Packers Free Agency 2012: Little Activity After Matt Flynn's Exit

Free Agent Anthony Hargrove Joins The Packers

Free agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove has agreed to terms with the Green Bay Packers, ESPN confirmed Thursday. Hargrove originally broke the news from his Twitter account, and is apparently pretty excited to be joining up with the 2011 Super Bowl Champions.

It offiicial.. Here I come Packer Nation….Green and Yellow

— Anthony Hargrove (@A94Hargrove) March 29, 2012

The Packers are typically quiet on the free agent front, and this year hasn't been much of an exception. They have been making an effort to upgrade the offensive and defensive lines, however, picking up Jeff Saturday from the Indianapolis Colts to help protect Aaron Rodgers.

Hargrove spent last season with the Seattle Seahawks, recording 18 tackles and three sacks in 15 games played. He will benefit a pass rush that fell off significantly in 2011-12, finishing 27th in the league with 29 total sacks on the season.

For more on Hargrove and the Packers, head over to the SB Nation blog Acme Packing Company.

Free Agent Matt Flynn Plans Visit With Miami Dolphins

Free agent quarterback Matt Flynn isn't getting quite as much attention on the open market as some thought he would. Flynn, the former Green Bay Packers QB, has visited the Seattle Seahawks. According to ESPN, Flynn's next stop will be Miami, where the Dolphins hopes of landing Peyton Manning are "dwindling."

Flynn's former offensive coordinator in Green Bay, Joe Philbin, happens to be the Dolphins' new head coach. Philbin knows Flynn better than anyone, so he should have the best assessment of what the former LSU signal-caller can do for the franchise. Absent Manning, Flynn is the best available quarterback on the market. It's clear the Dolphins are intent on adding a quarterback, even if that's not Manning.

Flynn's only known suitors at this point are the Seahawks and Dolphins, with Seattle being his only visit. Pre-free agency speculation connected Flynn to the Cleveland Browns, but they were apparently never interested.

For more on Flynn and his next team, stay tuned to this StoryStream.

Matt Flynn's First Free Agent Visit Is With Seattle Seahawks

One of the prizes of the 2012 NFL free agency period is visiting the Seattle Seahawks. ESPN reports that former Green Bay Packers QB Matt Flynn will be visiting Seattle on Thursday night into Friday morning. It's the first known visit for him in free agency.

The Seahawks wanted to visit with Peyton Manning (but he declined) so we know they want to upgrade their quarterback situation. Absent signing Flynn, Seattle could also look to the draft.

Flynn is one of the hot commodities on the free agent market because some view him as a potential starter. It's believed he could command a contract similar to the one Kevin Kolb received last year (six years, $65 million).

Who else is in on Flynn?

The Browns reportedly aren't interested despite reports that they were. Many felt Cleveland would be a team that pursues but apparently not.

The Dolphins head coach is Joe Philbin, Flynn's former offensive coordinator in Green Bay. They make some sense and if they lose out on the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, he could be an option.

Browns Not In On Matt Flynn, According To Report

Contrary to a previous report, the Cleveland Browns are asserting that they have not made a contract offer to free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn. The Browns, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, had both reportedly been swapping offers with Flynn, who is expected to attract a salary in the $8 million a year range.

BREAKING: #Browns have not pursued GB QB Matt Flynn and reports that they're set to make offer untrue, league source tells PD.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 14, 2012

That the Browns might be pursuing a player like Flynn, though, does not seem so outlandish. Their offense was among the most anemic in the league, ranking 30th in points scored per game (13.6), 29th in yards per game (288.8) and 24th in passing yards per game (193.1). Colt McCoy was their starter last year and had a middling 74.6 passer rating.

Flynn only made one start last year, but it was an impressive one. In the final game of the season, the Green Bay Packers backup threw for 480 yards and tossed six touchdowns.

Matt Flynn Race Coming Down To Dolphins And Browns

NFL free agency is already running wild. The free agent season opened on Tuesday and the courting of players is in full swing. Many teams are attempting to line up meetings with players or offer them contracts right away. One of the players who is attempting to be lured by at least a couple of teams is Matt Flynn.

Flynn served as the backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers since being drafted by the team in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft. Last season, he famously started a late-season game over regular starter (and NFL Most Valuable Player) Aaron Rodgers and set all-time Packers records with 480 passing yards and six touchdowns in Green Bay's Jan. 1, 2012, win over the Detroit Lions.

Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that both the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns are negotiating with Flynn as of Tuesday evening. Both teams are expected to exchange contract offers with Flynn's agent.

For all news and information regarding Matt Flynn and the Green Bay Packers, check out Acme Packing Company. For updates and perspective on the Miami Dolphins, please visit The Phinsider. For lots more on the Cleveland Browns, head on over to Dawgs By Nature. For complete coverage of the free agent season, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL free agency hub.

Free Agent Matt Flynn May Wait On Peyton Manning

While most of the free agent quarterback focus on where Peyton Manning will sign, the next best quarterback on the market is Matt Flynn, who could be waiting on Peyton Manning to sign before he makes his choice on which team he will play for in 2012. Flynn is expected to have plenty of suitors, but according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, Flynn could wait it out.

Though it would seem that the Dolphins would risk losing Flynn by waiting for a decision from Manning, the Flynn camp realizes that the number of offers, and the value of those offers, for Flynn likely will increase if Manning is off the market, according to a source.

So unless Flynn receives a mind-blowing offer at the start of free agency, he might wait a few days for Manning to make a decision.

While Flynn would be smart to wait for the quarterback market to thin out with Manning finally picking a team, no one knows how long that will be. A team could sweep in and offer Flynn a massive contract while other teams are fighting over Manning.

For more free agency updates, head to SB Nation's Packers blog, Acme Packing Company.

2012 NFL Free Agency: Mario Williams, Matt Flynn Highlight The Market

The NFL's free agency period opens up on Tuesday afternoon, and some teams will start spending early and often to set themselves up for success in 2012.

Packers Free Agency 2012: Matt Flynn Heads To New Team

The Green Bay Packers were the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2011, making it two in a row, and it looked as if they were going to go undefeated throughout the regular season as they won 13 straight games before losing their only game of the 2011 season. They were on a roll, but in the end it didn't matter as they were knocked out of the playoffs in their first game by the eventual league champions, the New York Giants.

The Packers are in good shape heading into 2012. They re-signed tight end Jermichael Finley which means that the only big named free agents that are likely to leave the team are quarterback Matt Flynn, running back Ryan Grant and center Scott Wells. It was originally thought that the team may use the franchise tag on Flynn and then trade him, but that wasn't the case as the Packers decided not to use their tag this year.

When it comes to players that the Packers may bring in from the outside, they probably won't make a huge splash in free agency. For one, they don't have a ton of money to spend, and two, they have enough talent to win the division as they are. With Scott Wells likely leaving, it has been reported that the team is interested in signing soon-to-be former Texans center Chris Myers. The Packers won't any much noise in free agency.

For more free agency updates, head to SB Nation's Packers blog, Acme Packing Company.

Matt Flynn Doesn't Receive Franchise Tag; Free Agency Bound

After four years as a backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Matt Flynn will leave the team and test the free agent waters. There were rumors that the team would slap Flynn with the franchise tag and attempt to trade him, but the franchise tag salary for a quarterback made that too big of a risk. The Packers are not in serious salary cap trouble, but are close enough to the cap that they could not afford to gamble on Flynn, and they would have been in trouble if they were unable to move him.

Flynn will hit the free agent market on March 13, and he's going to at least catch the eye of a number of teams who are in the market for a starting quarterback. His impressive performances against the New England Patriots in 2010 and against the Detroit Lions in 2011 will mean that there are likely a couple of teams willing to give him a chance to win a starting job. Flynn started the Packers' last game of the regular season in 2011 and threw a franchise record six touchdown passes.

For more on Flynn and the Pack, head over to Green Bay Packers blog Acme Packing Company.

