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Rouse Aims For Breakthrough Year

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:44:55 CST

At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, Aaron Rouse has the body of a linebacker, which makes it almost impossible not to notice him when he's playing safety. He's four to five inches taller than the other safeties on the roster, so without trying to, he simply stands out.

But Rouse spent most of his rookie year with the Green Bay Packers in 2007 trying to do just the opposite. He didn't want to be noticed, at least not in the way rookie safeties generally are by veteran defensive players, which is for barking out the wrong alignment or making a poor pre-snap adjustment.

In short, Rouse just wanted to blend in with the rest of the secondary, and the defense as a whole, a tough task as the only defensive back in the 2007 draft class.

"Coming in and playing with guys like Charles Woodson and Al Harris and A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett, and being the only rookie in the secondary and having to make calls and stuff, it was kind of tough," Rouse said, reflecting upon last year...

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 30 May 2008 12:49:26 CST

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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 a run-in with Donald Driver at the airport, a stadium tour, a drive from Illinois, and tradition being passed down to the next generation.

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

Kampman Sees Unity Battling Tragedy

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:28:39 CST

For Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman, the tornado that destroyed much of his high school hometown last weekend has affirmed what he already knew about the community there: that people would come together as one to rebuild.

Kampman had driven to Parkersburg, Iowa, early Monday morning from Kansas City with his wife, Linde, and other family members to see the devastation that Sunday afternoon's tornado had caused. Hundreds of homes, his high school, a grocery store and a gas station were just some of the victims to the destruction.

Seven people were killed and about 50 others were injured in the town of about 1,800, including Kampman's 81-year-old grandfather, Claas, who underwent surgery at a nearby hospital in Waterloo and is improving. Despite all of this tragedy, Kampman is seeing the positives emerge.

"There is a real sense I think after the dazed looks that were initially kind of there, which is to be expected, of somewhat of a determination to cont..

Notebook: Hodge Returns To Field

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:06:44 CST

Third-year linebacker Abdul Hodge is back on the practice field this week for the first time since training camp last year, and the former third-round draft choice says his troublesome knees are in their best shape since his junior season at the University of Iowa.

"I'm probably 110 percent now," Hodge said. "I feel like a new man."

Hodge spent all of last season on injured reserve when the patellar tendonitis in his knees flared up badly during the final stages of training camp. He had been bothered by knee troubles at times during his rookie season of 2006, and during his final year at Iowa.

Upon going on IR at the end of training camp last year, Hodge decided to have surgery on both knees, and he returned to the practice field for the first time during Wednesday's OTA.

"It's actually exciting to me now," Hodge said. "I can just line up, run to the football and react and use my instincts and do the things I've been known to do. I'm not restricted..

Teammates Firmly Behind Rodgers

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:11:18 CST

As the quarterback with the unenviable task of following a legend, Aaron Rodgers has the advantage of knowing inside and out the offense he's charged with running.

But all the time spent in Green Bay prior to now has provided another, perhaps even more valuable, element to the transition to the post-Brett Favre era. By putting his work ethic, study habits and communication skills out there for all to see as Favre's primary backup for three years, Rodgers already has the respect and the confidence of his teammates as he takes over the starting job.

"Aaron is more than capable," linebacker Brady Poppinga said. "This is a guy that has been biting at the bit for the last three years. He's ready to go, and he will seize the day in terms of taking advantage of his opportunity. I have no doubt about that."

That confidence isn't simply rooted in Rodgers' admirable performance in relief of Favre last year in Dallas, in a nationally televised, prime-time game between..

Kampman Helping With Tornado Relief Efforts

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:47:59 CST

Defensive end Aaron Kampman and his wife, Linde, have been in Parkersburg, Iowa, the past couple of days helping with relief efforts following a devastating tornado over the holiday weekend.

