Railbird Central : free agency

Bush proves Brandt right about income tax concerns

Brian Carriveau — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:44:11 GMT

Maybe the Green Bay Packers aren't drawing free agents due to income tax concerns after all.

Back in April, former Green Bay Packers contract negotiator Andrew Brandt wrote an article for the National Football Post about how players could make more money playing for teams in a state without income taxes.

"The states without income tax, I felt, always had an advantage in recruiting free agent players," wrote Brandt. "Teams in Florida, Tennessee and Texas used the fact that their states had no income tax to show players how much more they would take home than teams in high income tax states (like Wisconsin). In some cases, agents actually showed me data from other teams showing how much more the player would make over the life of the same contract in one of those states. In recruiting players for Green Bay, I would always hear from agents how much more a player would make from, say, the Buccaneers or Texans compared to the 6.6-percent state income tax that Wisconsin would take from Packer players."

Just this week during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Packers defensive back Jarrett Bush spoke to the Green Bay Press-Gazette about the contract he was offered from the Tennessee Titans, which the Packers chose to match.

"It was a win-win situation for me, really," Bush told the Press-Gazette. "Either I went to Tennessee, or I could stay here. Tennessee had no state taxes."

Bush was a highly sought after restricted free agent. In addition to the Titans, he also visited the Baltimore Ravens and reportedly had interest from four other teams.

The fact that Bush chose the Titans over five other teams shows the pull an extra six percent of your paycheck can mean to a player of Bush's caliber. While he's making millions of dollars, he's not making the money top tier free agents make. He only has a few short years to make himself financially set for the rest of his life, and hopefully his family as well.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson has been known as a general manager who hasn't dipped his toe into the free agent pool very often. But is it entirely possible that he's not able to attract free agents to come to a place like Green Bay where it's small, rural and cold in addition to having a state income tax?

For his part, Bush said he was happy to come back to the Packers.

"I know the (Packers) coaching staff, I know the organization, I know where we have training camp, I know the head coach, I know what’s going on here and how things operate," said Bush. "So, I was like, it don’t matter where I go. If I stay, great. If I don’t, great anyway."

But as long as he mentioned the income tax situation, it leaves at least a seed of doubt about whether the Packers can attract free agents compared to the rest of the NFL.

Packers Daily Links 4.15.09

Brian Carriveau — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:00:52 GMT

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The NFL released the entire schedule yesterday, and the Packers' official website gives you all you need all in one place: a downloadable schedule, a printable schedule, their dope sheet, etc. I personally don't get as excited about the release of the schedule as some people do. Mainly I believe it's a fruitless activity trying to predict wins and losses in April as many people are doing right now. I like taking a peek at the schedule just to find out when the nationally televised games are, but I don't really start thinking about the schedule until training camp starts.

That being said, I do admit that the Packers schedule looks easier in the beginning of the year and tough at the end. Packers president Mark Murphy held a press conference yesterday after the release of the schedule and had this to say about it, "I think when you look at the entire schedule, first of all having a chance to open with two games at home right away is something that is a positive. And then although the bye is early, the fact that after our Thanksgiving game we don't play until the following Monday gives you almost like a second bye later in the season." Seeing as they already have a long break following the Thanksgiving game, I would rather have seen the Packers play their following game on a Sunday.

Head coach Mike McCarthy spoke with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the schedule and had to say this about his teams' poor performance at home in cold weather games, "We’ve had a couple of games we can be criticized for things that happened, but other than that I think cold weather favors us. I think it’s definitely an advantage to play outdoor games late. I think as we grow and mature as a football team, making strides to be better overall, that includes cold weather performance." I definitely think the Packers' record at home has to improve. It seems like Lambeau has lost a little bit of mystique ever since the Packers lost that home playoff game to Michael Vick and the Atlantic Falcons.

The schedule suits Packernet just fine.

Cheesehead TV thinks the first month of the season is money.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette found out hotel reservations were coming in at a slow pace. It's likely due to the economy, a poor 2008 season and the fact that the release of the schedule was in the evening rather than the afternoon.

Now that the Packers worked out former Duke point guard Greg Paulus as a quarterback, it's getting a ton of attention. I even heard Mike & Mike talk about it on ESPN Radio as I was coming into work this morning. But not so fast, Paulus attended a spring football practice at Michigan University and is considering transferring there. College athletes have five years to complete four years of any sport they choose. That means Paulus can play one year of college football if he so chooses. And that's really the best idea for him. He seriously might be NFL material, but it would be a risky proposition for any team to take a gamble on him now. In fact, I wonder why Michigan even wants a guy who's going to be around for one year. I'm wondering if Paulus will just stay at Duke, a school that will face good competition and will likely embrace a rusty quarterback with big potential.

Packer Report hints that even though it was Paulus working out for the Packers, the star of the show was Duke wide receiver Eron Riley. I totally agree that Riley will be an underrated prospect that's going to make some team very happy in the mid-round investment.

The Packers signed defensive tackle Brian Soi yesterday. Being a street free agent, Soi won't figure into the equation for losses or gains regarding compensatory draft choices. There's no hurt in signing someone and giving them a shot, but what does this mean at the nose tackle position? Does Soi's signing mean the Packers aren't going to draft a nose tackle? As we analyzed last week, there's only about six nose tackles worth drafting this year. Maybe the Packers aren't enamored with any of them. Soi will be the third player on the Packers' roster that fits the 330-pound profile of the typical 3-4 nose tackle. If the Packers add another rookie, that will be four nose tackles competing for probably two positions.

