Packers.com

Favre's Decision Could Come Soon

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 03:43:38 CST

CHICAGO - Quarterback Brett Favre may or may not have played his last NFL game on Sunday night, but he told a national television audience that he expects to make a decision on his future "probably in the next couple weeks."

Speaking with NBC reporter Andrea Kremer on the field immediately after the Packers' 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears, Favre got a bit choked up when asked whether or not it was his last game.

"It's tough, it's tough," an emotional Favre said.

"I love to play the game, I love these guys, I love to compete, and it just shows."

Favre declined to say anything more specific about his future, and several minutes later in front of a group of reporters outside the Packers' locker room he declined to discuss the issue of retirement at all.

He did say he plans to have ankle surgery in Green Bay on Monday, an arthroscopic procedure to clean out some calcium build-ups that has been performed before. Then presumably he'll head ..

Notebook: WRs Martin, Holiday Come Up Big

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:24:28 CST

CHICAGO - Rookie receiver Greg Jennings was unavailable on Sunday night while tending to his wife and newborn daughter back in Green Bay.

But the Packers got some welcome production from his replacements.

Ruvell Martin started in Jennings' place and Carlyle Holiday moved up to the No. 3 receiver spot, and both contributed big plays, combining for eight catches and 163 yards in the first half alone.

"Those guys stepped up like true veterans," No. 1 receiver Donald Driver said. "They've been in this game for a while and they knew how to do it."

Driver said he told the other receivers late in the week he wasn't sure how much he'd be able to play with his injured shoulder, which forced him to miss the entire week of practice. Driver finished with just three catches for 23 yards, but together the duo of Martin and Holiday had 12 catches, accounting for 205 of quarterback Brett Favre's 285 passing yards.

"They design a lot of defenses to try to ..

Game Review: Beating Bears Brings Season Full Circle

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:19:46 CST

CHICAGO - The Green Bay Packers knew they had come a long way since being shut out by the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the 2006 season.

On Sunday night, they proved it.

Turning the tables on the NFC North Division champs and the conference's top seed, the Packers controlled things from the outset, using six turnovers and two defensive scores to roll to a 26-7 victory in front of a prime-time national television audience at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Though the Packers hopes for the final NFC playoff spot were dashed by the N.Y. Giants' victory on Saturday night plus other results on Sunday, Green Bay still racked up several accomplishments, not the least of which was throwing some doubt on the capabilities of their arch-rivals to win in the playoffs and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

The Packers closed the season with a four-game winning streak, finished 8-8 to avoid a losing record in Head Coach Mike McCarthy's first season, beat a team with a ..

Defense Dominates With Six Turnovers, Two Touchdowns

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 21:26:09 CST

CHICAGO - Defensive players relish any chance they have to get into the end zone, and two Packers did that for the first time in their careers on Sunday night.

Safety Nick Collins and nickel cornerback Patrick Dendy each returned interceptions for touchdowns in the first half against the Chicago Bears, helping stake the Packers to a 23-0 halftime lead en route to a 26-7 victory at Soldier Field.

Collins made his big play with an instinctive read, jumping a short out route by Chicago tight end Desmond Clark, picking off Rex Grossman's pass, and racing 55 yards untouched into the end zone to give the Packers a 13-0 lead in the final minute of the first quarter.

"It felt great," Collins said. "I'm used to getting in the end zone from college and high school. My first time as a pro, though, that felt great."

Collins, a second-year pro, was coming off a promising rookie season but hadn't made the big-play impact many expected of him this season. A key i..

AP Game Summary: Favre Beats Bears in Potential Swan Song

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:26:34 CST

CHICAGO (AP) If, indeed, this was his last game, Brett Favre went out in style.

The rocket-like passes that defined his career were on full display, zooming between helpless defenders and into receivers' hands. And when it was over, his voice cracked. Tears flowed.

Is this really it, though?

"If this is the last game, I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome," Favre said after the Green Bay Packers closed out the season with a 26-7 victory against the Chicago Bears.

Favre had his way, Rex Grossman looked lost, and the Bears bore little resemblance to a No. 1 playoff seed.

Favre showed he still has some plenty left in that powerful right arm, passing for 285 yards to lead the Packers (8-8).

But he tearfully hinted that he's seriously considering retirement, as he did in the last offseason.

"If this is my last game, I want to remember it," Favre said, his voice cracking and tears streaming from his eyes. "It's tou..

Notebook: Bears Stuffed Short-Yardage Offense In First Meeting

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 15:11:48 CST

As Head Coach Mike McCarthy has reviewed the season-opening shutout loss to the Bears this week, one glaring offensive failure was inescapable.

Short-yardage situations.

The Sept. 10 opener was an exercise in frustration in that area for the Packers. On their first three possessions, they faced a pair of third-and-1's, a third-and-3, and a fourth-and-1. They failed to convert on all of them, as running back Ahman Green was stopped for no gain twice, quarterback Brett Favre was sacked once, and Favre was stopped on a fourth-down sneak.

"The biggest breakdown on offense was our situational offense, starting with the third down," McCarthy said. "I thought we ran the ball particularly well early in the game, and that was the course we intended on taking going into that game, and the short-yardage was our breakdown there in the first half."

The early struggles laid the groundwork for a combined 3-for-14 conversion rate on third and fourth downs, and the..

Playoffs Aside, Still Plenty To Play For On Sunday Night

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 14:37:06 CST

The Green Bay Packers will know by the time their game with the Chicago Bears begins on Sunday night whether or not they're playing for an NFC Wild Card playoff spot.

And while the hope certainly is that they are, Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his players insist there will be no letdown if they aren't.

That's because even if there is no playoff bid on the line, there's still plenty to play for in the regular season finale at Soldier Field.

Having completed season sweeps of NFC North foes Detroit and Minnesota the past two weeks, the Packers have a chance to finish 5-1 in their division. They could end a three-game losing streak to their arch-rivals and beat a team with a winning record for the first time all season.

They could also finish 8-8 in McCarthy's first year, not only avoiding a losing record but also doubling their win total from 2005 when most outside analysts predicted the Packers might only match their four wins of a year ago.

..

Packers.com Video Exclusive: Mike McCarthy's Post-Game Speech

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:16:37 CST

Dave Rayner's 44-yard field goal with 1 minute, 34 seconds left made a dominant defensive performance stand up as the Packers edged the Vikings 9-7 in front of 70,864 fans who braved the rain on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

The Packers won their third straight game for the first time this season, improved to 7-8, and kept their playoff hopes alive heading into a scoreboard-watching weekend.

In the locker room immediately after the game, Head Coach Mike McCarthy presented Packers Chairman Bob Harlan with the game ball. Harlan was attending his last regular-season home game as CEO of the franchise. He is retiring in May after 18 years as team president and 36 in the front office.

"A total surprise, and I'm thrilled and honored both," Harlan said. "When Mike called me up, it was a tremendous thrill for me. Very touching."

Harlan then said a few words to the players amidst strong applause.

"I just said I've been here 36 years and I'm j..

Packers.com Video: Changing of the Guard

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:10:31 CST

In May 2007, Packers President and COO John Jones will become the organization's new chief executive officer as Bob Harlan formally retires after 36 years with the team.

This program takes an in-depth look at the club's new leader, allowing fans another opportunity to get to know Jones.

Detailed interviews with Jones, Harlan and other members of the team's board of directors fill the show and give insight to Jones, how he came to Green Bay and the type of leader he is.

