Matthews gets 5-year deal

OLB Clay Matthews has agreed to a five-year deal that can be worth as much as $13.275 million, according to a report by ESPN.com. Matthews doesn't feel he's behind any after being sidelined the first three weeks of organized team activities because of a strained hamstring. Yet, when Matthews returned to the practice field June 16 for the final week of OTAs, the first-round draft pick still hadn't cracked the starting lineup. Matthews was running with the second unit at right outside linebacker in the Packers' new 3-4 scheme.

"They haven't told me," said Matthews, when asked whether he had any indication from the coaches when he would be working with the No. 1 defense. "I'm sure once they feel comfortable enough to put me in there with the 1s. Rightfully, the starters playing ahead of me know what they're doing and know it that much better than me. Hopefully, when we're on the same page, we can start splitting reps. But, at the same time, you really can't control coaching, but I need to control what I'm able to do, and that's studying the playbook and executing out there on the field."

Packers get impressive rookie signed

OL T.J. Lang has signed his rookie contract, the team announced. Terms were not disclosed.

Lang was singled out as the team's most impressive rookie blocker by QB Aaron Rodgers in June. The 6-foot-4, 316-pound Lang, a fourth-round draft pick from Eastern Michigan, has been alternating between tackle and guard on the right side with the No. 2 offense.

"I hope Brady's not listening, but he's really been getting after Brady a little bit," Rodgers said in reference to Lang's matchups with Poppinga in practice. "He's doing a nice job. A big, strong kid."

Think hard before coveting Favre

When Brett Favre was at home riding tractors in Hattiesburg, Miss., most people were more than willing to conveniently forget that his final pass in the NFL was an interception that essentially ended the Packers' dream season.

We wanted to focus on the 38-year-old finding the fountain of youth, and carrying -- sometime literally -- his teammates around Lambeau Field and to an improbable NFC Championship Game appearance.

Now that he has the "itch" to return, we're forced to debate whether it's a good idea.
And the debate shouldn't be a long one.

It won't be in Green Bay, so Favre will have to learn a new offense and get comfortable with new personnel in training camp.

We know he' not going to Chicago, Detroit or Minnesota. Carolina and Washington would be getting a bigger distraction than the possible upside is worth, considering Favre can't be considered a major upgrade over Jake Delhomme or Jason Campbell.
Kansas City, Miami and the Jets won't be contenders, so there's little point in shipping Favre off to any of those three.

It essentially boils down to Tampa Bay, where coach Jon Gruden has always had an affinity for older players and acquiring as many arms as possible. Favre fits both descriptions, and Gruden's version of the West Coast Offense should be among the easiest for Favre to pick up in a matter of weeks.

But that doesn't make it a good idea for the Bucs, who reached the playoffs last year with Jeff Garcia. Would Favre be much of an upgrade, if any?

Consider that Favre has thrown 100 interceptions over the past five years alone. Garcia threw just four all last season and has a 23-six TD-to-INT ratio the past two years.

For every highlight-reel touchdown, there are still far too many negative plays. The Bucs have a perfectly serviceable aging quarterback who doubles as a team leader. No need to bring the circus to town when the Bucs have an excellent chance to win one of the league's weakest divisions.

Giants' swift move could pay big dividends

With names like Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne still dangling on the unemployment line, it still came as no surprise that general managers took immediate notice when Shane Olivea's four-game suspension was rescinded.

The former starting right tackle for the Chargers was generating interest from multiple teams after he was released Feb. 28. San Francisco was among the known suitors, but interest waned when Olivea was suspended June 20, meaning he would miss the first four games of the 2008 season.

When that decision was overturned Thursday, it only took the Giants a matter of hours to scoop him up with a one-year deal. Olivea lost his job in San Diego in large part because he tends to be streaky, but he does play with a nasty streak. And 26-year-old right tackles who have started 57 of 60 career regular-season games aren't easy to come by in July.

It was a no-brainer for the Giants, who had only inexperienced youngsters Guy Whimper and Adam Koets behind starters David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie. If Diehl or McKenzie went down, Whimper has only limited playing time in two seasons and Koets has yet to see regular-season action. Now the Giants have an outstanding insurance policy in Olivea, a former seventh-round pick who is in his prime.

Jobs of any kind are proving difficult for the trio of running backs to come by. Alexander clearly lost a step -- or two -- during his final two injury-plagued seasons in Seattle, and he and Dayne will have to accept backup roles if they're going to be in the league in 2008.
Jones has been diligently rehabbing from ACL surgery five months ago, and recently held a workout in front of representatives from Miami, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Detroit. He ran the shuttle and cones and caught some passes. If he can prove he is healthy enough to at least participate in non-contact drills by early August, he should end up in someone's camp early enough to compete for significant carries.

Olivea cleared -- and should be coveted

Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne are still searching for work, but Shane Olivea's name will likely be mentioned more than all three combined in the offices of general managers leading up to training camp.

Olivea was cut by San Diego in February after losing his starting right tackle job to rookie Jeromey Clary in November. He was generating interest from San Francisco, among other teams, but didn't sign a deal and was then suspended on June 20 for violating the league's substance abuse program. That meant a team that signed Olivea would be without his services for the first four games of the regular season.

