Green Bay Packers release veteran OT Chad Clifton - NFL News
Green Bay Packers on Monday released one of their best tackles for a decade as they said goodbye to Chad Clifton.
Clifton was released by the franchise after failing a medical test according to
ESPN and after 165 career games with the franchise and a Super Bowl ring the veteran will not appear in the Packers green and gold.
The 35-year-old faced severe injury problems last season as he started just six games and underwent back surgery.
His back problems may likely stop him from starting another National Football League (NFL) game again.
The Packers heaped praise on Clifton after announcing his release and general manager, Ted Thompson thanked him for all his contributions to Green Bay’s recent success.
"Chad is a great Packer and has been an integral part of our success over the past 12 seasons. He was a member of some of the most prolific offenses in team history, but more importantly, he is a great person and teammate. We thank Chad for all that he has
given the Packers on the field and in the community and wish him and his family well."
The Packers will now look for other options to move into the position vacated by the veteran tackle with Marshall Newhouse who stepped up for Clifton during his absence last season the front runner for the starting role.
Newhouse played well as a replacement and relieved the veteran in the Packers playoff loss to New York Giants last season in the third quarter.
Clifton has had a wonderful career at Lambeau Field as he started on the offensive line with two of Green Bay’s legendary quarterbacks in Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.
He played an important role in Green Bay’s 2010 Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and has remained a fan favourite from the time he was picked by Green Bay in the 2000 drafts.
The Packers performed brilliantly in the last season even though they missed Clifton in offence for the majority of the time.
However, the offence put up some of its best statistics throughout the regular season as the franchise ended up with an impressive 15-1 record.
Their form deserted them in the playoffs and the team was knocked out in their very first game.
This year though the franchise is rebuilding and will once again be favourites heading into the new 2012-13 season.
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