As expected, the Green Bay Packers three remaining unsigned restricted free agents didn’t show for the start of organized team activities, Tuesday.
Those players are defensive end Johnny Jolly, cornerback Tramon Williams and safety Atari Bigby. As I mentioned, the players’ absences were expected, since 1. none of them have signed their restricted free agent tender and are likely trying to get a long-term deal, and 2. OTAs are not mandatory.
However, the only other player reportedly not in attendance was cornerback Al Harris, who is rehabilitating his knee in Florida after suffering a torn ACL last December. Harris wasn’t expected to attend.
Even cornerback Charles Woodson, who rarely attends such functions, showed up this year.
It’s a good sign for the Packers that so many players are dedicating themselves to the 2010 season this early and veteran players like Woodson are setting an example.
Of the players who didn’t show up, Bigby is likely the only one with anything to worry about. While there have been whispers Bigby could hold out, the Packers drafted safety Morgan Burnett in the third round of this year’s draft to challenge for a starting spot. So, hey, go ahead and hold out, moron.
On the other side of the coin, one guy who probably would have liked to be at OTAs, but was instead cleaning out his locker, is unrestricted free agent running back Ahman Green.
Green expressed optimism he would be returning to the Packers after the 2009 season, even though some people (like me) seemed to think the idea was preposterous. Even though Green is 33, he says he has no plans to retire and the team indicated to him they’re unsure what they want to do at the position.
Something tells me the team, and Ted Thompson specifically, has a pretty good idea of what they want to do at the position after drafting James Starks in the sixth round of this year’s draft. The Packers gave the No. 34 worn by Green last season to safety Anthony Levine.
A real nice fuck you to one of the greatest backs in Packers’ history. Classy, as always, Ted.
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Last updated on November 17th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
atari is the man, and our best strong safety. don’t be hating. i don’t think the idea of keeping green was preposterous, but there’s too much young, fast talent to keep him. sorry buddy, but at least the pack isn’t holding onto you for some other team to sign your waiver after camp
As far as Ahman Green goes….they gave him tons of respect last season by putting him on the roster and letting him get the franchise record…the Packers owe him nothing more….
He should have just retired last season as a Packer rather than going thru the formality of being resigned for a day after a season or two of obscurity somewhere else.
Ahman is approaching the Dead End sign….he needs to accept it.
TT has no class because he gave the #34 to Levine and what was the adjective used to describe Green”great” as in HOF. Please get a dictionary and find another word,that one gets thrown around way to easily.
running back is a young man’s position. green no longer fits that description. He’s taken too much pounding and has too many miles on his legs to be truly effective. Football is a cut throat business. It’s all about what have you done for me lately? I’m often impressed by many of the guys who recognize that. Green is not quite there yet.
Woah, easy on ted thompson, he has done an amazing job as the packers gm and is doing all he can to build a super bowl team. Ahman Green is way past his prime, although i loved the guy as a player, it is time for him to move on.
Agreed it was time for Green to move on. The point is, I don’t think the organization was up front with him. He thought he was going to be back. He must have gotten that idea from someone in the organization. He’s not an idiot.
And, I’ll make the argument that Green was indeed one of the greatest running backs in Green Bay’s history. Is Taryn only judging him for last season? Green lit the league up for several years and is the all time team leader in rushing. What, are you related to Darrel Thompson or something?
Umm.. Bigby is not our best SS, and you’d think he’d show since they drafted a sfety. That’s bigby’s wake up call that your job might be gone this year, to a talented rookie. Williams, I understand, he’s good. Bigby is not necessarily an asset, especially in coverage; he can only tackle in the box. We got a balanced all round safety in burnett. And You say ted wasn’t classy to the great. Always bashing Ted. Green is old, and old running backs aren’t held on to, and green understands this.
Ahman was good but is old. Bigby was good and tough but now is neither and add slow. I’ve been a big fan of Tramon for a while now and we’ll lock him up to a long term deal.