Packers.com

Baldwin-Woodville High School's Labecki Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 18:23:19 CST

Wade Labecki, head coach at Baldwin-Woodville High School, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers' Motorola High School Coach of the Week the Packers announced Thursday.

Labecki, who coached in his 100th victory this season, is in his 15th year as head coach (16th overall) of the Blackhawks, he also serves as the high school athletic director. In his first year at Baldwin-Woodville, Labecki served as an assistant coach under Jack Scholtz and coached the Blackhawks to the WIAA State Championship. He went on to earn another State Championship as head coach in 1992. Labecki also currently serves as the President of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, and updates their website, www.wifca.com

The 'Hawks are currently 6-4 and defeated Barron High School in the first level of the state playoffs. They travel to Bloomer to play their second level matchup Saturday.

He graduated from Milwaukee Thomas More High School in 1982, where he played football un..

NFL Announces New Playoff Game Times

Thu, 31 Oct 2002 15:23:34 CST

The starting times of this year's conference championship games will be revised to make those national telecasts available to a wider audience, the NFL announced Thursday.

To significantly expand the potential audience, the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, January 19 will start at 3:00 PM ET and 6:30 PM ET. These games had begun at 12:30 PM ET and 4:00 PM ET in previous years.

In addition, the Sunday wild card and divisional playoff games will start at 1:00 PM ET and 4:30 PM ET. Previously, these games had begun at 12:30 PM ET and 4:00 PM ET.

Last year, the NFL for the first time moved playoff games into prime time. The late Saturday Wild Card and Divisional playoff games moved to an 8:00 PM ET start time.

The 2002 season playoff schedule will be as follows:

Saturday, January 4, 2003
4:30 PM ET - AFC or NFC Wild Card Playoff (ABC)
8:00 PM ET - AFC or NFC Wild Card Playoff (ABC)

Sunday, January 5, 2003..

Packers Sign OT Joshua Warner, CB Erwin Swiney To Practice Squad

Wed, 30 Oct 2002 08:49:31 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed offensive tackle Josh Warner and re-signed cornerback Erwin Swiney to the team's practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

In another transaction, cornerback Bruce Branch has been terminated from the practice squad, Sherman said.

Warner, 6-4-1/2 and 300 pounds, originally was signed by the New York Giants as a free agent out of SUNY College at Brockport on April 27, 2001. Placed on waivers Aug. 28, 2001, he was out of football for the balance of the '01 season.

Later signed by the Chicago Bears as a reserve/future on Jan. 9, 2002, he was allocated to the NFL Europe League for its '02 season. He returned to the Bears for training camp and the preseason before being waived on Sept. 1 in the team's final roster reduction for the regular season.

Warner, assigned jersey No. 79, joined the Packers on the practice field this afternoon.

Swiney, a 6-foot, 192-pound rookie free agent from the..

Brett Favre And 155 Other Quarterbacks

Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:14:07 CST
According to Elias Sports Bureau, 155 other quarterbacks have started an NFL game since Sept. 27, 1992, when Brett Favre launched his current 164-game starting streak. Favre's streak, the longest by a quarterback in NFL history, is now the league's longest active among all positions.

Arizona/Phoenix (11) - Steve Beuerlein, Dave Brown, Stoney Case, Chris Chandler, Boomer Esiason, Kent Graham, Dave Krieg, Jim McMahon, Jake Plummer, Timm Rosenbach, Jay Schroeder

Atlanta (11) - Chris Chandler, Steve DeBerg, Jeff George, Tony Graziani, Bobby Hebert, Doug Johnson, Danny Kanell, Chris Miller, Billy Joe Tolliver, Michael Vick, Wade Wilson

Baltimore (11) - Tony Banks, Jeff Blake, Stoney Case, Randall Cunningham, Trent Dilfer, Elvis Grbac, Jim Harbaugh, Scott Mitchell, Chris Redman, Vinny Testaverde, Eric Zeier

Buffalo (7) - Drew Bledsoe, Todd Collins, Doug Flutie, Rob Johnson, Jim Kelly, Frank Reich, Alex Van Pelt

Car..

Packers-Dolphins Preview

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 16:48:55 CST
THE GAME: Their annual bye week now in the past, the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers (6-1) return to their 2002 agenda on home turf - in an ABC "Monday Night Football" matchup with the leaders of the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins (5-2) next Monday (November 4).

Kickoff for the contest, a customary season-ticket sellout (65,290), is set for 8:07, CST (Wisconsin time).

The surging Packers will be in quest of a sixth straight victory - and a sixth straight win in Lambeau Field, where they are undefeated to date in the '02 season (3-0).

The Green and Gold last put together a six-game, in-season winning streak in 1992. More recently, they put together a seven-game success streak over the 2000 and 2001 seasons, winning the last four games of the 2000 campaign and the first three of the '01 season.

In addition to the stakes involved for both teams - the Dolphins own a half-game lead over second-place Buffalo (5-3) in the AFC East at the moment..

