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Training Camp Report - August 31

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 18:11:47 CST

The Packers moved a step closer to the culmination of training camp with a single practice Tuesday afternoon at Clarke Hinkle Field. It was also the last scheduled practice of camp with full pads.

In what has become a common occurrence, the Packers again devoted much of the first part of practice to special teams. Tuesday the team spent the first half hour of practice working on special teams coverage units as well as the field goal unit.

In an onside kick drill, the receiving team covered up Ryan Longwell's kickoff three consecutive times. Cornerback Jason Horton fell on the first kickoff and fullback Vonta Leach and wide receiver Javon Walker secured the next two attempts. All three players perhaps displayed enough ability to play on the "hands team," which is used when opponents line up for an onside kickoff.

The team resumed the regular portion of practice with 1-on-1 drills between the secondary and wide receivers. It's common for the offens..

Packers Notebook - Davenport Concentrates On Ultimate Goal

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 18:09:59 CST

Normally, a talented player wants every chance to get in the starting lineup and show what he can do. Very rarely does a capable player sit back and accept his role if he is good enough to start for another team.

Packers running back Najeh Davenport is one of those players who would start if it weren't for superstar Ahman Green.

Yet, Davenport is more than happy with his role in Green Bay.

"Right now I'm still Ahman's backup, so I go in there to spell him from time to time," Davenport explained. "I am still in that role, but every opportunity counts and that is how I approach the season. Every opportunity I get to make a play, I've got to make it."

When Green went down with a knee injury Friday against Jacksonville, Davenport said the last thing on his mind was being able to play.

"You hate to see anyone lying on the ground, especially someone of his caliber," Davenport said. "I gave a quick prayer for him as did everyone on the s..

Letters To LeRoy Butler

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 17:35:28 CST

First of all, just because Deion Sanders is coming back out of retirement, I thought about it for about 20 seconds or so (ha ha), but of course I won't be coming back to the field. He didn't break his shoulder in three places like I did. Thank you for all the nice e-mails, but my playing days are over. Now, let's get on to this week's letters:

Hey LeRoy - Out of all of the DB's you played with, who did you have the best chemistry with? - Jason (Kewaskum, WI)

I would have to say Darren Sharper. He knew his role, and I knew mine, and we really worked well together.

Eugene Robinson is a close second, though.

LeRoy, all preseason I've heard how the Packers cornerbacks are going to play bump-n-run coverage. Yet, while closely watching all the preseason games, I've noticed that the corners rarely - if ever - get a jam on the receiver at the line of scrimmage to misdirect the route. Sure, the corners are lining up closer to the line of scr..

Butler: This Defense Is Exciting

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Tue, 31 Aug 2004 17:36:36 CST
After watching the Packers up close in my hometown of Jacksonville Friday night, I think people are now beginning to understand what the Packers defense is really all about in 2004. This is going to be a really exciting unit to watch, and you'll never know what to expect next.

They really gave Byron Leftwich some coverages he's never seen before, and that caused the young quarterback to rush some throws. I think that's going to be a common theme this year with all the different looks this team is going to throw at their opponents.

On Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's sack, the play was a roll out, and they actually came towards Kabeer. You would think they would want to run away from the Pro Bowler, but he showed that if he gets one-on-one blocking, he could easily have a 15-sack season this year.

Grady Jackson again proved that if he's healthy, he will be a force to be reckoned with up the middle of the defense.

The linebackers are very aggressive. The s..

Live Chat To Welcome Darren Sharper, Wednesday At 2 PM CT

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:41:26 CST
Entering his eighth season with the Packers, safety Darren Sharper has registered the most interceptions in the NFL since 1999 (30) and 2000 (27), and is currently tied (with Johnny 'Blood' McNally, Charley Brock and Keith McKenzie) for fourth best in team history with four career defensive touchdowns.

In the Packers' preseason game vs. the New Orleans Saints, Sharper intercepted Todd Bouman's pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown, evoking memories of his playing days at William & Mary, where he was a two-time Division I-AA All-American.

"I have to do more wind sprints after practice," Sharper joked after the game. "I had a flashback to my punt return days in college, but I don't have the same speed, so I got a little tired at the end."

Because meetings ran late last week, Darren was unable to join us. But on Wednesday, the two-time Pro Bowler, who looks to make career start No. 100 in 2004, will take a break from his wind sprints to take question..

Scott Wells Training Camp Diary - Part V

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 09:12:50 CST
If nothing else, at least Scott Wells has had an eventful training camp. He turned heads his first week of camp by holding his own in practice and showing a feistiness particularly in the in 1-on-1 drills.

Wells was dealt a setback shortly after that, however, when his reoccurring elbow injury caused him to miss several practices and the preseason game against the Saints. He returned to practice last Monday, played in the Packers loss to Jacksonville and now appears locked in a roster battle.

The team announced the first round of cuts Sunday and although Wells avoided those, he is not taking anything for granted. He will have another week of practice and a game against Tennessee to show his worth to the Packers. In the fifth installment of his training camp diary, Wells talks about his chances of making the final roster, his final week of training camp and what he expects going into the season.

Scott Wells: The cuts that were made Sunday kind o..

Training Camp Report - August 30

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 16:08:23 CST
The Green Bay Packers began the final week of their training camp practices Monday, with the two practices marking their last double session of 2004. The morning workout was moved inside the Don Hutson Center to due wet grass on Clarke Hinkle Field after the early morning rain shower. The team took to the FieldTurf wearing helmets and shorts.

Nearly all of the 45-minute a.m. practice consisted of full-team drills and featured the entire starting offensive line together for the first time during camp. Pro Bowl center Mike Flanagan, who had been held out of the workouts since the start of training camp due to knee tendinitis, returned to the field to anchor the line.

Brett Favre rested during the morning session, allowing Doug Pederson, Tim Couch and Craig Nall each to see some reps with the first offensive unit. Couch said that his arm felt strong

Pederson opened up under center and hit Antonio Chatman for a completion as the receiver came back nicely to..

For Rogers, The Decision Was Easy

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 14:04:50 CST
When Tyrone Rogers originally signed with Cleveland in 1999 as an undrafted free agent, all he wanted to do was make the team.

Rogers accomplished that goal and then some.

Despite weighing only 236 pounds in his first training camp with the Browns, Rogers impressed the organization enough to land a spot on the practice squad. Eventually Rogers maneuvered his way to the active roster and played five seasons, amassing 12 sacks during that time.

Although he and the Browns parted ways in early June, Rogers didn't panic. He said he knew he would find a home eventually, but he wanted to make sure it was with a team that contends for a Super Bowl every season.

When asked why Rogers chose the Packers he just smiles and looks in the direction of Brett Favre's locker. He admitted that No. 4 was as big a reason to sign with the team as any.

"The Packers are in the playoffs every year and with Brett Favre at the helm, they always are contenders ..

Packers Notebook - Sherman Highlights Injuries, Roster Battles

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sun, 29 Aug 2004 18:03:43 CST
In GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman's press conference Sunday afternoon, the Leader of the Pack addressed injuries, roster battles and the overall status of his team.

Sherman indicated that center Mike Flanagan, who has been on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) since the beginning of training camp with knee tendinitis, will return to practice Monday morning. Sherman also expects Flanagan to play in the team's final exhibition game Friday night at Tennessee.

When asked if Flanagan could play without any restrictions, Sherman indicated his center doesn't have any worries.

"He seemed to think so for the last week, so from his standpoint, yes, he'll be able to play without restrictions," Sherman said. "But I will keep an eye on him just like I did last week with Mike Wahle. I will probably restrict him a little bit."

Either way, Sherman is excited for Flanagan's return.

"It's the first time we will have our entire offensive line int..

Stay Tuned To Packers.com For Roster Cuts

Sun, 29 Aug 2004 15:35:42 CST
As of Sunday, September 5, NFL rosters must be reduced to their regular season maximum of 53.

News of the Green Bay Packers' cuts could come as early as Saturday, and Packers.com will announce such transactions as they become available.

Click here for information on the Packers' previous roster moves.

Again, Packers.com will be your source for team news, so keep checking back to the official Web site of the Green Bay Packers.

Nitschke Field Renovations Nearly Complete

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sun, 29 Aug 2004 08:54:00 CST
Anyone who has been following the Packers is well aware of the great change that has occurred at their Lambeau Field home over the past few years.

What many fans may not be aware of, however, is that the field the Packers get most of their playing time on has received a complete make-over as well.

Ray Nitschke Field, the team's day-to-day outdoor practice field during the regular season located just east of the Don Hutson Center, has undergone a renovation process that will make it much more serviceable. The field, which formerly featured a natural grass playing surface, is now comprised of FieldTurf, the leader in synthetic grass fields.

FieldTurf is a grass-like artificial surface, with individual grass blade-like fibers surrounded and stabilized by a blend of "synthetic earth". The mixture beneath the surface of the field is comprised of silica sand, rubber granules, and re-ground athletic shoe material.

Final installation work is being comple..

Fergie Back With A Bang

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 23:54:35 CST
Wide receiver Robert Ferguson wasn't happy sitting on the sidelines for the Packers' first two preseason games of 2004. Held back by a hamstring injury suffered just days before the preseason opener, the fourth-year pro had been itching to get his first game action for quite a while heading into Friday night's match-up with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ferguson quickly made up for lost time as he led all receivers Friday with three catches for 83 yards, and scored the game's only touchdown on a 52-yard bomb on a play-action pass from Brett Favre in the second quarter.

Not only was Ferguson's scoring grab the lone touchdown of this night, but it also marked the first time a member of the Packers' offense reached the end zone this preseason.

