Packers.com

Packers Add 10 Non-Drafted Free Agents, Waive Emodi

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:18:40 CST

The Green Bay Packers Friday signed 10 rookie free agents and waived linebacker Ike Emodi. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the additions to the team's roster:

Wide Receivers (2)
19 Vince Butler, 6-0, 195, Northwestern Okla. St.
13 Chris Samp, 6-3, 224, Winona State

Running Backs (1)
42 Chaz Williams, 5-9, 213, Georgia Southern

Tight ends (1)
49 Garrett Cross, 6-4, 245, California

Offensive Linemen (1)
68 Chris White, 6-2, 294, Southern Miss.

Linebackers (2)
45 Roy Manning, 6-2, 252, Michigan
46 Zac Woodfin, 6-1, 239, Alabama-Birmingham

Cornerbacks (1)
39 Leigh Torrence, 5-11, 185, Stanford

Defensive Tackles (1)
61 A.J. Lindsay, 6-3, 323, Temple

Punters (1)
9 Bryce Benekos, 6-5, 227, UTEP

Benekos, 21, served as ..

Graduates To Participate In Cap Tossing Contest At Lambeau Field

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 10:22:34 CST

CAP TOSSING CONTEST ALLOWS STUDENTS TO PRACTICE A TIME-HONORED TRADITION AND WIN FUNDS FOR COLLEGE

There was once a period when all graduating students could look forward to the time-honored tradition of throwing their caps in the air after their graduation ceremony. But with some high schools banning the infamous cap toss, many seniors are feeling a little left out. That, however, will soon change.

To help students and their parents celebrate that iconic moment, Cousins Subs will kick off the upcoming graduation season with the Cousins Subs Cap Toss Contest. Cousins Subs will help 2005 graduating high school seniors and other students experience the thrill of throwing a graduation cap to celebrate the culmination of four years of high school with a chance to win a $2,500 scholarship award. It will also allow parents to alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with sending kids to college.

The event will take place on June 5 at the..

Packers Re-sign LB Hannibal Navies

Tue, 26 Apr 2005 17:02:25 CST

The Green Bay Packers Tuesday re-signed unrestricted free agent Hannibal Navies and waived linebacker Steve Josue. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations made the announcement.

Navies, a 6-foot-3, 249-pound player from Colorado, has started each of the last two seasons at the 'Buck' (strong-side) linebacker position. In 2004, he played in 15 regular-season games, making 14 starts, and also started the NFC Wild Card playoff contest with Minnesota (Jan. 9). Navies led the club in tackles during two of its most memorable games last season, the Monday night season opener at Carolina (Sept. 13) and the victory at Minnesota (Dec. 24) that clinched the Packers' third consecutive NFC North championship.

Originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 1999 draft, Navies signed with the Packers as an unrestricted free agent before the 2003 season. Since coming to Green Bay, in 31 games (30 starts), he..

Brown County Resident Ticket Invoices Due Tuesday

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:54:18 CST

The Green Bay Packers today reminded Brown County residents who received invoices enabling them to purchase tickets for a 2005 game that payment is due Tuesday, April 26, at the Packers ticket office.

Invoices can be dropped off at the Packers' ticket office at Lambeau Field from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The upcoming season will mark the third year that 4,000 seats per game are available to Brown County residents via a computer-generated random selection process. In 2004, 40,000 fans attended games at Lambeau Field in the second season of the program.

The Packers last month conducted an initial drawing of 10,000 names. Those selected were sent an invoice for four tickets to a yet-to-be-determined game for the 2005 season. Remitting payment by tomorrow secures tickets. A supplemental drawing will take place in April for the tickets not purchased by the initial group of winners.

Packers Sign CB Patrick Dendy

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 15:48:18 CST

The Green Bay Packers Monday signed free agent cornerback Patrick Dendy. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the addition.

Dendy, a 6-foot, 194-pound cornerback from Rice, was out of football in 2004, and spent the year pursuing his degree in economics. The speedy defensive back lettered four seasons (2000-03) at Rice, where he served as a three-year starter. In 42 games (29 starts), he recorded 130 tackles, two interceptions and 17 passes defensed.

