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The Game I'll Never Forget: Josh Sitton

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:03:45 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or a number of any other factors.

Continuing a series begun last summer, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2008 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

In discussing the most memorable game of his career, Josh Sitton couldn't narrow it down to one, because the first and last victories of his college days at Central Florida both meant so much.

The first came as a sophomore in 2005, after Sitton began his college career on a 13-game losing streak. Central Florida had gone 0-11 his freshman season and started 0-2 ..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:43:33 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 trip 40 years overdue, a 21st birthday present of Packers tickets, and railbirds from Iowa taking in the training camp experience.

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

Offseason Format Helps Rookies Adjust

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:48:19 CST

For rookies, there are myriad adjustments as they make the jump to the NFL from the college game, but that transition for the Packers' newcomers was made easier thanks to the schedule used by the team this offseason.

After the draft in late April, the Packers' draft picks and non-drafted free agents reported to Green Bay for a three-day rookie orientation camp the following weekend. The team then held OTA practices from mid-May to mid-June and then wrapped up the offseason work with mini-camp last week. In Head Coach Mike McCarthy's first two seasons, the team held mini-camp earlier in May and then followed that up with OTAs before breaking until training camp.

"I feel really comfortable because it was a good progression," quarterback Brian Brohm said. "At rookie camp, we were able to take it a little slower through that process because the vets weren't around to speed things up. Then you go into the OTAs and that's when we installed everything.

"It built..

Packers Help Celebrate Sixth Annual Kids' Day

Duke Bobber, Packers.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:41:44 CST

Exactly six months before Christmas, Green Bay children were given an early present on Wednesday.

For the sixth consecutive year, the city of Green Bay celebrated Kids' Day, a tradition that was started to show children how special they are to their families and to the community. The annual celebration, which Mayor Jim Schmitt implemented upon taking office in 2003, was in fact adopted from within Schmitt's own family.

"I was a father long before I was a mayor," Schmitt said. "I thought it would be right to set a special day aside, so we set June 25th as a day to honor the kids. When I was elected mayor, I said, 'We ought to do that as a city.' And we've done that.

"It's really grown to where we have over 7,000 kids participate. The Packers have stepped up in a big way. There's free tours at the Hall of Fame today and we've got 17 Packers here to celebrate with the kids. It's a very special day here in Green Bay."

Hundreds of children filled Green ..

Crosby Not Resting On Solid Rookie Year

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:23:28 CST

NFL coaches often say the biggest jump a player can make is from his first year to his second.

Believe it or not, that even applies to players who were successful their first season, like Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby.

A sixth-round draft choice in 2007, Crosby finished his rookie season with few, if any, regrets. He won a job in training camp, hit a game-winning field goal in his first NFL game, went on to make 79.5 percent of his kicks (31-of-39), and boomed 14 touchbacks.

But if the recently concluded offseason is any indication, Crosby was just getting started and he's positioning himself for that second-year leap.

In an impressive display during last week's mini-camp at the Don Hutson Center, Crosby drilled several long-range field goals with plenty of distance to spare. He hit a pair of 47-yard field goals with the ball sailing well above the top of the uprights as it went over the crossbar. And he hit a 52-yarder with the ball barely below t..

The Game I'll Never Forget: Breno Giacomini

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:56:21 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or a number of any other factors.

Continuing a series begun last summer, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2008 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

It's the second-oldest continuous high school football rivalry in the country, and Breno Giacomini almost missed his chance to be part of it.

Giacomini, a fifth-round draft pick by the Packers this past April, attended Malden High School in Massachusetts but didn't play football his junior year in order to concentrate on basketball. That year, he didn't attend a..

Packers' Finances On Solid Ground

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:58:30 CST

TEAM MONITORING LEAGUE-WIDE TREND OF RISING EXPENSES

The Green Bay Packers once again posted strong profits for the past fiscal year, however the boost in profits was modest considering the team hosted playoff football in January for the first time in three seasons.

As the team released its annual figures this weekend, profits rose roughly 6 percent, from $22 million last year to $23.4 million this year. Once again, the annual report indicates the franchise is on solid financial ground, having maximized on the revenue-generating opportunities available via the renovated Lambeau Field the past five years.

But the notion that two home playoff games in January would have led to record profits for the franchise simply didn't hold true in the NFL's current marketplace.

While total operating revenues were up more than 10 percent, from $218 million to $241 million, operating expenses actually rose at nearly twice that rate (19.6 percent) from $184 ..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:42:13 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 with family and friends from Minnesota, a fan taking in the aura of Lambeau during a stadium tour, and a fun night at the Packers playoff pep rally.

