The Packer Pundit

Added value
Ahman Green's 70-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run last Sunday provided the Packers far more than just six points at a critical moment in a game. It has given the entire offense the ideal picture of what a perfectly blocked zone-scheme play looks like. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said earlier this week it was the most perfectly blocked play he has ever seen, and anytime he's going to teach the zone scheme with film, that's the first play he'll show. "As far as the confidence we are able to pull from that game as a football team, the confidence we are able to pull for our run-blocking unit from that play, there are a number of things from that game that we'll be able to draw from," McCarthy said.

Local pilot
At the end of the national anthem on Sunday, two U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets will fly by Lambeau Field. The lead pilot, Cmdr. Stuart Baker, is a Green Bay native. The aircraft originate from Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.

The perfect play
The Packers' offensive players finally can stop watching film of the Denver Broncos or the Atlanta Falcons to learn about perfectly executed runs in their new zone blocking scheme. They finally have one of their own. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who ran the zone scheme in Atlanta that he learned from former Broncos' offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, said he showed the film of Ahman Green's 70-yard touchdown run against the Dolphins on Sunday over and over during Wednesday's offensive meeting. "That play was blocked as well as I've ever seen any play blocked," Jagodzinski said. "Everybody did exactly what they were supposed to do, and we showed it to them over and over and over again. What we did is we captured them doing it right. This is what it's supposed to look like. "If you're showing a teaching tape, that one will be the first I'll show from now on." Jagodzinski said the view from the end zone gives the best view of the play. That view wasn't available on the TV copy but was on the coaches' film. "In zone blocking, whatever side you're running to, you want to try to stretch the defensive line and make them run to the sideline," Wells said. "Then on the backside, you want to cut everyone down and wall them off. (Left tackle) Daryn (Colledge) and (left guard) Jason (Spitz) did an excellent job stretching the end and getting up to (linebacker) Zach Thomas. The tight end did an excellent job on the Will linebacker. I was able to set up the nose tackle, and (right guard) Tony Moll cut him down. That put Ahman one on one against the backside safety, and he outran him."

Underwood's rehab
Safety Marviel Underwood made a rare appearance in the Packers' locker room on Thursday but said he has been in Green Bay since his season-ending knee injury on Aug. 12. Underwood sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the exhibition opener at San Diego. Packers team physician Dr. Pat McKenzie did the surgery on Aug. 31. "I talked to a couple of guys who had surgery here and said they've got a really good program and good doctors," Underwood said. "Everything went well with the surgery, so I figured I'd stay here and do my rehab and keep going to the meetings." Underwood said he won't begin running for at least another two months.

Jennings likely won't be ready
Greg Jennings didn't practice all week because of his sprained ankle, so his chances of playing Sunday against Arizona are remote. Coach Mike McCarthy on Friday wouldn't rule Jennings out, but Jennings remains listed as doubtful (at least a 75 percent chance of not playing) on the Packers' injury report, and the odds probably are much slimmer than that. Ruvell Martin, who was the No. 4 receiver at the start of the season, will start in Jennings' place unless Jennings makes a stunning recovery. "I'm fully prepared and have planned for Ruvell Martin to be our starter, and frankly, I'll be surprised if it doesn't end up that way," McCarthy said. "I think it's great the way Greg and the training staff are working to get him back, but once again, we're confident in our plan, confident in our preparation, and Ruvell Martin is ready to go."
(See More on Jennings/Wide Receivers in stories below)

Attack the line
Arizona probably will make some changes on its beleaguered offensive line that the Packers presumably will attack to pressure rookie quarterback Matt Leinart. Coach Denny Green reportedly is benching right tackle Oliver Ross, who protects the left-handed Leinart's backside, and replacing him with left guard Reggie Wells. Chris Liwienski will move from right guard to replace Wells at left guard, and rookie Deuce Lutui, a second-round draft pick, will move into the starting lineup at right guard. Aaron Kampman, the Packers left defensive end, will line up mostly across from the right tackle, presumably Wells. Kampman has 4½ sacks this season.

