Ryan Grant is still in New York as of this morning, meaning he is officially holding out. Without knowing the particulars, it is hard to know where to focus one’s anger over the inability of the Packers and Alan Herman, Grant’s agent, to come to an agreement.
One thing I will say, however, is that Herman has been only too eager to talk (and talk and talk…) to the media throughout this process, which always makes me think the guy is full of hot air. Stop whining about how the Packers haven’t dropped everything to deal with you and your client and do what you can do on your end. Complaining to the media just makes me think you’re probably being unrealistic in your demands and you’re trying to curry favor with the public to put pressure on Thompson to get a deal done. (When will agents figure out Thompson doesn’t give two hoots what the fan base thinks?)
On the flip side, Thompson is really playing with fire here. Yes, the Packers hold all the cards, but Grant is the key to the offense. Period. Does he really think the specter of Brandon Jackson taking over the lead tailback job is going to prod Grant’s side to come down in asking price? If he wasn’t so consumed with dealing with the Brett Favre fiasco, perhaps he would have signed Lamont Jordan yesterday before the Patriots snatched him up. Would Jordan be the answer? Hardly. But it would send a clear message that the Packers were seriously considering letting Grant sit in New York for as long as it takes. As it stands now, all Herman has to do is FedEx a cutup of Jackson’s starts from last season with a note that says ‘Good luck in ‘08!’
