Packers.com

Texas All-Star Game Getting More Attention

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:39:55 CST

For the last several weeks, NFL scouting and personnel staffs have been in high gear, checking out longstanding college all-star games such as the Hula Bowl and Senior Bowl for 2008 draft prospects.

But there's another, much newer, all-star game on everyone's calendar this week, and the Packers have a strong contingent there as well.

It's called the "Texas vs. The Nation Challenge" going on in El Paso, Texas. Using by far the most unique format amongst all-star games to assemble two teams, this one features draft-eligible players who are either from Texas, or played college football at a Texas school, against players from the rest of the country.

The game is in just its second year, but it drew more than 20,000 fans in poor weather last February. Even more attention has descended on El Paso this year, and Packers scout Jon-Eric Sullivan said it's an all-star game where scouts can really see players putting pride on the line.

"In the football world,..

Murphy To Focus On CBA, Long-Range Planning

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:39:30 CST

In his first month at 1265 Lombardi Ave., new Green Bay Packers' President and CEO Mark Murphy got a thorough introduction to both the loyalty and intensity of the team's fans, and it surpassed everything he had heard and read prior to coming to Green Bay.

"Having been involved with the NFL, I knew about the fan base here, how loyal they were, what a strong fan base it was," said Murphy, who played for the Washington Redskins. "Being here for those two home playoff games, the magnitude of the passion that the fans have here was surprising to me, in a real positive way.

"The Redskins fans are great, but this is just really at another level. It really is more like what you see in a collegiate environment, and I think that's something pretty special for the Packers, and whatever we do, we want to make sure we don't lose that."

Murphy doesn't have to worry too much about that in his first "offseason" on the job, which officially began Monday with Bob Harlan's c..

Coaching Staff Heading To Pro Bowl

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:33:44 CST

It's a reward they'd rather not have, but the Green Bay Packers coaches plan to use their upcoming trip to Hawaii to coach the NFC squad in the Pro Bowl as a nice little early offseason vacation.

Several of the coaches plan to take family members to Hawaii with them, and perhaps go over a few days early or stay a couple of days late. Call it making the best of a coaching assignment, earned as a result of the NFC Championship defeat, no one covets but plans to enjoy once it arrives.

"We're certainly privileged to be in this situation, although we prefer not to be," receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said. "We'd prefer the Giants' staff be doing that. But it's not a high-pressure situation for anybody. It's relaxing and fun."

Robinson is one of three assistants, plus Head Coach Mike McCarthy, who have coached in the Pro Bowl before. Robinson was the receivers coach for Indianapolis in 1995, while Tom Clements coached the quarterbacks for Pittsburgh in 2001, and K..

End Of An Era: Q&A With Bob Harlan

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:56:55 CST

As this week winds down, so does the 19th and final year of Bob Harlan's tenure as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Green Bay Packers.

On Monday, Harlan officially becomes chairman emeritus as Mark Murphy takes over as President and CEO. Murphy has been on-the-job as President- and CEO-elect since Jan. 2, with the understanding that Harlan would remain Chairman until one week after the end of the football season.

Unfortunately, that ending came two weeks before Harlan and the organization had hoped with last Sunday's loss in the NFC Championship. As the franchise moves into a new leadership era, Harlan took a few minutes to reflect on the conclusion of his tenure with packers.com.

The following is a transcript of that conversation.

What was this final season like for you and what will you remember most about it?

It was a great delight. I think the thing I'll remember most is the surprise. Coming off an 8-8 y..

Notebook: Backfield Gains Experience, Depth

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:50:38 CST

For all the questions the Green Bay Packers had at running back heading into the 2007, the way the season unfolded not only answered some of those but established a position group with considerably more depth heading into 2008.

Three young, different running backs - Ryan Grant, DeShawn Wynn and Brandon Jackson - all got their cracks at being the team's feature back over the past season, and that experience only bodes well as each of their careers evolve.

"I think it's a strength, because it was a young group that lacked experience, and almost every single one of them has been given some level of experience, just through the opportunities that they had this year," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "There's a lot that can come out of that group."

Grant obviously established himself as the top back midway through the year, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards over the final 10 regular-season games and then adding a franchise playoff record 201 in the NFC Divisional rou..

More Progress, New Challenges Ahead In '08

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:22:49 CST

In his season-ending press conference on Wednesday, Head Coach Mike McCarthy admitted he's not looking forward to watching the videotape of the NFC Championship loss to the New York Giants.

But no matter how agonizing that process might be for McCarthy, as he heads into his third year at the helm he's moving forward with the knowledge that the players have bought into his program and are genuinely excited about not only the future but some of the new challenges that will come with it.

