I found this on PackerUpdate.com and thought it was interesting.

The Packers would be interested in bringing back Vonnie Holliday should the Dolphins choose not to pay the veteran defensive end a $1.5 million roster bonus by March 3. The 33-year-old, who played in Green Bay from 1998 to 2002, is coming off a very solid season and has a history with new defensive coordinator Dom Capers. The two were together in Miami....


46 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year. 33 years old.

I dont think it would happen but you have to wonder if there no truth to it then why bother reporting it?

Heres some more on Vonnie from the Miami Herald:


So Parcells and Ireland must decide whether to pay that bonus and ensure Holliday remains with the team, restructure Holliday's deal and somehow lower his salary-cap number, or decide he is too expensive to keep at a $5.75 million cap number and cut him.

It is a difficult decision involving more than math.

Holliday is coming off a good season in which his statistics neither impressed nor depressed. His 46 tackles led all defensive linemen, as did his 3.5 sacks.

But with youngsters Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling expected to push Holliday for playing time, and Randy Starks able to take snaps in reserve in 2009, the Dolphins might be tempted to think Holliday too expensive to keep.

The hope, the expectation, is Parcells and Ireland will look beyond bottom-line production and try to keep Holliday by restructuring his deal.

Along with nose tackle Jason Ferguson, Holliday invested valuable personal time to help immature Paul Soliai learn to be a professional. Holliday also helped Merling and Langford learn the NFL game.

And although he was helping the rookies, Holliday also served as an example how veterans should act while the team was rebuilding and retooling with youngsters.

Holliday, a team captain, never complained, never second-guessed and never asked out of Miami, as another notable veteran lineman did.

Holliday was exemplary in how he worked for the Dolphins. Now the Dolphins must avoid making an example of him.

If Holliday is deemed too expensive and asked to take a pay cut, or worse, terminated, that will send a message throughout the locker room that even players who do everything they are asked, even those who lead and produce on the field, can get whacked.

Trust within the locker room would be dealt a severe blow.

Interesting.

33 isn't that old, but I wonder how much mileage he has if you know what I'm sayin'.

Either way, it'd be nice to add a veteran presence to the defense.

He would be an outstanding pick-up IMO. Just the kind of FA move we need. Not a blockbuster franchise altering move, but one that would surely help. He'd be an instant starter at a position of need, would greatly help the depth at a position of need and would add experience in a system that's new to everyone else. He's familiar with the franchise and the fan base, and his contract is very cap friendly. This would be a no-brainer.

Count me in as well. I'm sure he would not have the impact that he did when he was here last time, but I think as a leader and solid player he would be a good pick up if the price wasn't too high.

I would prefer Canty or Olshansky but Holliday would be a nice addition. What we need is a proven 3-4 DE and our defense is mostly complete. Then we can focus on increasing talent and depth.

I agree about Canty or Olshansky. However, two questions need to be answered.

1. Will Miami reward a good veteran influence during rough times? They should.
2. Does Holliday want to leave? He's been in Miami for a while. Why would he want to leave?

In short, I don't believe this decision lies with TT or the Packers. I believe that Miami and Holliday will decide what they want.

I think Holliday would be a good DE to have around here for a couple of seasons. He could really help whatever younger players we have around here and plus I'm sure he could also assist some of the vets smooth the transition to this new defense.

This would probably be one of the best options. Any new info on his situation in Miami?

I think it would be a great pickup for depth on the line, plus he could still pull starting duties if needed to help out.

All too often, we type on here as if our wishes will be followed by action by the Packers. And if the player we want the Packers to get goes to someone else, we blame TT for not doing enough. Nonsense. We are simply fans that are airing our opinions. We have NO idea what is going on in the heads of the players we target, or how TT perceives other players after years of experience as a professional talent evaluator.

For example, apparently the Packers are interested in Canty. OK. Now, if Canty goes somewhere else, does that mean TT has failed? Or does it mean that Canty really didn't want to come to GB, or he wanted to go somewhere else more? Would you really "break the bank" and offer Canty 'crazy money'? Say, a five year, sixty million dollar contract. THAT might get his attention. And would garner TT a lot of criticism, I'm sure.

