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Pete Doughtery just posted a pretty good summary of the packers FA's and our cap situation. We'll have roughly 21 million in cap space if we let go of Hawk/Jones. Thought the article would be a good place to start discussing which ILB we can sign to go along with decisions on resigning Cobb, Bulaga, Williams, House, Raji and a few others.

http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports ... /21243889/

Also on Cobb it will be very interesting to see if the packers are willing to pay him more than Nelson. If Cobb hits the FA market I can easily see that happening. Pete also didn't touch on what the packers will do with Peppers. I would hope we can get some type of discount on doing something with his current deal.

I hope we can somehow do Cobb and Bulaga under 13 million cap hit and use the last 8 to find some type of replacement at the ILB.

I think we get Cobb and Bulaga done, I think ILB will be addressed in the draft, I just don't see the money there to bring in a FA.

Not to derail this thread but who are the big free agents in 16? Seems like after this year everyone is locked up so no point in saving money for extensions midseason.

MartyConlonOnTheRun wrote:Not to derail this thread but who are the big free agents in 16? Seems like after this year everyone is locked up so no point in saving money for extensions midseason.

Article is saying Daniles is the only one to lock up.

MartyConlonOnTheRun wrote:Not to derail this thread but who are the big free agents in 16? Seems like after this year everyone is locked up so no point in saving money for extensions midseason.

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-pa ... early-cap/


So the 2016 names: Hawk, Jones, Neal, Perry, Crosby, Starks, Quarless, Hayward, Goode, Daniels


Neal, Hayward, Perry and Daniels are the big names in 2016 imo, injuries could easily take one or more of them out of the equation between now and then. Hawk and Jones could very easily be gone this year. Quarless appears to be just a guy, Starks could be on the cheap again like he was this year but he will also be 30 years old which is that magic age for running backs. Seems like neither Goode nor Crosby should be expensive if we want to keep them around or could very well find replacements for either.

chuckleslove wrote:I think we get Cobb and Bulaga done, I think ILB will be addressed in the draft, I just don't see the money there to bring in a FA.

Yep.

2016 certainly looks light on our own FA situation, but 2017 most of our offensive line will become free agents so I would guess you will start seeing them get new contracts in 2016.

2017: Sitton, Lang, Tretter, Bakhtiari, Lacy, Hyde, Peppers(likely gone)

Always hard to predict how injuries might change things 3 years down the road but there is no way we let 3 starters and a backup lineman walk in the same year so I would imagine someone will get an early extension in 2016, possibly 2 or more lineman and Lacy and Hyde could get early extensions too.

Cobb and Bulaga are must signs.

I would try to bring back Tramon over Davon House, but I won't be shocked if TT opts for the younger and likely cheaper House even though he was clearly the inferior player this year.

We'll see what happens in the playoffs but I think we can work something out with Peppers too. He seems to like it here and we seem to like having him.

Turk Nowitzki wrote:Cobb and Bulaga are must signs.

I would try to bring back Tramon over Davon House, but I won't be shocked if TT opts for the younger and likely cheaper House even though he was clearly the inferior player this year.

We'll see what happens in the playoffs but I think we can work something out with Peppers too. He seems to like it here and we seem to like having him.

I wouldn't mind going with the cheaper option in house but I don't know if house can last an entire season. Seems like the shoulder injury keeps coming back. Also CB is another high priority in the draft.

Tramon and House will be interesting. Tramon had a very good season but he will be 32 before the start of next year, not sure what his perceived value is around the league.

Clay is friends with Orakpo, maybe he can convince him to come chase a ring on the cheap.

I don't understand how Cobb is a "must sign."

Cobb is my 2nd favorite player on this team (behind Jordy), but if we take off our green and gold glasses and look at:

1. The other guys we need to re-sign in the future

2. The strength we have at WR right now

3. TT's ability to consistently draft stud WR's

4. His injury history / small frame

5. The 3rd round compensation pick for letting him walk

then I just don't see how you pay Randall Cobb.

The one that scares me a little is Lacy - he's eligible for an extension after next year, and if I were him I'd sit until I got one.

To me - all resigning the following guys is more important than re-signing Cobb: anyone on our o-line, Mike Daniels, Lacy, and Casey Hayward (especially assuming Tramon walks).

The concept is simple - we let any of those guys walk, I think we regret it big time, both from a standpoint of breakout potential for that specific player on another team, or total lack of depth on our own team at their position.

