Cheese Curds, 12/15: Packers' focus shifts from Daniels to rest of defense

[Da-news-now]

The big fish was reeled in on Monday, but still has plenty of work to do on a defense that will see many key players hit free agency.

The Green Bay Packers made a big dent in their offseason goals on Monday, signing Mike Daniels to a contract extension that will keep him a Packer for the next four years. Based on the reactions to the deal both inside the locker room and among Packers fans, this deal is being widely praised as a good move for both parties.

Now questions arise about the team's next-highest priority in free agency. The defense is set to have a number of players hit free agency this offseason, and it's going to be nearly impossible to re-sign every one of them. Ted Thompson and company won't have an easy job keeping this unit together come March.

Daniels wanted to stay in Green Bay | Packersnews.com
The best part of this story is Wes' description of the Packers "mobbing" Daniels when he came into the weight room to do his usual Monday workout.

With 7 free agents, keeping Packers defense together will be difficult | JSOnline.com
Now that Daniels is back in the fold for good, the Packers have some tough decisions to make about some starters on defense. Furthermore, one of the biggest decisions will be whether or not to keep Julius Peppers and his $10.5 million cap hit.

2016 NFL Free Agency: Cornerbacks Overview - Over the Cap
With Mike Daniels locked up, Casey Hayward is one of the Packers' next-highest priorities. Over the Cap projects him to get a 4-year deal worth around $30 million if he hits the open market, and with the play of the Packers' rookies, it would be a surprise to see Ted Thompson match that.

Long runs only blemish in Packers' solid defensive effort | Packers.com
Even when including those long runs, the Packers' defense allowed just 270 total yards to Dallas' offense, the second-lowest yardage allowed of any game this season.

German announcers call TE Rodgers' 3-yard TD | Packers.com
Ever wonder what football sounds like in German? "Aaron auf Richie" is just too much fun.

Did Nick Saban have Packers RB Eddie Lacy benched? | 247sports.com
Sure, NFL coaches talk to college coaches all the time. We missed this report from ESPN's Ed Werder on Sunday...do you believe that the Packers looked for a reason to put Lacy on the bench, or that it was just a coincidence that this conversation happened around the same time as Lacy's breach of curfew?

The favorite gameday snacks of football fans in all 50 states | For The Win
This is horribly flawed and inaccurate. Want proof? It named "pasta" as Wisconsin's favorite. Go home, terrible study, you're .

Continue reading @http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/ ...

 

[Cheesedog]

Here are the seven defensive players who are set to become free agents: nose tackle B.J. Raji, defensive tackle Letroy Guion, cornerback Casey Hayward, linebacker Nick Perry, linebacker Andy Mulumba, safety Chris Banjo and Neal.

Raji - hmm not sure I'd throw much $ at him. But having him back for consistency would be good at a decent price...

Guion - Buh-bye

Hayward - With Rollins and Randall showing promise, not sure if he wants big $$. But he is 4th on team in tackles and has 6 PD's.. Would be nice to have him back.

Perry - No need, can find someone as good in draft or UDFA

Mulumba - see above

Banjo - at a cheap price why not

Neal - At the right price

Peppers and his 10 mil cap hit.. That's a tough one. He leads the team in sacks. Does he continue that next year? Or fall off a cliff? If he's willing to renegotiate to lower the cap hit then ya. But even at his age who takes over if he leaves/retires and will give you 7+ sacks?

 

[57packer]

Maybe if they draft another ILB or are comfortable with who they have, they can move CM3 back outside to take over for Peppers, should Peppers decide to call it quits or if the Packers decide to pull the plug.