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Packers Mini-Camp Report: April 30

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2005 18:37:28 CST

The battle for starting positions in the Packers' secondary, described as "intense" and "wide-open" by defensive coordinator Jim Bates, heated up as the team returned for two mini-camp practices inside the Don Hutson Center, Saturday.

Although only four days into the 2005 season, and just two days into their pro football careers for the rookies, the Packers coaches liked what they've seen this week from the young group vying for the open jobs.

"They're flying around and having fun, that's a good thing," secondary/safeties coach Joe Baker said. "It's a new system and you see that Coach Bates has got that great enthusiasm and it's definitely contagious. I think guys are having fun out there."

Cornerback Joey Thomas was just one of the players that made his presence felt, breaking up several passes, including the touchdown-saving effort he gave as he dove to knock away a pass intended for Donald Driver in the end zone.

"We were getting our hands o..

Jamal Jones: NFL Europe Diary Part III

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 19:40:49 CST

Jamal Jones is making the most of his European adventure, at least on the football field.

Through four games, the wide receiver is the leading pass-catcher for the Frankfurt Galaxy with 15 receptions for 218 yards, totals that place him fifth among the NFL Europe League leaders in both categories.

Despite his contributions on the field, his Galaxy have struggled thus far, winning only one game. The week, determined to turn things around, Jones and the Galaxy take on the 0-4 Rhein Fire.

The former North Carolina A&T wideout is joined in Frankfurt by three Packers teammates, defensive end and Seante Williams and a pair of fellow receivers, Sam Breeden and Kelvin Kight. Jones now continues with the third installment of his NFL Europe Diary:

It's been kind of rough starting out 1-3 but we're still looking forward to finishing up strong. Right now we're turning all of our focus toward playing Rhein this weekend. Both teams are having tough se..

Packers Mini-Camp Report: April 29

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 18:11:00 CST

Green Bay Packers mini-camp continued into its third day Friday, this time with rookies joining the team for the first time.

After waking up early to go through their physicals and get fitted for equipment, the 2005 draft class was on the football field at the Don Hutson Center by 10:30 a.m.

Cornerback Mike Hawkins wasted little time making an impression on the coaches as he stepped in front of Terrence Murphy to pick off Craig Nall's pass in 7-on-7 drills.

"I watched him a lot today in practice and in pre-practice going up to get the ball," Sherman said of the speedy cornerback. "It looked like he had soft hands and he made some nice plays."

For Hawkins, the play was just a glimpse of what he hopes is more to come.

"It was just a routine play," he said, as he and his rookie teammates were surrounded by dozens of media members for the first time in the Packers locker room. "If you're out there doing your jo..

Packers Mini-Camp Report: April 27

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 16:32:00 CST

The Green Bay Packers opened the 2005 season with a spirited non-contact practice session inside the Don Hutson Center, Wednesday.

New defensive coordinator Jim Bates made his presence felt early and often on the first day of the first of two mini-camps, regularly seen providing hands-on instruction and exchanging high-fives with several members of his defensive unit.

"I think if a player makes a good play we want to let him know," Bates said. "It's an emotional game and you have to play under control, mentally. When you make a big play, defense goes so much on emotions and excitement and that's part of the game and we want that to be contagious. When a guy makes a good play we want him to know about it. That brings the camaraderie and the team unity together when you do that."

"He's a good coach, very adamant about what he's doing," added linebacker Na'il Diggs. "He's very sincere and knows his scheme and what he's doing out there. He really believes..

Washington Eager To Get Back On Field

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 17:40:28 CST

The second of three third-round selections in last year's draft, Donnell Washington possessed too much raw athleticism for the Packers to pass up, prompting the Green and Gold to trade up 14 spots to draft him just two picks behind cornerback Joey Thomas.

Unfortunately, the 6-foot-5, 323-pound defensive tackle never had the chance to show off the skills that earned him second-team All-ACC honors prior to skipping his senior season at Clemson. Just one week into training camp, Washington was sidelined with a foot/arch injury and was placed on injured reserve Sept. 1.

Now, with several months of rehab behind him and the first of two mini-camps on the horizon, Washington is looking forward to a fresh start and is using last season's disappointment as his primary motivating factor.

"I was very frustrated and felt like I let the whole organization down," Washington said. "I felt like they had a whole lot riding on me by drafting me and all offseason that jus..

Veterans Report For Mini-Camp

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 14:43:08 CST

With the NFL draft behind them, the Green Bay Packers began preparation for the 2005 season Tuesday when veterans reported to Lambeau Field for the first mini-camp of the offseason.

Players attended meetings and underwent physical testing in addition to taking pictures for media publications and being fitted for equipment, ranging from helmets to mouthguards.

Practices for the veterans begin Wednesday, with rookies entering the mix Friday.

Here's a look at the practice schedule:

Wednesday, April 27
11:00 a.m. (veterans)

Thursday, April 28
11:00 a.m. (veterans)

Friday, April 29
10:30 a.m. (veterans and rookies)
2:45 p.m. (veterans and rookies)

Saturday, April 30
10:30 a.m. (veterans and rookies)
2:45 p.m. (veterans and rookies)

Sunday, May 1
9:30 a.m. (rookies and selected veterans)

* All practices ..

Packers.com Draft Day Challenge Prize Winners Announced

Tue, 26 Apr 2005 14:18:57 CST
Over a two-week period, more than 7,000 Green Bay Packers fans took part in the Packers.com Draft Day Challenge in an attempt to predict the identity of the Packers' first selection in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Of that pool, 29 individuals correctly predicted that Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers would be the Packers' first pick. Surprisingly, only one of those fans was from California -- Chris Vogel of El Dorado, Calif.

The rest of the correct picks came from nine other states, Canada (Michael Sprenger of Chatham, Ontario) and Denmark (Jesper Raundall Christensen of Hjorring, Nordjylland).

From the pool of 29 finalists, Packers.com randomly selected three prize winners. They are:

Matthew Basford of New Orleans, LA, Maribeth Becker of La Crosse, WI, and James Erdman of Somerset, WI. The prize packages won by these three contestants are listed below, followed by the names of the 29 finalists and a list of the top 10 most common predictions.

Pri..

Whitticker's Selection Fulfills 'Dream'

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 23:24:29 CST
By the time it gets down to the 246th pick of the NFL Draft, some remaining players actually start hoping not to get drafted.

While the ego boost of being selected in the draft is nice, the freedom that free agency offers to have a hand in selecting one's destination is for some players even nicer.

