Packers.com

Harris Excited For Opportunity

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 28 Feb 2003 19:16:02 CST

Al Harris said he would have been satisfied playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, so long as he had an opportunity to start. So when he found out that he was being traded by the Philadelphia Eagles to a post-season contender in the Green Bay Packers, it was the icing on the cake.

"I was very excited," Harris said in a teleconference Friday. "It's a good team, has a good defense. I get to play with Brett Favre ...

"Everybody wants the opportunity to get on the field a little bit more, and hopefully I can get that opportunity in Green Bay."

Harris was relegated to a backup role in Philadelphia, where he played behind Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor on a secondary that was third in the league in takeaways last season.

A durable player who has played in 80 straight games, Harris wanted the chance to be a starter.

Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said that Harris is a potential starter at right cornerback, but will battle for the job with Brya..

Sherman Comments On Trades

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:26:20 CST

By making a pair of unrelated trades with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman strengthened the Packers' depth as needed at cornerback, while downsizing what had become a surplus of wide receivers.

Friday, the Packers sent their second-round choice in the 2003 NFL Draft to the Eagles in exchange for five-year veteran cornerback Al Harris and a fourth-round pick. Meanwhile the team sent wide receiver Terry Glenn to Dallas in exchange for an undisclosed 2004 draft choice.

Sherman said he was comfortable giving up a second-round pick because of Harris' potential to help the team immediately, and because the team received a fourth-round draft choice in return.

"It was hard (to give up a second-round pick), but it came down to the fact that I needed to fix the team right away (at cornerback)," Sherman said. "I feel like we got a guy that has the potential to play and help us right away ...

"I wouldn't have done the de..

Packers Trade Glenn To Cowboys

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 28 Feb 2003 16:32:10 CST

The Green Bay Packers traded wide receiver Terry Glenn to the Dallas Cowboys for an undisclosed 2004 draft choice, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Friday.

Glenn was third among Packers receivers last year with 56 receptions for 817 yards and two touchdowns.

More information to follow.

Packers Trade For Harris

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 28 Feb 2003 16:13:11 CST

The Green Bay Packers traded their second round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Al Harris and the Eagles' fourth-round pick in this year's draft, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said Friday.

Harris led the Eagles with 12 passes defensed last year on unit that led the league in third down percentage (21 percent) and a secondary that produced 38 takeaways.

More information to follow.

Packers In Compliance With Cap

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 27 Feb 2003 16:07:02 CST

Packers Vice President of Player Finance Andrew Brandt said Thursday afternoon that the Green Bay Packers are in compliance with the $75 million NFL Salary Cap as the 2003 league year begins Friday morning, February 28.

Brandt also said that in complying with the Cap, the Packers executed no player transactions Thursday.

Two Packers Preseason Games Set For National TV

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:57:13 CST

The Green Bay Packers will have two of their five preseason games carried on national television this year.

Wednesday, the NFL released the preseason national TV schedule, which indicated that the Packers' preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns will be carried by CBS. That's in addition to the previously-announced ABC coverage of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, which features the Packers against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Packers will meet the Browns in a 7 p.m. CT kickoff, Friday, August 15, at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, is Monday, August 4 at 7 p.m. CT.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will face the New York Jets in the American Bowl in Tokyo, Japan, are the only team other than the Packers with two nationally-televised preseason games.

The Packers' three other preseason games will be carried on statewide TV. Exact dates and times for those games will be determined in the next few weeks. ..

Q&A: Geurts-Bengtson On Atrium's Special Events

Tue, 25 Feb 2003 18:00:06 CST

Even before the renovation project broke ground in 2001, the Packers had in Lambeau Field one of the most revered venues in professional sports.

Few teams are so lucky. But as the renovation project nears its fall completion date, Lambeau Field approaches an exciting new era when the fans' love for the stadium will remain, and their chances to appreciate it will increase.

Starting in September with the opening of the Lambeau Field Atrium, Packers fans will be allowed to do something previously impossible: host a special event at Lambeau Field.

January 30, the Packers announced that they would begin officially accepting special events bookings for the Lambeau Field Atrium, and in doing so added fuel to what was already an inferno of interest from fans nationwide.

Almost a month since that announcement, the Packers' executive of special events Dee Geurts-Bengtson continues to be flooded with calls and emails from potential clients.

