Packers extended contracts with safety Collins and NT Pickett

The Green Bay Packers finally fulfilled their promises to two of their free agents by signing two long-term contract extension with safety Nick Collins and nose tackle Ryan Pickett to secure the services of the two cornerstones in the team’s defense.

The team did not release details of either deal. Collins’ agents, Dave Butz and Alan Herman, confirmed a report on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Web site that Collins’ deal was for three years and $23.4 million. Unrestricted free agent Pickett received the franchise tag earlier this offseason when negotiation on the contract extension was still going on, so the deal that was agreed on Friday should be a great one.

“The Packers always try to be proactive in our discussions with our current players and we are pleased we were able to come to an agreement with Nick,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. “Nick has been an impact player for us, and we look forward to having him continue his career as a Packer.”

Having 13 interceptions the last two seasons, Collins was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl last season despite unhappiness with his contract status, and Pickett has been a vital part of what was one of the league’s best run defenses since putting on Packers jersey as a free agent before the 2006 season.

Packers OT Clifton did not play Sunday against Browns

The Green Bay Packers starting left tackle Chad Clifton must regret for not being able to play Sunday’s 31-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns. But what could he do? He was just listed as inactive with a damn injured ankle.

Clifton had already missed two games earlier this season because of the injury. And for Sunday’s game, he was replaced by rookie T.J. Lang, who tried to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had been sacked an NFL-high 25 times this season before Sunday, and did not do a bad job.

Players missing game on Sunday also included tight ends Steve Heiden and Robert Royal. Heiden injured his knee and Royal had injuries both on hamstring and finger. It was Greg Estandia who replaced Royal and started on Sunday.

Packers RB Green blamed family turmoil for his disappointing performance in Texans

The Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green recently said that his ability was affected by emotional turmoil within his family while playing in the Houston texans jersey.

“To me, it wasn’t the fact that I was getting old,” said Green, 32. “I had a lot of different stuff going on personally, off the field. (My) relationship between myself and my daughters was kind of on the rocks, so that was a big part of my life.”

Beside worsened relationship with his daughters, Green was also hit hard by the death of his father. All the turmoil caused his lack of focus on the field. The disappointing performance caused Green to be cut by the Texans in February.

Green also said his relationship with daughters—Ahmani, 12, and Myahni, 7— has greatly improved, so he was feeling good again and is ready to focus on the football field now.