6 Free Agents Packers Wisely Passed On

[Deleted member 6794]

If he looks more like a 2 million dollar a year linebacker then what? Should we have still signed him for 7 million or 6 or whatever it was?

What if Trevathan looks like a $6 million linebacker though??? Should we still not even have talked to him???

 

[PackerDNA]

IMO, everything I know - and that I've seen- leans much more heavily towards him working out very well. Sometimes- and especially if such an assessment weighs in favor of it- you've got to go for it.

 

[Mondio]

IMO, everything I know - and that I've seen- leans much more heavily towards him working out very well. Sometimes- and especially if such an assessment weighs in favor of it- you've got to go for it.

and if their assessment didn't weigh in favor of it? It certainly wouldn't be the first time a FA didn't perform to the level everyone said they would

 

[Deleted member 6794]

and if their assessment didn't weigh in favor of it? It certainly wouldn't be the first time a FA didn't perform to the level everyone said they would

It wouldn't be the first time a free agent performs up to expectations either but you only consider the one side of the coin that fits Thompson's approach.

 

[PackerDNA]

It wouldn't be the first time a free agent performs up to expectations either but you only consider the one side of the coin that fits Thompson's approach.

I gotta say, Mondio, sometimes you do come across that way.

 

[Vrill]

we are really just speculating on such things.

A lot of what we discuss on this forum is speculation though. We really have no idea what goes on behind closed doors with TT/MM and why this and why that etc.

 

[PackerDNA]

A lot of what we discuss on this forum is speculation though. We really have no idea what goes on behind closed doors with TT/MM and why this and why that etc.

Sure, a lot is speculation and opinion. They're the lifeblood of any such site. But some pretty solid thoughts and conclusions can be drawn based on events and situations. IMO, there are no idiots here.

 

[Mondio]

I gotta say, Mondio, sometimes you do come across that way.

What way?

 

[PackerDNA]

What way?

As a zealous, no matter the conversation TT defender. Just an occasional impression, not meant as a knock on you.

 

[Mondio]

He has my respect, why shouldn't he? I do think he's very good at his job. I have often said he's not perfect. I defend him because he's good and even if I don't agree with all of his moves, I can at least see the logic behind them and how they attach themselves to the bigger picture that is the team.

I think it's easy to make decisions on a message board with zero accountability and no effect on anything other then the single focus and position in ones mind. I'm not going to attach myself to those arguments because he has earned my respect enough not to.

Sure I'd like our ILB to be better, but I also don't believe the ILB position was the reason our season fell flat last year. Not even close. Same with the TE position. So while I can appreciate that better players at every position would be nice, I can also appreciate that sometimes players and coaches, who have proven themselves to be very good and capable of playing at very high levels don't always perform as such. I'm not holding that against the GM either.

In the end, I'll always support a guy that can do his job as well as Ted does. And if that means adhering to building a team and atmosphere that means giving the guys you believed in every chance to realize the potential they believe they have, I'll get behind that too. Sometimes they'll get it wrong.

 

[PackerDNA]

He has my respect, why shouldn't he? I do think he's very good at his job. I have often said he's not perfect. I defend him because he's good and even if I don't agree with all of his moves, I can at least see the logic behind them and how they attach themselves to the bigger picture that is the team.

I think it's easy to make decisions on a message board with zero accountability and no effect on anything other then the single focus and position in ones mind. I'm not going to attach myself to those arguments because he has earned my respect enough not to.

Sure I'd like our ILB to be better, but I also don't believe the ILB position was the reason our season fell flat last year. Not even close. Same with the TE position. So while I can appreciate that better players at every position would be nice, I can also appreciate that sometimes players and coaches, who have proven themselves to be very good and capable of playing at very high levels don't always perform as such. I'm not holding that against the GM either.

In the end, I'll always support a guy that can do his job as well as Ted does. And if that means adhering to building a team and atmosphere that means giving the guys you believed in every chance to realize the potential they believe they have, I'll get behind that too. Sometimes they'll get it wrong.

Which I would submit is what you also do, only on the other side of the coin. Basically because I don't believe respecting someone precludes disagreeing with them, as long as it's done respectfully. E.G.- TT is a no good bum, fire him- doesn't cut it.
As to the rest of your post, rock solid answer, and thanks for it.

