Green Bay reportedly jumped into the sweepstakes to sign former Washington LB Lavar Arrington in a move that could impact the team’s decision with what to do with the 5th pick overall at the 2006 draft if indeed the Packers ultimately are able to sign Arrington. That’s a big if however. Indeed there were some rumblings that Green Bay really doesn’t have much interest in signing Arrington, who has also talked with Miami, Cincinnati, Jacksonville and the Giants. The Packers are also waiting on a decision from QB Brett Favre as to whether he intends to play another year; however, Favre says he’s holding out on making a decision until he sees if the Packers, who haven’t done much in free agency yet, improve the roster this off-season. At the same time, the Packers have been widely thought to be looking at Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk as a primary option with the 5th pick, however, if Arrington were signed Green Bay could look at other positions. Right now, though, it looks like there is such a wide gap between what Arrington is reportedly asking for in a contract, and what teams are willing to pay, that it appears unlikely he will be signed before the draft.

ESPN is reporting this morning that Southern California QB Matt Leinart, who is expected to be one of the first players off the board at this month’s NFL draft, has fired agent Leigh Steinberg. Leinart has reportedly filed the necessary paperwork with the players' union, but has a five-day waiting period before he can hire another contract representative. Leinart has also been represented on the marketing front by another agency, Creative Artists Agency. Last week, agent Tom Condon, who represents both Peyton and Eli Manning, left IMG for CAA which led to speculation that Leinart migt follow suit. The move isn’t likely to affect Leinart’s draft status in any major way, however, it also isn’t likely to reduce concerns in some circles that Leinart has gone a little ‘Hollywood’ of late and may be as interested in his status as a celebrity as that of a football player. Meanwhile, Leinart is not the only USC client that Steinberg has lost in recent days. He was also was recently fired by USC OT Winston Justice, another projected first-round pick, who hired Gary Uberstine as his new agent.