Kampman Stays, Longwell Goes, And Walker Keeps Talking » Brats & Beer

March 12, 2006
posted under: Aaron Kampman, Javon Walker, Packers, Ryan Longwell

I was glad to see that the Packers managed to come to terms on a deal with defensive end Aaron Kampman. Just hours before free agency started Friday, the two sides finally agreed to a new four-year deal that will provide the seed for an improved defense this season. Kampman had a career-high six-and-a-half sacks last year and could be playing opposite from Mario Williams if Green Bay takes the NC State standout in the first round of the draft. Meanwhile, though, the Packers let place kicker Ryan Longwell escape to the HHH Dome in the Twin Cities. It’s bad enough that they could not come to terms with the team’s all-time leading scorer, but to allow him to now become a Viking is inexcusable. So now begins the long search for someone who can put the ball through the uprights at Lambeau Field in late December.

In other news, the Javon Walker soap opera started up again with the Pro-Bowl receiver telling ESPN he’d rather retire than play another season for Green Bay. Walker, coming off a knee injury last year, wants to be traded and has even said he’d pay back an $850,000 bonus to get out of his contract. No one has talked to Brett Favre about this yet, but in order for him to admonish Walker again in the press, he’ll have to come off the fence and decide to play another year.