RB Ronnie Hillman

[HardRightEdge]

I know that it's not McCarthy's MO at this point, but I'd like to see what Ripkowski can do as a lead for Lacy & Starks this season.

Well, Kuhn has not been signed yet and cap space is starting to run low; we're getting to the point were a $500,000 - $750,000 cost difference between Kuhn and a minimum salary rookie at the bottom of the roster might mean something. Clearly Ripkowski was drafted for the day Kuhn departs. So, there's a good chance Ripkowski will get some snaps this season. How many will depend as much on the blocking from the TE position as what Ripkowski is able to do.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

This discussion reminded me how much of a mess the RB position is after Lacy and Starks. Honestly I think Kuhn deserves to be back just like James Jones but TT will be a **** and force his hand on early retirement.

I know people are going to rag on me as this is my same old argument, but beyond Lacy and Starks, I would be all for cleaning house at RB. RB is the one position in the NFL where immediate production should be expected. If you have an average line with an average back 3.6-4.1 YPC should be achievable. Anything beyond that and numbers should be easily north of 4.0 YPC based on the ability of the RB. I believe it's safe to say that by even the toughest critic's standards that we have at least an above average OL so there's no excuse why Crockett or Harris should'nt have shown some immediate potential. I liked Franklin based on the little that I did see of him but it is what it is.

However at the same time I would rather we keep Crockett than to waste a draft pick on a RB. If we're going to court a veteran then I think Hillman is the wrong one because I can't imagine him settling for the league minimum not to mention I would hate to see a back who is capable of 1,000 yard seasons just wasting away on the bench. (Plus my fantasy teams need him to put out, lol.)

If we are going to sign a veteran I would rather us take a look at Arian Foster who is probably desperate for a deal now at this point. And I know someone will probably look at me strange but remember that guy Ray Rice? He's probably still got some game in him....

 

[Mondio]

First off, if Ted is letting them go, he's not forcing anybody into early retirement. If they aren't on a team, it means nobody in the entire league wanted to sign them either. If that's the case, why should we be signing them? just for a feel good story?

I think Kuhn will be signed again, for the minimum like before on a one year deal again. but if he's not, I'm glad I got to cheer for him all these years. He's a true team player. and Jones will be signed by another team by the start of the season.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

You have to remember that Kuhn is one of the last remaining true FBs in the NFL, he's not wanted not because he's a bad talent, but because the position has been systematically eliminated in the pro game.

 

[Jerellh528]

I know that it's not McCarthy's MO at this point, but I'd like to see what Ripkowski can do as a lead for Lacy & Starks this season.

Thank you. I've been wanting to see this as well. I got the itch watching tape of him last yr

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Well, Kuhn has not been signed yet and cap space is starting to run low; we're getting to the point were a $500,000 - $750,000 cost difference between Kuhn and a minimum salary rookie at the bottom of the roster might mean something. Clearly Ripkowski was drafted for the day Kuhn departs. So, there's a good chance Ripkowski will get some snaps this season. How many will depend as much on the blocking from the TE position as what Ripkowski is able to do.

If the Packers sign Kuhn to a minimum deal of $985,000 he will only count $600K towards the salary cap because of the veteran minimum benefit. That would only add $150K in cap hit compared to a rookie making the league minimum.

This discussion reminded me how much of a mess the RB position is after Lacy and Starks.

The salary cap doesn´t allow teams to have three productive veteran running backs on the roster, that´s why it makes sense to fill out the bottom of the depth chart with a late-round pick or an undrafted rookie.

I believe it's safe to say that by even the toughest critic's standards that we have at least an above average OL so there's no excuse why Crockett or Harris should'nt have shown some immediate potential.

The Packers´ offensive line is for sure not above average blocking for the run.

However at the same time I would rather we keep Crockett than to waste a draft pick on a RB.

Wait a moment, you want to clean house at the position but rather go with Crockett than a draft pick??? That´s kind of contradictory, isn´t it???

If we are going to sign a veteran I would rather us take a look at Arian Foster who is probably desperate for a deal now at this point. And I know someone will probably look at me strange but remember that guy Ray Rice? He's probably still got some game in him....

The Packers don´t have enough cap space to consider signing Arian Foster. Ray Rice???

 

[adambr2]

The Packers don´t have enough cap space to consider signing Arian Foster. Ray Rice???

Well Ray Rice would cost the veterans minimum at the moment, but still wouldn't be worth the distraction.

 

[HardRightEdge]

If the Packers sign Kuhn to a minimum deal of $985,000 he will only count $600K towards the salary cap because of the veteran minimum benefit. That would only add $150K in cap hit compared to a rookie making the league minimum.

I tend to forget this provision. That would be helpful.

