Packers Need To Replace Veterans With Veterans
By tbohms
As speculated by many, Sam Shields’ tenure with the Green Bay Packers was instantly terminated on Wednesday after he announced his release on Instagram. Not due to diminished play but rather injury from repeated concussions, The Packers will save $9 million in salary cap space for 2017 by parting ways.
The day before, Green Bay announced that they had released running back James Starks, shaving $3 million off the 2017 salary cap.
Julius Peppers, the Packers 37-year-old outside linebacker, is an unrestricted free agent and will not likely re-sign.
Already one of the youngest teams in the NFL, it is feasible that the Packers will become even younger after losing these three players. The loss of these players could inspire Green Bay to re-tool for 2017 with a few veteran free agents to add to the roster. We should not need to speculate that the Packers will be major free agent players, we all know Ted Thompson’s standard operating procedure in free agency. It seems reasonable to make a few mid-level signings, like Jared Cook last season, to put some experience on the roster.
The release of Shields makes a veteran cornerback the inevitable top priority. During the 2016 campaign Shields made more news off the field than on it as he was charged with two counts of marijuana possession at his home in Green Bay. It was reported that authorities went to his home thinking he received marijuana through the U.S. Mail, and Shields answered the door with a blunt in his hand. In comparison, he only played 1 game in which he received a concussion and eventually was put on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Shields was a joy to watch and was clearly the Packers number one cornerback, and it would seem like a stretch to assume Quentin Rollins, Ladarius Gunter and Damarious Randall can hold down this position after their 2016 seasons. Rookie cornerbacks can typically thrive at times in the nickel position, but struggle to compete on the perimeter. Gunter showed flashes of potential and could be serviceable, but it is hard to imagine Rollins or Randall taking a major jump next season. Randall showed some promise in his rookie year, but he looked like a different player in 2016.
The addition of a veteran cornerback to hold down a starting spot would remove a huge burden from Dom Capers’ Sunday game plan. Gunter was the only cornerback that battled competitively each game and could be relied upon in 2016, but it is still unknown his top potential. The cornerback position needs some veteran depth and a high draft pick, a team can never have too much talent there.
It seems the Packers could improve their defensive line play with some added veterans up front, and they could also add to their depth at linebacker with a veteran pass rusher to play third downs or a veteran middle backer to support the run game. Look at last season’s free agent list that included a lot of impact players that were found at reasonable prices. The Bills signed Zach Brown to a one-year deal for $1.25 million, he responded with a pro bowl season. Jerell Freeman was inked by the Chicago Bears for 3 years and $12 million and had a solid season before his suspension. Of course the Packers let one of their own walk last season, Casey Hayward, and he took a reasonable $15 million contract and paid the San Diego Chargers back with a pro bowl season.
While I think the Packers will generally stick to the script and re-sign their own free agents including Eddie Lacy, T.J. Lang, Nick Perry, and Jared Cook; It seems feasible that they could entertain adding a few veteran defenders to their squad. It doesn’t make sense to break the bank, but adding some veterans could play huge dividends in 2017.
Comments (53)
mrtundra
February 09, 2017 at 10:35 am
Replace Shields with Gilmore from Buffalo, Bouye from Houston or Ryan from NE. Replace Peppers with Chandler Jones of AZ or Melvin Engram from the Chargers Then draft one of each of those positions. Resigning Perry, Cook, Lang should be a priority. If we resign Lacy it should be a short term deal. I think TT drafts a RB even if Lacy is resigned.
NickPerry
February 09, 2017 at 10:47 am
If Ted T did this AND they stayed healthy for just one season I have NO DOUBT the Packers would win SB 52. Ingram was a player I loved coming out, same with Chandler Jones. I'd try and resign Perry and get Ingram then wait and see who else is available as CB once the cuts and salary cap casualties start. There's always some good players available due to salary cap issues, just like Peppers and Cook were. Hell the Bears paid Peppers somewhere around $9 million in 2014 to play in Green Bay. You gotta love that!
No matter, I like mrtundra's idea.... I bet Capers and Rodgers would too.
croatpackfan
February 09, 2017 at 02:16 pm
"...AND they stayed healthy for just one season..."
