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Preseason National TV Schedule Features A Lot Of "NEWs"

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:42:18 CST

It will be the introduction to a new season. And it will feature a bevy of introductions and 2005 playoff teams.

The 15-game 2006 NFL preseason national television schedule announced today - along with each team's preseason matchups - is highlighted by the debut of new national-TV partners, new announcing teams, and star players on new teams.

Both Super Bowl XL teams will be featured as well as both conference championship runners-up. Also every division winner from '05 will be seen this summer on national television.

It starts with the NFL's newest network partner - NBC - on Sunday night, August 6 when the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is played in Canton, Ohio at 8:00 PM ET between the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.

Calling the game will be NBC's "new/old" announcing team of Al Michaels and John Madden, who partnered for the past four years on Monday Night Football (2002-05).

It will be a special weekend for Madden...

Packers' Preseason Opponents Announced

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 08:10:48 CST

A nationally televised contest and an early trip to the West Coast highlight the Green Bay Packers' 2006 preseason opponents, announced by the National Football League Wednesday.

Date: Aug. 10-14
Opponent: at San Diego Chargers
Time: TBA
TV: state

Date: Aug. 17-21
Opponent: ATLANTA FALCONS
Time: TBA
TV: state

Date: Mon., Aug. 28
Opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN

Date: Aug. 31-Sept. 1
Opponent: TENNESSEE TITANS
Time: TBA
TV: state

All times indicated are Wisconsin

The opener, Green Bay's first-ever preseason road trip to San Diego, pits new Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy against the Chargers' Phillip Rivers, who became the team's starter earlier this offseason. The teams open the preseason for the second consecutive year after Green B..

Fontenot Named NFL Europe Defensive Player Of The Week

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:18:58 CST

Running back ROGER ROBINSON of the Arizona Cardinals and cornerbacks THERRIAN FONTENOT of the Green Bay Packers and JUSTIN PERKINS of the Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL Europe League Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the season (March 25-26), the league announced today.

Robinson carried 23 times for 150 yards and scored on a 34-yard run to help the Frankfurt Galaxy defeat the Hamburg Sea Devils 31-14. Robinson averaged 6.3 yards per carry and added three receptions for 23 yards. Through two weeks of action, the Northern Arizona product has rushed for 253 yards and totaled 279 yards from scrimmage, leading NFL Europe in both categories.

"It feels good to be leading the league in rushing, but it's early," said Robinson. "We're only two games into the season and we have eight to go. If I'm on top after Week 10, then I'll feel really good."

Fontenot, allocated by the Packers, played a major role in..

Packers Receive Two Compensatory Draft Picks

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:57:48 CST

A total of 32 compensatory choices in the 2006 NFL Draft have been awarded to 19 teams, the NFL announced today.

Under terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in a year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. The 32 compensatory choices announced today will supplement the 223 choices in the seven rounds of the 2006 NFL Draft (April 29-30). This year, the compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula.

Three clubs this year (Buffalo, Se..

Packers Add Three Veterans, Re-Sign Davenport

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:17:04 CST

After a busy weekend in which the Green Bay Packers negotiated contracts with four players, the team on Monday received signatures from unrestricted free agents Marc Boerigter, Najeh Davenport and Ben Taylor. The club also signed free agent Billy Cundiff. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signings.

Boerigter, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receiver from Hastings College, joins Green Bay from the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had spent the previous four seasons. A tall, speedy receiver, Boerigter in 41 games with the Chiefs caught 39 passes for 697 yards (17.9 avg.) and eight touchdowns, including a 99-yard score in 2002. Boerigter, whose name is pronounced BO-rick-ter, launched his pro career in the Canadian Football League, playing two seasons (2000-01) with Calgary before the Chiefs signed him as a free agent before the '02 campaign.

Marc Boerigter Billy Cun..

Keith Jackson To Present Reggie White At Hall Of Fame Induction

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:47:40 CST
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame today announced former Packers tight end Keith Jackson will present the late Reggie White for induction at the 2006 Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 22, 2006, in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Jackson, who enjoyed a 9-year NFL career with the Eagles (1988-91), Dolphins (1992-94) and Packers (1995-96), was a key member of the Packers' 1996 Super Bowl championship team, that season leading the club with 10 touchdown receptions. Before teaming with White with the Packers, Jackson became a close friend of the great defensive player while both played for the Eagles (1988-91).

Since retiring after the 1996 season, Jackson has devoted much of his time to his non-profit organization, P.A.R.K. (Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids), located in Little Rock, Ark. The organization serves at-risk junior and senior high school students by providing after-school tutoring, recreation, summer programs and comm..

Tagliabue Opens Meeting With Annual Review

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 10:36:01 CST
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue opened the 2006 NFL Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida with a 30-minute review of overall league affairs for a group of approximately 300 owners, club presidents, head coaches, front-office employees, and league officials.

Following are excerpts from the Commissioner's review:

* "The 2005 season was the kind our fans have come to expect, filled with extraordinary team and individual performances, intense competition, and lots of excitement and unpredictability."

* "In 2005, you set a paid attendance record for the third year in a row; your stadiums were filled again to 90 percent of capacity; and television ratings continued to deliver unmatched audiences. The Super Bowl was the second most-watched program in television history with 141 million viewers. For the season, ratings for NFL games on broadcast television were 60 percent higher than the primetime average for the broadcast networks. In December, the Harris Poll showed pro..

Packers Draft Party To Feature Aaron Rodgers, Nick Collins

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:29:57 CST
'FANTASTIC COMBINE,' LAMBEAU FIELD VIEWING AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Click here for more information.

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The Green Bay Packers Draft Party, set for April 29 at the Lambeau Field Atrium, will feature appearances by Packers players Aaron Rodgers and Nick Collins, both Packers' draft picks from 2005.

In addition to the draft coverage, attendees will be able to take part in two new features for this year's party: the "FanTastic Combine," a draft tryout event featuring a 20-yard dash, vertical jump and other activities for fans ages 5 and older, and a viewing and photo opportunity inside Lambeau Field.

The event, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature ESPN draft coverage on two large television projection screens, and the Packers' flagship radio station, Newsradio 620 WTMJ, will be on hand to provide coverage and analysis throughout the day. Draft coverage from NFL Network also will be avail..

Packers Add QB Arth, Re-sign Cole

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:59:06 CST
The Green Bay Packers Wednesday signed Tom Arth and re-signed exclusive-rights free agent Colin Cole. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson made the announcement.

Arth, a quarterback from John Carroll University, has spent all or parts of the last three seasons with the Colts. Originally a nondrafted free agent, Arth last season was on the team's practice squad. As a senior in college, he earned first-team All-America honors at Division III John Carroll.

Cole, a 6-foot-2, 325-pound defensive tackle out of Iowa, played in all 16 games last year in his first full NFL season. Three of his four starts came in consecutive fashion from Dec. 11-25. He came away with a career-high 62 tackles (34 solo), including his career's initial two sacks, and batted down two passes.

Also a nondrafted free agent, Cole first entered the league with the Minnesota Vikings in 2003 and spent time with the Detroit Lio..

Packers Re-sign Unrestricted Free Agent Rod Gardner

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 16:25:55 CST
Retaining another veteran, the Green Bay Packers Tuesday re-signed unrestricted free agent Rod Gardner. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson made the announcement.

Gardner, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound wide receiver from Clemson, joined the team on waivers late last season to shore up an injury-depleted position. A sizeable, physical target, he played in two Packers games, with one start, catching four passes for 67 yards (16.8 avg.).

Acquired by Carolina in a July trade with Washington, Gardner spent most of the 2005 season with the Panthers. Combined with Carolina and Green Bay last year, he caught 13 passes for 151 yards (11.6 avg.) with one touchdown.

Washington's first-round selection (15th overall) in the 2001 NFL Draft, Gardner started 61 of 64 games for the Redskins over his first four NFL seasons (2001-04), recording a 1,000-yard season in 2002. He had a catch in each of his first 55 NFL games, a strea..

President Bob Harlan's Statement Regarding Tagliabue's Retirement

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 17:29:32 CST
"The Green Bay Packers organization is appreciative of Paul Tagliabue's excellent leadership of the NFL during his tenure as commissioner. Among his many accomplishments for the good of the league, his work in securing the salary cap in 1992 as a component of the CBA was of the utmost importance to the Packers. Its passage assured the future of our franchise.