The problem with Holliday is that he would merely be a stop-gap; that is to say, Thompson would still have to look to draft a DE to take over that spot in the next year or two.

With a Canty or Olshansky, you have a starter for the next five to six years.

In a draft class that seems low on quality 3-4 DEs, I'd prefer Holliday as a last option. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

We just may need Vonnie as a stop gap, seriously

I think this would be a nice value signing now that he's released. Thanks for finding that and posting.

Vonnie and Igor. Instant depth and improvement. Get it done.

I agree. Id be plenty happy bringing those guys in and then spending 2 picks on lineman in the draft.

Vonnie would be a good addition.

I think so too. He would bring a veteran presence that Woodson was asking for and he could teach the younger guys how to play the position.

It's fine if Vonnie is a stopgap. Harrell or Jolly could very well be the other starting DE opposite Cullen. It would give them both a chance to learn the system and step up. Ted would likely add a draft pick there as well.

I don't get the fascination with Olshansky. He's young, but that doesn't make him good or a good team guy or consistent. The latter two allegedly apply to him.

There is a real mutual admiration between Capers and Holliday. When the Packers were looking at D coordinators two people from the front office called Holliday who played for Capers in Miami- Holliday said Capers was the finest coach he played for in his career. Capers also has a high regard for Holliday who is a very positive presence in the locker room.

Sure Holliday is not the long term answer but it buys some time to figure out if Jolly and Harrell will ever live up to their potential. And there isn't much in the draft this year at D line so they have addressed one problem, have more flexibility in the draft to address other needs and can find someone long term later if Jolly or Harrell don't pan out.

When this was first suggested, I was totally against the move, and highly doubted TT would be interested in an "old player". However, after reading this thread, I have changed my mind (though some would say I lost it many years ago). Veteran leadership, a mentor for younger players, a solid, professional attitude, and being part of a DL rotation to keep anyone from getting "beaten up". Especially since the fates of Jolly and Harrell are "up in the air". Even though, if I remember correctly, Jolly's case should be coming up within the month. By all means, bring him in. This is the kind of move New England makes on a regular basis.

Why couldn't the Packers sign Olshansky AND Holliday?

I think our quota is one FA a year.

I think they fairly well could.

And honestly, I think they need to sign at least two players on the defensive line, especially since Montgomery seems to be heading out as well.

Two in FA; two (DE and DT) in the draft.

That seems about right.

I agree with most of the article"The Ironies of Vonnie Holliday" by D. C. Angeli. There are, however, some items that can be questioned. As I remember Ron Wolf was still the GM when Jamal Reynolds was drafted. As the coach Sherman certainly could have influenced the decision. I was among the few people who considered signing Joe Johnson to be a major mistake. Most people considered this to be a good move. Corey Williams name is on the list of defensive linemen drafted by Sherman who were failures. I don't believe Williams belongs on this list. He certainly gave Green Bay good value fo a 6th round pick. He recorded 14 sacks during his last two seasons with the Packers. Also, Thompson was able to trade him for a 2nd round draft choice. Sherman should be given some credit for drafting Aaron Kampman.

Link?

LA is a great writer, always worth a read. His article can be found on the front page of this site. LA's "The Ironies of Vonnie Holliday link"

He is however a bit loose with the facts at times.

In addition to TommMixx's comments, Grady Jackson was not a free agent miss. Instead he was a waiver wire claim, that filled a critical hole when injuries depleted the defensive line.

The overall theme of LA's essay still stands up, despite a number of factual flaws

A shame that the Pack has decided not to pursue Vonnie (per JSO).

The first thing that popped into my head was a few years back when Gilbert was trying to convince TT to give him a workout to see if he could come and help the Packers on the field once more.

I bring this up just because it popped into my head. That time, saying "no, thanks." to Brown was absolutely the correct answer (even though some fans disagreed...).

This time, I think we may be missing out on a golden opportunity to get some immediate help on the field and in the locker room (and getting Vonnie back up here to finish things up with the GBP is just the icing on the cake...)