2018 Green Bay Packers Training Camp: Rodgers Extension Reportedly Done

[FVBrewerFan]

Burnett is much like Nelson, he can still play but you can't keep them all. I also think the whole "QB of the defense" thing the media talks about all the time is a joke. All I saw constantly last year was confusion all over the field before, during, and after the snap. If he was the QB of the defense, he was about as good as the QB of the offense we had most of last year.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Matthews was the next to go if they used that money to upgrade CB or other positions.

[superfly]

 

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Matthews was the next to go if they used that money to upgrade CB or other positions.

 

Hopefully they make that move yesterday.

[MrTPlush]

I didn’t like Randall and Burnett isn’t stellar by any means, but we just took the worst area of the team and made it much worse. If all we do is sign bounceback guys and draft, wow. Sounds like surefire disaster.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Unless someone of the Tramon Williams type (solid vet with leadership) gets brought in here, this is an unmitigated disaster. I didn't particularly like Burnett at this stage of his career and believe them on Randall, but there is literally zero in the DB ranks right now. So going by that, the answer is to bring in more rookies to go with the rookies that were not good last year? Without a guy like Terrence Newman (mentoring the young MIN DB's) to help stabilize the situation? Hmm? Not to mention our draft is kind of REKT in its current state, we're basically forced to take 1-2 CB very early just to have *bodies*.

 

I know everyone loves names in the media, but we essentially exchanged one older pass catcher for another and signed a DL with motivational issues. I like the moves but let's not get ahead of ourselves, they both have a TON to prove...it's not the 5 year ago versions of either.

 

Unmitigated disaster? Come on LOL. It sure is a good thing player acquisition can happen after the month of March.

 

There are several solid veteran free agents still readily available, and some younger guys that have talent. Plus there are plenty of other solid players available via trade, which is another route I expect them to pursue. No one is saying the signings of Graham and Wilkerson don't carry inherent risks, either. But I am 99% sure that Graham and Wilkerson, when combined, will have a greater impact on the 2018 team than the current version of Jordy Nelson would, at roughly the same salary cap hit.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I didn’t like Randall and Burnett isn’t stellar by any means, but we just took the worst area of the team and made it much worse. If all we do is sign bounceback guys and draft, wow. Sounds like surefire disaster.

 

The defensive backfield was all kinds of suck last year. Addition by subtraction.

[FVBrewerFan]

I didn’t like Randall and Burnett isn’t stellar by any means, but we just took the worst area of the team and made it much worse. If all we do is sign bounceback guys and draft, wow. Sounds like surefire disaster.

 

Coaching changes alone should make them better. Very early, all kinds of options left including trades, moving up in the 1st round to get a stud CB, etc. There's no reason a rookie CB can't step in and play well immediately- happens every year.

[SeaBass]

I don't see a lot of panic from the Packers about their defensive backfield. If the Packers were panicking they would have absolutely overpaid for some of the guys that went elsewhere for not a lot of money. They would have stepped up and brought Burnett back.

 

They have a plan, I'll wait a while longer before I get really concerned. I am concerned, but I have to believe that BG is not an idiot.

[pacopete4]

Too early to call it a disaster. We've already seen a few really good moves by BG. He released an aged WR that didn't have much in the tank that released $12M to the cap. He signed Graham and Wilkerson to contracts that used up that money not having to touch a dime of the $20+M in cap room that the Packers have. So far smart moves. Would I like to see the Packers shore up the defensive backfield? Absolutely. But it doesn't have to happen by March 20th. Hopefully, some more sneaky moves are up the front office sleeves and do this thing right.

 

Eric Reid anybody? He could come a bit cheaper now and is a good football player.

[FVBrewerFan]

Eric Reid anybody? He could come a bit cheaper now and is a good football player.

 

Not impossible, but I think they feel they're in pretty good shape at Safety.

[Point Beer Is Best]

 

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Matthews was the next to go if they used that money to upgrade CB or other positions.

 

Hopefully they make that move yesterday.

 

Matthews should be extended, not released. I think you guys are focusing too much on sack numbers and not his overall impact to the defense. Let's see what he does in this new defense, especially if they allow him to move around quite a bit.

