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Packers Sign P Josh Bidwell To One-Year Pact As Restricted Free Agent

Wed, 30 Apr 2003 17:50:52 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed punter Josh Bidwell to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

Bidwell, headed into his fourth NFL season, ranked in the top half of National Football Conference punters in net average in 2002 (35.7 yards) and finished 10th in the NFC in gross average (41.7 yards).

His numbers represent a continuation of the progress Bidwell demonstrated in 2001, when he posted the second-best net average (36.5 yards) in team history in his second season as the Packers' resident punter.

The 27-year-old University of Oregon alumnus also tied for fifth in the conference with a career-high 26 punts 'Inside-the-20' last season. Additionally, reflecting appreciable accuracy and control, he had only 6 touchbacks among 79 punts, with never more than a single touchback in a game.

Beyond these contributions, Bidwell now has gone 239 career regular-season punts without a block - the th..

Packers Re-Sign TE Tyrone Davis

Wed, 30 Apr 2003 14:59:11 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed tight end Tyrone Davis, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

Davis, a seven-year veteran who had become an unrestricted free agent April 28, began the '02 season as the Packers' No. 3 tight end before becoming the primary backup to starter Bubba Franks at midseason. He played in nine games, starting twice, and was inactive for six other contests, making 9 receptions for 107 yards and 1 touchdown. He also posted 2 special teams tackles.

En route, Davis caught a 19-yard touchdown pass on his first reception of the year, giving the Packers a 14-0 lead in an eventual 34-21, Monday night victory over the Chicago Bears (Oct. 7).

Sherman also announced linebacker Billy Silva, a rookie from Northwestern, had been waived.

Packers Re-Sign QB Doug Pederson

Tue, 29 Apr 2003 17:46:41 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed veteran quarterback Doug Pederson, Brett Favre's primary backup for the past two years and a Packer for six seasons, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

Pederson, a 35-year-old veteran of 10 playing seasons, had become an unrestricted free agent February 28.

The 6-3, 220-pound Northeast Louisiana alumnus, who has worn Green Bay's green and gold for five of the past seven years (he spent 1999 with Philadelphia and 2000 with Cleveland), punctuated his 2002 season with the most productive appearance of his Green Bay tenure.

Taking over at quarterback, he played most of the second half against Washington (Oct. 20) after Favre was sidelined by a sprained knee early in the third quarter and completed 9 of 15 passes for 78 yards and no interceptions, leading three scoring drives for 13 additional points to convert the Packers 17-6 halftime lead into a 30-9 victory.

Two weeks later, with the game apparently in..

Packers 2003 Draft Notes

Sun, 27 Apr 2003 11:26:37 CST

This marks the first time since 1984 the Packers did not take an offensive player in the first five rounds.

Take away the four non-tradeable compensatory picks and the Packers used just one of their seven picks entering the draft: first-rounder Nick Barnett.

Including the NFL's last in-draft trade, Mike Sherman orchestrated five trades involving 2003 picks. Only one other team executed more deals: The New England Patriots (six).

The Packers tapped the same school - Oregon State - for two of their top three choices. The last time that happened was 1979, when Green Bay drafted two of their top three from Maryland: RB Steve Atkins (second round) and DT Charles Johnson (third round).

Kenny Peterson is the 21st player drafted by the Packers from Ohio State. They've drafted more often from only six institutions: Minnesota (41), Wisconsin (36), Southern California (32), Notre Dame (27), Michigan (26), and Nebraska (22). ..

Packers 2003 Draft Selections (9)

Sun, 27 Apr 2003 09:58:50 CST

1 (29) LB Nick Barnett, Oregon State

2 (62) (to Philadelphia for CB Al Harris)

3 (79) DT Kenny Peterson, Ohio State
(from Buffalo for Packers' third-round selection, 94th overall, and Philadelphia's fourth-round choice, 127th overall)

3 (94) (to Buffalo, with Philadelphia's fourth-round choice -- 127th overall -- for Bills' third-round choice, 79th overall)

4 (127) (originally acquired from Philadelphia with CB Al Harris; traded to Buffalo, with Packers' third-round selection, 94th overall, for Bills' third-round choice, 79th overall)

4 (128) (to New England for WR Terry Glenn)

5 (147) DT James Lee, Oregon State
(from Seattle for Packers' fifth-round selection, 165th overall, and Packers' sixth-round choice, 203rd overall)

5 (165) (to Seattle, with Packers' sixth-round
choice, 203rd overall, for Seahawks' fifth-round selection, 147th overall)

5 (166) LB Hunter Hillenmeyer, Va..