A three-sport athlete as a prep, Dendy also lettered in basketball and track at McNeil High School in Austin, Texas.

Packers Sign LB Ray Thompson; Re-Sign Barry, O'Sullivan

Fri, 22 Apr 2005 15:07:07 CST

The Green Bay Packers Friday signed free agent Ray Thompson, and re-signed restricted free agents Kevin Barry and J.T. O'Sullivan. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the moves.

A 6-foot-3, 229-pound linebacker out of Tennessee, Thompson spent his first five NFL seasons in Arizona. In 65 career games with the Cardinals, he made 54 starts with 443 tackles (259 solo), 61/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Originally selected by Arizona in the second round (41st overall) of the 2000 draft, Thompson started 21 games over his first two seasons. then enjoyed a career year in 2002, when he started all 16 contests with 139 tackles (81 solo) and 21/2 sacks.

In a win vs. Green Bay in 2003, Thompson posted a season-high eight solo tackles and recovered a fumble.

Slowed by a training-camp injury entering last season, he played in 11 games with three starts, recording 42 tackles ..

Packers Exercise Right Of First Refusal; Kampman Remains In Green Bay

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 17:01:42 CST

The Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday that they have exercised their right of first refusal and have matched the Minnesota Vikings' offer sheet to defensive end Aaron Kampman, a restricted free agent, and that the fourth-year professional thus will remain in a Green Bay uniform. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations made the announcement.

The 25-year-old Kampman was a consistent player on the Packers' 2004 defensive line, starting all 16 games for the first time in his career, as well as the NFC Wild Card game against Minnesota (Jan. 9).

Kampman (6-foot-4, 284 pounds) led the Green Bay defensive line with a career-high 77 tackles and tied for second on the team with 41/2 sacks, also a career mark. In addition, he notched one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and three passes defensed.

The University of Iowa alumnus initially came to Green Bay as a fifth round draft pick (156th overall) in 2002.

Lambeau Field Atrium Readies For Saturday's Draft Party

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 15:54:58 CST

TICKETS TO BE AVAILABLE AT PACKERS TICKET OFFICE BEGINNING THURSDAY

Tickets for the second-annual Green Bay Packers Draft Party will be available for purchase Thursday morning at the Packers ticket office, beginning at 9 a.m., the team announced today. A limited number remain available at Mills Fleet Farm locations throughout Wisconsin as well.

Fans interested in securing tickets, which are priced at $20, should stop at the Packers ticket office to purchase them in person as they will not be sold via the telephone. Any tickets not sold Thursday or Friday will be available for purchase at the ticket office window Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.

The event will be held Saturday, April 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium. Two large television projection screens will feature live coverage of the NFL Draft from ESPN, and the Packers' flagship radio station, Newsradio 620 WTMJ, will be on hand to provide coverage and..

Download The Packers Draft Preview Dope Sheet

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 15:03:19 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

Here are some highlights from the 2005 Draft Preview Dope Sheet:

IN GREEN BAY: One of only six teams to participate in all 70 NFL Drafts, this weekend concludes more than 12 months in which the Packers have spent preparing for their future.

70TH ANNUAL NFL PLAYER SELECTION MEETING:
Where:
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th St., New York, N.Y.

When:
11 a.m. CDT, Saturday (Rounds 1-3)
10 a.m. CDT, Sunday (Rounds 4-7)

Selections:
255 overall choices, including 32 compensatory selections, awarded to 14 team..

Packers Re-Sign QB Craig Nall

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 16:54:30 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed restricted free agent Craig Nall. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signing Monday.

Nall, who turns 26 on Thursday, enters his fourth year as a reserve quarterback for Green Bay. He saw his most extensive action in 2004, played in five games and concluding the season as the Packers No. 2 quarterback. He initially moved into the role in Week 5 when Doug Pederson went on season-ending injured reserve. For the season, Nall completed 23-of-33 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns, for a passer rating of 139.4.

The 6-3, 228-pound signal caller was originally selected in 2002 by the Packers out of Northwestern (La.) State as a fifth-round draft choice (164th overall). Nall was allocated to NFL Europe in 2003, where he started all 10 games for the Scottish Claymores, finishing as the league leader in passing yards (2,050), touchdown passes (18) and passer-ratin..

NFL Completes Long-Term Agreements For Sunday And Monday Prime-Time Packages

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 16:30:40 CST

NBC returns with all of Sunday night devoted to NFL plus flexible scheduling and earlier kickoff; Monday Night Football moves to ESPN with earlier kickoff

The NFL has completed long-term agreements with NBC and ESPN for its Sunday night and Monday night packages that will enable the NFL to reach a broader audience on prime-time broadcast television and add other fan-friendly elements to its prime-time packages, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced Monday.

The agreement with ESPN covers eight seasons of Monday Night Football from 2006-2013 and includes an earlier kickoff time - 8:40 p.m. ET - for 17 Monday night games per season. ESPN's Monday night telecasts will be preceded by its highly rated "NFL Countdown" pre-game show, which will continue to air at 7:00 p.m. ET.

ESPN will continue to make its NFL games available on free, over-the-air television in the participating team markets each week. The new agreements thus continue the NFL's ..

Green Bay Signs Safeties Freeman, Little

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 15:52:39 CST

The Green Bay Packers Friday signed free agent safeties Arturo Freeman and Earl Little to contracts. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signings.

The 28-year-old Freeman comes to Green Bay from the Miami Dolphins, where he spent all five years of his professional career. In 2004, he played in all 16 contests with eight starts, including the final seven games of the season. For the year, Freeman recorded 38 stops and a career-high four interceptions among seven passes defensed.

In his five seasons with the Dolphins, the 6-0, 198-pound safety has seen action in 72 regular-season games, also playing in three postseason contests. His career totals include 151 tackles, five interceptions and 22 passes defensed.

During his Miami tenure, Freeman played in all 16 regular-season games four consecutive seasons (2001-04) after having played in eight as a rookie. In 2002, Freeman earned signific..

Facts & Figures On 2005 NFL Draft

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:28:48 CST

WHAT:
70th Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting.

WHERE:
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York City.

WHEN:
Noon ET, Saturday, April 23, 2005 (Rounds 1-3).

11:00 AM ET, Sunday, April 24, 2005 (Rounds 4-7).

The first three rounds will conclude on Saturday by approximately 10:00 PM ET. In 2004, the first round consumed five hours and 24 minutes; the second, two hours and 47 minutes; and the third, one hour and 56 minutes. The draft will resume on Sunday at 11:00 AM ET for the final four rounds, ending at approximately 6:00 PM ET.

DRAFTING:
Representatives of the 32 NFL clubs by telephone communication with their general managers, coaches and scouts.

ROUNDS:
Seven Rounds - Rounds 1 through 3 on Saturday, April 23; and Rounds 4 through 7 on Sunday, April 24.

There will be 255 selections, including 32 compensatory choice..

Preseason Date With New England Set; Full Slate Now Finalized

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 17:22:33 CST

Updated Printable Schedule (PDF)

The date for the Green Bay Packers' Week 3 preseason game with New England now has been set, President and CEO Bob Harlan said Thursday afternoon. Green Bay will face the Super Bowl champion Patriots on Friday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. CDT.

The Patriots game, designated for the 'Green' ticket package, will serve as the Bishop's Charities Game, along with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The Packers' Aug. 11 contest vs. San Diego, which will be the 56th annual Upper Midwest Shrine Game, will go to 'Gold' ticket package holders.

The final three preseason games will air across the Packers' state-wide television network, including WFRV-TV in Green Bay, WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee, WKOW-TV in Madison, WAOW-TV in Wausau/Rhinelander, WXOW-TV in La Crosse, WQOW-TV in Eau Claire, WYOW-TV in Eagle River and WJMN-TV in Marquette (Mich.). While carried nationally on ESPN, the initial pres..

Packers Statement: GM Ted Thompson On Aaron Kampman

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:26:22 CST

"On Wednesday morning we received an offer sheet from the Minnesota Vikings to one of our restricted free agents, Aaron Kampman. Our plan now is to take some time, to study the offer sheet to determine what is in the best interest of the Green Bay Packers.

"Under the rules established by the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, we have seven days to make this decision, which ends at 11 p.m. CDT next Wednesday (April 20)."

Packers Re-Sign LB Paris Lenon

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 15:30:20 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed restricted free agent Paris Lenon. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signing Wednesday.

Lenon, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker from Richmond, played a prominent role on special teams and served as the primary backup at both outside linebacker spots. He finished with a career-high 28 tackles (17 solo) from scrimmage, and also contributed eight special teams stops. Playing in all 16 games for the third straight year, including four starts, he also saw action in the NFC Wild Card playoff contest with Minnesota (Jan. 9).

Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers in 2000, Lenon has played in the XFL and NFL Europe. He spent the summer with the Packers in 2001, then re-signed in 2002 and earned a spot on the 53-man opening day roster.

2005 Game By Game Capsules

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 14:11:02 CST

SUN., SEPT. 11, at DETROIT (3:15 p.m., FOX): This marks the 12th time Green Bay and Detroit have kicked off a season, but only the second in Detroit.

-On Sept. 3, 1978, Green Bay sacked Lions quarterback Greg Landry eight times, got two field goals from Chester Marcol and a 1-yard TD plunge by Barty Smith in a 13-7 win at the Silverdome.

-The teams most recently opened a season in 2001, two days before the Sept. 11 attacks. The first season opener in the series was 1941, less than three months before Pearl Harbor.

-Mike Sherman, whose Detroit speech inspired his players to launch a playoff run after a 1-4 start in 2004, will attempt to improve his 6-1 career record against Steve Mariucci (including 49ers games).

-The league scheduled a late-afternoon kickoff to accomodate a Detroit Tigers game earlier in the day at Comerica Park, across the street from Ford Field.

SUN., SEPT. 18, vs. CLEVELAND (3:15 p.m., CBS): The Packers an..

Download The 2005 Schedule Dope Sheet

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 10:02:53 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

Here are some highlights from the 2005 Schedule Dope Sheet:

QUICKLY: Four prime-time contests, including the maximum three Monday night games, and Christmas and New Year's Day matinees highlight the Green Bay Packers' 85th regular-season schedule, released today by the National Football League. Following is an overall analysis of the schedule and related items, followed by notes on each of the 16 contests.

A NATIONAL TEAM: Continuing to garner strong ratings, both locally and nationally, the Packers earned four prime-time kickoffs for the second straight season.

-Eigh..

Bubba Franks Among Featured Athletes On ESPN's 'Bowling Night'

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:13:29 CST

A total of 16 professional athletes, including Packers tight end Bubba Franks and several other players from the NBA, NFL and NHL, will trade their sneakers and cleats for bowling shoes when ESPN Bowling Night debuts Tuesday, April 12 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Taped at Strike Miami in Florida, the competitive tournament will pit the athletes against each other for prize money totaling $80,000. The hour-long program was produced by ESPN Original Entertainment.

ESPN Radio's Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg (co-hosts of Mike & Mike in the Morning) will host ESPN Bowling Night with PBA champion Norm Duke. The elimination-style tournament will unfold over the course of six episodes (Tuesdays at 8 p.m.). In each of the first four episodes, four athletes will compete against each other by bowling two complete games. The highest scoring contestant from each of these shows will win $10,000 and advance to the fifth show. Those four bowlers will be joined by a wild..

Limited Amount Of Tickets Still Available For Second Annual Draft Party

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 17:44:33 CST

CRAIG NALL AND AARON KAMPMAN ADDED TO PLAYER LINEUP

A limited number of tickets are still available for the 2005 Green Bay Packers Draft Party, the team announced Friday.

Priced at $20, tickets must be purchased in person at Mills Fleet Farm locations throughout Wisconsin.

The team also announced that quarterback Craig Nall and defensive end Aaron Kampman will be on hand to take part in the day's festivities.