Double nickel
Though Patrick Dendy will be the main nickel defensive back Sunday, the Packers will continue to work rookie Will Blackmon into that role to see if he might develop into the primary nickel back before the season is over. Dendy took over the nickel job after the Packers cut Ahmad Carroll three weeks ago. Blackmon, a fourth-round draft pick, returned from a foot injury after the Packers' bye two weeks ago — he'd been out since last spring — and played a handful of snaps as the nickel back last week against Miami. "We'll start that way with Patrick," McCarthy said. "I thought from a numbers standpoint that it was good for (Blackmon to sub in) and good for our defense, too. So, I'd like to continue on that path."

Packers
Out: LB Adbul Hodge (knee), DT Cullen Jenkins (ankle).
Doubtful: WR Greg Jennings (ankle, did not practice).
Questionable: G Daryn Colledge (calf), TE Tory Humphrey (ankle), LB Ben Taylor (hamstring), DT Corey Williams (knee). Probable: RB Ahman Green (knee).

Cardinals
Out: CB Matt Ware (shoulder).
Doubtful: Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy (ankle), did not practice; linebacker Karlos Dansby (hip), did not practice; receiver Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring), did not practice.
Questionable: Running back Obafemi Ayanbadejo (fibula), did not practice.
Probable: Receiver Anquan Boldin (back) did not practice; guard Milford Brown (ankle), did not practice; defensive tackle Darnell Dockett (back), did not practice; safety Adrian Wilson (groin), did not practice; running back A.J. Schable (hamstring) practiced; linebacker James Darling (calf) practiced.






Martin Ready As No. 2 WR;
Jennings Game-Time Decision
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 10/27/2006
If Greg Jennings is unable to play on Sunday, Ruvell Martin will be elevated to No. 2 receiver, but the extra workload is nothing the first-year player is going to get worked up about. After all, he actually got his first NFL start last week, when the Packers opened in a three-receiver set. And he played the second half last week as the No. 2 receiver, when Jennings left at halftime with an ankle injury. "I got experience the second half of the Miami game, so it's definitely something I got to do then," said Martin, who had his first two NFL receptions against the Dolphins. "I think once you start getting in the flow of the game and things start going the same way they've been going in practice up to that point, you start to get used to it." McCarthy said he was hopeful Jennings would be able to practice Friday, but he did not after running on the ankle Thursday and experiencing soreness. McCarthy said they will have Jennings go through a pre-game workout on Sunday, and his availability will be a game-time decision. Meanwhile Martin will take the same level-headed approach that landed him on the roster as a longshot and has moved him up as injuries and other circumstances have warranted. He's not going to let himself get too excited, but at the same time he's going to communicate with and listen to the veteran players on the offense to pick up as much as he can. -- More






Turn up the volume
Players hope fans get loud against Cardinals
By BOB McGINN
journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 27, 2006
Several players said they would appreciate more vociferous crowd support at Lambeau Field as the Green Bay Packers attempt to reverse their home-field decline Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers have gone from dominating to docile at Lambeau Field, losing 10 of their last 13 games, including playoffs. If they lose to the Cardinals, it would drop their record at Lambeau Field this season to 0-4. It also would mark just the fourth season in franchise history that the Packers were defeated in their first four home games. The only squad in Green Bay to lose more than their first four home games was the 1986 team, which started 0-6 at home. "Green Bay's never really had a loud stadium," tight end Bubba Franks said. "When the crowd gets it going early you've got a chance. That's a big factor. Because when we go on the road the fans there give us their loudest. It causes problems on offense a little bit. You may lose a play here and there." Franks, fellow tight end David Martin and linebacker Nick Barnett all said the noise level during the Oct. 8 loss to St. Louis was the loudest they had heard in recent memory. "I have noticed that in my first two years here it did seem like the crowd was a little louder when the defense was out there," Barnett said. "They're still great fans but it just seemed like they knew when we needed it."
-- More







