Packers Give Dietrich-Smith Low RFA Tender
The Green Bay Packers have placed the low tender on restricted free agent Evan Dietrich-Smith, according to reports.
By Zach Kruse
The Green Bay Packers have given restricted free agent Evan Dietrich-Smith the lowest tender, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Been told by a league source that #Packers C Evan Dietrich-Smith received the low RFA tender, which means no compensation attached. #risky
— tom silverstein (@TomSilverstein) March 11, 2013
Dietrich-Smith would cost only $1.32 million under the original-round tender, and Green Bay could still match any offer sheet.
However, the gamble is that—because Dietrich-Smith was an undrafted free agent—the Packers would receive no compensation in return if they decided not to match a given offer sheet.
Dietrich-Smith, who turns 27 years old in July, took over at center for Jeff Saturday in December of last season. He went on to start each of the final two games (vs. Tennessee, at Minnesota) and both playoff games (vs. Minnesota, at San Francisco).
The results were mostly mixed.
Pro Football Focus graded Dietrich-Smith at -0.5 over 603 snaps, including the two postseason contests. Over the final four games, Dietrich-Smith allowed just three quarterback disruptions (one hit, two hurries). However, negative performances of -4.2 against Detroit and -4.3 against Minnesota in the playoffs hurt his final grade.
The Packers' depth chart (updated Jan. 7, 2013) lists no player behind Dietrich-Smith at the center position.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (13)
March 11, 2013 at 06:28 pm
Curious, but I'd be shocked if he garnered much attention on the RFA market.
I'm more curious about Shields' tender.
March 11, 2013 at 08:15 pm
Hmmm, kinda interesting, being there is no other center on the team.
GBP 4 LIFE
March 12, 2013 at 08:22 am
Methinks the odds of a 1st or 2nd round center just went up a bit.
March 11, 2013 at 08:25 pm
Ted "Clearance Rack" Thompson at it again.
March 12, 2013 at 08:29 am
They were talking to his agent at the combine. Maybe TT is trying to make a cheap mult-year deal look more attractive to EDS?
March 12, 2013 at 10:42 am
What would worry me Pack Fans is that Ted is not spending a measly 1.1 mil on a guy with experience and your only center. One of your best DB's could be gone for a 2 pick, no FA talk or action on Ted's part.
Findley, Jones and other's at this critical junction have heard nothing from Ted and other teams are making moves like crazy picking up talent and strengthening themselves and were losing talented players?
Sounds like a formula for disaster.
March 12, 2013 at 11:07 am
Winning offseason talent graps don't win SB's! Check out what happened to Philly after we beat them in '10 playoffs. Everyone thought the Iggles were going to the SB after getting the best FA they could. 2 years later Reid got fired and the team was dismantled! You keep clamoring for offseason wins, but its March... WHo gives a damn now, it means next to nothing in Sept!
March 12, 2013 at 11:05 am
Lets get Cristiano Ronaldo and Chicharito Hernandez
March 12, 2013 at 11:44 am
Sounds like to me that TT is just letting the market decide the value for EDS and I would guess TT is ready to match any offer if there even is any.
March 12, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Agreed. Let other teams do the negotiating for you, so you don't pay higher then the suspected market value. Its awfully ballsy, but he makes it work.
I was more surprised about Shields tender. He has proven to be an asset to our secondary, except for maybe tackling. I feel pretty good that TT wants to keep Shields around, but of course he just won't pay the man. You have to earn your keep to be a Packer.
March 12, 2013 at 08:25 pm
I'm n. ot too worried Shields will get pd. He has to get near UFA before it happens tho. Hes becomea core player so I don't see how he gets away. Just has to put in the time before he gets his pay day. Starting CB are too valuable to let get away.
March 12, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Another great article from Zach. Getting this guy was the best thing CheeseheadTV ever did.
March 13, 2013 at 08:01 am
Never doubt TT he has a plan in place. Now it's a wait and see game. Packer fans need to be patient.