The deal is one-year for $3.3 million and takes Collins off [...]]]> Chris mentioned this morning he was hoping the Packers would take a serious look safety Ryan Clark before re-upped with the Steelers.  However, all may not be lost at the position as Nick Collins signed his restricted free agent tender today, according Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein.

The deal is one-year for $3.3 million and takes Collins off the free agent market.  The Packers previously placed the highest possible on Collins, a first and third-round draft pick compensation, so by signing the tender no team can come and offer Collins a deal anymore.  While it seemed unlikely that a team would give up that kind of compensation to sign Collins, crazier things have happened and it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities.

Signing the tender is news for three reasons.  First, many times restricted free agents will not sign the tender and use it as leverage for a new deal.  Secondly, Collins’ agent Alan Herman said today that signing the tender could be looked at as a good faith gesture and they are optimistic a long-term deal will be finalized soon.  And lastly, by signing the tender Collins now cannot holdout from mandatory offseason workouts and mini-camps.

“Based on the tender Nick received and based on Nick’s desire to stay with the Packers and to take part in the offseason program, which is something he really wanted to do, he elected to sign the tender,” Herman told Silverstein.  “Nick really likes it in Green Bay and wants to stay there.  Hopefully, this will help us finalize a deal as we move forward.”

Herman also stated that he doesn’t think that it shouldn’t be long before a deal is done, possibly in the coming weeks.  He probably is speaking the truth as it is hard to see Collins signing the tender if he didn’t think a long-term deal would be imminent.

There was no mention on what kind of terms each side are seeking in the new deal, but thanks to the Giants insanely giving Antrel Rolle $37 million over five years with $15 million guaranteed (I still believe Rolle has dirt on Coughlin), expect Collins’ deal to be around those numbers.  Every year free agents are overpaid, but that is just the nature of the business.

Not surprisingly Thompson has been quiet so far this offseason, only making news by re-signing Clifton.  However, just like last offseason when the biggest signing he could have made would be re-signing Greg Jennings, Thompson can make this year just as successful by signing Collins long-term.   Looks like that might be sooner than later.

-Adam Somers

(Okay, maybe we haven’t “covered the hell” out of it. But we’ve been good….solid….decent. Yeah, let’s stick with that – decent.)

But what about the rest of the NFL? [...]]]> So far, we at OBOD have covered the hell out of free agency as it relates to the Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFC North.

(Okay, maybe we haven’t “covered the hell” out of it. But we’ve been good….solid….decent. Yeah, let’s stick with that – decent.)

But what about the rest of the NFL? After all, there has been activity outside of the division and, with it being Monday morning and all, it seems like a good time to expand our horizons and look at some of the other notable moves made. Some of these, of course, have Packers-related repercussions and we’ll mention them, as needed.

