March 10
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 9
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 9
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 8
Green Bay Press Gazette
columnist Mike Vandermause
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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 ..."
March 8
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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, ..."
March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 6
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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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 ..."
March 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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, ..."
March 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 3
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
March 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
February 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
February 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
February 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
February 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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. ..."
February 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
February 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."
February 24
Green Bay Press Gazette
columnist Mike Vandermause
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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 ..."
February 24
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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, ..."
February 23
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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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 ..."