Packers.com

Packers Sign WR Wilson Thomas To Practice Squad

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 18:25:45 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Wilson Thomas to the team's practice squad, GM//Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

The possessor of impressive size at 6-5 and 207 pounds, the 24-year-old University of Nebraska alumnus was signed by Kansas City on May 5, 2003, and spent training camp and most of the preseason with the Chiefs before being placed on waivers August 25. He had been out of football since.

As a collegian, Thomas saw action in 46 games for the Cornhuskers, with 27 starts, catching 68 passes for 977 yards (a 14.4-yard average) and six touchdowns. He started all 12 games as a senior in 2002 and caught a team-high 30 passes for 353 yards (an 11.8 average) and three TDs.

Earlier, the Omaha native earned first team All-Nebraska honors from the Omaha World-Herald as a defensive lineman recording 90 tackles with 14.0 sacks as well as averaging 15.0 yards per catch on the offensive side of the football.

The newcomer h..

Green Named FedEx Ground Player Of The Week

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 14:05:54 CST

Running back Green of the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots are the FedEx Ground & Air NFL Players of the Week for games played on December 27-28, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Green rushed for a career-high 218 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, a 10.9 yard per carry average, in the Packers' playoff-clinching 31-3 win over Denver. Green finished second in the NFL with 1,883 yards rushing and 20 total touchdowns.

Brady completed 21 of 32 attempts for 204 yards and four touchdowns for a 122.9 passer rating in the Patriots' 31-0 win over Buffalo.

Brady and Green were selected from among finalists in air and ground categories. The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, while San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Cleveland Browns running back Lee Suggs were the other finalists for the Fe..

Brett Favre Named NFC Offensive Player Of The Month

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 14:01:55 CST

Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Favre led the Packers to a perfect 4-0 month, defeating opponents by an average of 23 points per game, as Green Bay clinched its second consecutive NFC North division championship. Favre guided the club's red-hot offense to 144 points in December and 442 in 2003, fourth-most in the NFL.

The Kiln, Mississippi native completed 79 of 117 attempts for 1,003 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, finishing December with a 111.9 passer rating. Favre's 10 scoring strikes gave him an NFL-leading 32 touchdown passes, joining Johnny Unitas, Len Dawson and Steve Young as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to lead the league four times.

Favre twice had games of four touchdown passes in the month, including an inspiring performance in a 41-7 road-win over the Oakland Raiders on December 22. One day after the death ..

Download Wild Card Playoff Dope Sheet

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 10:52:21 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this weekly feature in their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Wild Card Playoff Dope Sheet, which includes special pages dedicated to the record achievements of Brett Favre and Ahman Green in 2003:

THE SINGLE-SEASON RECORD FOR RECORDS: Any Packers franchise record is significant, because the team's been playing NFL games since 1921. The '03 team made arguably more appearances in the record book than any predecessor.

* Ahman Green (20) passed Jim Taylor (19, 1962) for the most ..

Packers-Broncos Recap

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 08:57:55 CST

In the words of GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman and runaway running back Ahman Green, Sunday afternoon's highly successful Packers performance in Lambeau Field was all about "taking care of business."

That, to be sure, the Packers did. They set an immediate tone by taking the opening kickoff and marching 80 yards in 12 plays to go out front, 7-0...to stay.

Although they led by a modest 10-0 at halftime, and even somewhat later, there never seemed much doubt about the outcome, even though the Broncos continued to "hang around."

That is, they did until Green essentially took over the game late in the third quarter. Bursting into the open around right end, Green sprinted 47 yards before being caught from behind at the Broncos' 7-yard line.

Two plays later, he finished the task, bolting 2 yards off the Packers' left flank into the end zone.

Green was back in the end zone shortly - but not until "appropriate" circumstances were in place for his his..

Packers-Seahawks Preview

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 08:54:34 CST

What, pray tell, were the odds?

It was a most unlikely scenario - amidst a myriad of possibilities...as Sunday began.

Yet, through the Green Bay Packers' persistent efforts - and the welcome cooperation of others - the best of all possible "scripts" came to storybook fruition late in the day.

The Green and Gold thus not only find themselves in the NFL playoffs, for the third year in a row, but as repeating champions of the NFC North Division and hosting a Wild Card game in Lambeau Field next Sunday - against the Seattle Seahawks.

And, poetically enough, a Seahawks team coached by Mike Holmgren, the man who earlier led the Packers to a pair of Super Bowl appearances in 1996 and 1997 before departing 1265 Lombardi Avenue to take over the Seattle franchise following the 1998 season.

Kickoff for the contest, a sellout (72,515), is set for 12 noon, CST.

The Packers, who at one point on the final day of the regular season faced the poss..

Green Named NFL Offensive Player Of The Week

Tue, 30 Dec 2003 11:05:03 CST

Running back Ahman Green of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker Chad Brown of the Seattle Seahawks and rookie defensive end Osi Umenyiora of the New York Giants are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the seventeenth week of the 2003 season (December 28-29), the NFL announced Tuesday.

With the Packers needing a win against the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field to keep their playoff hopes alive, Green delivered in a huge way, propelling the Packers to a 31-3 victory. That, along with the Arizona Cardinals' 18-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings, gave Green Bay its second consecutive NFC North division championship.

Never before in the venerable history of the Packers has a player enjoyed a rushing game like Green, as he gained 218 yards on 20 carries, including a pair of touchdown runs, in the win. Green's 218-yard performance was the first 200-yard effort in team annals, as he finished 2003 with a franchise-record 1,883 ya..

Green Among Nominees For NFL Ground Player Of The Week

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:04:39 CST

Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green is among the nominees for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week the NFL announced Monday.

LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers and Lee Suggs of the Cleveland Browns are the other finalists for the award while quarterbacks Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, Joey Harrington of the Detroit Lions, and Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles are the finalists for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on December 27-28

Fans can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com from Monday afternoon through noon on Wednesday to determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week. The FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week will be announced Wednesday afternoon on NFL.com.

A closer look at the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week finalists:

* Green Bay's Ahman Green rushed for a career-high 218 yards and t..

Green's 98-yard TD Run Among The Nominees For NFL Play Of The Week

Mon, 29 Dec 2003 16:11:09 CST

Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green's 98-yard touchdown run against the Denver Broncos is among the five Week 17 nominees for the "NFL Play of the Week - Presented by Levitra" (vardenafil HCI) - introduced by the NFL this season.

The award is presented each week during the NFL regular season to recognize the single most exciting play that week as determined by the fans. Voting is open to the fans this week from Monday at 4 P.M. ET until Wednesday at Noon ET, exclusively on NFL.com.

Each weekly winner will be a finalist for the "NFL Play of the Year - Presented by Levitra" - to be awarded at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. Fans who vote at NFL.com each week can also be entered into a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Super Bowl XXXVIII in February.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Donte' Stallworth's 42-yard reception from Aaron Brooks and lateral to Michael Lewis, Deuce McAllister and Jerome Pathon for a 75-yard to..

Packers Sign DT Grady Jackson To 2-Year Extension

Sun, 28 Dec 2003 20:15:52 CST

Assuring the continued services of a significant mid-season addition for the foreseeable future, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Sunday that defensive tackle Grady Jackson has been signed to a two-year contract extension by the Green Bay Packers.

The 6-2, 350-pound Jackson, claimed on waivers from the New Orleans Saints Nov. 4, since has become a disruptive factor in the heart of the defensive line while sharing time with 10-year veteran Gilbert Brown.

Jackson, a seventh-year professional, entering Sunday had registered 19 total tackles - 11 solo stops and 8 assists - in 7 games, along with 2 quarterback sacks for 32 yards in losses, and one forced fumble.

The 30-year-old Knoxville College alumnus had his most productive outing to date in his first appearance in a Green Bay uniform, posting 5 tackles and a sack in the Packers' Monday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles Nov. 10.

Jackson also weighed in with 4 tackles and a 19-yard s..

Packers Playoff Tickets On Sale Now

Sun, 28 Dec 2003 19:43:11 CST

Approximately 13,000 tickets for an NFC Wild Card Playoff game in Green Bay - to be played Sunday, Jan. 4, at noon - will go on sale Sunday night (Dec. 28) because the Packers captured the NFC North Division title today. The available tickets are those that season ticket holders of the 'Green' and 'Gold' packages elected not to purchase by the deadline earlier this month.

The Packers will host the Seattle Seahawks, the NFC's fifth seed. The Minnesota Vikings fell to the Arizona Cardinals, 18-17, Sunday to finish with a 9-7 record and in second place in the NFC North.

Because Green Bay has ended up with a home wild-card game as NFC North champion, open ticket sales for the contest are starting Sunday night at 8 p.m. CST through Ticket Star and continue until all tickets are gone. Tickets will be sold only by telephone and over the internet; there will be no in-person sales.

All seats are $84, a price that is set by the National Football League. In additi..

Packers-Broncos Press Box Notes

Sun, 28 Dec 2003 13:24:36 CST

-TWO-FOR-THREE: Mike Sherman owns a 2-1 record in season finales as Green Bay's head coach. His Packers shaded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime, 17-14, in the 2000 "closer" and defeated the New York Giants, 34-25, in 2001's finale before losing to the New York Jets in 2002's wrap-up, 42-17.

* * *
-SPEAKING OF SEASON FINALES, the Packers today will be hoping to post their ninth consecutive season-ending victory at home.

* * *
-BRETT FAVRE, with an already voluminous collection of records and accomplishments, is in position to add another significant achievement to his imposing list today.

Favre, who has led the led the NFL in touchdown passes three times, enters this afternoon's game leading the league with 31 TD passes and can tie Len Dawson, Johnny Unitas and Steve Young for most seasons leading the league all-time (four).

The Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning starts the day in second place with 28 TD ..

Open Sale Of Packers Playoff Tickets To Begin Sunday Night - If Needed

Thu, 25 Dec 2003 14:01:52 CST

Approximately 13,000 tickets for an NFC Wild Card Playoff game in Green Bay - to be played on either January 3 or 4 - will go on sale Sunday night (Dec. 28) should the Packers capture the NFC North Division title earlier in the day. The available tickets are those that season ticket holders of the 'Green' and 'Gold' packages elected not to purchase by the deadline earlier this month.

For the Packers to play host to a postseason contest, they would have to win their division, an achievement accomplished by beating the Denver Broncos on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. CST that also necessitates the Arizona Cardinals defeating the Minnesota Vikings in a game starting 10 minutes earlier in Tempe, Ariz.

If Green Bay ends up with a home wild-card game as NFC North champion - and only in that event - open ticket sales for the contest would start Sunday night at 8 p.m. CST through Ticket Star and continue until all tickets are gone. Tickets will be sold only by telephone and over the..

Favre Named FedEx Air Player Of The Week

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 11:43:01 CST

Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers and running back Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on December 20-22, the NFL announced Tuesday.

Favre completed 22 of 30 attempts for 399 yards and four touchdowns for a career-high 154.9 passer rating in the Packers' 41-7 win over Oakland. With his four touchdown passes, Favre passed Fran Tarkenton to move into second place all-time for career touchdown passes in NFL history with 345. He leads the NFL with 31 touchdown passes.

Lewis rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the Ravens' 35-0 win over Cleveland. Lewis, who also caught three passes for 21 yards, leads the NFL with 1,952 rushing yards. He needs 48 yards to become the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards and 154 yards to break Eric Dickerson's NFL record of 2,105 yards rushing in one season.

Favre and Lewis were selected from among finalists..

Favre Named NFC Offensive Player Of The Week

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 11:34:29 CST

Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, safety Tony Parrish of the San Francisco 49ers and kicker Billy Cundiff of the Dallas Cowboys are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixteenth week of the 2003 season (December 20-22), the NFL announced Tuesday.

One day after the death of his father and high school football coach, Irvin Favre, the Packers' quarterback took the field on Monday night knowing a win was vitally important to Green Bay's playoff chances. Favre responded with one of the best performances of his storied career, leading the Packers to a 41-7 road-victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Favre completed 22 of 30 attempts for 399 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions for a Week 16-high 154.9 passer rating, the best of his career. His 399 passing yards was his second-most ever, and never before has Favre started as quickly as he did against the Raiders.

In the first-half alone, the K..

Packers-Raiders Recap

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 09:03:28 CST

This was one for the record book...literally.

The Packers, functioning at near-maximum efficiency, buried the Raiders with one of the most explosive offensive performances in their 82-year NFL history.

Scoring on their first four possessions while sweeping to a 31-7 halftime lead, the Green and Gold amassed 548 yards of offense - the third-most in team annals and their highest such total since Oct. 12, 1980, when they rolled up 569 yards in dueling the Buccaneers to a 14-14 overtime tie in Tampa.

With quarterback Brett Favre an exceptionally precise marksman (he had a "perfect" passer rating of 158.3 at halftime), the Packers acquired 392 of those yards through the air...the fifth-most in team history.

In the process, the seldom-erring Favre threw for a career-high 311 yards in the first half alone, unfurling scoring strikes of 22 yards to tight end Wesley Walls, capping an 80-yard drive, 23 and 46 yards to wideout Javon Walker, finishing off 53- a..

Packers-Broncos Preview

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 08:56:44 CST

Mike Sherman put it in prideful and heartfelt perspective...

"You couldn't draw up a script better than was drawn up today," he said, with quiet appreciation for the magnitude of the accomplishment he had just witnessed.

The Green Bay Packers' general manager and head coach, speaking during his post-game press conference in Oakland's Network Associates Coliseum, Monday night, was openly marveling over the classic performance of quarterback Brett Favre, who had played at the highest level of his remarkable career just one day after the sudden death of his father, Irvin, in Mississippi.

Despite his heavy personal burden, Favre had been virtually flawless in leading the Packers to a 41-7 rout of the Oakland Raiders in their nationally televised contest on ABC's "Monday Night Football."

Forging the highest passer rating of his illustrious career (154.9), the 34-year-old field general literally put on "a clinic," passing for 399 yards, the second highest ..

Download The Week 17 Dope Sheet

Wed, 24 Dec 2003 10:50:42 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this weekly feature in their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 17 Dope Sheet:

INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE HONORS WITHIN REACH: Two
Packers players can finish 2003 atop significant statistical categories.

* Brett Favre can lead the league in TD passes and completion percentage.

* Ahman Green could become the first Packers back since John Brockington in 1973 to lead the NFC in rushing.

TALK ABOUT A TEAM EFFORT: Favre Monday night turned in a career-high ..

NFL Announces Playoff Game Times

Tue, 23 Dec 2003 14:41:13 CST

The starting times and televising networks of all 2003 playoff games were announced Tuesday by the NFL.

Each round of the playoffs will include a primetime game. The NFL first scheduled primetime playoff games in 2001.

The 2003 NFL playoff schedule:

Saturday, January 3, 2004
4:30 PM ET - AFC or NFC Wild Card Playoff (ABC)
8:00 PM ET - AFC or NFC Wild Card Playoff (ABC)

Sunday, January 4, 2004
1:00 PM ET - NFC Wild Card Playoff (FOX)
4:30 PM ET - AFC Wild Card Playoff (CBS)

Saturday, January 10, 2004
4:30 PM ET - NFC Divisional Playoff (FOX)
8:15 PM ET - AFC Divisional Playoff (CBS)

Sunday, January 11, 2004
1:00 PM ET - AFC Divisional Playoff (CBS)
4:45 PM ET - NFC Divisional Playoff (FOX)

Sunday, January 18, 2004
3:00 PM ET - AFC Championship Game (CBS)
6:45 PM ET - NFC Championship Game (FOX)

..

Favre Named Snickers Hungriest Player

Tue, 23 Dec 2003 14:15:00 CST

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre was named the Monday Night Football Snickers Hungriest Player for the Monday Night finale following the Packers' 41-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland. The selection was made by John Madden and the other members of the Monday Night Football broadcast team.

Favre produced one of the greatest performances of his career completing 22 of 30 passes for 399 yards, including a personal best 311 yards in the first half. His four touchdowns on the night moved him past Fran Tarkenton on the all-time TD list trailing only Dan Marino. All fans who visited the Snickers web site and correctly selected Brett Favre prior to 11:00 PM EST last night will receive a free Snickers bar, and will automatically be eligible for a trip for two to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, TX.

Each week, five players from each team in the Monday Night game appeared on Snickers.com, along with a "WILDCARD" for each te..

Favre Among Nominees For FedEx Express Player Of The Week

Tue, 23 Dec 2003 09:23:31 CST

Quarterbacks Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings, Jake Delhomme of the Carolina Panthers, and Steve McNair of the Tennessee Titans are the finalists for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on December 20-22.

Fans can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com from Tuesday morning through noon on Wednesday to determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week.

The FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week will be announced Wednesday afternoon on NFL.com and Friday in USA Today.

A closer look at the FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists:

* Green Bay's Brett Favre completed 22 of 30 attempts for 399 yards and four touchdowns for a career-high 154.9 passer rating in the Packers' 41-7 win over Oakland.

* Minnesota's Daunte Culpepper completed 20 of 29 attempts for 260 yards and thre..

A Statement From The Favre Family

Mon, 22 Dec 2003 11:11:51 CST

There has been a huge outpouring of support since we received word of Irvin's passing of a massive heart attack on Sunday night.

We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorial contributions be made in the name of Irvin Favre to:

Catholic Church of Delisle-Building Fund
25220 St. Stephen Rd.
Pass Christian, MS 39571

The funeral services for Irvin Favre will be held on Wednesday, December 24.

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Visitation
Following the visitation will be a mass and burial.

St. Paul Catholic Church
Pass Christian, MS.

Irvin Favre, the father of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, died Sunday after suffering a heart attack or stroke while driving near his home in Kiln, Miss. Irvin Favre was 58.

Sister Isaac Jogues Rousseau Named Sixth Honoree For Packers FAN Hall Of Fame

Fri, 19 Dec 2003 11:16:13 CST

Sister Isaac Jogues Rousseau, an educator at Mount Mary College from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a "Packer fan from birth" has been named as the sixth annual honoree to the Packers FAN Hall of Fame.

Nominated by a friend, Sister Rousseau becomes the second woman and teacher to win the honor in the six years the FAN Hall of Fame has been in existence.

Her nomination was endorsed in an accompanying essay by Sylvia Linton who wrote, "Marjorie Rousseau, later to become Sister I.J., claims to be a Packer fan from birth since she was born in Green Bay in 1921" - the year Green Bay obtained a franchise in the new national pro football league. "That gave her a head start, she likes to remind everyone. As a toddler, she learned to growl loudly when the Bears came into view, explaining to anyone who asked, 'Those are the bad guys! - Grrrowl!'

Linton went on to describe Sister I.J. as someone who is "soft-spoken, but can on occasion be persuaded to sing (with gusto) a..

NFC-AFC Pro Bowl Squads Announced

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 16:19:01 CST

(Note: Starters will be announced January 3 on Wild Card Saturday on ABC-TV)

(* First-time Pro Bowl selection)

NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

OFFENSE

WIDE RECEIVERS
* Anquan Boldin, Arizona
Torry Holt, St. Louis
Randy Moss, Minnesota
Terrell Owens, San Francisco

TIGHT ENDS
* Alge Crumpler, Atlanta
Jeremy Shockey, New York

QUARTERBACKS
Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
Brett Favre, Green Bay
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia

RUNNING BACKS
Stephen Davis, Carolina
Ahman Green, Green Bay
Deuce McAllister, New Orleans

FULLBACK
* Fred Beasley, San Francisco

TACKLES
* Flozell Adams, Dallas
Walter Jones, Seattle
Orlando Pace, St. Louis

GUARDS
Larry Allen, Dallas
* LeCharles Bentley, New Orleans
Marco Rivera, Green Bay

CENTERS
Matt Birk, Mi..

Favre, Green & Rivera Elected To NFC Squad For Pro Bowl

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 14:01:47 CST

With quarterback Brett Favre selected for the eighth time in his distinguished career, three Green Bay Packers have been named to the NFC squad for the 2004 Pro Bowl, the National Football League announced Thursday.

Also elected to professional football's all-star contest were guard Marco Rivera and running back Ahman Green, named for the second and third consecutive years, respectively.

With Favre an eight-time nominee, only one player in Packers history, Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg, now has been honored more often. Gregg, one of the premier offensive linemen in pro football history, was named nine times (1959-64, 1966-68).

Favre shares the distinction, in Packers history, of being an eight-time selection with safety Willie Wood, like Gregg a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wood was chosen in 1962, 1964-70.

Green, meanwhile, becomes only the fourth running back in team annals to be named as many as three times, joining Jim Taylor (5) and..

Ripon's Kelm Named Packers High School Coach Of The Year

Thu, 18 Dec 2003 10:24:25 CST

Rick Kelm, head coach of the Ripon Tigers, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Year, the Packers and the WFCA announced Thursday.

Ripon finished 14-0 overall and appeared in their first state title game vs. Brodhead/Juda, winning 21-7. The varsity team has 46 players with 8 assistant coaches.

Kelm, Ripon's head coach since 1998, spent 1995-97 at Omro as an assistant under Ed Gross, a member of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Kelm attended college at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, serving as an assistant from 1981-84, and graduated in 1985.

He then became an assistant at Sun Valley High School in Monroe, North Carolina from 1985-86.

Kelm, a native of Ripon, Wis., attended Ripon High School where he played football for Jim Watson. He also played basketball and baseball.

He and his wife, Karen, are parents to Aaron, 11, and Rebecca, 6.

Ripon opened the playoffs by be..

Packers-Chargers Recap

Wed, 17 Dec 2003 09:03:20 CST

It is hard to believe that, even in the palmiest days of "Air Coryell," there could have been more resounding pyrotechnics set off over a one-quarter span than were detonated in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium Sunday.

In, to be precise, just 11 minutes and 41 seconds, the Packers and their hosts, the Chargers, erupted for no fewer than five touchdowns in the fourth quarter of their encounter - a stunning finish to what had been a relatively routine contest to that point, with the Packers nurturing a modest 17-6 lead late in the third quarter.

But that was before Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper intercepted a tipped Brett Favre pass and returned it 25 yards to the San Diego 47-yard line in the closing seconds of third quarter.

Chargers quarterback Drew Brees had the "Bolts" in the end zone 10 plays later, by way of a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver David Boston in the right corner of the end zone just 4 seconds into the fourth period.

With San..

Packers-Raiders Preview

Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:58:42 CST

Christmas may have come early for the Green Bay Packers...

Their over-riding objective heading into the weekend was very specific: winning a football game at San Diego...by any method whatever...in order to stay in the NFL's playoff hunt.

And to graciously accept whatever else they might come by in the way of "assistance."

Lo and behold, the football fates smiled benignly. Not only did the Green and Gold acquire that much-needed victory in spectacular fashion, outgunning the Chargers, 38-21, but an attractive companion scenario also unfolded in connection with their success.

The details later, but the bottom line is the Packers now largely control their destiny in the playoffs, having climbed into a tie with Minnesota for the NFC North Division lead and become a sixth seed in the playoff picture at this point, with two games remaining.

Immediately upon the horizon: A quick return to California for a nationally televised, inter-confe..

Download The Week 16 Dope Sheet

Wed, 17 Dec 2003 09:55:33 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this weekly feature in their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 16 Dope Sheet:

FAVRE EYES TARKENTON: Brett Favre (341) stands just one touchdown pass from tying No. 2 Fran Tarkenton on the NFL's all-time list.

THEY DON'T WASTE TIME: The Packers have 11 touch-drives this season of fewer than four plays. Only two other clubs (Baltimore 13 and San Francisco 12) have more. Green Bay has at least one such drive in each of its last four games, including two on Sunday at Sa..

SIRIUS To Create 'The NFL Radio Network'

Tue, 16 Dec 2003 13:57:03 CST

The National Football League and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) Tuesday announced a seven-year agreement for SIRIUS to broadcast all NFL games live nationwide, and for SIRIUS to become the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the National Football League, with exclusive rights to use the NFL "shield" logo and collective NFL team trademarks.

Beginning with the NFL's 2004 season, SIRIUS will carry the entire regular season as well as select preseason contests and playoff games.

As part of the agreement, SIRIUS will create "The NFL Radio Network," an around-the-clock exclusive stream of NFL content for SIRIUS subscribers.

The radio channel will provide news, features, and a wide range of other programming highlighting the NFL and its teams. The NFL Radio Network on Sirius will also include programs from NFL Network, the first television network dedicated to the NFL which launched in November.

SIRIUS will offer all of the NFL programming at ..

Ferguson's 40-yard Touchdown Reception Nominated For NFL Play Of The Week

Tue, 16 Dec 2003 10:51:09 CST

Robert Ferguson's 40-yard touchdown reception form Brett Favre against the San Diego Chargers is among the five week fifteen nominees for the "NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA - (vardenafil HCI) - introduced by the NFL this season.

The award is presented each Thursday during the NFL regular season to recognize the single most exciting play that week as determined by the fans.

Voting is open to the fans each week from Tuesday at Noon ET until Thursday at Noon ET, exclusively on NFL.com.

Each weekly winner will be a finalist for the "NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA" - to be awarded at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. Fans who vote at NFL.com each week can also be entered into a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Super Bowl XXXVIII in February.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie's 90-yard interception-return touchdown against the Ch..

Barnett Among Nominees For NFL Rookie Of The Week

Tue, 16 Dec 2003 09:13:09 CST

Linebacker Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers, tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers, cornerback Terence Newman of the Dallas Cowboys, running back Onterrio Smith of the Minnesota Vikings, and cornerback Charles Tillman of the Chicago Bears are the finalists for Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week honors for games played on December 14-15, the NFL announced Tuesday.

Fans can vote for one of these five players on NFL.com from Tuesday morning until 9:00 AM ET Thursday to determine the Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week. The Pepsi NFL Rookie Of The Week will be announced Thursday on NFL.com.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors.

Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston.

Fans can vote for one of these five players on N..