Hear how Jones plans to keep the Packers as one of the NFL's flagship franchises, giving the football operations the tools they need to succeed, keeping Lambeau Field as one of football's top destinations and ensuring the fan experience is second to none.

Packers.com Video: A Green and Gold Holiday

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:09:16 CST

Now an annual holiday television program, a Green and Gold Holiday looks back on the past year at the Green Bay Packers' off-the-field efforts in the community.

See your favorite Packers players performing good deeds in the community and sharing the holiday spirit. Some of the events highlighted include the team's first-ever Tailgate Tour, a four-day, four-city trip around the state to say thanks to the fans.

The program also features some of the players displaying another off-field talent as they sing the holiday classic, "Deck the Halls." Packers Chairman Bob Harlan, President John Jones and Head Coach Mike McCarthy share holiday greetings as well.

Watch 'The Mike McCarthy Show' On Packers.com!

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 17:31:24 CST

Since the days of Vince Lombardi it's been tradition in Green Bay for the Packers' head coach to have his own television show. This season is no different. Making its debut for the 2006 season is the Mike McCarthy Show.

The Mike McCarthy Show is a 30-minute program hosted by Jessie Garcia, of Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV and sideline reporter for the Packers Television Network, and Larry McCarren, sports director at Green Bay's WFRV-TV and an analyst on the Packer Radio Network. Garcia, McCarren and Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy each week will review and preview games as well as be joined by a special Packers guest and answer questions from fans. Coach McCarthy also each week will teach viewers about the play of the game with a telestrator.

The Mike McCarthy Show airs on Tuesdays in Green Bay on WFRV-TV (CBS, Ch. 5), in Milwaukee on WTMJ-TV (NBC, Ch. 4), in Marquette, Mich., on WJMN-TV, in Wausau on WAOW-TV (ABC, Ch. 9), in Madison on WKOW-TV (ABC, Ch. 27), in La Crosse..

Packers Must Limit Hester's Running Room

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:24:06 CST

Head Coach Mike McCarthy's initial response to the question of slowing down Chicago return specialist Devin Hester was blunt and to-the-point.

"Well, don't kick the ball down the middle of the field is probably a good starting point," he said.

That's not a cure-all approach, but as McCarthy said it's at least a place to begin, and there's certainly some value in trying it.

Hester, the Bears' rookie second-round draft choice out of Miami, has a whopping six return touchdowns this season. He burst onto the scene with an 84-yard punt return for a score at Lambeau Field in the season opener and has only become more dangerous since.

He returned a punt 83 yards for the winning touchdown against Arizona and another 45 yards for the go-ahead score against Minnesota. His NFL record 108-yard return of a missed field goal against the New York Giants put that game out of reach, and his 94- and 96-yard kickoff returns to paydirt against St. Louis answered poten..

Notebook: Playoff Scenarios Secondary To Winning

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:40:53 CST

The Packers aren't concerning themselves with all the various scenarios that could get them a playoff berth primarily for one reason - nothing will matter unless they win at Chicago.

"We need to really focus on beating the Bears," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "I'm not naive to the fact that our players are aware of everything around us, but our focus needs to be to win that football game on Sunday night."

Some players claim to know how the playoff scenarios shape up and some don't, but either way the Packers (7-8) will know their status when their game begins on Sunday.

The first key result will come Saturday night, when the Giants (7-8) play the Redskins. If the Redskins win, the Packers will need one of the following three things to happen Sunday afternoon in order to be playing for a playoff berth that night:

*The Rams (at 7-8, the only team that can beat the Packers in a head-to-head tiebreaker because of the 23-20 decision on Oct. 8 game at ..

16 Weeks Later, Packers Are Different Team

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:40:26 CST

As the Packers prepare for their rematch with the Chicago Bears this week, there's plenty of speculation that the Packers won't be facing the same team they saw in Week 1.

With the Bears having clinched the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs, there's a possibility they could rest some starters, or not play their starters the entire game, though no one is revealing any specific plans.

But it's worth noting the Bears won't be facing the same Packers team either. Since losing to Chicago 26-0 in the season opener, Green Bay is a different team in many respects.

"They are improved quite a bit," Bears head coach Lovie Smith said. "They have talent and with good coaches, normally it ends up being a pretty good football team, and that's what they are."

Here's a quick look at how the Packers have changed the most from Week 1 to Week 17:

Experience up front
Back on Sept. 10, three of the Packers' top six offensive linemen were rookies who ha..

Remmel: Fans Owe NFL's Greatest Rivalry To Feisty Lambeau, Halas

Lee Remmel, Team Historian — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:49:18 CST

The late George Stanley Halas, urbane founder of the Chicago Bears, and ebullient Earl Louis Lambeau, who co-founded the Green Bay Packers, could arguably be saluted as the founding fathers of the National Football League.

But, even more appropriately, as the co-authors of professional football's most prolific and colorful rivalry, which Sunday will find the Green and Gold meeting the alleged Monsters of the Midway for the 172nd time in regular-season competition.
No two other NFL teams can make that claim.

The reason being that no two other NFL teams have met as many as 172 times.
Nor with as much annual animus on both sides of the ball.

Halas, of course, was there at the very beginning - on Aug. 20, 1920 - when the American Professsional Football Conference, forerunner of the NFL, was organized in the Jordan and Hupmobile auto showroom in Canton, Ohio.

Lambeau, who had founded the fledgling Packers in 1919, came upon the league scene in 1..

Defense Dominating Down The Stretch

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:27:23 CST

Ask around for an explanation of the Green Bay Packers' defensive turnaround over the past two games, and you'll get a variety of answers.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy points to continuity, consistency and energy he sees when reviewing film. Defensive coordinator Bob Sanders cites the passion and fundamentals the players are showcasing. The players themselves attribute it to simply playing together more and believing in their system.

So which is it? To be truthful, it's all of the above.

As McCarthy is fond of saying, if it were just one thing, it would have been fixed long ago. So it has taken all of those elements for the Packers to turn in dominating back-to-back defensive performances in victories over the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings that have kept the team in the NFC playoff hunt heading into the final weekend.

"The defense we had coming out of the preseason and training camp, I definitely thought that was going to be the strength of our f..

Packers-Bears Moving To Prime Time

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 22:41:07 CST

The Green Bay Packers' regular season finale against the Chicago Bears on New Year's Eve is moving to prime time.

As part of the NFL's flexible scheduling, the league has selected the Dec. 31 Packers-Bears game for the 7:15 p.m. (CT) kickoff on NBC at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Other Dec. 31 games changing kickoff times as part of flexible scheduling include Atlanta at Philadelphia, Buffalo at Baltimore, and Miami at Indianapolis, all of which will begin at 3:15 p.m. (CT).

While the Bears (13-2) have the NFC's top seed and home-field advantage secured throughout the playoffs, the Packers (7-8) may have their playoff hopes in the balance on Sunday night.

Among the several scenarios that could put the Packers in the playoffs, the most likely involve the New York Giants losing to the Washington Redskins on Dec. 30 and the Packers beating the Bears the next night, plus ONE of the following three pieces of help:

A St. Louis Rams loss to the Minn..

Quirky Or Not, Packers' Pre-Game Routines Serve A Purpose

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:10:55 CST

Athletes in all sports have their ways of getting ready, and feeling ready, to compete.

A lot of basketball players need to make their last shot in warm-ups before the game starts, even if it's a simple lay-up. Golfers hit so many balls on the range, and take a certain number of putts on the practice green, from specific distances, before they hit the course.

