HiAndTight

People keep saying this, but what is it actually based on? The idea that occasionally a guy with lesser draft status contributes? What about the guys that ARE drafted high that contribute? Not really sure. They've got the perfect RB combo...assuming Dillon is good in pass-pro(the only arena Williams really stood out). They got a back with nearly identical measurables to Derek Henry and he ran pretty damn good as well. And he had a track record. Just because you got Aaron Jones in the 5th round doesn't ensure you'll be able to get someone of Dillon's caliber there. We also missed on Dexter Williams in the later rounds. Jones took a discount to play in Green Bay. He didn't get a big signing bonus, I'm really struggling to see the problem here. The Packers system relies on being able to run the ball. It's a big part of what made Rodgers so successful last year. He had the BEST year of his career with a WR'ing core that everyone was upset we didn't add to and unproven TE's. On paper, that group should be better this year. This IS Gutey being aggressive. It's just as Snapper pointed out, because it's retaining a player and not going out and signing another, people don't seem as excited about it.

Well Gute has moved up in 1st rd each of last 2 seasons. Think he's got the bolded covered when it's his guy. Actually, he moved up every season. Savage, Jaire and Love. But I'm suggesting giving up a boatload of picks to move up from the backend of the 1st to move into the top 10. I don't actually think there's any chance they'd actually do it...but there's no combine, and we can only talk about so many mock drafts. So, just seeing what people would think if they actually did it. Though I'm guessing people would be more excited for Chase or a skill position player.

So you don't think it's because they put what seems like a totally unreasonable price tag on him? Asking for Abrams...that has to tell teams you're not really serious. Asking for Abrams PLUS a young left handed reliever you just gave an 11 million dollar signing bonus to, who throws in the upper 90's and has elite stuff? They put the price tag on him that THEY'VE deemed appropriate to get him, because of the value he brings to their team. Why would a team with contending aspirations trade away one of the top relievers in the game without getting crazy value back? The Brewers are far from being in a situation where they have to trade him. Just because talking heads or some other teams don't seem to value high-leverage relievers, it doesn't mean that the Brewers need to fall in line with that. Then why even bother to shop him...why bother to take offers? If you're asking for Abrams AND another high ceiling prospect, you're not serious about trading him. I think it's more likely that the rumors aren't accurate. I have a hard time believing they'd say no to Abrams.

OT Then CB Then DE So we'll probably draft Travis Etienne in the first round(and trade up to do it).

Ha! Nah...just bored and speculating. Seeing if anyone would agree. And I don't see an excess of supremely athletic Tackles being a problem in the near future.

The Packers never showed much interest in extending Linsley. Jones on the other hand...it was clear they made it a priority. Again, if they'd have tried to extend Linsley last year, he may have signed a 3/27 type deal. Once he got close to Free Agency this year it was obviously going to be impossible. I also thought Jones was gone when they didn't franchise him, but they clearly had the framework for a deal in place. One in which he probably left some money on the table and the Packers get arguably the best RB duo in the NFL. Linsley will bring stability to a young team with a young QB, but we all agree, the Packers have never valued the Center position enough to make Linsley the highest paid in the NFL. As for other potential signings...I think I'd rather invest in a CB, maybe a WR'er like Samuel. But I like both Martin and Barnes. I'd prefer to see a Safety/LB'er hyrbid. Hamsah Nasirildeen from FSU could be perfect in the 3rd round. He's not going to play CF and he's not going to be able to play in man, but next to Barnes in the Nickel...he could add a lot of versatility to our defense. Simlar profile to Josh Jones, but seems more instinctful. The absolute top priority for me though is OT. Even with Bahk, I don't like Turner out there and it doesn't matter if it's Tampa, SF back next year or whoever, we need to protect Rodgers.

I just saw a mock on the NFL Network that had Penei Sewell drop into the Teens. People were talking about him being a Ogden level type LT prospect last season, now I'm seeing him move down draft boards. I wonder at what point is makes sense to try and trade up if you target someone you think is worth it. Start him out at RT, then move him back to LT in a few years when Bahk's done. Of course it's extremely unlikely, but if you identify a guy who you believe can make that type of impact? Atlanta in 2011 had the 26th pick. They traded their 1st(26), 2nd(59), 4th(118) and their 1st the following year. That's a TON to give up obviously, but just throwing it out there. With 10 picks this year, including an extra pick in the 4th, 5th and 6th...and Gutekunst's propensity for moving up, I wouldn't mind seeing the Packers do this. The Eagles would be an obvious team as they've already committed to going with Hurts this year at #6, but Denver at #9 or the Giants at #11 could also be teams we could work with.

