By CHRIS HAVEL
Thompson continues history of keeping best young players beyond rookie deal
Thompson’s ability to retain his best draft picks at or before the end of their rookie contract is extraordinary. Cobb is merely the latest. Before him there was Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, Sam Shields, the offensive linemen and so on.
Re-signing the best players to at-or-below market price – while maintaining cohesion in the locker room – is essential to the Packers’ draft-and-develop philosophy. The Packers have done this masterfully.
Consider Cobb’s deal. It favors the Packers because Cobb’s $17 million guaranteed is likely $4 million less in guaranteed money than other teams were offering. Clearly, the Packers didn’t overpay to keep Cobb. They get a talented, high-production receiver who is just entering his prime (24) who is well-versed in the Green Bay offense. They also keep a play-maker who is the perfect complement to Jordy Nelson.
Essentially, the Packers guaranteed $17 million knowing Cobb merely needs to perform the next two seasons to make it money well spent. At his age, and given his quarterback’s Hall of Fame talent, there is no reason Cobb shouldn’t post huge numbers.
For Cobb, the deal is excellent on several levels. First, by guaranteeing Cobb $17 million the Packers got within reach of other team’s bigger offers. Cobb wasn’t put in the difficult position of having to choose between doing the economically wise thing by leaving for a lot more money or staying in Green Bay, winning and being happy. It would make no sense for Cobb to agree to a deal with Jacksonville, for instance, for only $1 million per year more in guaranteed money.
Second, Cobb’s deal is for four years, not the five years some suitors reportedly were seeking. Cobb will be 27 when he enters his next contract year. He will have been catching passes from Rodgers, barring disaster, which means big statistics and a big payday.
Third, Cobb gets to stay with a team who values and utilizes his talents. It doesn’t hurt that the Packers are perennial playoff contenders, and it is likely Cobb feels this team is close to a championship.
Frankly, the Packers surprised me by guaranteeing $17 million, and Cobb surprised me by keeping the Packers in the forefront throughout. This deal doesn’t happen if Cobb is unwilling to consider less money. To everyone who criticized Thompson a week ago because it appeared the Packers wouldn’t retain Cobb, feel free to send your apologies to 1265 Lombardi Ave. To everyone who guessed Cobb would be a selfish, greedy player who would sign the highest offer, feel free to re-board the bandwagon. There’s plenty of room.
In fact, there’s plenty of money remaining under the Packers’ salary cap with several key positions to fill. Don’t be surprised if the Packers show interest in veteran defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, at least one inside linebacker (Brandon Spikes, perhaps), and quite possibly a tight end (Julius Thomas).
In terms of re-signing their own, Thompson’s focus now turns to right tackle Bryan Bulaga and cornerback Tramon Williams. If everything works out, it’s possible the Packers could retain both.
So far this offseason, Thompson has cleaned house at inside linebacker, retained Cobb at a terrific but fair price, and set the stage for acquiring more help through free agency with the draft still weeks away. Isn’t it amazing how much smarter Thompson and the Packers look today than they did a week ago?
Some fans will never learn.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
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-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
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-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly