Safeties, Defensive Linemen Go Fast as Free Agency Opens and Packers Stand Pat

Despite the need at safety, the Packers watched as players like T.J. Ward signed with the Denver Broncos for a deal reportedly averaging $5.5M per year.

Safeties and defensive linemen, arguably two of the positions of greatest need on the Green Bay Packers, went fast as free agency opened at 3:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday.

Several players previously linked to the Packers signed lucrative deals in the first few hours

Among them, former Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Lamarr Houston signed with the NFC North division rival Chicago Bears. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on Monday that the Packers were "interested" in Houston.

Instead of playing for the Packers, Houston will play Green Bay Packers twice a year as the Bears look to replace the declining production from Julius Peppers. Houston reportedly signed a five-year deal worth $35 million with $15 million guaranteed.

Another defensive lineman the Packers were reportedly interested in was Arthur Jones but bowed out when the bidding got too rich. The former Baltimore Raven signed a five-year contract worth more than $30 million with the Indianpolis Colts, according to the NFL Network's Albert Breer.

While not necessarily connected to the Packers, Linval Joseph joined the NFC North with border rival Minnesota Vikings, reportedly agreeing on a five-year deal worth $31.5 million.

The Packers conceivably need help along the defensive line with players like B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly and C.J. Wilson all free agents themselves, but the door hasn't closed on any of them returning.

Until it's learned otherwise, the one-year offer Raji worth $4 million is apparently still on the table. Raji is weighing his options and may or may not return to Green Bay.

Players currently under contract like Datone Jones, Mike Daniels and Josh Boyd all figure to play much bigger roles in 2014. Any other help the Packers acquire at the positon will have to come from the NFL Draft or the second wave of free agency.

The Packers also were bystanders as several of the top safeties on the market found new homes, including T.J. Ward, who jumped ship with the Cleveland Browns to join the Denver Broncos on a deal averaging $5.5 million per season, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Other safeties that signed in the first few hours of free agency were Malcolm Jenkins with the Philadelphia Eagles, Donte Whitner with the Browns, Mike Mitchell with the Pittsbugh Steelers and Stevie Brown re-signing with the New York Giants.

Perhaps surprisingly, top-rated safety Jairus Byrd is still on the market and is going to visit the New Orleans Saints, who are looking to replace Jenkins, according to the Times-Picayune. The Saints have among the least salary-cap space in the NFL.

Whether the Packers could be in contention for Byrd's services remains to be seen, but the need at the position is acute. Green Bay needs to find a better running mate than M.D. Jennings for fellow safety Morgan Burnett, but they may look to the Draft to fill that void.

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Comments (65)

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 06:39 pm

I have no idea how the Saints would ever be able to afford Byrd. They have like $2 million in cap space and have to sign Graham.

At least Byrd and Clemons - my top 2 guys - are still available and many of their potential landing spots (Eagles, Bears, Steelers, Browns, Giants) have been filled up.

Apparently TT offered Ward 3 years but he wanted 4. $5.5 mil is a reasonable price for him, but he's more of an in-the-box safety who isn't great in coverage.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:28 pm

Yeah I don't get how the Saints will afford Byrd.

It does kind of suck to see some good players get signed by other teams but signing big dollar players doesn't equal wins.
There are a lot of really good players that haven't signed yet. Hopefully TT will sign a few of those.

Where did u see that the Packers offered Ward?

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:42 pm

Jayme retweeted a guy from the Chicago Sun Times saying so.

I can't seem to find it now, so maybe it was inaccurate.

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hump's picture

March 11, 2014 at 06:38 pm

why would we pay tj ward insane money like 5mil yr when we can keep md jennings on the cheap!!! and we got burnett for 6mil yr,and even though tj ward is a pro bowl player, ted must know something we dont.obviously burnett is the better player cuz we drafted and developed him!!!

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TommyG's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:01 pm

Typical. Players are using Packers "interest" to leverage bigger contracts elsewhere. While i'm a bit flattered that other teams still "fear" the Pack, I'm frustrated that more good players get away for slightly bigger money elsewhere. Sure, money is what matters, but how is playing alongside the best QB in the league not getting our team some interest?

