Packers Must Use 5th-Year Option on Damarious Randall

Why the Packers should use the 5th-year option on Damarious Randall. 

New Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has a lot of important decisions to make in the coming months. He has to deal with free agency and the 2018 NFL draft.

But one decision that shouldn’t prove difficult, is exercising the fifth-year option on Damarious Randall, the Packers first-round pick in 2015.

If you aren’t familiar with the fifth-year option, essentially, here’s how it works. If teams exercise it, it’s basically a one-year deal that extends a four-year rookie deal into a five-year one. Players picked in the top 10 get an average of the top-10 salaries in the league. Picks 11-32 get an average of salaries from 3-25.

Last year, when the Packers used it on Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, it cost a little more than $5 million. That will be his salary this season. So instead of being forced to decide whether to keep him or let him walk, Green Bay gets another year to evaluate what his worth is.

That is looking pretty valuable right now with Clinton-Dix and when it comes to Randall, it makes a lot of sense too.

Randall hasn’t always been perfect, in fact far from it. In terms of pure coverage ability, his best season was probably his rookie year of 2015. I’m not sure if it’s because of injuries or what, but he hasn’t quite reached that level of play, not when it comes to man coverage at least.

But one thing Randall has been good at, is forcing takeaways. He has 10 career interceptions, including four this past season. He also recovered a fumble, scored a touchdown and had nine passes defensed.

Of course, since Randall is considered a corner, he will probably get somewhere around $8-9 million in his fifth-year option. Bradley Roby got around $8.5 for this year and he was a late first-rounder for the Broncos.

In a lot of ways, Gutekunst would be foolish not to extend the option. Basically, it means the Packers control Randall’s rights for the next two years and won’t have to break the bank to do so. And on top of that, they will get two more years to see if he is worth re-signing long-term, because right now, I’d say that’s still up in the air.

Randall had his moments in 2017, but he also had times when he got beat too. If the Packers could find some other reliable corners outside, Randall could play the slot, where it seems like he would thrive.

Kevin King should be one corner, which means Green Bay needs to find at least 1-2 others. Quinten Rollins can get his shot, Lenzy Pipkins too, but this team needs to get at least one decent free agent corner. Time to say goodbye to Davon House.

I don’t know if Randall will ever be a top-flight corner. But he’s a guy that finds a way to get his hands on the football, even getting three interceptions in 2016, when by all accounts, he played poorly.

Green Bay let Casey Hayward and Micah Hyde, two guys with similar qualities walk out the door and now the Packers wish they hadn’t. Using the fifth-year option on Randall could help them avoid making that same mistake.

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Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (91)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
4zone's picture

January 18, 2018 at 12:06 pm

A mixed bag, this one. A lot of cash for a question mark. When is the deadline to decide?

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dobber's picture

January 18, 2018 at 12:37 pm

Early May. After the draft.

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Bearmeat's picture

January 18, 2018 at 05:20 pm

No thank you for me. Damarious needs to play like he has the past 8 games all next year. THEN resign him. Let's also remind ourselves how he played outside. It was ok to good. Not great. Is he a top 10 CB? I don't think so.

And also, HHCD played like balls this past year. The 5th year option does not look good on him so far.

Good Lord, TT did NOT draft well on defense...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 18, 2018 at 06:36 pm

This is a no-brainer: of course GB should pick up Randall's option. It is not guaranteed (other than for essentially a career-ending injury) and can be rescinded at the end of the 2018 season. Little risk, tons of upside.

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Bearmeat's picture

January 18, 2018 at 07:52 pm

Really? I guess I didn't know that it could be rescinded. Well then yeah. Option away. :)

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 19, 2018 at 10:28 am

Right. The option would be fully guaranteed for injury when exercised this May. [Teams don't exercise it until the last minute because it is fully guaranteed for injury.] The player plays his whole 4th year (2018 season plus playoffs in 2019), allowing the team to evaluate. The team must decide whether to rescind the 5th year option before the first day of the new league year which is on March 14, 2019. In Randall's case then, GB would have to decide by March 13, 2019 whether to rescind the 5th yr option. If rescinded, Randall becomes a free agent; GB owes nothing but can re-sign Randall. Legal tampering is from March 12 to 14, so waiting means Randall misses out in part on being able to contact other teams about signing with them. Probably GB makes it's decision on Randall before March 12 since waiting is a nasty move only done by NE to its own players. GB might want an idea of Randall's FMV.

The famous example is Washington picking up RG3's fifth year option in early 2015. They rescinded it in March of 2016 because they didn't want to pay him $16M. Since he was able to play in 2016 even though he wasn't the same player (signed with Cleveland), the injury guarantee didn't kick in, and Washington owed nothing.

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Spock's picture

January 20, 2018 at 11:39 am

TGR. I always appreciate your knowledge on this and cap space, etc. One of the reasons I always come to CHTV for my Packers information. Kudos to you, sir!

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Spock's picture

January 20, 2018 at 12:04 pm

double post

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stockholder's picture

January 18, 2018 at 12:35 pm

5th year option is a good move. At some point the packers need to think their #1 pick can't keep going for CBs. I don't see how we keep missing. Shields and T. Williams did such a good job.

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Razer's picture

January 18, 2018 at 12:40 pm

...Shields and T. Williams...

Ahhh, the good old days. How can you get all pro guys like that as UDFA and get such weak corner play these last couple of years. Something isn't right in this organization. Let's hope that Gutekunst and Pettine fix these broken parts.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:55 pm

I think it's too early to say Randall is a miss or even King. I thought King did really well last season when he was healthy. I think he will be the No. 1 guy in the future. He and Randall are two decent building blocks. But yes wish the Packers would get lucky like they did with Williams and Shields. I don't think they will take a corner in the first round or maybe even the second, but around 3rd round or 4th they should have a chance to still get a quality guy. Really hoping they add a free agent or two as well.

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NickPerry's picture

January 18, 2018 at 03:11 pm

I hope it wasn't Gutekunst who was scouting guys like Farckrell, Spriggs, or Alex Green for example. Now THAT would be a scary thought!!!!! Seriously though I'm really, REALLY excited about the off-season and the possibilities!!

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stockholder's picture

January 18, 2018 at 03:49 pm

Alex Green was a TT Pick. And his High light reel was played over and over. The biggest concern I have is still picking smaller school players. The level of competition is not a good gage of who's best for the pros. The combine makes them equal. But I like the bigger schools best.

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NickPerry's picture

January 19, 2018 at 04:50 am

IIRC didn't he average close to 10 YPC in his last year in college? Green WAS a TT pick, I was just joking about the possibility of Green being a Gutekunst scouted player. Alex Green had TT written all over him.

To add to what Bearmeat said in a previous comment on a different topic...He said "God we drafted poorly on defense" (Or something like that)

Ted Thompson just drafted poorly...Period. I understand it wasn't this wal all the time, but foe the last several years he has. People can point to his health, age, whatever excuses they want to make to defend this current roster and Thompson. Facts are we have several players on this roster that couldn't make the back half of half the teams in the NFL.

The combine...The Underwear Olympics. This IS THE REASON we drafted Spriggs!!! Because he did well in Spandex....UGH!

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 05:17 am

"The biggest concern I have is still picking smaller school players".

Jerry Rice disagrees with you. As does Adam Thielen. As does Keelan Cole (Kentucky Wesleyan) who has been huge for the Jags this season . Shall I go on?

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stockholder's picture

January 19, 2018 at 07:07 am

WRS! Yes you should. The bigger programs are still better choice to avoid the Busts. (They get the top players in the country.) Small school works if that player stays with the team and develops. The speed positions do have a better success. (speed is the demand in the NFL now.) Lets not go back 10 years on this. Because I know Nick Collins was small school too. But name some big men in the trenches. More teams are relying on the combine. The player goes into Body building. School programs, Film, and competition, should be why you draft a player. Their better Football players.

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Bearmeat's picture

January 18, 2018 at 05:22 pm

Remember that Alex Green suffered a degenerative injury to his knee in his rookie year. He reportedly was never the same after that.

