Packers.com

Driver, Harris Expect Bears To Blitz Manning

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:34:52 CST

Both Donald Driver and Al Harris expect to see something from the Chicago Bears' defense on Sunday that isn't necessarily their forte - blitzing.

In separate interviews with Sirius NFL radio this week from Miami, site of Super Bowl XLI between the Bears and Indianapolis Colts, Driver and Harris indicated the key for Chicago against the Colts' high-powered offense will be to pressure quarterback Peyton Manning any way they can.

"The Bears' defense is great, but the only thing is they have to put pressure on Peyton Manning," Driver said. "If they don't put pressure on Peyton Manning, he's going to be able to sit back in the pocket and pick that secondary apart."

But Driver doesn't think the Bears can simply rely on their front four, which they normally do in their Cover-2 scheme, to get to Manning. Assuming middle linebacker Brian Urlacher stays in his customary deep middle spot, the blitzing could come from the outside linebackers.

"They want to rus..

McCarthy: Momentum From '06 Will Matter For '07

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:31:11 CST

On a couple of national radio programs broadcasting from the Super Bowl in Miami on Tuesday, Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy expressed that the youth of his team and the momentum it built at the end of 2006 has him looking forward to the start of offseason workouts in 2007.

And that optimism has his coaching staff working diligently to complete its comprehensive 2006 evaluation and placing heightened importance on the upcoming offseason program.

"I think there's definitely going to be a carry over as we move forward," McCarthy said on the nationally syndicated Jim Rome show, speaking by phone from Austin, Texas. "Right now we have more players under contract than anybody in the National Football League, and that has a lot to do with how young we are as a football team.

"Our focus as a coaching staff is we've spent a lot of time moving ahead in our scheme evaluation because when our offseason program comes, it needs to be the best offseason program we've ev..

Packers Distribute Chunky Soup Winnings

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:11:19 CST

The undying support of Green Bay Packers fans is benefiting Wisconsin food pantries once again.

For the fifth straight year, the Packers won Campbell's Chunky soup's annual "Click For Cans" contest, as fans registered nearly 1 million online votes to earn a donation from Campbell's of 14,000 cans of Chunky soup, equal to the weight of the Packers' roster.

A portion of those cans arrived at Lambeau Field on Tuesday morning, and players Noah Herron, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Spitz helped unload them into the trucks of 15 Wisconsin food pantries. The full 14,000 cans did not arrive due to a shipping error, for which Campbell's apologized and explained that each pantry would have the remainder of their share shipped soon.

Each food pantry received a handful of cases on Monday, and when the rest of the shipment arrives, they will take in more than 70 cases each, or more than 800 cans of soup apiece.

"It means quite a bit," said Larry Larson, manager of ..

Remmel To Watch Super Bowl XLI With Keen Interest

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:13:54 CST

The Green Bay Packers have a long history with both of the franchises squaring off in Super Bowl XLI, which partly is why team historian Lee Remmel isn't sure whom he wants to win.

"There are a lot of reasons to root for one or the other," Remmel said.

The Chicago Bears are obviously the Packers' biggest rival and a fellow member of the NFC North Division. As a former sports reporter, Remmel feels privileged to have spent more than two decades interviewing Bears' founder and longtime head coach, George Halas, and he expressed that he's happy for the McCaskey family for this season's success.

But Remmel also has great respect for Indianapolis Colts' head coach Tony Dungy, who coached against the Packers for several years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the old NFC Central, and is delighted to see him get to the Super Bowl. The Colts also played several significant games against the Packers back in the 1960s as the Baltimore franchise coached by Don Shula. O..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:21:37 CST

Read the 'Packers Fan Memories' archives or Submit your own favorite memory

This Week's Photos

Hey Packers fans, here's your chance to share with other fans from around the world your favorite memories of the Green and Gold!

Each week, Packers.com will post a feature called 'Packers Fan Memories.'

This week's collection of Packers Fan Memories consists of young Packer Backers making long journeys for their first Lambeau Field experience, a nervous boyfriend who needed the help of Coach Lombardi to pop the question, a small superhero that bears a striking resemblance to Brett Favre, and more.

