Verba in GB: update, after minicamp TT feels ok at OG

[Scott Campbell]

I think it's going to hurt a little if we have to cut him, as I think there will be a signing bonus involved.

[Joemailman]

I think it's going to hurt a little if we have to cut him, as I think there will be a signing bonus involved.

If TT cuts Klemm before June, cap hit is 400,000. Cut after June it is 600,000. If TT keeps him, Klemm counts 1.6 mil against the cap.

[GrnBay007]

Jeez, whatever they decide to do, lets hope it's the right thing to straighten up that slight problem they had with the OL.

[Scott Campbell]

I think it's going to hurt a little if we have to cut him, as I think there will be a signing bonus involved.

If TT cuts Klemm before June, cap hit is 400,000. Cut after June it is 600,000. If TT keeps him, Klemm counts 1.6 mil against the cap.

I was talking about Verba. But this is interesting too. I can't imagine that Verba won't command a signing bonus.

[Packers4Ever]

I agree they may want Verba as a starter, my hypothetical was what to do if he does not become the starter but is willing to stay as a backup. Then what do you do?

Maybe the answer is if he doesn't win a starting guard spot you release him. But even as a backup he may have more value and be more versatile than Klemm. That is what could cause a dilemma.

I guess a veteran backup guard is better than none at all but I don't think that's what Verba is looking for, maybe a nice juicy contract? I would think he'd be the starter and younger guy/rookie would be backup, IMHO ?? And what does GB want/need?

[Patler]

We have no way of knowing what Verba wants or is willing to settle for. A year away, with no interest from anyone sometimes makes players willing to take whatever they can get. In Verba's case, he may have a chance to win a starting spot, but may not win it.

[Harlan Huckleby]

We got tackles and backup tackles up the butt.

Sign Verba ONLY if he can be a starter at guard for 2005. Pay him like a vet starter, obviously, but make it possible to cut him if he doesn't win the starting job by a clear margin.

[Patler]

We got tackles and backup tackles up the butt.

Sign Verba ONLY if he can be a starter at guard for 2005. Pay him like a vet starter, obviously, but make it possible to cut him if he doesn't win the starting job by a clear margin.

But who are the backup guards? A value that Verba brings, that Wolf always looked for, is a guy that could backup at two positions. Verba would do that better than Klemm.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I guess it depends on whether they are that high on Coston, Barry, Colledge, Spitz, Wells, White, etc. If they feel they can get three interior starters among this group, then move on. If not, sign him, but then one the youngsters will get cut.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I assume Verba wants starter money.

You don't hear about vets returning to NFL to be backups very often.

[MadtownPacker]

So was Verba in GB after all?

[Patler]

I assume Verba wants starter money.

You don't hear about vets returning to NFL to be backups very often.

Sure you do. The ones who are away voluntarily for a year or two come back just to be part of the team and contribute again. (See Deion Sanders)

Hard to say what Verba wants. He is coming hat-in-hand asking for a job. Even at the vets minimum he could make something around $800,000. After a year away, he might be happy to do that again. Las Vegas can be expensive!

[Packers4Ever]

So was Verba in GB after all?

Mad, I still haven't seen a confirmation that he's in GB, has been there, or is planning to arrive soon. Hope it isn't a hoax, he sure could be valuable to us!

[Packers4Ever]

Could make an interesting decision for GB, if Verba is willing to receive a paycheck for being a backup, and starting guards are found among the others.

A backup LT is an important position. So what do you do?

Klemm seems like an adequate backup at LT, but is marginally effective as a backup at guard. Reportedly, Klemm is a great guy.

Verba was a starting LT for years, and not a bad one at that. He started one year at guard and did well there too. Reportedly he is a jerk.

Do you keep Verba and let Klemm go?

Sham, please see Motife's post at the top of this thread. Pack is interested in Verba as a starter at guard position, 2 spots open there....

[Patler]

Could make an interesting decision for GB, if Verba is willing to receive a paycheck for being a backup, and starting guards are found among the others.

A backup LT is an important position. So what do you do?

Klemm seems like an adequate backup at LT, but is marginally effective as a backup at guard. Reportedly, Klemm is a great guy.

Verba was a starting LT for years, and not a bad one at that. He started one year at guard and did well there too. Reportedly he is a jerk.

Do you keep Verba and let Klemm go?

Sham, please see Motife's post at the top of this thread. Pack is interested in Verba as a starter at guard position, 2 spots open there....

Good golly, how many times do I have to say this? I know they might be interested in him as a starting guard. That doesn't mean he will be the starter. They could sign him in May, and not have him win the job in August.

I was posing a "what if" for a situation where he does not win the job, but would stay as a backup. IF that were to happen, and if his salary wasn't outrageous, I was questioning if you keep the nice guy. less versatile Klemm, or the more versatile reportedly not so nice guy Verba.

The Packers signed Klemm to be a starting guard last year, O'Dwyer too. Klemm is now a backup tackle and O'Dwyer is history. What you want a player for, and what he really becomes are not always the same thing. See also Little, Freeman, Raynoch Thompson, Luchey and many others who were signed to be starters and either stayed as backups or were let go immediately.

I was hoping to get peoples opinions about the merits of Verba as a backup in comparison to Klemm. But I guess most want to beat on me for "not knowing" GB might be interested in him as a starting guard. So be it.