Catching Up With...Vonta Leach

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:48:40 CST

As a linebacker at East Carolina, Vonta Leach got his nickname "Big Bruiser" for delivering big hits on the defensive side of the ball. Leach made the switch to fullback his junior season and has been "bruising" linebackers ever since.

Packers.com recently sat down with the "Big Bruiser" to see how he would take on our random questions.

Who is your favorite athlete besides other football players?
Leach: I'd have to say Michael Jordan. He was without a doubt the greatest athlete.

What was your favorite class you took in college?
I would have to say one of my child development/family relations classes. I liked them because they were real life classes. Something I could relate to.

Who is the best player you have played against?
There have been a lot of good players I've played against, so it's hard to name just one. I just can't answer that.

What is something you can't go without on a daily basis?

Catching Up With...Patrick Dendy

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:58:24 CST
At Rice University, Patrick Dendy displayed his athletic ability every Saturday by blanketing wide receivers with his speed and coverage skills. Then he proved his intellectual prowess by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Dendy came to the Packers as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 after being out of football for a year while completing his degree. He played in four games for the Packers last year and looks to do more damage in 2006.

Packers.com recently sat down with Dendy to see if this Austin native had some Texas-sized answers to our random questions.

Packers.com: What are you plans after football?
Dendy: Probably to go into hospital administration. I worked in a hospital a couple of summers ago and I enjoyed it but I'm not cut out to be a doctor, so hospital administration is what I hope to do.

What is the worst job you've ever had?
Working at a pizza restaurant back home in Austin. I haven't had too..

Summer Traditions Set For Saturday, July 29

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:14:08 CST
An Old Tradition Meets Summer Traditions!

Where: Lambeau Field Parking Lot
When: July 29, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION!

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Grab the family and join the Packers on Saturday, July 29 for a fun-filled day of activities and main stage entertainment in the Lambeau Field parking lot.

From the young to those young at heart, there is something for everyone at this event.

Add to that the excitement of training camp and you have a day that will not soon be forgotten!

Scheduled Events:
Gunny Sack Races
Three Legged Races
Carnival Games
Mini Golf
Monster Mural
Airbrush Tattoos
Petting Zoo

Entertainment:
10:30 - 11 -- Circus Boy Bobby Hunt - Comedic Variety Act
11:15 - 11:45 -- Will Hale - Children's Show
12:00 - 12:30 -- Larry's Amazing Birds - Exotic Bird Show
12:45 - 1:15 -- Circus Boy Bobby Hunt - Comedic Variety Act
1:30 -..

Catching Up With...Jason Spitz

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 14:56:59 CST
When the Packers selected G/C Jason Spitz in the third round of this year's NFL Draft, not only were the Packers happy with their pick, but Spitz's former opponents in the Big East Conference also breathed a sigh of relief.

In his senior season at Louisville, Spitz registered 81 key blocks with 13 of those resulting in touchdowns. Spitz went on to receive first-team All Big-East honors and helped the Cardinals rank ninth nationally in total offense.

Spitz also is known for his strength in the weight room as he proved this rumor to be fact by bench pressing 225 pounds 25 times and squatting 585 pounds at his NFL workout in Louisville.

Packers.com recently sat down with one of the newest members of the Packers offensive line to see if he could handle the weight of some of our random questions.

Packers.com: Who is the greatest musician of all time?
Spitz: That would have to be without a doubt the greatest, wonderboy...Jack Black.

Notebook: Youth Won't Change Game Plan

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:31:52 CST
Head Coach Mike McCarthy is no stranger to starting rookies on offense.

Last year as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, McCarthy saw as many as seven rookies on his unit.

So it doesn't necessarily bother him that the Packers appear to be going into training camp with two rookies, second-round draft pick Daryn Colledge and third-rounder Jason Spitz, starting at guard on the offensive line. He doesn't expect the youth on the interior of the line to alter any game plans.

"If they're in a starting position I'm comfortable with it because they've earned that opportunity," McCarthy said. "If you have so many (rookies), it's not very comfortable. You have to call a different game and your approach is different.

"But I think regardless of who our starting guards are, we're going to be young but I don't think it's going to change the way we're trying to play. As long as we're not limited because we are so young, I think we'll be fine."

Next Up: Training Camp

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:29:01 CST
Strength and conditioning was taken care of in the early spring. Then came the installation of the offensive and defensive schemes through minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs).

So with the players in shape and the playbooks understood, the upcoming five-week training camp will go beyond learning all the things that came with a new coaching staff.

It will focus on building the 2006 Green Bay Packers into a team ready to make the franchise's first losing season in 14 years a distant memory, and it all starts July 28.

