While the Brett Favre headlines have dominated the Green Bay Packers headlines the last few weeks, regular Zoneblitz reader “The Gun” reminded us that the team is also dealing with another potential hornet’s nest in the holdout of exclusive rights free agent running back Ryan Grant.
Grant, according to the La Crosse Tribune, is “livid” over the Packers’ contract offer that reportedly included only $1.75 million in guaranteed money for a six-year contract.
Does it seem to anyone else that New England coach Bill Belichick just doesn’t trust Laurence Maroney?
During the 2007 season’s last seven games and the playoffs, Maroney seemed to come into his own. He had four 100 yard rushing games the second half of the season and generally established himself as a solid threat, as long as two factors are in play: he has to be healthy and Belichick has to want to run the ball.
Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Stewart is being limited to one practice a day while he nurses a toe injury.
Stewart also apparently has some catching up to do after missing the team’s 16 organized team activities.
While he’s expected to ultimately wrest the starting job from DeAngelo Williams, it might be wise for fantasy players to have some alternatives, at least through the season’s first handful of games.
Williams isn’t really seen as an every-down back and that’s why Stewart was drafted. But Williams likely will handle the heavy load at least for a month or so if it takes Stewart longer than camp just to catch up.
“Certainly for Jonathan this is very new to him,” quarterback Jake Delhomme told the Associated Press. “This is minicamp to him. He did not have the 16 practices that we’ve had already.”
Brett Favre told SportsIllustrated.com that Green Bay General Manager Ted Thompson asked him for “a couple days” to resolve his playing situation so the quarterback agreed to stay away from camp for a few days, according to the Associated Press.
The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential trade partners for the Packers, and Favre told the Web site that he would consider a trade to any team, the AP reports.
Shouldn’t be long before we know where – and if – Favre plans to play this season. I see Tampa as a more likely destination than New York – even if it is too hot.
The Philadelphia Eagles probably rate as something of a middling playoff contender in the tough NFC East this season. Like many teams, if their stars stay healthy they’ll have a shot but injuries, the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants could conspire against their quest toward Tampa on Feb. 1.
So it can’t be good news that three of the team’s top players are unhappy with their respective situations heading into training camp. Cornerback Lito Sheppard’s story has been told several times. He’s not happy to be the third cornerback after the Eagles dove into free agency and lured Asante Samuel from New England. He showed up for camp, as did Brian Westbrook, despite his alleged frustration with the team’s unwillingness to give him a new contract.
Westbrook, the team’s best runner and receiver at present, showed up but reportedly wants a new deal worth as much as $10 million per season – a figure most 29-year-old running backs don’t get in this day and age.
Perhaps more worrisome, however, is the alleged-contract-related holdout of Shawn Andrews, one of the top guards in the game. Pro Football Weekly isn’t certain that’s what his issue is, though it’s been reported that way on several Internet sites. Regardless, he did not report to Lehigh College and his absence, if not short, would leave a huge gap in the team’s offensive line.
Perhaps this is being overplayed. But training camp is supposedly a time when teammates grow together and build the chemistry it takes to blend together as a team. To have three top performers from Eagles teams of the recent past all grumbling because of their contract issues can’t help that cohesiveness grow.
Loading ...
The "eye" test is a valuable one but we also are aware (and along with voters) that post-season honors also…
I'll agree with you Brian on Bryant Young never did I see a hof player when I watched him who…
Well Atwater, Bryant, Hester have multiple all pro plus all decade (Hester also on NFL 100th anniversary team) and Warner…
Sorry Paul, but I dont think Sam Mills, Steve Atwater, Kurt Warner, Devin Hester and Bryant Young were deserving. I…
We can disagree on the order (some getting in before others) but frankly when it comes to the modern finalists…