Packers Acquire CB Derek Combs In Trade

Thu, 24 Apr 2003 17:02:58 CST
Seeking depth in the secondary, the Green Bay Packers have acquired cornerback Derek Combs in a conditional future draft choice trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Thursday.

Combs, a former Ohio State running back drafted by Oakland, switched to defensive back during the 2002 NFL Europe League season with Amsterdam. He subsequently played on special teams in four regular-season games for the Raiders during the '02 NFL season, making three tackles and returning five kickoffs for 71 yards (a 14.2-yard average). Waived Oct. 8, he later was signed as a reserve/future Dec. 31, 2002, by the Chiefs, who activated him from the reserve list January 28.

While with Amsterdam in 2002, the 6-foot, 181-pound Combs played in 10 games, with seven starts, and registered 19 tackles in his first season as a defensive back. He also was credited with eight passes defensed, one quarterback sack and five special teams tackles. The possessor of impressi..

Packers Claim QB Eric Crouch, Former Heisman Winner, On Waivers

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 18:34:04 CST
The Green Bay Packers have claimed quarterback Eric Crouch on waivers from the St. Louis Rams, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

A third-round selection of the Rams in the 2002 NFL draft, the former University of Nebraska field general won the Heisman Trophy in 2001 after he became only the third Division I player to rush for more than 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards.

When St. Louis planned to utilize Crouch as a wide receiver/punt returner, he retired from football and sat out the 2003 season. Although since released by the Rams, the 6-foot, 195-pound former Cornhusker is still on the reserve-retired list, where he will remain unless or until he submits a letter to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue requesting to have his name removed from the list.

Crouch (2001) would be the sixth Heisman Trophy winner to play for the Packers, joining Bruce Smith (1941), Paul Hornung (1956), Ty Detmer (1990), Desmond Howard (1991) and Danny Wuerffel (1996).

Packers NFL Draft Details

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 13:02:40 CST
Packers Draft Site: Under the Packers' customary draft day procedures, selections will be transmitted from the team's new "war room" in the heart of the Atrium complex to NFL draft central in New York. Al Treml, the team's longtime former video director, again will represent the Packers at draft headquarters - the Theater at Madison Square Garden - and relay each choice to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (or a league representative at the podium) for formal announcement.

Draft Press Conferences: Packers.com will broadcast live in RealAudio all press conferences regarding Packers draft picks.

GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman will be available to the media following the first-round selection, at the end of the day on Saturday, as well as for a wrap-up press conference approximately one hour after the Packers' final pick on Sunday.

Mark Hatley, vice president of football operations, and John Dorsey, director of college scouting, will be available to..

Packers NFL Draft Preview

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 12:54:03 CST
Mike Sherman, invariably and impeccably prepared, has a definitive game plan for his second "solo" NFL draft, just ahead.

But he is equally equipped to adjust on the run should circumstances abruptly warrant when the National Football League conducts its 68th annual player selection meeting this weekend.

Holding forth for the media at his annual pre-draft press conference Monday, the Green Bay Packers' meticulous general manager and head coach was asked the key question: "How hard is it to gauge what you're going to have with the 29th pick?"

"It's pretty difficult to say that we're going to get a shot at this guy or that guy," Sherman promptly acknowledged, explaining, "I think you target about five players that you'd hope would be there. And you just don't know. All of a sudden, there could be a run on a certain position. And everybody has their mock draft, which I don't put a whole lot of stock into, because they change, and they go from this one to that ..

Facts & Figures On 2003 NFL Draft

Thu, 17 Apr 2003 21:01:30 CST
The Green Bay Packers have 11 selections to make in the 2003 NFL Draft, April 26-27, and Packers.com will again be your home for breaking Packers news.

On a streamlined, easy-to-load draft page, Packers.com will provide biographical information on each Packers pick as it happens, with additional coverage by Jason Bellamy.

Press conferences featuring drafted players, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman and other members of the Packers staff will be carried live via Real Audio.

And only Packers.com provides the exclusive War Room Cam so you can peek at the proceedings.

