Packers trade Reynolds to Colts
The Green Bay Packers traded defensive end Jamal Reynolds to the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday for a future draft pick, getting at least a measure of compensation for one of the biggest miscalculations in their history.
The Packers thought they were getting a much-needed pass rusher when they selected Reynolds out of Florida State with the 10th overall pick in 2001. Reynolds was bothered by a knee injury his first two seasons but was ineffective even when healthy last year and was deactivated for 11 games.
Altogether, he recorded just 17 tackles and three sacks in 18 games over three seasons.
Reynolds, who has two years left on his contract, showed slight improvement during two minicamps this offseason, displaying more quickness off the line and an ability to beat inexperienced offensive tackles in one-on-one drills. But that wasn't enough to extend his stay in Green Bay.
By trading Reynolds, due a $217,250 roster bonus on July 15, the Packers will take a $663,750 hit on this year's salary cap but will write him off their books for next year.
"We are taking our medicine this year," said Packers chief negotiator Andrew Brandt.
He declined "out of respect to the Colts" to reveal the year or round of the pick the Colts gave up or even to say whether it was conditional on Reynolds' performance in Indianapolis.
Few people in the NFL expected the Packers to get any compensation for Reynolds. Had he been released this month and claimed by another team, the Packers would have taken the same salary-cap hit as they did with the trade. This way, at least they got a draft pick in return.
Brandt and Colts president Bill Polian first discussed a trade last month, when they served together on a panel discussion at Stanford University on contract negotiations and salary-cap management.
Although Reynolds was a bust in Green Bay, he's still young and relatively cheap.
At the Packers' minicamp last month, Reynolds insisted he still could be a star in the NFL if he could just get more playing time.
"I never doubt my ability," Reynolds said at the time. "I know what I can do and I've been great on every level, so I don't see any reason I shouldn't be great on this level. And I know I will be - it just hasn't happened yet.
"Some people are late bloomers and some people start off early. It's just happening a little later for me. But eventually it's going to happen for me."
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