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Wausau East High School's Synold Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 17:18:49 CST

Jack Synold, head coach of the Wausau East Lumberjacks, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers' Motorola High School Coach of the Week the Packers announced today.

This year is Synold's seventh as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for the Lumberjacks from 1991-95. Synold, a business teacher at Wausau East (1264 students), has also served as the head coach at Carthage College (1987-90), an assistant coach at Menomonee Falls High School (1984-86) and as an assistant coach at Menomonee Falls North (1972-83). This is his 31st year in coaching.

Last Friday the 'Jacks defeated Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 35-7. Currently 4-1 and ranked eighth in Division 2 polls, the team of 47 players will travel to Schofield this Friday to take on sixth-ranked D.C. Everest High School.

Born in Milwaukee, Synold graduated from Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay (Wis.) in 1968, where he played varsity basketball, as well as varsity football, under coach Jeff Me..

Search Underway For Fifth Packer FAN Hall Of Fame Honoree

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 17:04:06 CST

Online Nomination Form

The Green Bay Packers, the first professional football team to have its own hall of fame, enhanced that distinction in 1998 by establishing a Packer FAN Hall of Fame.

It was founded, in conjunction with the Packer Hall of Fame, for the purpose of annually honoring a devout and longtime Packers fan.

As has been the case each of the past four years, fans have been asked to nominate themselves for recognition by a selection committee. The late Mel Knoke of Appleton was chosen as the inaugural enshrinee in the FAN Hall of Fame. The 91-year-old Knoke, who died between the time of his election and enshrinement, was honored posthumously at the 1999 Packer Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, held March 6.

Louis Gardipee of Black River Falls, Wis., Ed Jablonski of Wausau, Wis. and Paul Mazzoleni of Green Bay were the second, third and fourth honorees, respectively.

T..

Packers Re-Sign WR Chris Jackson As Free Agent, Cut OT Barrett Brooks

Sat, 28 Sep 2002 12:28:27 CST

Prompted by injury and illness concerns at the position, the Green Bay Packers have re-signed wide receiver Chris Jackson as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Saturday.

In order to make room of Jackson, offensive tackle Barrett Brooks was placed on waivers.

The move addresses depth concerns at wide receiver with Terry Glenn troubled by headaches and nausea this past week and Javon Walker being an uncertain participant in Sunday's contest against Carolina because of a quadriceps injury suffered last Sunday at Detroit.

Jackson, 6-2 and 204 pounds, previously had been signed August 1, 2002, and spent all four preseason games on the Green Bay roster, making 2 catches for 35 yards, a 17.5-yard average.

The 27-year-old Washington State alumnus originally was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 1998, and spent the majority of the '98 season on the Seahawks' practice squad. Waived September 6, 1999, he s..

Packers Add Depth Up Front, Sign T Barrett Brooks, Seven-Year Pro; RB Rondell Mealey Waived, LB Torrance Marshall Moved To Fullback

Thu, 26 Sep 2002 15:47:50 CST

Adding depth up front, the Green Bay Packers have signed veteran offensive tackle Barrett Brooks as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Thursday.

To make room for Brooks, a seventh-year professional, running back Rondell Mealey has been placed on waivers.

In an internal personnel move, Sherman also announced that linebacker Torrance Marshall has been moved to fullback and henceforth will wear jersey number 41.

Brooks, 6-5 and 314 pounds, has played in 95 career games, including a streak of 88 consecutive games to begin his NFL career, and started 62.

Originally a second-round draft selection by Philadelphia in 1995, he started 45 games over his first three seasons. Brooks also played in all 16 games for the Eagles in 1998, with one start. An unconditional free agent in 1999, he signed with Detroit and played in 31 games for the Lions over the '99 and 2000 seasons, with 12 starts in the former and four in the latter. Again a free a..

Packers Sign Veteran FB Tony Carter

Wed, 25 Sep 2002 14:36:39 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed veteran fullback Tony Carter, a ninth-year professional, as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

The 6-foot, 234-pound University of Minnesota alumnus, originally signed by Chicago as an undrafted free agent in 1994, has played in 120 regular-season games, with 65 starts, over an 8-year NFL career.

Carter spent his first four seasons with the Bears (1994-97), joined New England as an unrestricted free agent in 1998 and, after three seasons with the Patriots, signed on with Denver in 2001 as a UFA. He was released by the Broncos September 1 in Denver's final roster reduction for the current season.