"For as tough as the loss has been, 99 percent of the conversations I've had with the players and coaches has been extremely positive," said McCarthy, who has spent the past three days doing exit interviews with the players. "This group of players was a fun group to coach, it was a fun run we were on. We won a lot of football games, won a lot of them in big fashion, won some tight ones, too.

"But just (with) the culture that's been created, I feel very good about the program, ..

Teammates Hope Favre Returns

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:30:09 CST

No one was making any bold predictions, but as players packed up their lockers on Monday, there was strong sentiment they'd like to see veteran quarterback Brett Favre return for another season.

"He's a great quarterback, why wouldn't you want him to come back?" receiver James Jones said. "He's won championships, he's done all he needs to do, and he knows how to win. To fall short like this hurts, but to have him come back it would be a plus."

Favre said after Sunday's overtime loss in the NFC Championship that he wasn't going to rush into any decision, but that he would take time to talk with Head Coach Mike McCarthy and then return home to Mississippi to get away and discuss it with his family.

He indicated he wasn't going to drag his thought process out too long. Two years ago he didn't announce his intentions until April, whereas last year he did so during Super Bowl week, about a month after the Packers' season had concluded.

Players were aske..

Players Have Plenty To Motivate Them

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:48:46 CST

As players cleaned out their lockers on Monday and did one last round of interviews with reporters, much of the talk centered on being motivated for next season.

That source of motivation will vary depending on the player. But no matter the individual, the prevailing feeling is that a foundation is in place for the Packers to give themselves another shot at the Super Bowl, and sooner rather than later.

"I think everybody around here knows that, at least inside this locker room," receiver Greg Jennings said. "We know what we've established."

For most of the veterans, motivation will come from the bitter taste of the 23-20 overtime defeat in Sunday's NFC Championship, knowing they don't have a lot of time to get another opportunity like that.

Cornerback Charles Woodson reflected on the three championship game appearances in his career, two with the Raiders in the AFC and now one with the Packers. Only one resulted in a trip to the Super Bowl, and whi..

Game Review: NFC Title Slips Away

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:03:08 CST

How long this one will sting, no one could answer after the game.

The Packers saw their remarkable season come to an all-too-abrupt end as Lawrence Tynes' 47-yard field goal 2 minutes and 35 seconds into overtime gave the New York Giants a 23-20 upset and the NFC Championship at a frigid Lambeau Field.

"We were that close," linebacker Nick Barnett said. "One play away, one drive away, one series away, one game away from the big one, ... from what you dream about."

Up until Sunday night, the Packers seemingly had everything going their way. They had put together a superb 13-3 regular season and had earned the right to host the conference title game with perhaps their best performance of the season a week ago against Seattle, coupled with the Giants knocking off top-seeded Dallas.

But New York apparently wasn't done surprising the football world as a No. 5 seed. The Giants became the second team in three years (Pittsburgh, 2005) to win three consecut..

Notebook: Driver's Big Play Can't Spark Offense

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:03:32 CST

Brett Favre's dramatic 90-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver early in the second quarter on Sunday was not only the longest play from scrimmage in Green Bay postseason history.

It was also, unfortunately, more than one-third of the Packers' total offense in this NFC Championship.

With a non-existent running game and an inability to convert on third downs, the Packers amassed just 264 yards of total offense in their 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Giants.

"We hit a couple big plays, but we didn't have a very good rhythm or a tempo out there," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "Part of it obviously is our execution, and part of it is you have to credit the Giants for playing a good football game. Certainly there were some things we could have done better, but you have to give them credit."

The big play was a thing of beauty and seemingly would have sparked the offense to a big day. Driver shoved aside Corey Webster's attempt at a hard jam..

Emotional Loss Difficult To Accept

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:03:57 CST

The win-or-go-home mentality of the playoffs sends emotions to both ends of the spectrum.

For the Packers, last week's win over the Seahawks was as euphoric as this week's loss was devastating.

And although the Packers may have exceeded nearly everyone's expectations for the season, the red eyes and disappointing faces in the locker room following Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship demonstrated just how badly this one hurts.

Many players felt that they let a golden opportunity slip away.

"To make it this far and go through what we went through and lose, it's a rough feeling," defensive tackle Corey Williams said.

"When you have a chance to win and don't, that makes it even worse. It's not like they came in and just dominated us. We had chances to win and we didn't. They made the plays, we didn't."

Like Williams, cornerback Charles Woodson acknowledged that coming so close makes the loss s..

AP Story: Giants Beat Packers 23-20 In Overtime

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:00:00 CST

Eli Manning has arrived, just in time to take his New York Giants on an improbable trip to the Super Bowl. A suddenly matured Manning guided the Giants to their 10th straight road win Sunday, a frostbitten 23-20 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship.

Now comes Mission Impossible for Manning and the Giants, who will play the unbeaten New England Patriots in two weeks for the NFL title.

After Lawrence Tynes missed a 36-yard field goal at the end of regulation following a bad snap, he got a reprieve in overtime following Corey Webster's interception of a struggling Brett Favre. He nailed a 47-yarder on his third attempt to win it, then sprinted directly to the locker room as the rest of his frozen teammates celebrated on the field.

"I screwed it up twice,'' Tynes said. "Thank God we got another opportunity.''

The Giants grabbed their first NFC championship in seven years, capping a monthlong surge that reversed a tre..

Match-Ups To Watch On Sunday

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:29:08 CST

As often as a big play can be magnified in a postseason game, it's rare that a championship contest, or any contest for that matter, actually is decided on one play.

But it can come down to one particular aspect, a match-up, that plays out over the course of four quarters. If one team dominates a key area for most or all of the 60 minutes, that can spell the difference between winning and losing.

With that in mind, here are three prominent match-ups getting most of the attention heading into Sunday's NFC Championship between the Packers and the Giants.

New York DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora vs. Green Bay OTs Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton
The Giants led the NFL in sacks with 53 in the regular season, and they chalked up a couple more along with numerous pressures of Dallas quarterback Tony Romo during their playoff upset last week.

Strahan and Umenyiora combined for 22 of those sacks in the regular season, and Justin Tuck added 1..

Notebook: Footballs Given The Deep Freeze

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:29:26 CST

The Green Bay Packers didn't practice outside this week to prepare for Sunday's predicted frigid weather, but they did get a feel for a cold football.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy had the team's equipment staff put footballs in the freezer before they were used in practice, providing yet another way for McCarthy to emphasize something he's emphasized all season - ball security.

"We thought most likely the balls had been outside all day, but they were in the freezer," receiver Donald Driver said. "They were kind of slippery."

The players weren't even told about the frozen footballs but seemed to pass the test of handling them and hanging onto them without too much difficulty. McCarthy said the idea was just an extension of something he's done to prepare for a wet-weather game before, which is to dunk footballs in buckets of water during practice. The Packers had used that tactic before, even when wet weather wasn't necessarily in the forecast.

"We froze..

Notebook: Packers To Get First Look At Jacobs

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:28:23 CST

Unlike back in Week 2, one of the New York Giants' weapons that Packers won't have to contend with in the NFC Championship is tight end Jeremy Shockey, who went on injured reserve late in the regular season.

But one they will have to deal with, whom they didn't see four months ago, is running back Brandon Jacobs.

Jacobs was out with an injured knee back on Sept. 16, and even though his replacement Derrick Ward compiled a formidable 90 yards on 15 carries in that game, Jacobs brings a little something extra.

Namely, an extra 40 pounds or so. The 265-pound running back is a load, and even though he missed five games due to injury, he still topped 1,000 yards in the regular season with 1,009 on 202 carries, a 5.0-yard average.

The key run-stuffer standing in his way, though, will be Green Bay's Ryan Pickett, who's listed at (a perhaps underestimated) 322 pounds and is the biggest of the Packers' defensive linemen.

Pickett was asked during his..

Two-Fullback Set Gives Defenses More To Ponder

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:28:05 CST

The Green Bay Packers have shown some innovation in their passing game this year with their much-publicized "Big Five" formation of five wide receivers, which some liken to a collegiate spread offense.

But the innovative thinking, and old-school college look, extends to the running game, too, with their two-fullback set, which can best be described as an inverted wishbone.

The Packers employed that so-called full-house backfield, with fullbacks John Kuhn and Korey Hall split wide behind quarterback Brett Favre and in front of halfback Ryan Grant, more in the NFC Divisional playoff victory over Seattle than in any other game this year. It wasn't the primary reason Grant ripped off a franchise playoff record 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns, but it was a legitimate weapon in the snowy conditions.

"It was going to be a running back's game with the snow and everything," Kuhn said. "That's the main reason we did that.

"We're just trying to create ..

Starr Thrilled To Serve As Honorary Captain

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:26:39 CST

On what is expected to be a frigid Sunday with the NFC Championship on the line, perhaps there will be no more appropriate presence at Lambeau Field than that of Bart Starr as the Green Bay Packers' honorary captain.

Starr, author of the game-winning quarterback sneak in the "Ice Bowl" 40 years ago, will accompany the Packers' six playoff captains to midfield for the coin toss prior to Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

The Hall of Fame quarterback and leader of five world championship teams in Green Bay, Starr also would present the George S. Halas trophy on behalf of the NFC to the Packers should they win the game.

"That would be a tremendous thrill and honor," Starr said this week in a phone interview from Alabama. "Any trophy which bears that gentleman's name is truly distinct, and I think when you have the honor of presenting it to a championship team, the word honor just becomes enlarged."

