Packers Daily Links: Eight NFL Teams Show Interest in Brad Jones
According to his agent, eight teams have expressed interest in the Packers free-agent linebacker. That and more in today's Daily Links...
According to his agent, eight NFL teams have contacted Packers free-agent linebacker Brad Jones during the current negotiating period. "Free agents cannot sign a contract until 3 p.m. Tuesday, but the three-day negotiating window leading up to the official start of free agency is a good indicator of the market for some players," writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "That eight teams have contacted Jones speaks to the ground he has gained since the start of last season." You can take news coming from the mouth of an agent with a grain of salt, but it does make sense that Jones would gain interest in free agency. He proved he could be a starting-caliber linebacker last season and at the very least, he's a core special teams player. He'll sign with someone in free agency, the question is for how much?
Providing commentary on Brad Jones is AllGreenBayPackers.com, Acme Packing Company and Lombardi Ave.
Former Packer defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins has reportedly signed a three-year $8 million deal with the New York Giants, including $3 million guaranteed. "That is a reasonable amount for a veteran of Jenkins' caliber, but (Packers general manager Ted) Thompson apparently didn't think he was worth it," writes Tom Silverstein. "According to his agent Brian Levy, the Packers 'checked in' but never got involved in negotiations." It's difficult to blame the Packers for not getting involved with Jenkins. They're still in the running for free agent Chris Canty, Johnny Jolly is now in the mix and the Packers can always add a younger defensive lineman in the Draft.
Also chiming in on Cullen Jenkins is ESPNMilwaukee.com, the Green Bay Press-Gazette, USA Today, the Associated Press, JSOnline, Lombardi Ave. and Fox Sports Wisconsin.
Wide receiver Greg Jennings talked to USA Today about what he's looking for in a potential new team in free agency. "Coaching means a lot, the dynamic of the team," he told USA TODAY Sports. "To me, the quarterback means a lot, if they have one or not, and I have to make sure my family is comfortable." Jennings can make it seem that it's not about the money, but that will be the overriding factor. He'll have nice thing to say about the coach and quarterback of any team he happens to sign with in free agency.
More on Greg Jennings appears at JSOnline.
A Packers free agency preview appears at the Press-Gazette.
Tight end D.J. Williams talks about a teddy bear he takes out in public and appears in photos with him and his friends that he's posted online in an article at Fox Sports Wisconsin.
Free agent safety Mike Mitchell makes sense as a potential Packers free-agent signee, according to Packer Report.
Free-agent breakdowns are provided at Acme Packing Company on center Evan Dietrich-Smith, tight end Tom Crabtree and linebacker Frank Zombo, all of them restricted free agents.
Taking a brief look at all the Packers' unrestricted free agents is JSOnline.
The annual checkup series continues at Fox Sports Wisconsin with cornerback Sam Shields.
The Steven Jackson discussion continues at Lombardi Ave.
The Ol' Bag of Donuts podcast at PackersTalk.com takes a look at free agency.
Whether the Packers should pursue free agent linebacker James Harrison is discussed at Packers Pileup.
Former Packers physician Eugene Brusky passed away.
Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (13)
March 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
would like to see jones back, pass on jenkins (for that price), open to canty (for the right price), restructure jolly, and let's draft some d-lineman regardless of who is back next year
as far as jackson...i certainly think he is talented and still has some gas left in the tank, and for the right price i would be open to seeing him in green and gold. however, that being said i think he will command too much to be just an above average stop gap for the next two or three years. if he wants lots of moola i would rather just sign benson for a vet's minimum and take my chances with him, harris, and a draft pick. (or maybe chris ivory?)
March 11, 2013 at 01:00 pm
"restructure Jolly" haha
March 11, 2013 at 02:34 pm
Whats wrong with that? Restructure at vet min, take him to camp to see if he has anything left in the tank. If he doesn't, cut him and we lose nothing. So whats so funny?
March 12, 2013 at 10:14 pm
I'm all for Jolly to be productive in life, I really am. But dude hasn't played pro football since 2009. My guess is you could sign another vet for league minimum who has had recent experience and have a better shot breaking the 53 man squad. With most teams focusing on young talent (i.e. - Packers), guys who take 3 years off are extremely against the odds. Wish him all the best though
March 12, 2013 at 11:00 pm
2 words... Mike Vick. He missed 3 yrs IIRC at a position that skills would erode more than DL. DL is alot of brute strength and by all accounts Jolly worked hard in prison and since to keep in good condition. I think he'll be similar to his former self. Least I hope so... Packers desperately need a Jolly type run stuffer and his toughness and physicality would be very welcomed to the D.
March 13, 2013 at 11:46 am
Good point...My only argument there is that Vick is widely known to be a rare athletic specimen ever since his high school days. He is in a special category with the likes of Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson, Deion Sanders, Herschel Walker etc..
March 11, 2013 at 02:03 pm
Jennings is looking for greenbacks: That much was made obvious all last season, despite his PC talk about coaches, et. al. He will go to the highest bidder.
Brad Jones was quite good filling in for Bishop last year. He can play the run and pass. If ever there was any doubt that AJ Hawk is Thompson's sacred cow favorite, Jones being let go is it. Hawk has a $7+ million cap number and is only a mediocre, two- down player. But, Jones is the one they let walk? And, people wonder why the Packers are so soft in the middle every year?
March 11, 2013 at 03:09 pm
Excep that Hawk and Jones play different positions with different responsibilities. One can't play the other, but each can play his own. Jones is as "soft" as Hawk, the only real physical ILB the Packers have are Bishop and Manning. Don't be too surprised it they're the starting ILB next season.
March 11, 2013 at 11:15 pm
More Hawk excuses. Jones was the Packers best ILB last year. Capers kept Hawk on the sidelines on passing downs. For a $7 million cap hit, Hawk had zero FF's, zero PD's. Zero int's and zero fumble recoveries. He plays that "position" because that's where his diminished skill set (not appropriate to counter the read-option)will do the least damage.
Menawhile, Jones has up to 8 suitors and the Packers will keep struggling inside because TT wants his guy in there. Tough situation for Capers and McCarthy.
March 12, 2013 at 02:14 pm
Another "TT Gem". Signing an average ILB (Hawk) to an All-Pro contract. These mistakes will add up to some down times for the Pack. Hope fans are ready.
March 12, 2013 at 11:36 pm
Hawk would attract alot of suitors if he was Jones age too. Heck when the packers briefly released him for a day to give him a new contract, word was he got alot of calls from teams. Of course the Packers had a deal in place, but that didn't stop teams from calling trying to get him.
No doubt Jones is a better coverage LB, but Jones isn't asked to take on OG regularly. The Weak ILB gets to run free alot more than Hawk does. I'm not sure if the Packers bring Hawk to training camp due to his salary. If the release him after June 1, the cap hit is negligible. He may have played his last game in GB. None of this makes Jones a good player or better than Hawk , just a different player w/ different responsibilities.
March 11, 2013 at 04:41 pm
I think Brad Jones' agent mis-spoke and meant that six CLF teams were interested.
March 11, 2013 at 05:03 pm
brad jones is a heck of a football player who got better every year. he's going to get paid, (and will probably get even better w/more downs/responsibility). i would love to see him come back to green bay but i just don't see it happening. i wish him well. great contributions from a 7th rd pick.