Are The Chances That The Packers Re-Sign Scott Wells Decreasing?
by Brandon on Feb 21, 2012 7:01 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Free Agency
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PrintPackers, Wells likely will part ways - JSOnline. I'd like to see the Green Bay Packers re-sign Scott Wells, and I've been assuming that something would be worked out because Mike McCarthy wants him back next season too.
But it's unusual for the Packers to re-sign free agents in their 30s, and they didn't make much of an effort to re-sign LG Daryn Colledge last season. Of the Packers notable 2011 free agents, they only re-signed K Mason Crosby and WR James Jones (at the last minute), while allowing RB Brandon Jackson, Colledge, and DE Cullen Jenkins to depart.
I hadn't expected Ted Thompson would want to lose a Pro Bowl performer, but that's what he did in March 2005 when RG Marco Rivera (who was about the same age then as Wells is now) signed a free agent contract with the Cowboys.
Based on what Bob McGinn wrote, it appears that they are negotiating. But while I expect Wells will sign for around five-years at $5 to 6 million per season, it doesn't appear that the Packers are willing to pay that much. There are enough teams with needs at center, the Redskins are one example, that he should be able to find that kind of money somewhere else. Especially after a Super Bowl win and a Pro Bowl appearance.
What were to happen if he were to leave? They don't have a player currently on the roster who could replace him. Evan Dietrich-Smith would be at the top of the depth chart, but he should be left as a backup. Practice squad C Sampson Genus didn't look like a starter in waiting last preseason either. I doubt they'd use a third consecutive first round draft choice on an offensive lineman, even if Wisconsin's Peter Konz were still available at the end of the first round. Handing the starting center's job to a mid to late round pick would be a huge risk.
I'm not writing him off just yet, but I'm not as optimistic as I was a couple weeks ago.
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I'd sure hate to see him go...
Our cap situation isn’t the best in the league, and you’d think the chances of signing him would get slimmer the closer we get to FA… We have to trust that TT is closer to the situation than we are, and that he knows what he’s doing!?!? I sure hope so anyway… Wells is one of those guys that you just can’t help but root for! Lock him up Teddy!! : )
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
by BirdDogUni on Feb 21, 2012 7:13 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I agree
I’m a Wells fan. A rock on an inconsistant O-line. Have to trust TT I guess.
I can't see letting Wells go.
I understand the over-30 thing, but with Jenkins we at least had already drafted his replacement (Neal). Looks more and more like Neal will be a bust (IMO), but a least we had a plan at the time. We really have no one that I would feel comfortable at C. Am I wrong?
The Packers are a draft-and-develop team. Wells was drafted, and he developed into a good player.
They can’t keep all their older good players – like Wells and Driver. They’ll need the money soon for Matthews and Finley and others, young players with upside. Wells has little upside left: he is what he is and will presumably get worse rather than better over time. If Wells leaves, they’ll have to replace him via a player on the team, a free agent, or the draft – that’s how they work.
These are the hard choices GMs make in the salary-cap era. I don’t envy Ted his job.
While I've hoped they sign Wells.
I’ve been expecting the Packers to let him go to FA. A recent article I read at GBPG kinda convinced me he was done w/ the Packers.
If you read the article, it explains the Packer philosophy, and thereby their thinking regarding Wells. He’s a good player, but for the most part he is just a guy. He isn’t a difference maker. Yes he makes the OL calls, but Rodgers is all grown up and can handle a larger role in that regard and EDS has been in the system for 2 years. I think EDS is a more natural Center than OG. His size is limiting him at OG, whereas at Center it is less important.
There’s an old saying in scouting that if you’re a player and teams don’t design game plans to stop you, you’re just a guy.
Wells is just a guy by that definition… He’s a good player, but teams don’t game plan for him. Time for him to move on, as I’ve mentioned in the past…
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
I hope Wells can stay...
but I understand his ambivalence about staying in Green Bay.
This article at JSOnline, http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-wells-likely-will-part-eyes-jq48tpp-139774733.html is a good description of the way he’s been treated by the team.
At the old Packer Addict site, I remember this debate about Wells vs. Jason Spitz. Many said Spitz would be better because he was bigger. Spitz was one inch taller and one pound heavier than Wells according to the 2009 roster.
Many forget Wells’ background as a high school (and college?) wrestler. That’s a very effective combination in that Wells understands leverage and angles better than most. It also speaks to his athleticism.