In the m..

One More Way To Look For Talent

Pat Kirwan, Special to NFL.com — Mon, 24 Feb 2003 15:02:19 CST

As one college scouting director said to me last night, "probably seven tackles will go in the first round and another four in the second round, plus a few of the defensive end candidates at the combine will move inside when they get to the pros." So where else are the pro personnel people looking for talent?

The one area left is the restricted free agent pool of talent. A restricted free agent is a guy who just finished his third season in the league and his contract is about to expire. There is rarely a lot of movement in this group from one team to another for three reasons:

1) Teams usually put a 'high tender' on their good restricted free agents and that means a team that tries to sign them owe the home club a first-round pick or more.

2) If a team puts a low tender on a restricted player, the team pursuing him still has to give up a draft pick from the round the player was originally drafted.

3) An agent can only bring one team's offer to..

Last Week Of February Sales At The Packers Pro Shop

Mon, 24 Feb 2003 12:13:37 CST

Wrapping up a month of great deals, the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com moved into their final February sales week with the debut of four exciting seven-day specials.

For this week only (Feb. 24-Mar. 1), Packers fans can purchase the Classic Logo Cap for $9.95, down from an original price of $16.95.

The Frontline Jersey Tee has been reduced from $28.95 to $18.95, while the Youth Cross-Over Crew Fleece and the Youth Crew Neck Fleece are both marked down from $32.95 to only $19.95.

These special one-week sale prices are in addition to more than 50 clearance items, available while supplies last, so make your order today.

Remember, the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com are the only shopping locations where your purchases help the Packers win!

Medical Exams Are Combine's Cornerstone

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Fri, 21 Feb 2003 17:51:55 CST

For all the talk of 40 times and workouts, no portion of the NFL Scouting Combine has a greater impact on a player's draft value than the medical evaluations.

Drills can be rerun, times lowered, ability proven on game tapes, but none of that means anything if the body is willing, but unable.

So while not everyone at the Combine goes through a full workout, no one misses the physical exam. It's the reason 300-plus players and personnel from all 32 NFL teams get together in Indianapolis in the first place.

But for both athletes and personnel, running the medical gauntlet can be daunting.

According to Packers head trainer Pepper Burruss, it's a process in which cost is no object, and the only limitation is time.

For players, the medical screening unfolds over two days, beginning with an injury history interview to review information gathered by college scouting staffs, and to perhaps uncover new information. From that interview, X-rays or M..

Wayne Gets Slimed For VERB

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 20 Feb 2003 17:11:00 CST

Nickelodeon's live Wild And Crazy Kids show caused quite a stir Thursday at the Weidner Center in Green Bay. So much that Packers linebacker Nate Wayne compared the energetic atmosphere to the game day ambiance of Lambeau Field.

Except instead of 65,000 screaming fans, there were 1,800 screaming kids. And instead of Brett Favre, there was SpongeBob SquarePants.

The Wild And Crazy Kids show was in town to promote VERB, a national campaign backed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control that promotes healthy lifestyles among 'tweens' (ages 9-13) by encouraging physical activity.

While kids selected from the audience competed on stage in unique -- and often messy -- games, Wayne showed his support by acting as the event's official celebrity scorekeeper.

"Those kids are wild and crazy, for real," a grinning Wayne said afterward. "It looked like they had a great time and I was right there with them."

I..

Combine Still Critical To Evaluating Talent

Vic Carucci, NFL Insider — Wed, 19 Feb 2003 15:31:11 CST

The fact is the task of evaluating prospective NFL players has outgrown converging on a central location for a single week. Given the kind of money that clubs will pay in salary, and other ultra-high financial stakes affected by draft-day decisions, there is no such thing as having too much information.

Before the Combine ends on Feb. 24, every prospect will be weighed, measured and seen -- not unlike cattle before an auction -- wearing only a pair of shorts. Each will undergo a physical examination by all 32 team physicians, who will be looking to see how players have healed from known (and sometimes unknown) injuries from college. They are expected to pay particularly close attention to the chronic shin problems of Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwitch and to the major reconstructive knee surgery that University of Miami halfback Willie McGahee underwent after an injury suffered in last month's Fiesta Bowl.

Most general managers and coaches will tell you that the p..