[CheezWizHed]

I wouldn't have minded Burnett back this year, but not at his asking price. To get paid like an elite player you need to elevate those around you and I didn't see him do that in the last couple years. He wasn't one of the "problems", but he wasn't one of the solutions either.

 

As others have said, this is normal football turnover. At least we have Jones, Evans and Brice as depth. None of them are stars (yet), but not much different than Burnett either. If signing a "Tramon Williams" is all they need to do to avert disaster than we have it pretty easy.

 

Bashaud Breeland is an interesting option. I'm guessing he resigns with Carolina after his foot heals, but I wonder if the Pack can make a play before then? Not sure how risky it would be to waive that injury to sign him, but something to consider. Ross Cockrell is another possibility. Or we could look at Tramon and/or Eric Reid on the less expensive side.

 

Expect a CB with one of the top two draft picks for the Pack this year and most likely a second later (if TT were still running the draft, i would say certainly another CB).

 

Add in King (who played well last year when not injured) and Rollins (slot CB). It will be interesting who out of Brown, Pipkins, Hawkins and Waters can step up their play after another year's experience (and hopefully better coaching).

 

Yeah, I wish they were all all-stars back there, but its not like the stable is empty either.

[pacopete4]

 

Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Matthews was the next to go if they used that money to upgrade CB or other positions.

 

Hopefully they make that move yesterday.

 

Matthews should be extended, not released. I think you guys are focusing too much on sack numbers and not his overall impact to the defense. Let's see what he does in this new defense, especially if they allow him to move around quite a bit.

I agree. I expect big things from Matthews this season. Listening to Pettine speak about him makes me think he believes there's more in the tank from Clay.

[Point Beer Is Best]

For everyone that is up in arms over the defensive backfield (and admittedly, it's pretty easy at this point to get nervous), it might be a good time to remind everyone that at this point last year, the Philadelphia Eagles secondary was also not in great shape. But these moves were made (take note of the timing).

 

Free agency began March 9th:

 

March 9th - March 27th: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in regards to DB acquisitions

March 28th: Signed CB Patrick Robinson on a 1 year deal (just signed a 4yr/$20M contract to go back to NO, but was a journeyman)

March 29th - NFL Draft: Nothing again

NFL Draft (April 27-29th): Spent two top-100 picks on CB's (Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas)

.....

August 11th: Acquired Ronald Darby from Buffalo for Jordan Matthews & a 3rd round pick

 

A few other minor trades/signings were made. But they waited to "bargain" shop for help and used the draft. They also used other means (trades) during Training Camp. It's way, way too early to panic about a lack of moves at the position.

[CheezWizHed]

Clay was actually pretty good last year. One of the few defensive bright spots.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

For everyone that is up in arms over the defensive backfield (and admittedly, it's pretty easy at this point to get nervous), it might be a good time to remind everyone that at this point last year, the Philadelphia Eagles secondary was also not in great shape. But these moves were made (take note of the timing).

 

Free agency began March 9th:

 

March 9th - March 27th: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in regards to DB acquisitions

March 28th: Signed CB Patrick Robinson on a 1 year deal (just signed a 4yr/$20M contract to go back to NO, but was a journeyman)

March 29th - NFL Draft: Nothing again

NFL Draft (April 27-29th): Spent two top-100 picks on CB's (Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas)

.....

August 11th: Acquired Ronald Darby from Buffalo for Jordan Matthews & a 3rd round pick

 

A few other minor trades/signings were made. But they waited to "bargain" shop for help and used the draft. They also used other means (trades) during Training Camp. It's way, way too early to panic about a lack of moves at the position.

 

And I would be willing to wager that there were plenty of Eagle fans calling the team's defensive backfield a disaster at this time last year. Thank you for researching this. It is a terrific way to put all the armchair GM stuff in perspective.

[FVBrewerFan]

No, it's not about sack numbers. I don't know how many times he didn't seal the edge when that was his job. How many times he was blocked initially on his pass rush and just stood there and gave up.