But for Michigan State offensive lineman William Whitticker, there was really no question where he wanted to go.

"I was really happy to be drafted by the Green Bay Packers," he said. "This is a tremendous opportunity. It's always been a dream for me to play for the Packers at Lambeau Field.

"Even if I went into free agency, I probably would have been picking Green Bay anyway."

Besides, Whitticker expected to be drafted. If not for a minor tear to his anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered at a senior all-star game -- an injury that didn't require surgery, and from which he says he is fully recovered -- Whitticker figures he would have be..

Campbell Another Versatile Addition On Defense

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 23:23:21 CST
For a team that time and again turned to versatile players in the 2005 NFL Draft, Kurt Campbell's official position at the University of Albany couldn't have been more perfect: rover.

Described by Campbell as a "hybrid outside linebacker and strong safety," 'rover' is a position unique to Albany's 4-4 defensive scheme. But the skills that it took to play the roll, GM Ted Thompson says are ideal to play weak-side linebacker in the Packers' high-speed defensive attack.

"That's just the kind of player (defensive coordinator) Jim Bates likes," Thompson said of the 6-1, 228-pounder, who the Packers claimed with their first of two seventh-round picks, the 245th selection over all.

Campbell himself says that he brings speed, smarts and versatility to the table. That is, when he's healthy.

Campbell struggled with multiple injuries over his collegiate career, especially his junior season when he was limited to five games because of a dislocated shoulder. ..

Bragg Eager To Prove Himself

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 23:22:18 CST
If you would have thought that the only player in UCLA history to make at least 50 receptions in two seasons would get taken earlier than the 195th pick of the draft, you aren't alone.

Craig Bragg, the Packers second sixth-round pick, thought so, too.

"I feel I should have gone higher than that," Bragg said. "How I fell to the sixth round, I don't know. But that's in the past. I've just got to come in and work hard and concentrate on making the team."

Part of the reason for Bragg's slide down the draft board might have been related to his statistical dip as a senior. Sidelined for part of the season after dislocating his shoulder, Bragg went from a 73-catch, 1,065-yard season as a junior to a 36-catch, 483-yard effort as a senior.

But Bragg was insistent Sunday that last year's performance was the exception to the rule, rather than the norm.

"It was frustrating because my shoulder injury set me back a little bit," Bragg said, "but I'm ..

Montgomery Adds To D-Line Mix

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 22:32:27 CST
Approaching his first campaign as defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, Jim Bates expressed excitement Sunday over the players the team will return along the defensive line, calling it better depth than he ever had while leading the Miami Dolphins' routinely suffocating attack.

The one player the Packers added to that pool of young talent in the 2005 NFL Draft was Texas A&M defensive end Mike Montgomery, with their first pick of the sixth round, the 180th selection overall. And despite his optimism about the players the Packers will return, Bates also thinks Montgomery has the chance to be an immediate contributor.

"We had him rated with a good grade," said Bates, who was especially impressed by Montgomery's standout senior season, in which he recorded 71 tackles including six sacks.

"I saw him personally against Texas and (Oklahoma). He held the point, rushed the passer and had a tremendous work ethic. He's going to mix into the defensive fron..

Hawkins Looking To Rebuild A Once Promising Career

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 21:57:47 CST
Most NFL teams wouldn't consider drafting a guy who hasn't played a regulation competitive football game since 2002. But then Micheal Hawkins isn't most players.

Once the highest-rated prep cornerback in football-crazy Texas, Hawkins has spent the past three years trying to revive a football career that got thrown off track during a tumultuous freshman season at the University of Oklahoma.

It's a quest that has seen him win "American Idol"-style open casting calls for football talent, a quest that has passed through the Arena Football League, a quest that has been funded with jobs at Wendy's and car dealerships, a quest that has come far enough for Hawkins to be selected by the Green Bay Packers with their second fifth-round pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, the 167th pick overall.

"He's definitely a diamond in the rough," said Packers Southwest scout Alonzo Highsmith, who found Hawkins through the Dallas Desperados of the AFL. "But I think if anybody knows abo..

Coston Provides Immediate Depth, Future Upside On O-line

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 21:55:33 CST
With two big holes to fill on their offensive line after the departure of veteran guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle this offseason, the Green Bay Packers looked to a small school to hopefully find some help.

By selecting North Carolina A&T's Junius Coston with their first pick of the fifth round and the 143rd selection overall, the Packers dipped into the NCAA Division I-AA talent pool for the second time of the 2005 NFL Draft (in the second round, the team acquired Bethune-Cookman defensive back Nick Collins).

"I think athletically he's better than that," Packers southeast scout Brian Gutekunst said of Coston's fifth-round status. "I'm sure the small-school thing probably came into play a little bit with that, but we thought very highly of him. We thought highly enough to pick him (at the 143rd pick), that's for sure.

"The (Mid Eastern Athletic Conference), sure, it isn't Division I, but they play pretty good football and they get some athletes."
..

Underwood Brings Experience, Versatility

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 18:39:48 CST
The Green Bay Packers took another step in bolstering their secondary Sunday by selecting San Diego State defensive back Marviel Underwood with their first pick of the fourth round, the 115th overall selection.

A 5-foot-10, 205-pound burner with 3.38 speed, Underwood is a player with one of the Packers' most coveted traits: versatility.

"He can play strong (safety), free (safety) or corner," said Packers West Coast scout Sam Seale. "From what we're told, (coordinator Jim Bates') defense is going to be blitzing, and we need safeties that you don't have to take out of the game; they can just stay in the game and play corner, and that's what he can do."

According to Bates, Underwood will start out at safety, his primary position in college and also the place where the Packers' lineup has the biggest hole after the departure of Pro Bowler Darren Sharper to the Minnesota Vikings.

In three years as the starting free safety for the Aztecs, Underwood tall..

Poppinga A Rare Mix Of Size, Speed, Maturity

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 10:03:13 CST
At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Brady Poppinga, the Green Bay Packers' second fourth-round selection of the 2005 NFL Draft, and the 125th player taken overall, doesn't look like your typical linebacker.

He isn't.

For the first three years of his college career, Poppinga was an 'undersized' defensive end for Brigham Young, making 104 tackles and 13 sacks. But after injuries forced the Cougars to juggle their roster, Poppinga became an 'oversized' linebacker as a senior, an imposing figure who pro personnel director Reggie McKenzie said can run a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.

"(Defensive coordinator Jim) Bates wants guys who can run and hit," McKenzie said. "He'll fit that. You don't have to be 5-11 and 220 to run and hit. We can find bigger people to do that, and we think we have that in Poppinga."

Poppinga was actually recruited to BYU as a middle linebacker, so he wasn't totally starting from scratch when he made 79 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss,..

Rodgers' Agonizing Wait Comes To Happy End

By Vic Carucci, NFL.com — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 21:37:44 CST
It wasn't long before the wait turned from frustrating to excruciating.

Aaron Rodgers' cellular phone told the tale of agony. It would flash text messages and calls of encouragement from friends, but it seemingly refused to deliver the words he was hoping and praying to receive: "You're our first-round draft pick."

That is, until the Green Bay Packers finally dialed up Rodgers at No. 24.

Their selection ended the suspense. More than that, it ended the emotional drama that captivated anyone who was watching, even if you weren't a fan of Rodgers, his alma mater (the University of California) or the Packers.

Granted, Rodgers was destined to make a considerable amount of money regardless of where he was taken. But you couldn't help but feel for him. You couldn't help but urge some team, any team, to choose the former Cal quarterback ... just to get him out of that room.

This would have been hard enough had Rodgers been watching the draft ..

Murphy Could Provide Solid Returns

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 01:06:41 CST
With their talented triumvirate of Donald Driver, Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson returning to haul in touchdown passes from Brett Favre next season, the Green Bay Packers wouldn't seem to have a 'need' at wide receiver.

But need or not, nothing could change the fact that when the Packers came on the clock for their second second-round pick of the 2005 NFL Draft -- the 58th selection overall -- Texas A&M's Terrence Murphy was at the top of the draft board.

"It's pretty much the Ron Wolf philosophy in regard to we had him rated the top-rated player," head coach Mike Sherman said. "He has a lot of pluses going for him."

Murphy comes to the Packers after a senior season in which he made 56 receptions for 721 yards and three touchdowns. In Texas A&M history, only four players made more receptions in a single season, one of them being the Packers' own Ferguson, who had 58 catches in 2000.

But in addition to his receiving skills, Murphy brings talent ..

From Small School Collins Brings Big Potential

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 00:20:37 CST
After the departure of Pro Bowler Darren Sharper this offseason, it wasn't a surprise that the Green Bay Packers looked to bolster themselves at safety in the 2005 NFL Draft. What was a surprise was where they went to find their talent.

With the 51st pick of the draft -- their first of two second-round selections -- the Packers acquired defensive back Nick Collins of tiny Bethune-Cookman in NCAA Division I-AA.

And just as when the Packers nabbed California quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first round with the 24th overall selection, GM Ted Thompson said Collins' selection was due to his being the best player available when the Packers came on the clock.

"He's a marvelous athlete that our coaches got to know very well," Thompson said. "I think you always look at their background and the level of competition that the players come from, but he performed well in the combine against guys from Michigan and Ohio State. He actually did better than a lot of thos..

Rodgers: Wait Was Worth It

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 00:18:49 CST
Generally, players who get taken with the 24th overall pick of the NFL Draft don't complain about the wait. But then most of those guys don't go to draft headquarters in New York with 17 of their family members thinking that they might be the first overall selection.

That was the situation Saturday for California quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who, up until NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue called the name of Utah's Alex Smith, thought his wait to be drafted might be the shortest of all.

Instead his stay in the green room was a test of endurance, watching hours go by instead of minutes, until a situation he initially thought impossible started coming into view.

"It was pretty difficult," Rodgers said of the wait. "We had an idea that if things didn't go our way between (picks) 14, 15, 16 that the Packers were looking more and more (like an option) ... I think the need for a quarterback after the first pick just wasn't there."

Of course, the Packers don..

Packers Go Value Over Need With Rodgers

Jason Bellamy, Special To Packers.com — Sat, 23 Apr 2005 21:02:19 CST
If Green Bay Packers fans didn't have a clear enough picture of Ted Thompson's draft philosophy heading into the selection weekend, the general manager brought it all into focus with just one pick.

By taking California quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the 24th overall selection, the Packers did just what Thompson said they would do in the weeks leading up to the draft: looked past current needs in the name of overall talent and value.

In Rodgers the Packers don't have a player who can help fill holes in their defensive secondary or offensive line. And with Brett Favre returning for his 15th season in Green Bay, Rodgers isn't a player who is likely to make an impact next season, or for however long the Packers' ironman stays in the game.

But in Rodgers the Packers do get a player who completed 66.1 percent of his passes last season for 2,566 yards and 24 touchdowns, and who as little as a month ago was predicted to be perhaps the first overall pick of the 70t..

Who Will The Packers Pick? The 'Experts' Answer

Sat, 23 Apr 2005 11:35:04 CST
As the 70th NFL Draft begins, the Green Bay Packers are at pick No. 24.

The Packers could trade up or down from that position, but assuming that stay put, opinions are mixed in regard to whom the team will take.

Packers.com now provides a handful of predictions from draft 'experts' -- both the employed and armchair variety.

Media Predictions:

Don Banks, CNNSI.com: Travis Johnson, DL, Florida State

Vic Carucci, NFL.com: Matt Roth, DL, Iowa

Dennis Dodd, Sportsline.com: Demarcus Ware, DL, Troy State

ESPN.com: Travis Johnson, DL, Florida State

Clarke Judge, Sportsline.com: Brodney Pool, S, Oklahoma

Mel Kiper, Jr.: ESPN.com: Jason Campbell, QB, Auburn

Pat Kirwan, NFL.com: Matt Roth, DL, Iowa

Pete Prisco, Sportsline.com: Aaron Rogers, QB, California (after trading up to No. 21)

Scouts Inc.: Travis Johnson, DL, Florida State

Dr. Z, Sports Illustrated: Shaun Cody, DL, U..

Packers' 2004 Class Shares Draft Memories

Fri, 22 Apr 2005 12:57:16 CST

For NFL prospects, Draft day can be both the most exciting and the most terrifying day of your life at the same time.

Some of these potential superstars have spent their entire lives living in the same state - some of them even in the same city - where they are tremendously familiar with their surroundings and live with the comfort of family close by.

These outstanding athletes who have been successful at nearly everything they've ever tried and have been for the most part in control of their lives are now faced with the reality that although they could soon be paid a large sum of money to play a game that they've loved playing for free for as long as they can remember, their lives will most likely be turned upside down with a call to a new and unfamiliar city.

They will also be facing the reality that they will be surrounded by players just as, or even more talented than themselves after playing for years as stars at every level of the game.
..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Quarterbacks

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:58:25 CST
The quarterback position is the ultimate team need. That's why 25 quarterbacks have been selected first overall since the beginning of the draft.

