Former Packer Charles Woodson awaits the call …
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Michael David Smith of profootballtalk.com posted an interesting piece about former Green Bay Packers cornerback/safety Charles Woodson and his inability to find a team.

I hate to say it, but this is nothing new – this type of treatment of older players has been going on since the inception of the league and it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

Charles Woodson has always been a fan favorite.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Just a couple of days ago, I posted a piece asking whether it was time that Woodson considered retirement. I’m still of that ilk. He’s had an incredible career – a Hall of Fame-caliber career – and he’s on the downside of it. Sir Charles has to realize that. Will one more year really enhance what he’s already accomplished over the past 15 years? He’s been the league’s defensive player of the year, he’s a Super Bowl champion, he’s played in 206 career games, he’s made 589 tackles, has had 130 assists, 119 passes defensed, and most importantly he’s had 55 interceptions that have been returned 896 yards – 11 of which have been returned to the house for touchdowns. His longest return was 62 yards.

Here’s what he had to say on NFL AM: “I’m 36, so of course I’m considered ancient in the game right now, and teams are looking for younger players and trying to make their rosters younger. If you’re an older guy they kind of push you to the side, and they’ll maybe look at you much later on down the road, when I guess they figure they can get you much cheaper.”

He hit the nail on the head with that quote.

Will another year, maybe two really cement his place in NFL history? Not unless he finds a team where he’s going to be the guy who played like he did with the Packers in 2009-10 – and we all know that’s just not going to happen.

We’ve all seen our favorite players slink off into the twilight of their careers riding the bench and watching the younger guys take their place. It happens. That’s what’s happening here. Maybe Sir Charles and Brian Urlacher should compare notes. They may find some similarities in their situations.

Charles Woodson has always been known as a shutdown cornerback.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

What will occur is that Woodson will ride the couch until late August when a team’s defensive backfield is depleted and they are desperate to find a seasoned veteran they can bring in to fill out the roster and fill in the gaps while their players heal. Woodson is the poster child for that situation. It’s unfortunate, but it is the inevitable.

He’s had his day in the sun. It’s time for him to move over and to move on with life outside of football. Woodson is an incredibly bright individual who will have many, many opportunities beyond the field. If it doesn’t happen this year, then next year.

In my mind, it should be sooner than later. But I’m not Charles Woodson. That decision will ultimately be his.

In the meantime, we wish him the best. He’s too classy of a guy to be used within the system and then thrown onto the scrap heap of former players.

The news that isn’t yet is that Aaron Rodgers is set to become a very rich man.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Hey football and Green Bay Packers fans … it’s Wednesday and there’s plenty going on in the world of football.

The Pro Bowl, new rules (including the foolish running back lowering their heads debacle), Ed Reed, Tim Tebow, Aaron Rodgers, Compensatory picks, and even Donald Driver were all part of the NFL stories coming across the wire this morning.

Closer to home and for the Packers, it’s the Wednesday following a week of free agent lunacy, the defection of Greg Jennings (and his help from none other than Brett Favre), the decision by Steven Jackson to go to Atlanta instead of Green Bay and the inaction of Packers’ GM Ted Thompson. News from Packers President Mark Murphy included his belief that his current quarterback Aaron Rodgers would soon become the highest paid signal caller in the league and a former quarterback, Brett Favre, would at some point be brought back into the Packers family.

On top of it all, maybe you saw that the Green Bay City Council moved ahead with plans to approve the renaming of a street after Donald Driver, the former Packers wide receiver who retired last month after 14 years in the league.

Dom Capers, we’ve been told, has spent much of the offseason looking at ways to stop the read-option – the offense Mike Tomlin calls the “flavor of the month.”
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, it’s the offseason, but it seems the numbers of stories being reported about and around the NFL is nonstop. We reported here last night that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin described the read-option as the “flavor of the month” and wondered aloud if Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers felt the same way. We reported (once again) that Aaron Rodgers is on the fast track to becoming the highest paid player in the National Football League. We reported that the Packers will receive one more pick in the upcoming NFL Draft as they will have a compensatory pick to level the field for losing QB Matt Flynn and center Scott Wells to free agency last year. Draft picks are always a good thing around Green Bay as it’s their best way of gaining talent.

Oh, and if you thought that free agency is over – it’s not. Even the Packers have been bandied about as one of the teams interested in running back Ahmad Bradshaw, though any news about that issue have quickly fallen off the table … we’re sure that process will move along at a glacial speed and some other team will probably swoop in, offer Bradshaw what he thinks he’s worth, and send the Packers home empty-handed.

So, hang tight, Packers fans. Soon we will have Rodgers locked up and Ted Thompson will also be locked up in the basement of 1265 Lombardi Avenue planning strategies for the NFL Draft, which is coming up in the next month.

Who knows, maybe Brett Favre will raise his head at some point in the near future.

That’s always newsworthy.

It’s been a month since Charles Woodson was released by the Green Bay Packers. Where will he land?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson paid a visit to the San Francisco 49ers last Wednesday, spending the day with officials from that club – but other than that visit, not much has been heard from the Sir Charles camp in recent weeks.

The fact that he’s drawn little interest from other teams, though his agent, Carl Poston, said in an interview with the San Francisco Examiner that they were busy trying to line up visits, one has to wonder just where the former Packer will end up. It’s been a month since Green Bay released the veteran in a salary cap money-saving move and Woodson, because he was cut, could have signed with any team at any time.

While he may have been laying low with an intent, one would think that he might have landed a job as soon as possible. Such has not been the case.

Let me throw this out there – could Woodson actually land back in Green Bay?

While the chances are slim to none, the Packers, if they can get him for the right price, wouldn’t be doing themselves any harm by bringing him back – at the right price, of course. Whether Woodson would want to come back is another issue.

