- Aaron Rodgers' first pass attempt resulted in a 6-yard completion to Nick Luchey in the second quarter.
- B.J. Sander punted seven times for 322 yards (46-yard avg., 41.1-yard net).
- Michael Montgomery registered the only Green Bay sack of the night when he sacked Cleo Lemon for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter. It was Montgomery's first sack.
HEAD COACH MIKE SHERMAN:
Injuries - Only injury was Vonta Leach banged his knee toward the end of the game, but after Pepper Burress' evaluation, that's all it was - a banged knee. No other apparent injuries.
(on performance of first defense) "I thought our starting defense did some pretty good things in difficult situations at times. We did give up some yardage initially in that first drive in particular. But they kept them out of the end zone which was ultimately what we wanted them to do. Certainly LaDainian Tomlinson is a tremendous player, one of the best backs in the National Football League and he was not a participant, but they do have a good corp...I think we can build from this, no one's saying we're a finished product by any stretch of the imagination. We'll look at the tape and make the necessary improvements and get better."
(on Aaron Rodger's performance) "That's a difficult evaluation because the ball was extremely slick, although it seemed a lot slicker to us than it did to them I might add. With a young group of lineman out there and at different times a young group of receivers - so it's a difficult evaluation. As good as Brett (Favre) is, it would be tough sometimes for him to be in similar situations. So it was a tough analysis. He knew what we were doing, but he kind of had a tough time because his helmet went haywire on him. We weren't able to talk to him, quarterback to sideline. We had to pull him out because his helmet didn't work. He never really got a flow going, but he didn't do anything to disappoint me at all. It's tough being the backup quarterback in the preseason."
(on the fumbles) "On Ahman Green's, I asked him immediately on the sidelines and he told me, 'Coach I was squeezing that ball as hard as I could and it just squirted out of my arms.' We had three today that were on the ground, I don't believe they had any. So we really need to look at ourselves."
(on his assessment of B.J. Sander's performance) "I thought he kept an even keel. There's a maturity level in him now that he didn't have last year. He'd get really high after a real good punt and really down after a bad punt. We just take them one punt at a time. After his first punt, I said, 'Ok, that's a pretty decent job, but that punt's gone, it's ancient history. We've already forgotten that one, you have to worry about the next one.' After every punt we'd talk about the next one. This was a very, very important test for him, certainly kicking in front of the faithful outside the fence was part of it and the Buffalo deal. But tonight was really game-like and he was put in some very difficult situations as a punter, and as a holder. If he doesn't put the ball down right for Ryan Longwell, that ball doesn't go through."
QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS:
(on his first appearance as a professional) "It wasn't the best start to a career for me. My helmet conked out twice, couldn't hear anything twice, got stepped on - that was a little embarrassing - but other than that...We tried to do some things and get some penalties, try to draw them offsides, and I made some good decisions. I don't want to make any excuses about the wet ball or wet conditions, but I was a little bit off with the throws. It was a good learning experience, though."
(on the positives) "Just getting my feet wet, making plays when the pocket broke down. I had a couple runs for first downs, like I said I'd do. I put some balls that we are going to catch and I'm going to throw them better. We are just going to get better from here."
(on his helmet malfunction) "I looked over at the sidelines and (Quarterbacks coach Darrell) Bevell was talking, I just couldn't hear anything. So a couple times I called my own play, which is kind of fun the first time. I'm so used to being told what to call. I had to put on Brett's (Favre) helmet for a while and then I finished the game with Craig Nall's helmet."
KICKER RYAN LONGWELL:
(on B.J. Sander's hold on the final kick) "He got it right where we needed it obviously because I had to play the break on that one with the wind. He did a great job tonight."
(on the weather and the game-winning kick) "I was thinking live bullets would be 85 degrees and a nice day. They didn't switch out the ball, the ball was just soaking wet. Obviously the first credit goes to Rob (Davis), he snapped a bullet back there, and B.J. (Sander) got it down right where he needed it, right on the spot. I played that thing four feet inside the left upright and that's exactly where it started. That means the hold was perfect."
(on the overall performance of the kicking game in rainy conditions) "I was very proud of B.J. (Sander). He had a lot of pressure on him after what happened last year, and he handled it really well. He punted the ball well, not too high and not too low, just real even keel. And that's the hallmark of the good ones in this league."
(on visiting kickers' performance in Lambeau) "I've been labeled so many things over the years, that I have a weak leg from kicking in (Lambeau Field). I've fought my darndest to prove to you guys that this ain't a dome and this ain't San Diego to kick in. So when a guy comes here, like Christie last year with the Giants, and obviously (Nate) Kaeding tonight, this isn't San Diego. You are not kicking in California, and this is August with our good weather. You never want to see a guy struggle and you never want to see him do that, but at the same time, any time you can prove your worth, you have to seize the opportunity."