In the last four drafts -- and six of the last seven -- a QB has been selected No. 1 overall. In 2000, Cleveland took DE Courtney Brown first. Chad Pennington was the first signal-caller selected, but he wasn't plucked off the board by the Jets until No. 18.

Of the past 10 quarterbacks selected No. 1, six have led their respective teams to the playoffs. The last three -- Eli Manning of the Giants, Carson Palmer of the Bengals, David Carr of the Texans -- haven't done it yet. Neither did Jeff George with the Colts from 1990-93. With experience on their side, don't bet against Palmer and Carr this year.
Since 1970, four quarterbacks taken with the first overall selection started on teams that won a total of 11 Super Bowls. Terry Bradshaw (four) and Troy Aikman (three) were with the same team that drafted them. Also, J..

Remmel: Packers 2005 Draft Notes

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 11:32:00 CST
Thompson's First Draft As GM - But He's A Veteran Of The Process

ALTHOUGH TED THOMPSON will be presiding over his first draft as the Green Bay Packers' new executive vice president, general manager and director of football operations this weekend, he is hardly a stranger to the NFL's annual selection process.

Thompson, in fact, will be working his 14th draft overall, his ninth in behalf of the Packers. He originally joined Green Bay's player personnel operation in 1992, after concluding a 10-year playing career with the Houston Oilers.

Further, Thompson will be coordinating a draft for the sixth consecutive year, having served in that role the past five years as vice president/football operations for the Seattle Seahawks.

Prior to joining Seattle's front office, Thompson had worked eight drafts as a member of the Packers organization (1992-1999), the last seven as director of player personnel under Ron Wolf.

Thomps..

Packers.com: Your Source For Team News On NFL Draft Weekend!

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:19:24 CST
Want the skinny on the Green Bay Packers' moves in the 2005 NFL Draft? Check back to Packers.com regularly throughout draft weekend (April 23-24) and you'll get all the latest news and information on the Packers' picks delivered to you on a special streamlined page.

Packers.com will provide photos and biographical information on each of the Packers' picks INSTANTLY after selections are announced. In addition, Packers.com will provide LIVE audio of press conferences with GM Ted Thompson, drafted players and other Packers personnel.

But that's not all...Packers.com also will provide some outstanding EXCLUSIVE content as well that you just can't get anywhere else, including Draft Cam, which allows you to watch the Packers' personnel team make each selection over draft weekend!

There will be some surprises along the way, so you'll want to log on early Saturday and come back often throughout the weekend.

Remember, Packers.com is the only official Web site..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Running Backs

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:26:15 CST
Times have changed as far as drafting running backs. Back in 1938 and 1941 when there were 10 teams in the NFL, nine running backs were drafted in the first round each of those years. Included in this group was former Supreme Court Justice Byron (Whizzer) White of Colorado.

Over the past 10 years, 31 running backs have been selected in Round 1. Twenty-three backs have been selected with the first overall pick in the NFL draft. However, only one has been taken first overall in the past 18 years -- Ki Jana Carter by the Bengals in 1996. At least one running back has been selected in Round 1 since 1967. The streak will continue this year with possibly three being selected.

Because of the proliferation of multiple-receiver sets, many teams carry only three running backs on their rosters -- two tailbacks and one fullback. Others employ an H-back instead of a fullback. Over the past 10 drafts, no fullback has been selected in the first round, and over the past five draf..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Wide Receivers

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 10:01:58 CST
Speed is important at this position, but the ability to run routes (Steve Largent), have a burst (Jerry Rice) and catch in a crowd also are important.

Wide receiver is a position in which players selected after the first round have a chance to play and excel at a high level -- Deion Branch (NE, Super Bowl XXXIX MVP), second round; Anquan Boldin (ARI), second round; Chad Johnson (CIN), second round; Jimmy Smith (JAC), second round; Laveranues Coles (NYJ), third round; Hines Ward (PIT) third round; Terrell Owens (PHI), third round; Darrell Jackson (SEA), third round; Joe Horn (NO), fifth round; Donald Driver (GB), seventh round; Rod Smith (DEN), undrafted free agent -- just to name a handful.

Over the past 10 years, 42 wide receivers have been selected in the first round (including a record seven in 2004). Most likely, we will see five taken this year and seven in the top 40 picks. Over the past 10 years, 81 were taken in Rounds 2 and 3.

If you are a fanta..

Getting To Know... Jason Horton

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:02:03 CST
How well do we know the men who make up the Packers roster? Even the most ardent fan - the one who studies every play, knows the 40-yard-dash time of every prospect, is at every practice during training camp - still most likely is familiar primarily with what the players of the Green and Gold are up to on the field.

Packers.com is taking a look at some of the off-the-field interests of the players behind the facemasks that you cheer so heartily for during the football season. This is a chance to get to know the players through a series of questions and answers, some football-related and others having nothing to do with the gridiron.

Let's get to know... Jason Horton.

Cornerback Jason Horton worked his way onto the Packers roster last summer, showing the coaching staff during training camp and the preseason that he deserved a chance to compete at the highest level.

Horton had hoped to be making an impact earlier on after declaring early for..

Packers.com To Offer Live Video Leading Up To 2005 NFL Draft

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 14:04:34 CST
In conjunction with NFL.com and NFL Network, Packers.com will offer several hours of live streaming video leading up to the 2005 NFL Draft, which begins Saturday, April 23.

Programming on Packers.com will begin Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. (CDT) with NFL Total Access, NFL Network's signature show, hosted by Rich Eisen.

Video can be viewed with the RealOne Player. Computer users with high-speed internet connections will have the best results.

To download a free version of RealOne Player, go to Multimedia and Internet Tools, or click here

Broadcast schedule is as follows:

Tuesday 4/19
NFLTA (90 minutes) (6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)

Wednesday 4/20
NFLTA (90 minutes) (6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
Playbook - Mock Draft, Day 1 (8 p.m. - 9 p.m.)

Thursday 4/21
NFLTA (120 minutes) (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
Playbook - Mock Draft, Day 2 (8 p.m. - 9 p.m.) ..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Tight Ends

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 12:06:35 CST
Times are changing in the NFL. It used to be a rarity when a tight end was taken in the first round of a draft. While tight ends were important to an offense, they weren't considered as a vital part. You could get by without a tight end.

Well, there isn't a GM or head coach in the league that thinks that way now. A good tight end has become a priority for teams to acquire. The great ones are highly valued and are very much sought after. The reason for it is because now tight ends are hybrids -- they are asked to be good at blocking and good at receiving.