Barnett, Flanagan & Green Among Leading 2004 Pro-Bowl Vote-Getters

Mon, 15 Dec 2003 14:31:27 CST

A record 55 million All-Star votes were cast by fans on NFL.com this year in balloting for the 2004 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Monday.

Packers running back Ahman Green -- fourth in the league with 1,538 yards -- ranks among the NFL's top-10 vote-getters, while linebacker Nick Barnett is second among rookies.

Mike Flanagan leads all NFC centers with 143,655 votes.

Leading all NFL players is Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair with 896,189 votes, followed by Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (894,403), who ranks second overall with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (854,259), Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss (834,240) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez (802,840) rounding out the top five.

Players and coaches cast their votes December 15-16. The squads will be announced December 18 on the 2004 Pro Bowl Selection Show on ESPN.

The consensus ballots of NFL fans, players and coaches each..

NFL Tie-Breaking Procedures

Sun, 14 Dec 2003 11:14:45 CST

The following procedures will be used to break standings ties for postseason playoffs and to determine regular-season schedules.
NOTE - tie games count as one-half win and one-half loss for both clubs.

TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION

If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with the best won-lost-tied percentage, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined:

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points all..

McKenzie's Interception-Return TD Named NFL Play Of The Week

Thu, 11 Dec 2003 13:10:21 CST

Green Bay Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie's 90-yard interception-return touchdown against the Chicago Bears has been voted the NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA - (vardenafil HCI) for games played December 7-8.

McKenzie's interception-return touchdown is now eligible to be selected as the NFL Play of the Year - Presented by LEVITRA - to be awarded this February at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas.

The NFL Play of the Week - Presented by LEVITRA - introduced this season by the NFL, is presented each Thursday and recognizes the single most exciting play that week.

Fans who vote at NFL.com each week between Tuesday and Thursday can also be entered into a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas.

Voting is open to fans each week from Tuesday at Noon ET to Thursday at Noon ET on NFL.com.

With the Packers leading 19-14, McKenzie intercepted his second pass of the aftern..

Packers Sign CB James Whitley

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 18:01:14 CST

Restoring both the secondary and the roster to full strength, the Green Bay Packers have signed former St. Louis Ram cornerback James Whitley as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.

Whitley, a 5-11, 190-pound, second-year professional replaces linebacker T.J. Slaughter on the team's 53-man active roster, returning it to full strength. Slaughter was placed on waivers Tuesday.

Whitley, the only street free agent to make the Rams' opening day roster in 2002, made an appreciable impact on both defense and special teams, finishing the season with 38 tackles, 3 quarterback sacks, 3 passes defensed and one fumble recovery -- despite being inactive for the first three games of the season.

The 24-year-old University of Michigan alumnus also finished fourth on the club in special teams tackles with 13.

Hampered by a foot injury, a sprain incurred in mini-camp, Whitley spent training camp and the first six weeks of the current sea..

Longwell Named NFC Special Teams Player Of The Week

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 11:21:38 CST

Packers kicker Ryan Longwell, Quarterback Jeff Garcia of the San Francisco 49ers and safety Aeneas Williams of the St. Louis Rams are the NFC Special Teams, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played the fourteenth week of the 2003 season (December 7-8), the NFL announced Wednesday.

Longwell earned special teams recognition for his role in the Packers' come-from-behind 34-21 win over the NFC North-rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Green Bay improved to 7-6, one-game behind the division-leading Minnesota Vikings (8-5).

In conditions that included a 35-degree temperature with gusty winds of 16 miles per hour, Longwell was perfect, connecting on four-of-four field goals (24, 38, 35, 45) and two-of-two extra points for 14 points on the day. He scored 13 of the Packers' first 19 points, helping the club erase a 14-0 first-quarter deficit.

Longwell's 38-yarder with 6:52 remaining in the third gave Green Bay a 16-14 lead, its first of the g..

Packers-Chargers Preview

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 09:08:08 CST

Having stayed intriguingly close in the multi-partied scramble for an NFL playoff berth with a decisive victory over their immemorial enemies - the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers (7-6) take to the road for the first of back-to-back West Coast assignments, a rare matchup with the Chargers (3-10) in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium Sunday (Dec. 14).

Kickoff for the contest, the Packers' first San Diego appearance since 1999, is set for 3:15, CST (Wisconsin time).

The Green and Gold, overcoming a forgettable 0-14 start against the Bears to post their third victory in the last four weeks, remained within one game of the NFC-North leading Minnesota Vikings (8-5) with three games remaining on their regular season agenda.

Minnesota, meanwhile, winning for only the second time in 7 games following a 6-0 start, thumped the visiting Seattle Seahawks (8-5), 34-7.

By so doing, the Vikings involuntarily aided the Packers' cause, their win over Seattle leaving..

Packers-Bears Recap

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 09:03:12 CST

When the Packers trailed the Bears 14-0 late in the first quarter Sunday, there was a disturbing hint of deja vu, the circumstances then smacking of what had befallen them just a week earlier in Detroit.

As a matter of fact, the "coincidence" later prompted GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman to observe in his post-game review, "Considering what happened to us last week (in Detroit) and what had happened in the first quarter, being down 14-nothing, it would have been easy to fold their tent.

"But that," he noted, "was not an option today."

Meaning "not an option" if the Packers were to retain their hopes of making the imminent NFL playoffs.

And, from that point on, they began to take control, with the aid of a smothering defense which shut out the Midway Monsters the rest of the way (the Bears late fourth quarter touchdown came on a kickoff return by Chicago's Jerry Azuma) and triggered the production of 21 points with 5 turnovers.

And with the sel..

Download The Week 15 Dope Sheet

Wed, 10 Dec 2003 09:11:50 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this weekly feature in their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 15 Dope Sheet:

THREE RECORDS IN WORKS: Three very significant Packers franchise records could fall Sunday (noted in alphabetical order):

* Brett Favre could throw for a touchdown pass in a 23rd consecutive game, breaking Cecil Isbell's 61-year-old franchise record.

* Ahman Green (1,463) needs 12 yards to break the NFL's oldest single-season rushing record: Hall of Famer Jim Taylor's 1,474 total in 196..

Packers Sign CB Calvin Carlyle To Practice Squad; Waive LB Slaughter

Tue, 09 Dec 2003 19:02:06 CST

The Green Bay Packers have signed free agent cornerback Calvin Carlyle to the team's practice squad, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Tuesday.

Originally signed by Indianapolis out of Oregon State as an undrafted free agent May 2, 2003, the 5-11, 191-pound Carlyle spent training camp and most of the preseason with the Colts before being placed on waivers Aug. 26.

He subsequently was signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins Oct. 28. A game-day inactive the following weekend, Nov. 2, he was waived Nov. 4 and had been out football until signed by the Packers.

As a collegian, Carlyle was a five-year player at Oregon State and started 36 of 48 games at cornerback. He closed out his career with 177 tackles, including 124 solo, and 3 interceptions. A safety as a senior, he recorded 47 tackles in 2002, 33 solo, posting 2 interceptions and being credited with 8 passes defensed.

Born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, Carlyle attended Dorsey (Los Angeles, ..

McKenzie's Interception Return Nominated For NFL Play Of The Week

Tue, 09 Dec 2003 09:21:19 CST

Green Bay Packers cornerback Mike McKenzie's 90-yard interception-return touchdown against the Chicago Bears is among the five week fourteen nominees for the NFL Play Of The Week - Presented By Levitra (vardenafil HCI) -- introduced by the NFL this season.

The award is presented each Thursday during the NFL regular season to recognize the single most exciting play that week as determined by the fans. Voting is open to the fans each week from Tuesday at Noon ET until Thursday at Noon ET, exclusively on NFL.com.

Each weekly winner will be a finalist for the NFL Play Of The Week - Presented By Levitra -- to be awarded at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. Fans who vote at NFL.com each week can also be entered into a sweepstakes that will send one lucky winner and a guest to Super Bowl XXXVIII in February.

New England Patriots defensive end Willie McGinest's game-winning tackle of Edgerrin James..

Aaron Kampman Among Finalists For 2003 Walter Payton Man Of The Year Award

Mon, 08 Dec 2003 14:20:38 CST

Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman is among thirty-two NFL players vying for the 2003 title of Walter Payton Man of the Year, the only league award that recognizes player off-the-field community service as well as playing excellence.

This year's finalists -- one player from each NFL team -- have demonstrated an outstanding balance in their lives between civic and professional responsibilities.

The winner will be announced January 30 during NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's annual news conference prior to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas.

The prestigious award was renamed in 1999 for the legendary Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame running back. The Walter Payton Man of the Year Award has been given annually since 1970.

Wide receiver Donald Driver represented the Packers as the 2002 finalist.

The winner is selected by an elite panel of judges including Commissioner Tagliabue, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King, Connie Payton ..

Packers-Bears Press Box Notes

Sun, 07 Dec 2003 12:13:27 CST

-REMEMBERING THE 'GREY GHOST:' Packers players will be wearing a black decal on the back of their helmets in today's game in memory of their Hall of Fame halfback, Tony Canadeo.

They will continue to wear the decal, which bears a white No. 3, reflecting his retired jersey number, for the remainder of the 2003 season.

The decal was developed last week by the team's equipment manager, Gordon "Red" Batty at the direction of GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman.

Canadeo, fourth ranking-rusher in team annals and one of only four players in team history to have his jersey number retired, died Nov. 29 at the age of 84.

A moment of silence in Canadeo's memory also will be observed prior to the singing of the national anthem.

-JUST FOR THE RECORD(S): One...and quite possibly two...of the Packers' greatest records will fall in this afternoon's 166th matchup with the Chicago Bears.

Quarterback Brett Favre will surpass one of them - for m..

Packers Place Antuan Edwards On I.R., Swiney To Active Roster

Sat, 06 Dec 2003 12:07:08 CST

The Green Bay Packers have placed safety Antuan Edwards on injured reserve and promoted cornerback Erwin Swiney from the practice squad to replace him on the team's 53-man active roster, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Saturday.

Edwards suffered a hamstring injury in the Packers' Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions in Detroit (Nov. 27). He had started 10 of 12 games to date, nine at strong safety and one at free safety, and currently is the second-leading tackler in the defensive backfield with 54 stops, 44 of them unassisted. He also recorded two quarterback sacks and one interception, and was credited with 6 passes defensed.

For Swiney, 6-0 and 192 pounds, it is his second hitch of the season on the active roster. He originally made the final, 53-man roster coming out of training camp and was active for the first three games of the season, posting two unassisted tackles and being credited with one pass defensed.