Two Wisconsin Favorites Team Up For The Jack's Green Bay Packers Pizza

Tue, 29 Oct 2002 08:56:52 CST
It could only happen in Wisconsin. The state's No. 1 selling pizza brand, Jack's, huddles with Wisconsin's No. 1 pro team, the Green Bay Packers, to create the first and only colored cheese frozen pizza in the land - new Jack's Packers Colored Pizza. Available for a limited time only in stores throughout "Packerland" beginning November 1, this special edition frozen pizza features the Packers vibrant color scheme using green and gold colored Mozzarella cheese. The perfect pizza for Wisconsin and its legendarily loyal Packers fans, Jack's Packers Colored Pizza has been named the "Official Frozen Pizza of the Green Bay Packers."

"Jack's Packers Colored Pizza is such a fun, innovative new product and we're thrilled to be partnering with the Green Bay Packers organization," said Katie Kubicki, senior associate brand manager, Kraft Pizza Company. "We wanted to develop our game plan with the Green Bay Packers to create America's first colored cheese frozen pizza since we both..

Verizon Wireless, Green Bay Packers Team Up To Provide HopeLine For Victims Of Domestic Violence

Mon, 28 Oct 2002 14:36:02 CST
Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, and the Green Bay Packers are teaming up to invite fans to help victims of domestic violence in Wisconsin.

On Monday, November 4, prior to the nationally televised Monday Night Football game, used wireless phones and accessories will be collected for the Verizon Wireless HopeLineSM program at all five Lambeau Field gate entrances. The phone collection will begin at 6 p.m. and will last until game time.

Through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program, used wireless handsets, batteries and accessories from any wireless company are collected, refurbished, recycled, and/or sold. Proceeds are donated to non-profit domestic violence advocacy organizations and used to purchase handsets for domestic violence victims, including those throughout Wisconsin.

"This program enables our fans to donate a wireless phone they are no longer using and turn it into a lifeline for a member of the community," said Bob Har..

NFL Announces Time Changes: Packers-Buccaneers Game To Start At 3:15 CT (4:15 ET)

Mon, 28 Oct 2002 10:47:45 CST
Kickoff times for four NFL games in November have been changed, the league announced Monday. Among them, the Packers' away contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been moved from a 12 noon CT start to a 3:15 p.m. CT start (4:15 ET).

The Packers-Buccaneers game replaces the St. Louis-Washington game as the second featured attraction of FOX's Sunday double-header. Joe Buck will provide play-by-play, with analysis from Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth.

Other NFL games to receive time changes are Baltimore at Miami (Nov. 17), Jacksonville at Houston (Nov. 17) and St. Louis at Washington (Nov. 24).

The Packers will next be in action versus the Miami Dolphins, Monday, Nov. 4. Kickoff for that game is 8:00 p.m. CT.

Green Bay's Marco Rivera Helping Kids Develop A Passion For Football

Fri, 25 Oct 2002 14:39:06 CST
In his seventh NFL season, Marco Rivera continues to reach out to the Puerto Rican community to help children discover a passion for the game he loves.

The Green Bay guard has made offseason trips to Puerto Rico four times to host free football camps for local youngsters.

This past April, Rivera and his wife Michelle established the Marco Rivera Outreach Foundation under the auspices of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. Marco's foundation benefits his football camp as well as St. George's Hospital in San Juan. While in Puerto Rico, Rivera visits cancer patients at St. George's Hospital. The Rivera foundation was a 2002 recipient of a $4,000 matching grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund.

This past May, Rivera enjoyed not only tutoring 416 participants during his weeklong football camp, but also giving his teammates the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico. Rivera's mother is a native of Puerto Rico and his grandmother still resides there. ..

Packers Women's Association Sets Record For Food Drive

Fri, 25 Oct 2002 14:17:25 CST
The Packers Women's Association held its 16th Annual Food Drive for Paul's Pantry prior to last Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins and received a record amount in donations.

PWA members collected over 25,200 non-perishable food items and set a new record of over $14,250 in cash donations. Along with PWA members, volunteers from Paul's Pantry and the UWGB Men's Tennis Team assisted with the collection.

"We are so happy with the collection on Sunday," said Vanessa Lewis, PWA Food Drive Chairperson and girlfriend of Packers linebacker Na'il Diggs. "It was a beautiful day and to have a food drive that's the most successful drive on record means so much and says a lot about the people in this community."

In the previous 15 years of conducting the food drive, the PWA has collected over 294,000 non-perishable food items and more than $116,100 for Paul's Pantry, a supplementary food distribution program for the needy in the greater Green Bay area.
..

Packers, WTMJ Sign Long-Term Extension Of Radio Rights Agreement

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 17:10:56 CST
The Green Bay Packers and WTMJ Radio (AM 620) have signed a long-term extension of their radio broadcast rights agreement, Robert E. Harlan, the Packers' president and chief executive officer, announced Thursday.

