Green Bay Packers News

No mass boycott in works likely by Green Bay Packers' free agents; offseason schedule released
"The Green Bay Packers' restricted free agents likely aren't headed for a mass boycott of the offseason workout and practice programs, though guard Daryn Colledge might skip some or all of that voluntary work. The Packers' offseason preparations begin Monday with the start of the workout program, continue through organized team activities in May and June and end with the full-squad minicamp on June 21-23. Of the Packers' eight restricted free agents who received contract tenders, only one, safety Nick Collins, has signed, and most are good bets to take part in the offseason work. But Colledge is seriously contemplating skipping some or all of it in protest over his contract, and defensive ..."
Packers coach Vince Lombardi to be played by Robert De Niro in new film
"One of Hollywood's most celebrated actors is taking on the role of Vince Lombardi. Robert De Niro, the two-time Academy Award winner who played boxer Jake La Motta in "Raging Bull," will portray Lombardi for a movie about the legendary coach's transformation of the Green Bay Packers from a losing franchise to a team that won five NFL championships in the 1960s. The NFL and ESPN Films are among the producers for the movie entitled "Lombardi" that is scheduled for release the week before the 2012 Super Bowl. Eric Roth, whose credits include "Forrest Gump" and "The Good Shepherd," will be a screenwriter for the project. The film does not yet have a director. The story will follow Lombardi ..."
Packers safety Nick Collins signs one-year, $3.3 million tender offer
"Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins intends to participate in the team's off-season conditioning program, and if everything goes well in the next week or so he'll be doing it with a lot of cash stuffed in his pocket. In what agent Alan Herman called a good faith gesture aimed at kindling negotiations toward a long-term contract, Collins took himself off the free-agent market Tuesday by signing as one-year, $3.3 million qualifying offer. "Based on the tender Nick received and based on Nick's desire to stay with the Packers and to take part in the off-season program, which is something he really wanted to do, he elected to sign the tender," Herman said. "Nick really likes it in Green Bay ..."
De Niro to portray Lombardi in ESPN film
"Academy Award winner Robert De Niro will play legendary coach Vince Lombardi in a motion picture to be released on the weekend before Super Bowl XLVI is played on Feb. 5, 2012. ESPN announced De Niro's attachment to the project Tuesday afternoon. The film, titled "Lombardi," is to be produced by ESPN Films, Andell Entertainment and the National Football League. Andell Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based production company and a division of Andell Holdings, a private investment firm. ESPN said in a news release that screenwriter Eric Roth has joined the project, "which will chronicle Lombardi during the years he transformed the Green Bay Packers from the worst team in the National Football ..."
Collins signs his tender
"In the first sign that safety Nick Collins and the Green Bay Packers may be moving toward a long-term contract agreement, Collins has signed his restricted free agent tender, according to his agent, Alan Herman. In what Herman called a good faith gesture aimed at kindling negotiations, Collins took himself off the free agent market by signing the one-year, $3.3 million offer. Reached Tuesday morning, Herman reiterated comments he made to the Journal Sentinel at the scouting combine last month that he was optimistic the two sides could reach a deal soon. Though he wouldn't characterize an agreement with the Packers as imminent, he said he felt Collins' gesture could provide the impetus to ..."
Packers cautious with LT Chad Clifton's pay
"The Green Bay Packers took the pay-as-you-go approach with Chad Clifton in this salary cap-free year just in case the cap comes back in 2011. As part of the three-year contract Clifton signed over the weekend, the Packers paid the 33-year-old left tackle $6.375 million in the form of a roster bonus due this week rather than as a signing bonus. In the previous cap system, roster bonuses counted only against that season's cap, whereas signing bonuses were prorated over the length of the deal. So if a new collective-bargaining agreement for 2011 brings back a similar system, none of that bonus will count against the Packers' cap next year. Overall, Clifton's new deal is worth up to $19.58 ..."
Drug case for Packers' Jolly gets another delay
"The pretrial hearing in the felony drug possession case of Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly was reset again Monday, this time for March 25. The delay, like a previous postponement Feb. 18, was requested by Jolly's attorney, who is mounting a defense against felony charges that Jolly possessed more than 200 grams of codeine during a traffic stop July 8, 2008, in Houston. Charges against Jolly were dropped temporarily when prosecutors decided they would wait for a new piece of equipment to arrive that would help their case. Charges were refiled, and the two sides have been preparing for trial. At the pretrial hearing, a trial date probably will be set. Jolly's agent, Brian ..."
