Railbird Central Podcast: Free Agent Frenzy

From Greg Jennings to Steven Jackson to Peyton Hillis to Erik Walden, Railbird Central has plenty to talk about as free agency in the NFL is underway.

The start of free agency isn't even 24 hours old, and there's already been a flurry of activity. Greg Jennings is shopping his services, and the Packers and Vikings are thought to be among his top suitors. Reports have surfaced that the Packers are in the running for the Steven Jackson sweepstakes. Erik Walden signed a bigger deal with the Colts than anyone though. It's even been reported that Peyton Hillis will make a free-agent visit to Green Bay.

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Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America" and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (24)

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Derty Ernie's picture

March 13, 2013 at 04:38 pm

I have the Pack at 6-10 next year and that's being kind. The Pack fans have to understand two things. This team has no money for FA acquistions. This bull from Ted, oh we build from the draft, only works Ted when your talking low round first and second rounders, not a ton of 5th and 6th rounder no ones heard of, Ted.

Second Ted has to come up with money for Rogers and Mathews and combined the two guys will eat 40% or more of the payroll on two guys. So how do you compete and keep players you trained for several years and they know the book. You don't. You replace them 5th and 6th rounders.

The Lions got healthy with Reggie Bush, a top defensive pass rusher, two bone crushing safeties today and they still have th 5th and 35th pick in the drafts.

The Vikes now have two low first round picks, got rid of a fester, signed two key people to contracts and last year drafted three rookies who were pro bowls,

The Bears signed some free agents to protect Cutler and a top tight end, have numerous draft picks and will be better than last year.

The Packers, have lost talented players and replaced them with no one. Yes were keep losers on this team because someone has to suit up but we have no protection for Rogers, no running game, no pass defense.

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Denver's picture

March 13, 2013 at 06:16 pm

Well, crap, guess I'll have more free time this fall since there is no reason for me to watch the Packers go 6-10 at best.

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Steve's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:14 pm

Do us a favor and stfu. You clearly have 0 knowledge about Green Bay and how they build a football team under Ted Thompson. Green Bay has a record of 74-38-0(6-4 in the playoffs)ever since Ted has arrived and clearly knows how to build a team without having to use free agents better than anyone could possibly imagine. Building a champion off free agents NEVER works (Just ask the Eagles) and must I remind you that A LOT of players whom were supposed to be starters are returning? Bishop, Perry, Worthy, Benson,etc. are going to be returning next season (Benson won't unless he's resigned) and if they can stay healthy next season, we'll be better than this past season FOR SURE.

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cow42's picture

March 14, 2013 at 05:26 am

benson won't be back.
worthy won't play next season (and wasn't that good when he played last season).
bishop had a brutal injury - good chance he's seen his best days (and he's getting up there in age.
perry's playing out of position.
next year's schedule is leaps and bound more difficult than last year's.

i hope they're good too, but 6-10 is by no means out of the question.

even god teams have "holes" but the Packers need help all over the place...

OT
C
RB
TE
DL
ILB
S

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Chicken Little's picture

March 14, 2013 at 09:24 am

You're right! These Packers are pretty terrible. AND THESE COACHES! It's my opinion that the only reason they are two time ProBowl coaches for the NFC is because they hold curses or voodoo dolls of the voting boards. Secondarily, without making a litany of free agent signings there is no way this team will even make it to 6-10. UNLESS THEY SIGN JAKE LONG, I have them at 0-16. I say we hire Daniel Snyder and fire this loser Thompson. After all, its the teams that are the most active in March that are usually there at the end of January right?

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pooch's picture

March 13, 2013 at 05:49 pm

Agree Ted gets way to much credit for 2010,like Ronny says,"just a fart in the wind"We are going no where at this pace, i will change my mind if they sign Avirl,Jackson...wishful thinking...can we sign Long to replace Newhouse

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 13, 2013 at 05:58 pm

Good grief folks. 6-10 is being kind? Ted gets way to (sic) much credit for 2012? How about, "TT drafted Rodgers and Matthews at the bottom of round 1, he can find another great one there too." How about, "MM and crew coached their asses off in 2010 and made UFAs and 5-7th rounders into starters good enough to win a Super Bowl." How about, "Day 2 of FA is over, and now the TT FA season begins - which netted us Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett once upon a time."

I wish that TT would have signed Chris Canty, but if he's a medical he will crash and burn this year. I hope that TT will sign Stephan Jackson, but I know he'll do it at a friendly price so that it doesn't hurt the team. What, you want TT to go find another Eric Walden for $16M? No, thanks.