No doubt, he’s moved on, but if the days go by and he doesn’t garner much interest I wouldn’t be surprised to see the issue raised – at least in the media.

Woodson was scheduled to make $10 million in 2013 with the Packers and clearly his value has dropped significantly over the past month, especially since the first few days of free agency. With the softening of the market due to signings completed, one wonders just how much a team, including the Packers, would be willing to pay for his services.

At age 36, we’re sure he would consider a single-season deal as a stopgap player … and he said he was interested in going only to a contender. The question is whether a contender would be willing to expend the funds. The Niners are certainly contenders – they have not, as of Saturday afternoon – extended an offer.

About a week ago, it was reported that Woodson was contacted by four teams – the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. None of those teams have as yet invited Woodson in for a visit.

Woodson was one of several options the 49ers were considering to help them fill the void left when Dashon Goldson left for a huge contract in Tampa Bay. The Niners also had Nnamdi Asomugha, the former Raider and Eagle, in for a visit.

“He enjoyed the visit and I think they enjoyed him,” Poston told the Examiner Thursday. “I think it went very well, but I understand they have some people in. It just depends on which way they want to go. I’m just waiting for them to get back to me.”

Those aren’t real reassuring or confident words and because there has been no contract offered yet, one has to wonder if the Niners have an actual interest.

In a look at the remaining free agents still on the market, NFL.com listed Woodson under the category “effective in the right role” and had this to say about him:  ”If the 49ers don’t bite, we’re not sure where Woodson could land.”

NFL.com listed Woodson as the thirty-first rated free agent still on the mark right above, believe it or not, Packers linebacker Brad Jones (#32) and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (#33).

So, where will Woodson land?

The clock is ticking …

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Packers 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

For fans of the Green Bay Packers, yesterday’s news that Greg Jennings had signed a five-year deal with division rival Minnesota brought out a lot of emotions.

Many viewed it as the end of great players’ time with Green Bay, and accordingly felt sad and nostalgic. Others, unfortunately, responded in an ugly and classless way, wishing injury and misfortune on one the principals of the Packers’ last Super Bowl winning team. It’s regrettable and disappointing that so many fans would treat a classy person like Greg Jennings that way, but such is the case with a fanbase as large and passionate as the Packers’.

Partially due to that emotion, many myths have been propagated regarding Jennings and his move to Minnesota. We address them here, and explain why they are indeed untrue:

Myth: The Packers offered Jennings more money than the Vikings

Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The misunderstanding is rooted largely in the difference between average salary and total money. Assuming the rumored $10 million per year offer from Green Bay was real, that doesn’t automatically mean Jennings took less money to go to Minnesota.

The contract Jennings signed averages out to $9.5 million per season. While that figure is less than the Packers’ offer, we can assume with confidence that Green Bay wasn’t offering five years. My best guess is their offer was in the order of $30 million over three years. Not only is that less total money, but it would mean Jennings would hit the free agent market when he is a 33-year-old. Receivers at that age, especially ones who are under six feet, generally don’t garner much interest. By signing the five-year deal with the Vikings, Jennings gives himself the best chance at earning big money into his mid-30s.

Myth: The Vikings will definitely cut Jennings before his five years are up

Greg Jennings (85) celebrates a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

While the contract Jennings signed only guarantees $18 million, that doesn’t mean he can only depend on earning that amount. Even if we assume Jennings will decline in productivity over the course of the deal, the Vikings have no reason to release Jennings until at least three years have elapsed. At that point, Jennings could easily renegotiate his deal and still receive more money than he would have had he been an unrestricted free agent heading toward his thirty-third birthday. This deal gives Jennings leverage at age 33 that he wouldn’t have had with Green Bay. The worst case scenario for him is the Vikings cut him after three seasons and he still picks up checks for the remaining guaranteed money.

Myth: Jennings demonstrated disloyalty by going to Minnesota

You can apply this to any player on any team. The players don’t owe their teams, teammates, or fans anything, nor should they. In the NFL, the team can cut players or force them to accept pay cuts for any reason. Players are treated like chattel and then reprimanded when they try to optimize their value. To decry a player for leaving your favorite team, no matter what team he leaves for, is an absolute farce.

Donald Driver (left) and Greg Jennings (85) talk during training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Furthermore, anyone who thinks there are exceptions to this are living in a fantasy. Take Donald Driver. He spent his entire career with the Packers and said repeatedly that he’s happy to have only played for one team, but that’s easy to say once you’ve retired. So quickly do people forget that when his rookie contract expired, he nearly bolted. Had the Packers not come back with an offer for more money, Driver wouldn’t have lasted five years with the club.

Would Driver have been a bad person to have done so? Absolutely not, and neither is Jennings for leaving now. This is how the NFL works, and moreover, it’s always been this way. Some fans may pine for an era when players stuck with their original teams and those clubs fostered brotherhood, but that simply never happened. Even the Lombardi Packers were made up of many retread players. Hall of Famers like Fuzzy Thurston and Emlen Tunnell were signed from other teams. Accordingly, to contend that the NFL “became too much like a business” is a hilarious falsehood. It’s the same way it’s always been.

Myth: Ted Thompson needs to be fired

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) talks with general manager Ted Thompson during the Green Bay Packers organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

I hope most of you aren’t in this camp. Ted Thompson isn’t perfect, but he doesn’t misevaluate very often. His track record when it comes to deciding whether to re-sign players or walk away is incontrovertibly good. Two years ago, Thompson predicted that Jennings might become too expensive or too much of a liability and drafted Randall Cobb as a replacement. At the time, many considered Cobb’s selection as a “luxury,” but he’s already proven those critics wrong.

Cobb has effectively become the Packers go-to receiver in only two years in the league, during which time Jennings has missed 11 regular season games. That’s not to say Jennings is no longer a good player – he is – but the Packers are better served developing their young players and finding new talent through the draft.