Matt Flynn Unlikely To Receive Packers Franchise Tag, According To Report

There was some thought the Green Bay Packers could place the franchise tag on pending free agent quarterback Matt Flynn in hopes of the NFL's version of a "sign and trade" type deal, but a report from the Green Bay Press-Gazette says that would be very risky and unlikely.

With the franchise-tag deadline drawing near, it's looking like General Manager Ted Thompson is not going to place the Green Bay Packers' franchise tag on backup quarterback Matt Flynn.

As Pete Dougherty notes in his report, the Packers would risk being stuck with Flynn on their roster if there are no takers, paying him $14.4 million guaranteed for the 2012 season. That would be a lot of cash tied up for a back-up quarterback if they were not able to come to terms on a trade to send Flynn elsewhere.

For more on the Packers' off-season moves, check out Acme Packing Company.

NFL Free Agency 2012: After Peyton Manning And Matt Flynn, QB Market Takes A Drop

As usual, the free agent market for quarterbacks is thin. Beyond Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, if your team is looking for help among this group of players, 2012 is not going to be a very good season.

NFL Free Agency 2012: Packers Looking At Texans' Center Chris Myers, According To Report

The Green Bay Packers are trying to keep center Scott Wells on their team, but with Wells scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency, the Packers have already started looking at other possibilities. Green Bay met with the agent for Houston Texans center Chris Myers over the weekend at the NFL Combine, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The #Packers, nowhere in talks with C Scott Wells, met with agent (D. Rosenhaus) in Indy to discuss Texans UFA-to-be C Chris Myers.

— Bob McGinn (@BobMcGinn) February 27, 2012

Now given this report, the Packers could very likely face tampering charges should the Houston Texans pursue them.

Under the CBA, teams are not allowed to discuss, publicly or privately, pending free agents. Until the start of the new league year, the players are still considered part of their current team.

For more on the Houston Texans offseason, keep up with Battle Red Blog.

Packers Free Agency: Chad Clifton Could Be On His Way Out

The Green Bay Packers are close to cutting tackle Chad Clifton, according to Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole.

Clifton has been with the team since 2000 when they drafted him in the second round of the NFL Draft out of Tennessee.

He has played in 164 games for Green Bay, starting 159 of them. A member of the Super Bowl-winning 2011 squad, he has been to the Pro Bowl twice (2007, 2010). In 2003, he played all 1,031 offensive snaps that season and contributed to establishing a team record for fewest sacks allowed in a season (19).

The Packers re-signed Clifton to a three-year, $20 million contract in 2010. He received $7.5 million guaranteed in the deal.

Meanwhile, Cole mentions that the Packers are focusing on restructuring wide receiver Donald Driver's contract in order to retain him in 2012.

For more on the Packers' off-season moves, check out Acme Packing Company.

Jermichael Finley's Contract Puts Focus On Matt Flynn, Franchise Tag

The Green Bay Packers on Wednesday night locked down tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year contract reportedly worth $15 million. Finley was scheduled to be a free agent and it was assumed that Green Bay would use the franchise tag on him to avoid letting him get away.

Now that they've worked out a deal with Finley, the franchise tag is available, which makes you wonder about Packers quarterback Matt Flynn.

The Packers' quarterback was expected to hit the open market because the team was likely to use the franchise tag on Finley but now that it's available again, you have to wonder if the Packers are thinking about a sign-and-trade situation similar to the one the Patriots did a few years back with Matt Cassel.

Back then, Cassel had taken over for Tom Brady for a season and performed well, which shot his value through the roof. The Patriots franchise tagged Cassel -- with Brady in New England they had no intention of bringing him back -- and then traded him to the Chiefs for a second round pick.

Similar situation in Green Bay except Flynn has significantly less experience. Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay so, obviously, there's no future for Flynn there. Everyone knows he's gone one way or another. If you're the Packers, you have to be thinking about a situation like that.

Would Joe Philbin, the Packers former offensive coordinator and the current Dolphins head coach, consider giving up a draft pick for Flynn, someone he knows? Would Mike Shanahan give up a draft pick for Matt Flynn? There has to be a market for Flynn if the Packers are trading him. I think there will be -- quarterbacks are always in demand by someone, somewhere -- but it's a big risk taking on the franchise tag number for quarterbacks, which is over $14 million.