The receiver brought a spark to the game early as well, as he had already dug deep into the Jaguars secondary for a 26-yard gain in the first period.

As one of three big receiving targets Favre has at his disposa..

Packers Notebook - Green Escapes Serious Injury

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 23:51:51 CST
As All-Pro running back Ahman Green lay on the field in the second quarter of Green Bay's preseason game at Jacksonville Friday, you can bet there were more than a few concerned people on the Packer sideline. Luckily for the Packers, it appears that Green avoided a serious injury.

After Green was tackled on a five-yard gain, he immediately reached for his left leg and trainers hustled out to the field to work on the Packers' all-purpose back. He eventually got up and walked off the field with assistance from the medical staff.

GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman called the injury a bruised left kneecap.

"His kneecap moved," Sherman said. "I think it scared him more than anything. It scared me as well.

"Many, many thoughts go through your head when that happens to a player of that magnitude, but fortunately he was OK."

Although no injury is considered a good one, the Packers can breathe a little easier knowing that Green could have been hur..

AP Story: Scobee Kicks Jaguars Past Packers 9-7

Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:32:48 CST
Josh Scobee 's chances of becoming Jacksonville's kicker soared with every kick.

The rookie took advantage of an opportunity to prove he can be the answer to the Jaguars' kicking woes, booting three field goals in a 9-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Scobee, a fifth-round draft pick from Louisiana Tech, missed three of four field goal attempts in his first two preseason games, but was perfect on tries of 23, 32 and 43 yards against the Packers.

"It feels good, man. The first two games were rough on me, but I just had to keep my head and be confident in myself and go out and do what I knew I could do," said Scobee, who kicked the game-winner with 9:18 left in the fourth quarter.

"I wouldn't say I changed anything drastically, I just concentrated more. Concentrated on exactly what I needed to do and it worked out."

Scobee also showed improvement on kickoffs after struggling in practice and in games.

"This isn't what I tho..

Bush Excited To Fill Many Roles With Packers

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 27 Aug 2004 10:17:04 CST
Steve Bush has always prided himself on being dependable, hard-working and versatile. The Packers felt the same way when they signed him on June 9, and the good news is that they feel even better about him now, nearly three months later.

Bush originally broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent and spent his first four seasons with Cincinnati before moving on to Arizona for three years. Now, as he enters his first season with the Packers, he insists he hasn't changed, but the environment around him has.

"There's a lot of differences between Green Bay and where I have been," the 6-foot-3, 267-pound tight end explained. "The organization and how they treat the players, as well as the expectations and the community is unbelievable here. I've never had this kind of fan support in my career."

Bush, who was born and raised in Arizona, also attended college at Arizona State where he was part of a Pac-10 Conference championship team. He started three sea..

Butler's Breakdown: Packers vs. Jaguars

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 17:03:25 CST
As the Packers head out on the road for the first time this preseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars will provide a good test, so we should get to see some great action from two teams I think will be very good in 2004.

Traditionally, Coach Sherman likes to play the starters a little longer in the third preseason game, so look for the front-line guys to still be playing into the third quarter. They will be able to get into the flow of the game.

This will be a good test for the Packers, and the Jaguars will be coming to Lambeau Field in December, so this will be a good preview for that game as well.

This week against the Jaguars will be a very good test for the Packers' offense. The Jaguars defense was a top 10 defense last year, and they're built on stopping the run.

They have two big tackles, John Henderson and Marcus Stroud. The Jaguars are good at end, too. The development of Paul Spicer has given them the ability to release Tony Brackens, bec..

Letters To LeRoy Butler

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 15:46:07 CST
Hello Leroy. How physical can the corners be in the first five yards? Are the young guys bumping enough at the line? - David (Minneapolis, MN)

That's where you've got to be your toughest, within that first five yards. That's where you can really throw a receiver off of his route. All passing plays are built on timing, so if you can disrupt the timing within those first five yards, you won't have to worry about a lot of downfield stuff.

It's key to get your hands on the guy at the line of scrimmage. If you're going to go up there, you might as well be aggressive. Why else even go up there?

In your opinion, can the Packers afford to give away such good field position to a season full of foes with short kickoffs? We all know Ryan is dead accurate but what's the trade-off in your opinion? - Big D (Scottsdale, AZ)

That's a good question. Until the defense gets where it needs to be, they want to make sure each kick is inside the fi..

Training Camp Report - August 26

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 13:34:19 CST
The Green Bay Packers held a brief walkthrough practice Thursday morning inside Lambeau Field in preparation for Friday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Packers will be on the road for the first time all preseason after playing their first two games at home in Green Bay. The Green and Gold opened up the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks with a loss, but recovered nicely last Saturday with a win over the New Orleans Saints.

With only a week left of training camp practices, Friday's game will go a long way in determining many players' roster fates. Wide receiver Carl Ford knows there's plenty at stake for him and his teammates.

"We've got a big game coming up tomorrow night and we've got to do some good things," Ford said. "We've got to take advantage of the situation. We all know how it is; guys right now at the bottom, or on the bubble, are fighting for jobs. When we go in there, we've got to make plays and stay away from mental mi..

Packers Notebook - Favre Feels Sharp

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 19:22:18 CST
One would think that Brett Favre wouldn't need to sharpen his skills and get ready for the regular season by playing in seemingly meaningless preseason games. After all, this season is Favre's 14th and he is a three-time MVP. Why would he need to shake off the rust?

Well, Favre admits that although he has been in the game for a while and has seen many different situations, there just is no substitute for live action.

"There is such a long layoff between the last preseason game and the first regular season game, and as far as practice, it's not like regular season," Favre said. "You share a lot of the reps, you don't see a lot of the same situations especially in the game. Veterans are no different than anyone else, they have to work their way back into it.

"I know there are different opinions between coaches and players, but I would think playing would help more than hurt."

Favre said it would be great if he could play more in August, but exc..

Training Camp Report - August 25

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 18:06:08 CST
The Green Bay Packers took to the practice field for a single session Wednesday, and about 1,400 fans were in attendance at Clarke Hinkle Field to see their heroes in action. The team was in helmets and shorts for the 2 1/2 hour-practice, which surely came as a relief to some players in the warm, muggy conditions.

The workout got underway at 1:00 with the first 30 minutes dedicated solely to special teams.

Punters B.J. Sander and Bryan Barker took turns kicking at the outset. Kicking from the 40-yard line, Barker hung a punt high enough for James Whitley to down the kick on the four. Punting from inside the end zone, Sander delivered two high, driving kicks that drew applause from the crowd.

With Najeh Davenport on the sideline with a tight hamstring, running back Dahrran Diedrick joined Antonio Chatman, Chris Day, Carl Ford and Kelvin Kight returning kickoffs off the foot of Ryan Longwell.

As the full-team practice got into gear, Nick Barnett..

Letters To Lee Remmel

Wed, 25 Aug 2004 11:37:57 CST
Lee, Don Hutson still holds the NFL record for most points in a quarter (29) and Paul Hornung holds the NFL record for most points in a season (160). Despite the potent offenses of today and significantly longer seasons, why do you think these records have stood so long and who has come closest to breaking them? I was also curious to hear your opinion on why another long-standing NFL record - best punting average in a season (51.4 set by QB Sammy Baugh back in 1940) - has lasted so long given the modern athlete and specialization of punting? Even the Packer record of best punting average in game was set in the 1940's (61.6 yards by a guy named Roy McKay). Was the ball easier to kick or were kicks measured differently? Thanks Lee! - Chuck (Glen Ellyn, IL)

Taking them one at a time, I believe Hutson's "record" has stood as long as it has because scoring 4 touchdowns in a 15-minute span is obviously difficult to do under the best of circumstances, considering that..

For Fuller, Knowledge Is Power

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 10:31:11 CST
When athletes are asked to list their strengths, many say the same thing. Their great speed, strength or overall athleticism often are the first qualities that come to mind. Certainly, those redeeming qualities serve as the springboard to their professional career.

Yet, you won't hear Curtis Fuller talking about his physical attributes. He'd rather talk about what he thinks is the greatest power of all: his knowledge.

Fuller, who is 5-10 and 188 pounds, believes that being a smart football player is the best thing he has to offer. Although he has other strengths besides knowledge, Fuller admits that his NFL life, as well as his life outside of football, centers on being a smart individual.

After being claimed off waivers from Seattle one game into the season, Fuller played in nine games for the Packers in 2003. The safety from Texas Christian University (TCU) is entering his fourth season in the NFL and again is in the defensive backfield with the..

Packers Notebook - Wahle Back On The Line

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:03:08 CST
Each day since the start of camp, Mike Wahle has been on Clarke Hinkle Field watching his teammates practice and go through the grind of training camp. Although he's always had his jersey on, it was obvious he couldn't play because the rest of his uniform was nowhere to be found.

On Tuesday that changed.

Wahle joined his teammates like he always does, but this time he was in full gear and going full speed ahead in his first day back at practice. The 6-foot-6, 304-pound guard had been out all of training camp with a knee contusion, and is very happy to be back in the fold.

"It's just great being out here," Wahle said. "I've been out of commission for six or seven weeks so it's been tough. You grow up playing sports and being a competitor and when you have to sit out and watch the guys working on the sideline, it's difficult. Just being able to compete and take the first hit is a good feeling.

"It's one of those things where I wanted to com..

Butler: Young Corners Thrown Into The Fire

LeRoy Buter, Special To Packers.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:35:56 CST
It was good to see the Packers get a win Saturday night against New Orleans. I know it's still the preseason, but anytime you can get a win under your belt, that's definitely a good thing.