The tight end has sort of replaced the fullback, or at least the fullback's role, in the offense. Because there's no fullback, the tight end is called upon to block, be it from the fullback's spot in the formation or from the line of scrimmage. But also like a fullback, the tight end needs to be able to make those clutch third-down receptions to keep the chains moving. And don't even think twice about a team's red..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Special Teamers

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 10:29:34 CST
Every team in the NFL has a special-teams coach (some even have two). They are the coaches who teach players to prevent the game from changing on a punt or kickoff return. They find the guys who can block kicks, which is very important. They are the coaches you see on the sidelines during games urging their players to cover those kickoffs, stay in their lanes, and keep an eye out in case there's an onside kick.

Those onside kicks can be really dangerous. Did you know that nearly 23 percent of all onside kicks last year were successful? It's true -- 12 of the 52 attempts worked! And in the playoffs, there were five attempts with none being recovered by the kicking team. So these situations aren't as grave as some people think -- just ask the Seahawks, who lost out on an onside kick recovery and subsequently lost a Monday night game against the Cowboys late last season that could have hurt their playoff chances.

As you know, there's a lot more to special teams. Incl..

NFL Europe Week 3 Recap

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 09:51:30 CST
Hamburg Sea Devils (1-2) 31, Rhein Fire (0-3) 24
AOL Arena, Hamburg
Attendance: 19,865

The Hamburg Sea Devils introduced themselves to their new fans with 31 unanswered first-half points and then survived a nervous second half to win their home opener at the AOL Arena.

It was a memorable night for the NFLEL's newest franchise after opening the season with two narrow losses on the road. As well as their performance on the field, the crowd of 19,865 was a record for any new NFLEL team in its inaugural home game since the league relaunched in 1995.

Hamburg's victory was secured in a first half in which the Fire were forced to punt on their first five drives. Meanwhile, the Sea Devils scored four touchdowns and a field goal, racking up 270 offensive yards to the visitors' 21.

But it was different story after halftime. At first, the Fire's points appeared to be only consolation but they ended up within striking distance o..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Offensive Linemen

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 14:30:35 CST
Offensive linemen keep getting bigger, faster and stronger over the last three years (2002-2004). The chart below gives you an idea of the height, weight and speed of players in the first four rounds. Over the past three drafts, offensive linemen drafted in Rounds 1-4 have measured up this way:

Shortest - 6-1
Median - 6-4 1/8
Tallest - 6-8

Lightest - 295
Median - 311
Heaviest - 375

Slowest - 5.58
Median - 5.16
Fastest - 4.93

In 1979, the two heaviest offensive linemen drafted were Max Montoya of UCLA and Sam Clapham of Oklahoma. Both weighed 272 pounds -- Montoya played in 223 games during a 16-year career. Now if a player weighed 272 pounds, he wouldn't be playing offensive tackle, that's for sure.

The lightest offensive lineman at last year's draft was Jake Scott of Idaho (281 pounds), who was a starter for the Colts. The heaviest lineman at the combine was Shawn Andrews of Arkansas, tipping the scales at 366 p..

NFL Europe Week 3 Preview

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 10:23:49 CST
Week 3 on the NFL Europe schedule could turn out to be a defining weekend in the 2005 season. Two of Saturday's three games pit a pair of 2-0 teams against the two squads that are nipping at their heels at the top of the table at 1-1.

Needless to say, if the Berlin Thunder and Cologne Centurions are able to remain unbeaten and stretch their lead over the field to two games just three weeks in, they will definitely hold the upper hand in the run to the World Bowl.

The weekend's third game features the league's two winless teams, each desperate to taste victory, a recipe for an exciting encounter.

Once again, players allocated by the Packers will be in action in all three contests around the league.

Frankfurt Galaxy (1-1) at Cologne Centurions (2-0)

Each team in this game is coming off of a win in Week 2 and hoping to keep up their successful run. All four Packers involved in this one will be on the visiting team, with Galaxy..

Jamal Jones: NFL Europe Diary Part II

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:16:50 CST
Jamal Jones is making the most of his European adventure, at least on the football field.

Through two games, the wide receiver is the leading pass-catcher for the Frankfurt Galaxy with nine receptions for 97 yards, totals that place him fourth among the NFL Europe League leaders in both categories.

His exploits have helped lead the Galaxy to a 1-1 record, and with a game against the 2-0 Cologne Centurions this weekend, they could be tied for first place with a second consecutive victory.

The former North Carolina A&T wideout is joined in Frankfurt by three Packers teammates, defensive end and Seante Williams and a pair of fellow receivers, Sam Breeden and Kelvin Kight. Jones now continues with the second installment of his NFL Europe Diary:

This week was a whole lot easier to go to practice every day after getting our first win last weekend. It was kind of a tough week last practicing with a loss hanging over our heads, and this week has b..

Thompson Expects Good Value In Draft

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 08:55:45 CST
As the date grows nearer to his first draft as the general manager of the Green Bay Packers, Ted Thompson met with the media Friday, and not unsurprisingly did not tip his hand as to which way he and the personnel staff are leaning with the 24th pick they are scheduled to exercise next Saturday.

Thompson stayed true to his previously stated beliefs, saying the Packers will be looking to draft the best player available to them in every situation when their turn comes over the two days of the draft.

"No, it's safe to say that we're going to focus on trying to get the very best player we can whenever it's our turn to pick," Thompson replied when asked if it would be a safe bet the Packers would be looking at a defensive player in the first round. "I know that's a cliche, but we're going to try to take the best player available."

The G.M. stated that there are a wide variety of factors that will determine whose name will be called when the Packers turn their c..

Letters To Lee Remmel

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 16:51:05 CST
Mr. Remmel, Back in 1993-1995 I believe it was I remember the Packers' defensive line consisting of Reggie White, Don Davey, and John Jurkovic. I remember Reggie White was called the Minister, Davey was The Baker, and Jurko was the Butcher. Now I know that White was called the Minister because he is a true minister, but since I was young in those seasons I don't remember how Davey and Jurko got their nicknames. Could you please tell me? - Greg (South Milwaukee, WI)

Greg, I can find no indication that Davey and Jurkovic were called "The Baker" and "The Butcher," respectively, by their teammates. Davey's nicknames, as listed by him for our official media guide were "Nitro" and "Dr. Quad," while in the case of Jurkovic, it was the natural, "Jurko" (pronounced YUR-koh).

