The Game I'll Never Forget: Quinn Johnson

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:29:03 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 any number of other factors.

Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 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.

Winning a championship has never gotten old to Quinn Johnson.

The bruising fullback and fifth-round draft choice out of LSU not only won one in high school, but he followed it up with one at his home-state college, when the Tigers beat Ohio State 38-24 in the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7, 2008, in front of mostly home-state fans at the Louisiana Superdome.

G-Force Invited To Tailgate Party And 3D Screening On Behalf Of Disney's G-FORCE

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:28:56 CST

G-Force - you know who you are Packers fans -- join the fun and celebrate Disney's newest film, G-FORCE at a Tailgate Party at Lambeau Field on Saturday, July 11. Directly following the party will be an advance 3D screening of the film at Bay Park Cinemas.

Hurry to gofobo.com to secure your spot at the G-FORCE Tailgate Party. The event is open to the first 500 fans to enter RSVP code GFFC038762. Be one of the first 250 fans to arrive at Lambeau field on July 11 and receive a wristband to attend the advance 3D screening.

G-FORCE is a comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, these highly trained guinea pigs discover that the fate of the world is in their paws.

Lambeau Field Remains No. 1 In ESPN The Magazine's 'Ultimate Standings'

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:32 CST

For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five years, Lambeau Field is ranked No. 1 in stadium experience in all of professional sports in ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings.

The publication ranks all 122 North American professional sports franchises in stadium experience based on cleanliness, parking, security and promotions. Lambeau Field first hit the top spot in 2005 and stayed there in 2006 before dropping to second in 2007. Last year it climbed back to No. 1 and remained there this year.

"We're proud of the fact that fans continue to enjoy their experiences at Lambeau Field," Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. "We're always looking at ways to enhance the fan experience, to keep things fresh while also maintaining the traditions inherent to Lambeau Field. We work hard to make it a great visit for all of our fans."

Stadium experience is one of eight categories ESPN The Magazine uses to create the Ultimate Standi..

Lang's Ready To Shift From Playbook To Pads

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:27:20 CST

Like almost all players in the trenches after five weeks of OTAs and mini-camp practices, rookie offensive lineman T.J. Lang is eager to put the pads on in training camp, so the physical element returns to the game.

But Lang is also looking forward to the mental side of things changing in camp as well. Specifically, knowing what he's doing every snap rather than having to stop and think about it.

"That was the biggest challenge throughout the first couple weeks of OTAs -- every day we'd have a new install, so it was like every day you're learning a new playbook," Lang said during the team's mandatory mini-camp last week. "It definitely will start to slow down a little bit, now that we have all the plays in."

Lang, the fourth-round draft choice out of Eastern Michigan, has been lauded by the coaching staff for how quickly he has picked up the offensive scheme and shown that he belongs at the NFL level. But that doesn't mean the work has been as easy as Lang ..

CB Lee Sharpening His Focus

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:30:09 CST

It's still a little too soon to tell just how much cornerback Pat Lee's performance on the field will improve from his rookie season to his second year. Training camp will be the best barometer there.

But cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. saw a different Lee in the meeting room during the recently concluded offseason program, and that bodes well for the former second-round draft pick's chances of taking a big step forward in 2009.

"His attention has been better, and he's more professional in the classroom," Whitt said early on during OTAs. "He had a little bit of the college lackadaisical style last year.

"But this year you can see (the change) in his whole approach this offseason. The way he asks questions, and the questions that he asks in meetings. His understanding of what's going on is at a higher-detailed level. He's becoming a professional and he's detailing his work."

There are multiple reasons for Lee's more thorough approach. One is simple ..

The Game I'll Never Forget: Jamon Meredith

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:37:18 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 any number of other factors.

Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 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.

Nearing the end of his first season as a starter for South Carolina, left tackle Jamon Meredith was going to find out just how good he might be.

Facing in-state archrival Clemson on Nov. 25, 2006, Meredith wrapped up the regular season of his redshirt sophomore year going head-to-head with soon-to-be first-round draft pick Gaines Adams, the standout defensive end. <..

Notebook: Team Ready For Training Camp

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:54:11 CST

Judging by how quickly many players packed up their lockers after Wednesday's final mini-camp practice, they were eagerly anticipating the end of their five weeks of on-field work that began with the OTAs back in late May.

But according to Head Coach Mike McCarthy, they got their work done in the meantime.

"I think our football team did a great job of coming in here, learning the systems -- whether it was offense, the changes we made, defense being new, special teams being new -- they took full advantage of their opportunity to have a clear understanding of what we're asking them to do," McCarthy said. "So I am very pleased with that."

The last workout Wednesday was the shortest of all, a 45-minute jog-through that was focused on the last segment of corrections from the OTAs. The players are now off until they report for training camp on Friday, July 31, with the first practice scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1.

McCarthy noted that several players hav..

So Far, So Good For Harrell

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:53:16 CST

Defensive end Justin Harrell nearly made it through all four weeks of OTAs and this week's mini-camp without missing any practice time, until some sort of cold or flu bug struck him the other day, forcing him to sit out Tuesday's afternoon practice in the scorching heat.

But if that's the worst malady to befall Harrell in 2009, he'll take it as a blessing.

Beset by injuries to his bicep, ankle, back and hip throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, the former first-round draft pick finally got to participate in a full offseason program over these last few months. That has put him in the best position of his young career to have a productive training camp and make himself a valuable, contributing member of the defensive-line rotation this season.