Also, it was TT who had the man crush on the former Hawaii Rainbow.

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dobber's picture

January 18, 2018 at 06:55 pm

He's currently playing for Hamilton in the CFL...

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Spock's picture

January 19, 2018 at 12:08 pm

NP On Packers.com it was reported that as part of his interview with Murphy, Gute showed him his past 3 or 4 years scouting reports (don't know how many of those players got drafted by the Packers vs. other teams) and Murphy was quote, "blown away" unquote by them. That seems promising to me!

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Spock's picture

January 19, 2018 at 12:10 pm

double post

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RobinsonDavis's picture

January 21, 2018 at 11:06 am

Man would those be fun to look at right now!!

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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2018 at 06:00 pm

It can’t, it won’t and the 5th year is worth the risk. Talent is hard to find and we need more CBS with it not more years of prospects/rookies

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Razer's picture

January 18, 2018 at 12:36 pm

Seems to be the on-going dilemma for the Packers -
handing out big retention money for mid level and inconsistent talent. It would be nice for a change to have a series of slam dunks instead of rolling the dice on Clinton Dix, Damarious Randall or Nick Perry. Maybe Davante Adams can be the start of better players for higher pay.

As for Randall, we do need more time to determine if he can stack success and keep his head on straight. Yes to the 5th year option.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 05:07 am

And you said the same thing about "handing out big retention money" regarding Hayward and Hyde. You celebrated when they signed elsewhere.

Then you turned right around a few months later and crushed TT for letting Hayward and Hyde leave. "Should have paid them anything" - that's what you were screaming.

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Razer's picture

January 19, 2018 at 07:10 am

Sorry you have me mistaken for someone else. I liked Hyde. His play at crunch time was exactly the type of player we wanted to keep. At a time when we were weak in the secondary, letting Hyde walk was not smart.

I was in favor of letting Hayward go. His injury history and inconsistency didn't warrant the money to keep him. Something changed for Hayward when he left. Either he got serious about his craft or better coaching got to him.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 08:11 am

No mistake, but it is futile to debate against revisionist history.

AR has missed 16 games the past five seasons. Maybe he's a malingerer like you think Hayward was.

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Razer's picture

January 19, 2018 at 09:02 am

Yes you are mistaken. I have always maintained that Hyde was pure Packer and was not an advocate of letting him go.

Equating AR to Casey Hayward in any form is silly. But I understand that you like to fight, so have at it.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 09:21 am

I only fight against the irrational haters of MM and TT.

You don't like the AR comparison? How about Sean Lee with the Cowboys? He misses quite a few games. Should the Cowboys move on from him? Is Lee not dedicated to his craft?

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Razer's picture

January 19, 2018 at 09:53 am

Not sure where you are picking up a hate for anybody in this thread. I simply didn't think Casey Hayward was worth a second big money contract based on injury history and inconsistent play. Other than his rookie year, he didn't earn it. He has since shown better play and maybe better conditioning - who knows.

Both Aaron Rodgers and Sean Lee have distinguished themselves as star players regardless of injury so I don't know why you are comparing them to Hayward the Packer.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 19, 2018 at 10:41 am

I fully admit I was fine with letting Hayward walk. I got qualms though when he only got a measly $5M AAV contract. I thought he would get Tramon money, $7M AAV with some guaranteed money or maybe more. I thought Hayward might be worth $5M to GB, but IIRC, I used his low contract as confirmation bias: look, no other team thinks all that much of Hayward either, PFF ratings be damned.

IMO, this is a prime example of terrible coaching in GB. TT as a talent evaluator was right about Hayward's talent; TT's use of a 2nd round pick on Hayward should have been a home run. But our defensive coaches couldn't or wouldn't get Hayward to shine in GB. Once TT decided not to fire Capers and/or MM, and realized that Hayward would not see the field, TT made the logical choice in letting Hayward walk. TT as a talent evaluator was spot on; TT's decision to let MM keep Capers was at fault.

