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

Facebook is pretty mischevious in its data mining.  They may well know more than anyone, including Cobb or Ted, because they know both sides.  

 

37M/5years, much better than $12M per, good job Zuckerman.   ;-)

Geez, Ted looks sick on that card. Hope he's okay.

Reading reports that Cobb and Thompson have exchanged several Snapchats over the past couple hours and a deal could be close.

Classmates.com is reporting that Cobb is considering enrolling at Kentucky. 

Cobb will never get what he wants until he gets on Grinder.

Favre would have negotiated that way, had it existed back then.

       
       


There can be only one.

Without Nelson, there is no Cobb. Without Cobb, there is no Nelson. Without Rodgers, we all know the answer.

That would have been on Snatchchat

"Dammit Ted get me Randy"

 

Rule number one is get yoself a gun.

Rule #2: Don't  trust nobody. Especially a bitch with a hooker's body.

Some more gems from Bob today:

 

Barring the unexpected, and keeping in mind that the unexpected often occurs in NFL contract talks, it appears as if Cobb will be playing elsewhere next season.

 

The Packers have been trying to strike a deal with Cobb for almost six months. Nothing has gone their way.

 

Cobb is represented by Jimmy Sexton, an agent the Packers have found difficult to deal with in recent years.

 

According to sources, Sexton has been told by the Packers they'll sign Cobb to a five-year contract averaging in the $8 million to $9 million range. Sexton basically has told the team he's confident more lucrative offers await come Saturday.

 

And then this:

 

It looks like another outstanding draft for wide receivers, and the Falcons just cut heady slot Harry Douglas and the Dolphins did the same with productive Brian Hartline.

There are options galore, especially for a GM such as Ted Thompson who has displayed a Midas touch at wide receiver and has the ninth-most top-51 cap room at $33 million.

 

Don't hold your breath, but the Packers could use some of the loot assigned for Cobb on pricey unrestricted players such as defensive end Jared Odrick; nose tackle Terrance Knighton; outside linebackers Jason Worilds, Pernell McPhee, Jerry Hughes and Jabaal Sheard; cornerback Byron Maxwell; tight end Julius Thomas and wide receiver Torrey Smith. An inside linebacker or two shouldn't cost as much but are almost a necessity.

 

They also would have the financial resources to re-sign any or almost all of their 10 other unrestricted free agents.

 

Packers have options beyond Cobb

 

 

GM wannbe Bob.  Thank God we have TT and not him.  And when the Packers resign Cobb Bad Bob will write an article saying how rong it was to pay Cobb that kind of money when they could have.............................

I trust TT to draw the line at a reasonable place and not allow Jimmy Sexton to work the franchise over. If that results in the loss of Randall Cobb, so be it.

Agreed.  Can't let a agent run the show.  Cobb is a hell of a player but you move forward with the best QB in the game and excellent young RB and you reshape the offense.

 

Either way, I'm sure the last minute bargaining propaganda is flying fast and furious.

I think McGinn is wrong in bringing up all those unrestricted free agent names.  If Cobb goes elsewhere he's extremely likely to bring back a third round compensatory pick in return.  With the way they are talking at the Journal-Sentinel, House could bring back a fifth or maybe even a fourth round pick if the contract is big enough.  Thompson isn't going to be willing to cancel out those picks by signing unrestricted free agents.  The one possible exception I could see would be Terrance Knighton because DT is kind of a mess right now with Raji unsigned and coming off injury and Guion's possible legal troubles.

 

I saw Hartline got cut a couple days ago but his production hasn't been that great lately.  Harry Douglas wouldn't be that bad of an option though.  1000+ in 2013, fell to 556 yards last year but with Jones and White there are only so many catches to go around.  Douglas would be cheap, would be playing on a one or two year deal, would fit nicely behind Nelson and Adams at the position, nice compliment to the younger guys Abbrederis and Janis.  That would be a move that makes sense to me.  Douglas is the first of all the cuts that I would like to see Thompson at least approach to get an idea of the pricetag.  I think Dwayne Bowe might be a better option down the road depending on what the demands are among all the released receivers.  And I'll stick to what I said a couple weeks ago, if Cobb leaves I'd rather see Ted address WR depth with a veteran wide receiver.  The Packers invested enough in the position last year and have enough young guys at the position who still could become really good players.  And the team has other needs that Ted will need draft picks for.

If there are that many decent FAs out there at Cobb's position, then Cobb's price could be lower in the market than his agent anticipates, ala Jennings. Either that or several clubs are clearing a spot for Cobb.  

I want to believe that Cobb has told Sexton "go ahead and play your games and try to get as much as you can but in the end I'm still signing with GB."  That's the kind of player he strikes me as.  We'll see.  altho it is hard to put food on your family with just 8 or 9 mil a year....

If Cobb decides he wants to go elsewhere I hope Ted asks Andre Johnson what he'd be willing to take to play with AR for two years. Andre for two years while Adams, Janis, and Abby continue to develop would be fine with me. 

Right now gotta believe it's sexton and ball leaking stuff. Starting Friday late afternoon would believe the key decision makers get involved.

Cobb will probably be playing for a different team if the Packers don't get him signed by the 10th.

 

The Journal-Sentinel article linked above indicates that Cobb could see 30 millions in guarantees from other clubs.  Personally I think that's unlikely but when numbers like that get thrown around then chances are very good that there will be 20++ million in guaranteed money.  Nelson's contract has 11.5 million guaranteed.  Even if the Packers push the guaranteed money up to 15-18 million, which is probably as high as Thompson would be willing to go, that 15-18 million would probably be 10 million short of what other teams will be offering.  For every one player that will take a hometown discount, there will be nineteen others that will take the money.  I wouldn't bet that Cobb falls in the hometown discount group of players.