Favre buys into McCarthy's plan
By Rob Demovsky
greenbaypressgazette.com
It's been more than four years since Brett Favre has played three consecutive games without throwing an interception. If the Green Bay Packers quarterback gets through Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals scot-free, it will mark only the sixth time in his 16-year NFL career he has gone three straight games without throwing a pick. Though Favre hasn't played error-free football, he wasn't intercepted in Sunday's 34-24 win at Miami or the pre-bye week loss to the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 8. Only twice since Week 7 of the 2002 season has Favre even had consecutive games without an interception and even that three-game streak in 2002 could be a bit misleading, considering Favre didn't finish that third game against Washington because he sustained a third-quarter knee injury. Before that, Favre would have to go to the final three regular-season games of 2001 to find three straight interception-free games. In his first MVP season of 1995, he twice had stretches of three games without an interception. One of those actually was a four-game streak that spanned the final two games of the regular-season and the first two playoff games. The Packers won all seven of those games. "I think that's probably rare for any quarterback," Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. "What he's doing a good job of is managing the offense, and that's what we asked him to do." -- More



New twist pays off for Packers defense
'Frisco' alignment allows linebackers to make more plays
By The Sports Xchange
Posted Oct 27, 2006
Keeping top rookie A.J. Hawk on the field has always been in the best interests of the Packers defense. Yet, perhaps feeling a sense of urgency from an early-season start devoid of big plays, the coaches have recently put into action a well-rehearsed scheme that's begun to pay dividends. The "Frisco" package, which includes all three linebackers and three down linemen, is a substitute for the team's common nickel alignment of four linemen and two linebackers. "It challenges the offense schematically," coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's putting good pressure players in position to be productive." Weak-side linebacker Hawk and strong-side linebacker Brady Poppinga are just the players McCarthy and defensive coordinator Bob Sanders had in mind when "Frisco" was introduced in offseason workouts and employed some in the preseason. The scheme finally got some play last Sunday at Miami, and the results belied the team's last-place rankings for total defense and passing yards. Poppinga had an early interception while dropping back into coverage. Middle linebacker Nick Barnett picked off a deflected pass. Hawk had a breakout game with a sack on a blitz, a pass breakup and a season-high 16 tackles, including 13 solo. -- More

Related Story --

Linebacker trio brings impact
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
No one wanted to say it was overdue, but they all knew it was. With the talent the Green Bay Packers profess to have at linebacker, it was about time the group had a game like it did Sunday. Now, you just wonder if they can keep it up. Before Sunday's victory at Miami, the Packers' starting linebacker corps of Nick Barnett, Brady Poppinga and A.J. Hawk had accounted for just 2 so-called "impact plays" - defined as sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles - in the first five games of the season. While they'd registered 120 tackles, their only impact plays were Barnett's interception against Chicago in the Sept. 10 opener and Hawk's 1 sacks. Hawk dropped a potential interception in the second quarter of the Oct. 8 loss to St. Louis and Poppinga dropped one in the third quarter of the Sept. 17 loss to New Orleans. But against the Dolphins and quarterback Joey Harrington, they combined for three impact plays - Barnett's and Poppinga's interceptions and Hawk's sack - to more than double their output in that area. "We needed those turnovers," said Hawk, who still has all the unit's sacks. "But we want to be making plays like that every week. For one reason or another, it worked out. We've been working on stuff like that all year and finally it's starting to show through in games." -- More



Return Game Ready To Bust Loose
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 10/27/2006

"There's always a possibility (of a big return) but it's just up to us. They may have been struggling but if we don't go out there and take advantage of it, it don't really mean a whole lot. If they are struggling in that aspect of the game, we have to make them continue to struggle and go out there and do the things we're supposed to do to make that phase of the game work." -- Charles Woodson