My greatest memory is when I took my daughter, Kelsey to see Lambeau Field for the first time during the tour at the 2006 shareholders meeting. She was 5 1/2 years old at the time and was thrilled to see where the Packers and Brett..

Key Dates Highlight Busy Offseason For Team, Lambeau

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:28:52 CST

Even though it's the offseason, there's still plenty going on at Lambeau Field and its spectacular atrium over the next several months.

Here is a list of several key dates and events to keep in mind as the Packers prepare for the 2007 season. Organized team activities (OTA), training camp and other dates will be announced as they are finalized.

Feb. 1-28: Black History Month, Packers Hall of Fame
(Click here for more information.)
Tour the Hall of Fame with a special guide book highlighting the contributions of African-Americans throughout the franchise's history. The month also features a special panel discussion on Feb. 8 at the Hall of Fame with current African-American members of the organization.

Feb. 10: Project LEAP!, Lambeau Field Atrium
(Click here for more information.)
The fourth annual event, free to the public, is open from..

Offseason Film Review Evaluates Every Snap, Every Situation From '06

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:45:05 CST

Reviewing film to see what went right, what went wrong, and what needs to be changed is an ongoing process during the regular season for a football coaching staff. It's a process referred to as "self-scouting."

But during the season there's only so much time each week that can be devoted to studying your own film. The coaches also have to conduct practice, scout the opponents and devise game plans.

That's why the most extensive self-scouting is done now, during the first several weeks of the offseason. The coaches are reviewing, literally, every snap on offense, defense and special teams from the 2006 season to evaluate the schemes, personnel and results.

That's 2,627 total plays -- 1,117 on offense, 1,044 on defense, 466 on special teams. It's an extensive, comprehensive review process that began last week, and the coaches hope to have it completed by the time they leave for the NFL Scouting Combine in late February.

"We take the video and cut it ..

1966 Packers Ranked No. 6 On 'America's Game' Countdown

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:29:30 CST

Show airs: Tuesday, Jan. 30
7:30 p.m. CT
exclusively on NFL Network

America's Game is the show football fans have been waiting for: 40 one-hour documentaries produced by NFL Films.

'America's Game' is not a Super Bowl recap, but a 40-part special that unveils team stories that have never before been seen or heard.

The top 20 air in order from No. 20 to No. 1, with the No. 1 ranked Super Bowl being revealed the week of Super Bowl XLI.

Now, America's Game turns its attention to the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl I victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

THE "LOMBARDI MYSTIQUE", THE LEADERSHIP OF WILLIE DAVIS AND BART STARR CHALLENGING VINCE LOMBARDI

BILL CURRY, WILLIE DAVIS AND BART STARR TELL THE STORY OF THE '66 PACKERS' ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL

How did the "Lombardi mystique" help center Bill Curry during a flight cancellation prior to training camp? How did def..

Scouting Staff Spending Key Week At Senior Bowl

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:19:54 CST

2007 Senior Bowl Info:
Date: January 27, 2007
Kickoff: 3 p.m. CT
Stadium: Ladd-Peebles Stadium (40,646)
Television: NFL Network Coverage (Jan. 22-27)
Web site: www.seniorbowl.com

**

Preparation for the 2007 NFL Draft makes a significant shift into high gear for the Green Bay Packers' scouting staff this week.

A team of 13 members of the organization, including all of the Packers' college and pro scouts, have descended on Mobile, Ala., for Senior Bowl week to watch the top senior talent go head-to-head in practices and in the annual game, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. CT.

"It's a big week for a lot of seniors," said pro personnel assistant Tim Terry, a former NFL linebacker. "I remember when I was coming out of college, that's the biggest college all..

1966 Packers Among 'America's Game' Top 10

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:00:03 CST

Special Show To Air During Week Before Super Bowl

The Green Bay Packers' 1966 championship team that won the first Super Bowl is among the Top 10 Super Bowl champions of all time, according to the special TV series entitled "America's Game: Super Bowl Champions."

