Lattimore Signs Tender

ALLGBP.com All Green Bay Packers All the Time
Packers Linebacker Jamari Lattimore
Lattimore will return to the Packers in 2014

According to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, linebacker Jamari Lattimore has signed his contract tender, which is good for one year, and will remain with the Green Bay Packers in 2014.

Lattimore stands to make $1.4 million this season, up from the $561,000 he earned in 2013.  The Packers ultimately decided that it was too risky to let Lattimore become an unrestricted free agent and chose to place the original round tender on him earlier this spring.

By doing so, the Packers at least assured themselves the ability to match any offer sheet that Lattimore might have signed with another team.  No offers for Lattimore were reported and had he signed elsewhere with the Packers not matching the deal, they would have received no compensation for him because he was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011.

Lattimore stepped in adequately for a stretch at inside linebacker when starter Brad Jones suffered an injury early during the 2013 season.  Lattimore recorded 35 tackles and two sacks in 15 games.

He was also said to be one of the players who stepped forward and spoke to the team during halftime of the Packers’ game against the Dallas Cowboys last season.  Down 26-3 at the half, the Packers went on to beat the Cowboys behind backup quarterback Matt Flynn.  It proved to be a vital late-season win and it helped enable the Packers to edge out the Chicago Bears for the NFC North division title.

——————

Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com

Follow Jason Perone:


              

——————



30 thoughts on “Lattimore Signs Tender

  1. Another mega signing by Trader Ted! How does he do it? Start engraving the Lombardi. AJ, B Jones, Malumba and now Jamari? Dom has all the pieces in place to move up to a top 28D

    1. Go back and look at the Ravens and Browns games, it turned about to be fortunate the Packers had his, he played his ass off. Clearly you haven’t paid ANY attention, The Packers are tied with the Saints since 2009 with most wins in the NFC at regular season wins, and just as many Lombardi Trophies as anyone else since 2009. Look at Philly, Tampa, Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, and others that do nothing but sign FA, have cap issues, and LOSE!

      If you’re really a Packers fan, (which I doubt since you name yourself after Morris Minnesota favorite son), then you’d see just how well the Packers have done despite all the injuries. With all the players coming off IR, the others that were hurt during the playoff game against the 49ers, or the one’s that came back just in time to BEAT Chicago, then you’d see TT did just about everything he needed to do PLUS have $15 million in cap space left.

      I was born in Wisconsin but grew up in Minnesota. Believe me, I understand your negativity living there. You guys still clutching to the Bud Grant years and the 87 and 91 Twins? Sad, so sad.

  2. Remember — Lattimore’s value is on special teams, not so much at linebacker. The Packers need all the special teams help they can get. $1.4 million is reasonable and he will see minutes at ILB at some point. He just needs to be more consistent. Plus, he’s only 25, so it’s not like he’s some old geezer.

  3. BDylan: So he’s not a mega save-the-defense signing. Reserve your criticism until after the draft, and you see how all of these pieces fit together. This is a good management decision to sign backups with potential to develop in the scheme. This is a ‘draft & develop’ step…so if you think TT is a ‘draft and develop’ guy, then here is some proof. I wonder about the numerous 1 year contracts though. Seems like that is not very conducive to developing a player to be comfortable/confident in your future schemes. But Lattimore is solid contributor, and good move if TT devotes a round 1 or 2 pick for ILB. I’ll judge TT upon the final 53 roster at Game 1.

  4. BDylan: So he’s not a mega save-the-defense signing. Reserve your criticism until after the draft, and you see how all of these pieces fit together. This is a good management decision to sign backups with potential to develop in the scheme. This is a ‘draft & develop’ step…so if you think TT is a ‘draft and develop’ guy, then here is some proof. I wonder about the numerous 1 year contracts though. Seems like that is not very conducive to developing a player to be comfortable/confident in your future schemes. But Lattimore is solid contributor, and good move if TT devotes a round 1 or 2 pick for ILB. I’ll judge TT upon the final 53 roster at Game 1.

    1. Bob Dylan doesn’t understand the TEAM concept. They all can’t be All Pro’s Bob, it’s called a salary cap. For every Rodgers or Matthews you need a few Lattimores.

  5. Sometimes the one year contract is the way to go. You alluded to the draft. If GB drafts Mosley or Shazier, (or someone later), then GB can decide after training camp who to keep from Hawk, Jones, Barrington, Aijewa, Lattimore and the rookie or even rookies. And Lattimore can be extended later, or he or someone else can be released even. Though signed, Lattimore’s contract is not guaranteed. So, while its not the biggest move in the world, I, too, will wait to see the 53 man roster.

    1. Yes. Good point, and I understand that line of logic. But some guys don’t respond to being on ‘disposable status’, and it might not always bring out the best in players not having the team commit to the player beyond a year. Seems a two year contract signals commitment.

      1. It would help to set a few examples though. Like getting rid of non performers like Raji instead of paying them to stick around. Firing Capers would have been a good place to start and replacing him with a young hungry prospect. Hawk would make a good back up but his constant tackling from behind and lack of pass rush does not make him a asset to the defense, the sad part is he is the best of the worst. Culture and attitude need to change to improve the defense and I don’t see either changing.

