I agree with pretty much everything in the article but the paragraph on Quarless concerns me:


I don't know why they wouldn't try to extend him before the season, assuming he is fully healed. Unless they aren't convinced of his full recovery.

The paragraph on Shields is realistic but makes it sounds like contract talks have broken off with Rosenhaus:

TT is pretty good at keeping medium grade guys if they are decent enough. A lot of those guys, though, may not even make it until 2014, or may not be wanted when the time comes - Wilson, Mulligan, Kuhn, Starks. I tend to agree about Shields - he will set his price too high and be gone. The same may be true for Jones, and of course Raji and Finley. Pickett would only be kept for a vet minimum salary. Neal is a huge question mark at this point, as is Newhouse, and Jolly, who knows.

That leaves Burnett and Quarless - both of whom I HOPE Thompson can extend before they have break out seasons and get a lot more expensive.

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I don't think Quarless would resign right now because he's value would be super low and could go even if he has just a decent year.

As far as Burnett, we don't know if he's going to break out or not, but I wouldn't mind resigning him or Shields to long term deals IF they're not too costly. I think normally the Packers reach out to guys' agents and willing to give them a deal early if they're willing to take less... if not make them wait until their current deal is up.


My guesses

Back: Raji, Burnett, Neal, Quarless, Shields

Depends: Pickett, Finley, Jones, Kuhn, Wilson

Gone: Newhouse, Starks, Mulligan, Jolly

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I don't think Ted Thompson will let the "Back" guys get away unless someone clearly over pays.

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I think they want Finley, Pickett and Jones back, but they also wouldn't want to over pay for them. Though I think their value in the Packers eyes are higher than the fans eyes.

Kuhn depends on who else they have who might be able to play that role. I've been hoping their cross train TE Taylor (and/or Williams) at TE and FB but they haven't.

Wilson doesn't really make a splash so he's mostly gone on noticed but he's very consistent and been the 3rd best at playing two gap following only Pickett and Raji which is why he started almost half of the games last year.

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I think Newhouse feels disrespected and will want to leave just like the others who have felt disrespected over the years (Jennings, Jenkins, Colledge, Spitz, Wells, etc...)

I think Starks is in the dog house because of keep getting injured and will need to be CLEARLY one of the top two RBs (or maybe even the top RB) to stay around this year.

I don't think Mulligan or Jolly make the roster this year. Mulligan is an undersized OL and I don't think most players can miss that much time and then come back and be the same in the first year. I think if he has a come back it will be his second year back at earliest. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the Raiders, Seahawks or Chiefs (Former Packers GMs, that don't mind taking a risk on a needed position) give him a chance if he doesn't make it at first with the Packers.

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Kind of a wait and see on these 4, like you said no guarantee they all make the team this year. But if Newhouse wins the starting RT job and plays every snap like he did last year I think he has a shot to come back. The other 3, if they make the team... anything can happen. None of them would be very expensive to keep.

B.J. Raji -Will be signed during the season.

Ryan Pickett -They'll let him go due to age.

Jermichael Finley -Needs to show he deserves a new contract.

James Jones -Needs to decide if he wants to be #2 behind Cobb

John Kuhn -Last year with the team, if he makes it.

Morgan Burnett -Will get a deal.

Mike Neal -Will get an incentive-laden contract based on games played.

Andrew Quarless -If Finley shits himself, Quarless has a huge opportunity to be The Guy. I like his odds.

Marshall Newhouse -He'll have to sign a journeyman contract.

James Starks -Needs to make the team first. Also needs to run lower, behind his pads and stay healthy.

Sam Shields -If he wants to play for the Pack, he's gonna have to sign a contract. Love to have him, but we do have depth at his position.

C.J. Wilson -Will have to settle for a journeyman contract.

Matthew Mulligan -Replaceable.

Johnny Jolly -Needs to make the team first. If he lights it up, he'll get a two year deal. He's too old for a long term contract.

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