People featured here are Adam (AH), Bryan Reynolds (BR), Seth Krueger (SK), Eric Nohelty (EN) Nolan Murphy (NM) and myself, (TAP).
How much money are you willing to give Sam Shields?
Adam Hatlak: Ladarius Webb gets about $8 million per year, with a $10 million guarantee, and I could see Shields ending up with that type of contract wherever he ends up. He might price himself out of the Packers league with playing a premium position as an unrestricted free agent, but they desperately need him back.
Seth Krueger: Four years for seven million a year should put him in top six or seven in league for cornerbacks.
Nolan Murphy: Shields graded out at Top 20 NFL corner in the regular season during 2013 and held opposing quarterbacks to 72.7 passer rating. A secondary with Shields, a healthy Hayward and restructured Tramon Williams could help the Packers. Sammy is one of the fastest players in the NFL, but Thompson will be reluctant to franchise him at a projected $11.256 number. Offering Shields a four-year 30 million deal would be my range. Moving Hyde to safety and hoping Morgan Burnett can dig himself out of his grave in 2014 could save this Packers defense.
Adam Hatlak: Ladarius Webb gets about $8 million per year, with a $10 million guarantee, and I could see Shields ending up with that type of contract wherever he ends up. He might price himself out of the Packers league with playing a premium position as an unrestricted free agent, but they desperately need him back.
Seth Krueger: Four years for seven million a year should put him in top six or seven in league for cornerbacks.
Nolan Murphy: Shields graded out at Top 20 NFL corner in the regular season during 2013 and held opposing quarterbacks to 72.7 passer rating. A secondary with Shields, a healthy Hayward and restructured Tramon Williams could help the Packers. Sammy is one of the fastest players in the NFL, but Thompson will be reluctant to franchise him at a projected $11.256 number. Offering Shields a four-year 30 million deal would be my range. Moving Hyde to safety and hoping Morgan Burnett can dig himself out of his grave in 2014 could save this Packers defense.
Sportandfashion-news: I am fine with the range of seven to nine million dollars a year for Shields. He is represented by Drew Rosenhaus whom has a solid relationship with Green Bay, but that man will try to milk as much money as humanly possible out of a team. My only concern is Shields is young and good enough that some team with secondary (Houston?, Detroit?) needs might overpay him.
Do you bring back BJ Raji, for how much?
Do you bring back BJ Raji, for how much?
SK: Not for over eight million a year.
TAP: Honestly, there is not much about Raji's game this year that makes me think this guy is worth over five million a year. Now he only played 50 percent of snaps, and quite possibly the defense the Raji camp will make is if he played more, the output would have been better from him. I would deem him the most likely to leave the team because people overpay nose tackles due to think every fat dude will be Vince Wilfork.
NM: This question would be easier if Ryan Pickett and C.J. Wilson were not free agents as well. The Freezer has not been as effective at the rush 3-4 end but a move back inside to nose tackle could make him a force again. Raji reportedly turned down eight million per year and will not get that again. This could be very similar to the James Jones situation in 2011 where you let the player sniff free agency only for Raji to return on a team friendly contract.
AH: Any player is worth a contract at the right price, but the price I'd pay for Raji won't bring him back. He already seemed like a player who had issues getting motivated, and it got worse during a contract year. He rejected an offer at $8 million per year and had a bad season, based on his performance, I'd drop the offer to $6 million per year and make it incentive laden. He's probably gone.
Priority number one of the offseason?
Bryan Reynolds: Pick up a linebacker/defensive end to fit the system. Green Bay needs an edge rusher who can put his hand down and bang in the trenches.
NM: This question would be easier if Ryan Pickett and C.J. Wilson were not free agents as well. The Freezer has not been as effective at the rush 3-4 end but a move back inside to nose tackle could make him a force again. Raji reportedly turned down eight million per year and will not get that again. This could be very similar to the James Jones situation in 2011 where you let the player sniff free agency only for Raji to return on a team friendly contract.
