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Veteran left tackle Clifton released by Packers

By Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel –

MILWAUKEE — For 13 years, left tackle Chad Clifton anchored the left side of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line, protecting Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers with far more abandon and determination than he ever did himself.

Until Monday, he was signed on for a 13th season. But to the apparent surprise of some of his linemates and quite possibly the big lineman himself, Clifton was released.

The Packers made the announcement during the day but did not confirm an ESPN report that said Clifton had failed a physical exam. Still rehabbing from back surgery performed right after the season, Clifton was still determined to play another year.

“It was a tough day,” said Clifton’s close friend and former teammate, Mark Tauscher. “When you’re playing and then it ends just like that, it’s tough. I know what it’s like. Chad had an unbelievable career.

“I don’t know what he’s going to be doing (as far as continuing his career), but during his time in Green Bay I don’t know if you can (overstate) the impact he had and the sacrifice he made. Even with all the injuries he had, he always showed up.”

Part of the reason the Packers decided not to move forward with Clifton is the $5.593 million salary cap number that he carried, all of which is now removed from the Packers’ team cap. His release will leave the Packers $8.943 million under the cap, according to a league source.

It would have been hard to carry a 35-year-old another year without knowing for sure he would start.

The Packers decided they had better options in Marshall Newhouse and 2011 first-round draft choice Derek Sherrod. Newhouse started 12 games last year, including 10 in place of Clifton as he recovered from a partially torn hamstring and back injury suffered while rehabbing his leg.

Sherrod did not start a game and was lost for the season in December when he broke the large bone in his lower leg while filling in for right tackle Bryan Bulaga. He is expected to be back no later than training camp.

The news of Clifton’s release clearly had an impact on the veteran’s teammates, who reacted on Twitter.

“Sad day at the office. (Chad) Clifton is going to be severely missed!!! Hate this sport bc of this (stuff)!,” guard Josh Sitton wrote.

And from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, “If ur fortunate enough to play this game long enough, u gotta deal w/ more days like today when close friends become former teammates.”

The Packers may never have it as good as they did with Clifton playing left tackle. A second-round pick in 2000 — the same year Tauscher was taken in the seventh round — Clifton became the starter in Week 7 and never relinquished his starting position for anything but injury the rest of the way.

He appeared in 165 games with 160 starts, which put him No. 2 in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg for the most games played at tackle.

A much better pass blocker than run blocker, he was a brick wall on the quarterback’s blind side, handling some of the NFL’s best pass rushers. He may have saved his best for Super Bowl XLV, when he completely shut down Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison.

Besides being a tremendous athlete, Clifton succeeded by being a step ahead of the competition.

“He had the quickest get-off I’ve ever seen,” Tauscher said. “He’s such a great athlete. He got in his position before the defensive guy got in his. He always got off the snap with surprising quickness.”

Clifton’s 6-5, 320-pound body stood strong, but it took a beating over the years. He underwent numerous knee and elbow surgeries and spent more time in the training room getting his body ready to play on Sunday than he did on the practice field.

The injury for which he’ll always be most famous came in 2002, when he was blindsided by Tampa Bay nose tackle Warren Sapp during an interception return and suffered bruising to his pelvis bone that left him unable to walk for six weeks.

As was often the case, Clifton battled back. He started all 16 games each of the following three seasons and five of his last eight.

Last season was a tough one, however. He showed some signs of age and the effects of reduced practice time due to a maintenance program aimed at getting him ready for Sunday.

Last month, coach Mike McCarthy said that Clifton was still a part of the team, but he warned that his status would depend on his physical condition. Clifton had back surgery at the end of last season and had reported to the Packers that he was feeling very good.

He was present for the start of off-season conditioning last week, but it appears it was just to take a physical.

“Chad is a great Packer and has been an integral part of our success over the past 12 seasons,” general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. “He was a member of some of the most prolific offenses in team history, but more importantly, he is a great person and teammate.”

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