Over his career, Carter has rushed for 256 yards in 76 attempts, a 3.4-yard average, and 2 touchdowns, and caught 164 passes for 1,168 yards, a 7.1-yard average, and 1 TD. He also has posted 201 yards with 13 career kickoff returns, a 15.5-yard average.

As a collegian, the 30-year-old Columbus, O..

McDonnell Central High School's Maloney Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Wed, 25 Sep 2002 10:14:56 CST

Mark Maloney, head coach of the McDonnell Central Macks, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the Packers announced Wednesday.

This year is Maloney's first as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach at McDonnell Central (247 students) for 10 years. Maloney, a mechanical designer, coached his 41 players to their first win of the season last Friday by beating Augusta 32-22. The win snapped a 22-game losing streak that included two straight winless seasons. Maloney also serves as director of the weight and conditioning program for the Macks.

Born and raised in Chippewa Falls (Wis.), Maloney graduated from McDonnell Central High School in 1978, where he played one year of varsity basketball, along with two years of varsity football under coach Jerry Uchytil. After graduation, Maloney spent four years in the Air Force before graduating from Chippewa Valley Tech. He is married to Lita, and the couple has a daughter, Melissa, a..

Packers Place RB Moe Smith On Waivers

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 20:21:11 CST

The Green Bay Packers have placed running back Maurice "Moe" Smith on waivers, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

Smith, a former Atlanta Falcon, was signed as a free agent September 18 when offensive tackle Mark Tauscher was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending injury in the Packers' September 15 game at New Orleans.

The 6-foot, 235-pound North Carolina A&T alumnus played on special teams in last Sunday's game against Detroit and was credited with one unassisted tackle.

NFC News 'N' Notes: Packers' New Wide Receives Making An Impact

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 17:32:31 CST

If there is one thing today's Green Bay Packers fans have become accustomed to seeing, it's No. 4, Brett Favre, lining up under center.

But in 2002, the targets of Favre's laser-like passes are significantly different. Gone are veterans Corey Bradford (Houston), Antonio Freeman (Philadelphia), Charles Lee (free agent) and Bill Schroeder (Detroit), who combined for 151 starts during their tenure in Green Bay. In their place are Terry Glenn, rookie Javon Walker and Karsten Bailey, who join holdovers Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson.

Walker was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft after a standout collegiate career at Florida State. Prior to starring for the Seminoles, for whom he started all 11 contests last year while leading the team with 45 receptions for 944 yards and seven touchdowns, Walker spent three years as a minor league baseball player.

The Packers, who selected a wide receiver in the first round of the draft for t..

Packers-Panthers Preview

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 13:23:39 CST

THE GAME: After a somewhat stressful weekend, ultimately relieved by a favorable outcome, the Green Bay Packers (2-1) are heartened to find themselves tied with the Chicago Bears, likewise 2-1, for first place in the NFL's NFC North Division.

They will not, however, have the luxury of enjoying for long this happy circumstance, occasioned by a 37-31 victory over the Lions in Detroit Sunday when the Green and Gold helped home forces make their regular season debut in their new, $500 million Ford Field, in company with a New Orleans victory over the previously undefeated Bears.

The Packers, pleased to be home after two weeks on the road, will be too deeply absorbed in preparing for the challenge presented by the unbeaten Carolina Panthers (3-0), who invade Lambeau Field Sunday (September 29).

The surprising Panthers, after winning only one game in 2001, have made it three in a row to start the '02 season under their new head coach, John Fox, former def..

Packers-Lions Recap

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 13:20:55 CST

THE WEEK PAST: Sunday's Packers venture against the Lions in shiny new Ford Field did not begin to "square" with the 37-31 score, which suggests an old-fashioned shootout.

Consider:
* The Packers out-gained Detroit, 442 yards to 271.
* They posted 22 first downs to the Lions' 14.
* They passed for 347 net yards to the Lions' 176.
* They also ran off 79 plays to the Lions' 57.
* And they mounted a huge advantage in time of possession, 38 minutes, 54 seconds, to Detroit's 21 minutes, 6 seconds.

Yet, in the final minute of play and the Packers leading 37-31, the Lions were the possessors of a first down at the Green Bay 34-yard line with a chance to wrench victory from Green Bay's grasp.

