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Packers Thank Shovelers For Being On Standby

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 15:26:08 CST

The limited overnight snowfall Friday in the Green Bay area did not require Lambeau Field to be dug out Saturday morning, therefore no shovelers are needed at Lambeau Field.

Ted Eisenreich, the Packers' director of facility operations, thanked shovelers for being ready to assist.

"Today, we ended up not needing anyone," Eisenreich said, "but we'll certainly need them at some point in future seasons, so we always thank everyone for being ready to come out and help."

Packers Issue "Lambeau Shovel Advisory" For Saturday Morning

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:49:15 CST

The Green Bay Packers Friday issued a "Lambeau Shovel Advisory" for Saturday morning, meaning a need to shovel out Lambeau Field may arise depending on the level of snowfall overnight.

Ted Eisenreich, the Packers' director of facility operations, will decide at 5 a.m. Saturday if snow removal is needed. At that time, would-be shovelers can check the team's Web site, www.packers.com, or call 920/569-7100 to find out if help is needed.

If help is needed, shovelers should report to the Mills Fleet Farm Gate on Lambeau Field's west side, beginning at 9 o'clock Saturday morning and continuing as long as needed.

The Packers will provide shovels to all who come to help.

Shovelers, who need to be at least 15 years old, will receive $8 per hour with payment to be made immediately upon completion of their work, Eisenreich said.

Ferguson Placed On I.R, Humphrey And Fontenot Activated

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 15:01:16 CST

The Green Bay Packers Friday placed wide receiver Robert Ferguson (knee) on injured reserve and promoted from the practice squad tight end Tory Humphrey and cornerback Therrian Fontenot. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions.

Ferguson, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound veteran out of Texas A&M, originally injured his knee at Minnesota, Oct. 23. After missing the next three games, he returned to the lineup in the rematch against the Vikings, Nov. 21. He was inactive for last Sunday's game against Chicago. The fifth-year player, Green Bay's second-round selection in the 2001 draft, had 27 catches for 366 yards and three TDs this season.

Humphrey, a 6-foot-2, 257-pound rookie from Central Michigan, becomes the fifth tight end on the active roster this season. Originally signed by Indianapolis as a nondrafted free agent in April, Humphrey spent most of training camp in Green Bay. He rejoined the Packe..

Ottney, Thompson Named WFCA/ Packers High School Co-Coaches Of The Year

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 17:26:10 CST

Phil Ottney, coach at Glenwood City, and Dennis Thompson, coach at Racine Park, have been named as the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association/Green Bay Packers High School Co-Coaches of the Year, the Packers announced today. The award is presented to two coaches this year because of a voting tie.

In his 25th year at Glenwood City, and 19th as head coach, Ottney served as President of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association for the past two years and is beginning his two-year term as past president under current coach Dan Brunner. He will be inducted into the WFCA Hall of Fame in the spring of 2006.

Ottney is a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse graduate, having played football there under newly-inducted College Hall of Fame coach Roger Harring. He played under coach John Hansen as a prep at Osseo (Minn.) High School. He is currently the physical education teacher at Glenwood City.

Assisted by Chase Rasmussen, Steve Dummer, Joe Heinbuch, Justin Kuehndorf, ..

Thomas Placed On Injured Reserve

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 17:15:13 CST

The Green Bay Packers Wednesday placed linebacker Robert Thomas on injured reserve with a strained quadricep. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transaction.

Thomas, a 6-foot, 233-pound veteran out of UCLA, first injured his leg at Atlanta, Nov. 13. After missing the ensuing two contests, he returned to the lineup Dec. 4 at Chicago but aggravated the injury.

The team's primary starter at 'Will' linebacker prior to the injury, Thomas came to Green Bay from the St. Louis Rams for cornerback Chris Johnson in a Sept. 3 trade. In 10 games this season (nine starts), he collected 51 tackles (30 solo) and one interception.

Brett Favre Fourward Foundation Makes Donations To 17 Charities

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 16:10:19 CST

NEARLY $180,000 DONATED TO WISCONSIN ORGANIZATIONS

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre today announced donations from the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation to 17 charities benefiting Wisconsin youth.

The donations, representing a total of $179,900 raised from this year's annual Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game and Foundation dinner, went to the following organizations:

-Brown County Library's "Give a Kid a Book" program.