"The subsequent extensions of the CBA and ensuing labor peace have ensured a competitive level of teams and strengthened the league's standing as the most popular sport in the country, which in turn gives the league financial strength through our TV contract and appeal to fans. He also oversaw the growth of stadium redevelopment and new stadium construction, which has helped the league immensely.

"His strong support of the Packers through the years has been invaluable as well. He recognized the importance of the Green Bay franchise to the league's history and tradition. When we planned for a stock sale in 1997 ..

Green Bay Re-Signs FB William Henderson

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:14:23 CST
The Green Bay Packers Monday re-signed unrestricted free agent William Henderson. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signing.

Henderson, a 6-foot-1, 252-pound fullback out of North Carolina, has spent all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Packers. Now sixth in franchise history for most games played (174), he could surpass LeRoy Butler (181) and Forrest Gregg (187) and tie No. 3 Ray Nitschke (190) with another full season in a Packers uniform.

In 2005, Henderson played in all 16 games for the ninth time in his 11 NFL seasons, making eight starts. His 264 receiving yards (30 catches) marked the second-highest total in his career. Henderson made his 100th professional start and 300th career catch in a Monday night matchup vs. Minnesota (Nov. 21).

Long recognized both as a high-caliber fullback and a dedicated team leader, Henderson was named to the Pro Bowl in 2004 for the first time in his ca..

Packers Add Linebacker Tracy White

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 14:58:41 CST
The Green Bay Packers Friday signed linebacker Tracy White and released linebacker John Leake. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson made the announcement.

White, a 6-foot, 236-pound player out of Howard, spent the 2005 season in Jacksonville. Primarily a reserve linebacker and special-teams contributor, White played 15 games for the Jaguars last year, notching six coverage tackles. He joined the club on the eve of the '05 season, as a waiver-wire acquisition.

Originally signed by Seattle as a rookie free agent after the 2003 NFL Draft, White made the season-opening roster and spent his first two campaigns in a Seahawks uniform. In 2004, he stepped up to fill a void created by injuries and started two contests, including a promising, 13-tackle effort, before a hamstring injury ended his season.

In 35 NFL games, including two starts, White has 26 tackles (19 solo), one sack and 27 special-teams stops.
..

Green Bay Inks Unrestricted Free Agent Ryan Pickett

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 14:56:59 CST
The Green Bay Packers Friday signed unrestricted free agent Ryan Pickett to a multi-year contract. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the addition.

Pickett, a 6-foot-2, 322-pound defensive tackle out of Ohio State, is a relentless run-stopper who led all NFL defensive linemen with 115 tackles in 2005. In fact, Green Bay within the past week has signed the league's top two defensive linemen with respect to tackles. Defensive end Aaron Kampman, re-signed Saturday, finished second in the NFL with 105 stops last year.

St. Louis' third of three selections in the first round (29th overall) of the 2001 draft, Pickett turned in his best career season last year, adding two sacks and three passes defensed in 16 contests, all starts.

In just five NFL seasons, the 26-year-old Pickett has 401 career tackles (192 solo), with 51/2 sacks and 17 passes defensed. A durable anchor in the Rams' defense, he has ..

Packers Re-sign Linemen Kevin Barry, Kenny Peterson

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 16:01:35 CST
Retaining a pair of young veterans, the Green Bay Packers Wednesday re-signed Kevin Barry and Kenny Peterson. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signings.

Barry, a 6-foot-4, 332-pound offensive tackle out of Arizona, rejoined the club as an unrestricted free agent. A fifth-year player who hails from Racine, Wis., Barry originally made the Packers' season-opening roster in 2002 as a nondrafted rookie free agent. In four seasons Barry has made eight starts while playing in 59 games, including all 16 in 2005.

Peterson, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive lineman from Ohio State, re-signed as a restricted free agent. The Packers' third-round choice in the 2003 NFL Draft, Peterson posted career highs in tackles (30), solo stops (17), sacks (three), passes defensed (four) and forced fumbles (two). The fourth-year player, who helped the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002, has played bo..

