The contracts tendered by the Green Bay Packers to restricted free agents CB Tramon Williams and DE Johnny Jolly came in higher than was previously expected. From Tom Silverstein at JSOnline.com:
The Packers apparently were worried that cornerback Tramon Williams and end Johnny Jolly were going to get away, because they used the highest possible restricted free agent tender on Williams (first- and third-round) and the second highest (first round) on Jolly.
The market rate for a starting cornerback is a 3rd round pick, which is what the Chargers received from the Jets for CB Antonio Cromartie. No team will give up a 3rd round pick, plus a 1st round pick, for Williams. I'm a little surprised at the high tender for Jolly, but with more teams switching to the 3-4 defense in 2010 there should be more demand for a 3-4 end like Jolly.
Whatever works. I just want to see both players wearing green and gold next season.