Packers Off-season prediction/transactions thread

The thought of a 2 TE set with Bennett and Cook would be pretty interesting. More efficient, better ball control offense certainly helps a defense. Maybe that's what McCarthy has told him- the defense can be developed slower if we can have more ball control on offense. 

 "The Black Unicorn" is a quirky dude- but you didn't hear a word about that in New England last year. But when he was in Chicago? He's funny. A very entertaining and funny guy. But over time it did kind of get to the point of "shut up and play". If he doesn't get the ball you can bet he'll talk to the media about it. And if there are any internal issues on this team he'll air it out publicly to the chagrin of the brass. 

I get the sense that Bennett is a guy who is hilarious and fun when things are going well and pain in the a$$ when they aren't. He says whatever he wants, whenever he wants, so it will be interesting to see how that works in GB where everyone seems to be a little more conscious of the things they say. They would have signed him if they thought it was a problem though.

Color me stunned and extremely pleased.

You want a two TE set? How about Bennett and a Rookie like Howard, Leggett, etc.?

Bennett and Richard Rodgers? 

A little bit of light shined on the way the Packers do business:

"The Packers, we’re told, made it clear to Bennett that they are loyal to the players who played for them, and they were candid about the intense effort invested in trying to get a deal done with Cook. That loyalty actually had a positive impact on Bennett, even though it delayed the team’s effort to pursue him — and potentially would have made an arrangement between Bennett and the Packers moot."

http://profootballtalk.nbcspor...n-martellus-bennett/

Obviously it's unconfirmed at this point, but that does seem to be TT's MO. It also says it's actually a flat 3 years, 21 million with no fluff. 

Packdog posted:

Think about this - The Bears had Martellus Bennett, Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Marshall, and Matt Forte.....and still SUCKED. 

Hmm - who was that QB again?  You need that guy to make an offense effective.  Plus Brandon Marshall has so many lose screws a few fall out every year - not to mention he is what his initials says he is - a BM.  

It's no secret TT's MO is to let deals reach their conclusion. That should be appealing on the market, but I don't get the sense that it has been. 

Next up: Connor Barwin.

If the Packers sign Connor Barwin they are setting themselves up to draft a CB.  

If the Packers do end up re-signing Cook, that would make Richard Rodgers a very acceptable 3rd string TE.  

Actually, it would make RR very disposable.

there are many TEs in this draft that could replace him.

Can't see Ted putting that many resources into the TE  position. Especially when there are so many holes to fill elsewhere. Great dream though. 

Would love to have heard the conversation between Cook and his agent if it's true that they overplayed their hand. All things pointed to Cook really liking it here and wanting to return. 

GrainBelt66 posted:

Actually, it would make RR very disposable.

there are many TEs in this draft that could replace him.

There are many UDFA that could replace him. 

We tried that with Blackman.  He could understand an NFL playbook.  

DickRod hate is unwarranted

He comes to play

Perhaps the best catch he's ever made as a Packer

And this routine one

Rich Rod is one of the worst blocking TEs I've ever seen.  He's Bubba Franks that doesn't know how to block.  His cap number is almost $2M.  Cut him and use the $$ to sign Tramon Williams to help tutor the young corners and play the slot.  Draft a TE in the middle rounds and pick up a blocking TE via FA.

Did you watch Tramon play last year? He couldn't cover Rich Rod.

I like the Bennett deal.  Quality player and a contract that will be pretty easy for the Packers to get out of after one year if necessary.

All sorts of different information floating around about the contract but it looks like it's a 3 year, 21 million dollar deal.  6.3 million dollar signing bonus.  Yearly cap numbers are 3.85 million, 8.55 million, 8.6 million.  Surprising to see a jump to an 8+ million dollar cap number in year two but if an injury happens the Packers can cut him and would only have to eat 4.2 million.  Very "team-structured" IMO.

