Packers running back Ryan Grant is an exclusive-rights free agent, which means that his options in 2008 are to play for the Packers or play for no one.

But until he signs his exclusive-rights tender, he is not under contract, and thus not required to attend any team activities. 

Still, Grant has been present for voluntary workouts, and he is attending a mandatory minicamp.  At the minicamp, Grant is participating in individual drills, and avoiding team drills.

The AP item regarding the situation leads by saying that “[i]t isn’t exactly a holdout” ($12.50).  Actually, it’s not inexactly or generally or directly or indirectly a holdout.  It’s simply not a holdout, to the extent that the term “holdout” implies that the player has a contractual obligation to be present.  (But we realize that some interpret the term “holdout” to mean a guy is “holding out” for more money, regarding of whether he already has a deal in place.)

It’s actually unprecedented, in our recollection, that a non-rookie without a contract would be so visible during offseason practice.  First-year draft picks routinely participate during the offseason even though most of them won’t sign contracts until July.  But veterans who are unsigned usually stay completely away from camp.

In Grant’s case, we think his presence is driven by a combined desire to generate goodwill, and to avoid the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality that could prompt the team to decide to give the starting job to someone else.

Grant had a solid season in 2007, but there are many running backs who can move the chains with adequate blocking.  (A passing game led by a Hall of Fame quarterback and a very underrated corps of primarily young receivers didn’t hurt last year, either.)

Grant would like to parlay his solid season into a long-term deal, but the Packers are under no obligation to do so.  It’s a function of the system.  Undrafted players who sign one-year deals have no leverage until they have accrued three NFL seasons.  The most that Grant can do is show up during Week Ten, sign the tender, and then qualify for restricted free agency in 2009.

If he wants that big-money payday, his smartest move is to sign the tender and get to work.  Eventually, other running backs will emerge, and Grant consequently might lose his chance to persuade the Packers and/or other teams that he’s worth the kind of cash that he’s seeking.