Surviving Sunday: Packers news, notes and links for the football deprived
By adamczech
NFL free agency kicked off this week, which means it's that time of year for Packers fans: Time to start yelling at each other. LOUDLY!
"Ted Thompson should've signed (insert name of player)! What a stubborn cheapskate!"
"No, Thompson's draft-and-develop philosophy is exactly what the Packers need. Don't go overspending on a bunch of free agents!"
I'm mostly a Thompson fanboy to the core, even though his lack of interest in even reaching out to potential free agents sometimes makes me scratch my head.
A point other Thompson fanboys often make during the Packers annual inactivity during free agency is that the Packers are always in contention for a Super Bowl because of Thompson's draft-and-develop philosophy and aversion to spending big in free agency.
This is where my fellow Thompson fanboys and I disagree.
The Packers are contenders every season because they have Aaron Rodgers, not because Thompson doesn't sign any free agents.
When you have the best quarterback in the NFL, your margin for error with the rest of the roster is far greater. Thompson's work as general manager definitely plays a key role in helping the Packers contend every year, but let's not go overboard with the praise. The Packers are great every season because of Rodgers, not because the grey-haired guy in the front office refuses to answer the phone during free agency.
Of course, it was Thompson who had the guts to draft Rodgers and transition to him after Favre "retired." It's also Thompson who has surrounded Rodgers with the likes of Jordy Nelson, Josh Sitton, Randall Cobb and many other talented players.
Thompson deserves credit for being an outstanding general manager, definitely in the upper-echelon of the NFL. But Thompson's anti-free agent philosophy is not the reason why the Packers are always contending. The quarterback he drafted is.
Disclaimer: I wrote this post on Friday and will be off the grid on Saturday. By the time this publishes, Thompson may have signed a bunch of free agents (LOL, yeah right).
Packers news, notes and links
- The Matt Forte-to-the-Packers dream didn't last long. Forte inked a deal with the Jets for $8 million guaranteed over 3 years. Personally, I would have rather splurged on Lamar Miller, but he went to the Texans for an even bigger chunk of change.
- Free-agent tight ends came off the board quickly as well. The only deal that had me a bit angry at Ted Thompson for not making a play were the Steelers signing Ladarius Green for 4 years and $20 million on a year-to-year deal. That's a reasonable price, and the Steelers, much like the Packers, are a draft-and-develop team. Hopefully passing on Green doesn't come back to bite Thompson.
- Dom Capers, Sam Shields and the rest of the Packers defense can rest a bit easier on the night before playing the Lions now that Calvin Johnson has officially announced his retirement.
- Backup guard Lane Taylor inked a deal to stay with the Packers for two more seasons. I see Taylor as strictly a backup, not a legit candidate to replace Josh Sitton or T.J. Lang, who are both free agents after the 2016 season.
- Nick Perry re-signed with the Packers for 1 year and $5 million. Yippee.
Non-Packers links and other nonsense
- Bryce Harper is the latest person to get grumpy about the state of baseball. Why are people always so insistent on talking about what's wrong with baseball? Baseball rakes in billions of dollars annually and mediocre players sign multi-year guaranteed contracts worth millions every offseason. There is very little wrong with baseball, despite what curmudgeons, both young and old, try and tell you.
- Take 8 minutes to watch and admire the 2016 MN State High School All Hockey Hair Team. You won't regret it. Then, watch this Iowa wrestler give all credit for his success to his mullet.
- Peyton Manning retired this week. I don't care about all the passing records and Super Bowls. This is the greatest thing Manning ever did.
- This is a great read about a Mexican drug lord, a Mexican actress and Sean Penn.
- Cancer update: I went to see Slayer (my favorite band) on Friday. They played "Chemical Warfare," which is my theme song before every chemotherapy session. Other than that, it was an up-and-down week -- mostly up.
Comments (36)
Big Moe
March 13, 2016 at 07:02 am
Go Pack,
So who is the best free agent TE left now?
Imo that is what more than anything held our offense back.
Good luck in the fight, I lost my wife in Oct to breast cancer, never quit.
MarkinMadison
March 13, 2016 at 08:11 pm
Zach Miller (age 31) is the only TE left worth talking about. Either TT goes with Hunter in Rd 1, uncovers a gem, or the situation will be the same as last year.
Tundraboy
March 14, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Just have to be better than last year. Can not bear to watch teams ignore our TE and gang up on the WRs and Lacy again, with or without Jordy.