DEFENSIVE END KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA:
(on the play of the defensive line) "We are getting there and we are working together. We have a lot of work ahead, but we are getting there. There were a lot of guys here in the offseason, we worked out together, we hung out, and we even had lunch once a week just to bag on each other and do what guys do. And I think we have better chemistry this year."
(on the atmosphere at Lambeau Field for a preseason game) "I've been here for six years and I'm kind of used to it by now. Nothing can surprise me. It's amazing, it's truly amazing. I'm glad I'm part of this organization and that we have the fans that we do."
(on the play of Michael Montgomery) "I was happy for him. He was out there working with Seante Williams. I've been trying to coach him up. It's kind of interesting when you are teaching somebody you end up learning a lot, too. I'm coaching him up, but at the same time, he's helping me. He doesn't even know, but by allowing me to help them, they are helping me to be a better teacher and learn the defense."
PUNTER B.J. SANDER:
(on his punting) "It's very satisfying but you have to go out there and do it everyday. You are only as good as your next kick. Tonight was good, but I have to do it next week. I hit one off the side of my foot, but it's better to be lucky than good."
(on his holding) "It's one of those things that I want Ryan (Longwell) to be as comfortable with me as he was with Bryan (Barker) and Doug (Pederson) last year. It's one of those things I've been working on and continue to work on."
CHARGERS HEAD COACH MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER:
(on the outcome of the game) "We had a typical preseason football game, ten penalties, false starts, things like that that are so typical of a preseason game, particularly the first preseason game. We had some success moving the ball, but obviously didn't get the thing done when we had the opportunity to."
(on his kicker Nate Kaeding) "I said it after the game against the Jets (last year) and I'm going to say it again that I believe in the guy. Circumstances were very difficult. I am going to keep putting him out there."
CHARGERS QUARTERBACK PHILIP RIVERS:
(on what he did well tonight) "I threw it well at times. I trusted the protection and sat in there, but they didn't bring blitzes. It was as plain vanilla as you can get and I am glad it was in a way. Obviously I need to be ready for a lot more than that in the season, but it was good for me to just be in there and read things out and throw the ball. The decisions I made for the most part were right."
(on mistakes that he made) "I missed (Darren) Sproles up the middle that may have gone for a touchdown. You miss those throws and they still drive me crazy right now, but it is better to happen now. That is something that I can correct. I'll be sharper next week."
CHARGERS CORNERBACK QUENTIN JAMMER:
(on the team's defensive performance) "I thought we did a good job. We had a few mental errors, but nothing that would have cost us the game. You want to get out there and bang around a little bit and get back in the groove of things. I thought we did an excellent job against the run and a good job against the pass."
**
QB Aaron Rodgers finished the game having completed 2-of-6 passes for 7 yards. J.T. O'Sullivan replaced Rodgers with 7:56 remaining in the 4th quarter.
**
HALFTIME QUOTES
HEAD COACH MIKE SHERMAN:
(on first impressions of the No. 1 offense) "I'm disappointed that we didn't run the ball as effectively as I would have liked to. I would have thought we would have run the ball a bit better, but I thought we functioned well within the offense, made some big plays, moved the chains when we had to and obviously the big play in the end zone."
(on leaving QB Brett Favre in longer than anticipated) "He only had 11 plays after the first quarter and I wanted to let him play one more series."
(on first impressions of the No. 1 defense) "We kept them (San Diego) out of the end zone and we gave up a little rushing yardage early. But they collected themselves and did a better job as the game went along."
QUARTERBACK BRETT FAVRE:
(on the overall performance of the offense's first unit) "We accomplished one goal: we went down the field and scored...put some points on the board.
"We did some things well. Overall I was pleased with the performance. For the first preseason game we played well and we should do well in certain areas. But we don't want to get too excited as we still have a lot of work to do."
(on the play of the offensive line) "I haven't watched the film yet, but I felt like the protection was really good. We didn't run the ball as well as we would have liked, but it was OK. We had a rookie, William Whitticker, at guard and that worked out pretty good, too."
CORNERBACK AL HARRIS:
(on the defensive scheme) "I think it's great. We're still young and everybody's learning the system, trying to get in sync and get everybody in the right place."
(on the young talent on defense) "Everybody's doing really well. Nick (Barnett) is doing a good job, the young corners are doing a good job, everybody's in the learning process right now."