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RobinsonDavis's picture

January 21, 2018 at 11:26 am

GR you are being very honest here and the first part, is the way I remember too. But can we admit it was a mistake to let him go? And it WAS a decision of TT's to let Hayward walk, as it was obvious the Pack did not offer a reasonable contract. I would say the same about Hyde and others as well. My feelings are they kept relying on Joe Whitt as a miracle worker for DBs until they ran him out of talent (and healthy bodies).

The Pack used to be a team that was known for taking care of their own, but something changed over the last 3 years and I believe we lost valuable talent in the process. Now we are drafting to replace, instead of drafting to improve in many cases.

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EdsLaces's picture

January 18, 2018 at 12:45 pm

If he leaves the packers he will have 37 picks in 2018...

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TommyG's picture

January 18, 2018 at 03:52 pm

Is this true? 37? If so, and I don’t doubt you, then I believe we now know why this was the year TT was moved aside. gute gets this year to build “his” team.

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EdsLaces's picture

January 18, 2018 at 07:38 pm

It's the internet..ofcourse it's true.

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billybobton's picture

January 18, 2018 at 01:25 pm

Rollins is still in play, Randall is the man and house has to go.

Do you actually ever watch a packer game?

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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2018 at 06:04 pm

Rollins is in play as a safety maybe. House may be cheap depth. He doesn’t need to go unless we find better depth from more vets, but I think he would be cap friendly value potentially. Pipkins looks like a keeper too. Any new projects need to be at the very end of the roster and depth chart.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:57 pm

He just seemed like he already lost a step. I guess if he was willing to sign for the vet min with like no signing bonus sure. But I am not paying him even 2-3 million. He did not play up to that level IMO. The Packers have the money to upgrade and they should.

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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2018 at 06:06 pm

House played injured when the team didn’t expect him to, even after we were mathematically out because he knew we had no other options. That is exactly the kind of spirit that the secondary needs in my view.

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CAG123's picture

January 19, 2018 at 02:38 am

No thanks I’m tired of no name, undrafted rookies coming in and looking like crap bring back House for depth and experience he can be a good 3rd or 4th corner

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stockholder's picture

January 20, 2018 at 09:17 am

Is that because in 4 years they'll be a free Agent? Or That last year is more like combine numbers. Or It's get by the skin of your teeth. Or Learn and make money. I'm a college kid with a degree and I know more than the old men.

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worztik's picture

January 18, 2018 at 01:52 pm

Keep House for the minimum... Do the 5th on Randall... draft a really good (potentially) CB @ 14 or ?... Rollins deserves another camp... Pipkins?... the others go... this assumes King comes back at 100%... gotta have the D backfield as good as the team can do!!! Just sayin’

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:07 pm

You guy's are Nut's!! Shields & Williams were Good For S#@T!! Not as Bad as Randall, but Damn Close. Shields was Fast, but Too Small & only Good when he had help over the Top. Williams cost us the Seattle SB. Neither one of these guy's was nothing more than an average CB. Randall isn't even average. GB has NOTHING in the way of CB's that are even Close to being average. They are all below average players, & are Lucky to have a Uniform. As I posted a number of times before: GB should stop trying to stop the pass, & start trying to Stop the Opposing QB. They'd be much farther ahead, because they have NOTHING to Stop The Pass. The Brain Trust running GB needs Psychiatric help. The people in Miami are laughing at us for hiring Joe Philbin back. They call him the Tractor Salesman. I like Joe. I feel Bad for him. I lost my son at 21 like he did, but he proved he's no OC, or Coach. He could be named our next coach. I'll be surprised if anything changes in GB. I hope it does, but I doubt it will. The key will be if we throw another $15 Million at Clay Mathews, like we did the last 3 years for Nothing, or like we did for Hawk for 5 yr's for Nothing. If any of you think this defense will be Formidable without Massive Changes, including Coaching, you're all Nut's!!
LVT

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dobber's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:46 pm

"The Brain Trust running GB needs Psychiatric help."

5 cent's, please!

