The Green Bay Packers Tuesday re-signed unrestricted free agent Hannibal Navies and waived linebacker Steve Josue. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations made the announcement.
Navies, a 6-foot-3, 249-pound player from Colorado, has started each of the last two seasons at the 'Buck' (strong-side) linebacker position. In 2004, he played in 15 regular-season games, making 14 starts, and also started the NFC Wild Card playoff contest with Minnesota (Jan. 9). Navies led the club in tackles during two of its most memorable games last season, the Monday night season opener at Carolina (Sept. 13) and the victory at Minnesota (Dec. 24) that clinched the Packers' third consecutive NFC North championship.
Originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 1999 draft, Navies signed with the Packers as an unrestricted free agent before the 2003 season. Since coming to Green Bay, in 31 games (30 starts), he has 191 tackles (136 solo), 11/2 sacks, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
Josue had re-signed with the Packers in December and spent the season's final month on the 53-man roster, playing in four games as well as the playoff contest.