The question is what if they NOT... And that is more likely! Than what? How many years of Aaron career will Ted spare with that kind of move? Also, you would easily gave up on TJ Lang, Cook, Lacy, Perry, JC Tretter, Micah Hyde and others? So, you'll spent all your cap money and if you have rush of injuries, where you'll find the money to sign possible replacements?
Yeah, lets spent like m,ad and hope everything will be OK...
Sounds like good plan!
But, we all forget that all of those players have to accept to play in Green Bay. Weather and, more important, tax issue! Are you sure that player will easily gave 15, 20% of their salaries just kike that?
NickPerry
February 10, 2017 at 05:08 am
I said I agreed with "mrtunda" which would mean INCLUDING the part about Lang, Perry, and Cook. Perhaps you should actually read peoples comments being so critical.
When was the last time you saw TT go out and sign someone, trade for someone significant if a "Rash of Injuries" happens?
I mentioned something in a comment last week about Thompson keeping around $10 million every season and rolling it into the following season and you were critical of that. Which is it?
Players who want to win, want to play with Rodgers and see him as possibly the best shot to win will gladly give up a % of their salaries. Many players by the time they turn 25 or 26 and are FA are married so night life might not be quite as important. OR here's a thought, they rent a place with the MILLIONS they sign for, play football and give it everything for a few months like they get paid for, THEN go play. Hell Rodgers has a home in Los Angeles, I live in Los Angeles, want to talk about TAXES!
marpag1
February 10, 2017 at 12:48 pm
"Players who want to win, want to play with Rodgers and see him as possibly the best shot to win will gladly give up a % of their salaries."
Hmm. I don't buy that. IMO, the so-called "hometown discount" is a fairy tale invented by agents and players who didn't get as much as they felt that they deserved. The vast majority of players get paid ... A) what the NFL market says they are worth, or B) what some stupid and desperate GM overpaid them. But only very, very rarely does a player voluntarily take significantly less than he could get elsewhere.
Greg Jennings is the norm, and there are very few exceptions to the rule.
NickPerry
February 11, 2017 at 11:27 am
I wasn't really talking about a player taking the "Hometown Discount". I was thinking more along the lines of a player stuck in Cleveland or Jacksonville (Just examples) who might take a percentage less to play with a contender.
At the end of the day I understand those players aren't even close to the norm, but there are a few each year. We don't hear about it as much because we never partake.
Handsback
February 09, 2017 at 04:10 pm
Nick Perry has spoken true knowledge again. "There's always some good players available due to salary cap issues..." I believe that's the key for any Packer's FA aquistion. I hope he would get a FA 1st tier CB and Pass Rusher. They will probably be gobbled up within the first few days, but those salary cap guys like Peppers could be mighty tempting even to GM like TT. They would also add some leadership to the team.
Since'61
February 09, 2017 at 12:05 pm
I'll second mrtundra's plan. That would settle the defense in our 2 primary areas of need. I've said from the beginning to keep Perry, Cook, Lang, Goode, Tretter, and Hyde as well. Lacy remains a question mark for me. Fat, slow and injured are not qualities for a premier RB. Let's see if we can draft a Dorsey Levens or Ahman Green type of runner. A Gale Sayers wouldn't hurt either. Thanks, Since '61
RobinsonDavis
February 09, 2017 at 02:32 pm
Like the idea Tundra. Although plausible, one has to remember the current cap-space without an increase provided by the league (this latter point may be a possibility). With $43 million currently in cap space, AND TT likely to keep roughly $10 million as security plus another roughly $8-9 million for rookies and restricted free agents, this leaves you with $25 million to sign your own UFAs AND any addtional UFA like a cornerback. My question regards how much carryover do the Packers have that they can still use, Any idea what this may be after performance bonuses?
IMO without this year's money and no other restructuring of contracts from AR or CM3 and/or increase in league mandated cap, you have enough to sign Perry, Lang, Tretter, and Cook. If the contracts can be of the escalated type and you likely open up another $2-4 million. Take out Cook you can likely insert in Micah Hyde or Lacey. I feel strongly, they need a #1 CB now - This would obviously come at the expense of signing one or more of our "short" list of UFA Packers, meaning that some of these other Packers may be looking for employment elsewhere if this was to take place.
