Grant's agent: We're talking, but no progress on deal
By Rob Demovsky • rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com • July 31, 2008
The Green Bay Packers are no closer to a deal with running back Ryan Grant than they were last weekend, when his agent Alan Herman disclosed just how far apart the two sides are on financial terms.
Advertisement
However, Herman said Thursday that the Packers have called him a couple of times this week to try to initiate talks.
“I’ve had a few conversations since then – one very unproductive conversation and one that we would talk again,” Herman said. “We’ll see how that goes. Hopefully, there’s a change in their position. If there is, we’ll have an opportunity to make a deal. If there’s not, then we won’t. Things can change, but we’re not anywhere near a deal.”
On Sunday, the eve of training camp, Herman blasted the Packers for the six-year offer they made to Grant. Herman said the team proposed a $1.75 million signing bonus and no other guaranteed money over the length of the deal. Herman was looking for at least twice that in a signing bonus and the possibility for Grant to earn salary escalators that would become guaranteed if he hit certain production marks.
Herman said the Packers called Monday – a day after he went public with his displeasure over how the team was handling his client. That conversation “was about three seconds,” Herman said.
“They wanted to keep the lines of communication open,” Herman said. “I understand the nature of the phone call.”
Grant has missed five practices over the first three days of camp. There was no practice on Thursday, but workouts resume Friday with a pair of practices at 8:45 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. The weekend schedule includes an afternoon practice on Saturday and the annual intrasquad scrimmage at Lambeau Field on Sunday night. It seems likely that Grant will miss all of those activities.
Grant, 25, is an exclusive rights free agent who would not become an unrestricted free agent until he plays three more seasons. He has only one season of accrued NFL service. He spent his rookie season on the New York Giants’ practice squad and his second season on the non-football injury list. He had only one season left on a minimum contract when the Packers acquired him from the Giants last September.
That status – and that Grant rushed for 956 yards in essentially half a season last year – has made for difficult negotiations. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...099/1954/PKR03
By Rob Demovsky • rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com • July 31, 2008
The Green Bay Packers are no closer to a deal with running back Ryan Grant than they were last weekend, when his agent Alan Herman disclosed just how far apart the two sides are on financial terms.
Advertisement
However, Herman said Thursday that the Packers have called him a couple of times this week to try to initiate talks.
“I’ve had a few conversations since then – one very unproductive conversation and one that we would talk again,” Herman said. “We’ll see how that goes. Hopefully, there’s a change in their position. If there is, we’ll have an opportunity to make a deal. If there’s not, then we won’t. Things can change, but we’re not anywhere near a deal.”
On Sunday, the eve of training camp, Herman blasted the Packers for the six-year offer they made to Grant. Herman said the team proposed a $1.75 million signing bonus and no other guaranteed money over the length of the deal. Herman was looking for at least twice that in a signing bonus and the possibility for Grant to earn salary escalators that would become guaranteed if he hit certain production marks.
Herman said the Packers called Monday – a day after he went public with his displeasure over how the team was handling his client. That conversation “was about three seconds,” Herman said.
“They wanted to keep the lines of communication open,” Herman said. “I understand the nature of the phone call.”
Grant has missed five practices over the first three days of camp. There was no practice on Thursday, but workouts resume Friday with a pair of practices at 8:45 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. The weekend schedule includes an afternoon practice on Saturday and the annual intrasquad scrimmage at Lambeau Field on Sunday night. It seems likely that Grant will miss all of those activities.
Grant, 25, is an exclusive rights free agent who would not become an unrestricted free agent until he plays three more seasons. He has only one season of accrued NFL service. He spent his rookie season on the New York Giants’ practice squad and his second season on the non-football injury list. He had only one season left on a minimum contract when the Packers acquired him from the Giants last September.
That status – and that Grant rushed for 956 yards in essentially half a season last year – has made for difficult negotiations. http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...099/1954/PKR03

Comment