NFL
Favre furor overshadowing possible Grant holdout
Believe it or not, there are players on the Green Bay Packers other than Brett Favre. In fact, the biggest key to Green Bay’s offense might not be Favre but running back Ryan Grant, who exploded onto the season last season.
On the eve of last season, Grant was with the New York Giants. But they had a glut of running backs and traded the former Notre Dame player to the Packers on Sept. 1. Not much was thought of that deal until Oct. 29, when Grant, who once was fourth string, rushed for 104 yards on 22 carries in a game against the Broncos in relief of an injured DeShawn Wynn.
That was one of six 100-yard games (including a Packers’ playoff record 201 yards against Seattle in the NFC divisional playoffs) Grant put up in the second half of the season; he finished with 956 yards rushing and eight TDs in the regular season. That success comes with a price: Grant has said he wouldn’t report to training camp this week without a new contract.
As an exclusive-rights free agent, Grant isn’t eligible to negotiate with other teams. His only leverage is to refuse Green Bay’s $370,000 tender offer. So Grant won’t and can’t participate in camp until he signs something - either the tender or a multiyear contract.
Grant’s agent, Alan Herman, said last week his client won’t sign that tender offer.
“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, referencing the Favre circus surrounding the team.
Grant is an unusual spot because though he has played only one year in the NFL, he’s entering his fourth season out of college football at age 25. So he wants a little financial security even though he’s three years away from free agency.
“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).”
Yet Grant himself contradicted his agent on Monday morning on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” radio show.
“I plan on being there,” said Grant. “Everything is progressing well, and I’m ready to go.”
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