Packers.com

Training Camp Report - July 31, 2004

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 31 Jul 2004 16:09:53 CST

Approximately 550 people lined the fences at Clarke Hinkle Field to watch the Packers complete their final two practices of the weekend.

Both workouts were in shorts but that will change Monday, which marks the first day of practice for the veterans as well as the first day fans get to hear the crunch of shoulder pads and helmets.

Sixth-round pick Corey Williams signed his contract in mid-morning just in time to participate in the last half of practice. With the addition of Williams, the defensive end/tackle out of Arkansas State, the Packers had 32 players take part in both workouts.

One highlight of the morning featured rookie quarterback Scott McBrien connecting with wide receiver Chris Day on a 40-yard pass down the sideline. Day, a rookie free agent out of Grambling, lunged forward to catch the ball near the fence, much to the delight of the fans.

Day and fellow wide receiver Carl Ford also received work as punt returners in the morn..

Sherman Sets Camp's Tone

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sat, 31 Jul 2004 15:54:54 CST

As Packers veterans join their teammates in reporting for training camp today, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman will formally greet his 2004 squad in their first team meeting of the year tonight at St. Norbert College.

Sherman has the task of bringing everyone together, whether it's their first Packers training camp, or they've just checked into the dorms in De Pere for the 13th time like Brett Favre.

"It's a very diverse group," said Sherman, who is beginning his fifth season as the Packers head coach. "You have rookies sitting in there that are nervous as all heck, then you have guys like Brett who's been there forever, heard it all, seen it all and done it all. Even though the group is so diverse, they all have the same goal, and that's to win a championship. You pull them in that way and you try to unite them that way."

Sherman will make sure everyone in that room knows what a unique experience putting on that Packers uniform will be for them.

"..

Packers Place Second In Ultimate Rookie Challenge

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 31 Jul 2004 16:25:21 CST

Becoming a professional athlete definitely has its perks, but often times there is more involved than fame and fortune. The road is sometimes rocky, but judging by the 2004 NFL Rookie Symposium, the Packers latest draft class will handle it just fine.

All six of the Packers draft picks attended the symposium which was recently held in San Diego, Calif. It's mandatory that all NFL draft picks attend the event designed to give rookies an idea of some of the things they may face during and after their career. This is the eighth consecutive year the four-day orientation has been held for drafted rookies.

League personnel, expert facilitators, as well as former and active players are involved in delivering a program specially designed to give incoming players detailed information about life in the NFL. Although information dealing with a player's active career (league policies, media relations and benefits) is provided, a major part of the symposium focuses on life..

Butler: The Pack Is Back

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2004 21:00:05 CST

Training camp is here again and just like every other Packers fan, I can't wait to get the 2004 season going!

This week got started off on a sad note with the tragic death of Mark Hatley, and I'd like to express how deeply saddened I was when I heard the news of his passing. I'd like to thank the fans for all the nice comments as many people have called me or talked to me in the airport to offer their condolences.

Whenever someone in the Packer family passes away, it's tough for everybody. That's one thing I love about this team, that the fans take it very personally.

Mark was a fun guy to be around. I got a chance to spend time with him in the offseason at the combine interviewing players. He was a very smart guy, he knew his stuff. The Packers were very lucky as a team to have a guy of that caliber, and to lose him is a big blow to the organization.

I know that myself, as well as all of you will have his wife, Claudia, and the rest of ..

First-Year Players Taste First Packers Training Camp

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2004 19:42:38 CST

Most of us can remember the mix of nervousness and excitement that always came along with the first day of summer camp. For several Packers rookies, that feeling came rushing back on this Friday in late July as they hit the practice field for the first session of the Club's 2004 training camp.

After reporting to camp and checking into their dorm rooms at St. Norbert College Thursday, the rookies and first-year players met the local Wisconsin media at a luncheon at Lambeau Field before heading down to the locker room to suit up for their first official practice as Green Bay Packers at Clarke Hinkle Field.

Making the trek across the parking lot and Oneida Street to the practice gave many of the players their first chance to make a kid's day and ride a young Packer fan's bicycle to the field. Rookie cornerback Joey Thomas was one of the fresh faces to hop on the sometimes seemingly undersized bikes and make a new friend.
..

Training Camp Report - July 30, 2004

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2004 19:40:41 CST

The Green Bay Packers officially kicked off their 2004 training camp Friday as rookies and first year players participated in a light practice at Clarke Hinkle Field. Approximately 400 fans watched the afternoon practice, which lasted a little over an hour.

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch made his debut in a Green Bay uniform and shared snaps with rookie free agent Scott McBrien and third-year pro Craig Nall. Couch was on the field for the first time since signing with the team in mid June. The fans showed appreciation for their newest quarterback by cheering him on as he headed to practice.