The extension means that WTMJ will continue as the flagship station of the Green Bay Packer Radio Network, with exclusive rights to broadcasts of the games and related programming.

WTMJ, a partner for more than 70 years, first broadcast a Packers game on November 24, 1929, a day which saw Green Bay defeat the Giants, 20-6, in a game played at New York, with Russ Winnie handling the play-by-play for WTMJ. Currently listeners enjoy Packers action from play-by-play veteran Wayne Larrivee and Packer Hall of Famer Larry McCarren, now in their fourth year together on the network.

In making the announcement, Harlan said, "We are very pleased with the extension of the contract, and we look forward to continuing our long and successful relationship with WT..

Menomonie High School's Labuda Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 16:34:19 CST
Joe LaBuda, head coach at Menomonie High School, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers' Motorola High School Coach of the Week the Packers announced Thursday.

In his 13th year as head coach of the maroon and white, LaBuda began his coaching career in Gainesville, Florida at North Marion High School from 1984-87 as an assistant. He spent the following season as head coach before joining Menomonie in 1989 where he's earned four state titles and 11 conference titles in 13 years.

The maroon and white are currently 8-0 and face River Falls tonight.

He graduated from Berlin High School in 1980, where he played football under coach Steve Stellmacher and also participated in basketball and baseball. He attended Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. where he played football for the Golden Bears under Jim Braun. He graduated in 1984 and has been in health and physical education ever since. A native of Berlin, Wis., he and his wife, Colette, have a daught..

Marques Anderson Earns Second-Straight NFL Rookie Of The Week Honors

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 09:17:30 CST
Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Safety Marques Anderson of the Green Bay Packers is the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week for games played October 20-21, the NFL announced Thursday. Anderson has won the award in consecutive weeks.

Anderson recorded nine tackles and two passes defensed in the Packers' 30-9 win over Washington. Anderson has 21 tackles in the past two games, his first two NFL starts, and leads Green Bay in stops over that span.

More than 47,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week is the first weekly NFL honor to be selected solely by NFL fans. Anderson was selected from among five finalists. The other finalists were Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andre' Davis, Baltimore Ravens safety Will Demps, Atlanta Falcons running back T.J. Duckett and Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the w..

Packers Re-Sign CB Todd Franz To Practice Squad

Wed, 23 Oct 2002 17:21:27 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed cornerback Todd Franz to the team's practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

The 6-foot, 194-pound Franz had been a member of the team's 53-man active roster and played in the past two games against New England and Washington, before being placed on waivers Tuesday.

Franz, a free agent from the University of Tulsa who previously had spent the 2002 training camp and preseason with the Packers, was placed on waivers in the team's final roster reduction for the regular season (Sept. 1) and spent the first week of the regular season on the team's practice squad before being waived. He later was re-signed to the active roster Oct. 12, the day before the New England game.

Acquired on waivers from the New York Jets July 18, 2002, Franz was originally was a fifth-round draft choice of the Detroit Lions in 2000. Waived during training camp, he subsequently signed with New Orleans and played in five regular-se..

Nate Wayne Invites Guests, Sponsors To Charity Celebrity Bowl

Wed, 23 Oct 2002 16:40:30 CST
The 2002 Nate Wayne Charity Celebrity Bowl is just around the corner and Packers fans not only have the opportunity to rub elbows with some of their favorite Packers players, but to benefit a pair of remarkable charities at the same time.

The event will be staged at Green Bay's Riviera Lanes, Friday, Nov. 1, at 6:00 p.m. Fans can either buy a ticket to watch the event ($35), enter a team of five that will be paired with a celebrity player, or become an event sponsor.

Proceeds will benefit Coats for Kids and Cerebral Palsy, Inc.

All guests will receive a buffet-style dinner including food from various area restaurants. They also have the opportunity to bid in the silent auction, and have a chance to win a new car in the "Turkey Shoot."

For more information on the event, call (877) 798-6179, or submit an email to IMTSports@aol.com.

Darren Sharper Teams Up With Chevy Super Dealers, Boys & Girls Club Of Green Bay To Help Reduce Number Of Missing Children

Wed, 23 Oct 2002 16:18:31 CST
It's a parent's worst nightmare - a missing child. That's why the Chevy Super Dealers are teaming up with the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay and Green Bay Packer Darren Sharper to implement the Chevy Child ID Program, helping families receive critical information should a missing child emergency arise.

The Chevy Child ID Program will launch on Thursday, October 24 at 1 p.m. at the East Side Boys & Girls Club located at 1451 University Avenue. The Green Bay Police Department will join the Chevy Super Dealers and Darren Sharper to fingerprint the children at the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, as well as speak to the children about safety. The special event is the highlight to the Club's daylong focus on safety.

Each Chevy Super Dealer will host a free fingerprinting event at their dealership starting October 26 and continuing through December 28. Trained Boys & Girls Club staff will conduct each fingerprinting event with child identification materials donated by..

