Packers are interested in Everson Griffen

[C-Lee]

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[Favre>Rodgers259]

I had some serious concerns about Gute not addressing WR or DL via the Draft. But a splash signing like this would have him back in my good graces.

But that only begs the question, where does Gary line up? Is Lowry taking less snaps(I'm in favor of that) to allow Gary to shine? I'm keenly interested in the rotation of that prospective front. But Kenny Clark is about to get P-A-I-D if they let him play a full season next to that guy.

 

[melvin dangerr]

This has been something when you leave your team because of financial or disgruntled situations and go to a rival to get some payback! Okay! let’s sign him for the right price and get some...

 

[hasamikun]

This is 100% Griffen and his agent leveraging the Vikings to pay him more. I would love this signing but I dont think that the Packers are in a situation to sign a splash free agent. Covid most likely creates big cap problems and Packers have a huge free agent class next offseason to deal with.

The defensive front with Griffen would be scary tho, not gonna lie

 

[thisisnate]

I had some serious concerns about Gute not addressing WR or DL via the Draft. But a splash signing like this would have him back in my good graces.

But that only begs the question, where does Gary line up? Is Lowry taking less snaps(I'm in favor of that) to allow Gary to shine? I'm keenly interested in the rotation of that prospective front. But Kenny Clark is about to get P-A-I-D if they let him play a full season next to that guy.

regardless of where this goes, I think we'll see Rashan, Preston, and Z on the field together fairly regularly
Z and Rashan are big fellas

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

This is 100% Griffen and his agent leveraging the Vikings to pay him more. I would love this signing but I dont think that the Packers are in a situation to sign a splash free agent.

Per OTC, we have $11.8M in space. Griffen only made $7.5M last year and is entering his age 33 season. While he did record 8 sacks and 41 tackles, he probably only has another 2-3 good years left. But still he's an upgrade over anybody else in the DL position group not named Kenny Clark. A 1-year deal of $5M-$6M still leaves us some room to make an emergency signing (Tramon Williams) if necessary.

 

[Fredrik87]

Honestly I'm torn.

I don't think this makes the best sense money wise unless he would play for cheap on a prove it type deal something I wouldn't expect a guy like Griffen to have to do as his play was still great last year.
I also think we are fairly strong at this position and I don't know what our starters would look like if we did bring him in.

That said if he were willing to take a cheap deal probably one year our pass rush would look just downright nasty and could give us a very legitimate chance of being the best D in the NFL, which wouldn't hurt our SB odds for this year.
Not to mention the thought of sticking it to the Vikings is appealing.

The added depth at such a key position though hopefully not needed could play a greater factor this season with Covid possibly causing players to miss time.

Either way we go with this providing we don't just throw money at him I think I will be happy.

One question for those that have PFF could someone tell me how he graded in run defense I know him more for his pass rushing but if he's a great run defender that would enhance his appeal.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

regardless of where this goes, I think we'll see Rashan, Preston, and Z on the field together fairly regularly
Z and Rashan are big fellas

I mean, how would that be possible? You're talking about a regular defense featuring three linebackers over 260 lbs. By "regularly" I assume you mean at least a third of the snaps, half? Forget about Griffen, which of the 260+ pound linebackers is the coverage guy in your scenario? The only possible way that might work is if Gary or Z is moved to DE which I think would be a good idea for Gary but I doubt the team does it.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Honestly I'm torn.

I don't think this makes the best sense money wise unless he would play for cheap on a prove it type deal something I wouldn't expect a guy like Griffen to have to do as his play was still great last year.
I also think we are fairly strong at this position and I don't know what our starters would look like if we did bring him in.

That said if he were willing to take a cheap deal probably one year our pass rush would look just downright nasty and could give us a very legitimate chance of being the best D in the NFL, which wouldn't hurt our SB odds for this year.
Not to mention the thought of sticking it to the Vikings is appealing.

The added depth at such a key position though hopefully not needed could play a greater factor this season with Covid possibly causing players to miss time.

Either way we go with this providing we don't just throw money at him I think I will be happy.

One question for those that have PFF could someone tell me how he graded in run defense I know him more for his pass rushing but if he's a great run defender that would enhance his appeal.

He would be a massive upgrade over Dean Lowry or Lancaster at DE, that's really what it comes down to. According to PFF he was kind of middling against the run last year but above average rushing the passer (he was slightly better than Lowry against the run but about as good as Clowney rushing the QB). If the Packers can sign him they should do so ONLY if they still have enough left over to bring in Williams at CB. This team needs Williams more than Griffen.

 

[XPack]

How much do we save/lose by cutting Lowry? Is that an option to signing EG?

More likely, EG will use this as leverage to get better contract with Vikes.

 

[Fredrik87]

How much do we save/lose by cutting Lowry? Is that an option to signing EG?

Cutting Lowery would save us only a little over 1,000,000 and carry over 6,000,000 in dead cap so thats probably not much of a option.

