GREEN BAY — Ultimately, the most convincing evidence of what Rob Davis meant to the Green Bay Packers during his 12-year NFL playing career — which ended Wednesday, when Davis announced his retirement and joined the club's front office — was how he'd developed into a trusted voice that held significant sway with the youngsters with whom he shared the locker room.

That, of course, isn't out of the ordinary with older players like the 39-year-old Davis.

But what showed just how special Davis was as a leader was this: He was the team's long-snapper, an unheralded position famous for being forgotten unless a mistake was made.

"For me, the first person who jumped out as a leader to me — a lot of people don't understand it, but it was Rob Davis," safety Charlie Peprah said. "You can't be a leader without earned respect. Anybody can come in and say what they want to say and be all rah-rah-rah, but he's earned the respect to be a leader, regardless of his position. Not only on the field, but off the field."

Which is precisely why Davis should be perfect for his new job as the Packers' director of player development.

"You know, I think that is probably the highlight of my career, the fact that I didn't play a position that was high profile but I was still able to earn the respect of those guys in there," said Davis, who had been the team's last remaining vestige of its last Super Bowl appearance (Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998) following quarterback Brett Favre's retirement earlier this month. "And I think that'll carry me a lot farther than what I did on the field."

Davis, who joined the team in 1997 and played in 167 straight regular-season games — only Favre (255) and Hall of Fame offensive lineman Forrest Gregg (187) had longer streaks in team history — served in the player development role on a part-time basis while still playing in 2007, sharing duties with pro personnel scout Tim Terry, who returns to full-time personnel work.

Davis said he's already been on the job for three days, with first- and second-year players having already returned for offseason workouts.

"We're looking forward to having Rob evolve into his new role within our organization," general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "He's been a tremendous contributor as a player and I have no doubt that he will carry that commitment and enthusiasm to his position. He is someone who has always been respected as a leader and mentor in the locker room and we know that will continue."

Davis had said toward the end of the season that he would like to play another year, but if the Packers decided to go younger at the position, he said he would understand and move into the front office if no other team in the league was interested in his services.

Earlier this month, the Packers re-signed long-snapper Thomas Gafford, who was in training camp with the team two years ago, snapped well in 2006 and was seen at the time as a possible replacement for Davis.

Davis, an unrestricted free agent, said other teams did show some interest in signing him, but he opted to "hang up his cleats," just as his buddy Favre put it, knowing he could still play.

"I knew I didn't want to play for another team other than the Packers. I think when you start stretching it out for the wrong reasons, it takes something away from a career," said Davis, adding that he's "officially retired" even though "I haven't signed my papers yet," just like Favre hasn't.

"When you've gotten four pink slips like I have, it means a lot to me to be able to walk way on my own.

"I could probably play a few more years, but I'm ready to turn the page. It's a little easier to walk away at 39 than it would be at 29. I decided to go with the bird in the hand. The job was available, and I knew at some point somebody was going to get that job (instead). That's the only (front-office) job I've ever sought in the NFL, and that's why I decided to hang it up — the opportunity was there, and I didn't want to miss out."

Wilson, Sapp not coming

The Packers lost out on another free agent in whom they'd shown interest.

Former Kansas City Chiefs tight end/H-back Kris Wilson, who'd visited Green Bay earlier this month, signed with Philadelphia Wednesday, two days after prospective backup quarterback Quinn Gray signed with the Houston Texans. Wilson reportedly received a three-year deal from the Eagles.

The Packers also lost out on cornerback Benny Sapp, who signed with Minnesota. Sapp was scheduled to visit the Packers next, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported, but canceled when he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings that will pay him close to $800,000. Sapp, 27, who spent the previous four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, intercepted a Favre pass to set up a touchdown just before halftime of the Packers' Nov. 4 victory at Kansas City.