On the one hand, signing a 2-year contract with restricted free agent S Derrick Martin is a good move for the Green Bay Packers. There is little depth at safety behind starters Atari Bigby and Nick Collins. Plus he was starting to become a standout on special teams before a late season injury cost him a couple games. He'll give them more options, and allow them to pass on a safety if a good one isn't available in the April draft.
On the other hand, I absolutely hope he never plays on defense again. He only started one game in 2009, the October 5th game at Minnesota, and he was benched in the 3rd quarter for playing the wrong defense. Then he couldn't even beat out CB/S Jarrett Bush after he had gotten more familiar with the defensive schemes. Paying over $1 million for any defensive back who isn't as good as Jarrett Bush is a waste of money.
More details from the Press-Gazette:
Martin was going to be a restricted free agent starting March 5, but the Packers on Monday signed him to a two-year deal, said his agent, Brad Cicala.
Cicala didn’t provide any financial details, but it’s likely Martin’s salary this season will be in the neighborhood of $1.176 million, or the amount of the low tender the Packers probably would have placed on him as a restricted free agent.
The deal, with the second season added, was worth it for Martin because of the guaranteed money in the form of a signing or roster bonus that shows extra commitment to him on the Packers’ part.