A special one-hour documentary on the 1966 Packers will air on NFL Network or CBS sometime between Saturday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 3, depending on where the team is ranked among the other nine remaining (see list below). Fans can currently cast their vote at www.nfl.com/americasgame.

NFL Network has been counting down the Top 20 Super Bowl champions with the one-hour documentaries in its "America's Game" series since November, with the top two selections to be aired the day before Super Bowl XLI on CBS.

The Top 20 and their subsequent rankings were selected by a 53-member blue ribbon panel of experts. The entire "America's..

Offensive Shift: Fontenot Claims Office Space, Moves Philbin Down Hall

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 11:48:36 CST

New offensive coordinator Joe Philbin was in no hurry to move to his new office. Next week, or by the end of the month, would have been fine.

But the trickle-down effect Philbin's promotion had on the offensive staff resulted in a "trickle-up" effect as far as the office shifting.

You see, Jerry Fontenot spent 2006 first as a coaching intern and then as an offensive assistant and consultant, and was a coach without a home. He'd work most of the time in the offensive meeting room, but get kicked out frequently when game-planning meetings took precedence. He had to find space to work wherever it was available.

So when Fontenot was promoted to assistant offensive line coach (while James Campen moved up from that position to offensive line coach, Philbin's old role), he wasn't excited just about his new job, but the opportunity to have some space to call his own.

Hence, the moving began the day after the staff changes were made, with Philbin moving int..

Wisconsin Native And Packer Fan Wins Punt, Pass & Kick National Title

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 11:12:21 CST

Nine-year-old Logan Weckerly hadn't been born yet when the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI in the New Orleans Superdome back in January of 1997.

But he knew about it, and he's awful proud to deliver the Packers another title of sorts on that same field.

Last weekend Weckerly, of Monroe, Wis., won the national championship in the 8/9 boys division of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick finals, held at the Superdome prior to the Saints-Eagles NFC Divisional Playoff game. He was then introduced to the sellout crowd and a national TV audience between the third and fourth quarters, wearing the jersey of his favorite and home-state team, the Packers.

Weckerly won his age group by booting a punt 61 feet, rifling a pass 80 feet, and launching a kick 78 feet for a total of 219 feet, or 73 yards, all on the same field Brett Favre threw those memorable touchdown passes to Andre Rison and Antonio Freeman to beat the Patriots for the franchise's third Super Bowl title.

"He..

Packers Fan Memories

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:57:38 CST

Read the 'Packers Fan Memories' archives or Submit your own favorite memory

This Week's Photos

Hey Packers fans, here's your chance to share with other fans from around the world your favorite memories of the Green and Gold!

Each week, Packers.com will post a feature called 'Packers Fan Memories.'

This week's selection includes Packers fans of all ages and locations...a season ticket holder since 1960 reflects back on the times he's had at Lambeau Field and is now teaching his children to carry on the family tradition, a Green and Gold fanatic from the Netherlands meets a current Packer via NFL Europe, a Chargers fan turned cheesehead, and more.

I'm 46, and a Packer fan since birth. We've owned 8 season tickets since 1960!!! I lived in Manitowoc and attended many memorable Packer games! We'd tailgate with my pare..

Packers Fan Memories

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:57:03 CST

Read the 'Packers Fan Memories' archives or Submit your own favorite memory

This Week's Photos

Hey Packers fans, here's your chance to share with other fans from around the world your favorite memories of the Green and Gold!

Each week, Packers.com will post a new feature called 'Packers Fan Memories.'

Your first time at Lambeau Field... The first time you met a Packers legend... Your favorite piece of Packers memorabilia...Your family's pre-game tailgating ritual. You name it. We want to hear about it in 'Fan Memories' as Packers fans tell us about some of their most memorable moments backing the Green and Gold.

Over the past three years, I have organized an annual guys trip to Lambeau Field. After moving from Wisconsin years ago, I discovered that regardless of where a person lives or their hometown team, people always love the experience of ..

Kampman, Driver Named First-Team All-NFC

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:43:53 CST

Aaron Kampman and Donald Driver are headed to the Pro Bowl in a few weeks with yet another postseason honor.

