James Jones » Packer Update

Jones Is A Good No. 2 Receiver

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:38 am 6 Responses »

Feb 222013

James Jones led all wide receivers in touchdown catches in 2012

Veteran James Jones led all wide receivers in touchdown catches last season

During a Tuesday morning appearance on the NFL Network’s NFL AM, James Jones said he was prepared to take on the role as Green Bay’s No. 1 wide receiver. ”I’m ready,” opined the six-year vet from San Jose State. “I work very hard every year. I’m ready to take in that role if we don’t get Greg Jennings back. Hopefully, I can continue to have some success, make some plays and help my team win.”

I’ve been a big Jones supporter for years. In 2008, I predicted Pro Bowls in his future. In 2011, I urged GM Ted Thompson to re-sign him – even if it meant getting rid of Donald Driver. And just last spring, I argued against the idea of trading him. But as much as I admire Jones, I also know that he’s not a No. 1 receiver.

Jones enjoyed his best season in 2012. He established personal highs in receptions (65), yards (784) and touchdowns (14), which led the league. But even in a career year, the only number that screamed No. 1 receiver was the 14 touchdowns. The other numbers were more befitting of what Jones is – an excellent No. 3 and a good No. 2. He simply doesn’t have the physical skills between the 20s to be a No. 1. He takes too much time to get into his routes and he struggles to separate in the middle of the field.

If anybody is going to replace Jennings, it’ll be Jordy Nelson. But truth be told, the Packers probably don’t have a true No. 1 receiver under contract. That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Thompson use an early draft pick on a wide receiver. In the meantime, it’s not so bad having three No. 2s. In fact, it sure as heck beats having a No. 1 and absolutely nothing else (I’m talking about you Chicago and Detroit).

Report: Dolphins Targeting Jones

Posted by Michael Rodney at 5:03 pm 4 Responses »

Aug 302012

The Dolphins are reportedly interested in veteran wide receiver James Jones

According to the Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins are trying to acquire wide receiver James Jones from the Packers.

Miami has been actively pursing receivers in a trade, and Green Bay’s James Jones is one of the players being targeted. Earlier this week Ireland said the second-round pick Miami got for cornerback Vontae Davis and the third-round pick the Dolphins acquired for trading Brandon Marshall to Chicago this offseason is “ammunition” to make something happen.

Rumors involving Jones have been swirling for months, but a deal involving the former San Jose State star would’ve made a lot more sense in the spring. At this point, why would the Packers trade away a proven receiver? Not only is Jones having an excellent training camp, but 37-year-old Donald Driver is running on fumes and youngsters Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley haven’t developed into legitimate NFL players.

As for potential compensation, corner Vontae Davis might’ve made sense, but he was dealt to Indy last week. Miami doesn’t have any other DBs who would substantially upgrade the secondary. And does it make sense for the Packers to trade a key part of their offense for a draft pick – even a third? Probably not. This team wants to win a Super Bowl, and it’s probably going to have to do it without a great defense. That’s why trading away a player who can put points on the scoreboard doesn’t really add up.

Receivers Need To Stop The Drops

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:36 am 2 Responses »

Jul 032012

Aaron Rodgers has completed 66.2% of his throws since 2009. That number becomes even more impressive when you consider how many passes his receivers have dropped. James Jones and Donald Driver rank in the bottom seven of the 61 wide receivers who had at least 125 catchable balls thrown their way over the past three years. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones has dropped 20 of 139 (14.39%) catchable balls and Driver 22 of 179 (12.29%). If you add in all the passes Jermichael Finley let slip through his fingers in 2011, I’m not sure which is more impressive – Rodgers’ still gaudy completion percentage or the self-control he showed by never criticizing his receivers.

Nobody should be surprised that Jones is on this dubious list. Despite being blessed with extremely soft hands, he’s been dropping passes since the day he arrived in Green Bay. But he’s also made a ton of big plays in the past three seasons. The former San Jose State star gained 14.6 yards every time he caught the ball and scored 17 TDs on only 120 receptions. His TD/catch ratio of 14.22% is better than those of Houston’s Andre Johnson (8.61%), Atlanta’s Roddy White (9.73%) and Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald (10.12%). That doesn’t mean Jones is in their class as a receiver, but it does show how valuable he is to the offense and why his occasional bout with the dropsies can be overlooked.

It’s hard to put as positive a spin on Driver’s 22 drops – five of which came in limited snaps last season. That’s because, unlike Jones, he’s made very few big plays during that time. Driver has averaged only 13.1 yards on his 158 catches. That makes the 37-year-old purely a possession receiver at this point in his career, and possession receivers simply can’t drop the ball 12.29% of the time. So why did general manager Ted Thompson decide to bring him back? Besides being a terrific leader, Driver still has a nose for the end zone. His TD/catch ratio since 2009 is 10.13% – which places him well behind Jones but above the league average for receivers with at least 120 receptions.