Packers Head Into Bye Week At 6-1

Wed, 23 Oct 2002 15:40:49 CST
Mike Sherman has a droll, understated sense of humor which surfaces when least expected.

Even when the Packers' GM/Head Coach lost Brett Favre, pro football's premier quarterback, during Sunday's 30-9 victory over the Washington Redskins, it didn't desert him.

When asked at a post-game press conference what he was feeling when Favre was carted off Lambeau Field, Sherman facetiously rejoined, "Well, I was going to ask them (the team's medical staff) if they had the classified ads so I could look for another job out there - because it's a little bit harder to work around here without No. 4."

It should be hastily interjected that the Packers' field leader could afford to be lighthearted at that juncture because he already had been assured by Packers team physicians - before arriving in the team's media auditorium - that Favre's injury did not appear to be serious and that he would likely be available for the Packers' next assignment - a "Monday Night Football"..

Packers Release CB Erwin Swiney, OT Mitch White From Practice Squad.

Tue, 22 Oct 2002 18:28:33 CST
The Green Bay Packers have terminated cornerback Erwin Swiney and offensive tackle Mitch White from the team's practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

Swiney, a rookie free agent from the University of Nebraska, had been signed to the practice squad Oct. 17. He originally had been signed as a free agent April 26, 2002, and gone through training camp and the preseason before being waived Sept. 1 in the team's final roster reduction for the regular season. In the interim, he had been on the active roster for the New England game Oct. 13 and helped the Packers defeat the reigning Super Bowl champions (28-10).

White, 6-4 and 311 pounds, had been signed to the practice squad on Oct. 9. Originally a sixth-round selection of New Orleans in the 2001 draft after starting all 23 games of his two-year Oregon State career at right tackle, he made the Saints' opening day roster and was inactive for the first nine regular-season games before being waived...

Marques Anderson Among Candidates For NFL Rookie Of The Week

Tue, 22 Oct 2002 09:41:26 CST
Safety Marques Anderson of the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Andre' Davis of the Cleveland Browns, safety Will Demps of the Baltimore Ravens, running back T.J. Duckett of the Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Joey Harrington of the Detroit Lions are the finalists for Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week honors for games played on October 20-21, 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.

Voters Select Marques Anderson NFL Rookie Of The Week

Thu, 17 Oct 2002 08:41:42 CST
Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Safety Marques Anderson of the Green Bay Packers is the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week for games played October 13-14, the NFL announced Thursday.

Anderson recorded a game-high 12 tackles and an interception in the Packers' 28-10 win over New England. Anderson's interception came late in the third quarter and with the Packers leading 21-3. Anderson intercepted the pass on the Green Bay 13-yard line and returned it 22 yards to the Green Bay 35. The Packers scored on the ensuing drive to extend their lead to 28-3.

More than 33,000 fans voted this week on NFL.com. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week is the first weekly NFL honor to be selected solely by NFL fans. Anderson was selected from among five finalists. The other finalists were Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Antonio Bryant, San Diego Chargers wide receiver Reche Caldwell, Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randl..

Janesville Parker High's Dye Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 16:04:53 CST
Joe Dye, head coach of the Janesville Parker High Vikings, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers' Motorola High School Coach of the Week the Packers announced Wednesday.

This year is Dye's 11th as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for the Vikings for 12 years under Don Barnabo. Before his stint at Janesville Parker (1,697 students) began, Dye spent four years under Jim Corrigan assisting the Menasha High School football team. The Vikings have won back-to-back Big 8 championships, and are making their 7th straight trip to the state playoffs. Dye, who serves as the chairperson of the math department at Janesville Parker, has been teaching since 1975 and is also the head boys track coach.

The Vikings (7-0) travel across town to face Janesville Craig High School (6-1) this Friday.

Dye graduated from Beloit Turner High School in 1971, where he played varsity football under coach Don Christensen, and also participated in basketball and track. ..

Lombardi Legend Willie Wood, Lee Remmel To Be Featured At Fundraising Event

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 16 Oct 2002 14:03:38 CST
Willie Wood and Lee Remmel will be featured at a unique fundraising event limited to 60 fans on Saturday, October 19th at Brett Favre's Steakhouse in Green Bay. Wood is a former Packers All-Pro safety and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Remmel is the Executive Director of Public Relations for the Green Bay Packers and a member of the Packers Hall of Fame. All proceeds will benefit the Vince Lombardi Titletown Legends Non-profit organization.

Guests attending the fundraiser will hear first-hand what it was like to be a Packer in the "Glory Days" and play for the legendary Vince Lombardi. Remmel will provide interesting anecdotes and insight into the history of the Packers, having been associated with the team for more than 60 years. The event will also include a question and answer session, professional photo with Willie Wood, autograph session dinner and a special gift.

A $125 per person donation is required to attend. Special VIP packages, including seatin..

