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Packers Designate Clifton Franchise Player
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posted 02/24/2004

The Green Bay Packers on Tuesday designated starting left tackle Chad Clifton a Franchise player, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced.

Under NFL rules, the Packers had until 3 p.m. CST Tuesday to designate a Franchise and/or Transition player.

The Packers continue to negotiate with Clifton regarding a long-term contract. Until such time, as the Packers' Franchise player:

* Clifton has a one-year contract at the offensive-line Franchise tender number set by the NFL;

* The Packers maintain a right of first refusal to match any team's offer received by Clifton;

* In the event another team presents an offer and the Packers elect not to match it, Green Bay would receive two first-round draft choices from the offering club.

If Clifton and the Packers can reach agreement on a long-term contract, that contract will replace the one-year Franchise-tender number.

Clifton, 27, Brett Favre's blind-side shield the last four seasons, started all 16 games in 2003. He made a successful comeback from a career-threatening injury sustained at Tampa Bay, Nov. 24, 2002.