-Cerebral Palsy of Wisconsin.

-Curative Foundation, a Milwaukee organization that provides special services to children from birth to age 18.

-Dream Factory, a Cornell, Wis., organization that grants dreams of critically and chronically ill children in the Chippewa Valley area.

-Free S.P.I.R.I.T Riders, a Fond du Lac, Wis., therapeutic equestrian program for disabled children.

-Madison 32 Masonic Learning Center for Children, a Madison, Wis., organization that provides one-on-..

Download The Packers-Seahawks Week 17 Dope Sheet

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 17:01:16 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 weekly feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week during the season in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 17 Dope Sheet:

THIS WEEK'S NOTABLE STORYLINES:
-The Packers, 4-1 in regular-season finales under Mike Sherman, close the 2005 campaign.

-Another frequent opponent of late, the Seahawks make their fourth trip to Green Bay in three seasons (counting preseason and postseason). The clubs met at Lambeau Field in the 2003 regular season and playoffs, and the 2004 preseason.

-Ted ..

Packers Sign P Flinn, Promote RB Bigby; Place Franks, Sander On IR

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 16:47:28 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday signed punter Ryan Flinn and promoted safety Atari Bigby from the practice squad. To make room on the 53-man roster, the club placed punter B.J. Sander and Bubba Franks on injured reserve.

Also Thursday, to replace Bigby on the practice squad, the Packers signed running back Ran Carthon. The transactions were announced by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

Flinn, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound punter out of Central Florida, originally entered the league as a free agent, signed by Dallas in 2004. Waived by the Cowboys after punting three times for 34.3-yard average, with one inside the 20, in his rookie preseason, he was out of football last season. Signed by the Atlanta Falcons this past March, he was waived in August. He earned all-conference honors as a 2003 senior in college.

Bigby, a 5-foot-11, 211-pound rookie also from Central Florida, signed with the Packers in November. ..

Packers Add Two Players To Practice Squad

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 16:39:47 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed DT Tim McGill and FB Jimmy Dixon to their practice squad and released DE Elliott Harris and FB Greg Hanoian. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions Wednesday.

McGill, a 6-foot-2, 316-pound defender from Illinois, spent most of 2004 on the Jets' practice squad, then earned All-NFL Europe honors this past spring for the Hamburg Sea Devils. Waived by New York at the end of the preseason, he was claimed by Miami and spent the season's first four weeks on the 53-man roster of the Dolphins. Inactive for those four games, he was waived by Miami in October then re-signed to the team's practice squad, where he remained until his Dec. 15 release. McGill also has experience in the Arena Football League.

Dixon, a 6-foot-1, 237-pound rookie out of Georgia Tech, had originally signed as a nondrafted free agent with Tennessee in April. Waived at the end of the preseas..

Packers Claim Gardner On Waivers

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:27:49 CST

The Green Bay Packers Tuesday claimed Rod Gardner on waivers from the Carolina Panthers. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, made the announcement.

Gardner, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound wide receiver out of Clemson, played in 10 games this season for the Panthers, catching nine passes for 84 yards with one touchdown.

The Redskins' first-round selection (15th overall ) in the 2001 NFL Draft, Gardner played his first four years in Washington before the team traded him to Carolina this past July. A big target, Gardner had a catch in each of his first 55 NFL games. The streak ended in 2004, one week after he posted a pair of touchdown receptions in a loss to the Packers at FedEx Field.

All told, in 74 NFL games, Gardner has 236 catches for 3,081 yards (13.1-yard average) and 23 touchdowns.

Gardner, who'll wear No. 82, takes the 53rd spot on the Packers' active roster. The roster had been at 52.

Download The Packers-Bears Week 16 Dope Sheet

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:08:55 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 weekly feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week during the season in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 15 Dope Sheet:

THIS WEEK'S NOTABLE STORYLINES:
-Green Bay plays its first franchise game on Christmas Day. The Packers host the Bears in an intriguing nationally televised contest.

-The Packers could deliver their long-time rivals a significant blow in the NFC North race.

-It's Lovie Smith's first trip to Lambeau Field since he established beating the Packers as his No. 1 g..

Packers-Ravens Monday Night Football Notes

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 13:08:12 CST

TOP DEFENSES & RISING ROOKIES TAKE THE FIELD IN PACKERS-RAVENS MONDAY NIGHT MATCHUP

The most famous native of Kiln, Mississippi aims to add to his legend as BRETT FAVRE, two of the NFL's hottest rookies, and a pair of defenses at the top of their game tee it up for fans in primetime on ABC's NFL Monday Night Football this week when the Green Bay Packers take to the road to face the Baltimore Ravens.

Green Bay travels to the Charm City for the first time in 23 years, when seven current Packers had yet to be born. The Ravens have won four of their past five games in M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore quarterback KYLE BOLLER is 11-4 as a starter at home, including a 2-0 mark against NFC opponents with six TD passes without an interception.

When the Packers' offense first takes the field, Favre will engineer the 2,500th drive of his career - and his first in Baltimore. Subtracting drives ended by the clock and including missed field-goal attempts, the NFL's ..

Kathy Lazzaro Named Eighth Member Of Packers FAN Hall Of Fame

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 11:18:58 CST

Kathy Lazzaro of Milwaukee was named the eighth member of the Green Bay Packers FAN Hall of Fame Friday.

Lazzaro was nominated by Joseph M. Fasi II of Brookfield, Wis., who met her earlier this year when he joined her for a drive to Green Bay for the home opener, Sept. 18, vs. Cleveland.

In his nomination letter, Fasi said, "I have in the past read about the ultimate fan and thought I knew some. However, when I met Kathy Lazzaro this year, I finally found the living definition of the ULTIMATE FAN.

"Kathy Lazzaro is a wonderful, soft-spoken woman about 60 years old. She has been a widow for the last 5 years. She NEVER misses a home game, driving up to Green Bay with her son Joseph. My daughter and I shared a ride to Green Bay with Kathy and her son to the Browns game. As we drove to Green Bay, I found out that her home is a Packers shrine set up in a room with green and gold and icons to honor her beloved Pack..

Samkon Gado Selected As Rookie Of The Week

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 17:16:05 CST

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Running back SAMKON GADO of the Green Bay Packers is the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on December 11-12, the NFL announced Thursday.

Gado ran for 171 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries in the Packers' 16-13 overtime victory over the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions. He scored on a 64-yard run in the second quarter. Gado recorded his third 100-yard rushing performance in the last five games and set a Packers' record for rushing yards by a rookie.

More than 47,400 fans voted this week on NFL.com. Gado was selected from among five finalists. The other finalists were wide receiver MARK CLAYTON of the Baltimore Ravens, cornerback PACMAN JONES of the Tennessee Titans, running back RYAN MOATS of the Philadelphia Eagles and running back CARNELL "CADILLAC" WILLIAMS of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fa..

Packers Claim Leake, Place Poppinga On I.R.

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 18:01:14 CST

The Green Bay Packers Wednesday claimed John Leake on waivers from the Atlanta Falcons and placed Brady Poppinga on injured reserve with a knee injury. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, made the announcement.

Leake, a 6-foot, 230-pound linebacker out of Clemson, played in eight games for Atlanta this season, all on special teams, after making his NFL debut Oct. 9 vs. New England. He recorded four tackles on the Falcons' coverage units. The team had promoted Leake from its practice squad, where he spent the season's first four weeks.

A first-year player, Leake originally entered the league as a nondrafted free agent, signed by Tennessee in 2004. He spent the '04 season out of football after the Titans waived him at the end of training camp. Clemson's fifth all-time leading tackler, Leake in four years as a Tigers letterman posted 443 stops, including 25 for loss and six sacks. A third-team All-American as a j..

Download The Packers-Ravens Week 15 Dope Sheet

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 16:35:42 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 weekly feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week during the season in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 15 Dope Sheet:

THIS WEEK'S NOTABLE STORYLINES:
-The Packers make their final 2005 road trip, and their first trek to Baltimore in exactly 23 years -since a 20-20 tie with the Colts at Memorial Stadium in 1982. A few months before the Colts would draft John Elway, the Packers couldn't hold off a late Baltimore rally, and the Colts scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to force OT.
..

Seahawks-Packers Kickoff Time On Jan. 1 Moved To 12:00 P.M.

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 14:59:36 CST

The Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers game on Sunday, January 1 will be played at 12:00 PM CT rather than 3:15 PM CT, the NFL announced today.

