Resign Chad Clifton!

I was roaming around on FoxSports.com's NFL rumors and I came across an article saying Chad Clifton, as well as Driver, have expired contracts after this season.

I know Clifton is getting up there in age but without him, our offernsive line is nothing. The dude has anchored our offensive line for many years and I hope Ted Thompson doesn't make the same mistake he did with Rivera and Wahle.

First of all, J-Migs is right.  Both of these guys are under contract for two more years.  That said, I would select option 3 - It depends.  It depends on if Cliffy hits a wall or gets injured in the next two years.  It also depends on who we draft or sign as a free agent at that position in the next two years (OK, who we draft at that position).  Given TT's track record, however, neither will probably be resigned.

Also, how was not signing Wahle or Rivera a mistake?  I admit, the first season they were gone it looked like it could have been a mistake.  But Rivera is out of football now, and Wahle was a salary cap casualty with Carolina this year because he didn't play up to his contract value.

According to current information available on JS On line the following Packers players currently under contract will have their current deals expire either following this coming season or following the 2009 season.

Contracts expire following 2008 Season: Atari Bigby (S), Jarrett Bush (CB), Colin Cole (DT), Jason Hunter (DE), Ruvell Martin (WR), Mike Montgomery (DE), Vernand Morency (RB), Brady Poppinga (LB), Jon Ryan (P) and  Mark Tauscher (T).

Contracts set to expire after 2009 : Will Blackmon (CB), Chad Clifton (T), Daryn Colledge (G), Nick Collins (S), Junius Coston (G), Donald Driver (WR), Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (DE), Greg Jennings (WR), Johnny Jolly (DT), Aaron Kampman (DE), Tony Moll (T), Ryan Pickett (DT), Charlie Peprah (S), Aaron Rodgers (QB) and Jason Spitz (G).

Of the current active roster Ryan Grant (RB) remains unsigned and no information was available on the contracts of Mason Crosby (K), Desmond Bishop (LB), Daniel Muir (DT) or Tramon Williams (CB) although I would think Crosby and Bishop would have been signed for 3 years through 2009 when they signed as rookies in 2007. I could be wrong however.

With all of the current players coming up for contract negotiations in the next couple years, combined with the fact that the owner's are considering opting out of the current labor agreement with the players union (leaving the possiblilty of no salary cap for 2010), I can see why now perhaps Ted Thompson was not willing to spend much at all on the free agent market the last couple years.

So for instance he really could not sign a Randy Moss to a huge money 3 year deal this past off season, otherwise he may have jeopardized the team roster in a couple years and only be left with one huge pain in the wallet (so to speak) and a team that can no longer compete in the NFC for a Super Bowl.

For the players that have their contracts that expire after this season, Mark Tauscher is the biggest goal. Ruvell Martin won't be a bad resign nor will Jon Ryan or Atari Bigby. The rest aren't really key contributors so it doesn't matter.

As for the 2009, I think the Packers will resign Clifton. I don't know about Driver. We have a good core of youngsters. I think he will retire if not resigned. Greg Jennings is going to get a big extension if he does well. I don't know about Colledge, Spitz or Collins. Peprah, Coston and Moll aren't big key players either. Ryan Pickett would probably get resigned and same with KGB. Aaron Kampman should be resigned also, which I think would happen immediately.

and if all depends if Aaron Rodgers performs well the next 2 seasons. If he wants to say, he better perform.