trickblue
02-28-2005, 08:26 AM
Link (http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/feb05/305472.asp)
Packers losing out on Wahle
By BOB McGINN
Indianapolis - In three days, guard Mike Wahle will begin sifting through a series of what should be extraordinarily lucrative offers befitting what some personnel directors are calling the best player in the entire National Football League free-agent market.
His employer since 1998, the Green Bay Packers, is being forced to cut Wahle for salary-cap reasons by Wednesday, the start of the new league year. The team has discovered that they can't even begin to compete for Wahle.
On Friday, a personnel director for an NFC team said Wahle probably was the No. 1 player in free agency.
"Everybody likes Derrick Mason but he's older," the executive said. "Wahle is a really good player."
On Sunday, a personnel director for an AFC team said he would rank Wahle and former Tennessee Titans cornerback Samari Rolle as the most attractive players.
"Wahle is athletic and tough," the scout said. "It's possible. It's not a great year. In my opinion, Samari is the best cover corner in the league."
Wahle won't be 28 until next month, has had minimal injuries, is a complete guard, conditions hard and practices hard, is highly intelligent and has played tackle in the past.
"That's very nice to hear but I don't know what's out on that market," Wahle said Sunday night. "I'm paying Neil (Cornrich) a lot of money to take care of that stuff. When he gives me a call, I'll know more."
Some have speculated that Wahle will receive a signing bonus of $10 million or more, perhaps as much as $15 million.
Mason, 31, also was a cap casualty in Tennessee. Rolle, 28, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery late in the season and was arrested recently on a domestic violence charge.
Other attractive free agents will be Pittsburgh wide receiver Plaxico Burress, Buffalo nose tackle Pat Williams, former Titans defensive end Kevin Carter, Pittsburgh linebacker Kendrell Bell and former New England cornerback Ty Law, who is 31 and coming off foot surgery.
Packers losing out on Wahle
By BOB McGINN
Indianapolis - In three days, guard Mike Wahle will begin sifting through a series of what should be extraordinarily lucrative offers befitting what some personnel directors are calling the best player in the entire National Football League free-agent market.
His employer since 1998, the Green Bay Packers, is being forced to cut Wahle for salary-cap reasons by Wednesday, the start of the new league year. The team has discovered that they can't even begin to compete for Wahle.
On Friday, a personnel director for an NFC team said Wahle probably was the No. 1 player in free agency.
"Everybody likes Derrick Mason but he's older," the executive said. "Wahle is a really good player."
On Sunday, a personnel director for an AFC team said he would rank Wahle and former Tennessee Titans cornerback Samari Rolle as the most attractive players.
"Wahle is athletic and tough," the scout said. "It's possible. It's not a great year. In my opinion, Samari is the best cover corner in the league."
Wahle won't be 28 until next month, has had minimal injuries, is a complete guard, conditions hard and practices hard, is highly intelligent and has played tackle in the past.
"That's very nice to hear but I don't know what's out on that market," Wahle said Sunday night. "I'm paying Neil (Cornrich) a lot of money to take care of that stuff. When he gives me a call, I'll know more."
Some have speculated that Wahle will receive a signing bonus of $10 million or more, perhaps as much as $15 million.
Mason, 31, also was a cap casualty in Tennessee. Rolle, 28, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery late in the season and was arrested recently on a domestic violence charge.
Other attractive free agents will be Pittsburgh wide receiver Plaxico Burress, Buffalo nose tackle Pat Williams, former Titans defensive end Kevin Carter, Pittsburgh linebacker Kendrell Bell and former New England cornerback Ty Law, who is 31 and coming off foot surgery.