AH: Any player is worth a contract at the right price, but the price I'd pay for Raji won't bring him back. He already seemed like a player who had issues getting motivated, and it got worse during a contract year. He rejected an offer at $8 million per year and had a bad season, based on his performance, I'd drop the offer to $6 million per year and make it incentive laden. He's probably gone.
Bryan Reynolds: Pick up a linebacker/defensive end to fit the system. Green Bay needs an edge rusher who can put his hand down and bang in the trenches.
AH: Regardless of positions, find a big physical player or two for the defense. The concerns about being "soft" are gone in my opinion, but they still don't have many players who strike fear into opposing offenses over the middle. Teams are afraid of Clay, but can gameplan against him, after that there's not much to fear.
Eric Nohelty: Pass rush. Thompson needs to swallow his pride and go get a proven pass rusher in free agency. We cant waste 12's prime waiting for someone to develop. We need a guy that can get to the passer without having to blitz multiple guys. You saw the 49ers get after Aaron Rodgers while rushing four and still covering everyone.
Eric Nohelty: Pass rush. Thompson needs to swallow his pride and go get a proven pass rusher in free agency. We cant waste 12's prime waiting for someone to develop. We need a guy that can get to the passer without having to blitz multiple guys. You saw the 49ers get after Aaron Rodgers while rushing four and still covering everyone.
NM: Getting the offensive line healthy. Former 1st round pickers Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod will need to be healthy heading into OTA’s for this Packers offense to return to their 2011 form. This could answer a ton of questions heading into the draft if the Packers retain Evan Dietrich-Smith at center as well as figure out the rest of the line shuffle.
Who stays/leaves in defensive backfield?
EN: Morgan Burnett stays... he looked bad a lot this year but he had a big black hole playing along side him at the other safety. If you remember back to the short time Burnett played alongside Nick Collins he looked like he had an awful lot of potential.Who stays/leaves in defensive backfield?
BR: I think Shields deserves to stay. He is a playmaker and a good guy to learn behind Tramon Williams.
AH: Bring back Tramon, Shields, House, Hayward, Hyde,Bush, Burnett, Banjo, Richardson. I would see if Tramon is willing to take a pay cut, and if he or Hyde would be able to play safety, I'd move one of them there. Tramon talked about wanting to see a defensive veteran leader on the field, I think he could fill that role.
SK: MD Jennings, whoop whoop gone
TAP: Honestly, they have a lot to work with here. Thompson is getting better I think at admitting his mistakes when he makes them, and knows Jennings is a mistake. If they can shore up the safety position, the defensive backfield is not that far off from being pretty good.
How many times do you cut Marshall Newhouse?
NM: I refuse to comment on this player personal move. I hope I never have to speak or hear of Newhouse again.
TAP: Every team I cheered for in 2013 had one player to piss me off and Newhouse was Green Bay's. See ya bud.
Bulaga or Bakthiari at LT?
EN: Bakthiari --- he had a successful season, why mess him up by making him learn the right side. Not to mention Bulaga has been successful on at RT and did not sound like he was all that comfortable moving to LT before last season. Stick them both in the positions they are most comfortable at and move forward without playing musical offensive linemen every season. This is a good, talented group up front... they just need some consistency and time to work with each other.
TAP: Every team I cheered for in 2013 had one player to piss me off and Newhouse was Green Bay's. See ya bud.
What's your wish list for the 2014 NFL Draft, whether it be certain players or positions?
SK:Safety, inside linebacker, tight end
AH: I still believe in best player available, but a hard hitting safety and a run stopping middle linebacker would be nice to see. A fourth round pick on an athletic tight end could be good as well.
BR: Safeties. All of ‘em. Since Green Bay lost Collins, we have been garbage on the backside.
EN: Pass rush and safety help. Pass rush is the most important because no matter how good of a DB you have no one is covering an NFL receiver for five plus seconds.
