Mike

Wahle

Washle had missed all of training camp thus far with a knee injury. The Packers are only missing one O-line starter now.

Just another reason why 2004 feels like a big one in Green Bay. Starting guards Mike Wahle, Marco Rivera, tight end Bubba Franks, and linebacker Hannibal Navies are all headed for free agency.

They will be nearly $11 million over the cap, and Wahle is set to make over $10 million. He wants to be one of the highest paid guards in football and should be able to find that deal elsewhere.

His cap number is over $10 million. He’ll immediatley be the most attractive guard on the free agent market and should top Damien Woody’s big contract from last season. The Packers are more likely to retain Marco Rivera.

Both Wahle and Pro Bowl center Mike Flanagan have missed the entire preseason with knee injuries. Flanagan hopes to return next week. Ahman Green needs him both to improve on his career year.

If Green Bay loses Wahle and Marco Rivera, they could be in troubled. Our guess is Wahle will get the highest signing bonus for a guard in NFL history. He’s better than Damien Woody, who pulled the trick last year.

It sounds likely that the Panthers will give him a signing bonus in excess of $12 million. They play is to move him to right tackle, although he’s played only one game there during his career.

He will reportedly get a $10 million signing bonus and try to make the conversion to tackle. Considered one of the best lineman in football, Wahle should shore up Carolina’s biggest problem area from 2004.

It includes a “small” signing bonus. Wahle isn’t the Pro Bowler he once was, but will only be 31 this year and knows Mike Holmgren’s offense. He will start at left guard this season, replacing Seattle’s 2007 duo there of Rob Sims and Floyd Womack. Chris Gray will likely stay at right guard.

Morgan said all the right things since the season ended, but Carolina didn’t need him anymore with Jon Beason entrenched in the middle. If Morgan is healthy enough to pass a physical, he could be a nice addition for a team willing to give him a shot. He’s currently recovering from Achilles surgery. Wahle, once a big ticket free agent pickup, will either be replaced by Geoff Hangartner or Justin Hartwig.