Packers Should Hold Onto Jones

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:09 am 9 Responses »

Jun 182012

Veteran wide receiver has a knack for scoring touchdowns

According to rumors, the Packers attempted to trade wide receiver James Jones prior to April’s draft. If these rumors were true – and based on where they originated, I have my doubts – then general manager Ted Thompson should thank his lucky stars that he never received an offer he couldn’t refuse. While the former San Jose State star may not have developed into the player some projected him to be following an impressive rookie campaign in 2007, he was an underrated and integral cog in an offensive machine that established franchise records for points and total yards a year ago.

Could the offense survive without Jones? Of course. With Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Jermichael Finley and Randall Cobb, the Packers would still have an abundance of weapons in the passing game. But there’s a reason star quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the following last summer about the importance of re-signing Jones, an unrestricted free agent at the time: ”He should be priority No. 1. And I mean that with all my heart. He really should be priority No. 1. We don’t win the Super Bowl without him. And we need him. I think he’s as talented a player as we’ve got on the team, and I think his best football is in front of him. And I think he’s a valuable asset that we don’t want to get rid of.”

If you carefully study Jones during the course of a game, it’s pretty easy to see why Rodgers was so effusive in his praise. The 28-year-old has the ability to separate from defensive backs as well as any receiver on the roster. That’s why he’s been able to score 20 touchdowns in the past three seasons despite catching a modest 135 passes in limited snaps as either the third or fourth wide receiver. He’s also not afraid to throw his big body around as a downfield blocker.

What has kept and will continue to keep Jones from achieving stardom is his inconsistency. He drops too many passes, runs lazy routes at times and doesn’t always compete hard enough for the ball. That’s why other teams weren’t willing to throw big money at him a year ago. But at a cost of $2.8 million in 2012, he’s a bargain. How big of a bargain? Fellow wide receiver Donald Driver will be paid $2.3 million this season, and I feel pretty safe in predicting that no opposing defensive coordinator will feel comfortable covering Jones with a linebacker any time soon.

SLOCUM HAS NO MORE EXCUSES

Posted by Michael Rodney at 3:40 pm 3 Responses »

Aug 162011

Special teams coordinator needs to get the job done

The 2010 Packers won the Super Bowl despite their special teams. While kicker Mason Crosby and punter Tim Masthay were fine, the returners had very little room to manuever and the kick coverage was consistently inconsistent. But things are looking up. The addition of receiver Randall Cobb provides Green Bay with all the ingredients needed to be extremely successful on special teams this season. The former Kentucky star should be just what the doctor ordered on returns, and the outstanding depth at tight end, outside linebacker and in the secondary should be a boon to the coverage units. Truth be told, there’s only one thing that can keep the special teams from rising to the top – the coaching of coordinator Shawn Slocum.

Slocum seems like a hard-working guy, but his return and coverage units have been way too undisciplined since the day he was tabbed to take over for the “retired” Mike Stock (don’t get me started on the decision to replace one of the worst coaches in the league with his assistant). Watch the way other teams play special teams and then watch the Packers. You don’t have to be an expert to see how many guys are missing blocks on returns and how many guys are failing to stay in their lanes in coverage. That’s all about discipline. And if things don’t improve in this particular area, no amount of new talent will make an appreciable difference.

BATTLE OF ATTRITION

Assuming the Packers keep four tight ends, and assuming impressive rookies D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor are two of them, the final roster spot will likely come down to either Andrew Quarless or Tom Crabtree. The former is the better receiver and the latter is the better blocker. My hunch is that GM Ted Thompson would prefer to keep Quarless, a fifth-round pick with the requisite size and athleticism to create mismatches down the field. But head coach Mike McCarthy always stresses the importance of accountability, and the former Penn State star has been sidelined for much of camp with assorted injuries. That should’ve opened the door for Crabtree, but he’s also missed some time with injuries of his own. So in what figures to be a heated battle, the last man standing could literally wind up being the last man standing.

GUARDS FOUGHT TO A DRAW

After re-watching every snap played by Derek Sherrod and T.J. Lang on Saturday, I still can’t decide which offensive lineman performed better at left guard. Both did some good things and some not so good things. Sherrod definitely played better than he’s been practicing, but the same problems I wrote about a few weeks ago were noticeable against the Browns. As for Lang, he looks more comfortable inside than Sherrod. That’s because his body is better suited for the position and he’s stronger below the waist. What he’ll never do particularly well, however, is adjust on the second level. It’s obvious Thompson and McCarthy would like to see their first-round pick win the job, but I still think Lang is the better choice.

LINEBACKERS WERE IN NO RUSH

None of the three players competing for the starting job at right outside linebacker got anywhere near the quarterback in the preseason opener. That wasn’t a huge surprise considering Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones haven’t shown much as pass rushers in camp. In fact, the most effective pass rusher this summer has probably been undrafted free agent Vic So’oto. The former defensive end from BYU is a physical player with above-average athleticism, but he’s still learning the position. That showed on Saturday night when he got caught out of position on numerous occasions. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers would love for one of his outside linebackers to pick up the slack for Cullen Jenkins, but the more you see, the more you have to wonder whether any of them will be up to the task.

JONES BACK ON THE MARKET?

