Typical Green Bay Packers. Typical Ted Thompson.
Linebacker Danny Trevathan, who signed with the Chicago Bears on Wednesday, appeared on NFL Network on Thursday, where he dropped this bit of knowledge.
Trevathan on if Packers reached out to him: "No they didn’t. I wish they would have but they didn’t."
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) March 10, 2016
Trevathan was arguably the best inside linebacker available on the free agent market. Many have suggested inside linebacker is the Packers’ biggest area of need (we’re not among them, but still).
So here you had a ready-made solution to plug a hole on your defense just hoping to get a call from you and what do you do?
Nothing.
Don’t lift a finger. Don’t pick up the phone. Just don’t participate in free agency like the other 31 NFL teams.
In fact, Packers general manager Ted Thompson didn’t even bother to come into the office for the first day of free agency.
So Trevathan signed with the division-rival Chicago Bears. The Bears gave him a four-year deal worth $24.5 million with $12 million guaranteed.
That’s an average salary of a little over $6 million per season. With around $20 million in cap space, it’s also a number the Packers could have absorbed.
But they wouldn’t have known that because not only do they not sign free agents, they don’t even do their due diligence anymore.
Who gives a shit if he was interested.
And your gonna base that he was, off of a throwaway cliché line?
Packers aren’t gonna overpay for FA’s.
But yet we resigned Nick the great Perry for $5 million/year yesterday and Trevathan signed for $6 million/year. You’re right we didn’t overpay for a worse player
My boiling point is reaching critical mass here! It’s almost as if the signing of Julius Peppers, a 34 year old who’s contract granted only so much guaranteed money, was a stunt that was meant to fall flat on its face to give Thompson an excuse to say “see, it doesn’t work”! I seem to remember a certain Denver Broncos team that regularly deals in free agency, look at that worked out for them? 3 AFC Championships, 2 SB appearances, and 1 victory in just 4 years. And they weren’t too bad in their first of those years either, it took a miracle come from behind miracle for the Ravens to beat them.
Julius doesn’t work? They just shouldn’t let some people on the internet…
I didn’t say Julius didn’t work, in fact that was exactly my point. Peppers worked out beautifully. But that’s what Thompson didn’t count on happening, he probably thought it would fall flat, and he would have his excuse to never sign a free agent again.
Hey, guess what? Nothing is gonna change and nobody gives a shit how you feel, especially the Packers. Just let misery rule your life. But don’t worry, you’re in good company here.
Know what else isn’t gonna change? Your constant whining when someone doesn’t like your Teddy.
Chinupnsmile Bobby, it’ll be ok.
Oh, and the Broncos have no quarterback now and probably won’t even sniff the playoffs for the next decade. They maxed out their credit cards. But who cares, right? They got a 80″ flat screen TV! Gimme, gimme, gimme!
They maxed out their credit cards and all they won was a Super Bowl.
Boy, are they stupid!!
Great post Bobby!!
The Packers do not need an ILB with his height, weight, and speed measurements. We already have better. We do need another ILB but with more length and speed. This guy reaped the benefits of being alongside other very good defensive players.
No need for TT to be interested, however he could have maybe caused Chicago to pay more if he faked interest. What is wrong with making your division rivals have to overspend. Isn’t that part of TTs job, make it harder on your competition?
Howard, I thought everyone was raving at Trevathan’s ability to not only tackle and play good run support, but his ability to cover. I totally respect your opinion on these pages but can you speak to more about his lack of speed and length? I was under the impression he’s quite fast.
Also I have to say, even if your assessment is correct, Ted needs to get involved on a lot of guys the Packers have no interest in just to make other teams pay more. I am still convinced there was a little of that gamesmanship when the Packers “lost out” on retaining Greg Jennings.