RobinsonDavis
February 10, 2017 at 04:35 pm
P.S. I do not profess to be an expert in cap issues, so do encourage all views. IMO some of the more recent articles under-estimate our free agent players' values. I have Perry at $9.5, Lang at $7.0, Cook @ $5, Tretter at $2.5 million/year. I may be way off on Perry, but feel the others are pretty close.
dobber
February 10, 2017 at 10:03 am
"Fat, slow and injured are not qualities for a premier RB." -- Since '61
"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." -- Dean Wormer
Tundraboy
February 11, 2017 at 01:17 am
Lol. Thought same thing, can't stop laughing, Dean Wormer
Tundraboy
February 09, 2017 at 08:04 pm
Ok with me. Make it happen!
RodFlash
February 09, 2017 at 11:30 am
we should all stop hoping and wishing, Ted doesn't care and he won't spend a dime on a quality FA. I'll bet our defensive collapse didn't faze him one bit.
KenEllis
February 09, 2017 at 12:15 pm
When did this VETERANS needs to replace VETERANS nonsense start?
TT has been replacing VETERANS with rookies for the past 6 seasons, which is why we've had one of the youngest teams every year.
TT has also refused to signed free agent VETERANS or to make trades for VETERANS for the past decade, which is why we've had fewer players who have ever been on other NFL rosters than any other teams the past 6 seasons.
TT does it his way and only his way (DRAFT & DEVELOP and the rest be damned) and this website has applauded him every step of the way while mocking those fans who suggested a more flexible approach to roster-building might be in the Packers' best interests.
Pretty hypocritical to question TT's rigid approach to stocking his roster now, isn't it?
dobber
February 09, 2017 at 01:19 pm
"TT does it his way and only his way (DRAFT & DEVELOP and the rest be damned) and this website has applauded him every step of the way while mocking those fans who suggested a more flexible approach to roster-building might be in the Packers' best interests."
Have you been paying attention to what people have been posting here for the last several off-seasons?
al bundy
February 09, 2017 at 08:41 pm
Ted beats to mm's drum. My take Mike hates t practice and hates to transfer in new troops. He is on record as liking simplistic. Thus Ted brings back people when he can. Thus free agents are a proven since they come with pre knowledge from another system.
The all makes sense considering Ted Les guys go to save money and replace them with guys who never worked in another system so they easily for in Mike's system. This s how the pack functions
marpag1
February 10, 2017 at 01:50 pm
^^^^ Ladies and gentlemen, the dumbest thing you've ever heard...
dobber
February 10, 2017 at 01:32 pm
...since his last post, anyway.
stockholder
February 09, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Truthfully you are correct. Capers still has a job. A-Rod could get hurt, and then there goes everything anyways. Were already seeing how the money is life changing to these guys. They become use to living in the spot light. Spoiled, and still get busted for s**t. And look how many sign that big contract and still don't care. TT isn't crazy. But he's not the shinning example for a GM either. I lost my Trust in Him. It's no longer about winning with him.
MITM
February 09, 2017 at 02:11 pm
The fact that this is such a CB heavy draft leaves me with zero hope of signing a veteran corner whatsoever.
Bert
February 09, 2017 at 02:15 pm
I hope that's not the case. Our 2017 draftees probably won't make much of an impact until 2018-1019. Depending on the upcoming draft to fill immediate needs just "kicks the can down the road."
MITM
February 09, 2017 at 05:11 pm
Is that not what we have been doing though? You could make the argument that since we were so close to a Super Bowl birth that hopefully will create some incentive to plug our holes with guys who can make a difference NOW. Then i remembered that we lost an NFCCG in 2014 also and did nothing but draft and develop since then, outside of Jared Cook. Cook was somewhat of a prayer answered at tight end but again defense has been the problem and we have brought in ZERO veterans on defense since then. We need CBs, we need OLBs, we need at least ONE starting caliber ILB to supplant Ryan Martinez or Thomas. We needed an ILB last year and we could have had Zach Brown for a bag of footballs. He was an emergency signing by the Bills after they lost several LBs and all he did was make second team all pro, make the pro bowl and have a monster season.
dobber
February 10, 2017 at 10:05 am
" We needed an ILB last year and we could have had Zach Brown for a bag of footballs. "
I don't think it was ILB that killed this team in 2016...