Packers-Redskins Preview

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 16:37:02 CST
THE GAME: The Green Bay Packers, off to their best start since the Super Bowl year of 1996 (5-1), punctuated by a 28-10 conquest of reigning Super Bowl champion New England, face one more major hurdle before drawing their annual schedule bye and a welcome opportunity to heal their walking wounded.

Possessors of a 2-1/2-game lead in the NFC's North Division despite having to play four of their first six games on the road, they return to Lambeau Field for the first time in three weeks to entertain Steve Spurrier and the high-scoring Washington Redskins (2-3) Sunday afternoon (Oct. 20).

Kickoff for the contest, a season-ticket sellout (65,290), is set for 3:15 pm., CDT (Wisconsin time).

Winners of eight of their last nine regular season games, including a three-game winning streak to close out the '01 season, Mike Sherman's resourceful athletes will be in pursuit of a fifth straight victory, having defeated Detroit, Carolina, Chicago and New England in..

Packers Re-Sign OT Barrett Brooks, Waive CB Erwin Swiney

Tue, 15 Oct 2002 17:16:57 CST
The Green Bay Packers have re-signed veteran offensive tackle Barrett Brooks, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

Cornerback Erwin Swiney was placed on waivers to make room for Brooks on the team's 53-player roster.

Brooks, a seventh-year professional, originally been signed as a free agent September 26. Terminated on September 28, he was re-signed October 1 and released October 12.

Originally a second-round draft selection out of Kansas State by Philadelphia in 1995, he has played in 95 career games - including a streak of 88 consecutive games to begin his NFL career - and started 62, spending his first four years with the Eagles and two subsequent seasons with the Detroit Lions.

Brooks, 6-5 and 314 pounds, has been reassigned jersey number 77.

Swiney, a rookie free agent from the University of Nebraska, had been re-signed October 12. He originally had been signed as a free agent April 26, 2002, and gone through training camp ..

Packers-Patriots Recap

Tue, 15 Oct 2002 16:29:32 CST
THE WEEK PAST: With their defense riddled by injuries, and on a slick New England field courtesy of a light but persistent rain, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman and coordinators Tom Rossley and Ed Donatell developed a simple but highly-effective game plan to deal with the Patriots.

With a presumably vulnerable defense - one missing five starters - it obviously was important to keep that depleted unit off the field - and, thus, to run the football as often and as well as possible, utilizing the considerable talents of Ahman Green...And, in the overall process, throw the football with care.

With the significant and somewhat unexpected aid of the patchwork defense, the plan worked to virtual perfection.

Green ran the football with impressive abandon, amassing 136 yards and a touchdown with a career-high 31 attempts and also contributed in the passing game with 3 receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, when the Packers possessed the foo..

Packers Women's Association Gets Ready For 16th Annual Food Drive

Tue, 15 Oct 2002 13:03:22 CST
The Packers Women's Association will hold its 16th Annual Food Drive for Paul's Pantry prior to Sunday's 3:15 p.m. game against the Washington Redskins at Lambeau Field.

PWA members, who will be wearing their husband's or significant other's jersey or "Help the Pack Sack Hunger" T-shirts, will collect non-perishable food items and cash donations in the stadium parking lot and at the gates prior to kickoff. Along with PWA members, volunteers from Paul's Pantry and the UWGB Men's Tennis Team will be assisting with the collection.

"This is a great event for the community each year," said Vanessa Lewis, PWA Food Drive Chairperson and girlfriend of Packers linebacker Na'il Diggs. "It not only allows us to do something for the community, but also lets fans contribute to a good cause and enjoy the game at the same time."

Food items can also be placed in bins, which will be located throughout the Lambeau Field parking lot.

In the previous 15 years of con..

All-Star Balloting For 2003 Pro Bowl Begins On NFL.com; Motorola NFL Pro Bowl Balloting Available At RadioShack Stores Nationwide

Tue, 15 Oct 2002 09:47:57 CST
NFL fans can begin voting for their favorite all-stars on Tuesday for the 2003 Pro Bowl, the league's annual All-Star Game.

Fans may vote on the NFL's website, nfl.com, to help select the AFC and NFC All-Star Teams. Sponsored by Motorola and RadioShack, online balloting for the Pro Bowl, to be played in Hawaii on February 2, will conclude December 13. Fans voting on NFL.com will also qualify to win a Pro Bowl prize package.

This season fans can also cast their Pro Bowl ballots, from October 24 through December 1, at more than 7,200 RadioShack stores nationwide. RadioShack will offer shortened balloting, presented by Motorola, which will allow fans to quickly vote for their favorite players in the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker and cornerback positions. More than 94 percent of Americans liv..

Marques Anderson Among Candidates For NFL Rookie Of The Week

Tue, 15 Oct 2002 09:22:00 CST
Safety Marques Anderson of the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver Antonio Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, wide receiver Reche Caldwell of the San Diego Chargers, defensive end Julius Peppers of the Carolina Panthers and wide receiver Antwaan Randle-El of the Pittsburgh Steelers are the finalists for Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week honors for games played on October 13-14, 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 B..