Combine: One Piece Of Scouting Pie

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Wed, 19 Feb 2003 15:24:36 CST

The first wave of medical examinations Tuesday officially kicked off the 2003 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Over the rest of this week and into Monday, hundreds of athletes will pass through the RCA Dome to be X-rayed, measured, timed, interviewed and more, all the name of analysis, all in preparation for the 2003 NFL Draft.

The national media will put the event under the spotlight. And with the Combine elongated from five to seven days this year that means 48 extra hours to add to the hype that often seems to skew the purpose of the event.

"The media sometimes send the message that guys can make it or break it at the Combine," said Packers college scouting coordinator Danny Mock. "I just cringe when I hear that."

Make no mistake, the Combine is a big deal. More than 320 athletes will be there, only to be dwarfed by the number of NFL personnel in attendance.

There are 42 representatives from the Packers alone, from GM/Head Coach..

Catching Up With Marques Anderson

Dave Richard, NFL.com — Wed, 19 Feb 2003 09:56:35 CST

In his first game as an active player, on his first drive against fellow rookie Joey Harrington and the Lions, Green Bay Packers safety Marques Anderson ran back an errant pass 78 yards for a touchdown. It was a memorable highlight to an improbable season. After all, the chances of a third-rounder starting at safety for Green Bay are as slim as a sausage link going untouched before a game at Lambeau.

But alas, Anderson started the team's final 11 games, including their playoff loss to the Falcons. He is considered to be a member of the starting lineup for years to come.

While Anderson gets ready for his sophomore season, he takes on NFL.com.

Where are you right now?

Anderson: In California, but I'll be between California and Arizona.

As a Southern Cal native, what are the best and worst parts about Green Bay?

I'd have to say the fans (are the best). It's a small town, but you get the kind of love tha..

New Sale Items At The Packers Pro Shop

Mon, 17 Feb 2003 09:03:11 CST

The February sales continue at the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com, with one-week specials available on three items, plus two in-store deals.

Available in-store and over the internet, the Reebok Authentic Fitted Sideline Cap has been reduced from $21.95 to $14.95 for this week only (Feb. 17-23).

The Reebok women's denim jacket has been marked down from $59.95 to $39.95. And the Lee First Down Hooded sweatshirt is available for only $24.95 this week, down from $38.95.

Both in-store deals this week are in children's sizes.

The Genuine Stuff Imprintable Hooded Sweatshirt is available in pre-school sizes at $14.95 and toddler sizes at $12.95, while the Youth Hooded Sweatshirt is on sale at $22.95.

These special one-week sale prices are in addition to more than 50 clearance items, available while supplies last.

Remember, the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com are the only shopp..

NFL Scouting Combine Notes

By Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Mon, 17 Feb 2003 08:47:59 CST

Less than a month after the conclusion of the 2002 NFL season, the league turns its attention to the NFL Scouting Combine. The 2003 gathering will take place Feb. 18-24 in Indianapolis.

Did you know?

* This event is run by National Football Scouting, which is headed by Gene "Duke" Babb, a former NFL player (six years -- including the 1960-61 Dallas Cowboys) who does an unbelievable job of organizing this week-long extravaganza.

* The printed results and tapes of what takes place during this week are received by teams within a matter of hours so they can evaluate each player on what they did in on-field drills (running, jumping and coaching drills). Also included is an interview with the player.

* The initial draft was held Feb. 8, 1936, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. Nine teams selected nine players each.

* Of the 81 players selected in 1936, 28 played at least one game in the NFL. None of Philadelphia's nine choices ever ..

Free Agency Married To The Draft

Pat Kirwan, NFL.com — Wed, 12 Feb 2003 16:19:59 CST

Jake Plummer is the marquee name and the only true starter who may come free on his own. What the Cardinals do to protect their rights to Plummer will set into motion what other teams do.

If the Cardinals let him walk, the Denver Broncos could easily become Plummer's new home, meaning Brian Griese will join the free-agent market. If that happens, Griese becomes the marquee name on the list. He will sign somewhere and possibly cause another starter to become available.

