Article: Dealing With Jennings Won't Be Easy
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:31 pm
I've posted before that Jennings doesn't really want to stay here (despite what he said publicly after the season). My gut feeling is he will end up staying but the article below does make some good points about why he may not.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Before cleaning out his locker, Greg Jennings told reporters that he wants to remain with the Packers. Those had to be comforting words to fans who tend to get agida whenever a star player is one season away from unrestricted free agency. And while the 25-year-old wide receiver may indeed sign a long-term contract with the team between now and next March, we’d advise fans to keep an extra large bottle of Pepto Bismol close by - just in case. “These negotations aren’t going to be easy,” said a person familiar with the situation. “[General manager] Ted Thompson really likes Jennings, but he doesn't believe in giving huge money to a wide receiver."
That last sentiment is consistent with what we were told on the day that the Packers hired Thompson. Here’s what we wrote in an article from January 2005: “Green Bay's new GM puts a high premium on quarterbacks, offensive tackles, defensive linemen and cornerbacks. He puts far less value on receivers, interior offensive linemen and safeties.” Nothing that Thompson has done since taking over would contradict that statement. He opened up his wallet to keep Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Kampman and sign free agent Charles Woodson. He has yet to make a sizable investment in a receiver, an interior offensive lineman or a safety. That’s what makes the upcoming negotiations with Jennings - not to mention Nick Collins - so intriguing.
How much will it take to keep Jennings? “Based on what other receivers are making, I’d say the Pack will have to fork over close to $17 million in guaranteed money on a deal worth at least $8 million annually,” said the source. “That’s a lot of money for a receiver not named Steve Smith or Larry Fitzgerald.” Is Jennings worth that type of deal? “He’s very good, but he’s not special,” opined a former scout. “Defensive coordinators respect but don’t fear him. Look, I’d love to have him on my team, but I wouldn't be willing to throw my entire salary structure out of whack to make it happen.”
While Jennings proved to be both dynamic and unselfish in 2008, his play down the stretch left some in the organization scratching their heads. “He seemed to lose focus once the weather turned bad and the team was eliminated from the playoffs,” said the source. “He didn’t run his routes nearly as aggressively and he dropped a bunch of passes. Conversely, [veteran wide receiver] Donald Driver gave every bit the effort in week 16 that he gave in week 1. It’s probably not that big of a deal, but it’s definitely something to consider when you’re talking about committing so much money to one player.”
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Before cleaning out his locker, Greg Jennings told reporters that he wants to remain with the Packers. Those had to be comforting words to fans who tend to get agida whenever a star player is one season away from unrestricted free agency. And while the 25-year-old wide receiver may indeed sign a long-term contract with the team between now and next March, we’d advise fans to keep an extra large bottle of Pepto Bismol close by - just in case. “These negotations aren’t going to be easy,” said a person familiar with the situation. “[General manager] Ted Thompson really likes Jennings, but he doesn't believe in giving huge money to a wide receiver."
That last sentiment is consistent with what we were told on the day that the Packers hired Thompson. Here’s what we wrote in an article from January 2005: “Green Bay's new GM puts a high premium on quarterbacks, offensive tackles, defensive linemen and cornerbacks. He puts far less value on receivers, interior offensive linemen and safeties.” Nothing that Thompson has done since taking over would contradict that statement. He opened up his wallet to keep Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Kampman and sign free agent Charles Woodson. He has yet to make a sizable investment in a receiver, an interior offensive lineman or a safety. That’s what makes the upcoming negotiations with Jennings - not to mention Nick Collins - so intriguing.
How much will it take to keep Jennings? “Based on what other receivers are making, I’d say the Pack will have to fork over close to $17 million in guaranteed money on a deal worth at least $8 million annually,” said the source. “That’s a lot of money for a receiver not named Steve Smith or Larry Fitzgerald.” Is Jennings worth that type of deal? “He’s very good, but he’s not special,” opined a former scout. “Defensive coordinators respect but don’t fear him. Look, I’d love to have him on my team, but I wouldn't be willing to throw my entire salary structure out of whack to make it happen.”
While Jennings proved to be both dynamic and unselfish in 2008, his play down the stretch left some in the organization scratching their heads. “He seemed to lose focus once the weather turned bad and the team was eliminated from the playoffs,” said the source. “He didn’t run his routes nearly as aggressively and he dropped a bunch of passes. Conversely, [veteran wide receiver] Donald Driver gave every bit the effort in week 16 that he gave in week 1. It’s probably not that big of a deal, but it’s definitely something to consider when you’re talking about committing so much money to one player.”