10 Years After Favre Trade, Deals Still Have Impact

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 10:36:51 CST
Ten years ago, Ron Wolf pulled off one of the best trades in NFL history -- acquiring Brett Favre for the Green Bay Packers for a first-round draft choice.

Meanwhile, everybody says "there are no more big trades in the NFL anymore."

Well, the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins certainly would not agree with that theory.

Trades that these clubs engineered this year are paying handsome dividends.

The Bills acquired quarterback Drew Bledsoe from New England, and he has infused a new spirit into the team as well as captured the top spot in the AFC in attempts, completions and yards. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes -- tied for second-most in the conference -- and is the AFC's fourth-ranked passer (NOTE: stats prior to Oct. 13).

Bledsoe also set an NFL record on September 29 by throwing for his fourth career overtime TD pass.

In Miami, the Dolphins couldn't be more pleased with their acquisition of running back Ricky Williams from the ..

Packers Sign DBs Swiney & Franz To Active Roster; Put CB Jue On I.R.; Release Brooks

Sat, 12 Oct 2002 12:17:12 CST
The Green Bay Packers have elevated defensive backs Erwin Swiney and Todd Franz to the 53-man active roster, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced today.

To make room on the roster, cornerback Bhawoh Jue was placed on injured reserve and offensive lineman Barrett Brooks was released.

Swiney, a rookie free agent from the University of Nebraska was re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 9. Signed initially by the Packers on April 26, 2002, he had been waived in the final mandated roster reduction to the regular season squad and then spent a short initial stint on Green Bay's practice squad (Sept. 2-4). The 6-foot, 192-pound Swiney closed out the preseason as the Packers' second-leading tackler with 19 stops, 18 solo, and posted one quarterback sack.

Franz, re-signed to the Packers' practice squad on Oct. 9, previously spent the 2002 training camp and preseason with the Packers, posting 4 solo tackles, 1 interception and 2 passes defensed. He was placed on..

Milwaukee Custer High School's Zmudzinski Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 17:17:26 CST
Barry Zmudzinski, head coach of the Milwaukee Custer Cougars, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers' Motorola High School Coach of the Week the Packers announced Wednesday.

This year is Zmudzinski's 10th as head coach, after serving as an assistant coach for the Cougars for 20 years. After coaching the Cougars to their first ever playoff season in school history, Zmudzinski has coached the team to six straight playoff seasons and four division titles. Zmudzinski, who will be retiring from both teaching and coaching after this year, also serves as head coach of the Cougar baseball team. Zmudzinski is in his first year as a technical education teacher at Milwaukee Technical High School after teaching the same subject at Custer (953 students) for 32 years.

With a victory this Saturday over Milwaukee Marshall, the Cougars would not only clinch their seventh straight playoff birth, but also their fifth division title.

Zmudzinski graduated from Greendale Hig..

Packers Put DE Johnson On I.R., Sign CB Westbrook To Active Roster, DBs Franz, Jennings And OL White To Practice Squad

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 17:15:46 CST
The Green Bay Packers have put defensive end Joe Johnson on injured reserve and signed veteran defensive back Bryant Westbrook, a former Detroit Lion and Dallas Cowboy, to replace him on the team's active roster, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

Johnson suffered a torn triceps, a season-ending injury, during the Packers' 34-21 victory over the Chicago Bears Monday night.

In other transactions, wide receiver Corey Parchman, defensive end John Gilmore and offensive lineman Al Jackson have been terminated from the practice squad and replaced by defensive backs Todd Franz and Brandon Jennings and offensive lineman Mitch White.

Westbrook, 6-0, 201 pounds and a sixth-year pro, was Detroit's first round selection in the 1997 draft (the fifth player chosen) and spent his first five NFL seasons as a starting cornerback with the Lions, making 54 starts in 64 games. Over that span, he posted 12 interceptions, 71 passes defensed and 242 tackles, 208 of ..

NFL Media Teleconference: An Interview With Brett Favre

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 17:09:33 CST
MICHAEL SIGNORA: Thank you all for joining us today. We have Brett Favre on the line with us from Green Bay. Just a note to media before we begin: Brett has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 359 yard, three touchdown passing performance against the Bears on Monday night. We'll begin the call with questions from the New England Patriots media room.

Q. Congratulations on your 40,000 yards.

BRETT FAVRE: Thank you.

Q. How are you able to play every week? How have you been able to perform? I am sure you have been plenty sore many times but you have an incredible record of performance and 162 consecutive starts.

BRETT FAVRE: I've been lucky. I'd say determination is one. Don't get me wrong, there have been times where injuries could have kept me out and there have been times when maybe injuries should have kept me out. But my mom always said I was always hard-headed, and I've just wanted t..

Favre Named NFC Offensive Player Of The Week

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 13:47:15 CST
Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and kicker Bill Gramatica of the Arizona Cardinals are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fifth week of the 2002 season (October 6-7), the NFL announced Wednesday.