This following isn’t a rumor, it’s just a thought. With Cobb looking so impressive at wide receiver, is it possible that James Jones could still wind up playing for another team this season? I know he just signed a three-year contract with the Packers, but that doesn’t necessarily preclude a trade from happening. In fact, Jones might be more appealing to other GMs now that his future earnings are set through 2013. And while an offense can never have too many weapons, if Thompson can turn his No. 4 receiver into a decent draft pick or perhaps a proven offensive or defensive lineman, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him make a move with Jones. Just something else to ponder as training camp trudges along.

POSTCARD FROM TRAINING CAMP

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:27 am 4 Responses »

Aug 082011

Starks is battling Grant for the starting halfback job

The one thing I’ve learned from watching Matt Flynn the past four summers is that he will always play better than he practices. Aaron Rodgers‘ backup is off to another relatively slow start, but there’s no reason to be concerned. He’ll find a way to move the offense as soon as the opposition is wearing different colored uniforms. I didn’t see what the coaches saw in Graham Harrell last summer and I still don’t see it. His arm is weak and his accuracy is average at best. The lockout is the only argument I can make for keeping him around. At least he knows the system.

I used to think James Starks looked like a poor man’s Eric Dickerson, but now I’m tempted to remove the words poor and man. That’s how terrific he’s looked in training camp. The playoff sensation is running with great power and decisiveness. While Ryan Grant appears fully recovered from the ankle injury that ended his 2010 season, he simply doesn’t possess Starks’ physical ability. The former 1,200 yard rusher may be the nominal starter when the Saints come to Lambeau, but I can’t imagine him getting the bulk of the carries. Rookie Alex Green hasn’t done much through the first week of practices.

Jermichael Finley is an absolute freak. His height, athletic ability and soft hands make him almost impossible to defend. He’s almost toying with the poor souls who are assigned to cover him. Barring injury or stupidity, there’s no way I can imagine general manager Ted Thompson letting this guy get away. Prior to Finley’s return to the practice field, the most impressive tight end was seventh-round pick Ryan Taylor. He isn’t as savvy a route runner as fellow rookie D.J. Williams or as strong a blocker as Tom Crabtree, but he’s a more complete player. He has a good chance of making the team.

The coaches are giving the young receivers plenty of snaps, and a few of them have taken advantage of the heavy workload. Second-round pick Randall Cobb has looked terrific. His incredible quickness makes him stand out from the crowd. I realize the Packers have the best quartet of veteran receivers in the league, but coach Mike McCarthy will find ways to get Cobb on the field. Count on it. If the team wasn’t so deep at this position, either Chastin West or Shaky Smithson would have a legitimate chance to stick. West isn’t flashy, but he runs good routes and catches almost everything. Smithson is a quick as a hiccup return specialist with enough raw skills to eventually develop into a useful NFL receiver.

Bryan Bulaga looks like the player ready to take the biggest leap from season one to season two. He’s so much more confident than he was a year ago. And why not? He now has 16 starts under his belt, and more importantly, the coaches are no longer asking him to learn multiple positions. First-round pick Derek Sherrod has struggled at left guard after spending his entire college career at tackle. Veteran T.J. Lang has been more impressive, but it’s early. If Sherrod doesn’t start, he might find himself backing up Bulaga. That’s because Marshall Newhouse will be hard to supplant as Chad Clifton‘s understudy. The quick-footed youngster been one of the most improved players in camp. I was surprised when Nick McDonald made the team last summer. I didn’t see anything to get excited about – and I still don’t. Right now, journeyman Evan Dietrich-Smith is the second-best center on the roster.

Anyone waiting for C.J. Wilson to flash big-time pass rushing skills had better get a chair. It’s going to be a very long wait. He’s not athletic enough to beat quality offensive linemen on a consistent basis. On the other hand, Jarius Wynn just might be. The undersized three-year veteran is enjoying his finest camp. He looks quicker than before and he seems to have added to his repertoire of moves. If he continues to improve, there will be a place for him on the final roster. Mike Neal has only practiced sparingly, but it doesn’t take long to see his potential. Assuming he can stay healthy, he’ll be a more than adequate replacement for Cullen Jenkins. Ryan Pickett and Howard Green look more like sumo wrestlers than defensive linemen, but extra pounds won’t be an issue as long as they can shut down the run.

Erik Walden has taken the early lead in the battle to start opposite Clay Matthews. The former street free agent is playing more like a high draft choice. He looks bigger, stronger and more explosive than he did last season. Frank Zombo and Brad Jones have been OK, but neither has flashed nearly as often as Walden. Sixth-round pick Ricky Elmore was a productive pass rusher in college, but he hasn’t gotten many sniffs of the quarterback yet. In fact, undrafted free agent Jamari Lattimore has probably been more impressive. He needs to get stronger, but he runs well and seems to pack a punch. Depth at inside linebacker is still a concern, but it isn’t quite as big a concern thanks to Robert Francois. The third-year player is much-improved now that he’s taking all of his snaps at one position. He isn’t a big hitter. but he’s smart and fairly athletic. Not surprisingly, sixth-round pick D.J. Smith is still thinking too much.

