Mar 5, 2010
The Packers have decided to give tender offers to 9 of their restricted free agents. This list includes safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby, cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Will Blackmon, guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz, end Johnny Jolly, fullback John Kuhn and tight end Spencer Havner. Notably absent were punter Jeremy Kapinos and running back DeShawn Wynn.
What does all this mean? Well, each tender is leveled so the team will receive some sort of compensation from any team who signs one of these players. For example, Nick Collins and Tramon Williams received the highest level tender both money-wise and compensation-wise. If any team gives these players a higher offer, they will have to surrender a both a first and third round pick for either Collins or Williams. Johnny Jolly also received a high first round tender. These moves basically assure that these players will be back with the team next year.
Giving Johnny Jolly a high tender worth almost $3 million dollars for next year seems like a bit of a surprise considering his availability for next year is in question. He has a felony drug charge that has a good chance of netting him a four game (could be more) suspension, with the possibility of jail time. His play on the field last year was undeniably a major factor in why the team would offer him such a high tender.
Daryn Colledge, who is reportedly angry with the Packers, received a second round tender. This is also a high level tender that will most likely keep away offers from other teams. Colledge had made his desire to test free agency known and is not pleased that his options are very much limited now. Jason Spitz and Atari Bigby also got second round tenders, and will most likely be playing in green and gold next season (for at least the preseason).
Will Blackmon received a fourth round tender, so he will brought back for the preseason with a major opportunity to compete for playing time on defense. It is still up in the air whether the team should keep him or not though.
Low level offers were given to John Kuhn and Spencer Havner.