4thand1
February 09, 2017 at 06:05 pm
holy shit, our new corners will regress a 999 years?
PETER MAIZ
February 09, 2017 at 03:17 pm
Nobody, with all due respect, will break the bank. But take your pick, get some tried and true cornerbacks and go to the Super Bowl or don't, and risk not even winning your conference? I know what I would want.
4thand1
February 09, 2017 at 06:07 pm
One shut down corner, please.
gary
February 09, 2017 at 07:02 pm
Hey I have argued with you before about TT . I hate him as a GM. But your right, if we had one shut down corner we would go to the SB.
al bundy
February 09, 2017 at 08:50 pm
Two
fthisJack
February 10, 2017 at 09:02 am
i don't care who you have at CB, if you don't have a pass rush you are f@#$ed.
dobber
February 10, 2017 at 10:13 am
Who out there has two shut-down corners?
Point-Packer
February 09, 2017 at 06:43 pm
I wouldn't even mind the Packers bringing in a veteran WR with deep speed. Add depth to the squad. Give Rodgers another solid target. Really stretch the field.
Tundraboy
February 09, 2017 at 08:12 pm
I agree. It would be a mistake to focus entirely on Defense and assume we are all set at O. Much can change and usually does for us when we think we can get by with x, or z in any given year.
MITM
February 09, 2017 at 06:46 pm
There has been plenty of talk about not resigning Casey Hayward and there is no need for me to repeat what others have said about the season he had this past season. What about Davon House? You dont hear much about anyone out there in Jacksonville but I think House was definately another guy who you could have made the argument of keeping. If I remember correctly neither guy broke the bank in free agency. I know I know, hindsight is 20/20, just curious to see what anybody thought of House.
Since'61
February 09, 2017 at 08:25 pm
IIRC House was signed by the Jags for about $7 million per season. More importantly he only played about 30% of the Jaguars defensive snaps this year. If he can't start for the Jags why do we want him back? We have enough 2nd string CBs already we don't need another one. Thanks, Since '61
MITM
February 09, 2017 at 08:39 pm
Thats interesting I wasnt aware of that and for some reason thought he got a few million less. Thanks for the info, I agree 7 million would have not been worth the return, now i know.
jeremyjjbrown
February 10, 2017 at 11:04 am
I think they'll add a few bargains at FA. I will be suprised if those guys put the Packers over the top this year. I just don't see TT signing any top talent.
4zone
February 09, 2017 at 07:59 pm
This team is as predictable as the Cleveland Browns. We play defense like we approach personnel, 'safe'.
MarkinMadison
February 09, 2017 at 10:28 pm
1) I agree with DPF. Rollins and Randall could very well make a jump. I would say that I expect that one out of two will stay healthy this year and make the leap.
2) TT HAS spent money on FA in the past. Peppers was $10M a year. So don't tell me he won't.
3) Pass rushers are born more than they are made, so go CB in FA this year. A guy doesn't have to be better than Sam Shields was, he just has to be the best option available. GB cannot afford to roll the dice with what they have at CB and a draft pickup. Buy the CB. Draft the pass rushers, early and often.
4) Gilmore, Gilmore, Gilmore. Size, speed, some production, some hope, and why wouldn't anyone want out of Buffalo right now to go play with #12? Kind of reminds me of when the Packers picked up Woodson. Who did that? Oh yeah, TT.
5) You want to draft a CB? Draft a replacement for Hyde (who will probably be offered too much $$$ for TT). Buy a replacement for Shields.
fthisJack
February 10, 2017 at 09:08 am
i agree with this except for Hyde. he is a versatile smart guy and comes up with some huge plays. i would argue, he was our best CB down the stretch but i guess that isn't saying much.
dobber
February 10, 2017 at 10:21 am
Hyde was a band-aid over a gushing arterial wound.
