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Packers Place C/G Spitz On Injured Reserve, Sign WR Ealy

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:43:49 CST

The Green Bay Packers have placed C/G Jason Spitz on injured reserve and signed WR Biren Ealy from the practice squad. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions Saturday.

Ealy, a 6-foot-2, 212-pound second-year player, was signed to the Packers' practice squad on Oct. 27. He appeared in four games with the Tennessee Titans in 2007 and spent the 2008 season on the Titans' practice squad. Ealy wears No. 19.

Spitz played in five games, including four starts, this season.

12th Packers Fan Hall Of Fame Honoree Sought

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:46:21 CST

Nominate a fan -- click here!

**

Nominations Accepted Nov. 8 Through Dec. 7

The annual search for the next honoree for the Packers FAN Hall of Fame begins Sunday, Nov. 8.

The first professional football team to have its own hall of fame, the Green Bay Packers enhanced that distinction in 1998 by establishing a Packers FAN Hall of Fame. It was founded for the purpose of annually honoring a devout and longtime Packers fan. FAN Hall of Fame sponsors are the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Stein Gardens and Gifts, Best Buy and Verizon Wireless.

Nominees are being sought for recognition by a selection committee. The late Mel Knoke of Appleton was chosen as the inaugural honoree in the FAN Hall of Fame. The 91-year-old Knoke, who died between the time of his election and recognition, was honored posthumously in 1999.

In addition to Kno..

Mike McCarthy Press Conference Transcript - Nov. 6

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:28:09 CST

(What happened with T.J. Lang?)
T.J. Lang, he torqued his rib area. It's listed as an oblique injury. I think he'll be OK to go in the game, but they just felt it was important to rest him today.

(Who do you plan on starting at tackles?)
We'll see how T.J. is, and obviously Chad Clifton I think is ready to go. The plan was to go through Wednesday and Thursday, see how he felt today. He feels good today. So those are options there, and also with Mark Tauscher and Allen Barbre. The combination of all four is something we're looking at.

(Who played left tackle the latter part of practice?)
Allen Barbre took a lot of reps today at left tackle.

(Did you back Clifton down by design?)
Did we back him down? Well, this is his normal work week. Based on coming off of the four surgeries off the season and then also having the ankle sprain, Dr. McKenzie felt that it would be best to get him bac..

Packers Hall Of Fame Offers Scout Patch Program

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:15:01 CST

Boy And Girl Scout Troops Can Earn Exclusive Patch By Completing Educational Tour

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame now offers a program for Boy and Girl Scout troops that awards them an exclusive Packers helmet patch that can be added to their uniform after successful completion of a tour.

"We enjoy visits from various groups in the Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to connect with scout troops in an educational and meaningful way, and to offer something unique to their patch program was very exciting for us," said Krissy Zegers, Packers Hall of Fame and Stadium Tours manager. "We worked with a couple of local troops to learn more about their programs and were able to put together a program that can be used by all the troops as they come through."

Scout troops have two options for the program, completing an educational guidebook or following a Packers-themed scavenger hunt.

The guidebook, "What's Your Game Plan for becoming a Pro?" ..

Tagliabue And Vogel Keynote Speakers For Sport And Society Conference Hosted By St. Norbert College And The Green Bay Packers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:04:55 CST

Former National Football League commissioner Paul Tagliabue and sports, media and entertainment mogul Carl Vogel will be the featured speakers at the academic conference "A Mirror of our Culture: Sport and Society in America."

This national conference will be hosted by St. Norbert College and the Green Bay Packers May 26-28, 2010.

Tagliabue will speak on Wednesday, May 26, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Walter Theatre in the Abbot Pennings Hall of Fine Arts at St. Norbert College. He will address "Sport in American Society."

Vogel will speak during dinner on Thursday, May 27, between 7 and 9 p.m. in the Legends Club Room at Lambeau Field. He will discuss "The Future of American Sports."

Paul Tagliabue is senior of counsel with Covington & Burling LLP in the firm's Washington, D.C., and New York offices and advises clients on strategic matters in the communications and media, technology, and international sectors.

Tagliabue serv..

