Packers sign S Collins, NT Pickett to extensions
(Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:17:35 PST)
The Green Bay Packers have signed safety Nick Collins and nose tackle Ryan Pickett to long-term contract extensions, securing the services of two cornerstones in their much-improved defense.

Packers Team Report
(Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:55:34 PST)

Consider general manager Ted Thompson to be one up on the scoreboard early in free agency.

Although the Packers suffered a notable loss when Aaron Kampman bolted for the Jacksonville Jaguars, they held on to two more key players in left tackle Chad Clifton and free safety Nick Collins.

Clifton wasn't interested in leaving Green Bay, where he has been a starter since his rookie season in 2000, never mind that he visited with the Washington Redskins on the opening day of free agency March 5.

That purported courtship probably helped Clifton's financial cause with the Packers, who meted out a three-year contract that is worth about $19.5 million. The deal is loaded with all sorts of roster bonuses, including an upfront payout of more than $6.3 million.

"I can...

Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen dies at age 69
(Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:33:00 PST)
SALT LAKE CITY - Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, who helped form one of the NFL's greatest defensive lines before embarking on a successful career in television, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 69.

The Packers may be adopting a third/alternate jersey
(Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:58:02 PST)
The Green Bay Packers, who sport one of the most classic and distinctive looks in all of sports, appear to be...

The Shutdown Corner hypothetical mock draft, Part 2
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:48:11 PST)
For our second Shutdown Corner mock draft, we're going throw a couple semi-likely scenarios into the mix.

Packers sign WR Charles Dillon
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:54:27 PST)
The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Charles Dillon, a first-year player who spent time in Indianapolis' training camp in 2008. Dillon, a wide receiver and kick returner at Washington State, spent last season with the Spokane Shock of the af2 arena league.

Robert De Niro set to play Vince Lombardi in movie
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:53:15 PST)
Robert De Niro is set to play Vince Lombardi in an upcoming movie. ESPN announced Tuesday that the Academy Award-winning actor has agreed to play the Hall of Fame coach in the film it is developing with Andell Entertainment and the NFL. "Lombardi" will chronicle the years in which he transformed the Green Bay Packers from the NFL's worst team to league champions.

Jags find hidden value in Kampman
(Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:56:29 PST)
The Jacksonville Jaguars have invested a great deal in their pass rush over the last few years, with minimal...

Cards get Rhodes; Pennington staying in Miami
(Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:39:48 PST)
On the second day of the NFL's free agent signing period, the Arizona Cardinals went the trade route to fill a big need. The Cardinals acquired safety Kerry Rhodes from the New York Jets on Saturday for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011. Rhodes is expected to move into the starting spot opposite All-Pro Adrian Wilson that was vacated when Antrel Rolle, a...

Packers re-sign veteran LT Chad Clifton
(Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:18:34 PST)
The Green Bay Packers re-signed veteran left tackle Chad Clifton on Saturday, wrapping up one of their major offseason concerns early in the NFL's free agent signing period. Clifton will now return to the left tackle spot he has occupied for most of his 10 seasons in Green Bay. The Packers do not have an obvious candidate to replace Clifton, and reported interest in the unrestricted free agent...

Packers re-sign veteran LT Chad Clifton, wrapping up major off-season priority
(Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:16:00 PST)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers re-signed veteran left tackle Chad Clifton on Saturday, wrapping up one of their major off-season concerns early in the NFL's free agent signing period.

Source: LB Dansby agrees to $43 million, 5-year deal with Dolphins
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:38:00 PST)
MIAMI - On the first day of free agency, linebacker Karlos Dansby flew to South Florida and decided to stay.

Under Shanahan, Redskins don't make usual splash in 1st hours of free agency
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:24:00 PST)
ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins fans woke up to a new routine on the first day of free agency. There was no dramatic overnight deal with a marquee name, the biggest indicator yet of a change of philosophy now that Mike Shanahan is in charge.

Packers release safety Matt Giordano, defensive end Michael Montgomery
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:44:00 PST)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have released safety Matt Giordano and defensive end Michael Montgomery.

Packers release Giordano, Montgomery
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:55:32 PST)
The Green Bay Packers have released safety Matt Giordano and defensive end Michael Montgomery. Giordano, who was cut by Indianapolis last September after four seasons with the Colts, was signed by the Packers a few weeks later to provide depth in the wake of injuries. He appeared in five games. Montgomery, a sixth-round selection in the 2005 draft, appeared in 56 games over the course of five...

Free agency brings Sharper back to earth
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:31:00 PST)
Shortly after helping the Saints win the Super Bowl, Darren Sharper could be playing elsewhere.

How NFL teams approach uncapped free agency
(Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:03:41 PST)
How each of the 32 NFL teams are approaching Friday's opening of free agency with no salary cap: AFC BALTIMORE RAVENS Ravens don't intend to be thrifty. In quest to enhance roster, especially at wide receiver, Ravens expect to benefit from cost-cutting measures by other teams. "There will be some real good players that are going to get cut," general manager Ozzie Newsome said.

Green Bay Packers make qualifying offers to eight restricted free agents
(Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:32:00 PST)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have made qualifying offers to eight restricted free agents, including starting safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby.

The Shutdown Corner mock draft, Part 2
(Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:46:43 PST)
With the Combine winding down, it's time to put up a first-round mock based on what we know so far.

NFL considers overtime changes for playoffs
(Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:03:00 PST)
The NFL is considering a proposal that would change the rules for overtime playoff games.

In speed-dating scene, team names are irrelevant
(Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:12:06 PST)
Every year at the Combine, reporters will ask players which NFL teams have talked to them.

Green Bay Packers put franchise tag on nose tackle Ryan Pickett at $7 million
(Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:48:00 PST)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have used their franchise tag on nose tackle Ryan Pickett, keeping the hefty centre of their 3-4 defence at a hefty sum.

Packers use franchise tag on NT Ryan Pickett
(Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:38:07 PST)
The Green Bay Packers have used their franchise tag on nose tackle Ryan Pickett, keeping the hefty center of their 3-4 defense at a hefty sum. General manager Ted Thompson says in a statement Wednesday that the 340-pound Pickett has been a productive player and the team wants him to be a part of its future.

Packers franchising nose tackle Pickett
(Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:17:21 PST)
The Green Bay Packers are awfully happy with the play of nose tackle Ryan Pickett and the team apparently...

Packers safety Collins planning to hold out
(Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:56:24 PST)
Green Bay Packers free safety Nick Collins is apparently p lanning to have a little contract holdout this...

Why trades are tough to make
(Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:18:00 PST)
Also, how Stallworth can help the Ravens, and the Browns cut Lewis.