Sta..

Notebook: Opportunity, Not Revenge, On Grant's Mind

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:27:03 CST

Running back Ryan Grant has been egged on by reporters this week about being traded from the New York Giants, the Packers' opponent Sunday in the NFC Championship.

They're trying to see if he'll say he's got revenge on his mind, that he's going to prove to the Giants that they shouldn't have traded him.

But Grant isn't biting. It's not his style, and he genuinely doesn't feel that way anyhow.

Traded to the Packers from a crowded Giants backfield on Sept. 1, Grant was admittedly surprised. He had been told he made the team in New York at the end of the preseason, and he wasn't going anywhere.

But he didn't take the decision to trade him personally. Looking at the big picture, it was a business decision by a team that had veterans Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns and Derrick Ward, plus rookie Ahmad Bradshaw, in the backfield, with only so many carries to go around.

"It's an opportunity and that's the way the NFL works, so I was excited about ..

Woodson Appreciates Another Playoff Shot

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:44:49 CST

Many NFL players will say that there's no worse feeling in the game than walking off the field a loser in the Super Bowl.

It's not until many years later, after their playing careers are done, that they can truly appreciate getting to the sport's biggest game and losing, and that it ultimately does rank above not getting there at all.

But while they're still playing, that feeling of not getting it done when the chance was there, of not reaching the pinnacle and winning it all, drives players to atone for it. The taste at the end of a Super Bowl defeat is as bitter as they come, and there's only one way to wash it out.

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson was on that dreaded losing side in a Super Bowl. His Oakland Raiders were blown out, 48-21, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, and seemingly every day over the past five years when he's put a helmet on, he's dealt with the bad memories from that game.

"I'm always thinking about the Sup..

Watch This Week's LIVE Press Conferences On Packers.com!

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:03:30 CST

Tune in to Packers.com this week for a complete preview of the Packers-Giants NFC Championship Game, straight from the source.

Packers.com this week will broadcast several press conferences in their entirety and free of charge, live from the Lambeau Field media auditorium.

QB Brett Favre will kick things off Wednesday beginning at 12:55 pm CT, followed by Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

WR Donald Driver, RB Ryan Grant, WR Greg Jennings and CB Charles Woodson will take to the podium in the afternoon at 2:45 pm CT.

After McCarthy provides a brief post-practice update on Thursday, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and special teams coordinator Mike Stock will speak to the media beginning at 1:15 pm CT, followed by LB Nick Barnett, OT Chad Clifton, LB A.J. Hawk and DT Ryan Pickett at 2:45 pm CT.

Packers.com will stream live the NFL's NFC Championship Game Press Conference on Friday at 2:..

Bigby Angles For The Big Hits

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:54:28 CST

Regularly labeled with the tag "hard-hitting safety," Atari Bigby has a curious description for what it's like to deliver one of those hard hits, both for him and his victim.

"It's like catching a fish," Bigby said. "You can just feel him fighting for his life. It's a great feeling. You can actually feel the electricity in his body. I'm telling you, it's hard to describe, but it's great.

"So for guys who have never had a big hit, go out and catch a big fish."

No word on whether Bigby was looking into hitting the Bassmaster circuit this offseason, but Lambeau Field was certainly his hot spot on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Bigby was probably the most physical presence in a dominating defensive performance that held Seattle to just six points over the game's final 56 minutes in the 42-20 triumph. He leveled multiple Seahawks receivers and ballcarriers with big hits, leading the team in tackles with seven (four solo).

And he made th..

Road-Tested Giants Coming To Green Bay

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:41:20 CST

The Green Bay Packers and Head Coach Mike McCarthy are thrilled they'll get to play the NFC Championship game at home, within the friendly confines of Lambeau Field.

Their opponent, the New York Giants, are the last team that's going to be bothered by going on the road for a big game.

The Giants (12-6) upset top-seeded Dallas in an NFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday, 21-17, to earn a trip to Lambeau next Sunday, Jan. 20, with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line (5:42 p.m. CT kickoff).

The win over the Cowboys was New York's ninth consecutive road win, including two in the postseason. The Giants' opened with a road loss at Dallas before winning seven straight road contests in the regular season, including one in London. Then they beat the Buccaneers, 24-14, in Tampa in an NFC Wild Card game last weekend before avenging two regular-season losses to the Cowboys with their tight victory this weekend.

Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy has fashione..

Packers To Host Giants For NFC Title

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:40:51 CST

The Green Bay Packers will host the New York Giants in the NFC Championship on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 5:42 p.m. CT at Lambeau Field.

The Giants advanced by defeating the Dallas Cowboys, who were the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Packers, seeded No. 2, then became the host for the conference title game. The Giants, seeded No. 5, have won back-to-back road playoff games. Green Bay defeated New York earlier this season, 35-13, in Week 2.