In the end, both the Packers and Jennings made the right decision. Jennings received the long-term security he understandably desired and Green Bay retains the cap room necessary to keep their most important players – Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews – in a Packer uniform for many years to come.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

One of the reasons thePhiladelphia Eagles CEO and chairman Jeffrey Lurie (left) fired Andy Reid and hired Chip Kelly as the Eagles new head coach this season was the moves the team made in free agency in 2011. The Eagles never recovered and spiraled downward in 2012. Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Gregg Rosenthal, Around the League editor at NFL.com, came out with a post tonight that should turn some heads, but only reiterates what we’ve believed all along – that spending huge amounts of money to buy up the hottest players available in free agency does not translate into success.

We’ve all been amazed that the Green Bay Packers have been consistently absent from any bidding for players on the market over the past five years and what has it produced? A World Championship and two straight NFC North Division titles the past three years. And those two division titles have not been tight battles – the Packers are 15-1 the past two seasons against division foes.

While all three opponents – the Vikings, Lions and Bears – have been active once again in free agency, the statements above are testament to the fact that while nowhere near as sexy as bringing in the high-profile players, the draft and develop method is proven to be successful.

What will that mean for the Miami Dolphins who started the player bidding season by handing out $65 million to Mike Wallace? Remember, they haven’t quit. In fact, just today they inked Dustin Keller and Brandon Gibson.

If you read Rosenthal’s information, the Dolphins are in trouble.

Closer to home in the NFC North, here’s what the Packers’ opponents have done since the start of free agency Tuesday night:

Chicago Bears

• signed TE Martellus Bennett to a four-year contract
• signed OT Jermon Bushrod to a five-year contract
• re-signed DT Nate Collins to a one-year contract
• re-signed CB Zackary Bowman to a one-year contract

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers, who has no reason for worries these days, watches the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. Clippers won 117-101. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers have made several moves this morning to solidify the team’s position and finalize the cap space available to the team as the free agency period commences this afternoon.

Ted Thompson
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

By tendering a low level offer to center Evan Dietrich-Smith and and a second tier offer to Sam Shields, the Packers have committed about $3.3 million toward restricted free agents. The Packers didn’t extend tenders to tight end Tom Crabtree, Robert Francois or Frank Zombo, throwing those players to the market. However, reports indicated the Packers were trying to work out a deal to retain Francois.

Factoring in Johnny Jolly’s reduced salary of just more than $700,000, the Packers were set to enter the free agency period about $18 million under the salary cap, the most of any team in the NFC North. But the Packers are the only team that didn’t factor into the free agency game. Rather, it appears the Packers are poised to commit to long-term contracts for Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews with the bulk of the funds remaining.

Percy Harvin
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Elsewhere in the division, the Bears, who are said to be aggressively working the available free agent offensive linemen, have about $7 million to $10 million available in cap space; Detroit, which has been working the Reggie Bush lines all weekend, have $6 million available; and Minnesota, which pulled off the Percy Harvin trade yesterday and are poised in an attempt to either land receivers via free agency or the draft, have about $15 million available.

With less than two hours before the bell for the start of free agency rings, it looks as though it will be a quiet one for the Packers, while the Bears land at least one offensive lineman, the Lions try to shore up their running game, and the Vikings make a run at either Mike Wallace or Greg Jennings.

But let me throw this out there: Talk has been that the Packers haven’t given up on Jennings yet and that negotiations continue with his agent … suppose, just for the fun of it, that the Packers find a way to free up more money (releasing A.J. Hawk or restructuring his deal?), and get the go-ahead from both Rodgers and Matthews to waylay their extensions for another year so they can re-sign Jennings …

Greg Jennings
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

I know, you think I’m crazy. I think I’m crazy. But hey! This is the National Football League where just about any kind of crazy thing can occur.

Just some food for thought as we sit waiting for something to happen.

Stay tuned …

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Devin Aromashodu (19) in the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Lambeau Field. Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Shields is the second of the Green Bay Packers‘ restricted free agents to receive the attention of team brass in the past 12 hours as they officially applied the second round tender on the cornerback.

Late yesterday the Packers placed the lowest tender on center Evan Dietrich-Smith, a move where the team risks losing the only player with experience at the center position currently on the roster. Because Dietrich-Smith was undrafted, the Packers would get no draft compensation if he decides to sign with another team.

For Shields, who was applied the middle level tender at $2.023 million, he would return a second round selection to the Packers if the much-improved cornerback signs with another team. It was actually expected that the Packers would apply the highest level tender on Shields because of his play during the second half of last season when he locked down the cornerback position opposite Tramon Williams.

Had the Packers offered the highest level tender, it would have meant a salary of $2.879 million, and would provide the team with a first round pick if another team signed him.

It seems the Packers are taking some risks with their restricted free agents so far, especially Shields, who is bound to garner some interest among the other 31 teams.

With the application of the tender to Shields, the Packers still have more decisions to make as they either apply a tender or let Robert Francois, Tom Crabtree and Frank Zombo walk.

The seismic shift in power to the NFC West rocked the National Football League today as two powerful rivals exchanged blows by completing two rock-solid trades that tend to signal a new way in the league – and makes one question the relevancy of the Green Bay Packers and Ted Thompson’s way.

Ted Thompson
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Draft and develop has continually  revamped and restocked Thompson’s team and his method seems to have worked much like the tortoise and the hare. While the Packers have methodically added fresh blood and talent to their 53-man roster, they have plodded along, much to the dismay of impatient fans, while other teams have utilized the harried and uncertain ways of trades and free agency.

There have been the poor managers of free agency, such as Daniel Snyder of the Washington Redskins, whose swings and misses are well chronicled. But then again there are the wise ways of others, such as Robert Kraft, who have added quality players who tend to fit the Patriots‘ system. Even Thompson has had some hits and misses on free agency, but his infrequent hand in the game is such that it is immeasurable in comparison to other teams.

Just take a look at the NFL.com’s website which lays out a list of the top free agents and the teams that are rumored to have an interest – do you see the Packers anywhere on the list? No. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad.

Is Steven Jackson one free agent Ted Thompson should pursue?
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

You have to admire Thompson for his patience and his willingness to sign “his own.” But you also have to wonder if there aren’t some players out there who could help the Packers immensely – for instance, Steven Jackson. According to the nfl.com site, only the Atlanta Falcons have an interest, despite the fact that Jackson himself said that going to the Packers “makes sense.”

Today’s trades between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks (for Percy Harvin) and the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens (for Anquan Boldin) seem to underscore a new trend – the trade, in addition to free agency – that makes teams stronger in one fell swoop.

Minnesota gets a first round draft choice right off the bat, in addition to two other picks for a player who was fast becoming a distraction and migraine headache. The Seahawks get a player who is immediately familiar with their team’s offensive coordinator’s system and gives them the leg up in their division.

Literally minutes later, the Ravens unload a veteran who they expected to have to cut and get a draft pick, albeit a low pick, to boot. They also get a few more million to toss toward Joe Flacco’s mega deal. In turn, the 49ers add a physical wide receiver to their ranks who will go toe-to-toe with the likes of Richard Sherman.

All four of those teams, like the hare, jump ahead in the race for the Super Bowl, while Thompson and the Packers plod along waiting for draft day.

Is free agency and trading fast becoming the sexy new lady in town, enticing GMs from across the league into their bedroom? Or is the Packers’ way, staying true to your loved one and developing friendships and trust before jumping into bed the best way to proceed?

As we move down this road of matrimonial adjustments, we can only guess.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks’ analysis today of the top two receivers on the Free Agent market, Mike Wallace and Greg Jennings, is an interesting look at quality over quantity.

With receivers taking over as the marquee players on the market because of the fact that the NFL has become a pass-happy league, Brooks’s look at these two players illustrates that the best player doesn’t always come out on top as far as what teams value.

In his film study, Brooks breaks down each of these receivers and compares them on ball skills, route running, yardage after the catch, explosiveness and clutch performance.

Brooks favors Jennings on the ball skills and route running. He says this about Jennings’ ball skills:

Jennings is one of the best pass catchers in the NFL. He snatches the ball out of the air with his big mitts; his hand-eye concentration is remarkable. He tracks and adjusts well to the flight of the ball while shielding defenders with his body to keep them from knocking the ball away at the last moment.

On his route running, Brooks says this about Jennings:

Jennings is one of the slickest route runners in the game, using a vast array of stems and releases to obtain leverage on defenders at the tops of routes. Additionally, he understands how to vary his tempo and speed to set defenders up for double moves down the field. Even while enjoying the freedom to empty his bag of tricks to get open in Green Bay, Jennings rarely affected the timing of the passing game. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who routinely released the ball before Jennings would hit the top of his break — certainly trusted in Jennings’ ability to get to the designated spot. Every NFL quarterback covets a No. 1 receiver with exceptional route running skills, so it’s not surprising that Jennings tops the list of available free-agent receivers.

Brooks gives Wallace the advantage on yards after the catch and explosiveness, but again gives Jennings the nod on being clutch:

Evaluating Jennings’ play throughout his career, I was most impressed with his postseason performance. He consistently stepped up his game in the playoffs, thriving as the Packers‘ No. 1 receiver when the pressure was on. In 10 postseason games, Jennings has 50 receptions for 673 yards and six scores. Although injuries and the emergence of Jordy Nelson prevented Jennings from making a significant impact during the Packers‘ most recent playoff runs, the fact that he was so instrumental in helping the team win Super Bowl XLV makes him a special player, in my mind.

But does the fact that Jennings rates over Wallace translate into dollars? Not according to Brooks who says that Jennings’ age and injuries will play a large role on his final contract numbers and even with which team he eventually signs.

We’ll see how Brooks’s comparisons and bottom line evaluation will play out when teams go after the top free agents for real starting Tuesday at 3 p.m. CDT.

Brad Jones, who has played both inside and outside in the Packers 3-4 defensive scheme, has drawn significant interest from as many as eight teams this weekend.
Raymond. T. Rivard photograph

Prior to this season, Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones was probably best known outside of Titletown as the guy who tackled the fan who ran on the field a couple of seasons ago.

But don’t tell that to the eight teams that contacted him this weekend – eight teams that have shown interest in his tackling abilities on the field of other players, not just fans. The information about the interest by the other teams was reported first at JSonline.com, who cited Jones’s agent, Josh Wright.

Brad Jones sacks Matt Hasselbeck during a 2009 game at Lambeau Field.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Not only is that somewhat incredible, but it also shows just how far Jones has come in the past year. Up until the first couple of games in 2012, Jones was a valuable special teamer and practice player, sitting behind the likes of Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk, and even D.J. Smith. But when both Bishop and Smith went down with season-ending injuries last year, Jones stepped in and stepped up.

Considered somewhat lanky and slight for an inside linebacker (6-3, 242 pounds), Jones played well last season in his role. He had 77 tackles, recorded two sacks, broke up four passes and even forced a fumble.

Jones, at 6-3, 242 pounds, plays bigger than his size.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Now, the real question is whether the Green Bay Packers feel the same way about Jones as the other eight teams that have contacted him.

It’s unclear at this point what numbers Jones will command and whether the Packers will jump into the negotiations and keep one of their own.

Weighing into the decision for the Packers will be how secure they feel in the health of Smith and Bishop. Smith is coming off a severe knee injury and it’s unclear whether he will be ready to go by training camp and it will be the same for Bishop, who had a significant hamstring injury that also may keep him out for part of the 2013 season.

With those factors facing them, many feel the Packers will expend one of their draft selections on an inside linebacker.

But in the meantime, the real test will come this coming Tuesday afternoon when the Free Agency signings will begin.

The “unofficial start of Free Agency” is under way, but no one is real sure of the rules in light of a memo sent out late Friday. Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Months ago, the new rules governing the “unofficial start” of Free Agency were issued by the NFL.

Then comes Friday night on the eve when teams can actually start negotiating with agents and the NFL sends a memo out to all NFL teams telling them something to the effect that is the exact opposite of the new rules … that under no circumstances are they to negotiate … Huh?

Here’s the language issued months ago for the new rule:

The “2013 free agency questions and answers” published by the NFL on Thursday plainly state: “Beginning at 12:00 midnight ET on Saturday, March 9 (i.e., after 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on Friday, March 8) and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2012 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12.  However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET on March 12.”

Friday’s memo was then issued began by stating: “… no contract can be executed until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.”

Ok, I think we all knew that.

But then the memo goes on to include this paragraph:

“…prior to the beginning of the new League Year it is impermissible for a club to enter into an agreement of any kind, express or implied, oral or written, or promises, undertakings, representations, commitments, inducements, assurances of intent or understandings of any kind concerning the terms or conditions of employment offered to, or to be offered to, any prospective Unrestricted Free Agent for inclusion in a Player Contract after the start of the new League Year.”

Not that it would really make much difference for the Green Bay Packers at this point. They participate in actual Free Agency once every Ice Age … though they have been seen this week talking with Chris Canty, and there’s been talk they may actually reach out to Cullen Jenkins. We’ll see about that.

Will Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson bring his team into the fray that is Free Agency?
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

And yesterday’s news that Steven Jackson would like the fit in Green Bay is exciting, but until we see the whites of his eyes, that’s a pipe dream at this time, too.

Anyway, should there be any movement on any of those players, we’ll be on it (remember, the Packers can sign any of those three players because they were either cut or voided their current contracts).

So be sure to stop on back …

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings may end up in Minnesota with Adrian Peterson by this time next week. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Remember the days when NFL team officials would sneak around with cloaks and daggers trying to find out the best way to get to the players that they really wanted to sign in free agency? Well, those days are gone thanks to the rules that now allow teams to legally “tamper” and get in on the ground floor of free agents – at least they now have the ability to talk to agents of the players they covet.

Beginning Friday, the unofficial start to free agency begins at midnight. No, players can’t be signed but teams can talk to them through their agents about contracts and dollar amounts – in other words, they can get a leg up, get the language and numbers set and then when the official opening of free agency comes around at 3 p.m. CST Tuesday, March 12, all the players have to do is sign on the dotted line.

Of course, the news will have already broken as teams and agents are expected to leak out the details of deals worked out over the weekend – so, all you free agent junkies out there, keep your ears on the rails as the news breaks. We’ll be listening, too.

With the official start of Free Agency on Tuesday, players can sign deals worked out over the weekend and teams can offer players contracts. Something that most don’t think about in the NFL – the trade season – also begins on this date. Trades can be made from Tuesday, March 12, through the deadline in October.

Here are the official rules of the unofficial free agent period offered by Greg Bedard of Boston.com:

• Period starts at midnight on Saturday and ends at 3:59 p.m. on Tuesday. So, it’s actually about 8887 hours long (with daylight savings time begins this weekend);
• Teams can only contact the agents and enter into negotiations. No contracts can be executed until free agency starts at 4 p.m. on Tuesday;
• Teams can’t meet with players (other than the player’s current club) in any location, and there can be no direct contact between the player and another team;
• Players who don’t have an agent, such as Ravens safety Ed Reed, can’t be contacted by another team;
• No visits can be lined up until free agency starts at 4 p.m. EST Tuesday;
• The three-day window only applies to potential unrestricted free agents. It excludes restricted free agents and franchise players.

See more at: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2013/03/rules_for_the_n.html#sthash.A3JT4C1l.dpuf

The early rumors swirling around Packers Nation immediately after former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins was cut loose by the Philadelphia Eagles was that he would make a great fit with his former team – the team he helped lead to a Super Bowl XLV win.

That was before Chris Canty  and to a lesser extent Ricky Jean-Francois.

Cullen Jenkins (97) pressures Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, the Packers brass collective eyebrows may have been raised when news of Jenkins’ departure from Philly come over the airwaves, but those brows, in my estimation, turned into a more determined look when Chris Canty was let go by the New York Giants. There are a couple of reasons for this. First Jenkins left Green Bay once and the Packers may not have the interest in the former player that the fans seemed to have. Not only that, but the Packers were hot on Canty’s trail back in 2008 before he went to New York and never left. The offer by the Giants that year was so good that Canty decided that the Big Apple was the place he wanted to be.

So, when the Giants decided that Canty was too expensive for their tastes, the Packers took notice and made the effort to touch base.

Packers officials haven’t done the same with Jenkins, who has most recently been connected with interest from the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Jenkins has already visited with the New York Giants. In addition, there was talk about the possibility that the Packers had been interested in Ricky Jean-Francois – a defensive lineman with the 49ers. That interest seems to have cooled.

Looking statistically at Jenkins and Canty, Jenkins has played one more season than Canty and overall has been the more productive player – but not by much. The stats here indicate that both players have had similar careers: Canty has played in 113 games during his career, while Jenkins has been in 125; Jenkins has 38.5 sacks, Canty 19; Canty has had two forced fumbles, Jenkins 6; but interestingly, Canty has had more tackles – 191 with 82 assists – to Jenkins’ 188 and 72.

Chris Canty joins in on a tackle against the Redskins.
Jim O

Very comparable numbers overall; very comparable players.

