01.25.17 - Future at RB in 2017 -- other FA thoughts from an offensive perspective

Snippet from Rob Demovsky:

http://www.espn.com/blog/green-bay-packers/post/_/id/37177/eddie-lacys-future-will-impact-what-packers-do-at-running-back

Eddie Lacy says he wants to come back, but at what price?

Ty Montgomery looks like a full-time running back, but can he handle more than a dozen carries per game -- something he did only once this past season after he converted from receiver

And who knows what’s in the future for James Starks, who hasn’t played since he suffered a concussion in a Dec. 12 car crash, or in-season pickup Christine Michael.

It’s why Lacy, whose rookie contract is set to expire, will be one of the Packers’ most important decisions in free agency.

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I think the above statements (by Demovsky) are reasonable at this time.  One thing I believe is we'll have three RBs (not including Ripkowski, who I like very much as a FB & occasionally with the ball).  Ty Montgomery is a given and definitely part of the equation at RB (wish he could keep his #88 as a RB).

I would cut James Starks.  I would consider resigning Christine Michael for veteran's minimum as the 3rd RB.  If not, then they'll either have to draft somebody (not a bad option) or bring in a FA, UDFA, one of their practice squad guys, or maybe even bring John Crockett back (2016 IR).

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When last seen around the facility, he looked at least as big as he was at this time last year, when coach Mike McCarthy called him out publicly for being overweight. Perhaps the Packers and Lacy would agree on a short-term deal similar to the two-year, $6 million contract Starks signed last offseason. 2016 pay: $867,602 base salary, no bonuses

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I'd love to see Eddie Lacy resigned for the 2nd part of the equation at RB.  I suppose the key to resigning him the the financial aspect...what amount will Eddie resign for is the question.  I think he's worth considerably more than what they offered Starks...maybe in the ~$9-10m range but that's just a WAG at this point.  I think anything less than that is good for the Packers.

Demovsky also discusses other offensive players that are pending 2017 FAs (TJ Lang, Jared Cook, JC Tretter, and Don Barclay).  It's highly unlikely the Packers can/will resign all four of these guys. Barclay is JAG but might be worth while to resign as a bench player for minimum salary.  Jarred Cook is pretty much a must sign but the $$ needs to be reasonable for cap purposes.  I'd definitely resign TJ Lang who IMO is the #1 guy that needs to be resigned from an offensive perspective.

Bottom Line: resign TJ Lang, Jared Cook, and Eddie Lacy.

Defense is next to look at...at another time.