McKenzie back with Packers....Officially

Green Bay, WI (Sports Network) - Green Bay Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie will most likely end his lengthy holdout soon and join his teammates in preparation for Week 2.

McKenzie, who missed all of training camp and Monday night's win over the Carolina Panthers, is expected to meet with Packers general manager and head coach Mike Sherman at Lambeau Field on Wednesday.

"All I know is that I'm meeting with Mike tomorrow at 8 o'clock," Sherman said on Tuesday. Sherman also noted that McKenzie's potential on-field availability versus division-rival Chicago this Sunday is unknown.

McKenzie, a sixth-year defensive back from Memphis, has expressed displeasure with his current contract and did not participate in any of the team's offseason programs. He signed a contract extension on January 7, 2002 through the 2006 campaign.

McKenzie has started at left cornerback all five years he has been in Green Bay. Last season he posted 58 tackles (55 solo), four interceptions and 20 passes defensed.

In 69 career games (67 starts), McKenzie has notched 291 tackles (246 solo), 82 passes defensed, 15 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, one sack and one fumble recovery.

This would be huge for the Packers!

There going to need this guy playing the Minnesotas,Eagles,Colts, and teams of that nature. Go Pack 30/1

As a diehard PACKER BACKER, the thought of MOSS, OWENS, HARRISON, etc., etc., going against the Packer corners sends shivers up my spine.

Brutal

The holdout cornerback met with Packers coach/general manager Mike Sherman on Wednesday morning and reported for duty after missing the off-season minicamps, training camp and the first regular-season game.
"Mike McKenzie is back here to play for the Packers, and that is where we are right now. We will take it one day at a time," Sherman said at a Wednesday news conference.

As promised all along by Sherman, the players and members of the organization, there will be no grudges held against McKenzie.

"If you hold grudges in this business and in life, it is hard to move forward. ... What was yesterday was yesterday. That's old news,” Sherman said.

McKenzie — who vowed to never again play for the Packers — was expected to take part in Wednesday’s practice, which Sherman closed to the media. Whether McKenzie will be activated for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears is a mystery. By league rule, McKenzie will not count against the 53-player roster limit for two weeks, or until activated. The Packers are at 52 players, anyway, after releasing veteran tight end Steve Bush in the days leading up to Monday’s season-opening victory at Carolina.

McKenzie left the team, apparently unhappy that his five-year, $17.1 million contract had been surpassed this off-season by other, lesser — in McKenzie’s estimation — players. Sherman said all along that McKenzie’s contract would not be reworked, and Sherman on Wednesday stuck to that pledge.

Sherman said McKenzie kept himself in good shape during his absence. He had been working out in Memphis, with an eye on the Packers trading him. The trade never developed, with the Packers asking for a first-round pick or a player of equal caliber and no team willing to pay that steep a price.

"It looked like he had been training and was in shape and that's positive thing. We are going to try to get him ready as soon as possible," Sherman said.

Sherman was vague about whether McKenzie was here for the long term or was simply auditioning for a trade. Sherman, however, said he was not worried about McKenzie having an attitude problem or playing at less than 100 percent mentally.

"He has always been professional, always done his job. He's been no problem for me in regard to getting ready to play a football game," Sherman said. "He loves his teammates. He wants to win."

By failing to report last week, McKenzie forfeited the first of 17 installments on his $2.75 million salary. In addition to that $161,765, McKenzie could have been fined $5,000 a day for each day of practice missed since training camp started last month.

Veteran Michael Hawthorne started in McKenzie’s place Monday at Carolina, with rookie first-round pick Ahmad Carroll getting plenty of playing time at the position. Opposite that duo, starting right cornerback Al Harris signed a five-year extension worth nearly $19 million last week.

McKenzie was not immediately made available for comment