*Semi-official Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Champs thread (1 Viewer)

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

While I think it is a bit overpaying for a 34 year old LT with injuries(see how Pace ended up for the Bears).

But it makes sense....He will play this year at LT...then the new LT will learn after being drafted in the first or second round.

I'm just curious when GB starts locking up these restricted guy's to long term deals.

 

[sho nuff]

Well...currently he is 33. But as someone pointed out, he made 8 mil last year I think...so not a huge deal for them...and he played most of last year even with the nagging knees.

Guaranteed money is not high...so its pretty low risk. If he really hits the wall and they already have drafted a replacement...you move on next year.

When we lock up the restricted guys...probably after the draft...maybe Collins before then...but I doubt they will move too quickly on them.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Packers basically gave Clifton a 1-year deal. All that matters is the guaranteed money. Solid signing. We couldn't afford to lose him.

TT had better go draft his replacement now.

 

[griz145389]

Glad to have him back. He is definitely not a long term answer, but hopefully gives a rookie a year to learn. Like Sho said earlier, I would love to see us sign Bodden, and if not him then Sheppard. I was holding out hope for Rolle, but figured Ted wouldn't get into a bidding war. We could use some help at right tackle and olb as well. HOpefully we make a few signings and don't have to rely 100% on the draft.

 

[cr8f]

Packers basically gave Clifton a 1-year deal. All that matters is the guaranteed money. Solid signing. We couldn't afford to lose him. TT had better go draft his replacement now.

I agree. Rodgers health is too important so they had to transition to someone decent. Can TT find a decent LT though? He better do something in FA this year. We need OL and CB's.

 

[sho nuff]

RT I am not as worried about.

I hope they lock up Tauscher to a similar deal...though he might actually want a few more years.

They have Lang and I think he will be ready for sure by next year...if not this year.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Source...llion-deal.html

Clifton back.

A bit much...but needed to protect Rodger's blind side.

So the packers were forced to overpay for Clifton considering they now have to worry about the 2 best DEs in the league busting up their QB (Peppers and Allen), not to mention probably Vandenbosch would have 2 sacks per game on that GB OL without CLifton and Tauscher ....

Very nice!

Just like last year's trade for Cutler, the best time of year for the Bears fans comes before a down of football has even been played. It's all down hill from here.

 

[Sabertooth]

Is there any news of the Pack bringing anyone in for visits? I'd love to see a play for Joey Porter.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Or Ryan Clark? I haven't heard much about him yet.

 

[sho nuff]

I was interested in Clark too...til I heard Clayton talking like he wants Antrel Rolle money.

 

[griz145389]

I was interested in Clark too...til I heard Clayton talking like he wants Antrel Rolle money.

I think he is on par or slightly better than Rolle, but agree that kind of contract is a bit much.

 

[Sabertooth]

Imagine what Nick Collins is going to want now after the Rolle signing.

 

[sho nuff]

Imagine what Nick Collins is going to want now after the Rolle signing.

IMO...Collins is a better all around player.

 

[griz145389]

Imagine what Nick Collins is going to want now after the Rolle signing.

IMO...Collins is a better all around player.

Definitely. I would have no problem with the Packers giving Collins a contract that was somewhat better than Rolle's

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Imagine what Nick Collins is going to want now after the Rolle signing.

IMO...Collins is a better all around player.

Definitely. I would have no problem with the Packers giving Collins a contract that was somewhat better than Rolle's

I would. Collins is restricted and has a 1st & 3rd tender. Rolle was signed for free after the Cards released him.

 

[sho nuff]

Imagine what Nick Collins is going to want now after the Rolle signing.

IMO...Collins is a better all around player.

Definitely. I would have no problem with the Packers giving Collins a contract that was somewhat better than Rolle's

I would. Collins is restricted and has a 1st & 3rd tender. Rolle was signed for free after the Cards released him.

Umm...whats your point?What does him being restricted have to do with Green Bay resigning him for something close to Rolle's deal?BTW..>Seems Ryan Clark is headed to Miami for a visit and is thinking he will sign there.Betting those 2 deals will set the market for Collins. So hope Miami does not break the bank.

 

[Go Pack]

What about Sean Jones as a possible upgrade at SS? He was a fairly high pick and had some good years in CLeveland. Would he be considered an upgrade over Bigby? I would think he likely would be and won't break the bank.

I see that Kampman got rewarded with a nice contract. I am sure the knee injury cost him plenty, but at least he still got a solid contract and is able to go back to playing 4-3 end where he excels. Do compensatory picks still exist with the lack of CBA? I am hoping that the Packers can still end up with a mid round comp pick for him since they were not able to tag him and trade him due to the ACL injury limiting his trade value.

 

[sho nuff]

What about Sean Jones as a possible upgrade at SS? He was a fairly high pick and had some good years in CLeveland. Would he be considered an upgrade over Bigby? I would think he likely would be and won't break the bank.I see that Kampman got rewarded with a nice contract. I am sure the knee injury cost him plenty, but at least he still got a solid contract and is able to go back to playing 4-3 end where he excels. Do compensatory picks still exist with the lack of CBA? I am hoping that the Packers can still end up with a mid round comp pick for him since they were not able to tag him and trade him due to the ACL injury limiting his trade value.

They could get as much as a 3rd rounder for him as a comp pick. Not sure with the knee injury if he does well enough to get the 3rd...but a 4th or a 5th would still be ok I guess.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Imagine what Nick Collins is going to want now after the Rolle signing.

IMO...Collins is a better all around player.

Definitely. I would have no problem with the Packers giving Collins a contract that was somewhat better than Rolle's

I would. Collins is restricted and has a 1st & 3rd tender. Rolle was signed for free after the Cards released him.

Umm...whats your point?What does him being restricted have to do with Green Bay resigning him for something close to Rolle's deal?BTW..>Seems Ryan Clark is headed to Miami for a visit and is thinking he will sign there.Betting those 2 deals will set the market for Collins. So hope Miami does not break the bank.

The player's contract status is of obvious importance in the negotiations because it defines the market. There will likely be little interest in Collins from other teams at this tender level. Collins is at least as good as Rolle, and maybe Thompson will want to pay him the same for morale reasons, but the Packers have significant leverage advantage in the negotiation.

 

[sho nuff]

Sure they do...but he could also say screw it...I will play out my tender and be gone next year.

They have more leverage than if he was a free agent...but I don't think its that much given his options.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

They could still put the franchise tag on Collins next year, right? The number isn't too high for a safety.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Nick Collins has signed his tender. His agents says it's a sign of good faith, and that a long term deal is on the horizon. That's good news.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87114157.html

 

[sho nuff]

Nick Collins has signed his tender. His agents says it's a sign of good faith, and that a long term deal is on the horizon. That's good news.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87114157.html

Very good...he will be around for the offseason workouts...hopefully they get this thing done and get him locked up long term.Structure it wisely like they did for Clifton where you pay him a big bonus this year and if the cap comes back you are not on the hook cap wise for as much later.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

Text from ESPN:

Packers sign Collins and Pickett through 2013.

 

[sho nuff]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87522497.html

Collins signing...a little less than Rolle got.

PressGazette says Tauscher is close to signing as well.

