Free Agency: TE's

[Pokerbrat2000]

Cross Ladarius Green off the list. Schefter reporting he's going to sign with the Steelers.

Probably cross Gates off the list as well, since I assume this means the Chargers will concentrate on resigning him.

Steelers were listed as one team interested in Hunter Henry, one less team competing to draft him if they sign Green.

 

[Ace]

Probably cross Gates off the list as well, since I assume this means the Chargers will concentrate on resigning him.

They already did

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Gates signed a 2 year $6M/year deal. Curious to know how many Packer fans would have liked that signing had it been with the Packers?

 

[C-Lee]

I got excited when I saw Gates was resigning with the Chargers... only to be let down that Green is going to be a Steeler now.

He would have fit perfectly here.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

jsonline’s Tom Silverstein in an article yesterday titled, “Packers have tight end options in free agency” talks about the names we’ve discussed here and then zeroes in on Ted Thompson territory with the line, “There are a few lesser-known tight ends the Packers could zero in on.” He mentions the Cowboy’s James Hanna who he says is mostly a blocking TE - IMO not a Packers need although they don't have one - and then writes,
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ons-in-free-agency-b99683212z1-371480391.html

I assume Sudfield was tendered, but after doing a couple of searches, I still don't know.

Neither Dray nor Sudfeld (who hasn't been tendered by the Jets so far) aren't athletic tight ends that fit the Packers needs though.

Gates signed a 2 year $6M/year deal. Curious to know how many Packer fans would have liked that signing had it been with the Packers?

I would have been fine with signing Gates to a deal like that but I don't think there was ever a chance of him leaving San Diego.

 

[sschind]

There are probably 4 or 5 game changing TE's in the league and none of them are available to the Packers right now (ie none of them are free agents) From what I have read there is no game changing TE available in the draft either. That certainly doesn't mean the Packers can't improve their TE situation some with a FA or draft pick but it does mean that even if they get a starter other than RR he isn't going to be that game changer that so many want. He isn't going to be that TE that makes defensive coordinators worry.

IMO the closest to that would be Ladarius Green and given what Allen signed for I'm guessing Green will get at least that much. If you want Ted to spend that much on him fine, I won't argue, I won't even disagree. I like LG, a lot. Its just that a signing of that caliber will come at a price. That price may be worth it (nice fence I am on here isn't it?)

I agree with several points on both sides of the argument. Sure, It would be nice and certainly an improvement to get that speedy big guy who could stretch the field. On the other hand I think the entire Packers offense had an off year last year and I fully expect them to bounce back. That includes RR. Now some will say "bounce back to what" and they will be right, he will never be that game changing top 5 TE that makes defenses sweat but IMO he doesn't need to be. There is a difference between what is needed and what would be nice?

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Green at all. I wouldn't be opposed to trading for Martellus Bennett if the price was right. Both would be instant upgrades to the starter position at TE. As for any other TE available to the Packers right now I don't see them as that instant upgrade automatic #1 TE. A guy that you could say "he will be our starting TE" A few I would consider would be Gresham, Davis, Josh Hill but I don't see them as automatic upgrades and clear #1s.

The bottom line is I would love a top 5 TE but there are none available and until one becomes available I think RR can be an adequate TE in our offense.

That last line reminds me of the Homer Simpson line when he had 2 bucks left to buy a Christmas tree "Isn't it sufficient"

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Might just be another year of "draft and develop a TE"?

Really hard to say that RR will or won't be a productive TE in 2016, since alone he isn't a game changer and his production will depend on the rest of the offense being productive. Were his 2015 numbers a bit off, just like the rest of the receiving corp.? He isn't a down field threat, but maybe getting Jordy back will open things up for him, Cobb and anyone else running routes for the Packers. Meanwhile we can sit back and see where Perillo, Backman or a rookie TE puts us at this time in 2017. Repeat and Rinse.

 

[TJV]

I still want a free agent TE acquired...

 

[Shawnsta3]

This year free agency is most likely the only way to significantly upgrade the tight end position as the draft class is terribly weak.

Speaking in extremes is very rarely the correct answer. This is even more so in the NFL. Is this upcoming draft weak at the TE position according to most draft-gurus? Sure. Could you not be able to find a difference maker in 256 picks + UDFA? Yeah, I'm pretty sure you could.

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

If you need a ray of sunshine regarding the Packers' TE situation:

1. Look at the stats for the 2014 offense. Very prolific offense but the TEs (Quarless, RRodgers, Bostic) had fewer receptions than RRodgers had this season. However, they did average about 11.2 yards per catch. With the return of Jordy...
2. Speaking of ypc, RRodgers averaged 11.3 ypc in 2014 on (just) 20 catches. Reverting to that ypc would be an improvement.
3. Hope Brian Angelichio is a really, REALLY good coach and he gets the absolute most that can be gotten out of Backman, Perillo, Mitchel Henry, and the draftee/UFDA they'll surely acquire.

But I still want a free agent TE acquired...

 

[TJV]

 

[thisisnate]

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Hate to throw another Bear player into the conversation, but Zach Miller is available.

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[Deleted member 6794]

IMO the closest to that would be Ladarius Green and given what Allen signed for I'm guessing Green will get at least that much. If you want Ted to spend that much on him fine, I won't argue, I won't even disagree. I like LG, a lot. Its just that a signing of that caliber will come at a price. That price may be worth it (nice fence I am on here isn't it?)

Well, it seems like Green´s deal with the Steelers is for four years and $20 million. I think that´s a reasonable deal and the Packers could have afforded to sign him to a similar one.