Based on what he's seen of Charles Woodson thus far on punt returns, Head Coach Mike McCarthy believes the opportunity may be there to bust a big one soon. "We need to get him loose on a punt return," McCarthy said. "Because he's making two, three, four guys miss on each opportunity and it's not coming out the back end." That chance to break through could come as soon as this week. The Arizona Cardinals have struggled considerably with their punt coverage. In the season's first seven games, they have allowed four punt returns of 35 yards or longer, including an 83-yarder for a touchdown. Their coverage team is allowing an average of 15.7 yards per return, which ranks 15th in the NFC and 30th in the league. While numbers like that may make Woodson's eyes light up, he also takes a realistic view of it. The big return isn't going to come just because of the opponent the Packers are playing, but only if the entire punt return unit is doing its job. -- More



Receivers catch on
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
The Green Bay Packers' hopes that wide receiver Greg Jennings would play in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field appear to be wishful thinking. Jennings missed his third straight day of practice Friday with the sprained right ankle he suffered last Sunday at Miami. While coach Mike McCarthy wouldn't rule Jennings out - he called it a "game-time decision" - it appears the standout rookie will not be able to play. McCarthy said Jennings "ran hard" on the ankle Thursday and had "a lot of soreness" on Friday as a result. If Jennings, who remains listed as doubtful, doesn't play, Ruvell Martin would start. "I'm fully prepared and have planned for Ruvell Martin to be our starter. Frankly, I'll be surprised if it doesn't end up that way," McCarthy said. "I think it's great the way Greg and the training staff have worked at getting him back, but . . . Ruvell Martin's ready to go. So that's the way I'm heading into the game." Still, McCarthy said Jennings will run Sunday morning and could play even though he didn't practice all week. Usually, McCarthy rules out players who didn't take any practice reps. "As a rule of thumb, I think you need to practice on Friday. That's our belief," McCarthy said. "But (Jennings) had participated in every snap up to this point. I'm not going to sit here and say that he's a seasoned veteran - I don't think I can say that about too many of our people right now - but it's an option." -- More







Rodgers soaking it all in
By BOB McGINN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 27, 2006
It would only be natural for Aaron Rodgers to gaze out at Matt Leinart on Sunday at Lambeau Field and wonder what might have been. Two years ago, Rodgers outplayed Leinart as the University of California almost upset Southern California, 23-17. But now Leinart is the rookie starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals and Rodgers is in his second season as the backup for the Green Bay Packers. Although Rodgers has played merely 36 snaps as a rookie and 11 this season, he is confident that the pluses of his situation will outweigh the negatives. "When I look back on my career, and this is no disrespect to the quarterback coaches I've had. . . . I've had two incredible ones. . . . I've had the opportunity to work with the greatest quarterback coach I could possibly ask for," Rodgers said Friday. "And that's Brett Favre." -- More



This time, Wells gets a healthy baby girl
By Rob Demovsky
greenbaypressgazette.com
The doctors told Green Bay Packers center Scott Wells and his wife, Julie, to wait awhile to try to have kids again. That's what doctors usually say after something goes terribly wrong, which is what happened to Wells' last Thanksgiving, when Julie went into labor and a few hours later unexpectedly gave birth to full-term stillborn twins. Less than a year later, Julie was back in the hospital, but this time, she gave birth to a healthy girl, Lola Faith, early Monday morning. "They always tell you to wait awhile," Wells said Thursday after the Packers' practice, "but we didn't want to wait." Wells took his wife and new baby home on Wednesday morning and then returned to work as the Packers prepare for Sunday's game against Arizona, but he couldn't help but reflect on the events of 11 months ago. "It was hard, but as bad as that was, life has to go on," said Wells, who also has a 3-year old son, Jackson. "That's what we talked about. It sucks when something like that happens, but you have to get back to living your life. You never forget, but you have to continue living. "There was no warning. That's what was so awful. I came into practice that day — it was Thanksgiving — and I got the call after practice. She said it was no big deal, and they're running some tests. But by that night, everything went wrong." Wells played in the Packers' game at Philadelphia last Nov. 27, only three days after the tragedy. -- More



