Packers Cap Situation/2012 FA's

[LUKE23]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/127500523.html

Some Super Bowl champions, most notably Baltimore a decade ago, managed their salary cap so poorly that they had to sacrifice solid starters and went through some tough seasons as a result.

Using a disciplined approach to player procurement and spending under cap specialist Andrew Brandt from 1999-2008 and Ball since, the Packers haven't had a true bloodletting and don't foresee one in the immediate future.

Despite all of the re-signings, the Packers rank 13th among the 32 teams in room under the salary cap at $10.757 million below their adjusted cap of $121.935 million. Elsewhere in the NFC North, Chicago is a healthy $19.224 million under, but Detroit ($1.262 million) and Minnesota ($451,354) have little breathing space.

Of the five starters headed for the market, four are on offense: tight end Jermichael Finley, guard Josh Sitton, center Scott Wells and running back Ryan Grant.

Finley has talked about becoming the elite tight end in the National Football League. So far, injuries have limited him to 33 of a possible 53 games, counting playoffs.

If Finley does put up a spectacular season, he probably will seek to surpass San Francisco's Vernon Davis as the highest-paid tight end. There are seven players bunched between $7.35 million per year (Davis) and $6.25 million per year.

Sitton hasn't been to a Pro Bowl yet, either, but some scouts rate him as an honors candidate and the Packers' top offensive lineman. There are nine guards with contracts averaging at least $6 million, led by New Orleans' Jahri Evans at $8.1 million.

"I think Ted likes his guys," Sitton said. "If you perform and do what you're told and be a team player, then the rest will happen.

"It's a business. The option of free agency is out there after this year. But I would like to play here for a while."

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (10)

Name Pos Age Yrs Salary
Ryan Grant* RB 28 4 $3.5M
Scott Wells* C 30 7 2.75M
Jarrett Bush CB 27 5 1.4M
Jermichael Finley* TE 24 3 1.2M
Josh Sitton* G 25 3 1.2M
Howard Green NT 32 6 810,000
Matt Flynn QB 26 3 600,000
Jordy Nelson WR 26 3 600,000
Erik Walden* LB 25 3 600,000
Pat Lee CB 27 3 555,000

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (3)

Spencer Havner TE 28 2 600,000
Diyral Briggs LB 25 2 525,000
Brett Swain WR 26 2 525,000

Yrs = Accrued seasons. Salary = Base salary.

* Starter.

[Badgerlander]

$10.757 million below their adjusted cap of $121.935 million.
Urestricted = 13.215M
Restricted = 1.65M
Total 2012 space(?) =25.622M? probably closer to 20?

Priorities
Sitton = 8.5M
Finley = 8M
Walden ?
Nelson = 3-6M?

I would think Grant turning 29 in Dec is likely gone, but with no real replacement for Wells I could see them offering a 3 year deal at a reasonable amount or drafting his replacement next year. Lee & Bush have supposedly had good camps but I could see both of them getting ridiculous offers from other teams that wouldn't be worth matching if they show anything this year. Green probably done or vet min. Flynn is gone. I could see Walden having a good year and being tough to resign. If Walden looks good thru the preseason I wouldn't mind them extending him now before he blows up. Havner, Briggs, and Swain do nothing for me really and I wouldn't be shocked if none of them made the team this year. I think Nelson is gone. If he had been on the market I think he would've drawn near 6M after having a decent year and then going off in the SB. I'd be all for extending him right now but unless he really wants to stay I think he can break someone's bank next year.

[LUKE23]

I think Finley and Sitton will be back, Grant gone, DD possibly gone, Nelson possibly gone. Wells would depend on price tag but I see us taking an interior OL high next year regardless. You're right though, we really don't have a true starting caliber C prospect on the roster right now.

[Bucksfans1and2]

Between Clifton and Driver being gone next year we've got some space to get our guys signed.

I'd think going almost all defense this draft with a G/C, and a QB in rounds 4 or 5 would be the way to go.

