(From The Associated Press)
The Green Bay Packers have exercised their right of first refusal on restricted free agent cornerback Jarrett Bush, matching an offer sheet from the Tennessee Titans.
Bush has been with the Packers for three seasons, mostly in a backup role. He played in 16 games last season and finished second on the team with 17 special teams tackles.
"Jarrett has been a solid player for us,'' Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "We are pleased to have him remain a member of our team.''
(From The Associated Press)
Tickets went on sale Monday for the Green Bay Packers "tailgate tour" benefiting local nonprofit groups.
CEO Mark Murphy, safety Nick Collins, wide receiver Jordy Nelson and linebacker Brady Poppinga will stop in Marshfield on May 11, Hudson May 12, Platteville May 13 and Beaver Dam May 14.
The Packers say the tour includes an evening tailgate party in each city hosted by the local nonprofit organization.
Tickets are $25 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the hosting group.
Click here for more information.
(From The Associated Press)
The NFL's unsettled labor future could lead to the league functioning without a salary cap next year, but Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy doesn't think owners would go on a spending bender just because they can.
If a prolonged economic downturn doesn't ensure that, Murphy said the possibility of a work stoppage in 2011 will.
Speaking at an annual fan outing at Lambeau Field on Saturday, Murphy said the Packers are examining their budget to adjust to economic conditions. They are also preparing for the possibility that football could be ensnared in a labor dispute if owners and players can't work out a new contract in the next two years.
"We're right in the middle of the budget process now and looking at all of our expenses," Murphy said. "Are there places we can cut back? Do we need to do things the way we've done them in the past? Things of that nature. Because I think the combination of the economy and a potential work stoppage, it's just a smart business decision to look at everything we do."
Murphy said the Packers haven't laid off any full-time employees - an unspecified number of part-time workers at the team's Lambeau Field souvenir shop were let go - but didn't rule it out.
"We plan to avoid large-scale layoffs," Murphy said. "But we're anticipating really taking a critical look."
Murphy said he's optimistic about negotiating a new deal with players, but also made it clear that nothing will happen until the Players Association hires a new executive director.
"Our sense was, it really made sense to wait until they had their leadership in place rather than entering the negotiations and having a new leader come in and things may change," Murphy said.
Murphy, a former safety for the Washington Redskins, worked for the union after his playing career ended in the mid-1980s. He left his job as athletic director at Northwestern to become the Packers' top executive in January 2008.
Owners voted to opt out of their existing labor agreement with players in March 2011. But there's another deadline that could quicken the pace of negotiations: If there isn't a new deal in place a year from now, the salary cap - pointed to by many as a key factor in the NFL's parity-driven popularity - will go away for 2010.
Without the cap, teams would be free to spend whatever they want to sign players. But even if that happens, Murphy doesn't think they will.
Most owners won't have the money or inclination to spend wildly, Murphy said, and those few who do will realize it's bad for the sport's long-term future.
"I don't anticipate a spending spree, for a couple of reasons," Murphy said. "I think the economy probably 'helps' - there just isn't as much money available from a practical standpoint. But I think also from a management standpoint, we all realize that this is really important for the future of the league."