The 25-year-old Nebraska alumnu..

Packers To Pay Tribute To Canadeo With Helmet Decal

Thu, 04 Dec 2003 16:27:51 CST

The Packers will pay tribute to the late Tony Canadeo, one of the most storied players in their long history, for the balance of the 2003 season, team President Bob Harlan announced Thursday.

Beginning with Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears in Lambeau Field, Packers players will wear a decal bearing Canadeo's retired jersey number -- 3 -- on the back of their helmets for the final four weeks of the season in memory of the Hall of Fame halfback.

Canadeo, one of only four players in team history to have his jersey number retired, died Saturday at the age of 84.

A moment of silence in tribute to the "Grey Ghost of Gonzaga," as Canadeo was known in his playing days, also will be observed prior to the singing of the national anthem Sunday.

The Packers flag in front of team headquarters, at 1265 Lombardi Avenue, is being flown at half-staff in his memory and will continue to be thro..

Green, Flanagan Lead Positions For NFC Pro Bowl Squad

Thu, 04 Dec 2003 14:04:35 CST

Just over a week remains for fans to cast their votes online for the 2003 Pro Bowl.

Packers running back Ahman Green -- who ranks second in the NFC in rushing with 1,383 yards -- currently ranks fifth among all NFL stars in balloting with 563,451 votes, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Mike Flanagan leads all NFC centers with 105,518 votes.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair, with 641,410 votes, leads the league while Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes (631,877 votes) -- the NFL's leader with 17 touchdowns -- ranks second overall.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (602,983 votes) and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss (582,479) complete the top five in balloting.

The voting continues on NFL.com through December 12. The squads will be announced December 18 on the 2004 Pro Bow..

Packers-Lions Recap

Wed, 03 Dec 2003 08:40:09 CST

The Packers, like many of their fellow Americans, had abundant reasons to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. But being in Detroit for the holiday, it turned out, was not one of them.

Because, unhappily, a humbling ambush awaited in Ford Field. The home-standing Lions, who had previously lost eight of 11 games, were clearly on a mission, prompting Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman to later observe, "We expected their very best game, and that is what we got."

To compound the problem, the Packers were involuntarily cooperative in this process, committing five turnovers along the way - four of them in a disastrous and decisive fourth quarter - in what became a 22-14 loss.

Three of those miscues led directly to Detroit field goals by the Lions' remarkable placekicker, Jason Hanson, who was 5-for-5 on the day, his production including 49- and 46-yard efforts.

Ironically, the "run" of turnovers came after the Packers had gone into the lead for the first ti..

Packers-Bears Preview

Wed, 03 Dec 2003 08:33:18 CST

The task is clear...

Their record having descended to 6-6 following a Thanksgiving Day misadventure in Detroit, the Green Bay Packers face the need to win their four remaining games to entertain realistic hopes of making the National Football League playoffs for the third year in a row.

They begin the decisive stretch run Sunday (Dec. 7) when they host their primordial rivals, the Chicago Bears, in a Lambeau Field rematch before a sellout crowd (72,515).

Kickoff is set for 12 noon, CST (Wisconsin time).

It will be the 166th regular season meeting between the venerable neighborhood enemies, who have met more often than any two other teams in pro football history, the series dating back to 1921.

While idle over the weekend, the Packers closed to within one game of the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings (7-5), who fell to the Rams in St. Louis, 48-17.

The Bears, meanwhile, continued a late-season resurgence with a 28-3 victory over ..

Download The Week 14 Dope Sheet

Wed, 03 Dec 2003 10:15:49 CST

Two years after he co-founded the Packers with Curly Lambeau, George Calhoun began writing a piece called The Dope Sheet, which served as the official press release and game program from 1921-24.

Honoring Calhoun, the first publicity director, the Packers are running this weekly feature in their release, which is being made available to fans exclusively on Packers.com.

A complete edition of the Dope Sheet will be available each week in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

Here are some highlights from the Week 14 Dope Sheet:

RECORD-BREAKING SUNDAY: Three significant franchise records are on tap this weekend:

* Brett Favre will surpass Forrest Gregg's revered consecutive games-played streak. Favre last week matched Gregg's 187-game stretch (1956, 1958-70).

* Ahman Green needs 92 yards to break Jim Taylor's 41-year-old single-season Packers rushing record. Green enters Sunday with 1,383 yards in 12 games. Tayl..

D.C. Everest's Steffenhagen Named Packers Coach Of The Week

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 18:52:16 CST

Wayne Steffenhagen, head coach of the D.C. Everest High School Evergreens, has been selected as the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the tenth and final recipient for this season, the Packers announced Monday.

D.C. Everest ended their season 14-0 overall, winning the Division 1 championship with a 42-7 victory over Hartlund Arrowhead. Steffenhagen's teams have been to 6 title games in 15 playoff appearances, winning 5 titles.

The varsity team has 80 players with 7 assistant coaches. Steffenhagen retired from teaching after 38 years, though he still helps with the school's driver's education program.

A member of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Steffenhagen began his coaching career as an assistant at Fond du Lac High School (1965-72) and was head coach at La Crosse Central in 1973.

Before becoming head coach at D.C. Everest in 1979, Steffenhagen held assistant positions at Stevens Point High School (1978-79) ..