NFL Europe Opens 14th Season Saturday

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 08:54:52 CST
QBs DREW HENSON, BROCK BERLIN & KLIFF KINGSBURY AMONG NFL PLAYERS SEEKING SUCCESS IN EUROPE

The NFL Europe League kicks off its 14th season this Saturday with six teams - the Amsterdam Admirals, Berlin Thunder, Cologne Centurions, Frankfurt Galaxy, Hamburg Sea Devils and Rhein Fire - beginning the race to Yello Strom World Bowl XIV.

"The NFL Europe League has helped expose our sport to an ever-growing number of football fans around the globe," says NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE. "With a terrific mixture of sports and entertainment, NFL Europe has made great progress in establishing itself as a part of the mainstream European sports landscape."

NFL Europe League clubs play a 10-game regular-season schedule beginning Saturday and concluding on Saturday, May 20. The top two teams in the standings will play for the league championship in Yello Strom World Bowl XIV, Saturday, May 27 at LTU Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.

NFL Network will be t..

Brown County Packers Ticket Drawing Registration Ends Wednesday

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 16:19:02 CST
The Green Bay Packers Tuesday reminded Brown County residents that registration ends Wednesday, March 15, for the first drawing for the chance to purchase single-game tickets for the 2006 season.

Registration forms are available at the Packers' ticket office, the Packers Pro Shop and the guest services desk in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Fans can fill out the form, and with the proper identification (picture I.D. and proof of Brown County residency), register in person. Residents who have already registered, recently or for the 2005 drawing, do not have to re-register.

The upcoming season will mark the fourth year that 4,000 seats per game are available to Brown County residents.

The more than 16,000 names already on the list received confirmation postcards in Feburary, asking for address and/or name changes and reminding other eligible household members to register.

The Packers again will rely on a computer-generated random selection process to det..

Larry McCarren To Serve As Emcee For Hall's Induction Of Reggie White

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:57:30 CST
Larry McCarren, game analyst on the Packers Radio Network and sports director at WFRV-TV CBS 5 in Green Bay, has been named emcee of the 36th Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 22, 2006, in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Himself inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1992, McCarren was an iron man at center for the Packers for 12 seasons (1973-84). He played in 162 consecutive games - the fourth-longest streak in team history - helping him earn the nickname 'Rock.' He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1982 and '83. Earlier, the Park Forest, Ill., native had been a co-captain at the University of Illinois as both a junior and senior.

In his second career, McCarren has been sports director at WFRV-TV since 1988 and a member of the Packers' radio team since 1995. He three times has been voted Wisconsin 'Sportscaster of the Year' (1994, 1996, 2002) by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. A gifted and entertaining speaker, McCarr..

'Flight Against Drugs' To Be Held At Lambeau Field Atrium, March 18

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:46:33 CST
Great Paper Airplane Toss
The Flight Against Drugs
Saturday, March 18
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lambeau Field Atrium

The Green Bay Partners in Education Drug Alliance is proud to announce The Flight Against Drugs-a family event where young people and their families can make and toss paper airplanes onto the floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium.

The Flight Against Drugs will be held on Saturday, March 18, at the Lambeau Field Atrium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will let students and family members of all ages toss paper airplanes off the story-and-on-half walkway between the elevators and the restaurants onto the football field-marked Atrium floor below. Airplanes landing closest to floor markers and the airplane with the longest flight will be awarded a United States savings bond. People can attend at any time during those hours to toss a paper airplane.

All airplanes flown at the Lambeau Field Atrium must be folded with paper provi..

Packers Land Unrestricted Free Agent Marquand Manuel; Claim Harry Williams On Waivers From Jets

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:38:53 CST
In their first official addition of the new league year, the Green Bay Packers Monday signed unrestricted free agent Marquand Manuel to a multi-year contract. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signing.

Manuel, a 6-foot, 209-pound safety out of Florida, filled a major void in the Seattle secondary last season and helped the Seahawks to a berth in Super Bowl XL. Elevated to replace an injured Ken Hamlin in Week 7, Manuel started at free safety over the team's final 13 games, including playoffs. In 16 regular-season contests (11 starts), Manuel tied for third on the club with 67 tackles (54 solo), two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

Claimed on waivers by the Seahawks on the eve of the 2004 regular season, Manuel played mostly on special teams and as an extra defensive back in his first year with Seattle.

The 26-year-old Manuel, whose name is pronounced MAR-kwahnd MAN-U-ell,..

