Super Bowl Remains Packers GM Ted Thompson’s Focus; Will He Go ‘All In’?

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Green Bay Packers got to the NFC Championship Game, thanks to a dominating finish to the season.
However, with a trip to the Super Bowl on <a href="http://www.authenticnflraidersshop.com/shop-by-players-al-davis-jersey-c-2_45.html">Al Davis Authentic Jersey</a> the line, it was the Packers who were dominated by the Atlanta Falcons.
So are the Packers close to getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2010? Or is there a significant gulf to overcome?
“We start out every year the same, and this is kind of the start of it, getting ready for the draft, getting ready for free agency, the whole thing,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said when asked that question – one he termed “nasty” at the Scouting Combine on Wednesday.
“We’re getting ready for one thing and it’s to try to get to the Super Bowl <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tony-dorsett-jersey-c-2_42.html">http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tony-dorsett-jersey-c-2_42.html and win the Super Bowl. We don’t try for anything else,” he continued. “Every year that’s exactly what we’re going to do every time is try to win the Super Bowl. And we understand it’s hard to do. We understand that there’s twists and turns on the road. It’s unbelievable how difficult that is, but we try to do it every single year. We’ve come up short a few times but we’ve also done some battling, and it’s not an easy thing to walk away from. It wasn’t easy for any of us, and certainly our players, to walk away from Atlanta because it’s too much heartache, too much pain that’s gone into trying to do something. And this is something special that people are trying to do.”
There are significant hurdles to be overcome if Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers are to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in their careers. The running, jumping and interviewing of the draft prospects at the Scouting Combine will be at the forefront of all of that. So, too, will be the conversations with the agents of free agents. The Packers have a significant group of free agents for Thompson to consider, including outside linebacker Nick Perry, guard T.J. Lang, defensive back Micah Hyde and tight end Jared Cook.
“That’s our intention and it’s our intention every year. I stand on this podium every year and say the same thing,” Thompson said of retaining those players. “Our best intentions would be to sign as many of our own players as we can and <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-cody-wallace-jersey-c-2_30.html">http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-cody-wallace-jersey-c-2_30.html keep it together.”
Free agency starts on March 9 – though other teams can start negotiating with the Packers’ free agents beginning on March 7 – so the clock is ticking for Thompson to keep his prioritized players off the market.
“It’s an artificial deadline,” Thompson said. “Not that free agency’s not going to start at a certain time, it’s just once you get to this particular point, there’s very little risk of the player getting injured, so there’s not a push on the side of the player to hurry up to get a deal done. But, at the same time, sometimes they’d prefer to stay and deals get done earlier than we think. It’s worked both ways, as you guys know. Over the years, we’ve signed several right at the start of free agency and my guess is that’s what’s going to happen this year.”
Thompson has the Packers armed with about $40 million of salary cap space, based on a reported 2017 salary cap of $167 million. That ranks 13th in the league, according to OverTheCap.com, meaning the Packers have the war chest to go shopping – as does most of the league, with a total of 18 teams having at least $32 million of cap space.
Will Thompson break from his long-standing track record and participate in unrestricted free agency? Will he do something approximating “all in,” as Rodgers suggested was necessary after the season? With Thompson’s career winding down – and Rodgers on the back nine of his career – will Thompson change his approach?
Thompson, as expected, wouldn’t divulge his offseason strategy.
“It doesn’t matter how old we are, we’re going to try to <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-joe-gilliam-jersey-c-2_71.html">Joe Gilliam Authentic Jersey</a> do the exact same thing every year,” Thompson said. “We’re going to try to get to the Super Bowl and win it. And that’s what we’re going to try to do again this year.”

SF Police: No timetable in Aldon Smith’s domestic violence case

There is no timetable for <a href="http://www.authenticnflraidersshop.com/shop-by-players-aldon-smith-jersey-c-2_62.html">Aldon Smith Jersey</a> a resolution in Aldon Smiths’ ongoing domestic violence case, a spokeswoman with the San Francisco police tells Bill Williamson of All22.com

Smith’s one-year NFL suspension <a href="http://www.authenticnflraidersshop.com/shop-by-players-aldon-smith-jersey-c-2_62.html">http://www.authenticnflraidersshop.com/shop-by-players-aldon-smith-jersey-c-2_62.html ended back in November, but Commissioner Roger Goodell has decided not to reinstate Smith. He announced during the year that Smith would not return in 2016, leaving open the possibility of him appearing on the field next season.