Kampman, a native of nearby Kesley, Iowa, who attended Aplington-Parkersburg High School, still has family in the area. His grandfather, Claas, 81, lives in Parkersburg, and his home was destroyed. Claas Kampman also was injured in the tornado, underwent surgery, and is recovering.

Aplington-Parkersburg High School has received a lot of attention over the years, having produced three other NFL players - Denver's Casey Wiegmann, Detroit's Jared DeVries and Jacksonville's Brad Meester - in addition to Kampman. According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, the tornado destroyed the school's roof and windows, and left only a few standing walls.

Kamp..

Packers' Camps Jumpstart Youth Football Season

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:18:36 CST

Back before his teenage years in his hometown of Centerville, Ohio, Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk couldn't wait for football season to start in the fall. So he always got a head start in the summer by going to football camp.

"It would go in stages," said Hawk, who remembers going to football camps as young as 10 years old. "In the spring was usually baseball time, and then when June and July it, you'd go to football camp, and then right after football camp you'd start the season, so it was a good introduction.

"We knew once camp came around that we were about to start the season up. It was always an exciting time."

Youngsters around the state of Wisconsin have that same opportunity this summer with the Green Bay Packers Youth Football Camps, now in their seventh year.

Designed for boys and girls ages 6-14, the camps feature non-contact skill instruction over the course of five days. Camps are being held in nine locations throughout the sta..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:06:12 CST

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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 a trip to Lambeau before a tour of duty, a Father's Day treat, and a last minute ticket opportunity.

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

'Green Machine' Has Some Game

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:30:13 CST

If you want to see a spirited debate amongst the Green Bay Packers, just get them talking about who the best basketball player is on the team.

It's something members of the "Green Machine," the charity basketball team of Packers players led and organized by wide receiver Ruvell Martin, discuss from time to time in the midst of their 24-game schedule, which began in early April and concludes in mid-June.

Here's a sample of one such discussion overheard in the locker room after the players had finished an offseason workout. It began when receiver Shaun Bodiford, drawing comparisons between Green Machine players and NBA stars, suggested fellow receiver James Jones was most like Kobe Bryant.

"No, I'm more like a LeBron (James), because I'm more power," Jones said. "Kobe is more finesse. I'm more ... take it to the basket, bump into you a little bit and lay it up."

Martin disagreed, slightly.

"But LeBron is more like ... take it to the b..

Notebook: Attendance Strong At Start

Tom Fanning and Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:38:19 CST

The Packers' first day of voluntary organized team activities open to the public was highlighted by 84 of 88 players (95 percent) on the roster in attendance at the Don Hutson Center.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy said he was impressed with the quality of work put in by the team during the opening two days of OTAs.

"Just as a coaching staff we have discussed how much we have improved in year three, which I think is natural and you should see that from year one to two to three," McCarthy said. "Today is always a hard day just because of the amount of offense and defense that goes in on the second day. You get into sub-packages and things like that, so today was a little more challenging, but I have been very impressed with what we have been able to accomplish and I think we're off to a good start."

The only players not in attendance on Wednesday were veteran cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris, along with rookie corner Condrew Allen and rookie center Brenne..

Rodgers' Time Has Truly Arrived

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:37:48 CST

Aaron Rodgers has been the Packers' No. 1 quarterback before. During mini-camps and OTAs, of course.

Over the past couple of offseasons, Brett Favre wasn't always around to run the first-string offense, and Rodgers got all his work with the top unit. As Rodgers said on Wednesday following the second OTA workout in the Don Hutson Center, "The last couple years I was No. 1 until Brett got here."

It was valuable practice experience for the young quarterback, but it was about accelerating the former first-round draft pick's learning curve. Now, with Favre retired and the offensive reins handed to Rodgers on a permanent basis, running the No. 1 offense is about improving as a player but also preparing to play the upcoming season.

"It feels great," Rodgers said during an extensive question-and-answer session in front of his locker. "I've taken the No. 1 reps in practice throughout the last three years, but to know that I'm the guy going into the season is pretty ..

