Packers Daily Links: Kuhn's Contract Worth $7.5 Million, Sherrod's $6.6 Million

Details from the recently signed contracts of running back John Kuhn and rookie Derrek Sherrod were made public. That and more in today's Daily Links...

Details of running back John Kuhn's recently signed contract were released yesterday and his three-year contract is worth $7.5 million. "According to a source with access to NFL salary information, Kuhn received a signing bonus of $750,000 and an immediate roster bonus of $1.25 million, meaning he got $2 million guaranteed up front," writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Kuhn's base salary increases every year to a peak of $1.8 million in 2013.

First-round draft choice Derrek Sherrod's contract was made public on Tuesday as well. "Along with the $3.301 million bonus, Sherrod’s salary for the first three years of his contract are guaranteed," writes Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette. "He’ll make $375,000 in base salary this year, $675,000 in 2012 and $975,000 in 2013. Sherrod’s 2014 salary is $1.275 million but is not guaranteed, making the four-year deal worth $6.601 million." Sherrod will make $5.326 million in guaranteed money.

Figures from the rest of the rookie contracts (minus third-rounder Alex Green) are published by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

General manager Ted Thompson took part in an exclusive question and answer session with Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and reportedly got a little misty-eyed when talking about what the Super Bowl meant to him. "He started to reply," writes McGinn. "His voice quavering, he had to stop. He collected himself, tried again and through misty eyes was able to finish his thought." The interview in its entirety can be read in the Packer Insider (paywall) section of the Journal Sentinel website.

The challenge of repeating as Super Bowl champions is a topic covered by Don Banks of Sports Illustrated in his trip to Packers training camp. "I just spent parts of two days in the training camp of the defending champion Green Bay Packers, and so far they're certainly saying all the right things and setting the right tone in the wake of their memorable Super Bowl title run after barely making the playoffs as the NFC's No. 6 seed last January," writes Banks. "In Green Bay, the talk is all about looking ahead and not back, and staying on the hunt instead of giving in to the defensive mentality of being the hunted. It all sounds good, but I'm almost certain that if I went back and checked what the Saints, Steelers and Giants were saying at this same point in the past three preseasons, coming off their Super Bowl wins, it'd be a pretty similar mantra."

A feature on running back Ryan Grant is written by Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel focusing on his return to the football field from last year's ankle surgery. "The Packers paid Grant his $1.75 million roster bonus, which was due the first week of the league year," writes Nickel. "Grant saw that move as an act of faith on Green Bay's part. He won't turn 29 until December, he's got a lot less tread on his tires than other running backs and he said the year away revived his whole body." How he'll share carries with the rest of the backfield will be a development worth watching this season.

Another feature on linebacker Brad Jones and his return from injury is penned by Kareem Copeland of the Press-Gazette. "Jones desperately wants on the field and that may end up happening at another position," writes Copeland. "The Packers are thin at inside linebacker behind Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk, who both signed contract extensions after the regular season. The Packers released Nick Barnett and Brandon Chillar, whose lockers were next to Jones. The three supported each other while all were on injured reserve." Whether the Packers would move Jones inside probably depends on whether they think he can contribute on the outside first. If Jones can win the right outside linebacker job, there's likely no need to move him inside other than the rare occasion similar to when they use Clay Matthews there.

A column on the attention gained by the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency with several high-profile additions to their team and the attention it has deflected away from the Packers is written by Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. "While teams aren't suddenly going to slack off when they play Packers, they’re no longer perceived as the team to beat in the NFC, either," writes Wilde. "That honor goes to the Eagles." Hard to deny based upon the "Dream Team" claims that have riled up NFL fans everywhere.

Rookie wide receiver Randall Cobb is the focus of a column written by Mike Vandermause of the Press-Gazette. "If early impressions mean anything, Cobb could prove to be yet another one of General Manager Ted Thompson’s draft gems, taken in April in the second round with the 64th overall pick out of Kentucky," writes Vandermause.

An analysis of several rookies on the roster is provided by Eric Baranczyk of the Press-Gazette.

An article on the underrated contributions of Frank Zombo and Brett Swain to the Packers' Super Bowl win is written by Mike Spofford of the Packers official website. As a fan of special teams, I like the attention given to Swain, whose four tackles in the Super Bowl flies under the radar.

An interesting post appears at the State Bar of Wisconsin's website with advice on estate planning that includes Packers season tickets.

Safety Anthony Levine talks about coming back from injury and attempting to win a roster spot with Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel.

Tight end Jermichael Finley claims "I'm going to change TE position" in an article appearing at Packer Report (sub required).

Another Packer Report article mentions the recent cuts of Nick Barnett and Justin Harrell.

Wisconsin governor Scott Walker reacts to Illinois governor Pat Quinn making good on his losing Packers-Bears bet last season.

Video: Today's Ultimate Lambeau Leap fundraiser for Special Olympics of Wisconsin is previewed by WBAY-TV in Green Bay...

Brian Carriveau is the editor of the Maple Street Press Packers Annual. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (5)

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Briandevil78's picture

August 03, 2011 at 08:30 am

I love all this Eagles talk to me take all the presser is off the Pack to repeat and now on the Eagles.Now we can just stay off the media hype and be our normal Packers....Plus I love what I hear of the WR crew with 3 guys needing to prove themself (Driver,Jones,Cobb) and fighting to be on the field it cn only mean good things for us

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RayRhodes's picture

August 03, 2011 at 08:52 am

On the Ryan Grant Post I think it should say a lot "more" tread on his tires.

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sammer's picture

August 03, 2011 at 10:08 am

I think you're right, but to be fair Brian was just quoting the Nickel article.

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PistolPete's picture

August 03, 2011 at 05:21 pm

Pretty sure he's saying that Grant doesn't have as much tread on his tires as a typical 29 year old RB. Of course he has more than Starks and Green.

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some guy's picture

August 03, 2011 at 01:54 pm

true

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