Very nice.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The Packers seem to have some strong thoughts on where the CBA is headed. They've front-loaded Clifton, Picket and Collins in a big way.from the jsonline blog:

The salaries the Packers will be paying out in the first year to those three are: $14 million (Collins), $10 million (Pickett) and $7.5 million (Clifton). That's a total of $31.5 million in payroll to three guys.The upside for the Packers in doing it this way is that if the salary cap returns they will have put the majority of the money in those contracts into the uncapped year. Those three guys will come very cheap in the future if the cap returns.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

The Packers seem to have some strong thoughts on where the CBA is headed. They've front-loaded Clifton, Picket and Collins in a big way.from the jsonline blog:

The salaries the Packers will be paying out in the first year to those three are: $14 million (Collins), $10 million (Pickett) and $7.5 million (Clifton). That's a total of $31.5 million in payroll to three guys.The upside for the Packers in doing it this way is that if the salary cap returns they will have put the majority of the money in those contracts into the uncapped year. Those three guys will come very cheap in the future if the cap returns.

As did Chicago with Peppers(20 million) and Taylor (7 million) but they overpaid I think it is smart for teams to dump as much salary into this next season as possible....to allow for an easier cap situation in the future.

 

[sho nuff]

42 mil guaranteed to Peppers is no reason to roll your eyes if someone called that overpaid.

But yes...wise by all who frontload these things in the uncapped year.

 

[Monty Burns]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87522497.html

Collins signing...a little less than Rolle got.

PressGazette says Tauscher is close to signing as well.

Very nice.

Very nice.... ....I think you mean VERY NICE....

 

[Tony Jabroni]

The Packers seem to have some strong thoughts on where the CBA is headed. They've front-loaded Clifton, Picket and Collins in a big way.from the jsonline blog:

The salaries the Packers will be paying out in the first year to those three are: $14 million (Collins), $10 million (Pickett) and $7.5 million (Clifton). That's a total of $31.5 million in payroll to three guys.The upside for the Packers in doing it this way is that if the salary cap returns they will have put the majority of the money in those contracts into the uncapped year. Those three guys will come very cheap in the future if the cap returns.

In Ted I trust. Really don't understand the distaste for this guy from the uninformed drooling homer.* *Drooling homer

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

42 mil guaranteed to Peppers is no reason to roll your eyes if someone called that overpaid.But yes...wise by all who frontload these things in the uncapped year.

Its all in the first 3 years Sho Nuff.Which OLB is the best fit/you want at #23?

 

[sho nuff]

42 mil guaranteed to Peppers is no reason to roll your eyes if someone called that overpaid.But yes...wise by all who frontload these things in the uncapped year.

Its all in the first 3 years Sho Nuff.Which OLB is the best fit/you want at #23?

Yes...42 mil...20 in the first year...22 mil the next two (that could affect a cap)...and that is just the guaranteed portion of the contract.But still another what...40 mil after that.Still could very well be overpaid...which is why I took exception to that rolleye.If they go OLB at 23...Im hoping Brandon Graham is there (not sure he will be).After that, I like both Kindle and Hughes.Hoping more OT though.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

42 mil guaranteed to Peppers is no reason to roll your eyes if someone called that overpaid.But yes...wise by all who frontload these things in the uncapped year.

Its all in the first 3 years Sho Nuff.Which OLB is the best fit/you want at #23?

Yes...42 mil...20 in the first year...22 mil the next two (that could affect a cap)...and that is just the guaranteed portion of the contract.But still another what...40 mil after that.Still could very well be overpaid...which is why I took exception to that rolleye.If they go OLB at 23...Im hoping Brandon Graham is there (not sure he will be).After that, I like both Kindle and Hughes.Hoping more OT though.

I'm thinking he gets cut or restructured after 3 years.What about Ricky Sapp from Clemson? Or is he more 2nd round material.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The Packers seem to have some strong thoughts on where the CBA is headed. They've front-loaded Clifton, Picket and Collins in a big way.

from the jsonline blog:

The salaries the Packers will be paying out in the first year to those three are: $14 million (Collins), $10 million (Pickett) and $7.5 million (Clifton). That's a total of $31.5 million in payroll to three guys.

The upside for the Packers in doing it this way is that if the salary cap returns they will have put the majority of the money in those contracts into the uncapped year. Those three guys will come very cheap in the future if the cap returns.