In a passing drill, Couch quickly became acquainted with second-year wide receiver Carl Ford when the pair hooked up on a handful of passes.

Although only 31 players took part in the practice, defensive line coach Jethro Franklin said the workout was still beneficial.

"We had a lot of individual teaching going on," Franklin said. "You kind of ..

Packers Contingent In Oklahoma For Hatley Memorial Service

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 30 Jul 2004 11:05:45 CST

A 20-person contingent from the Green Bay Packers organization departed around 9:30 this morning from Austin Straubel International Airport for Tulsa, Okla., to attend the memorial service for Mark Hatley, the Packers' vice president of football operations who passed away earlier this week.

Members of the organization traveling on the three charter airplanes included president/CEO Bob Harlan, executive vice president/COO John Jones, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman and his wife Karen, vice president of player finance/general counsel Andrew Brandt, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, as well as many members of the pro and college scouting staff.

The group was scheduled to arrive in Tulsa shortly after noon for the 1:00 p.m. (CDT) memorial service at Moore Southlawn Chapel. The entire party will return to Green Bay this evening.

The Packers organization will also hold a private memorial service inside the team's offices on Monday, ..

Fans Enjoying The Packers Experience At Lambeau Field

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 14:39:43 CST

For the past seven years, fans attending Packers training camp have been able to visit Brown County Arena or ShopKo Hall for the club's interactive area known as The Packers Experience.

The 2004 incarnation of The Packers Experience will allow Packer fans of all ages to hone their football skills in the same building where their heroes play. The event is being held in the concourse area at Lambeau Field, adjacent to the Lambeau Field Atrium. Another feature of the 2004 Experience is that all the activities are FREE to the public for the first time and will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, now through Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Modeled on The NFL Experience, which is a prominent attraction at the Super Bowl each year, The Packers Experience allows young Packers to work on nearly every aspect of their game. Kids can visit the Training Room, where they can have their wrist wrapped and then head off to work on any number of football skills, from the Passin..

Packers Rookies And First-Year Players Report To Training Camp

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 19:33:55 CST

For some, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in their professional football careers.

For others, it's the beginning of their first shot to make it big in the National Football League.

But for all the Packers rookies and first year players, Thursday marked the end of summer vacation and the beginning of their careers wearing the Green and Gold.

"I'm very excited about the beginning of training camp," said quarterback Tim Couch, who was one of several players to move their belongings into the dorms at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis. -- their home for the next four weeks of training camp, officially marking the beginning of the 2004 season. "Obviously this is my first year with the Packers and I'm excited to really get a chance to meet my new teammates and to get on the field for the first time in this uniform."

The new Packers will practice Friday afternoon for the first time since mini-camp ended in June. Veterans will report to camp Satu..

Packers Deliver Team Report At Annual Stockholders' Meeting

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Wed, 28 Jul 2004 21:25:48 CST

The Green Bay Packers don't have an owner. They have 111,613 of them.

As one of the most unique stories in all of sports, Green Bay Packers, Inc., has been a publicly-owned, non-profit corporation since Aug. 18, 1923, when original articles of incorporation were filed with Wisconsin's secretary of state.

On several occasions, loyal fans -- none of whom receive any dividends on the initial investment -- have come to the team's financial rescue, first in 1923, and again in 1935, 1950 and 1997.

On Wednesday, the Packers, governed by a board of directors and a seven-member executive committee, addressed nearly 3,000 stockholders inside the Resch Center in Green Bay, outlining the team's status both on and off the field.

In addition to the annual state of the team address delivered by GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman, vice president of player finance Andrew Brandt gav..

Mark Hatley Memorial Service Friday

Wed, 28 Jul 2004 15:47:14 CST

The memorial service for Mark Hatley, the Packers' vice president of football operations who passed away earlier this week, will be Friday at 1 p.m. (CDT) in Tulsa, Okla., his family announced Wednesday.

Moore Southlawn Chapel
9350 East 51st St.
Tulsa, OK 74133
918/663-2233

Nearby hotels include the Renaissance (918/307-2600), Residence Inn (918/250-4850) and the Embassy Suites (918/622-4000).

Floral Visions (918/499-1500) can provide arrangements for anyone not able to attend.

Hatley Was The Good Guy You Loved

Pat Kirwin, NFL.com — Tue, 27 Jul 2004 00:00:46 CST

Every week during the season I present an award to an "Unsung Hero" coach in the name of Chip Myers, a former NFL coach who died suddenly. He was a friend of mine and the epitome of what an NFL assistant coach should be -- an unselfish, tireless worker.

Well, another close friend of mine passed away -- Mark Hatley the vice president for personnel with the Green Bay Packers. Mark offered me the position of pro personnel director when he took over the leadership of the Chicago Bears a few years ago, and for that I will always be grateful. He was to personnel work and front-office people what Myers was to coaching ... the best!