I don't think if Cobb signs with another team, we look back at that at the end of next year and say "that cost us a chance at the Super Bowl".........

zmanishere11 wrote:
2. The strength we have at WR right now

3. TT's ability to consistently draft stud WR's

If Cobb leaves that becomes a huge weakness of our team, after Jordy we have to hope that Adams steps into the 2 spot. Than we'd also have Janis, Dorsey or Abby grow into the slot position. Might be wrong on this but looking at the 4 WR as a whole on this roster, this is the worst set of 4 we've had the last 5 years. IMO

zmanishere11 wrote:I don't understand how Cobb is a "must sign."

Cobb is my 2nd favorite player on this team (behind Jordy), but if we take off our green and gold glasses and look at:

1. The other guys we need to re-sign in the future

2. The strength we have at WR right now

3. TT's ability to consistently draft stud WR's

4. His injury history / small frame

5. The 3rd round compensation pick for letting him walk

Ummm.

1: Thats a concern with resigning ANY player

2: What strength at WR???? We got Jordy then we got Cobb and then a rookie in Adams who even though I like him is far from being a #2 wideout and then after him we didnt have a WR catch 5 pass' s all year.

3: Fair enough. TT can spot WR talent

4: One big injury his entire carear almost two years ago shouldnt scare anyone away

5: If we end up losing Cobb and end up with a 3rd round comp pick it would mean a COLLOSAL F UP on TTs part. Tag n trade him if u cant keep him but letting him walk shouldnt be an option.

Point is we're NOT deep at WR right now. We got Nelson, Cobb and some flashs from Adams and behind them guys that we shouldnt even be sure if they're going to stick on the team over the next few years

WR is a strength without Cobb? No chance, especially if you factor in our lack of talent at TE.

I'd try to tag and trade Cobb.

Can't pay everyone and Id rather keep Bulaga and spend money elsewhere to fortify the defense. Good vet wideouts can always be had for cheap towards the end of the off-season.

Nothing against Cobb as a player. Obviously he had a tremendous season and is still very young. To me he looks a step slower, and given his injury last year and small frame I hold my breath every time he gets hit. If for some reason we can get Cobb back for less than market value I change my mind but I can't see paying him Jordy type money.

Re: Orakpo. I'm not interested. He's another guy who always seems to have nagging injuries. I'd rather try to get Peppers to restructure. Worst case I still bring him back on his option. Good year and seems to be a good influence on the locker room.

Hawk and Jones are both gone (though I feel like I've said that about Hawk for the last five off seasons). Since they seem to love Hawk, I would offer him a vet minimum deal to come back strictly as a special teamer. Doubt he's interested.

As far as receivers go, I would look long and hard at DGB if he's available in the first. I know he's as big a knucklehead as it gets but if you have any confidence at all in the coaching staff and players' ability to get through to him he could be the biggest steal in the draft.

Talent and measurable wise he's the closest thing to Megatron as you're gonna see. One regret I've always had with Brett was we never got to see him play with a physical freak at wideout. Closest we got was one great season with Javon Walker. I know the huge risks involved but talent wise DGB is probably a top 5 pick. If we traded Cobb for say a second rounder it would lessen the blow if he isn't what was advertised.

On defense I think it's likely we'll see Raji back on a similar deal as last year but slightly less money. His market will be very small and we have a need with Guion a free agent. We need some beef back in the middle anyways. If not, I'd like to give Dan Williams a long look from the Cards.

I'd be a little surprised if DGB declares. He's probably a 2nd rounder in a deep WR class, but if he goes to Oklahoma and has a dominant season he could be a top five pick.

CUT – Hawk BJones Boykin

RFA
Barclay -yes
Richardson -yes

UFA – in order of priority
Cobb -yes up to $1mil > Jordy's deal OR TAG/TRADE
Guion -yes
Bulaga –like to but probably cost too much - Barclay Tretter and draft
Williams – if takes a reduction
raji - if takes a reduction
house - like to but probably cost too much
tzolzein Flynn - sure
kuhn bush lattimore – only for minimum

DRAFT – if we don’t sign any major FA’s
1-WR/ILB- if cobb leaves / if not
2-ILB/TE
3-OT/CB –if Bulaga leaves / if House or Williams or both leaves
3-CB/TE – if either House or Williams or both leaves / if both stay
4-TE

We don't need to cut Boykin, do we? Isn't he a free agent?