[MickeyDavis]

Flynn will be interesting. Can't trade him if he'll be a FA. I can't see TT investing any money in a backup QB but I have no idea what he's thinking for that spot.

[emunney]

Pats tagged and traded Cassell, but he was coming off a full season as a starter. Still, I think that could make sense.

[ReasonablySober]

I want to retain Sitton, FInley, Nelson and Walden. It would really suck to see Driver cut, but if that's what has to happen then he goes. Clifton is in the same boat. We have options at left tackle now.

I wouldn't bring Grant back.

Sucks that we're going to lose Flynn, but Harrell should be a fine #2 next season.

If Bush signs for a reasonable deal I'd like to bring him back.

[Badgerlander]

Flynn will be interesting. Can't trade him if he'll be a FA. I can't see TT investing any money in a backup QB but I have no idea what he's thinking for that spot.

TomSilverstein tom silverstein
Randall Cobb threw his first pass (that I've seen). Nice throw and completion.

Finding a replacement for Pickett will be high on the list next year too.

[LUKE23]

No offense to Cobb, but there is no need to ever go into the Wildcat this year with the receiving weapons we have. Keep AR under center. I can't stand the Wildcat.

[Marley2Hendrix]

no wildcat luke, but I fully expect Cobb to get plenty of opportunities with end arounds, and, well, if every fifth end around just happens to end with Cobb tossing the ball to one of those supremely talented wideouts that you don't want to see come off the field (and me too), I wouldn't be too upset.

[emunney]

I like Alameda Ta'amu. Reminds me of Pat Williams.

[Ayt]

Throw a lateral pass to the right side hash to Cobb then have Rodgers run a fly down the left sideline. Profit.

[Bucksfans1and2]

I like Alameda Ta'amu. Reminds me of Pat Williams.

At this point I'm all in on Marcus Forston.

[Badgerlander]

I like Alameda Ta'amu. Reminds me of Pat Williams.

Just screams Alameda Slim nickname, wonder if he can yodel?

[ReasonablySober]

The offense wasn't a juggernaut last season, and it won't be perfect again this season. Adding another dimension for DC's to worry about is a good thing.

I'm all about results. If we run the wildcat and it gets us first downs, then do it.

[Bucksfans1and2]

I think Finley and Sitton will be back, Grant gone, DD possibly gone, Nelson possibly gone. Wells would depend on price tag but I see us taking an interior OL high next year regardless. You're right though, we really don't have a true starting caliber C prospect on the roster right now.

Center position is stacked this year with Konz, Brewster, Vlachos and Jones.

The market might not get much more depreciated for us to get Wells' replacement.

[emunney]

I like Alameda Ta'amu. Reminds me of Pat Williams.

At this point I'm all in on Marcus Forston.

A bit small for a NT, no? Or would you move Raji back?

[Bucksfans1and2]

I like Alameda Ta'amu. Reminds me of Pat Williams.

At this point I'm all in on Marcus Forston.

A bit small for a NT, no? Or would you move Raji back?

Move Raji back, but one of the things I like about Forston is that he's actually big enough to play some downs at NT. He reminds me of Ryan Pickett with some pass rushing ability.

[Badgerlander]

No need for wildcat, just line up 3 TE-Newhouse and Crabtree on the right side, and Finley on the left, Cobb and Quinn in the backfield, Rodgers pitches to Cobb to run thru the hole or throw deep to a streaking Finley.

[LUKE23]

The offense wasn't a juggernaut last season, and it won't be perfect again this season. Adding another dimension for DC's to worry about is a good thing.

I'm all about results. If we run the wildcat and it gets us first downs, then do it.

I somewhat agree, but I guess my primary point is that we have SO MANY receiving weapons as is, I don't see the Wildcat, even as a new wrinkle, as being more effective over just isolating a favorable matchup with Rodgers. I mean, we want Rodgers throwing the ball over Cobb regardless of the situation.