Packers make popular moves re-signing Collins, Pickett, Tauscher. Andrew Brandt
Green Bay Packers management earned some much-needed credibility with its players this past weekend. In the midst of Fan Fest – a two-day love-in where Cheeseheads from all over the world descend on Lambeau Field for autographs from current and former players – the team reached agreement with Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins, franchise-tagged nose tackle Ryan Pickett and longtime tackle and fan favorite Mark Tauscher. All three are popular and respected in the Packers locker room, and these deals will serve the team well.
However, as happens so often in football administration, no good deed ever go unpunished. There are still a few players whose contracts have not been addressed and who are now asking, “What about me?” as they form a line at the door. The low rumble of discontent may pick up a notch soon in Green Bay.
As for the deals, they look to be strong numbers for Collins and Pickett, two contracts that the team has been working on for months. The recent actions of the two – with Pickett making no complaints about the tag and Collins signing his tender sheet without complaint – put the pressure on the team to step up and reward them.
Grease gets greased
“Grease” Pickett, as he’s called, reportedly will receive $10 million next season, $3 million more than the tag amount he was saddled with at the start of free agency. The Packers were teed up with a team-friendly deal from the Steelers, where Casey Hampton signed for three years and $21M, with $11M guaranteed. Pickett’s deal – four years, $28M – is comparable to Hampton but not at the level of last week’s Patriots deal for Vince Wilfork, which had $18M in bonus and $25M in guarantees. The Packers used the franchise tag to their advantage with Pickett, setting up a negotiation off a one-year, $7M deal with an option for another tag next year.
Collins’ long wait rewarded
The Collins negotiation was one that many in the Packers locker room were watching to see how management handled it. Players were wondering about the team’s interest in holding its large and talented restricted free agent class hostage under their tender offers, with Collins being the most talented of the group.
Many wondered about the team’s decision to extend Greg Jennings – also a popular player and class person – after three years in the league while letting Collins play out his five-year rookie contract since both would have been restricted free agents in 2010. I remember meeting tremendous resistance from his camp about the length, but assuring them that we would re-do Nick’s deal prior to its expiration. Well, it took a little longer than that, but at the end of the day, the Packers showed Collins the money.
Collins will receive $14M in 2010, $4M more than the recent top-of-market safety, Antrel Rolle, received from the Giants.
Tauscher: home-field advantage
Mark Tauscher, born and bred in Wisconsin, schooled at the University of Wisconsin and a member of the Packers for a decade, was not going to be playing anywhere else. The team had a built-in advantage in signing Mark again, even though he’s as savvy as they come (I negotiated one of Mark’s contracts directly with him, without an agent).
The Packers have now kept their bookend tackles – Tauscher and Chad Clifton – who have been lining up for a decade, two high-character guys who were fixtures at Lambeau and, luckily for the Packers, were not going anywhere in free agency, as the incumbent team had a built-in advantage.
Re-signing Tauscher and Clifton allows the Packers to look elsewhere at the top of the upcoming draft since they did not want to use a high pick to draft a tackle.
A good weekend for the Green and Gold (now also the Blue and Gold with the alternate jersey) amid the adulation of Cheeseheads. But the offseason is just beginning.
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For a look at five QBs who could be dealt before training camp, check out this article from Bleacher Report.
Does the structure of these contracts indicate to you that they're taking advantage of an uncapped year in 2010 but expecting a return of the cap in 2011 or beyond? This seems like an unusual amount of activity (and money) for the Pack, but maybe it's just that what is perennially the league's youngest team is finally "coming of age"?
I assumed that the Packers signing of their two tackles bought them another year to groom a tackle, but that they would still look for tackles in the top of the draft this year. Thompson has not had success drafting tackles later in the draft, even when they have had years to develop.
Unless a top flight prospect at another relative position of need (ie: Joe Haden) falls to them, why would the Packers not want to draft tackles, especially in such a rich draft for selecting top shelf talent?
A first or second pick for an OT is still required (so that he's ready by year #2 when Clifton and/or Tauscher are done), BUT a TE is now needed, given the likely
loss of (Mr. Bad Judgment) Havner to injury and/or the law.
Editorial remark: Set for life if you invest well, and Havner drives his motorbike drunk at 2:45 am.
I thought the pre-front lobe was completely developed by age 18?
Andrew,
Why do you say the Packers don't want to 'use a high pick on a Tackle'?
That seems an odd statement.
This article raises a few glaring questions:
1) Why do you use the phrase "much-needed credibility" in the first sentence? Care to back that up?
2) The other Green Bay players asking "What about me?" -- who are they? Or, at the very least, who do you suspect they are?