Saturday Fan Fest Notebook: Sorting Out The Running Backs

Jeff Fedotin, Packers.com — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 20:09:48 CST
One of the Packers' interesting offseason story lines will revolve around who starts at halfback and fullback.

Ahman Green has surpassed 1,000 yards five times, but Samkon Gado filled in when Green tore a quadriceps tendon last year and rushed for 582 yards in just eight games.

A team-first guy, Gado deemed Green the man.

"There is only one starter, and Ahman Green is that guy. And he's done nothing to lose the position other than get hurt," Gado said. "He is the best running back on the team right now."

Gado may view himself as the backup, but that will not change the way he prepares for the season.

"That doesn't take away from my approach and my mentality," Gado said. "I'm going to fight for it. It's competition, and that's why we play this game."

The future of the fullback position also bears watching. Henderson has played for the Packers since the team drafted him in 1995, but he is an unrestricted free agent. The 35-year-old ..

Packers, Green Bay's WFRV And CBS Reach Year-Round Broadcast Partnership Agreement

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 19:09:56 CST
Craig Benzel, the Packers' Director of Marketing and Corporate Sales, and R. Perry Kidder, Vice President and General Manager of WFRV-TV CBS 5 announced today that the Packers and WFRV-TV, owned and operated by CBS Television Stations, have renewed their agreement for a comprehensive six-year statewide broadcasting partnership. The partnership will continue to bring year-round Packers programming, in addition to pre-season games, to fans throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.

The Packers Partner Network Stations Group consists of the top television broadcast stations in each market and includes:

Green Bay/Fox Cities - WFRV (CBS) Network Originating Station
Wausau/Rhinelander - WAOW (ABC)
Satellite - Eagle River - WYOW (ABC)
Milwaukee - WTMJ (NBC)
Madison - WKOW (ABC)
La Crosse - WXOW (ABC)
Satellite - Eau Claire - WQOW (ABC)
Marquette, MI - WJMN (CBS)
Duluth-Superior, MN* - KQDS (FOX)
*Pre-Season games only.

Green Bay, Kampman Come To Terms On Multi-Year Extension

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 13:16:08 CST
The Green Bay Packers have signed defensive end Aaron Kampman to a multi-year contract extension. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signing Saturday.

The move helped to kick off the second-annual Packers Fan Fest, a three-day celebration of Packers football in the Lambeau Field Atrium. As part of the festivities, Kampman and several other Green Bay players past and present were scheduled to sign autographs for fans in town from all over the country.

Kampman, a 6-foot-4, 278-pound veteran out of Iowa, became more than just a blue-collar player in 2005, establishing himself among the NFC's top defenders at his position. On a defense that ranked first in the NFL against the pass, Kampman turned in a career-high 61/2 sacks to highlight the best season of his career.

His 105 tackles ranked second in the NFL among defensive linemen, behind St. Louis' Ryan Pickett (115), and first among defens..

Packers Draft Party Set For April 29

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 16:13:48 CST
TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW AT WISCONSIN MILLS FLEET FARM LOCATIONS

Click here for additional Draft Party details.

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The Green Bay Packers and Mills Fleet Farm Friday announced plans for the third-annual Packers Draft Party, set for April 29 at the Lambeau Field Atrium.

The event, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature ESPN draft coverage on two large television projection screens, and the Packers' flagship radio station, Newsradio 620 WTMJ, will be on hand to provide coverage and analysis throughout the day.

Tickets for the event, priced at $25, go on sale Saturday, March 11, at 18 Wisconsin Mills Fleet Farm locations and must be purchased in person. Tickets also will be available to purchase for attendees of this weekend's Packers Fan Fest. Children 3-and-younger are free.

Packers President/CEO Bob Harlan and Executive Vice President/COO John Jones will address fans in a..

Packers Draft Party Set For April 29

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 16:13:24 CST
TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW AT WISCONSIN MILLS FLEET FARM LOCATIONS

Click here for additional Draft Party details.

**

The Green Bay Packers and Mills Fleet Farm Friday announced plans for the third-annual Packers Draft Party, set for April 29 at the Lambeau Field Atrium.

The event, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature ESPN draft coverage on two large television projection screens, and the Packers' flagship radio station, Newsradio 620 WTMJ, will be on hand to provide coverage and analysis throughout the day.