In Ted I trust. Really don't understand the distaste for this guy from the uninformed drooling homer.* *Drooling homer

whenever you need to feel good about yourself, just go laugh at the idiots at http://www.firetedthompsonnow.com/

 

[ex-ghost]

Where does Lumpkin fit in for 2010?

 

[The Kerminator]

The Packers seem to have some strong thoughts on where the CBA is headed. They've front-loaded Clifton, Picket and Collins in a big way.

from the jsonline blog:

The salaries the Packers will be paying out in the first year to those three are: $14 million (Collins), $10 million (Pickett) and $7.5 million (Clifton). That's a total of $31.5 million in payroll to three guys.

The upside for the Packers in doing it this way is that if the salary cap returns they will have put the majority of the money in those contracts into the uncapped year. Those three guys will come very cheap in the future if the cap returns.

In Ted I trust. Really don't understand the distaste for this guy from the uninformed drooling homer.* *Drooling homer

whenever you need to feel good about yourself, just go laugh at the idiots at http://www.firetedthompsonnow.com/

I've heard about that site but never visited it. WOW! I liked the first post at the top of the page:

Its good to be back, and I see that Thompson is already sticking to his guns this off-season, resisting the urge to both sign free agents and retain those players headed for free agency. For those who said that Thompson’s penny pinching ways of the past were in preparation for the uncapped year of 2010, this clearly poses to be a letdown as their very intelligent theory is contradicted. I, for one, would like to have a GM interested in investing in the team, but don’t say, ‘I didn’t warn you’ that Thompson is not the right man to build a winner.

Can't wait for this guys back-pedaling.

 

[sho nuff]

42 mil guaranteed to Peppers is no reason to roll your eyes if someone called that overpaid.But yes...wise by all who frontload these things in the uncapped year.

Its all in the first 3 years Sho Nuff.Which OLB is the best fit/you want at #23?

Yes...42 mil...20 in the first year...22 mil the next two (that could affect a cap)...and that is just the guaranteed portion of the contract.But still another what...40 mil after that.Still could very well be overpaid...which is why I took exception to that rolleye.If they go OLB at 23...Im hoping Brandon Graham is there (not sure he will be).After that, I like both Kindle and Hughes.Hoping more OT though.

I'm thinking he gets cut or restructured after 3 years.What about Ricky Sapp from Clemson? Or is he more 2nd round material.

Injuries scare me away from Sapp.

 

[sho nuff]

Where does Lumpkin fit in for 2010?

A guy who needs to show something in camp just to make the team?

 

[Weiner Dog]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87522497.html

Collins signing...a little less than Rolle got.

PressGazette says Tauscher is close to signing as well.

Very nice.

Tauscher signs 2-year deal. Terms unknown.link:

http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/includes/news...p;section_id=40

I think Tauscher and Lang battle for the RT gig.

 

[Sabertooth]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/87522497.html

Collins signing...a little less than Rolle got.

PressGazette says Tauscher is close to signing as well.

Very nice.

Tauscher signs 2-year deal. Terms unknown.link:

http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/includes/news...p;section_id=40

I think Tauscher and Lang battle for the RT gig.

Good news. Now they need to bring in 2 guys with starting ability to challenge them and learn.

 

[griz145389]

NOw that we have resigned our own guys, is it too much to hope that Ted will make a free agency acquisition or two? I get tired of never hearing anything about the Packers bringing guys in. And before anyone says free agents cost too much, I think the following players could be had at reasonable contracts and would all provide help. If we could pick up at least one, and maybe 2 of these guys, I would really feel a lot better about the team heading into the draft.

