Packers-Cardinals Preseason Week 3 Dope Sheet

*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-Cardinals Preseason Week 3 Dope Sheet. To read the full version, download the PDF by clicking here.

Here are some highlights from the Packers-Cardinals Preseason Week 3 Dope Sheet:*

**GREEN BAY (2-0) at ARIZONA (0-2)

Friday, Aug. 28 - University of Phoenix Stadium - 9 p.m. CDT

GREEN BAY HEADS WEST TO FACE ARIZONA**

• The Packers travel over 1,800 miles for their third exhibition contest against the Arizona Cardinals, a trip they will repeat in Week 17.

• In many ways, this may be the team's best test of the preseason. For starters, it is the first road game of 2009, giving the team a valuable look at how its younger players will perform in a hostile environment.

• In Arizona, Green Bay faces one of the league's most explosive aerial attacks, led by QB Kurt Warner and WR Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals are coming off an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII.

• As has been the case under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, primary starters will see their most extended action of the preseason as well. Traditionally, they have played into the second half.

• Both the No. 1 offense and defense will look to maintain the momentum of the first two exhibition games in what should be its most extended 'live' action until the regular-season opener Sept. 13 vs. Chicago.

• It will be the first trip to the University of Phoenix Stadium for the Green Bay franchise. It was an overtime away from playing at the state-of-the-art facility in Super Bowl XLII.

• Arizona lost at home, 17-6, to the San Diego Chargers this past Saturday after dropping its preseason opener in Pittsburgh a week earlier. It will wrap up the preseason Sept. 3 in Denver.

• Old-time rivals dating back to the days when the Cardinals franchise called Chicago home, Friday night marks the 21st preseason meeting between the two franchises. Green Bay holds a 14-6 advantage.

STARTING FAST

• One of the main goals in Green Bay this offseason was an added emphasis on starting fast through increasing the tempo at the line of scrimmage and ultimately improving upon point production.

• The Packers produced a total of 13 points (one TD, two FGs) on their first offensive possessions a year ago, second fewest among all NFL teams (Detroit, 10). Despite ranking No. 5 in total scoring (419 points) in 2008, the Packers produced their lowest output (61 points) in the first quarter. That total ranked tied for 20th.

• So far this offseason, it looks as though that emphasis has paid off, as the No. 1 offense has produced touchdowns on five of its six drives.

• QB Aaron Rodgers is a combined 13-of-19 for 200 yards with three TDs, producing a passer rating of 142.5.

• Not to be outdone, the defense continued its preseason shutout through six quarters thanks to four first-half takeaways against Buffalo. Through two games, the unit has recorded nine takeaways and seven sacks.

• While Green Bay has outscored its opponents 38-0 in the first half thus far, coaches and players alike know that there is plenty to correct through its first two showings.

• "There's a lot of positive information in our first two games, and we feel very good about that," McCarthy said following the Buffalo victory. "But the reality is there are things we need to correct too. So there's no reason to strike up the band or anything like that."

WITH THE CALL

• The Green Bay Packers Broadcast Partners will air the game over a nine-station network throughout the states of Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Northeastern Minnesota, with CBS network production, personnel and the latest network-quality technology.

• The top-notch broadcast team includes CBS's Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) alongside fellow CBS broadcaster Rich Gannon (analyst).

• WTMJ's Jessie Garcia serves as the sideline reporter and WFRV's Larry McCarren joins the crew for pre-game segments. In addition to WFRV-TV (Green Bay) and WTMJ-TV (Milwaukee), the games are televised over WKOW/ABC, Madison, Wis.; WAOW/ABC, Wausau/Rhinelander, Wis.; WXOW/ABC, La Crosse, Wis.; WQOW/ABC, Eau Claire; WYOW/ABC, Eagle River, Wis.; WJMN/CBS, Marquette, Mich.; and KQDS-TV/FOX, Duluth, Minn.

• Milwaukee's WTMJ (620 AM), airing Green Bay games since 1929, heads up the 48-station Packers Radio Network, with Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and two-time Packers Pro Bowler Larry McCarren (color) calling the action. The duo enters its 11th season of broadcasts together across the Packers Radio Network, which covers 43 markets in five states.

