Packers.com

Notebook: Barnett To Open Camp On PUP List

Tom Fanning, Packers.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:00:59 CST

Linebacker Nick Barnett, looking to return to the field after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee in Week 10 at Minnesota last season, will open training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after not passing his physical on Friday.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy did not put a timetable on Barnett's anticipated return date, but expressed confidence that the seventh-year linebacker would be back on the field at some point during camp.

"Nick has had a very good rehab process throughout the spring and over the summer," McCarthysaid. "He looks good. I know the training staff is very positive of his testing results. Not to get into specifics and everything about Nick Barnett, but he's definitely headed in the right direction."

Barnett did participate in the jog-through portions of OTAs and mini-camp this offseason as he looked to pick up the intricacies of the 3-4 scheme that will be implemented by new defensive coordinator Dom Capers. If healthy, ..

More Traditional Schedule On Tap For Camp

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:38:46 CST

Last year, Head Coach Mike McCarthy often made reference to a "disjointed" training camp schedule that was mostly the result of having the first preseason game slated for national television on Monday Night Football.

That's not something McCarthy has to deal with this year, and he seems to appreciate it for a handful of reasons.

"We'll have more padded work this year than we did last year," McCarthy said during his season-opening press conference on Friday from Lambeau Field. "We had a very different training camp schedule last year with just the way our preseason games fell and so forth. Our snaps, our reps, this year will be the highest of my four years here."

Because the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union states that players cannot be required to report for training camp more than 15 days prior to the first preseason contest, the Packers' schedule was off-kilter from the start because the preseason opener against Cincinnati wa..

Notebook: Thompson Confident In '09 Team

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:28:55 CST

Recapping the 6-10 season in 2008 was no laughing matter to Ted Thompson at the annual shareholders' meeting on Thursday at Lambeau Field.

But in expressing his confidence in the team's prospects for 2009, the Packers' general manager emphasized the importance of the fans' enthusiasm and poked a little fun at himself in the process.

"We have exceptional fan support here, obviously," Thompson told the gathering of roughly 7,500. "Where else are you going to get people come out in the rain to hear me talk for a while and not really say anything?

"These are the best fans in sports."

As usual during his football report, Thompson didn't reveal many opinions about players on the current roster, or give any insights as to how the personnel and coaching staffs plan to pare it down to 53 players over the next month in training camp.

But he did describe some of the changes the team is undergoing - particularly the switch to the 3-4 defense - and exp..

Murphy Sees Packers Playing Role In CBA Negotiations

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:28:32 CST

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy told the team's annual gathering of shareholders on Thursday at Lambeau Field that the Packers could play a key role in the ongoing negotiations with the players' union on a new collective bargaining agreement.

In his President's Report to a rain-depleted gathering of roughly 7,500 shareholders, Murphy included a brief history of the NFL Players Association and the past negotiations and agreements with the league owners, some of which Murphy lived through as a player, player representative, and executive with the NFLPA.

While acknowledging that the negotiations on a new CBA will be difficult - the owners opted out of the current CBA last year, setting the stage for an uncapped final year in 2010 if a new agreement isn't reached before March of next year - Murphy believes the Packers could be a key voice at the bargaining table for multiple reasons.

First is the team's one-of-a-kind structure and status within the league..

Outside LB, Punter Among Battles Worth Watching

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:11:19 CST

NFL training camps are always full of competition for roster spots and backup positions. It's the nature of the business.

But in 2009, for the first time in the Mike McCarthy era in Green Bay, there are more than just a couple of starting jobs and other legitimate contributing roles up for grabs. In the second of a two-part series, Packers.com takes a look at the competitions on defense and special teams to keep an eye on as training camp unfolds.

Outside linebacker
Veteran Aaron Kampman is the clear-cut starter at left outside linebacker, but who will start on the right side opposite him has been an unanswered question since the hiring of Dom Capers and the switch to the 3-4 defense.

Second-year pro Jeremy Thompson, who reshaped his body a bit in the offseason to make the switch from defensive end, worked with the No. 1 defensive unit throughout OTAs and the mini-camp, and the coaching staff likes his progress thus far. But first-round dr..

Fullback, O-Line Among Offensive Spots Up For Grabs

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:04:20 CST

NFL training camps are always full of competition for roster spots and backup positions. It's the nature of the business.

But in 2009, for the first time in the Mike McCarthy era in Green Bay, there are more than just a couple of starting jobs and other legitimate contributing roles up for grabs. In a two-part series, Packers.com will take a look at several competitions to keep an eye on as training camp unfolds.

