The Packer Pundit

Wallet stays closed
Team waits; watches market
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: March 3, 2007
All around them NFL teams are throwing around money like Pacman Jones at the NBA all-star weekend. But so far the Green Bay Packers refuse to join in the fun, firmly positioned in a holding pattern. They aren't alone in that regard. Most teams are sitting tight while the big-money deals hit the books during the opening days of free agency. So while running back Ahman Green flew from Denver to Houston on Saturday to prepare for a lengthy visit with the Texans, and tight end David Martin went about shopping himself around the league, the Packers waited. Re-signing their own players is their priority. But they have ceilings on what they're willing to pay Green and Martin, which is one reason why both were allowed to hit free agency Friday after lengthy negotiations. -- More




Green derby takes a twist
By Pete Dougherty / greenbaypressgazette.com
A new running back on the free-agent market probably will remove one team from the Ahman Green derby. Travis Henry, 28, became a free agent Saturday when the Tennessee Titans released him rather than pay an $8.3 million roster bonus due Monday. He reportedly was on his way to visit Denver on Saturday and appears to be the Broncos' No. 1 target to sign as their new starting halfback though they had Green in for a visit Friday night. The Broncos traded their starter, Tatum Bell, to Detroit in a deal for cornerback Dre' Bly. NFL teams knew Henry likely was to be released because of that roster bonus, so he's probably been on Denver's radar all along. He is two years younger than Green and rushed for 1,211 yards and a 4.5-yard average last season. Green gained 1,059 yards and had a 4.0-yard average last year for the Packers. The Packers' remain extremely interested in re-signing Green, though he also has visits scheduled this weekend for Houston on Saturday night and Sunday, and then Oakland. The Houston Chronicle reported Green was to attend the Houston Rockets' game Saturday night with GM Rick Smith. Houston's offensive coordinator is former Packers coach Mike Sherman, so Green and Sherman almost surely will have a long meeting also, presumably Sunday morning. It's unclear how strong Oakland's interest is in Green, and vice versa. The Packers, Houston and Oakland also talked Henry's agent, Hadley Engelhard, on Saturday, but the Packers are waiting to see what happens with Green before making any moves and didn't set up a visit with Henry. -- Story