Wells is in a great bargaining position. At 31 (?), Wells is not over the hill. Many OL play well into their 30s. Jackie Slater comes to mind. He played 20 years. If Wells departs in free agency, it will be the Packers’ loss.
by Slim11 on Feb 21, 2012 10:10 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
How has he been treated by the team?
They drafed him and gave him a chance. They stuck w/ him even when he wasn’t very good. They worked w/ him to develop him into a starter and he became good enough to be a Pro Bowler last year. Now that he’s 31, if they decide to move on w/o him he’ll cash in as a FA w/ another team for about 7 or 8M per. They helped make him what he is and helped him to get to the point where he can command top dollar as a FA. Wells has become alot better than everyone thought he could be, including himself. They paid him about 18M while they gave him the opportunity. I don’t see how they owe him anything. Hell, if he has class, which I think he does, when he leaves, if he does he should start by thanking the Packers and then the fans… If the team wants to move in another direction, that is their right.
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Read the article
In 2009, Spitz was given every opportunity to become the starting center over the incumbent Wells. The alleged size difference was one factor. Spitz started the 2009 season as the center. Wells was kept despite efforts to trade him. Spitz injured his back and, fortunately for the Packers, Wells stepped in and his performance never let Spitz back in the lineup at center.
Do the Packers “owe” him anything? No. But making next to no apparent effort to retain Wells is questionable at best. If Wells was 34, 35 years old then I’d be inclined to let him go, but not now. Wells has a lot of good football left at 31. His age is not a factor.
His age is a factor
He’s on the wrong side of 30 & hasn’t shown a whole lot in the years leading up to his 30s. I wouldn’t mind retaining him, but I have a feeling he’ll price himself out of GB. I won’t celebrate like I did when Colledge signed with the Cardinals, but this is the reality of the modern-day salary capped NFL.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
Age
is not the big factor here, it’s price.
For OL players, 31 isn’t as old as 31 is for a RB,WR,DB,LB. The hits O-linemen sustain are of a much lower intensity and frequency than at other positions.
If Wells doesn’t remain in Green Bay, he’ll likely do well for another 2-3 seasons. As I said earlier, if he was 34/35, moving him out would make more sense. Someone will pay for his services and it appears Green Bay won’t pay that price.
It is age...
Any time a vet over 30 gets to his contract year, you can expect this… Jenkins was same age as Wells is and was a playmaker and had to be accounted for. Yet Thompson let him walk. Sure the injuries had something to do w/ it, but any Packers FA over 30 is gonna be let go. Clifton and Tausch were the only exceptions and that was due to the fact we had NO ONE who could play OT. We got lucky getting Bulaga in the draft after we signed them, but we certainly didn’t expect that one of the best OT in the draft would fall to us. Age has alot to do w/ it…
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Yes, price is the big factor
His age is another factor.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
I remember it very well...
ANd I’m glad we had Wells. I thought Spitz would be the better long term Center, but once he hurt his back all bets were off. VERY glad we had Wells to fall back on… now he is a 31 yr old FA and the Packers just aren’t very likely to bring him back. Any Packers FA that hits 30+ is likely not to be re-signed!
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Spitz looked HORRIBLE after that back injury. I remember him coming in for Colledge one time when he was having a poor game, and seeing him get tossed to the ground like a rag doll a couple times. He was never the same after that injury.
by packallday555 on Feb 23, 2012 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
The one year early/one year to late thinking known to be of TT
IMO,isn’t applied only to a players ability but also in the money able to be spent on him.Wells isn’t a game breaker and being on the other side of 30 and seeking his last grasp for a payday,it may be one that again TT cannot afford with the up coming extensions/renewals of the game breaker positions…Raji,Rodgers,CM3,GJ and for some,the all important gang buster himself…JerMichael (I can catch but ain’t healthy/I’m healthy but can’t catch) Finley.
E-DS,isn’t the guy to allow Wells to take a walk but if he plays every week a decent pairing of him and Rodgers should prevail for a season while the next center is found or decided on.Is that a risk yes,but no less the risk if Wells was to get hurt in week one which seems to happen right after the big signing of a FA of your own or from elsewhere.
Is age really an issue for Wells?
The Packers kept Frank Winters until he was 38.
We’ve already got some major issues at o-line (Clifton will be 36 this year, and it remains to be seen how effective Sherrod will be when (or if!) he comes back. I’d hate to see Wells added to this list if it can be helped…
Different management, can't use that as an example.
I already told you! I deal with the god damn receivers so the linebackers don’t have to! I have coverage skills; I’m good at covering people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?!