Football players are no different, though sometimes their pre-game routines are a bit more drawn out and complex than your average athlete's regimen. From putting on all that equipment, to getting their ankles and wrists taped in the training room, to finding the right way to loosen up for 60 minutes of abusive physical conduct, the pre-game routines of football players can encompass several steps.

In the Green Bay Packers' locker room, you won't find too many players whose routines are all that strange or bizarre. There aren't any Pedro Cerranos with voodoo dolls in their lockers, like the famous char..

'Tis The Season Players Enjoy Giving Back

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:11:49 CST

Green Bay Packers players are involved in community events throughout the year, but the holidays are an especially important time to give back to the community when they can.

Several holiday events this season have featured Packers players and/or their support, with perhaps one of the largest the fifth annual "Families of Children with Cancer Christmas Party" last week.

More than a dozen players turned out at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in De Pere to play games, sing carols and enjoy pizza and ice cream with the kids, who for one day like this get to cast aside their day-to-day health concerns and simply hang out with players from their favorite team.

"This will bring you back down to earth real fast," cornerback Patrick Dendy said. "It's very humbling, but it's a lot of fun.

"I did this last year, and there was no way I'd miss it this year. Like I said it's a very humbling experience, and you get a chance to learn a lot from these kids."

L..

Playoff Watch: Saints Must Beat Giants On Sunday

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:45:09 CST

Of all the possible playoff scenarios floating around out there, the most important thing this weekend for the Green Bay Packers is this:

They need the New Orleans Saints to defeat the New York Giants at the Meadowlands on Sunday.

If that happens, the Packers will still have hope for the NFC's final Wild Card playoff spot heading into the regular-season finale on Dec. 31 in Chicago.

But if the Giants defeat the Saints, the Packers are officially eliminated from playoff contention.

The reason the Saints-Giants game on Sunday is so important is this:

Should the Giants (currently 7-7) beat New Orleans, the best the Packers could do is tie them at 8-8 at season's end, and if that happens, Green Bay loses a somewhat complicated tiebreaker.

Under this scenario - which has the Giants beating the Saints but losing on Dec. 30 to the Redskins, while the Packers beat the Bears - and following the tiebreaker procedure, both teams would have i..

Game Review: Dramatic Win Keeps Packers In Playoff Hunt

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:18:09 CST

No one in the Green Bay Packers' locker room even wanted to think about what this one would have felt like to lose.

It would have felt worse than squandering a 13-point lead against New Orleans, worse than losing a fumble in the waning seconds of a three-point loss to St. Louis, and much worse than dominating Buffalo statistically only blow the game on turnovers.

But fortunately, and finally, this one went Green Bay's way.

Dave Rayner's 44-yard field goal with 1 minute, 34 seconds left made a dominant defensive performance stand up as the Packers edged the Vikings 9-7 in front of 70,864 fans who braved the rain on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

The Packers won their third straight game for the first time this season, improved to 7-8, and kept their playoff hopes alive heading into a scoreboard-watching weekend.

"We're just staying in the mix, getting wins," cornerback Charles Woodson said. "(At) 7-8 you wouldn't think you could think abo..

Defense Gift Wraps Victory

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:19:55 CST

Though the final score may have not indicated it, the Green Bay Packers were dominant in Thursday night's victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Well, dominant on the defensive side of the ball, that is.

On a night that featured rainy conditions throughout, the Packers had the upper hand in nearly all facets of the game, including time of possession and yards gained. But at the same time, the season's final game at Lambeau Field was exactly what you'd expect between two bitter rivals fighting for their playoff lives: a close, hard-fought, physical contest.

Sure, the numbers are misleading when you consider the fact that the Packers had 319 total yards compared to the Vikings' 104. Or that the green and gold had the ball for nearly 35 minutes to the Vikings' 25. If that's not enough, keep in mind that the Packers had 19 first downs and the Vikings could only muster three.

Letting the numbers soak in, you get the feeling that the game had every compo..

Notebook: Rayner Makes Good On Game-Winner

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:19:01 CST

Before Thursday night, kicker Dave Rayner had only two cracks at a game-winning field goal in his career.

One came at Oxford High School in Michigan, and he made it. The other came in college as a senior at Michigan State, and his 53-yarder into the wind against arch-rival Michigan fell short.

Try No. 3, and his first in the NFL, came from 44 yards with less than 2 minutes left of a one-point game against the NFC North rival Vikings on a cold, wet night at Lambeau Field.

No pressure, Dave.

"It was probably the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life, but it worked out well," said Rayner, who was true to give the Packers a 9-7 victory. "The hold was good, the snap was good, protection was great. We got into field position and it worked out."

Up until then, it had been a rough night for the second-year kicker. He made his first try from 38 yards in the first quarter, but on his next field goal, also from 38, he slipped badly on the wet..

AP Summary: Packers Beat Vikings 9-7 At Lambeau Field

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:37:02 CST

It might have been Brett Favre's final fling at Lambeau Field, and it wasn't pretty.

But after nearly throwing the game away, Favre helped the Green Bay Packers pull out yet another come-from-behind victory.

Favre watched an interception get returned for a touchdown in the third quarter, then rallied the Packers for a late field goal and a 9-7 victory against the Minnesota Vikings.

Packers kicker Dave Rayner, who had missed two field goals earlier in the game, hit a 44-yarder with 1:34 remaining.

"It was probably the most nervous I had ever been in my entire life, but it worked out," Rayner said.

It was the 36th game-winning comeback for Favre, who has not yet announced whether he will play next season and did not speak with reporters following the game.

He held the ball aloft after the final gun, and hugged a couple of former teammates now with the Vikings, safety Darren Sharper and kicker Ryan Longwell. He also saluted his..

Halftime Summary: Packers Lead Vikings 6-0

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 20:18:17 CST

A dominant defensive effort and a pair of Dave Rayner field goals powered the Packers to a 6-0 lead at halftime against the Minnesota Vikings on a rainy Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

The Packers allowed just one first down in six Vikings' possessions in the first half. Minnesota had only 38 total yards, and Green Bay defensive end Aaron Kampman recorded two sacks, giving him 14 1/2 on the season.

The Packers' first score came via a 38-yard field goal by Rayner.

Completions of 19 yards to Bubba Franks and 13 yards to Donald Driver followed by a 13-yard run by Ahman Green gave Green Bay a first-and-goal on the 8. But Minnesota linebacker Ben Leber was left unblocked on a first-down blitz, and he sacked Brett Favre for a 12-yard loss, leading to the field goal attempt.

The Packers looked like they would add to the lead right away, driving again into scoring range with the help of a 19-yard completion to Driver and a 20-yarder to Ruvell Martin. But ..

Watch 'The Mike McCarthy Show' On Packers.com!

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:41:23 CST

Vikings' Pat Williams Proves Tough To Handle

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:13:05 CST

The Green Bay Packers are going to take another crack at the Minnesota Vikings' vaunted run defense and their premiere run-stuffer, Pat Williams.

The first time these teams met, back on Nov. 12 at the Metrodome, Packers running backs Ahman Green and Noah Herron combined for just 49 yards rushing on 24 carries, or barely 2 yards per rush.

That's nothing to be ashamed of, necessarily, against the top-ranked run defense in the league. The Vikings have shut down virtually everyone's ground attack, holding opponents to an NFL-best 55.1 yards per game and 2.7 yards per attempt.