Packers lose Aaron Kampman, elite pass rusher, to Jacksonville Jaguars
"Aaron Kampman came to the Green Bay Packers as a modest fifth-round draft pick who graded higher for character and work ethic than talent but leaves them as one of the best pass rushers in their history. The 30-year old signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, ending an eight-year career with the Packers that included two trips to the Pro Bowl and 54 sacks, the fourth-most in team history. The Packers hoped to retain Kampman and negotiated with his agent until the start of free agency late last week, but they couldn't overcome Kampman's desire to go back to defensive end in a 4-3 defense after moving to outside linebacker last season when the Packers switched to a 3-4 scheme. The ..."
Green Bay Packers fiill one need, but another lingers
"The Green Bay Packers addressed one critical need during the first weekend of NFL free agency, but remain desperate to fill another gaping hole. The Packers' re-signing of left tackle Chad Clifton was imperative to safeguard franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers and to avoid the disastrous pass protection problems that plagued them during the first half of last season. However, the loss of free agent Aaron Kampman to the Jacksonville Jaguars, while not a surprise, could be a serious blow to the Packers' hopes of generating a credible pass rush next season. Unless the Packers get linebacker Clay Matthews some help rushing the quarterback, they will be vulnerable to the kind of pass-happy ..."
Did the Packers outbid the 'Skins for Clifton?
"The fact that Chad Clifton returned to Green Bay, a place he and his wife adored and where they're raising their two sons, is certainly no revelation. The surprising part was that Clifton decided to visit the Washington Redskins after talks stalled with the Packers, only to return and finish a deal in Green Bay. Clifton's agent, Jimmy Sexton, has a good relationship with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, but he also has a good relationship with the Packers - or did during the time I was there - so it's hard to believe there was a lack of transparency about what went on. The real question from the experience is whether the deal Clifton signed with his preferred team, the Packers - three years, ..."
Jaguars agree to terms with DE Aaron Kampman
"Jacksonville took Step 1 toward improving its pass rush early Sunday morning when it reached an agreement in principle - according to a league source - with unrestricted free agent defensive end Aaron Kampman. Kampman flew into Jacksonville on Friday night, and spent Saturday afternoon meeting with the staff. The veteran defensive end remained in town late Saturday night as talks between the sides resumed past midnight. Kampman agreed to terms after midnight, but length and terms of the contract weren't immediately available. Jacksonville targeted Kampman from the onset of free agency, along with former Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who reached an agreement with Detroit on ..."
For now, Eagles not pursuing Kampman
"Are the Eagles interested in Aaron Kampman or not? The curious case of whether the Eagles are pursuing the free-agent defensive end took another turn yesterday. On Friday, the first day of NFL free agency, a FoxSports report had Kampman heading to Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles. But less than an hour later, another report said the former Packer was not traveling to Philly. Indeed, the team said it had no visits scheduled for that day, and there were no free agents at the NovaCare Complex yesterday. The only free agent the Eagles have signed since the new league year started Friday was one of their own. They inked fullback Leonard Weaver, a restricted free agent, to a three-year deal ..."
Kampman flew to Jacksonville last night
"As day two of free agency kicks into full gear, we can all look forward to another 24-span of reports about flights, visits, physicals, and contracts. The latest intriguing piece of intel comes to us from a website called JagNation.com, which is reporting that free agent defensive end Aaron Kampman flew into Jacksonville last night to meet with the Jaguars. The 6'4", 260-pound defensive end from Iowa is arguably the biggest free agent left on the board, now that Julius Peppers, Antrel Rolle, Karlos Dansby, Chester Taylor and Dunta Robinson have all signed contracts. There are several teams that have been rumored to be in the Kampman sweepstakes, including the Philadelphia Eagles and ..."
Kampman to Seattle is still a rumor
"Though there appears to be some interest in free agent defensive end Aaron Kampman from the Seattle Seahawks, reports of them making a strong push for him this evening are not true, according to an NFL source. Seattle is one team that definitely has an interest given the connection Kampman has with Seahawks general manager John Schneider, the Packers' former director of player personnel. But Kampman was not on his way to Seattle and talks between his agent, Neil Cornrich, and the Seahawks have not begun. Kampman would be a good fit for new coach Pete Carroll's system. He's a high energy player who could fill the "elephant" position Carroll used in his defense at USC. It's the same position ..."