Murphy Addresses CBA Vote

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:41:31 CST

In a brief conference call with reporters on Tuesday, Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy addressed the owners' unanimous decision to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

Murphy emphasized that the opt-out provision guarantees that NFL football will continue uninterrupted for the next three seasons, even if no new CBA is reached in the meantime. The goal, as stated earlier Tuesday by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, will be to reach a new agreement within the next two years to avoid playing the 2010 season without a salary cap.

"I'm still optimistic we can work something out," Murphy said. "But there's going to have to be a lot of negotiating. It will be a give-and-take process between the union and Roger and (the owners)."

While the Packers' financial picture remains solid and the club has been ranked in the top half of the league in revenues since the completion of the Lambeau Field renovation, the team still si..

Packers Return To Field For OTAs

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:18:15 CST

INJURED PLAYERS EVALUATED FOR PARTICIPATION

With a dozen days of on-field organized team activities (OTAs) set to begin Tuesday and continue over the next four weeks, the Green Bay Packers had their physicals on Monday, with several injured players evaluated to determine their availability to practice.

Three players -- defensive tackles Justin Harrell (back) and Johnny Jolly (shoulder), along with cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) -- are not scheduled to participate in any portion of the OTAs, but all three should be cleared for the start of training camp.

Six other players -- defensive tackles Daniel Muir (pectoral muscle) and Colin Cole (forearm), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knees), fullback John Kuhn (groin), offensive lineman Cameron Stephenson (calf) and tight end Tory Humphrey (ankle) -- will not participate initially in OTAs but are being evaluated on a week-to-week basis and could return to the field before OTAs conclude.

Defensive end Kab..

Davis Tackling New Challenges

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:11:35 CST

For retired Packers long snapper Rob Davis, the transition into his post-football career has been a seamless one, and that is exactly what he is hoping to help current Packers achieve when their playing days end.

When Davis announced his retirement from the NFL in March after 11 years with Green Bay and 12 years in the league, it didn't take him long to move into the next phase of his career. Later that same month he was appointed the team's director of player development, a position he had his eye on throughout his time with the Packers.

"My years in the NFL were very challenging, but now I am looking to be challenged in a different way and I am excited about that," Davis said. "I made it to the highest mountain in my profession as a football player, so now I am back down at the bottom trying to make it up another mountain, and that's exciting."

In his current role with the team, Davis will assist players away from the field as they get acclimated to life ..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:31:33 CST

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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 a Christmas surprise, an anniversary gift, a fan excited to be a part of G Force, a youngster meeting Greg Jennings, and a fan that wouldn't let even a broken leg keep him from Lambeau Field.

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

Five Assistant Coaches Attend Symposium

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:20:47 CST

Assistant coaches who have recently broken into the NFL ranks have no way of predicting how far up the ladder they might eventually climb.

But it never hurts to start laying some groundwork early, and that's what the 2008 NFL Coaches Symposium was all about last week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Five members of the Packers coaching staff -- assistant special teams coach Shawn Slocum, assistant offensive line coach Jerry Fontenot, running backs coach Edgar Bennett, tight ends coach Ben McAdoo and new defensive quality control coach Joe Whitt -- attended the symposium and returned to their coaching duties feeling both better prepared for their future and eager to apply some lessons in leadership, teaching and communication as the team returns to the practice field next week for OTAs.

The sessions, held over three days, covered a wide range of topics. First-time coordinators such as the Dallas Cowboys' Jason Garrett (offense) and the Buffalo Bills' Perry Fewell (d..

The Odd, Interesting and Curious About The 2008 Draft Picks

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:02:30 CST

NFL draft picks have spent the last year, if not longer, having their athletic lives picked apart as they prepared to enter professional football. Some of the information uncovered isn't well-publicized, or makes for some interesting trivia.