Favre passed the Packers to a 34-21 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday night, completing 22 of 33 attempts for 359 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 133.3 passer rating. His 85-yard first-quarter touchdown pass to wide receiver Donald Driver was the second-longest of his career (99 yards for a TD to Robert Brooks, 9/11/95), and the longest play from scrimmage this year in the NFL.

It was a historic night for the Packers' No. 4, as he became only the eighth player in NFL history to pass for 40,000 yards. His career total of 40,097 yards ranks eighth in NFL history and he needs 143 yards to pass Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Uni..

Packers-Patriots Preview

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 17:29:28 CST
THE GAME: Having afforded themselves the luxury of a two-game lead in the NFL's NFC North Division by virtue of dispatching their primary rivals, the Chicago Bears, the surging Green Bay Packers (4-1) next ready themselves for another challenging assignment against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots (3-2) on Sunday (October 13).

Kickoff for the interconference showdown - before a capacity house of 68,000 fans in the Patriots' new state-of-the-art venue, Gillette Stadium - is set for 12 noon, CDT (Wisconsin time).

The Packers riding a three-game winning streak, will be winging east having matched their 4-1 start of a year ago, when they forged from that five-game point to a 12-4 overall record and their first playoff berth since 1998.

They added a game to their division lead on the second-place Bears (now 2-3) by way of a 34-21 victory over the Midway Monsters on ABC's "Monday Night Football" at University of Illinois Memorial Sta..

Packers-Bears Recap

Tue, 08 Oct 2002 17:22:03 CST
THE WEEK PAST: Striking early and often while mounting their best first-half of offensive football within recent memory, the Packers stepped out to a 24-14 intermission lead on the Chicago Bears in their 163rd regular-season encounter and, in the final accounting, it proved to be entirely sufficient.

Though both their scoring efforts and their statistical successes were less imposing in the second half, the Green and Gold were able to add a touchdown in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth to comfortably carry the evening, 34-21.

Quarterback Brett Favre, in virtuosic form, set a spectacular tone on the first play of the Packers' second possession in the opening quarter, rolling to his left and lofting a strike to split end Donald Driver, who gathered the ball in on the run and streaked to the end zone - an 85-yard pass-and-run collaboration executed before the Memorial Stadium crowd of 60,000-plus was fully aware of what was transpiring.

Packers Offer Secrets Of Success In Fourth Annual 'Training Camp For Business;' Unique Program Scheduled October 20-22

Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:37:34 CST
"Training Camp for Business," an immediate hit when introduced by the Green Bay Packers in 1999, is again being offered to the business community.

The fourth annual such program, a format in which the Packers impart their secrets of success to those in the workaday world, will be held in and around Lambeau Field October 20, 21, and 22.

The "Training Camp for Business" offers business professionals new ways and ideas to deal with contemporary business challenges - such as people management, leadership, team building and employee empowerment. Unique in the world of sports and business, it gives attendees an inside look at the "Packers Way."

In the process, participants will have an opportunity to venture behind the scenes and learn the management and leadership strategies that have been responsible for the Packers' singular success in the National Football League, punctuated by seven consecutive winning seasons (1992-98), seven playoff berths (1993-98, 2001)..

Packers Announce Brown County Resident Ticket Registration

Tue, 08 Oct 2002 11:57:21 CST
With the Lambeau Field renovation project just a year away from completion, Brown County residents have an opportunity to purchase individual game tickets for the 2003 season through a computerized random draw system. On Saturday, October 12th, residents can sign up to be included in the ticket drawing, which will be held in spring of 2003.

"We promised to make 4,000 seats per game available to Brown County residents who do not have season tickets," said Packers President Bob Harlan. "Now that we're a year away from our official re-opening, we want to provide additional opportunities for residents to register for the ticket lottery. It's great to be able to do this and it's a way of saying thanks to our fans for supporting our efforts to expand and improve Lambeau Field."

The registration will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2002 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Lambeau Field's Titletown Atrium. (Next to the Packers' Pro Shop. Use the Miller Brewing gate..

The Green Bay Packers To Take Part In The 4th Annual Hometown Huddle

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 12:14:23 CST
As part of an ongoing effort to inspire people to become more engaged in the community life, the Green Bay Packers and the United Way will take part in the 4th annual NFL & United Way Hometown Huddle this Tuesday, October 8 at 3:00 PM. Packers Aaron Kampman, Tony Fisher, Cletidus Hunt and Nate Wayne will be participating in the event.

The Hometown Huddle is a partnership with the Green Bay Packers, United Way of Brown County, and the House of Hope, a program of the Adolescent Parenting Coalition.

The Green Bay Packers plan to work with the House of Hope and donate the necessary items for a computer room for the young mothers. Many of the young mothers at House of Hope are trying to complete their high school equivalency diploma and the computer room would be a place for them to complete schoolwork assignments, learn skills through tutorial software and possibly take online courses. The children will also benefit greatly by having a learning station to interact..