Mike McCarthy Press Conference Transcript - Nov. 5

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:27:15 CST

(Are you happy with Tauscher and Clifton at this point? Do they look good physically?)
I think Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton have put together two good practices. Once again, we're going to take the whole week's work. But we're definitely further ahead than the past two weeks, as far as their availability and the production. I think they've done a good job.

(What's been your impression of Matt Flynn this week? How important have these last two days been for him?)
The snaps that Matt Flynn has taken the last two days are invaluable for any quarterback. Anybody that's played the position knows how hard it is to get snaps during the season. In-season snaps are very precious for a quarterback. This has been great work for Matt. I actually thought he had a very good day today. He's throwing the ball with more velocity. It's nice to see the improvement that he's made from year one to year two. The ability to throw with more velocity, playing..

Havner Is Hall Of Fame's Featured Player Of The Week

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:54:27 CST

Packers tight end Spencer Havner has been chosen as the Packers Hall of Fame Featured Player of the Week in recognition of his performance against the Minnesota Vikings. The exhibit contains memorabilia from the Packers-Vikings game, including a game ball autographed by Havner.

Havner recorded his first two-touchdown game in the NFL against the Vikings, one week after finding the end zone for the first time as a professional in the victory at Cleveland. Havner caught TD passes from Aaron Rodgers of 16 yards and 5 yards during the Packers' third-quarter rally. Havner now has six receptions for 110 yards (18.3 avg.) with the three scores on the season. He also is among the Packers special teams leaders with eight tackles on the season.

The Hall of Fame's weekly exhibit, The Hall of Fame Featured Player of the Week, contains memorabilia from each week's game, including a game ball autographed by a featured player of the week.

Each Monday (or in the case of a M..

John Baker Of Menomonee Falls High School Named Green Bay Packers High School Coach Of The Week

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:42:37 CST

John Baker, of Menomonee Falls (Wis.) High School, has been named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the organization announced Wednesday.

Baker's Indians improved to 10-1 on the 2009 season after beating previously undefeated and defending state champion Homestead, 27-7, last Saturday. The Indians travel to Sun Prairie to face the Cardinals this coming Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

"First off, I would like to commend our coaches," Baker said. "They've done a great job of building the program. Their dedication is the reason why we've been so good week-in and week-out this year. Along with the coaches, our outstanding senior leadership has brought everyone together as one team."

Baker, who is also the school's physical education and health teacher, began his coaching career in 1996 as an assistant coach at Platteville (Wis.) High School. After spending just two years at Platteville, Baker accepted an assistant coaching position at Menomonee Fal..

Mike McCarthy Press Conference Transcript - Nov. 4

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:23:04 CST

(With so many starters out, how was practice?)
I thought practice was good today. It always starts with the tempo. There is some new learning for our football team, no different than every Wednesday when you present the game plan. We only had a couple of repeated plays, but it was great to get outside. I thought it was solid practice. We'll see what the film shows.

(What is the plan with Rodgers this week?)
Well, he did not participate today. He was there. He was involved in the drills, but they just feel with the foot sprain and the toe sprain, as much time as you can to let it settle down. So we'll look at him tomorrow. I would project he'll probably go Friday. Tomorrow maybe limited and have him work Friday, but I fully anticipate him playing in the game.

(Where are you at with the offensive line?)
Offensive line, just going to take the week and work through it. Mark Tauscher had a lot of work today with th..

Packers-Buccaneers Week 9 Dope Sheet

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:01:06 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 as 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 during the season in PDF format, located in the Packers.com Game Centers.

This is an abbreviated version of the Packers-Buccaneers Week 9 Dope Sheet. To read the full version, download the PDF by clicking here.

Here are some highlights from the Packers-Buccaneers Week 9 Dope Sheet:

GREEN BAY (4-3) at TAMPA BAY (0-7)
Sunday, Nov. 8 - Raymond James Stadium - 1 p.m. EST
..

Mike McCarthy Press Conference Transcript - Nov. 2

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:17:46 CST
OK, I'll start with the injuries. We had a number of players banged up from the game, but the one significant injury, Brandon Chillar had a broken hand. He will have surgery today, and with the information that will come out of the surgery, the forecast will probably be a couple of weeks, and I think he'll then be able to play with a club. With that I'll take your questions.