Clifton returning to Packers
"There was never any doubt that left tackle Chad Clifton wanted to finish his career in Green Bay. Whether he would be able to pry a few extra million out of general manager Ted Thompson along the way was something he left up to his agent. What is known after two days of serious negotiations is that the 33-year-old Clifton is back. ESPN.com reported Friday evening that Clifton, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to a three-year, $20 million contract that included $7.5 million of guaranteed money. The agreement came on the heels of Clifton completing a scheduled visit to Washington Redskins headquarters Friday, according to the Washington Post. It's unclear how much interest Washington had, ..."
Packers deep in talks to retain LT Chad Clifton
"The Green Bay Packers were in serious contract negotiations with Chad Clifton's agent throughout Thursday, but by late Thursday night there was no signs they were near a new deal that would have kept the left tackle off the free-agent market. Clifton, 33, is one of five Packers unrestricted free agents scheduled to hit the open market at 11 p.m. Thursday. The others are outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, right tackle Mark Tauscher, halfback Ahman Green and nose tackle Ryan Pickett , though Pickett is for all practical purposes off the market because he carries the Packers' franchise tag. The Packers in recent days have been trying to re-sign Clifton, Kampman and Tauscher, with much of the ..."
No deal yet with Clifton
"Six years ago, when Green Bay Packers' left tackle Chad Clifton was hours away from becoming an unrestricted free agent, general manager Ted Thompson approved a deal that negotiator Andrew Brandt had struck with Clifton's agent, Jimmy Sexton. Clifton went on to start 90 of a possible 96 regular-season games. Thursday night, Sexton was back at the table with current negotiator Russ Ball, working to get Clifton under contract before the clock struck 11 p.m. and the left tackle was out on the free agent market. Talks were serious, but the two sides were too far apart. Clifton officially became an unrestricted free agent, and, according to a source, contract negotiations were done for the ..."
Packers give tenders to 9 players, but not P Jeremy Kapinos
"The Green Bay Packers have decided to replace Jeremy Kapinos as their punter. Quantcast The team on Wednesday announced the players they've tendered as restricted and exclusive-rights free agents, and Kapinos was not on the list. Kapinos, 25, was the Packers' punter for all of 2009. In team rankings, the Packers finished No. 18 in the NFL in gross punting average and No. 31 in net average. His 15 punts downed inside the 20 ranked No. 32 in the league among punters with 56 or more attempts. Nevertheless, Kapinos heard nothing after the season to suggest he wouldn't get the chance to compete for his job beginning in the offseason workout program and was stunned he wasn't tendered a contract. ..."
Where Green Bay Packers stand, and who's who in NFL free agency
"The NFL's free-agent signing period begins at 11 p.m. Thursday. Quantcast Because of the league's labor situation, more than 200 fifth- and sixth-year players who could have become unrestricted free agents instead will be restricted, meaning teams that extend a qualifying offer retain the right to match any offer sheet and receive compensation if they don't. There also are restrictions on free-agent signings among teams who reached at least the divisional playoff round last season, and there is no salary cap or floor. Here's a look at some notable free agents and the Packers' needs. Quarterbacks Unrestricted: Chad Pennington (Dolphins) is coming off shoulder surgery and, at age 33, likely ..."
Packers extend qualifying offers to 9 players
"The Green Bay Packers decided to move on without embattled punter Jeremy Kapinos, but a bigger question facing them during the off-season is whether they will move on without four members of their offensive line. The Packers announced Wednesday that they had submitted qualifying offers to eight of their restricted and one of their exclusive rights free agents. Missing from the list was Kapinos, who was exclusive rights, and running back DeShawn Wynn, who was restricted. When the deadline for submitting offers ends Thursday afternoon, both will become free agents eligible to sign with any team without compensation to the Packers. Wynn could be re-signed at a minimum deal, but Kapinos isn't ..."
Packers CB Will Blackmon gets low tender of $1.17M
"The Green Bay Packers have notified the agent for Will Blackmon that the cornerback/return man will receive the low tender in restricted free agency. The $1.176 million tender gives the Packers the right of first refusal if Blackmon signs with another team and a pick in the round in which he was drafted as compensation if they don't match. Blackmon, 25, was a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. Blackmon's agent, Paul Lawrence, confirmed the tender on Tuesday. Blackmon tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Oct. 5 at Minnesota and had reconstruction surgery later that month. He is expected to be ready for at least limited participation when the Packers open training camp in ..."