My father-in-law is convinced that the Packers had their origins with the Duluth Icemen. Please tell me there is no truth to his assertion that the Packers were borne from a Minnesota-based..

Packers Set Schedule For Post-Draft Mini-Camp

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 16:45:33 CST
We don't yet know which of the fresh faces of the NFL Draft class of 2005 will soon be smiling inside of Packers helmets, but the team announced Thursday when those players will be hitting the practice field for the first time as professional football players.

The Packers will hold their annual post-draft mini-camp, both for veterans and rookies, beginning the Wednesday following next weekend's selection process. Work for the veteran players will run from Wednesday, April 27 through Sunday, May 1, with the rookies joining the fray on Friday, April 29.

The practice sessions are scheduled to be held on the FieldTurf of Ray Nitschke Field and will be open to the public, weather permitting.

However, if the spring weather patterns force the team inside the Don Hutson Center, practices will be closed.

Here's a look at the practice schedule:

Wednesday, April 27
11:00 a.m. (veterans)

Thursday, April 28

Grey In Black And White

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 15:44:53 CST
Over the course of the NFL offseason - if there really is such a thing - players find all kinds of ways to stay busy.

Most guys spend a lot of time with their families, catching up with some of the precious people in their lives they don't get to see too much of during the rigors of the long and hard football season. Some players travel the world, taking advantage of the lifestyle their athletic talent has provided them.

Others put to use some of their free time by working to set themselves up for the days when their playing careers are over. Some of these take classes to help them with their futures in the business world.

Another option that the NFL Players Association provides for its members is a variety of internships. Packers offensive lineman Grey Ruegamer chose to spend some of his offseason participating in one of the more unusual internships available, one that kept him on the football field.

Ruegamer, along with four other NFL players ..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Safeties

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 14:39:55 CST
Over the past 10 years of the draft, 13 safeties have been taken in the first round, with only one (Roy Williams by Dallas) selected in the top 10.

In 1998, we had three first-round picks (Donovin Darius, Jacksonville; Tebucky Jones, New England; Shaun Williams, New York Giants), which is the most in any one draft in the last 10 years. Not a single one was taken in the first round of the 1997 or 2000 drafts.

Over the past 10 years, 70 safeties have been selected in Rounds 2 and 3 combined. Two of last year's second-round choices were starters and had pretty good seasons. They were Bob Sanders of the Colts and Michael Boulware of the Seahawks. The Jets stole Erik Coleman in the fifth round, as he played in all 16 games with 100 tackles and four interceptions. Eugene Wilson was a cornerback in college, but he made the switch to safety when the Patriots needed him the most and he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl championship.

In order to be the top pla..

Packer Executives Excited About Schedule

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 15:59:47 CST
Opening Day is still nearly five months away, but with Wednesday's announcement of the regular season schedule by the NFL, there is much excitement at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

Speaking shortly after the league released the 17-week schedules of all 32 teams Wednesday afternoon, Packers' Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer John Jones said that he was pleased with the hand dealt to the team by the powers that be in New York.

Jones was especially excited about the exposure the Packers will get throughout the season, with more than half of their games (9 of 16) being broadcast on national television. Four of those games will come in prime time, with the Packers playing three times on ABC's Monday Night Football and once more in a Sunday night game on ESPN.

"That's a great compliment to this organization and Lambeau Field, but also to Packer fans all across America," he said. "They watch the Packers on TV whenever we're on and that certainly in..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Cornerbacks

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 14:53:34 CST
Because of the one back and multiple receiver sets, teams feel it's important to have three cornerbacks on the field at a high percentage of the time in order to match up against all the fast receivers. For this reason we are seeing more and more teams select cornerbacks in the first three rounds of the draft.

In 1995 and 1996, we had 25 corners selected in the first three rounds. In the last two drafts (2003 and 2004) that number increased to 33. Nine of the 33 were selected in Round 1 compared to four in the '95 and '96 drafts.

Over the past 10 NFL drafts, 38 cornerbacks have been selected in the first round and 122 have been picked in rounds two and three. Only two positions -- wide receiver with 42 and defensive ends with 41 -- have had more first-round picks over this time period.

The feeling around the league is that you can never have too many good cornerbacks, especially considering how the game is played these days. In the 2002 draft, the Eagles..

Packers Open 2005 In Detroit

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 10:30:16 CST
Click Here for the entire 2005 Packers schedule! Printable Schedule (PDF)

The Packers will open their defense of their back-to-back-to-back NFC North Division titles on the road in the building where they hope to finish the 2005 season, Detroit's Ford Field - which is the site of Super Bowl XL next February.

Although the Packers and Lions have met in the season opener 11 times previously, the 2005 game will mark just the second time the Lions have hosted the game, with the Packers winning the 1978 opener at the Pontiac Silverdome.

The Pack will open their Lambeau Field schedule a week later, hosting the Cleveland Browns in the home opener for the first time since they kicked off the 1953 season in Milwaukee. The two teams met in the opening game of the 1972 season, as the Packers spoiled the Browns home opener in that year.

The league's schedule-makers have ..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Linebackers

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 15:28:02 CST
Over the past four drafts (2001 through 2004), only six linebackers -- Terrell Suggs and Jason Babin both played defensive end in college but converted to linebacker in the NFL -- have been drafted in the first round. Over the past 10 years, 30 linebackers have been selected in Round 1, with seven first-rounders in the 2000 draft setting the high-water mark over that period.

The 2004 crop of linebackers was very fast with the first three selected recording an average time of 4.57 in the 40-yard dash. The 2005 class is equally fast with seven linebackers running under 4.6, and one (Jordan Beck of Cal-Poly SLO) running under 4.5 on grass at his school's Pro Day.

With more teams going to the 3-4 type of defense, we are going to see teams draft players who played defensive line and try to convert them to players who can play down and rush the passer, and also play up and play in space. Last year, Houston moved up in the draft to select Jason Babin of Western Michigan,..

Regular Season Schedule To Be Announced Wednesday

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 13:34:19 CST
The Green Bay Packers' 2005 regular season schedule will be announced Wednesday, along with the complete schedules of all other 31 NFL teams, the league announced Tuesday.

The NFL plans to announce the schedule at 1 p.m. CT on the NFL Network's signature show, NFL Total Access. Meanwhile, the schedule will be posted at Packers.com, the official website of the Green Bay Packers, in unison with its release on NFL Network.

Subscribers to Packers.com's official e-mail newsletter, Packers.com eNews, will have the full schedule sent to them as soon as it becomes available.

