Staley Da Bear
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- Mar 16, 2019
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GREEN BAY PACKERS
Additions: S Adrian Amos (Bears), OLB Preston Smith (Redskins), OLB Za’Darius Smith (Ravens), OL Billy Turner (Broncos).
Subtractions: ILB Jake Ryan (Jaguars).
The Packers bolstered their defense in free agency by signing pass rushers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith and safety Adrian Amos.
Preston Smith spent his first four NFL seasons with the Redskins, excelling against both the run and pass. He played in all 64 games (and started all 48 contests the past three seasons), compiling 168 tackles, 24.5 sacks 13 pass breakups, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Za’Darius Smith joins the Packers after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Ravens. He had a breakout 2018 campaign, establishing career highs with 45 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Amos leaves the Bears for the Packers after appearing in 60 games with 56 starts in four seasons with the Bears, registering 274 tackles, 19 pass breakups, three interceptions and two sacks.
Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith and Amos will be part of a revamped Packers defense that lost Ryan to the Jaguars and cut linebacker Nick Perry this offseason, traded safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the Redskins last October and could lose outside linebacker Clay Matthews Jr, in free agency.
Turner could start at right guard for the Packers. He provides versatility, having started NFL games at four of the five offensive line positions (excluding center) in five seasons with the Dolphins (2014-16) and Broncos (2016-18).
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Additions: DT Shamar Stephen (Seahawks).
Subtractions: C Nick Easton (Saints), RB Latavius Murray (Saints), DT Sheldon Richardson (Browns).
The biggest move the Vikings have made in free agency was convincing linebacker Anthony Barr to re-sign with them one day after he had agreed to terms with the Jets. Barr called the experience “one of the worst days of my life.”
“I feel like I jumped and then 'Oh man, what did I just do?'” he said. “Instantly I just didn’t feel right about it. It’s my life, I have to live it. Nobody else has to. I should be able to make the choice whatever I wanted. I could change my mind 10 times if I want to. I don’t care what anybody has to say about that.
Barr was selected by the Vikings with the ninth pick in the first round of the 2014 draft out of UCLA. He has started all 71 games he’s played in five seasons with Minnesota, registering 338 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 30 tackles-for-loss, one interception, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Barr, who turns 27 Monday, has been voted to the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons.
Stephen, meanwhile, returns for a second stint with the Vikings. He spent his first four NFL seasons with Minnesota from 2014-17 before playing for the Seahawks last year.