NickPerry
March 13, 2016 at 08:13 am
Adam hit it right on the head, the Packers ARE who they are because of Rodgers so I couldn't agree with Adams post more.
The Packers didn't call Trevation, passed on a excellent and affordable TE in Green but the move that made my blood boil was yesterday.
Jerrell Freeman signed with the Bears for 3 years, $12 Million, $6 Million guaranteed with another $2 million incentives. Freeman is an excellent ILB, his only downside is he'll be 30 in May. They man has been a bright spot on a pretty bad defense and is a true 3 down ILB.
Thompson gave Nick Perry $5 Million for ONE Year and he doesn't bring half of what Freeman could have brought. I know, I know, Ted has a plan, but someone please explain what that plan is because it will just get harder and harder for Rodgers to carry them with each passing season.
Zack Brown is still out there Ted, he should be cheaper than Freeman. Perhaps you could at least CALL Him.
Adam, Keep up the great fight! Glad to hear your week was more up than down. As always my prayers are there with you.
TarynsEyes
March 13, 2016 at 08:29 am
Yet, many were arguing that signing Perry is unrelated to not signing Freeman or Trevathan. We still have a huge whole inside and may force Matthews back inside which leaves in need still of a ...ready Oppy....a true outside linebacker. ...even after signing the highly sought after conversion failure for 5 million dollars. Even drafting an inside linebacker, the outside is lacking and Matthews gets doubled out of most plays unless....Kyler Fackrell is wearing green and gold....a guy that will play football and keep Matthews cleaner.
Lphill
March 13, 2016 at 09:06 am
I would rest easier if Ted signed an inside linebacker for depth as well as drafting one , then the draft after that would be all about the best athlete available .
Tundraboy
March 13, 2016 at 12:15 pm
I agree double up on your need and use the rest of draft for more talent without position need dictating things. My preference was sign both a TE and an ILB, but that is not going to happen.
qotsa1
March 13, 2016 at 09:26 am
"The Packers are contenders every season because they have Aaron Rodgers, not because Thompson doesn't sign any free agents." Truer words have never been written. I'm glad the Packers aren't in salary cap hell like other teams, and TT is a big reason for that, but the Packers could of potentially filled their two biggest roster holes for just $9 million a year if they could of signed Green and Freeman. I understand the reluctance to be very active in the early days of free agency because of all the stupid $ that's thrown around, but the deals for Green, Freeman and Trevathan were all very reasonable. It's disappointing TT doesn't even seem to put any effort into inquiring about players early in free agency.
NickPerry
March 13, 2016 at 10:57 am
I've been on Freeman Bandwagon all offseason, more so than Trevation only because of what I thought the cost of Trevation would be. I'm really hoping Thompson knows something about Freeman that we don't because the way he covers AND plays the run, Freeman and Ryan could have really held the middle of the defense. If his only objection is he's 30 in May, well that's a bunch of crap.
Disappointing is an understatement this offseason. Waiting for a deal is one thing, waiting until there's no one left that really improves your team in another. Zack Brown, Craig Robertson might be options. Zack Brown is now the top ranked ILB on NFL.Com. The comment on him is "He has Insane Pursuit skills but was never fully trusted in Tennessee". Considering the Titans suck every year, I wouldn't put much stock in what they trust or don't, the guy can play and cover. The positive thing is teams in need of an ILB before the draft like the Bears or even the Vikings who signed an OLB yesterday might pass making Lee, Ragland and others there for the Packers in the 1st.
egbertsouse
March 13, 2016 at 09:43 am
I'm scratching my head as well. Maybe the fanboys can explain it to me. Ted won't sign a proven FA LB because he want's 6 mil/yr and that's too much money but we re-sign our own LB, an out-of-
position 4-3 end who only plays half the season most years, for 5 mil/yr and that's a genius move. Huh?!!
TarynsEyes
March 13, 2016 at 10:13 am
Agree....some believe that pounding the desk for a player should be via the use of their heads which is why Perry believers are the way they are...senseless.
lebowski
March 13, 2016 at 10:18 am
It's ridiculous.
lebowski
March 13, 2016 at 10:16 am
I try not to get frustrated, because we all know nothing big's gonna happen anyway. But man, Ted doesn't even TRY. I don't want to see us become one of the desperate teams that throw ridiculous money at very good players unless it's one of our own, and we only have a handful. Malik Jackson's contract is a joke, just like Suh last year. But the Bears got the two best FA inside 'backers on very reasonable deals. And now I'm frustrated.