"It's been huge, just going through all this," Harrell said. "It's added reps, especially putting in a new defense and things like that. It's one of those things where you want to be out there until you can get c..

Notebook: Little Rest For Rodgers

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:49:47 CST

With the players getting five weeks off, after tomorrow, before the start of training camp, they're looking at their last real vacation during this calendar year.

While many will take advantage of the down time to rest, recuperate, spend time with family, and/or visit someplace exotic, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is among those who did that back in January and February. So his focus stays mostly on business in July.

"I've got a group I work out with down in San Diego," Rodgers said as he rattled off a list of NFL players he'll be training with over the next month, including New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., and Chicago cornerback Charles Tillman, among others.

"We're all going to start working out together probably about the first of July, and go through about 3 weeks of pretty intense training."

Granted, working out a few hours a day is nothing like traini..

Grant Looks To Reap Benefits From Full Offseason

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:49:28 CST

As he enters his third season with the Packers, running back Ryan Grant is going through his first full offseason of work with the team, and he is hoping that will pay dividends for him and the offense in '09.

Grant, who was acquired by Green Bay at the end of training camp in 2007 in a trade with the New York Giants, attended OTAs and mini-camp last offseason, but his involvement in practice was limited to watching since he had not yet signed his exclusive-rights tender. He then missed the first six days of training camp before agreeing to a long-term contract extension with the Packers on Aug. 3, only to suffer a hamstring injury in practice three days later that sidelined him for much of the preseason.

Compare that to this offseason, one that has seen Grant on the field throughout, and he is eager to be on the field for the first snap of training camp Aug. 1.

"I'm looking forward to it," Grant said. "It will actually be my first real training camp. Guys..

Lambeau Field Concessions/Recipe Contest

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:18:56 CST

Packers game attendees...we're looking for your input on an important part of the Packers' game-day experience -- FOOD! We're interested in your thoughts on what concession items you like best and what you would like to see added to make your game day experience at Lambeau Field more enjoyable. Please take a moment to answer two short questions...and then consider submitting a recipe for consideration as an addition to the 2009 game day menu. Click here to take the concessions survey and submit your recipe.

Recipes will be accepted through July 5, 2009. Recipes will be considered and the top 5 will be selected by July 12, 2009.

Try the top five concession items featured at Curly's Pub. Vote for your favorite! One new item will be featured each week:

Week of 7/20 - Recipe 1
Week of 7/27 - Recipe 2
Week of 8/3 - Recipe 3
Week of 8/10 - Recipe 4 ..

Notebook: Raji Showing Versatility

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:49:55 CST

The learning curve for any newcomer in the NFL is an arduous one, but rookie nose tackle B.J. Raji has had the added responsibility of working at a couple of different spots on the Packers' defensive line.

Throughout OTAs and once again during Monday's first mini-camp workout, Raji worked at left defensive end in Green Bay's No. 1 base defense, opposite defensive end Johnny Jolly and next to veteran nose tackle Ryan Pickett.

"I think B.J. has done a good job at the end position," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "His learning curve is probably a little higher than what you would like. You always would like to take a rookie and establish him in one position, but that's not always the best case to get the young man on the field. He has really trained in three positions. He's got the nose guard and then also the tackle in the sub groups and the defensive end in the base group.

"He has worked his way through it. He's a gifted young man. You can see why everybody..

Collins Begins Catching Up

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:48:33 CST

Safety Nick Collins doesn't feel as behind in the transition to the Packers' new 3-4 defense as some have speculated he might be.

Time will tell in the end, but Monday in his first day of on-field work since the start of the offseason program, Collins said he's comfortable with where he is and doesn't expect it to take long to be fully up to speed.

"I'm pretty up to date," Collins said. "I was in my playbook. I know the terminology. It's just more getting the reps down, the same speed, and doing the right things on the field."

Collins was back to work Monday, the first day of the Packers' three-day mandatory mini-camp to conclude the offseason program. But he wasn't interested in talking about why he stayed away throughout most of the voluntary portion of the offseason workouts and OTAs.

His agent has been quoted in several media reports saying that Collins, who is heading into the final year of his five-year contract signed as a rookie in 2005, wa..

Mini-Camp Open To Public

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:41:52 CST

The Green Bay Packers' three remaining mini-camp practices will be open to the public (weather permitting) on Clarke Hinkle Field.

The practices are scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 10:15 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Wednesday, June 24, at 10:15 a.m.

The practice scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, June 22, was cancelled.

Profits Down, But Finances In Good Shape

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:38:27 CST

RISING PLAYER COSTS REMAIN A CONCERN

The rough economic times had a noticeable impact on the Green Bay Packers' latest financial report, as profits from the past fiscal year fell considerably over the previous year - from $23 million to $4 million, a drop of more than 80 percent.

But Packers executives credited the ongoing success of the stadium renovation, the overall fan support, and very disciplined business practices with allowing the franchise to weather the economic storm and keep it in solid financial shape.

"The strength of the organization really gives me confidence for the future," President/CEO Mark Murphy said, as the team gave a preview of its latest financial figures over the weekend. "We are fortunate to have the kind of support we do in terms of season ticket sales and corporate sponsors, and that support has really been helpful in allowing us to make it through a difficult time.

"I think we've managed our resources and our f..