It's most beneficial for the Packers to wait and see where the Jacksonville deal comes in because chances are it will be far more modest than Heyward-Bey's deal, thus giving the Packers leverage in negotiations. Per general manager Ted Thompson's orders, no one in the organization has addressed the state of negotiations or whether it's the team's feeling that Raji's group is being unreasonable.
Raji's agent, David Dunn, has not spoken publicly about the negotiations either.
Nevertheless, sources familiar with the dealings said Monday that talks have picked up and numbers discussed, but real progress has not been made toward a contract resolution.
The Packers continue to be careful with their words regarding Raji's absence, preferring not to say much about whether he's hurting himself, choosing instead to say they understand it's part of the business. They're probably taking that stance because their business side of it dictates that they negotiate low in anticipation of the Jacksonville deal.
Raji's side, on the other hand, wants to take advantage of the inflated numbers of Heyward-Bey and Mark Sanchez's deals in the first round, both of which featured huge raises from what players in those respective spots received in 2008. How high they're going is anyone's guess at this point.
In the meantime, Raji missed his 10th practice of training camp, and the defensive lineman is all but assured of missing the first exhibition game Saturday against Cleveland.