EdsLaces
March 13, 2016 at 10:34 am
Not a huge slayer fan but metal and packer football do the body good! Keep kicking ass man...horns up!
Since'61
March 13, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Adam - carry on the fight! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I agree with you completely that Aaron Rodgers is the primary reason for the Packers' success. I would add that this also is an indicator of the job that has been done by MM and his staff. They take the field every season and compete against teams that have higher draft picks in every round and likely have signed free agents to improve their team. However when they get to the playoffs the Packers can't overcome the teams with the higher draft picks and free agents. I agree that TT is an excellent GM, however, he restricts himself from improving his team by not accessing free agency more often. He doesn't have access to the top players in the draft because the Packers usually draft at 24 or higher every year and then he further limits his access to at least better veteran players by not utilizing free agency. There is no excuse for TT to not even have a conversation with at least some of the FAs. It never hurts to have a conversation and TTs role is to field the best team possible utilizing all available approaches. By not even having the conversations he is failing to do part of his job, IMO. What message does this send to MM. " I know that we need to improve TE and ILB Mike, but I'm not even going to have a conversation with players who can improve those two positions.". There are times in the life of any business when leadership needs to be open and flexible to other approaches. I have remade my company four times over the last 30+ years in response to customers needs, changes in technology, the good of my employees and the need to survive through changing times. TT seems to be too arrogant to accept the fact that his approach is not always appropriate. Given the contracts signed by the players mentioned by the author TTs failure to participate may be fiscally sound but it is as harmful to the team's improvement as it would be to sign FAs to outrageous day one deals. As of today, he has blown it for improving ILB and TE this season. Thanks, Since '61
porupack
March 14, 2016 at 12:46 am
I agree with you since61 and well said all points. Most people want a balance. No one advocates Jerry-Jones and Dan Snyder type of big-name spending. Every team does 'draft and develop', so it is silly to suggest bringing in key free agents suggests the opposite of 'draft and develop'.
In theory and practice, if a GM is disciplined in drafting BPA, then you actually need to fill gaps with FA, rather than confine your draft to filling weaknesses. That is why I don't feel TT has been very strategic as much as just constrained in his approach.
Overall, TT is a good GM and disciplined personnel manager and done some fiscal management well. But I don't have confidence in this strategic approach anymore.
People keep using the excuse that we're not in Salary Cap hell as their tonic. But 70% of teams deal well in FA and manage Salary Cap, even Cowboys despite some rather reckless spending, still are pretty creative cap managers (don't get me wrong...I'm not advocating reckless spending).
I think Steelers, Patriots, Ravens are comparable teams to Packers in their discipline approach, but all 3 know when to use FAs to fill weaknesses, and not confine draft to fill weaknesses. Patriots have gone pretty heavily to FA in last 5 years...probably b/c like packers, they draft in lower, (and have probably not drafted very successfully for most part).
I also take issue with TT signing so many 1 year deals, and piling up the issues for the following year. I get the risk-mitigation part if a player is an unknown or had a bad year...but by now, you should pretty much know your player such as Nick Perry.
Since'61
March 14, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Porupack - I agree. I think the issue with Perry is the injury concern. That is probably why TT has given him only a one year deal at this time. Plus it leaves TTs options open. If Perry has a great season TT can resign him to a longer deal. If not he's gone and he can use the $$ on another player. I think that our team will look pretty different by the time they take the field in 2017 and 2018. Thanks, Since '61
Since'61
March 13, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Deleted
Tundraboy
March 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Thumbs up Adam. As for football I'm disgusted. Since 61 said it best we end up making playoffs but end up being overtaken by teams who draft higher AND sign a key free agent or two.
croatpackfan
March 13, 2016 at 03:27 pm
With all my support I can give you from the other side of the Atlantic in your fight with cancer, I have to point out in one flow in your claim: "The Packers are contenders every season because they have Aaron Rodgers, not because Thompson doesn't sign any free agents."
In season 2013 Packers were still contenders, but played more than half of the season without help of Aaron Rodgers... So, there was Ted and his team. Team that kept itself as contender through season without Aaron Rodgers... How to explain that if Aaron is the most important reason Packers are contenders every year...