Packers.com will also provide fans with a printable version of the 2005 schedule.

The Packers know the 13 opponents that will comprise the 16-game schedule, including the annual pair of meetings with NFC North rivals Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota.

The slate will also include four of the seven other 2004 division champi..

Back To School

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 12:02:57 CST
Last week on the campuses of prestigious Ivy League institutions Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, more than 60 current and recently retired NFL players took part in business school workshops to help them prepare for their post-playing careers.

Among the attendees of the program at Harvard Business School was Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. The sack specialist spent three days at the Massachusetts school putting his pass-rushing skills on hold while developing his business skills through a series of case studies and discussion groups.

As part of its custom executive education activities, Harvard Business School has developed a customized workshop targeted to the needs of NFL players interested in owning, operating or building their own businesses. The programs are part of an ongoing NFL-NFLPA initiative, with tuition covered by the NFL's Tuition Reimbursement Program.

"I thought that the Harvard program was awesome," said ..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Defensive Tackles

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:09:14 CST
How important are defensive linemen? In the 2003 NFL Draft, 11 were selected in the first round, the most ever. In 2004, 23 defensive linemen were selected in the first four rounds.

To win games, teams must be able to stop the run and pressure the passer, which helps defensive backs play well. Defensive ends who approach the quarterback's blind side are especially important (Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney and Arizona's Bertrand Berry, who led their respective conferences in sacks last season, line up at this spot).

The two teams that played in Super Bowl XXXIX were considered to be very good defensive teams during the regular season. New England and Philadelphia allowed only 260 points in regular-season games. Only Pittsburgh (251) allowed fewer, and it finished 15-1. Atlanta (48), Philadelphia (47) and New England (45) had the most sacks in the league last season and all reached a conference championship game.

Thirteen of the 15 teams that had at least tw..

Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Defensive Ends

Gil Brandt, NFL.com — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:00:25 CST
How important are defensive linemen? In the 2003 NFL Draft, 11 were selected in the first round, the most ever. In 2004, 23 defensive linemen were selected in the first four rounds.

To win games, teams must be able to stop the run and pressure the passer, which helps defensive backs play well. Defensive ends who approach the quarterback's blind side are especially important (Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney and Arizona's Bertrand Berry, who led their respective conferences in sacks last season, line up at this spot).

The two teams that played in Super Bowl XXXIX were considered to be very good defensive teams during the regular season. New England and Philadelphia allowed only 260 points in regular-season games. Only Pittsburgh (251) allowed fewer, and it finished 15-1. Atlanta (48), Philadelphia (47) and New England (45) had the most sacks in the league last season and all reached a conference championship game.

Thirteen of the 15 teams that had at least tw..

NFL Europe: Week 2 Recap

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 12:19:13 CST
Week 2 of the 2005 NFL Europe season is in the books, and two teams have separated themselves from the pack at 2-0, with the Berlin Thunder and Cologne Centurions the remaining unbeatens establishing themselves as the early favorites to compete for the World Bowl come June.

The weekend's results left the league with two teams each at 2-0, 1-1, and 0-2 heading into Week 3. Frankfurt (1-1) got in the win column with a 23-14 come-from-behind victory over Amsterdam (1-1) Saturday, followed by Berlin's 15-13 back-and-forth win over Hamburg (0-2) and Cologne's comfortable 23-10 triumph over Rhein (0-2) in their local rivalry game, both on Sunday.

Players allocated from Green Bay made contributions in each of the games contested over the weekend.

Saturday night in Frankfurt, four Packers helped power the Galaxy to their first win of the season after falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter to linebacker John Garrett's Amsterdam Admirals. Garrett made two tackles..

NFL Europe Week 2 Preview

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 17:07:04 CST
Just as was the case in 2004, Week 2 of the 2005 NFL Europe season is made up of three match-ups featuring winners from the opening weekend facing losers from Week 1 action. Last season, all six teams continued their winning or losing ways from their openers, leaving a two-game gap between the top and bottom halves of the standings.

Not surprisingly, each of the participants in last season's World Bowl - the Berlin Thunder and the Frankfurt Galaxy - came out of the group that started 2-0, so this weekend's contests could go a long way to foretelling which teams will be meeting in World Bowl XIII come June.

As will most likely be the case throughout the season, there will be Packers allocates involved in each of this week's games, with two of the contests again available for viewing on television in the United States.

Amsterdam Admirals (1-0) at Frankfurt Galaxy (0-1)

The Admirals hit the road for the first time in 2005, looking to ex..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 11:26:04 CST
Read the 'Packers Fan Memories' archives or Submit your own favorite memory

This Week's Photos

In our latest edition of Packers Fan Memories, three charter members of the Packers fan club, Packers Partners Club of Champions, fill us in on their fondest moments backing the Green and Gold, including two first-time visits to football's hallowed ground, Lambeau Field, and a "sweeeet" piece of Packers memorabilia autographed by "The Gravedigger," plus a trip to Green Bay to check up on the stadium renovation project.

My favorite, most recent Packers memory was meeting Gilbert Brown at Packers Fan Fest. When I heard he was going to be there, I purchased a shovel that I painted green and gold with his number 93 and his nickname "The Gravedigger" on it. At Fan Fest, Gilbert asked me if I had painted the shovel myself and then he told me..

Barnett Honored At Lee Remmel Sports Awards Banquet

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 10:15:41 CST
Nick Barnett was among the panel of honorees at Thursday night's Eighth Annual Lee Remmel Sports Awards Banquet in DePere.

Barnett was the recipient of the Professional Achievement Award, and was joined by other local sporting standouts such as Barry Alvarez, head football coach and athletic director at the University of Wisconsin, who received the Distinguished Service Award, Tim Coghlin, St. Norbert College's hockey coach and recipient of the Superior Achievement Award, Tiffany Mor, the leading scorer and rebounder for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women's basketball team and Horizon League Player of the Year who was honored with the Collegiate Achievement Award, and the State Champion DePere High School girls basketball team, which received the High School Achievement Award.

The linebacker, who has led the Packers in tackles in each of his first two seasons since being drafted in the first round in 2003, was flattered to be chosen for the honor.

..

Packers.com 2005 Draft Day Challenge

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 15:14:26 CST
Hey all you football fans and draft gurus, the NFL Draft will soon be upon us and here at Packers.com we have an exciting way you can get involved in the action.

The official Web site of the Green Bay Packers is pleased to announce the second annual Packers.com Draft Day Challenge, in which fans can win cool prizes just by correctly predicting the team's first pick of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Here's how it works:

From Thursday, April 7, through the eve of the draft, Friday, April 22, fans can log on to Packers.com and try and predict the identity of the player the Packers will choose first in the 2005 NFL Draft, held in New York City, April 23-24.

