So Long, Longwell

Ryan Longwell is a Packer no more.

GREEN BAY -- After nine seasons in Green Bay, Longwell signed a five-year, $10• million deal (including a $3 million signing bonus) with the Vikings Saturday, less than 24 hours after the NFL's free agency period began.

Longwell said talks with the Packers "ended about a week ago. It was time to move on. We felt that from their end."

In Minnesota, Longwell rejoins ex-Packers safety Darren Sharper, who was cut by the team last offseason and signed with the Vikings the next day and was named to the Pro Bowl.

"(Sharper) did a lot of great things for the Packers in the past, and when he came back he got booed out of the stadium," Longwell told reporters at the Vikings' facility in Winter Park, Minn. "I don't expect to be welcomed back, but I'm very proud of what I accomplished in Green Bay. I know this Vikings-Packers rivalry is about as heated as it gets. I'm happy to be wearing purple and be on this side of the battle for the next bunch of years."

Packer Report points out:

Longwell struggled last season, but mainly because he had to ajust to two new holders. In 2005, he posted career lows in several categories, making only 74 percent of his field goals (20-for-27) and finished with 90 points. He went 6-for-10 between 30 and 39 yards and 3-for-5 between 40 and 49 yards.

In spite of his stunningly disappointing performance last year, Longwell served the Packers very, very well in the past.

However, his incessant whining about the Green Bay weather and his moaning about wanting to kick indoors was really, REALLY annoying.

He wanted out of Green Bay and the Packers didn't do much to keep him. So now he's excited about wearing purple.

OK, whatever.

It's a good thing that Longwell doesn't expect to be welcomed back with cheers when he returns to Lambeau. I doubt he'd get many.

With the help of a gentle push from the Packers, he jumped ship to go where he won't be cold and have to put up with wind.

I wonder what the fragile Longwell will complain about now that he won't have to deal with the weather.

Who cares? He's the Vikings' problem.

My concern is with Ted Thompson's ability to find a kicker that can do as well as Longwell did.

That could be a problem in what's likely to be a long list of problems for the Packers next season.