The other names on the opening list of 32 include Ryan Leaf, Jeff George, Kent Graham, Tony Banks and Rick Mirer, to name a few. Not exactly the kind of players you build a team around in 2003. There are strong indications that Kordell Stewart will join the ranks of the unemployed. If so, he will slot in behind Griese and maybe Jeff Blake, but ahead of Jake Delhomme, Charlie Batch, Koy Detmer, Rob Johnson, and Shane Matthews among others.

It's not a great list to choose from if your team is..

Staples Donates $25,000 Check To Green Bay Charity In Sherman's Name

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Tue, 11 Feb 2003 18:07:55 CST

While winning the Staples/NFL Coach of the Year award surely meant a lot to Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman, it meant even more to a Green Bay charity.

Tuesday, in conjunction with the award, Staples presented a $25,000 check in Sherman's name to Marion House, a licensed group home for pregnant and parenting teens and their children.

Monica Zindler, the administrator and founder of Marion House, thanked Sherman and Staples through tears, noting that such donations allow the program to keep running.

"I'm so honored that you would choose us," Zindler said to Sherman. "We're a small organization. It's kind of like, who are we that you would consider us worthy?"

Responded Sherman, whose wife Karen volunteers regularly at the center, "I couldn't think of anybody more worthy than the Marion House."

Since 1994, Marion House has been home to more than 100 teen mothers and their children, allowing the mothers to stay in school while also learn..

More 1-Week Sales At The Packers Pro Shop

Tue, 11 Feb 2003 11:02:01 CST

February continues to be a great time for shopping at the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com.

Continuing a month of deals, the Packers Pro Shop added to its long list of clearance merchandise with four items available at a sale price for this week only (Feb. 10-16).

Have a baby in the family? Check out the three-piece Packers Creeper Set, which is marked down from $17.95 to $11.95 this week.

Trying to fight off the winter cold? Take a look at two specially priced scarves, each marked down from $22.95 to only $14.95.

Want another Packers hat to add to your collection? The Packers Over and Over Cap is down from $17.95 to $11.95.

In addition to those great one-week deals, more than 50 items are available at fantastic clearance prices, as supplies last.

Other one-week deals will be available later in the month.

Remember, the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com are the ..

Philbin Excited About Opportunity

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Mon, 10 Feb 2003 18:15:04 CST

Despite serving almost two decades in the collegiate coaching ranks, Joe Philbin said he never seriously pursued a position in the National Football League until this one.

Monday, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman named Philbin the Packers' assistant offensive line coach, replacing Pat Ruel, who accepted the head offensive line coaching position with the Buffalo Bills, Jan. 21.

"If you grow up watching the NFL, being part of the Green Bay Packers organization is too good an opportunity to pass up," Philbin said Monday evening via teleconference from Iowa City, where he was wrapping his four-year tenure as head offensive line coach at the University of Iowa.

Philbin's vast experience with collegiate athletes should serve him well in Green Bay, where his primary duty will be developing younger players and getting them acclimated to the NFL.

Two times in the past three years Philbin was among the college coaches who visited the Packers' training camp to lear..

Player Profile: Marco Rivera - Mr. Packer

Luke Sacks, NFLPLAYERS.com — Fri, 07 Feb 2003 12:27:10 CST

While the players in the Green Bay Packers locker room love playing at Lambeau Field in front of some of the most loyal and supportive fans in all of sports, most of them don't enjoy winters in the Wisconsin.

In fact for the most part, when February rolls around and the NFL football season is over, most players that work in cold weather cities seek warmer temperatures or return to their hometowns.

One exception is Packers guard Marco Rivera. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native remains in Wisconsin all year long and he couldn't be happier. "I like living in a cold weather climate," he stated. "I have two younger boys who also love it up there and there are a lot of things to do in the snow."

Another advantage to living so close to Lambeau Field is the chance to use the team's tremendous weight room and other training equipment. "All the facilities are there and you can work out all off-season," Rivera said. "It's also a great place to raise a family."

Res..

Ferrario To Attend NFLE

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Thu, 06 Feb 2003 16:01:37 CST

In preparation for his third NFL season, offensive lineman Bill Ferrario has been allocated to NFL Europe, Director of Pro Personnel Reggie McKenzie said Thursday.

Ferrario joins a previously-announced group of eight Packers players destined for the NFL's developmental league this spring.

Of that group, Ferrario is by far the more experienced after two full seasons on the Packers' roster.

