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Packers send Gilbert to Titans

By

Reggie Gilbert

On the eve of the final preseason game, the Green Bay Packers send third-year outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert to the Tennessee Titans for a 7th round draft pick.

Gilbert made the Packers roster as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2016.  He went on to play in 18 games, tallying 3.5 sacks for the Packers.

The Packers added to the position with the free agent signings of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, as well as drafting Rashan Gary out of Michigan in the first round of the draft.  Those moves meant a loaded outside linebacker position, making Gilbert expendable.

The Packers close out the preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs tonight at Lambeau Field.  They must trim their roster to 53-players by 3 p.m. on Saturday.

 

Packers go defense on day one of NFL Draft

By

Brian Gutekunst

The Green Bay Packers using both of their two first round draft picks on the defensive side of the ball should be no surprise.  Afterall, the organization, which general manager Brian Gutekunst has been a part of for that entire time and beyond, has gone the defensive rout in the first round for the 8th straight year.

The Packers made Michigan edge rusher Rashan Gary the 12th overall pick in Thursday’s opening round.  Gutekunst later traded up from 30 with Seattle to select Maryland free safety Darnell Savage at number-21.  To make the move, it cost the Packers two fourth-round selections, numbers 114 and 118 on Saturday.

The last time the Packers used a top pick on an offensive player was Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod in 2011.

The Packers have had their eye on Gary for years. [Read more…]

Packers introduce four free agent acquisitions

By

Za’Darius Smith

The Green Bay Packers introduced their four free agent acquisitions on Thursday.  Pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, as well as safety Adrian Amos and offensive lineman Billy Turner signed new deals with the team this week.

The Packers doled out $182 million for the four, a figure that doesn’t include incentives and escalators.

Za’Darius Smith got $66 million in his deal, averaging $16.5 million a season.  That is second on the Packers roster, only to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

With big money deals, come high expectations.

“All that really hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m going to do my best,” Za’Darius Smith said.  “I’m going to do what I can do.  Coaches know what I’m capable of doing, so I’m going to continue to work hard.  Like I said, stay after practice, do the little things right.  What I’m bringing to this team is leadership, accountability.  I’m going to do the right thing and I’m going to continue to put up big numbers hopefully.”

Za’Darius Smith had 8 1/2 sacks in a contract year for the Baltimore Ravens last season. [Read more…]

Packers reshaping their defense on second day of negotiating period

By

Brian Gutekunst

The Green Bay Packers made it clear on Tuesday that outside linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry most likely won’t be a part of their plans moving forward.

The Packers agreed to deals with two pass rushers named Smith and added a safety as well.  The deals can be finalized when the NFL year opens on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT.

The Packers came to terms with former Baltimore Raven pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith, who had 8.5 sacks last season.  His deal is worth a reported $66 million over four years, including a $20 million signing bonus.

The second Smith is former Redskin Preston Smith, who gets a four-year deal worth a reported $52 million with a $16 million signing bonus.  Smith recorded 24.5 sacks in his first four seasons with the Redskins but only four of those came in 2018.

The Packers were also looking for safety help and agreed to a four-year, $37 million deal with former Chicago Bear Adrian Amos.  He started all 16 games for the Bears last season and finished with two interceptions.  He has started 56 of the 60 games he’s played in with the Bears.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst also added former Denver Bronco offensive lineman (guard/tackle) Billy Turner.  His deal is worth a reported $28 million over four years.