Fortuitously, defensive back Tod McBride picked off a Joey Harrington pass intended for tight end Mikhael Ricks at the Green Bay 3-yard line with 30 seconds remaining and an elusive victory at last was secure. On the previous play, a Harrington ..

Packers S Marques Anderson Among Candidates For NFL Rookie Of The Week

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 09:28:41 CST

Safety Marques Anderson of the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Andre Davis of the Cleveland Browns, tight end Randy McMichael of the Miami Dolphins, running back Clinton Portis of the Denver Broncos and wide receiver Donte' Stallworth of the New Orleans Saints are the finalists for Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week honors for games played on September 22-23, the NFL announced Tuesday.

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon to determine the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week will be announced Thursday on NFL.com. It is the first weekly NFL honor to be selected solely by NFL fans.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego.

A closer look at the finalists:

NFL Announces Junior Community Quarterback Grant Program

Fri, 20 Sep 2002 14:53:04 CST

NFL Charities is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1973 by the member clubs of the National Football League to enable the teams to collectively support charitable and worthwhile causes on a national level.

This year, NFL Charities launches a new initiative, the NFL Junior Community Quarterback Grant Program. The program seeks to encourage leadership, innovation and commitment among young people to community improvement and charitable works. This program will recognize young people who create innovative public service programs to improve the communities in which they live. NFL Charities will award grants to the 501(c)3 organizations created or served by the winners.

Who is Eligible:
U.S. residents 25 years or younger. (Applicants must be 25 years or younger by December 31, 2002). Applicants must have founded/created a new community service program or project to respond to the needs of their community. The applicant must be responsibl..

Packers Sign T Kris Farris To Practice Squad; Drop Stuber

Thu, 19 Sep 2002 14:50:49 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed free agent offensive tackle Kris Farris, a former Buffalo Bill and Outland Trophy winner, to the practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Thursday.

The 6-8, 318-pound Farris replaces Tim Stuber, who was terminated from the practice squad.

Originally a third-round draft selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers out of UCLA in 1999, Farris spent the entire '99 season on injured reserve with a foot injury and also missed the entire 2000 season.

The 25-year-old St. Paul, Minn., native then signed with Buffalo as a free agent in 2001 and played in three games, with one start, before suffering a fractured leg in Week Three at Pittsburgh that ended his season.

As a collegian, Farris won the Outland Trophy as the nation's premier lineman in 1998 and was a unanimous first-team All-America and All-Pacific 10 Conference selection, allowing no sacks and only three quarterback pressures while registering 48 knockdowns fo..

Packers Put T Mark Tauscher On Injured Reserve, Sign Moe Smith

Wed, 18 Sep 2002 18:37:43 CST

The Green Bay Packers have placed offensive tackle Mark Tauscher on injured reserve and signed free agent running back Maurice "Moe" Smith, the Atlanta Falcons' leading rusher in 2001, to replace him on the 53-man active roster, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

Tauscher suffered a season-ending knee injury in last weekend's game at New Orleans and is scheduled to undergo surgery for repair of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Smith, a third-year professional, started 12 out of 16 games for Atlanta last season and emerged as the Falcons' leading rusher 760 yards in 237 attempts, a 3.2-yard average, and 5 touchdowns, assuming full-time duties after Jamal Anderson was lost in Week Three with a knee injury. He also was Atlanta's second-leading scorer with 36 points on 6 touchdowns (one receiving) and seventh-leading receiver with 19 catches for 230 yards, a 12.1-yard average.

The 6-foot, 235-pound Smith, signed as a free agent out..

Oneida Nation High School's King Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Wed, 18 Sep 2002 16:48:10 CST

Nathan King, head coach of the Oneida Nation Thunderhawks, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the Packers announced Wednesday.

Last year King served as assistant coach of the Thunderhawks, and this year was promoted to head coach. King, a community planner for Oneida Nation, has coached his 25 players to a 2-1 start this season, already doubling last year's win total for the team. After starting the season with a loss, the independent Thunderhawks, drawn from a student body of 100, have faired well over their last two matchups with wins over Green Lake (44-18) and Milwaukee Marshall (34-12). They host Rio High School this Friday.

Born and raised in Oneida, King graduated from Seymour High School in 1997, where he played three years of varsity basketball, along with three years of varsity football under coach Bill Collar. He continued on to UW-Green Bay, where he graduated in 2002. King is married to Magan, and the couple has..