Kampman and Driver have been named to the Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America All-NFC team to go along with their selection as NFC representatives in the Pro Bowl next month in Hawaii.

Kampman, a fifth-year defensive end who also earned second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press, posted a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in 2006, tops in the NFC, second in the league, and the third-best single-season total in franchise history. He had four multiple-sack games, all at home, including a pair of three-sack games against New Orleans (Sept. 17) and Minnesota (Dec. 21).

Kampman also led Green Bay defensive linemen with a career-high 113 tackles (84 solo), which ranked third on the team behind linebackers A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett. He started all 16 games for the third straight season and now has started 58 consecutive games.

Ot..

Hawk, Colledge, Jennings Make All-Rookie Team

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:34:25 CST

The Green Bay Packers certainly had their share of rookies in 2006, with 15 on the active roster during the final month of the season.

It turned out to be a pretty darn good crop.

Three rookies - linebacker A.J. Hawk, offensive lineman Daryn Colledge and receiver Greg Jennings - were selected to Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team for this past season, tying the Packers with the Saints for the most rookies on the squad.

The trio comprised the Packers' first three draft picks last April, with Hawk going in the first round (fifth overall) and College (47th) and Jennings (52nd) being taken in the second round.

Hawk was penciled into the starting weak-side linebacker position from the moment he arrived in Green Bay, and he didn't disappoint. He led the team with 155 total tackles, including a team-best 112 solo tackles, and had 3 1/2 sacks.

He also had nine passes defensed, which tied for a team-high for a non-d..

Coaching Changes Maintain Continuity On Offense, Connection With Defense

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:02:03 CST

Keeping together an offensive coaching staff that helped the Packers finish ninth in the league in total offense in 2006, Head Coach Mike McCarthy filled his first coaching vacancies on Monday by staying in-house. On the defensive side, he also designated a longtime colleague to be his right-hand man as an assistant head coach.

McCarthy promoted Joe Philbin to offensive coordinator to replace the departed Jeff Jagodzinski, who left to become the head coach at Boston College at season's end. James Campen was moved up to take Philbin's former role as offensive line coach, and Jerry Fontenot was retained as an assistant to Campen on the offensive line.

"Consistency was something that quite frankly we did not have as a football team, particularly the first half of the season," McCarthy said. "This enables us to continue to build."

Meanwhile, Winston Moss was promoted to assistant head coach/defense. The Packers linebackers coach in 2006 who coached with McCarth..

Season Full Of Statistical Oddities

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:37:47 CST

Statistics can engross one's attention in sports, and football is no different. There are countless ways to look at, interpret and process the numbers that are attached to every game, play and player.

So just for fun, here's a look at some statistical oddities from the 2006 Packers season. They're numbered zero through 16, one for every game, plus the bye week.

0: The Packers' turnover ratio for the 2006 season. Green Bay finished with 33 giveaways (15 fumbles, 18 interceptions) and 33 takeaways (10 fumbles, 23 interceptions). It took a plus-5 mark in the season finale against Chicago (6 takeaways, 1 giveaway) for the season ratio to even out.

1: The number of recoveries by the Packers on fumbles not charged to opposing quarterbacks. The only non-QB to fumble one to Green Bay was Philadelphia running back Correll Buckhalter, near the goal line on Oct. 2. The Packers' nine other fumble recoveries were on turnovers charged to Philadelphia's Don..

Allen's Rehab Progressing Well

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:24:41 CST

Just two weeks after finishing a grueling 16-game schedule, the offseason is about rest, relaxation and recuperation for most players.

But for injured players who weren't a part of the regular-season grind in 2006, like defensive tackle Kenderick Allen, there's an entirely different focus.

"I'm looking forward to putting on some cleats and running," said Allen, who hasn't done so since late September, when a serious foot injury at Detroit's Ford Field prematurely ended his season.

After a long four months, Allen is about to begin what he hopes are the final rehabilitation stages for his foot. In February, he'll begin running and hopefully doing football-specific drills again, with the idea that he'll be back to full strength by the time the Packers' offseason conditioning program begins on March 19.

At the time of the injury, Allen had no idea he was in for so much down time. In the first quarter at Detroit on Sept. 24, Allen's foot got caught in t..

