Packers 2015 FA's... what would you do?

When projecting cap space, don't forget about Hawk.  He's slated to collect $3.5m in salary, roster bonus and workout bonus.  Highly doubtful he comes back at anything more than the minimum.  

Good Riddens Bulaga  beg $herrod to come back - signed 

I wouldn't take Hawk back if he offered to play next season for free.

FWIW, Aaron Rodgers said on his radio show that AJ Hawk was dealing with several injuries over this season.

 

If true, I still don't get how some of these injuries (aka Peyton Mannings torn quad) can go without reporting while an Eddie Lacy pulled early from a single practice out of precaution goes on the report.

 

And I think we all know if Hawk was 100 percent the picture of health he's still woefully unqualified to be a starting ILB anywhere in the NFL.

 

 

After seeing the job he did on the fake FG I'm not sure you want him on the field in any capacity, much less starting at LB. Long past time to move on from both he and Brad Jones.

The excuse for Hawk being on the field was that he was the smartest guy, that he called the defense so everybody would do their assignment.  Yet, he made the mistake of going for the punter instead of covering the receiver.  Had he covered the receiver, Ryan would  have had to run about 15 yards to get the first down.

heard a rumor seattle will give us a 3rd to keep jones.

Keeping Jamari Lattimore may be critical if they follow X4's advice and dump Hawk and Jones. That would leave only Barrington and Matthews as their only ILBs. I have a hunch both Hawk and Jones will return at very discounted rates though, actually I will be surprised if we don't see Hawk in GB next year. If the money works out, I definitely think the coaches will want him to stay. Barrington will definitely go into camp and probably the season as the starter, but I have a feeling there will be a couple rookies in the mix for the other starting spot or at least significant PT. They may keep Jones, at a discounted rate, for the same reason they keep Bush and Lattimore around...for all his faults he is actually pretty solid on STs coverage. Doesn't need to see the field on D, but he's made some solid plays covering kicks.

ftfy

Right on Goalline.  Cobb first priority, then Bulaga.  After that, I would go after House.  Ole noodle arm needs to go bye bye!

I just read a rumor that the 49ers are thinking of moving on from Pat Willis. They will either try to trade him or just outright release him. Apparently they like Borland/Bowman enough that they would be willing to move on from Willis and his contract. If that's the case, how likely is it that GB is interested? A talented veteran ILB who still has several good years left would make this D elite. I know it's not necessarily Thompson's style to bring in a guy like Willis, but man when you talk about solving a need. Willis and Barrington would be a solid combo and would allow us to focus on beefing up the DL in the draft.

That will never happen, I can't see Thomson going all Julius Peppers this year with all the free agents with open contracts that we have...but boy would that be nice!!

HIs contract is $6 million next year, 8 million in 2016, and 9 million in 2017.  Or, he makes next year what Jones/Hawk are scheduled to make together.  

 

He will be 30 next year, probably has 3-4 good seasons left (his injry was a toe injury that he had for years, when the 49ers collapsed this season he decided to shut it down and have surgery).  

 

It's doable, but not TT's style.  (an aside, Slocum was Willis' LB coach his junior year in college)

Sounds like a rumor started by a 49er fan still reeling from a front office that ran off a great coaching staff and replaced it with a stammering caveman and some dudes he kinda knows. 

 

Willis isn't going anywhere. No one knows if and when Bowman can go again and what he's going to look like when that happens. Borland ended his rookie year on IR. 

 

Willis may be cut loose eventually. Just not this year. The front office isn't that far gone. 

I think salary cap rules have largely done away with trades. And over the last 2-3 years, players traded haven't commanded high compensation in return (players and/or draft picks). In addition, veterans with high salaries are usually 'forced' to agree to restructure their contracts.

Teams are just as likely to wait for a player's release/waiver, and it's unlikely that TT would give up any draft pick to facilitate a trade. So I can't see any trade involving Willis with any team in the league.

McGinn included the statement that Bulaga is expected to be the top tackle on the market if he makes it to free agency.  That brings up the question if any team out there would sign him to play LT and pay him accordingly.  If so, he could possibly demand Eugene Monroe money.  Monroe's contract was 5 years, 37.5 million, 7.5 million yearly average, 17.5 million guaranteed.

 

I still think the 13 million guaranteed is more than fair (still think it's probably an overpay when looking at other RT contracts) and would not go any higher.  If he leaves I'd take the 5 million in cap space and it looks like the compensation for losing him would probably be a 4th round pick (which could change if another free agent tackle is signed).  

The comparison to Zach Strief is flawed. He was 30 when he signed that contract. Bulaga is 25. His age is why he's going to make a killing in free agency. Quality tackles in their mid-20s almost never make it to free agency.

That's why I didn't leave it as the Strief contract, but went back to 2013 and pulled up the three biggest RT contracts that I could find from that off-season.

If the Packers were to trade for him they would take on his existing contract.  I can't see TT doing that.  If the 'niners were to cut him then perhaps TT would be interested, but I think Willis will still command a high salary and would price himself out of considersation with the Pack.