While it was good to get the win, there were some other aspects of the game that I think will really help the Packers in the long run for 2004 and beyond.

It was good to see our two young corners, Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas, get what we call 'test time,' to really put them in the fire and see how they respond. I think Carroll got a dose of the new rules, essentially saying that you can't touch a guy after you're five yards down the field.

The problem was, as he's running down the field, even if he's looking for the ball, he can't impede the receiver's progress. You can't use what they call an "arm-bar." You can't put the right arm out and lean into the receiver and restrict him from going for the ball.

Fans might not necessarily like that call, but the o..

Training Camp Report - August 24

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2004 17:09:58 CST
The Packers continued their training camp journey Tuesday with two full squad workouts. Approximately 1,200 fans lined the Clarke Hinkle fence during the morning session.

Defense may have ruled the day in Monday's practice, but the offense and defense each had their share of bright spots Tuesday morning.

In 11-on-11 drills, Brett Favre and Robert Ferguson entertained the crowds with two spectacular plays. On the first play, Favre unleashed a 50-yard pass to Ferguson for a touchdown, and later the pair hooked up for a 40-yard completion.

Quarterback Tim Couch also got in on the action when he found Reggie Love for a 40-yard strike down the middle of the field. In the afternoon, Couch threw a perfect pass to Donald Driver from about 40 yards away and the receiver walked in for the score to complete a 70-yard touchdown.

In 1-on-1 drills, Scott Wells continued his quest for a roster spot. The rookie center out of Tennessee pancaked defensive tac..

Live Chat To Welcome Darren Sharper, Wednesday At 4 PM CT

Tue, 24 Aug 2004 15:55:15 CST
Entering his eighth season with the Packers, safety Darren Sharper has registered the most interceptions in the NFL since 1999 (30) and 2000 (27), and is currently tied (with Johnny 'Blood' McNally, Charley Brock and Keith McKenzie) for fourth best in team history with four career defensive touchdowns.

In Saturday's preseason game vs. the New Orleans Saints, Sharper intercepted Todd Bouman's pass and returned it 90 yards for a TD, evoking memories of his playing days at William & Mary, where he was a two-time Division I-AA All-American.

"I have to do more wind sprints after practice," Sharper joked after the game. "I had a flashback to my punt return days in college, but I don't have the same speed, so I got a little tired at the end."

On Wednesday, the two-time Pro Bowler, who looks to make career start No. 100 in 2004, will take a break from his wind sprints to take questions from Packers fans during a Live Chat starting at approximately 4 p.m. CT.
..

Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em

Todd Fabos, Packers.com — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 17:40:08 CST
Music is a vital element in the lives of many people. Some people seemingly are listening to music for nearly all of their waking hours; in the morning, in the car and while they work. Others go a step further and make their own music.

Packers linebacker Nick Barnett is no stranger to that notion. He started making mix tapes back in middle school, recording what was popular then and playing them for neighborhood parties in California. But that was only how his interest in music began. It kept growing and growing to the point where he now has his own recording studio in the basement of his house and is working on mixing beats while producing his own rap album. He got really serious about making beats when he was in college.

"I always wanted some turntables, but I never had the money to afford it," said Barnett. "When I got to college I got a little side job and I had my scholarship checks so I saved up a little money. Then I got the equipment and started doin..

Training Camp Report - August 23

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 16:52:21 CST
The Packers returned to the practice field in full pads on a rather windy Monday morning. Approximately 900 fans braved the weather to watch the full squad workout at Clarke Hinkle Field.

The play of Corey Williams has been a bright spot so far in training camp and with less than two weeks left of practices, the rookie defensive lineman continues to shine. Williams, a sixth-round pick in this spring's draft, had an impressive workout for a defense that continues to show its aggressiveness.

Williams was at it early and often, first making his mark in 11-on-11 drills. Najeh Davenport attempted to bust a run to the outside, but the 310-pound Williams hustled down the line and stopped Davenport before he could get beyond the line of scrimmage. Later on in the same drill, Williams penetrated through the line and stopped running back Tony Fisher in his tracks.

Perhaps the true test of individual pass rushing skills is the 1-on-1 blocking drill that takes..

Scott Wells Training Camp Diary - Part IV

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 13:59:00 CST
Being hurt doesn't help anyone's chances of making an NFL roster, especially if you happen to be a seventh-round draft pick. Scott Wells, the Packers rookie center is well aware of this and is doing his best to overcome a reoccurring elbow injury.

Wells has missed at least 10 practices because of soreness in his elbow and although he played in the team's first exhibition game against Seattle, he had to sit out Saturday's game against New Orleans.

In the fourth installment of Wells' training camp diary, the rookie out of Tennessee talks about moving out of the St.Norbert dorms, his injury and his chances of making the Packers' final roster.

Scott Wells: It definitely feels good to get out of the dorms. To be able to go home and be with my family is great, but it's a little tougher to get out of bed now. The first thing I did when I got home was take a nap in my own bed. The dorm beds were a little rough for rookies. As first-year guys, we don't..

Curtin's Season In Doubt

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 23 Aug 2004 09:38:34 CST
Offensive tackle Brennan Curtin was looking forward to getting back on the field Saturday night against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers' second-year player was out to prove to the coaching staff that he was deserving of the spot backing up Mark Tauscher on the right side of the offensive line.

Unfortunately, Curtin's second season with the Packers looks to be over before it really began. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said that Curtin is believed to have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the win over the Saints Saturday. Further tests will take place Monday, and if the tear is confirmed, Curtin will be out for the year.

Curtin took the field with the rest of the Packers' second offensive unit in the second half Saturday, but was felled just five minutes into the third quarter. The 6-foot-9 lineman, the tallest player ever drafted by the Packers, was injured on a 12-yard pass from Tim Couch to Scottie Vines as he engaged Saints' defen..

Packers Notebook - Defense Means Business

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 21 Aug 2004 22:52:32 CST
Much of the training camp talk has been focused on the starting strong safety battle between Marques Anderson and Mark Roman. The coaching staff won't say who has the upper hand, but it appears that Roman did nothing to hurt his cause on Saturday night.

In limited playing time, Roman had three tackles and was responsible for getting the defense untracked, according to free safety Darren Sharper.

"Mark Roman made that hit in the backfield," Sharper said. "That play really got us some energy and that is how we got going. After that play we really took off."

Unselfishness was the theme for the night, and Roman passed along the credit to defensive coordinator Bob Slowik.

"I think it's a pretty good compliment, but I don't think I did all of that on my own," Roman said.

"Coach Slowik put us in a good position to make plays. He said we are going to be aggressive and make things happen. I'm just trying to fit into the defense the best I c..

Little Man Chatman Plays Big

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sat, 21 Aug 2004 22:52:58 CST
At the outset of training camp, Packers' GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said that he was concerned about finding a fourth receiver to complement his big three of Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker.

Sherman also made it clear that he wanted to see Antonio Chatman prove to be more than a kick return specialist. Chatman worked exclusively returning punts and kickoffs during his rookie season of 2003, but the coach stated that he'd need to expand on that role in order to occupy one of the valuable spots on the 53-man regular season roster.

At 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, Chatman has been considered by some to be too small to be a factor in the Packers' passing game. However, the speedy former Cincinnati Bearcat has impressed the coaches with his work at wideout thus far in training camp, and Saturday night against the Saints, he took his show under the lights of Lambeau Field and stepped up with a big performance.

With Ferguson missing the game with a ha..

AP Story: Sharper Runs Pick For TD In Packers' Win

Sat, 21 Aug 2004 21:45:10 CST
Darren Sharper had flashbacks to his days as a punt returner at William & Mary -- until he started gasping for breath at about the 25-yard line.

"I was a lot younger then; I had a lot more energy," Sharper said after his 90-yard interception return for a touchdown sparked the Green Bay Packers' 19-14 exhibition victory against the New Orleans Saints.

Sharper hadn't been able to showcase his playmaking abilities since LeRoy Butler's last game in 2001, but he was turned loose with strong safety Mark Roman roaming deep for the Packers (1-1).

Roman, who signed a three-year contract in March after four years in Cincinnati, has been involved in a heated training camp fight with Marques Anderson for the starting job.

Roman made a good case to keep the job with his versatile play that allowed Sharper to play close to the line of scrimmage and create havoc.

Sharper was diplomatic, saying both Anderson and Roman are doing a great job, but he ag..

Butler's Breakdown: Packers vs. Saints

LeRoy Butler, Special to Packers.com — Fri, 20 Aug 2004 14:43:51 CST
With the Saints in town for the second preseason game, look for the Packers to get an in-depth look at some of their newest talent in the secondary.

The Saints will run a moderate version of the West Coast offense. They like to take their shots down the field with receivers Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth. They also have a very good tight end with Boo Williams. This will be a good chance for the Packers' veterans and young guys to come in and do well.

Aaron Brooks is a very capable quarterback. Before moving to New Orleans, he spent the 1999 season in Green Bay watching and learning from Brett Favre.

When Brooks first arrived in New Orleans, he was trying to lead his receivers because he has such a strong arm. If you notice, although Brett has a strong arm, he has a lot of touch on his passes. He gives his receivers a chance because he is patient in the pocket.

For a while, Brooks would go through one or two progressions and then he would ..

Packers Notebook - Roman Gets His Turn

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 20 Aug 2004 14:42:09 CST
With training camp approximately half over, the Packers are still deciding who their starting safety opposite of Darren Sharper will be. The top two candidates appear to be incumbent Marques Anderson and Mark Roman, who signed with the team after playing four seasons with the Bengals.