(on defensive improvement) "Everybody just needs to get the right assignments. As long as we do that, we'll be fine."
**
Brett Favre finished the night having completed 9-of-10 passes for 91 yards and 1 TD. QB Aaron Rodgers took over with 6:02 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
**
Tonight's paid attendance is 69,611.
**
Gametime weather: 69 degrees (cloudy, showers in the vicinity)
**
The following Packers will not play in tonight's game:
CB Joey Thomas
LB Brady Poppinga
LB Kurt Campbell
LB Na'il Diggs
T/G Brad Bedell
WR/KR Terrence Murphy
DE R-Kal Truluck
DT Cletidus Hunt
DE/DT Kenny Peterson
PUP (Physically Unable To Perform):
CB Chris Johnson
DT Grady Jackson
On offense, William Whitticker starts at RG for Matt O'Dwyer.
**
The following Chargers will not play in tonight's game:
WR Malcolm Floyd
FB Lorenzo Neal
LB Marques Harris
LB Ben Leber
LB Donnie Edwards
T Courtney VanBuren
TE Ryan Krause
LB Shawne Merriman
On offense, Michael Turner starts at RB for LaDainian Tomlinson; Andrew Pinnock starts at FB for Lorenzo Neal.
On defense, Shaun Phillips starts at OLB for Ben Leber; Matt Wilhelm starts at ILB for Donnie Edwards.
Packer fans 12 and under can win the opportunity of a lifetime: Packers Honorary Kickoff Kid! One lucky fan will be selected for each 2006 home game to run onto the field after the Packers first kickoff to retrieve the tee. Each winner will receive the opportunity to be on the field during pre-game warm-ups, four (4) game tickets for the winner and his/her family, and a Packers Goodie Bag. Visit participating Shopko stores for your chance to win!
Crunch Time Catch
The Crunch Time Catch presented by Copps and Pick 'n Save gives two contestants the chance to show their skills catching punts. Both contestants will attempt to catch a thirty yard punt. If they succeed they move on to a sixty yard punt for the chance to win Packer prizes.
Nicolet Water Boy/Girl Sweepstakes
Win a chance to be the Official Water Boy/Girl of the Green Bay Packers. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may enter by sending in an official entry form available at participating retailers.
Verizon Jr. Captain
For every home game one lucky Packers fan between the ages of 7 and 14 is selected to be the Verizon Jr. Captain of the game and join the team captains on the field during the coin toss. Sign up at participating Verizon Wireless locations. verizonwireless.com
Badger Mutual Family of the Game
Seventh-graders in the state of Wisconsin are eligible to enter an essay contest to see their family named the Badger Mutual Insurance Family of the Game. Winners will receive four game tickets, pre-game VIP on-field passes, recognition on the video board during the game and much more. To enter, Wisconsin seventh-graders should write an essay of 500 words or less that tells "Why Education Is Important to Me." Print out a registration form on packers.com.
Kohl's Fan of the Game
Four randomly selected fans will be selected at every Packer home game to win Kohl's Gift Cards.
Coldwell Banker "Take it to the House"
Two lucky couples will have a chance to win a house courtesy of Coldwell Banker during halftime at every home game. The winning couple will receive either an Ariens snow blower or an Ariens lawnmower. Visit one of Coldwell Banker's Open Houses to sign up!
Kraft Best Seats in the House Sweepstakes
Watch the game from the "Best Seats in the House". Winners and a guest will watch the game from recliners in the stands. The area will also include a color TV and a fully catered picnic lunch. Entry forms available at participating retailers.
MasterCard Fan Photographer
All Associated Bank customers who make a signature-based transaction will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. You and a guest will receive passes to be on the field for the Packers warm-up to take pictures that will be posted on Packers.com.
Miller Lite End Zone
Watch for Miller promotions throughout the season for a chance to be part of this exciting section.
Packers Dress Your Pet Contest
If your favorite pet likes to show his/her Packers spirit, send us a picture and see if he/she becomes a Packers Dress Your Pet winner.
Your pet could win the chance to debut their Packers pride on the Packers in-stadium TundraVision video board in addition to Packers.com, along with a Packers pet food bowl, pet leash and pet collar!
Packers Ultimate Playhouse
The Green Bay Packers have partnered with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, MasterFoods and Ashley Furniture to raffle off a 10'x10' playhouse which includes a couch, flat screen TV, Packers recliner and Packers memorabilia. Raffle tickets, priced at $1, will be available all season long at the house in the Atrium on game days and in the Packers Pro Shop on non-game days. A winner will be selected Feb. 16, 2007. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Habitat for Humanity projects in northeastern Wisconsin.
