The Patriots are scheduled to host former Packers LT Chad Clifton for a free agent visit. He'll apparently be at the same tryout as Plaxico Burress. The Clifton visit may be a message sender aimed at LT Nate Solder, who struggled mightily in New England's preseason opener. Clifton was released by Green Bay on April 23.

Free agent OT Chad Clifton told ESPN Milwaukee on Friday that he currently has no plans to retire. Clifton was cut before the draft with a "failed physical" designation after February back surgery. His days as a week-to-week starter are almost certainly over at age 36, but Clifton could resurface with a team that incurs offensive line injuries in camp. He has ties to the Dolphins and Raiders' organizations.

Packers released/failed physical LT Chad Clifton ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it's "uncertain" whether Clifton will be able to play again after undergoing February back surgery, though he was present for the beginning of the Packers' offseason program last week. He was reportedly feeling "much better." The move clears roughly $5.7 million in cap space. Clifton was limited to six games by hamstring and back injuries last season, and was benched for ineffectiveness in the Packers' Divisional Round loss to the Giants. He's made 160 starts for the Pack since being a second-round pick in 2000. Marshall Newhouse and Derek Sherrod should compete for blindside duties in training camp, though Sherrod's recovery from a broken leg makes Newhouse the favorite.

Packers LT Chad Clifton is attending offseason workouts and feeling much better after undergoing offseason back surgery. Clifton isn't owed his $5.25 million base salary until the first day of the regular season. If he's markedly better than Marshall Newhouse and Derek Sherrod in training camp, he will likely keep his starting job. Donald Driver is absent from this week's workouts due to his Dancing with the Stars commitment.

Packers T Chad Clifton and WR Donald Driver both have roster bonuses that aren't due until the beginning of training camp, at the earliest. In other words, the Packers are in no rush to cut them. They can work out new deals for Clifton and Driver in the meantime if they want. Driver is due $1.5 million on the first day of camp. Ideally, the Packers would still complete new deals or cut bait before the start of the team's offseason conditioning in April.

Packers LT Chad Clifton recently underwent surgery to alleviate pain in his lower back and hip. "I don't know exactly what it was. But now he said he feels great," said McCarthy, adding that Clifton experienced "instant relief" after the procedure. McCarthy wants to see how Clifton "comes out of" the surgery before making a decision on the 36-year-old's $5.25 million salary. We find it hard to believe the Packers will pay it to a player who was benched in the second half of the playoff loss to the Giants.

The Packers can clear over $10 million in cap space by releasing LT Chad Clifton and Donald Driver. Green Bay is already believed to be "anywhere from" $10-$13 million under the salary cap, but parting ways with Clifton and Driver before March 5 would enable them to place the franchise tag on free agent Matt Flynn. It's a move the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Silverstein expects them to make. Regardless of what the Packers decide to do with Flynn, both Clifton and Driver are in danger of being released.

The Packers can save $5.7 million in salary cap space by releasing LT Chad Clifton. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel considers the move "a likelihood." Clifton is going on age 36 with a broken-down body, and was dismantled by the Giants' pass rush in the Divisional round while playing only half the snaps. The Packers are expected to go forward with Marshall Newhouse on Aaron Rodgers' blind side.

Pro Football Weekly is "hearing" that LT Chad Clifton may be a long shot to return to the Packers in 2012. Clifton has missed 14 games over the past three seasons due to injury, turns 36 in June, and is owed nearly $5.5 million for 2012. Only a small portion of the money is due until September, so the Packers could conceivably hang onto Clifton all summer and put him in a training camp competition with Marshall Newhouse. Newhouse made 12 starts in 2011, but struggled mightily.

Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Chad Clifton will be his starting left tackle in the playoffs. After Clifton went down in Week 5, Marshall Newhouse came on and protected Aaron Rodgers' blind side beautifully. But Clifton is the more talented player and the one with the playoff experience. He's got his job back.