Participants must be at least 13-years-old and must fill out the entire entry form to be eligible. Only one entry per person will be accepted and all entries must be submitted by noon CT, April 22.

Currently, the Packers are slated to pick 24th overall in this year's draft; however, it is poss..

Sander & France: Left & Right

Jeff Anderson, NFL Europe — Thu, 07 Apr 2005 11:09:13 CST
One graduated from the University of Toledo, the other from Ohio State University. One was a national champion in college, the other a Mid-American Conference champion. One is in his second year in NFL Europe, the other his first. One is starting his own landscaping business, the other plans to be a professor in mechanical engineering after his football career. One kicks right-footed, the other punts left.

While the differences are endless for Sea Devils' kicker Todd France and punter B.J. Sander, at least one significant similarity exists between the two - they both led the NFL Europe league in their respective categories during week one and have proven they have the potential to be dangerous weapons for the expansion franchise this season.

In the Sea Devils opening game against the Cologne Centurions, the right-legged France, who was allocated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tied two all-time, single-game league records and won the Special Teams Player of the Week ..

Getting To Know... Atlas Herrion

Tue, 05 Apr 2005 16:38:17 CST
How well do we know the men who make up the Packers roster? Even the most ardent fan - the one who studies every play, knows the 40-yard-dash time of every prospect, is at every practice during training camp - still most likely is familiar primarily with what the players of the Green and Gold are up to on the field.

Packers.com is taking a look at some of the off-the-field interests of the players behind the facemasks that you cheer so heartily for during the football season. This is a chance to get to know the players through a series of questions and answers, some football-related and others having nothing to do with the gridiron.

Let's get to know... Atlas Herrion.

One of the more thankless jobs in the NFL is that of a player on the practice squad. Every day during the week, you're working hard and getting beat up in practice and spending long hours in meetings just like the rest of the players on the team.

The one thing is, you don't ..

NFL Europe: Week 1 Recap

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Mon, 04 Apr 2005 12:20:52 CST
The 2005 NFL Europe season got underway Saturday, with Packers allocates in action in all three games across the continent.

Week 1's action saw the home teams prevail in all three contests, with the Amsterdam Admirals topping the Rhein Fire 24-14, defending World Bowl champions Berlin Thunder cruising past the Frankfurt Galaxy 30-7, and in the game of the weekend, the Cologne Centurions held off the Hamburg Sea Devils 24-23 in Hamburg's first game as a member of the league.

The results meant that 10 of the 11 Packers who took part in the games came up on the short end of the stick, but that isn't to say those players didn't have good showings.

For Hamburg, punter B.J. Sander had a good game in his dual role as the Sea Devils' punter and holder. The former Ray Guy Award winner punted three times Saturday for an average of 44.3 yards per kick. None of his punts were returned, giving him a net average of 44.3 as well, and one of his kicks was mishandled by t..

Jamal Jones: NFL Europe Diary

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 16:42:57 CST
Wide receiver Jamal Jones is among the record 18 players the Packers have allocated to play in NFL Europe this spring. Just like the rest of his teammates, Jones is looking to impress his coaches on both sides of the Atlantic and earn a spot with the Green and Gold in 2005.

These 10 games in Europe will be Jones' first with the famous 'G' logo on his uniform, as he joined the Packers as a member of their practice squad during the 2004 season after a preseason run with the St. Louis Rams last summer.

The former North Carolina A&T Aggie is eager to get on the field and get the season underway Jones and the Galaxy will be in Berlin Saturday to kick off the NFL Europe campaign. Jamal is set to team with fellow Green Bay receiver Sam Breeden in Frankfurt's starting lineup.

The following is the first installment of Jamal Jones' 2005 NFL Europe Diary:

This is my first trip to Europe, and even though we've been here for a week now, I'm still tryi..

Play NFL Europe Fantasy Football 2005

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 19:48:28 CST
First week of fantasy action begins Monday, April 4.

Kick-off of the 2005 NFL Europe season is now upon us, and you can get in the mood for the start of the season by registering for Fantasy NFL Europe 2005.

Now in its second season, Fantasy NFL Europe is new and improved in 2005, but the idea remains the same - pick a team of eight players each week and compete against NFLEL fans around the world to win a trip to the 2006 Pro Bowl.

This season's game features several exciting upgrades, including:

* This year's NFLEL players will be put into different salary bands, and team managers will only have a limited budget of $18 million to work with in choosing their eight players.

* The top scorer in the league each week will receive a signed game jersey from their favourite NFL Europe League team, as well as other NFL Europe merchandise. So if you don't enter Fantasy NFL Europe from the start, you still have plenty to play at any stage o..

NFL Europe Week 1 Preview

Dave Lawrence, Packers.com — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 15:06:58 CST
The race to World Bowl XIII in Dusseldorf, Germany gets underway Saturday as the six teams of the NFL Europe League will kick off their latest 10-game season with three games on the docket for the weekend.

With the Packers allocating a record 18 players to the developmental league in 2005, fans of the Green and Gold will be able to choose to root for any of the six squads and still be backing a potential future Green Bay star.

Three of the players plying their wares across the Atlantic this spring (Kelvin Kight, Steve Morley, and B.J. Sander) spent time on the Packers' 53-man active roster in 2004, with Morley and Sander on the squad for the full season.

All three of this weekend's contests will take place on Saturday, April 2, with two of them available for viewing on television in the United States.

The Frankfurt Galaxy and Berlin Thunder will get the season started with a scheduled 10:00 a.m. (CT) kickoff, featured live on DirecTV. The NFL Netw..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 13:15:47 CST
Read the 'Packers Fan Memories' archives or Submit your own favorite memory

This Week's Photos

A personal autograph session with the legendary Reggie White...$100. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean to spend your honeymoon at Lambeau Field...$1000. Getting engaged in the same end zone that Bart Starr scored the game-winning touchdown in the 'Ice Bowl'...Priceless. It's all here as Packers fans tell us about some of their most memorable moments backing the Green and Gold in our latest installment of 'Packers Fan Memories.'

I donated $100 to meet Reggie White. I waited and waited in line to meet him. While waiting, I heard that Reggie had left after being told he had seen everyone with a ticket. His wife, Sara, noticed that I did not get to see Reggie. She asked me if I could get to the airport in Green Bay. After we got to the airport, I noticed a van pull up and o..