Their success against the run is predicated on an active front seven, but against the Packers last month, Williams was clearly the difference-maker.

The 6-foot-3, 317-pound nose tackle recorded eight solo tackles in that game to lead the Vikings, a statistic almost unheard of for an interior lineman. Even more impressive, on those eight runs Williams was credited with a solo tackl..

Notebook: Vikings To Start Mobile Rookie QB

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:03:03 CST

Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress confirmed on Tuesday that rookie Tarvaris Jackson will start at quarterback Thursday night in place of veteran Brad Johnson.

That's going to make it much harder for the Packers defense to duplicate the four sacks recorded against the Vikings in the Nov. 12 victory because Jackson is a much more mobile quarterback who can not only elude the rush but also make plays with his feet.

"The change is that we're going to have to be more careful on our pass rushes," defensive tackle Corey Williams said. "We can't get out of our rush lanes because that type of quarterback they're starting, he can run around and stuff. He'll tuck the ball and run with it if you give him an opening, and that's something we have to eliminate."

Jackson, a second-round draft choice out of Division I-AA Alabama State, has played in relief of Johnson in two of Minnesota's last three games. Last Sunday against the Jets, he completed 14 of 23 passes..

Driver, Kampman Selected To Pro Bowl

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:30:20 CST

Two Green Bay Packers who have taken the long road to professional success got some well-deserved recognition on Tuesday.

Defensive end Aaron Kampman and wide receiver Donald Driver, both late-round draft choices who didn't even attend the scouting combine coming out of college, were named to the NFC Pro Bowl team.

Kampman will be making his first trip to the Pro Bowl, while Driver will be making his second, having also gone in 2002 as an alternate. The Pro Bowl will be played on Saturday, Feb. 10, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"I guess it says that hard work does pay off, so to speak," said Kampman, a fifth-year pro out of Iowa. "I've had a lot of help along the way. A lot of people have been there, a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players. It definitely hasn't been all on my own. You pick things from certain guys, you add them to what you do, and you try to get better."

Kampman's steady improvement throughout his career has peaked in a sense this se..

Remmel: OT & Vikings Historically A Bad Combination For Packers

Lee Remmel, Team Historian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:33:00 CST

Appropriately enough, the Green Bay Packers played their very first regular-season overtime game against the neighboring Minnesota Vikings.

The principals in that historic match-up since have played five more such sudden-death contests during the 27-year interim.

And, frequently frustrated by the alleged law of averages, the Packers didn't win one until the turn of the century.

The mewling new century was precisely 10 months and six days old when the Packers, defending their Lambeau Field home, prevailed over the Purple Gang in OT for the first time on the misty night of Nov. 6, 2000.

As suggested, such a success had been somewhat overdue, Minnesota having been consistently reluctant to "concede" in any previous sudden-death encounter.

Looking back, these venerable enemies battled to a 10-10 stalemate in "Lambeau" in their first overtime struggle (Nov. 26, 1978) - one which saw the Vikings score in the final minute of regulation (on a 5-ya..

Second Annual Packers' All-Pro Dad & Kids Experience

Stephen Foshee, Packers.com — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:50:37 CST

The second annual Packers' All-Pro Dad Father & Kids Experience was held at Lambeau Field and the Don Hutson Center on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Around 500 fathers and 1,000 children attended the event that included appearances by Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and Packers players Aaron Kampman, Corey Williams and Brandon Miree.

Williams and Miree played baby-sitter for the 1,000 children in the Don Hutson Center and participated in many interactive games with kids while fathers walked over to the Legends Club of the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Fathers were able to hear family experiences of Kampman and Sanders as well as listen to their beliefs about the importance of setting a good example for children.

Both Sanders and Kampman felt fortunate to share their time with fellow fathers.

"All-Pro Dad is something I'm extremely proud to be associated with," said Sanders. "I think this is an important issue in America today and the youth of t..

Mike McCarthy Press Conference Transcript - Dec. 18

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:11:56 CST

OK, I'll start with the injury update. Atari Bigby still has a hamstring, and he'll be questionable for this week. Chad Clifton was in today for treatment, shoulder, he'll be probable. Donald Driver continues to be probable with his shoulder. Charles Woodson, same thing, shoulder, probable. Nick Collins also had a shoulder in the game. We're going to list him as probable. David Martin with the ribs, he will be questionable. Ruvell Martin, we're going to practice him tomorrow and see where he is, and he'll be probable. And Mark Tauscher will also practice tomorrow, and we'll list him as probable. With that I'll take your questions.

(Will Tauscher be in the starting lineup or do you work both those guys?)
I really want to see how he's doing. I would anticipate, the way he felt last week in limited reps. But if he shows he's full go and is comfortable, yes, he will be in the starting lineup.

(How happy are you for Jags and at the same time how ..

Notebook: Packers Must Balance Rest With Preparation

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:05:34 CST
One of the biggest tasks the Green Bay Packers have this week is to physically recover yet still prepare in such a short week, with the Minnesota Vikings coming to Lambeau Field on Thursday night.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy hasn't coached on this short a week in several years, but he said on Monday that he took a look back at the schedules he used on the offensive staff at Kansas City in 1995 and 1996 when the Chiefs played Thanksgiving Day games at Dallas and Detroit, respectively.

That helped him establish this week's schedule, which includes a practice and extended meeting times on Tuesday, plus more meetings and a jog-through workout on Wednesday. The balance point between preparing for a game and healing physically can be hard to find.

"In my view, you have to make a decision where you lean towards," McCarthy said. "I know some people have practiced more, some have practiced less. I think the priority is getting their bodies back."

It's particul..

Packers' Super Bowl XXXI Victory To Be Featured On NFL Network's 'America's Game'

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 10:19:31 CST
America's Game airs Friday, December 22 at 7:30 CT on NFL Network.

America's Game is the show football fans have been waiting for: 40 one-hour documentaries produced by NFL Films.

'America's Game' is not a Super Bowl recap, but a 40-part special that unveils team stories that have never before been seen or heard.

The top 20 air in order from No. 20 to No. 1, with the No. 1 ranked Super Bowl being revealed the week of Super Bowl XLI.

This week, America's Game turns its attention to the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl XXXI victory over the New England Patriots in New Orleans.

***

1996 GREEN BAY PACKERS RANKED #16 ON AMERICA'S GAME COUNTDOWN

MIKE HOLMGREN'S INTRODUCTION TO GREEN BAY, BRETT FAVRE'S SUPER BOWL AUDIBLE AND DESMOND HOWARD'S NFC CHAMPIONSHIP TARDINESS

FAVRE, HOLMGREN AND HOWARD TELL THE STORY OF THE '96 PACKERS' ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL

Mike Holmgren remi..

Game Review: Second Home Win A Plus, Pretty Or Not

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:18:21 CST
The Green Bay Packers' 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Lambeau Field might have been an ugly win, or it might not have been, depending on whom you ask.

To the offense, there was nothing pretty about it. The Packers hurt themselves with numerous mistakes, including four turnovers and a handful of dropped passes. Eight of the team's nine penalties came on offense or special teams, and it wasn't until late in the fourth quarter that the Packers finally executed the type of sustained drive they needed to put the Lions away.

"It was dirty, it wasn't the way we pictured it at all," center Scott Wells said. "But all that matters is we came out with a win."

On the defense, there were no complaints. Against a banged-up Detroit offense down to its fourth- and fifth-string running backs and other backups on the line, the Packers allowed just 142 yards and a 2-for-12 third-down conversion rate. In the big-play department, the defense generated three tu..