He is yet to total a full season since 2012, as he has been suspended on numerous occasions by the league for a litany of violations. He has appeared in just nine games as a member of the Raiders, making 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks, before he was suspended in the middle of the season for an entire calendar year. That ban stemmed from an August 2015 hit-and-run incident, which led to him being released by his then-team San Francisco 49ers.

He was chosen with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by San Francisco, and quickly ascended to the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, being named to his only Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro.

Then in 2013, he was arrested for DUI, leading to <a href="http://www.authenticnflraidersshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-holmes-jersey-c-2_41.html">http://www.authenticnflraidersshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-holmes-jersey-c-2_41.html him voluntarily checking into rehab, which caused a five-game absence. Before 2014, he was arrested for claiming to have a bomb at Los Angeles International Airport. In 2014, he served a nine-game suspension due to violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. In the last four seasons combined, he has missed 37 games due to suspension and/or violations.

Cowboys free agents most likely to return: Why bringing Terrell McClain back is crucial to D-line

Free agency begins on March 9.

Fans often focus on players from <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html">Antonio Brown Jersey</a> other teams the Cowboys should or intend to pursue. That's the wrong way to look at it.

The club's emphasis is retaining its own players before they hit free agency.

There are currently 18 free agents on <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tony-romo-jersey-c-2_3.html">Tony Romo Youth Jersey</a> the team's roster. Here's the likely priority list.
No. 3: DT Terrell McClain
Type: Unrestricted

2016 impact: The Cowboys allowed an average of 83.5 yards on the ground to lead the league in run defense. McClain was the <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-lp-ladouceur-jersey-c-2_45.html">http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-lp-ladouceur-jersey-c-2_45.html primary reason. The starting defensive tackle led the team's defensive linemen with 41 tackles. He forced two fumbles, had three tackles for a loss and came up with 2.5 sacks.

Dallas picked up Cedric Thornton in free agency last season to plug into the 1-technique spot on the line because McClain had missed 14 games in 2015 with a toe injury. But McClain showed last season he is the better player and regained his starting job with no questions asked.

Why he's likely to return: He's carved out a starting role in the Cowboys' defensive front. He's physical and showed he can stay healthy for an entire season. McClain is <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html">http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html a very good player but not one dominant enough to command big money on the open market. He forms a solid rotation with Thornton and needs to return so the Cowboys can concentrate on upgrading the end positions.

Tony Romo reportedly turned down a 'very good off-field' job offer

The Dallas Cowboys are the focal <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tony-romo-jersey-c-2_3.html">Tony Romo Jersey</a> point of the offseason, which is nothing new for them, but the reason why is different this year. Everyone wants to know where Tony Romo will play in 2017. As CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports, there is a lot of noise out there, but only a couple clear-cut contenders.

There is also the nuclear option of retirement for Romo, but that doesn’t actually appear to be on the table. According to Peter King of The MMQB, Romo is “likely” going to play and has already turned down “at least one very good off-field job offer” this offseason.

It’s likely he plays somewhere in 2017, and I say that because I know he had a chance to get at least one very good off-field job offer since the end of the regular season,” King wrote Monday. “He didn’t do it, because he still wants to play. He knows everyone thinks he’s a piece of fine china and will crack if dropped to the floor. There’s nothing he can do about that other than to play.”

Romo is the prized possession of free agency, assuming he’s released by the <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tony-romo-jersey-c-2_3.html">Tony Romo Youth Jersey</a> Cowboys, which is looking like a more likely result than a possible trade from Dallas.

It was probably always the outcome anyway, just because of Romo’s untenable -- from a trade perspective -- contract, and the close connection between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Romo. If you love something, Jerry, set it free.

Hitting the market will open a floodgate for potential suitors, with the Broncos topping Vegas’ list of landing spots.

There are a pair of teams that make more sense than Denver, however. In working up a list of teams who should be aggressive this offseason to try and “win now,” I identified the Chiefs and Texans as two teams who should pursue Romo to take them over the top in their respective divisions.

