GREEN BAY, Wis. -- With free agency set to begin in a little more than two weeks, we are counting down the top 10 Green Bay Packers' players scheduled to hit the open market on March 10.
We're going in reverse order.
Here's No. 6: Letroy Guion, defensive tackle
2014 pay: $1 million ($730,000 base salary, $120,000 roster bonus, $100,000 signing bonus, $50,000 workout bonus).
By the numbers: Guion started every game last season and registered career-highs in tackles (62) and sacks (3.5) after spending his first six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who released him last offseason. He ranked second among Packers defensive linemen in tackles behind Mike Daniels. He moved into the starting lineup late in the preseason after B.J. Raji was lost for the season to a torn biceps tendon and played 51.1 percent of the defensive snaps, second among defensive linemen to Daniels.
The case for keeping him: The Packers were working on a contract extension late in the season, but those talks were put on hold when Guion was arrested earlier this month for felony possession of marijuana and a firearm. Those charges are expected to be resolved soon, which could open the door for Guion to re-sign. The Packers liked his high-energy approach, and by all accounts he was a popular player in the locker room.
The case for letting him walk: If Guion's legal situation results in a conviction and jail time, the Packers might decide to move on. Also, Guion could face discipline from the NFL, regardless of whether the charges stick or not. The Packers could re-sign Raji, and they also have Khyri Thornton, a third-round draft pick from last season whom they would like to develop as an interior defensive lineman. Thornton spent all of his rookie season on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury. The Packers also have Mike Pennel, an undrafted rookie who made the team and played as a backup nose tackle last season.
Prediction: The Packers will wait for Guion's legal situation to run its course before they do anything.
Previous installments
No. 10: Linebacker Jamari Lattimore
No. 9: Cornerback Jarrett Bush
No. 7 (and 7a): Quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien