The Green Bay Packers have expressed interest in New York Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson, who the team originally drafted in 2006.
Word on the street is the Packers plan to bring Tollefson in for a visit next week if he doesn’t sign elsewhere first. The Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also interested.
Tollefson started only two games last seasson, but recorded five sacks. He has 10 sacks in a six-year career, the past five of which he’s spent with New York.
In Green Bay, Tollefson would likely play outside linebacker. He’s a bit undersized (266 pounds) to play defensive end in the 3-4. The Packers’ interest in Tollefson and Cincinnati’s Manny Lawson, another outside linebacker, is a pretty clear sign they’re looking to replace free agent outside linebacker Erik Walden. While Frank Zombo and Brad Jones remain on the roster, neither player has played at a high level or been able to hold down a spot in the starting lineup.
In other news, the Packers have signed defensive tackle Daniel Muir, another player who started his career in Green Bay. Originally an undrafted free agent, Muir spent the last four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Over that time he started 26 games, but he was released after just four games last season.
Muir (6-2, 312) provides zero pass rush — he only has .5 sacks in his five-year career — but is solid against the run. His best season came in 2009, when he had 52 tackles.
Muir’s signing likely means the Packers won’t bother re-signing defensive tackle Howard Green. Green had only 11 tackles in 16 games (five starts) last season.
In still more news, the Packers lost cornerback Pat Lee, who signed with the Oakland Raiders. We can’t really say it’s much of a loss. Despite being a second-round pick, Lee never managed to be anything more than a solid special teams performer.
He tied for the team lead with 12 special teams tackles in 2011, but has zero career interceptions.