Inside Or Out, Jenkins Causing Problems For Opponents

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:20:13 CST
Before Sunday's game, Cullen Jenkins hadn't started at defensive end since his college days at Central Michigan.

But judging by the way he looked there on Sunday afternoon, one could have mistaken him for someone who's played the position regularly since he was a youngster in pee-wee football.

Jenkins, the Packers third-year man who normally plays defensive tackle, started the game in place of right defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, a move that was made in part to give "KGB" more rest for passing downs, but also to give the Packers a little more bulk against the run.

However, the move paid dividends not only on running downs, but against the pass as well. The 290-pound Jenkins appeared to hold up strong at the point of attack and also got to quarterback Jon Kitna for three sacks as well as a fumble recovery.

Despite such a strong performance in his first full-time duty at defensive end, Jenkins admitted that he had one regret.

"I still w..

Double Trouble: Harris, Woodson Cage Lions

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:21:12 CST
If anyone with a Pro Bowl vote didn't pencil in Al Harris or Charles Woodson to represent the league's elite in Hawaii, chances are they'd rethink that stance after watching Sunday's win versus the Lions.

Though the voting has closed and the Pro Bowl rosters will be revealed on Tuesday afternoon, Harris and Woodson performed as if they wanted to prove that they are as good as any cornerback combo you'll find in the entire league. If that indeed was their goal, it's safe to say the case is now closed.

Of course to Packers fans, that's not a startling revelation. Nor is it anything new to Lions wide receiver Roy Williams, who has faced Harris annually for three seasons now. In fact, Williams makes no bones about just how good he thinks Harris is.

"Everybody asks me who I think the best corner is in the NFL, and Al Harris is the best corner in the NFL," Williams said earlier in the week.

After Sunday's game, it's doubtful Williams changed his mind ..

Notebook: Favre Breaks Marino's Career Record For Completions

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:19:06 CST
When quarterback Brett Favre hit Carlyle Holiday on a slant route for a 21-yard gain late in the second quarter on Sunday, he became the NFL's all-time leader in pass completions.

Not one to concern himself with records, Favre didn't know about it until referee Ed Hochuli quietly congratulated him on the field.

"I said, 'I have no idea what you're congratulating me for, but thank you,'" Favre said. "So I did know because of him."

The pass to Holiday was the 4,968th completion of Favre's career, surpassing Dan Marino's NFL record of 4,967. Favre finished the game 20 of 37 for 174 yards with three interceptions in Sunday's 17-9 victory over Detroit, putting his completion total at 4,974 with two games left this season.

"I'm more concerned about the three I completed to their team and the fact that we won," Favre said. "I'm thankful I've had a chance to play this long and to have an opportunity to break a record that's been held by a guy like Dan Mari..

AP Game Summary: Packers Top Lions 17-9

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 15:31:26 CST
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Brett Favre became the NFL's all-time completions leader Sunday and the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions.

Listening to a dour Favre speak after the game, you wouldn't have known it.

"I have to remind myself that this is a win," Favre said.

Favre broke Dan Marino's career completions record, but the Packers had to overcome three interceptions by the three-time MVP for a 17-9 victory over the Lions.

It was only the second home victory all season for the Packers (6-8), who have won two in a row. Given the sorry state of the NFC, some Packers players were talking playoffs after the game.

Favre scoffed.

"We were lucky to win the game," Favre said. "We'll take it. But for us to be talking playoffs -- and I heard that there has been playoff talk -- I mean, we've got a long ways to go."
Detroit (2-12) remains winless in seven games on the road.

"It's very frustrating, but you can't let it beco..

Packers Lead Lions 10-3 At Halftime

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 13:39:16 CST
In a sloppy first half at Lambeau Field, the Packers used three sacks from Cullen Jenkins and a 14-yard touchdown run by Vernand Morency to lead the Detroit Lions 10-3 at intermission on Sunday.

The Loins struck first with a 42-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. Jon Kitna completed passes of 11 yards to Roy Williams and 14 yards to Mike Furrey before Charles Woodson stopped Arlen Harris for a 1-yard reception on third-and-3, forcing the field goal.

Woodson aggravated his shoulder injury on the tackle but was back in on the next defensive series.

The Packers tied the score with a field goal of their own. Two plays after center Scott Wells and quarterback Brett Favre botched a snap, Green Bay got the ball back when Al Harris stepped in front of Williams, made a nice juggling interception and returned it 34 yards to the Detroit 28.

The Packers got as far as the 4-yard line but ultimately settled for a 24-yard field goal by Dave Rayner with 2:51 left in ..

Notebook: Another WR May Be Needed

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:49:50 CST
The Packers may have to sign one of their wide receivers from the practice squad if Ruvell Martin is unable to play on Sunday.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday that Martin is still being held out for precautionary reasons related to the chest bruise he sustained last Sunday in San Francisco. If he's unable to play, Chris Francies is a likely candidate for the the No. 4 receiver spot, with newcomer Carlyle Holiday moving into Martin's role at No. 3.

Francies was on the active roster for seven games before being released and re-signed to the practice squad prior to last week's game.

Martin remains questionable on the injury report, and he's done some pool workouts and some running this week, but the fact that he didn't practice at all doesn't bode well for his chances of playing.

"He wants to go," McCarthy said. "But it's more a medical issue and how much time you have to let that thing heal. It's more precautionary than anything, but if you t..

Home Struggles Must End Sunday

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:47:18 CST
Head Coach Mike McCarthy has said it repeatedly this week. He doesn't know the specific reasons for the Packers' 1-5 record at Lambeau Field this season, and he doesn't care.

What he does care about is simply getting another home win this week against the Detroit Lions. And he's not into trying some off-the-wall pre-game routine, because that will have nothing to do with what goes on between noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

"We've talked about all the potential distractions, reasons, but frankly we need to play better," McCarthy said.

The potential reasons for the home struggles are numerous. Maybe the players have taken home-field advantage, an undeniable trait when the Packers won 61 of 70 games at Lambeau from 1995 through 2002, for granted. Or they're trying too hard to live up to that lofty home record, and the pressure to play at that level at home has worked against them.

Certainly the competition at home has had something to do with the struggles..

Watch 'The Mike McCarthy Show' On Packers.com!

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 12:48:58 CST
Video Podcast

Since the days of Vince Lombardi it's been tradition in Green Bay for the Packers' head coach to have his own television show. This season is no different. Making its debut for the 2006 season is the Mike McCarthy Show.

The Mike McCarthy Show is a 30-minute program hosted by Jessie Garcia, of Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV and sideline reporter for the Packers Television Network, and Larry McCarren, sports director at Green Bay's WFRV-TV and an analyst on the Packer Radio Network. Garcia, McCarren and Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy each week will review and preview games as well as be joined by a special Packers guest and answer questions from fans. Coach McCarthy also each week will teach viewers about the play of the game with a telestrator.

The Mike McCarthy Show airs on Tuesdays in Green Bay on WFRV-TV (CBS, Ch. 5), in Milwaukee on WTMJ-TV (NBC, Ch. 4), in Marquette, Mich., on WJMN-TV, in Wausau o..

Notebook: Tauscher Returns To Practice, Status Upgraded

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:12:27 CST
Right tackle Mark Tauscher returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since injuring his groin back on Nov. 12 at Minnesota and has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable on the injury report.

