The Greg Jennings Conundrum

[zmanishere11]

This, in my opinion, ranks right up there with what to do with our #9 pick, as this off-season's most important issue.

Under my understanding, Jennings would be an unrestricted free agent after next year. I know that could change depending on what happens with the new CBA, but for the sake of making this easier, lets assume his deal ends after this year and is unrestricted.

Ideally TT makes resigning Jennings his #1 off-season priority, but there are rumblings that he/his wife doesn't like Green Bay and would prefer to play else where.

My feelings are this: If Jennings would rather "test" free agency than guarantee he and his family 20/30 mil this off-season, there might be something to him not wanting to be here and you have to shop him NOW.

Now realistically we could franchise him after next year, but then you're dealing with training camp hold-outs, potential for drop in productivity (see Ryan Grant), and if he makes it clear he doesn't want to be here, I feel his value would decrease.

Next, you have to consider who would be interested and what could we get?

The team at the top of my list is the 49ers. They ended the season hot, have some high draft picks, and have possibly the worst WR core in the NFL (Issaac Bruce, Josh Morgan, Arnaz Battle, Bryant Johnson). They also have some nice weather and a fun city, if that's truly what Greg wants.

The Lions got a 1st/3rd/6th for Roy Williams (who in my opinion is absolute trash). I'd be willing to bet the 49ers would consider the #10 pick this year, along with their 2nd (#42) to solidify their WR core with Jennings. There's not a WR outside of Crabtree that could help the 49ers immediately like GJ would, so why not?

With the picks, we'd have a ton of options (6 picks in the 1st 3 rounds in a deep draft). We could move up and grab Crabtree or one of the big OT's. We could sit tight and grab the best safety in Taylor Mays and one of Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno. With two high 2nd's we can focus on DT's and OT's, and with our 3rd's we could look at trading for a veteran like Tony Gonzalez.

Using www.walterfootball.com as a mock guide, we could turn Jennings into one of the top RB's or LB's in the draft, and a great OT/DT prospect.

I think Seattle could have some interest, and you can never count out Al Davis and the Raiders, but I just see the 49ers feeling like they can make some waves next year and making a move like this would help them big time.

Thoughts?

[ReasonablySober]

The Cowboys overpaid for Williams and everyone in the NFL knew it the second that deal was made. I wouldn't expect a similar package for Jennings despite Greg being the better player. I do think he's worth a first round pick and San Fran is a team likely to be interested.

I said last summer that Jennings' desire to play elsewhere was likely a big reason for the Nelson pick. I don't think Jennings is likely moved this offseason, though. I think a situation in which he's franchised and then traded is more likely.

[MickeyDavis]

I agree. I have discussed why Jennings wants to leave in other threads so I won't go into it now and it doesn't really matter. But TT needs to sit down with Greg SOON and either sign him to an extension or look at trades. Yes we can tag him a year from now but I don't know that that is the best thing to do.

The Packers made Jennings a very good offer before the season started. In fact, more than one. And they wanted to keep talking to him but he refused. When Rodgers signed his extension Jennings made the comment that he was "auditioning for 31 other teams" every week.

One comment Jennings made a couple of days ago: "It's not my focus," Jennings said. "It will come. I'm not worried about it. I have one year left on my contract. That's how I have to approach it. And then we'll talk."

In my opinion he's risking a lot if we waits another year. Career threatening injuries happen all the time. The Packers have a history of taking care of their own and there is no doubt TT will make a very fair extension offer to Jennings. It would have benefited the Packers greatly to get it done before December of this year, we could have used 2008 cap dollars for a big chunk of his signing bonus. That's one reason TT got Rodgers deal done.

But I don't think we can afford to let this play out. An extension has to be done or alternatives have to be considered.

[xTitan]

I was told today that Jennings was quoted as saying if he signs an extension this offseason with the Packers he may require that Driver come back for a year or 2, that is how much he believes in the passing game here.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't see much drop off in Drivers game. I've always assumed Driver would play another year and likely two.

[El Duderino]

I don't see much drop off in Drivers game. I've always assumed Driver would play another year and likely two.

Me neither

Every time i see him catch a ball and get a step, he never gets caught from behind and the guy keeps himself in incredible shape. He's an ideal #2 WR option right now and i think for next year and likely at least one more after that.

[an_also]

Terrell Owens is a couple of years older than Driver and he still seems like he hasnt lost a step. Im sure driver will be good for a few more years if he keeps in shape

[Mags FTW]

I pegged Jones to have a breakout year, but he caught the injury bug. I think he'll pass Driver next year.

[aaprigs311]

DD and T.O. pride themselves in keeping in superior shape. They are both rock solid. I could easily see Driver playing into his late 30's. No doubt in my mind he'll be the starter next season and probably the season after.

[an_also]

Driver is one of the guys i have utmost respect for. The way he plays the game and the way him and his family overcame adversity in his younger days. He strikes me as a guy who will give 100% in his offseason training as well as in season. He will be close to 1000 yards again next year barring injury and will be a force to reckoned with down the middle.

[an_also]

Jennings sounds like he would like to work out an extension

As for his contract, Jennings said he is "optimistic."