Today's part one looks at a handful of offensive spots that could be a long ways from settled.

Fullback
Veterans Korey Hall and John Kuhn combined to give the Packers a valuable option around the goal line last season, as the pair combined for four touchdowns.

But fifth-round draft pick Quinn Johnson of LSU now enters the mix with a reputation as a smashmouth lead blocker, perhaps capable of helping to improve Ryan Grant's 3.9-yard rushing average last year, more than a full yard below his 2007 average of 5.1 and a half-y..

The Game I'll Never Forget: B.J. Raji

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:47:52 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or any number of other factors.

Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

First-round draft pick B.J. Raji has never been one to shy away from responsibility.

So last season, with his Boston College Eagles playing a crucial Atlantic Coast Conference road game at Wake Forest to keep their league title hopes alive, Raji didn't despair when BC's starting quarterback broke his collarbone and was replaced by a redshirt freshman.

It on..

The Bounce-Back Pack: Six Players Looking To Rebound In '09

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:50:18 CST

Coming off a 6-10 season in 2008, the entire Green Bay Packers team is looking to bounce back to its winning ways in 2009.

But within that collective effort, several individuals will be striving to rebound from their own personal disappointments of last year, some injury-related, some otherwise.

As training camp approaches, here's a look at a half-dozen players looking for a bounce-back season whose work could go a long way toward the team turning things around as well.

DE Cullen Jenkins
Off to the best start of his career in 2008 with 18 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks in the first four games, Jenkins was playing as well as anyone on the entire defense when he was lost for the season to a torn pectoral muscle in Week 4 at Tampa Bay.

Among all the injuries suffered on defense last year, Jenkins became the toughest to replace. The Packers missed his stoutness against the run and his ability to pressure the passer from both inside and outsi..

The Game I'll Never Forget: Clay Matthews

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:50:32 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or any number of other factors.

Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

It's one thing to end a college career with a victory. It's yet another to end it in dominating fashion on the national stage.

That's what USC linebacker and Packers first-round draft pick Clay Matthews got to experience last year, as his Trojans routed Penn State 38-24 in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

The game was nowhere near as close as the final score. Behin..

Harlan Honored By Wisconsin Hall Induction

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:48:00 CST

Bob Harlan is breaking new ground for the Packers with his upcoming induction into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

Of the Hall's current 129 members, 22 have ties to the Green Bay Packers, but all of them were players or coaches. Harlan, who retired following the 2008 season after a 37-year career with the organization, including 19 as the principal executive, will be the first inductee to represent the team's administration.

"I'm very pleased with that, to see the administration get recognized," Harlan said in a phone interview with Packers.com. "When you look at the past inductees, it's an elite group. They're really people who shaped sports history in the state of Wisconsin, and to join them is very, very special. I'm truly honored."

Founded in 1951, the Hall includes such Wisconsin sports icons as Henry Aaron, Bart Starr, Reggie White, Vince Lombardi, Al McGuire and Bob Uecker.

On Friday, Nov. 20, in Milwaukee, Harlan will be inducted as p..

Sutton Getting His Start In Green Bay

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:45:04 CST

As a youngster growing up in Akron, Ohio, Tyrell Sutton dared to be different.

Back when the NFL's Starter jackets were the big new apparel item, Sutton saw all kinds of friends sporting jackets of the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and home-state Cleveland Browns.

So for Christmas one year, Sutton asked for a Starter jacket - of the Green Bay Packers.

"It's kind of ironic, but the first pro coat I ever had was the Green Bay jacket, and now the first team I'm getting a shot with is Green Bay," said Sutton, a rookie running back. "Back home, I was the only one who actually had that coat around there, so I definitely stood out."

As a non-drafted free agent out of Northwestern, Sutton has a goal of standing out in the upcoming training camp with the Packers. He has the proverbial tough road just to make the team, vying for a roster spot in a position group that has veteran Ryan Grant entrenched as the starter and experienced third-year pros Bran..

The Game I'll Never Forget: T.J. Lang

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:42:26 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or any number of other factors.

Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

The annual showdown between T.J. Lang's Eastern Michigan team and in-state rival Central Michigan had a tendency to get rather high-scoring.

In 2007, Eastern Michigan had pulled out a 48-45 shootout, and three years earlier, it had survived a 61-58, four-overtime thriller.

So it wasn't a big surprise when the 2008 season finale between the two familiar foes..

Blackmon, Packers Look To Step Up Return Games

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:04:41 CST

Will Blackmon's season returning punts and kickoffs for the Packers in 2008 was quite the mixed bag.