Gibril Wilson safety, Lito Shepard cb, William Gay cb, Joey Porter lb, Jason Babin lb, Travis Laboy lb, Mike Bell rb, Richie incognito g/c

 

[scrumptrulescent]

NOw that we have resigned our own guys, is it too much to hope that Ted will make a free agency acquisition or two? I get tired of never hearing anything about the Packers bringing guys in. And before anyone says free agents cost too much, I think the following players could be had at reasonable contracts and would all provide help. If we could pick up at least one, and maybe 2 of these guys, I would really feel a lot better about the team heading into the draft. Gibril Wilson safety, Lito Shepard cb, William Gay cb, Joey Porter lb, Jason Babin lb, Travis Laboy lb, Mike Bell rb, Richie incognito g/c

Do you want them to sign someone just for the sake of signing? Porter?.....Really? Incognito?......Come on!

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

NOw that we have resigned our own guys, is it too much to hope that Ted will make a free agency acquisition or two? I get tired of never hearing anything about the Packers bringing guys in. And before anyone says free agents cost too much, I think the following players could be had at reasonable contracts and would all provide help. If we could pick up at least one, and maybe 2 of these guys, I would really feel a lot better about the team heading into the draft. Gibril Wilson safety, Lito Shepard cb, William Gay cb, Joey Porter lb, Jason Babin lb, Travis Laboy lb, Mike Bell rb, Richie incognito g/c

Do you want them to sign someone just for the sake of signing? Porter?.....Really? Incognito?......Come on!

Exactly. I don't understand this mind set. None of the guys you mentioned interest me at all. Why would they sign them? Thompson managed this the correct way. He knew he had a bunch of guys coming up contract wise. He wanted to keep them. He made it happen and kept the core of last year's pretty good team intact.

 

[jurrassic]

NOw that we have resigned our own guys, is it too much to hope that Ted will make a free agency acquisition or two? I get tired of never hearing anything about the Packers bringing guys in. And before anyone says free agents cost too much, I think the following players could be had at reasonable contracts and would all provide help. If we could pick up at least one, and maybe 2 of these guys, I would really feel a lot better about the team heading into the draft. Gibril Wilson safety, Lito Shepard cb, William Gay cb, Joey Porter lb, Jason Babin lb, Travis Laboy lb, Mike Bell rb, Richie incognito g/c

Do you want them to sign someone just for the sake of signing? Porter?.....Really? Incognito?......Come on!

Exactly. I don't understand this mind set. None of the guys you mentioned interest me at all. Why would they sign them? Thompson managed this the correct way. He knew he had a bunch of guys coming up contract wise. He wanted to keep them. He made it happen and kept the core of last year's pretty good team intact.

I agree with you on the free agency. There really isn't that much talent out there to go after. I like the potential of alot of the guys currently on the roster, however I don't think they have anyone that can really play left tackle on the roster right now besides Clifton. They are also terribly thin at db, especially at safety. They may be able to address these positions in the draft, but and I may be in the minority here, I really don't want to see them draft a tackle in the first round. I just think Thompson has shown a complete inability to identify talent at that position.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

NOw that we have resigned our own guys, is it too much to hope that Ted will make a free agency acquisition or two? I get tired of never hearing anything about the Packers bringing guys in. And before anyone says free agents cost too much, I think the following players could be had at reasonable contracts and would all provide help. If we could pick up at least one, and maybe 2 of these guys, I would really feel a lot better about the team heading into the draft. Gibril Wilson safety, Lito Shepard cb, William Gay cb, Joey Porter lb, Jason Babin lb, Travis Laboy lb, Mike Bell rb, Richie incognito g/c

Do you want them to sign someone just for the sake of signing? Porter?.....Really? Incognito?......Come on!

Exactly. I don't understand this mind set. None of the guys you mentioned interest me at all. Why would they sign them? Thompson managed this the correct way. He knew he had a bunch of guys coming up contract wise. He wanted to keep them. He made it happen and kept the core of last year's pretty good team intact.

I just think Thompson has shown a complete inability to identify talent at that position.