 

[thisisnate]

I mean, how would that be possible? You're talking about a regular defense featuring three linebackers over 260 lbs. By "regularly" I assume you mean at least a third of the snaps, half? Forget about Griffen, which of the 260+ pound linebackers is the coverage guy in your scenario? The only possible way that might work is if Gary or Z is moved to DE which I think would be a good idea for Gary but I doubt the team does it.

z and gary are both about the same size as griffen. if we're talking about griffen being a fit, we may as well consider what we already have on the roster. maybe it won't happen, i don't know squat, just a fan obviously. but i see no reason why they wouldn't play either at DE if that means getting better players on the field. i seriously doubt lowry or adams or lancaster are better options.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I mean, how would that be possible? You're talking about a regular defense featuring three linebackers over 260 lbs. By "regularly" I assume you mean at least a third of the snaps, half? Forget about Griffen, which of the 260+ pound linebackers is the coverage guy in your scenario? The only possible way that might work is if Gary or Z is moved to DE which I think would be a good idea for Gary but I doubt the team does it.

Z. Smith, P. Smith, Fackrell and Gary combined for 231% snap counts which means on average three of those players were on the field 31% of the time. Not only could it happen, it has happened, without any of them being coverage guys except for the occasional drop in one of those Capers-like zone blitzes or 4-3 hybrid looks, usually Preston Smith.

Since when are 3-4 OLBs and DLs "coverage guys"? In those 3 or 4 OLB sets (yes, there were a couple with all 4), it was primarily Z. Smith playing DL. Here are the targets-against last season according to pro-football-reference:

Z. Smith - 3, P. Smith -16, Fackrell - 10, Gary - 3. Two times per game. Kirksey, Martin maybe, whoever plays hybrid ILB, possibly Greene--those are your ILBs, your coverage LBs.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I predict that the Packers and Griffen's mutual interest will cease once money is discussed in earnest. I which I had a buck for every time "cheap contract" or "veteran minimum" has passed this way. Wouldn't it stand to reason Griffen would be signed somewhere by now if those phrases applied?

Are we aware the salary cap is dropping as much as $23 mil next season, $182 mil worth of top 51 cap under contract already for next season, several high value free agents hitting the market after this season, and nobody after this season cut-worthy for cap savings?

Every dollar of cap carryover is going to be needed under the best of circumstances unless you're content with a losing 2021 season.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

If Gute were to pull the trigger, to me that would mean one of three things:

1. We are in "win-now" mode.
2. Gute is trying to cover for his failure to address DL in the Draft.
3. Both

I hate to bring the Draft back into this, but I honestly feel Gute thought he could get Love, and come away with WR and DL help. We got neither of the latter.

Can we compete? Absolutely, but I am very skeptical of our chances of making a Super Bowl appearance by trotting out the same run defense we had last year....and God forbid it's a run in with Baltimore in Miami.

 

[gbgary]

I predict that the Packers and Griffen's mutual interest will cease once money is discussed in earnest. I which I had a buck for every time "cheap contract" or "veteran minimum" has passed this way. Wouldn't it stand to reason Griffen would be signed somewhere by now if those phrases applied?

Are we aware the salary cap is dropping as much as $23 mil next season, $182 mil worth of top 51 cap under contract already for next season, several high value free agents hitting the market after this season, and nobody after this season cut-worthy for cap savings?

Every dollar of cap carryover is going to be needed under the best of circumstances unless you're content with a losing 2021 season.

2021 is already toast if SB is your goal. they'll probably cut linsley to make room for this guy if it happens.

 

[HardRightEdge]

2021 is already toast if SB is your goal. they'll cut linsley to make room for this guy if it happens.

I already covered the Linsley cut. You want to avoid burnt toast in 2011. Your boy Love could pull a Kizer-in-Cleveland, put up a dreadful record with a lot of the best players on this roster unaffordable, and ruin him for good in the process. Linsley's cap savings would be useful in carryover.

Winning a SB is the goal. Griffen is a nice-to-have, not a game changer. 3-4 base DE is not his thing; he'd be an andd-on to the Smith, Smith, Gary edge/3-tech group. I can think of better positions to spend money if there was any money to spend.

 

[AmishMafia]

Don't understand the Lowry hate. He is a decent player. Nothing exciting, but he can hold his own. PFF has him at 72.2 which is average. Maybe he gets better, i know at 33, chance are Griffen is trending down.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

I think my issue with Lowry is that he is a "1" who should probably be a "2", or at the very least whoever plays the opposite DE should be someone who demands alot more attention than he does, which should increase Lowry's statline somewhat.

 

[Fredrik87]

Don't understand the Lowry hate. He is a decent player. Nothing exciting, but he can hold his own. PFF has him at 72.2 which is average. Maybe he gets better, i know at 33, chance are Griffen is trending down.

when I checked PFF had Lowery at 62.3.
He got overpaid and didn't produce last year.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Per OTC, we have $11.8M in space. Griffen only made $7.5M last year and is entering his age 33 season. While he did record 8 sacks and 41 tackles, he probably only has another 2-3 good years left. But still he's an upgrade over anybody else in the DL position group not named Kenny Clark. A 1-year deal of $5M-$6M still leaves us some room to make an emergency signing (Tramon Williams) if necessary.