Anderson received the start against the Seahawks last Monday, but Saturday will be Roman's turn. The coaches have rotated the two players throughout camp and will continue to do so until they determine which player best suits their defense.

The way Roman sees it, his job remains the same regardless of when he plays.

"Every day is a chance to make my mark whether it is in practice or a game," Roman said. "I just want to go out there and have production. I don't want to try and do anything special, I just want to be productive and help my teammates out any way I can.

"I'm the type of guy who wants to make my teammates better. If I can, I am willing to help t..

Training Camp Report - August 20

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 20 Aug 2004 14:09:55 CST
The Green Bay Packers took part in a brief walkthrough practice inside Lambeau Field Friday morning, making their final on-field preparations prior to Saturday night's preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.

The Packers will be making their last appearance in front of the home crowd for nearly a month, as the team's final two preseason clashes will be on the road, as well as the regular season opener. The Green and Gold will next play on the Lambeau turf against the Chicago Bears, September 19.

Green Bay (0-1) will be looking to improve on their showing Monday in the preseason opener. Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson said that neither the offense nor the defense should be pleased with their performance from earlier in the week, but no one is pointing any fingers.

"It's a family thing," Peterson said. "We've got to support the offense, and the offense has got to support us. We'll let everyone else say what they want about offense or defense, we kn..

Morley Adjusting To Life And Football In Green Bay

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 20 Aug 2004 09:32:29 CST
Steve Morley certainly looks the part of an NFL football player. He stands 6-7 and weighs 332 pounds -- perfect measurements for an offensive lineman -- but that only tells half the story.

Morley has the physical aspects covered, but that doesn't mean he is a finished product or ready to take the league by storm. In fact, the 22-year old from Nova Scotia is just trying to get acclimated to the NFL game and what it takes to play football in the United States.

"Football wise, the adjustment to the Packers has been huge," Morley said. "It's like night and day between the NFL and Canada and it's a big change from what I'm used to."

Morley admits that playing football wasn't his first love growing up.

"Like everybody in Canada, I was putting hockey first," Morley said. "My brother starting playing high school football and I just followed him. He was successful and I played in part because he did.

"But eventually, I started to love th..

Training Camp Report - August 19

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2004 16:19:33 CST
The Green Bay Packers wrapped up their brief slate of public practices for the week as they took to the grass of Clarke Hinkle Field for a single mid-day session on Thursday. A crowd of approximately 1,200 fans were on hand as the team took the field in helmets and shorts prior to Saturday night's home game against New Orleans.

On the injury front, wide receiver Robert Ferguson's hamstring continued to keep him out of the team portion of practice, but he did continue conditioning work and caught balls out of the JUGS machine to keep his hands active. Cornerback Ahmad Carroll encountered some hamstring tightness of his own Wednesday, and GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman decided to keep the rookie off the field Thursday. Lineman Scott Wells' biceps injury popped up again to keep him on the sidelines for the day's proceedings.

After practice, Sherman listed all three as questionable for Saturday's game against the Saints.

Thursday's practice started off with some..

Packers Notebook - Jenkins Turning Heads

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 19 Aug 2004 16:54:15 CST
The secret is out on Cullen Jenkins. The defensive first-year defensive lineman has been receiving more attention lately from coaches and media alike, and rightfully so. Jenkins, who started training camp as perhaps little more than an afterthought, has quickly made his ascension up the Packers depth chart.

When the Packers open the regular season at Carolina on September 13, Jenkins wants to be on the field just like anyone else, but he does have an added incentive.

His brother Kris Jenkins is a defensive tackle for the Panthers and Cullen would love the opportunity to have bragging rights with a win and a strong performance. Jenkins said facing his brother has been on his mind for a long time.

"It would mean a whole lot to me," Jenkins said. "It's one of those things that I have been looking forward to ever since I found out who the first game was against. It's one of those things where I don't want to come up short, I want to be out there to fac..

Butler: Packers Use Preseason To Judge Talent

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 22:53:11 CST
Although the Packers' first preseason game didn't turn out the way most fans wanted it to, I think the team learned a lot about itself, which is the reason these games are played in the first place.

It's great when you win, but essentially what you are trying to do in the preseason is find out who can play and who can't.

You know that the starters can play. What you're trying to find out is whether the next 22 guys can play -- the second and third team guys -- because those are your special teams guys.

Preseason is a time to study talent, look at other teams' talent and find out what kind of team you have.

Of course you want to win games and you don't tell guys to go out there and lose, and many fans may be nervous because the defense didn't play great during the Family Night scrimmage. Another less than perfect outing didn't help matters much.

But don't jump the gun just yet. It's way too early to jump to conclusions about how the se..

Letters To LeRoy Butler

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 22:56:49 CST
Hey LeRoy! I'm glad you are back this year! I hear plenty of talk about the Packers' west coast offense and I was wondering if you could explain what the west coast offense is in relation to other offenses around the league. Thanks, I look forward to a great year and your game analysis. Best regards.-Mark (Costa Mesa, CA)

First of all, it's great to be back. I look forward to another great year with Packers.com.

Essentially, a west coast offense is a rollout, passing type of offense. They definitely want to establish the run and the pass games. Instead of taking the low percentage passes down the field, the Packers will take the shorter throw and hope that the receivers can take it long.

And instead of running the traditional fullback in front of the runner, in what we call the "I-back" formation (in the Packers' case it would be William Henderson lining up in front of Ahman Green), the west coast runs a lot of perimeter plays. They pull the ..

Training Camp Report - August 18

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 16:48:16 CST
The Green Bay Packers kicked off a short week of practice, sandwiched between their preseason games Monday and Saturday night. The team returned to the field in full pads Wednesday afternoon for the first time since Monday's preseason opener.

An audience of about 900 fans lined the fences of Clarke Hinkle Field for the afternoon session as a strong wind blew through Green Bay.

The practice began with a 30-minute session of special teams work. Wide receiver Shockmain Davis had to be assisted off the field after getting tangled in a pile-up on a kickoff return about 20 minutes into practice. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said after practice that Davis had suffered a broken leg, and the second-year player will be out for the season.

As the Packers lost a player early in practice, another returned when the full team portion of the two hour and fifteen-minute practice got underway. Offensive tackle Brennan Curtin, who had been held out of the entire training ca..

Scott Wells Training Camp Diary - Part III

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 20:41:05 CST
Rookie offensive lineman Scott Wells was happy to play in his first NFL preseason game against the Seahawks Monday night, but he wasn't pleased with the team's results.

Wells hurt his biceps muscle on August 9 and missed some practice time last week. Although he returned to practice three days later, Wells said the biceps still bothers him at times, but he is doing his best to battle through it.

In this week's training camp installment, Wells talks about playing in his first game at Lambeau Field, his injury and his eagerness to move out of the dorms at St. Norbert College, where the team is staying during training camp.

Scott Wells: It was nice to get my first Lambeau Field experience, but we didn't play as well as we would have liked to overall. It was a good experience to get out there and knock heads with someone other than your own teammates. It was exciting to play in the game.

Individually, I did alright. There were a lot of th..

Packers Notebook - Favre: No Replacing Flanagan, Wahle

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 19:59:55 CST
When you have a Hall of Fame quarterback and a man of Brett Favre's caliber, you want to do all you can to protect him, which means fielding a quality offensive line. Luckily for the Packers, they have one of the best offensive lines in the game.

Yet it's hard to keep Favre healthy when the guys who are expected to take care of him are hurt themselves. With center Mike Flanagan and guard Mike Wahle on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the Packers have had to insert Grey Ruegamer and rookie Steve Morley.

Although they have done a good job in camp, Ruegamer and Morley aren't ready to perform at the level of Flanagan and Wahle. Favre said replacing his two starters just isn't an option.

"No offense to those guys, but they'll never beat out Wahle and Flanagan," Favre said. "I think Grey's doing a fine job and Morley, who turned 23 today, has got a lot of potential."

Favre admitted that even Frank Winters, one of his old teammates and ..

Good Will Hunt

Adam Woullard, Packers.com — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 14:11:42 CST
Strong, talented and athletic are all words that, at one time or another, have been used by teammates, coaches, media and others to describe Packers defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt.

Terms like charitable, community-oriented and generous can also be used to describe Hunt and, though equally as fitting, are less frequently utilized. Just emerging as a prominent figure for the Packers defense, Hunt has long been a fixture in community service work.

"Some guys have agents call or there's a lot of media to publicize their events," Hunt said. "For me, I don't care if anyone reports it - it just makes me feel good to have kids around and do something helpful for them."

In 2001, the Memphis native created the Cletidus Hunt Foundation, designed to help children improve education. Having just finished up his second NFL campaign, Hunt was anxious to share what he had learned with others. Hunt said he established his foundation for the sole purpose of provi..

Packers Notebook - Players Get First Game Action In Lambeau

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:10:06 CST
Imagine waiting your whole life to play in an NFL game and then when the time comes, you can barely stand it because you are so nervous. Although your first game should be very special, it's hard to see it that way during the heat of the moment.

For a few Packers, Monday night's experience was one they will never forget, but also one they may be happy is over with. Defensive back Ahmad Carroll, defensive tackle James Lee, offensive lineman Steve Morley and punter B.J. Sander were among the players that made their pro debuts on Monday against the Seahawks. Although the Packers lost, these newcomers were happy to see their first game experience at Lambeau Field which had 69,718 in attendance.

Carroll, the Packers first-round selection out of Arkansas, admitted that he was anxious to get in the game.

"I had some jitters because it was my first game," Carroll said. "After that first dime package though, I was fine. The jitters faded away."

Lik..