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

Mini-Camp Ends With Optimism

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:30:29 CST

The offseason program officially ended on Thursday with the final mini-camp practice, the last team function prior to the start of training camp in late July, and Head Coach Mike McCarthy couldn't be happier with how his team is growing and developing in preparation for the 2008 season.

"Clearly I think it's the best offseason that we've had to date (with) the individual time that the players spent with the coaches, the commitment to the offseason program and the strength and conditioning all the way through the OTAs, and I really like the way our offseason came to a conclusion here with the mini-camp at the end," McCarthy said during his press conference following the final workout.

"It's an exciting time for us. We felt like we had the opportunity to improve through this learning process because that's really what this time of year is. I liked the way the rookies jumped in there and picked things up. It puts us in a very good position to start off camp healthy and..

Notebook: New Offseason Format Praised

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:40:56 CST

As the Packers completed their offseason practices on Thursday, Head Coach Mike McCarthy praised the new schedule implemented this year and indicated he plans to continue with this format in the future.

In McCarthy's first two seasons as head coach, the Packers held mini-camp earlier in May and then followed that up with OTAs. This year mini-camp capped off the offseason as the players and coaches now take a break until reporting to training camp July 27.

"I clearly think this is the best format for the younger players to catch up to the veterans and also give the veterans the opportunity to go through the strength and conditioning program without being interrupted because you are able to get six, seven, eight, nine weeks of strength and conditioning where it is not interrupted by practice and so forth where it interrupts their training," McCarthy said.

Also, with the rookie orientation camp being conducted the weekend after the draft for the second straigh..

Notebook: 'KGB' On Track For Training Camp

Tom Fanning and Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:03:57 CST

Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila said Wednesday he fully expects to be ready for training camp as he rehabilitates from offseason knee surgery.

Gbaja-Biamila underwent arthroscopic surgery on May 29 and has not participated in any of the team's OTAs or mini-camp.

"I have no doubt that I should be ready for training camp," Gbaja-Biamila said. "If this was the season I would be on the field doing some stuff, but we're not in any rush."

Gbaja-Biamila said he began to experience pain in the knee as he was working to strengthen his ankle from an injury suffered during the regular season at Detroit that forced him to miss Green Bay's game the next week at Dallas.

"I think it was just a wear-and-tear injury," Gbaja-Biamila said. "I was rehabbing my ankle from last year, and I just wanted to make sure it got strong. My knee kept flaring up. I noticed it more when I was trying to play with my kids and I couldn't bend down."

The team's all-time sa..

While Waiting, Grant Staying Involved

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:59:13 CST

Running back Ryan Grant said on Wednesday he has no doubts his contract situation will be resolved by the time training camp starts in late July, but in the meantime he's doing everything he can to stay involved while he's not practicing.

During Wednesday morning's mini-camp workout inside the Don Hutson Center, Grant was seen with his helmet on doing some conditioning drills along with several injured players who weren't practicing. He's also often watching the team (11-on-11) segments of practice, particularly when the offense is working on the running game.

"I'm just trying to make sure everything I can take part in, I'm doing," Grant told a group of reporters in the locker room after practice. "Really, the only thing I can't do is practice."

Grant, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as the starter during the second half of 2007, is an exclusive-rights free agent, so he's not free to negotiate with other teams. He has not signed the one-year tender offer ..

Notebook: Flynn Making Progress

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:17:52 CST

It has taken Matt Flynn a little while to settle in, but the rookie seventh-round draft pick out of LSU has been progressing nicely as the team's No. 3 quarterback.

Flynn made several eye-catching throws during the two mini-camp practices inside the Don Hutson Center on Tuesday.

In a morning team (11-on-11) drill, he scrambled to his right and hit Jake Allen along the sideline when Allen made a nice move on cornerback Pat Lee to come back to the ball. Then in the afternoon practice, Flynn connected with fellow seventh-rounder Brett Swain on a deep throw down the far sideline, and he hit Swain again during a seven-on-seven drill with a well-placed low throw over the middle against tight coverage from cornerback Jarrett Bush.

"I think Matt has really done a very good job here the last two weeks, and he's starting to play with some rhythm," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's made some nice throws. I'm very happy with the progress of both young quarterbacks, ..

Defense Adjusting To Headset Addition

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:55:04 CST

For the Packers, OTAs and mini-camp are always a time to work on the scheme and communication with teammates, but for the defense, this offseason has brought the added adjustment of working with headsets to receive the calls from the sideline.

The new rule that allows defensive coaches to radio in their calls through a headset was approved at this year's owners' meetings in early April. One defensive player will be allowed to wear a helmet similar to what the quarterback uses on offense to receive the call directly from the coaches rather than relying on hand signals from the sideline.