The Packers haven't hosted the NFC Championship since the 1996 postseason, when they defeated the Carolina Panthers 30-13 (Jan. 12, 1997) on their way to winning Super Bowl XXXI.

Watch Mike McCarthy's Press Conference Live On Packers.com!

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:53:30 CST

Tune in to Packers.com Sunday night at approx. 7 pm as Head Coach Mike McCarthy addresses the media once the team learns who it will face in the NFC Championship.

Should the New York Giants defeat the Dallas Cowboys tonight, the Packers would host the Giants next Sunday at Lambeau Field. If the Cowboys win, the Packers will travel to Dallas for the second time this season. Kickoff for the game is slated for 5:30 pm CT.

Additionally, Packers.com this week will broadcast several press conferences in their entirety and free of charge, live from the Lambeau Field media auditorium.

A complete list of LIVE press conference video will be posted in the Packers.com On-air Schedule, once the schedule is finalized.

Packers.com is the only place to find this exclusive content online!

Adobe Flash Player is required to watch live video and archived video beginning in December ..

Notebook: Stumbling Pass A Favre Classic

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:05:31 CST
Such plays looked more graceful 10 years ago for Brett Favre, but his scrambling, stumbling, underhanded completion on Saturday was no less impressive, and important.

With the Packers leading 21-17 in the final two minutes of the second quarter, Favre made one of those humorous yet awe-inspiring plays to keep a crucial scoring drive alive.

The Packers faced a third-and-8 from the Seattle 14-yard line. Under pressure for one of the rare times in the game, Favre spun out of a near-sack by Seattle's Brandon Mebane and then stumbled step after step toward the sideline. It looked as though he was going to go down face-first into the snowy Lambeau Field turf, but he managed to regain enough balance to underhand a pass to Donald Lee for an 11-yard gain and a first down.

"That looked bad," Favre said. "Thank God I got it off and got it completed. It was one of those, ... I'm sure watching it, it looked slow and unathletic."

But it was productive. Ryan Gran..

Grant Recovers, Runs Into Record Books

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:05:56 CST
One of the critical factors in Ryan Grant's ability to run the football with such success this season has been his determination to always keep his head up. Doing so has allowed him to see the whole field, find the cutback lanes, and get to where he needs to go.

On Saturday, Grant had the all-time best playoff rushing performance in Packers history and to no surprise it had a great deal to do with his penchant for keeping his head up. Only this time it was different.

Grant had fumbled the football twice in the first minute and three seconds. Though that wasn't the way he or his teammates envisioned starting the game, Grant had two options. He could (A) go into a shell and let the turnovers slow him down the rest of the game, or (B) act as if it didn't happen and move on to helping his team advance to the NFC Championship game.

Two hundred one yards and three touchdowns later, it's obvious Grant chose option B. Not only did he bounce back from the two tur..

Packers Celebrate In Winter Wonderland

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:06:23 CST
Judging by Saturday's performance, you'd probably guess the Packers play in wet, slippery, snowy conditions every day.

They don't, but for many players, that made the playoff atmosphere that much more enjoyable.

Large flakes of snow fell across Lambeau Field the entire game, and it was at its worst in the third quarter when seeing across the field was nearly impossible. But that only added to the tale of a 42-20 victory that will go down as one of the more memorable postseason games in Lambeau Field's long history.

"It was fun," Charles Woodson said. "Who cares if you can see or not, it was fun. I like playing in those types of conditions, whether it's raining, snowing, or whatever it is.

"In those types of conditions, it's all about what team is going to execute. We gave the ball up early and spotted them those 14 points, but once we buckled down and did our thing, we were all right."

For Aaron Kampman, who played his collegiate footb..

Game Review: On To The NFC Championship

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:05:13 CST
One game away.

That's how far the Green Bay Packers are from reaching their first Super Bowl in 10 years and their fifth in franchise history after a resounding 42-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC Divisional playoff game on a snow-filled Saturday that seemed to define January football at Lambeau Field.

With two-thirds of the NFL's youngest roster playing in its first postseason contest, the Packers showed a level of maturity and level-headedness that belied their youth, rallying from an early 14-0 deficit to absolutely dominate the NFC West champions in front of 72,168 rabid fans, the largest crowd in Lambeau's history.

After a record-setting day -- the team established postseason marks for points and rushing yards (234), while Ryan Grant's 201 yards and three touchdowns on the ground also became new playoff standards -- the Packers (14-3) now advance to next Sunday's NFC Championship. They'll either host the New York Giants or travel to Dalla..

AP Story: Packers Rout Seattle 42-20 In Snowy Lambeau

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:01:48 CST
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Brett Favre spotted his favorite target all alone and let it fly.