Packers Offense 2004 - An Early Look

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:07:58 CST
When asked of their expectations for the year, nearly every member of the Packers offensive unit hit on a common theme for 2004 in the first few weeks of training camp. That theme is to pick up right where they left off in 2003, and with every member of the starting lineup back for an encore performance, expectations are high.

Preseason openers aren't generally a time where you're going to find your first string logging a lot of time on the field, and Monday night in Green Bay was no different. The Packers' starting offense got two chances to move the ball, and they showed a glimpse of their potential, but also left room for improvement in the opener against the Seahawks.

Working without three of the starters from the 11-man unit (linemen Mike Flanagan and Mike Wahle and wide receiver Robert Ferguson all missed the contest due to injury), the Packers opened their 2004 campaign by driving down the field for a field goal to give the team a 3-0 lead in the first quar..

AP Story: Packers Drop Preseason Opener To Seattle, 21-3

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 22:16:16 CST
Tim Couch still has a lot to learn about the West Coast offense.

Fourth-string quarterback Seneca Wallace led Seattle on two touchdown drives and the Seahawks took advantage of Couch's dismal debut for Green Bay in a 21-3 exhibition victory over the Packers.

Couch, expected to be an upgrade over veteran Doug Pederson as Brett Favre's primary backup, finished 2-of-11 for 18 yards, a 1.6-yard average, and was sacked twice.

"He didn't play very well, that's obvious," Packers coach Mike Sherman said. "Part of it is he didn't practice a whole lot this week. He said his arm felt well enough to go, so I put him in there. I question whether that was the right decision. It wasn't a good day for him or for us."

Couch, a former No. 1 draft pick who served as Cleveland's starter most of the last five years, wasn't released by the Browns in time to get a jump-start on Green Bay's intricate offense in the June minicamp.

He sat out much of last week..

Alert About NFL Game Audio

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 09:57:34 CST
Many Packers fans have inquired about the availability of game audio (see below if you need assistance), which in the past was provided by the NFL free of charge and made available on Packers.com.

As of August 8, 2003, the NFL and NFL.com launched NFL Field Pass, a new subscription-only service for audio and video. Because game broadcasts are included in the package, Packers.com can no longer offer the links free of charge.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause our fans.

All non-game audio will continue to be provided free of charge on Packers.com. We thank our fans for their steadfast support and understanding.

The following is a message from NFL.com: (2003)

We are pleased to offer NFL.com Field Pass, a brand new service that gives fans access to over 200 live game audio ..

Packers-Seahawks Preview

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 09:27:30 CST
THIS WEEK: The Packers kick off the preseason in a rematch with the Seattle Seahawks, televised nationally on ESPN. The teams are the last in the NFL to open preseason play.

TELEVISION: ESPN, with play-by-play man Pat Summerall (replacing Mike Patrick), color commentators Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire, sideline reporter Suzy Kolber, producer Jay Rothman and director Chip Dean...The ESPN broadcast will also air in the United Kingdom and Ireland on the North American Sports Network (NASN).

LOCAL RADIO: Milwaukee's WTMJ (620 AM), airing Green Bay games since 1929, heads up the 62-station Packers Radio Network. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Larry McCarren (color) begin their sixth season together.

THE DOPE ON THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:
Packers vs. Seahawks:
All-time regular season: 5-4-0
Postseason: 1-0
Preseason: 0-1

Last meeting, regular season: Oct. 5, 2003,
Lambeau ..

Training Camp Report - August 15

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 12:30:38 CST
One day before the kickoff to their 2004 schedule, the Packers took part in a brief walkthrough practice on the grass of Lambeau Field Sunday in preparation for Monday night's game.

The Packers and Seahawks will be the last of the 32 NFL teams to play their first game, and the players are ready to see some new faces on the other side of the ball.

"To get out there against another team is going to feel good," said safety Marques Anderson. "We've had a good week of practice and we're looking forward to showing what we can do against another team.

"I'll be starting tomorrow night, so I'll be focused on making plays and getting better. I feel like camp has been going good. I've been getting better at all the positions I need to get better in, and I'm still working on it."

The Packers will make their preseason debut Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks on national television (ESPN) in the 2004 preseason opener at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set f..

Packers Notebook - Familiar Faces Return To Lambeau Field

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 14 Aug 2004 15:25:36 CST
With the Seattle Seahawks coming to town Monday night, there will be plenty of old faces on the opposing sideline as well as some new ones on the Packers side. Forget about introductions, many of the players participating in the game will already know each other from being old teammates.

Former Packers coach Mike Holmgren will be returning to town with his staff that includes many members who also assisted him in Green Bay. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman also spent time on Holmgren's staff in Green Bay and Seattle. In addition to that, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will visit the team that originally selected him in the sixth round of the 1996 draft.

Another aspect to the Seattle-Green Bay reunion features Ahman Green playing against the franchise that drafted him in 1998 out of Nebraska, before trading him to the Packers before the 2000 season. While many players form some sort of resentment toward a former team, Green insists Seattle is just another opponent.

Chapman Focuses On NFL After Giving Australian Football The Boot

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 14 Aug 2004 10:42:01 CST
The road to the NFL can be described with many words but perhaps none is more fitting than 'unpredictable.'

Some players leave college too early, others decide to go the Arena Football League route and some even play football in Australia before they give the NFL a shot.

Wait, what was that last part?

Yes, although unconventional and very uncommon, the Australian route to the NFL is not unprecedented. Just ask Green Bay Packers punter Nathan Chapman.

Chapman, the Australian born punter, is trying to earn a roster spot while competing in his first ever NFL training camp. He previously played American club football for one season in his native Australia. However, Chapman isn't totally new to football and being an athlete. He also played Australian Rules Football in his previous professional career.

It's not that Chapman, who is 29 years old, didn't enjoy playing in Australia, but he knew that time was running out on his quest to p..

Training Camp Report - August 14, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sat, 14 Aug 2004 15:23:30 CST
The Green Bay Packers held their last public practice before their Monday night preseason opener Saturday, and it was one of the better attended workouts of the summer, both outside the fence at Clarke Hinkle Field and in terms of player participation.

Approximately 1,800 spectators turned out under the blue skies to see nearly every eligible Packer take part in the two-hour practice, wearing helmets and shorts. Linebackers Na'il Diggs and Tyreo Harrison returned to the practice field after a few days out of action.

Cornerback Al Harris and quarterback Tim Couch took part in some aspects of the workout, but GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman held them back from full activity to rest their sore hip and arm, respectively.

Linebacker Marcus Wilkins and safety Curtis Fuller were back on the field after being shaken up during Friday morning's practice.

Harris made the most of his limited time on the field Saturday, as he jumped a Scottie Vines out route duri..

Butler's Breakdown: Packers vs. Seahawks

LeRoy Butler, Special to Packers.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:30:51 CST
Monday's preseason opener is almost here, and it seems like it hasn't been that long since we all saw Al Harris running up the sideline to win the game against Seattle in the last game at Lambeau Field.

Guess who's coming back on Monday? That's right, it's the Seahawks and coach Mike Holmgren, back in Green Bay for the third time in less than a year.

I know it's a preseason game, but I think some people in Seattle feel like they should have won that game in January, so they'll be out for revenge. I know Coach Holmgren wants to win every time he comes to Lambeau Field, and it doesn't matter if it's the preseason or the playoffs, he wants to win.

He's going to coach as such. You might see anything. You might even see a fake punt or a fake field goal, because he feels like the last time they played they should have won.

One thing Seattle gives us a lot of problems with on defense is that they do a lot of shifting and motions. If you watch their ..

Packers Notebook - Driver Lends Teammates A Helping Hand

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:24:23 CST
In today's world of professional sports, few established players take the time to look out for the young players trying to make the team. It is sometimes the last thing a player wants to do after a tough practice.

However, Donald Driver isn't like most players. The sixth-year wide receiver often stays after practice to lend a helping hand to his younger teammates. He said it's not a big deal, just something that can help the team out in the long run.

"We're all a team," Driver explained. "We have to get better and better. It doesn't matter if you're a first-year guy, a practice squad guy, whatever. We've just got to make sure they are competing."

Driver said that he had veterans mentoring him while he was learning the ropes and now it is his turn to return the favor to his young teammates.

"I always learned from Robert Brooks, Antonio (Freeman) and Bill (Schroeder)," Driver said. "They always told me things in meetings and also when we..

Training Camp Report - August 13, 2004

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:23:53 CST
As the unseasonably cool weather continued in Green Bay, the Packers worked one step closer to their upcoming Monday night game. Although it rained off and on throughout the morning session, approximately 1,400 fans watched the team take part in a spirited practice.

If the morning session had a tone, it would be equally divided into scary and intense. With the preseason schedule looming, the team seems to be a little light on participating players. The damp conditions and hard knocks being distributed on Friday certainly didn't help matters.

Twice in about five minutes, the practice field fell silent as injuries popped up on the defensive side of the ball. First, it was linebacker Marcus Wilkins who hit the ground, followed by safety Curtis Fuller laying face down against the grass. Concerned teammates and fans looked on as Wilkins and Fuller received attention from trainers. Both players eventually got up, which came as a relief to teammates and fans alike...

'Bubba's Bike' Winners Meet Packers TE

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:22:45 CST
Four Green Bay-area youngsters were lucky enough to win a chance to meet Packers' star tight end Bubba Franks, as the Packers, ShopKo and Reebok teamed up on a promotion with the local Boys & Girls Clubs to further the great Packers tradition of players riding children's bicycles to practice.

The winners each received a custom-made dual suspension 'Bubba's Bike' from Magna.