I keep hearing this, but I just don't completely buy it. I decided to dig through his drafts:5/143 - OL Junius Coston 7/246 - OL Will Whitticker 2/47 - OL Daryn Colledge3/75 - OL Jason Spitz 5/165 - OL Tony Moll4/119 - OL Allen Barbre4/135 - OL Josh Sitton5/150 - OL Breno Giacomini 4/109 - OL T.J. LangBy my estimation, anyone drafted after round three can be squarely labeled a 'project'. Which means I count Colledge and Spitz as the only guys that were somewhat NFL ready coming through the draft.Colledge had a good 2008 before taking a step back in 2009. Spitz has always been high on talent, but often injured. I actually expect him to be starting in 10 assuming he's recovered from surgery.Sitton and Lang both look like pretty good young players.If you want to have a beef with Thompson's O line, I'd take this tact.1. He's never spent a first round pick on the position.2. He's never had the right O line coaches on board to get the most of the projects.

 

[ookook]

I would be in favor of bringing in Wilson or Shepherd for a look, regardless of draft plans.

We seem to be 1 injury away at DB from disaster.

Now, I imagine TT will wait until late like he did with Woodson to see if their price falls.

Or maybe he does not see what we do. But signing one of them to a 2-year contract and drafting to that need in the mean time makes sense to me.

 

[jurrassic]

NOw that we have resigned our own guys, is it too much to hope that Ted will make a free agency acquisition or two? I get tired of never hearing anything about the Packers bringing guys in. And before anyone says free agents cost too much, I think the following players could be had at reasonable contracts and would all provide help. If we could pick up at least one, and maybe 2 of these guys, I would really feel a lot better about the team heading into the draft. Gibril Wilson safety, Lito Shepard cb, William Gay cb, Joey Porter lb, Jason Babin lb, Travis Laboy lb, Mike Bell rb, Richie incognito g/c

Do you want them to sign someone just for the sake of signing? Porter?.....Really? Incognito?......Come on!

Exactly. I don't understand this mind set. None of the guys you mentioned interest me at all. Why would they sign them? Thompson managed this the correct way. He knew he had a bunch of guys coming up contract wise. He wanted to keep them. He made it happen and kept the core of last year's pretty good team intact.

I just think Thompson has shown a complete inability to identify talent at that position.

I keep hearing this, but I just don't completely buy it. I decided to dig through his drafts:5/143 - OL Junius Coston 7/246 - OL Will Whitticker 2/47 - OL Daryn Colledge3/75 - OL Jason Spitz 5/165 - OL Tony Moll4/119 - OL Allen Barbre4/135 - OL Josh Sitton5/150 - OL Breno Giacomini 4/109 - OL T.J. LangBy my estimation, anyone drafted after round three can be squarely labeled a 'project'. Which means I count Colledge and Spitz as the only guys that were somewhat NFL ready coming through the draft.Colledge had a good 2008 before taking a step back in 2009. Spitz has always been high on talent, but often injured. I actually expect him to be starting in 10 assuming he's recovered from surgery.Sitton and Lang both look like pretty good young players.If you want to have a beef with Thompson's O line, I'd take this tact.1. He's never spent a first round pick on the position.2. He's never had the right O line coaches on board to get the most of the projects.

9 guys and only one of them has a chance to be a tackle (Lang)and the jury is still out on him. Thompson has basically drafted 8 guards, and even then some of them were college tackles that had to be converted. I am not talking just o-line. I am specifically talking about tackle. Hopefully, they have their guards in Sitton and Spitz and a RT of the future in Lang (although McCarthy stated he thinks Lang projects better to guard as well) but they have nothing at LT. Maybe Thompson didn't look for one because he was comfortable with Clifton, but the history he has had with RT hasn't been great and those guys are supposed to be easier to find. If you look at that list you could say he "hit" on 4 out of 9, which is 44%, and even then Colledge is nothing special and Lang doesn't have much of a resume.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Exactly. I don't understand this mind set. None of the guys you mentioned interest me at all. Why would they sign them? Thompson managed this the correct way. He knew he had a bunch of guys coming up contract wise. He wanted to keep them. He made it happen and kept the core of last year's pretty good team intact.