So for those who are interested, here are a few nuggets -- some odd, some interesting, some curious -- about each of the Packers' nine draft choices in 2008 that you may or may not have already heard, or could make you a trivia whiz among fellow Packers fans.

WR Jordy Nelson, 2nd round, 36th overall
--As an all-state quarterback at Riley County (Kan.) High School, Nelson actually compiled more rushing yards (2,302) than passing yards (2,074) in his two seasons as the starter. His QB skills came in handy during his final season at Kansas State, though, as he threw option passes for touchdowns in games against Auburn and Missouri State.

--Among Nelson's numerous track and basketball accomplishments in high scho..

Chillar, Poppinga Understand Business Of Competition

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:14:39 CST

On the field, they're going to be competing for a job at the same position, battling every day in OTAs, mini-camp and training camp to be the starting strong-side linebacker for the defending NFC North Division champions.

Off the field, their lockers are right next to each other.

But neither free agent Brandon Chillar nor incumbent Brady Poppinga, who will be waging one of the most-watched positional competitions between now and the season opener for the Packers, insists there's anything uncomfortable about the current locker room arrangement for the two veterans.

It's just part of the business, and that's how these two will approach their task with a coveted starting job at stake - all business.

"Me and Brady, we get along good," Chillar said after a recent workout in the team's offseason program. "It's nothing weird. This is a profession. We've talked about it, and we're both just going to go out there and compete.

"Basically every year ..

Morency Assists State's Push For Education

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:52:04 CST

Vernand Morency has put his own education on hold, twice. But even as a professional athlete, he continues to make it a personal priority.

That's why Morency felt honored earlier this month in joining Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle on his state-wide tour to promote the Wisconsin Covenant, an education initiative that guarantees affordable higher education for high school students who participate in the program and meet its requirements.

Morency joined Gov. Doyle for stops at St. Norbert College in De Pere and North Central Technical College in Wausau in mid-April to promote the Covenant by talking about the importance of education. Renowned business leader and former Milwaukee Brewers president and CEO Ulice Payne and Wisconsin State Supreme Court justice Ann Walsh Bradley also took part in the visits.

The Covenant was launched by Gov. Doyle in 2006. Eighth-grade students can sign the Covenant pledge, in which they commit to completing the classes they need to gr..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:46:08 CST

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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 a Lambeau leaping fan from Superior, a railbird meeting Paul Hornung with his grandfather, an autograph from "The Gravedigger," and a journey down to Favre's On The Bayou.

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

Brothers Ready To Battle

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:16:02 CST

Growing up in Charlotte, N.C., brothers Orrin and Jeremy Thompson used to compete for the kinds of things that, well, all brothers do.

Who gets the last drumstick at dinner, who gets to pick the channel and TV program after dinner. That sort of stuff.

Little did they know their athletic careers would eventually put them in a position where they'd be competing with one another on the Green Bay Packers' practice field - for a job.

But that's the impending scenario set to unfold when OTAs begin later this month, or at the very least during training camp. With older brother Orrin an offensive tackle and rookie fourth-round draft pick Jeremy at defensive end, it's virtually inevitable that they will be lining up across from one another in one-on-one pass-rush drills and during team (11-on-11) segments of practice.

It's a moment the Thompson brothers are looking forward to, but one they admit will be a little strange, a little heated, and everything in b..

Votes Counted For 'Greatest Games' DVD

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:53:00 CST

Packers Fans, your votes have been counted.

You've selected the Top 10 games to be included in Green Bay's installment of Warner Home Video's DVD series, "NFL Greatest Games," and video production is underway. The DVD will feature the complete television broadcast, without commercials, of the games listed here.

"We're excited we could include the fans in this process, giving them the opportunity to vote and choose their favorites," said Kate Hogan, director of retail operations for the Packers. "It really makes this the fans' DVD."

