Packers.com

Packers Name Schottenheimer To Defensive Staff

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 17:03:11 CST

The Green Bay Packers Tuesday named Kurt Schottenheimer to the coaching staff as a defensive backs coach. Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement.

"I'm pleased to add Kurt Schottenheimer to our defensive staff," McCarthy said. "As a former coordinator, Kurt brings a great deal of experience to the staff, which will be important in the defensive backfield. His extensive knowledge of the game will serve the team well and I know he'll work well with Bob Sanders and Lionel Washington."

Schottenheimer, 56, joins the Packers from the St. Louis Rams, where he spent 2005 coaching the secondary. This is his second tenure with Green Bay, having previously served as the team's defensive backs coach for the 2004 campaign.

An NFL coaching veteran, Schottenheimer, has spent time with six teams since he entered the league in 1987. He served as defensive coordinator for Detroit (2002-03), Washington (2001) and Kansas City (1999-2000). Additionally for Kansas City, h..

Lambeau Field To Begin Transformation For Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 16:43:37 CST

ICE RINK TO BEGIN TAKING SHAPE BY THE END OF THE WEEK

Watch the progress on Packers.com's Lambeau Cam

View the Rendering of Lambeau Field.

Click here for additional Hockey Classic information.

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With the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic now just over a week away, the anticipation continues to grow for the Feb. 11 showdown between Wisconsin and Ohio State University. The game features the first hockey event at venerable Lambeau Field.

But first, the Classic's main ingredient - the ice - needs to materialize.

A crew from Ice Rink Events, Texas-based company specializing in temporary ice rink construction, will descend upon Green Bay this week and begin transforming the football playing surface into a collegiate hockey rink.

So how does one turn Lambeau into an ice rink wonderland?..

Packers Hall Of Fame To Induct Reggie White

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 13:44:01 CST

Former Packers defensive end Reggie White will be inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at the 36th Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 22, 2006, in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

White, who passed away on Dec. 26, 2004, is the most honored athlete ever to play defensive end in the NFL and was a key player for the Packers' 1996 team that won Super Bowl XXXI.

In honor of the huge impact "The Minister of Defense" had during his six-year Packers career (1993-98), the Packers retired his No. 92 at the 2005 home opener, Sept. 18, vs. Cleveland.

White joined the Packers as the NFL's most sought-after free agent in 1993 and immediately elevated the performance of the Green and Gold's defense. After finishing 23rd in the league in 1992, the unit rose to No. 2 in 1993. The defense ranked No. 1 during the 1996 championship season, the first such ranking since 1967.

White..

Clements To Coach Quarterbacks

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 17:35:24 CST

Filling the final offensive vacancy on his coaching staff, Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy on Sunday named Tom Clements quarterbacks coach.

Clements, 52, comes to Green Bay from the Buffalo Bills, where he spent the past two seasons (2004-05) as offensive coordinator. A coaching veteran of 13 seasons, nine in the NFL, Clements also has served as the quarterbacks coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-03), Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and New Orleans Saints (1997-99).

In his second year with the Steelers, 2002, Clements helped Tommy Maddox earn the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, as Pittsburgh's passing offense ranked seventh in the NFL, its highest finish since Terry Bradshaw's 1980 club. One year earlier, Clements worked with Kordell Stewart during the quarterback's best season, which culminated in the Pro Bowl.

The Chiefs' Elvis Grbac also turned in his career's best season in 2000, another Pro Bowl campaign, with Clements as his co..

Download The End Of Season Dope Sheet

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 15:42:24 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 End of Season Dope Sheet:

SEASON REVIEW: The Packers finished 4-12, sustaining their first losing season since 1991 and missing the playoffs for the first time in five years, since 2000.

-In the final league rankings, the Packers finished 18th on offense (30th in rushing, seventh in passing). Green Bay finished seventh on defense, 23rd against the run and first against the pass - extending t..

Hairston Joins Defensive Coaching Staff

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 09:26:32 CST

Adding another former NFL player, Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy Friday named Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston to the team's coaching staff. Hairston will team with Robert Nunn, hired Monday, in coaching the Packers' defensive line. Exact titles and responsibilities will be determined once the full coaching staff is in place.

Hairston, 53, has played in one Super Bowl and coached in another during his 30 seasons in the NFL. Among his 15 years in the league since the end of his playing career, the daunting Hairston has spent 11 seasons as a defensive line coach. He comes to Green Bay from Kansas City, where he spent seven years (1995-96 and 2001-05), after sandwiching a four-year term as St. Louis Rams defensive line coach (1997-2000) between his two stints with the Chiefs.

Under Hairston, Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen accumulated 20 sacks from 2004-05, tied for 10th in the NFL during that period but first among play..

Packers Accepting Applications For Two Grant Programs

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 16:41:44 CST

JR. COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK AND JUNIOR VOLUNTEER STARS SEEK RECIPIENTS

The Green Bay Packers still are accepting applications for the Jr. Community Quarterback, a new program this year, and the Junior Volunteer Stars community grant programs.

Application deadlines for both programs, open to residents of Wisconsin, have been extended to Feb. 10.

The Green Bay Packers Jr. Community Quarterback Award, a grant ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, is designed to honor high school and college students (ages 13 to 21) who exemplify leadership, dedication, creativity and a commitment to improving the communities in which they live through volunteerism. Applications may be submitted by an eligible individual or a group of eligible young people who create a new community betterment project or are working to sustain a pro..

Wisconsin Announces Men's Hockey Jersey Auction

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:25:36 CST

Click here for more information.

Online auction

Click here for additional Hockey Classic information.

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Wisconsin Hockey fans and memorabilia collectors worldwide will have the opportunity to secure part of Wisconsin Hockey history. The University of Wisconsin announced today the 25 authentic game-issued jerseys from Wisconsin's appearance in the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic will be offered in an online auction at uwbadgers.com.

The auction opens Thursday, Jan. 26 at 9 a.m. and concludes on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 p.m. CST. Each individual jersey includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Wisconsin Men's Hockey Coach Mike Eaves and the member of the men's h..

Packers Name Five 2005 Community Quarterback Award Recipients

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:12:43 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday named the 2005 Community Quarterback Award winners and honored the recipients at a noon luncheon in the Legends Club inside the Lambeau Field Atrium.

The five recipients were present at the event to be recognized for their work in the community. Each Green Bay Packers Community Quarterback Award winner was presented with a $1,000 grant for his/her non-profit group.

Funded by the NFL, the Green Bay Packers Community Quarterback Award recognizes community volunteers who demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to bettering their communities. The nomination process is fulfilled by charitable organizations that nominate their distinguished volunteers. A selection committee then is appointed by each NFL team to select its winners.

The winners of the 2005 awards and their affiliations are as follows:

* Craig Huxford - Partners in Education, a program of the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, Green Bay
..

Frozen Tundra Community Skating Registration Ends Wednesday

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 16:48:39 CST

SKATERS REMINDED TO SIGN UP FOR CHANCE TO SKATE ON LAMBEAU FIELD

Click here for online registration!

Click here for the Community Skating Fact Sheet.

Click here for additional Hockey Classic information.

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People interested in signing up for the chance to skate on Lambeau Field during February's Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic were reminded that registration ends tomorrow.

The Lambeau Field Community Skate will feature 17 30-minute sessions, free to the public and open to all ages, spread over the course of two days: Friday, Feb. 10 (nine sessions), and Sunday, Feb. 12 (eight sessions). Skaters will be selected via a random drawing.

Frozen Tundra skaters are required to sign up at participating sponsors by the end of the day tomorrow, Jan. 25, for the c..

Packers Name Nunn, Washington To Defensive Staff

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 10:37:25 CST

Moving to fill two important vacancies on his defensive staff, Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy Monday hired Robert Nunn and Lionel Washington. Nunn will work with the defensive line and Washington will work with the secondary. Their exact titles and responsibilities will be determined once the full coaching staff is in place.

Nunn, 40, coached the Packers' defensive tackles in 2005, taking essentially the same personnel from 2004, when the club finished 25th overall defensively, and turning them into the anchor of a defensive unit that ranked seventh in 2005. Under Nunn, defensive tackle Grady Jackson started all 16 games for only the second time and responded with career bests in tackles (72) and passes defensed (4). And, promising nondrafted players Cullen Jenkins and Colin Cole also flourished under Nunn's stewardship.

A 17-year coaching veteran, Nunn has five seasons of NFL experience. He broke into the league as a defensive assistant with the ..

Packers Select Sanders As Defensive Coordinator

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 14:40:53 CST

After a week of interviews that included several qualified candidates, Head Coach Mike McCarthy on Saturday named Bob Sanders defensive coordinator.

"Coming into the interview process for the defensive coordinator position," McCarthy said, "I did not know much about Bob Sanders other than I had been told he did a good job here last season. Bob and I met for several hours every day last week. We talked about everything from defensive philosophies and schemes to our own coaching and personal backgrounds. I was impressed with Bob's football knowledge and, equally, with him as a person and his character. I felt like this is someone I could have a partnership with and who I would have great confidence in to run our defense."

Sanders, 52, brings continuity to a defense that ranked seventh overall and first against the pass in 2005, his first season as Packers defensive ends coach. A coaching veteran of 30 years, Sanders has helped his defenses rank among the league's top ..

Seventh Annual Safe Kids 'Superbowl Of Safety' Coming To Lambeau Field Atrium

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 13:55:42 CST

Safe Kids Superbowl of Safety
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Lambeau Field Atrium, Green Bay
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Bellin Health and Safe Kids Greater Green Bay are teaming up again for the 7th Annual Superbowl of Safety on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006. This free children's safety fair again will be held in the Lambeau Field Atrium and includes many hands-on and interactive displays.

EXHIBITORS
More than 20 exhibitors will offer activities on health and safety, including car seat safety, toy safety and poison safety. Highlights include a drive-through Safety Town, a fire safety house and a stuffed animal repair station.

Also, meet your safety friends: Sparky the Fire Pup, Buckle Bear, Clicket the Cricket, and The Crash Test Dummies - Vince and Larry.

ENTERTAINMENT
Randy Peterson will headline the main stage entertainment with two performances at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Eagle III helicopter lands at 10:30 a..

Packers Select Winston Moss As Linebackers Coach

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 11:19:55 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday named Winston Moss linebackers coach. Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement.

"I can't tell you how excited I am to add a Winston Moss to our first staff in Green Bay," McCarthy said. "We now have on board an up-and-coming leader who I know will go a long way in this profession. He was highly sought after as an assistant coach by several teams."

Moss, 40, joins the Packers from the New Orleans Saints, where he spent five full seasons (2001-05) as linebackers coach. Near the end of the 2000 season, McCarthy's first with the Saints, the club promoted Moss from defensive assistant/quality control to replace linebackers coach John Bunting, who left to become head coach at North Carolina.

Using the same philosophies he used during an 11-year career as an NFL linebacker, the imposing Moss now has seven years experience as a coach in the league. He began coaching in 1998 as a defensive quality control assistant in Seattle, w..

Packers Name Stock Special Teams Coordinator

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 11:19:21 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday named Mike Stock special teams coordinator. Head Coach Mike McCarthy announced the addition.

"We're very fortunate to give our players the opportunity to work with someone of Mike Stock's caliber and experience," McCarthy said. "In building a coaching staff, one of my goals was to concentrate on character and chemistry, and Mike is someone who has seen and heard just about everything there is to experience in this sport. His counsel and coaching will be an important part of any success we share together."

Stock, 66, is one of the most experienced coaches in National Football League history. With 41 combined seasons on coaching staffs at the pro and college levels, he joins the Packers from the St. Louis Rams, where he spent one year (2004).

At the professional level, Stock has coached 16 years in the NFL and one campaign in the USFL. He helped the Bengals to a Super Bowl during six seasons in Cincinnati, first as special teams..

Green Bay Finalizes Strength & Conditioning Staff

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 11:18:41 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday named Rock Gullickson strength and conditioning coach, Mark Lovat the assistant for strength and conditioning, and Brandon Johnson strength and conditioning assistant. Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement.

"Our players are the organization's most important investment," McCarthy said. "They already have some of the finest resources and traditions in all of sports, but they also need people to equal those standards. Rock is without a doubt one of those people. He's the best person for this job, and I consider this position as important as any on my staff. I've seen first-hand what he can do with professional athletes. Our players will be impressed."

Gullickson, 50, has 28 years experience in a coaching career that started in 1978 at his alma mater, Moorhead (Minn.) State. From there, the veteran instructor advanced to Mayville (N.D.) State (1979-80), South Dakota State (1981), Montana State (1982-89), Rutgers (1990-92), ..

Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic Community Skate Fact Sheet

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 15:14:27 CST

Click here for a printable version (PDF)

Click here for additional Hockey Classic information.

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What:
Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic Community Skate

Who:
Free and open to skaters of all ages. Persons registering must be 18 or older.

When/Where:
17 30-minute sessions over two days: Feb. 10 and Feb. 12, 2006, at Lambeau Field.

Friday, Feb. 10 (nine sessions)
5:30 to 8 p.m. skating sessions registration at Oneida Casino

8:30 p.m. skating session registration at Frozen in Time, Lambeau Field Atrium

9 and 9:30 p.m. skating sessions registration at Taco Bell

Sunday, Feb. 12 (eight sessions)
12 to 1:30 p.m. skating sessions registration at Festival Foods

2 to 4 p.m. skating sessions registration at Mills Fleet Farm
..

Green Bay Hires Six Coaches, Fills Most of Offensive Staff

Tue, 17 Jan 2006 11:00:43 CST

Multimedia: Audio Video Podcast

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The Green Bay Packers Tuesday named Edgar Bennett running backs coach, James Campen assistant offensive line coach, Ty Knott offensive quality control coach, Ben McAdoo tight ends coach, Joe Philbin offensive line coach and Jimmy Robinson wide receivers coach. Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement.

"I'm happy to announce the addition of these six excellent football coaches," said McCarthy. "I've spent a lot of time in interviews since I was hired Thursday and I've found these individuals to be not only the best available coaches and teachers, but also what I would call Packer people. I'm confident in the ability of these coaches to enhance the skills of our current players as well as those we will add in the offseason."

Edgar Bennett..

Bates, Packers Agree To Part Ways

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 16:03:05 CST

The Green Bay Packers announced Monday that defensive coordinator Jim Bates and the team have mutually agreed to part ways.

"I have great respect for Jim Bates as a defensive football coach," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "He and I have gotten together on a couple occasions over the last several days to discuss him as the defensive coordinator on my staff. Ultimately, we agreed that the best course of action for both of us would be for the Packers to go in a different direction."

In yards allowed per game last season, the Packers ranked seventh overall, 23rd against the run and first against the pass. Green Bay also finished the year ninth in yards per play, eighth in sacks per pass play, ninth in third-down efficiency, tied for 19th in points per game and 22nd in red zone efficiency.

Mike McCarthy To Hold Press Conference At 4:15 P.M. Monday

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 15:28:58 CST

Click here for live VIDEO!

Keep checking back for archived audio and video of all press conferences.

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Head Coach Mike McCarthy will hold a press conference at 4:15 p.m. (CST) on Monday, Jan. 16.

Packers.com will provide live, uninterrupted coverage from the Lambeau Field Media Auditorium before during and after the press conference, so be sure to come back to the team's official Web site to hear news directly from the team's top football decision-makers.

Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic To Feature Community Skating

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 15:02:28 CST

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SKATE ON LAMBEAU FIELD FEB 10 & 12; REGISTRATION BEGINS MONDAY AND RUNS THROUGH JAN. 25

Click here for online registration!

Click here for the Community Skating Fact Sheet.

Click here for additional Hockey Classic information.

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Not only will next month's Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic feature the Badgers and Buckeyes facing off on Lambeau Field, but the public will have the opportunity to skate on the hallowed ground as well, it was announced Monday.

The Lambeau Field Community Skate will feature 17 30-minute sessions, free to the public and open to all ages, spread over the course of two days: Friday, Feb. 10 (nine sessions), and Sunday, Feb. 12 (eight sessions). Skaters will be selected via a random drawing.

"We're exci..

Green Bay Tabs Jagodzinski As Offensive Coordinator

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:40:33 CST

Installing the first pillar in the Packers' new coaching staff, Head Coach Mike McCarthy Sunday named Wisconsin native Jeff Jagodzinski offensive coordinator.

Jagodzinski, 42, returns to the Packers from the Atlanta Falcons, where he'd spent the previous two seasons. He served last season as the Falcons' offensive line coach, a promotion he had earned after his first year in Atlanta, 2004, as tight ends coach.

During each of Jagodzinski's two years in Atlanta, the Falcons led the NFL in both rushing yards per game and rushing yards per carry. In part behind timely blocks from the coach's tight ends, Atlanta in 2004 set a franchise record with 2,672 rushing yards, a springboard to the team's berth in the NFC Championship game. Last season, with Jagodzinski as line coach, the Falcons' zone-blocking schemes led the way for RB Warrick Dunn's career-high 1,416 rushing yards, a Pro Bowl effort.

Alge Crumpler, the coach's primary pupil as tight ends coach in 2004,..

Packers Release Six Assistant Coaches, Two Other Staff Members

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 16:59:58 CST

Taking the first steps toward shaping his initial staff, Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy Friday announced that the team has released six assistant coaches and two other staff members.

Released were secondary/safeties coach Joe Baker, offensive line coach Larry Beightol, special teams coordinator John Bonamego, linebackers coach Mark Duffner, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley and strength and conditioning coach Barry Rubin. The team also released director of football administration Bruce Warwick and weight room assistant Vince Workman.

On Jan. 4, Green Bay's former director of player development Turner Gill officially named Charlie Jackson as his defensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo. The school had hired Gill as its head coach Dec. 16, and Gill promoted Jackson from his role as the Packers' defensive quality control coach.

On Jan. 3, Packers wide receivers coach James Franklin left to become the offensive coordinator at Kansas Stat..

Second Packers Fan Fest Set For March 10-12

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 14:09:33 CST

Click here to sign up online.

Click here for additional details, including player appearances, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

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TICKET DRAWING APPLICATION PROCESS OPENS JAN. 16

Packers Fan Fest, a popular event in its inaugural offering last year, is set to return March 10-12, once again giving fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with many of their favorite Packers players, past and present, as well as the coaching staff and front office personnel.

Included among the highlights for this year's event are a Friday night Fan Fest kickoff event, autograph and photo sessions with past and current players and a tour through the team's spectacular locker room.

"We're very excited about the return of Fan Fest," said Packers Executive Vice President/COO John Jones. "Last year was a gre..

Mike McCarthy Named Green Bay's 14th Head Coach

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 14:26:30 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday added to an exclusive fraternity, naming Mike McCarthy the team's 14th Head Coach. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, made the historic announcement.

McCarthy, 42, becomes the league's youngest head coach, nearly three months younger than Tampa Bay's Jon Gruden and seven months younger than Jacksonville's Jack Del Rio. And, McCarthy inherits one of the league's youngest teams. Green Bay's roster at season's end averaged 26.04 years of age.

Thompson was impressed with McCarthy's leadership ability, toughness, football knowledge and awareness of the unique Green Bay organization, its players and the team's role in its surrounding community.

McCarthy experienced that uniqueness as the Packers' quarterbacks coach in 1999. Five players who finished 2005 on Green Bay's roster played for the Packers in '99, including Donald Driver and McCarthy's primary pupil that year, Brett ..

GM Thompson To Hold Press Conference At 4:00 P.M. Thursday

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 12:24:18 CST

Click here for live VIDEO!

Keep checking back for archived audio and video of all press conferences.

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Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations for the Green Bay Packers, will hold a press conference at 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, Jan. 12.

Packers.com will provide live, uninterrupted coverage from the Lambeau Field Media Auditorium before during and after the press conference, so be sure to come back to the team's official Web site to hear news directly from the team's top football decision-maker.

NFL, NFLPA & Green Bay Packers Commit $125,000 To Upgrade Community Football Fields In Milwaukee & Green Bay

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 13:26:16 CST

Awards are part of $2.5 million in new grants to athletic fields nationwide

Community football fields in Milwaukee and Green Bay will be upgraded, thanks in part to $125,000 in grants from the National Football League's Grassroots program, it was announced today. The grants, awarded this year by the Green Bay Packers, National Football League, NFL Players Association (NFLPA), and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), are part of $2.5 million in field refurbishment awards allocated to community groups in 19 cities nationwide.

The community football field at Milwaukee's Custer High School will receive a $100,000 grant to build a concession stand, resurface the natural turf field, and install bleachers, goal posts, a scoreboard, and team benches. M&I Bank also will assist in funding the improvements at Custer Community Field, matching the Grassroots grant with $135,000.

The Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay will combine the $25,000 Grassroots grant..

White Among 15 Finalists For Hall Of Fame Election

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:02:30 CST

Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Thurman Thomas, and Reggie White, four first-year eligible candidates, are among the 15 finalists who will be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the Hall's Board of Selectors meets in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, February 4, 2006.

Joining the first-year eligible players as finalists, are nine other modern-era players and a coach and player nominated earlier by the Hall of Fame's Seniors Committee. The Seniors Committee nominees, announced in August 2005, are John Madden and Rayfield Wright. The other modern-era player finalists include defensive ends L.C. Greenwood and Claude Humphrey; linebackers Harry Carson and Derrick Thomas; offensive linemen Russ Grimm, Bob Kuechenberg and Gary Zimmerman; and wide receivers Michael Irvin and Art Monk.

To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent.

Listed alphabetically, the 15 finalists with their positions, teams, and years..

Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic Team Dinner Set for Feb. 10

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 16:47:38 CST
UW, OSU TEAMS, BARRY ALVAREZ, DENNIS HULL TO HEADLINE EVENING

Click here for more information on the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic.

FROZEN TUNDRA HOCKEY CLASSIC TEAM DINNER SET FOR FEB. 10;
UW, OSU TEAMS, BARRY ALVAREZ, DENNIS HULL TO HEADLINE EVENING

Anticipation is building for the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic, Feb. 11 at Lambeau Field, featuring the No. 1-ranked Wisconsin Badgers vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Details for one of the weekend's events, the team dinner Feb. 10, have been finalized. The memorable evening will feature the teams, their coaches, UW Athletics Director Barry Alvarez and keynote speaker Dennis Hull. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a reception. Dinner follows at 7 p.m.

Hull, a 13-year NHL veteran, six-time all-star and member of one of hockey's premier families (brother Bobby and nephew Brett), will highlight the evening with his popular self-effacing ta..

2005 Class Of Ed Block Courage Award Recipients Announced

Fri, 06 Jan 2006 15:47:00 CST
The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation Friday announced the names of the recipients from each National Football League (NFL) team who will receive an Ed Block Courage Award at the 28th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards on Tuesday, March 7th at Martin's West in Baltimore, Maryland.

The recipients were selected by their teammates for displaying commitments to the principles of courage and sportsmanship, while serving as inspirations in their locker rooms. The accolade has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon a player in the NFL, especially since the recipient is selected by his peers. Recipients are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives to return to the top level of competition that is the NFL.

In an unprecedented move, the Foundation will recognize the courage of an entire team. The efforts of the New Orleans Saints coaches, players and staff have earned the entire organization selection as the Sa..

Packers Hall Of Fame Offers Exciting Cruise To Alaska

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 15:03:48 CST
ENJOY THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WITH STARR, KNAFELC AND BRATKOWSKI; INFORMATION SESSION TO BE HELD JAN. 14 AT HALL OF FAME GRILL

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Click here to download additional information (PDF).

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The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, in conjunction with AAA Travel, has teamed up with Packers legends Bart Starr, Gary Knafelc and Zeke Bratkowski to offer a magnificent travel opportunity to Alaska in 2006 with Princess Cruises.

The seven-day Hall of Fame Alaska Cruise will take place aboard the Princess Cruise Lines' Sapphire Princess from May 27 through June 3, 2006. The trip will take a southbound itinerary from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, British Columbia, with stops at Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and scenic cruising of the College Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park and Alaska's Inside Passage.

Click here to download additional informatio..

Kampman's Former Coach Named 2005 NFL High School Football Coach Of The Year

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 13:25:52 CST
Edward Thomas, head football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, IA, is the 2005 NFL High School Football Coach Of The Year, the NFL announced Thursday.

Thomas, head football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg for the past 31 years, was nominated by four of his former players - Detroit Lions defensive end Jared DeVries, Green Bay Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brad Meester, and Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann. Of the five finalists, Coach Thomas received the most player nominations.

As the 2005 NFL High School Football Coach Of The Year, Thomas and a guest will be invited to attend Super Bowl XL in Detroit in February as the NFL's guest. Thomas will also receive a check for $5,000 as part of the NFL High School Football Coach of the Year Award. A $10,000 grant will be awarded to the football program at Aplington-Parkersburg High School.

Current NFL players shared their admiration and respect fo..

Packers Sign Five Reserve/Future Free Agents

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 14:05:37 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed five players to reserve/future contracts: WR Vince Butler, WR Chad Lucas, WR Ruvell Martin, DT Tim McGill and QB Brian Wrobel. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the signings Tuesday.

Butler, Lucas, Martin and McGill each ended the season on the Packers' practice squad. Wrobel (pronounced ROE-bul) took part in Seattle's 2005 training camp after signing with the Seahawks as a nondrafted free agent in April.

Butler, a 6-foot, 195-pound receiver out of Northwestern Oklahoma State, participated in the Packers' 2005 preseason camp after signing as a nondrafted free agent in the spring. He had re-signed to the team's practice squad in November and spent the season's final eight weeks in Green Bay.

Lucas, a 6-foot-1, 201-pound wideout from Alabama State, first joined the Packers in June, spent most of training camp in Green Bay, then signed as one of..

Packers' 2006 Opponents Determined

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 15:08:07 CST
Click here for a complete list (PDF) of all NFL teams' 2006 opponents.

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The opponents for all 2006 regular-season games have been determined and a complete list of each team's home and away matchups was issued Monday by the NFL.

The scheduling formula implemented in 2002 with realignment guarantees that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis.

Under the formula, every team within a division plays 16 games as follows:

* Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games).

* The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games).

* The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games).

* Two intraconference games based on the prior year's standings (2 games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-con..

Packers To Select Fifth In 2006 NFL Draft

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 14:50:01 CST
updated 4/20/06

HOUSTON HOLDS FIRST PICK IN 2006 DRAFT; NEW ORLEANS & TENNESSEE CHOOSE NEXT

The Houston Texans will make the first choice of the 2006 National Football League Draft on April 29-30 at Radio City Music Hall in New York
City. The order of the 2006 Draft was announced Monday by the NFL.

The Texans' choice will be followed by the New Orleans Saints picking second and Tennessee Titans third.

Draft-order ties are resolved by the cumulative record of each team's opponents. The team with the weaker opponents receives drafting priority.

Within a tied segment, non-playoff clubs are given priority over playoff clubs. Priority of playoff clubs within a tied segment will be based on their advancement in the playoffs, but they will not drop out of their tied segment unless they participate in the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl champion will select 32nd and the runner-up 31st.

2006 NFL FIRST-ROUND DRAFT O..

GM Thompson To Hold Press Conference At 10:30 A.M. Monday

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 08:49:21 CST
Click here for live VIDEO!

Keep checking back for archived audio and video of all press conferences and locker room interviews.

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Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations for the Green Bay Packers, will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. (CST) on Monday, Jan. 2.

Packers.com will provide live, uninterrupted coverage from the Lambeau Field Media Auditorium before during and after the press conference, so be sure to come back to the team's official Web site to hear news directly from the team's top football decision-maker.

Later in the day, come back to packers.com for player comments, on both the 2005 season and Monday's developments, in audio and video form.

Packers, American Family Insurance Raise $1 Million For Fight Against Breast Cancer

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 14:57:37 CST
The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance Sunday presented checks totaling more than $1 million to 12 Wisconsin organizations for breast cancer research, education and treatment.

The million-dollar contribution was made possible through the sale of pink breast cancer caps with the Packers and American Family logos. Five dollars from every cap sold went into the breast cancer fund. The caps were sold through the Packer Pro Shop and American Family agent offices in Wisconsin.

"The success of this campaign was simply overwhelming," said Packers President Bob Harlan. "Together with American Family Insurance and its agents around the state, we sold 210,000 pink Packer caps, generating $1,050,000 for the fight against breast cancer."

"The spirit behind the pink caps has been great to experience," added Packers Executive Vice President/COO John Jones. "The sight of so many caps and the stories of people supporting the campaign have been an inspiration to..