<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Green Bay Packers haven't negotiated with the agent for halfback Ryan Grant recently, but Alan Herman is hopeful the start of training camp in less than two weeks will push the sides to finish a new deal. Herman said the sides have had substantive talks this offseason but haven't talked for about three weeks, and he's awaiting a counteroffer from team negotiator Russ Ball. Grant is an unusual case because though he's played only one year in the NFL, he's entering his fourth season out of college football at age 25. He almost single-handedly upgraded the team's running game when he emerged from the bottom of the depth chart the second half of last season, and is looking for some financial security even though he's three years away from free agency. Herman has said Grant will not sign the minimum tender of $370,000 for a second-year player and won't report to training camp until he has a long-term contract. "We've had a fruitful discussion, but it's been kind of quiet for a while," Herman said. "I know people take vacation, and the Brett Favre situation I'm presuming has occupied a lot of their time. So, I'm going to be patient. I think we have an understanding of formulas as to where we want to go, and my assumption would be once they're 100 percent ready to go and some of this other stuff has died down, I'm sure we can get something done. I'm still optimistic we can get this done in time to get Ryan to training camp." Herman said both sides have shown a willingness to compromise because of Grant's unusual circumstances. He said the sides have agreed on the likely length of the contract, though he wouldn't divulge it. However, there's a gap in what the sides think is appropriate compensation. "We're getting a little close here (to the start of camp)," Herman said. "I'm kind of waiting to hear from them. I know they're a little preoccupied with just a small problem (i.e., Favre)."</div> http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/p.../807160641/1058 What I found particularly amusing is one reader suggested 4 years, 10 Million Dollars, 1 Million guaranteed as a "fair" deal for Ryan Grant..... LOL. He's 25; he's young with not a lot of wear and tear, he's coming off of a good year. I'd be surprised if the Packers didn't get something done. My guess is it will be a shorter contract though, maybe 4 years. If he went with a 3 year contract, he could try and cash in again (but he'll lose out on guaranteed money....its a risk). Anything longer, if he plays like he did this past year, he risks being "underpaid" in the market.
He deserves the money. I think people are overly skeptical because of how he burst onto the scene and the fact that he was barely on the radar prior to this season. But everything you said about him is true. Anytime he's been given an opportunity, he's impressed (at the college and NFL level). I remember being disappointed that the Giants traded him away for so little, because he had been promising in training camp for us.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ Jul 16 2008, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It's all Brett's fault. Brett's distraction caused Grant to hold out.</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Fav-ray's indeciveness affects how the Packers run the team, be it in the NFL draft, free agency, building towards the future, etc. Sounds like the Packers were ready to move one. I do hope they move Favre though; let him play for someone else if he wants too.</div> = the bigger picture. This is like ESPN; not really worth the time. So I'll leave with one last comment: Farve may cause a distraction to his teammates (which I did say, but also noted it may not be all that much).....but its more of a distraction to the front office in dealing with the roster.