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gary's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:07 pm

Hump that was great. TT is an asshole. With all our cap space we just watch like idiots . But to expect anything different from TT would make you restarted. Ask Vic who is TT step son will write tomorrow how next week all the value players will be available. Horse shit .All that means is the best players are gone as usual. We need safety help like a fish needs water. Maybe another year of development will help M.D. Jennings go from the worst safety in the league to just really bad. TT you suck.

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:36 pm

If you're gonna call people retarded, spell it right.

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@ballark's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:17 pm

Yeah, don't be a shithed.

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Idiot Fan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:26 pm

It does make you wonder why Reggie out in Oakland, who has about a billion dollars of cap space, didn't see fit to re-sign Houston. I wonder if Ted gave him a call to get his thoughts.

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:43 pm

He didn't re-sign Veldheer either - I have no idea what Reggie is doing.

That said, the Raiders are definitely one of the remaining teams who could go after Byrd.

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Idiot Fan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:08 pm

I don't know, maybe he just thought he wasn't worth the money he would command and stuck to his guns.

Also, totally random, but I was just reading the JS Online scouts'-take article on the GB FA's, and when discussing Mike Neal, one scout said that he didn't set the edge as well as Walden. In my mind, Walden was one of the worst at setting the edge, and I thought Neal was a huge improvement there. It just goes to show that there's a big difference between what I see and what the professionals see.

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:12 pm

That Walden comment stuck out to me too...

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Idiot Fan's picture

March 12, 2014 at 01:35 am

Or that, for the most part, the good ones get kept and the lesser ones are allowed to leave.

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Jordan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:51 pm

I never thought walden had any real problem setting the edge. I'm sure he messed up a few times like they all do, but I don't really remember teams attacking him like he was some sort of weakness setting the edge. Might have happened. I just don't remember it.

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Beep's picture

March 11, 2014 at 10:32 pm

I don't know these guys at all but Reggie could be cleaning out some bad apples in the locker room. Anyone that Al Davis brought in is probably expendable if they've got an expiring contract.

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Mags's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:27 pm

Evan where did you hear TT offered Ward?

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Daniel Ireland's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:43 pm

TT will clean up in a couple of weeks. Lots of training camp bodies to "compete" and push the guys we have. Same ol' TT. When does that draft guide come out?

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Brian Carriveau's picture

March 12, 2014 at 10:41 am

Announcement may come as soon as today.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 11, 2014 at 07:45 pm

Mannnn,are a lot of good/specialized players getting cut! Why? Because those franchise front offices aren't handling business right during times like this. I'm thankful we have TT. Now,with that being said -- how realistic is it that we are in the running for Byrd?

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:01 pm

I think very little. From what I've been reading and hearing is, Mica Hyde is going to be the new safety. Lets hope Hayward is healthy and plays like his rookie season. Also there are a few safeties in this draft that can play pretty quick. The real interesting player is Demarcus Ware. Bidding for him will go fairly high.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:15 pm

You think so? He's old and beaten up. He might still have something left though. I'm not sold on Hyde at safety just yet. I think the move there only sures up the lack of coverage a bit,but the lack of pop/intimidation from the secondary still exists.

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:09 pm

What's the difference? Goodell is taking the big hitting out of the NFL. Gimmie a guy that can make a tackle.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:19 pm

I get what you're saying,but did you NOT watch the SB!? The Broncos' WR corps is talented,but they sure didn't look it. If all you want is a sure tackler,let's get 10 more AJ Hawks to play defense.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 12, 2014 at 07:54 am

Playing devils advocate, the plays that Sherman is best known for aren't where he's coming up and blowing up a guy. It's where he gets a hand up and deflects a pass or picks it off. Need good coverage skills on the back end.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 12, 2014 at 10:01 am

We're not talking about CB play though. And even he's physical/disturbing. Do we have that?

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TarynsEyes's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:02 pm

"Safeties, Defensive Linemen Go Fast as Free Agency Opens and Packers Stand Pat"

FA is like playing Texas Hold'em...a game where you win and lose by going 'all-in'.

Thompson doesn't play Texas Hold'em... he won't even sit at the table and make believe.....everyone should know that by now. He prefers 5 Card Stud..A.K.A. the Draft..where 4 of the 5 cards are showing.

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Jordan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:31 pm

True, but for some GM's it's riskier to try to get your guys (holes filled) in the draft. TT has confidence in his scouting/drafting ability (even though he's had some setbacks). Some GMs probably think TT's a high roller for putting too many of his chips in the draft.