1. Cardinals taking big steps back – After watching Kurt Warner retire awhile back, the Cardinals lost three more key players this past weekend. Arizona finally rid themselves of Anquan Boldin, trading the somewhat malcontent receiver and a fifth round pick this year to the Baltimore Ravens for third and fourth round picks this year. Boldin might have been a pain in the butt, but he’s also an elite talent who is as tough as they come. Steve Breaston is decent, but Boldin he is absolutely not (love this move for the Ravens, by the way, as Boldin finally gives them the big-time wideout they seemingly have never had). Another big loss comes in the form of middle linebacker Karlos Dansby – I remember seeing him do something big a couple of months ago, but I can’t remember what - signing with the Miami Dolphins (five years, $43 million with $22 mil guaranteed). Dansby, while not an elite ‘backer, is very good and was a great fit for that defense. The Cards also lost safety Antrel Rolle to the New York Giants (five years, $37 million with $15 mil guaranteed, more on that in a bit). It’s true that they replaced Rolle by trading a fourth round pick this year and a seventh next year to the New York Jets for safety Kerry Rhodes and that Rhodes is a good player. But Rolle was on the up and knew this scheme. It will take Rhodes time to learn it. Those moves, combined with Matt “Chubby Girls and Beer Bongs” Leinart now at quarterback, lead me to believe the NFC West is an open race. Well, unless you’re the Rams.
2. The champs also appear to be losing some steam – The New Orleans Saints were dealt a considerable blow on defense as linebacker Scott Fujita signed a three year, $14 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. Fujita, while not a great player, was a very solid presence, both on and off the field. Things could get even worse if safety Darren Sharper bolts for another team (the Miami Dolphins, perhaps?). Sharper is 34, but is coming off of one of his best seasons yet and could still be a very good player for at least another year or two as he is a great fit in Gregg Williams’ scheme. The Saints seem to be making a push to get Sharper back, but they need to do more. If he leaves, that defense isn’t as good and they could go back to where they were a couple of years ago (i.e., a .500 team that wins eight games 45-41 and loses eight games by that same score). Right now, the Cards are definitely not as good as they were last year and the Saints could be heading that way, opening the door for other NFC teams….like maybe the Packers?
3. Two contracts shed a light on how much the Packers will have to pay Collins and Pickett – If you thought Nick Collins was going to want big-time dough before, you have to think that tenfold now when you see the deal Rolle got – the richest ever for a safety. In two years of playing free safety – he’d been a corner, previously – Rolle recorded 139 tackles, five interceptions, 13 passes defended and 1.5 sacks (with a Pro Bowl appearance in 2009). Collins, over the past two years – playing in two different schemes – recorded 104 tackles, 13 interceptions, 28 passes defended and one sack (with two Pro Bowl appearances). Collins pretty much crushes Rolle in the key playmaking categories and, as a result, you have to think he will want much more than Rolle got. If Rolle is getting an average of over $7 million per, Collins likely will aim for the $8-$10 million-a-year range and, at this point, it’s hard to blame him. Thanks, New York. As for Ryan Pickett, you can now use the contract given to New England’s Vince Wilfork - five years, $40 million with $25 million in guaranteed money - as a barometer of sorts. Age-wise, the two are fairly similar (Pickett turns 31 in October while Wilfork turns 29 in November). And while Pickett is not in the same class as Wilfork, a truly elite 3-4 nose tackle, he’s not that far off and provides great value to Green Bay’s defense. If Wilfork got an average of $8 million per, it’s likely going to take $5 or $6 million on average to lock up Pickett.
4. Cromartie deal not a slam dunk for the Jets – Many seem to be applauding the New York Jets for trading a third round pick in next year’s draft to San Diego for cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Those people have said that Cromartie’s pairing with Darrelle Revis (the second best corner in the game) gives the Jets the best corner tandem in football. While I disagree with them on that - Charles Woodson and Al Harris/Tramon Williams, anyone? – I’ll stick to the trade in this post. Here’s what Cromartie is: A guy who had one truly amazing season (2007, in which he recorded 10 picks) and two average ones since (five picks of the past two years combined). He’s also still griping about a new contract – even though he’s only been decent as of late – and has fathered seven children in five different states. I know Rex Ryan has a devil-may-care attitude about players with questionable character, just like his old man, but I also know that you don’t see too many Antonio Cromarties on championship teams. So glad the Packers didn’t pursue this guy.
5. Bad trends building for Big Ben – Okay, so this one doesn’t have anything to do with free agency. But the accusations of sexual assault against Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Georgia was one of the biggest NFL stories of the weekend. Now I have no idea whether or not the guy is guilty or not. In the end, that’s not up to me to decide, anyways. What I do know, though, is that a nasty trend is forming with him. This is the second time such accusations have been lobbed his way, remember. He beat the criminal charges, stemming from an incident in Nevada awhile back, and he may well beat these. But leaders – true leaders – simply do not put themselves in these spots. Can you ever see Joe Montana allowing himself to be put in such a spot in a million years? Or even a guy like Aaron Rodgers? Not a chance in hell. Sure, he’s won two Super Bowls and he’ll never have to pay for a drink in Pittsburgh again. But if you want to be truly great, Ben, and not be remembered simply as “the guy who kept getting accused of sexual assault”, you must stop allowing yourself to get caught in these situations. Okay, I’ll jump off my soapbox now.

-Chris Lempesis

Now, let’s take a look at how they stack up, defensively, with their 3-4 scheme.

Defensive line

The key cog in the Cards’ defensive line – maybe their entire defense – is defensive end Darnell Dockett (42 tackles, tied for team-high in sacks with seven). The sixth-year pro out of Florida [...]]]> Alright, we’ve covered the Arizona Cardinals’ offense.

Now, let’s take a look at how they stack up, defensively, with their 3-4 scheme.

Defensive line

The key cog in the Cards’ defensive line – maybe their entire defense – is defensive end Darnell Dockett (42 tackles, tied for team-high in sacks with seven). The sixth-year pro out of Florida State is an absolute monster, despite his somewhat underwhelming listing of 6-feet, 4-inches and 285 pounds (ends in a 3-4 scheme are usually closer to 300 pounds). He possesses everything you want at the position and then some. He’s quick off the ball, strong as a bull and able to take over games. He was great for Arizona in the playoffs last season and was voted to the Pro Bowl this year. He must be the focal point of Green Bay’s offensive line.

Nose tackle Bryan Robinson (28 tackles, one sack) is a solid, cagey 13-year veteran. At just 304 pounds (oh, the ridiculous nature of pro football), he’s also a bit undersized for his position. With Scott Wells playing so strongly this season, this could be a matchup Green Bay tries to exploit in the run game.

Defensive end Calais Campbell (47 tackles, tied for team-high in sacks with seven) has really come on in his second season and has an explosiveness that can be diffcult to contain. He just underwent surgery on his injured thumb and will be wearing a cast Sunday, however. That will effect his ability to break off blocks and should provide a sizeable edge to Green Bay’s offensive line.

Linebackers

Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby (a team-high 109 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble) is the leader of this group. Despite a slight drop-off, stats-wise, from last season, Dansby is a very good 3-4 inside ‘backer, possessing the complete package of skills needed at the position. Neutralizing him will be crucial in achieving a successful ground game Sunday, as the other inside linebacker, Gerald Hayes (63 tackles, no playmaking stats), is really nothing special.