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4thand1's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:57 pm

A little over the top here Tom. TW was great during the SB run. Shields didn't get beat like a drum and could stay with any receiver because of his speed. Philbin just wasn't HC material.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 18, 2018 at 03:52 pm

4thand1, We're Good Friends, but you'll Never convince me that Shields or Williams were nothing more than average corners. Shields was fast, but too small. He had help over the top with Meg a Tron. His speed kept him in the NFL but he got out jumped for TD's, too many times. He was all Pro because of the GB team. Thank AR, not Shields & Williams. Williams had the coverage against Seattle in the end zone. What Happened?? That was another Super Bowl we didn't get to. They were average corners at Best, & Randall isn't that good. You're all welcome to your opinions, but Hawk, Mathews, Shields, Williams, & others have all been Grossly Overpaid.
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Chris Vachio's picture

January 18, 2018 at 04:54 pm

You fault the guy for needing help over the top against the most dominant WR playing in the NFL at the time? Seriously?

I suppose any defense that can't shut down AR should just fire their defensive coordinator and cut all the starters immediately following the game, then...

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 18, 2018 at 05:17 pm

You don't know what the Hell you're talking about. He was cut by Detroit the following year. You give Shields & Williams credit for the SB run?? I hate to give Jennings credit, but if he & AR don't connect on that pass, we don't win that SB. Get your facts straight. Compare Shields & Williams to Sherman & Woodson. What have you got??? Don't give credit where it's not due.
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dobber's picture

January 18, 2018 at 09:53 pm

"He was cut by Detroit the following year. "

Megatron? He retired. He wasn't cut.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 12:36 am

dobber, What the Hell is the Difference?? He was at the End of his Career.
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Oppy's picture

January 19, 2018 at 01:54 am

If Calvin Johnson's last season (2015) stats were applied to this 2017 season, he'd be #7 in yards (1,214) and tied for #4 in TDs (9).

Calvin Johnson was still an elite receiver when he walked away from the game. I'd say that makes it a difference.

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dobber's picture

January 19, 2018 at 05:01 am

I live in a Detroit market and they're STILL begging and fantasizing about him coming back...

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 02:10 pm

Oppy, I never said he wasn't a Great Receiver. I believe he was past his Prime. If he Retired, "I Stand Corrected" In my opinion he wasn't playing up to his usual Greatness at Detroit.

I've argued Shields with you too many times. I never said he or Williams were not any good, just not as Great as you made both of them to be. Neither one in my opinion was worth $8 Million a year. They were Average, Small, CB's that couldn't Catch a Ball, & Never learned how to tackle. Williams wasn't as good as Al Harris, & he wasn't Great.

By the way: Weren't you the guy that thought Bennett was the Greatest thing since sliced bread. You didn't do too well on that one either.

I never had a problem with Burnette. IMO he's a good Football Player willing to get his uniform dirty & tackle someone. As far as Randall goes: If he's the Best we have, we're in a lot more trouble than I've stated.
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dobber's picture

January 19, 2018 at 03:28 pm

"By the way: Weren't you the guy that thought Bennett was the Greatest thing since sliced bread."

Sliced bread was an outstanding college TE, not so much for the pro game.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 04:09 pm

dobber, I'm having a Hard Time figuring you out?? I admit you are probably far more Educated than I. Many posters on this site, (Not Referring To You) seem to have a certain amount of Football Knowledge, but probably never caught a Football, or ever made an open field tackle in their life. I've done both. I'm not an expert by any means, but I think I know a Good Football Player when I see one. I also think I know someone who doesn't.

If you agree with what I post, say so. If you don't agree with me, say that too. We can agree to disagree.

I'm tired of people on here, who never got closer to a Football Field than the 1st row of bleachers, or the Band room acting like they know who's an All Pro Player, or who to Hire & Fire.

Anyone on here who agrees with my posts, & I don't expect too many, Now is the time to speak your piece. I know the opinions of those who disagree with me. And who cares if the guy was a good college TE. The guy is a Complete ASSHOLE!!
LVT

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dobber's picture

January 19, 2018 at 08:04 pm

LVT--you'll have to excuse my attempts at humor. I like to play on words and phrases (hence the personification of "sliced bread"). It's fun for me and frankly, it gets pretty dry and people get pretty prickly around here. There was never anything personal or offensive toward you intended in that post.

