Packers free agent rumors?

[bigbubbatd]

Well, it´s a legitimate question but with Gates returning for another two seasons I understand the Chargers not wanting to offer a backup tight end $5 million per season.

It is more the why Gates over Green? Green you could have long term while Gates wont be there much longer. Seems like an odd choice if Green is a potential stud

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Well, it´s a legitimate question but with Gates returning for another two seasons I understand the Chargers not wanting to offer a backup tight end $5 million per season.

As well as being a fan favorite. You are probably correct. But all that aside, if Green were something special in the Chargers eyes, you would have to think they would have found a way to keep him. If Richard Rodgers contract was up this year, would he be a FA or a resign? Most fans would say FA, I'm not so sure anymore what TT would say.

 

[TJV]

But when you look at a guy like Green, people were drooling over him, why wasn't SD?

I think the best guess is a concern about concussions.

 

[Pkrjones]

It is more the why Gates over Green? Green you could have long term while Gates wont be there much longer. Seems like an odd choice if Green is a potential stud

It may have everything to do with the Charger's future in SD and Gates is a main cog of the team. It may have been PR suicide to let Gates walk?

Back to Jared Cook - what is "a reasonable contract" for a 29 yr old athletic TE who isn't a very good blocker? I think $3mil/yr max., others have mentioned $4+ incentives. Any other opinions?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think the best guess is a concern about concussions. He had three in the space of 9 months. What are the Steelers thinking if he gets another in TC or early in the season?

That they just spent a whole lot of money on a Jared Abbrederis type risk.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It may have everything to do with the Charger's future in SD and Gates is a main cog of the team. It may have been PR suicide to let Gates walk?

Back to Jared Cook - what is "a reasonable contract" for a 29 yr old athletic TE who isn't a very good blocker? I think $3mil/yr max., others have mentioned $4+ incentives. Any other opinions?

Ask TT? LOL

IMO, $3M+ incentives I can't imagine his asking price is anywhere near what people may be offering, or he would be signed. I'm guessing when he left GB, if he got an offer, it was for a lot less then he and his agent wanted.

 

[bigbubbatd]

It may have everything to do with the Charger's future in SD and Gates is a main cog of the team. It may have been PR suicide to let Gates walk?

Back to Jared Cook - what is "a reasonable contract" for a 29 yr old athletic TE who isn't a very good blocker? I think $3mil/yr max., others have mentioned $4+ incentives. Any other opinions?

I would say 3-4 million a year. You could add some incentives. I just think the TE position is hard to spend a ton on outside of the top few

 

[Deleted member 6794]

It is more the why Gates over Green? Green you could have long term while Gates wont be there much longer. Seems like an odd choice if Green is a potential stud

I was surprised the Chargers let Green walk away in free agency and I don´t know about the reasons behind it but I´m convinced he would have been a much needed upgrade over Richard Rodgers. The concussions are concerning though.

 

[sschind]

I would definitely like a Cook signing at the right place and I'm not disagreeing with anyone that not having to have a FA acquisition count against you in regard to compensatory picks is a nice added bonus.

I am just a bit troubled by the idea that it would be of so much importance that we would actually pass on a guy who could really help us, even at the right price. I think you need to weigh risk/reward regardless and to me that's way too far the other way. Not necessarily saying that's happening on purpose, though I'm struggling to recall the last true FA that we signed that counted against our comp pick calculation, though it's probably been more recently than I'm remembering.

I read a comment by Thompson last year to the effect that he wouldn't let the loss of a comp pick affect his decision to sign a FA that he thought could help the team at the right price. I wish I would have saved it because no one else seems to recall seeing it and certainly no one believes it. I can't say TT was telling the truth because he is after all an NFL GM and as far as truthful comments go they seem to rank right up there with politicians but I do believe if a FA was there who Ted thought could help and was the right price he would sign him regardless of impact on the comp picks. The thing is he probably factors the draft pick in on the price rather than just the dollars that affect the cap. That means the dollars that affect the cap need to be even less to compensate for the loss of a comp pick.

He is probably looking at where that comp pick might fall as well. We got two 4th rounders this year and its likely we will get a 4th or at least a 5th next year for Hayward. A possible 4th rounder is more difficult to give up than a probable 6th or 7th rounder.

 

[sschind]

Saturday?

Why do have to wait until Saturday? Why won't you tell us who it is today?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I read a comment by Thompson last year to the effect that he wouldn't let the loss of a comp pick affect his decision to sign a FA that he thought could help the team at the right price. I wish I would have saved it because no one else seems to recall seeing it and certainly no one believes it. I can't say TT was telling the truth because he is after all an NFL GM and as far as truthful comments go they seem to rank right up there with politicians but I do believe if a FA was there who Ted thought could help and was the right price he would sign him regardless of impact on the comp picks. The thing is he probably factors the draft pick in on the price rather than just the dollars that affect the cap. That means the dollars that affect the cap need to be even less to compensate for the loss of a comp pick.

I can remember Thompson saying that in an interview but his actions seem to indicate he didn´t tell the truth regarding compensation picks being a factor in his approach toward free agency.