MarkinMadison
February 10, 2017 at 12:46 pm
APC ran an article yesterday suggesting that Hyde could draw a contract of around $5M a year. I like Hyde, but I think his skill set is replaceable. If TT is going to make a hard choice about where to spend his money, Hyde might be the guy who suffers.
dobber
February 10, 2017 at 01:12 pm
That's where you'd find out just how much they believe in Brice or Evans as playable pieces.
Icebowler
February 09, 2017 at 11:59 pm
We need to get starters with our first two draft picks. No more early round "projects" please. And there are always a few Free Agents out there that are more interested in being on a winning team than getting a few extra million. You might actually find a few of those Ted, if you actually looked.
sheppercheeser
February 10, 2017 at 06:25 am
I get the feeling that if TT was on the Titanic and he needed a cork to plug a hole, he'd let the ship sink rather than pay an 'exorbitant' price. Same thing goes for GB. If we really, really need a shutdown CB, put your big boy pants on, take a deep breath and cut the check.
cuervo
February 10, 2017 at 06:53 am
While I agree we should try and find a veteran corner, I don't agree we should overpay anyone.
The facts are that Ted was correct to let Tramon Williams go when he did, he was correct to let House go, he was correct to let Sitton go (although he mishandled it), Letting Hayward go looks bad now, but at the time he'd done nothing in 2 years in GB.
While 43million in cap space seems like alot, it will go quickly once we sign a few of our own free agents. What I would like to see, given the corners that are available, is to not sign Perry (because he's not worth what he'll get offered), and instead try and sign Melvin Ingram...he's twice the player Perry is and still has room to get better
RCPackerFan
February 10, 2017 at 07:36 am
I completely agree.
Outside of Hayward I can't think of anyone else Thompson has let go that went elsewhere and was more productive. He has been really good at letting go of players to early then to late. Though it looks like he should have let Starks go a year earlier.
43 Million is a lot of money. But your right that it will go pretty fast when they start resigning their own players. Also don't be surprised if they save some of it to lock up a player or 2 that will be due next year.
cuervo
February 10, 2017 at 09:02 am
And I agree with your agree.
Like every year, everyone wishes to sign 3 or 4 free agents, which is simply not feasible once you include players on your roster that you want to re-sign. At best...I think we could hope for 1 big money guy, and sprinkle in the typical low cost no compensation free agents.
I just don't see any corners at present that would be worth the money they will recieve....which is why I would try and upgrade the pass rush. Ingram would be a huge upgrade over what we've had the last couple years.
MarkinMadison
February 10, 2017 at 12:48 pm
"Letting Hayward go looks bad now, but at the time he'd done nothing in 2 years in GB."
Some are basically saying the same thing about Rollins and Randall now. Maybe there is a lesson there.
EdsLaces
February 10, 2017 at 09:32 am
I like the idea of at least one free agent. Either a pass rusher or cb. Pass rusher is very deep in this draft so maybe a vet cb is the way to go. Having said that Tabor and Jones I believe are gonna be absolute stud corners...
adamnb
February 10, 2017 at 09:40 am
Gunter is better than Bush. What does that have to do w/ anything, he isn't even in the NFL anymore? Bush was a backup CB and good ST player, nothing more!
marpag1
February 10, 2017 at 04:42 pm
Randall and Rollins ARE veterans, so I'm not sure what the point is here.
We don't need veterans. We need better, healthier players.
stockholder
February 11, 2017 at 06:36 pm
I don't feel the packers need to replace anybody. I also don't feel the packers need to over-pay ,their current FAs. Any guy is replaceable. The elephants can be replaced with the OLBs. The offensive line has Murphy and spriggs. Cook is really the only guy that they should sign. TT can draft another TE , but it will take 3 yrs. to get him in this offense. A-rod needs his veterans! The defense does not. Yes they'll be better if they do. But even with these guys, something still is wrong with the defense. Peppers is done. Perry and Jones are not game changers. The defense did not stand out with them. Let's get people that are hungry to win. And not just prove themselves to get money. This defense needs a NAME. It should not be a defense that wants to earn a living the easy way.