He hit Donald Driver, all right -- with a snowball.

Favre frolicked in the flurries the entire afternoon, throwing three touchdown passes as the Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 42-20 Saturday to reach the NFC Championship Game.

"I've been hoping for that for 17 years," Favre said. "I was watching the weather all day and it's a shame, I'm like, 'Just give us one of those big snow games.'

"I wanted to play where you couldn't see the field, and the snowplow comes out. It keeps getting worse and worse," he said.

With Lambeau Field looking like a snow globe, the Packers posted their biggest points total in postseason history.

This was exactly the scene Favre imagined when he decided to postpone retirement and try for another Super Bowl ring.

"It does make you appreciate it," the 38-year-old three-time NFL MVP said. "We could ..

2007 Regular Season: By The Numbers

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:44:33 CST
On the eve of the Packers' much-anticipated home playoff game, it's worth taking a little time to reflect on an impressive 13-3 regular season.

Last year at this time, Packers.com took a look at some of the oddities in the final regular-season statistics. So, without further ado, here's the 2007 version. They're numbered zero through 16, one for every game, plus the bye week.

0: Touchdown passes Brett Favre threw to running backs this season. All 28 of his TDs went to receivers and tight ends for the first time in his career. In two other seasons, Favre had just one TD pass to a back, in 1998 (William Henderson) and 1993 (Edgar Bennett).

1: Games Mason Crosby did not attempt a field goal. His only game without a three-point try was at Chicago (Dec. 23). The only other game he didn't make at least one field goal was at the New York Giants (0-for-1).

2: Green Bay touchdowns called back on penalties. A 23-yard TD pass to James Jon..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:00:23 CST
Read the 'Packers Fan Memories' archives or Submit your own favorite memory

This Week's Photos

Hey Packers fans, here's your chance to share your favorite memories of the Green and Gold with other fans from around the world! This week's edition includes international visits from fans, a love for the Packers stemming from correspondence with Vince Lombardi, and a Thanksgiving spent cheering on the green and gold.

Each week, Packers.com will post a feature called 'Packers Fan Memories.'

Notebook: McCarthy, Favre Haven't Spoken About Future

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:42:32 CST

Head Coach Mike McCarthy said he hasn't had any conversations yet with quarterback Brett Favre about his future, and will do so at the end of the season as planned.

McCarthy was asked about Favre's future on Thursday after a report in the Biloxi Sun Herald said Favre was leaning towards returning in 2008 for an 18th season.

In speaking about Saturday's NFC Divisional playoff game, Favre told the newspaper: "For the first time in three years, I haven't thought this could be my last game. I would like to continue longer."

Neither McCarthy nor any of the players in the locker room indicated Favre had spoken to them about his future, and no one was particularly concerned about it with all the focus on preparing to play Seattle.

"Brett's playing at a very high level, and we're preparing for him to play on another higher level this weekend," McCarthy said. "That's our focus, and once again, I haven't been part of any conversation on that matter."

Chess Match Has A Few Key Pieces

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:42:01 CST

Game-planning is all about finding ways to exploit weaknesses in the other team, and having answers to the things the opponent does best.

At playoff time, the former is harder to come by. Playoff teams have fewer weaknesses, therefore there's less to exploit. Which places all the more importance on the latter, and there are three significant strengths to Seattle's game the Packers are sure to be ready for on Saturday.

Here they are, and what the Packers plan to do about them:

Patrick Kerney
The disruptive defensive end led the NFC in sacks with 14 1/2 this season, earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, and garnered some votes for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

And then he went out last week in the Wild Card round and showed why, getting in Washington quarterback Todd Collins' face all day, registering four quarterback hits, and nearly getting a sack/fumble that may have been incorrectly ruled an incomplete pass.

"He's a guy you'..

Different Team, Plus Defensive Leader, To Face Seattle This Time

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:26:41 CST

The film of last year's Monday Night Football game between the Packers and Seahawks may not be worth much X's-and-O's-wise as the two teams prepare for their NFC Divisional playoff game Saturday.

Both offenses are decidedly different from a year ago. Seattle relies more on the pass and less on running back Shaun Alexander in 2007, while Green Bay spreads defenses out with more four- and five-wide receiver sets and leaves the offensive line to pass protect on its own.

But that game on Nov. 27, 2006, at Seattle's Qwest Field revealed two key elements to this Packers team as it made the transition from up-and-comer last year to playoff contender this year.

First, it was the last of a handful of games in 2006 that the Packers were in position to win, but let get away - the very games they began winning in 2007. And second, it showed just how valuable middle linebacker Nick Barnett is to this defense.

To illustrate the first point, the 34-24 loss to the..

