The NFL Offseason Has Begun

but I don’t necessarily think it’s the best course of action. And it’s not that likely, considering their management style. Considering the lack of holes on the team overall, and that they aren’t likely to lose any key contributors unless they let Finley go, I think it’s much more likely they trade up and take a premier pass rusher then use the rest of their picks to fill out the linebacking corps, replace Bush (if they don’t re-sign him), and find a new QB project for McCarthy and Clements to play with.

But I’ve been wrong on Thompson’s draft strategies before.

He was cut for a reason but if the price is way down, those reasons don’t matter that much.

You’re a genius.

he is going to work this off-season to recoup the money as a stonemason

I’ve read that it’ll depend on how much he lined up as a “receiver” as compared to a “tight end”. That being said, I really hope he doesn’t try and push that too hard.

And really, I hope it doesn’t get to the point where we don’t have to tag him. I know he wants to paid big money and if he had a big season then I wouldn’t have a problem with it — but he didn’t. His season just good, and too me, that means he should get a just “good” contract. Maybe something like 4 years $20-24M.

I’d love to sign Mario Williams as well, but I think the Texans may use the franchise tag on him.

Even if they don’t, why ask the 2009 DPOY to take a major paycut? I’ll take Woodson (who was overtaxed this year) anyday. James Jones? Just the tip of the iceberg for this kid, I’m sticking with him and I fully expect AJ Hawk to improve all-around (I know, I’m an optimist). As for Wells, he’ll sign for more than $4m and Bush for less than $2.5m as well as Driver (if he doesn’t retire). And where’s Finley in all of this? Rodgers made it quite clear than he wants him back next year.

Mario Williams is a pipe dream that most likely won’t happen. But we’ll see as it would be nice to see the Packers spend a little at the UFA buffet.

Do you have any idea how the fuck the NFL works?

For one, Woodson makes 11.5 mil this season and 6.5 the next two. So while its possible he may be willing to lighten his contract a little, I wouldn’t count on it since he’s already taking a 5 mil pay cut for 2013 and 2014. Also, cut JJ and Hawk? You do realize they just resigned them last year right? Hawk is better than his replacement and if you cut Driver along with JJ you’re left with 2 proven WR, a 2nd year up and comer, and two completely unproven guys, which won’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing secondaries. As for signing Mario Williams, I don’t know what it is but I keep getting Albert Haynesworth vibes from the guy like he’s going to pack it in once he gets paid. I could be wrong but thats the feeling I get from him. Finally, enough of the tag and trade Flynn crap. It ain’t gonna happen because its too risky to even attempt it. If they tag him, they have virtually no leverage whatsoever to trade him because every team knows it will hamstring us to hold onto him. Thats not a gamble a well run team makes.

and not PFiF!

I could see Clifton and Driver being cut but Jones and Hawk won’t be. They were both just signed to new contracts last season. I doubt Woodson restructures either. His play over his new contract thus far has warranted him being paid what he has and is going too.

No way we sign Williams. He’s going to get interest from a lot of teams which means his price gets bid up. That will scare Thompson away from him for sure, imo.

I agree we need to find an OLB but that can be done in the draft. It may require us trading up but that’s fine, imo. We’ll have gotten compensatory picks for Jenkins and Flynn, so we’ll some extra picks to work with. Plus, this a team that’s already young and already has a strong core. It’s not like giving up a 2nd or 3rd is going to do us in.

woh woh woh…the #8 pick and a third? We’ll be lucky to even get the #8 pick from the Dolphins.

Where are you getting those salary figures? They’re completely inaccurate. According to Rotoworld:

AJ Hawk: 2012 salary – $4.4MM, with a $6.4MM penalty if he is cut (net $2MM- savings)
Chad Clifton: 2012 salary – $5.25MM, $0 penalty to cut (net $5.25MM savings)
Donald Driver: 2012 salary – $2.6MM, $0 penalty to cut (net $2.6MM savings)
James Jones: 2012 salary – $2.3MM, $1MM penalty to cut (net $1.3MM savings)

So if they cut all of those guys (which they won’t), they would only stand to save $7.15MM off of the 2012 salary cap. Clifton and Driver are the only two who have no deferred signing bonus, which counts immediately against the cap in the event the player is cut. Hawk’s signing bonus share is more than his 2012 salary, meaning the team would cost themselves cap space by cutting him.

So, yeah, no, this is a bad plan.

I really feel he is an awesome weapon,

He is Young and he is a WEAPON! That makes him a game changing player that teams have to game plan for. Which is why he isn’t going anywere… You just don’t let young playmakers go… Scott Wells is a good Center, but he is just a guy… A guy teams don’t have to game plan for, which is why I am now of the opinion that Thompson lets him walk. Wells is just a guy, who will be replaced fairly easily, but Finley is a young playmaker that teams should not let go.

Make all you want of his drops this year, and he had too many, but the coaches even say he has the best hands on the team, and he has NEVER had trouble catching the ball before (ZERO drops in 4 games in ‘10). His hands are fine, he’s a playmaker that teams have to gameplan for and he is young! Those are 3 VERY good reasons he should stay and the only reason he should go is cuz THIS year he dropped too many passes, but that won’t be anything but a one year abberation!