Packers Women's Association Gets Ready For Sixth-Annual Rummage Sale

Wed, 18 Sep 2002 10:16:31 CST

The Packers Women's Association will hold its sixth annual rummage sale this Saturday, September 21. Proceeds from the event benefit the Marion House in Green Bay.

The rummage and bake sale will take place at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1301 S. Ridge Road, Green Bay, from 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Household items and clothing are among the donated items and a selection of memorabilia signed by Packers players and coaches will be available for purchase.

"This is a great event for the community and an opportunity for the Packers to give something back and be supportive," said Karen Sherman, wife of head coach Mike Sherman and member of the PWA. "The Marion House is a wonderful place for a child and young mother to live and learn together."

The Marion House is a group home for adolescent, unwed mothers and their children. For more information about the event, please contact Annie Griesser at 920/496-5700.

Packers-Lions Preview

Tue, 17 Sep 2002 14:55:24 CST

THE GAME: Both chastened and unfulfilled in their first road venture of the season, the Green Bay Packers (1-1) pursue better fortune in another "foreign" venue this weekend while making their competitive debut in the NFL's new NFC North Division.

Having come away from the Louisiana Superdome empty-handed in the wake of a 35-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Packers visit Detroit's palatial new Ford Field, where they will have the honor of providing the opposition for the Lions' maiden regular-season appearance in their new, $500 million home.

Kickoff is set for 3:15, CDT, Wisconsin time, before a capacity house of 65,000.

While the Packers will be bidding for a second victory, the Lions will be seeking their first success of the young season, having lost their first two games - both on the road, 49-21 at Miami (September 8) and 31-7 at Carolina Sunday.

As with the Packers, Sunday's matchup will be the first NFC North assignment for th..

Packers-Saints Recap

Tue, 17 Sep 2002 14:20:40 CST

THE WEEK PAST: The Packers' Sunday skirmish with the Saints was a statistical rarity. Both teams closed out the afternoon with 357 net yards of offense. But it ended there. The Saints had much the better of it on the scoreboard, putting up five touchdowns with an impressive assortment of big plays that saw them score in every quarter, while the Packers settled for a pair of touchdowns and two field goals.

Despite the Saints' pyrotechnics, the Packers came intriguingly close in the fourth quarter when they trimmed New Orleans' advantage to 28-20 on a Ryan Longwell field goal with 4:31 remaining in the game.

But this, it abruptly turned out, was the Saints' day. On the second play following the ensuing kickoff they put the game away when running back Deuce McAllister shot into the open at right end and sprinted 62 yards to the Green Bay 4-yard line, virtually assuring New Orleans victory.

Two plays later, McAllister bolted over left tackle for 2 yard..

NFL To Observe Moment Of Silence In Honor Of Johnny Unitas

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 13 Sep 2002 11:35:32 CST

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has directed all National Football League games this weekend to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas, who died on Wednesday, the NFL announced Friday.

The moment of silence will commence at kickoff with all 22 players from the kicking and receiving teams in position on the field. In addition, NFL flags at the stadiums this weekend will be flown at half-staff.

Unitas held 22 league records when he retired in 1973, including 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass, a record which still stands.

Ladysmith's Stewart Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Fri, 13 Sep 2002 10:12:13 CST

Bruce Stewart, head coach of the Ladysmith High School Lumberjacks, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the Packers announced Friday.

Currently serving his 30th year as a football coach, Stewart has coached his 38 men to a 2-0 start this season with wins over Park Falls (39-0) and Gilman (29-8) with their first conference game coming this Friday. Last year the 'Jacks finished the year 9-1.

Born and raised in Ladysmith, Stewart graduated in 1966 as a three-sport letterman in basketball, football, and baseball. He continued on to UW La Crosse, where he played four years of baseball and two years of football during his collegiate tenure. He graduated in 1970 and spent one year as an assistant coach at UW La Crosse, before becoming the head football coach at Spencer (Wis.) High. He stayed at Spencer for eight years before moving on to Logan (Wis.) High for a year as an assistant, and continuing to Mount Senario College, where he spe..

Packers-Falcons Recap

Tue, 10 Sep 2002 16:31:29 CST

THE WEEK PAST: It was a day - and a game - to remember.