Tickets for the event, priced at $25, go on sale Saturday, March 11, at 18 Wisconsin Mills Fleet Farm locations and must be purchased in person. Tickets also will be available to purchase for attendees of this weekend's Packers Fan Fest. Children 3-and-younger are free.

Packers President/CEO Bob Harlan and Executive Vice President/COO John Jones will address fans in a..

Statement From Packers GM Ted Thompson Regarding Javon Walker

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:23:23 CST
During his time as a Green Bay Packer, Javon Walker has been well thought of by everyone here. I like Javon, certainly as a person and as a player.

That said, Javon is under contract, which he signed as a 2002 first-round draft choice. That contract is governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was negotiated between the National Football League and the National Football League Players' Association, and we expect him to honor it.

There have been several highly publicized cases of player discontent in the National Football League. I don't anticipate us making any concessions in this matter.

We will continue to stay the course, and the Green Bay Packers will have no further comment on this topic.

Packers Fan Fest Kicks Off Tonight

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:02:32 CST
LAMBEAU FIELD ATRIUM POISED FOR FUN

Click here for additional Fan Fest details.

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The second-annual Fan Fest, a three-day celebration of Packers football, begins tonight and the Lambeau Field Atrium is abuzz with final preparations.

The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Fan Fest kickoff event, a 30-minute live television show to be broadcast on Green Bay's WFRV-TV CBS 5 and the Packers' state-wide network. Guests include Bob Harlan, John Jones, Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy.

Additional Packers players added to the lineup today include Max McGee, who will appear with Paul Hornung, as well as Kevin Barry, Tony Fisher and William Henderson. Bubba Franks also will appear in place of Donald Driver. Those players join a lineup that already includes Nick Barnett, Edgar Bennett, John Brockington, LeRoy Butler, Nick Collins, Santana Dotson, Lynn Dickey, Antonio Freeman, Samkon Gado, Kabeer Gba..

2006 NFL Free Agency Question & Answers

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 09:44:55 CST
Now that the NFL's owners and player's union have agreed on a new labor deal, free agency is set to begin Saturday, March 11 at 12:01 AM ET.

The Packers have 13 unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and two restricted free agents (RFAs).

UFAs have completed at least four years in the NFL and can sign with any team unless the Packers designate them franchise or transition players.

RFAs have completed three NFL seasons, but the Packers reserve the right to match offers from other teams.

Below is a list of questions and answers to better explain the ins and outs of free agency.

Q -- When can players start being signed in the 2006 free agency signing period?
A -- Beginning at 12:01 AM ET on Saturday, March 11.

Q -- What are the categories of free agency?
A -- Players are either "restricted" or "unrestricted" free agents. Within the categories are also "transition" and "franchise" players.

<..

Koonce Returns As Director Of Player Development

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 09:49:04 CST

Continuing to add what he calls "Packer people," Head Coach Mike McCarthy Tuesday named George Koonce director of player development.

Koonce, 37, returns to Green Bay after spending his first eight NFL seasons in a Packers uniform. In his new position, considered by the organization extremely important to locker room cohesiveness and overall player health, Koonce will assist players in acclimating to their roles as Green Bay Packers, both on and off the field, especially in terms of their expected contributions to their teammates, the community and team chemistry.

The former linebacker also will oversee the Packers' wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of players and their families in today's NFL. The department provides a framework of assistance within which players and their immediate family members can address the pressures created by daily life and complicated by the demands of playing professional football.

A fan favorite as an eight-yea..

Packers Retain Ahman Green

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 15:18:03 CST

The Green Bay Packers Monday re-signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Ahman Green to a one-year contract extension. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson announced the signing.

Green's return keeps him within reach of becoming the most prolific running back in the Packers' storied history. In 2006, Green could capture franchise records in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, marks held by a pair of Pro Football Hall of Famers. Green needs 1,101 yards on the ground to top Jim Taylor and 464 yards of total offense to surpass James Lofton. He enters '06 second in team annals with 7,103 rushing yards and third with 9,438 total yards.

Ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from a ruptured quadriceps tendon, Green hopes to begin running in the next few months. The injury ended his 2005 season Oct. 23 at Minnesota.