Not only would they get the bike, but Franks broke in the bikes for them as he rode their new bicycles to and from the team's training camp practice field across the street from Lambeau Field for Friday's practices.

Two winners were chosen at random from entries at the four local Green Bay ShopKo stores, and the other two were selected by the Green Bay Boys & Girls Club.

The lucky winners also received tickets to the August 21 Packers preseason game, and will be on hand as Green Bay takes on the New Orleans Saints.

Marshall Ready To Meet Expectations

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 21:38:24 CST
"It's time to step up my game."

Professional athletes often overuse that tired cliche throughout their careers, but if anybody is ready to live by that phrase these days, it's Packers linebacker Torrance Marshall. He knows that if he doesn't turn his game up another notch, his days as a Green Bay Packer may soon be over.

"My clock is ticking so to speak," Marshall admitted. "This is my fourth year, so it's about time for me to start playing well."

It's not that Marshall isn't capable of doing just that. In his first three years in Green Bay, he has shown some brilliant flashes that he can be a productive player, if not a great one.

The 6-2, 255-pound Marshall had a remarkable college career at Oklahoma, where he was named the MVP in his team's victory over Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl.

The Packers selected him in the third round of the 2001 draft because he was a great athlete (he once ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds) a..

Training Camp Report - August 12, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:31:53 CST
Warmer weather and sunny skies were in order as the Green Bay Packers again practiced twice Thursday at Clarke Hinkle Field. Approximately 1,600 fans viewed from just outside the fence surrounding the training camp field as the Packers' morning practice got underway at 8:45.

Veterans Na'il Diggs, Ahman Green, William Henderson, Mark Roman and Darren Sharper were all given the day off of contact drills.

GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said that Green (foot) and Roman (hamstring) were nursing soreness and Diggs and Sharper were given time to rest as the coaches took a longer look at some younger players in camp. Henderson missed practice with an illness.

The morning workout was highlighted by some big pops as players were going at full speed throughout the 90-minute session. Sherman said that he cut the workout short of its original schedule, but he was very pleased with the practice.

"We ended practice about 45 minutes earlier than usual today," he ..

Packers Notebook - Can Barnett Be Even Better This Season?

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:15:58 CST
When Nick Barnett entered training camp last season, high expectations were thrown his way by both the coaches and the fans. After being selected with the 29th pick in the first round of the NFL draft, Barnett was expected to start immediately at middle linebacker.

Clearly, Barnett performed well winning Rookie of the Week honors on three separate occasions, and surpassing those expectations.

Just when it seemed the expectations were fulfilled, Barnett finds himself in another pressure packed season. After seeing what he could do at this level, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman thinks the sky is the limit for the 6-2 230-pound linebacker.

If you thought Barnett had a lot of responsibility placed squarely on his shoulders last year as a rookie you're right. However, in 2004 he will add another duty to his job description, taking on the role of calling the plays in the huddle.

Fellow linebacker Na'il Diggs handled the play-calling duties in the p..

Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, Packers Team Up To Kick Off 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 17:22:58 CST
Monday night's preseason opener against Seattle will mark the kickoff of the Packers' 84th season in the National Football League. The game will also be the 44th annual Bishop's Charities Game, a charitable venture begun by Vince Lombardi in 1961.

In 2003, the game took on a successful and rewarding relationship with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as they joined the Bishop's Charities in presenting the contest.

Launched in 1992, the Foundation is a non-profit public charity dedicated to increasing the adoptions of the more than 150,000 children in North America's public foster care system. The late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's International and an adopted child himself, created the foundation in support of the vision that every child deserves a permanent home and a loving family.

For the second year in a row, the Ohio-based national foundation will team up with the Packers to present their message to everyone who will pass through the gates a..

Packers Notebook - Luchey Ready To Take Next Step?

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 16:51:07 CST
When Nick Luchey signed with the Packers before the 2003 season, the team was hoping to get somebody that could play alongside William Henderson or possibly replace him if needed. That plan never really took off last season.

It's not that Luchey didn't see action with the Packers. It's just that he was limited to 11 regular season games because of three separate injuries. He did, however, give indications of what type of player he could be. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman wasn't surprised and said that Luchey should have more success this season.

"My expectations have never changed for him," Sherman said. "We brought him in to be a banger and work with William Henderson to be dominant fullbacks. I think part of William's successful season last year was because we didn't beat him up too badly. I think Luchey contributed to that.

"I think at times he has been a dominant force. We are looking forward to more consistency this year from Luchey. So far in ..

Training Camp Report - August 11, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 16:54:10 CST
Unseasonably cool August temperatures continued to give the impression that the Packers should be gearing up for week eight of the regular season, but the Pack returned to Clarke Hinkle Field for two practices Wednesday, still five days out from the preseason opener against Seattle.

About 1,200 fans lined the fences of the training camp facility as the Packers took the field for their 8:45 a.m. practice in full pads. The mercury never rose above 57 on the thermometer, and with a stiff breeze blowing, many players wisely added an extra layer under their uniforms.

A number of players returned to the field after missing some workouts with injuries, including three who were absent from at least the previous three days' practices.

Quarterback Craig Nall (hamstring), wide receiver Javon Walker (quadriceps) and defensive back James Whitley (head) each rejoined their teammates following their respective lay-offs.

Linebacker Paris Lenon (foot), center ..

Favre Can't Shake His Aggressive Style

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 16:50:22 CST
It's no secret that Brett Favre takes more chances than most quarterbacks in the NFL. Although he is often criticized for that, Favre doesn't apologize and gives the impression that his style won't change.

It's not that Favre doesn't want to take fewer risks. He admits that his gambling approach sometimes costs the team and can put them in tough spots. However, he thinks it may be too late to change his ways at this point.

"It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks and that's never more true than with me," Favre said. "When I roll out to pass I feel like there is a touchdown waiting. As long as I play, I will be aggressive. That's just my nature.

"You never know in this game, and I have said this throughout my career, you make a decision and you go with it. Don't look back. Fortunately, there have been a lot more good decisions than bad."

Favre said that although he can't change the way he plays, he is trying to learn when to be aggressiv..

Butler: Packers Secondary Young, Talented

LeRoy Butler, Special To Packers.com — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 09:47:24 CST
First of all, what an amazing night it was at Lambeau Field last weekend. Anywhere you can have between 60-65,000 people there for a scrimmage is very exciting and Packers fans showed up in full force.

It was also a great experience for the new players like Tim Couch and Ahmad Carroll. Saturday was the first time for them to have the opportunity to play inside 'Lambeau,' and they have to be in awe of the fans, to show up like that and show that kind of support.

It was unfortunate that Michael Hawthorne had an ankle injury and was unable to participate, but it did give Carroll the opportunity to get his first 'unofficial' start in Lambeau Field.

Carroll comes from a bump-and-run, in-your-face type of defense at Arkansas and that is exactly what the Packers want to play this year. He's still getting his feet under him and I think that people need to be a little more patient with the secondary because the Packers are still trying to find the right combinat..

Training Camp Report - August 10, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Tue, 10 Aug 2004 17:17:00 CST
The Green Bay Packers held two practices at Clarke Hinkle Field Tuesday, a day that felt more like late October than the middle of August. Approximately 900 spectators lined the fences of the practice field for the two workouts, with temperatures hovering in the low 60s with a strong breeze making it seem cooler.

Cornerback Al Harris opened up the morning practice with a couple of pass defenses. The second of the pair came as he stretched to knock the ball out of the hands of Scottie Vines. Receiver Shockmain Davis turned into a defensive back for a play as he recovered to slap the ball out of the clutches of safety Darren Sharper on an underthrown pass.

Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins got his hands up and batted a throw high into the air in a later drill. The tip resulted in a jump ball situation, but neither Kevin Barry nor Torrance Marshall could corral the pigskin as it fell harmlessly to the ground.

Robert Ferguson was in on two of the highlight p..

Packers Notebook - Harris Making A Strong Impression

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 10 Aug 2004 17:19:09 CST
The Green Bay Packers defensive backfield is anything but settled. Although rookies Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas have performed well thus far in camp, both have missed practice time. Carroll was out for a brief time at the beginning of camp while details of his contract were being ironed out, and Thomas was sidelined with a bruised knee over the weekend.

In addition, several players have missed practices due to injuries and Mike McKenzie still has not reported to training camp. However, there have been some bright spots according to GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman. Among the players he recently praised are Carroll and Al Harris.

He is especially impressed with the leadership Harris has shown in only his second season in Green Bay.

"Al Harris, since the day he has been here, has gotten better and continues to work as hard as anybody out here," Sherman said. "He has a tremendous work ethic and I think he is quicker than he was a year ago. I thought he..

Jenkins Making His Mark

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Tue, 10 Aug 2004 17:19:45 CST
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins is learning that sometimes things are better the second time around.

Jenkins, a first-year player out of the University of Central Michigan, is experiencing his second training camp with the Packers after first signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He made seven tackles in four preseason games last year, but Cullen and his coaches are expecting much bigger things this season.

Jenkins apparently has really turned some heads through the early days of camp, jumping up to the second-string on the defensive depth chart behind Cletidus Hunt at the "three-technique" defensive tackle position.

"You can see the growth from when we had him last year to what he is now," Packers defensive line coach Jethro Franklin said. "The experience that he gained by going over to Europe and getting some playing time helped, and he's putting that together with what we're doing ..

Packers Notebook - Back Under The Lights

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 22:30:03 CST
The Green Bay Packers held a night practice inside Lambeau Field, Monday, which was closed to the public. Although not on the schedule made available to the public, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said it was in his plans all along to have this practice at night inside Lambeau Field.