"You have to come together as a team," offensive tackle Mark Tauscher said. "You spend so much time together here, you're either on the field all the time or watching film and trying to make corrections from the mistakes in practice.

"It's going to be an important time, especially with the youth we have. You have to be able to make corrections and be able to do them quickly so they're not lagging into the third and fourth week ..

Packers OTA Notebook: Wells Looks To Land Long-Term Job

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:38:26 CST
When Scott Wells landed the starting job at center as a redshirt freshman for the University of Tennessee, he never let go of it.

Now he's looking to do the same thing with the Green Bay Packers.

Wells made 49 consecutive starts for the Volunteers before being drafted in the seventh round by the Packers in 2004. That streak was the third-longest in college football history among offensive linemen.

Whether or not Wells can put together a similar ironman streak in the NFL remains to be seen, but his performance in mini-camps and organized team activities (OTAs) this offseason has him on his way to his first full-time starting job in the NFL.

"I'm hoping to step out and make a statement at the center position and keep it for a long time," he said. "That's the way I look at it. This is my opportunity to lock down on a position and hold onto it for 10 years."

Wells, who missed Tuesday's practice because of a personal matter, earned his share of..

Packers Partners Annual Reception Set For Aug. 4

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:20:35 CST
The annual reception for the Packers Partners Club of Champions, the official fan club of the Green Bay Packers, has been set for Friday, August 4, 2006.

Open exclusively to fan club members, the evening consists of registration beginning at 4 p.m., with food & refreshments, networking with other members, raffle prizes, and question and answer session with Packers players/personnel to follow.

This year the event will take place in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Invitations were mailed out on June 14 and members are asked to register for the reception by July 19. Tickets will be mailed out in advance for entry into the reception.

The event is free to members. Members are allowed to purchase one guest ticket to the event ($15 guest fee). Guests 4 yrs. and under are admitted free of charge.

Fans interested in becoming a member of the Packers Partners Club of Champions and attending this yearly reception are asked to visit the ..

Catching Up With...Kenderick Allen

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:37:03 CST
A 6-foot-5, 328-pound defensive tackle out of Louisiana State, Kenderick Allen joined the Packers in the offseason from the New York Giants, where he spent the previous two seasons.

In a reserve role, Allen played in 14 total games last year, recording 21 tackles (15 solo), two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Overall in three NFL seasons, Allen has played in 29 games with three starts, amassing 51 tackles (40 solo) and three sacks.

A nondrafted free agent originally from Bogalusa, La., Allen entered the NFL with the New Orleans Saints in 2003.

Packers.com recently sat down with the big man from the Deep South to see how he would tackle a few random questions.

Packers.com: Outside of football, who is your favorite athlete?
Allen: I would definitely say Shaquille O'Neal. He's a big athlete. Most people look at big guys and think they're stiff and can't dance. If you remember when Shaq was younger you would always see him dancing and c..

Bennett Raises Money For Angel Fund Through Celebrity-Bowl-A-Thon

Stephen Foshee, Packers.com — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:17:22 CST
When Packers players hung their helmets in their lockers after June the15th Organized Team Activity, they shined up their shoes and headed to the lanes. Bowling lanes that is, for Edgar Bennett's Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon at Ashwaubenon, Lanes.

Players present at the event included Bubba Franks, Ahman Green, Noah Herron, Samkon Gado, Robert Ferguson, Aaron Rodgers and many others.

Packers fans that participated in the event got to spend time, bowl, and receive autographs from the Packers throughout the evening. Many of the Packers players headed out of town after Friday's practice to be home with family before their last two OTA sessions of the year. Players that stayed were able to sit back and enjoy a nice evening of bowling and spending time with their fans.

Money was raised through personal and corporate lane sponsorships, auctions on Packers memorabilia and personal donations. Kraft made a major donation by donating food for the event. Having raised..

Packers Rise To No. 7 In NFL Revenue Rankings

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 14:58:55 CST
When the renovated Lambeau Field debuted in 2003, the goal was for the stadium to keep the Green Bay Packers' annual revenues in the upper half of all NFL teams.

It has done that, and then some.

For what is believed to be the first time in franchise history, the Packers have cracked the top quartile in NFL revenue rankings, rising to seventh of the 32 teams according to financial figures released for the past fiscal year. The Packers had ranked 10th for the past three years running.

"To be honest, I was a little surprised to find out we were that high," said Larry Weyers, Packers treasurer. "We've always talked about staying in the second quartile, that second group of eight, so this is very positive.

"It's a tribute to the Packers organization that this facility is doing exactly what they told everybody it was going to do."