3) When you negotiated with Taucher (without an agent)...were you able to pay him in sausage? If no, were there any stipulations relating specifically to sausage?
Joseph - a TE is not a need. Aside from having Finely, who is easily a Top 5 TE in the league, Havner's injury will not cause him to miss any time and, while the incident was inexcusable and idiotic, I'd also be shocked if he saw any sort of suspension or jail time.
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Andrew - you say, "There are still a few players whose contracts have not been addressed and who are now asking, “What about me?”"
Could you offer any names of players who might be dissatisfied? Because, really, off the top of my head I can't think of any. Collins was the biggest one and he got his. So, who are you talking about?
Joseph - a TE is not a need. Aside from having Finely, who is easily a Top 5 TE in the league, Havner's injury will not cause him to miss any time and, while the incident was inexcusable and idiotic, I'd also be shocked if he saw any sort of suspension or jail time.
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Andrew - you say, "There are still a few players whose contracts have not been addressed and who are now asking, “What about me?”"
Could you offer any names of players who might be dissatisfied? Because, really, off the top of my head I can't think of any. Collins was the biggest one and he got his. So, who are you talking about?
Just read CheeseheadTV and I guess College would be the main guy asking "What about me?" But, really, who cares? Unlike Collins, he hasn't played up to a level that warrants a big pay day. He doesn't seem to have much of a case to make.
Just read CheeseheadTV and I guess College would be the main guy asking "What about me?" But, really, who cares? Unlike Collins, he hasn't played up to a level that warrants a big pay day. He doesn't seem to have much of a case to make.
This article raises a few glaring questions:
1) Why do you use the phrase "much-needed credibility" in the first sentence? Care to back that up?
2) The other Green Bay players asking "What about me?" -- who are they? Or, at the very least, who do you suspect they are?
3) When you negotiated with Taucher (without an agent)...were you able to pay him in sausage? If no, were there any stipulations relating specifically to sausage?
Just read CheeseheadTV and I guess College would be the main guy asking "What about me?" But, really, who cares? Unlike Collins, he hasn't played up to a level that warrants a big pay day. He doesn't seem to have much of a case to make.
Just read CheeseheadTV and I guess College would be the main guy asking "What about me?" But, really, who cares? Unlike Collins, he hasn't played up to a level that warrants a big pay day. He doesn't seem to have much of a case to make.
Just read CheeseheadTV and I guess College would be the main guy asking "What about me?" But, really, who cares? Unlike Collins, he hasn't played up to a level that warrants a big pay day. He doesn't seem to have much of a case to make.
Great moves that allow Thompson to continue drafting the best available talent, irregardless of position. Not having to reach greatly reduces the odds of a "bust" while building depth which breeds competition. This is the perfect recipe for building and maintaining a winning franchise. Can't wait for the draft, its deep in talent which will allow a team like the Pack that can uncover hidden talent like Jennings, Finley, etc. to excel.
why the heck wouldn't they want to look at tackle in the first round? because they've been so good at developing later round picks?
Just read CheeseheadTV and I guess College would be the main guy asking "What about me?" But, really, who cares? Unlike Collins, he hasn't played up to a level that warrants a big pay day. He doesn't seem to have much of a case to make.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
I agree with doc_al's observation that they are throwing an awful lot of cash money down this year. Might as well, since some of these players are unlikely to play the length of their contracts.
I would really be worried going into the season with their tackles. Two old guys with injury histories. What are the chances of them lasting the whole year? I'd think tackle would be a huge priority for GB in the early part of the draft. What is a bigger need?
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
why the heck wouldn't they want to look at tackle in the first round? because they've been so good at developing later round picks?
Andrew..
I listened to you the other night on 107.5 the fan and you indicated the pack would not use their first pick on a tackle. I agree......I think it will be a defensive back with spacial teams play in mind.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
No idea why that comment keeps posting. Sorry, everyone.
The Packers still need a LT high in the draft. They've got nice depth in most O-line positions now, but nobody - and I mean nobody - backing up Clifton at LT. If he misses a game or two with injury (which, with his history, should be expected), they are screwed with a capital S. LT is the most glaring need on the team. It's a big, bright neon sign.
Hypereview - dont hit back on your computer - I have double posted and that is what happens - get out of the webpage and relog on if you want to update the site
Hypereview - dont hit back on your computer - I have double posted and that is what happens - get out of the webpage and relog on if you want to update the site
see
Thanks, Klaggs! haha.
Sorry again, everyone.
" I remember meeting tremendous resistance from his [Collins] camp about the [contract] length, but assuring them that we would re-do Nick’s deal prior to its expiration. Well, it took a little longer than that, but at the end of the day, the Packers showed Collins the money."