Notebook: Packers Recapture Home-Field Edge

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:27:10 CST

One of the themes of Head Coach Mike McCarthy's first training camp in the summer of 2006 was for the Green Bay Packers to get back their decided home-field advantage at Lambeau Field.

That wasn't exactly accomplished, as the Packers began 2006 with three straight home losses, and went 1-5 at Lambeau through the first week of December.

But while the four-game winning streak to conclude 2006 served as a springboard into 2007, the two home wins late last season over Detroit and Minnesota also got some of those positive Lambeau vibes back.

The Packers went 7-1 at home in the regular season this year and have won nine of their last 10 home games dating back to last season's final month. That's the team's best single-season home mark since sweeping the home schedule in 2002.

But unlike then, when the season ended with the team's first postseason loss ever at Lambeau (to Atlanta), the Packers plan to keep the home field working in their favor in their fi..

Notebook: Robinson Recalls '03 Wild Card Game, Too

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:14:37 CST

Most of the branches between the Green Bay and Seattle franchises were connected quite some time ago, with Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, among the most noteworthy names.

But a new branch has sprouted for this Saturday's NFC Divisional playoff game, though he doesn't consider himself a major limb of the family tree.

Receiver Koren Robinson spent the first four years of his career in Seattle after being drafted by the Seahawks (under Holmgren and Thompson) in the first round in 2001.

Robinson admitted on Tuesday that playing against some of his former teammates, which he wasn't able to do last year because he was serving his one-year suspension when the Packers played in Seattle, will mean a little something to him. But he's come so far since his days with the Seahawks, particularly in his personal life with his battles with alcoholism, that lining up against his original team won't h..

Playoff Rookies Draw Upon Their Own 'Big Games'

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:13:54 CST

Make no mistake, there is no substitute for the NFL playoffs. The stakes, the stage, the attention, the win-or-go-home mentality -- or better yet -- reality.

The Green Bay Packers can't hide the fact that, with the youngest roster in the NFL, they have numerous players who have never participated in the NFL playoffs. To be exact, 36 of the 53 players on the roster are postseason rookies.

But it's not as though all three dozen are novices when it comes to high-stakes football. Several of them have past experiences they can draw upon to mentally prepare for what Saturday's NFC Divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks will be like.

Most recently, they all traveled to Dallas on Nov. 29 in a game described as a "playoff-like atmosphere," with two 10-1 teams vying for the inside track to the NFC's No. 1 seed for the postseason. The freshness of that experience will certainly help take away some of the potential wide-eyedness amongst the younger player..

Watch This Week's LIVE Press Conferences On Packers.com!

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:39:14 CST

Tune in to Packers.com this week for a complete preview of the Packers-Seahawks Divisional playoff game, straight from the source.

Packers.com this week will broadcast several press conferences in their entirety and free of charge, live from the Lambeau Field media auditorium.

QB Brett Favre will kick things off Tuesday beginning at 12:55 pm CT, followed by Head Coach Mike McCarthy.

CB Al Harris, DE Aaron Kampman and WR Greg Jennings will take to the podium in the afternoon at 3:00 pm CT.

On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and special teams coordinator Mike Stock will speak to the media beginning at approximately 1:15 pm CT, followed by LB Nick Barnett, OT Mark Tauscher and RB Ryan Grant in the afternoon session (approx 3:00 pm CT).

McCarthy will return to the podium Thursday at 12:05 pm CT.

Additionally, Packers.com will broadcast the Packers' post game press conferen..

Notebook: Packers, Seahawks No Strangers

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:44:43 CST

As a second-year head coach, Mike McCarthy probably couldn't have found a more familiar playoff foe outside of the NFC North Division.

The Packers played the Seattle Seahawks last year during McCarthy's first season and again this year in the preseason. Combine that with General Manager Ted Thompson's prior history in Seattle, and there's no need to start from scratch when it comes to preparing for Saturday's contest.

Of course, that familiarity cuts both ways, with Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren's history in Green Bay and having gone head-to-head with McCarthy already, too.

Last season's Monday Night Football game in Seattle will provide both teams with more valuable game film than this year's preseason game. Teams don't reveal much of their playbook in the preseason, and Seattle rested starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and its two starting offensive tackles, Walter Jones and Sean Locklear, that night.

McCarthy already had gone back and looke..

Packers To Play Seattle On Jan. 12

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:42:04 CST

With their win over the Washington Redskins on Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks earned a trip to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 12. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT.

The other NFC Divisional game will pit the New York Giants at the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m. CT. The two divisional winners will meet for the NFC Championship on Jan. 20.

Pickett Fortifies Run Defense For Playoffs

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:38:02 CST

To some, the Packers raised a few red flags with the way their run defense performed towards the end of the season in road games at St. Louis and Chicago.