NFL Films Looking For 1967 Packers Footage

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:39:18 CST

NFL Films is looking for help from Packers fans.

The league's award-winning film producers are searching for film and television material to include in an upcoming special entitled "America's Game: The 1967 Green Bay Packers."

NFL Films is looking for any home movies fans may have taken at Lambeau Field or Milwaukee County Stadium on game days, or at any Packers practices during the season or training camp, from 1966 or 1967. In addition, any television footage from Vince Lombardi's coaches shows, or the "Packerama" show hosted by offensive lineman Jerry Kramer, is being requested as well.

Fans with any such material are encouraged to contact Kathy Davis at NFL Films at kathy.davis@films.nfl.com or at 856-222-3506.

NFL Films' "America's Game" series, airing on NFL Network, includes a one-hour documentary on each of the 40 Super Bowl championship teams. The shows take NFL fans inside the locker ..

Kampman Named Second-Team All-Pro

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 10:40:38 CST

Aaron Kampman continues to pull in the postseason honors.

Three weeks after being named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad for the first time, Kampman has earned a second-team All-Pro selection from the Associated Press.

Kampman, a fifth-year defensive end, posted a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in 2006, the third-best single-season total in franchise history. He had four multiple-sack games, all at home, including a pair of three-sack games against New Orleans (Sept. 17) and Minnesota (Dec. 21).

The AP All-Pro team consists of the best players at each position regardless of conference, as chosen by a panel of national media.

Miami's Jason Taylor and Carolina's Julius Peppers were the first-team selections at defensive end. Kampman was joined on the second team by Buffalo's Aaron Schobel.
Rewarded for his hard work with a four-year contract extension on the eve of free agency last year, Kampman in turn rewarded the Packers with his best season as a professio..

N.E. Wisconsin Safari Club International Banquet and Hunter Expo Set For Feb 23-25

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:03:36 CST

Ninth Annual Northeast Wisconsin Safari Club International Banquet and Hunter Expo
Feb. 23-25, 2007
Lambeau Field Atrium

The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of Safari Club International is hosting its ninth annual banquet and hunter expo at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay Wis.

Guest speakers this year will include bow hunter and outdoor legend "Tom Miranda" from ESPN, along with respected big game hunter, Gary Herbert, from New Zealand Mountain Hunting, and "Fred Kloos".

Also present will be outfitters, guides, professional hunters, lodge owners, wildlife artist, taxidermist, jewelers and sportsmen's merchandise venders from around the world. The Saturday night banquet dinner will be catered by the award winning Levy Restaurants Sports and Entertainment Group and held in the Legends Club Room.

New format for 2007: There will not be a dinner on Friday night. Exhibits will be open until 10 p.m. and the auctions and raffles wil..

Starting QB Or Not, Rodgers Looks To Return In Tip-Top Shape

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 14:28:45 CST

Aaron Rodgers is tired of hearing about it.

No, not the question of whether or not Brett Favre is going to retire. Obviously, Rodgers would like to know just as much as the rest of us, but he knows Favre will decide in due time. And Rodgers plans on approaching the off-season the same whether he's going to be Favre's backup for another year or the new starting quarterback.

Actually, Rodgers is tired of hearing about his body fat.

Now, at 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, the 23-year-old Rodgers keeps himself in good shape. He moves in the pocket well and can make things happen on the run. Heck, he even proved to Head Coach Mike McCarthy in his first season working with him that he's a better athlete than McCarthy thought when scouting him for the 2004 NFL Draft out of California.

But McCarthy, who has helped develop several young quarterbacks in the NFL, likes his pupils to be around 8 percent body fat. Rodgers says he's around 10 percent, and he'd like to ..

Games Got Away During Slow Start In 2006

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:35:54 CST

Finishing 8-8 and missing the final NFC playoff spot based on a "strength of victory" tiebreaker illustrates both the excitement and the frustration of the 2006 season for the Green Bay Packers.

Exciting, because it sure beats the 4-12 mark of 2005, and heading into the season's final weekend with a shot at a playoff berth is certainly more fun than just playing out the string.