Sunday's overtime duel with Atlanta was an exceedingly rare contest, highlighted by dual display of quarterback virtuosity seldom seen on any football field - even hallowed "Lambeau."

Brett Favre, the Packers' peerless field general, maneuvered them to four touchdowns and three field goals in leading Green Bay to a 37-34 overtime victory in the highest-scoring opener they have been a part of since 1983.

Across the way, the multi-talented Michael Vick, every bit as gifted as advertised, also escorting the burgeoning Falcons to four touchdowns, and a pair of field goals.

Between them, Favre and Vick presided over the production of more than 850 yards of offense, the Packers amassing 484 yards on 76 plays and the Falcons 374 yards on 57 plays, with both making major contributions to their teams' respective totals.

Favre personally accounted for 290 yards, completing 25 of 36 pass..

Packers-Saints Preview

Tue, 10 Sep 2002 16:42:05 CST

THE GAME: Off to a historic and successful start, the Green Bay Packers (1-0) next hit the road for the first time in the new season, invading the "Big Easy" Sunday (September 15) to take on the New Orleans Saints (1-0) in the Louisiana Superdome.

Kickoff is set for 12 noon, CDT.

The remarkably resilient Packers will be coming off a history-making, 37-34 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons - the third such opening day triumph in team annals and the first since 1983, when they debuted with a 41-38 sudden death conquest of the then-Oilers in Houston's Astrodome.

The Packers previously had had only one other such happy opening day experience - on September 7, 1980, when they launched the season with a 12-6 OT win over the Chicago Bears.

To add zest to Sunday's occasion, the victory was accomplished before a record Lambeau Field gathering of 63,127 fans, surpassing the previous mark of 62,668, set in the Bishop's Charities Game against Cle..

Packers Re-Sign CB Swiney, DE Gilmore To Practice Squad

Mon, 09 Sep 2002 18:14:55 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed cornerback Erwin Swiney and defensive end John Gilmore to the practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Monday.

They replace defensive back Todd Franz, who has been terminated, and offensive tackle Darnell Alford, who has been signed to the New York Jets' active roster.

Swiney, who earlier had been waived in the final, mandated roster reduction to the regular season limit of 53 players, was signed to the practice squad September 2, then waived September 4.

A rookie from the University of Nebraska, the 6-foot, 192-pound Swiney closed out the preseason as the Packers' second-leading tackler with 19 stops, 18 of them solo. He also posted one quarterback sack.

Athletically, Gilmore comes from a predominantly basketball background. A Houston, Texas, native, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1996, at Tyler, Texas, Junior College (1997-98), and Oklahoma State (1998-19..

Jets Sign Alford

New York Jets Press Release — Mon, 09 Sep 2002 16:24:19 CST

The New York Jets announced Monday they have signed offensive lineman Darnell Alford. Terms of the signing were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Terry Bradway.

The Jets signed Alford, a 6-4, 328-pound third-year player from Boston College off of the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers. Alford was signed to the Packers' practice squad after being waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on September 1, 2002. The former sixth round pick of the Chiefs in the 2000 NFL Draft appeared in three games for Kansas City in his first two seasons in the league. The Newark, New Jersey native saw action at both guard and tackle in his time with the Chiefs and the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe, where he played in the spring of 2002.

The signing brings the Jets' active roster to 53 players. The Jets will take on the New England Patriots in their regular season home opener Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Meadowlands.

Packers-Falcons Press Box Notes

Sun, 08 Sep 2002 10:11:16 CST

-JUST FOR THE RECORD: The Packers and Falcons, all even at 10-10 in 20 previous regular season meetings, also own identical home field records against each other coming into today's game, each having won 7 of 10 on home turf.

The Packers have won three of five meetings with Atlanta in Lambeau Field and compiled a 4-1 record against the Falcons at Milwaukee County Stadium, where they annually played some home games prior to 1995.

The Falcons, in turn, have won 7 of the 10 games in which they have hosted the Green and Gold in the Atlanta Fulton County Coliseum and, more recently, the Georgia Dome.

The Packers, however, own an 11-10, overall edge on this afternoon's visitors, having posted a 37-20 victory over the Falcons in a wild card playoff in "Lambeau" in '95 - their only postseason meeting to date.

-A TIE WITH TERRY? By presiding over a Green Bay victory today, Brett Favre (66-12) would tie the 67-12 record Terry Bradshaw compiled..