 

[Mondio]

I do disagree with things. Last year my biggest gripes were Bahk as our option for starting LT and Lang as our option at backup tackle. This year I'll wait till draft and training camp time till I have much of an opinion

 

[PackerDNA]

I do disagree with things. Last year my biggest gripes were Bahk as our option for starting LT and Lang as our option at backup tackle. This year I'll wait till draft and training camp time till I have much of an opinion

All good, and thanks again.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I have often said he's not perfect.

Unfortunately I can't remember any of those occasions, as it seems with all of the Thompson can't do wrong crowd. Even worse, turning mostly valid points of fans criticizing him into ridicule.

On the other hand I haven't seen any reasonable posters here advocating for him to be fired because we all agree he's doing a fine job overall but wanting him to address obvious positions of need that haven't been taking care of in the draft for several years running with a free agent signing for a reasonable deal.

Sure I'd like our ILB to be better, but I also don't believe the ILB position was the reason our season fell flat last year.

I agree that the ILB position wasn't the reason for the Packers downfall last year but it was in 2014.

I do disagree with things. Last year my biggest gripes were Bahk as our option for starting LT and Lang as our option at backup tackle.

I don't remember Lang entering last season as the primary backup at any of the tackle positions.

 

[PackerDNA]

Even worse, turning mostly valid points of fans criticizing him into ridicule.

On the other hand I haven't seen any reasonable posters here advocating for him to be fired because we all agree he's doing a fine job overall but wanting him to address obvious positions of need that haven't been taking care of in the draft for several years running with a free agent signing for a reasonable deal.



This, for me , is a huge point. As I've said, I don't believe the two camps are far apart; indeed, we're in basic agreement. It's the extremes on each side of the discussion that are an issue.
IMO, what you try to do is build with top players at top positions (e.g. Rodgers, Matthews); you put a solid support core around them ( Nelson, Sitton, Peppers, etc.). Good draft and develop, solid cap management, sprinkle in an occasional and judicious trade and free agency signing to fill gaps , and with some luck with injuries and a high enough percentage of young guys developing as you hoped they would, you've managed to put together a roster that will compete for and hopefully win titles. Before age, decline, injuries and such conspire to force a retool if not rebuild of this base roster, I'd look for a 'window' of 5-7 years.
I believe that window is closing, and fast. I don't see the draft or any use of trades or free agency providing any real help this season, much less 'get over the hump' moves.
After the last few weeks, I have given up any hope of TT ever doing such things. He will never change, or move outside of his own self imposed lines, irregardless of situation or opportunity.I will not next off season waste one second looking at the UFA list and figuring possible ways of getting them.
IMO, '13 and '14 were this teams high point, and best shots at winning it all. '13 was the 'what if' year, destroyed by injuries. No need to recap '14. Going into this past season, I had the NFC as between GB and Seattle; everyone else, 2nd tier. In looking back on this season, it's clear to me that the Packers were 2nd tier, and not on the very short list of legit SB contenders.
Thompson has done, by any account, an outstanding job as GM. But, IMO, it's his self imposed glass ceiling- and his inability/refusal to break through it, that has the team in the discussion every year, but, as the competition aggressively pushes to improve, will prevent the Packers from hoisting another Lombardi in his time here.

 

[Patriotplayer90]

Even worse, turning mostly valid points of fans criticizing him into ridicule.

On the other hand I haven't seen any reasonable posters here advocating for him to be fired because we all agree he's doing a fine job overall but wanting him to address obvious positions of need that haven't been taking care of in the draft for several years running with a free agent signing for a reasonable deal.



This, for me , is a huge point. As I've said, I don't believe the two camps are far apart; indeed, we're in basic agreement. It's the extremes on each side of the discussion that are an issue.
IMO, what you try to do is build with top players at top positions (e.g. Rodgers, Matthews); you put a solid support core around them ( Nelson, Sitton, Peppers, etc.). Good draft and develop, solid cap management, sprinkle in an occasional and judicious trade and free agency signing to fill gaps , and with some luck with injuries and a high enough percentage of young guys developing as you hoped they would, you've managed to put together a roster that will compete for and hopefully win titles. Before age, decline, injuries and such conspire to force a retool if not rebuild of this base roster, I'd look for a 'window' of 5-7 years.
I believe that window is closing, and fast. I don't see the draft or any use of trades or free agency providing any real help this season, much less 'get over the hump' moves.
After the last few weeks, I have given up any hope of TT ever doing such things. He will never change, or move outside of his own self imposed lines, irregardless of situation or opportunity.I will not next off season waste one second looking at the UFA list and figuring possible ways of getting them.
IMO, '13 and '14 were this teams high point, and best shots at winning it all. '13 was the 'what if' year, destroyed by injuries. No need to recap '14. Going into this past season, I had the NFC as between GB and Seattle; everyone else, 2nd tier. In looking back on this season, it's clear to me that the Packers were 2nd tier, and not on the very short list of legit SB contenders.
Thompson has done, by any account, an outstanding job as GM. But, IMO, it's his self imposed glass ceiling- and his inability/refusal to break through it, that has the team in the discussion every year, but, as the competition aggressively pushes to improve, will prevent the Packers from hoisting another Lombardi in his time here.