Davon House and Brandon Underwood were both enjoying solid camps before suffering injuries. The former was making a strong push to be the No. 4 corner and the latter was showing real promise at safety. Veteran Jarrett Bush is covering like a blanket so far, but I’m not getting carried away. He typically plays better in practice than he does in games. Sam Shields was the talk of camp at this time a year ago, but he’s been pretty unspectacular so far. He doesn’t seem to be playing with the same sense of urgency. I’m not worried, but it’s something to keep an eye on. There probably won’t be room for Josh Gordy, but he can play corner in this league. Morgan Burnett has been up-and-down in his return from knee surgery, but his potential is obvious. He has superior range. Brandion Ross and Anthony Levine are talented small-school players who don’t seem to be intimidated by the bright lights.

Mason Crosby is off to another slow start, but he’ll be OK. Tim Masthay, on the other hand, looks terrific. It’s amazing how much better he’s gotten since last summer. Cobb has a chance to be the team’s best returner since Allen Rossum. Under-appreciated long snapper Brett Goode is almost automatic.

-Special thanks to contributor Mike Tahan, who has been covering training camp for Packer Update. Mike wrote this post – all I had to do was edit his shaky spelling and atrocious grammar!

AARON ASKS FOR AND RECEIVES

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:09 pm 7 Responses »

Aug 012011

Jones will be a Packer for three more seasons

Jones will be a Packer for at least three more seasons

Give James Jones credit for re-signing with Green Bay. Yes his options were somewhat limited after Minnesota and the Jets decided to go in different directions, but he still didn’t have to return to a place where he’ll be at best the third option in the passing game. So why did he? Simple. He’s an unselfish player (imagine saying that about a receiver) and he loves being a Packer.

This move not only makes Green Bay a lot better this season, but it also protects the team in the future. Remember, Jermichael Finley and Jordy Nelson are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents next March. By retaining Jones through 2013, general manager Ted Thompson won’t be under nearly as much pressure to keep those two players. If Finley and Nelson demand too much money, the Packers would still have Jones, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Randall Cobb to keep Aaron Rodgers happy. That’s more talent than most quarterbacks have at their disposal, and I’m not even considering some of the young tight ends who could very well develop into solid offensive weapons between now and then.

I’ve always been a big fan of Jones - even after a season in which he dropped a handful of sure touchdowns. That’s because I still see a 27-year-old player with the potential to be a true difference maker, and there aren’t an abundance of those receivers out there – at least not ones making less than $8 million a season. Not many fans agreed with me. In fact, only one person seemed to have my back. Fortunately, that one person was Rodgers. “James is extremely talented and he’s a guy that I think we have to bring back without a doubt,” the Super Bowl MVP told Steve “The Homer” True and Mitch Nelles on ESPNMilwaukee. “He should be priority No. 1 and I mean that with all my heart. He really should be priority No. 1. We don’t win the Super Bowl without him. We need him.” Well Aaron, you got him!

FEW OUTSIDERS IN GREEN BAY

Posted by Michael Rodney at 4:08 pm 4 Responses »

Jul 302011

Pickett played 50 games for St. Louis before joining the Packers

Pickett spent his first five seasons with the Rams

What do Diyral Briggs, Howard Green, Ryan Pickett, Charlie Peprah, Erik Walden and Charles Woodson all have in common? They are the only players currently under contract who have taken a regular season snap for a team other than the Packers. In this day and age, that’s incredible. It’s also a tribute to the front office. General manager Ted Thompson came to Green Bay determined to build a champion primarily through the draft, and despite having to deal with heavy criticism from the media and incessant complaining from fans, he eventually did just that. And as the Packers get ready to defend the Vince Lombardi Trophy with one of the league’s youngest rosters, you can be sure other teams – especially the ones with new general managers – will look to follow a very similar blueprint.

GOODBYE MEANS GOODBYE

The Packers are as thin as Kate Moss at inside linebacker, but Thompson still has no interest in re-signing Nick Barnett – even for less money. Why? Go back to Jan. 26 to find out the answer to that question. That was the day the eight-year veteran complained via Twitter about not being part of the team photo at the Super Bowl. That was also the day I surmised he would never play for the Packers again. Coach Mike McCarthy’s words at the time were telling. “I had heard about the Twitter and didn’t really frankly pay much mind to it because of the individuals involved,” he said. The other individual involved – Jermichael Finley – is still around, but that’s only because he’s a 24-year-old potential star and not a 30-year-old who was more than adequately replaced in the starting lineup by Desmond Bishop.

GET OUT THE ERASER

Thompson waived goodbye to three of his biggest mistakes this week. Defensive end Justin Harrell and linebackers Brady Popping and Brandon Chillar were all released by the team. Harrell played in only 14 games since being chosen 16th overall in the ’07 draft. Even before all the injuries, the former Tennessee star never looked like a potential impact player. His game lacked explosiveness and a sense of urgency. Poppinga and Chillar signed extensions worth a combined $40 million, but neither came close to earning that money. Since getting the big contracts, Poppinga was plagued by knee injuries and Chillar battled chronic shoulder problems. But even when healthy, neither player deserved to be paid over $3 million a year. Both were dime-a-dozen linebackers who for some reason captured Thompson’s fancy.