For the nation's smallest NFL market, a No. 7 ranking is a remarkable accomplishment, attributed primarily to the fa..

Packers OTA Notebook: Carroll Getting Noticed, For The Right Reasons

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 16:14:10 CST
Ahmad Carroll isn't interested in sulking.

After the Packers signed free-agent cornerback Charles Woodson, Carroll may have been expected to do just that by those who criticized his immaturity during his first two seasons in the NFL. Carroll, who started 27 games at corner in 2004 and 2005, in essence lost his job opposite Al Harris when Woodson was brought in.

But his approach to the offseason workout program, May minicamps, and June organized team activities (OTAs) indicates he's simply doing whatever it takes to get on the field and make an impact on the Packers' defense this fall.

"He's attacked the offseason program, attacked the weight training and conditioning," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "(Secondary coaches) Kurt Schottenheimer and Lionel Washington both feel like he's making progress and it's carrying over to the OTAs.

"He's been a productive, active performer on defense, and he has tremendous energy and competitiveness. I'm just very ..

Gannon To Share Experience In Friday's QB Meeting

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:30:53 CST
At the request of Head Coach Mike McCarthy, former NFL MVP Rich Gannon will speak to the Packers' young quarterbacks in their Friday morning meeting to describe his diligent off-the-field preparation during his 18-year pro career.

Gannon's dedication to film study and mental preparation impressed McCarthy when the two worked together from 1995-98 in Kansas City.

McCarthy was the Chiefs' quarterbacks coach then, and Gannon started 19 games during that stretch before joining the Oakland Raiders in 1999. Three years later, Gannon won the 2002 NFL MVP award and led the Raiders to the Super Bowl.

"He was the most competitive guy off the field that I've seen as far as his approach," McCarthy said. "He's an extreme competitor on the field, but just the way he went about his business...He watched the same amount of film no matter who he was playing or how many times he had played against them."

Obviously, Gannon had to keep himself in great physical shape ..

Tauscher, Packers Golf To Promote Literacy And Education

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 12:38:12 CST
Mark Tauscher is used to being a part of an offensive line that paves the way for Ahman Green and the Packers' running game to put up big numbers each season.

But he, along with about 30 of his teammates, traded in cleats for golf clubs Wednesday to help pave the way for kids throughout Wisconsin to learn to read, as they participated in Tauscher's TRIFECTA Foundation golf event, benefiting literacy and education in Wisconsin.

The TRIFECTA Foundation, which stands for "Tauscher's Reading Initiative For Every Child To Achieve" is a non-profit organization established by Tauscher in 2005.

The mission of the TRIFECTA Foundation is to enhance the education and literacy of children in Wisconsin by meeting locally identified literacy needs; promoting creative learning experiences in and out of the classroom; offering unique opportunities to inspire children to read; working with local organizations to improve literacy statistics; stimulating creativity and imagin..

Packers OTA Notebook: Herron Showing Versatility at Running Back And Fullback

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 17:44:26 CST
With the Packers' new offensive scheme not requiring the fullback to be a bulldozer as in years past, versatility may be the key to making the depth chart at running back.

Which just may open a spot for a guy like Noah Herron.

Herron, a second-year running back out of Northwestern whom the Packers signed off the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad late last season, has been getting snaps at both halfback and fullback in practice this week and getting some attention in the process.

"He's a very natural, instinctive football player," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he's had a tremendous spring and I think he definitely has a place on our football team if he continues to perform as he has."

Herron did some lead blocking at Northwestern, but not as a traditional fullback. With the Packers placing a higher premium on speed than pure power at fullback in their new zone blocking scheme, Herron is being asked to display any versatility he has.
..

A.J. Hawk Returns To Practice Field

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:54:24 CST
By watching videotapes of practices and studying his playbook, rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk was still keeping tabs on his new team while finishing classes at Ohio State the past month.

But he definitely wanted to get back to Green Bay as soon as possible, arriving from Columbus, Ohio, late Friday night despite not being able to return to the practice field until Monday.

"It felt like I was back in Ohio forever," said Hawk, who missed the Packers' second mini-camp in May and half of the organized team activities (OTAs) that began May 31. "These guys were out here practicing and I was stuck in school.

"The coaches sent me the DVD from the second mini-camp and I had to break down all the plays and see the defense we put in, and get it down on paper. But there's nothing like getting live reps against the offense."

Hawk worked with the No. 1 defense at weak-side linebacker on Monday, and if he had fallen behind in learning the scheme, his teammates don't..