NFL Draft Facts & Figures

What: 68th Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting.

Where: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, between 31st and 33rd Streets in New York City.

When: Noon ET, Saturday, April 26, 2003 (Rounds 1-3).
11:00 AM ET, Sunday, April 27, 2003 (Rounds 4-7).

The first three rounds will conclude..

Starr To Speak At Celebration In La Crosse, May 20

Wed, 16 Apr 2003 15:04:19 CST
Green Bay Packers legend Bart Starr is coming to La Crosse to help Gundersen Lutheran celebrate May Older Americans Month.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback will share a lifetime of unique experiences and insights when he presents "Being the Best You Can Be" on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:45 p.m. in the La Crosse Center's South Ball Room. A cash bar will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6 p.m.

Being the best he can be is something that Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr has done throughout his amazing career on and off the football field.

Starting in high school to his four successful years at the University of Alabama to then being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1956, Starr truly was a "star." During his 15-year playing career in Green Bay, Starr's precision passing helped the Packers win five NFL championships, including victories in the first two Super Bowls. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in both games. And who could forget the Ice Bo..

Morgan Named NFL Europe Special Teams Player Of The Week

Tue, 15 Apr 2003 15:43:24 CST
Packers punter Tim Morgan, in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy, was named the NFLE Special Teams Player of the Week for games played the second week of the season (April 12-13).

Morgan punted seven times for an average of 42.1 yards in the Galaxy's 17-13 win over the host Scottish Claymores on Sunday. He had a long of 58 yards and also recovered an onside kick with just over a minute left in the game to help seal the victory.

Running back Autry Denson of the Detroit Lions and defensive end Josh McKibben of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were named NFLE Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Denson carried 18 times for 114 yards, and his 15-yard scoring run started the Rhein Fire on their way to a 21-10 road victory over the Berlin Thunder on Sunday. The Lions' running back added a 25-yard touchdown reception as the Fire won its first game of the season.

"I give credit to my offensive line," said Denson, who leads NFL Europe with..

Packers Sign WR/KR Gari Scott, Former Eagle, As Free Agent

Fri, 11 Apr 2003 16:28:05 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver/kick returner Gari Scott as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Friday.

One of the premier receivers in Michigan State history as a collegian, the 6-foot, 199-pound Scott was a fourth-round selection of the Eagles in the 2000 NFL draft, the 99th selection overall.

After being inactive for 15 regular season games and both of Philadelphia's playoff contests as a rookie, he played in three games in 2001, catching 2 passes for 26 yards, both against Tampa Bay (Jan. 6), the first of them setting up the first of two fourth quarter touchdowns.

Hampered throughout the 2001 season by an ankle injury suffered against Seattle in his first regular season game (Sept. 23), he was waived following an injury settlement prior to the 2002 season (July 29). He subsequently underwent surgery on the ankle and was out of football during the '02 season.

At Michigan State, Scott's 13..

Packers Sign Veteran DE Chukie Nwokorie As A Free Agent

Wed, 09 Apr 2003 20:44:13 CST
Filling in the defensive line, the Green Bay Packers have signed veteran defensive end Chukie Nwokorie, a former Indianapolis Colt, as an unrestricted free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

The 6-3, 284-pound Nwokorie (pronounced CHOO-kee wah-KOR-ee), has played in 22 games over his four-year NFL career, with five starts, making 72 tackles, 31 assists and 5 sacks. He made one tackle in three games in 2002, a season which saw him miss the clubs first eight games while on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

His most significant action came in 2001 where he posted 71 tackles, 5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits in 16 games, starting five. A valuable contributor, he was second on the squad in QB hits and finished third in sacks that season.

The 27-year-old Purdue alumnus highlighted the 2001 season by clinching the season-opening win at New York Jets (Sept.9), with a 95-yard fumble return, the longest in club history, while adding ..

Packers Sign C/G Grey Ruegamer, Former Patriot, As A Free Agent

Tue, 08 Apr 2003 17:03:44 CST
Bolstering their depth in the offensive line, the Green Bay Packers have signed veteran center/guard Grey Ruegamer, a former New England Patriot, as an unrestricted free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

The 6-4, 310-pound Ruegamer (the name is pronounced 'ROO-guh-mer'), has played in 33 games over his four-year NFL career, with 3 starts, and also saw action in all three of New England's playoff games following the 2001 season as the Patriots closed out the year by winning Super Bowl XXXVI.