 

[Vrill]

Cook will be 29 years old when the season starts and he's been a starter for the vast majority of his career, you know what you're getting with him. Green is three years younger and has been behind Gates his entire career; though when Green has had a chance to start he's done very well..

But Cook has had some garbage QB's throwing to him over his career. With Rodgers, he might be a 75 catch 1000 yard type of TE.

 

[sschind]

I can remember Thompson saying that in an interview but his actions seem to indicate he didn´t tell the truth regarding compensation picks being a factor in his approach toward free agency.

At least I know I wasn't dreaming. I didn't hear him say it I just read about it so I didn't have the advantage of context or body language or the nudge nudge wink wink. It makes a big difference.

If you think he is bad now though just wait until next year when those comp picks can be traded. He will value them even more. Can you imagine a 4th round comp pick he can turn into 3 more 7th round picks.

 

[TJV]

Bill Barnwell from ESPN has a column about which teams have added the most draft capital with comp picks going into this draft.

 

[Poppa San]

At least I know I wasn't dreaming.

If you're dreaming about TT, you need to step away from the board for a while.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Karlos Dansby will be released by the Browns. While at age 34 he would for sure not be a long-term solution he could offer an upgrade at coverage inside linebacker and maybe help develop a rookie. Unfortunately he struggles defending the run so he should only be on the field on passing downs.

In addition he wouldn't factor into next year's compensatory picks either.

 

[AmishMafia]

I'd be comfortable with a $3.215437/year average. I've been meaning to talk about that for a while. It's great to get comp picks but one way Thompson can show some urgency without forgoing his philosophy is to abide by what he said in that interview.

Bill Barnwell from ESPN has a column about which teams have added the most draft capital with comp picks going into this draft. He's looking at the largest percentage increase made by comp picks to the value of each teams' draft (ala draft pick value chart). Guess which team is first. Again, that's great but not pursuing a UFA who can help the team because you'll miss out on an extra 4th or 5th round pick in next year's draft at this stage of the Packers development is foolish IMO (as opposed to when Thompson took over a team in need of a major roster makeover).
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14975810/ranking-nfl-teams-based-the-most-draft-capital-nfl

There is no way of knowing if the lack of FA acquisitions is derivative of the TT team building philosophy or because he wants more comp picks. I am sure it is part of the formula, as it should be. It is important to examine the ramifications of a FA pick. The decision is sign marginal player who upgrades an area of weakness and be okay in the short term. Or gamble on a player in the draft who has more upside and is better for the team in the long run.

My take in both perceived areas of weakness, ILB and TE is not as fire as most think. ILB has two young and aggressive players who will both improve. TE should see improvement from R Rodgers and if Aaron plays better, that will help them as well.

Of the two, I would like to see a TE added. Cook may fit the bill, or somone cheap and reliable as an outlet.

 

[Ace]

Karlos Dansby will be released by the Browns. While at age 34 he would for sure not be a long-term solution he could offer an upgrade at coverage inside linebacker and maybe help develop a rookie. Unfortunately he struggles defending the run so he should only be on the field on passing downs.

In addition he wouldn't factor into next year's compensatory picks either.

Go get him Ted. He and Cook, while not top tier signings, fill 2 holes and gives some flexibility in the draft.

 

[thisisnate]

Dansby would be pretty neat. Not because I think he's really good (I have no idea how he's played the last few years), but because a LB corps with Peppers and Matthews and Dansby... that's a bunch of OGs right there. Any one of them speaks up in the locker room and everyone is gonna shut the hell up and listen. I just like the thought of it lol.

 

[tynimiller]

Dansby if released would be an awesome pick up for that stop gap time guy for the short term. Not too mention he might help develop the young guns in Barrington and Ryan at ILB.

I agree...Cook and him would be awesome offseason additions. Shoot I'll take one or the other even at this point.

 

[C-Lee]

Sign him.

Cook stretches the field, ****Rod snags the TD's in the end zone.

If he sucks, drop him.

 

[PikeBadger]

I can remember Thompson saying that in an interview but his actions seem to indicate he didn´t tell the truth regarding compensation picks being a factor in his approach toward free agency.

The key phrase may be " at the right price" which may not have anything to do with the perceived market price.
I find it interesting that you think Thompson lies to us purposefully.

 

[Ace]

Peppers was 34 when Ted signed him... coincidence?

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Cook played 70% of the offense´s snaps last season and got the second most targets on the team behind Tavon Austin. It doesn´t mean a whole lot that he didn´t start four games.

We should also mention that Cook translated 75 targets into 39 catches for 481 yards. His yards per reception were much higher than Richard Rodger's but his yards per target were only slightly higher (6.5 vs 6.0) because his hands are about as reliable as Sam Shields. A receiving TE is only any good if he can do the receiving part on a consistent basis.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Karlos Dansby Article:

https://dairylandexpress.com/2016/03/16/packers-ted-thompson-should-have-karlos-dansby-on-the-phone/

"On paper the potential signing of Dansby is a match made in heaven and one that appears to be realistic based on Thompson’s past."