But the Packers themselves are not alarmed about the state of their run defense heading into the playoffs, and for three reasons.

First, the performances in those two road games weren't as bad as some of the statistics would make them appear. Second, whatever deficiencies may have shown up appeared to get shored up in the regular-season finale last week against Detroit. And third, run-stuffer extraordinaire Ryan Pickett, who missed the final two games of the regular season with a groin injury, was back to 100 percent on the practice field this week and will be full speed for the playoffs.

"The run defense is sound," Pickett said. "I think we're going to be good in the playoffs."

Let's examine each of the three reasons for that vote of confidence.

For starters, the evaluation of the St. L..

Veterans Recognize Opportunity Knocking

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:42:04 CST

Brett Favre went to the playoffs six straight times before he turned 30. Ryan Pickett played in the Super Bowl as a rookie. Mike McCarthy coached in the AFC Championship his first season as an NFL assistant.

All of those individuals, as well as countless others around the NFL, will talk about how easy it is to take success for granted. They've experienced it, and then learned how difficult it is to achieve it again.

In that sense, all of them lend a valuable perspective to Green Bay's 13-3 season and first-round playoff bye that many of the first- and second-year players on the NFL's youngest team don't necessarily have. Namely, that this scenario doesn't unfold every day.

And while "taking advantage of opportunities" has been a mantra of McCarthy's since his first day in charge here - in reference to everything from subbing for an injured player for a day in practice to capitalizing on a turnover in the fourth quarter of a tight game - it becomes an even m..

Notebook: Colledge Responds Again, Ready For Full-Time Duty

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:42:25 CST

Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge has seen his starting job taken away from him, or at least thrown open to competition, three times in his two seasons with the Packers.

But each time - after his first preseason game as a rookie, midway through this campaign, and after a rough outing at Dallas in the regular season's biggest game - Colledge has responded admirably, and he expects the upcoming playoff game to be no different.

He didn't want to win the starting left guard spot for the postseason the way he did, though. Fellow guard Junius Coston, with whom Colledge had been competing in practice and rotating during games since the Dallas contest, injured his calf last Sunday against Detroit and is out for the remainder of the season.

But circumstances aside, it's Colledge's job full-time again, and he's looking at the playoffs to once again re-establish the coaches' trust and prove he belongs as a regular starter up front.

"Everybody goes through thei..

McCarthy Runner-Up For AP Coach Of The Year, Winner Of NFL Alumni Honor

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:56:27 CST

Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy on Thursday finished as the runner-up for The Associated Press 2007 NFL Coach of the Year in a vote of a nationwide panel of media members.

But on the same day he won the Coach of the Year award from a different voting group, the NFL Alumni.

McCarthy, who led the Packers to a 13-3 record and a first-round NFC playoff bye just two years after the team finished 4-12, was second in the voting for the AP award to New England's Bill Belichick.

"I think Bill Belichick is very deserving of the award," McCarthy said. "What else can you say about the season he's had in New England. I congratulate him on that.

"It's an honor to be part of the conversation for Coach of the Year because it really reflects the success of your football team."

Belichick led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season in 35 years. There was some question as to whether Belichick would earn enough votes from the media after..

Murphy Getting To Know His New Job

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:28:06 CST

Green Bay Packers President and CEO-elect Mark Murphy's first official day on the job Wednesday was -- not surprisingly -- uneventful, and that's likely to be the case during his first few months at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

That's simply a reward for stepping into the leadership role for a team that just finished the regular season tied for the best record in the NFC and has its first playoff bye in 10 years.

"I would not expect any major announcements or changes coming out of my office," Murphy told a group of reporters in the Lambeau Field Atrium on Wednesday afternoon. "I really want to use these first few months to get to know the organization, spend a lot of time meeting with people."

Murphy spent much of his first day doing that, as well as getting an official tour of Lambeau. Meeting and talking with employees and managers was how he began his stints as athletic director at both Colgate and Northwestern, and he found that was the best and most efficient wa..

Packers Primed For Postseason Run

Nathan Hager, Packers.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:37:25 CST

Now that a regular season that ranks among the best in team annals is all wrapped up, the Green Bay Packers are starting over.

But it's not as if the team is all of a sudden going to forget about the 13 victories that got them to this point. It's just that they are moving forward to bigger and better things, which for them means winning in the playoffs.

To hear the players tell it, there is plenty of reason for optimism after getting back on the winning track in Sunday's dominating performance over the Lions. Though they know that the playoffs are a much tougher proposition, that doesn't mean they won't build off of some of the momentum they gained Sunday.

And even though the Packers won't get back to work until Friday in preparation for a game that will be played on Saturday, Jan. 12, that doesn't mean they aren't taking advantage of the days in between now and then.

"I think the main thing is to get some rest," receiver James Jones said. "Then..