If he does sign for the vet minimum, his cap hit is the minimum of a second year player ($600,000 as you said) plus any bonuses. The bonuses cannot exceed $80,000 to qualify. Last year Kuhn had $50,000 in bonuses. So, it would be reasonable to expect a cap number in the $650,000 - $680,000 range. Of course, that's splitting hairs.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

The salary cap doesn´t allow teams to have three productive veteran running backs on the roster, that´s why it makes sense to fill out the bottom of the depth chart with a late-round pick or an undrafted rookie.

It's not so much the salary cap as it is TT giving players like Nick Perry excessive salaries compared to their performance on the field.

The Packers´ offensive line is for sure not above average blocking for the run.

We can agree to disagree on that. I think Lacy made them look worse than they actually were last year.

Wait a moment, you want to clean house at the position but rather go with Crockett than a draft pick??? That´s kind of contradictory, isn´t it???

Let me be clear on that, I would PREFER that we clean house at the position with the exception to Lacy and Starks obviously. However, since the probability of that happening is just as likely as Jermichael Finley and Nick Collins returning to the team in the same year I'd rather we keep either Crockett or Harris (but not both) and dump the rest rather than waste a pick in what I deem this year is a crucial draft to the success of the team long term.

The Packers don´t have enough cap space to consider signing Arian Foster. Ray Rice???

At the league minimum? Maybe my numbers are so you're welcome to recrunch them for me.

Well Ray Rice would cost the veterans minimum at the moment, but still wouldn't be worth the distraction.

What distraction? When Guion got busted in Florida on the same highway I was traveling on at the same time for what could easily have been seen as a major felony drug trafficking case, was there a "distraction"? Yes, obviously there is going to be a small headline on ESPN/Sportscenter about the signing; and who knows maybe even someone like Dameshek, Schefter, or the like will write a brief article. But at the end of the day, the only press thereafter will be about his performance on the field. The guy made a costly mistake, and he's in my opinion sincerely picked up the pieces. Let him move on with his life and play.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Let me be clear on that, I would PREFER that we clean house at the position with the exception to Lacy and Starks obviously.

Beside Lacy and Starks, Crockett is the only RB under contract. Calling his departure a "cleaning house" is being overdramatic. He's just a guy on the bubble.

 

[Poppa San]

Beside Lacy and Starks, Crockett is the only RB under contract. Calling his departure a "cleaning house" is being overdramatic. He's just a guy on the bubble.

My thoughts exactly. I haven't had time to see who else was on the roster he might be referring to. He including ripkowski??

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

And I know someone will probably look at me strange but remember that guy Ray Rice? He's probably still got some game in him....

Seriously, Ray Rice? No team (not even Dallas or the Raiders) gave him a second chance after he became America’s domestic violence poster boy 2 years ago, you think Packer fans would welcome him with open arms?

We would have to be down to Tim Masthay and Mason Crosby as our only options at RB and even then, I wouldn't want Rice.

 

[HardRightEdge]

My thoughts exactly. I haven't had time to see who else was on the roster he might be referring to. He including ripkowski??

Yeah, maybe Rip. Maybe he was contemplating a Kuhn re-signing. Those are not running backs, though. Or maybe he was just going for drama. Maybe we should ask him. I kinda already did.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

We can agree to disagree on that. I think Lacy made them look worse than they actually were last year.

The Packers offensive line has struggled blocking for the run for several years, especially at both tackle positions.

Let me be clear on that, I would PREFER that we clean house at the position with the exception to Lacy and Starks obviously. However, since the probability of that happening is just as likely as Jermichael Finley and Nick Collins returning to the team in the same year I'd rather we keep either Crockett or Harris (but not both) and dump the rest rather than waste a pick in what I deem this year is a crucial draft to the success of the team long term.

Harris was released on the day of the game at Detroit because of him and Lacy missing curfew the night before. The Packers promoted Crockett to the active roster that day. I would be fine with either spending a day 3 pick or an undrafted rookie to compete with Crockett for the third spot on the roster but I don´t see it as a top priority.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

Harris was released on the day of the game at Detroit because of him and Lacy missing curfew the night before. The Packers promoted Crockett to the active roster that day. I would be fine with either spending a day 3 pick or an undrafted rookie to compete with Crockett for the third spot on the roster but I don´t see it as a top priority.

Crap, I forgot about that whole thing. But I'll agree, I'll take an UDFA RB to fill his spot. I'll do some scouting to make some suggestions.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Crap, I forgot about that whole thing. But I'll agree, I'll take an UDFA RB to fill his spot. I'll do some scouting to make some suggestions.

Might be hard to scout UDFA rookies until after the draft?

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

You can get a pretty good idea who might be available. I mean I'm obviously not going to say Booker, Prosise, or Collins.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I would love to see TT's priority list of rookies he feels will be there after the draft. It's an area where he seems to do pretty good.

 

[Poppa San]

I would love to see TT's priority list of rookies he feels will be there after the draft. It's an area where he seems to do pretty good.

I'd start with the list of his 30 allowed visits. Should be many low round, UDFA caliber players on it.