But also frustrating, because there were a handful of games the Packers let get away, and if any one of them had gone Green Bay's way, the Packers might have been heading to Philadelphia for a Wild Card game this weekend.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy was asked in his season-ending news conference this week what prevented the Packers from getting the one more win they needed to make the playoffs, and he didn't single out one game. He pointed to the start of the season, when the Packers lost three games - to New Orleans, Philadelphia and St. Louis - they were in position to win, leading to..

McCarthy Proud Of First Season, But Regrets Missing Playoffs

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 16:39:44 CST

Much like his players did two days earlier, Head Coach Mike McCarthy expressed both pride and disappointment with 2006 during his season wrap-up news conference on Wednesday.

McCarthy said he was proud of some of the smaller achievements - instituting his program, changing the culture, improving on last season, and making improvements during the year, including a season-ending four-game winning streak.

But to a coach whose aspirations are to win a Super Bowl, McCarthy was disappointed the Packers so narrowly missed the playoffs, particularly because the team is as healthy as it's been all season and was playing its best football the past month.

"I have mixed feelings," McCarthy said. "I'm proud of the smaller successes that we have accomplished since we all came together here in February, and I'm proud we have those in place and are able to build off them.

"But I'm disappointed we didn't get in the playoffs. I'm disappointed that I couldn't lead th..

Jagodzinski Ready For Next Challenge

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:43:31 CST

Jeff Jagodzinski's last day as the offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers was actually less than a full calendar year from his first.

But even though his stint as one of the top two coaches on Mike McCarthy's staff was brief, it gave Jagodzinski valuable experience to advance his career.

Jagodzinski was cleaning out his Lambeau Field office on Tuesday, getting ready to fly to Boston on Wednesday to officially begin his tenure as the head coach of the Boston College Eagles in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

A position coach during his first seven years in the NFL (including five with the Packers from 1999 to 2003), Jagodzinski felt the move up to coordinator in 2006 prepared him to take over his own program for the first time.

"Probably the biggest thing that I got was the experience of being in front of the team every day, being in front of the offense every day, and being able to install things and manage all the coaches on offense," said J..

Watch 'The Mike McCarthy Show' On Packers.com!

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:27:09 CST

Since the days of Vince Lombardi it's been tradition in Green Bay for the Packers' head coach to have his own television show. This season is no different. Making its debut for the 2006 season is the Mike McCarthy Show.

The Mike McCarthy Show is a 30-minute program hosted by Jessie Garcia, of Milwaukee's WTMJ-TV and sideline reporter for the Packers Television Network, and Larry McCarren, sports director at Green Bay's WFRV-TV and an analyst on the Packer Radio Network. Garcia, McCarren and Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy each week will review and preview games as well as be joined by a special Packers guest and answer questions from fans. Coach McCarthy also each week will teach viewers about the play of the game with a telestrator.

The Mike McCarthy Show airs on Tuesdays in Green Bay on WFRV-TV (CBS, Ch. 5), in Milwaukee on WTMJ-TV (NBC, Ch. 4), in Marquette, Mich., on WJMN-TV, in Wausau on WAOW-TV (ABC, Ch. 9), in Madison on WKOW-TV (ABC, Ch. 27), in La Crosse..

Optimism Reigns On Both Sides Of The Ball

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:18:03 CST

As the Green Bay Packers cleaned out their lockers on Monday to officially conclude the 2006 season, there was a hint of regret with narrowly missing an NFC playoff berth, particularly because the team was hot and may have had a chance to make a postseason run.

But the predominant feeling was that of optimism, as the team takes a four-game winning streak into the off-season with the belief that the foundation has been laid for another step forward in 2007.

"I would have loved to be in the playoffs," center Scott Wells said. "The momentum we were building with our four-game winning streak, the way the defense is playing right now, I think we'd have a good opportunity in the playoffs, but it wasn't in the cards for us.

"The most important thing we could have done is finish 8-8, 5-1 in the division, which is huge, and really give us a boost in the off-season, give our fans something to be excited about."

That they have, on both offense and defense. Wh..