Tauscher has missed the last four games, and earlier this week it was thought next Thursday's game against Minnesota would likely mark his return.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski wouldn't speculate on whether Tauscher would be ready to play on Sunday, but his return to practice, which included participating in individual and team drills, is a very encouraging sign.

"He did a nice job," Jagodzinski said. "I was real pleased with what he did today."
Jagodzinski said Tauscher's biggest challenge will be getting back to game speed after missing so much time.

"Just feeling OK and feeling confident enough he can go that hard," he said. "It's just his first day, so we'll wait and see (about Sunday)."

Receiver Donald Driver, who inju..

White Brings Speed, Smarts To Special Teams

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:36:33 CST
To the untrained eye, special teams coverage can look pretty chaotic and the result mere happenstance.

Take the Packers' first kickoff against San Francisco last Sunday midway through the first quarter.

Dave Rayner's boot is fielded by Maurice Hicks at the 4-yard line. The wedge of blockers forms around Hicks and as the return reaches the 20, Green Bay's Jason Hunter and Tracy White blast through the wedge at full speed and down goes Hicks at the 21, with the tackle credited to White.

Seems easy enough. Just tear down the field with no abandon or fear, take out anyone in your way and you'll get to the ball-carrier.

But if it were that easy, anyone could cover kickoffs and punts, and there'd be no need for specialized coverage players, let alone practice time devoted to their craft.

The reality is that while all the full-speed running does lead to some chaos and unpredictability on special teams, there's more strategy and design involved in..

Notebook: Packers Looking For Success To Carry Over

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:00:34 CST
The Green Bay Packers have shown the ability to overcome adversity this season.

From 1-4, the Packers won two straight to get to 3-4. Then after three straight losses dropped them to 4-8, they snapped the losing streak Sunday at San Francisco. Now it's time to keep charging ahead, and hopefully there's no more "bouncing back" to worry about.

"I think the most important thing is what we do with the San Francisco game," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday. "How does it carry over to Detroit? How does it carry over to these next two home games? That's the part of stacking success that we're looking for."

McCarthy said in preparing for Detroit this week, he has looked at the film of the first Detroit game on Sept. 24, and he sees how much the team has improved over the last 10 games.

But that improvement won't mean much if it doesn't translate into more tallied in the win column over the final three weeks.

"It still comes down to performin..

Williams vs. Harris Is Marquee Match-Up

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:46:36 CST
It will be the game within the game Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Detroit Lions' biggest offensive threat is receiver Roy Williams, who couldn't heap enough praise on Green Bay Packers' cornerback Al Harris in a conference call with local media on Wednesday.

"Everybody asks me who I think the best corner is in the NFL, and Al Harris is the best corner in the NFL," Williams said.

Harris took the compliment in stride. He didn't dismiss it as strictly gamesmanship, but in his mind there's really no response for it other than to show your foe he's right ... on the field.

"Words don't go out and perform on Sunday," Harris said. "So a guy can say, 'Hey, I think this guy is the best thing since sliced bread,' but if on Sunday he gives up 400 yards, 500 yards, with seven, eight touchdowns ..."

Williams and Harris are likely to be sick of each other by game's end on Sunday, but they're both aware their match-up will factor heavily into the outcome. ..

Remmel: Ice Bowl Was Coldest, But '90 Lions Game Nearly As Frigid

Lee Remmel, Team Historian — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 11:13:31 CST
The unforgettable "Ice Bowl," the coldest recorded game in pro football history - one that matched the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys for the 1967 NFL championship in Lambeau Field - has long been the standard against which all other cold-weather games are measured.

And presumably will continue to be until such time that a more frigid contest comes along to topple it off its frosty throne (minus-13 temperature, 46-below wind chill at kickoff, Dec. 31, 1967).

Whatever the case, there is at least one other game - also involving the Packers - that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath at this point in time.

And its "anniversary," poetically, is on the horizon.

That Arctic matchup also was staged in Lambeau Field, with the Packers hosting the Detroit Lions on Dec. 22, 1990 - approximately 16 years ago this weekend, which again finds the Lions visiting "Lambeau."

The temperature at kickoff on that occasion, according to the Green B..

Defense Shut Door On Niners In Second Half

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:54:15 CST
The Packers' defense looked headed down a familiar path on Sunday at San Francisco. Too familiar.

Leading 17-6 at halftime, Green Bay allowed a touchdown drive to open the second half, and it appeared the defense's grip on the opposing offense was slipping.

It had happened before at Philadelphia, when a 9-7 halftime lead and solid defensive effort early was washed out by a slew of big plays and three straight second-half touchdowns by the Eagles. The scenario was virtually replayed in Seattle, as a 21-12 lead in the third quarter vanished when the Seahawks put together three consecutive touchdown drives.

But last Sunday, the early second-half lapse was just that -- a lapse -- and it didn't last long.

"We've been in that situation going into the second half before this year and we wanted to make sure we finished it," linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "We didn't want to let them back in the game."

The Packers didn't, putting together a defensive ef..

Notebook: Players Played Through Pain

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 14:09:03 CST
Playing through injuries is just part of the job description for some guys in the NFL, and the Packers are glad their key players have that mentality.

In the second quarter on Sunday in San Francisco, receiver Donald Driver injured his shoulder on an unspecified play, cornerback Charles Woodson re-aggravated a shoulder injury diving to break up a deep pass to the end zone for Arnaz Battle, and receiver Greg Jennings tweaked his nagging ankle again when he was tripped up after a short gain near the goal line.

All three were receiving treatment at halftime for injuries, and Head Coach Mike McCarthy said his team was close to losing all three for the second half.

But they all returned to the field and made a notable impact in doing so. Driver hauled in a 68-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, Woodson broke off a 40-yard punt return to set up a field goal in the fourth quarter, and Jennings caught a 17-yard pass on the Packers' final clock-consuming drive..

Game Review: A Much-Needed Win In San Francisco

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:43:47 CST
SAN FRANCISCO - When you've struggled all year to stay within striking distance of .500, the need for a victory never diminishes.

But the Packers may have needed this win more than they've needed one all season.

Coming off three straight losses, including two humbling blowouts at home, the Packers stopped the bleeding and got first-year Head Coach Mike McCarthy's program back on track with a convincing 30-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Monster Park on Sunday.

"It's been a long month for us as far as the way Sundays have gone," said McCarthy, whose team improved to 5-8 overall and 4-3 on the road. "But they prepare, they work, they stick together, and that exemplifies the character we have on the football team. I'm just really proud of the way they've stayed the course."

That the performance came against McCarthy's former team was perhaps not just a coincidence. McCarthy, San Francisco's offensive coordinator in 2005, understatedly admit..

Collins' INT Changes Course Of Game

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:05:53 CST
SAN FRANCISCO - One play doesn't usually win or lose a game, but one play can certainly change the tide.

Nick Collins' interception late in the third quarter on Sunday in San Francisco was that play for the Packers in their 30-19 victory at Monster Park.

Green Bay's defense was on its heels a bit, having surrendered a touchdown drive to open the second half as the 49ers pulled within 17-13.

The defense had just stopped one San Francisco possession that began near midfield and was being called upon to stop another after the Packers were pinned inside their own 10 and failed to get a first down.

With the 49ers facing third-and-2 from the Green Bay 41, San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith ran a play fake and rolled to his right. Tight end Vernon Davis came off the line and was running a flag route to the far sideline.

The timing of Smith's release appeared to be off, and Collins stepped up in front of Davis, dove and made the interception wit..