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TKWorldWide's picture

January 19, 2018 at 09:20 pm

Similar story here. Often just poking the piranha.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 09:42 pm

TKstinator, You Crack Me Up!! Glad to have you as a Friend as well.
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TKWorldWide's picture

January 22, 2018 at 09:35 pm

Same. I am here for entertainment purposes only.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 09:36 pm

dobber, I like your humor. I know we're friends. You may not be seeing my Nicer Side. I am going in for Surgery on Monday. It's got me pretty worked up. I didn't take your post personal or offensive. I didn't get it. No Harm, No Faull. I'm actually a Nice Guy, but my Anxiety has been through the roof since before Christmas.
LVT

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dobber's picture

January 19, 2018 at 10:05 pm

Cheers, friend.
We'll all be sending good vibes your way.

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TKWorldWide's picture

January 22, 2018 at 09:36 pm

Yes. Best wishes.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 04:56 am

LVT also thinks that Barry Sanders and Jim Brown were cut.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 04:52 am

Stop posting babbling screeds and learn how to spell Megatron.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 06:05 pm

WKUPackan, I never heard the word "screeds" in my life. Tells me all I need to know about you, & that's Too Much!!
LVT

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stockholder's picture

January 18, 2018 at 03:32 pm

Tom . Shields was All-pro 2014. 4.3 speed. Williams 2010. 4.4 speed. Both were instrumental in 2010. Burnett and Shields started a play-off game as Rookies. A first. Shields did do a pretty good job against mega tron. Any WR, that can play DB and become all -Pro isn't S#@t. Mathews and Hawk just kept slowing down. Moving them around was my biggest bitch. The All -pros didn't get replaced. And moving Mathews was because TTs draft picks were Busts.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 19, 2018 at 06:14 pm

stockholder, I shouldn't have used the word "S#@t" They weren't "S#@t. They were better than that. The Fact Remains, they were both Too Small, both could not catch a ball, & neither one ever learned how to tackle. They were nothing more than average CB's that were Overpaid. Neither one deserves any credit for the SB Win. Like it or Not, if Jennings don't make that catch, We Lose The Game.

I've never had a problem with Burnett. I think he's a Good Football Player. The Best we have back there.
LVT

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stockholder's picture

January 19, 2018 at 11:11 pm

Too small. Their both 6 foot. Thats considered tall enough. But you were right about the tackling. They did get better, but also got hurt. Much like what is going on with the current Cbs. I don't agree they were over -paid. A Starting CB was 9 mil back then. The Packers balked, but had a gun to their head. If you look at the time missed because of injuries, I can see why you think that. Also if they were sure tacklers one would have been a safety. Did that make them average ? I don't agree there. What makes all CBs average is when they loose their make-up speed. Both Shields and Williams had that. And when a coach says that speed is not important. That is S#@t. Super-bowl credit goes to the team. And according to TT That was important to him. (Good Teammates) Compare Williams and Shields to Jarrod Bush. And maybe you'll think better of them. 2. I like Burnett. But how do you pay him now? Is he worth starting pay of a SS? Is he an All-pro or a player on the decline. TT was a smart GM. It's pay the fan favorite. Draft the replacement. Don't pay average. TT drafted Jones. Jones will replace Burnett. Unlike Shields and Williams situation.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

January 20, 2018 at 12:37 am

stockholder, I've been known to Bet here & there. I think I'd take you up on that 6 ft statement. Neither one was 6 ft. If I'm not mistaken, they both claimed to be 5-11. I'm not sure Shields was more than 5-10. I don't know how we would prove it. Just about every player up's their height & weight.

Do you Recall Williams last play as a GB Packer?? That's what I remember. IMO, they both cost us too many TD'S because they couldn't handle the opposing WR's. I've always given Shields credit for his speed, but he couldn't catch or tackle & was beaten in the end zone too many times. We had to pay CMIII $45 Million over the last 3 years, because that's what the average pay was for Good Linebackers who would actually play a few games. We had to pay Hawk a fortune for Nothing. These guy's weren't worth half of what they were getting.