Prior to his injury-shortened 2005 campaign, no NFL player had collected more rushing y..

All 31 NFL Europe League Games To Air On NFL Network In 2006

Mon, 06 Mar 2006 10:49:29 CST

SEASON BEGINS MARCH 18 AND CULMINATES WITH WORLD BOWL XIV ON MAY 27

NFL Network will be the new television home of the NFL Europe League, broadcasting all 30 regular season games in 2006, culminating with a live broadcast of the league's championship game -- the Yello Strom World Bowl XIV.

With 54 NFL preseason games, 31 NFL Europe League games and 8 NFL regular season games, NFL Network becomes the national home to 93 televised games annually.

NFL Network's exclusive coverage of NFL Europe begins Saturday, March 18 with a doubleheader featuring the Frankfurt Galaxy at the Rhein Fire live at 1:00 PM ET, followed by the Berlin Thunder travelling to Amsterdam to take on the Admirals in a re-match of World Bowl XIII.

World Bowl XIV will be played Saturday, May 27 between the top two squads in the six-team league squaring off after the 10-week season which runs from March 18 - May 20.

In addition to airing the entire slate of games, NF..

2006 Packers Draft Party Fact Sheet

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:23:08 CST

What:
Third-Annual Packers Draft Party.

When/Where:
Saturday, April 29, at the Lambeau Field Atrium. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
Event runs until 6 p.m.

Packers Appearing:
Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy, Bob Harlan and John Jones. Packers players Ahman Green, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Mike Hawkins, Aaron Rodgers, Nick Collins, Michael Montgomery, Brady Poppinga and Kurt Campbell.

Features/Activities:
* NFL Network coverage of the Draft will be broadcast on two large screens. ESPN coverage also will be available in the Atrium.

* WTMJ Radio will be on hand to provide additional analysis and interview Packers personnel and players.

* Draft Party is a Wi-Fi 'Hot Spot,' featuring free wireless internet access for attendees who bring wireless-enabled laptops. Provided by Time Warner Cable.

* Several computer stations also will be available for fans to follow draft information online.

* Auto..

Fan Fest Arrives In One Week

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 15:03:10 CST

Click here for more Fan Fest details.

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PLAYERS APPEARING INCLUDE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA, SAMKON GADO

The Green Bay Packers Friday announced additional players appearing at the second-annual Fan Fest, a three-day celebration of Packers football, to be held March 10-12 at the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Edgar Bennett, Samkon Gado, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Mike Hawkins, Don Majkowski, Larry McCarren, Brady Poppinga, Corey Williams and William Whitticker will join a lineup that already includes Nick Barnett, John Brockington, LeRoy Butler, Nick Collins, Santana Dotson, Lynn Dickey, Donald Driver, Antonio Freeman, Paul Hornung, Brian Noble, Aaron Rodgers, Bart Starr and Frank Winters.

Appearance days and times will be announced at the event. Players appearing are subject to change.

Jerry Kramer also will be at Fan Fest to discuss his recently released locker room recordings from Super Bowl II and ..

State Of Wisconsin Recognizes Pink Cap Campaign

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 13:11:14 CST

The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance, along with Deanna Favre, were recognized Thursday at the state capitol by the Wisconsin Legislature with a joint resolution honoring the successful Packers Breast Cancer Cap campaign.

The campaign, which began last July and ran trough the 2005 season, raised more than $1 million for the fight against breast cancer.

Representing the Packers in Madison were Ave Bie, a member of the Packers' Board of Directors, Kandi Goltz, marketing entertainment coordinator, and Aaron Popkey, assistant director of public relations. They were joined by Rick Fetherston, vice president of public relations for American Family Insurance. Green Bay area representatives Phil Montgomery and John Gard introduced the resolution that was co-sponsored by state Sen. Robert Cowles.

The campaign saw more than 200,000 pink baseball caps sold through the Packers Pro Shop and American Family Insurance and its statewide agents. Initial goals..

Packers Release Diggs, Dutton

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 17:24:27 CST

The Green Bay Packers Thursday released linebacker Na'il Diggs and punter Ryan Dutton.

Diggs, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound veteran out of Ohio State, originally joined the Packers as their first of three selections in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played in 84 games, 80 as a starter, recording 541 tackles (390 solo).