With June 15 approaching quickly, the Packers have three restricted free agents whose tender offers may soon be dropping if they fail to accept them.

Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points out that cornerback Tramon Williams, defensive lineman Johnny Jolly, and safety Atari Bigby have yet to accept offers in the amount of $3.168 million, $2.521 million, and $1.759 million, respectively.

Williams' could see his offer plunge to $584,078 if he doesn't sign before 12:00 a.m. ET. Jolly's would drop to $589,501. Bigby faces a modest reduction in the range of $54,000, since 110 percent of his 2009 base salary equates to $1,704,538.

We're told that Bigby has received a letter regarding the team's intent to drop his offer. It's likely, then, that the others have received the same letter.

That said, we continue to believe that the Collective Bargaining Agreement does not require advance notice of the intention to reduce the offer. At least one agent who represents more than one restricted free agent agrees with our characterization.

No where has it been reported that beyond Bigby, the Packers were dropping their tenders.. speculation at best here.

That said.. IMO, I would think the Packers may drop Jolly's in light of his issues.. boggles my brain that he didn't sign that as soon as it was offered.. post haste.

"pack93z" wrote:

No where has it been reported that beyond Bigby, the Packers were dropping their tenders.. speculation at best here.

That said.. IMO, I would think the Packers may drop Jolly's in light of his issues.. boggles my brain that he didn't sign that as soon as it was offered.. post haste.

"pack93z" wrote:

So do the tenders automatically drop or do the Packers choose whether or not to drop them?

Frankly I don't see what you'd gain by not signing it and letting it drop.

"djcubez" wrote:

I worry about Williams here, however he has the most to lose here and would be smart to accept his $3 million dollars, which is pretty good money for a part time starter.

"earthquake" wrote:

Tramon has a lot of leverage, which is furthered by him not signing. He is clearly the #3 CB on this team, and while not a Revis type stud, he has shown he is adequate as a starter when called upon. Considering the past two years when he has had to spot start for Al Harris and fill in for Sir Charles when Sanders moved him to Safety, it's obvious he is the heir apparent to one of the starting positions at CB.

Add to that, Tramon has versatility to play inside (nickel or dime) or outside (as opposed to Al, for example, who only plays outside) his value is increased.

Look at it this way: if the season were to start today, Tramon Williams would be our best CB next to Charles Woodson. Al Harris wouldn't be ready to go, and Lee and Underwood are still unproven in real games.

I'd guess that for Tramon the issue isn't the money on his tender, it is the fact that it'll be a one year contract only. Yes all players want to get paid, but they also want long-term security and peace of mind.

If the Packers do reduce Tramon's tender, then it'd be pretty stupid because they risk pissing off an important player at a position which definitely needs him.


Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers and Tramon Williams agents are talking, and the Packers have agreed not to reduce the tender in good faith while continuing to try and hammer out a long term deal with his agents. It seems to fit the Packers' modus operendi, and if things really fall apart than at least you don't have an even more pissed off player in Tramon losing about 2.5 million in earnings this season.

"all_about_da_packers" wrote: