27-year old Packers’ TE Spencer Havner was involved in a motorcycle accident over the weekend which resulted in him getting a fractured scapula (shoulder) and a DUI charge.  This is a blow to the Packers as Havner had a breakout season for them in 2009.  He played in all 16 games for the Packers last season in which he caught 7 passes for 112 yards (16.0 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Havner also had 19 tackles and he returned 2 punts for 26 yards (13.0 avg).  Havner will likely miss all of training camp while recovering from this injury.

The Packers have extended 26-year old safety Nick Collins’ contract three more years (through 2013) worth $23.4 million bucks.  Collins played in all 16 games for the Packers last season and he finished up with 53 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 13 passes defensed and he intercepted 6 passes (he returned them for a combined 110 yards).  Collins has now played in 77 games in his five years with the Packers and he has made 337 tackles, defensed 54 passes, has 1 sack, forced 5 fumbles and he has 17 interceptions (four returned for TDs).  Collins is a big time playmaker and the Packers were very smart to lock him up.

The Packers have re-signed 33-year old OT Chad Clifton to a 3-year, $20 million dollar deal with $7.5 million bucks guaranteed.  Clifton played in 12 games (all starts) for the Packers last season.  He has played in 143 games (138 starts) in his 10 years with the Packers in which he has been a rock solid player.  This was a good signing for the Packers and I’m sure it made Aaron Rodgers sleep well last night.

The Packers have released 26-year old DE Michael Montgomery and 27-year old safety Matt Giordano.  Montgomery played in 10 games for the Packers last season and he made 2 whopping tackles.  Montgomery played in 56 games in his five years with the Packers and he made 123 tackles, defensed 3 passes, had 5 sacks and he forced 1 fumble.  Giordano played in 5 games for the Packers last season and he made 2 tackles.  The Packers won’t miss either of these players who were just taking up roster space.

The Packers have slapped the franchise tag on 30-year old NT Ryan Pickett which will guarantee him at least $7.003 million bucks in 2010.  Pickett played in 13 games for the Packers last season and he made 33 tackles, defensed 2 passes and he had 3 tackles for a loss.  Pickett has now played in 59 games in his four years with the Packers and he has made 184 tackles, defensed 11 passes and he has 2.5 sacks.  Pickett is a huge key to the Packers’ run defense so it was smart to make sure he will be playing for them in 2010.

UPDATE:  The Packers have signed Ryan Pickett to a new 4-year, $28 million dollar deal with $10 million bucks guaranteed.  This was a good move for the Packers.