So, why the interest by the Packers in Canty and not Jenkins? Maybe personal preferences, maybe the Packers’ brass see more of an upside for Canty than they do with Jenkins and feel he would be the better value overall for the team.

Would the Packers pursue Jenkins if it doesn’t work out with Canty? Are they holding Jenkins as their ace in the hole? Well, they haven’t expressed that view – publicly anyway.

If it doesn’t work out for Canty and Jenkins signs elsewhere, there may also be the possibility that the Packers pursue San Francisco’s Ricky Jean-Francois, though after the initial media blast about the Packers’ interest in him last week, there hasn’t been much talk about that happening.

It will be interesting following the paths of all these players as the free agent season progresses over the next few days.

Chris Canty will be in Green Bay Wednesday.
ESPN photograph

Former New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty is expected to land at Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay sometime Wednesday and be met by Packers officials who will then chauffeur  him to 1265 Lombardi Avenue for the tour of facilities and to see if he’s a good fit to join the team.

The 6-7, seven year pro free agent has drawn plenty of interest from across the league and it’s doubtful that he will leave Green Bay with a contract in hand, but hey, anything is possible and we’ve seen that happen in the past. Whether Canty plays in Green Bay or not depends on the two C’s – chemistry and the contract. If they can agree on those two aspects, then it might be a win-win. If not, both move on.

But with the news that the Packers are actually bringing in a free agent and that they seem to have an actual interest in joining the free agent fray, well that’s been news and plenty of people have been talking about it across the Internet, especially Twitter.

Here are a few that I’ve seen the past few days …

@lombardiave Big question: Can he still play or Canty? …rimshot

— 1266Lombardi (@1266Lombardi) March 5, 2013

Would you guys be happy with Packers signing Chris Canty? #packers

— Derek Nelson(@82packfan) March 4, 2013

Packers looking to spend wisely with Canty due to visit – Green Bay Press Gazette ow.ly/2vcPEe

— Packers Times (@GBPacketimes) March 2, 2013

@onekainen sounds like TT has more interest in Canty than in Jenkins.

— Jeff Nelson (@jeffnc1) March 2, 2013

@tydunne @tomsilverstein I’d take Canty over Jenkins

— Arrick Upton (@ArrickUpton) March 1, 2013

Dear Ted Thompson: -Bring back Cullen Jenkins or sign Chris Canty-sign Steven Jackson in FA-Draft OLs and DLs and LBsAnd maybe a Safety

— My Name(@zachnel6) February 27, 2013

#Chiefs are still in the mix for Chris Canty even though he is making other trips. Process still may take some time.

— Bill Williamson (@espn_afcwest) March 4, 2013

Daily Cheese Curds: On Jarvis Jones, Chris Canty, performance-based value and getting off my lawn. #Packers sbn.to/XOa1Qp

— Acme Packing Company (@acmepackingco) March 4, 2013

@rosstuckernfl what do you think about the Packers and Chris Canty

— Hogan LePore (@H_O_G_A_N) March 5, 2013

Chris Canty to visit GB this week.Sure they looked at him a few years back but come on, you’re surprised anytime a FA shows up at Lambeau.

— Mike Sullivan (@WiscoSully) March 5, 2013

Chris Canty might take hometown discount from Panthers, but they haven’t called wp.me/p14QSB-7ivh

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 16, 2013

Chris Canty Honored for Philanthropy and Service at Thurman Munson Awards:   Our guest writer, an… bit.ly/12g9ghV #nyg #nygiants

— GMENHQ (@gmenhq) February 10, 2013

Jan 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty (99) gets to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) just as he gets the pass away during the first half of the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

In a bit over a day, something out of the ordinary will take place at 1265 Lombardi Avenue – the home of the Green Bay Packers: Former New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty will pay a visit.

It’s not a casual, social visit either. The very fact that the Packers have invited Canty to town means they are dead serious about the possibility of signing Canty. In fact, the Packers seem to like Canty. They showed serious interest in Canty four years ago when he left Dallas in search of a new home, but didn’t make a stop in Green Bay. Instead, he decided rather quickly to sign with the Giants where he has had somewhat of a pedestrian stay in the Big Apple.

Now that the Packers won’t have to pay Greg Jennings because the team refused to slap the franchise tag on him, they can get serious about using some of that money on a free agent or two. In addition to Canty, the Packers have also shown an interest in Ricky Jean-Francois, and some believe even former Packer Cullen Jenkins have drawn an interest. However, neither one of those players have as of yet been invited into the Packers’ inner sanctum.

So, just how serious are the Packers in getting into the free agency game? Well, serious enough … clearly, Ted Thompson is targeting defensive linemen at this point most likely so that they can focus their high draft picks on the offensive side of the ball.

Whether Canty sticks around for a while and comes away with a contract in hand will be up to Thompson. But one thing is for certain – it won’t happen unless the Packers are serious.

Buffalo Bills defensive back Jarius Byrd (31) was one of only eight free agents slapped with the franchise tag before Monday’s deadline. Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

There will be a lot more National Football League players pounding the pavement and collecting frequent flyer miles the next couple of weeks because only eight teams utilized the franchise tag, down significantly from the record 21 teams that slapped the tag on players last season.

So, what’s up with that and just what does this mean?

Well, it means, first of all that the market will be flooded with a large number of free agents, including Greg Jennings, who will be marketing himself as the go-to receiver that he was for so long in Green Bay.

Here is the full list of teams, players and the amount they will be due this coming season:

Buffalo: S Jairus Byrd ($6,916,000)

Chicago: DT Henry Melton ($8,450,000)

Cincinnati: DE Michael Johnson ($11,175,000)

Dallas: LB Anthony Spencer ($10,560,000 Note: The linebacker tag is $9,619,000, but Spencer is guaranteed a 20 percent raise over his 2012 franchise player salary, which was $8.8 million.)