**THE DOPE ON THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT:

Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals

All-time regular season: ** 42-22-4

All-time, in Arizona: 3-1-0

All-time, preseason:14-6-0

Streaks: The Packers have won five of the last six regular-season meetings

Last meeting, regular season:Oct. 29, 2006, at Lambeau Field; Packers won, 31-14

Last meeting, regular season, at Arizona: Sept. 21, 2003; Cardinals won, 20-13

Last meeting, preseason:Aug. 17, 2002, at Arizona; Packers won, 29-21

**COACHES CAPSULES

Mike McCarthy: ** 28-22-0, .560, (incl. 1-1 postseason); 4th NFL season

Ken Whisenhunt:20-16-0, .556 (incl. 3-1 postseason); 3rd NFL season

Head to Head:Never met

vs. Opponent:McCarthy 1-0 vs. Cardinals; Whisenhunt 0-0 vs. Packers

MIKE McCARTHY…Is in fourth year as the Packers' 14th head coach.

• Was named Packers head coach on Jan. 12, 2006, his first head coaching job after 13 years as an NFL assistant.

• Honored as the 2007 Motorola NFL Coach of the Year and NFL Alumni Coach of the Year.

• Became the first Packers coach since Vince Lombardi to lead the team to a championship game in his second season.

• One of only three head coaches to lead an offense ranked in the top 10 in the league each of the past three years.

KEN WHISENHUNT…Is in third year as the Cardinals' 34th head coach.

• In just his second season as an NFL head coach in 2008, led the franchise to its first Super Bowl berth.

• Played nine seasons as a tight end for three different clubs -- the Atlanta Falcons (1985-88), Washington Redskins (1989-90) and N.Y. Jets (1991-93).

• Before taking over the Cardinals in 2007, served as an NFL assistant coach for 10 seasons, the last six as tight ends coach (2001-03) and then offensive coordinator (2004-06) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team that beat Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII.

• Is just the second Cardinals head coach to go .500 or better in his first two seasons (Arnie Horween, 1923-24).

THE PACKERS-CARDINALS SERIES

• One of the oldest rivalries in sports, the series launched on Nov. 20, 1921, when the Packers and Chicago Cardinals tied 3-3. That afternoon marked one of four ties in the series, with the last tie coming in 1971.

• The series has been noted for its streaks, with the Packers winning 15 straight between 1937 and 1946, followed by the Cardinals winning seven straight through 1949, and the Packers winning 14 of the last 18 (with one tie) since.

• With the Cardinals franchise located in Chicago prior to 1960, the two teams played two or more times in a season 20 different years between 1926 and 1949.

• One postseason meeting following the 1982 season marked the Packers' first trip to the playoffs in 10 years and first playoff victory since winning Super Bowl II.

• In the teams' last meeting in Arizona in 2003, the kickoff temperature was 102 degrees, tied for the hottest game ever recorded in Packers history. The temperature reached 106 in the fourth quarter.

{sportsad300}NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

Whisenhunt, Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm, and Packers safeties coach Darren Perry coached on the same staff with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this decade...Green Bay's director of football operations Reggie McKenzie played linebacker for the then-Phoenix Cardinals in 1989-90...Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis served on Green Bay's coaching staff in 2000 as defensive assistant/defensive line...Cardinals QB Kurt Warner got his NFL start in Green Bay at training camp in 1994. He was released before the regular season...Packers defensive quality control coach Scott McCurley was a four-year letterwinner at Pittsburgh, where he was teammates with Cardinals LB Gerald Hayes and WR Larry Fitzgerald...Cardinals defensive quality control coach Ryan Slowik played safety at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is the son of former Packers defensive coordinator Bob Slowik...Cardinals LB Ali Highsmith is the cousin of Packers scout Alonzo Highsmith...Cardinals C Donovan Raiola played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin...Packers QB Matt Flynn, FB Quinn Johnson and Cardinals WR Early Doucet, LB Highsmith and G Herman Johnson were teammates at LSU, as were Cardinals QB Matt Leinart and Packers LB Clay Matthews at USC, and Packers LB Brandon Chillar and Cardinals S Matt Ware at UCLA...Packers LB Danny Lansanah and Cardinals OLB Cody Brown played on the defense together at Connecticut...Cardinals G Trevor Canfield and Packers CB Brandon Underwood were teammates last season at Cincinnati.