"I made that decision in June when we set the schedule," Sherman said. "I just didn't make it public because the fans can't go to it because it's inside the stadium, so it didn't affect them. I'll practice on a Monday night the week before a Monday night game just to get into the routine of playing on a Monday night.

"We have three of them this year, so it kind of has that reason behind it, and I like to change the schedule for the guys. I don't want them always doing the same thing. We're into the second week now. It gave some of them a long morning. Some of them who weren't involved in special teams this morning have a chance to rest up and get a good day's rest and come out tonigh..

'Fit Kids' Designed To Keep Kids Active And Healthy

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 16:03:11 CST
The Green Bay Packers, CBS-5 WFRV, and the Green Bay Area Public School District have teamed up to fight childhood obesity.

The National Institutes of Health reports that one in five children is overweight -- a number that has doubled in the last two to three decades. This epidemic can be attributed in part to increased consumption of processed and fast food and lack of physical activity by our nation's youth.

During a media conference Monday inside Lambeau Field, leaders introduced a program called 'Fit Kids.' Speakers at the event included Green Bay Packers executive vice president/COO John Jones and defensive end Aaron Kampman. Also speaking on behalf of the program were Superintendent Daniel Nerad of the Green Bay Area Public School District and WFRV CBS-5 General Manager R. Perry Kidder.

'Fit Kids' is a fourth grade curriculum that focuses on the physical, nutritional and social health of children. The eight themes include: 'Get Together,' 'Get Out..

Scott Wells Training Camp Diary-Part II

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 14:41:54 CST
With a week of training camp officially completed, the Green Bay Packers can now turn their focus to next Monday night's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.

For some players, the preseason isn't a big deal, but for others it may be their only shot to demonstrate that they belong in the NFL. Scott Wells happens to be one of those players trying to prove himself worthy of being a Green Bay Packer.

In last week's training camp diary, Wells talked about practicing with Brett Favre and learning from veterans like Mike Flanagan and Mike Wahle.

This week, Wells talks about his first Lambeau Field experience, the complexity of defenses and playing special teams.

Scott Wells: The first week of training camp went well overall. I need to eliminate some mental mistakes that I've made, but I think physically I am doing everything like I'm coached to do. Mentally, I need to get into the playbook and eliminate what I call dumb mistakes. ..

Training Camp Report - August 9, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 12:40:21 CST
Approximately 150 spectators turned out to watch as the Green Bay Packers took to Clarke Hinkle Field Monday morning for a special teams practice.

Well over half of the team's roster, 53 players, were involved in the workout while other members of the team recovering from injuries continued their conditioning programs inside the Don Hutson Center.

The players received directions from special teams coordinator John Bonamego via microphone and speaker system the coach was wearing on his back.

Receivers Antonio Chatman, Robert Ferguson and Carl Ford rotated fielding punts from B.J. Sander and Nathan Chapman. Both Rob Davis and James Broyles worked as long snappers during the practice.

Bonamego urged players to "attack the wedge" as they worked in a kickoff coverage drill. In addition to Ford, Ferguson and Chatman, taking turns returning kickoffs in the drills were Ahmad Carroll, Najeh Davenport, Scottie Vines and Chris Watson.

The special tea..

Training Camp Report - August 8, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sun, 08 Aug 2004 17:58:21 CST
The Packers returned to their everyday training camp practice field for a single practice Sunday afternoon. Approximately 1,200 spectators were on hand to view the two-hour workout on one of the warmest days of camp thus far.

The players left their shoulder pads in the locker room and the practice got underway with the usual stretching and individual drills. The team then came together for the 9-on-7 drill with Tim Couch at the helm of the starting offense. Brett Favre got the afternoon off from throwing to rest his arm.

Wide receiver Javon Walker was held out of practice after tweaking his quadriceps in Saturday night's practice inside Lambeau Field. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman listed Walker's status as day-to-day.

The defensive backfield saw Marques Anderson running with the '1s' in the rotation at strong safety and Michael Hawthorne returned to work with the top unit for the full practice.

Cornerback Al Harris made a nice break on a Couch pas..

Diedrick Learning From The Best

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sun, 08 Aug 2004 13:24:43 CST
It's very hard to dispute how good the Packers rushing attack is. If you were to talk to anyone around the NFL, it's a safe bet that the Packers group of running backs would be atop most people's list.

Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, and Tony Fisher form one of the best backfields in the game today. There's no question that Ahman Green is a special player. Besides being a great runner, he catches the ball out of the backfield as well as anyone in the league. Even though he had 1,883 yards rushing last season, he may just be entering his prime at the age of 27.

Najeh Davenport enters his third year and is starting to come into his own after primarily being a backup the last two seasons. He will receive more carries and take part of the workload off Green. If you figure Tony Fisher into the equation as a third down, change-of -pace-back, the Packers appear set at such a vital position.

So why then, would someone who is trying to make an NFL roster as..

Packers Notebook - Family Night

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 23:51:41 CST
Crowd Leaves Its Mark

For the newcomers to the Packers roster, Saturday night's Family Night festivities marked their first chance to take to the field at Lambeau in front of the home crowd.

By all accounts, the 60,000-plus fans in the stands for the intra-squad scrimmage left a big impression on the men down on the field.

The following is a sample of the Packers' reactions to the crowd, both from those hearing it for the first time and those who have been here for years.

Cornerback Ahmad Carroll: "It was good to get out there with my teammates and have the game feeling. To be out there and see all those fans was a wonderful feeling. I've never been at anything that wasn't a regular season game that was sold out. It's crazy."

Safety Marques Anderson: "The energy was flowing. With all those people, you couldn't help but get excited. The fans here are great. They just love this football team. Any time we get a ..

Training Camp Report - Family Night, August 7

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 23:49:22 CST
The Green Bay Packers stepped out under the lights and took to the turf at Lambeau Field, holding their annual intra-squad scrimmage Saturday night.

'Family Night, Presented by Fox 11' returned after a two-year pause during the redevelopment of Lambeau Field and was a hit with players and fans alike. A record 60,216 turned out for the event, many getting their first look around Lambeau Field since the renovation of the stadium.

The action on the field was highlighted by the play of the offense, as is usually the case just one week into training camp. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman put more of an emphasis on the passing game for the practice following Friday's run-game dominated workout.

Quarterback Brett Favre was the star of the show as he has been so many times in this stadium, firing passes all over the field and connecting on 21-of-27 passes for 249 yards over the course of the practice.

The scrimmage began with the first team offense taking th..

Packers Plaques Unveiled At Green Bay East High

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 06 Aug 2004 13:59:10 CST
Fans who are well-versed in the history of the Green Bay Packers know that the team played its early games at Old City Stadium behind Green Bay East High School, calling that park home from 1925-56.

Thursday night saw the unveiling of the Green Bay Packers and East High School Alumni Patio at Old City Stadium, which is now home to East High's football team.

The unveiling included three plaques, one honoring the Packers' 12 Hall of Famers who played at the site, one honoring Curly Lambeau, and a third honoring Jim Crowley, a former Packer and one of the "Four Horsemen of Notre Dame," who was a graduate of East High School.

Among those in attendance were many of those integral in the design and development of the project, including members of the Green Bay-De Pere Antiquarian Society whose donations made up a hefty portion of the funding.

A featured speaker at the short event was former Packers end Gary Knafelc..

Training Camp Report - August 6, 2004

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 06 Aug 2004 17:58:04 CST
Crowds continue to grow at Packers practices leading up to Saturday's Family Night, where an expected 60,000-plus fans will fill Lambeau Field.

Over 2,000 spectators turned out for Friday's double session standing as many as five deep in some sections along the fences at Clarke Hinkle Field.

The morning session got underway and the 9-on-7 drill started the popping of the pads along the line of scrimmage. GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said following the workout that you can usually tell what the mood of the practice will be based on the 9-on-7, and Friday's drill set the tone for a sharp session.

Linebacker Torrance Marshall broke into the backfield to stop Najeh Davenport, drawing a reaction from his position coach Mark Duffner.

Middle backer Nick Barnett showed good speed, making plays sideline-to-sideline. Second year defensive tackle Kenny Peterson topped off the defensive highlights of the drill, stopping Ahman Green for a loss of three yard..

Packers Notebook - Looking Forward To Family Night

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 06 Aug 2004 17:53:47 CST
Coming off the practice field Friday, Packers players and coaches alike were eager for the festivities of Saturday's Family Night. The event is sold out, and will be the first chance for many of these players to get out on the grass at Lambeau Field in front of more than 60,000 fans.

"It's my favorite night of the year, because I can't lose," GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said. "I'm a winner either way, no matter which side of the ball takes the game. I'm excited for our players because it gives them a chance to go out there and really absorb the atmosphere of what it's like to play at Lambeau Field and what our fans bring to our football games. We have a scrimmage and have over 60,000 people coming. It says a lot about Green Bay and a lot about the fans."

Sherman isn't surprised by the expected turnout, though.

"There are two things that don't surprise me in Green Bay," he said. "Number one, whatever Brett Favre does, that doesn't surprise me anymore, a..

Barry Excelling On Offensive Line

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 06 Aug 2004 18:12:08 CST
In Green Bay, it's not all that uncommon for a Packer's accomplishments to be rewarded by having something named after that individual.

For example, the team plays its games at Lambeau Field, which is located on Lombardi Avenue. Just a few blocks from the stadium, a street sign will let you know that you're standing at the intersection of Holmgren Way and Brett Favre Pass.

The Packers' playbook is no different.

When the Pack gets down near the goal line or a key short yardage situation comes up, the call goes out for the 'U-71' package to hit the field.