HELLO, MR. PEANUT

Speaking of the inside linebacker position, keep an eye on undrafted free agent Elijah “Peanut”Joseph. The former Temple star is a pretty good player. I had a chance to watch him live several times and always came away impressed by his aggressiveness and physicality. Joseph, whose twin brother was also signed by the Packers earlier this week, probably would’ve been a fourth or fifth-round pick had he come out after his junior season. For whatever reason, he didn’t play quite as well as a senior. Nevertheless, he’s a natural fit for a 3-4 and he’s good on special teams. That, along with the lack of depth at the position, will at least give him a fighting chance to overcome the odds and make the final roster.

A FORTUITOUS DROP

It didn’t seem so at the time, but James Jones’ drop of a sure touchdown in the Super Bowl was actually a good thing for the Packers. Green Bay wound up winning the game anyway, and now the team still has an outside shot to re-sign the free agent wide receiver. Think about it. If Jones would’ve scored a long TD on football’s biggest stage, he would’ve been signed to a lucrative contract days ago. Teams would’ve been lining up to throw suitcases of money at a 27-year-old Super Bowl hero. Instead, general managers remember that key drop and suddenly aren’t quite so anxious to open up their wallets.

RODGERS LOBBIES TO KEEP JONES

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:11 am 3 Responses »

Jul 272011

Rodgers and Jones teamed up for 7 touchdowns last season

As expected, Tuesday was a busy day for the Packers. Not only did many players return to the facility for only the second time since celebrating the Super Bowl win in February, but a star quarterback stumped for one of his receivers, 16 undrafted free agents were signed and one longtime vet was informed that his services were no longer needed. Things figure to settle down a bit in the next few days, but there will still be news. Look for draft picks to begin to sign and a few more veterans to get their walking papers.

LISTEN UP, TED!

It may not mean anything to GM Ted Thompson, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants free agent wide receiver James Jones back. And he wants him back badly. “James is extremely talented and he’s a guy that I think we have to bring back without a doubt,” the Super Bowl MVP told Steve “The Homer” True and Mitch Nelles on ESPNMilwaukee. “He should be priority No. 1 and I mean that with all my heart. He really should be priority No. 1. We don’t win the Super Bowl without him. We need him.”

One of the interviewers then brought up all the drops, and while Rodgers acknowledged his vexation at watching sure touchdown passes hit the ground, he was quick to defend his teammate. ”You know what, physical mistake are going to happen,” he said. “It’s frustrating, but James made a ton of big plays for us [last] season and I think his best football is still in front of him.”

I couldn’t agree more with Rodgers. In fact, I wrote about the importance of keeping Jones five months ago. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem likely.

WELCOME ABOARD

I’ve only watched about half of Green Bay’s newly-signed undrafted free agents play, so I can’t tell you too much about guys like M.D. Jennings, Jamari Lattimore, Theo Sherman and Sampson Genus. But after talking to a few people who know a lot more about college football than I do, it’s safe to say this is one of the most athletic group of rookies ever signed by Thompson. That’s makes sense, because without the benefit of minicamps and OTAs, the odds are even longer than usual for any of these players to make the final 53-man roster. So why not bring in as many quality athletes as possible and then let the position coaches develop some of them on the practice squad over the course of the season?

LONG TIME COMIN’

The news that Nick Barnett won’t be returning for an eighth season with the Packers was about as unexpected as snow in December in Wisconsin. I’m no Nostradamus, but I wrote about this move in January, in March, in June and again just last week (in my defense, it was tough coming up with things to write about during the lockout). Thompson will attempt to work out a trade by Thursday, and if not, he’ll simply release Barnett. Those who argued that it’s never a good idea to get rid of a good player were being naive. No team would keep a $6 million backup linebacker – especially one who had been a starter for the previous eight seasons. I always thought Barnett was a much better player than some people gave him credit for, but he had no future in Green Bay once Desmond Bishop blossomed and A.J. Hawk re-signed.

HELLO AND GOODBYE

The next few days should see the draft choices begin to sign. And even with so little time, it would be a surprise if all 10 weren’t in uniform for the first padded practice on Mondays. The new CBA should make negotiations easier than before, and unlike many other teams, the Packers front office doesn’t figure to be overwhelmed by the start of free agency. Also, expect a few more vets to follow Barnett out the door. Right tackle Mark Tauscher, linebacker Brady Poppinga and defensive end Justin Harrell aren’t going to play for the Packers in 2011 – the only question is when they find out. It could be very soon.