Enjoy "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. I tried to find Clinton doing "We Want the Funk," but I couldn't find a good video. This will do...

Packers Daily Links 3.27.09

Brian Carriveau — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:59:22 GMT

There's more happening in the world of the Green Bay Packers than meets the eye. Read on...

As you've probably heard by now, the Packers signed their first unrestricted free agent. The Packers agreed to terms with former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Duke Preston who offers some versatility being able to play any of the interior positions plus having experience at right tackle. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel points out that the Packers are starting to add some bigger bodies along the offensive line even if it's not intentionally. If both Duke Preston and Josh Sitton are playing at the same time, the Packers would have a pair of players over 320 pounds. All I can say is, it's about time. The best thing is, they have athleticism to go along with increased size. I'd like to mimic the thoughts of Cheesehead TV when they say, "Let’s hope we see him on some power sweeps."

Packers director of college scouting John Dorsey took in the Ole Miss pro day yesterday, and we can confirm he was watching potential number nine draft pick Michael Oher. According to ProFootballTalk.com, "The 6′5″, 306-pounder drew compliments for his 'great footwork,' per Brandt." Even though most mock drafts have Oher going lower than pick number nine, there's a small contingent of football minds that see him as being worth a top ten choice. And I would not entirely rule out the Packers taking Oher. If you didn't know, Oher's personal life was detailed in a book titled "The Blind Side," which brought to light a tough childhood that may scare away some teams. Some scouts say that if that book hadn't been written, Oher would be a surefire top ten draft pick. It will be required reading as a homework assignment for Railbird Central readers if the Packers draft Oher.

In other pro day news, the Packers were also in attendance at Western Kentucky to check out some prospects yesterday as well. There were no big time players there, but remember these names when it comes to undrafted free agents. "Defensive linemen Terald Clark, Dan Cline and Robert Dark, linebacker Alonzo Higgins, defensive back Marcus Minor, offensive lineman Greg Ryan, and running back Stephen Willis all participated in a variety of strength, speed and agility drills," according to a Western Kentucky press release.

"Sales tax distributions to the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District are down 11 percent in the first quarter," reports Richard Ryman of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. I'm not an economics expert, but I imagine every other team in the NFL is having these same problems. Or at least most of them.

There is a youth football camp this summer being run in part by ex-Green Bay Packer players. Kids ages 6-14 are eligible for a camp at Green Bay East High School in late July. I know if I was a parent, I'd love to send my kid to get instruction from guys like Bryce Paup, Bill Schroeder and John Anderson. Plus I know Dexter McNabb will also be there, and he's used to working with kids. I used to coach against him when he coached track at West DePere and I coached at Lena. Good guy from the little I know.

Feel like being a blogger? Acme Packing Company is taking submissions on potential Packer first round draft choices. Go to their site for more information.

If you're interested, Railroad Earth is playing tonight at the Barrymore in Madison. I haven't entirely ruled out heading to the show on a whim. If anyone here can convince me to go, I just might.

Packers sign first unrestricted free agent

Brian Carriveau — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:44:32 GMT

The Green Bay Packers finally got into the game of unrestricted free agency and signed offensive lineman Duke Preston.

Preston becomes the team's first unrestricted free agent signed. The Packers previously signer former Steelers safety Anthony Smith, but with only three years of NFL service, he was restricted.

According to most published sources, Preston adds size, athleticism and versatility to the Packers' offensive line.

Packer Update might have had the best analysis on Preston saying, "Mike McCarthy may finally be ready to end the game of musical chairs he’s been playing with the offensive line for the past three years. 'Preston can come in and get you through a few games,' said the scout. 'That would allow the other starters to remain in their regular spots. I think McCarthy wants Jason Spitz and Daryn Colledge to focus on one position this season, so adding a veteran makes an awful lot of sense.'"

More on the signing in the Packers Daily Links coming this afternoon.

RIP: Kevin Burnett

Brian Carriveau — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:34:09 GMT

Count new San Diego Chargers linebacker Kevin Burnett among the casualties on our R.I.P. (Rest in Prosperity) list of free agents who won't be signing with the Green Bay Packers.

Personally, I would have liked to have seen the Packers make more of an effort to sign Burnett (I'm sure I'm in the same boat as many other fans). Although I've generally been supportive of the Packers not being spenders in free agency (I think I'm in the minority here).

I understand the Packers are building up their money to re-sign some of their upcoming unrestricted free agents like Greg Jennings, Nick Collins, Daryn Colledge and Atari Bigby. However, they now have the fourth most room in the entire NFL under the salary cap. They can afford to make a mini-splash in free agency.

Burnett seems like the kind of player that would be worth the money. As I've noted before, he has plenty of athleticism, versatility and experience, and he's still young. He's been been blocked from the starting lineup in Dallas with some pretty good players ahead of him.

Alas, I'm not getting paid the big bucks to evaluate NFL talent. Ted Thompson and company know a helluva lot more than me.

Regardless, chalk up another player to add to our RIP list:

LB Kevin Burnett - Chargers

S Mike Adams - Browns

DE Igor Olshansky - Cowboys

DT Grady Jackson - Lions

C Matt Birk - Ravens

S Jim Leonhard - Jets

DL Ronald Fields - Broncos

RB Derrick Ward - Buccaneers

DL Chris Canty - Giants

DL Colin Cole - Seahawks

LB Bart Scott - Jets

DL Antonio Smith - Texans

LB Andra Davis - Broncos

S Brian Dawkins - Broncos

S James Sanders - Patriots

S Yeremiah Bell - Dolphins

DT Albert Haynesworth - Redskins