Notebook: Big Day Means More Milestones For Driver

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:45:02 CST
SAN FRANCISCO - Donald Driver etched his name in a few more places in the franchise record book on Sunday.

Turning in another stellar effort with nine catches for 160 yards in the 30-19 victory over San Francisco, Driver joined a couple of exclusive Green Bay receiving clubs.

With a 22-yard catch on a touchdown drive in the second quarter, Driver went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season for the fourth time in his career. He's one of only three Packers with as many as four overall 1,000-yard seasons, joining James Lofton and Sterling Sharpe, who both have five.

The 1,000-yard season is also the third straight for Driver, which ties the team record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with Lofton and Sharpe.

In addition, an 8-yard completion over the middle with time winding down in the first half was Driver's seventh catch of the game and the 400th of his career. He's now one of only six Packers in the 400 club, joining Sharpe, Lofton, Don Hutson..

AP Story: Packers Top 49ers 30-19

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 18:45:22 CST
SAN FRANCISCO -- The aching ankle, the injured pride and the Green Bay Packers' losing record all stopped hurting as soon as Brett Favre stepped on some familiar turf Sunday.

A visit to Candlestick Park does wonders for Favre -- and given the way he played, this might not even be his last trip to San Francisco.

Favre carved up Candlestick again, passing for 293 yards and hitting Donald Driver for a 68-yard touchdown as the Packers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 30-19 victory over the slumpingSan Francisco 49ers.

Playing in the waterfront stadium that hosted some of his greatest playoff performances, Favre was steady and fearless while breathing life back into the Packers (5-8), who had been floundering on offense since early November.

Favre has won 11 of his 12 meetings with the 49ers over 15 years, throwing a TD pass in each game -- and rarely looking better than he did in this one.

"It wasn't a championship game, it wasn't..

Halftime Summary: Packers Lead 49ers 17-6

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:40:36 CST
SAN FRANCISCO - Two long touchdown drives by the Packers and a costly turnover by the 49ers helped stake Green Bay to a 17-6 halftime lead on Sunday at San Francisco's Monster Park.

The Packers opened the game with a promising drive inside the San Francisco 40, but a deep pass to Greg Jennings originally ruled complete at the 5-yard line was overturned when replays showed Jennings only got one foot in bounds.

The 49ers quickly got a big run from Frank Gore on their second offensive snap. Gore broke a pair of tackles on the right side and raced 72 yards to the Green Bay 2-yard line, where he was pushed out of bounds by Al Harris.

But with the help of an illegal substitution penalty on San Francisco, the Packers defense held. Charles Woodson broke up a third-down pass into the end zone intended for Bryan Gilmore, forcing a 24-yard field goal by Joe Nedney.

The Packers responded right away. A 21-yard pass to Donald Driver set up a 36-yard TD toss to R..

Notebook: McCarthy Learned From San Francisco's Nolan

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:49:31 CST
As Mike McCarthy prepares to return to San Francisco and take on his former team, he noted Friday that he learned some things from 49ers head coach Mike Nolan about getting started as a head coach, and he's tried to incorporate some of those in Green Bay.

"I think he has a lot of interesting ideas and viewpoints on building a program," McCarthy said of Nolan, for whom he was offensive coordinator last season. "I was able to carry that with me. It's a coaching staff I have a lot of respect for."

Nolan took over a team that went 2-14 in 2004, and the 49ers battled through a slew of injuries that led to more than 100 missed games by regular starters, started four different quarterbacks, and went 4-12 last season. It was a difficult year, but a learning experience nonetheless, and the 49ers continued to build this season, beginning the year 5-5 before losses in their last two games.

"Last year the challenge as far as having players in and out, that was the most..

Pass Rush Looks To Crank Up Again

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:48:19 CST
The Packers want their sack attack back.

Prior to the team's current three-game losing streak, the Packers were producing the kind of consistent pass rush and sack totals that were making a difference in games.

Green Bay had 31 sacks through the season's first nine games, an average of roughly 31/2 per contest. The best stretch came from Weeks 7 through 10, when the Packers won three of four games and sacked quarterbacks from Miami, Arizona, Buffalo and Minnesota a combined 17 times.

Since then, the Packers have just three sacks in these last three games, and one of those was against New England's backup quarterback. The impact of the pass rush has dropped off considerably, and everyone has noticed.

"It definitely has," said defensive end Aaron Kampman, who leads the team with 10 sacks but none since Week 10 at Minnesota. "We've gotten some hits and things like that, but the sack total has gone down, and we need to get back at that."

The m..

Packers To Face NFC's Top Running Back

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:07:19 CST
Nearly every team in the NFL has a feature running back opponents must contend with, but the San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore is beginning to put himself in another class.

With 1,217 rushing yards this season, Gore is the No. 1 back in the NFC and is third in the NFL in rushing yards behind San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (1,324) and Kansas City's Larry Johnson (1,312).

He brings his gaudy and league-leading 5.5-yard-per-carry average into Sunday's matchup in San Francisco against the Green Bay Packers, who face the task of not only straightening out a run defense that has struggled the last two games but doing so against an elite player.

"He's a downhill runner who runs very hard," linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "He uses his leverage great, and he has speed to run away from everybody. He's definitely one of the best backs.

"It's a big challenge for us, a big test, and I think we're up for it."

The Packers need to be. Sporting a run defense tha..

Notebook: Rookies Still Going Strong

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 12:13:02 CST
It's a phrase bandied about often in NFL circles - the 'rookie wall.'

Players fresh out of college have spent their careers playing 12- and 13-game seasons and sometimes struggle physically to push through the final contests of their rookie year.
They're not conditioned for the 16-game NFL grind, and their performance starts to suffer in the season's latter stages.

But despite starting as many as five rookies in several games this season, Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't see his young players hitting that wall. In fact, he believes the rookie wall is a product of a bygone era.

"As I've been in the league, I think the strength and conditioning programs in college, particularly (at) the bigger schools that have the resources and the structure in place, you're seeing the college athlete, in my opinion, better conditioned," McCarthy said. "People want to talk about the rookie wall, I don't think you see that as much as you may have years ago."

Roo..

An Instinctive Veteran, Woodson Forging Fine Season

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:33:15 CST
New York Jets receiver Justin McCareins is streaking down the far sideline with Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, back turned, in a dead sprint to keep up.

Chad Pennington's pass is lofted toward McCareins, who's waiting for the ball to drop over Woodson's shoulder and into his arms for a big gain. But at the last possible moment, Woodson turns his head, picks up the flight of the ball and hauls in a spectacular interception while crashing to the Lambeau Field turf.

A lucky grab? Far from it.

Sunday's interception by Woodson, his fifth this season, was just another example of what coaches refer to as "ball skills," or the instincts that separate defensive backs who can run and cover from those who know how to react to a ball in flight, even when they can't watch it the whole time.

"I think I've been pretty blessed in that department," Woodson says.

Few would disagree. A lot of NFL quarterbacks have made a living throwing over defensive b..

Remmel: Lombardi Solved Packers' West Coast 'Problem'

Lee Remmel, Team Historian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:47:49 CST
For the Green Bay Packers of today, this weekend's airborne excursion to California will be, essentially, what has become a routine trip to the West Coast.

But, historically, it will be something more than that.

The Green and Gold may not even be aware of it as they take to Monster Park's turf, but as an organization, they will be marking the 56th anniversary of their first-ever appearance in San Francisco.