  6. Were they really that worried about him becoming an unrestricted free agent? Were there a bunch of teams waiting to throw a buttload of money at him?

      1. Wow, can’t figure out how that happened but I’m glad it did. They must not have watched him play in any of the packer games or he must be some body’s relative?

        1. Yeah Newhouse is someone’s relative. His name is Robert Newhouse, late of the Dallas Cowboys. Marshall Newhouse is is nephew.

          Don’t you know anything? Either way, Newhouse needed a change of scenery, not that I think he’ll be improved but the expectations will be much lower as a backup.

      2. I have a feeling as dumb as Raji was last year playing like he did in a contract year, we’ll see totally different Raji this season playing where he’s supposed to, NT.

  7. I’m glad we have him backing up and playing a role on ST for another year, but MAN… talk about one position (ILB) being paid WAY more than its corresponding production! (Hawk, Jones, Lattimore etc..)

  8. Hate to shoot holes in your detective work. Happen to be a big Dylan fan and even bigger Packer fan. Not from MN. and hate the Vikings. Been a die hard for 50 years! Stockholder since ’97, live in Tampa and have been to Lambeau 7 times. In Dallas for the SB. Reason for the pot stirring is, as much as I love the Pack, that’s how much I don’t like TT.. Yes they win that division just about every year & will probably win it again if they stay healthy. Frustration lies in knowing they are maybe one impact player on defense from being more dangerous in January and Feb. Don’t disagree with draft & develop philosophy, but I firmly believe a safety like TJ Ward, who signed with Denver for 1/2 of what Byrd got from NO, might have been that player. Thompson dabbled & Woodson paid huge didvidends. The fact he’s dabbled just 5 times in 8 years is insane. We’ve had less than stellar results from high picks since CM. Not a subscriber of the win at all costs now philosophy demonstated this year by Denver and others in the past. However, if someone out three would have been disappointed if we signed a Ward type FA, you are really not paying attention. You don’t have to be reckeless, but you do have to demonstrate some degree of flexability, and Thompson just doesn’t! No, i’m not a troll, just someone who has a very strong dislike for someone with his head buried in the sand.

    1. Bob, I agree 100%. Here’s the thing, if you disagree with anything TT does, these boys will turn on you like rabbid dogs and call you a troll. The majority on here are TT malt liquor drinkers and are uncapable of thinking on their own. If you have an opinion different from theirs, look out, they put the TT blinders on and the fangs come out. Don’t try to break the good ole boy fraternity.

    2. BDylan, this post is much better than your first one. I can agree with a many points here, but not many on your first post.

  9. Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson said that the team (meaning Ted himself) signed highly-regarded free agent Julius Peppers because “there’s no evidence of any decline in his play.” Really?! Did he watch the Bears last year? Does he realize JP failed to garner a single sack in the entire season after halftime? Did he notice that the Bears restocked the pantry in free agency after cutting JP? Either the Bears or Ted Thompson is crazy and from where I sit I’m pretty sure it’s Ted. I doubt there is a single quality analyst in the country that would agree with Ted’s assessment. But the proof will be in the eating of the pudding. If I’m wrong I’ll be happy to eat crow but if Ted is wrong he needs to go into retirement. And Packer fans need to hold him accountable for his statements, assessments, opinions, actions and non-actions. If he takes a 2nd or 3rd round player in the first round this year, I hope Packer fans howl like they did over J Harrell. Or what if he trades all his picks for 7th rounders? Ted says he doesn’t believe in mock drafts. That’s crazy and explains why teams are always leapfrogging to get their man and he never sees it coming. God, please this reign of terror known as the Ted Thompson era!

    1. There could be a year or two of decent play out of Julius. However, anyone that believes his play is not declining is so drunk on the TT malt liquor they can no longer make synapses in the brain.
      Am I happy with the packers records and accomplishments of late? Yes I am. Here’s the part the sheeple don’t understand – IF teddy plays his hand a little different, Arod has 2 rings and maybe a third. So why are the sheeple content with mediocre. If Vince were here he would rip TT’s head off…and you know the rest.

    2. Remember it can easily be a one year contract for Peppers. Clearly Thompson hedged his bet a little… The cap implications if Peppers in released after one year are minimal and easily eaten.

      WHat do you expect him to say? Oh we signed Peppers cuz our pass rush sucked and even tho we don’t think he can play anymore we wanted to spend a lot of money on him to find out for sure?!

      You could also read a little… Both Daniels and Bahktiari think Peppers has plenty left. But surely you know more than Packers players would right?

      1. Anon, You say Daniels and Bahktiari think Peppers has plenty left. What do ya think they are going to say, “He is a washed up elephant eared freak” He is their teammate now…

      2. The remaining signing bonus for Peppers after this season is $5 million. That is a lot for GB to absorb as dead money. TT usually only has $2 to $3 million in dead money for the whole team, not $5 million for 1 player. I suppose Peppers could be cut after this season, especially since his base salaries sky rocket in years 2 and 3, but I think TT believes he will get 2+ good years out of Peppers. I hope TT is right!

    3. So Archie, what’s the point of criticizing TT on Peppers signing if you don’t (and no one doesn’t) know how Peppers will perform? Why not hold your tongue and see what happens? It’s been signed, so no value in blasting TT now. Save if for end of September if there is no impact.

Comments are closed.