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Cpheph1's picture

March 13, 2013 at 06:17 pm

+1

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dawg's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:33 pm

Hawks and 9er's adding players!
Love to see Jackson in GB, it makes sense!
Give Jolly a shot, makes sense!
Keep Shields and secondary intact!
Draft OL -DL- OLB as they fall!
Back up QB! Many to chose from!
Crosby needs comp.!

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GBPDAN's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:41 pm

If the Pack is thinking about signing Jennings for 8-10 million, they are stupid and haven't learned anything. This team needs stronger trenches. Put that money ,and a little more , towards Jake Long. A shut down blind side will allow Arod more time to find Cobb, Jones and Nelson (maybe Finley). Having Jennings with a bad Oline is not better.

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Evan's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:44 pm

Have you watched Long play recently or are you just enamored with his name?

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dawg's picture

March 14, 2013 at 02:03 am

+1
O-line to protect Arod is a must!!!!!
If Arod goes down, this teams a bust---Dumb ass!!!
Wake up TT!!!!!!!!!

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GBPDAN's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:46 pm

Ted was lucky that Rodgers fell into his lap late in the Rd. Its the only reason we won a SB with tight wad ted

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Evan's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:51 pm

Don't forget about how lucky he was that he traded up to get Clay Matthews, too. And he was lucky Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings and Nick Collins fell in his lap in the 2nd round. And, boy, how lucky was it that he picked up James Starks in the 6th round. And Sam Shields as an undrafted free agent. Those guys played pretty big roles in that Super Bowl win too. That Ted Thompson. So lucky.

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Stroh's picture

March 13, 2013 at 09:28 pm

Thompson wasn't lucky. He already had a HOF QB that was playing better than alot of teams QB that passed on Rodgers! Most people call that foresight since none of the other idiot GM's that needed a QB didn't take him! He had less a need than many teams that passed on Rodgers, yet he still took him when others didn't. Thats not luck, its being better than all the rest!

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 14, 2013 at 06:23 am

+1. I don't know how any Packer fan can forget what a shitstorm that was when TT took Rodgers. #4 and his fans were howling. Reasonable fans were scratching their heads a little bit. Draftniks mostly saw the value and gave him a pass.

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GBPDAN's picture

March 13, 2013 at 08:48 pm

If not Long, then do something to get stronger in the trenches. Not carry a bunch of WRs

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Stroh's picture

March 14, 2013 at 11:00 am

Do something... anything... just make me feel better. The skys gonna fall on me if they don't. Lmao

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xuyee's picture

March 13, 2013 at 10:11 pm

I don't think Jennings should get, nor the Packers afford, more than Welker money.

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Evan's picture

March 13, 2013 at 10:15 pm

It's tough. Jennings is younger and more versatile. But Welker is more durable and productive.

Welker's deal is so odd (2 years, $10 mil, all guaranteed) that it's hard to use it as a comp. That said, $10 mil a year is clearly too much for Jennings. If he could be had for like 3 years, $23 million, that would be about fair.

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xuyee's picture

March 13, 2013 at 10:27 pm

What about Amendola's contract, a guy who's younger and has similar injury risk? Again, about $6 million a year. I don't disagree with you, but Brian's saying $8M/yr, and I think that's too rich. Jennings' market is in the Welker/Amendola range. He should play for a winner so he can continue to get endorsements and get into acting like he wants. No one wants an endorsement from a guy who sold out to a division rival and wallowed in obscurity for the rest of his career (i.e. signing with the Vikes). I love him, but he needs to swallow his pride and come home.

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Evan's picture

March 13, 2013 at 10:40 pm

If Amendola is at $6, then I think the $7-8 mil range is right where Greg should be. Whether or not he'd accept that is another issue.

While not direct comps, at the very least Welker and Amemdola's deal should help drive Jennings' final number down. $12 isn't happening. And $10 is looking outrageous now too.

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dawg's picture

March 14, 2013 at 02:14 am

Id take Jackson over Jennings!
More production!

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 14, 2013 at 06:27 am

I'd take Jackson over Jennings because last year showed that the Packers can live without Jennings, but the running game is a liability. Blame it on the line, but the RB talent has not really been there for quite a while. Jackson is a short-term (1-2 year) answer, but the Packers are in a window, and I'd like to see them take a shot. Jackson will add a reliable runner with a big body to get tough yards, good hands out of the backfield, and good blocking. All of this adds up to less pressure on #12. I'm not sure that there is anyone in the draft that can bring that to the table for the Packers.

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