Denver: OT Ryan Clady ($9,828,000)

Indianapolis: P Pat McAfee ($2,977,000)

Kansas City: OT Branden Albert ($9,828,000)

Miami: DT Randy Starks ($8,450,000)

Jennings is listed as the fifth of 10 impact starters by nfl.com. His top tier designation should place him in high demand, but will he be given the $12 million he is purportedly to be demanding?

Time will tell.

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers today decided not slap the franchise tag on Greg Jennings, thus clearing the way for the longtime Packer to pursue the free agency market. Jennings put his home up for sale last month in preparation for this day, despite the rumors that got started a couple of weeks ago that Packers brass were still considering using the franchise tag on Jennings.

Needless to say, when the news broke about Jennings not being franchised, Twitter came alive with comments about Jennings, the Packers and both the team’s and Jennings’ futures.

I took a few minutes to compile some of those tweets from among my Twitter friends.

These will give you a flavor of the fans’ reactions to today’s news …

@bronisboss 52 days ‘til 2013 #NFL Draft. And # pk #Packers ’06 Draft WR Greg Jennings; 425 rec, 53 TD rec 7 seasons w/GB, 2-tm #ProBowler

— Russell S. Baxter (@BaxFootballGuru) March 4, 2013

As I predicted a week ago (lombardiave.com/2013/02/26/gre…), Packers bypass franchise tag for Greg Jennings lombardiave.com/2013/03/04/gre… via @lombardiave

— Jason Hirschhorn (@JBHirschhorn) March 4, 2013

I don’t really think Jarred Cook or Greg Jennings will be that coveted in free agency. Especially Cook.

— Kyle Casey (@kylecasey094) March 4, 2013

I don’t think, there is a team, that will pay Greg Jennings 12 millions per year. Sorry Greg

— Daniel (@danpack6) March 4, 2013

The rumor going around NFL circles is that Greg Jennings will want $12 million per year. If it’s true, the… fb.me/1G4WYiYcE

— ThePackMentality (@PackMental) March 1, 2013

Great piece by my guy Jason “Greg Jennings, the Green Bay Packers, and the Franchise Tag lombardiave.com/2013/02/26/gre… via @fansided @lombardiave

— Dan Turczynski (@D_Turcz) February 28, 2013

@thestickmen The same thing comes to my mind as the Greg Jennings situation: how much $$ for @aaronrodgers12 & @claymatthews52 re-signings?

— Jay Sorgi (@jsorgi) February 28, 2013

New from JS: Ted Thompson just says no to franchising Greg Jennings bit.ly/ZYyq4Z

— tom silverstein (@TomSilverstein) March 5, 2013

With the last news, Mike #Wallace and Greg #Jennings will be the two WR more coveted on free agency market #NFL

— Mathieu Boulay (@MatBoulay) March 5, 2013

@gregjennings Chase #greatness, not dollars! The Lord will provide your needs. There’s only 1#packers and the fans want you to stay!

— Jeremy Hermann (@JDHermann) March 5, 2013

Packers decide not to put franchise tag on Greg Jennings. Damn, now I have to tear down that Jennings Fat Head in my son’s bedroom.

— Greg Ambrosius (@GregAmbrosius) March 5, 2013

#Packers GM Ted Thompson made prudent $ move not franchising #Greg Jennings, but #85 played well & gave back; best in future to a class act.

— Tom Pipines (@pipspicks) March 5, 2013

Some have speculated that the Packers would slap the franchise tag on Greg Jennings, but the deadline is Monday, today, at 3 p.m. CST. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Update: Published reports as of 2:55 p.m. CST have stated that the Green Bay Packers will not place the franchise tag on wide receiver Greg Jennings, opening the free agent door wide for the longtime Green Bay receiver.

The question now for the 29-year-old Jennings is whether he will get the $12 million per year contract he seeks from the market. He’s still one of the top receivers headed to the market, but there are others – Dwayne Bowe, Mike Wallace – who might be a notch above Jennings.

Either way, it’s an exciting time for Jennings and we wish him the best.

In a little less than two hours from the time of this penning, the deadline for slapping the franchise tag on players throughout the NFL will arrive – and that includes the scenario involving Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings.

A bit more than a week ago, it was reported that the Packers may still franchise tag Jennings, but with the passing of each hour and day, the likelihood that the Packers would agree to dole out $10 million to Jennings is coming to a quick close. In other words, if the Packers were to decide in the next hour to slap the tag on Jennings, they would be required to pay him $10 million for one season – that would be nearly half of the money the Packers have at their disposal under the salary cap.

That would leave the team about $12 million to sign their restricted free agents, which is expected to be around $5 million to $6 million, their draft choices, undrafted free agents and any other free agents they may be interested in signing, such as defensive lineman Chris Canty who will be in Green Bay Wednesday to talk over the options.

Some have also speculated that the Packers may try to utilize a “sign and trade” deal where they would sign Jennings and then trade him to a team in waiting. However, why would another team agree to such a deal when they can simply wait until the free agency period starts next week March 12 and negotiate a contract with Jennings without giving up any compensation?

So, the clock ticks on the Packers, but don’t expect any last minute changes in philosophy by Ted Thompson and the Packers brass.

My guess is that they are targeting their own draft choices and a limited number of free agents as the league season gets into full swing next week.

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Brian Urlacher is a free agent who is nearing the end of his illustrious career.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I’m not sure if you’ve had the opportunity to check out the list of players across the NFL who will soon be to negotiating with any other team in the league as a part of Free Agency, but you should – and especially take a glance at the NFC North – in particular the Chicago Bears.

What you will see is an ocean of players who will be free to either re-sign with their team (before March 12) or those who will be building up their frequent flyer miles. The majority of them will most likely be looking to buy new homes or rent new apartments in cities across the league.