(Anybody else who might be in danger of missing practice time this week?)
Yeah, I'll just go through. Nick Collins, he had the ankle contusion. I think if he does miss it will be minimal. Donald Driver had the stinger. Knowing Donald he'll practice every day. John Kuhn just had a knee bruise. We'll see how he is on Wednesday. Derrick Martin with the concussion. They say he's fine. And Aaron Rodgers has a toe sprain on one foot and has the foot sprain on the other. So Aaron will probably miss some time this week.

(Do you think you'll have Finley this week?)
J..

Mike McCarthy Post-Game Press Conference Transcript - Nov. 1

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:09:28 CST
(Mike, what do you say to your team after a first half like that?)
I'll tell you exactly what I told them. I told them at halftime that this second half was going to be a turning point in our season. It was important for us to go out there and turn this game around and make a run and win this game. I felt that was happening there in the third quarter. We played very poorly in the first half on special teams and offense. I thought the defense played well outside of Johnny Jolly's personal foul down there that extended the drive. I thought there was a lot of positive things...I thought we didn't tackle as well in the first half as we could.

(Having said that, going into the second half, losing the game, what are your feelings now, going forward?)
It stings. You know, losing at home doesn't taste good. I felt terrible for our fans. I thought they were tremendous tonight. I thought the way they were behind this football team... And I'll go ..

Army LTCs Keith And Mary Krueger And Family Recognized Sunday For 'Operation Fan Mail'

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:25:43 CST
Army LTC. Keith Krueger, his wife, Army LTC. Mary Krueger, and their family were recognized by the Green Bay Packers and WPS Health Insurance at today's game vs. the Minnesota Vikings for 'Operation Fan Mail.'

Keith, a Wausau, Wis., native, enlisted in the Army in 1986 as a high school senior and now is in his 23rd year of service, including his 18th year of commissioned service. He currently is the Army Engineer for NORAD and US NORTHERN Command, which is located in Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He recently returned from his third combat tour, which was with Multi-National Corps Iraq as the Chief of Engineer Operations. This 13-month tour was on the heels of a tour with Special Forces in Afghanistan. He is the recipient of numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star. A Packers fan, Keith holds all his badges with a Packers lanyard and has a collection of Packers bobble-head dolls on his desk.

Mary, a physician, is now in her 14th year of active service and se..

Packers-Vikings Press Box Notes

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:48:31 CST
GREEN BAY-MINNESOTA HEADLINES WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
- The attention of football fans around the globe will be transfixed on Lambeau Field today, as the Packers host the archrival Vikings in a pivotal NFC North showdown.

- All eyes will be on Vikings QB Brett Favre, who makes his return to Lambeau Field after 16 seasons in Green and Gold.

- For the border neighbors, this marks the latest twist to a rivalry which will see Game No. 98 in the all-time series.

- Both franchises opted for new head coaches in '06, and thus far Head Coach Mike McCarthy has a 5-2 advantage over Vikings coach Brad Childress.

- It was under four weeks ago that the two teams met in the Metrodome on a Monday night. The largest audience in the history of cable television saw the Vikings defeat the Packers 30-23 behind eight sacks.

- Matching the top two teams in the NFC North, today's game could have far-reaching implications in the division race.

Packers Defeat Vikings In Red Kettle Challenge

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:43:25 CST
Packers, Fans Raise $11,501 To Top Vikings' $5,192; Overall, Packers Collect $13,987

Packers fans came out in full force Friday afternoon at the Lambeau Field Atrium and through their efforts the Packers' wide receivers more than doubled the amount raised by the Minnesota Vikings' defensive line, $11,501 to $5,192, to gain victory in The Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge.

Hundreds of fans came through the Atrium to donate money, get an autograph, take pictures and wish the players good luck in Sunday's matchup against the Vikings. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain and Jake Allen were on hand while Vikings defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and members of the team's defensive line simultaneously rang bells at Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis.

In the "warm-up" hour before the ring-off, $2,486.08 was raised, bringing the grand total for the Salvation Army to $13,987.08.

The Green Bay Packers and ..