
"It's not in my pocket," Thompson said Thursday evening. "It's not my money."
Maybe not, but he does control how it'll be used. And while it's reasonable to think Thompson will continue to be prudent with his free-agent spending, don't assume he's the Ebenezer Scrooge of the NFL, either.
In 2005, his first year as GM, Thompson developed a reputation for disliking free agency, and the title has stuck with him, even though he signed cornerback Charles Woodson (seven years, $39 million), defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (four years, $14 million) and safety Marquand Manuel (five years, $10 million) last year. He also re-signed defensive end Aaron Kampman to a four-year, $21 million deal.
So is his anti-free agency rep accurate?
"No. It never was accurate. I've never operated that way," Thompson said. "People take what I say (about), 'The best route to building a team is through the draft,' as me not wanting to be involved in free agency. We spend an inordinate amount of time studying it and trying to figure out what to do in free agency.
"I just think sometimes we can all have the attitude that the grass is greener, when in fact it might just be painted grass."
That said, it would be stunning if the Packers got into the high-stakes bidding for top-tier names in what is considered a relatively weak free-agent class - Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas or Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements - though Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter, Minnesota cornerback Fred Smoot and tight end Jermaine Wiggins, San Diego wide receiver Keenan McCardell and New Orleans wide receiver Joe Horn were among those released Thursday.
Thompson seems more likely to let the initial flurry of expensive signings pass, then see what remains available.
"This first wave, you're kind of going off faith because you don't get any real contact (with them) before you might have to commit to something," Thompson said. "Clearly with the raised cap, there are more teams with more money to spend. So obviously that means - because of supply and demand - that guys will likely get elevated contracts.
"Obviously, money is a factor in this, but this is still a football team. You have to decide if a player is going to help your team and if he's going to fit into your locker room. It doesn't do you any good to spend money for the sake of spending money."
Thompson also believes in the keep-your-own approach of his mentor, Ron Wolf, which he demonstrated by re-signing defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins to a four-year, $16 million deal Monday.
The Packers have two priority free agents of their own - running back Ahman Green and tight end David Martin.
A league source at the NFL scouting combine last week said Green is seeking a three- year, $15 million deal. Given how much Green likes it in Green Bay - he's scheduled to appear at the annual Fan Fest next weekend, even though he's a free agent - one would think he'd give the Packers a chance to match any offer he received.
Asked if he was any more optimistic about Green's return, Thompson replied, "I couldn't tell you. I know that we are continually having positive conversations with his people, but you never know."
Green never has been a free agent, having signed a one- year, incentive-laden deal just before the market opened last year. His agent, Joby Branion, did not return a message Thursday night.
Gathering Moss Thompson kept with his policy of not commenting on the persistent rumors of the team's interest in Oakland wide receiver Randy Moss, but he didn't deny the team has talked to the Raiders about a possible deal.
However, Thompson did say the team wasn't actively shopping backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Profootballtalk.com reported the Raiders asked for a first-round pick for Moss, and the Packers countered with offering Rodgers. Rodgers, reached Thursday, said he had not been told he was on the trading block.
"All I can say is," Thompson said, "you shouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet."
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