This is why players feel wronged, and occassionally pop off about it to the press. Yet quite often the media positions the players as greedy while nfl front offices and owners stay mum, backsliding from their supposedly rock-solid assurances.
Step away from the fainting couch. Havner's DUI doesn't exactly send the draft board into disarray regardless of his sentence or the severity of his injury. He was the third-string TE last year, Lee's still on the roster and Havner caught seven passes all year. If the idea of losing a blocking TE/occasional red zone target makes you think there's going to be a serious change in draft strategy then I can only suggest you get the quality of your tapwater checked because you may be hallucinating.
hyper: Don't refresh the page either. Easiest way is to click on the main page link in the upper left corner, then come back to this page if you want to see your post without a pile of repeats.
I have been saying for a while that TT does not draft O-line in the first round. Unless one of the top four tackles falls to us he will go some where else. He will not reach on a pick. And he has said over and over he will pick the best player he feels is there.
I think Andrew's point is that they don't have to reach for a tackle in the 1st or 2nd if the best player on the board resides at a different position. That's the best way to draft when picking after 20. Best player regardless of position!
I missed the Havner news--all he does is catch touchdowns! TJ Lang gives me somewhat a sense of comfort, knowing he likely can perform as a short term backup this coming season should one of the elder tackles drop out due to injury. Other recent backups like Barbre, Giacomi (sp?) and Tony Moll were all vastly underwhelming and shouldn't have been taking up roster space. I think TT ought to go one of two ways in the draft. Either get one of the top tackles if one falls to the Packers' draft spot, or pick up a running back / return guy if the absolute right guy is available. What's the skinny on CJ Spiller? Any love for him? I understand that he's got good speed and returns kicks.
Regarding the cap: all the contracts were front-loaded with guaranteed money for this uncapped year. The rest of the years have little guaranteed money. So if the cap returns the majority of the guaranteed money will be burned in the uncapped year. All the recent contracts had that feature.
Ted Thompson kept the core of the team intact. The cry among some fans in Green Bay is TT doesn't spend money in free agency. He has, Pickett and Woodson are examples of "off the street" FA's, but he has dumped large sums of money on current players nearing the end of their contracts.
Havner is the latest Packer with an off-the-field problem, but the one that could turn into a problem is Johnny Jolly's pending drug charge in Houston. He's the starting DE on the second-ranked defense. Kampman is gone and the reserves are scarce. Keep an eye on that one.
Packers should try to swing a deal with the Bengals for one of thier back-up OTs. Anthony Collins played really well at LT in 2008, but Whitworth took his spot in 2009. AC struggled to move to RT so he lost his starting spot. They Drafted Andre Smith as thier RT, so last years starter at RT Dennis Roland is now a backup. Roland has played well at LT and RT. If I'm the Bengals, I see AC as expendable for a 2nd or 3rd Rnd Pick. If I'm the Packers, I see AC as a solid young future starter at LT that is much better than any 2nd or 3rd Rnd pick.
They were very good deals for both sides IMO.
The only way I hope the Packers spend a first round pick on a OL is if Okung or Bulaga SOMEHOW fall to #23(Which just isn't going to happen, plain and simple) or trade down and land Trent Williams, Mike Iupati, or Maurkice Pouncey. This is just one of those drafts I want to trade down a lot in.
People are forgetting how TT drafts. BPA in the first, but seems to concentrate on needs in the second. I'm hoping for Rodger Saffold in the second, but wouldn't be too mad with Veldheer. We can go a ton of ways in the first round. The guys I really, really, really want are Bulaga, Graham, Thomas, Odrick, Wilson, Williams, and Pouncey. If we traded back to the late first, added a third round pick, and took Pouncey I would be extremely happy. He would be an immediate upgrade over Wells at center.
I am especially glad about Collins. With all the talk and negative press last season, he finally came into camp and just played the game. He played at a probowl level and got rewarded for it. Well deserved and I give him more respect in that regard than Grant. Very glad to have all these guys back next season. If Tausch and Cliffy can run the table without injuries slowing them down...watch out! It's gonna be a LONG table!
I thought the draft definitely had a lot of talent in it. There was a ton of great players to pick from. A lot of teams definitely took advantage of this.
Green bay is definitely a good team. There is a lot of great talent on the team. They have a quarterback and a running back with a great defense. I think they are the team to beat.
There is so much great talent in Green bay. I do not think they should get anybody else in the future. The team is good.
There is definitely a lot of talent in green bay. They did a great job with the draft. This is how teams win.
very great article
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Mar 16, 2010
01:34 PM
Golden deal for players with golden character.