INDIVIDUALLY VS. CARDINALS

In four career games against Arizona, WR Donald Driver has 10 receptions for 87 yards...LB Nick Barnett has 1 1/2 sacks and one interception in his career against the Cardinals. He had 15 tackles in the 2003 contest...LB Aaron Kampman has two sacks, both in the 2006 meeting.

LAST MEETING, REGULAR SEASON

• Oct. 29, 2006, at Lambeau Field; Packers won, 31-14.

• The Packers put together four touchdown drives of 70 yards or longer, fueled by two 100-yard rushers in Ahman Green (21 carries, 106 yards) and Vernand Morency (11-101). It marked the first time since 1985 the Packers had two 100-yard rushers in the same game.

• Green scored on two short TD runs in the second quarter to give the Packers a 21-0 lead. Brett Favre's 1-yard TD run in the third quarter preceded his first career "Lambeau Leap."

• The defense held the Cardinals to just 218 total yards, as rookie quarterback Matt Leinart had a rough day, completing just 14 of 35 passes for 157 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

• Donald Driver led the Packers' receivers with five catches for 48 yards. Greg Jennings sat out the game with an ankle injury sustained the previous week in Miami.

LAST MEETING, PRESEASON

• Aug. 17, 2002, at Arizona; Packers won, 29-21.

• With the kickoff temperature at 105 degrees, the Cardinals took an early 7-0 lead, but the Packers scored 29 straight points to lead 29-7 after three quarters.

• Green Bay got touchdown receptions from Donald Driver and Charles Lee, two field goals by Ryan Longwell, plus a safety and interception return for a score on defense.

• Driver had five receptions for 73 yards, and the Packers defense recorded seven sacks and three interceptions.

CAMP BREAKS

• The Packers had their final "two-a-day" last Thursday and moved out of the dorms at St. Norbert College on Friday, marking an unofficial end to training camp.

• The team now moves into a schedule that more closely resembles the regular season. It will hit the practice field three times this week – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – before traveling to Arizona Thursday.

• Green Bay will only have short weeks (five days) in between games for its final two contests on the preseason schedule.

INJURY REPORT

• S Nick Collins (ribs), QB Matt Flynn (shoulder) and TE Devin Frischknecht (shin) all suffered injuries against Buffalo.

• X-rays on Collins were negative, while McCarthy also indicated that Flynn's shoulder injury did not appear to be serious. Frischknecht did appear to suffer a serious injury and was taken to a local hospital.

• Sitting out Saturday night were LB Nick Barnett (knee), P Durant Brooks (hip), DE Justin Harrell (back), CB Pat Lee (back), LB Clay Matthews (hamstring), S Charlie Peprah (knee), S Aaron Rouse (hamstring) and LB Jeremy Thompson (stinger).

• McCarthy said after the game that Rouse appeared to be day-to-day, so his availability on the practice field this week will determine if he sees any action against Arizona.

FAMILIAR FACES RETURN TO LINEUP

• New defensive coordinator Dom Capers got three players back to practice at Ray Nitschke Field last week.

• LB Nick Barnett made his return to the practice field after battling back from an ACL injury that ended his season in Week 10 of 2008. One of the veteran leaders of the defense, Barnett has been a starter at middle linebacker for the past six years and was chosen as the defensive player to wear the new helmet speaker for defensive players last season. He had been on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

• Barnett participated in jog-throughs, individual work, and some 7-on-7 drills. In addition to keeping him on a "one-a-day" schedule, the coaching staff kept him out of team drills in order to keep him away from any unnecessary pileups.

