Derrick Martin Signs 2-Year Contract
by Brandon on Feb 23, 2010 1:38 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers News
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PrintOn the one hand, signing a 2-year contract with restricted free agent S Derrick Martin is a good move for the Green Bay Packers. There is little depth at safety behind starters Atari Bigby and Nick Collins. Plus he was starting to become a standout on special teams before a late season injury cost him a couple games. He'll give them more options, and allow them to pass on a safety if a good one isn't available in the April draft.
On the other hand, I absolutely hope he never plays on defense again. He only started one game in 2009, the October 5th game at Minnesota, and he was benched in the 3rd quarter for playing the wrong defense. Then he couldn't even beat out CB/S Jarrett Bush after he had gotten more familiar with the defensive schemes. Paying over $1 million for any defensive back who isn't as good as Jarrett Bush is a waste of money.
More details from the Press-Gazette:
Martin was going to be a restricted free agent starting March 5, but the Packers on Monday signed him to a two-year deal, said his agent, Brad Cicala.
Cicala didn’t provide any financial details, but it’s likely Martin’s salary this season will be in the neighborhood of $1.176 million, or the amount of the low tender the Packers probably would have placed on him as a restricted free agent.
The deal, with the second season added, was worth it for Martin because of the guaranteed money in the form of a signing or roster bonus that shows extra commitment to him on the Packers’ part.
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yawn
so we signed a below average safety, but he’s a standout on the worst special teams in the nfl last year.
priceless!!
how about getting collins and pickett signed. imo, priority #1
it’s starting to look like collins is going to be franchised, not good, i can see a disgruntled collins and a hold-out coming in the near future.
what a waste
I for one was totally floored when we matched the Titans offer on Bush last year. Now Martin at 1+ million. That’s 2.5 million a year we could pay someone to actually play the position at an NFL level.
Good Move
One, even though the Packers had very bad special teams, you don’t improve upon them by letting your best special team players go. That is absurd thinking.
Two, Martin was both new to the Packers and their system, and new to playing safety. I don’t know if he’ll ever be someone we can depend on in the secondary. But having some stability in the secondary is important – we’ve gone through 3-4 back-up safeties the past 2 years.
My guess is that this signing could mark the end for either Bush or Blackmon – maybe both. They won’t be able to carry too many special team specialists in the secondary.
tracy white
they did let their best special team player go already. remember
I remember
And did that improve the special team play?
I don’t think this is a horrible move. Martin was good on Special Teams, and ours was horrible this year. Why let go one bright spot we actually had on the unit? It would just make things that much worse. And while he struggled on defense, he did get throw into the fire in just his 2nd week with the team, while trying to learn the defense. I think this an alright move, and one I thought TT would make.
not a bad move
just a yawner like i stated earlier. we have bigger fish to sign, this one ranks at #20 as newsworthy,right ahead of what mccarthy had for breakfast this morning.
Yeah, agreed we have bigger moves to make.
by packallday555 on Feb 23, 2010 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
While we are at it....
Anyone like Antrel Rolle from the Cards. I guess he’s next to get cut. He’s a Safety/corner…could he replace Bigby as a starter on the Packers? he should have at least a little 3-4 knowledge as the Cards do work in some of that in their defense I think…
What!? If that happens then TT needs to at least go after him. He would be a big improvement over Bigby, and like you said has 3-4 experience.
by packallday555 on Feb 23, 2010 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
rolle
i guess if collins is going to be a difficult sign, role would be a decent plan B. he’s not as fast or as athletic as collins but being a vet he does have some intangibles.
i’m still hoping collins gets signed, so this would be a moot topic.
I like Rolle
For the right price, I’d say that he’d be a significant upgrade over Bigby. He might not be as hard of a hitter, but he’s got decent size and cover ability.
Yeah I was thinking more about as a replacement for Bigby than Collins. He’d cost more but I think he’d do a MUCH better job and he’s not nearly as injury prone which makes signings like Martin not taste AS sour!
Free/strong safety
With current defenses there is much less distinction between ‘free’ safeties and ‘strong’ safeties. So, though Rolle is listed as a free safety, he is a good tackler, he’s actually bigger than Bigby, and good in cover. He can play in the same defensive backfield as Collins.
I just agreeing with you!
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