"Just because running back Ryan Grant of the Green Bay Packers absorbed a $1 million pay cut this season doesn't mean he's bitter about it.

In fact, Grant has accepted the reduction almost as an occupational hazard for a running back in the National Football League.

"When you don't take that personal it makes football easy," Grant said Sunday. "I wasn't the first and I won't be the last. That's how it goes."

Although the renegotiated final year of his four-year, $18 million contract was dated Aug. 9, Grant made it sound like agreement was reached before veterans reported July 29.

In the deal, Grant's base salary of $3.5 million was reduced to $2.5 million. In return, his $2.5 million base salary was fully guaranteed against both skill and injury, something his previous base had not been.

"I also understand both sides," said Grant. "That's why I'm in favor of other people doing it. I think you'll see it with a lot of running backs. Our careers are not long in comparison to other positions.

"It's just how it goes. We really don't have any control over it. It's the nature of our business."

The Packers elected to pay Grant, 28, a roster bonus of $1 million on the 15th day of the NFL league year, which was in mid-August. It was either pay that bonus or release him.

In a sense, the decision to pay the $1 million bonus could be linked to the pay cut. Now, even if Grant is cut, he still will make $3.5 million from the Packers.

Had they released him before camp, he wouldn't have made a penny from Green Bay and would have been facing the prospect of playing at or near the $685,000 minimum salary for another club."