Packers K Ryan Longwell Named NFC Special Teams Player Of The Month

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 15:32:10 CST
Green Bay Packers kicker Ryan Longwell was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September, while Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and defensive end Michael Rucker of the Carolina Panthers were named the NFC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Month, the NFL announced Thursday.

Longwell earned honors for helping the Packers to a 3-1 start and first place in the NFC North.

His 39 points are second in the NFL among kickers and he has connected on nine of 10 field-goal attempts and is a perfect 12 of 12 on extra points.

Longwell helped the Packers to an auspicious start in 2002 when he kicked three field goals, including a 34-yard overtime game-winner, against the Falcons on September 8. Then on September 22 in a 37-31 win over Detroit, Longwell converted all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 47-yarder with 1:15 remaining. This kick gave the Packers a six-point advantage and forced the Lions to go for a game-winning..

Packers Sign WR Corey Parchman To Practice Squad, Cut WR Devin Lewis

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 15:00:41 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Corey Parchman to the practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Thursday.

The 6-foot, 191-pound Parchman replaces wide receiver Devin Lewis, who has been terminated.

A three-year letterman at Ball State, Parchman originally was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent April 22, 2002. He subsequently was waived in the team's final roster reduction for the regular season September 1. He had closed out the preseason with 2 pass receptions for 31 yards, 2 kickoff returns for 53 yards and 2 special teams tackles.

At Ball State, Parchman made 33 catches for 441 yards and 4 touchdowns over his career.

The newcomer has been assigned jersey number 16.

Packers Sign OG Al Jackson To Practice Squad; Drop TE Bill Seymour

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 16:41:39 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed offensive guard Alcender "Al" Jackson to the team's practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

Jackson, 6-3 and 306 pounds, replaces tight end Bill Seymour, who has been released.

Jackson, a third-year professional out of LSU, originally signed on with the Dallas Cowboys in 2000 as a free agent and played in three regular season games. He returned in 2001 and was inactive for all 16 games in his role as a reserve guard. Last spring, Jackson earned All-NFL Europe League honors as he helped fellow honoree and Rhein Fire teammate Jamal Robertson finish third among NFLEL running backs with 792 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns (the Fire led all NFLEL teams with 1,513 rushing yards en route to a 2002 World Bowl appearance). He rejoined the Cowboys in training camp and subsequently was placed on waivers September 1 in the team's final roster reduction for the regular season.

As a collegian, Jackson was a thre..

Packers-Bears Preview

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 09:34:23 CST
THE GAME: Despite a penchant for playing with fire, a tendency which made for another "nervous" weekend for them and their loyalists, the Green Bay Packers (3-1) are right where they want to be at this juncture in the NFC North Division's race.

And that, to be sure, is leading the division at the quarter-pole - and being ahead of their most substantial rivals for ultimate primacy at season's end, the defending NFC Central champion Chicago Bears (2-2).

Poetically, the primordial enemies (the Packers' rivalry with the neighboring Bears dates to 1921 and the genesis of the NFL) now will collide next week on ABC's "Monday Night Football" at University of Illinois Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (October 7) where they will have at it for the 163rd time in regular-season play.

Memorial Stadium is serving as the Bears' home away from home this season while their Soldier Field structure on Chicago's lakefront is being renovated. A sellout gathering of ..

Packers-Panthers Recap

Tue, 01 Oct 2002 14:50:30 CST
THE WEEK PAST: In the final analysis, it was quarterback Brett Favre's now legendary comeback ability combined with a favorable nod from the football fates that carried the Packers to a tightfisted, 17-14 victory over the highly combative Carolina Panthers in their latest NFL venture.

The Packers, who had scored 94 points in their first three games, found themselves leading the Panthers by an exceedingly modest 10-7 margin early in the fourth quarter. And, shortly thereafter, looked up to see Carolina out front, 14-10, following a 2-yard scoring run by running back Lamar Smith, capping a 53-yard drive.

It was here that the indomitable Favre took a firm hand in the proceedings. Rebounding from a 9-yard, first-down sack, he orchestrated a 4-play, 65-yard scoring drive that, it turned out, sent the Packers ahead to stay.

After firing an 11-yard strike to wideout Robert Ferguson, Favre saw his next throw - intended for Donald Driver - intercepted. For..

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

Tue, 01 Oct 2002 14:37:11 CST
The Green Bay Packers have re-signed offensive tackle Barrett Brooks as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

In order to make room for Brooks, wide receiver Chris Jackson was placed on waivers.

Jackson, who was signed last Saturday because of injury-related depth concerns at wide receiver, saw action on special teams in Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers. He previously had been signed Aug. 1, 2002, and spent all four preseason games on the Green Bay roster, making 2 catches for 35 yards.

Brooks, a seventh-year NFL veteran, was originally signed by the Packers Sept. 26 before being released last Saturday to make room for Jackson. He has been re-assigned jersey number 77.