Packers Daily Links: No Incentives in Benson's Contract

Newly signed running back Cedric Benson received no bonuses or incentives from the Packers. That and more in today's Daily Links...

New Packers running back Cedric Benson had little leverage in his contract negotiations. "The 29-year-old Benson’s one-year contract with the Green Bay Packers is for the $825,000 minimum for a player in his eighth NFL season," writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, "but it also includes no incentive bonuses for yards, playing time or anything else, according to a source with access to NFL salary information." From a financial perspective, this was a great signing for the Packers. They lose very little if Benson happens to flop.

More on Cedric Benson comes from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In signing T.J. Lang to a contract extension, the Packers have locked up a good portion of their offensive line for the next several seasons. "In just 2 ½ years, Thompson has constructed a wall in front of Rodgers that not only is built to protect his prized possession but also is built to last," writes Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel. "Four of the five starters are under contract for at least two more years, and three of those four are locked up for three or more years." Not a starter, but first-round draft choice Derek Sherrod is also under contract for three more seasons. Now the Packers just have to find the center of the future.

More on T.J. Lang comes from JSOnline.

Undrafted rookie safety Sean Richardson is called a player to watch by Bob McGinn. "Richardson finds himself in the right place at the right time," writes McGinn. "If he plays well Thursday night against Cleveland at Lambeau Field and in the last two games, he could be one of the survivors at safety." I was high on Richardson coming out of Vanderbilt. He has a lot to work on in coverage, but he's a tackler, and he's always around the football.

More on the undrafted rookies on the Packers' roster come from JSOnline and the Press-Gazette.

Perhaps surprisingly, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt gave a vote of confidence to Brandian Ross, even throwing him in the competition to become a starter. “There’s a collective group of good players, I’ll throw Ross right there in the equation. He’s done as much or more than Casey,” Whitt told Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. “He doesn’t make mistakes. He’s physical. I like the kid. He just has to sit there and it’s rotational thing right now. He’ll get his opportunity to show what he can do here, too. He’s going to get a lot of snaps.” That came as a surprise. I haven't seen many mistakes from Ross in a Packers jersey, but on the other hand, I haven't seen him done anything that jumped out to me other than that Aaron Rodgers' pick-six in last year's Family Night scrimmage.

Five things to watch in tonight's preseason game comes from the Journal Sentinel, the Press-Gazette, ESPNMilwaukee.com and NFC North blogger Andrew Garda of Bleacher Report.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is featured in an article at Fox Sports Wisconsin.

Linebacker D.J. Smith receives some attention from Bob McGinn in an article at the Journal Sentinel.

Coaches will be watching the wind conditions created by the new construction at Lambeau Field, according to the Associated Press.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is interviewed by Steve Wyche of NFL.com.

Pursuing Colt McCoy is called a mistake by Zach Kruse at Bleacher Report.

The pass-rush ability of Nick Perry is broken down in a post at JSOnline.

The running back situation heading into Thursday's preseason game against the Browns is touched upon by Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Press-Gazette.

Offensive coordinator Tom Clements will remain on the sidelines during games, reports Jason Wilde.

Andrew Garda cautions Packers fans about left tackle Marshall Newhouse.

Defensive lineman Ryan Pickett commands respect, writes Adam Czech of AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Rookie defensive lineman Mike Daniels is featured at Packer Report.

Video: The Packers are looking to hire concession workers, from Fox 11 in Green Bay...

Brian Carriveau is the editor at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Mike's picture

August 17, 2012 at 07:08 pm

So not that anyone thought the contract would be huge or anything, but this clearly answers the question why Benson and not Grant. Benson is practically FREE!

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