King agrees, pegging Kansas City and Houston as possible landing <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-terrell-mcclain-jersey-c-2_64.html">http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-terrell-mcclain-jersey-c-2_64.html spots for Romo, pointing out that Andy Reid “has never minded upsetting the apple cart for a potentially special player” and that Alex Smith would be “mature enough” to handle the addition of Romo to the roster. (Nick Foles is expected to be a cap casualty.)

The Texans might make even more sense, considering the close geographical proximity to Dallas.

“Romo’s druthers, I think, would be to stay in Texas. Houston’s a 40-minute private-plane ride. Kansas City’s double that. Romo’s got his third child on the way and loves the Dad life,” King wrote.

The biggest obstacle to the Texans might be Jones. Would the Cowboys owner be willing to let Houston draw away some of the Cowboys’ publicity by signing one of his favorite players to ever? That might be a tough sell.

On the other hand, it would mean Romo goes to the AFC, which means that Romo can’t impede the Cowboys from making it to Super Bowl LII.

The good news for Jerry too, is that he’ll get to soak up the <a href="http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tyron-smith-jersey-c-2_9.html">http://www.authenticcowboysstore.com/shop-by-players-tyron-smith-jersey-c-2_9.html drama over the next few weeks, as the Cowboys remain the focal point of the NFL, thanks to their backup quarterback.

Johnson re-signs with the Steelers

When last season ended, Steven <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-leveon-bell-jersey-c-2_8.html">Le'Veon Bell Jersey</a> Johnson didn’t make it a secret. He wanted to return to the Steelers in 2017.

Johnson, who was slated to become an unrestricted free <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-marcus-gilbert-jersey-c-2_23.html">Marcus Gilbert Womens Jersey</a> agent on March 9, loved his first year in Pittsburgh, even if it was injury-marred, and wanted to be back.

“I am excited to be with this organization,” said Johnson at the end of the season. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I am looking forward to next year because this team has a great opportunity to win a championship and I want to be a part of it. I am praying I get an opportunity next year.”

Johnson got what he wished for when he was re-signed to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Johnson, who signed with <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-greg-lloyd-jersey-c-2_34.html">http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-greg-lloyd-jersey-c-2_34.html the Steelers as a free agent from Tennessee last year, played in only six games in 2016, finishing with six special teams tackles. His season ended early when he suffered an ankle injury against Dallas in Week 10, and he was placed on the reserve/injured list.

And while there was disappointment not being able to finish out the season, his overall experience being with the Steelers is what ignited his desire to remain in black and gold.

“I came here with high expectations for myself,” said Johnson. “Then I got hurt. It’s just a part of the game. I was happy that I was able to still be around the team in a tough situation. Coach (Mike) Tomlin is a great coach. He reminds me of my dad. That is why I am so drawn to this organization.

“I am very grateful for (last) year. It built my zeal for the game. It grew this year. Being here, there aren’t many places like it. A lot of guys won’t understand it <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-hines-ward-jersey-c-2_53.html">http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-hines-ward-jersey-c-2_53.html because they haven’t been anywhere else. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I have been on that other side. It’s a good organization here. Good players, teammates, coaches, good owners, good atmosphere. Good locker room. Everything here is good. They are going to put you in the best position to win championships. Being a part of the Steelers Nation, it’s one of a kind.”

Johnson, who will be entering his sixth season, has played in 63 games with seven starts in the regular season. He has played in five postseason games, starting one.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announces eight Pittsburgh area K-9 grants

Today, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl Quarterback and Findlay, OH native, Ben Roethlisberger, announced the final grants of the 2016-17 season [url=http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html]Ben Roethlisberger Jersey[/url] from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The Foundation will be distributing eight grants totaling $76,000 to police departments in the Pittsburgh, PA area where the Steelers play their home games.

he K-9 departments receiving funding from [url=http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html]Ben Roethlisberger Authentic Jersey[/url] the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation this year include the Arnold Police Department, Castle Shannon Police Department, Findlay Township Police Department, Ligonier Township Police Department, Mt. Oliver Police Department, Penn Hills Police Department, West Mifflin Borough Police Department, and Wheeling West Virginia Police Department. These departments will be utilizing their respective grants in a variety of canine-focused initiatives including the purchase and training of new K-9s, replacing and upgrading K-9 vehicles and the acquisition of new safety and training equipment.

