Heard about this Monday. But didn't want to get to itchy..The Packers will reportedly make a push for a pair of edge rushers in free agency next week...
Heard about this Monday. But didn't want to get to itchy..The Packers will reportedly make a push for a pair of edge rushers in free agency next week...
It's reported that they will be in on both Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith. I think there are things to like about both players, and they're actually strikingly similar (within an inch and a few lbs of each other, similar style of play, within two months in terms of age, etc). I think both would help the Packers, but of the two, I prefer Preston.
They would play the same role in the defense (both replacing Perry), but I think there's the potential of a little bit more value in Preston. He's coming off a season that was down statistically (4 sacks), but all accounts seem to indicate that he was actually better in 2018 than in years previous. Sometimes sacks can be fluky.
Za'Darius Smith has had a very similar career trajectory, and is also coming off his best season. However, in his case the statistics match. As he had over double the amount of sacks (8.5), I could see him getting the bigger deal on the open market.
I also tend to think there is a little bit more upside for Preston. His athletic profile is a lot more impressive than Za'Darius'.
Preston: 6'5" 271 lbs, 34" arms, 4.74 forty, 1.63 10 yd, 34" vert, 121" broad, 7.07 3 cone, 4.28 short shuttle
Za'Darius: 6'4" 274 lbs, 32.5" arms, 4.83 forty, 1.76 10 yd, 29" vert, 113" broad, 7.42 3 cone, 4.66 short shuttle
As you can see, Smith was significantly better in every metric at basically the same size. Now, I'm not saying that we should base FA decisions on combine metrics when guys have had four seasons to put out NFL tape. But if you're splitting hairs between two eerily similar FA options, I think this should be a factor. Za'Darius has overachieved against his athletic ability. Preston arguably hasn't attained to his ceiling. So there's a chance that he becomes an even better player at his next stop.
All of that said, I think Shaq Barrett presents the best value and if the Packers feel he's ready to step up the workload, he would be my first choice.
Is this assuming Perry gets the boot? Or would Perry still be around getting all injured with a club hand all season?
I don't get a good feeling about him. I never pegged him for someone that didn't try, but last year he just seemed to go thru the motions a lot. Maybe it was injury, I never know when he gets injured, just that he always seems to be, but he seemed to mostly just be out there last year when he did play.No idea.
If they know internally that Perry fell off a cliff last year because he was playing injured, then I'd keep him.
If he was just that bad, I'd cut him.
I don't get a good feeling about him. I never pegged him for someone that didn't try, but last year he just seemed to go thru the motions a lot. Maybe it was injury, I never know when he gets injured, just that he always seems to be, but he seemed to mostly just be out there last year when he did play.
Its tough. They’re basically saying he isn’t worth an 11M contract. With a shortage of Top level LBs I wonder what the market is for him this year?The Browns have released LB Jamie Collins.
Demovsky had a note on this last week, saying one or maybe two according to vibes he got from agents. Edge should be a priority on two counts. First, because it's a major need. Second, given the uncertainties of the draft, they'd like to have at least the Perry replacement in house before cutting him. FA negotiations begin March 11; Perry must be cut before the close of business on March 14 to avoid paying that bonus.Heard about this Monday. But didn't want to get to itchy..
The Browns have released LB Jamie Collins.
Something is wrong with Jamie Collins. Hoodie didn't just let him go in free agency over affordability issues as in so many other cases. He traded him a few weeks into the season. It smelled like Collins was not in "do your job" mode. He didn't get through 2 years in Cleveland when it looked like Dorsey traded for him as a core player to build around.Its tough. They’re basically saying he isn’t worth an 11M contract. With a shortage of Top level LBs I wonder what the market is for him this year?
If Collins gets into that North of $13 M range Id Pass
I would love Zietler.
I think caution is expressed via salary and term, obviously he shouldn't command much as he's an aging vet at this point. But if we don't land Amos or Collins, Weddle would be my next choice. Apparently, he's like a coach on the field, if that's true he'd benefit our locker room big time.