LOOKING AHEAD TO FREE AGENCY

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:14 am 5 Responses »

Jul 082011

Jones should be a very popular free agent

With the players and the owners finally making progress, information on what a new collective bargaining agreement may look like is starting to emerge. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported recently that the minimum number of years for unrestricted free agency will move from six back to four. That means the following Packers could hit the open market in a matter of weeks: safety Atari Bigby, offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, kicker Mason Crosby, fullback Korey Hall, running back Brandon Jackson, defensive end Cullen Jenkins, wide receiver James Jones, fullback John Kuhn, safety Anthony Smith, offensive lineman Jason Spitz and inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm.

Here’s the way I see things playing out:

Crosby, Jackson, Kuhn and Smith might flirt with other teams, but the odds are pretty good that each will eventually re-sign with Green Bay. Of the five, Crosby is the only one whom general manager Ted Thompson can’t afford to lose. And he won’t. Jackson will look to find a better opportunity elsewhere, but he probably has a lot more value to the Packers than he does to any other team. The former second-round pick would’ve been better off hitting the free agent market a year ago – before Ryan Grant’s injury fully exposed his many limitations as a runner. Kuhn loves it in Green Bay and won’t be eager to leave. Besides, he attracted little interest as a free agent in the past. Smith probably won’t make the final roster, but he’s worth bringing to camp.

Colledge, Jenkins and Jones will most likely sign elsewhere. Colledge has always thought very highly of himself, and now we’ll get to see if others agree. The guess here is that some GM will overpay the veteran guard based on his youth and his durability. Jenkins came into the league as an undrafted free agent and then signed a relatively modest extension (4 years/$15.5M) in 2008, so he’ll be looking to strike it rich this time. The Packers would like to keep him, but that hardly seems possible. Jones caught 61 passes and scored 7 TDs last season, but it’s the key drops that everyone remembers. Will that scare away potential bidders? Probably, but my hunch is that at least one GM will throw surprisingly big money at the enigmatic 26-year-old and then keep his fingers crossed and hope for the best.

The lockout allowed Bigby, Hall, Spitz and Wilhelm to remain part of a championship team for a little bit longer than expected, but the separation will commence as soon as there’s a new CBA. Bigby has lived off a few good games late in the ’07 season for the past three years. He could really use a fresh start. Hall is a solid special teams player, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and the Packers are deep at fullback. Spitz hasn’t been the same player since injuring his back and undergoing surgery in November 2009. He was a rising star at one time, but he’s been eclipsed by T.J. Lang and Nick McDonald in recent years. Wilhelm was a stopgap signing last October who no longer possesses the physical skills to be effective in a 3-4.

Lost amid all the news surrounding the progress being made between the owners and the players was a little nugget of info courtesy of ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. He told a radio station in St. Louis that, once the free agency period begins, the owners want to have a right of first refusal on three or four players per team. Whether the players agree to such a demand remains to be seen. The other big question, at least to anyone reading this post, is how would a right of first refusal affect the Packers? The answer is not very much.

Other than Chad Clifton, I can’t recall a single significant player re-signing with Green Bay after hitting the open market. That’s because Thompson is adept at identifying and then extending the players he really wants to keep long before they become free agents. In my opinion, he would’ve at least spoken to the representatives for Colledge, Jenkins and Jones if he truly wanted to bring them back. The fact that he didn’t suggests he’s ready to move on. And so does the drafting of Derek Sherrod, Mike Neal and Randall Cobb.

No news on Rodgers until midweek

Posted by Michael Rodney at 6:31 pm 3 Responses »

Dec 202010

Rodgers' status for the Giants will be updated at midweek

Anyone interested in the condition of Aaron Rodgers will have to wait until Wednesday. That’s when coach Mike McCarthy said he’ll have an update on the Pro Bowl quarterback. Rodgers, who suffered his second concussion of the season on Dec. 12 at Detroit, didn’t play in last night’s 31-27 loss to New England. And while the team will continue to take a very cautious approach with Rodgers, it’s hard to imagine No. 12 not being under center when the Giants visit Lambeau Field on Sunday. The fact that he attended practice last Friday and made the trip to Massachusetts bodes well for his being medically cleared to play in what’s essentially a playoff game.

In other injury news, Cullen Jenkins has already been ruled out for Sunday. The defensive end has missed the past two games with a calf injury. Nick Collins, who left last night’s game in the second quarter, will likely be ready for the Giants. Not only were x-rays on his ribs negative, but the Pro Bowl safety has a long history of playing hurt. Outside linebacker Frank Zombo (sprained knee) continues to make progress and could return after missing his first game of the season.

Quick thoughts from yesterday:

-While quarterback Matt Flynn has always been held in high regard by McCarthy, many people still questioned whether he had the talent to start in the NFL. Try finding those people today. The former LSU star certainly has some physical limitations, but he’s a born leader whose poise is off the charts and whose arm is just good enough. In a league where Chad Henne, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Colt McCoy, Kerry Collins, Rex Grossman, Jimmy Clausen, Alex Smith and John Skelton all started games this weekend, they’ll be a market for Flynn should GM Ted Thompson look to move him in the offseason.

