The Green Bay Packers are now really making inroads cross-country, all the way from Lambeau to the Palouse, signing their second Cougar offensive lineman this week. Rico Forbes has been signed by the Pack and will be given an opportunity to make the team.

According to Tribune242.com, here was Forbes’ first reaction:

“No doubt it’s a great opportunity. I see it as a blessing and right now I am just eager to go out there and make the best of my opportunity. It is what I always envisioned when I first came to the US to play football in Mr [Frank] Rutherford’s programme. When he brought me into the programme the goal was always making it to a professional team. It is what I have been working towards seeing for years and now there is a chance to make it happen.”

In what is great news for Forbes, the Packers’ front office is excited about him coming in and really thinks his best football days are ahead of him. Here’s what Alonzo Highsmith, senior personnel executive for Green Bay said about Rico.

At this point he has a legitimate shot to make this team. It’s all about coming in and competing. He’s still raw and still learning how to play the game but we were impressed with his workouts and what he was able to do in just one year on the field at Washington State.

The Packers brought in 58 rookies on Friday to tryout for the team roster. When all is said and done each team will carry a 90-man roster into training camp this Fall. Based on the lack of quality offensive linemen for the 13 time World Champs, both Forbes and John Fullington (the other Cougar lineman that the Pack recently signed), have a better than average shot at making the roster.

I believe their experience in an offense that really focuses on passing the ball as much as Washington State’s does will pay off. Fullington started every game, while Forbes started the first five and went on to play in all 13 games for the Cougs. So now the opportunity is there to do something nobody gave them a chance to do before just now, make an NFL roster. I’m not a Packers fan, but hey, I’m not an Arizona Cardinals fan either and that didn’t stop me from enjoying Deone Bucannon‘s move to the Desert! Let’s go impress and get that spot gentlemen!

For more on this story and more quotes from Forbes himself, read the original story HERE. We’ll keep you updated as to their statuses.