Packers want DT Williams to stay
Contract extension is being discussed
By BOB McGINN
March 14, 2007
Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers want to extend the contract of defensive tackle Corey Williams before he becomes an unrestricted free agent a year from now.
Buy a link here"Yeah, I think so," general manager Ted Thompson said. "We've dabbled at it a little bit. He has the ability to rush the passer. I think he's played well."
Agent Jeff Courtney and team negotiator Andrew Brandt have talked off and on for some time about an extension for the 26-year-old Williams, but tough bargaining has yet to unfold.
"The best way I could put it is there's clearly a reciprocal interest," Courtney said. "I can't sit here and tell you we're having substantial dialogue on it right now. I think 'dabbled' probably is a pretty good word to use."
With the free-agent signing period almost two weeks old, the only player signed by the Packers is backup cornerback Frank Walker. They rank fourth in available cap space with $21.757 million, but the top five players at almost every position no longer are available.
All teams are required to spend 85.2% of their cap in 2007, which in Green Bay's case is $109.653 million.
The Packers have loads of cap room to unload over the next nine months, and it would appear that their method to do it is give Williams and linebacker Nick Barnett front-loaded extensions before they hit the market next March.
"We would prefer to identify players that we want going forward and invest in those players," Thompson said. "The best way for us to improve is improve from within."
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Packers want DT Williams to stay
Packers want DT Williams to stay
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