grabthar
Cheesehead
Looks like one guard position is filled.
http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/mar05/310315.asp
Klemm could replace Wahle at left guard
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
The Green Bay Packers moved quickly Wednesday to lock up one of the more physically gifted offensive linemen left on the free-agent market, but the acquisition doesn't come without some risk.
In former second-round pick Adrian Klemm, the Packers landed a former college tight end with the quickness and size to handle their critical left-guard position. Now all they have to do is hope he avoids the injury bug that caused him to miss 54 of 80 regular-season games in his five-year stint with the New England Patriots.
Klemm, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.6 million contract that includes an $800,000 signing bonus, giving him the honor of becoming the first major free-agent signing in the Ted Thompson era. The Packers project the 6-3, 312-pound Klemm at left guard and intend to give him an opportunity to replace departed starter Mike Wahle.
"There were several teams that were interested, but Green Bay won him over," agent Ralph Cindrich said Wednesday night. "They did an outstanding job of marketing to him. They offered him a chance to compete for a starting spot and to better himself as a player. He was kind of blown away with his visit."
Earlier in the day, the Packers announced the re-signing of tight end David Martin, an unrestricted free agent who had sought a starting job with another team. Martin signed a two-year deal with the Packers, according to his agent.
Klemm arrived in Green Bay Wednesday and by the end of the day chose the Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Patriots. The Packers lost starting guards Wahle and Marco Rivera on the second day of free agency and hadn't added anyone new to the mix since then.
In the 26 games in which he played with the Patriots, Klemm started 10, three at left guard, one at right guard and six at right tackle. Klemm, a second-round pick out of Hawaii, was Bill Belichick's very first draft choice as head coach of the Patriots, but he never was able to fulfill his vast potential.
Last year, Klemm landed on injured reserve for the second straight season and third time in four years with a broken foot suffered in practice. The injury is healed, but Klemm will have to be eased back into action after missing the final 14 weeks of the regular season and the entire post-season.
"It was a freak injury," Cindrich said. "He passed his physical and he feels great and he can do everything they ask of him. It just wouldn't make sense to have him out there doing everything right now."
Over the last two seasons, Klemm, 27, has played in just five games. He started the first three games of the 2003 season at right tackle, but he injured his ankle and was put on injured reserve because the Patriots needed immediate help due to a rash of injuries.
He played in all 16 games in 2002, starting two at right tackle and one at right guard. In '01, he missed the entire season with a torn calf muscle and in '00 he missed 11 games with a knee injury and a dislocated elbow suffered in training camp.
Despite his injuries, Belichick never gave up on him and was still interested in bringing him back this year at the right price. Klemm, however, was anxious for a fresh start and an opportunity to show he could handle a full-time role.
"I think he'll be a left guard there," Cindrich said. "To play guard there you have to be athletic and he's very much OK with that. His strength is as a pass blocker. He's a guy Brett Favre will like having in front of him."
The Packers were also expecting veteran guard Matt O'Dwyer in for a visit today. The 32-year-old Tampa Bay free agent missed 12 games with a torn pectoral muscle and has played in just 24 games over the last two seasons.
A 105-game starter since 1996 with the New York Jets and then Cincinnati, O'Dwyer was slated to be the Buccaneers' starting right guard last season until he got hurt.
http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/mar05/310315.asp
Klemm could replace Wahle at left guard
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
The Green Bay Packers moved quickly Wednesday to lock up one of the more physically gifted offensive linemen left on the free-agent market, but the acquisition doesn't come without some risk.
In former second-round pick Adrian Klemm, the Packers landed a former college tight end with the quickness and size to handle their critical left-guard position. Now all they have to do is hope he avoids the injury bug that caused him to miss 54 of 80 regular-season games in his five-year stint with the New England Patriots.
Klemm, an unrestricted free agent, agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.6 million contract that includes an $800,000 signing bonus, giving him the honor of becoming the first major free-agent signing in the Ted Thompson era. The Packers project the 6-3, 312-pound Klemm at left guard and intend to give him an opportunity to replace departed starter Mike Wahle.
"There were several teams that were interested, but Green Bay won him over," agent Ralph Cindrich said Wednesday night. "They did an outstanding job of marketing to him. They offered him a chance to compete for a starting spot and to better himself as a player. He was kind of blown away with his visit."
Earlier in the day, the Packers announced the re-signing of tight end David Martin, an unrestricted free agent who had sought a starting job with another team. Martin signed a two-year deal with the Packers, according to his agent.
Klemm arrived in Green Bay Wednesday and by the end of the day chose the Packers over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Patriots. The Packers lost starting guards Wahle and Marco Rivera on the second day of free agency and hadn't added anyone new to the mix since then.
In the 26 games in which he played with the Patriots, Klemm started 10, three at left guard, one at right guard and six at right tackle. Klemm, a second-round pick out of Hawaii, was Bill Belichick's very first draft choice as head coach of the Patriots, but he never was able to fulfill his vast potential.
Last year, Klemm landed on injured reserve for the second straight season and third time in four years with a broken foot suffered in practice. The injury is healed, but Klemm will have to be eased back into action after missing the final 14 weeks of the regular season and the entire post-season.
"It was a freak injury," Cindrich said. "He passed his physical and he feels great and he can do everything they ask of him. It just wouldn't make sense to have him out there doing everything right now."
Over the last two seasons, Klemm, 27, has played in just five games. He started the first three games of the 2003 season at right tackle, but he injured his ankle and was put on injured reserve because the Patriots needed immediate help due to a rash of injuries.
He played in all 16 games in 2002, starting two at right tackle and one at right guard. In '01, he missed the entire season with a torn calf muscle and in '00 he missed 11 games with a knee injury and a dislocated elbow suffered in training camp.
Despite his injuries, Belichick never gave up on him and was still interested in bringing him back this year at the right price. Klemm, however, was anxious for a fresh start and an opportunity to show he could handle a full-time role.
"I think he'll be a left guard there," Cindrich said. "To play guard there you have to be athletic and he's very much OK with that. His strength is as a pass blocker. He's a guy Brett Favre will like having in front of him."
The Packers were also expecting veteran guard Matt O'Dwyer in for a visit today. The 32-year-old Tampa Bay free agent missed 12 games with a torn pectoral muscle and has played in just 24 games over the last two seasons.
A 105-game starter since 1996 with the New York Jets and then Cincinnati, O'Dwyer was slated to be the Buccaneers' starting right guard last season until he got hurt.