Henderson accepts his backup role
By Chris Havel
greenbaypressgazette.com
There is a reason William Henderson doesn't want Packers' fans sympathy. He isn't a sympathetic figure. He is far from it. "When I come home after work and my wife (Brigitta) has prepared a wonderful meal, or she has worked hard all day cleaning house, and my son runs up to me and says, 'Hey, Daddy,' and I go into our bedroom and see my beautiful little daughter staring up at me, I know I am blessed." Henderson, 35, loves his family, and he loves his football. No circumstances in the world can change that. The 12th-year fullback played in 60 straight games before missing the Sept. 10 opener with a knee injury. He hurried back to start versus New Orleans and Detroit, but by his own admission was less than 100 percent. Packers coach Mike McCarthy elected to start Brandon Miree in his place at Philadelphia. "When I wasn't healthy early, I wasn't ready to do the job," he said. "I would quickly be the first one to say my blocking lacked the ferocity it should have had to go in there and blast people in the hole." Some pro athletes would have balked at the idea of playing while being slowed by an injury. They fear looking bad, or worse, they fear losing their starting job. They care about themselves more than the team. Henderson isn't wired that way. -- More



Butler Makes Hall Of Fame Nominee List;
Wolf, Remmel Also Nominated
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 10/27/2006
Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler, one of the key components to Green Bay's revival and Super Bowl championship in the mid-1990s, has been named to the preliminary list of nominees for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2007. The preliminary list includes 111 former modern-era players, coaches and contributors and will eventually be whittled down to 15 finalists, with between three and six members ultimately selected for enshrinement. In addition to Butler, former General Manager Ron Wolf and longtime Packers public relations director and current team historian Lee Remmel also made the preliminary list. Butler, who retired in 2002, is now eligible for the list because he has been retired five seasons. Reached by phone on Friday, Butler said he's honored to be part of the preliminary process but realizes it may take a while before he's seriously considered a candidate for enshrinement by the Hall of Fame committee. "I know it doesn't necessarily mean you've made it or anything like that, but it shows that I've had some good times in my career," said Butler, who played with the Packers from 1990 through 2001. "Staying with the same team for 12 years and helping build something to a championship level, it's a tribute to all the great coaches and great players I've played with. Without them I don't think I could ever be considered Butler's accomplishments as a Packer are almost too numerous to mention.

He played more games as a defensive back (181) than any player in team history and was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He recorded 38 interceptions and 201/2 sacks in his career, and he originated the Lambeau Leap on a fumble return for a touchdown against the Raiders on Dec. 26, 1993. Accomplishing anything in pro football was astonishing considering Butler's upbringing. Coming from the impoverished Blodgett Homes project of Jacksonville, Fla., Butler was wheelchair-bound as a child with a rare bone condition in his feet that created a misalignment requiring braces and preventing him from running. By the seventh grade, though, his feet had healed and he went on to earn a football scholarship to Florida State. "Almost like my life has come full circle, based on being an African-American, coming from the projects, growing up essentially with nothing," he said. -- More







Meet Nicole
Phoenix Cardinals
Cheerleader

My name is Nicole N. and I am a second year veteran on the Cardinal Cheer Team. Although our season has only just begun, it has been an amazing experience thus far preparing for this inaugural season at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Our season began in April with a competitive tryout. After being selected for the team, we wasted no time preparing to represent and cheer on our team.

I am also a member of the Cardinal Cheer Showteam. This summer we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel overseas and support our troops. In addition to game practices, the showteam spent countless extra hours, sometimes until midnight, perfecting our “National Tour” themed variety show. Our 15-day tour took us to four countries: Portugal, Egypt, Turkey, and Italy. There were performed for MFO troops, NATO, and Air Force Airman. Being able to spread a touch of home to those serving our country was extremely rewarding (not to mention the fact that we have a few more Cardinal fans).

When I am not cheerleading, I can be found at Arizona State University where I have maintained a full scholarship while majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication and minoring in Business. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling and working out.