*In the interest of re-living some of the great moments from a memorable 2007 season, Packers.com has compiled a series of "Favorite Fives," various Top 5 lists of big plays from the regular season and playoffs.
Each list is accompanied by a brief description of the context, plus video clips of the plays. The Packers Fan Poll on the left side of the page allows fans to vote for their favorite.
After all the lists have appeared, votes will be tabulated to compile a final "Favorite Five," and Packers.com visitors can then vote for their favorite play of the year for 2007.*
The sixth installment, after a brief hiatus last week, is the Top 5 special teams plays. In chronological order, they are:
Tracy White, fumble recovery for TD, vs. Philadelphia (Sept. 9)
The Packers' first touchdown of the season, and lone touchdown in this opening win, came on the first punt of the season. Eagles punt returner Greg Lewis muffed the ball and was drilled by Jarrett Bush at around the 20-yard line. The ball then bounded all the way into the end zone, where White gained control underneath the pile for the touchdown and early 7-0 lead.
Jarrett Bush, fumble recovery to set up game-winning FG, vs. Philadelphia (Sept. 9)
Later in the game, the Eagles tried Jeff Reed at punt returner, with no better results. With the Packers punting from their own 40 with just over a minute left in a tie game, Reed called for a fair catch and then tried to make an ill-advised diving grab but muffed the ball. Bush recovered at the Philadelphia 31, and after two running plays and a kneel-down by the offense, Mason Crosby nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired for a thrilling 16-13 win.
Tramon Williams, 94-yard punt return for TD, vs. Carolina (Nov. 18)
The Packers had seen during their film study that Carolina liked to line up for a long field goal and then have kicker John Kasay pooch-punt the ball. So the Packers were ready for it midway through the first quarter on what appeared to be a 52-yard field goal try. Kasay did indeed pooch punt, but Williams had lined up back near the 10-yard line and over by the sideline to prevent Kasay from being able to angle the ball out of bounds. The punt went to the middle of the field, Williams scooted over to pick it up, got key blocks from Atari Bigby and Johnny Jolly, and enjoyed an escort from Jason Hunter all the way down the sideline for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Packers went on to win 31-14.
{sportsad300}Will Blackmon, 57-yard punt return for TD, vs. Oakland (Dec. 9)
Nagged by injuries for much of the first two years of his career, Blackmon showed why the coaching staff believes he has so much promise as a return man. He caught Shane Lechler's second-quarter punt on the run, burst through the first wave of players and then set up Lechler with a nice inside-out move to prevent the punter from getting a good angle on him. Replays showed Blackmon stepped out of bounds inside the 5-yard line, but the Raiders didn't challenge it and the touchdown stood, giving the Packers a 14-0 lead on their way to a 38-7 victory.
Blackmon, fumble recovery for TD, vs. Oakland (Dec. 9)
Blackmon got the glory again, but this time it was Hunter who did the dirty work. Hunter's big hit on Oakland punt returner Tim Dwight in the third quarter knocked the ball out around the 15-yard line, and in an attempt to make the recovery, Blackmon bobbled the ball into the end zone, where he fell on it for his second touchdown of the game. The officials originally ruled Dwight's knee was down before the ball came out, negating the fumble and score. But the Packers challenged the call, and replays reversed the call on the field, giving Green Bay the touchdown.
So there you have it, another "Favorite Five," with the votes to be tallied and "Play of the Year" candidates coming soon. Don't forget to watch the video of all five plays, and to vote in the fan poll on the left side of the page.
Previous results
In the voting for Top Defensive Plays, Atari Bigby's hit and forced fumble against Seattle in the NFC Divisional Playoffs was the top vote-getter, with 54 percent of more than 43,000 votes. Charles Woodson's fumble return for a TD against Washington was next at 23 percent, followed by Woodson's interception return for a score against Kansas City at nine percent, Nick Barnett's game-clinching INT against San Diego at 7 percent, and Bigby's game-saving INT at Minnesota at 6 percent.
