Livid to loved: Grant happy with contract

by | Aug 4, 2008 | Contract Squabbles, Fantasy Football, NFL News

About a week after his agent told reporters Ryan Grant was livid with the Green Bay Packers’ first contract offer, the running back has joined teammates in training camp after signing a 4-year, $30 million deal.

He had been an exclusive rights free agent but held out seeking a long-term contract.

Grant took control of a putrid Packers running game last season falling just short of 1,000 yards rushing in half a season as a starter. He figures to start again this year despite a strong camp thus far by Brandon Jackson, a second year player who disappointed as a rookie.

Grant’s biggest concern now is that several teammates have demanded that he take them out for dinner.

While Grant looked good last year we think he’s a risk as a fantasy player this season, especially if Aaron Rodgers wins the quarterback competition allegedly taking place between he and Brett Favre. Defenses have had an offseason to study him and they’ll also likely be keying on Grant to force the passing game to beat them. Expect a decent season but games where he looks nothing like the backfield savior he was last year.

Henry only suspended four games

by | Jul 31, 2008 | NFL News

Chris Henry, who missed the first eight games of last season after being suspended for various legal issues, has been suspended for the first four of this season.

He can play in the final 12 – if he can find a team to sign him, according to the Associated Press. The Cincinnati Bengals released him after he was accused of punching a University of Cincinnati student and breaking his car window with a beer bottle.

The jury in the case couldn’t come to a verdict resulting in a mistrial. But to this point it appears as though Henry may have worn out his welcome in the NFL – there have been few reports of him getting tryouts. He’ll likely get a shot somewhere eventually, but as far as naming an NFL Douchebag (or is it douchbag?) of the Decade it’d be a tight vote between Henry, Adam “Don’t call me Pacman” Jones and Michael Vick.

Packers also dealing with “livid” Grant

by | Jul 28, 2008 | NFL News

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.

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Favre a no-show

by | Jul 27, 2008 | NFL News

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.

Contract squabbles dominate Eagles camp

by | Jul 25, 2008 | NFL News

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.

Colts add Lorenzen, Gray

by | Jul 24, 2008 | NFL News

Is it for training camp competition or is the injury to Peyton Manning’s knee worse than previously acknowledged by the Indianapolis Colts?

The team remains one of the league’s strongest as long as Manning is able to play most of the season. But if the Colts have to use Jim Sorgi or one of their new signees, Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen, for any length of time, the team suddenly looks less imposing.

And in an improving division with Jacksonville, Houston and Tennessee all nipping at Indy’s heels, a couple games could make the difference between a first-round playoff bye and a couple of road games en route to the Super Bowl.

Coach Tony Dungy has expressed his belief that Manning will be back by the time the season starts from
surgery to remove an infected bursa sac. Manning, according to the Associated Press, says he’s not in much pain. But the star QB is expected back anytime from opening day to week three. And it wasn’t until this week that the team decided to upgrade its backup quarterback situation, dropping camp fodder QB Josh Betts to add the new guys. Again, only time will tell.