Ruegamer was an on-field participant - when the Patriots shaded the St. Louis Rams in the closing seconds of the latter - as a blocker for placekicker Adam Vinatieri, whose field goal provided the winning margin in a 20-17 victory. He earlier had appeared in 14 games for the Pats during the regular season, with one start.

The 26-year-old Arizona State alumnus played in 13 games in 2002, with 2 starts, the latter back-to-back assignments at center when..

Winners Of Brown County Ticket Drawing Now Being Notified

Mon, 07 Apr 2003 12:10:07 CST
There will be some happy Green Bay Packer fans in Brown County this week. That's because 10,000 Brown County residents who registered for an opportunity to purchase individual game tickets for the upcoming Packers season, are now being notified that their names were selected.

"This is truly an exciting event for the Packers organization and its fans," said President Bob Harlan. "When county residents approved using a half-cent sales tax to help pay for the renovation and expansion of Lambeau, we wanted to be sure we could do something for them in return. By allotting 4,000 tickets a game to area residents, it will give a lot of people an opportunity to see a game inside Lambeau for the first time and be a part of the incredible tradition and experience."

Approximately 12,200 county residents registered for the tickets during the past three years. The computer generated, random selection drawing was conducted at the Packers ticket office on Thursday, April 3, 2..

DE Vonnie Holliday Signs With Kansas City

Kansas City Chiefs Press Release — Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:52:58 CST
Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Monday that the club has agreed to the terms of a five-year contract with unrestricted free agent DE Vonnie Holliday from the Green Bay Packers. As per Chiefs policy, no other terms of the agreement were made available. Holliday enters his sixth NFL season with Kansas City in 2003.

"Vonnie Holliday is an experienced five-year starting defensive end for a perennial playoff team," Peterson commented. "He's a former number one draft choice who helped Green Bay to a substantial number of victories during his tenure there. He has also produced 32.0 sacks in the National Football League and gives the Chiefs an additional pass rusher with solid credentials. He plays both DE positions and he can play DT if necessary. We believe he'll be an excellent addition to our football team."

Holliday (6-5, 290) has played in 66 games (63 starts) over five seasons in the NFL with Green Bay ('98-02). Originally a first-round draf..

Bart Starr's Work With Rawhide Boys Ranch Earns National Humanitarian Award

Fri, 04 Apr 2003 15:21:48 CST
Thirty years ago, Bart Starr capped off a football career that included five World Championships, two consecutive Super Bowl victories, and two MVP Super Bowl performances as quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. On March 22 Starr was recognized for a lifetime of service when he was presented with the 2003 AmVets Humanitarian Award. The award is in recognition of his personal sacrifice for over 37 years (involving time, finances, and resources) that has benefited hundreds of disadvantaged youth from throughout Wisconsin placed at Rawhide Boys Ranch.

The award was presented to Starr at the 46th Annual convention in Washington, D.C. AmVets is a national American veterans organization that provides professional services and legal advice to veterans, volunteers time in hospitals, and actively pursues veterans issues in Washington, D.C. AmVets membership totals over 180,000, with nearly 2,000 posts throughout the nation.

Starr, who currently resides in Birmingham, A..

Gbaja-Biamila, Other NFL 'Unsung Heroes' To Be Honored At Gala

Fri, 04 Apr 2003 10:20:40 CST
Troy Vincent of the Philadelphia Eagles, recipient of this year's Byron "Whizzer" White Award, will be honored along with 32 current NFL players, including Green Bay Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, at the 30th Annual NFL Fever/NFL Players Awards Gala, on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at the Hilton Washington Hotel. A cocktail reception and silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and awards gala to follow at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by the NFL Players Association and PLAYERS INC, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFLPA, the event recognizes and honors one player from each NFL team for his contributions both on the field and in his community. Both NFL players and fans cast ballots for their heroes. The Byron "Whizzer" White Award was named to commemorate the spirit of Hall of Fame inductee Justice Byron "Whizzer" White, a remarkable athlete who exemplified leadership on and off the field through his humanitarian efforts and his public service achievement..

