The Free Agency Thread

[LambeauLombardi]

I'm curious as to how Rollins would do at safety.

Might as well try it since he won't be playing corner.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Anthony Fasano is a better fit. We don't have a good run blocking TE. Considering what they are paying Kendricks and looking at what he did in 2016, I'm fine with him as the #2 TE.

Fasano at age 34 is way past his prime though.

 

[LambeauLombardi]

Fasano at age 34 is way past his prime though.

He is past his prime but he'll be cheap and we just need a #3 guy preferably who can block. Better fit than Antonio Gates imo.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

He is past his prime but he'll be cheap and we just need a #3 guy preferably who can block. Better fit than Antonio Gates imo.

I wouldn't mind the Packers signing a veteran tight end excelling at blocking but I'm not sure Fasano still fits that bill.

 

[SD Cheesehead]

I like ya bringing in Lewis as a 2nd or 3rd TE. The other move I would like us to do is sign Connor Barwin as OLB depth. Don’t think he’d Cost much, seems like a high character guy, his best years have been in a 3-4 defense.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

I like ya bringing in Lewis as a 2nd or 3rd TE. The other move I would like us to do is sign Connor Barwin as OLB depth. Don’t think he’d Cost much, seems like a high character guy, his best years have been in a 3-4 defense.

Lewis is a very good run blocker, and I think that's where he could help. He's 35, however, so I wouldn't bring him in on anything more than a one-tear, cap-friendly deal.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Really curious how a 35-year old TE is more helpful to this team than Eric Reid or Kendricks.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Really curious how a 35-year old TE is more helpful to this team than Eric Reid or Kendricks.

While I agree with you that Reid or Kendricks would be more helpful, they would probably come at a higher price and might prevent additional signings, if that is the plan.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a peek at Gute's "still to purchase" list (if he has one) and cross reference that with Ball's "what we can spend" list?

 

[Sunshinepacker]

While I agree with you that Reid or Kendricks would be more helpful, they would probably come at a higher price and might prevent additional signings, if that is the plan.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a peek at Gute's "still to purchase" list (if he has one) and cross reference that with Ball's "what we can spend" list?

Not real sure Reid would cost a ton more at this point considering he just needs a job.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Not real sure Reid would cost a ton more at this point considering he just needs a job.

Yup, there are a lot of unemployed players currently sitting and waiting. Some have enough talent, that eventually they will be offered more than just vet minimum. Kendricks is fresh on the market, I doubt he is unemployed long. Guys like Reid and Bryant have other baggage, but I doubt either one is ready to completely cave in and play for peanuts.

But yes, IMO this is the time Gute should be figuring out the immediate needs for 2018 and trying to land unemployed starters at positions of need with small incentive based contracts. I don't think there are many of us here that think this team is Super Bowl ready with its current personnel. Would 1-4 additional signings make a difference? It could.

 

[n4t]

Really curious how a 35-year old TE is more helpful to this team than Eric Reid or Kendricks.

Should be pretty obvious to most people. We don't have a TE who can block. If you don't understand the importance of that, well color me shocked.

We do have ILBs and Safeties. Really don't see how we need either of those players. Kendricks might be useful, but not Reid. Neither are as important as a TE who can block to this team. We have some nice up-and-coming RBs and very few specialists who can block, and some big questions on the right side of the line.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Should be pretty obvious to most people. We don't have a TE who can block. If you don't understand the importance of that, well color me shocked.

We do have ILBs and Safeties. Really don't see how we need either of those players. Kendricks might be useful, but not Reid. Neither are as important as a TE who can block to this team. We have some nice up-and-coming RBs and very few specialists who can block, and some big questions on the right side of the line.

Maybe I am wrong, but Lance Kendricks is a TE that is known as an above average run blocker.

 

[PackerDNA]

Maybe I am wrong, but Lance Kendricks is a TE that is known as an above average run blocker.

Rated best in the league last season. Gronk was 2nd.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Finding no better place to ask this question and since either of these players could all of a sudden find themselves free agents, I figure here is the best place.

How does this person have the keys to a $325,000 car?

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...s-told-police-kendall-wright-crashed-his-car/

or is this the version you want to stick with Terrance?

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ms-issues-statement-explaining-auto-accident/

 

[gbgary]

Maybe I am wrong, but Lance Kendricks is a TE that is known as an above average run blocker.

is he? his pff grade is poor over all. https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/lance-kendricks/6199
lewis...https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/marcedes-lewis/2973

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

is he? his pff grade is poor over all. https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/lance-kendricks/6199
lewis...https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/marcedes-lewis/2973

I don't subscribe to PFF, but the overall grades takes into consideration everything and I doubt his 2017 stats as a pass catcher are helping that grade. Like I said, maybe I am wrong, but I recall just about everything I have read about LK, he is considered an above average run blocker.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Should be pretty obvious to most people. We don't have a TE who can block. If you don't understand the importance of that, well color me shocked.