The reason I say that about Trevathan is as follows:
1. Trevathan 6′-0″, 237, 4.84 40, 4.70 20 yd shuttle 18 bench.
2. Barrington 6′-1″, 246, 4.69 40, 4.25 20 yd shuttle 22 bench.
3. Ryan. 6′-2″, 240, 4.65 40, 4.20 20 yd shuttle 20 bench.
These times etc. are based on pro days or combine which ever is better. Both Trevathan and Barrington had bad combines, as both had injuries. That is why Barrington dropped to 7th round. Trevathan still had bad times at his pro day. You can argue that Trevathan may have better football instincts, however it is not so great as to believe we don’t already have 2 of his type already on the roster.
Combine #’s don’t make you a good football player. Heart and passion do.
If Barrington and Ryan are so “fast”, why do they look lost in coverage?
I agree heart and passion has the bigger impact with being a good football player, however you have a hard time coaching up speed, and size. So it is one of many things to look at. I never wrote that Barrington and Ryan are fast. I just believe they are faster than Trevathan. In fact if you read some of my other comments I clearly indicate the Pack needs another ILB with more “speed and length.” Ryan did look lost at times in coverage. Hopefully that will improve with experience. Barrington is better in coverage than some give him credit. I know one specific play you have in mind against Seattle in the NFCC game. I would say any ILB including Trevathan when isolated multiple time in a game against a running back can be beat during that game.
Barrington wasn’t just beat on that play, he didn’t have a chance from jump street. And that was a pretty damn costly mistake. remember what followed it? that 2pt conversion, where Ha Ha forgot how to play football.
Sometimes having a young, draft and develop football team keeps you well under the cap, but it may cost you dearly if you get your ass handed to you in the last 5 min of a NFCCG.
Agree, draft an development alone will not do it, in fact I do not believe the numbers are sustainable. One thing about Barrington on the wheel route. The Cowboys the week before tried twice to isolate Murray on Barrington with the same route. Both times Barrington was there and they were incompletions, however Barrington did not react well to the ball. Seattle ran that same play earlier in the Seattle game with Lynch, same thing incompletion, again Barrington was there and did not look very good in his reaction to the ball. You knew Seattle was coming back to that play and yes Barrington was smoked.
Day 2- No news
We don’t want to get to the Super Bowl anyways. We like watching other teams play.
Losing this opportunity was bad enough without him signing with the friggin’ bears…
Not making This deal is gonna haunt the Packers in 2016 season and beyond – combo of key GB D-player going to IR and/or Trevathan going nuts on the sieve O-line ….
Really nervous about Bears – they’re making the right moves and have assembled a remarkable coaching staff – Fangio is outright scarey …
The 2016 season will be another one and done. Why ? Because nobody can or will hold the top people accountable. There is no reason why an ILB or a TE couldn’t have been picked up. To late now the best are gone. But wait we still have the draft. In 3 years down the road we will still have the same needs because the ones drafted will all be a bust.
Oh, and BTW – TT not in his office during Free Agent Frenzy shows his total lack of urgency and understanding what needs to happen –
GB is standing still while other (smarter GMs) are making the right moves. …
I have reached the height of my frustration with Green Bay management. We now have direct proof of Thompson skipping free agency. I don’t care if he does sign someone over the next week. I understand free agency is not one day long. However, the best players will be gone by then so it doesn’t matter. In previous seasons, I think most people thought the packers were at least in communication with free agents. Now, we have a direct statement disproving that hopeful thought. It’s worse because Trevathan, an inside linebacker, is a big need. I don’t expect the Packers to call up every free agent but I would hope they made attempts to communicate with guys who fill big needs. It turns out that is not true.
Sad
Yeah, successful teams like the patriots, the seahawks, the cardinals, ect were super busy the last few days as well.
Has it ever occurred to anyone here that there are several key contracts expiring at the end of next year? Josh sitton, tj lang, bahktiari, Micah hyde, Eddie lacy, just to name a few.
No one has answered my question yet, who were they supposed to sign the last couple days? Give me specific examples and why. Use critical thinking in your reasoning rather than blind hate for TT.
Nice cherry picking. Yeah it’s a well known fact that the Patriots, Cardinals and Seahawks never utilize free agency.
Gimme a break.
Kato isn’t a real deep thinker, please forgive him.
