Will Blackmon, one of seven Green Bay Packers restricted free agents, took himself off the market by signing his one-year qualifying offer.
A source with access to the NFL's transaction wire said Blackmon signed the deal Monday, the first day of the Packers' off-season workout program. It's not surprising Blackmon signed so early because he is coming off major knee surgery and probably won't receive any interest around the league.
The Packers offered him a one-year, $1.176 million tender, which places the compensation for signing him at a fourth-round pick, the same round in which he was drafted in 2006. By signing the offer, Blackmon can take part in the workout program knowing his salary is protected if he gets hurt at the team's facility.
March 2010 - Green Bay Packers Wiretap
Glanville Claims He Couldn't Get Favre Sober
Thom Abraham of WNSR in Nashville interviewed former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville, who defended the decision to trade Brett Favre in blunt terms.
"I had to get him out of Atlanta. I could not sober him up," Glanville said. "I sent him to a city where at 9:00 at night the only thing that's open is Chili Joes. You can get it two ways, with or without onions. And that's what made Brett Favre make a comeback was going to a town that closed down. If I would have traded him to New York, nobody to this day would have known who Brett Favre ever was."
Favre has been candid regarding his issues with alcohol and painkillers, which he eventually beat several years ago.
Packers, Tauscher Agree On Long-Term Deal
The Packers have agreed to terms on a long-term deal with right tackle Mark Tauscher.
Agent Neil Cornrich said the deal will allow Tauscher, who went to the University of Wisconsin, to play his entire football career in his home state.
"He's ecstatic," Cornrich said. "Mark's very grateful that Ted Thompson, Russ Ball and Coach [Mike] McCarthy have worked so diligently to provide him an opportunity to return to the Green Bay Packers."
Green Bay Agrees To Extension With Pickett
After franchising Ryan Pickett, the Packers have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with the nose tackle.
Pickett's deal is worth $28 million and came on Friday, the same day the Packers signed safety Nick Collins to his own multiyear deal.
Packers, Collins Agree To Long-Term Deal
The Packers have signed safety Nick Collins to a long-term contract through the 2013 season.
"The Packers always try to be proactive in our discussions with our current players and we are pleased we were able to come to an agreement with Nick," said general manager Ted Thompson in a release.
"Nick has been an impact player for us, and we look forward to having him continue his career as a Packer."
DeNiro To Spend Time In Green Bay For Lombardi Biopic
Robert DeNiro is expected to be spending time in Green Bay filming the title role in "Lombardi," based on the life of Packers coaching icon Vince Lombardi.
Report: Collins Signs Tender With Packers
Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins has signed his one-year tender with the Packers, his agent told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday morning.
Green Bay placed a first- and third-round tender on Collins, a restricted free agent.
"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," said Alan Herman, one of Collins' agents. "Nick really likes it in Green Bay and wants to stay there. Hopefully, this will help us finalize a deal as we move forward."
Packers Re-Sign Chad Clifton
The Packers have re-signed veteran left tackle Chad Clifton.
Clifton will remain Green Bay's starter as they didn't have an immediate replacement should he have left in free agency.
"This team has so much talent from top to bottom, a ton of young talent on both sides of the ball," Clifton said in a team release. "That's undeniable, and it would be foolish not to want to be a part of that. I think we'll have a really good team this coming season. Nothing's going to be easy, and I believe our division will be really tough. But this team has a lot of talent, a lot of potential, and we just have to put that together and see how we do."
Green Bay Will Start Finley Over Lee At Tight End
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said on Sunday that Jermichael Finley will start at tight end next season.
In turn, Donald Lee will play more on special teams.
"Yes, he (Finley) is (the starter)," McCarthy said. "He played very well. What's exciting about him, he gets better every week."