The event will be held Saturday, April 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium. Two large television projection screens will feature live coverage of the NFL Draft from ESPN, and the Packers' flagship radio station, Newsradio 620 WTMJ, will be on hand to provide coverage and analysis throughout the day.

Ted Thompson, Packers Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, is scheduled to address the fans in attendance during the event.

In addition ..

Packers Waive Wide Receiver Mike Marker

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 16:07:57 CST

The Green Bay Packers Friday waived wide receiver Mike Marker. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, made the announcement.

Marker, a 6-foot, 190-pound player out of Millikin, spent the last two weeks of 2004 on the Packers' practice squad, then rejoined the club as a reserve/future free agent and was allocated to the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.

NFL Network To Announce 2005 Regular Season Playing Schedule

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 16:15:28 CST

NFL Total Access to Air Two-Hour Schedule Show in the Coming Weeks; Signature Show Will Feature Player and Coach Reactions to 2005 Schedule.

The National Football League's release of the 2005 regular season playing schedule will be made into a two-hour television show on NFL Network's signature show, NFL Total Access. The show will air one day in the coming weeks at 2:00 PM ET when the master schedule is completed.

The NFL Total Access Schedule Show will be hosted by Rich Eisen and Lincoln Kennedy. This marks the second straight year NFLTA will announce the entire regular season schedule.

NFLTA will announce the 2005 regular season playing schedule on a week-by-week basis, highlighting the national Sunday games and Monday Night Football.

In addition to highlighting the key match-ups of the 2005 season, the special will also feature interviews with current players, coaches and broadcasters to gauge their reactions to the schedule a..

Packers Re-Sign Ben Steele

Mon, 04 Apr 2005 15:55:53 CST

The Green Bay Packers Monday re-signed exclusive rights free agent Ben Steele. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signing.

Steele returns for his second season in Green Bay, where he served as a backup tight end after being promoted from the practice squad early in the 2004 season. Initially the No. 3 tight end behind Bubba Franks and David Martin, he became the primary backup in late November when a knee problem sidelined Martin and ultimately ended his season. In 15 games last season, he contributed four receptions for 42 yards and 17 special teams tackles.

The 6-5, 250-pound tight end out of Mesa State signed to the Packers' practice squad in September after spending the 2003 and '04 training camps with the Minnesota Vikings.

Steele entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent in 2001 and signed by the 49ers. San Francisco waived him at the end of his rookie training camp, later re..

Packers Hall Of Fame Induction Presenters Announced

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 15:11:39 CST

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Saturday announced that former Packers head coach Mike Holmgren, current head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, will present Edgar Bennett for induction at the 2005 Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 23 in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Tom Andrews, president of Andrews Media Ventures and formerly a Wisconsin radio and television reporter who has covered and written about the Packers since the mid-1970s, will present Don Majkowski.

Holmgren coached the Packers from 1992 through the 1998 season, the stretch including a Super Bowl Championship following the 1996 campaign. Overall, he finished his Packers career with a record of 84-42, the victory total ranking third all-time in franchise history. Including six years with the Seahawks, his overall NFL coaching record stands at 134-91, placing him in the league's top 20 all-time in terms of wins.

In presenting Bennett, Holmgren will be hon..

Packers Re-Sign Najeh Davenport

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 15:35:54 CST

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed restricted free agent Najeh Davenport. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signing Friday.

A powerful running back, Davenport returns for his fourth season in Green Bay, where he has served as the top backup to Pro Bowler Ahman Green, and also as the team's primary kickoff returner. In 11 games last season, with one start, he rushed for 359 yards on 71 carries (5.1 avg.), including two touchdowns; he also had four receptions for 33 yards and 14 kickoff returns for 286 yards (20.4 avg.).

Davenport, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound veteran out of Miami (Fla.), enjoyed the top performance of his career vs. St. Louis Nov. 29, rushing 19 times for 178 yards and a touchdown. The output ranked as the NFL's third-highest total over the last 20 years for a player in his first league start, in addition to being the fifth-highest one-game total in team history.

Originally..