Since Ted Thompson’s return to Green Bay as general manager of Packers in 2005, the team has used the franchise brand only twice. In both cases, the team used it on defensive attackers – first at Corey Williams in 2008 and again at Ryan Pickett in 2010.
These two movements ended up having very different results. Pickett would sign a long-term agreement with the Packers again a few weeks later. Instead, Williams was traded days after obtaining the label, giving the Packers a good draft choice as compensation.
In 2021, there is really only one player who would make any sense as a potential tag recipient, but the Packers would probably be taking Williams’ approach if they wanted to mark the running back Aaron Jones. Still, this could be an astute move by Brian Gutekunst, especially if he knows he can’t or won’t sign Jones again and whether he would be able to close a deal to get solid draft compensation. There is a bit of smoke connecting Jones and the Miami Dolphins, a team that has four choices in the top 50. If Gutey could negotiate for the 50th overall choice – hell, if he could just get a third round at 81 – that would be a tremendous move.
If it doesn’t, don’t expect Jones to receive a label or return as a Packers holder in 2021. That job probably belongs to AJ Dillon, the team’s choice in the second round of a year ago. But designing much of the rest of the list is more difficult. Between a serious injury, some movements inside the offensive line and some possible cuts in the squad that have not yet occurred in the defense, there are a number of moving parts to be foreseen. Still, a beat writer tried to guess who the team’s 22 regular players will be (plus three experts).
The initial projected lineups of the Packers: what the first weeks would look like – The Athletic (signature)
The big surprises, as they are, include David Bakhtiari getting ready for the first week, Dean Lowry staying on the team and Richard Sherman arriving via the free agency.
Elgton Jenkins and Adrian Amos were invaluable for the 2020 Packers | Packers.com
Jenkins received a wave from the Pro Bowl after entering the field at all offensive moments of the season, lining up in four different positions for that. Amos was equally versatile, losing just a few clicks on defense at the end of the explosions.
Playing tag with Aaron Jones could benefit Packers in the draft | Packersnews.com (subscription)
Pete Dougherty suggests that the Packers could score and trade Jones, just as they did Corey Williams in 2008. Green Bay gave Williams the franchise mark, then traded him with Cleveland for a second round choice that they would use later on Brian Brohm. If the Packers mark Jones, however, they will need to carry the amount of the tag (projected at around $ 8.5 million) on the cap until it is negotiated.
Aaron Rodgers receives the Golden Globe scream from Jodie Foster; now the game has started | Packersnews.com
First, Aaron Rodgers thanked Jodie Foster in his MVP speech. Then she thanked her in her Golden Globe speech. The two have not yet met.
Louis Nix, 29, former Notre Dame football star, found dead after missing | ESPN
Nix was chosen in the third round of the draft a few years ago and a player who was on the radar of Packers fans. This is a terrible tragedy and we wish the best for the Nix family.
Divers steal stale beer from shipwreck in Argentina | Irish Times
700 liters of beer stayed at the bottom of the ocean for a few months after three breweries decided to experience creative aging.