I'm not sure if I prefer Bennett or Cook?  Cook seemed like a pretty good fit here.  They are nearly the same age.  Bennett has only missed 5 games in the last 4 years and Cook has only missed 6 games over that same timeframe.  Over the last 3 years Cook has averaged 12.33 yards per catch and Bennett has averaged 10.38 yards per catch.  I do think Cook is a better down-the-field threat.  But Bennett would be a better red-zone target which is pretty significant.  Pro Football Focus had them right next to each other in their 2016 tight end rankings.  Pro Football Focus did have Cook graded as a much better run blocker but I'm not sure how much that plays into the equation as the Packers really don't seem to value the blocking ability of the tight ends at the top of the depth chart.  It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Cook gets.  To me it's a toss up and I'm happy that Thompson went out and addressed the position because (1) Richard Rodgers isn't starter quality in this league (2) the Packers could not afford to use two draft picks on tight ends.

emotional roller coaster post.

Sometime back in the late 90's, Chmura wrote about how the acquisition of Keith Jackson opened up the Packers offense, and Holmgren was developing plays specifically designed with a 2 TE formation.
I'd like to see something similar with Bennett and Cook.

Love the move, and I'm sure Cook's deal will offset this in comp pick formula. Hyde getting paid like Revis helps too.

Pack now at $28M in space after accounting for draft class. Assume Ted rolls over his customary $9M, what's your next move armchair GMs?

Now go out and sign Dont'a Hightower, and Trade for Trumaine Johnson/Malcolm Butler, Bring Eddy back and it's been one hell of an off season.

Why not?

I'd love to see the Internet melt to the ground after Ted signs Devont'a Hightower until everyone figures out Ted just signed Devont'a Hightower  and not Dont'a Hightower. 

Fedya posted:

Bennett and Richard Rodgers? 

That would be a one-and-a-half TE set, not two.

One day after signing Martellus Bennett, Packers now bringing former Rams TE Lance Kendricks back to Wisconsin, per @RobDemovsky and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2017

Goalline posted:

Did you watch Tramon play last year? He couldn't cover Rich Rod.

No...purposefully avoided all things Browns related.  I would take Tramon in that head-to-head matchup.

The last time they signed a Rams TE, he wasn't too bad.    That said, I think Kendricks is clearly challenging for the #2 spot.

Whoa.

MM loves his TE's. He now has a legit trio of them. 

Someone take Uncle Ted an Aspirin.  

Really like this signing. Kendricks caught 50 passes for a 10 yd. avg. with the woeful Rams last season. Ted and M.M. making sure that if our #1 TE goes down for any length of time again this season the cupboard won't be completely bare. (Seems to happen a lot for some reason.)  Our O is a lot more potent when we have a legitimate TE target In the mix. Bennett and Kendricks could make for some interesting 2 TE sets.

 Now go get Barwin to replace Peppers/Jones and provide flexibility for moving Clay inside & out.

Glad their finally addressing depth at TE rather than waste time with guys like Perillo and Backman. Those guys are good ST players, but there's no comparison between where our depth was at 3 days ago and where it is now. 

I've said from the beginning, Ted is does not dislike UFA's he just won't compromise on value. He won't overpay for someone he thinks may not be worth it in the long run. Also FAs have to have mutual interest. 

michiganjoe posted:

One day after signing Martellus Bennett, Packers now bringing former Rams TE Lance Kendricks back to Wisconsin, per @RobDemovsky and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2017

****ing love it. Old client of mine.

I am worried Uncle Ted may have been cloned and replaced by aliens.

Jordy. Cobb. Adams. Allison. Davis. Bennett. Kendricks. Ty Montgomery in the backfield. Aaron Rodgers. Geezus.

Draft loaded at RB. OLB. CB. 

Still a load of talent in FA that's already getting cheaper. Morris Claiborne. Zach Brown. Kevin Minter. Conner Barwin. DJ Fluker. Bennie Logan. 

Things are shaping up nicely  

RatPack posted:

I am worried Uncle Ted may have been cloned and replaced by aliens.

Replaced by Vikings.

It's kind of looking like Jabril Peppers might actually be on the radar at 29. 

TT is intriguing me.. Maybe a potent offense with dominant front 7 on D will help cover the youth in the secondary.

Just read that Sidney Jones, CB, who was a consensus 1st round pick this year just tore his Achilles during Washington's Pro Day. Witnesses say it was a significant injury. Jones was picked to go to the Packers with their 29th pick in the 1st round by several mock drafts. How will this affect TT's draft? Will he have to move up to nab a CB or will there still be quality people available at 29?