The Packers will need $3.5 million of that cap space for players #52 and #53 on the roster as well as their practice squad. That leaves them with only a bit over $8 million with them having to account for Funchess and Kirksey hitting on some of their incentives as well as replacements for players ending up on injured reserve.

They don't have the cap space to sign Griffen without making a move to clear cap space. That wouldn't be smart with them needing every cent they can roll over into the 2021 season though.

I mean, how would that be possible? You're talking about a regular defense featuring three linebackers over 260 lbs. By "regularly" I assume you mean at least a third of the snaps, half? Forget about Griffen, which of the 260+ pound linebackers is the coverage guy in your scenario? The only possible way that might work is if Gary or Z is moved to DE which I think would be a good idea for Gary but I doubt the team does it.

I'm quite sure nobody suggested to have either of them line up at inside linebacker.

How much do we save/lose by cutting Lowry?

Actually the Packers would lose $1.3 million in cap space by releasing Lowry.

If Gute were to pull the trigger, to me that would mean one of three things:

1. We are in "win-now" mode.

This year's draft should work as evidence that the Packers aren't in a win now mode.

Can we compete? Absolutely, but I am very skeptical of our chances of making a Super Bowl appearance by trotting out the same run defense we had last year....and God forbid it's a run in with Baltimore in Miami.

With the Super Bowl being played in Tampa I'm not worried about anything the Ravens will be doing in Miami in February

 

[HardRightEdge]

The Packers will need $3.5 million of that cap space for players #52 and #53 on the roster as well as their practice squad. That leaves them with only a bit over $8 million with them having to account for Funchess and Kirksey hitting on some of their incentives as well as replacements for players ending up on injured reserve.

There are a couple of new Covid-19 provisions.

Rapoport reported that there is now a temporary IR provision as a Covid-19 contingency. It allows unlimted practice squad elevations as replacements for players who test positive with those replacements able to stay on the roster until the guys they replace get medical clearance. These PS elevations can be returned to the PS without clearing waivers.

https://www.ninersnation.com/2020/7/26/21339113/details-about-the-temporary-ir

Further, the PS has been expanded to 16 players as a Covid-19 contingency.

It would appear that the NFL intends to forge ahead with a game if a team has a Florida Marlins-type situation, 10 players testing positive. The show must go on. Setting aside the idea of putting a 2nd. quarter preseason team on the field, the potential exists for eating into the cap to the tune of a couple or a few million bucks with those temporary IR replacements.

If ever there was a season to maintain a decent IR/PUP cap reserve this would be it. Yeah, you're going to lose games if you're down a bunch of players. But what you don't want to do is cut players you'd prefer to keep to clear cap space while losing those games.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Z. Smith, P. Smith, Fackrell and Gary combined for 231% snap counts which means on average three of those players were on the field 31% of the time. Not only could it happen, it has happened, without any of them being coverage guys except for the occasional drop in one of those Capers-like zone blitzes or 4-3 hybrid looks, usually Preston Smith.

Since when are 3-4 OLBs and DLs "coverage guys"? In those 3 or 4 OLB sets (yes, there were a couple with all 4), it was primarily Z. Smith playing DL. Here are the targets-against last season according to pro-football-reference:

Z. Smith - 3, P. Smith -16, Fackrell - 10, Gary - 3. Two times per game. Kirksey, Martin maybe, whoever plays hybrid ILB, possibly Greene--those are your ILBs, your coverage LBs.

You're talking about having 5(!) guys that size, or bigger, on the field regularly, in a league that's more pass happy than ever. That's not a good recipe for covering RBs out of the backfield.

Your stats are great, but I was replying to the idea of regularly playing both Smiths, Clark, Griffen, and Gary so the stats you mention are kinda irrelevant since those guys weren't all regularly playing. Let's say you leave Kirksey in for coverage, that means you now have two corners and two safeties to cover 2 WRs, 1 TE, and a RB; that can work with disguising the defense with two coverage linebackers but no OC in the league is going to be scared of any of the the pass-rush specialist linebackers on the Packers in coverage. The base defense for most teams in the NFL is the nickel and I guess the Packers are doubling down with the $5 defense?

 

[Sunshinepacker]

I'm quite sure nobody suggested to have either of them line up at inside linebacker.

I've suggested moving Gary to DE before and most are against that idea. If neither Gary nor the Smiths are DE, that means Lowry, Clark, and Griffen are on the line, Kirksey at ILB, with two corners, a two safeties; ONE of those three linebackers is going to have to play the role of an ILB no matter what you title him. That's an anti-nickel defense. That defense isn't going to fare well against modern, pass-heavy offenses.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

If ever there was a season to maintain a decent IR/PUP cap reserve this would be it. Yeah, you're going to lose games if you're down a bunch of players. But what you don't want to do is cut players you'd prefer to keep to clear cap space while losing those games.

Actually there's no way of clearing any meaningful cap space during the season as the base salary of vested veterans becomes fully guaranteed if they're on the roster in week 1.