Since'61
March 13, 2016 at 08:10 pm
Croat the Packers were contenders in 2013 because the Lions fell apart after crushing the Packers 41-10 without Rodgers on Thanksgiving Day. If anything 2013 proves that Rodgers is the key to the Packers fortunes. They were 6-3 with Rodgers and 2-5-1 without him. Since Rodgers has become the starters the Packers are 87-45 including the playoffs. Take out 2008 and Rodgers record is 81-35. They are 3-7-1 without him. He is considered by almost everyone to be one of the best if not the best player in the league. He is by far the Packers best player and will likely become the greatest player the Packers have ever had. He could end up as the greatest QB of all time. Now he does not play alone and this season proved that beyond a doubt. However, we all know that with Rodgers we have a chance to win the SB every season and we know that without him we have no chance, zero. Case closed. Thanks, Since '61
croatpackfan
March 14, 2016 at 05:00 am
I did not say that Packers can go all the way without Aaron. I said that everything is important in building team to be every year contender... Heck, Packers lost at home in divisional round against Giants with top prepared Aaron, but without A. running game and B. defense! Packers were closer to win post season game in 2013 against "scary" 49rs that that one in 2011. And they were closer not because of Aaron, but because of running game and defense. Packers lost 2013 WCG because of injuries on defensive side of the ball...
Packers with different roster (excluding Ted Thompson in equation) may not help Aaron to be contenders... That is what I said. Packers are contenders because of Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers... Take one from equation and Packers will not be every year contender! This is my opinion!
Since'61
March 14, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Croat - my apologies if I misunderstood your point. I agree that TT, MM and Aaron Rodgers are alI critical to the Packers success. However for all the credit that TT deserves for building an annual contender I think that it is fair to question whether he could be doing an even better job and very possibly create a championship team by signing or at least speaking with some of the free agents, such as Travathan, who could have been signed to a team friendly contract and immediately improve our ILB position group. Or at least with Green to improve our TE position group. If we agree that TT has a great coach and QB then it is incumbent upon him to support them with the best players available. To me that means at least considering free agents who are available for a reasonable amount. This is his role and at times he does not appear to utilize all available means to achieve success. It is a concern because a GM can hurt a team as much as help it with his talent acquisition strategy. Thanks, Since '61
marpag1
March 14, 2016 at 01:49 am
Ladarius Green - 37 catches, 429 yards and 4 TDs from a very capable QB in Philip Rivers (and this was by far his best season ever), and he gets 5 million per year.
Just because a guy is "the best TE in free agency" doesn't mean that he's worth the deal that he was given. The Chargers didn't think Green was, and stuck with the 36 year old Antonio Gates who is a shell of his former self.
People were crying for Julius Thomas last year, and he sucks, too. Doubly so now that he's getting more than 9 million per year. But hey, he was the best TE in free agency, right?
dobber
March 13, 2016 at 05:13 pm
^^^THIS^^^
WKUPackFan
March 13, 2016 at 08:53 pm
^^^THIS^^^
John R
March 13, 2016 at 10:11 pm
I would have signed him
NickPerry
March 13, 2016 at 10:12 pm
One thing to consider Marpag1 is the first four games of the season. That was when Gates was suspended for PED's or whatever it was. Green responded in a big way in weeks 1 through 4 with 19 catches on 23 targets for 204 yards and 2 TD's. As soon as Gates came back he replacd Green in the starting lineup. Lets assume he continues to have the same success he had the first 4 games throughout the rest of the year. That's 76 catches for over 800 yards and 8 TD's. Even a bit of a drop off would be more than respectable. That's also playing for a team with a pretty bad WR Corps other than Allen.
marpag1
March 14, 2016 at 02:57 am
I have no real argument there, Nick. We definitely do need to consider that Green was splitting time. But you also say a few things that are a bit doubtful or misleading, I think.
"As soon as Gates came back he replaced Green in the starting lineup."
Not really. Green was listed as the starter in 11 games, and Gates in only 4. More importantly, Green played 665 snaps while Gates played 496. On a "snaps per game played" basis, Green played an average of 51 snaps in his 13 games, and Gates played an average of 45 in his 11 games.
How about receiving production per snap? Gates' production was double that of Green (1.27 receiving yards per snap compared to 0.645). If you want to know what Richard Rodgers produced per snap, it was 0.638, which obviously isn't a heck of a lot different than Green.
"That's 76 catches for over 800 yards and 8 TD's. Even a bit of a drop off would be more than respectable."
Yes, respectable for sure. But even if he achieved that level of production (which he didn't, of course), he would still have been only ninth in the NFL among tight ends.
"That's also playing for a team with a pretty bad WR Corps other than Allen."
Err... how awesome did GB's receiving core look last year? San Diego had the #4 passing attack in the NFL last year. GB was #25.