Tenders will cost Packers plenty
"When the clock strikes 3 p.m. Thursday, the Green Bay Packers will be on the hook for a significant amount of money to eight restricted free agents. There's a good chance that five of them will receive one-year qualifying offers of around $1.7 million, the amount it takes to guarantee that the Packers would receive a second-round draft choice in compensation if any of them left for another team. According to an NFL source, Packers negotiator Russ Ball met with a number of the agents of the team's restricted free agents during the combine in Indianapolis last week to discuss the team's thoughts on their players. However, some of the agents left without knowing for sure what level of ..."
Green Bay Packers CB Will Blackmon gets low tender of $1.17M
"The Green Bay Packers have notified the agent for Will Blackmon that the cornerback/return man will receive the low tender in restricted free agency. The $1.176 million tender gives the Packers the right of first refusal if Blackmon signs with another team and a pick in the round in which he was drafted as compensation if they don't match. Blackmon, 25, was a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. Blackmon's agent, Paul Lawrence, confirmed the tender on Tuesday. Blackmon tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Oct. 5 at Minnesota and had reconstruction surgery later that month. He is expected to be ready for at least limited participation when the Packers open training camp in ..."
Colledge to get shot at redemption with Packers
"As poorly as Daryn Colledge played last season, the Green Bay Packers intend to send him a restricted free-agent tender by the Thursday deadline and give him a chance to hold his position at left guard. But in an interview at the National Football League scouting combine, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Colledge would compete for his job against Jason Spitz, among others. "He's going to be challenged, there's no doubt about it," said McCarthy. "I think Daryn can improve. I hope he's here to improve." The highlights of a down year in the offensive line were the performances of center Scott Wells and right guard Josh Sitton, according to McCarthy. "Scott had a very good year," he said. "The ..."
Schofield would be a good character for Packers to draft
"If the Green Bay Packers were going to slap that trouble-making franchise tag on someone, they could have done worse than using a bagful of cash to dam up Ryan Pickett's backstroke through some choppy free-agent waters. Pickett is one of those down-to-earth people you'd want to talk with because he seems grounded and unpretentious despite the money he makes to play nose tackle or the fact that he attended a certain Ohio university affected enough to insist that a "The" be placed before its name. For example, I remember surveying a few players on the challenges of doing a short-week Thanksgiving game at Detroit and getting the standard answers. Pickett, though, thought about it and said it ..."
Finley to start at TE for Packers, Head Coach McCarthy says
"Jermichael Finley's future with the Green Bay Packers couldn't be filled with more promise. Donald Lee's future will include a heavy dose of special teams. Coach Mike McCarthy made that clear Sunday when he officially made Finley the starter at tight end, a status Lee had held for the past three seasons. "Yes, he (Finley) is (the starter)," McCarthy said during the National Football League scouting combine. "He played very well. What's exciting about him, he gets better every week." Set to turn 23 in late March, Finley has Pro Bowl ability. The Texas product proved that last season when he had 835 receiving yards in 13 regular-season and one playoff game. During the regular season, Finley ..."
Green Bay Packers see good showing from LT Jared Veldheer of Hillsdale College
"Though Maryland's Bruce Campbell received most of the initial publicity among left tackles for his 4.85-second 40-yard dash, a less heralded prospect might have performed best on physical testing at that position at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday. The Green Bay Packers are looking for a left tackle in the draft and surely took note of the performance by Jared Veldheer, a Division II player from Hillsdale College who finished among the top 10 offensive linemen in all five tests for which the NFL posted results Saturday. Veldheer, who measured in at the combine at 6-feet-8 1/8 and 312 pounds, came into the weekend as probably a late second-round to third-round prospect but could get ..."
Green Bay Packers see prospects at positions of need
"It's no secret the Green Bay Packers are looking for a left tackle in this year's draft. Chad Clifton, 33, who's manned that position the last 10 years, is an unrestricted free agent, and his successor at that critical position is not on the Packers' roster. The Packers are trying to re-sign Clifton before he hits the open market March 5, but there's no guarantee a deal will get done. Even if it does, Clifton's declining play and precarious health leaves the Packers needing to draft a player who can fill in when his injuries hit this season and to replace him a year down the road. Drafting that player probably will cost a high pick, because of the scarcity of players who can adequately ..."