Speaking in extremes is very rarely the correct answer. This is even more so in the NFL. Is this upcoming draft weak at the TE position according to most draft-gurus? Sure. Could you not be able to find a difference maker in 256 picks + UDFA? Yeah, I'm pretty sure you could.

It´s for sure possible, but as I´ve said in my previous post highly unlikely, to find a difference maker at tight end in this year´s draft.

 

[Packerlifer]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/po...-agent-visit-former-rams-tight-end-jared-cook

 

[Curly Calhoun]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/po...-agent-visit-former-rams-tight-end-jared-cook

This is the type of a player that makes sense for the Pack if the price is right. He's still young, athletic, and since he was cut by the Rams he would not count against GB's compensatory picks. The negatives are the drops and the fact he has underachieved, and is not an especially good blocker. Then again, he's never had a guy like Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball before. He could help open up the offense a bit.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/po...-agent-visit-former-rams-tight-end-jared-cook

For what it's worth, one writer's take on Jared Cook:

Talk to fans of the Titans and Rams (are there fans of the Titans and Rams?) and you won’t hear a lot of nice things about Jared Cook, the veteran tight end who visited with Green Bay on Monday. Who cares. Those people didn’t have to watch Richard Rodgers consistently turn 3-yard catches into 4-yard gains last season.

While signing Cook would be a gamble – he has a reputation for dropping balls and not giving great effort as a blocker – it’s one well worth taking for the Packers. My hunch is that playing with an outstanding quarterback and winning games for the first time in his professional career would propel the 28-year-old to a very productive season in 2016. But even if he didn’t put a big numbers, just being on the field would make the offense better. Blessed with size (6-5, 255) and speed (4.5 at Combine), defenses would have to worry about Cook when he’s split out. The only thing defenses had to worry about when Rodgers split out was laughing too hard.


With major holes to fill in the front 7, signing Cook would allow general manager Ted Thompson to focus on defensive linemen and linebackers in next month’s draft. But before you get too excited, just remember that two years ago another veteran tight end, Owen Daniels, visited with Green Bay. The Wisconsin native desperately wanted to sign with his hometown team, but Thompson brought back Andrew Quarless instead. And paid him more money. So until Cook is signed, sealed and delivered, it might be best to curb your enthusiasm.


http://packersnotes.com/2016/03/cook-well-worth-the-gamble/


That said, Cook's visit was Monday, and it's now Wednesday, so I won't hold my breath that this will actually get done.

 

[Snoops]

I think they may wait they are more interested in m Bennett and wanna see if he gets cut... Green Bay did try and trade for cook last yr at the deadline I'm all for it the speed is what will be nice I do not want hunter Henry he is slow. Good hands but is the same as Richard Rodgers

 

[SoonerPack]

I think they may wait they are more interested in m Bennett and wanna see if he gets cut... Green Bay did try and trade for cook last yr at the deadline I'm all for it the speed is what will be nice I do not want hunter Henry he is slow. Good hands but is the same as Richard Rodgers

Henry isn't a blazer but certainly isn't "slow." He's a high 4.6 low 4.7 guy making him upper 3rd in speed at that position. His game tape will show you he's a considerable speed upgrade over RR.

 

[Snoops]

I ain't ripping on him to much I just think they go different route then a tight end high in the draft

 

[SoonerPack]

I ain't ripping on him to much I just think they go different route then a tight end high in the draft

I hear ya bro. That's why I want Cook so bad. It would eliminate the need to reach high for a TE.

 

[Snoops]

Cook can be good! I'm for it! But I think they are waiting to see what happens with Bennett but cook could sign elsewhere if they don't make a decision I can see them losing out on both honestly...

 

[SoonerPack]

Bennett is a true game changer. The only one available...if indeed he is available. Cook may be a fall back candidate but your point about him possibly being gone is valid. I will be disappointed if we don't end up with Cook at the very least. This is an obvious area of need and there are options available. As I mention often I'm a believer in TT. With that being said I expect this position to be addressed pre-draft.

 

[Snoops]

I agree too you should watch some highlights of Tyler higbee he could be a sleeper fast te.. And to Ted u know a lot of people hate on him but the thing is look at what he has done for us as fans every yr we have a chance to go all the way we have consistently been good it's never been up down up down he is smart and I think he is one of the best gm s of all time... Yeah from a fans point of view we wanna get excited to see free agents and our favorite players from other teams come here and play but it generally doesn't happen do I think he makes some mistakes by not signing some guys yeah sure but he knows what he is doing a lot of it is financial and a lot of us don't understand that he is a good at managing the cap and setting the future up.. So onto cook again do u think something would have happened by now? Do u think they offered a contract?

 

[sschind]

I agree too you should watch some highlights of Tyler higbee he could be a sleeper fast te.. And to Ted u know a lot of people hate on him but the thing is look at what he has done for us as fans every yr we have a chance to go all the way we have consistently been good it's never been up down up down he is smart and I think he is one of the best gm s of all time... Yeah from a fans point of view we wanna get excited to see free agents and our favorite players from other teams come here and play but it generally doesn't happen do I think he makes some mistakes by not signing some guys yeah sure but he knows what he is doing a lot of it is financial and a lot of us don't understand that he is a good at managing the cap and setting the future up.. So onto cook again do u think something would have happened by now? Do u think they offered a contract?

They probably made him an offer on the low side of what he wants and he is waiting to see if anyone offers more. With his lack of participation in FA Ted doesn't strike me as a guy who brings in a guy just to kick the tires. If he brings him in at all he is interested and if he is interested he will likely make an offer. I may be wrong but that's my gut feeling.