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http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/apr05/314874.asp
Striking a safety match
Freeman could help fill hole
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]
Posted: April 2, 2005
The Green Bay Packers have bided their time during the first month of free agency, taking an almost nonchalant attitude toward restocking a gaping hole in their defensive backfield.
However, next week they will make their first serious effort at replacing departed free safety Darren Sharper and Co. when they bring Miami Dolphins free agent Arturo Freeman to town. Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for the 28-year-old Freeman, said his client was expected in Green Bay late next week.
Freeman started 29 of 72 games under defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who in January turned down an offer to return to the Dolphins in the same capacity and instead accepted Packers coach Mike Sherman's offer to direct his defense.
Under Bates, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Freeman started about twice as many games at strong safety as he did at free safety, and was the teams' top free safety the final seven games of the year after former Packer Antuan Edwards was released. Freeman, who started nine games in all, finished tied for the club lead with four interceptions.
Freeman would provide the Packers valuable insurance if they were unable to land a safety in the draft who could start immediately. Since free agency started, the Packers cut Sharper and Michael Hawthorne and allowed Bhawoh Jue to leave in free agency, leaving starter Mark Roman as the only safety left with any reasonable playing experience.
If the Packers can lure Freeman to Green Bay, they would have someone who could run Bates' system and make sure others were in tune with it. In his five years in the league, Freeman doesn't have playmaker-type numbers, totaling just five interceptions, 3
Striking a safety match
Freeman could help fill hole
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]
Posted: April 2, 2005
The Green Bay Packers have bided their time during the first month of free agency, taking an almost nonchalant attitude toward restocking a gaping hole in their defensive backfield.
However, next week they will make their first serious effort at replacing departed free safety Darren Sharper and Co. when they bring Miami Dolphins free agent Arturo Freeman to town. Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for the 28-year-old Freeman, said his client was expected in Green Bay late next week.
Freeman started 29 of 72 games under defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who in January turned down an offer to return to the Dolphins in the same capacity and instead accepted Packers coach Mike Sherman's offer to direct his defense.
Under Bates, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Freeman started about twice as many games at strong safety as he did at free safety, and was the teams' top free safety the final seven games of the year after former Packer Antuan Edwards was released. Freeman, who started nine games in all, finished tied for the club lead with four interceptions.
Freeman would provide the Packers valuable insurance if they were unable to land a safety in the draft who could start immediately. Since free agency started, the Packers cut Sharper and Michael Hawthorne and allowed Bhawoh Jue to leave in free agency, leaving starter Mark Roman as the only safety left with any reasonable playing experience.
If the Packers can lure Freeman to Green Bay, they would have someone who could run Bates' system and make sure others were in tune with it. In his five years in the league, Freeman doesn't have playmaker-type numbers, totaling just five interceptions, 3