And of course there is the obvious thing: Green's annual average salary is now 5 million per. Rodgers' is $690,000.
I actually think Green might do OK in Pittsburgh. But my main point in writing was only this: "Just because a guy is the best available in free agency doesn't mean that he is a great player or worthy of a premium contract."
RobinsonDavis
March 15, 2016 at 08:10 pm
Although I am late, I will throw in my 2-cents: First, I agree with parts of every point here 61 & Marpag, but also must inject that in the past, a Packer TE had to be able to block. As much as MM and others talk about the big-guy to stretch the field, what is not being stated is that they would also like a stout guy that can lock onto some of the bigger DE's and LBs, protecting Rodgers and aiding the run game....something that statistics do not quantify well. That being said, imagine what last year would have been without RRodgers? It seems, we could use an insurance policy, but admittedly, do not know what we have in Backman and Henry.
Packer_Pete
March 13, 2016 at 04:31 pm
Keep on fighting Adam!
As for the Packers, i'm not sure there is a FA out there who can help. Apparently Green is a great TE if I read the comments here, yet he could never beat an aging Gates as a starter, and he had a grand total of 37 catches last season. Yet fans pick R.Rodgers apart... As for Travathan, I think he was good because of the talent around him. Miller, Ware, awesome DL, even AJ Hawk would've looked like a superstar there... the funniest thing is the guy signed with the Bears and then gives an interview saying he wished the Packers would've called him. Talk about regret already LOL...
As for Nick Perry, when he is on he is real good, as seen against the Redskins. Hope he won't be injured and I do think he is going to be good this year. I wished Forte had come here (yeah talk about wanting to play for a SB contender and signing with the JETS? Frickin' Fitzgerald is their best hope at QB and he hasn't even signed yet...). Other than that I think not too many FAs could help at the moment..
And finally for #12, not only was he not the best NFL QB last season, he was one of the main culprits for a stuttering O. He simply did not play up to his capabilities or his to his contract...
croatpackfan
March 14, 2016 at 05:13 am
Pete, we are alone voices in worshiping Aaron mass of fans here. There is no doubts that Aaron Rodgers is one of the best QB ever in NFL and that he is the QB I love to watch, as I do not like to watch Tom Brady or Flacco or I did not like to watch Peyton Manning. Despite I do not like Seahawks and Panthers I must admit that Wilson and Newton are also funny to watch. But we need to be objective: Aaron (we learned why) was in no good season, for Aaron's standard. He was injujred and we had that confirmation after the season.
Regarding FA market, I agree with you, who is worth of the money other franchises spent on them? I tend to agree with some that we need 1 to 2 years to make correct evaluation of the winners and/or losers in FA period...
Packer_Pete
March 14, 2016 at 10:00 am
You're spot on croatpackfan! Aaron was injured, yet at the same time he didn't play that well even if he wasn't. I also don't think his injury was significant enough to hinder him, as evidenced by the hail mary's in the last few games, but I am no doctor and don't know the extent of course. But regardless, there were games when he was really not good, yet the worshippers here always blamed the WRs, the TEs, OL, play calling, etc. Never ever can anybody be Aaron's fault. That's just how it is. Even when Nagler and Behnke showed in their final episode with film evidence that Aaron does not seem to be as technically sound as he could be... And I am sure his yes man Clements would never do anything or say anything to correct those things, and neither does van Pelt...
As for signings, I personally think that there aren't many FAs out there who can help the Packers right now, but I am no expert, so I'll leave this to Ted and co. I think they'll probably re-sign a couple of their own like Raji, after the market has settled down and no takers for their services are found, and otherwise just hope to hit it in the draft.
Ibleedgreenmore
March 13, 2016 at 05:43 pm
Hayward got a nice payday, 5 million a year not to bad comp pick coming .
croatpackfan
March 14, 2016 at 05:14 am
Comp picks depends more on how much Casey will play, how much he will be paid (besides guaranteed money) and how good he will be...
RobinsonDavis
March 15, 2016 at 09:26 pm
Late reply Adam, but my best to you! I am in agreement with your and others' frustration. For those that do not see it this way...How much have the Packers improved so far? Would have anybody here been upset spending the money Freeman eventually signed for? Although, I DO believe Ted and the Coaches will provide the Packers support in the draft, TT and colleagues need to provide starter quality depth to 7 positions. I am holding out hope that we can find more than two impact players now in the draft that will contribute heavily to an offense that had a multitude of issues, and a defense that needs depth/improvement.