They would play the same role in the defense (both replacing Perry), but I think there's the potential of a little bit more value in Preston. He's coming off a season that was down statistically (4 sacks), but all accounts seem to indicate that he was actually better in 2018 than in years previous. Sometimes sacks can be fluky.
All of that said, I think Shaq Barrett presents the best value and if the Packers feel he's ready to step up the workload, he would be my first choice.
Its tough. They’re basically saying he isn’t worth an 11M contract. With a shortage of Top level LBs I wonder what the market is for him this year?
If Collins gets into that North of $13 M range Id Pass
Word is the Browns may be looking to move on from Kevin Zeitler. Outstanding guard who last year was rated as a top pass-blocking guard in the entire NFL.
If so go get him Green Bay.
It's reported that they will be in on both Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith. I think there are things to like about both players, and they're actually strikingly similar (within an inch and a few lbs of each other, similar style of play, within two months in terms of age, etc). I think both would help the Packers, but of the two, I prefer Preston.
They would play the same role in the defense (both replacing Perry), but I think there's the potential of a little bit more value in Preston Smith. He's coming off a season that was down statistically (4 sacks), but all accounts seem to indicate that he was actually better in 2018 than in years previous. Sometimes sacks can be fluky.
Za'Darius Smith has had a very similar career trajectory, and is also coming off his best season. However, in his case the statistics match. As he had over double the amount of sacks (8.5), I could see him getting the bigger deal on the open market.
I also tend to think there is a little bit more upside for Preston. His athletic profile is a lot more impressive than Za'Darius'.
Preston: 6'5" 271 lbs, 34" arms, 4.74 forty, 1.63 10 yd, 34" vert, 121" broad, 7.07 3 cone, 4.28 short shuttle
Za'Darius: 6'4" 274 lbs, 32.5" arms, 4.83 forty, 1.76 10 yd, 29" vert, 113" broad, 7.42 3 cone, 4.66 short shuttle
As you can see, Smith was significantly better in every metric at basically the same size. Now, I'm not saying that we should base FA decisions on combine metrics when guys have had four seasons to put out NFL tape. But if you're splitting hairs between two eerily similar FA options, I think this should be a factor. Za'Darius has overachieved against his athletic ability. Preston arguably hasn't attained to his ceiling. So there's a chance that he becomes an even better player at his next stop.
All of that said, I think Shaq Barrett presents the best value and if the Packers feel he's ready to step up the workload, he would be my first choice.
Why not Both?
All jokes aside, it doesn't seem completely out of this world that the contracts of Preston and Barrett equate to what either a Clowney or Ford are gonna get inked to in the end. In that case, I would be all for it. IMO it would really allow us to draft BPA in the first round.
EDIT: didn't realize that apart from Lawrence, Clowney, Ford and Clark were tagged. Preston might be the best edge guy on the market now.
i think the Packers may have the position covered but here's a slot guy for someone on a budget...
https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1728168/finding-the-perfect-free-agent-for-all-32-nfl-teams
Someone I like even better than Crowder and who should come even cheaper is Tyrell Williams, who fits Gute's mold of being 6'3 and runs 4.43. Crowder even though he's faster at 4.39, is barely taller than 5'8. Cobb is 5'10.
I like the idea of picking up Preston or Smith but not both. I believe there's definitely better talent in the Draft but we may not be able to get 2 starting quality edge rushers unless Gute can get more picks. My money is on Smith and as soon as we do Perry is sent packing. Clay can stay if he plays for peanuts (relatively speaking) and we still draft his replacement this year.
Love the idea of picking up Zeitler as well. I also like Ramon Foster as a potential depth signing or maybe even someone who can kick over to RG.
I don't know that Tyrell is really the type of receiver we want right now. He played 37% of the time in the slot. I'd rather continue to develop MVS and ESB than sign Tyrell for that role - and use our money on a competent slot receiver.