• Two members of the draft class made their debuts against Buffalo: first-round pick B.J. Raji and seventh-round pick Brad Jones.

• Raji, who joined his teammates on the practice field last week after getting his contract signed, played a limited amount of reps Saturday night.

• "I thought he had some penetration, live legs," McCarthy said about the rookie's performance. "I think he's going to be an exciting young player for us. "

• Jones, who like Barnett came off the PUP list, was thrown right into the mix at outside linebacker and made his presence felt.

• The Colorado product got a sack and forced fumble right before halftime, a turnover the Packers converted into three points. Jones should see plenty of action in practice and potentially on the field in Arizona, as the injury status of both Clay Matthews (hamstring) and Jeremy Thompson (stinger) remains up in the air. Jones, with a 6-foot-3, 239-pound frame, could also make his mark on special teams.

BREAKOUT CANDIDATES

• Every preseason, a number of emerging young players or surprising rookies jump out immediately when game action begins.

• On the offensive side of the ball, it's been hard to ignore the emergence of second-year TE Jermichael Finley. His team-high five receptions thus far have showcased his ability to separate from linebackers and safeties and his abilities in the open field. An athletic specimen at 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds, Finley turned down an opportunity to play college basketball at Arizona in order to play tight end at Texas.

• "He's definitely a weapon for us," McCarthy said. "We felt that last year just the way we were able to utilize Jermichael the last couple games of the season, and now he's able to do the full gamut. He's another young player that looks like he's ready to take off."

• Also standing out thus far on offense has been rookie free agent RB Tyrell Sutton, who leads the team with 140 rushing yards on 27 carries (5.2 avg.). Despite standing 5-foot-8, Sutton has proved to be a tough runner between the tackles and has displayed some shifty moves. He also worked some on kickoff returns, which could be a spot for him to make his push to be on the 53-man roster.

• On defense, no one has had more highlight-reel plays than LB Desmond Bishop. The third-year player from California has collected two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery. An adept blitzer, he has also forced a number of quarterback hurries and loud hits. He is tied for the team lead with CB Tramon Williams with eight tackles.

SOLID START IN SHUTOUT WIN

• The Green Bay Packers' first units continued their dominant preseason so far, this time at the expense of the Buffalo Bills.

• The No. 1 defense forced three turnovers in four Buffalo drives, and the No. 1 offense scored three touchdowns in four possessions as the Packers bolted to a big lead and cruised to a 31-21 victory in front of 68,908 on Saturday night at Lambeau Field, improving to 2-0 in the preseason.

• After recording four interceptions in the preseason opener last week against Cleveland, the Packers and their new 3-4 defensive scheme continued to take the ball away, racking up five more turnovers in the game. Three were credited to the first-string defense, which allowed just four first downs and did not allow the Bills across midfield.

• S Nick Collins deflected a Trent Edwards pass that LB Brady Poppinga intercepted, DE Johnny Jolly and LB Brandon Chillar forced a sack of Edwards and a fumble that LB A.J. Hawk recovered, and DE Cullen Jenkins forced a fumble by running back Fred Jackson that Poppinga recovered, all in the first 16 minutes, 9 seconds of the contest.

• "The takeaways, I think we have something special," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think the guys are playing with a lot of confidence. They seem very comfortable in the scheme. The disguise part of it has gone very well. We're playing with more vision to the football than we did in the past, and we're off to a good start."

• Green Bay's top offensive unit was able to take advantage, after an initial stall when RB Ryan Grant was stopped for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1 at the Buffalo 15. Three plays later, Hawk's fumble recovery came on the Bills' 5, and QB Aaron Rodgers hit WR Greg Jennings on the ensuing snap for the first score of the game.

• The offense followed that up with its longest drive of the night, going 79 yards in just six plays after a Buffalo punt. Rodgers hit TE Jermichael Finley for completions of 18 and 21 yards, and after two defensive penalties, he found WR Donald Driver for 21 yards down to the 3. Grant took it in from there to make it 14-0.