Reminded he could strike it rich on the open market with a possible uncapped year in 2010 if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached between the NFL Players Association and the owners, Jennings replied, "I don't know if I really want to test that. I definitely would love for something to happen. But again, I'm not stressing the issue. I still have one year left on my contract. If I need to play it out, I'll play it out. Hopefully they've seen some things in my growth and they'll reward me."

[trwi7]

By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 29, 2008 11:34 a.m.


Green Bay - That the Packers followed a drama-filled offseason with one of their most frustrating season, doesn't mean one results in the other. Or even that there's a correlation.

But between the Brett Favre saga and the stalemate over a new contract for running back Ryan Grant, Packers fans are probably hoping the new year will be one of no drama for the Packers off the field.

Receiver Greg Jennings, who is entering the final year of his second-round rookie contract in 2009, thinks fans shouldn't fret about his contract negotiations rocking the green-and-gold boat.

"They shouldn't worry about that," Jennings said this morning as Packers players cleaned out their lockers. "I'm here to play football, the business will take care of itself. If it comes down to it, I'm not a type that wants to hold out. Now, if that comes to happening, I'm not going to sit here and say I won't do it but I'm about 99.9% sure that I won't be doing any of that. That's just not me. But, again, you never know what happens but I don't see it happening at all."

Jennings is set to make $530,000 base salary next season, the final year of his contract. He is, obviously, a huge bargain. It would be very much in the Packers' best interest to sign Jennings to a contract extension before next season. If they don't, Jennings will undoubtedly test the waters as an unrestricted free agent.

Jennings said there is no question he wants to remain a Packer.

"I would love to get something done," Jennings said. "Ultimately that decision isn't up to me so I have to just sit and play it by ear and if something happens it does."

Jennings' agent, Eugene Parker, will likely Bernard Berrian's contract with the Minnesota Vikings as a baseline. He signed with the team as a free agent last year.

The Vikings gave Berrian, a pedestrian yet talented receiver with the Chicago Bears, a six-year, $42-million contract with $16 million in guaranteed money.

Jennings' stats were far better than that of Berrian this season in every category, including catches (80-48), yards (1,292-964), touchdowns (9-7), and receptions of 20 yards or more (21-14).

The Packers could counter by saying that Jennings played with a better quarterback in Aaron Rodgers while Berrian had to make do with Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson.

That would be a good way to get the negotiations off on the wrong foot, like Packers general manager Ted Thompson did when he lowballed Grant.

After what everyone went through in '08, nobody wants that.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/36834254.html

[crkone]

Give him 6 years at $50 million, with $20 million guaranteed to start with and go up from there.

[MickeyDavis]

The offers TT has made to Greg so far have been less than what Berrian got, especially the signing bonus. TT is going to have to increase his offer quite a bit. We'll see what he does. TT really wanted to get Jennings signed before December so he could use 2008 cap dollars. And yet still came in with a somewhat low ball offer.

If TT ups his offer and Greg signs it the question will be why didn't TT do that in the first place and use this years cap numbers.

The bottom line is Greg still would rather not stay. But he's certainly not going to say that in public. But he's also smart enough to know that a major injury next year will cost him big time. Right now I'd put it at 50/50 that he signs an extension. If we get to training camp with no extension the liklihood of one being signed is small.

[ReasonablySober]

MD, were you drunk last night?

The Packers made Jennings a very good offer before the season started. In fact, more than one. And they wanted to keep talking to him but he refused. When Rodgers signed his extension Jennings made the comment that he was "auditioning for 31 other teams" every week.

?

[Ill-yasova]

This just in.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/insider/index.shtml
Jennings likes GB and would like to stay.

[MickeyDavis]

He did get a very good offer. But less than what Berrian got, if that's the measuring stick. But I don't know if it should be. Greg would be getting his signing bonus a year earlier than Berrian did so perhaps it should be somewhat less. I don't know. I don't know if Gene is using Berrians contract as a reference or not. He could be. But there might be another receiver out there who signed an extension a year before free agency and that could be the measuring stick that is being used by Gene.

[MickeyDavis]

This just in.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/insider/index.shtml
Jennings likes GB and would like to stay.

Jennings is a smart guy. He would never say anything bad about Green Bay to the public. Never. By saying what he said yesterday and today he puts all the pressure on the Pack to get a deal done. Very smart. Hopefully it works out.

[Ill-yasova]

This just in.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/ic/blogs/insider/index.shtml
Jennings likes GB and would like to stay.

Jennings is a smart guy. He would never say anything bad about Green Bay to the public. Never. By saying what he said yesterday and today he puts all the pressure on the Pack to get a deal done. Very smart. Hopefully it works out.

It also somewhat paints him into a corner. If they throw a good deal at him, and he turns it down, these quotes look deceitful on his part. Some players may be alright with that, but I think Jennings is pretty up front and respectable.

[ReasonablySober]

The deal Berrian signed made him the 4th highest paid in the game last season. I guess I would up it a bit in both total value and guaranteed money.

Using Berrian's deal as a starting point isn't a slap in the face to Greg.