-Maybe it was playing in front of family and friends or maybe it was being on the same field as Vince Wilfork, but something got into B.J. Raji last night. Already having a very good season, the second-year nose tackle took his game to another level. He recorded two sacks and generally made life difficult for the interior of New England’s offensive line – including perennial Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins. Raji may never be quite as stout against the run as Wilfork, but his ability to get into the backfield makes him unique among nose tackles. Anyone still upset with Thompson for not drafting Michael Crabtree?

-James Jones will undoubtedly look to make a lot of money as a potential unrestricted free agent during the offseason, but it’s hard to imagine any GM paying big bucks to the enigmatic wide receiver. While the former San Jose State star is a very good No. 3, he’s just too inconsistent to be given a more substantial role. Whether it’s a costly fumble, a big drop or not fighting hard enough for the ball, Jones somehow seems to find a way to hurt his team at the most inopportune of times. Last night, for example, his failure to complete a route led to a momentum-turning pick-6 for the Patriots.

DD’s deal should be well-received

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:48 am 7 Responses »

Aug 092010

Veteran wide receiver is now likely to finish his NFL career where it started

General manager Ted Thompson normally wouldn’t give a two-year extension to a 35-year-old player, but Donald Driver isn’t a typical 35-year-old player. Besides being one of the team’s emotional leaders on the field and one of its most respected voices in the locker room, the former Alcorn State star is still a very good football player. And that’s always the most important thing to consider when making this type of commitment to an older athlete. Driver is coming off a season in which he caught 70 passes for over 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns. And while his numbers declined in November and December, it’s probably unfair to blame Father Time. With the running game picking up steam and emerging star Jermichael Finley becoming a much bigger part of the offense, there just weren’t as many opportunities for Driver.

It’s hard to find a downside to this move. Even if Driver unexpectedly hits the wall in 2010, the Packers would only be on the hook for two additional seasons. And while terms of the extension have yet to be released, the odds are that most of the guaranteed money will be paid out in 2010 – an uncapped year. So even if the worst-case scenario does happen, this deal isn’t going to cause any problems with the salary cap in the future – assuming, of course, that there is a salary cap in the future.

The only people in Wisconsin who probably aren’t thrilled by this news are Jordy Nelson and James Jones. That’s because Driver’s continued employment with the Packers will likely keep the former in a backup role for at least another two seasons and force the latter to flee via unrestricted free agency – perhaps as soon as next March. Coach Mike McCarthy spent the entire offseason heaping praise upon Nelson and Jones, and he wasn’t just blowing smoke. Both players are capable of starting for half the teams in the league, but amazingly, one of them will be the No. 4 wide receiver this season. Chaucer once wrote that “Patience is a high virtue.” Easy for him to say. He wasn’t a football player looking to make a name for himself in a sport that rewards big stats with big money.

Free at last! Free at last?

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:38 pm 12 Responses »

Jul 272010

Holding on to Jenkins won't be quite this easy

Holding on to Jenkins won't be quite as easy as this

Training camp doesn’t open for another three days and there may not even be a season in 2011, but that didn’t stop us from taking a quick glance at the Packers who could be unrestricted free agents next March. Assuming – and as of today these assumptions are about as enormous as Ryan Pickett’s pre-training camp belly – that the players and the owners agree to a new collective bargaining agreement and that the number of accrued seasons to achieve true freedom reverts back to four from six, here are the players who would be eligible to hit the open market (along with their age as of 3/31/2011 and their current salary): John Kuhn (27/$1.176M), Korey Hall (28/$550K), Brandon Jackson (25/$550K), Donald Driver (36/$7.206M), James Jones (27/$1.101M), Allen Barbre (26/$550K), Jason Spitz (28/$1.759M), Daryn Colledge (29/$1.759M), Cullen Jenkins (30/$3.2M), Desmond Bishop (26/$550K), Tramon Williams (28/$3.168M/), Atari Bigby (29/$1.759M), Will Blackmon (26/$1.176M), Charlie Peprah (28/$630K) and Mason Crosby (26/$1.0M).

This is hardly an imposing list, but there will be a few interesting decisions facing GM Ted Thompson. As of today, the most compelling scenarios involve Driver, Jones, Colledge, Spitz, Jenkins, Bishop and Williams.

It’s hard to imagine Driver in another uniform, but as Packer fans found out two years ago, you just never know. That said, the only way we see the veteran wide receiver leaving Green Bay is if he asks for too much money or if Thompson isn’t willing to let Jones get away. It’s unlikely that Jones would re-sign unless he foresees a better opportunity to play – something that won’t happen if Driver is still around. Of course, Thompson’s decision on Jones will only be difficult if the former San Jose State star performs at a high level in 2010. Otherwise, he’ll almost certainly be allowed to walk without a fight.

There’s almost no chance that both Colledge and Spitz will return in 2011, so Thompson will have to choose between the two. Spitz – if his health is OK – would be the logical choice since he can play three positions. Not having a CBA brought Colledge back to Green Bay for another season, but his somewhat arrogant personality and his finesse-style of play just aren’t a good with the Packers.

