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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