Packer Bob, hoy say that the Broncos gave no QB, and that’s right.
1) the SB ring makes it feel less painful for them.
2) they won it with an actually awful Manning!
Any slightly below average QB will still give them a chance. They are likely to find a not too costly one, so they will have more cap space to improve the team.
Speaking of …..
Think about this –
The Infamous Butt-Fumbler, aka Mark “The Dirty” Sanchez is now QB-ing for the reigning Super Bowl Champ … – How does that look on your resume ?!?!
Had Osweiler stayed with the Broncos, he would still have a good receivers corps and the powerful defense. Now he will have to be content with throwing passes to JJ Watt.
Let’s at least wait until after free agency and the draft before we throw stones at TT. Jesus. There are still plenty of quality guys out there. Tight end is one of the most inconsequential positions on the football team.
As far as ILB, worst case scenario, I think they are comfortable with the Jake Ryan/Sam Bradford combo. A lot of people around the league and talent evaluators felt the packers got a steal with Ryan. That being said, it wouldn’t be surprising to me at all if the packers took the position high in the draft. They spent allotted prospect visits on Reggie Ragland and Jaylan Smith, when they normally use those on late round prospects. If they feel Smith’s knee checks out they will could trade out of the first round and take him early in the second round. Or trade up for Ragland if they aren’t comfortable with Smith.
I would rather have a GM with a measured approach to FA than one that spends big money, because he doesn’t hit on draft picks, or there are a ton of holes to fill.
Woodson, peppers, and Pickett were homeruns. Guion was pretty solid. Saturday was terrible. I would say that is some pretty good FA scouting.
“Tight end is one of the most inconsequential positions on the football team.”- Kato
Yes Kato, that position has no influence on an offensive game plan, or playing calling, or freeing up a slot or wide receiver or drawing corners in from a 2 deep cover.
You are fucking brilliant dude, don’t stop posting!! I for one, learn so much from you.
Thank you sir.
In the 2011, McCarthy built the offensive game plan around Jermicheal Finley, how did that work out Kato? Go look it up.
Of course Trevathan was interested in the Packers, he was interested in EVERY team that was willing to throw millions at him. Just as any prospective employee would at least be interested enough to here out any prospective employer willing to offer them a cushy living-it’s his fucking job and his life. Fucking. DUH.
Good stuff. Are those combine numbers available online?
Ay Hombre, not sure if that was in response to my comment. If you do a search of the players name with scouting report added several sites will show up. The NFL combine or NFL draft scout give the best info. The draft scout usually provides some game video. It is best if they show all the plays for that player during the entire game not just highlights.
The reason they didn’t call Trevathan is simple: Jake Ryan. TT is loath to bring in guys that will impede the growth of his draft picks. I’m not saying I agree with it. I’m saying that’s what I think is going on.
Why do EVERYONE of US IN PACKER NATION (INCLUDING COMMENTATORS) EVERY YEAR, say or write that The Packers are EVER GOING TO BUILD THRU FREE AGENCY???? WHY? OH!! WHY??? Well, WRITE… THE PEOPLE OF GREEN BAY, SHAREHOLDERS,FRONT OFFICE EXECS,PLAYERS, HELL..RODGER FLIPPIN’ RODGER GOODELL… LET’S REMOVE TT!!!! ANY FREAKING TRUEFAN WHO ISN’T STUFFING THEIR POCKETS W/$ NOT SPENT IN FA!!! #12 NEEDS HELP!! WEAPONS(IN CASE OF WR INJURIES????) OR SO IT’S NOT SO EASY TO FUCKING JAM WR’s USE FRONT 4and TO GET TO 12!! GET A 2ND (LB) not matthews or previously us a well blitzing (ex-packer) BUT!! (hurts GB cause IS THEthe SLOWEST LB IN PASS COVERAGE!! ALLOWING OPPOSING RB KILL US BY RUNNING BY #50)
YOU BETCHA !
Q: WHY ARE YOU WRITING IN CAPS ?
He’s retarded?