GREEN BAY, Wis. -- After visiting with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles last week, Hardy Nickerson needed some time to decide which team was the best fit for his services.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection came to a decision Tuesday evening, picking the Packers.

On Thursday, Nickerson was introduced as the newest Packer, and judging by his wide smile, it was hard to believe he ever thought about going to the Eagles.

He will become the Packers' starting middle linebacker, unseating Torrance Marshall.

``One of the factors that weighed heavily in the decision was to be a Packer,'' said Nickerson, who signed a two-year deal. ``To be part of the tradition here, it was something I couldn't pass up.

``I have to admit, it was very, very close. It required a lot of thinking and a required a lot of calling. I felt for me this was the best place for me to play. It's an opportunity of a lifetime.''

Nickerson, who turns 37 Sept. 1, said playing time didn't figure into his decision.

The Packers promised him a starting spot, while the Eagles planned to have him compete with Barry Gardner for a starting spot.

Nickerson said joining the Packers gives him a better chance to win a Super Bowl ring.

He has never played in a Super Bowl and only reached the NFC championship game once, in 1999, when Tampa Bay lost 11-6 at St. Louis.

``What I'm after at this point of my career is to be part of a team, and those memories that you carry with yourself for a long time,'' Nickerson said. ``In the evaluation process, I felt this was a special situation I could contribute to.''

Some thought Nickerson's glory days were over in 2000 when he was limited to six games because of a pulled hamstring and a knee injury.

However, Nickerson had his most productive year last season, setting a Jacksonville team record with a career-high 230 tackles.

Somehow, he didn't get voted to his sixth Pro Bowl.

``I still have some very good years left in me,'' Nickerson said. ``I know my off-season training is going extremely well. I'm in great shape. If last year was any indication of what I can do at this age, I'm looking for even a better year.''

Nickerson said he can help the Packers in many ways.

``I think wisdom, leadership -- and I'm not too old to make a few plays,'' Nickerson said. ``I think I can bring that to the table.''

Not only is Nickerson looking forward to playing on a Super Bowl-contending team, he is excited about winning a game at Lambeau Field.

Nickerson has played at Lambeau Field nine times, including one playoff game, and he has never left the field on the winning team.

He was asked if he ever was angry at Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who is the instigator in most of the team's victories.

``I don't know if I had a strong dislike for him, but when we got into the fourth quarter it would almost get to that point,'' Nickerson said. ``He killed us every time. I'm looking forward to experiencing the other side of it.''