Left outside linebacker Clark Haggans (74 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles) is a former Pittsburgh Steeler brought over by head coach Ken Whisenhunt after the 2007 season. In his ninth year, Haggans is a smart veteran who is still very effective off the ball and can generate solid pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Mark Tauscher will need to be ready.

Truth be told, when I saw the name “Chike Okeafor” listed as Arizona’s starting right outside linebacker, I thought it was maybe Chike Okeafor’s son. Nope. Okeafor (47 tackles, 4.5 sacks), now playing for his third team in 10 years, is still getting it done. Never what you would call a great player, Okeafor (love typing that name, if you didn’t notice) is a tireless worker who truly gets the most out of what he has. He’ll go until the final buzzer and Chad Clifton will have his hands full.

Secondary

Perhaps the strength of the Cardinals’ defense, led by strong safety Adrian Wilson (75 tackles, five interceptions, two sacks, 13 passes defended). Wilson has been, in my mind, one of the game’s most overlooked players of the past few seasons. Certainly he’s one of the game’s best safeties, capable of doing it all. He can play the run, rush the passer and cover with the best of them. He very much reminds me of Green Bay legend LeRoy Butler in that sense. Like the Packers used to do with Butler, Arizona lines Wilson up all over the place to ensure his skills are fully utilized. Green Bay must account for Wilson before every snap.

Second-year cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (50 tackles, six interceptions, 25 passes defended) is well on his way to becoming a top-flight player, as well. Fearless, aggressive and quick, Rodgers-Cromartie can take on anyone. His fearlessness will be needed as his injured kneecap will likely hamper him Sunday and make him a target for Green Bay’s offense.

Antrel Rolle (72 tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defended, one and a half sacks), originally drafted as a corner, is now in his second full season at free safety and has made a nice transition. He still has a corner’s mind set somewhat, so look for him to be aggressive Sunday. He’s also battling an injury (thigh) so Green Bay could be targeting him.

The other starting corner, Bryant McFadden (another Pittsburgh transplant), is in his first full season with Arizona. McFadden (69 tackles, 15 passes defended, no interceptions) is not great, but he’s also not terrible – in other words, the definition of a solid NFL starter.

-Chris Lempesis

The Arizona Cardinals could have quite a few more.

From the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Packers’ safety/special teams ace Derrick Martin (ankle) missed practice Friday. Friday practices are usually the best indicator of whether or not a [...]]]> The Green Bay Packers only appear to have one player in danger of missing Sunday’s wild card game.

The Arizona Cardinals could have quite a few more.

From the fine folks at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Packers’ safety/special teams ace Derrick Martin (ankle) missed practice Friday. Friday practices are usually the best indicator of whether or not a player will be able to suit up that week, so Martin’s absence could equal the loss of Green Bay’s best special teams player.

For the Cardinals, wideout Anquan Boldin (knee/ankle) once again did not practice. The team is trying everything short of bringing in a faith healer to cure Boldin’s injuries. He’ll likely be a game-time decision. Even if he plays, it won’t be the same Boldin.

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee), defensive end Calais Campbell (thumb), free safety Antrel Rolle (thigh) and guard Deuce Lutui (back) all went full but are all still being listed as questionable. Again, even if they play, it’s likely none will be near 100 percent.

Good news for the Packers, indeed.

Dude, we’re Tweeting now!

We at OBOD made a big decision recently: We decided to join the rest of the world on Twitter.

Thursday night, our Twitter page went up. If you’re on there, make sure to add us and we’ll add you back. We’ll be updating that thing pretty consistently throughout the weekend (and beyond), especially during the game Sunday. We’ll also update it whenever a new post goes up on our site. Plus, we might throw a few loosely Packers-related items up there from time-to-time.

Quite honestly, even we’re not completely sure what we will and will not be Tweeting about.

Yeah, that’s going to be fun right there.

-Chris Lempesis

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Ryan Pickett (hamstring) and Brandon Chillar (back) were both were full participants. That’s a very good thing because both will need to play major roles Sunday. 

Derrick Martin (ankle) tested his injury [...]]]> Give the early nod in the injury battle to the Green Bay Packers as they had, essentially, everyone back at practice Wednesday.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Ryan Pickett (hamstring) and Brandon Chillar (back) were both were full participants. That’s a very good thing because both will need to play major roles Sunday. 

Derrick Martin (ankle) tested his injury out and said he should be ready to rock come kickoff. As we’ve said before, he’s probably Green Bay’s best special teams player so it’d be nice to have him back.

Things aren’t going so well for Arizona.

From the Arizona Republic:

All three of its players dealing with somewhat major injuries – wideout Anquan Boldin (knee/ankle), cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee) and defensive end Calais Campbell (thumb) – missed practice.

As of now, it sounds like Campbell will be able to go – in a somewhat less effective role because of his cast. It sounds like it will be much tougher for Boldin and Rodgers-Cromartie, though, particularly Boldin.

Another injury I forgot to mention earlier was the brusied thigh plaguing Cards’ free safety Antrel Rolle. He missed the game last Sunday and once again did not practice Wednesday.

Once again, we at OBOD will do our best to keep you updated on these injuries as the week progresses.

-Chris Lempesis