I just think Thompson has shown a complete inability to identify talent at that position.

I keep hearing this, but I just don't completely buy it. I decided to dig through his drafts:5/143 - OL Junius Coston 7/246 - OL Will Whitticker 2/47 - OL Daryn Colledge3/75 - OL Jason Spitz 5/165 - OL Tony Moll4/119 - OL Allen Barbre4/135 - OL Josh Sitton5/150 - OL Breno Giacomini 4/109 - OL T.J. LangBy my estimation, anyone drafted after round three can be squarely labeled a 'project'. Which means I count Colledge and Spitz as the only guys that were somewhat NFL ready coming through the draft.Colledge had a good 2008 before taking a step back in 2009. Spitz has always been high on talent, but often injured. I actually expect him to be starting in 10 assuming he's recovered from surgery.Sitton and Lang both look like pretty good young players.If you want to have a beef with Thompson's O line, I'd take this tact.1. He's never spent a first round pick on the position.2. He's never had the right O line coaches on board to get the most of the projects.

9 guys and only one of them has a chance to be a tackle (Lang)and the jury is still out on him. Thompson has basically drafted 8 guards, and even then some of them were college tackles that had to be converted. I am not talking just o-line. I am specifically talking about tackle. Hopefully, they have their guards in Sitton and Spitz and a RT of the future in Lang (although McCarthy stated he thinks Lang projects better to guard as well) but they have nothing at LT. Maybe Thompson didn't look for one because he was comfortable with Clifton, but the history he has had with RT hasn't been great and those guys are supposed to be easier to find. If you look at that list you could say he "hit" on 4 out of 9, which is 44%, and even then Colledge is nothing special and Lang doesn't have much of a resume.

Right, but again, look at what he's invested. 1 2nd round, 1 3rd round. The rest were drafted 4th or later. They were projects at best, and not one of them was drafted to be an answer at left tackle. The thing about projects is that sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don't. Without looking things up, I'd guess his hit rate isn't any better or worse with late round lineman than most GMs. The fact is, he hasn't put a premium on drafting O lineman. He's drafted projects. That isn't a reflection of his ability to evaluate talent as much as is it is a reflection of how he values players.

 

[jurrassic]

Exactly. I don't understand this mind set. None of the guys you mentioned interest me at all. Why would they sign them? Thompson managed this the correct way. He knew he had a bunch of guys coming up contract wise. He wanted to keep them. He made it happen and kept the core of last year's pretty good team intact.

I just think Thompson has shown a complete inability to identify talent at that position.

I keep hearing this, but I just don't completely buy it. I decided to dig through his drafts:5/143 - OL Junius Coston 7/246 - OL Will Whitticker 2/47 - OL Daryn Colledge3/75 - OL Jason Spitz 5/165 - OL Tony Moll4/119 - OL Allen Barbre4/135 - OL Josh Sitton5/150 - OL Breno Giacomini 4/109 - OL T.J. LangBy my estimation, anyone drafted after round three can be squarely labeled a 'project'. Which means I count Colledge and Spitz as the only guys that were somewhat NFL ready coming through the draft.Colledge had a good 2008 before taking a step back in 2009. Spitz has always been high on talent, but often injured. I actually expect him to be starting in 10 assuming he's recovered from surgery.Sitton and Lang both look like pretty good young players.If you want to have a beef with Thompson's O line, I'd take this tact.1. He's never spent a first round pick on the position.2. He's never had the right O line coaches on board to get the most of the projects.

