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Green Bay vs. New York Jets
08/04/00 - Packers win 37-24
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| RB Ahman Green had a nice debut with the Packers, rushing for 78 yards on 10 carries against the Jets. |
The Packers used three Ryan Longwell field goals and a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by Tod McBride to defeat the New York Jets 37-24 in the preseason opener.
Lambeau Field's sell-out crowd of 59,585 witnessed big plays from both teams, as the two squads combined for 839 yards of total offense. Green Bay rushed for 196 yards, compared to New York's 112 yards on the ground, while the Jets' 318 passing yards surpassed the Packers' 216.
Starting quarterback Brett Favre played in the first two offensive series for the Packers, completing 3 of 9 passes for 25 yards, before giving way to second-string quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck picked apart the opposing defense, completing his first eight passes, including 15- and 31-yard touchdown scores to Donald Driver and Charles Lee, respectively.
The second-year pro from Boston College finished with 11 completions on 15 attempts, 162 yards and 2 touchdown passes. He also kept a drive alive with a key 15-yard run to set up the Driver score.
"I wasn't trying to force anything, just trying to take what the defense gave me, putting the ball into the guys - the athletes - putting the ball into their hands and letting them make the big plays."
The preseason is a time for the back-up to get far more snaps than he is projected to see during the regular season, and Hasselbeck relishes the opportunity.
"I was excited to be out there on the field," he said. "It's a long season in the NFL, especially when you're standing on the sideline. It's fun to be out there during the preseason. People say what they want about the preseason, but this is my postseason."
With running back Dorsey Levens sitting out Friday's contest, Ahman Green received the first several hand-offs. The free-agent acquisition from Seattle was every bit as good as Head Coach Mike Sherman advertised, gaining a game-high 78 yards on 10 carries (7.8 avg.), including a 29-yard scamper on the game's first drive to set up Longwell's 42-yard field goal.
"My teammates have seen what I can do during training camp, so my big thing was go get my confidence up," Green said.
In the second half, when both teams exclusively fielded back-up players, the Packers were able to gain an impressive edge.
Running back Rondell Mealey rushed 13 times for 67 yards, including a 15-yard, fourth-quarter TD.
"The offensive line did a great job tonight," Mealey said after the game. "We had some big holes all night. All I had to do was hit it, and make something happen. That's what I did tonight."
As for his first-ever 'Lambeau Leap,' Mealey was relieved to get the chance.
"I was kind of tired," he jokingly commented. "It was hard for me to get up there, but once I did, it was great."
On defense, the Green and Gold were led by two young players hoping to make an impact in 2000.
In the third quarter, defensive tackle Steve Warren intercepted a Ray Lucas pass batted by McBride. Warren said that he was simply working hard and found himself in the right place at the right time.
"I wanted the sack that I missed, just a couple plays before that. That's what I was thinking about all night," said Warren. "But they always say good things happen when you run to the ball. It was kind of like slow motion. I saw the ball get tipped, and it was right there, so I went and got it.
"I was comfortable," he added. "The coaches really stressed learning the plays, so I was comfortable. The biggest thing I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing was be out there thinking when I was out there playing. When they gave the calls, I could just play and not think about what my responsibilities were."
The game's turning point came two plays into the fourth quarter. Jets quarterback Ray Lucas dropped back and passed to wide receiver Fred Coleman, but McBride stepped in front to pick off the throw and race in for the score.
"I read a three-step drop from the quarterback," McBride said. "Fortunately, the good Lord blessed me to be in the right place at the right time and allowed me to have my first 'Lambeau Leap.' "
The touchdown gave the Packers a 27-24 lead, an edge they would not relinquish.
Earlier in the game, McBride showed off his blazing speed, chasing down Jets receiver Dedric Ward from behind on a 67-yard completion from Chad Pennington. McBride was nowhere near Ward when he caught the ball, and it appeared as though Ward would run the ball to the end zone, but McBride was able to catch him and prevent the touchdown.
"I was just trying to work hard," the defensive back modestly stated. "Ed Donatell, this defense - we're just trying to pride ourselves on effort. If everybody gets to the ball and works hard, we should do some big things this year."
"I was proud of how the defense battled back - they really did a nice job in the second half," Sherman said.
Overall, Sherman sees room for improvement, but also sees plenty upon which to build.
"All in all, I'm somewhat pleased, somewhat disappointed, but I'm not discouraged," he said. "I think the things that were broken can be fixed.
"We went into this game saying we had to run the football. I thought our offensive line absolutely dominated their front...I was very excited by Rondell Mealey, very excited by (Herbert) Goodman at the end of the game and obviously Ahman (Green) did a nice job."
Players will have Saturday off before returning to two-a-days on Sunday. The Packers will travel to Denver on August 13 to face the Broncos in their next preseason game.
Game Broadcast
Post-Game Locker Room Audio Clips
Head Coach Mike Sherman (Real Audio)
DT David Bowens (Real Audio)
DT Santana Dotson (Real Audio)
RB Ahman Green (Real Audio)
QB Matt Hasselbeck (Real Audio)
FB William Henderson (Real Audio)
WR Charles Lee (Real Audio)
CB Todd McBride (Real Audio)
RB Rondell Mealey (Real Audio)
T Mark Tauscher (Real Audio)
DT Steve Warren (Real Audio)
QB Danny Wuerffel (Real Audio)
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
GBP: R.Longwell 41 yd Field Goal (11 plays, 59 yds, 5:14)
Keyplays: A.Green: 29yd run, B.Schroeder: 15yd catch
NYJ: J.Hall 33 yd Field Goal.
2nd Quarter
NYJ: C.Martin rushes for 5 yds and TOUCHDOWN (J.Hall Extra Point is good)
GBP: M.Hasselbeck pass to D.Driver for 15 yds and TOUCHDOWN (R.Longwell Extra Point is good) (8 plays, 81 yds, 4:46)
Keyplays: W.Henderson: 19yd catch, M.Hasselbeck: 15yd rush
NYJ: R.Anderson rushes for 6 yds and TOUCHDOWN (J.Hall Extra Point is good)
GBP: M.Hasselbeck pass to C.Lee for 31 yds and TOUCHDOWN (R.Longwell Extra Point is good) (7 plays, 72 yds, 4:00)
Keyplays: B.Mitchell & B.Franks: 16yd catches
NYJ: R.Anderson rushes for 5 yds and TOUCHDOWN (J.Hall Extra Point is good)
3rd Quarter
GBP: R.Longwell 52 yd Field Goal (10 plays, 53 yds, 4:09)
Keyplay: S.Warren: Interception
4th Quarter
GBP: R.Mealey rushes for 15 yds and TOUCHDOWN (R.Longwell Extra Point is good) (2 plays, 17 yds, :17)
Keyplay: K.D.Williams: Fumble recovery
GBP: R.Longwell 35 yd Field Goal (14 plays, 68 yds, 7:47)
GBP: T.McBride 41 yd Interception and TOUCHDOWN (R.Longwell Extra Point is good)
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