No holdout for Packers' Bryan Bulaga
July, 30, 2010
By Kevin Seifert
Say what you want about the impact of long-term rookie holdouts, but I think we can all agree on this: The best-case scenario is getting to training camp on time. A year after enduring the two-week holdout of nose tackle B.J. Raji, the Green Bay Packers have their top draft choice signed a day before their first practice of training camp.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga's contract is for five years and $14.75 million, of which $8.76 million is guaranteed. Although the Packers don't have Bulaga penciled in as an immediate starter, he will benefit from maximum practice time behind starting left tackle Chad Clifton and could also be in better position to compete at left guard if needed. (Although, as we've discussed before, I'm not a big fan of using rookie players -- or any starting-quality offensive lineman -- at multiple positions.)
So as of Friday morning, the NFC North was down to three unsigned draft picks:
Detroit Lions
Round 1(a) defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
Round 1(b) running back Jahvid Best
Minnesota Vikings
Round 2(b) running back Toby Gerhart