Yes I think they should keep Burnett. When I do think of Jarrod Bush, I think Much Better of them. Another guy who should have been gone in 2 years. If they let Burnett go, they should have someone as good to replace him. I see things different than you. Barnett was much better than Hawk. There have to be many players who could take Mathews place at half the money. I Respect your opinion, I just don't agree with it.
LVT

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stockholder's picture

January 20, 2018 at 08:03 am

Wikipedia list Shields at 5' 11" 184 Williams grew an inch. 6' 193, I guess with shoes. Both 5'11" combine numbers. So whats an inch. I do recall willliams last play. The speed left! The packers lost the help over the top. Collins would have been there. Collins made these two better. Along with Woodson. I think they should keep Burnett too. But he was average for so long and has gotten better. It looks like your complaining about players being over-paid per production. And I think thats the problem their seeing with resigning Burnett. Hyde, Hayward, and Trotter should have been resigned too. But when it comes to comp picks and value, I don't see the packers changing. They pay the guy that holds the gun to their head. And we addressed that it's "team" that wins. I know your upset and don't agree with me. But management/A-rod have kept the packers winning. It's just not enough to get them to the super-bowl. And now as the players age, it's obvious, the microscope shows the truth. That better coaching was needed, less player movement, And to many BUSTS.

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TKWorldWide's picture

January 22, 2018 at 09:41 pm

High school cornerback. 5-11, 175 lbs, 4.5 40, many, many tackles, a handful of interceptions, but my calling card was biting on play action and turning to watch my receiver haul in a long TD behind me.