Mark and I spent a few hours talking at the owners meetings this past spring in Florida, and he was as always a humble, hard worker that never said a bad word about anyone. He was always looking for one kind of NFL player; a man who had passion for the game.

My favorite story about Mark was as I left the New York Jets he called me an..

Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson Issues Statement

Tue, 27 Jul 2004 18:20:51 CST

Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson released the following statement regarding the passing of Mark Hatley:

"The Kansas City Chiefs were shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Mark Hatley. Mark was here for ten years and it was my good fortune to work with him for eight. The Green Bay Packers and the National Football League have lost a wonderful, talented, and devoted person. Mark always had an upbeat attitude about everything and, I've said this many times to other people in our profession, I believe Mark Hatley to be one of the most talented evaluators of player personnel that I've ever encountered. The successes of the teams he's been with bear that out. But more than a fine evaluator of football talent, Mark was a good person who had friends throughout the NFL and the college ranks. Everyone who came in contact with Mark liked him. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Claudia, and his lovely family. This is tru..

Chicago Bears President/CEO Ted Phillips Issues Statement

Tue, 27 Jul 2004 18:18:19 CST

Chicago Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips released the following statement regarding the passing of Mark Hatley:

"Mark loved football and excelled in evaluating the game and the people who play it. But as talented as he was in his professional career, it was Mark's personal qualities that made him a special individual. Mark made life fun with his endless energy and quick wit. He was dedicated to his job and his family. We were fortunate to have Mark as a part of our team. The Bears, and the rest of the NFL, have lost a wonderful friend. The Hatley family is in our thoughts and prayers."

Statement From GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman

Tue, 27 Jul 2004 17:46:16 CST

Mike Sherman:

Today the Green Bay Packers not only lost a valuable member of its team, but also a trusted and loyal friend.

Mark Hatley loved his family, he loved his friends, and he loved football. He lived each day completely - filling each with his enthusiasm and passion for life and those in it. We should all be so fortunate to live like he lived.

He will be missed by many.

Our sympathies go out to his entire family, especially his wife, Claudia.

Behind The Team: Pepper Burruss

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:20:08 CST

Every time the Packers take the field, whether it's for a June mini-camp practice or a crucial NFC North showdown in December, one man is always there keeping his watchful eye on every move of each man in Green and Gold. Head trainer Pepper Burruss doesn't miss a thing as he and his staff work to keep every member of the team in full health.

While you may not recognize his name, Burruss, who is entering his 28th season in the NFL, is a familiar face to all Packers fans.

He's the first man on the scene whenever a player goes down with an injury and has been on the sideline for every Packers game since 1993, when he joined the team following 16 seasons with the New York Jets.

Burruss has been recognized as being at the top of his field, first as part of the Jets staff that won the inaugural 'NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year' award in 1985, and again in 2000 when his Packers crew was rated second among all NFL teams in a survey conducted by the NFL P..

Green Bay Packers Youth Football Camps Wrap Up At City Stadium

Fri, 23 Jul 2004 13:19:40 CST

In one of the most historic sites in Green Bay, the Packers Youth Football Camps wrapped up, Friday, at City Stadium at Green Bay East High School, home of the Packers from 1925-56.

Coaching different drills and seven-on-seven scrimmages, Dave Brown, head football coach at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., directed four of the camps, which included stops in Racine, Madison, Janesville and Waukesha.

The Packers Youth Football Camp, which saw over 400 youth this summer, teaches fundamentals and non-contact football skills to kids, 6-14 years old. In addition to fundamental skill development, the Packers Camps provide lessons on leadership, sportsmanship, self-esteem and personal fitness.

Off the field activities such as the Ice Bowl, NFL Chief Scout, Rapid Fire True or False, Super Skill Challenge and Super Bowl Day provide campers with a wide range of enjoyable learning events.

In addition, all campers were invited to a fall tour of Lambeau F..

Packers Merchandise Among NFL's Best-Sellers

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 11:24:11 CST

Coming off back-to-back NFC North division championships, the Green Bay Packers placed third in total sales of NFL licensed merchandise for 2003.

The Packers, making their eighth consecutive appearance in the top five, posted their best ranking since 1998, the year following back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl in 1996 and 1997.

The Packers followed the Oakland Raiders, who ranked first for the third consecutive year and were coming off a Super Bowl appearance in 2002, and the New England Patriots, winners of two of the last three Super Bowls.

In addition, Brett Favre's No. 4 jersey continues to rank among the NFL's most popular, coming in as the 11th most purchased jersey on NFLshop.com in 2003.

The NFL is the world's most popular sports brand and is the seventh-largest overall brand globally, according to License! magazine.

To shop for NFL officially licensed Packers merchandise, visit
Since opening its doors in Sept., the Packers have had an ext..