National Football League

Colledge agrees to deal with Arizona

Published Jul. 28, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Daryn Colledge, the starting left guard for the Super Bowl champion Packers, is waving goodbye to Green Bay after agreeing to a five-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

Colledge tweeted Thursday that after contract talks with Arizona, his time with the Packers has come to an end. Colledge started 76 games over five seasons for Green Bay.

''Thanks for the love guys,'' Colledge tweeted. ''It truly breaks my heart to leave. It has been my greatest honor.''

Colledge then embraced his new team, changing his Twitter profile photo to a Cardinals logo.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, agent Jeff Sperbeck confirmed multiple media reports that Colledge had agreed to a five-year deal with the Cardinals.

Sperbeck said the Cardinals were impressed with Colledge's combination of skill and ''unprecedented'' durability. And while Colledge had said in the past that he wanted to stay in Green Bay, Sperbeck said Colledge now is looking forward to the new opportunity.

''You can't look backward,'' Sperbeck said.

There was no immediate word from the Packers or Cardinals. Free agents may negotiate deals this week but are not permitted to sign with their new teams until Friday.

Green Bay still has decisions to make on other free agents, including wide receiver James Jones - who may be attracting interest from division rival Minnesota - and running backs Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson was careful to avoid discussing any free agents during his presentation at the Packers' annual shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field on Thursday morning. He skipped his usual position-by-position analysis of the roster, saying it wouldn't be ''appropriate or fair'' to talk about players who might not be there when the team reports to training camp Friday.

Thompson did assure the estimated 11,700 shareholders in attendance that the team intends to contend for another Super Bowl this season.

''We'll be fine,'' Thompson said. ''We've got a good core of players with good heads on their shoulders.''

Earlier this week, the Packers told veteran linebacker Nick Barnett that he would not be returning, and more cuts were expected later Thursday.

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