Jenkins already looked to be the key unrestricted free agent in 2011, and his importance to the team’s present and future only increased with the news of Johnny Jolly’s indefinte suspension. It’s very likely that Thompson will want to re-sign the veteran defensive lineman; the big question is whether the feeling will be mutual. For the most part, Jenkins kept quiet last season and admirably did all the dirty work that’s required of an end in the 3-4. Whether he’d voluntarily sign up for more of the same remains to be seen. We have our doubts. That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the franchise tag used – if there’s even a franchise tag to use.

While Bishop has handled his lack of playing time with great aplomb, you know he’s dying to get a legitimate opportunity to win a starting job. That almost certainly won’t happen this season, but the door could finally open for him in 2011. That’s because A.J. Hawk and his scheduled $11 million contract could be moving on. Of course, even if that happens, Bishop would still have to contend with another overpaid inside linebacker (Brandon Chillar), so he might just decide that parting ways with the Packers makes the most sense. And who could really blame him?

Thompson showed what he thinks of Williams by placing the highest tender on him in February, so the odds are very good that the former street free agent will be around for many years to come. But there are a few variables that could change things between now and next March. For example, what happens if both Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood step up this season? Or if Williams continues to be inconsistent – this time as a fulltime starter. Or if he plays so well that other teams are lining up to make him rich? In short, it’s probably safe to hold on to your No. 38 jersey, but you might want to have a backup number in mind just in case.

The remaining potential unrestricted free agents won’t cause Thompson to lose much sleep. He should be able to pick and choose who comes back and who doesn’t. As of today, we’ll put Crosby, Hall and Jackson in the former category and Barbre, Bigby, Blackmon, Kuhn and Peprah in the latter. But needless to say, all of this can change depending on how these 15 players perform in 2010 and how things go at the bargaining table over the next eight months.

(NOTE- In a few cases, the salaries listed for 2010 are estimates and do not include playing time bonuses, escalator clauses, etc.)

SUCCESS IS ALWAYS A TEAM EFFORT

Posted by Packer Update at 10:29 am 1 Response »

Dec 092009

Stepping up

The Packers have won four consecutive games and the players most responsible are obvious to pretty much everyone. Aaron Rodgers is playing at a Pro Bowl level. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher have solidified the offensive line by squeezing every last ounce out of their aging bodies. Clay Matthews has blossomed from an impressive rookie to a legitimate stud at outside linebacker. Charles Woodson is making a serious run at being named defensive player of the year. And Nick Collins is producing enough big plays to quite possibly earn that megabucks extension he’s been looking for since the spring. But when a team starts to win on a regular basis, it always takes more than great play from a few great players. It takes good play from a lot of players, and that’s exactly what Green Bay has been getting over the past four games.

With the help of a former scout, here are a few of the team’s unsung heroes who deserve to be recognized for their inspired play over the past month:

BRANDON JACKSON: “The offensive line is doing a much better job in pass protection, but don’t overlook just how important a role Jackson has played in the turnaround. He’s become incredibly dependable in blitz pickup. And he’s not just getting in the way of linebackers, he’s taking them on and often winning the battle.”

JAMES JONES: “Like the team itself, Jones was a disappointment in the first half of the season. He wasn’t getting much separation, and even when he was able to extricate himself from a defender, he wasn’t making plays. But that was then and this is now. He’s caught 15 passes in the past four games and is beginning to look like the receiver who showed so much promise as a rookie.”

JOSH SITTON: “He was solid in September and October; he’s been very good in November and December. It took him a while to get comfortable, but now he’s playing with the type of aggressiveness and physicality that this offensive line so desperately needs. He still makes some technique mistakes, but it’s important to remember that he’s still learning how to play inside.”

B.J. RAJI: “He took some criticism early in the season, and that was very unfair. Do you know how hard it is for a 340-pounder to play on a high ankle sprain? Now healthy, Raji’s showing why the Packers took him at No. 9. He’s using his strength and surprising quickness to disrupt opposing offenses on a much more consistent basis. Plus, his quality work is allowing the starting defensive linemen to stay fresh by playing less snaps.”

A.J. HAWK: “He still isn’t making enough big plays, but he’s been more aggressive as of late and that’s one of the big reasons why the run defense has been so good. Give [assistant coach] Winston Moss a lot of credit. He stopped coddling Hawk a few months ago and finally started holding him accountable for his mediocre play. That proved to be a much-needed kick in the ass.”

ATARI BIGBY: “He won a starting job based on his intimidating hits, but those have been few and far between this season. Instead of looking for the KO, Bigby’s playing a more controlled brand of football and it’s working. He’ll never be a great cover safety, but he’s no longer a liability. He’s playing a more cerebral game these days and that’s exactly what Dom Capers is looking for.”

We listed only six unsung heroes, but there are plenty of other players who deserve credit as well. “Guys like Ahman Green, Spencer Havner and Desmond Bishop don’t play much from scrimmage, but they’ve been a part of the turnaround,” said the scout. “Green has added a little juice to the running game, Havner did OK when forced into action at tight end, and there are times when Bishop looks like the only member of the special teams who gives a shit.” Football is the ultimate team game and right now the Packers are playing like a team – a winning team.