Posted: March 23, 2007 Packer Plus
Another day, another whiff by the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
Fullback Terrelle Smith, who visited the Packers on Tuesday and received an offer later on, has decided to sign a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, his agent, Ryan Tollner, said Friday.
Smith, who was released by the Cleveland Browns on March 14, played for Packers coach Mike McCarthy when both were with the New Orleans Saints, but he also has ties to Arizona's new running backs coach, Maurice Carthon, who was offensive coordinator in Cleveland.
Tollner would not comment on whether the Packers were competitive with their offer.
"I don't think contract terms were the deciding factor," Tollner said.
Smith attended Arizona State University and said earlier in the week that he wanted to be close to his southern California roots. Tollner wouldn't say whether the Packers could have gotten him to overlook those ties with a more lucrative contract.
The 6-foot, 255-pound Smith, 29, conceivably would have replaced veteran William Henderson, whom Green Bay released, and competed with Brandon Miree for playing time. Smith follows Atlanta free-agent fullback Justin Griffith in choosing another team over the Packers.
In all, Green Bay has had six players in for visits and only one, cornerback Frank Walker, signed with the club.
- Tom Silverstein
Another day, another whiff by the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
Fullback Terrelle Smith, who visited the Packers on Tuesday and received an offer later on, has decided to sign a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, his agent, Ryan Tollner, said Friday.
Smith, who was released by the Cleveland Browns on March 14, played for Packers coach Mike McCarthy when both were with the New Orleans Saints, but he also has ties to Arizona's new running backs coach, Maurice Carthon, who was offensive coordinator in Cleveland.
Tollner would not comment on whether the Packers were competitive with their offer.
"I don't think contract terms were the deciding factor," Tollner said.
Smith attended Arizona State University and said earlier in the week that he wanted to be close to his southern California roots. Tollner wouldn't say whether the Packers could have gotten him to overlook those ties with a more lucrative contract.
The 6-foot, 255-pound Smith, 29, conceivably would have replaced veteran William Henderson, whom Green Bay released, and competed with Brandon Miree for playing time. Smith follows Atlanta free-agent fullback Justin Griffith in choosing another team over the Packers.
In all, Green Bay has had six players in for visits and only one, cornerback Frank Walker, signed with the club.
- Tom Silverstein