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy: 'We're trying to keep Aaron Kampman'
"The Packers appear prepared to make a good run at re-signing outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, though they could face a difficult time inducing him back if he strongly prefers to switch back to defensive end. Kampman is about three months removed from blowing out the anterior-cruciate ligament in his left knee, but even though he's less than halfway through his rehabilitation from knee-reconstruction surgery, he could draw some serious interest on the free-agent market from teams that want him to play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. "The business part of it I can't control," coach Mike McCarthy said at the NFL scouting combine Friday, "we're trying to keep Aaron Kampman and all our players. ..."
Green Bay Packers seek improvement from offensive line
"Scott Wells and T.J. Lang played well enough as fill-ins last season that the Green Bay Packers could have a hard time keeping both out of the starting lineup this year. Wells reclaimed the starting job at center last season when Jason Spitz went down after two games with a lower-back injury that eventually landed him on injured reserve, and over 15 games (playoffs included) the canny seventh-year pro was one of the Packers' top two linemen. The rookie Lang didn't play as much - two starts at left tackle and another at right tackle - but had the poise and production of a player who probably will be ready for prime time in his second NFL season. To accommodate them the Packers will have to ..."
Packers may have to pay up to keep Clifton, Tauscher, Kampman
"If the Green Bay Packers truly want to re-sign outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, left tackle Chad Clifton and right tackle Mark Tauscher, they might have to pay considerably more than they anticipated. Agents for the three soon-to-be unrestricted free agents said that they've had conversations with the Packers, but there were no indications deals were on the horizon. "A week is a long time," said Jimmy Sexton, Clifton's agent. "A lot can change." It's a foregone conclusion that 2010 will be an uncapped year in the National Football League. With the threshold for free-agency eligibility increasing to six seasons, this appears to be the weakest group of available players since free agency ..."
Safety Collins' agent 'optimistic' of new deal with Packers
"It took Alan Herman more than five months in 2008 to get a lucrative long-term contract from the Green Bay Packers for running back Ryan Grant, an exclusive rights free agent. Now the New York-based agent is confident that he can produce the same results for safety Nick Collins, a restricted free agent. In fact, Herman used the word "optimistic" five times regarding Collins, who is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in which he intercepted 13 passes. "I think it's Nick's time," Herman said at the National Football League scouting combine. "What more can he possibly do to prove himself? I think once we get past this combine situation and go in and talk to them, I'm optimistic that ..."
Green Bay general manager takes the podium in Indy
"Day two of the NFL combine is officially underway here in Indianapolis with coaches and front office personnel from several teams addressing the media Friday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium. Packers general manager Ted Thompson took the stage around 10:30am eastern this morning. With cornerback Al Harris coming off a torn ACL and entering 2010 at 35-years-old, not to mention Charles Woodson turning 34 in October and safety Atari Bigby becoming a restricted free agent in roughly one week, I asked Thompson where the secondary ranks in terms of priorities this offseason. "I never rank priorities. I love 'em all," said Thompson. Green Bay's general manager went on to discuss the team's ..."
Packers may look to draft to bolster special teams
"Perhaps Ted Thompson will turn to this year's draft to solve the Green Bay Packers' special-teams shortcomings. The team's general manager needs something to juice up the team's punting and return games, both of which have been a liability in his five seasons as GM, and he'll probably have to spend draft picks to do it. At punter since 2005, he's found one capable performer from the Canadian Football League in Jon Ryan but cut him in 2008, and has been unable to make a go of it with the players he picked up off the street since. In the return game, he drafted a good punt returner in Will Blackmon, but Blackmon hasn't stayed healthy enough in four seasons to make a difference and now is ..."
Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga's stock rising out of Green Bay Packers' reach
"Any small hopes the Green Bay Packers might have had for Iowa left tackle Bryan Bulaga being on the board when they select at No. 23 overall in this year's draft probably have been shot at the NFL scouting combine this week. Bulaga likely will be among the top 20 picks, and a good chance a little higher, now that teams know his arm length and have had a chance to confirm his health status. Though Bulaga is impressive on videotape, some teams were slightly concerned he might have short arms similar to former Iowa left tackle Robert Gallery, who was the second pick overall by Oakland in the 2004 draft. Gallery, whose arm length was only 32 inches, ended up a major bust at tackle in part ..."