Copies of the DVD, priced at $49.95, may be pre-ordered online and will be available by Aug. 20 in the Packers Pro Shop at Lambeau Field. Pre-order your copy now!

Note: Super Bowl II was in the running as a top 10 selection, but after voting began, Warner Bros. was infor..

Notebook: Rookie Camp Improved This Year

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:56:52 CST
Better numbers made for better work at this weekend's rookie orientation.

With 11 free-agent signings, 19 tryout players and a handful of previous practice squad members, along with the team's nine draft picks, participating, the Packers had a greater number of players than they had last year when Head Coach Mike McCarthy organized a rookie orientation camp for the first time.

The larger numbers allowed the coaching staff to get more accomplished, because when the offense and defense were separated and working in different areas of the Hutson Center, there were enough players to form "scout teams" against whom the respective units could execute their jog-throughs.

And with the jog-throughs more worthwhile, the "team" drills pitting the actual offensive and defensive players against one another were more productive as well.

"We had some more players this year than we had last year, and you could just see the progression of practices, how they improv..

Young O-Linemen Eager To Learn

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:49:38 CST
At a combined 624 pounds, rookies Breno Giacomini and Josh Sitton form a rather imposing right side of the offensive line during this weekend's rookie orientation camp inside the Don Hutson Center.

Whether or not that's a preview of a future Green Bay offensive line is impossible to know, but the 303-pound Giacomini at tackle and 319-pound Sitton at guard are taking nothing for granted during their first days as NFL players.

Knowing that in a couple of weeks they'll be thrown in with a group of linemen that includes five other draftees over the previous three years (Junius Coston in 2005, Jason Spitz, Daryn Colledge and Tony Moll in 2006, and Allen Barbre in 2007), Sitton and Giacomini are keeping their eyes and ears open this weekend for anything that can make them viable competitors for roster spots and/or playing time.

"They're changing up my footwork a little bit, my hand placement, everything, and that's what I'm ready for," said Giacomini, a fifth-rou..

Rookies Get First Glance At Playbook

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:32:29 CST
Welcome to the NFL, young men. Here's your playbook ... (thump) ... for this weekend.

"It's just Day 1 install, but it's still a pretty thick book," rookie quarterback Brian Brohm said Friday afternoon, prior to taking the field for the first of the Packers' three rookie orientation practices.

"It's a lot of stuff you have to learn, which at this level, everyone is going to have to realize it's a lot of stuff coming at you fast. We're going to have to pick it up as fast as we can."

That's the rookies' task in this three-day introduction to the NFL. A combination of nine draft picks, 11 non-drafted free agents and 19 tryout players are donning a professional football helmet for the first time inside the Don Hutson Center this weekend.

For the offensive players, much of their orientation will center around learning some of the basics of the offense. Even for players coming from major Division I programs, NFL offenses are far more complex than what th..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 02 May 2008 15:58:58 CST
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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 North Carolina residents with Packer fan lineage, girls who spent their Christmas money on the Packers-Seahawks "snow game," an afternoon spent in Viking territory, and an opportunity one fan had to meet Max McGee.

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

Packers Rank Fourth In ESPN The Magazine's 'Ultimate Standings'

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:25:12 CST

After two seasons out of the Top 10, the Green Bay Packers are back among the elite franchises in pro sports, according to ESPN The Magazine's 'Ultimate Standings.'

The annual rankings, based on a comprehensive fan satisfaction survey, ranks the Packers fourth among all major professional sports organizations in 2008 and second in the NFL to the Indianapolis Colts, the sports world's top-ranked franchise.

"It's great to see the Packers again ranked as one of the top sports franchises," said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. "Among our top goals at the Packers are to put a winning team on the field and provide the fans with an outstanding experience at Lambeau Field, both on game day and other days they may visit. We're pleased to see the fans responding to the survey have recognized the organization's efforts, and the unique and special nature of this club. It remains one of pro sports' great stories."

The NBA's San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hor..