We do have ILBs and Safeties. Really don't see how we need either of those players. Kendricks might be useful, but not Reid. Neither are as important as a TE who can block to this team. We have some nice up-and-coming RBs and very few specialists who can block, and some big questions on the right side of the line.

Yes, a blocking TE is the missing piece the team needs for a Super Bowl run. More so than an excellent ILB or a safety that's better than any secondary player currently on the roster. I don't understand why I didn't see it before...I guess the 35-year old TE was so good at blocking that he blocked my ability to see how good he was!

Also, he must have blocked the Jags from realizing how excellent a blocker he is because last I checked the Jags need a blocking TE FAR more than the Packers ever will considering the Jags entire offense is designed around not letting Bortles throw the ball.

 

[Half Empty]

Finding no better place to ask this question and since either of these players could all of a sudden find themselves free agents, I figure here is the best place.

How does this person have the keys to a $325,000 car?

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...s-told-police-kendall-wright-crashed-his-car/

or is this the version you want to stick with Terrance?

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ms-issues-statement-explaining-auto-accident/

$325K isn't so much when, as a run-of-the-mill player, you make http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/terrance-williams-12355/cash-earnings/http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/terrance-williams-12355/cash-earnings/

 

[GleefulGary]

Maybe I am wrong, but Lance Kendricks is a TE that is known as an above average run blocker.

Not really.

He’s a versatile blocker, but he’s too small and not strong enough to be above-average. He’s better then Richard Rodgers though.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I like ya bringing in Lewis as a 2nd or 3rd TE. The other move I would like us to do is sign Connor Barwin as OLB depth. Don’t think he’d Cost much, seems like a high character guy, his best years have been in a 3-4 defense.

Like Dantés has suggested repeatedly Robert Ayers would present a great addition for the Packers adding much needed pass rush at outside linebacker.

Really curious how a 35-year old TE is more helpful to this team than Eric Reid or Kendricks.

The sail on Reid has shipped after he filed a grievance against the league. Kendricks would present an upgrade at inside linebacker but it's not a position in dire need of improvement.

Rated best in the league last season. Gronk was 2nd.

I don't subscribe to PFF, but the overall grades takes into consideration everything and I doubt his 2017 stats as a pass catcher are helping that grade. Like I said, maybe I am wrong, but I recall just about everything I have read about LK, he is considered an above average run blocker.

I have no idea where you got the information from that Kendricks was rated the best blocking tight end in the league in 2017. According to PFF he ranked 45th out of 71 qualifying players in that category. They had Lewis graded as the best out of the position group though.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I have no idea where you got the information from that Kendricks was rated the best blocking tight end in the league in 2017. According to PFF he ranked 45th out of 71 qualifying players in that category. They had Lewis graded as the best out of the position group though.

I know I didn't say he was rated that high, but you quoted me. I wouldn't really grade Kendricks down too much from what he did last year, but most articles you read about the guy always mention that he is considered "an above average run blocker". Here is just one, can find more if you want.

https://www.fanragsports.com/packers/examining-lance-kendricks-brings-packers-offense/

"Rodgers’ blocking has never developed, and Cook was average at best as a blocker. Conversely, Kendricks is an above-average run blocker with the ability to move defenders and remain engaged at the point of attack."

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I know I didn't say he was rated that high, but you quoted me. I wouldn't really grade Kendricks down too much from what he did last year, but most articles you read about the guy always mention that he is considered "an above average run blocker". Here is just one, can find more if you want.

https://www.fanragsports.com/packers/examining-lance-kendricks-brings-packers-offense/

"Rodgers’ blocking has never developed, and Cook was average at best as a blocker. Conversely, Kendricks is an above-average run blocker with the ability to move defenders and remain engaged at the point of attack."

I know it wasn't you mentioning Kendricks being rated as the best run blocking tight end last season. I was quoting you as you were one of the posters considering him to be an above average run blocker which obviously wasn't true in 2017 with PFF grading him at an abysmal 46.8.

 

[PackerDNA]

I was talking about Lewis.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

The sail on Reid has shipped after he filed a grievance against the league. Kendricks would present an upgrade at inside linebacker but it's not a position in dire need of improvement.

All true, but not what I asked. I asked how a 35-year old TE helped the team more than either of those players. And there is still no reason not to sign Reid except collusion or because the NFL has now decided to collude against him as punishment for alleging collusion....And Kendricks would offer a greater degree of help at a weaker position.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

All true, but not what I asked. I asked how a 35-year old TE helped the team more than either of those players. And there is still no reason not to sign Reid except collusion or because the NFL has now decided to collude against him as punishment for alleging collusion....And Kendricks would offer a greater degree of help at a weaker position.

Lewis is a huge upgrade blocking for the run, an area the Packers needed an upgrade from the tight end position over last season.