Green Bay Packers Release Brandon Chillar Due To Fitness And Salary Concerns
by Kevin McCauley on Jul 29, 2011 10:23 AM CDT
in Green Bay Packers News
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PrintSo much for the PUP list, which is exactly where I thought Brandon Chillar was headed when I went to bed last night. I woke up this morning to find out that he has been released, meaning the Packers probably thought that he had little to no chance of getting on the field this season. The salary cap is tight and Ted Thompson probably didn't want to spend $2+ million on a guy with serious injury concerns.
Because Chillar was released after June 1st, the Packers will gain $2.6 million in cap space this season, but will be on the hook for $800k next season. The Packers' various releases are going to cost them about $2.5 million against next season's salary cap, and this does not count Nick Barnett, who has not yet been released.
Chillar had season ending shoulder surgery last season and reportedly picked up a bad hamstring injury during the lockout that would force him to miss training camp, if not a good chunk of the season. We'll certainly learn more about the situation later, but this doesn't sound like a good one. And honestly, my first reaction is that this isn't fair to Chillar, but I'm going to reserve judgment until we hear all of the details.
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Suddenly our ILB depth scares me.
We’ll have to pick someone up now or restructure Chillar’s contract, as Barnett is as good as gone.
I'm not really concerned
They don’t release Chillar and trade/release Barnett if they’re worried about it. They have Robert Francois returning (and he’s OK), and maybe they like Diyral Briggs, who they signed mid-2010 season, more than I expected. Neither is good enough to start, but won’t kill them either. Plus, the Packers often pull their inside backer when they need an extra defensive back, so it’s not the most utilized position on the team.
Maybe this means they have something in 6th round pick ILB D.J. Smith. Also, free agency isn’t over and it’s still possible they sign someone after the market cools off. Plus the Packers have made trades at the end of training camp to bolster positions, if necessary. We’ve got an entire preseason ahead to watch and see if they made the right decision with Chillar.
by Brandon on Jul 29, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's just a jaring
After all we went from having inside backer be the most talented and overloaded position on the team to Robert Francois and DJ Smith being a heartbeat away from calling our defenses. That’s a big switch.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Good point on the formation tendencies.
Even if they aren’t worried, I still am! I have no trust whatsoever in Francois or Briggs.
The voice of reason
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The Munsters of the Midway still suck!
Francois? Really? lol
SUPER BOWL CHAMPS
by Chief Oshkosh on Jul 29, 2011 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Chillar was just on Wilde's show
Said he popped his hamstring a week and a half ago while training. Also sounds like he won’t get an injury settlement. Sucks but I guess that’s how it goes.
Bernie: I seem to have lost my sense of direction!
Kermit: Have you tried Hare Krishna?
I wonder if there is any hope for that.
I doubt it. I don’t think its the money that will stop it…I just don’t think Barnett would be ready to ride the pine yet at this point in his career. I am sure he thinks he’s good enough to start somewhere.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
My bet is that was part of the conversation on Tuesday
After all, it wasn’t just Chillar’s injury that led him out of town…or at least the new one. He was coming off of multiple shoulder injuries and there were rumors about him not coming back right. TT had to have some knowledge of that and did have the face to face with Barnett about his status of GB. With all this in mind restructuring with a back up role had to come up at some point.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah probably true. I wonder if there is something going on out there on the trade front with Barnett since he still isn’t cut. Maybe releasing Chillar now was a signal to a team that JUUUUST maybe we’d keep Barnett if they won’t pay our price! :-)
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
It is weird that he hasn't been cut yet isn't it?
Who knows what’s going to happen there. It actually might be pretty funny if Barnett just renegotiates with the Pack after his big good bye tweet. Maybe it would teach him the mistakes that can be made if he lets his fingers do the talking before a situation fully plays out.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I doubt Barnett would be willing to renegotiate.
He’s too arrogant and egotitstical to admit he’s a backup. He probably would be a really poor teammate as a backup too. He just seems to full of himself to accept a backup role for the Packers and at a major reduction in pay. this does in a way make it easier to trade him tho…
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
He’ll probably get a contract to start SOMEWHERE anyway though.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
I'm pretty sure he will too.
I don’t think a team will pick up his current contract right off waivers tho. They’ll wait till he clears waivers then sign him to a smaller contract. Former starters never are willing to take a release, sign for significantly less and be a backup. Tauscher might cuz he’s like that and realizes his career is about done. But Barnett isn’t done yet.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
All hinges on who's made what offers to him at present.
I’ve only read a few SB blogs that have made mention of Barnett and those were more speculative than official. Unless I’ve missed something – lots of articles have come through the wire this week. Everyone said it would be hectic! No exaggeration.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
As long as he's a Packer he can't negotiate w/ other teams.
Something about tampering. Thats probably why you haven’t heard anything on Barnett signing w/ another team yet.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
maybe this is his punishment for taking it to Twitter…hang onto him as long as possible costing him money. He needs to learn a lesson!
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Um... Why?