I'll still put TTs skill in the draft up against anybody. My money's still on TT. I'm ready to double down on TT right now. ;)

I think TT views signing another teams big money free agent as a failure in your own ability to draft.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 12, 2014 at 08:09 am

When you go "all in" on Free Agency, you're almost certain to lose. Not many big-time, expensive FAs play out their contracts. In fact, in the run-up to this year's opening of FA, many guys that were signed 1-3 years ago are getting cut for cap reasons. The winning play with FA is to look for guys that can help at a number that won't make them a likely cap casualty.

Take Jarius Byrd and Aqib Talib, for example. Everyone and their brother is saying both are high up on the list of available players. Neither will play out the deal they signed yesterday. No chance, no how, no way. The only question is whether the eventual cut creates a dead money situation that costs their team another player, in addition to their departure.

Super Bowls are rarely won on the opening day of FA. A lot of people are fond of praising Seattle's approach last year helping them win the SB. Well, they waited it out and swooped in on guys that didn't get much of a sniff in the initial feeding frenzy. That's the smart FA play.

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:05 pm

So why did Cleveland let Ward walk? They have the $$$. What good is a safety who isn't a very good in cover . At least the man can tackle.

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:12 pm

Not only that, but why let Ward walk only to pay Whitner, an older yet very, very similar player, nearly $2 million more a year.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:52 pm

Because they are the Browns and the last time they had logic on their side they changed their name and moved to Baltimore.

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Jordan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:38 pm

He probably didn't want to play in Cleveland. He hated Cleveland and losing more than he loves money.

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tundravision's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:18 pm

Do we know any of the terms of the safeties signings?

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:30 pm

WTF! Saints sign Byrd to 6-year deal??

How are they paying him?

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:37 pm

WHAT THE Faaaaaaahk!? Something fishy is going on. **Snaps back to reality** Well,it's not the Pack going all in for 1 player. Looking through the NFL's Top 100 FAs left -- I'm confident TT will find a few good/decent players.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:56 pm

I'm not going down this road with you,Cow.

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Idiot Fan's picture

March 12, 2014 at 01:30 am

We all, always, have to go down this road with Cow on

Every.
Goddamn.
Article.

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hump's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:43 pm

Verner just signed 4yr 26mil and he was rated as #1 FA corner. Shields got 4 yr 39 mil,and was rated as 6th best corner. boy ted, you sure save lots of money with draft and develop!!!!!!!!

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:49 pm

Verner got more guaranteed money. But don't let that get in the way of your hissy fit.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:57 pm

Get 'em...

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:15 pm

There you go again, ripping on a promising young player. The future is bright now for Hyde. You're always wrong . Lyingcow

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PackerBacker's picture

March 12, 2014 at 08:01 am

IT'S THE FIRST ... DAMN ... DAY!!!

Can you chill the frick out? Can we all agree that Ted's (and arguably anyones) best FA signing was Charles Woodson? Quickly, can you tell me how many days into FA he was signed?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:53 pm

Byrd gets 6 years, $54 million with $28 guaranteed. That sounds about right (tops Eric Berry's $25.6 guarantee).

With $2 million in cap room, I'm very curious how the hell they pulled that off.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:56 pm

Wow, there is only one GM in the NFL that wouldn't trade Sam Shields for Jairus Byrd and .75 million a year in cap space.

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:19 pm

You have Peppers...............oh wait.

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THEMichaelRose's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:29 pm

While Ted might like Shields more than lots of other folks, I don't think he's the only GM who'd take that "trade."
Cap space isn't the whole point. Byrd got $28M guaranteed. That's a ton of money.

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:30 pm

Graham sats WTF! ?

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:31 pm

*says*

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Idiot Fan's picture

March 12, 2014 at 01:12 am

They also had to do some cutting to make it happen. I for one won't miss seeing Sproles running all over the place in that offense.

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Evan's picture

March 11, 2014 at 08:56 pm

On the bright side, with so many teams gobbling up free agent safeties, the Packers should have their pick of the draft litter....

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4thand1's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:19 pm

Is Clemons getting any interests? Haven't heard anything.

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THEMichaelRose's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:30 pm

I saw that the Steelers were interested. But then they signed Mike Mitchell. Not sure if that means they're done looking at him.