On the one hand, he ranked fourth in the NFC and ninth in the NFL with an 11.1-yard average on punt returns, and he was one of only five players to return at least two punts for touchdowns.

But on the other hand, his 21.0-yard average on kickoff returns tied for 34th in the league among players with at least 20 returns, and the Packers' team average of 20.1 yards on kickoff returns ranked last (32nd).

So where does that leave Blackmon and the Packers in 2009? There's obviously plenty of focus on kickoff returns, but Blackmon insists he's not resting on his past success - three career touchdowns in 44 attempts - with punt returns, either.

"Even if I returned 10 (for scores) last year, I always feel I can improve," Blackmon said. "You never feel satisfied. There's always room for improvement."

What makes Blackmon so dangerous on punt returns ..

WR Jones Back To His Old Self

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:42:16 CST

The old adage says NFL players make their biggest strides from their first year to their second, and receiver James Jones was on track to do just that in 2008.

In the midst of an impressive sophomore training camp, Jones began the preseason with that memorable touchdown catch on national television against Cincinnati, when he absorbed a big hit over the middle, lost his helmet, and stayed on his feet to run into the end zone.

By early in the third quarter of the third preseason game at Denver, Jones already had seven receptions, second on the team at that point to Donald Driver.

It looked as though topping his impressive rookie numbers of 47 catches for 676 yards would be a matter of course in Jones' second year out of San Jose State. But it wasn't to be.

In the second half of that game against Denver, Jones sprained his right knee. Not thought to be a serious injury at the time, that knee became a source of angst all season long for Jones and the ..

The Game I'll Never Forget: Quinn Johnson

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:29:03 CST

All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or any number of other factors.

Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.

Winning a championship has never gotten old to Quinn Johnson.

The bruising fullback and fifth-round draft choice out of LSU not only won one in high school, but he followed it up with one at his home-state college, when the Tigers beat Ohio State 38-24 in the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7, 2008, in front of mostly home-state fans at the Louisiana Superdome.

G-Force Invited To Tailgate Party And 3D Screening On Behalf Of Disney's G-FORCE

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:28:56 CST

G-Force - you know who you are Packers fans -- join the fun and celebrate Disney's newest film, G-FORCE at a Tailgate Party at Lambeau Field on Saturday, July 11. Directly following the party will be an advance 3D screening of the film at Bay Park Cinemas.

Hurry to gofobo.com to secure your spot at the G-FORCE Tailgate Party. The event is open to the first 500 fans to enter RSVP code GFFC038762. Be one of the first 250 fans to arrive at Lambeau field on July 11 and receive a wristband to attend the advance 3D screening.

G-FORCE is a comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, these highly trained guinea pigs discover that the fate of the world is in their paws.

Lambeau Field Remains No. 1 In ESPN The Magazine's 'Ultimate Standings'

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:32 CST

For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five years, Lambeau Field is ranked No. 1 in stadium experience in all of professional sports in ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings.

The publication ranks all 122 North American professional sports franchises in stadium experience based on cleanliness, parking, security and promotions. Lambeau Field first hit the top spot in 2005 and stayed there in 2006 before dropping to second in 2007. Last year it climbed back to No. 1 and remained there this year.

"We're proud of the fact that fans continue to enjoy their experiences at Lambeau Field," Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. "We're always looking at ways to enhance the fan experience, to keep things fresh while also maintaining the traditions inherent to Lambeau Field. We work hard to make it a great visit for all of our fans."

Stadium experience is one of eight categories ESPN The Magazine uses to create the Ultimate Standi..

Lang's Ready To Shift From Playbook To Pads

Mike Spofford, Packers.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:27:20 CST

Like almost all players in the trenches after five weeks of OTAs and mini-camp practices, rookie offensive lineman T.J. Lang is eager to put the pads on in training camp, so the physical element returns to the game.

But Lang is also looking forward to the mental side of things changing in camp as well. Specifically, knowing what he's doing every snap rather than having to stop and think about it.

"That was the biggest challenge throughout the first couple weeks of OTAs -- every day we'd have a new install, so it was like every day you're learning a new playbook," Lang said during the team's mandatory mini-camp last week. "It definitely will start to slow down a little bit, now that we have all the plays in."

Lang, the fourth-round draft choice out of Eastern Michigan, has been lauded by the coaching staff for how quickly he has picked up the offensive scheme and shown that he belongs at the NFL level. But that doesn't mean the work has been as easy as Lang ..