BR: Safeties. All of ‘em. Since Green Bay lost Collins, we have been garbage on the backside.
EN: Pass rush and safety help. Pass rush is the most important because no matter how good of a DB you have no one is covering an NFL receiver for five plus seconds.
NM: If Jermichael Finley does not return which seems likely I think targeting an explosive TE like Texas Tech’s bad boy Jace Amaro or North Carolina’s Eric Ebron. I think finding more depth at the outside linebacker position will be something heavily addressed on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
TAP: Murph stole my thunder honestly and let me tell you, this will enrage Packers fans yet I will love it so much. Amaro and Ebron make this team better ASAP.
TAP: Murph stole my thunder honestly and let me tell you, this will enrage Packers fans yet I will love it so much. Amaro and Ebron make this team better ASAP.
Bulaga or Bakthiari at LT?
EN: Bakthiari --- he had a successful season, why mess him up by making him learn the right side. Not to mention Bulaga has been successful on at RT and did not sound like he was all that comfortable moving to LT before last season. Stick them both in the positions they are most comfortable at and move forward without playing musical offensive linemen every season. This is a good, talented group up front... they just need some consistency and time to work with each other.
NM: Bakthiari played and looked like a rookie I felt. This coaching staff needs to figure out what it has in Buluga at LT before moving him down the line. I think as they move farther into the prime of Aaron Rodgers, keeping him upright will be stressed by the “organization”
AH: Bakthiari should be the left tackle of the future, he's earned that and it will allow for Bulaga to play at a near Pro Bowl level on the right.
BR: I will take the youth of Bakthiari. He gets a lot of penalties, partially due to his short arms, but I like the enthusiasm and the experience he gained this year.
Besides Lacy, who is the one first or second year player you are most excited for their future?
AH: Since the five threat set of Jennings, Driver, Nelson, Jones, and Finley a few years ago, the offense has always had a new wrinkle added to it. There was the year that Cobb developed into a slot receiver threat, and Lacy brought back the running game. I'm most excited to see if Johnathan Franklin can develop into a Darren Sproles type back that can catch the ball in space and be explosive. The majority of carries should go to Lacy, but Franklin could be a good speed back.
AH: Bakthiari should be the left tackle of the future, he's earned that and it will allow for Bulaga to play at a near Pro Bowl level on the right.
BR: I will take the youth of Bakthiari. He gets a lot of penalties, partially due to his short arms, but I like the enthusiasm and the experience he gained this year.
AH: Since the five threat set of Jennings, Driver, Nelson, Jones, and Finley a few years ago, the offense has always had a new wrinkle added to it. There was the year that Cobb developed into a slot receiver threat, and Lacy brought back the running game. I'm most excited to see if Johnathan Franklin can develop into a Darren Sproles type back that can catch the ball in space and be explosive. The majority of carries should go to Lacy, but Franklin could be a good speed back.
SK: Mike Daniels
NM: Micah Hyde is hopefully not going to have a sophomore campaign like last year’s rookie standout Casey Hayward. There is talk around the Packers that Hyde could be moved to safety, which would be a huge upgrade for the Packers if he could succeed there. I’m also intrigued with the play of Brandon Bostick. The Packers have done an incredible job on developing offensive talent from within and people should remember Finley was extremely raw early on in his career.
TAP: I like Seth, love Mike Daniels but my biggest fear with him he will leave the first chance he gets to be a 4-3 defensive end because that is his natural position.
What happens at TE?
EN: J-Mike comes back at a discount because no one will take a chance on his neck.
BR: I think Thompson will sign Finley. He got off to a great start to the year in 2013 and it is hard not to wonder if that will continue. Brandon Bostick is probably a better option for the future over Quarless, but I think we need Finley now.
NM: Micah Hyde is hopefully not going to have a sophomore campaign like last year’s rookie standout Casey Hayward. There is talk around the Packers that Hyde could be moved to safety, which would be a huge upgrade for the Packers if he could succeed there. I’m also intrigued with the play of Brandon Bostick. The Packers have done an incredible job on developing offensive talent from within and people should remember Finley was extremely raw early on in his career.