 

The most guaranteed money I'd give Cobb would be in the 18-20 million dollar range.  If he does get 30 then the Packers are better off letting him go.  Subtract Cobb, give Adams the chance to show what he can do, sign a veteran receiver and take the third round pick the team will get as compensation.  Thompson should do what he can and bend a bit to try to retain Cobb because he's a damn good and valuable player, but if you are talking 13 million per year and 30 million in guaranteed money then it's gotten into the ridiculous territory.

Last year Thompson did not use the tag on Shields. Then 2 days before the FA signing date, but during the 3 day period where "Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents", Thompson signed Shields.

 

Like last year Thompson will let Cobb/Sexton talk to other teams and he'll then know if he'll be able to keep him. 

 

This years FA signing date is March 10th, and the 3 day negotiating window is March 7th-10th.

 

 

I think we are focusing too much on WR.  I know Cobb is a special, but this offense will work with a 6 or 7 at slot instead of Cobb at a 9.  I think we shouldn't lose sight of the lines.  RT will be a concern if Bulaga walks.  Barclay was letting speed rushers past him with some regularity in 2013.  With a mended knee is he going to be better at pass pro in 2015?  I somehow have to agree with PackerJoe about DT.  I don't think Raji is the answer there.  Guion will miss games if he comes back.  Not ready to hand off reigns to Pennel.  I don't believe in Crawford for ILB.  I think we need at least a FA and a high draft pick to address.  Finally, if possible, would be nice to bring back one of Tramon or House, preferably Tramon as a stopgap for 1-2 years.  House will play 10-12 games a season and will be significantly worse at the end of the season vs. beginning because of injury.

Thought for sure the Pack were going to lock up Cobb. Can't recall the last time TT let one of his own young talented players go...but the more and more this goes on, the more I think he's gone

 

Now reports that the Raiders are ready to break the bank on Cobb and offer him $11 million a year.

Ted isn't "letting" Cobb go. Cobb let Cobb go if that's what ends up happening. 

 

It only takes one dumbass to write a stupid FA check. The NFL isn't short on dumbasses. 

You never know what will happen and I know in the end it's always about the money, but if Cobb decides to leave I think he should first call Greg Jennings and ask him what it's like not having AR as your QB

 

TT and Russ Ball have a rather close relationship and if you haven't noticed, neither says jack shi* ever about anything they are negotiating to or in talks with signing X player until it is well done and over with.

 

Look no further than the Peppers signing last season which no one including McGinn or Schefter or Wilde had a clue on until Peppers was inked and done. No one even knew he was visiting Lambeau. No rumors, nothing. 1265 is a locked box which nothing comes out of unless it's the player talking.

 

These statements Bob is throwing out there are either coming from Cobb's agent or he's pulling them out of his ass.

Yeah, I think that is where we are at.  I too trust Ted to not get taken, to not overpay.  When I see how the Patriots go through WRs it seems that with good offense scheme/coaching and a HOF caliber QB that a lot of Joes can be successful catching the ball.

 

While the stuff in the press likely comes from the agent, not Cobb, the agent works for Cobb.  I do think Cobb wants to get paid top $$, and I don't hold that against him.  As I've been saying for awhile, I think there's a very good chance Cobb isn't back.  The Packers will be OK.  It's going to sting if we're not back in the NFC Championship game though, wondering what if.

 

Cobb is a smallish WR....I don't blame him one bit for taking a huge deal if some dumb team is willing to give it to him. Wouldn't $11 mill a year put him firmly in the top 3 or top 5 at his position? I like Cobb, but he's not a top 5 WR

Wilde and Bill Johnson yesterday discussed the pipe dream of signing Suh and letting Cobb and Bulaga walk.  I know Ted would never do that, but damn if the thought of that didn't have me salivating.  With Suh on the DL the O doesn't have to be best in the league to win.  

 

And yes, I know there is 0.001% chance.  Damn you Wilde for even bringing it up.

       

Saying and having someone beneath you leak something are not the same thing.

Regardless of whatever happens. There is zero down side to a second year talented kid picked at the bottom end of the second round watching a potential bidding war escalate for Randall Cobb. 

 

Pay attention and work your ass off Davante and you are watching your future. 

I think if given the choice we would all like to see Cobb back with GB.  However,  he's not a top 3-4 WR in this league and if some team is willing to pay him Mike Wallace type money then good for him but that should not be the Packers.

Ted has his plan and he's going to work his plan but one thing we do know by now is he usually doesn't overpay. 

The market forces right now are such that some desperate team like Jacksonville or Oakland will inflate the price so be it.

How many veteran WRs have come into the system and picked it up immediately?  Scratch that.  How many veteran WRs have come into the system?

Hypothetical for you all here. I'm not advocating or saying it's possible.  Just think it's an interesting discussion.

 

Let's say the money is the same for either of these guys.  Not saying it will, but humor me.

 

Which do you prefer to go with:

1. Resigning Cobb

2. Sign Julius Thomas

 

In option 1, we resign Cobb and probably have to go into 2015 with what we have at TE and a potential rookie we draft.

 

In option 2, we let Cobb go, but upgrade TE significantly.  We have to hope Adams steps up to a clear #2, and try to replace Cobb Abbrederis and Janis.  

 

Personally, I think replacing WRs have been an easier task under TT, and a game changing TE could potentially make this offense much much better especially in RZ.  

 

Not advocating or assuming this is a possibility, just a thought as I heard initially that Thomas was looking at 8/9 Million which is in range of what the word is GB is willing to pay Cobb...