Packers rising, says Holmgren
"The last time that the Green Bay Packers made a Super Bowl run, Mike Holmgren presided over it as their coach in the 1990s. Having returned to the National Football League last month as president of the Cleveland Browns, Holmgren watched from the ranks of the unemployed as the Packers improved five games to 11-5 last season. Holmgren was reluctant to declare the Packers being on the path to another Super Bowl because, as he put it, he hadn't studied them. Clearly, however, Holmgren views Green Bay as a franchise on the rise. "The big thing is they have the quarterback," Holmgren said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. "Aaron (Rodgers) is a fine player. So now you build it around him. ..."
Packers may get offensive lineman they need in NFL draft
"It's a deep, talented draft for offensive linemen, exactly what the Green Bay Packers needed as they plot their strategy for the first two rounds. No matter what happens to veterans Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, and no matter what the Packers think of T.J. Lang, they've got to address the question of who is going to protect Aaron Rodgers in 2010 and beyond. It has been 13 years since the Packers selected an offensive lineman (Ross Verba) in the first round of the National Football League draft. Armed with the 23rd choice on April 22, general manager Ted Thompson should have viable candidates if he opts for an O-lineman early. "I would never comment on that," Thompson said Thursday at the ..."
Packers keep NT Ryan Pickett by putting franchise tag on him
"The Green Bay Packers officially designated nose tackle Ryan Pickett as a franchise player on Wednesday, a move that in effect will keep him off the free-agent market that opens March 5. The tag means the Packers have the right to match a contract offer Pickett signs with another team or receive two first-round draft picks from that club as compensation. At that prohibitive cost, it's a given no NFL team will try to sign him, so it means Pickett, 30, will play for the Packers again in 2010. The tag also means the Packers will have to pay Pickett $7.003 million this season unless they sign him to a new contract. "Ryan has been a good teammate and productive player for us on the field and ..."
Pickett locked in with franchise tag
"The Green Bay Packers assured themselves that they'll have one of their key free agents on board when the regular season starts, but they did not do much to improve a potential sticky situation in the months that precede it. Moving to lock up his starting nose tackle, general manager Ted Thompson informed Ryan Pickett Wednesday that he had placed the franchise tag on him, effectively removing the unrestricted free agent from the market. The tag not only allows the Packers to match any offer Pickett receives from another team, it also mandates that they receive two first-round draft choices as compensation if they let him go. There isn't a team in the NFL that would give up two first-round ..."
Packers would be foolish to let Aaron Kampman go
"If you believe the pundits, Aaron Kampman's career with the Green Bay Packers is finished. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week. He's coming off a major knee injury. He's supposedly not a good fit for the Packers' 3-4 defense. If you try hard enough, you can come up with plenty of reasons why Kampman will likely find a new employer after spending eight years in Green Bay. But there are just as many factors, maybe more, why the Packers should keep him, and why it would be a big mistake to let Kampman get away without a fight. Like most NFL teams, the Packers are desperate for a pass rusher. In particular they need someone solid at left outside linebacker to ..."
Packers reportedly will put franchise tag on Ryan Pickett
"The Green Bay Packers apparently won't take any chances on Ryan Pickett becoming a coveted player on a lean free-agent market. According to a report on NFL.com, the Packers will designate Pickett a franchise player if they don't sign him to a contract by Thursday, which is the final day they can apply the tag. Pickett is one of five Packers who are unrestricted free agents this offseason. At first blush Pickett doesn't appear to be a likely prospect for the tag because the $7.003 million the franchise tag is expensive for a player who doesn't participate on passing downs. However, three factors might have convinced the Packers to use the tag if necessary. First, he plays nose tackle, which ..."
Packers may put franchise tag on nose tackle Pickett
"The Green Bay Packers and the agent of unrestricted free agent nose tackle Ryan Pickett have been talking about a new contract this week, but with a key deadline fast approaching and no sign of a deal, the team may have to put a franchise or transition tag on him. Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network reported Tuesday evening that the Packers plan to franchise Pickett if a deal isn't reached before Thursday, the final day NFL teams can put tags on their soon-to-be free agent players. A source familiar with the situation could not say for certain the Packers were going to move in that direction, but thought it was a definite possibility. The Packers would have to offer Pickett a one-year, ..."
