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  • Tue., May. 28, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.
  • Sat., Jun. 01, 2013 8:30AM - 3:30PM CDT Junior Power Pack Clinic The 16th Annual Junior Power Pack Clinic will take place June 1, 2013 inside the Don Hutson Center, the Packers indoor practice facility. Reserved exclusively for members of the Junior Power Pack kids fan club (ages 5-14), this event features the chance to run skills and drills with other Packer backers and a few up-and-coming Packers players.
  • Sun., Jun. 02, 2013 8:00AM - 1:00PM CDT USA Football coaching school

    The Green Bay Packers have teamed up with USA Football to host a coaching school for Wisconsin youth football coaches at Lambeau Field on June 2, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sat., Jun. 08, 2013 3:00PM - 5:00PM CDT Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer The Green Bay Packers are gearing up for the 10th annual Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer event, set for Saturday, June 8. The event once again features a motorcycle ride, but non-riding fans who want to support the cause are welcome to attend the post-ride party at Lambeau Field’s North Loft, the rooftop deck below the TundraVision in the north end zone.
     
    On the day of the ride, registration begins at 9 a.m. and will continue through 10:30 a.m. at Vandervest Harley-Davidson in Green Bay. The post-ride party begins at 3 p.m. at Lambeau Field in the North Loft, which can be accessed through the Bellin Health Gate. The party will include food and drink for purchase, a silent and live auction and fun while bringing awareness to cancer. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get autographs from Packers players in exchange for a $10 donation to the event.
  • Tue., Jun. 11, 2013 11:30AM - 1:00PM CDT Organized Team Activities (OTAs) The Packers announced details on the remainder of their offseason schedule, including the fact that five of the team’s offseason practices will be open to the public, weather permitting.

    The open practices will be three organized team activities (OTAs) and two mandatory minicamp workouts. The open OTA practices are slated for three Tuesdays — May 21, May 28 and June 11 — and will begin at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two mandatory minicamp practices are scheduled for June 4 and 5 with a start time TBA.

    Due to ongoing preparations on Ray Nitschke Field for training camp, the OTA and minicamp workouts will be held on Clarke Hinkle Field this year. Viewing of the open practices will be standing-room only along the Oneida Street side of Hinkle Field.
  • Wed., Jul. 24, 2013 11:00AM - 1:00PM CDT Packers Shareholders Meeting

    The Green Bay Packers 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held Wednesday, July 24, at 11 a.m., at Lambeau Field. The meeting will take place rain or shine.
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News

Vic Ketchman

Vic Ketchman is a veteran of 40 NFL seasons and has covered the Steelers and Jaguars prior to coming to Green Bay.
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Packers made Saturday feel wanted, special

Posted Mar 28, 2012

By Vic Ketchman, packers.com editor

Comments:

It was an easy choice, for the Packers and for Jeff Saturday.

“It was the best fit for me and my family. The Packers are a phenomenal football team. Their offensive line is in really good shape. I felt I could help with my knowledge of the game. The Packers were the first visit I scheduled. I knew when I left it would be tough to change my mind,” Saturday told packers.com of his decision to sign a two-year contract with the team following his visit to Green Bay last week.

“They were definitely the most aggressive team. I felt they wanted me and needed me.”

Saturday had played 13 years in Indianapolis, where Saturday had snapped the football to Peyton Manning in every year of Manning’s career but his rookie season. That dynamic changed last season when Manning sat out the year with a neck injury, and any chance of a reunion between the two was dashed when Saturday signed with the Packers.

Manning signed early last week with the Broncos. It was immediately thought Saturday would make his way to Denver, too.

“It was the want of the Packers,” Saturday’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, said. “As soon as they lost (Scott) Wells, they went for him. Jeff said (the Broncos) didn’t really need me. It was always that want to feel special and that was the Packers.”

Saturday will replace Wells, a veteran center who signed with the Rams in free agency. At 36, Saturday is five years Wells’ senior, but Saturday believes he still has some game left in his arms and legs.

“I considered all of my options. I looked at everything. I want to keep playing football. Once I made up my mind to do that, it was a matter of where,” Saturday said.

One of his options was to retire and accept a position in the Colts’ front office. After wearing a horseshoe on the side of his helmet for 13 seasons, Saturday had become a symbol of the team’s run of success during the Manning era.

“It’s going to be different for me. Thirteen years with the same team. That doesn’t happen very often. I’m looking forward to putting the G on,” Saturday said.

“We’ll look at it and see how it goes. As long as they want me and I want to keep playing, I’ll keep going. They know what I’ve done and what I’ve accomplished. It’s a perfect fit.  Come in and play as well as I can and help teach the young guys things I may know. They were looking for another veteran to come in.”

It’s also not often that a center transitions from one great quarterback to another. Saturday snapped the ball to Manning in four MVP seasons. Next fall, Saturday will be snapping the ball to the reigning NFL MVP, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“Their offense is as good as it gets in the NFL. You look at the points they scored last year. Those guys know how to play offense. The tempo they push is good to play. They don’t need a whole lot to keep doing what they’re doing. I don’t know Aaron in the same way, but I know he’s an ultimate competitor,” Saturday said.

RELATED LINKS
Packers sign C Saturday (press release)
Jeff Saturday player card