Same here. He's going to a very talented team with a very good young QB, and he's getting paid top dollar and he's getting it up front. I'd be pretty excited if I was a SD sports fan. They're young and exciting in both Baseball and Football. Jets fans however...well, according to Larry David, fans from across the Country just can't handle all their disappointment. And yet, it's one of Watson's preferred teams. you made the same mistake I did. Chargers are in LA now (but you are right....the Dodgers are exciting) I did...it's hard to wrap my head around the LA Chargers. Even after watching the Packers get stomped at a stadium smaller than an Average Texas HS field, the San Diego Chargers just flows out. I wonder how many fans a team retains when they do that. The Raiders from Oakland or the Chargers(though as CheezeWiz pointed out, they didn't exactly have a ferverant fan base in SD when they were there).

I don't have any problem with the Packers letting Linsley walk. They prepared for it..if not when they took Jenkins, then certainly when they drafted Hanson, Runyan and Stepaniak. Where I'd disagree is with that rule. I would argue OL are safer signings at or over 30 than say a skill positions. Adams is due to be a FA at pretty much the same age Linsley is now and it seems like a given we'll be extending him..and of course Bahk is a bit older and we just extended him. I think the difference with Linsley is the Packers likely never viewed him as a 1st Team AP caliber Center and they've just always seemed to be able to move from one Center to another. IIRC, Tretter beat him out for the job a couple times before getting injured and Linsley taking over. He's kinda an overachiever. Either way, he was a very good, very reliable center for the Packers and now he's getting a big payday that the Packers couldn't afford. So good for him.

Same here. He's going to a very talented team with a very good young QB, and he's getting paid top dollar and he's getting it up front. I'd be pretty excited if I was a SD sports fan. They're young and exciting in both Baseball and Football. Jets fans however...well, according to Larry David, fans from across the Country just can't handle all their disappointment. And yet, it's one of Watson's preferred teams.

That's true, I just associate the top name guys with the early tampering period. And there are reports they've talked to several DL and CB's.

I would be surprised if they did anything right out of the gate as they did a couple of years ago. If they did, I'd guess it'd be for a WR'er or a DL, but I would guess they'll wait for the second and third waves to pick up what will almost certainly be a very long list of good, veterans who will get cut., That said, if they came away from Day 1 with Curtis Samuel and Shelby Harris, I would be very happy. Also as an aside, Preston Smith just moved way up the list of my favorite Packers. He took a cut to stay with the team and that move alone made it not only possible to extend Jones, but now they don't have to rely on a Garvin-like edge rusher to be their #3. That said, maybe our #12 should take a look at what #12 in Tampa just did....AGAIN in order to free up 19 million dollars so they can bring back just about everyone from that team. I am curious what Rodgers would say if the Packers came in and said, "that money that we'd be saving, that's going to Kenny Golladay." Would that entice Rodgers enough to help work with them to reduce his cap hit more than just the standard restructuring? That might be the most surprising FA signing the Packers have had since Reggie....if they were to do that.

