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The story in the Green Bay Press-Gazette is about running back Ryan Grant's contract negotiations with the Packers, but the bigger story may be Green Bay admitting that they're not big spenders in the unrestricted free agency.
Grant's agent Alan Herman spoke to the Press-Gazette regarding how the Packers like to do business in the NFL.
"The important issue is the club has indicated they're not big players in the free-agent market and they like to take care of their own," told the Press-Gazette. "Ryan had truly an extraordinary year and it wasn't like he was a flash in the pan. He played 12 games, that's a lot of games, at the highest level. Clearly, they know what they have and that's why the opportunity to get something done and keep him there for a long time is kind of apparent."
General manager Ted Thompson showed his biggest willingness to be a spender in free agency before the 2006 season when he signed Ryan Pickett, Charles Woodson and Marquand Manuel all to lucrative contracts.
But things have changed at 1265 Lombardi since then. Last season the Packers signed only cornerback Frank Walker in free agency who's no longer with the team. And this year the Packers have signed only linebacker Brandon Chillar.
As far as Grant's contract situation, the Packers may be looking to offer Grant more than the NFL minimum $370,000 tender.
"After a 1½-hour conversation with Packers negotiator Russ Ball late last week, Herman said the team is open to a long-term deal, though it will require major compromises by both sides," reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Grant's agent Alan Herman spoke to the Press-Gazette regarding how the Packers like to do business in the NFL.
"The important issue is the club has indicated they're not big players in the free-agent market and they like to take care of their own," told the Press-Gazette. "Ryan had truly an extraordinary year and it wasn't like he was a flash in the pan. He played 12 games, that's a lot of games, at the highest level. Clearly, they know what they have and that's why the opportunity to get something done and keep him there for a long time is kind of apparent."
General manager Ted Thompson showed his biggest willingness to be a spender in free agency before the 2006 season when he signed Ryan Pickett, Charles Woodson and Marquand Manuel all to lucrative contracts.
But things have changed at 1265 Lombardi since then. Last season the Packers signed only cornerback Frank Walker in free agency who's no longer with the team. And this year the Packers have signed only linebacker Brandon Chillar.
As far as Grant's contract situation, the Packers may be looking to offer Grant more than the NFL minimum $370,000 tender.
"After a 1½-hour conversation with Packers negotiator Russ Ball late last week, Herman said the team is open to a long-term deal, though it will require major compromises by both sides," reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Photo Credit: Allen Fredrickson/Icon SMI
1 comments:
I didn't see where the Packers even might of admit they're not big on free agency. If fact I don't even see a quote from the Packers here. I see Alan Herman running his month, and saying thing every one already knew, or at least people that follow the Packers close. Also if we're saying the Packers are talking though the agent, and we then going to count Favre's agent/ex-agent when the agent nick named "The Bus" said Favre was forced out? Yeah right, I don't think you could make Favre leave if he didn't want to, or for some odd reason think it was just time to do so. I think the Packers are huge on FA at the right price, but it's just that most FA want is just money, and other teams are willing to throw out more, than the Packers are willing to do so.
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