Packers Daily Links: Colledge Bids Adieu To Green Bay

Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge is expected to sign with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. That and more in today's Daily Links...

From all indications, guard Daryn Colledge will not be returning to the Green Bay Packers in free agency. In a report at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tom Silverstein writes, "Colledge, meanwhile, began drawing interest early in the free-agent period and, according to a source, did not allow the Packers to get into the bidding. His agent, Jeff Sperbeck, wouldn't confirm that, but he did say the Packers had every opportunity to sign Colledge before Tuesday." The Packers will very likely get a compensatory draft choice in exchange for losing Colledge. In essence, the larger the contract he signs, the better the draft choice the Packers will get in exchange for his loss.

Direct reaction from Daryn Colledge on Twitter was captured by Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. “The Packers have said they have no interest in my services at a high price,” Colledge is quoted as writing. The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly the front runner for Colledge's services.

Continued reaction from Daryn Colledge's agent, Jeff Sperbeck, appear at Packer Report. “Teams expressing a strong desire to sign him does make him feel wanted and appreciated for what he has accomplished so far in his career,” Sperbeck told Packer Report in an email. “In this business, money is a significant indicator of how teams express their appreciation. So based on that, then yes, many other teams do seem to appreciate his talent more than the Packers do."

The Packers are apparently still in the running for the services of wide receiver James Jones. "According to an NFL source, the Packers are making an effort to keep Jones, who was expected to be fielding significant offers from other teams as the free-agent period began this week," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. I expect the Packers to make Jones an offer, I just don't think they'll be willing to pay the same money Jones will be able to make on the open market.

Kicker Mason Crosby agreed to a new deal with the Packers yesterday, and Rob Demovsky was able to interview him shortly thereafter. “I think our special teams are on the verge of being very dominant,” Crosby told the Press-Gazette. “That’s something, going into my fifth year, I want to take ownership of, make sure the special teams is right. It could have hurt us some last year. We won the Super Bowl not doing our best, at times, on special teams. Obviously everywhere can always improve, but my goal is to make sure we’re the best.” That will be music to Packers' fans ears, but they want to see it in addition to hearing it. Crosby also said he'll be going to Lambeau Field today to vote on the players' union recertification.

Even though teams are allowed to sign their draft choices, the Packers have yet to do so. In fact, reports out of Green Bay note that no negotiations have even taken place. It appears that as part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, there's really no negotiating to be done. “The reality of (the new collective bargaining agreement) is it takes all the negotiation out of it," running back Alex Green's agent Michael Hoffman is quoted as saying in the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "They come in with the best offer, and it’s pretty much a done deal. I think that’s probably what most teams are going to do.” From all indications, the Packers will offer contracts rookies all at once. And from the looks of things, there won't be holdouts, or at least nearly as many, by first-round draft choices, as in the past.

The agent for linebacker Brady Poppinga doesn't anticipate his client being released by the Packers. "Amid speculation veteran linebacker Brady Poppinga could be released to give the Green Bay Packers additional salary cap room, his agent said today that seems unlikely," writes Rob Demovsky of the Press-Gazette. I wouldn't expect an agent to say anything less, but I personally expect Poppinga to be released. He has a salary cap figure approaching $2.5 million, which is a lot of money for a backup, and on top of that, the Packers need cap relief.

The schedule for the first two days of training camp was released yesterday. "The Packers will open camp Saturday with a 7 p.m. workout at Ray Nitschke Field and will repeat the same Sunday," according to the Press-Gazette. "Players will wear helmets and shorts, without pads this weekend. Both sessions are free to the public and gates open at 5:30 p.m." The remainder of the training camp schedule will be released on Friday.

Tickets to the team's annual Family Night training camp practice are selling at a brisk pace. "Ticket sales for the Green Bay Packers Family Night event Aug. 6 continue to go fast, with more than 27,000 sold in the first two days of sales," reports the Press-Gazette. Tickets can be purchased through the team's ticket office, Ticketmaster and select other locations.

Players may report to their training camp housing quarters as soon as today. "St. Norbert College expects the Green Bay Packers to move onto campus on Thursday or Friday, continuing a long training camp partnership between the team and school," writes Patti Zarling of the Press-Gazette.