The personnel group takes its name from the large '71' on the chest of third-year offensive lineman Kevin Barry. In this package, the 6-foot-4, 335-pounder comes on to the field as an extra tight end and generally helps pave the way for an Ahman Green first down or touchdown.

Green was a perfect eight-for-eight in crucial third-and-one situations in 2003, the only player in the league t..

NFL Implements New Rules, Insists The Game Won't Change

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 20:45:56 CST
The NFL recently put together a list of rule changes for the 2004 season to boost offensive production and scoring, as well as cut down on the excessive celebrating.

A set of officials are scheduled to meet with all NFL teams in the preseason to go over some of the rule changes.

On Thursday, referee Jeff Triplette and his crew consisting of field judge Duke Carroll, line judge Jeff Seeman, and side judge Mike Weatherford were in Green Bay to observe the Packers' practice. Afterward, the crew met with the media and also planned to have meetings with the players regarding the rules.

Triplette admitted that people think the rules may alter the game.

"People wonder if it's going to change the game," Triplette said. "We don't really think so. We want to enforce the rules. The players are great, they will adapt.

"It happened in 1994 when the passing yardage was down and they put the illegal contact in. As they got more physical, the hand..

Training Camp Report - August 5, 2004

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 16:40:26 CST
The training camp crowd gets larger everyday, and Thursday morning was no exception. Approximately 1700 fans filled the bleachers or caught a glimpse of practice from the fence at Clarke Hinkle Field.

Fans were again treated to team oriented drills in the morning as coaches used most of the practice time to work on offensive and defensive schemes. With just a special teams practice scheduled for the afternoon, the team utilized the time for running plays and learning new calls on both sides of the ball.

Maryland quarterback Scott McBrien received plenty of snaps running the offense in 7-on-7 drills, as did first-year Packer Tim Couch. Brett Favre always gets his reps, but with Craig Nall taking the week off with a sore hamstring, that has opened the door for Couch, McBrien, and Doug Pederson.

In punting drills, BJ Sander did an excellent job of placing the ball inside the 20-yard line. The rookie out of Ohio State placed four punts near the five-y..

Packers Notebook - Getting A Leg Up

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 15:59:46 CST
GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman raised some eyebrows when he spent a third-round draft choice on a punter, choosing B.J. Sander out of Ohio State with the 87th overall selection in April.

Josh Bidwell, the Packers punter since 2000, departed via free agency in the off-season, and the Club was looking for someone to help them win the all-important field position game within the game. Sherman is happy with what Sander has shown him so far in camp.

"He's done a nice job," Sherman said. "He had an excellent day of punting today. He punted into the wind and I thought he did well. The other day, he punted with the wind and did well. He's done a good job, but you can't tell until you're in the game and see how he performs under pressure."

Another factor in Sander's selection was the fact that he kicks with his left foot. The ball comes off of a lefty's foot with a different spin than most returners are used to seeing. Fielding kicks off of Sander has at times pr..

Same Ol' Brett, Only Wiser

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Aug 2004 08:44:34 CST
Brett Favre says he is virtually the same player he is now as he was 13 years ago when he played his first game as a Packer.

He's still known as a gunslinger who takes chances, he still fires the ball with just as much or more velocity than any quarterback in the league, and he still plays as if he's a young kid having the time of his life.

Simply put, Brett Favre remains the player that all fans have come to know and love throughout the years.

One thing has changed however.

Favre is much wiser than he used to be and he will be the first one to tell you that.

"In the past, there may have been times I could have run and gotten a first down, but we've got not only a great running back, but a good corps of running backs," Favre said. "Give it (the ball) to them; give it to guys who are paid to run. I think that is where I have gotten smarter."

Favre finds it funny when critics question his age and suggest that he may have ..

Packers Notebook - Be Aggressive

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 17:20:41 CST
For those looking for a theme to the early stages of Packers camp, aggressiveness on defense is a phrase that will cross the lips of many coaches and players.

Whether it's an increase in pass rush or forcing more turnovers, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman is among the voices preaching the message of being more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. Early returns from the first few days of practice show that the mentality is already paying off.

"We're doing a lot of different things and it's very challenging for the young offensive line we have out there to deal with some unique stuff," Sherman said. "I'm pleased with it so far, but it obviously hasn't been tested in games yet, and that will be the true test."

Cornerback Michael Hawthorne is also excited by the approach.

"We'll be playing more physical smashmouth football," he said. "They're preaching to us to be aggressive. Don't play dirty, but definitely have a nastiness about you."
..

Favre Full of Optimism

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 15:35:45 CST
When it comes to the 2004 season, quarterback Brett Favre is expecting nothing less than the best from the Green Bay Packers.

A 10th trip to the playoffs in his 13th season in Green and Gold?

Not good enough.

Maybe a third NFC North division title in as many years?

That won't do it, either.

"To me, it's either Super Bowl or bust," Favre said in his Wednesday afternoon press conference.

Coming off a season where he led the NFL with 32 touchdown passes and saw running back Ahman Green obliterate a 40-year old club rushing record with 1,883 yards on the ground, the 14-year veteran has set the bar high for the current crop of Packers.

"I know there are some other teams out there saying the same thing, and that's fine," Favre continued. "Carolina is going to be very tough this year. I think Philly will be good. There's going to be some very competitive teams, but I don't see why we don't fit right in there at the top...

Training Camp Report - August 4, 2004

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 15:36:31 CST
The Packers continued their practices Wednesday in front of the largest group of railbirds all summer. Approximately 1400 fans watched each practice at Clarke Hinkle Field on a rather breezy day.

Training camp is only three days old for the veterans, but each day a new player seems to grab the crowd's attention. The past couple days featured big plays on offense from Brett Favre, Ahman Green and Javon Walker. The defensive standouts were Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Aaron Kampman and Mark Roman.

Wednesday was safety Darren Sharper's turn for a little attention.

The eight-year veteran from William & Mary was all over the practice field in the morning session. If he wasn't intercepting passes, he was breaking them up or causing all kinds of havoc for the wide receivers.

On one particular play he made a leaping grab of a Brett Favre pass intended for wide receiver Scottie Vines. Vines was running down the sideline after he beat the bump and run ..

Packers Dealing With Distractions

Vic Carucci, NFL.com — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 09:20:08 CST
NFL.com national editor Vic Carucci has begun his annual tour of training camps and will file columns from each stop. This installment comes from Green Bay, Wis., where the Packers opened camp on Aug. 1.

Mike Sherman knows all about training-camp distractions. After all, his team practices smack in the middle of Packerland, right across the street from Lambeau Field.

There are cheeseheads everywhere. Cars and trucks drive by, horns honking to encourage the players through grueling two-a-days in the hot sun. Fans of all ages swarm around the fences that surround the field. Kids seek autographs and -- in one of the neatest traditions in sports -- offer their bicycles for players to ride between the locker room and the field.

Sherman likes it this way.

"A lot of people think you want to put your team in a sterile environment, so there are no distractions," the Packers coach said. "But you play in front of 70,000 people so you have to have t..

Favre Aching For Another Season

Vic Carucci, NFL.com — Wed, 04 Aug 2004 09:17:12 CST
NFL.com national editor Vic Carucci has begun his annual tour of training camps and will file columns from each stop. This installment comes from Green Bay, Wis., where the Green Bay Packers opened camp on Aug. 1.

Brett Favre was sore. Only one practice into training camp, and he already was moving gingerly and wearing an ice bag.

There was pain in his throwing arm, in his lower back, in both ankles.

"Just kind of aching all over," Favre said.

Quarterbacks are always off limits to practice contact, and no member of the Packers defense had been foolish enough to take a shot at the living legend in the pocket. Favre merely was paying the physical price for a morning of repeatedly dropping back, stepping up, twisting, turning and throwing a football. This is how a 34-year-old body, which has been exposed to 13 seasons of NFL punishment, reacts to the most extensive radical movement it has done in eight months.

"I can't expect to w..

Josue Looks For An Extended Stay In Green Bay

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 03 Aug 2004 23:06:46 CST
The practice squad in the NFL is usually a revolving door.

One minute a team wants to keep someone around and the next minute they fill a need and that promising player gets cut. To make a long story short, when you're on the practice squad you may look to rent and not own because you just don't know how long you'll be in town.

Steve Josue knows how this works. After all, he spent all of the 2003 season on the Packers' practice squad, showing up to practice and working hard without ever being asked to join the 53-man roster.

For some players that's not an easy concept to grasp. But Josue, a 6-2, 230-pound linebacker out of Carson-Newman, learned to live with the hand he was dealt and he says he made the most of it.

"I would get nervous and knew that I had to be on my toes at all times," Josue said. "But at the same time, I knew I was working hard. After a bad practice, I just tried to redeem myself, and hopefully the coaches would und..

Packers Notebook - Leader Of The Pack?

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Tue, 03 Aug 2004 17:43:47 CST
Statistically speaking, middle linebacker Nick Barnett established himself as the leader of the defense in 2003, racking up a team-high 134 tackles on his way to being named Packers' Defensive Rookie of the Year.

GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman is looking for Barnett to expand his leadership role from the stat sheet, bringing it to the locker room and the huddle in his second professional campaign.

"I think Nick played his cards the correct way last year," Sherman said. "He was learning the system and also developing the respect of his teammates by how he played. Now his teammates know what he's all about and the respect factor is there, so we'll see more leadership out of Nick."

Safety Watch

In a camp that is lacking for starting lineup position battles, one opening that will be in the spotlight is the starting strong safety spot.

Returning starter Marques Anderson is being pushed by free agent signee Mark Roman and fourth-year man Bh..