And who are you (and who would TT be) to suggest that kind of heavy-handed slap-in-the-face dick move? And who would want to sign with a team that behaves like that, with a self-righteous whoopin’ stick attached to every contract? It’s frivolous and stupid. Teams that behave that way, you know, not like a business, don’t win anything.
This is a business decision. Barnett is more expensive than his value to the team. Maybe another team values him more, and will pay him accordingly. But it won’t work here. Easy. Part ways like men, and let it all sort itself out.
Whats heavy handed...
Packers ARE trying to trade him. Thats why he hasn’t been released yet. Maybe its just karmic punishment for his tweets which made it much more difficult to trade him! Thompson doesn’t do business that way… He will continue to try to trade him and exhaust that possibility before he just releases him!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
It wasn’t your comment, it was the “hang onto him as long as possible costing him money. He needs to learn a lesson!” that was sanctimonious and heavy handed. I have no problem with keeping him to trade him, that’s an even better outcome. But to suggest they do it out of spite just to hurt him? That’s ridiculous.
It was mostly in jest anyway buddy…settle the hell down.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
by TrevorR on Jul 29, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
His comments may have cost the packers a chance to trade him off to a team because he basically admitted the Packers said he’s gone. Why offer a trade when they are getting rid of him.
Players acting like they are media gods on Twitter is stupid and ridiculous and I wouldn’t be surprised to see teams reacting to it at some point. If I came out and said some of the things these players say about my employer, there would be serious ramifications. People are fired all the time for comments made on Twitter/Facebook/etc…there are ramifications for what you do.
To answer your questions:
- dick move? really? action/reaction. cause/effect. its how the world works.
- Signing with them? Players that want a championship. ITs not like the Packers are going after big name FAs anyway…who cares, non issue.
They would be acting like its a business.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
How is it different from using a sycophantic reporter as a personal hype man?
Aside from being your own sycophant?
There’s nothing “cause and effect” about spite. Fans can feel free to be spiteful for their own reasons (a particular distaste for whatever media all those young kids are using these days, for instance). Teams engage in spiteful tactics frequently, as well. One of the most spiteful owners in football is Mike Brown. His teams are certainly accustomed to winning.
You’re right, they don’t sign a lot of free agents, which is a great reason to assume they never will again.
And, believe it or not, while they’re competing for championships, they also want to be treated with respect. Like, I don’t know, human beings.
As I said earlier…you need to take it easy man.
This wasn’t an isolated incedent from Barnett. He continually used the media and twitter and other things to take private issues public. I won’t miss it. He has the right to do it…but I have the right to think he needs to shut up. It makes him look stupid and self serving.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Shrug.
I don’t know what more he had to do on the field to prove himself, other than stay healthy (ok, maybe force a few more fumbles, pressures, etc.). Everything else is fluff, you either pay attention to it or you don’t.
As a person, yeah, I can say I like Des Bishop more from what I know of him—he seems more low key, more humble, etc. As a player, I wouldn’t have been mad having either one as a starter to begin the year, Bishop just has longer-term potential (and might already be the better player). “As a player” is the only thing I really care about.
I have no problem with what he did on the field. I was a big fan of him in past years but the last year or two he’s really dug his own grave with his inability to just shut the hell up.
There ARE penalties for not being able to control what you say (whether on twitter or to the press or whatever). I care a lot about what happens on the field but the other stuff matters too. Its the stuff that makes or breaks guys that are on the line. If he was a team guy and just worked hard and let his work speak for him, he might still be here. Remember he started all the crap about the pictures before the super bowl too which was a VERY much unneeded distraction for the team that wasn’t needed.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
by TrevorR on Jul 30, 2011 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yep, that'll do it.
In that case, news on Barnett may be some time coming because no one’s going to even entertain a trade for him without first getting their ducks lined up, espceially knowing he could be cut and they only have to wait to tender him a deal.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
I almost mentioned the possibility of restructuring in my post above...
but then I thought of what Strohman just pointed out.
Do you think Barnett would restructure his contact?
And take a demotion, and a major paycut? Just asking, cuz honestly I don’t think he would do that… Or do you agree w/ me that he wouldn’t?
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
no
Kidding right, it seems like keeping Barnett is something really worth looking into….I mean come on Francois? The guy who lined up over the long snapper against Miami and probably coated us that game Really??? That guy sucks and nooned should feel comfortable with him on the field…Restructure Barnetts contract because we are one acl injury at ILB from having a serious void right smack in the middle of the defense, which won’t help our run defense as average as it is
Packers over the Bears, Illini over the Badgers...
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 29, 2011 11:23 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Don't let early in the year by the metric for his play
Use the back end of the year, better measuring point of where he is now. At this point in the season Francois is unspectacular but also not terrible by any means. He’s not a guy who is going to play every where like Chillar, but he can hold down the fort while Bishop or Hawk catch a breather.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Shoulder injury was a concern
Back in May I wrote about six players coming off injury that may not return, and the first five on the list are not coming back. Tauscher was number one, and while nothing new on him has been reported this week, no one expects him back at his scheduled salary. Barnett, Harrell, Poppinga, and now Chillar have all been told they’re gone. Only Grant remains on the list, and I did hedge my bet and said that I expected him back.