That suspension was rescinded Thursday, and Olivea will be coveted by several teams. He lost his job in San Diego in large part because he tends to be streaky, but Olivea does play with a nasty streak. And 26-year-old right tackles who have started 57 of 60 career regular-season games aren't easy to come by in July.

Expect Olivea to be scooped up quickly by a team looking for him to compete for a starting job.

Jobs of any kind are proving difficult for the trio of running backs to come by. Alexander clearly lost a step -- or two -- during his final two injury-plagued seasons in Seattle, and he and Dayne will have to accept backup roles if they're going to be in the league in 2008.

Jones has been diligently rehabbing from ACL surgery five months ago, and recently held a workout in front of representatives from Miami, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Detroit. He ran the shuttle and cones and caught some passes. If he can prove he is healthy enough to at least participate in non-contact drills by early August, he should end up in someone's camp early enough to compete for significant carries.

Pack's gamble offers big reward with little risk

By all accounts, Koren Robinson is a good guy. Through all of his off-field problems related to alcohol over the years, coaches and teammates have continued to sing his praises as a quality person and teammate.
Heck, he nearly brought tears to his first coach, Mike Holmgren, who treated Robinson like a son through all his struggles in four years in Seattle.
There's no denying the 2001 first-round pick out of N.C. State has a world of talent. He caught a career-high 78 passes for 1,240 yards and five touchdowns in 2002, an appeared headed toward a stellar career before it was sidetracked by DUIs and NFL suspensions.
And it's a no-lose situation for Green Bay, which officially activated Robinson on Tuesday after his year-long suspension ended last week. He could contribute as early as Sunday's game at Kansas City, working into the rotation behind Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones, and ahead of Ruvell Martin. He's also a Pro Bowl-type talent as a kick returner.
If Robinson works out, he upgrades an already talented receiving corps and adds a big-play threat on special teams. If not, the Packers cut ties and go with the roster that got them to 6-1 to this point.

--Running back DeShawn Wynn lasted exactly one carry as the Packers' stated starter. That was the first play of Monday's win at Denver. He suffered a stinger in his shoulder that landed him on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday. Ryan Grant was impressive in Wynn's place, producing the team's first 100-yard rushing game since Ahman Green last season and earning the starting job against the Chiefs.
--Quarterback Tony Romo was never going anywhere as a pending free agent. Everyone knew he'd sign an extension or be made the team's franchise player in free agency. But owner Jerry Jones nipped all the speculation in the bud, giving Romo a six-year, $67.5 million contract that includes more than $30 million in guaranteed money. It's a smart move by Jones, who removed one potential distraction as the Cowboys attempt to make a strong Super Bowl run.
--J.P. Losman is back at the helm of Buffalo's offense. For how long is anyone's guess. But Losman will start Sunday's game with rookie Trent Edwards battling a sprained wrist that might prevent him from even serving as Losman's backup.

4-0 Packers Hardly Perfect

Clearly the feel-good story through the first month of the season, the Green Bay Packers still can't get away from the notion that they're by far the least imposing of the four remaining unbeaten teams.

However, most people don't realize the Packers have an eight-game winning streak after finishing last season with four consecutive wins. And if they can manage to beat Chicago on Sunday, they'll put three games between themselves and their most feared competition in the NFC South (sorry, Detroit).

With two home games leading into their bye week, the Packers have plenty to be excited about. But they also have a lot of work to do to stay on top considering they have the league's worst running attack.

Sooner than later, the Packers must find production somewhere among the group of Vernand Morency, rookies Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn and second-year player Ryan Grant.

Quarterback Brett Favre is playing lights out with a 97.3 passer rating considering the one-dimensional offense he's running. But it's too much to expect Favre to play nearly mistake-free football through a 16-game schedule if his supporting cast doesn't step up in a hurry.

"We're not blind to the things we need to work on, and I think that's just part of keeping the focus of the football team," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

Other quarterback news:

• Bears coach Lovie Smith is sticking with Brian Griese for at least another week, but one has to wonder how long the leash will be. At 1-3, the Bears are quickly running out of time to let Griese shake off the rust and help the scuffling offense become more consistent.
  
• Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart remains the starter, but he isn't making many fantasy owners happy. With Leinart struggling to find consistency and confidence in the new offense, coach Ken Whisenhunt has not been shy to turn to Kurt Warner, especially when the Cardinals want to run up-tempo.
  
• David Carr is coming off a horrendous first outing with Carolina. The Panthers better hope he rebounds quickly with Jake Delhomme likely out a few more games -- and possibly longer if surgery is required on his ailing elbow.
  
• Trent Dilfer will start the 49ers' next few games in place of injured Alex Smith. San Francisco's offensive line is already struggling mightily, missing several blocking assignments against Seattle, and it's not going to get any easier with an immobile backup quarterback under center.
  
• Bills quarterback J.P. Losman is recovering quickly from his knee injury, but the team won't rush him back for Monday night's game after rookie Trent Edwards' impressive debut.