• The third turnover - Poppinga's second of the game - put the ball on the Buffalo 41, and Grant netted 31 yards on three carries and a screen pass. Rodgers then hit Driver for a 5-yard touchdown, scrambling to the right and throwing low to the outside, where Driver made a nifty sliding catch and stayed in bounds.

• That play was particularly impressive to McCarthy, who praised Rodgers for taking all the scramble and footwork drills that are part of the head coach's quarterback school and executing them well when the situation warranted it.

• "I thought that was a big-time play," McCarthy said. "For him to put that ball where he put it and for Donald to keep his feet in bounds, that's exciting. Those are the type of plays that win football games."

• Rodgers once again put up efficient numbers, finishing 8-of-9 for 98 yards and two scores for a 151.6 rating. He completed passes to six different receivers, while Grant added 10 carries for 43 yards, plus two receptions for 21 more.

• "I think the key is it starts up front," Rodgers said. "In two games, I haven't been sacked, really haven't been touched. It gives you a lot of confidence as a passer. In the running game they're opening up holes and guys are running through arm tackles, and we're controlling the line of scrimmage."

• Meanwhile, the defense through two games has recorded nine turnovers and seven sacks. As the defense began substituting on Saturday, the big plays kept coming, with LB Brad Jones sacking backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and knocking the ball loose late in the second quarter. LB Desmond Bishop recovered at the Buffalo 26, setting up a 36-yard field goal by K Mason Crosby to make it 24-0 at halftime.

• The defense kept its preseason-long shutout intact early in the third quarter with - you guessed it - another turnover. Buffalo had driven into Green Bay territory for the first time and faced fourth-and-2 at the Packers' 21, but Fitzpatrick's pass was picked off by a diving Bishop, the third-year linebacker's second interception of the preseason.

• Buffalo finally got on the scoreboard late in the third on a 9-yard TD pass from Fitzpatrick to tight end Jonathan Stupar. The Packers came 1 minute, 9 seconds shy of going seven full quarters without allowing a point in the preseason.

• The Bills tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, as No. 3 quarterback Gibran Hamdan directed drives of 60 and 74 yards.

• In between those the Packers got some third-string offensive production. QB Brian Brohm, who played most of the second and third quarters after Rodgers came out, re-entered late after QB Matt Flynn injured his shoulder. Having had little success, with one interception, in the middle part of the game, Brohm led a 13-play, 75-yard drive for Green Bay's final score, a 3-yard TD run by rookie RB Tyrell Sutton.

SAVE THE DATE

Important dates to remember (all times local):

• Tuesday, Sept. 1– Final practice open to public, 10:15 a.m., Nitschke Field; NFL-mandated roster reduction, to 75 players, by 3 p.m.

• Thursday, Sept. 3 – Preseason game at Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m., LP Field

• Saturday, Sept. 5 – NFL-mandated roster reduction, to 53 players, by 3 p.m.

• Sunday, Sept. 6 – Clubs may establish eight-player practice squad, 11 a.m.

WHERE THEY'LL BE FRIDAY NIGHT

• Coaches often use the preseason as a test to see where coaches are best utilized, especially with a new staff. Coach McCarthy is on the sidelines, but here's a look at where the rest of the staff will be Friday:

• Coaches' Box: Dom Capers (defensive coordinator), Jerry Fontenot (asst. offensive line), Scott McCurley (defensive quality control), Chad Morton (administrator), Joe Philbin (offensive coordinator), John Rushing (offensive quality control), and Joe Whitt (secondary - cornerbacks).

• Sideline: Edgar Bennett (running backs), James Campen (offensive line), Tom Clements (quarterbacks), Mike Eayrs (research and development), Curtis Fuller (special teams asst.), Kevin Greene (outside linebackers), Ben McAdoo (tight ends), Winston Moss (inside linebackers/asst. head coach), Darren Perry (secondary - safeties), Jimmy Robinson (wide receivers), Shawn Slocum (special teams coordinator) and Mike Trgovac (defensive line).

WHEN IT COUNTS

• No one needs to remind the Packers how important play in the fourth quarter can be.