TAP: I like Seth, love Mike Daniels but my biggest fear with him he will leave the first chance he gets to be a 4-3 defensive end because that is his natural position.
EN: J-Mike comes back at a discount because no one will take a chance on his neck.
BR: I think Thompson will sign Finley. He got off to a great start to the year in 2013 and it is hard not to wonder if that will continue. Brandon Bostick is probably a better option for the future over Quarless, but I think we need Finley now.
AH: I'd like to see Bostick get the chance to develop with Rodgers. Quarless was okay this past season, but doesn't seem to have the same physical gifts he had before his injury. Bostick has the potential to be a vertical threat.
TAP: Given what we have seen with these neck injuries, the verdict does not really come to fruition until a full year. I think Green Bay will make up their mind with what happens in the draft or even the offseason. If they do nothing with tight ends, J-Mike returns.
Who is the NFC North team that scares you the most going forward?
AH: This may sound like being an absolute homer, but I think the Packers are still set up to win the next three division championships at least. This past season was an absolute disaster by most fans admission, but they still won the division. Give this team 16 games of Rodgers, and they should win every year. I also don't have a lot of faith in the other three teams. The Vikings will need time for their quarterback to develop, and by the time that happens, Peterson will be past his prime. The Bears finally have a dominant offense, just in time for their defense to be a disaster. The Lions have the most threatening talent, and a new coach may make them the best challenger, but their cap situation is going to be a mess with so many high picks selected in the old CBA.
SK: Chicago Bears
BR: Bears. If it wasn’t for their defense being terrible this year, they would have snuck by us to get the division. Their offense isn’t going anywhere but up and with a couple additions on defense, they should run this division.
Do you bring back James Jones?
NM: Yes, he wants to be a Packer and I think his veteran presences can continue to help players like Cobb and Boykin. It would be hard to find a free agent (Lets be real Teddy T isn’t bringing in no over-priced free agent) or rookie who can play both positions for the Packers. Remember Jones caught 14 touchdowns in 2012 and is always a wild card to go off.
EN: See 2011...... let him test the FA waters and see if anyone wants to over pay him. If not, you bring him back on another short term deal. If yes, you let him walk and move forward with Jordy, Cobb, and Boykin.
TAP: I have a feeling someone will overpay him this time and not make the same mistake again as they did in 2011. I love Jones, one of my favorites, but I believe there is only a 20 percent chance he is back.
SK: Obviously, I think he should come back. No question about it.
TAP: Given what we have seen with these neck injuries, the verdict does not really come to fruition until a full year. I think Green Bay will make up their mind with what happens in the draft or even the offseason. If they do nothing with tight ends, J-Mike returns.
Who is the NFC North team that scares you the most going forward?
AH: This may sound like being an absolute homer, but I think the Packers are still set up to win the next three division championships at least. This past season was an absolute disaster by most fans admission, but they still won the division. Give this team 16 games of Rodgers, and they should win every year. I also don't have a lot of faith in the other three teams. The Vikings will need time for their quarterback to develop, and by the time that happens, Peterson will be past his prime. The Bears finally have a dominant offense, just in time for their defense to be a disaster. The Lions have the most threatening talent, and a new coach may make them the best challenger, but their cap situation is going to be a mess with so many high picks selected in the old CBA.
SK: Chicago Bears
BR: Bears. If it wasn’t for their defense being terrible this year, they would have snuck by us to get the division. Their offense isn’t going anywhere but up and with a couple additions on defense, they should run this division.
Do you bring back James Jones?
EN: See 2011...... let him test the FA waters and see if anyone wants to over pay him. If not, you bring him back on another short term deal. If yes, you let him walk and move forward with Jordy, Cobb, and Boykin.