John Jones Undergoes Successful Heart Surgery

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 10:32:37 CST
Statement from Chairman/CEO Bob Harlan: Audio Video

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Green Bay Packers President/COO John Jones underwent open-heart surgery Sunday afternoon at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. The surgery went as planned and Jones is in stable condition and resting comfortably. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Jones was feeling ill Sunday, and after a series of tests and consultation with doctors at the hospital, he was taken into surgery.

"Everyone at the Green Bay Packers is thankful that JJ's surgery went well," said Packers Chairman/CEO Bob Harlan. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife, Cindy, and their family. We all wish him well for a continued successful recovery and look forward to seeing him back at Lambeau Field sometime in the next month."

Offense Outduels Defense At 7th Annual Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game

Stephen Foshee, Packers.com — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 12:11:46 CST
Brett Favre held his seventh annual Celebrity Softball Game Saturday at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wis. The charity game provided many fans the opportunity to meet and receive autographs from their favorite players throughout the day. Many of the 8,107 fans came out early, tailgated and waited at the players' entrance to get a glimpse of the Packers.

The offense lit up the scoreboard and finished the day with a 29-14 win. Players for the most part sat back and enjoyed being able to participate, but running back Najeh Davenport admitted winning the game was always the goal.

"Anytime you can come away with a victory..." Davenport said, "...football, softball, kickball, it always feels good."

Davenport did his job to make sure the offense came away with that victory by tallying two home runs on the day.

It was also a good day at the plate for quarterbacks as Ingle Martin pounded out three home runs, Aaron Rodgers called his shot in left fi..

Parins 'Awed' By Support For Third Annual 'Cruise For Cancer'

Jeff Harding, Packers.com — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 11:55:43 CST
Several hundred bikers and Packers players and staff members gathered for the third-annual 'Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer,' Saturday.

A motorcycle ride to benefit cancer patients and families throughout Northeastern Wisconsin, the turnout for the event left Parins, the Green Bay Packers' director of corporate security who himself has battled cancer, virtually speechless.

"I don't really know what to say, I'm just really in awe by everything that's going on today," Parins said. "The first couple of years that we did this I was really still undergoing treatment...this is the healthiest that I've been since my journey started.

"I'm so excited to see what's happening with this ride and it's very special for me and all of the people that helped me coordinate this event. There are so many great people that work with me all the time and I don't know how to thank them."

Parins, a motorcycle enthusiast from an early age, coordinated the first-annual 'Cr..

Letters To Lee Remmel

Sat, 10 Jun 2006 15:02:32 CST
The Packers' tribute to George Calhoun and the website's Pet of the Week feature made my wife (the daughter of longtime trainer Carl "Bud" Jorgensen) recall a personal side of George. He used to send out Christmas cards with a picture of him and his dog. Could you elaborate on George's card sending habits and share anything else that would give us a glimpse of the personal side of this special man? - Tom, Stevens Point, Wis.

Tom, whether inadvertently or by design, you have identified one of the most colorful and memorable characters in the Packers' long history. And, with respect to your question, George Whitney Calhoun, the man who joined Curly Lambeau in calling the very first meeting of the fledgling Packers in August of 1919, did make it an annual custom to send out Christmas cards featuring the current and updated picture of his beloved bulldog.

Each year, the card's cover photo of Calhoun's canine would be entitled something like this: "Patsy Twosi..

Packers OTA Report: June 9

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:39:43 CST
Mike McCarthy's Friday OTA Report: Audio Video

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The Green Bay Packers wrapped up another week of OTAs (organized team activities) on Clarke Hinkle Field in front of a crowd of approximately 60 fans, Friday.

"The installation days went pretty well," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "I thought Tuesday's practice was outstanding. I thought yesterday's practice was very good. The offense did a lot of good things, but the five turnovers, you can't win football games like that.

"I thought the defense had a very good day yesterday as well, so actually our installation days were a lot more productive from a performance standpoint than our review days, because Monday and Friday were review days. We feel good with where we are at. We're at the halfway mark and we have seven more practices to go and we'll get five more installations in." ..

Favre Addresses Media Following Thursday's OTA

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 16:41:00 CST
The Green Bay Packers continued their organized team activities under sunny skies on Clarke Hinkle Field, Thursday.

The Packers will hold one more practice Friday before taking the weekend off.

They will continue with the same Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday practice schedule next week and will wrap up the OTAs with three practices the week of June 19-21.

All OTAs, weather permitting, are free and open to the public and tentatively are schedule to last approximately two hours, beginning at 11:15 a.m. each day.

Practices moved inside the Don Hutson Center due to weather or field conditions cannot be open to the public because of space limitations.

Below are some of the highlights from Thursday's press conference:

Packers quarterback Brett Favre
(on what type training regimen he'll keep before returning to Green Bay for training camp)
I'll continue to workout. I've done some things before ..

