Maybe it was rehearsed, but unsigned running back Ryan Grant and coach Mike McCarthy were on the same page after Grant didn’t participate in Wednesday’s organized team activities practice.
"Would I like him out there with everybody else? Absolutely, but it’s obviously a business decision," was McCarthy’s take.
"I just can’t, from a business aspect. I’m doing everything I can do," was Grant’s take.
It’s May 21. That leaves 70 days until the start of training camp for Grant and the Packers to agree on a long-term contract. And Grant acknowledged there have been contract talks. So, not surprisingly, Grant said he expects to be signed by the time camp begins on July 28.
"Yeah, I do," said Grant, who rushed for 956 yards last season, and might have reached 1,000 had he not sat out most of the meaningless regular-season finale. "There’s no timetable. I don’t have control over that. I’m just trying to do my part and make sure I’m taking part in everything I can."
Grant, who has not signed the $370,000 tender and will not have accrued enough years of NFL service to become a free agent until 2010, said it was a mutual decision for him to not take part in OTAs. Obviously, getting hurt during these voluntary practices wouldn’t help Grant’s negotiating power.
The situation is hardly acrimonious. Grant has been in Green Bay working out and meeting regularly with running backs coach Edgar Bennett.
"I think both sides feel like I’m going about it the correct way," Grant said. "I’m trying to do it the right way. I’m not trying to go about it in any type of so-called wrong way. I'm just trying to take care of what I can take care of."