I don’t think there is any doubt that Sherrod will be back. Breaking your leg isn’t pretty, but it’s not usually a career ending injury like a neck or back.
by Tracker J Dunn on Feb 22, 2012 2:46 AM CST up reply actions
There's minor leg breaks, and then there's what Sherrod had
which is both bones broken in his lower leg. It’s not impossible to come back from, but it is very serious.
Here’s an article that talks about Sherrod’s injury, and compares it to what happened the same break that happened to Lynn Dickey. Dickey’s recovery took 2 years before he was able to play again.
by DaveInTucson on Feb 22, 2012 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Different medical times
I wouldn’t be shocked if Sherrod doesn’t play next year, but medical science has come a long way since Dickey’s day.
13.
"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."
if Wells is let go, this offensive line is going to be very poor.
I am too drunk to taste this chicken.
by ThroughBeingCool on Feb 21, 2012 11:50 AM CST reply actions
Totally agreed
And I don’t want to endure more of Aaron running for his life on every passing down. If Wells goes, then to Hell with what happened in previous years: draft a center as high as it makes sense to do so. It feels like this line has been held together with scotch tape and bubble gum for years now.
I know where I come from, and when you always have in mind where you come from the rest will be easy. I think the rest will be easy.
-- M. Rivera
Umm, really? Last year’s nominal starters included two current or former Pro Bowlers in Wells and Clifton, another shoulda-been PBer in Sitton for his work in 2010-11, plus 4th round pick Lang and 1st round pick Bryan Bulaga. Another 1st rounder in reserve in Sherrod, plus Newhouse (5th round) and Evan Dietrich-Smith (undrafted), all of whom may not have played at Pro Bowl levels but were at least competitive.
Giacomini is gone. Barbre is gone. They’ve got people who can play, and replacements lined up for the old men in the group. How exactly is this a scotch-tape-and-bubble-gum line, and (honestly) not a good-and-getting-better offensive line?
by Ebongreen on Feb 21, 2012 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 8 recs
OK ~ I want to know who's going to play Center if Wells is let go??? EDS? Sampson?
Seriously… Who do we have? Evan Dietrich-Smith & Sampson Genus… Can either of these guys be expected to be the General of the OL? IDK??? Both are un-drafted FA…
Does this mean that Teddy is going to draft Konz if available? Can’t just have continuity on the line even for one year? lol
Still hope TT pulls a rabbit out of the hat for Wells… Unless there is something we don’t know?
"SOUTHERN HILLS KENNEL" ~ We Breed The Best Bitches In TEXAS!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
How many of us said the same thing when the 7th Rounder Scott Wells became our starter several years ago?
I would like to resign Scott Wells along with the rest of us. However, I do recall EDS putting up a couple good games last year, including his performance where he single handily shutdown Suh, got into his head, then let Suh self implode. IF TT and McCarthy feel that EDS is ready to assume the starting position at C, I will take their word for it. EDS is a no name player, but he didn’t disappoint last year. He has also been in our system for a couple years, so he knows our audibles and adjustments at the line. This move would also save us a lot of money, which can be diverted towards other players like Matthews and Finley. I think this is just a decision where we have to trust our Front Office. Either way, I think we’ll be alright.
One game at a time...
by Jabooty on Feb 21, 2012 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Couldn't agree more!!
I was so dead set against Wells for his first 3-4 yrs in the league. It took till last year before I was finally able to admit he turned into a good Center. EDS isn’t a favorite of mine either, but given the way Wells developed, and the way he played vs Suh, I have some confidence in him to get the job done. I’m w/ you on this… I’ll defer to Thompson/McCarthy to make this decision. I would be fine if they brought him back, I just don’t see it tho…
Our Biggest Challenge is how we deal w/ Success!
Who says Stroh can't admit when he's wrong? :)
I was so dead set against Wells for his first 3-4 yrs in the league. It took till last year before I was finally able to admit he turned into a good Center.
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
"got into his head, then let Suh self implode"
"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence!"
After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.
by NorthStarr on Feb 22, 2012 2:07 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Someone will overpay for him
There is NO WAY (with our cap situation) that we can afford him. He would have to take significantly less money to stay here (or we let go of Finley).
If they let him go
I’d be fine with that. But only if they use the money they would have spent on him on getting an elite (or at least good) DE or OLB. I can live with drafting a center to replace Wells next season if we are signing a sure fire thing that will help the pass rush
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
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