He saw at least limited action in all 17 games last season (including playoffs) and played most of the game at Minnesota (Nov. 17) and most of the second half at Detroit (Sept. 22) when starting right guard Marco Rivera went down to injury.

That said, Ferrario's NFLE tour is targeted at getting him game reps at center, a secondary position that he only started to learn midway through training camp last summer.

"I think this is a wonderful opportunity for Billy," Packers offensive line coach Larry Beightol said.

"He would get approximately 700 sna..

Online Diary: Rivera Describes Pro Bowl Experience, Part IV

Wed, 05 Feb 2003 11:51:48 CST

This year, in his seventh NFL season, guard Marco Rivera became the first Packers offensive lineman to be voted to the Pro Bowl since Larry McCarren in 1983.

The all-star selection was a much-deserved reward for Rivera, who started all 17 games -- including post-season play -- despite tearing the medial collateral ligaments in both knees.

In addition to protecting Brett Favre, Rivera and his fellow offensive linemen opened holes for the Packers' best rushing season in 17 years.

Sunday, February 2, Rivera and the NFC all-stars -- including Packers wide receiver Donald Driver, tight end Bubba Franks and safety Darren Sharper -- fell to the AFC all-stars 45-20 at Aloha Stadium.

Back in Green Bay with knee surgery upcoming, Rivera wrapped up his Pro Bowl online diary, made available exclusively at Packers.com.

Pro Bowl Diary, Part IV - February 5, 2003

So now I've played in a Pro Bowl.

It was an exciting game. ..

Bevell Welcomes Increased Role

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Tue, 04 Feb 2003 17:27:00 CST

When Darrell Bevell was promoted to offensive assistant in April of last year, he was shouldered with the task of grooming Brett Favre's successor.

His promotion Tuesday means that the 33-year-old is now shouldered with the task of grooming Favre as well.

Named the Packers' new quarterbacks coach by GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman, Bevell becomes responsible for the productivity and development of all Packers quarterbacks.

"If Coach Sherman wants something conveyed to Brett, I will be the person to communicate it to him now," Bevell explained.

Coaching a three-time NFL MVP could be considered a mixed blessing.

On the one hand, Favre already possesses know-how and talent that are perhaps second to none. On the other, suggesting to a future Hall of Famer that an area of his game needs improvement isn't a job for just anyone.

Challenging as that balance may be, Bevell said he isn't intimidated by the idea of coaching a football legend. <..

Packers Send 8 To NFLE

Jason Bellamy, Packers.com — Tue, 04 Feb 2003 15:09:45 CST

The Green Bay Packers will send eight players overseas to participate in NFL Europe, assistant director of pro personnel Sean Howard said Tuesday.

That's up one from the original list of seven players after the addition of safety Bobby Jackson.

Named for allocation to the NFL's developmental league January 22 were wide receivers Brian Haugabrook and Travis Williams, linebackers Isaac Keys and Jermaine Petty, punter Tim Morgan, safety Jeremy Unertl and wide receiver/return specialist Shawn Mills.

Only the Chicago Bears, with 13, and the Kansas City Chiefs, with 10, allocated more players to NFLE than the Packers.

NFLE team assignments also were announced Tuesday.

Jackson, Keys and Petty will join forces with the Scottish Claymores. Haugabrook and Unertl will suit up for the Frankfurt Galaxy. Mills is the lone Packers representative with the Rhein Fire. Williams is the lone representative with the Amsterdam Admirals.

Morgan will..

Packers Pro Shop Kicks Off February Sales

Mon, 03 Feb 2003 16:46:46 CST

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but any time is the right time to buy when there are sales at the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com.

Kicking off a month of deals, the Packers Pro Shop added to its long list of clearance items several outstanding sales available for one week only.

From February 3-9, Packers fans can buy a Suede Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt for only $39.95, marked down from $62.95! Similarly, the Suede Fleece Pant is going for $36.95, down from $56.95.

Select Packers ties are as low as $14.95 this week. Children's Two-Piece Fleece Jersey Sets start as low as $17.95.

In addition to those great one-week deals, more than 50 items are available at fantastic clearance prices, as supplies last.

Other one-week deals will be available later in the month.

Remember, the Packers Pro Shop and PackersProShop.com are the only shopping locations where your purchases help ..