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THEMichaelRose's picture

March 11, 2014 at 09:36 pm

This is a good point. The Eagles are sitting right behind us and may have been a candidate to leapfrog us to get their guy, but they picked up Malcolm Jenkins (sidenote: I'd take about 4 different rookies over Jenkins, regardless of money).

But at the same time, teams who lost guys (Bills, Colts, Lions) will now be looking a little harder at the position.

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xuyee's picture

March 11, 2014 at 10:34 pm

A little part of me hopes that DeMarcus Ware has enough of Jerry's money. That he wants a ring to go with his HoF bust.

C'mon Ted, waived players don't count against your precious compensatory picks. Can you imagine? It'd be like Reggie and Sean Jones.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 12, 2014 at 08:48 am

I know others have asked, but why are you here?

What makes you want to be such a douchey troll? What went wrong in your life that you have to go on fan websites and act like a world class jackass?

I know that this type of post only fuels your twisted mind, but I'm seriously asking the question.

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L's picture

March 12, 2014 at 11:35 am

Huh... Interesting.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 12, 2014 at 12:13 pm

"Are we all REALLY supposed to believe that there aren't ever FA's available who are more talented than the players currently on the roster?"

Any such belief is silly. And such a slanted question is a classic straw man. It sounds sorta kinda like the issue but it's not really the issue. The issue at hand is whether there is a FA talent upgrade willing to sign in GB at a price the team sets for that player's value. And whether that player provides enough of an upgrade to justify any additional cost over replacement. Maybe that second part is more a part of assessing value in the first place.

I would argue deviating from a disciplined approach to value will close a window faster than sitting out FA altogether. And FA, especially day 1, is usually mostly about undisciplined assessment of value for the shiny talent upgrades of the "grass must be greener over there" crowd.

Remember the Iggles winning the Offseason Championship after the lockout? Everyone was ready to skip the formality of playing the games to hand them the Lombardi. In reality, that is what sealed Andy Reid's fate in Philly and led to an overhaul. Instead of opening the window, it shut the window.

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The TKster's picture

March 12, 2014 at 06:33 am

You mean, Clinton-Dix?

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HankScorpio's picture

March 12, 2014 at 08:15 am

The start of TC is about 4.5 months away. It's not over yet.

Risking breaking your arm patting yourself on the back is poor form. Doing so prematurely is foolish.

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The TKster's picture

March 12, 2014 at 06:28 am

I have to keep reminding myself what a strong connection there is between the UFA spending champions and the SB champions year after year.

Or not.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 12, 2014 at 08:17 am

To the point that FA is a useful tool in building a SB winner, it happens after the opening day of free agency.,

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gary's picture

March 12, 2014 at 06:58 am

Without Rodgers we are a 500 team at best. This bullshit of TT waiting and draft and develop is horse shit. The Super Bowl champs are active as I write this. Free agency has to be part of our off season game plan. And not just the bottom of the barrel like usual. Having left over cap room to start the season must give TT a hard on.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 12, 2014 at 08:53 am

First, they're probably more in the 9-7, 10-6 range. Second, can you name a few teams that would be much better without their world-class QB?

Broncos?
Patriots?
Saints?
49ers?
Even the Seahawks wouldn't have made it all the way without Wilson.

It's a ridiculous argument to say that a team wouldn't be as good if it didn't have it's best players. Well no kidding, that's the point.

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Imma Fubared's picture

March 12, 2014 at 11:37 am

My opinion from last year still stands in my mind, Ted T is a tight a___. To be fair, he has no money. Forget cap space. That cap space is being held for next year. He has to resign some high priced talent.

I expected two things this year: he would do very very little if anything in free agency and he would hope some of this own people would have to crawl back, not wanted and he could get them cheap.

If someone said he was going to trade his three and four picks for a ton of sixth rounders to save a buck I would be the least surprised person on earth.

Hey, Greenbay Packers are playing money ball aka Oakland raiders.

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Imma Fubared's picture

March 12, 2014 at 11:37 am

My opinion from last year still stands in my mind, Ted T is a tight a___. To be fair, he has no money. Forget cap space. That cap space is being held for next year. He has to resign some high priced talent.

I expected two things this year: he would do very very little if anything in free agency and he would hope some of this own people would have to crawl back, not wanted and he could get them cheap.

If someone said he was going to trade his three and four picks for a ton of sixth rounders to save a buck I would be the least surprised person on earth.

Hey, Greenbay Packers are playing money ball aka Oakland raiders.

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