Live Press Conferences On Packers.com!

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:02:53 CST
Click here for live VIDEO!

Keep checking back for archived audio and video of all press conferences.

***

Live Press Conference Video Schedule
* all times Central and subject to change

Thursday, June 8:
Brett Favre: approx. 1:00 p.m.

***

Tired of waiting for 10 second clips on the late-night news to find out what's going on with the Green and Gold?

Be sure to join Packers.com as we provide streaming video coverage of the Packers' press conferences in their entirety and free of charge, live from the Lambeau Field media auditorium.

Additionally, Packers.com will provide video of press conferences and daily interviews throughout tr..

Green Bay Packers Annual Shareholder's Meeting July 19, 2006

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 11:13:30 CST
Also see: Packers Shareholders

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2006 SHAREHOLDERS MEETING FACT SHEET

What:
Green Bay Packers Annual Shareholders Meeting.

When/Where:
9 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, inside Lambeau Field.

The event returns to the historic stadium, where it was held the first two years after the 1997-98 stock sale (1998, '99), because more than 5,000 stockholders were turned away from last year's meeting when the nearby Resch Center was deemed to have met its capacity.

The meeting will be open to ticketed shareholders plus one guest.

Features/Activities:
* Annual reports will be delivered by Chairman and CEO Bob Harlan and other team officials.

* A tour through team's locker room and football areas will be offered to shareholders and guests. To help minimize the wait, tours also will be offered on Tuesday, July 18, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in addition to ..

Packers Resume Organized Team Activities Monday

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 10:33:40 CST
The Green Bay Packers will return to Clarke Hinkle Field Monday for the first of four practices this week.

This week's schedule will include one practice on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

After taking next weekend off, the Packers will continue with the same practice schedule the week of June 12-16.

The Packers will wrap up the OTAs (organized team activities) with three practices the week of June 19-21.

All OTAs, weather permitting, are free and open to the public and tentatively are schedule to last approximately two hours, beginning at 11:15 a.m. each day.

Practices moved inside the Don Hutson Center due to weather or field conditions cannot be open to the public because of space limitations.

Click here for OTA practice location updates!

Packers To Hit Roads For 'Tailgate Tour' July 11-14

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:34:41 CST
MAKING STOPS IN MILWAUKEE, MADISON, LA CROSSE, WAUSAU AREAS; HARLAN, JONES, DRIVER, FRANKS, DAVIS TO SAY 'THANKS' IN PERSON

The Packers Thursday announced plans for the 'Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour,' a four-day, four-city bus trip to take place July 11-14, designed for the team to literally reach out across the state and thank fans in person for their enduring and enthusiastic support of the club through the years.

The event, the first of its kind for the team, will include Chairman Bob Harlan, President John Jones and players Donald Driver, Bubba Franks and Rob Davis. The tour will take place aboard a customized motor coach emblazoned with the logo "Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour" and the phrase "Touching Down in Your Community." The tour will make stops in Milwaukee (July 11) Madison (July 12), La Crosse (July 13) and Wausau (July 14).

The motor coach will make one scheduled stop during the day at a site to be determined in each city. At the v..

Packers.com

Symposium Teaches Rookies Other Parts Of Game

Catching Up With...Vonta Leach

Catching Up With...Patrick Dendy

Summer Traditions Set For Saturday, July 29

Catching Up With...Jason Spitz

Notebook: Youth Won't Change Game Plan

Next Up: Training Camp

Packers OTA Notebook: Wells Looks To Land Long-Term Job

Packers Partners Annual Reception Set For Aug. 4

Catching Up With...Kenderick Allen

Bennett Raises Money For Angel Fund Through Celebrity-Bowl-A-Thon

Packers Rise To No. 7 In NFL Revenue Rankings

Packers OTA Notebook: Carroll Getting Noticed, For The Right Reasons

Gannon To Share Experience In Friday's QB Meeting

Tauscher, Packers Golf To Promote Literacy And Education

Packers OTA Notebook: Herron Showing Versatility at Running Back And Fullback

A.J. Hawk Returns To Practice Field

John Jones Undergoes Successful Heart Surgery

Offense Outduels Defense At 7th Annual Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game

Parins 'Awed' By Support For Third Annual 'Cruise For Cancer'

Letters To Lee Remmel

Packers OTA Report: June 9

Favre Addresses Media Following Thursday's OTA

Live Press Conferences On Packers.com!

Green Bay Packers Annual Shareholder's Meeting July 19, 2006

Packers Resume Organized Team Activities Monday

Packers To Hit Roads For 'Tailgate Tour' July 11-14