• In eight of the 10 losses from 2008, the Packers either led or were behind by no more than one score in the fourth quarter. In those same eight games, the outcome was decided in the final two minutes.

• The "lessons of 2008", as Coach McCarthy has referred to them this entire offseason, most likely center around the Packers not coming up with the critical play in crunch time.

• Their seven losses in games decided by four points or less tied the second highest total in NFL history.

• It wasn't a problem of putting up points in the final frame, as Green Bay's 150 fourth quarter points were second in the NFL behind San Diego (152).

• Perhaps most telling was the fact that the Green Bay defense allowed the second-most fourth quarter points (135) in the league. Only Houston (136) allowed more.

• It comes as no surprise that the two-minute drill has been heavily stressed on both sides of the ball. The drill comes towards the end of practice to help simulate the fatigue and end-of-game conditions.

STAFF CHANGES HEADLINE OFFSEASON

• On the heels of a disappointing 6-10 season, a new defensive staff and scheme headlined the changes this offseason at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

• Dom Capers was brought in as defensive coordinator, and the Packers began the transition to a 3-4 scheme in offseason workouts.

• Joining Capers on the defensive staff are Mike Trgovac (defensive line), who spent the last six years in Carolina as defensive coordinator; outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, third on the NFL's all-time sacks list and a former player under Capers; and safeties coach Darren Perry, who most recently coached in Oakland and also played under Capers in Pittsburgh. Assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss remains on the staff, as does Joe Whitt Jr., who spent 2008 as defensive quality control before his promotion to cornerbacks coach this offseason.

• Shawn Slocum was promoted to special teams coordinator after serving as the unit's assistant each of the last three seasons. Curtis Fuller, a former Packers safety and training camp coaching intern, will serve as his assistant. New strength and conditioning coordinator Dave Redding is entering his 23rd season at the NFL level, while Scott McCurley (defense) and John Rushing (offense) will serve as the quality control coaches.

277 AND COUNTING

• Lambeau Field saw eight regular-season sellouts in '08, bringing the consecutive sellouts streak to 277 games (261 regular season, 16 playoffs).

• Lambeau Field, the league's longest-tenured stadium, will host its 53rd season of football this year.

• A total of 565,460 fans came through the turnstiles in the eight home contests last season, an average of 70,683.

• Lambeau Field also saw the four largest regular-season crowds in stadium history in 2008 (vs. Minnesota, vs. Dallas, vs. Indianapolis, vs. Chicago). The Week 3 contest vs. Dallas (71,113) set a new regular-season attendance record.

• A number of games have the potential to challenge some stadium records this season. The primetime opener against Chicago – including the debut of new QB Jay Cutler – will be a tough ticket, as will home contests against the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. None, however, is expected to match the Nov. 1 game against the Minnesota Vikings, where QB Brett Favre is expected to make his return to Lambeau Field wearing an opposing uniform.

SCHEDULE NUGGETS

• Green Bay's bye week – which occurs in Week 5 – is the earliest bye for the team since 1999, when it had its bye in Week 4.

• Though their bye week comes early, the Packers will get some extra rest coming off the Week 12 Thanksgiving contest. They won't play until the following Monday night, Dec. 7, at home.

• The Packers have five games against playoff teams from a year ago (Week 4 at Minnesota, Week 8 vs. Minnesota, Week 13 vs. Baltimore, Week 15 at Pittsburgh and Week 17 at Arizona).

• The first four games of the season will be broadcast on four different networks. After the bye week, Green Bay has seven straight games on FOX and could have 11 of the last 12 on the network, pending the NFL's flex scheduling. Also dependent upon the flex scheduling is the amount of 12 noon starts, which at this point is set for 10 games. An 11th, at Detroit, is set for 11:30 a.m.

• Green Bay plays three of the four teams who played in last season's conference championships. All three games (vs. Baltimore, at Pittsburgh, at Arizona) occur in the season's final five weeks. Making the season's final stretch tougher too is the fact that three of the final four games will be on the road.

• For the first time since 2003, the Packers will not play a division opponent in the season's final three weeks.