Re-signing their own has been the goal of every National Football League team in recent years, but with the advent of free agency, it has been a difficult task.
This off-season the Green Bay Packers won't even try. Of their eight unrestricted free agents, the team will only try to retain one, center Frank Winters.
Team general manager Ron Wolf has made it clear that the other seven players will be free to test the free agency waters when Feb. 11 rolls around. That is the date when players can begin shopping their services to other teams.
Packer unrestricted free agents who will probably be playing with another team next year include defensive ends Keith McKenzie and Vaughn Booker, defensive tackle Gilbert Brown, linebacker Anthony Davis, wide receivers Charles Jordan and Janine Arnold, and punter Louie Aguiar.
Brown, a fan favorite in Green Bay over the past five years, is recovering from knee surgery and most likely will not be re- signed by the team. Newspaper reports have indicated that, at least privately, Wolf has lost patience with the huge defensive tackle. Brown's constant battle with weight and the fact that the new coaching staff wants to go in a different direction have contributed to the decision not to pursue a new contract with Brown.
Ed Donatell, the team's newly hired defensive coordinator has said he will use a defensive system that calls for quick up- field rushers instead of a huge, run stuffing line, which leaves Brown out of the mix.
When asked about Brown, Wolf said, "I would like to see him get himself well, so he can make an effort and have gainful employment. It just won't be here."
Brown was popular not only for his run stuffing abilities, but he gained admirers when he signed with the Packers three years ago for $8.25 million, despite being offered more to go to Jacksonville at the time.
McKenzie was offered a contract during the season, but the free agent turned down the $2.6 million per year to test the waters. He is believed to be looking for a deal in the $4 million per year range.
However, as an undersized, 265 pound defensive end, Packer coaches believe he isn't a full-time starter and shouldn't be paid like a starter.
McKenzie was the team's biggest playmaker last year, with a nose for the ball and the ability to get to the quarterback quickly. However, his size and monetary demands seem to be the factors which will keep him out of a Packer uniform next year.
With their offer already on the table, Wolf made it clear that should McKenzie not sign it, the offer would be pulled. Should McKenzie re-approach the team at a later time, Wolf said negotiations would have to begin all over.
Wolf has also indicated he would like to have Booker back, but wouldn't re-sign the defensive end if he demanded too much. Apparently, the amount Booker is seeking is not what the Packers are willing to pay, so he will probably also be gone.
Wolf also has no interest in bringing back the unrestricted free agents that include Jordan, Arnold, Davis and Aguiar.
With the loss of the defensive linemen, Wolf will be forced to turn to other free agents on the market and the draft to fill their roster spots.
Only center Frank Winters, a 14-year veteran, will be pursued during the off- season, with a deal likely to be completed relatively soon.
As a good friend of Brett Favre's and a stable influence on an offensive line that saw a great deal of inconsistency last year, Winters is a valued member of the team and a player who could contribute for at least another couple of years.
As for the other unrestricted free agents, Wolf had this to say, "These guys all have stars in their eyes. They all think they're going to get a lot of money. Until such time as they don't, let nature run its course. But our offers don't stand. They turned them down. As far as I know they've turned us down, so there are no offers anywhere."