This announcement completes the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation’s tenth grant cycle, during which it distributed more than $150,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country. In addition to the Pittsburgh grants announced, the Foundation distributed grants [url=http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html]Ben Roethlisberger Kids Jersey[/url] to K-9 units of police departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

The mission of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States, with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA. Roethlisberger and the Foundation also strive to support Make-A-Wish. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $1.7 million since 2007.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is grateful for its generous supporters who have enabled it to expand its K-9 grant program, including Pro Camps and Allegheny County District Attorney Office, as well as caring individual donors from around the country.

Sgt. Neil H. Cridge stated, “On behalf of the Findlay Township Police Department and its residents, we would like to extend our appreciation to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation and The Giving Back Fund for their continued dedication to the law enforcement community! With the grant funding, the Findlay Township Police K-9 Unit was able to continue the program after the passing of K-9 Axel. This grant allows small departments like ours to continue to provide a higher level of service to our community, as well as surrounding areas. K-9 Scooby has already begun to make his mark in our area on the street and in the community.”

Sgt. James Friscarella said, “On behalf of the Ligonier Township Police and K-9 Kilo, I would like to send a heartfelt thank you [url=http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html]http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html[/url] for providing us with the grant to help fund our K-9 program. Without the help of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, we would not be able to outfit our program with the latest in technology to keep Kilo and I safe. This grant is accepted in the memory of Lt. Eric Eslary who was killed in the line of duty in 2015. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation had previously funded Lt. Eslary’s K-9 program with K-9 Blek. Thank you again.”

Officer Thomas Snyder said, “Mt. Oliver Police Department is thankful to Ben and the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for the work that they have done and their continued support for law enforcement K-9 units. With the grant, we are able to continue our program and place a new K-9 team in service.”

Chief Howard Burton commented, “The Penn Hills Police Department greatly appreciates the generosity of Mr. Roethlisberger and The Giving [url=http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html]http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html[/url] Back Fund for their support of local law enforcement agencies. The awarding of this K-9 grant will allow the Penn Hills Police Department to fill the K-9 position that has been vacant due to funding issues over the past year. The addition of this K-9 will bring our K-9 division up to its full complement of four teams. All of our K-9s are Roethlisberger grant dogs.”

Chief Kenneth I. Davies said, “It is with the sincerest appreciation and gratitude that the West Mifflin Police Department can convey to Ben Roethlisberger and the Foundation for your outstanding contribution to our canine program. These funds are critical for our department’s continued development of a professional canine program that serves and assists the people in our community and the region. Again, thank you, your generosity and commitment to public safety is to be commended.”

In commenting on why the [url=http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html]http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-ben-roethlisberger-jersey-c-2_3.html[/url] mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, “We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”

Antonio Brown’s agents in Pittsburgh, with contract talks looming

It wasn’t a video, but Antonio Brown <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html">Antonio Brown Jersey</a> has used social media to reveal another potentially big story.

According to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html">Antonio Brown Womens Jersey</a> Tribune-Review, the Steelers wide receiver posted a photo of himself with his agents in Pittsburgh this week on his Snapchat account, which could be reasonably assumed to be an indication of contract talks with the Steelers beginning.

The photo shows Brown with agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus atop Mt. Washington, and while Pittsburgh’s a lovely city, it’s hardly a destination for the Miami-based pair unless they’re doing business. They also represent Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who is scheduled to be a free agent in a few weeks.

Brown has one year left on his deal, which is the point at which the Steelers have been saying they’d negotiate a new one with him since his $4.7 million salary makes him underpaid (in the relative, this is an athlete we’re talking about here sense).

The wide receiver has been working in <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html">http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html recent weeks to “rebuild the trust” with the Steelers after he made them angry with his Facebook Live video from a postgame locker room. And it appears there’s at least some talks about taking him up on his desire to be a “Steeler for life.”

$35 Million under the cap and they won’t take huge cap hits in signing Bell and Brown, they will spread it out for the length of the contracts, knowing the <a href="http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html">http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-antonio-brown-jersey-c-2_14.html salary cap will continue to go up year after year. Then, they will convert the salary to a signing bonus to free up space if need be.

Whoever thinks that they will take a huge hit in 2017-18 on three players clearly doesn’t know the process. I have 100% confidence in Omar Khan and Kevin Colbert, as well as Mr. Rooney.

I’m already excited for next season, especially with Heyward and Bryant coming back in the mix!