2003 Packers Schedule Notes

Thu, 03 Apr 2003 13:16:45 CST
The historic Lambeau Field opener: The Packers and their fans will rededicate Lambeau Sept. 7 vs. Minnesota. In addition to all the festivities...
* Green Bay kicks off the schedule in Wisconsin for a seventh consecutive season and for the 17th time during an 18-year stretch.
* Since the 1986 opener, no other NFL team has opened at home more than the Packers.
* Green Bay is 6-2 over its last eight season-opening games at home, including a 1994 win at Milwaukee County Stadium.
* The Packers enter 2003 with 11 consecutive regular-season home wins, the league's longest active streak.

Possibly an unforgettable afternoon: On Dec. 7 at home vs. Chicago, Brett Favre could be in line to surpass Forrest Gregg (187) for the franchise's longest consecutive games-played streak. Favre could tie Gregg on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27 at Detroit.

First trip to Oakland since Ford was in White House: The Oakland game (Dec. 22) will mark the Packers' fi..

Packers' 2003 Schedule Announced

Thu, 03 Apr 2003 12:17:23 CST
Four prime-time TV appearances, including a maximum three on Monday Night Football, a historic opener in Lambeau Field and Thanksgiving Day in Detroit are major features of the Green Bay Packers' 2003 regular season schedule, announced Thursday by the National Football League.

In addition, the Packers will face the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their opponents in the "Big Dance," the Oakland Raiders, on the road, and will entertain two other playoff teams -- the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers.

Overall, testifying to their nationwide appeal, eight of the Packers' 16 games will be featured television games, in response to the high demand for them among the NFL's broadcast partners.

The historic home opener - the seventh in a row for Green Bay - will find the Packers making their first regular-season appearance in renovated Lambeau Field,..

Gbaja-Biamila In Green Bay To Stay; Agrees To Multi-Year Contract

Wed, 02 Apr 2003 18:38:51 CST
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is in Green Bay to stay.

The Packers' premier pass rusher, who has forged a lofty niche among the NFL's leading pursuers of quarterbacks over the past two years, officially assured his professional future by agreeing to a multi-year contract, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

The new agreement, which Gbaja-Biamila signed this afternoon, will keep the 25-year-old San Diego State alumnus in a Green Bay uniform through the 2009 season.

Previously a restricted free agent, he had been the subject of significant overtures from the Philadelphia Eagles, who were pursuing a replacement for Hugh Douglas, their leading pass rusher, lost via free agency.

"After much deliberation and prayer, I'm glad that this matter has been brought to a positive resolution," Gbaja-Biamila said. "I really thank God that I will be able to enjoy a long career with the Green Bay Packers, the team that I started with. I'm excited to get back to w..

Packers Reach Contract Agreement With Gbaja-Biamila

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 22:44:05 CST
The Green Bay Packers reached agreement on a multi-year contract with defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila late Tuesday night, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced.

The agreement locks up one of the NFL's top pass rushers for the prime of his career, and also continues the team's long-standing commitment to re-sign its premier young players before they reach unrestricted free agency.

Gbaja-Biamila, who had been a restricted free agent, officially will sign his new Packers contract on Wednesday afternoon. Along with Sherman, he then will meet the Wisconsin sports media at 4 p.m. CST in the team's Lambeau Field media auditorium.

"After much deliberation and prayer, I'm glad that this matter has been brought to a positive resolution," Gbaja-Biamila said. "I really thank God that I will be able to enjoy a long career with the Green Bay Packers, the team that I started with. I'm excited to get back to work and hopefully play a role in helping the Packers retur..

Packers' Preseason Schedule Set; Host Carolina Aug. 23, Tennessee Aug. 28 In Renovated Lambeau Field

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 11:41:41 CST
With a five-game agenda highlighted by a pair of national television appearances, the Green Bay Packers' 2003 preseason schedule is now set, it was announced Tuesday.

It will begin with a prime time, Monday Night Football" matchup (ABC) with the Kansas City Chiefs in the annual Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 4, and conclude with a rare Thursday night contest against the Tennessee Titans in Lambeau Field the night of August 28.

The Hall of Fame game will be followed by a pair of back-to-back road engagements for the Packers, the first of which will find them invading Atlanta for yet another encounter with the Falcons and the multi-talented Michael Vick Saturday night, Aug. 9.

The Packers next make their second national TV appearance of the preseason (CBS), visiting Cleveland Browns Stadium Friday night, Aug. 15, to take on the Browns in a preseason contest for the fourth consecutive year.

Their road ..