Green Bay West's Paris Named Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Fri, 06 Sep 2002 18:23:06 CST

Bill Paris, head coach of the Green Bay West Wildcats, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the Packers announced Friday.

Last Friday, the Wildcats started the season with an 18-7 win over Oconto Falls. It is the first time in 22 years that the 'Cats have opened the season with a win. It was also Paris' first win as head coach.

Paris graduated from Marinette (Wis.) High School in 1990 after playing football under head coach Joel Hanner. He later graduated from St. Norbert College in 1994. Paris previously served as the junior varsity coach (3 yrs) and as freshman coach (2 yrs) at Green Bay West. Paris, who teaches social studies at West High, lives in Green Bay with his wife, Molly, who is also a teacher.

The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their Coach of the Week winner during the 2002 high school football season. As a Coach of the Week winner, Paris and future recipients will be awarded s..

Bill Parcells & Chris Collinsworth Join Top Network Talent As Expert Analysts For NFL.com

Fri, 06 Sep 2002 15:31:11 CST

New ESPN NFL Sunday Countdown analyst BILL PARCELLS, a two-time Super Bowl winner, and FOX-TV's CRIS COLLINSWORTH, who has moved from the FOX NFL Sunday studio show to game commentary, have signed on to write weekly analysis columns on NFL.com, the NFL announced today as part of its NFL.com re-launch for the 2002 season.

NFL.com has also added other analysts including Pro Football Hall of Famer ART SHELL, who first wrote for the site during the NFL Draft last April, and former NFL personnel executive PAT KIRWAN.

NFL.com's newest analysts join a roster of top experts which includes FOX Sports' TROY AIKMAN, who was MVP of Super Bowl XXVII for the Dallas Cowboys, CBS Sports' top game analyst PHIL SIMMS, MVP of Super Bowl XXI for the New York Giants, CBS NFL Today's BOOMER ESIASON, who led the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII, and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach MARV LEVY, who led the Buffalo Bills to an unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990-93. ..

Packers To Pay Special Tribute To 9-11 Victims On Anniversary Of Tragedy

Thu, 05 Sep 2002 17:22:29 CST

The Green Bay Packers next week will pay tribute to the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy in a special way, President Bob Harlan announced Thursday.

"Shortly before last Friday night's home game against Tennessee, representatives of the New York City Fire Department presented us with an American Flag that was used in the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center," Harlan said. "They said they were giving the flag to Green Bay because the city was so supportive of them during the rescue efforts.

"We, in turn, have decided to display the flag at Lambeau Field in memory of all those who lost their lives in that horrific attack. On Wednesday, the anniversary of 9-11, we are going to take down the four flags we normally fly in front of the stadium's Atrium area - the American flag, the State of Wisconsin flag and two Packers flags - and replace them for the day with the flag from the New York City Fire Department - to pay meaningful tribute to the victims and th..

Packers Sign T Alford, S Franz To Practice Squad; Waive CB Swiney

Wed, 04 Sep 2002 15:50:45 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed offensive tackle Darnell Alford, a former Kansas City Chief, and safety Todd Franz to the team's practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

The 6-4, 339-pound Alford, a third-year professional waived by Kansas City September 1, was a third-round draft selection of the Chiefs out of Boston College in 2000. He played in one game as a rookie and two during the 2001 season for the Chiefs.

Alford, who was with the Berlin Thunder of the NFL Europe League in the league's recent 2002 season, played both left and right tackle in college but worked primarily at right tackle for the Chiefs during his first two seasons in Kansas City.

The 25-year-old Newark, N.J., native started 31 of 33 career games at Boston College and was a key performer in a BC offensive line that helped Michael Cloud become the school's all-time leading rusher with a career total of 3,597 yards, recording 147 knockdown blocks during his thre..

Bills Claim Houghton

Buffalo Bills Press Release — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 11:40:01 CST

The Bills announced Tuesday that the team has claimed off waivers offensive lineman Mike Houghton, linebacker Maugaula Tuitele, and linebacker Anthony Denman. The Bills have also signed TE Cory Geason.

To make room on the roster, the team released four players: tackle Kris Farris, tight end Sheldon Jackson, linebacker Fred Jones, and linebacker Dominique Stevenson.
The 6-5, 315-pound Houghton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2002 Draft by the Green Bay Packers out of San Diego State. He was released earlier this week on the cutdown to 53.

