Packers Daily Links: Chris Canty Not Yet Contacted by Green Bay

JSOnline reports the Packers have not called the agent of free agent defensive lineman Chris Canty. That and more in today's Daily Links...

Despite showing previous interest in Chris Canty the last time he was a free agent, the Green Bay Packers have not contacted the recently released defensive lineman formerly of the New York Giants, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "As of right now, the Packers have not called (agent Brad) Blank," writes Silverstein. "Maybe they already know the price is too high. Maybe they think he can't play anymore." The length of contract desired by Canty could also be an issue. It would appear Canty can still be an effective NFL player, but for how long? The Packers might not want to offer a contract of three-plus seasons when another team might.

In an interview with former West Virginia quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital, Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel learned that NFL Draft prospect Geno Smith has studied a lot of film on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "On that iPad, Smith watched every snap of Aaron Rodgers’ season in 2011,"  writes Dunne. "Sometimes, Spavital joined him but usually Smith watched the Packers quarterback on his own. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder began mimicking Rodgers’ play-action tendencies. The Packers and Mountaineers run a handful of similar formations. In the split-back, play-action game, Smith noticed that Rodgers rides a prolonged fake to the running back to protect himself longer in the pocket." Regarded as the No. 1 quarterback prospect in this year's Draft class, Smith won't be Rodgers' understudy any time soon. But it's interesting to see the influence Rodgers has on such a highly-regarded young player.

Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre spoke to Jon Saraceno of USA Today about the recent tornado that ripped through his town of residence in Mississippi. "Nobody was killed!'' Favre is quoted as saying. "Look, everybody here is scratching their heads — 'Can you believe it?' Amazin'." During the interview, Favre said the tornado came as close as half a mile from his home. The pictures show scenes of destruction. It really is good news that people were not killed by this natural disaster.

Packers safety Morgan Burnett was recognized by ESPN.com NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert for being one of the few non-NFL offensive linemen to play every single snap in 2012. "That breakdown generated a unique accomplishment for Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett, who was one of four non-offensive linemen in the NFL to achieve 100 percent participation in 2012," writes Seifert. "The others were St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinitis and two quarterbacks, the San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers, and the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck." Although I saw improvement from Burnett in 2012, I still find it disappointing that a guy who played more than almost any other player in the entire NFL couldn't come up with a few more turnovers.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila talks about being inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in an article by Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin, but perhaps more interesting are his comments on the potential of Clay Matthews to break KGB's franchise sacks record. "The way Clay Matthews is looking, he could (break it)," Gbaja-Biamila is quoted as saying. "I don't know how long (my record) is going to last. I don't know how long Reggie White's lasted, probably not as long, I guess. Every record is meant to be broken, so I'm just glad to say I had it at one time and I surpassed the great Reggie White."

Speculation about the Packers pursuing free agent running back Steven Jackson comes from Lombardi Ave. and Bleacher Report.

The Green Bay Packers Foundation donated a record-setting single year sum of over $450,000 to community organizations in the past year. More on those donations comes from the Packers official website, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Fox 11 and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Offseason position analysis continues with the running backs at ESPNMilwaukee.com and the wide receivers at the Packers official website.

The offseason check-up series continues at Fox Sports Wisconsin with quarterback Graham Harrell.

Postseason analysis and grades are handed out to offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga, T.J. Lang and Marshall Newhouse at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Offensive coordinator Tom Clements is the subject of analysis at Acme Packing Company.

Blog posts on Donald Driver and the backup quarterback position appear at Lombardi Ave.

Thoughts on Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre are shared at PackersTalk.com.

Video: In addition to another video on his family and contributions to the community, Fox 11 shares this video about Donald Driver and his 10 years hosting "Inside the Huddle"...

Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (8)

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Justin's picture

February 13, 2013 at 09:53 am

I doubt the Packers will go after anyone in free agency. Canty is a good player, but he is going to be way overpriced and has been hurt the past two years.

If the Packers were looking to help the DL outside of the draft. Maybe a trade. Someone like Jared Odrick, who is now out of place in the Miami Dolphins 4-3.

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Lars's picture

February 13, 2013 at 10:04 am

Why would the Packers contact Chris Canty and Steven Jackson? With just $7 million and in cap room (and looming FA'cy of CM 3) I doubt they contact anybody. AJ Hawk's albatross $7 million cap # is TT's get out FA'cy free card for the next several years.

Look for Woodson to take $4-5 million or so, and TT to resign a few restricted FA's like Shields and EDS. Unless Finley is moved there's really no $$$ to do otherwise and that's just how the Packer GM wants it.

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redlights's picture

February 13, 2013 at 10:16 am

Conspiracy theory, anyone?

I too would be surprised if TT signs any FA's. But I too was surprised w/the signings of Benson; Hargrove; Muir, etc.

And look what it got them?

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jeremy's picture

February 13, 2013 at 11:34 am

They would have used Benson quite a bit had he not gotten hurt.

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kennypayne's picture

February 13, 2013 at 01:35 pm

The Pack has not contacted a veteran free agent and the sun rose in the East today, shocking.

Until players who no other NFL teams want emerge, that is players like Muir, Hargrove, Merling, Saturday, and Benson who TT so "boldly" signed last offseason, GB will not be active in free agency.

I just can't wait to see what low-budget training camp fodder TT brings in this season, it should be exciting.

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tundravision's picture

February 13, 2013 at 08:28 pm

The Packers have not contacted free agent Chris Canty.

In related news...oh, you know the drill. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

Seriously, though...I will say that has the POTENTIAL to be an offseason more like 2006 (Woodson, Pickett) where we can see a couple second-/third-tier guys come in if TT clears enough cap room. Not betting the farm on it, though.

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ted, of bill and ted's picture

February 14, 2013 at 07:50 am

morgan had quite a few picks go through his hands this year... although he ended up with less than everyone would have liked, i think next year he could very easily double his t.o.'s, at the least

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cow42's picture

February 14, 2013 at 10:01 am

there are never any good free agents.
signing a free agent automatically ruins your team for the next 100 years.
all of the players on the Packers' roster are better than any available free agent.
drafted players are always better than any available free agent.
if a player is a free agent that means there must be something wrong with him.

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