Maybe we are just going go have a year where we have 53 guys signed to the veteran minimum and use the rest of the cap to eat all our dead contracts. That's fairly close to reality, and what they should be doing. Some of us have been calling for this for a longggg time. Give Rodgers a couple more years with as much talent around him as possible. If they have $50MM in dead cap 4 years down the road, sobeit. You can rebuild fast in the NFL. Absolutely. It made sense to be smart with the cap when Rodgers was 30. Not at this point in his career. Look at how the Cowboys, the Saints, the 49'ers, the Buccs, how they've all handled the cap. And it's not like you have to really give up on your long-term planning. It's usually a one-year hit. You eat a ton of dead money for a year and then you're back. The Saints will still be a young, talented team next year and they'll likely have a lot of salary cap room heading into the 2022 NFL season. I don't have a problem with drafting Jordan Love because you thought he was a great value on the board there...or AJ Dillon or Deguara. I do have a problem with you NOT filling immediate needs and leaving players like Lancaster to fill in when you could just backload some more money and face the consequences in 2024 or whenever. As best as I can understand it, it's really just about Cash. Cash to pay for Signing bonuses that you spread over years that you don't intend to keep a player. If you're willing to spend cash...and face the inevitable year of cap hell, the Packers could just about do anything this off-season. Trade for Gilmore and sign him to an extension. Trade for Orlando Brown and sign him(though there are obvious problems there). My question is...if you're not willing to do this when you've got arguably the BEST QB to ever play the position...when will you? Will you in 6 years when you've got Jordan Love who is HOPEFULLY a top 10 QB? To be fair though, I was just upset they didn't franchise Jones and thought it was about 10 pct because they planned to re-sign him and about 90 because they planned to walk...and now they have very possibly the best backfield in the NFL. So maybe they'll be doing what we're asking for this off-season.

It's all about the guaranteed money; these deals are always artificially inflated to make the agents look good. Players almost never see the last year of the deal before being released or restructured - sometimes the last two years. I think even without the drop in the salary cap it was quite possible that both Smiths got restructured this year and certainly restructured or released before the 2022 season. The real question is going to be 2022. Rodgers, Bakh, Adams, Jones, Clark, Z. Smith, Alexander, Amos, P. Smith... they're already at $197M for 2022 with only 28 players signed, and all of these restructures mean more dead cap space in 2022 if they have to release guys. Preston Smith and Billy Turner, if released, will now account for a combined $11.5M in dead cap space. I'm good with that. That's what they should be doing. Going for it while they have the talent, while Rodgers is healthy. They can push the cap hit down the road. But they've got 10 picks this year and hopefully as the cap recovers it won't be quite as cumbersome.

Because Lafleur's scheme works best with multiple backs that offer different specialties. And this all but guarantees that Jamaal Williams will be playing elsewhere. Dillon is basically Williams' replacement as the power back. Dillon and Jones are going to be a LOT of fun to watch together next year. They compliment each other perfectly. This is a good deal and I don't see how it makes the AJ Dillon pick bad all of a sudden. I've seen this take on Twitter also. Take Williams carries and give them to Dillon and I think it makes our offense much more dangerous. They signed Jones to a contract that's not going to kill them and they get Dillon and Jones, just about the ideal combination, together for another year. What exactly is not to like about this?

I wonder if some of that may just be Rodgers wanting to see if the Packers actually go out and aggressively address some of those holes before deciding how they'll restructure also. I'd read that he wasn't very receptive to extending his contract...which could free up a lot more room, but they can save ~10 million without his permission. Not sure how much this would help though. Aside from maybe extending guys already on the roster, guys like 'Tae, Jones, Tonyan, other FA's aren't going to care that they're cap strapped. But it does make some sense. Mitchell Schwartz seems like he could be a very nice pickup to play RT. He's 32, but last year was the first time he'd missed any games and he'd been one of the best RT's in the NFL before last year. The one player I keep seeing everyone connecting the Packers to is Will Fuller. I just don't think I can get excited about a WR'er signing for #1 type money when he's constantly hurt. I guess as long as they keep the signing bonus low, it could be an interesting addition, but not a top 3 need...OL, CB, DL are all much more pressing.

I doubt he could be a boundary CB again, but he's a smart, crafty vet who may be able to play in the slot. I did kinda like Sullivan there however. I think he looked worse, particularly in the Tampa game because they lined up in a LOT of man coverage and they have very good and very fast WR'ers. He is the type of player I would expect the Packers to sign. Players who have been cut and won't eat into their comp picks next season.

Yes, I do. I don't know what the "after all" comment comes from, but, alright. That was already baked in to the floor. But there was quite a bit of speculation they'd spread the hit out more over the next 3 years so the cap would be around 196. They didn't do that. I mean...it's a given that the pandemic impacted not only this seasons cap, but will impact the cap the next 2-3 years. Increased revenue and a larger share for the players will help the cap rebound more than it would have otherwise. The only question was if they were going to defer more money so the cap wouldn't drop and would go up less in future years. They didn't. And yes, it's causing a lot of teams to make roster moves they otherwise wouldn't. I'm not disagreeing with anything you're saying here.