Tuitele was released this week by New England, where he played in one game in 2000 and one in '01 while going back and forth from the practice squad. He originally joined the Pats as an undrafted free agent in 2000 out of Colorado State.

Denman (5-11, 235) was claimed off waivers from the Browns, for whom he played 11 games a year ago. He was originally drafted by Jacksonville in the seventh round of the 2001 Draf..

Packers-Falcons Preview

Tue, 03 Sep 2002 10:30:26 CST

THE GAME: Having primed themselves for a quick getaway by closing out their preseason agenda with a three-game winning streak, the Green Bay Packers have swiftly homed in on their opening assignment of the 2002 National Football League season - against the Atlanta Falcons in Lambeau Field next Sunday (September 8).

Kickoff for the inaugural of the Packers' 82nd NFL season is a customary season ticket sellout for the 43rd consecutive year - with one significant change. "Lambeau," well along in a stunning renovation project, enters the '02 season with a new and expanded capacity (65,290) - up from 60,890 of the recent past.

GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman, coming off a prosperous 12-4 campaign in '02 and beginning his third year as Green Bay's field leader, will be in search of a second straight opening day success, the Packers having defeated the Detroit Lions (28-6) in their 2001 baptismal.

In the wake of a 21-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans in the..

Packers-Titans Recap

Tue, 03 Sep 2002 10:24:50 CST

THE WEEK PAST: Virtually all of the fireworks in the Packers' preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans occurred during the fourth quarter - which produced four of the game's five touchdowns.

And, in Green Bay's case, with rookie quarterback Craig Nall presiding over the offense. Nall, entering the game with the Packers trailing, 7-6, engineered 46 and 82-yard drives that eventually pulled out a 21-20 win over the Titans in what had been a tightfisted defensive struggle for the first three quarters.

Rookie defensive back Marques Anderson provided the Packers' initial impetus, recovering a fumble by Titans quarterback Neil O'Donnell at the Tennessee 46-yard line in the final minute of the third quarter.

Five plays later, Nall found wide receiver Charles Lee with a 16-yard touchdown pass with only 48 seconds gone in the fourth quarter. Sherman then elected to essay a 2-point conversion and it proved the "right" call, Nall hitting wideout Rober..

Packers Re-Sign Swiney, Eby, Seymour, Lewis To Practice Squad

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 18:28:24 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed cornerback Erwin Swiney, center Andy Eby, wide receiver Devin Lewis and tight end/running back Bill Seymour to the team's practice squad.

All four were previously placed on waivers over the weekend in the roster reduction to the NFL regular-season limit of 53 players.

A fifth and final member of the practice squad is expected to be signed Tuesday.

Swiney, a rookie from the University of Nebraska, closed out the preseason as the Packers' second-leading tackler with 19 stops, 18 of them solo. He also recorded one quarterback sack.

Seymour, a rookie free agent from the University of Michigan, had one pass reception for 22 yards.

Eby, a 6-3, 300-pound free agent from Kansas State, played extensively in all four preseason games - in company with veteran Frank Winters - in the absence of starter Mike Flanagan, sidelined by a broken thumb.

Lewis, out of Southern University, was signed only last week ..

Packers Waive Lee, Goodman, Holmberg In Reducing Squad To Regular Season Player Limit Of 53; Thibodeaux, Gall, Houghton Also Released

Sun, 01 Sep 2002 15:57:29 CST

The Green Bay Packers today have waived 15 players, including veterans wide receiver Charles Lee, running back Herbert "Whisper" Goodman and linebacker Rob Holmberg, in reaching the National Football League's 53-player limit for the 2002 regular season, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced today.

Lee, Goodman and Holmberg were among seven veterans to be waived in the final roster reduction, the list also including cornerback Keith Thibodeaux, defensive end Jared Tomich, wide receiver Chris Jackson and defensive back Todd Franz.

Also waived were eight rookies and first-year players - guard Mike Houghton of San Diego State, the Packers' sixth-round selection in the 2002 NFL draft; fullback Chris Gall (Indiana), cornerbacks Hurley Tarver (Central Oklahoma) and Erwin Swiney (Nebraska), wide receiver Devin Lewis (Southern University), defensive end John Gilmore (Tennessee State), tight end/fullback Bill Seymour (Michigan), and center Andy Eby (Kansas State).

Goo..