That, for the record, would have been on Dec. 10, 1950 - exactly 56 years ago Sunday - and, frankly, a day of which the Packers would rather not be reminded.

With good reason. Their initial visit to the "City by the Bay" was hardly a success. The 49ers, hosting the Packers in Kezar Stadium, departed the premises with a 30-14 victory while closing out their first season in the National Football League.

It thus became a highly unprofitable road trip for the Packers, who had fallen to the Rams in Los Angeles a week earlier, 51-14.

Notebook: Players Tried To Do Too Much

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 17:03:10 CST
It wasn't that they weren't trying. But they may have been trying too hard.

In assessing the defensive struggles in the first half against the Jets, Head Coach Mike McCarthy on Monday said when he watched the film that he saw his players making "aggressive mistakes." By that he meant at times they were trying to make a big play and as a result lost focus on their assignments, leading to five consecutive scoring drives by New York.

"When it goes that sour for you, you see a lot of guys playing hard but really getting outside of themselves, outside of the scheme trying to make plays," McCarthy said. "And we had too much of that yesterday."

The defense made its share of mental mistakes too, which were more costly errors. But McCarthy said that one player being over-aggressive can get the whole defense out of its scheme, and with that repeatedly happening the Jets seemed to do no wrong the entire first half.

"If it was just one or two guys, trust me, w..

Notebook: Ryan Punts With Heavy Heart

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:09:04 CST
Despite the passing of his father just two days earlier, Green Bay punter Jon Ryan never considered not taking the field on Sunday for the Packers.

But that didn't make it easy to be out there.

"Not playing didn't cross my mind once," Ryan said. "It wasn't even my decision. It was my dad's decision.

"I knew my dad would want me out there playing today, but at the same time under the circumstances it was very difficult."

Ryan performed admirably, averaging 39.5 yards on two punts. His first punt was a high 41-yarder that was caught at the New York 17-yard line, and the Jets' Leon Washington was tackled for no gain.

"It hit me pretty hard before kickoff and again after that first punt," he said. "I kind of came off the field with a tear in my eye. It was very difficult and I was definitely feeling it a little bit."

Sunday continued an emotionally trying season for Ryan, who found out during training camp that his father had terminal..

Game Review: Home Struggles Continue Vs. Jets

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:04:24 CST
The New York Jets lived up to their billing as an up-and-coming team on Sunday at Lambeau Field while the Packers inexplicably continued to struggle on their home turf.

The Jets used a flawless first half to take an overwhelming 31-point lead and went on to win 38-10, keeping them in the thick of the AFC playoff chase at 7-5. Meanwhile the Packers lost their third straight game to drop to 4-8, including an unsightly 1-5 mark at Lambeau.

Sunday's performance for the Packers came on the heels of a 35-0 shutout loss at home two weeks ago to the New England Patriots, and Green Bay has now won just four of its last 16 home games, dating back to December of 2004.

After the game, several players said if they knew the reason for the struggles at home, they would have fixed it long ago.

"I have no idea," center Scott Wells said. "It's unacceptable. Definitely coming into this year we had a goal to turn things around here at home because we weren't very succ..

Rushing Success Goes For Naught In Loss

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:11:52 CST
With 12 games already in the books, it might be a little late for moral victories. However, after a 38-10 loss, the Packers certainly have to build off the bright spots and on Sunday perhaps the biggest positive came in the form of the team's rushing attack.

Entering the contest versus the Jets at Lambeau Field, the Packers had three consecutive games in which Ahman Green and the run game failed to get untracked. Though the Packers picked up the win on the road over the Vikings in Week 10, they only accumulated 47 yards on the ground. Since then, in losses to the Patriots and Seahawks, Green Bay had just 44 and 51 yards rushing, respectively.

Considering that Head Coach Mike McCarthy puts a strong emphasis on establishing the run each week, Sunday's accomplishments running the football are certainly a step in the right direction. On the day, the Packers finished with 149 yards on just 23 carries, good for an average of 6.5 yards per attempt.

Because the J..

AP Story: Jets Top Packers, 38-10

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 15:28:26 CST
New York Jets coach Eric Mangini showed his team a tape of the "Ice Bowl,'' and fullback B.J. Askew ran around shirtless in pregame warmups to prove the cold wasn't so bad. Then Chad Pennington stoked the Jets' hopes of an improbable playoff run.

Pennington, who snapped out of a midseason streak of shaky performances in a victory over Houston last week, put together three touchdown drives of 70 yards or more in the second quarter and the Jets cruised to a 38-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

"I just think we're starting to click,'' Pennington said. "Any time you put in a new system, it's going to take some time. It's a process. We experienced some success early in the run game, and then everything started to come along.''

New York (7-5) built a 31-0 halftime lead as snow flurries floated to the ground and boos showered down from the grandstands on a windy 19-degree day. The Jets used frequent wide-receiver motion and occas..

Halftime Summary: Jets Lead Packers 31-0

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:13:13 CST
The New York Jets lived up to their billing as an up-and-coming team on Sunday at Lambeau Field, scoring all five times they had the ball to post a commanding 31-0 lead at halftime.

On the game's opening possession, quarterback Chad Pennington completed his first six passes, to six different receivers, to move New York inside the Green Bay 10-yard line.

But on third-and-1 from the 6, Pennington's pass to the corner of the end zone sailed over Jerricho Cotchery's head, and the Jets had to settle for Mike Nugent's 24-yard field goal.

The Packers then turned it over on their first possession, as defensive end Bryan Thomas knocked the ball from Brett Favre's hand and the Jets' Dewayne Robertson recovered at the New York 49.

The Jets took just seven plays to score, with Pennington hitting Cotchery on third down for a 12-yard touchdown. Packers safety Nick Collins slipped as Cotchery came over the middle, leaving him open for a 10-0 New York lead with 4:..

Notebook: Collins Upgraded To Questionable; Bigby, Culver Ready To Fill In

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:46:10 CST
Although safety Nick Collins on Friday was upgraded from doubtful to questionable because of a hamstring injury, the Packers still are unsure who will make the start on Sunday.

Collins sustained the injury in the fourth quarter against Seattle and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He did return to the field Friday.

"I'm more interested to see what they say in the training room now," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said following the team's Friday afternoon practice. "In talking with (head trainer) Pepper (Burruss) after practice, he felt good from what he saw. We'll see with the soreness probably tomorrow morning, but it was good to see him get out there and go.

"I didn't count the reps, but he didn't take the whole thing. He was limited. He felt good. Friday's practice as you know, particularly in the back end, they are taught to avoid the collisions. He looked like he broke on the ball well. I was more interested to see him make the adjustments and the..

Kickoff Coverage All About Attitude

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 17:05:34 CST
A solid kickoff coverage team has speed to get down the field, discipline to stay in coverage lanes, and sure-tackling ability.

But it also possesses something that has nothing to do with skill, according to special teams coach Mike Stock.

"The most important element for us at this time of the year, or anytime of the year, is attitude," Stock said. "We have to go in with the attitude that we're not going to be blocked, and then let's just go down there and cover the kicks."

The Packers' kickoff coverage unit has displayed that attitude for much of the season, but the occasional slip-up transformed into an all-around poor performance against Seattle last Monday night. It's a trend that can't continue with the New York Jets bringing the league's leading returner in Justin Miller to Lambeau Field on Sunday.

The first notable mistake this season came on the opening kickoff at Buffalo, when Terrence McGee broke free for a 61-yard return and set a bad to..