I was just complaining on here because I didn't think this was likely to happen, but I agree...great move for both sides. I feel good about Gary and Z, but good defenses have a rotation. They get to keep him and they end up paying roughly what his cap hit would have been. Perfect move and a sign that Preston wants to be here.

Now Kansas is also out of the Big 12 tourney. Duke, UV and KU...a couple of Blue Bloods and another team that's consistently been in the top 10 the last few years. People thought Covid was over a bit too early.

Ok...so a badger hardcore fan, give me an optimistic outlook. Is there ANY hope they can get it going and go on a run in the Tourney? Maybe an elite 8 appearance where they'll all talk about how that big 10 schedule and a team that lost 5 straight in Conf play is one win away from the Final Four? Or, to steal a line from Ron Wolf, is it a given they're going out like a fart in the wind?

They have pretty much all of their own future picks. The picks from the Mack trade or other trades are gone. https://www.prosportstransactions.com/football/DraftTrades/Future/Bears.htm Maybe they're trying to flip an actual asset like Jackson for another 1st or maybe someone like Fuller(who I don't think they'd get much for). But this situation devolved so quickly. I can't believe Seattle isn't doing everything it can to get Russ back. Especially when they gave up their 1st next year. They're going to trade Wilson, end up a 3-4 win team, get a top 5 pick and watch another team use it like Houston is this year. I understand Watson's frustrations...I do not understand Wilson and his current stance.

I'm pretty sure that they don't need to have a full roster, but the empty roster spots will count as minimum salaries. So I'd imagine if you have 40 players under contract, you'd have to count 11 minimum salaries. I wouldn't think the practice squad players would count, otherwise pretty much everyone would be fine. I could be wrong though and this year with the different exceptions like VSB contracts or other veteran contracts, it seems like its moving closer to the NBA's CBA. Though as we move away from Covid, hopefully it'll go back to normal. FYI, there are no practice squad players at the moment. You either sign them to a futures contract or they become FAs. But I think you're probably right about using minimum salaries for empty slots. Just seemed odd to me that a team would need a full roster (well at least 51) before FA begins. Of course...thanks for correcting that. No need for a practice squad when your roster is at 90. But I was talking about those players they've offered futures contracts to. Mostly guys who are young and practice squad caliber guys. I've got to admit, jumping to another post, I'm a bit surprised Kirksey got 4.5 million next year. I thought he was the perfect candidate to get the Vets minimum of ~2.4 or whatever it is. I would think agents who have players who have already hit free agency have to be telling their players to take the best offer they get now as they're almost certainly not going to get better.

Both of those guys would be nice. I like the idea if Darby if he is cheap in free agency. He's not as steady, but he's got more upsite. Mike Hilton is another guy. If they can find a way to get more pass rusher from their DL, you really don't need another stud at CB, though it'd be nice. You can get by with solid players. Sherman I think is a non-starter. We're still going to be a team that plays a lot of man...I think. I guess it's hard to say with certainty, but Barry did say he was bringing the Rams D over. Sherman is not very if that is the case. I did see someone write an article that the Packers could do for Peterson what they did with Woodson. He's coming off a down year, but he's a physical CB and one who could move to safety in the near future. I think both probably price themselves out of the Packers range either way, but...still, the point is to speculate about players, right?

I thought it was obvious, but I was referring to the numerous articles that speculated the cap would be in the 190-200 range with the cap loosely projected to go up to 220-230 next year. That's why I said the MAJORITY of the loss will come from this year. Not the entirety, the majority of it. I was talking about from Cap Floor. The additional 1.5 pct of total revenue that the players get with the 17th game and the new TV deal will more than account for that and the 10 billion in additional revenue that will be spread out among the teams next year. The Cap is ALMOST certainly going to see a huge spike next season....again, there is some new strain of Covid or some other freak scenario takes fans out of the stands. Well check back in a year. I'll put money down the Cap is at LEAST 220 in 2022.[Removed by mods- unnecessarily confrontational- play nice please.]