Nitschke Field, the Packers' training camp playing surface, is ready for action. "All that remains to do this week is paint the lines, hashes and numbers on the Packers’ training-camp practice field, and it’s all set for the team to get back to work on Saturday night," writes Mike Spofford of the Packers official website.

Illinois governor Pat Quinn is scheduled to make good on his bet with Wisconsin governor Scott Walker on the Packers beating the Bears in the NFC Championship game.

Training camp position previews are written by Bob McGinn on the wide receivers, Pete Dougherty on the outside linebackers, Bill Huber on the inside linebackers and Jason Wilde on the linebackers in general.

The Associated Press has more on the Mason Crosby deal.

Video of punter Tim Mashay at Lambeau Field appears at JSOnline.

Vic Ketchman answers his mailbag at Packers.com.

Video: The concealed carry law is still being debated as it relates to Lambeau Field...

Brian Carriveau is the editor of the Maple Street Press Packers Annual. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (12)

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CSS's picture

July 28, 2011 at 08:38 am

According to the National Football Post Colledge has agreed to terms with Arizona.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Daryn-Colledge-headed-to-Arizona.html

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MarkinMadison's picture

July 28, 2011 at 08:56 am

I have to think that part of the reason why the Packers value him less has something to do with the Lions' DL. Colledge is not a large physical guard, but he would be facing a young, large and deep talented group of DTs twice a year if he stayed in Green Bay. The Packers may like their changes with Lang and other guys who add an extra 10-15 pounds of beef.

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CSS's picture

July 28, 2011 at 09:02 am

Hard to say, Mark. I don't know that they, 'value him less', I just think Colledge was steady but never dominant. Felt to me like the coaching staff and management always had a 'grass is greener on the other side' with the youth they've had on the depth chart.

Feels like they believe the updside on their depth chart is better. We'll see.

My biggest concern, should Clifton go down for any period of time you will have a 2nd year guy in Bulaga or rookie in Sherrod playing next to an inexperienced starting left guard. There will be no veteran in Colledge helping that young blind-side protection adjust. A bit un-nerving for me.

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wgbeethree's picture

July 28, 2011 at 08:57 am

Jarrett Bush can not be happy about the news that Colledge signed with Arizona. With the other whipping boy gone the knee-jerk reactionists are sure to give him 100% of the blame for any loss should we not go 19-0.

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lebowski's picture

July 28, 2011 at 10:53 am

There's still Shawn Slocum....

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PackersRS's picture

July 28, 2011 at 01:11 pm

THIS.

AND James Campen. AND Brady Poppinga.

And after Bush's interview after the SB, and after re-watching his performance this past season (ST performance), Bush is alright in my book. In fact, I doubt anyone can project a 53 man roster and not have Bush making it.

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CSS's picture

July 28, 2011 at 09:24 am

On a Packer alumni note: I originally thought highly of John Schneider, former Packer executive and current Seahawk GM, but it looks like he's playing darts with personnel these days and no 'plan' in place.

Sure, they made the playoffs in an awful division, but 265 roster moves last year and now this years acquisitions just make me say, wow.

It was popular to speculate that he was a possible air-apparent to TT when he retires, but I'm not so sure now. Seems random and undisciplined.

Anybody else paying attention to him? Thoughts?

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Tarynfor 12's picture

July 28, 2011 at 09:40 am

I think he is using Captain Jack Sparrows compass.

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PackerAaron's picture

July 28, 2011 at 10:45 am

Right there with you. Its hard to pass judgement though without knowing whose moves are whose between him and Carroll - also, you have to take into account that Carroll has final say.

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PackersRS's picture

July 28, 2011 at 01:13 pm

Who chose Carroll as HC?

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PackerAaron's picture

July 28, 2011 at 03:05 pm

Paul Allen, the owner, who gave him final say.

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PackersRS's picture

July 28, 2011 at 05:18 pm

Schneider a puppet then? TT and Wolf would never accept that kind of interference. An owner choosing the HC instead of the GM?

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