So, when I talk football, I guess you could say that yeah, I’m an “expert”.
~~~~~~~~~~~

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egbertsouse's picture

January 18, 2018 at 04:52 pm

I agree with LVT. TT consistently overvalued and overpaid his guys. Randall is a JAG, Rollins is awful, as are HHCD and the rest of the DBs. Except for King and Jones you can sign some of the rest cheap or let them walk and bring in guys from the street. King and Jones are looking like bad picks right now, but it is too early and they deserve some more time to develop.

Clay, Jordy, and Cobb should take big pay cuts or be waived. Again, you can bring in street guys to put up their numbers at this point in their careers.

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Colin_C's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:25 pm

I'm all for it. Popular or not, Randall was a lockdown corner from the bears game onward. He was bad for so long that people are afraid to say it, but he was our best cover man from that point on, no debate. Hayward (whom many of us bemoaned letting go in hindsight), was torched by Josh Gordon if I remember right. Randall gave up 1 catch for nine yards. Is Randall elite? No, not yet. Does he have the potential to be? Only time will tell, but I'd say yes. My point is there's no reason not to retain him with a 5th year option. Bring back House, move Rollins to safety, develop King, sign a decent free agent CB, and draft one as well. I'd be comfortable with a lineup like that going into the season. Remember, we also have Pipkins who looked decent, along with Herb Waters who by all reports was having a great deal of success at cornerback before getting hurt. I'm not terribly worried about the defensive backfield if HaHa can figure it out and we add a few more pieces. Now pass rush is another story....

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FAN24583's picture

January 18, 2018 at 02:55 pm

HHCD = soft
Randall = was in the right place at the right time I don’t recall him actually forcing a turnover.
Rollins = bust.

We need better secondary than what we currently have.

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Coldworld's picture

January 18, 2018 at 06:13 pm

So it was not Capers, just every single DB since before the SB? This is really very silly. I am sure Hayward will now perform down to his true level next year.

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CAG123's picture

January 19, 2018 at 04:36 am

So you’re complaining how he gets his picks? Isn’t every interception right place right time? What interceptions are only valuable if he’s right on the receivers hip? Let’s not split hairs here I’m sure they’ll take his 10 interceptions just the same. He can get 10 more picks just like that and MP and MM wouldn’t complain.

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TKWorldWide's picture

January 22, 2018 at 09:42 pm

Personally, I get my picks on Route 66.

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WKUPackFan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 04:45 am

"was in the right place at the right time, I don't recall him actually forcing a turnover.

You probably said the exact same thing about Casey's rookie interceptions. Clueless.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 19, 2018 at 10:55 am

I think your elbows are Razer sharp lately. [Did you get the pun? I used razer instead of razor.]

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dobber's picture

January 19, 2018 at 11:38 am

"was in the right place at the right time,"

I think that this is almost by definition how you get an interception, unless the only INTs that count are the ones where you wrestle the ball out of a WRs arms...

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rstain99's picture

January 20, 2018 at 08:12 am

Back end all over paid might have something to do with the coaching but over half the time they looked lost. Palms up! who had him was not my guy. Some were playing man to man some were playing zone total Sh.t show. Hope this new DC can bring stability to this group.

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Chris Vachio's picture

January 18, 2018 at 05:06 pm

If he keeps playing like he did to round out the year, it's money well spent. His health and consistency gives me pause, but not as much pause as I had with giving Perry the contract he got. Plus, if the pass rush improves, it will make the entire secondary look better - and give Randall a shot to pick off more bad passes, which he clearly has a knack for.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 02:22 am

Nice article Chris. I mostly agree with your statements.

From day 1 I said that House is not good pick. It would be better if TT picked any other CB released from other teams.

I do not think Paclkers need player who can play only one type of D inside his position (if you need zone, you can forget Davon). That is half of a player.

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Coldworld's picture

January 19, 2018 at 05:55 am

Unless you have a shut down corner, and there are very very few of those, you need to match what you ask of your players to their skill sets. Capers continually failed to do that. Good DCs know they have to because in the salary cap era, they are lucky to have one shut down player and will certainly not have 3 or 4 and injuries will occur.

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croatpackfan's picture

January 19, 2018 at 07:35 am

If you need car for driving on and off road will you buy racing car low to the ground or universal type, like SUV? Why to spend on player that can play only one type of D...

And sometimes you can not play press D all the time. It depends how opponent plays. I think that I read somewhere that playing D is almost always playing on divided cards and that Offense dictate how D will play...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 19, 2018 at 12:06 pm

Yes, but all teams play both zone and man. Just looked at RC's link IIRC and looked like teams played one or the other at least something like 30 or 35% of the time (I don't remember the number). So, we can maximize our players' strengths, yes, but they all are going to play both zone and man coverage at least sometimes.

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TKWorldWide's picture

January 19, 2018 at 12:31 pm

I think a large part of Capers’ undoing was that his players often seemed confused. If a guy gets beat in coverage and his name isn’t Deion Sanders, fans just have to accept that it happens. When coverages repeatedly break down due to confusion (or the dreaded, miscommunication), to me that is where you look at coaching.
OR, if a guy can’t crack GB’s lineup but makes the Pro Bowl elsewhere, then you look (with disdain) at the whole operation.

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Coldworld's picture

January 19, 2018 at 12:46 pm

Use your players not concepts. This era rarely slows the depth to pick and choose clean absolutes. That road leads to cap death or to failure because the resources are not there.

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Donster's picture

January 19, 2018 at 05:45 am

Take the 5th year on Randall. Sign House to a 1 year deal with no guaranteed money. Need some depth, even if it is just an average guy, because Gute can't fix every position in 1 year.

I still want a good, consistent pass rush. I'm tired of seeing below average and rookie QB's carve up the Packers secondary.

And I hope that Pettine and his staff can teach the Packer secondary how to tackle. And I am tired of the secondary players letting the receiver catch the ball in front of them, then let the receiver come to them instead of attacking the receiver.

And I still feel that the Strength & Conditioning staff need to be fired. Lovat has been there for 19 years. You think he might be getting just a little complacent after that long? The Pack has just to many groin and hamstring injuries. And their overall conditioning needs to improve. Now on defense, I do consider the fact they have been on the field way to much as a factor.

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tm_inter's picture

January 20, 2018 at 07:57 am

Randall hasn't done enough to deserve $8-9 million. Let him play another year.

Meanwhile let's draft another CB to compete with Randall.

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rstain99's picture

January 20, 2018 at 08:16 am

never get that on market, make him prove his worth

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