The Packers have been using the communication devices with certain players throughout OTAs and again in this week's mini-camp, and Head Coach Mike McCarthy is pleased with how the defense is adjusting to the new technology at its disposal.

"We'll continue to use it through camp, really to get the players used to it, having the voice in their ear, and also the time frame that ..

Rookies Enjoy Hall Of Fame Visit

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:38:57 CST

It took an extra day, but the Green Bay Packers' rookies got to make their trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, and the experience was well worth the wait.

As part of a program launched this year by the NFL, every team's rookies are visiting Canton by the end of June. The Packers' contingent, consisting of the nine draft picks plus rookie free agents, were originally scheduled to make the trip on Friday, but weather delayed the trip one day.

"After we finally got there, I think it was very educational for the guys to get an opportunity to see the history of the league, and maybe give them something else to shoot for," said Rob Davis, the team's director of player development and leader of the trip. "I felt the guys got a lot out of it and from what I saw they really enjoyed it."

That they did. Top draft pick Jordy Nelson had never been to the Hall of Fame before and was intrigued not only by seeing the busts of all the great p..

Charity Events Fill Weekend

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:04:56 CST

The annual Jerry Parins Cruise For Cancer and Donald Driver's (formerly Brett Favre's) Charity Softball Game took place this past weekend in northeastern Wisconsin.

Check out Packers.com's photo galleries highlighting the events.

Jerry Parins Cruise For Cancer - Click here for photos!

Donald Driver Celebrity Softball Game - Click here for photos!

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:12:54 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 budding linguist, memories of last season's "snow game," a California commute, and fans enjoying the Packers' 17th consecutive victory over the Lions in Lambeau.

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

Packers Wrap Up OTAs, Focus On Mini-Camp

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:19:01 CST

The Packers concluded OTAs at The Don Hutson Center on Thursday with their 12th and final practice, and now look ahead to next week's mini-camp as they utilize a different practice format from last season, one that Head Coach Mike McCarthy is confident will pay dividends for the team.

In McCarthy's second season at the helm in 2007, the Packers held their rookie orientation camp the weekend after the draft and followed that up two weeks later with the full-squad mandatory mini-camp. The OTA practices were held after the mini-camp to wrap up the offseason as the team looked ahead to training camp.

The Packers changed the schedule this year, with their offseason work concluding with next week's mini-camp, to be held Tuesday-Thursday.

"It's a schedule that I prefer because it gives you a chance to really get more out of the mini-camp because April, right after the draft, you are only three or four weeks, or at the most five or six weeks into your offseason pro..

Lending A Helping Hand To A Teammate

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:02:01 CST

Aaron Kampman found out that his Packers teammates are not only there for him on the football field, but back in his hometown as well.

After completing three days of OTA practices last week, Kampman was part of a group that included cornerback Will Blackmon, defensive tackle Colin Cole, long snapper Thomas Gafford and head athletic trainer Pepper Burruss as they headed to Parkersburg, Iowa this past weekend to assist in the tornado cleanup effort in his high school hometown.

"There were other things going on over the weekend for guys, and to have a couple of them say that they wanted to come down and help out, it was really significant," Kampman said. "I gave them all a pretty big hug and really said thank you.

"I've had so much support from people here, even guys that couldn't come this past weekend. I've had a lot of them come up to me and ask how the weekend went. It's been great."

Seven people were killed and about 50 others were injured in ..

Williams Looks To Lock Down Spot, Receivers

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:41:37 CST

As he works this spring and summer to lock down the "nickel" cornerback job he held at the end of last season, Tramon Williams also is working to expand his game and make himself a more viable starting candidate in the future.

Williams, who made the roster as a training camp longshot a year ago, spent last season primarily covering outside receivers, or those who line up closest to the sidelines. With steadily improved play, by season's end he had worked his way up to the No. 3 cornerback spot behind starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson and was the team's nickel corner when the defense went to five defensive backs.

But now, in an effort to make himself more versatile and a stronger alternative to replace Harris or Woodson as a future starter, Williams is taking his share of reps during OTAs guarding slot receivers, or those who line up between the offensive line and the outside guys.

There's definitely a difference in the duties, Williams says, and he's a..

The Game I'll Never Forget: Matt Flynn

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:06:20 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or a number of any other factors.

Continuing a series begun last summer, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2008 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

One might assume that the most memorable game of quarterback Matt Flynn's football career would be his last college contest, when he led the LSU Tigers to the BCS National Championship over the Ohio State Buckeyes last January.

But it is Flynn's last loss that is actually the game he'll never forget.

It came on Nov. 23, 2007, against Arkan..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:24:53 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 a Packers-tinged lesson in colors, an upcoming birthday celebration coinciding with Brett Favre's number retirement, and a girls' weekend spent at Lambeau Field.