9 guys and only one of them has a chance to be a tackle (Lang)and the jury is still out on him. Thompson has basically drafted 8 guards, and even then some of them were college tackles that had to be converted. I am not talking just o-line. I am specifically talking about tackle. Hopefully, they have their guards in Sitton and Spitz and a RT of the future in Lang (although McCarthy stated he thinks Lang projects better to guard as well) but they have nothing at LT. Maybe Thompson didn't look for one because he was comfortable with Clifton, but the history he has had with RT hasn't been great and those guys are supposed to be easier to find. If you look at that list you could say he "hit" on 4 out of 9, which is 44%, and even then Colledge is nothing special and Lang doesn't have much of a resume.

Right, but again, look at what he's invested. 1 2nd round, 1 3rd round. The rest were drafted 4th or later. They were projects at best, and not one of them was drafted to be an answer at left tackle. The thing about projects is that sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don't. Without looking things up, I'd guess his hit rate isn't any better or worse with late round lineman than most GMs. The fact is, he hasn't put a premium on drafting O lineman. He's drafted projects. That isn't a reflection of his ability to evaluate talent as much as is it is a reflection of how he values players.

That's a fair point and the main reason Colledge is viewed as such a disappointment. With the depth in this draft, I would rather see Thompson use the first round pick on a player who will see the field preferably an OLB or DB and use the 2nd round pick on an offensive tackle. The position needs to be addressed and it is a very important position. I would like to see some production out of the first round pick this year though.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

I just think Thompson has shown a complete inability to identify talent at that position.

I keep hearing this, but I just don't completely buy it. I decided to dig through his drafts:5/143 - OL Junius Coston 7/246 - OL Will Whitticker 2/47 - OL Daryn Colledge3/75 - OL Jason Spitz 5/165 - OL Tony Moll4/119 - OL Allen Barbre4/135 - OL Josh Sitton5/150 - OL Breno Giacomini 4/109 - OL T.J. LangBy my estimation, anyone drafted after round three can be squarely labeled a 'project'. Which means I count Colledge and Spitz as the only guys that were somewhat NFL ready coming through the draft.Colledge had a good 2008 before taking a step back in 2009. Spitz has always been high on talent, but often injured. I actually expect him to be starting in 10 assuming he's recovered from surgery.Sitton and Lang both look like pretty good young players.If you want to have a beef with Thompson's O line, I'd take this tact.1. He's never spent a first round pick on the position.2. He's never had the right O line coaches on board to get the most of the projects.

9 guys and only one of them has a chance to be a tackle (Lang)and the jury is still out on him. Thompson has basically drafted 8 guards, and even then some of them were college tackles that had to be converted. I am not talking just o-line. I am specifically talking about tackle. Hopefully, they have their guards in Sitton and Spitz and a RT of the future in Lang (although McCarthy stated he thinks Lang projects better to guard as well) but they have nothing at LT. Maybe Thompson didn't look for one because he was comfortable with Clifton, but the history he has had with RT hasn't been great and those guys are supposed to be easier to find. If you look at that list you could say he "hit" on 4 out of 9, which is 44%, and even then Colledge is nothing special and Lang doesn't have much of a resume.

Right, but again, look at what he's invested. 1 2nd round, 1 3rd round. The rest were drafted 4th or later. They were projects at best, and not one of them was drafted to be an answer at left tackle. The thing about projects is that sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don't. Without looking things up, I'd guess his hit rate isn't any better or worse with late round lineman than most GMs. The fact is, he hasn't put a premium on drafting O lineman. He's drafted projects. That isn't a reflection of his ability to evaluate talent as much as is it is a reflection of how he values players.

That's a fair point and the main reason Colledge is viewed as such a disappointment. With the depth in this draft, I would rather see Thompson use the first round pick on a player who will see the field preferably an OLB or DB and use the 2nd round pick on an offensive tackle. The position needs to be addressed and it is a very important position. I would like to see some production out of the first round pick this year though.

I agree with this for sure. There is some depth at tackle for sure in this draft, so they might find a decent long term answer in the second or even third. In true Thompson style, I don't think he'll reach for need, especially with both Clifton and Tauscher signed to deals.