Show Lee the Money

When Brett Favre has been at his best during his career, there has been a good tight end in the Green Bay Packers’ offense.

There were Mark Chmura and Keith Jackson during the Super Bowl years in the 1990s, and the idled Bubba Franks played at a Pro Bowl level earlier this decade.

During the Packers’ 31-17 win Sunday over the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field, Donald Lee continued his ascension as one of Favre’s top targets.

“I’m glad he trusts me enough to throw me the ball,” Lee said. “I work every day in practice to earn that trust.”

Full Story: Packers show Lee the money, he shows them big production - [Packers News]

Related: Packers TE Donald Lee gets contract, has career day - [Chippewa.com]
Packers: Lee latest in tight end line - [Wisconsin State Journal]

Donald Lee signs deal with Packers

In the end, the deal likely would have gotten done. 

But it probably didn’t hurt, either.

Not long after Green Bay Packers tight end Donald Lee caught a 48-yard pass from Brett Favre with about 3:30 left in the second quarter Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, vice president Andrew Brandt saw an e-mail pop into his in-box.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get this deal done?” the message read.

It was from Brian Levy, one of Lee’s agents, who had been working with Brandt on a contract extension for the pending unrestricted free agent since Thursday evening.

Brandt brushed off the message by replying, “Yes, Donald’s playing well.”

Both sides made sure Lee will get the chance to continue doing that through 2011 in a Packers uniform as he signed a four-year contract extension worth $11.88 million on Monday.

“I hope I can play for the Packers for the rest of my life,” Lee said by telephone later in the afternoon. “I love it here. It’s been like home.”

Full Story: Packers tight end Lee receives extension - [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

Related: Packers Intend to Keep Lee - [Goal Line Football]

Packers Intend to Keep Lee

The Green Bay Packers have begun contract negotiations with representatives for tight end Donald Lee that they hope will lock him up for years to come. 

Lee, one of the most improved players on the roster, is the only starter among the seven players due to become unrestricted free agents in March.

“They contacted my agent,” Lee said Friday. “I told them just get me a fair deal and I’ll be happy. I’m not big on material things. I told them I don’t want to know numbers and what’s going on. I don’t want to focus on that.”

Full Story: Packers intend to keep Donald Lee - [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

Lee Catches on as Go-to Guy at Tight End

Less than five months ago, when it became apparent Donald Lee had risen to the top of the Green Bay Packers’ depth chart, there was no way to predict he’d get the ball as often as any tight end in the Brett Favre era.

General Manager Ted Thompson did little to address the position in the offseason, despite another disappointing season from Bubba Franks and David Martin’s departure in free agency. In minicamp, it seemed Lee was slipping into a starting role mostly by default — the Packers simply didn’t have a better option.

But Lee has proven to be a different player this season than the one who played for two teams, four head coaches and four offensive coordinators in his first four NFL seasons, always the second or third option at his position behind the likes of Randy McMichael, Franks and Martin.

Full Story: Lee Catches on as Go-to Guy at Tight End - [PackerNews.com]

Donald Lee & Bubba Franks at TE for the Pack

A year after the Green Bay Packers opened the season with four tight ends on their roster, they appear set to go with only two — at least for a while.

You won’t hear any complaints from Donald Lee and Bubba Franks, the two tight ends currently on the roster.

“We want all the reps, trust me,” Franks said on Sunday. “That’s not a burden. That just means we’re both in the game at the same time. You’ve got to play the whole game regardless. That’s not a problem. We’re in pretty good shape. We can handle it.”

Handing the number of snaps might not be the problem. The bigger concern should be what would happen if the Packers lost one or both tight ends to an injury during a game.

Full Story: Packers going with just Lee, Franks at tight end - [PackersNews.com]

Lee Makes Bid to Start at Tight End

Nothing that Donald Lee has done in his first extended opportunity to become a starting tight end in the National Football League has disappointed the Green Bay Packers.

Some scouts might not think Green Bay has even one desirable tight end. But when the Packers’ coaches sit around each night evaluating what they do have, not one has advocated going to general manager Ted Thompson begging for another tight end.

Full Story: Breakthrough Opportunity - [Milwauke Journal Sentinel]

Lee Looking to Start

Justin Harrell and Donald Lee almost certainly would be starters if the Green Bay Packers opened the season today.

Both were listed as such on a depth chart that was approved by coach Mike McCarthy and given to reporters Friday.

That Harrell, the Packers’ first-round draft pick, was listed as a starter ahead of fourth-year veteran Corey Williams was a surprise because he was so limited in offseason workouts. Harrell sustained a torn biceps tendon during his final year at Tennessee and played in only three games.

Full Story: Notebook: Harrell, Lee start in front - [PackersNews.com]