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

Competition Coming For Kickoff Return Duties

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:20:45 CST

Like several other positions for the Packers, the battle for the kickoff return duties in 2008 will likely include plenty of competition during the preseason later this summer.

That group will be comprised of several players returning from last year's team, headlined by incumbent Tramon Williams, as well as a couple of newcomers to the roster.

During Wednesday's OTA practice at The Don Hutson Center, Williams and rookie wide receiver Jordy Nelson were the returners on the first unit of the kickoff return team. Running backs Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency and DeShawn Wynn, along with a pair of rookies in wide receiver Brett Swain and running back Kregg Lumpkin, also received reps returning kicks. Cornerback Will Blackmon, who is currently not participating in practices as he recovers from a foot injury, will also likely be in the mix come training camp.

"We've got so many young guys, so it is really going to be exciting for us," special teams coordinator M..

Humphrey Healthy, Continues Comeback

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:49:03 CST

Backup tight end Tory Humphrey was medically cleared for full duty this week for the first time since the opening practice of training camp last year, and he's not wasting any time getting back into the swing of things.

On Wednesday, Humphrey made two nice catches over the middle from Aaron Rodgers during team (11-on-11) segments of practice. Playing with the starters in double-tight end sets, he ran his routes and caught the ball smoothly, hardly looking like a player who hadn't practiced against defensive foes for better than 10 months, when he suffered a nasty broken lower leg on the first day of training camp last July.

"It's been a long time," Humphrey said. "I got some work in (individual workouts) running routes and stuff, but it's good to get back out there against the defense."

Humphrey made his first impression in 2006 as a special teams contributor, and after a very productive offseason heading into training camp, was in the middle of a wide-open..

Notebook: Harris Back In Action

By Tom Fanning and Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:04:24 CST

Veteran cornerback Al Harris participated in his first OTA workout this offseason on Wednesday at The Don Hutson Center.

Harris said that he had planned all along to participate in some OTA practices this offseason, and will be in attendance for the remainder of the workouts through the mandatory mini-camp.

"You've got to get back into football tempo instead of just offseason workouts," Harris said. "It's good for skill positions, receivers, defensive backs, and quarterbacks to get your timing down and things like that."

Harris is coming off a 2007 season that saw him earn Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his 10 seasons in the league as he posted 37 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy said with the changes in the training camp schedule this year, the offseason work takes on even more importance. He said Harris keeps himself in great shape so his conditioning was not a concern.

"We have a very..

Bishop Benefits From OTA Opportunity

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:40:55 CST

In football practice lingo, it's called "runnin' with the 1's."

What it's a reference to is a backup player getting a chance to take the field for practice snaps with the starters, or No. 1 unit, and second-year middle linebacker Desmond Bishop was the one in that spotlight during the open OTA workout last week.

With starter Nick Barnett absent last Thursday, Bishop took his place as the No. 1 middle linebacker. For a young player like Bishop, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2007, it was a significant two-fold opportunity.

First, it provided a chance to get into the flow of the defense with the team's top performers surrounding him, such as defensive linemen Ryan Pickett and Aaron Kampman, and fellow linebacker A.J. Hawk.

Second, he was taking those snaps against the starting offense, which obviously presents the stiffest challenge.

"It helps tremendously because the No. 1 offense, they're good, they're efficient, everybody has been ..

Junior Power Pack Enjoys Great Day Of Football On Nitschke Field

Robert Knapp, Packers.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:41:55 CST

It was a beautiful Saturday for football at Ray Nitschke Field. Fans from across the state of Wisconsin turned out to watch practice. They did not come out to see names like Donald Driver, Ryan Grant or Aaron Rodgers practice, but to watch for some of the youngest Packers backers like Hunter, 9, Miles, 8, and nearly 1,150 other youngsters get a chance to actually practice on the same field as the Green and Gold.

The 11th annual Junior Power Pack Experience is a skills camp for members of the Packers' official kids' fan club. This unique experience allows members of the club the opportunity to work on their football skills and run through some of the same drills that the Packers do everyday at practice.

"I think this will help me become a better quarterback," said Miles, a first-time participant from Appleton, standing in line waiting for the next drill. "Throwing the ball was definitely my favorite drill."

Another exciting part of this camp for the youngs..

The Game I'll Never Forget: Brett Swain

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:32:33 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or a number of any other factors.

Continuing a series begun last summer, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2008 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

Brett Swain had posted just one 100-yard receiving game in his college career heading into his senior season at San Diego State.

But just a few games into that senior campaign, Swain had the game of his life.

Playing against Portland State on Sept. 22, 2007, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Swain caught six passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns, le..