Saints vice president Ball leaves for same position with Packers (1 Viewer)

[Dan in Lafayette]

Contract negotiating his area of expertise

MikeTriplett / New Orleans Times-Picayune

The Saints lost a valued member of their front office Wednesday when Russ Ball took a job as the Green Bay Packers' vice president of football administration and player finance.

Ball, who had the same title in New Orleans, has been with the Saints since 2002, serving as the team's primary contract negotiator. He worked on deals with each of the team's first-round draft picks since 2003, as well as several other rookies and free agents, and he had an outstanding reputation both in the organization and throughout the league.

Ball said he was attracted to the Green Bay job because he will be taking on more of a lead role as a negotiator with the Packers, working alongside General Manager Ted Thompson. But he said it was not easy to leave. Full Story – Picayunehttp://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/?/base/sports-4/1202970676129400.xml&coll=1