Kampman would sign that tag in a heart beat. There's no way we would offer it to him, because if he signs it, we are screwed. He's not gonna get offered $8 million guaranteed in the FA market.

You're not thinking like an elite athlete.

Kampman will be 30 years old. His chances of getting a multi-year contract are a lot better at 30 than 31.

The franchise tag may pay him 8 million, but a long-term contract will easily get him close to double-digit in millions in terms of signing bonus even with coming off an injury.

You and I would take the franchise tag's 8 million payout instantly. For an athlete like Kampman, it means he's got restricted mobility, and takes a huge hit in terms of getting the second FA contract he would have otherwise been in line for.

In the NFL, it's the second and third contracts where you make the vast majority of your money. There is a reason why no NFL players immediately sign their franchise tenders.... Kampman in all likelihood will be the same as those other guys...

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Derrick Martin has filled that role nicely. Bush is a liability in pass coverage, and its time for him to go.

I hope we finally let go of Deshawn Wynn. He is not needed anymore, if you ask me. If we want a project back, we have Kregg Lumpkin. Do we part with Kuhn? Or keep 3 fullbacks again?

The most interesting free agents we have this year are Kampman and Clifton. Clifton is injury prone, and has seemingly been on the decline since 08.

Kampman still hasn't proven his worth in the 3-4. But, to be fair, he hasn't had a full season to work. Probably the toughest decision that lies ahead for Ted. I'd hate to see him go, but I'd hate to see us have a struggling, possibly even incapable, Kampman at OLB.

MUST re-sign, IMO go as follows:
Nick Collins- Probably the best ball hawking safety in the NFC.
Ryan Pickett- Especially with Harrell not proving he can stay healthy, we need this reliable depth at this position.
Tramon Williams- Excellent Nickel back, another "future" player.
Johnny Jolly- Probably the most surprising player on defense. Has really grown into an excellent defender and pass rusher.
And last but not least...
Atari Bigby- Another injury ridden player. And until we have a player who can challenge/step in for Atari, we need him.

EDIT: Thanks for the link to the contract info as well. Gonna have to forward this to the guys at EA so they can get contracts right for Madden 11.

Derrick Martin has filled that role nicely. Bush is a liability in pass coverage, and its time for him to go.

I hope we finally let go of Deshawn Wynn. He is not needed anymore, if you ask me. If we want a project back, we have Kregg Lumpkin. Do we part with Kuhn? Or keep 3 fullbacks again?

The most interesting free agents we have this year are Kampman and Clifton. Clifton is injury prone, and has seemingly been on the decline since 08.

Kampman still hasn't proven his worth in the 3-4. But, to be fair, he hasn't had a full season to work. Probably the toughest decision that lies ahead for Ted. I'd hate to see him go, but I'd hate to see us have a struggling, possibly even incapable, Kampman at OLB.

MUST re-sign, IMO go as follows:
Nick Collins- Probably the best ball hawking safety in the NFC.
Ryan Pickett- Especially with Harrell not proving he can stay healthy, we need this reliable depth at this position.
Tramon Williams- Excellent Nickel back, another "future" player.
Johnny Jolly- Probably the most surprising player on defense. Has really grown into an excellent defender and pass rusher.
And last but not least...
Atari Bigby- Another injury ridden player. And until we have a player who can challenge/step in for Atari, we need him.

I agree with all of the above. But I think Kuhn is better than Hall. Pickett is already in contract talks. Bigby has seemed to be slower ever since being injured last year.

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I agree with this. Bigby in run coverage is solid. He's a hard hitter too.

I don't hate Bush though. He's a good ST player (we need more of them as our STs suck). You can't expect the #6 guy on the depth chart though to be a solid player in coverage. You just can't. Bush filled a role and did it well but had to be bumped up because of injury. Not his fault.

So yes, resign who you said to resign. Unless Harrell is healthy, dump him and replace him with someone who will give us game time. We need people on the field, not people we pray will be healthy next year.

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The reason that players do not sign the tender is because once they do, they have no control. Look at Cassell. He signed that 17 million offer, then NE was free to trade him anywhere. Now look at Peppers. He didn't sign so he has say in where he goes, because without signing any trade talks have to go though the player and agent.

Kampman would probably not sign, and would work to find a place to go. While the team would have some power in keeping him from say the Vikings.

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Kampman already got his second contract.

The main difference between Peppers/Cassel and Kampman is the Kampman is seriously INJURED during a season which he wasn't playing well.

Think about it...

Why do we need to trade Kampman though? Sign him for a reasonable 3-4 year salary and see how he goes over the first 6 weeks. Trade him before the deadline to avoid a salary cap hit if he doesn't perform.

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Well there won't be a cap next year so a hit wouldn't matter. I would be scared if Kampman signs a contract or tag tender. If he did that, it would to me mean he isn't recovering well, and he just wants to get what he can. Assuming he recovers well, he will not sign a contract or accept the tender, because either way he is going to be short changing himself. He is smart enough to know that he can get more elsewhere when healthy.

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I agree w/ TJ's priorities for the most part - +1.

My comments:

I think those who are saying Kampy played poorly are, at best, exaggerating - his stats weren't sexy, but he was playing well. I also believe that if he wants to stay in GB they should seriously consider keeping him around. That said, I wouldn't put him any higher than 4th on TJ's list above - Collins, Pick & Tramon are all more important to the D's continuity, IMO.

Bigby, however, is probably not worth what he's likely going to want. That second safety position is too important for the D to be successful - if you want proof of that look at Pittsburgh w/out Palomalu on the field, or without Clark for that matter. They need to upgrade there, which would make Bigby depth, and I doubt he'll be happy with that from either a money or playing time standpoint.

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