This is what Ted Thompson has generally been very good at. Not letting the guys he really thinks are the key players hit the open market. If he thinks he wants Tramon around for the next 4 or 5 years he will get a restructuring done. If he is willing to part ways after next season he may cut the dude this season and save 7.5 million dollars or he may keep him around and count the whole 9.5 against the cap.

My guess is that if he keeps him around for the full amount this year (which I doubt will happen) he will let him walk next year.

Williams won't have to give up any money at all and he will get any SB in one fell swoop rather than spread out over the entire season. Plus he has the satisfaction of knowing he will be secure for the next 4 or 5 years. That's what he gains by restructuring.

Originally Posted by: sschind 

And then we get to watch a declining player, who is already tentative about being physical? Our corner situation just might come down to how much faith the Packers have in House, Hayward, and Hyde. I don't think an all out cutting of Tramon Williams is out of the question. What I do know is letting Shields get away will be a huge mistake.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

Why is everyone so certain that Orakpo will even hit FA?

Washington's and Dallas' cap penalty ends after this season. They'll have an extra 20-30 million or so to spend. They'd be crazy if they'd just let a player of Orakpo's caliber walk. Franchise tag seems like a very real possibility.

Originally Posted by: Rockmolder 

given the track record of Ted's recent top picks (injuries galore), Trading would not be a bad option.

2012: 2 have had significant injuries, all 3 have been on IR.

R1:Perry, pretty consistently injured, decent, but not great production. playing out of position.
R2:Worthy, lost this season
R2:Hayward, may as well have been on IR all year.

2011: the entire class (aside from Cobb, who has been on IR once) has not done jack shit for this team.

2010:
R1:Bulaga, on IR twice
R2:Neal, has not played a full season throughout his entire rookie contract. and really only has had one productive season.

2009:
R1: Matthews, annual hammy issues
R1: Raji, blows and/or sucks

in short, R1/R2 have not been kind to us. if that would be their asking price.

however,

this is Ted we are talking about, so nothing will happen.

Originally Posted by: Laser Gunns 

There are ONLY 3 players, maybe 4 on the list that I feel MUST be re-signed:
Shields
Quarless
EDS
Starks

This notion of "we have to re-sign all of our own players" thing is exactly what has gotten us in trouble.

I mean, thinking we cannot do better than Mike Neal, Lattimore, Kuhn, Jones.... Really? I like some of these guys just fine, but we should be able to do better. And, we can.

Originally Posted by: play2win 

I never said the team should sign every player, but also realize that's a lot of quality depth that would have to be replaced by rookies and FAs. Don't forget special teams is an important factor to look at.

I'd add Jones, Jolly, Flynn, and possibly Lattimore or Francois to your list as well.

Originally Posted by: musccy 

Why is everyone so certain that Orakpo will even hit FA?

Washington's and Dallas' cap penalty ends after this season. They'll have an extra 20-30 million or so to spend. They'd be crazy if they'd just let a player of Orakpo's caliber walk. Franchise tag seems like a very real possibility.

Originally Posted by: Rockmolder 

And then we get to watch a declining player, who is already tentative about being physical? Our corner situation just might come down to how much faith the Packers have in House, Hayward, and Hyde. I don't think an all out cutting of Tramon Williams is out of the question. What I do know is letting Shields get away will be a huge mistake.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

Regarding Orakpo, it's true there will be a lot of demand for him; It's also true that Thompson very seldom even tries for such signings - most seasons, most situations, I go along with that; I'd be happy to have the Packers get him, but considering his injury(s) and probable cost, I'd rather see us sign Worilds, who is younger, apparently less of a health risk, and maybe just as good. The bottom line is, we will have a MUCH better team if we can get a quality OLB opposite Matthews, and either of those guys is more sure than what we could draft without moving up.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker