Packers.com

Packers Injury Update

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 30 Sep 2002 18:13:43 CST

The Packers have a long way to go before they'll start to feel good about their injury situation, but at least they kept the casualty list from running off the page Sunday against Carolina.

For the first time since the season opener, the Packers finished a football game with about as many healthy players as began it. That certainly hadn't been the case the previous two weeks when five starters and three key reserves sustained significant injuries.

In his press conference Monday morning, Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced that tight end Bubba Franks and defensive back Tyrone Williams were the only additions to the Packers' lengthy list of walking wounded.

Franks hyperextended a knee Sunday and suffered a mild sprain of his medial collateral ligament. Williams bruised his ribs in a collision with linebacker Hardy Nickerson. Sherman said that both could play next week against the Chicago Bears, but that Franks would likely be listed as 'questionab..

Glenn To See Specialist Regarding Headaches

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 30 Sep 2002 18:12:48 CST

Suffering from migraine headaches and nausea, Terry Glenn wasn't even cleared by team doctors to observe Packers practices last week. Instead, he was sent home and assigned bed rest.

But when Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers rolled around, Glenn wanted to be on the field.

In the first quarter, he came off the bench to make a 17-yard reception on the Packers' opening drive. But after the team went into the locker room at halftime, Glenn did not return.

"Right before halftime (Glenn) was experiencing headaches much of the magnitude that I guess he had last week," GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Monday. "So we kept him in at halftime, observed him, made him lay down."

The cause of Glenn's headaches is somewhat of a mystery. In the season opener against Atlanta, Glenn was said to have suffered "head trauma" after taking a blow to the head while making a reception. However, the following two weeks, Glenn played at New Orleans and Detroit..

AP Story: Packers Defeat Panthers, 17-14

Sun, 29 Sep 2002 16:06:56 CST

Happy anniversary, Brett Favre.

Ten years and two days after becoming Green Bay's starting quarterback, Favre found Donald Driver for a 22-yard touchdown with 4:10 left, leading the Packers to a 17-14 victory against the Carolina Panthers.

Shayne Graham, signed by the Panthers two days ago to bolster their kicking game, missed a 24-yard field goal with 13 seconds left that would have tied the game.

Favre was 18 of 32 for 200 yards with one interception. He now has 3,414 career completions, passing Joe Montana for fifth place on the all-time list. Driver had the first two-touchdown game of his career -- though he caught the first one from Bubba Franks on a trick play in the second quarter.

Steve Smith filled in nicely for injured leading receiver Muhsin Muhammad, catching five passes for 116 yards, and Lamar Smith rushed for 66 yards and two scores. But it wasn't enough for the Panthers (3-1), who lost their first game of the season.

T..

Glenn, Walker Could Be Out Sunday

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 27 Sep 2002 16:56:02 CST

The Green Bay Packers may have only three wide receivers available to them this Sunday when the undefeated Carolina Panthers roll into Lambeau Field.

While starting flanker Terry Glenn and rookie wideout Javon Walker are respectively listed as probable and questionable on the team's injury report, the chances of them playing this weekend might be better expressed as slim and none.

That would leave the Packers with only Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson and Karsten Bailey at the receiver positions. Not an ideal situation for Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman, but one he's encountered before.

"We did it against Tampa Bay two years ago in the last game of the year, and one of the most critical games of the season," Sherman said. "We won that game. We had three receivers and they all played pretty well . . . If we have to (do that this week) we will."

Glenn has been held out of all three of the Packers' practices this week with nausea and migraine hea..

Sherman: Marshall's Relocation A 'Need-Move'

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 19:23:08 CST

A week ago it would have been hard to imagine that running back Rondell Mealey would be waived to make room for offensive tackle Barrett Brooks, or that linebacker Torrance Marshall would be changing his number and his position to prepare as a backup fullback.

But that was last week, when it would have been equally difficult to predict the multitude of injuries that forced this turn of events.

In many ways it started with the quadriceps injury that kept Ahman Green out of the lineup in Detroit. Mealey, a third-year back, was given the starting nod in Green's absence, but on the Packers' opening series he made a rush for no gain on first down and dropped a soft Brett Favre pass on second down.

Enter rookie Najeh Davenport, who GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman drafted in April as a fullback, but with the idea that the former Miami Hurricane could step in at halfback if needed.

And needed, he was. His number called, Davenport put together an impressive de..

Packers Sign OT Brooks, Waive RB Mealey

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 26 Sep 2002 13:40:21 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed seventh-year offensive tackle Barrett Brooks, most recently of the Denver Broncos, and released third-year running back Rondell Mealey, it was announced Thursday.

Brooks gives the Packers some much needed depth on the offensive line. Thus far, the Packers have already lost starting tackle Mark Tauscher for the season due to injury, and starting guard Marco Rivera is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Carolina Panthers.

Brooks signed with the Broncos in the offseason, having sat out all of 2001 after being waived by the Cleveland Browns after training camp. Previously, Brooks played for the Detroit Lions (1999-2000) and Philadelphia Eagles (1995-98).

Mealey came into the season as the Packers' No. 2 halfback behind Ahman Green. After starting in place of an injured Green at Detroit last weekend, Mealey was quickly replaced by rookie Najeh Davenport, who led the Packers' ground attack with 22 carries for..

Bowen, Kampman Named Starters

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 25 Sep 2002 18:20:14 CST

Coming off a weekend in which four of their starters departed due to injury, the Green Bay Packers are shuffling their lineup and attempting to regroup in time for Sunday's contest against the undefeated Carolina Panthers.

Wednesday, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced that third-year safety Matt Bowen and rookie defensive end Aaron Kampman would start in place of the injured Antuan Edwards and Vonnie Holliday, respectfully.

He also said that fullback William Henderson and offensive guard Marco Rivera, both of whom sustained knee injuries against Detroit, might be able to play against Carolina. Both are listed as 'questionable' on the team's injury report, meaning that there is a 50-percent chance they will play.

Sherman's decision to go with Bowen over rookie Marques Anderson is not a surprise. While his primary position is free safety -- where Darren Sharper is the starter -- Bowen took the majority of his preseason reps at strong safety while Edwards ..

Holliday, Edwards Sidelined By Injuries

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 23 Sep 2002 14:30:07 CST

A torn pectoral muscle suffered in Green Bay's 37-31 victory over the Detroit Lions will sideline defensive end Vonnie Holliday for a minimum of six to eight weeks, Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Monday.

Even worse for the Packers, Holliday could be out for the season if forced to undergo surgery to reattach or otherwise repair the muscle.

Holliday left Sunday's game after he sustained the injury making a tackle. Initially thought to be only a strain, an MRI performed later revealed the tear. Further tests next week will determine whether or not the injury requires surgery.

Starting safety Antuan Edwards, who suffered a broken bone in his lower forearm, will also miss a considerable amount of time. Although doctors have ruled that the injury can heal on its own and will not require the insertion of a metal plate to add stability, Edwards is still expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.

On a positive note, fullback Wil..

Lambeau Cam Returns

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 23 Sep 2002 11:26:59 CST

After months of darkness, Packers fans can once again see the light. More specifically, Packers fans can see the sunlight as it touches Lambeau Field.

Packers.com is pleased to announce that Lambeau Cam is back up and running.

Always a popular feature of this website, Lambeau Cam was forced into hiatus due to the Lambeau Field renovation project. This weekend it returned to let out-of-town Packers fans take regular glimpses of some of the most hallowed grounds in sports.

Lambeau Cam is mounted in the southwest corner of Lambeau Field, with a beautiful view of the northern end. The camera positioning allows Packers fans to not only view the field, but also monitor renovation construction as it continues around the north end of the stadium bowl.

Lambeau Cam can be accessed on this website by selecting 'Lambeau Field' from the left navigation bar on the homepage, and then selecting 'Lambeau Cam.'

P..

AP Story: Packers Hold Off Lions 37-31

Sun, 22 Sep 2002 19:37:11 CST

A new stadium and a new quarterback were not enough to give Detroit its first win of the season.

Brett Favre threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers held off the Lions with a 37-31 win Sunday at the new Ford Field, spoiling rookie Joey Harrington's first start.

Green Bay (2-1) led by 17 early in the final quarter, but Detroit (0-3) scored two TDs, including a 52-yard pass to James Stewart with 1:37 left to cut the deficit to 34-31.

An offside penalty negated the Lions' recovery on the onside kick, and they were unable to recover their second attempt. Ryan Longwell's 47-yard field goal with 1:15 left put Green Bay ahead 37-31.

With the crowd chanting "Jo-ey! Jo-ey!" Harrington attempted to direct his first fourth-quarter comeback in the NFL, after doing so 10 times at Oregon.

Detroit got the ball at the Packers 48 with 1:03 left after two offsides penalties on Green Bay.

After throwing a 14-yard pass..

Lions A Dangerous Opponent

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 20 Sep 2002 14:49:15 CST

When you look at the Detroit Lions, what do you see?

Do you see a team struggling, lost? Do you see a team winless in 2002 and already looking to next season? Do you see a team that won't give the Packers any trouble this Sunday in Green Bay's quest to improve to 2-1?

If you do, you're probably not alone. In fact, based on some newspaper clippings, those feelings might be most prevalent in Detroit.

But when Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman looks ahead to this weekend, he sees something altogether different.

"I think we're walking into a hornet's nest," he said. "I think (Detroit) is one of the most dangerous teams in football because they are going to win a game, and when your back is against the wall . . . you come out swinging."

The Packers were reminded of such last weekend, when a New Orleans Saints team playing as if it was still upset over losing four straight to close out 2001 left the Packers battered and bruised and on the w..

Ahman Green: Batman Forever

By Jon Robinson, NFL Under the Helmet — Fri, 20 Sep 2002 14:42:06 CST

When it comes to fan obsession, Ahman Green lives it from both sides. As star running back of the Green Bay Packers, he is idolized by Cheeseheads everywhere. And whom does Green idolize? It's his favorite superhero - Batman. So while millions of Packer-backers transform their Explorers and Escalades into enormous blocks of traveling cheese each week, all Green can do is shake his head and laugh.

That's because in the Packer parking lot sits a different car that's been transformed. The only difference is, Green's doesn't reek of Parmesan.

NFL Under the Helmet: Word around Green Bay is that you've been spotted in comic shops snatching up everything Batman. What kinds of memorabilia do you collect?

Ahman Green: I have comic books, movies, trading cards, and of course I have the Batman video game for PlayStation. Then, around my house I have all kinds of Batman models, statuettes of Batman and Robin, and a mural in my kids' room with Batman on ..

Packers-Lions Notebook

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 19 Sep 2002 11:43:42 CST

No Sweat

After running back Ahman Green committed a pair of fumbles in the Packers' hot and humid season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, both player and GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman suggested that Green's profuse sweating might have contributed to the mishandlings.

But after Green suffered another costly fumble within the air-conditioned confines of the Louisiana Superdome last weekend, Sherman removed bodily fluids from the list of viable excuses.

"Let's be honest about it," Sherman told reporters Wednesday, "we've used the sweat thing, we're done with that one."

In other words, the Packers can't afford to consider Green's fumbles a fluke any longer. Whatever the cause, the problem must stop here and now.

"He needs to secure the football like it's his first-born son, that's what he needs to do," Sherman said.

Sherman believes one of the reasons behind Green's fumbles is his hard running style, which creates collisions..

Packers Sign RB Moe Smith

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 18 Sep 2002 16:10:40 CST

With offensive tackle Mark Tauscher placed on the injured reserve list, Wednesday the Green Bay Packers announced the signing of running back Maurice "Moe" Smith.

Originally acquired as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina A&T, Smith was waived by the Atlanta Falcons, August 31.

Stepping in for an injured Jamal Anderson, Smith played in all 16 games for the Falcons last season, starting 12. He finished the year with 237 carries for 760 yards and five touchdowns, while also making 19 receptions for 230 yards and one touchdown.

Most of Smith's offensive output came in a pair of games, racking up 148 yards on the ground against the Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 11), and accumulating 108 yards receiving versus the Arizona Cardinals (Sept. 30).

Listed at 6-foot tall, 235 pounds, Smith will wear uniform number 43.

An official press release will follow.

Tauscher Placed On Injured Reserve

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 18 Sep 2002 16:10:03 CST

The news on Mark Tauscher's injured left knee went from bad to worse Wednesday, when Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced that the tackle had suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and would be placed on injured reserve.

Tauscher sustained the injury during the second quarter of the New Orleans game when a Saints player fell into his knee at the end of a play. Initially thought to be only a sprain of the medial collateral ligament, Sherman said Wednesday that Tauscher suffered a "significant tear" of his MCL and a "75-perecent" tear of his ACL, which would require surgery to repair.

"For the longevity of his career and his future, it's better to do this whole deal, the reconstruction," Sherman said.

Just into his third NFL season, Tauscher had been a mainstay on the Packers' offensive line since being drafted out of the University of Wisconsin in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Including playoffs, he'd made 34 consecutive start..

Current, Former Packers Hit Links For Charity

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Tue, 17 Sep 2002 16:42:14 CST

Blue skies welcomed several current and former Packers players to the magnificent Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis., for the third-annual Green Bay Packers Golf Invitational, Tuesday.

Among those to hit the links were Brett Favre and Darren Sharper, whose charities -- the Brett Favre Forward Foundation and the Sharper Kids Foundation, respectively -- benefited from the 18-hole charity event.

"It's a great cause, a great day," Sharper said. "It just makes you want to come out here and enjoy yourself."

Other current Packers to tee it up were Ryan Longwell, Josh Bidwell, Donald Driver, Marco Rivera, Nate Wayne and Frank Winters. Former players Fuzzy Thurston, Larry McCarren, Johnnie Gray, Bryce Paup and Don Beebe, were also in attendance.

Tauscher Expected To Miss Eight Weeks With Knee Injury

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 16 Sep 2002 16:37:39 CST

Reporting that Mark Tauscher's injured left knee is as bad as first expected, Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Monday that the offensive tackle could be sidelined up to eight weeks.

Tauscher sustained the injury in the second quarter of the New Orleans game when a Saints player fell into his knee at the end of a play. Sherman said Tauscher has at least a sprained medial collateral ligament, if not also a torn meniscus.

Ten-year veteran Earl Dotson will replace Tauscher in the starting lineup at tackle, but the Packers also take a hit at guard, where Tauscher's versatility made him a reliable backup.

"Tausch has a zillion reps in his body since he's been here in regard to playing right tackle and also right guard, so we lose a backup player inside if we ever needed that," Sherman said. "That's pretty critical in itself . . . That being said, Earl Dotson has played right tackle for quite a long time, and he'll do a fine job for us."

Tauscher..

AP Story: Packers Defeated By Saints, 35-20

Sun, 15 Sep 2002 16:11:27 CST

Aaron Brooks showed his mentor, Brett Favre, how much he has learned.

Brooks threw two touchdown passes, and the relentless New Orleans defense held off Favre as the Saints beat the Green Bay Packers 35-20 on Sunday.

Brooks, who spent the 1999 season as Green Bay's third-string quarterback, was 16-of-28 for 217 yards and two touchdowns as the Saints jumped out to an early lead.

The Saints (2-0) used the same pressure defense that helped them win their season opener to keep the Packers (1-1) in check. Green Bay gained 357 yards in total offense, but only 95 yards rushing. They completed just 22 percent of their third-down attempts (2-of-9) compared to 70 percent for the Saints, who also had 357 yards total.

Favre, who was 9-0 in the Superdome coming in, including preseason games - a Super Bowl win - and two college victories, was on the run all game. He was 29-of-44 for 270 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked once and broke his string of 158 str..

Longwell Meets Circus Star

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 13 Sep 2002 17:08:37 CST

Six-foot tall, 199 pounds, Ryan Longwell has rarely been accused of being the most physically intimating specimen on the Packers practice field. He's a kicker. It's his lot in life.

But things got a whole lot worse for him Friday at Ray Nitschke Field when his fellow Packers were replaced by one whopping pachyderm.

Bo, a 10,000-pound Asian elephant on tour with the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus, stopped by Nitschke Field after Friday's practice to showcase his amazing football talents, which include both kicking and throwing a football.

Although the 14-year-old Bo threw picture-perfect spirals with his trunk, his kickoffs left something to be desired, dribbling only a few feet. Still, kicker-to-kicker, Longwell saw some special teams potential for the animal-athlete dubbed the "world's smartest elephant."

"I can't imagine many guys would actually rush his kicks because they'd be scared of the implications," Longwell joked. "I'm sure..

Glenn Excused From Practice Wednesday

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Sep 2002 16:14:07 CST

Packers wide receiver Terry Glenn missed his first practice of the 2002 regular season Wednesday, but unlike his training camp absences it had nothing to do with his injured left knee.

Early Wednesday morning, Glenn and girlfriend Monica Carnevelini became the parents of a baby girl. As a result, Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman excused Glenn from practice to spend time with his family and catch up on sleep.

The name of Glenn's newborn was not available. Glenn also has a 6-year-old son, Terry Jr.

Brooks Presents Vick-Like Challenge

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Sep 2002 19:43:04 CST

The good news is the Packers have faced a quarterback similar to the New Orleans Saints' Aaron Brooks before. The bad news is, it was just last weekend.

And as slow as the legs are to revive after chasing Michael Vick around a hot and humid Lambeau Field for not four, but five quarters, even slower is the process by which the Packers defense could begin to forget about what the Falcons' quarterback did to them last Sunday.

The numbers for Vick read: 15-of-23 for 209 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions. And that's just passing. Vick also carried the ball nine times for 72 yards -- that's an average of 8-yards per carry -- and 1 touchdown.

But Vick's performance went well beyond the numbers. He was dynamic, often dominant -- he didn't throw an incomplete pass until the third quarter. After the game he had safety Darren Sharper opining that stopping a Vick-powered Falcons offense in the red zone was a nearly impossible task, what with Vick's blazing speed..

Packers Remember 9-11

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Sep 2002 10:01:35 CST

There were no stirring speeches or grand remembrances, but there were a few tears Wednesday morning as Packers employees paid silent tribute to those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Lined up outside Lambeau Field's new Titletown Atrium, Packers employees watched the raising of a United States flag that had flown over the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. The flag had been presented to the Packers by representatives of the New York City Fire Department prior to the August 30 preseason contest against the Tennessee Titans.

While the Packers normally fly four flags daily at 1265 Lombardi Ave. -- U.S. flag, State of Wisconsin flag and a pair of Packers flags -- only the U.S. flag was raised Wednesday.

"It's obviously a very emotional day around the country and I think we're very honored to have this flag," said Bob Harlan, Packers President/CEO. "It meant a lot to me that the firemen would come and deliver this and allow us to fly..

Johnson Says Saints Game 'Like The Rest'

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 09 Sep 2002 18:16:32 CST

He spent eight seasons there, made two Pro Bowls there, earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors there, and yet less than a week away from returning to the only other NFL city that he's ever called home, defensive end Joe Johnson insisted that facing the New Orleans Saints this Sunday won't be anything special.

"I approach this game like any other," Johnson said Monday. "This is a must-win game for us, just like the rest of them are. For me it's not any different than it is for anybody else. It might be slightly more emotional for me, but other than that, it's another game that we must win."

When Johnson signed with the Packers as an unrestricted free agent March 26, he did so with the hopes that he might see more victories in Green Bay than he had in New Orleans. In his eight years there, the Saints had but one winning season, compared to seven for the Packers over that span.

But the fact remains that Johnson isn't with the Packers today because h..

AP Story: Packers Beat Falcons in OT, 37-34

Sun, 08 Sep 2002 17:08:11 CST

Ryan Longwell's 34-yard field goal with 5:15 left in overtime gave Green Bay a 37-34 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on a steamy Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Atlanta's Jay Feely sent the game into overtime with a 52-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation. That capped a six-play, 35-yard drive that followed William Henderson's dive into the end zone on fourth-and-inches with 1:10 left that had given Green Bay a 34-31 lead.

The Packers avenged their only home loss last year behind Brett Favre, who completed 25-of-36 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns, and Ahman Green, who rushed 27 times for 155 yards.

Michael Vick, the top pick in last year's draft, had a remarkable 2002 debut, completing 15-of-23 passes for 209 yards and rushing nine times for 72 yards. He completed all 10 of his first-half passes as the Falcons built a 21-13 halftime lead.

Henderson was stuffed at the line but, still on top of bodies, he lunged the ball past the pl..

Hornung Praises New Packers Book

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 06 Sep 2002 18:32:41 CST

He resides in Louisville, Ky., but Hall of Fame halfback Paul Hornung isn't a stranger to his friends in Green Bay. He comes back to the area two or three times a year, often for player reunion weekends like this one, happy for a chance to "sit around with friends and tell lies to each other again."

Tuesday, Hornung was in Green Bay for a slightly different reason, chief among them to help promote the new book Magnificent Seven, for which he penned the forward.

Written by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter Bud Lea, with photos from Vernon and John Biever, Magnificent Seven chronicles the Packers' seven championship games of the 1960s (five NFL Championship games, two Super Bowls). In addition to Hornung's forward, the book offers an introduction from Bart Starr and an afterword by Vince Lombardi, Jr.

"There have been many books written about Vince Lombardi (and his Packers teams), but this one is different," Hornung writes in the for..

Packers Fortunate To Face Vick Early

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Sep 2002 18:49:02 CST

For the Green Bay Packers, who are coming off a 12-4 year and have their sights set on a Super Bowl run, there might be no better time to play an Atlanta Falcons team that went 7-9 last year than this weekend.

That's not because the Packers are hungry to avenge last year's only loss at Lambeau Field, although considering the 23-20 shortcoming prohibited them from holding homefield advantage throughout the playoffs that will certainly offer motivation, but because with each passing week Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is just one game closer to becoming perhaps one of the most dominant players in the NFL.

With home wins so crucial to postseason success -- see aforementioned 23-20 loss -- the Packers will happily take their crack at Vick now and let other teams deal with the lessons he learns along the way.

After playing backup to Chris Chandler as a rookie, Vick was officially named the team's starter during the offseason, the reins of the Falcons' franchis..

Packers Notebook - By The Numbers

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Sep 2002 17:01:07 CST

By The Numbers

In the same week that Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves said that the Packers roster includes "six or seven blue chip players," The Sporting News went a step farther, naming five Packers to its annual list of the NFL's top-100 players.

Trailing only Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams and Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings, respectively, Brett Favre drops from a No. 2 ranking last year to match his uniform with a No. 4 ranking in 2002.

Just as appropriately, running back Ahman Green comes in at No. 30, up from 91st last season. Safety Darren Sharper is just behind Green at No. 31, having been ranked 43rd in 2001.

Newly acquired defensive end Joe Johnson slips from 27th last year, but makes the top-50 with an overall ranking of 46th, with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila riding his 13.5 sacks from 2001 to be ranked 92nd.

Inside The Actors Studio

In this weekend's edition of ESPN's Sunday..

Packers Hoping To Limit Rossum's Returns

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 07:33:28 CST
The Packers know all about Falcons kickoff and punt return man Allen Rossum, and that's what scares them.

Heading into the 2002 season opener this Sunday having allowed 93-yard and 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns over their final two preseason games, the Packers know firsthand that Rossum, who after two seasons in Green Bay left the Packers for Atlanta via free agency this offseason, has all the tools necessary to allow the disturbing trend to continue.

"With a returner like Rossum, there's no margin for error," said Matt Bowen, a member of the Packers' special teams units who was also Rossum's counterpart in the defensive backfield last season. "He's such an explosive player that if we perform like we did in the preseason in some cases, it will be a touchdown . . .

"He runs low to the ground, he runs hard (and) he likes to cut back across the grain. He's got good vision for the football field and that makes him tough, because you have stay in you..

Packers Pose For Picture

Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:41:01 CST
While roster moves are sure to be made over the course of the season, with the 53-man roster determined, the Packers posed for their annual team picture Monday.

The team was greeted with beautiful blue skies as they lined up numerically inside Lambeau Field for their snapshot. This Sunday, the men in those uniforms will take to the field as the Packers' 82nd NFL team.

To see your 2002 Packers, Click Here.

More Answers From Packers.com

Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:28:25 CST
The 'Ask Packers.com' project continues to generate questions, and we continue to search for the answers. In this installment we touch on topics ranging from the 1981 NFL Draft, to the 'Lambeau Leap,' to the Packers' first African-American player.

The Packers drafted a QB instead of Ronnie Lott. What was his name? - Dan (Oconomowoc, WI)
In the 1981 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers made USC's Ronnie Lott their No. 1 choice with the eighth overall pick of the draft. The Packers picked sixth that year, selecting California's Rich Campbell. Over four NFL seasons, Campbell played in only seven games, completing 31-of-68 passes for 386 yards, with three touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Also selected ahead of Lott were running back George Rogers (1st, to New Orleans), linebacker Lawrence Taylor (2nd, to New York Giants), running back Freeman McNeil (3rd, to New York Jets), defensive back Kenny Easley (4th, to Seattle), linebacker E.J. Junior (5th, ..

Random Questions With Marques Anderson

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 18:12:13 CST
For those of you who have ever wanted to peek inside the mind of a Packers player, here's your chance. For those who wish they knew more about a player than his statistics and position on the depth chart, this is for you.

It was with those desires in mind that Packers.com peppered several Packers players with a series of Random Questions. Here's what happened when we put third-round draft choice Marques Anderson in the hot seat:

What's your favorite TV Show?
"I don't get to watch a whole lot of TV, but when I do, I watch Fear Factor on NBC. That's a killer show. I hope they make a NFL version of that. They do some really disgusting things on that show. It makes it so it doesn't rely on size, weight, or strength, it's basically mind over matter. They eat some disgusting stuff on there."

What's your favorite type of food, and can you prepare it?
"Good lasagna. I can cook a little, I wouldn't call myself a gourmet che..