Reports: Shields gets second-round tender

Published Mar. 12, 2013 11:28 a.m. ET

foxsports

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Packers have placed the second-round tender on restricted free-agent cornerback Sam Shields, according to multiple reports.
That level of tender (the middle of the possible three) is worth $2.023 million for the 2013 season. Now, if another team ends up signing Shields this offseason, Green Bay would receive a second-round pick from that team. The Packers also have the option to match any other offer made to Shields.
Shields, 25, started eight games last season and had three interceptions.
The Packers chose not to place the second-round tender on center Evan Dietrich-Smith, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, instead opting to submit the lowest restricted free-agent tender on him for $1.323 million for one year. Therefore, if another team offers Dietrich-Smith a contract that general manager Ted Thompson decides not to match, Green Bay will not receive any draft pick compensation. Dietrich-Smith was not drafted, which is why the lowest tender would not bring back a pick.
Even though coach Mike McCarthy gave a very positive endorsement of Dietrich-Smith during the Scouting Combine in February, Thompson is banking on the idea that another NFL team won't value the 26-year-old offensive lineman enough to offer him a contract the Packers wouldn't be willing to match.
Dietrich-Smith, 26, started eight games last season, including the final four at center after McCarthy benched veteran Jeff Saturday.
The Packers' other three restricted free agents, tight end Tom Crabtree, inside linebacker Robert Francois and outside linebacker Frank Zombo, were not tendered, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Crabtree, Francois and Zombo are now all unrestricted free agents, but it's still possible they could re-sign with Green Bay.

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