TAP: I have a feeling someone will overpay him this time and not make the same mistake again as they did in 2011. I love Jones, one of my favorites, but I believe there is only a 20 percent chance he is back.
SK: Obviously, I think he should come back. No question about it.
BR: No, I don’t think he is worth paying and risking losing the other free agents. I like the development of Boykin and think he can take that 2/3 receiver spot that Jones has occupied.
Will James Starks get starting running back money?
AH: I don't think so. He may get more than solid backup money, but there aren't enough true starter positions available for teams to sign Starks while feeling safe about his injury history. Keep in mind the following are free agents at running back this year, and might be valued more than Starks this year: Maurice Jones Drew, Darren McFadden, Donald Brown, Andre Brown, Toby Gerhart, Ben Tate, LeGarrette Blount, Rashad Jennings, and Joique Bell.
Will James Starks get starting running back money?
AH: I don't think so. He may get more than solid backup money, but there aren't enough true starter positions available for teams to sign Starks while feeling safe about his injury history. Keep in mind the following are free agents at running back this year, and might be valued more than Starks this year: Maurice Jones Drew, Darren McFadden, Donald Brown, Andre Brown, Toby Gerhart, Ben Tate, LeGarrette Blount, Rashad Jennings, and Joique Bell.
TAP: Adam basically convinced me Starks will be back next season although Green Bay has a wealth of runners.
Any free agents you've got your eye on?
EN: Jarius Byrd.... but its unlikely that TT will make a foray into free agency or that the Packers could afford him anyways. With all the money locked up in Rodgers, Matthews, and potentially Raji the Pack's best shot in FA is to land a veteran looking to join a winning team at a discount ---- can you say Jared Allen????
AH: I like the method of waiting until the big names are gone, to make sure people are acquired at a good price, but it's tough to predict who that would happen with.
TAP: I love Eric's Jared Allen suggestion. Love it so goddamn much.
How do you fix defense?
AH: A few more playmakers that can grab some turnovers. The yards felt the same as other seasons, but the team wasn't able to come up with as many turnovers as in the past. The only way to fix it is find a few players, regardless of position that can get the ball back. I would make everyone fight for their job in camp, nobody is safe (except for maybe Clay).
SK: Incorporate more 4-3, capers coached 4-3 D in Jacksonville and they were first in points and sixth in yards.
TAP: If they are able to pass rush as this has been a theme of the post, things will fall in place. Green Bay needs not to be complacent.
Any coaching changes?
AH: Looks like they'll need a new QB coach, and I'd also look at maybe switching DB coach if they truly think the talent acquired should be up to par at safety. If its an error on talent acquisition, then they should be safe. Capers is safe for me.
EN: Jarius Byrd.... but its unlikely that TT will make a foray into free agency or that the Packers could afford him anyways. With all the money locked up in Rodgers, Matthews, and potentially Raji the Pack's best shot in FA is to land a veteran looking to join a winning team at a discount ---- can you say Jared Allen????
AH: I like the method of waiting until the big names are gone, to make sure people are acquired at a good price, but it's tough to predict who that would happen with.
TAP: I love Eric's Jared Allen suggestion. Love it so goddamn much.
AH: A few more playmakers that can grab some turnovers. The yards felt the same as other seasons, but the team wasn't able to come up with as many turnovers as in the past. The only way to fix it is find a few players, regardless of position that can get the ball back. I would make everyone fight for their job in camp, nobody is safe (except for maybe Clay).
SK: Incorporate more 4-3, capers coached 4-3 D in Jacksonville and they were first in points and sixth in yards.
TAP: If they are able to pass rush as this has been a theme of the post, things will fall in place. Green Bay needs not to be complacent.
Any coaching changes?
AH: Looks like they'll need a new QB coach, and I'd also look at maybe switching DB coach if they truly think the talent acquired should be up to par at safety. If its an error on talent acquisition, then they should be safe. Capers is safe for me.
TAP: I do not think anything needs to truly change although I am sure there are some coaches that will get promotions.
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