The change is to accommodate FOX television patterns.

Samkon Gado Nominated For Rookie Of The Week

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 09:54:53 CST

Click here to vote now!

Running Back Samkon Gado of the Green Bay Packers is a finalists for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors for games played on December 11-12, the NFL announced Tuesday.

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com beginning Tuesday morning and ending on Thursday to determine the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. The Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week will be announced Thursday afternoon on NFL.com.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet 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 XL in Detroit.

A closer look at the finalists:

-Green Bay's Samkon Gado ran for 171 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries in the Packers' 16-13 overtime victory over the NFC North-rival Detroit..

Connie Payton & Bonita Favre To Sign 'Payton' & 'Favre' Monday At The Packers Pro Shop

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 14:04:52 CST

Click here to purchase a copy of 'FAVRE'

Holiday shoppers searching for the perfect gift for the football fans on their lists need not look further than Monday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Packers Pro Shop where Connie Payton, widow of the great Walter Payton, and Bonita Favre, mother of Packers quarterback Brett Favre, will be signing the biographies "PAYTON" and "FAVRE," respectively.

The signing marks the fourth appearance for Bonita Favre, with each previous signing attracting a strong contingent of fans.

"PAYTON," written by Connie and Walter's two children, Jarrett and Brittney, captures the life of an on-field superstar who wanted most to be the consummate team player. He was a man who left everything on the field, always put family first and committed himself to giving back to the community. The man known ..

Franks Defeats Pollard In Salvation Army 'Ring Off'

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:54:55 CST

Green Bay Packers tight end Bubba Franks Tuesday soundly defeated Detroit Lions tight end Marcus Pollard in a Salvation Army kettle contest.

Franks raised $5,185.05 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army's big red kettle in the Younkers wing of the Bay Park Square Mall in Ashwaubenon. Franks' total included $2,500 from Tweet Garot Mechanical of Green Bay, who matched each dollar contributed up to $2,500 to help the cause.

Pollard raised $1,820 at the same time (12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern) at a Wal-Mart in Canton, Mich.

Franks and the Salvation Army extend their thanks to all supporters who contributed.

In a similar 2002 contest, Franks "out rang" the Minnesota Vikings' Byron Chamberlain while raising nearly $2,000 during his one hour of ringing.

Download The Packers-Lions Week 14 Dope Sheet

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 13:42:29 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 weekly feature as their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week during the season in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 14 Dope Sheet:

THIS WEEK'S NOTABLE STORYLINES:
-Brett Favre will play his 100th game at Lambeau Field, already a record for the legendary stadium.

-With his 400th TD pass on the horizon, Favre needs just 9 passing yards to reach 3,000 for a 14th season and break a tie for the NFL record with Dan Marino (13, 1984-92, 1994-95, 1997-98). Favre's 13 consecutive 3,000-yards seasons are a..

ReShard Lee Placed On Injured Reserve

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 14:52:21 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday placed ReShard Lee on injured reserve with injured ribs. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, made the announcement.

Lee, a 5-foot-10, 228-pound running back out of Middle Tennessee State, had signed as a free agent, Oct. 6. In seven games, with one start, Lee had 11 carries for 16 yards and one reception for 5 yards. On special teams, Lee returned 15 kickoffs for 319 yards and posted seven coverage tackles.

Lee becomes the fifth Packers running back on injured reserve, joining Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, Walt Williams and Chaz Williams.

Samkon Gado Named NFL Rookie Of The Month

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 14:31:15 CST

Running back SAMKON GADO of the Green Bay Packers and defensive end TRENT COLE of the Philadelphia Eagles are the NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month for November, the NFL announced Thursday.

OFFENSE: RB SAMKON GADO, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Free agent running back SAMKON GADO was signed to the Packers practice squad on October 17, saw his first NFL action on October 30 and made a major impact throughout November, rushing for 283 yards and scoring five touchdowns - tied for second-most among NFL rookies. He opened his first month as a full-time player with a 62-yard rushing effort against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 6, scoring his first touchdown on a one-yard run. He celebrated his 23rd birthday in fine fashion the following Sunday against the Falcons, leading the team to an impressive 33-25 win at the Georgia Dome. Starting his first NFL game, Gado opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run, later adding scores from one-yard on a run and ..