Here's a list of all the Packers free agents. Visit SB Nation's Acme Packing Company for more on the Packers.

Jermichael Finley Signs Two-Year Deal With Packers, Freeing Up Franchise Tag

The Green Bay Packers will not have to use their franchise tag on Jermichael Finley after the star tight end reportedly signed a two-year deal with the team on Wednesday. Finley was to become a free agent in less than a month, but will not hit the market after inking his deal. The contract is reportedly worth $15 million over two years, with much of the money front-loaded.

The news comes from Adam Schefter, who also adds that the Packers have a bit more flexibility with their franchise tag.

Packers reached agreement with TE Jermichael Finley on a 2-year, $15 million deal.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2012

After striking a deal with TE Jermichael Finley, Packers now can use their franchise tag elsewhere if they so choose.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2012

Andrew Brandt also noted the front-loaded nature of the deal in laying out the terms of the contract.

I am told @JermichaelF88 will receive $10.2 million from the Packers over the next 13 months.

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) February 23, 2012

One has to wonder if the Packers will now use the franchise tag on Matt Flynn, perhaps in an attempt to leverage it into some kind of return.

Packers Free Agency: C Scott Wells Likely On His Way Out

Scott Wells has started at center for the Green Bay Packers since the 2005 season, but the 2011 NFL season might have been his last in green and gold. The 31-year old center and the Packers are headed for what seems like a nasty divorce, according to a report by Bob McGinn of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In so many words, Wells is being told by the Green Bay Packers that he has overvalued himself as an undersized, 31-year-old center no matter how well he has played for them. Wells basically is telling the team, "Watch what happens."

Wells was originally a seventh-round pick of the Packers and was cut in his first training camp. Wells has battled his way onto the roster and into the starting lineup, making his first Pro Bowl last season.

For more on Scott Wells and the Packers offseason head over to the SB Nation blog Acme Packing Company.

Matt Flynn Called 'Most Dangerous Player' In Free Agency

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn is scheduled to hit free agency in 2012 and is expected to be one of the most highly-sought after free agents on the market. He could also be one of the most dangerous free agents on the market, according to a report by Peter King of Sports Illustrated.

Two starts, 68 percent passing, 731 yards, nine touchdowns, two picks ... against two playoff teams. That's the maddening thing about Flynn. So alluring, so tempting, so dangerous.

The Packers backup quarterback has come right in for Aaron Rodgers on a few occasions without the high powered offense skipping a beat. "Flynn's the most dangerous player in free-agency,'' one rival GM told King. "The Packers need two teams to compete for him. If not, he's not going to get anything close to real value for him. I think it's too risky to franchise him. His resume's just not that strong.''

For more on Matt Flynn and the Packers offseason head over to the SB Nation blog Acme Packing Company.

Packers Free Agents 2012: Three Offensive Starters Set To Hit Market

On the face of things, the Green Bay Packers are set to enjoy a relatively quiet offseason. Just eight players will become unrestricted free agents, meaning the Packers should stay relatively intact for another Super Bowl run after falling to the New York Giants in the 2012 playoffs. Some intriguing names will be up for grabs, however.

Starting with backup quarterback Matt Flynn, whose stock soared after he set a Packers record with 480 yards and six passing touchdowns during the final week of the regular season. Plenty of teams need help of quarterback, and the Packers certainly are not one of them. Flynn could get a chance to prove himself as a regular starter somewhere else next season.

Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley and offensive guard Scott Wells all hit the market after starting last season. Grant and Finley struggled at times. The former has had to deal constantly with nagging injuries and a decreased role in the offense. The latter is physically gifted but hasn't shown the consistency needed to be an all-world tight end.

Here is the complete list of Packers free agents, courtesy of Mac's Football Blog.

Unrestricted Free Agents (8)

QB Matt Flynn
RB Ryan Grant
TE Jermichael Finley
OC Scott Wells
DT Howard Green
LB Erik Walden
CB Patrick Lee
S Jarrett Bush

For more on the Packers offseason head over to the SB Nation blog Acme Packing Company.