I think what we're seeing is '10 was the exception rather than the rule, and we have been a second tier team every year before and since. People can bring up last year when Wilson was throwing it right to our secondary every other play, but we were lucky to even beat Dallas, with one of the most controversial calls in playoff history being a factor.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Thompson has done, by any account, an outstanding job as GM. But, IMO, it's his self imposed glass ceiling- and his inability/refusal to break through it, that has the team in the discussion every year, but, as the competition aggressively pushes to improve, will prevent the Packers from hoisting another Lombardi in his time here.

Mostly agree with your post but hope you're wrong about not hoisting another Lombardi Trophy under Thompson.

 

[Vrill]

Its really hard to say these days what teams are improving and what teams are not. Games aren't won on paper. They are won on the field. So its just more speculation to automatically assume Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit (or anyone) are improving any.

If games were won this time of year, The Eagles dream team, Washington Redskins, Cowboys and other habitual big spenders would be the champs.

There are way too many variables to assume anything this time of year.

 

[Vrill]

What if Trevathan looks like a $6 million linebacker though??? Should we still not even have talked to him???

Part of the problem is, there are "knowns" and "unknowns" in FA. It looks like TT only takes a chance at the knowns. Regardless of what you or anyone says, Trevathan is still an unknown. He has never had to lead a defense before that was under par talent wise. But he will in Chicago. So lets see what he does. I'm betting its 50/50 he even makes an impact.

Its easy to drive a beautiful well put together car. Lets see what he does driving a broken down Pinto.

 

[Patriotplayer90]

Part of the problem is, there are "knowns" and "unknowns" in FA. It looks like TT only takes a chance at the knowns. Regardless of what you or anyone says, Trevathan is still an unknown. He has never had to lead a defense before that was under par talent wise. But he will in Chicago. So lets see what he does. I'm betting its 50/50 he even makes an impact.

Its easy to drive a beautiful well put together car. Lets see what he does driving a broken down Pinto.

Expecting one player to make a bad defense good isn't realistic. As is suspecting a player who was good on a good defense is actually a bad player. The move would have filled a whole in the defense, while also allowing us to add the BPA in the draft so that maybe one day we could have a great defense. But now we are handcuffed to having to draft an ILB.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I think what we're seeing is '10 was the exception rather than the rule, and we have been a second tier team every year before and since. People can bring up last year when Wilson was throwing it right to our secondary every other play, but we were lucky to even beat Dallas, with one of the most controversial calls in playoff history being a factor.

The team was elite in 2011 as well, unfortunately only in the regular season though.

 

[Patriotplayer90]

The team was elite in 2011 as well, unfortunately only in the regular season though.

Offensively, yes. Defensively, they were a mess, and it caught up to them.

 

[PackerDNA]

Offensively, yes. Defensively, they were a mess, and it caught up to them.

Even on offence they were only one dimensional; Rodgers and the passing game. The Chiefs showed everyone how to take care of that.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Part of the problem is, there are "knowns" and "unknowns" in FA. It looks like TT only takes a chance at the knowns. Regardless of what you or anyone says, Trevathan is still an unknown. He has never had to lead a defense before that was under par talent wise. But he will in Chicago. So lets see what he does. I'm betting its 50/50 he even makes an impact.

Trevathan is more of a known player than any draft pick just entering the league.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Offensively, yes. Defensively, they were a mess, and it caught up to them.

Even on offence they were only one dimensional; Rodgers and the passing game. The Chiefs showed everyone how to take care of that.

While it's true that only the passing attack was elite during the 2011 season it was that dominant that the team was the best in the league during the regular season.