Mike McCarthy made some comments about the third shoulder surgery that Chillar underwent that made me doubt he’d return. I’m not sure he’ll ever play 16 games in a season again. There wasn’t much talk about his release during the offseason, but I thought that may have had to do with a possible injury settlement or a huge cap hit from his release. Apparently the Packers will save some salary cap room from his release, but I won’t pretend to be a cap expert and confirm it.
The hamstring injury seems to be terrible timing, he’d likely have missed most of the preseason, but I don’t think that alone is the reason why he was released. I think his long-term prospects are in doubt.
Get to know these names now....
DJ Smith – draft day we thought he would just hang on for special teams…who knew?
Peanut Joesph – one thing about the UDFA this year they have cool nicknames.
Vic So’oto – another UDFA
If any of these guys can start making noise in camp then we will have our backups for better or worse.
The new guys
I’m hoping that Peanut becomes a big time player for them. No real reasons other than that I think it would be great to have a guy named Peanut on the team.
by jester13 on Jul 29, 2011 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
we signed them both
get the uni dirty Yuni
Yeah I heard one of the twins ended up signing w/ another team
Can’t confirm tho.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
You're right
I forgot it was Eli we signed not Peanut.
A shame….now the only cool nickname we have is Shaky.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
If you're old enough and from Milwaukee
You will know why I think we also need a Charlie to go with Shaky.
We need a cap room meter
What CMS is APC/SB Nation built on? I could probably make one tomorrow morning.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
That's a pretty good idea
I wouldn’t mind seeing that set up on all the SBN NFL team sites.
2011 Super Bowl Champs!
Not worried... yet
This is a little disconcerting, but Thompsons can always bring back that guy we picked up during the year last year at ILB. I have to imagine Thompson won’t want to go into the season w/ no experienced backup depth at ILB. Someone could fall thru the cracks and becomes available.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Its not too bad when your biggest concerns are with backup players. I’ll take that anyday over stressing over a starting QB or who will play WR!
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
It's true
Have you seen the laundry list of needs/wants over at DN or WCG? They are more concerned about starters are multiple positions….
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Wilhelm
Wilde has tweeted that Mark Wilhelm will not be resigned. Another ILB gone . . . .
Exactly
Just know this name….
D.J. Smith
Keep repeating it. It’s probably going to be him and Francois behind Hawk and Bishop.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree about DJ Smith
Thompson seemed to have alot to say about Smith after the draft. Still think we might want to find an experieced backup at some point.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
That's probably where Francois comes in
I would feel more comfortable with a moderate name player back in there, at least someone who would hold down the fort should the worst happen, but I really think the Pack are going to go with the guys they have, a UDFA and Smith.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I see
What you did there (now)
by GinSlinger on Jul 29, 2011 11:42 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Any decent free agents out there you'd rather have than Barnett?
I haven’t paid close enough attention..
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
If he's healthy (a big if) I wouldn't mind Stewart Bradley, the Eagles opening day LB last year who got a concussion against us.
But like I said, I don’t know if he’s healthy, since I think he also had other injury issues last year. Also, looking at the news now, it looks like the Cardinals might be wanting to make him a starter.
There are a bunch of back-up level LBs still available. None that will make you say “I really want that guy,” but then again, Nick Barnett isn’t that type of player any more either (unless you’re a Lions fan, apparently)
by Packers3485 on Jul 29, 2011 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
"My first reaction is this isn't fair to Chillar"
This is where you and I will have to disagree. He got paid low-end starter’s money to essentially be a 3rd down, passing-situation linebacker, and spent most of his time injured. Had he stayed on the team, he would have been around the 12th highest paid player on the Packers this year.
I think the multiple millions he got paid for his underwhelming time here is more than fair enough, even though I do feel bad that he got injured.
Reading that, says he has received about $10 million since 2009
Yeah, I’m not going to get too broken up over the “fairness” of releasing him. :)
by Packers3485 on Jul 29, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Yup, he'll be fine.
I wasn’t convinced he’d make it through camp even if he’d been healthy. The Packers philosophy, in a nutshell: Youth > Veterans; Developed in house > Signed from another team.
Quick Rookie update
These are the guys signed so far per GBPG:
Rickey Elmore
DJ Smith
DJ Williams
Caleb Schlauderaff (will this name fit in Wisconsin or what?)
Correction
Just DJ Williams signed, not smith yet.
by PackApologist on Jul 29, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Not All That Surprising
With the current cap, I guess the Packers figured they couldn’t afford to take a risk and sign a guy coming of injury.
Im going to miss Chillar
I’m gonna miss Chillar, he was one of my favorite players, and the only player in the NFL of indian background
this play stands out in my mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w9KF-hs5GA&feature=related
Thanks for the effort Chillar! best luck wherever you end up!
If Your Serious
Custom make it on NFL.com…
'I was the guy who took all the reps in the offseason, Brett was the one who took all the reps during the season.' - Aaron Rodgers
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