 

I have no problem if Pettine has a way to get more out of him, I will trust his decisions until proven otherwise. I also have no problem if they use that money elsewhere. Honestly, I would be thrilled if they put him in the middle full time. If he was motivated to do it, him and Martinez would be pretty special in the middle of the field.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Allen Hurns is under consideration for the Packers.

 

Big receiver at 6'3", 210. Ran a 4.55 coming out, which isn't blazing, but not slow either. He is only 26.

 

Personally, I'd rather see them target a more explosive WR in a trade, but Hurns wouldn't be a bad depth signing. I have a feeling he's going to cost more than what the Packers are willing to pay, though.

[superfly]

Allen Hurns is under consideration for the Packers.

 

Big receiver at 6'3", 210. Ran a 4.55 coming out, which isn't blazing, but not slow either. He is only 26.

 

Personally, I'd rather see them target a more explosive WR in a trade, but Hurns wouldn't be a bad depth signing. I have a feeling he's going to cost more than what the Packers are willing to pay, though.

 

I'm on board. He plays faster than he times, had several long TD the past couple years if i recall.\

 

Didn't we have a bunch of interest in him when he came through the draft?

[pacopete4]

For everyone that is up in arms over the defensive backfield (and admittedly, it's pretty easy at this point to get nervous), it might be a good time to remind everyone that at this point last year, the Philadelphia Eagles secondary was also not in great shape. But these moves were made (take note of the timing).

 

Free agency began March 9th:

 

March 9th - March 27th: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in regards to DB acquisitions

March 28th: Signed CB Patrick Robinson on a 1 year deal (just signed a 4yr/$20M contract to go back to NO, but was a journeyman)

March 29th - NFL Draft: Nothing again

NFL Draft (April 27-29th): Spent two top-100 picks on CB's (Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas)

.....

August 11th: Acquired Ronald Darby from Buffalo for Jordan Matthews & a 3rd round pick

 

A few other minor trades/signings were made. But they waited to "bargain" shop for help and used the draft. They also used other means (trades) during Training Camp. It's way, way too early to panic about a lack of moves at the position.

 

And I would be willing to wager that there were plenty of Eagle fans calling the team's defensive backfield a disaster at this time last year. Thank you for researching this. It is a terrific way to put all the armchair GM stuff in perspective.

It gives you hope. But that is about it. It does not give you any certainty that the stars will line up for the Packers offseason to unfold in that way. But here's to hope.

[brewcrewdue80]

The thought on Wilkerson not giving full effort. I'd think could come as being on a team that was outscored by 84 or more points 5 of his 7 seasons with only 1 winning season(he had 12 sacks/probowl) Put on a winning team, actually having a chance playing for a Super Bowl I'd think his effort improves especially on a 1year deal.

[PeaveyFury]

Hurns was mighty good in 2015, then ineffective and nagged by injuries the last couple of years. It would be interesting to see how he could fare with a legit QB.

[CheezWizHed]

Wow... Burnett's contract was 3 years for $14.5M. Hard to see him walk away at that price.

[LouisEly]

Wow... Burnett's contract was 3 years for $14.5M. Hard to see him walk away at that price.

I think it's as much about how high they are on Jones and Brice and having what they perceive as equal replacements than about losing Burnett for $5M/year.

 

The other question is how much guaranteed money Burnett is getting from PIT versus how much GB was offering. GBs AAV may have been in line, but with little guaranteed.

[PeaveyFury]

Starting to see some mocks that have Fitzpatrick falling near or to Green Bay at 14. One mock I saw this morning had Fitpatrick taken at 13, and Joshua Jackson falling into the early 2nd.

 

I'd certainly feel a LOT better about the secondary if we can nab the best DB in the draft in the first, and package one of our 4ths to trade up and get a guy like Jackson or Alexander in the 2nd if there in the first few picks on day 2. Those DBs (including King and Jones) would be full of talent, though very young.

[docduany]

Josh Jackson in the second giving up one of the fourth round picks would be amaze balls!!! Sign me up.

 

I'm also coming around to signing Tra and House. I don't like the idea of signing the oldest corners in the history of the world, but what are the options ?