It’s always an exciting time of year – in fact, for me, the most exciting. We watch as Ted Thompson refuses to participate while others across the league open the checkbooks and watch the dollars fly out. What’s the best solution for building a team? Ask Thompson and he’ll tell you that it’s the draft and develop method that, while the slowest, is the most effective. Ask Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and he might tell you the opposite – but history tells us it might be a combination of the two.

Anyway, I digress – the following is a list of all NFC North teams and the free agents who, for the most part, will be testing the market waters within the week:

Chicago Bears

Unrestricted free agents:Kahlil Bell, RB; Zack Bowman, CB; Jason Campbell, QB;Kelvin Hayden, CB; Geno Hayes, LB;Israel Idonije, DE; Johnny Knox*, WR;Lance Louis, OL; Olindo Mare, K; Josh McCown, QB; Henry Melton, DT; D.J. Moore, CB; Troy Nolan, S; Amobi Okoye, DT; Chilo Rachal, OL; Nick Roach, LB; Jonathan Scott, OL; Chris Spencer, OL; Brian Urlacher, LB

Restricted free agents: Nate Collins, DT

Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril is a free agent.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Unrestricted free agents: Cliff Avril, DE; Gosder Cherilus, OL; Louis Delmas, S; Justin Durant, LB; Drayton Florence, CB; Andre Fluellen, DT; Dylan Gandy, OL; Jason Hanson, K;Nick Harris, P; Jerome Harrison, RB; Will Heller, TE; Sammie Lee Hill, DT; Corey Hilliard, OL; Chris Houston, CB; Lawrence Jackson, DE; Jacob Lacey, CB; Patrick Lee, CB; DeAndre Levy, LB; Stefan Logan, WR; Don Muhlbach, OL; Kassim Osgood, WR; Kevin Smith, RB; Corey Williams, DT

Restricted free agents: Jason Fox, OL; Amari Spievey, S; Willie Young, DE

Minnesota Vikings

Unrestricted free agents: Devin Aromashodu, WR; Joe Berger, OL; Jasper Brinkley, LB;Jerome Felton, RB; Erin Henderson, LB; Phil Loadholt, OL; Marvin Mitchell, LB; Jamarca Sanford, S; Geoff Schwartz, OL; Jerome Simpson, WR

Restricted free agents: A.J. Jefferson, CB; Troy Kropog, OL

Green Bay Packers

Unrestricted free agents:Cedric Benson, RB; Ryan Grant, RB; Greg Jennings, WR; Brad Jones, LB; Jeff Saturday*, C; Erik Walden, LB; Charles Woodson*, CB

Restricted free agents: Tom Crabtree, TE; Evan Dietrich-Smith, OL; Rob Francois, LB; Sam Shields, CB; Frank Zombo, LB

Packers cornerback Sam Shields, a restricted free agent, will be brought back into the fold for next season.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The NFL Free Agency period doesn’t start for more than a week, but already rumors of player movements are rolling across the league – though it looks like the Green Bay Packers role will be very limited – like that’s a shocker, right?

Ted Thompson has been about as active in free agency over the years as Santa Claus at Easter. Nevertheless, there has been some talk that Green Bay may slap the Franchise Tag on wide receiver Greg Jennings. Well, let’s put an end to those thoughts immediately.

The deadline for placing the tag on a player is Monday, March 4, 4 p.m. EST (3 p.m. CST). If the Packers had been serious about all this, they would have been negotiating to re-sign Jennings. That hasn’t occurred and neither will the franchise tag.

We’ll talk more about the Packers’ unrestricted free agents as we move through the week toward the unofficial and the official start to the bargaining period. But first we must take a look at the team’s restricted free agents.

Tom Crabtree
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Those restricted Packers players are Sam Shields, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Robert Francois, Frank Zombo, and Tom Crabtree.

Now, the Packers aren’t going to tender all of these players – simply put, if they were to do so, they would have to match contract offers by other teams to retain their services. Clearly, the Packers aren’t going to want to retain Frank Zombo – so he’s out of the equation. He will become an unrestricted free agent as soon as the Packers say they aren’t interested.

However, the other four will be tendered, but each of them will be tendered by varying degrees. I know, it gets a bit complicated here, but stay with me.

There are tendering categories: high, medium and low. Here’s the way each of those designations have been described:

If another team signs away a low-tendered player, the team that incurs the loss gets a draft pick in the same round that player was chosen in as compensation. Medium supplies a second-round pick and the high tender carries a first-round pick as compensation.

There are also dollar amounts associated with each tender, meaning the team has to pay the restricted free agent X dollars on a one-year deal. For the low tender that is $1.323 million. Medium is $2.023 million and high is $2.879 million.

That being said, Shields will get the high tender = a one year contract worth $2.879 million; Dietrich-Smith, medium = $2.023 million; and Crabtree, low = $1.323 million. Francois will be offered the veteran’s minimum which is $715,000.

It will be interesting to see if the Packers gamble even more and don’t offer Dietrich-Smith or Crabtree the higher tenders. They might not in hopes they can bring them back into the fold for fewer dollars. However, even at the higher tenders listed above, they will be good values for the team.

In all, it looks like it will cost the Packers between $5 million and $6 million to bring these players back, which will leave the team with about $16-$17 million in which to work with in possibly signing a free agent or two, as well as retaining some dollars to rework the deals for B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews and Aaron Rodgers.

Chris Canty
Photo by Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

Former New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty is expected to visit Green Bay this coming Wednesday, while the Packers have also expressed an interest in visiting with 49ers defensive lineman  Ricky Jean-Francois. No visit has, as of yet, been set with him. There has been some speculation that the Packers may also be interested in the services of Cullen Jenkins, but again, no visits have been scheduled.

The unofficial start to free agency (when teams can start talking with players’ agents) begins Friday, March 8, while the official start to the period begins Monday, March 12.

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