Green Bay Packers sign S Derrick Martin to 2-year contract
"The Green Bay Packers liked safety Derrick Martin's special teams play enough to pay him some guaranteed money to stay off the restricted free-agent market. Martin was going to be a restricted free agent starting March 5, but the Packers on Monday signed him to a two-year deal, said his agent, Brad Cicala. Cicala didn't provide any financial details, but it's likely Martin's salary this season will be in the neighborhood of $1.176 million, or the amount of the low tender the Packers probably would have placed on him as a restricted free agent. The deal, with the second season added, was worth it for Martin because of the guaranteed money in the form of a signing or roster bonus that shows ..."
Packers reach deal with special teams standout Martin
"Safety Derrick Martin, a key member of the special teams last year, became the first of eight potential restricted free agents the Green Bay Packers were able to take off the market before the signing period begins March 5. The Packers and Martin, 24, agreed on a two-year contract extension Monday, ending about two weeks of talks between the two sides, Martin's agent, Brad Cicala, said. Though he wouldn't give specifics of the deal, Cicala said it did include guaranteed money Martin might not have received had he gone into free agency. "We wanted a little more security going into camp and make sure he had a home," Cicala said. Players like Martin are in a difficult position. Under normal ..."
Packers, NFL put up big TV numbers
"While big audiences often are hard to come by for TV networks these days, that's not the case with NFL and Green Bay Packers telecasts. The Super Bowl drew super numbers, following on the heels of a season in which all five networks that carry National Football League games enjoyed increases in Nielsen ratings, according to Business Insider, a business Web site. Sunday night games on NBC were up 17 percent over 2008, CBS' American Football Conference games were up 7 percent, ESPN's Monday-nighters grew 20 percent, The NFL Network was up 48 percent, and Fox's National Football Conference games were up 12 percent, the Web site said. Packers games factored into some records. Notably, the Oct. ..."
Green Bay Packers need to build depth on defense
"There's little reason to think the offseason for the Green Bay Packers will be much different than the last few years. General Manager Ted Thompson leans even more strongly than most of his peers toward improving through the draft as opposed to free agency. Maybe that will change now that he has the makings of a Super Bowl contender coming off a bounce-back 11-5 season and return to the playoffs. But that would go against Thompson's history. So, he still is more likely to turn to the draft to improve his team, and with the NFL scouting combine coming up this week, he's neck deep in his search for another Clay Matthews - that is, the rare draft pick who makes a difference as a rookie. ..."
Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly's pretrial hearing delayed to March 8
"This morning's pretrial hearing for Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly on a felony drug charge was rescheduled for March 8, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Jolly was the driver of a vehicle in which police found cups of a codeine mixture while in the parking lot of a Houston nightclub in July 2008. The charge of possession of at least 200 grams of codeine in the form of cough syrup — commonly mixed with soda to form a mind-altering drink called "lean" — was dropped in July, then refiled on Dec. 15. The pretrial hearing was originally set for Jan. 26, then rescheduled for today."
Packers GM Ted Thompson won't say no to franchise, transition tag yet
"Ted Thompson has not ruled out designating a franchise or transition player among the Green Bay Packers' five unrestricted free agents, though it's a big step from leaving open that possibility to actually doing it. The Packers' general manager has one tag he can use as either a franchise or transition designation, plus a second transition tag available only this year because of rules changes in the final year of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. The franchise tag in effect keeps a player off the open market because of the prohibitive compensation (two first-round draft picks) if he signs with another team, and the transition tag carries the right of first refusal but with no ..."
Owners, players both at fault in labor mess
"At this time next year, expect the NFL to be in panic mode. The NFL Players Association and Management Council will be locked behind closed doors trying to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a lockout that would begin in March. There won't be a salary cap when free agency begins March 5 of this year. There's a good chance that in 2011, a season will be interrupted for the first time since the players strike in 1987. Locking out the players in March seems foolish because players don't get paid game checks until the season starts in September. Maybe I'm missing something, but the only ones who'll get hurt in March, April, May, June, July and August are the employees ..."
Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has hearing on drug charges Thursday
"Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Thursday on a felony drug charge. Jolly was the driver of a vehicle in which police found cups of a codeine mixture while in the parking lot of a Houston nightclub in July 2008. The charge of possession of at least 200 grams of codeine in the form of cough syrup — commonly mixed with soda to form a mind-altering drink called "lean" — was dropped in July, then refiled on Dec. 15."