Must keep:

WR Randall Cobb, receiver

 

 

Very nice to have. Above vet min, likely incentives:

T/G Don Barclay

 

 

Gotta keep 1 I guess:

QB Matt Flynn, quarterback

Gone, or no more than vet min:

FB John Kuhn, fullback

This probably isn't going to be a very popular opinion, but I wouldn't re-sign Randall Cobb. The guy is a very good player, but Thompson has shown he can draft talented WRs at will in every single draft. The Adams pick last year essentially cemented this for all time in my mind. You do not need two elite #1 WRs when you have the league MVP at QB. It would bother me to see this team sink so much money into one position when there are still so many holes on the defensive side of the ball (particularly at DL and ILB). Joe Flacco was able to win a Super Bowl with far less talent at WR, and you're going to tell me Rodgers needs more than Joe Flacco did at the position to win? Bring back Bulaga, and let the rest walk unless they come back at a reasonable price.

I think you have forgotten how long it takes to train and nurture a WR. Think of all the errors Davante Adams made this year. He will make some next year as well. You have to pay your best players.

Tough to imagine the Packers replacing what Cobb brings to the table as he's no typical WR. Cobb was the most productive slot receiver in the league this season. He's a true X factor on offense because of his ability to line up wide, inside or in the backfield while being productive at all three. He is Rodgers' most consistent, preferred target when a play breaks down and the QB is freelancing. He is only 24. 

Resign Cobb bulaga

 

there appears to be a lot of lbs coming up in free agency this may be the way tt goes ( which would be out of the norm)

Cobb's position is OW (Offensive Weapon).

He's not only a WR.

We're moving on from really good 24 year old receivers because they're so easy to find now?Sweet lord. If AR make's anyone good why are Kevin Dorsey, Charles Johnson, Myles White, and plenty others I'm missing long gone and  guys like Jordy and Cobb still catching passes? I don't care who your QB is. He's not making up for a complete lack of ability. You don't have to look any farther than the current lack of production at TE to see that you still have to have guys that can actually play football. You still can't make chicken salad out of chicken ****.

 

And regarding Joe Flacco... I'm not so sure I'd call Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith far less talent. 

Can't go into next season with just Jordy Nelson as the only proven wideout on the roster and TT won't. Letting the guy walk would be completely out of character for him and don't expect it to happen.

Cobb is less then 5' 10" tall, so he has a slight body.  So he must have:

problems with injuries

is easy to cover for most defensive backs

 

For the Packers with  all their other receiver being over 6' 1" tall his size does not matter. But for other teams wanting to use him as a#1 receiver his small size could be a problem.

I am guessing Ted plans to offer him a good contract but maybe not as big as he wants. I am not sure he will get a monster contract from anyone else.

Good player small body.

 Over all the Packers are 17.5 million under the cap.

Jones makes 4.5 million per year, cutting him save 3.5 million with 1 million in dead money.

Peppers is on the Packers squad for 9 million, he played last year for 3 million. I bet the Packers will take him back next year at 3 million.

From  those 2 moves the Packers will have 27 million in cap space this off season.

If you go to overthecap.com , you can see how the Packers spending stacks up by position

For a passing offense-oriented team, GB is near the bottom in 2015 spending on WRs and moves to the middle in 2016. Relatively speaking, GB does not have much invested in the position and paying Cobb has no impact on what is spent on the defense.

Each position group has a budget in TT's world. Cobb is a young ascending player, he will be resigned

 

http://overthecap.com/positional-spending

 

You can, it's just real ****ty chicken salad.

 

The cap is going up and paying Cobb is not sinking too much into the position as Satori noted. Cobb is a guy defenses have to account for every time he is on the field. 

Yep, Cobb plays real small

You don't have to look any further than 2014's WR corps to see the lack of quality depth.  Adams is ascending but there really is no one behind him at #4.  Lose Cobb and you've got a 1 and a 2 (if Adams maxes his second year potential), and then nothing for a 3 or 4 other than unproven second year guys who never saw the field in 2014.  I can't see TT going in that direction.  Not to mention a draft and develop stalwart isn't about to let "develop" walk out the door.

But will TT stop his partying and schmoozing long enough during the offseason to get Cobb signed?

Maybe Ted needs to turn it loose this offseason. Try his Bud Light neat. Stay up until 9:30. Open up a Twitter account then never use it. 

 

Bulaga comments on his impending FA status:

 

"Ifit was up to me...everyone would love to stay where they were drafted," Bulaga said last week. "Everyone wants to be where they first came in and started to contribute. But again, we just have to see what happens."

 

Ummm, Bryan- it is up to you and if you would like to be a Packer going forward, its your choice. Not your agent, not your union, not anybody else but you. The Packers would love to have you back and you'd like to be back.

 

Pretty simple stuff

 

Yeah, but he's a long way from the city ..

Some of you make good points about re-signing Cobb. I should make it clear that I certainly wouldn't be upset if they re-sign him. However, watching this defense suck ass year after year has just gotten really old (I still see images of Russell Wilson's wounded ducks being caught every time I close my eyes). I feel it wouldn't be a horrible idea to take a chance by letting him walk so the money can be spent elsewhere, either in FA this year or down the road.

Bulaga, 'show me the guaranteed money.'