The Packer Pundit

Robert Brooks To Serve
As Sunday's Honorary Captain
Former Packers wide receiver Robert Brooks, a member of the Super Bowl XXXI Championship team, will serve as honorary captain for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. As part of the organization's season-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Super Bowl win, General Manager Ted Thompson has invited members of the 1996 team to serve as honorary captains for each of the Packers' home games. Prior to Sunday's game, from 10:15 to 11 a.m., Brooks will be visiting with fans on the Associated Bank Club Level, an area accessible to game attendees with private box or club seat tickets, as guest of the 'Alumni Meet and Greet.'






Mike McCarthy column:
My pregame includes cardio, Mass, review
During training camp this past summer, I spoke at several news conferences about the importance of developing a routine for the players. I believe we're all creatures of habit, and we perform at our best when we work a consistent routine. The same can be said about game day, for both players and coaches. I go through my pre-game routine to develop a finality and comfort on what is potentially the most intense day of every week. I wouldn't say I have any crazy superstitions, like baseball players who put their socks on the same way every single day, but I try to keep my routine the same whether we're at home or on the road. I'll get up around 5 a.m. and get in a cardio workout to clear my head and start my day. Next, if the game is at noon, I go to Mass (4½ hours before the game) and might stop in at the pregame meal, but I usually don't eat much before a game. I might have a bowl of oatmeal, or I'll look for a Starbucks, even though I probably shouldn't. I then head to the stadium. I like to get there on the first bus, about three hours before the game, and settle in to wherever my area is — my office at Lambeau Field, or a locker room at the road stadium. For the next hour or so, I focus on my final step of pregame preparation — I go over my play-calling sheet one last time. I've been through it a number of times Friday and Saturday, but I like to go through it one last time on game day. -- More







Points of confidence
By Jason Wilde / madison.com

"That's a play in a game that you can draw more from than just one win. The confidence we were able to pull from that game as a football team. The confidence we were able to pull from that play as far as our run blocking unit. There's a number of things we can draw from that." -- Mike McCarthy

When is a touchdown worth more than six points? When does a 70-yard run traverse a much longer distance, like the chasm between self-doubt and self-confidence? It happens when a running back is trying to prove that he's still got it, that he's still capable of recapturing his old form - and he does just that. It happens when the offensive line has gradually shown improvement in its new blocking scheme but is trying to master it - and for one play, it does exactly that. It happens when a rookie head coach and rookie offensive coordinator are trying to instill a belief in their program, both in the locker room and among the populace - and they do exactly that. That's what happened last Sunday in Miami. That's what happened when the Green Bay Packers' offensive line opened up a huge hole and Ahman Green went sprinting through it, all the way to paydirt. That's what happened as coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski were jumping for joy as Green flew past them, leading to the Packers' 34-24 victory over the Dolphins, a team they'd never beaten in South Florida. -- More







A breakthrough for inconsistent Martin?
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
For most of his six NFL seasons, tight end David Martin has been what scouts and coaches call a classic tease. He'll make a few impressive downfield catches in minicamp or training camp, maybe even in a game or two over the course of a season. But for whatever reasons, including nagging injuries, it's never turned into consistent production over even a few weeks, let alone a season. So, there's reason to view with a skeptical eye his play last week at Miami, when he made two impressive and important receptions in the Green Bay Packers' 34-24 win. Was Martin, whose career high for receptions is 27, just flashing the potential the Packers have seen in him since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2001 to convert from receiver to tight end? Or is there more to come on a regular basis? "I even told him that after the game, I said, 'Dave, that's the guy I've been waiting for to show,'" said Jeff Jagodzinski, the Packers' offensive coordinator who was Martin's tight ends coach that rookie season. "'Now you've got to do it again.'" -- More



Packers keep lid on Jones' surgery
Officials won't disclose details of Harlan successor's illness
By Tom Silverstein / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 28, 2006
In seven months, chief executive officer Bob Harlan will turn over complete control of the Green Bay Packers to his right-hand man, John Jones, ending an 18-year reign.
As the months tick down, Jones has not had the public presence he was supposed to in his first year as team president because of a major medical scare four months ago. Even though Packers officials say Jones is back to work full-time and making a solid recovery from emergency open-heart surgery, there has been little revealed about exactly what Jones suffered from and what limitations, if any, he might face in the future. Only a few people know the details of his illness and they, out of respect for Jones, are letting him handle what will be disclosed. Jones, however, has not granted an interview since his surgery and has turned down several requests from the Journal Sentinel to discuss his recovery and his perspective on the future. What is known is that Jones, 54, has gone to most of the regular-season games, attended the NFL owners meetings last week in New Orleans and appears to be gung-ho about taking over the reins from Harlan in June. Jones remains under the careful watch of his doctors and is limited mostly in the area of travel, but otherwise is carrying out his usual administrative duties. -- More



Rayner Gives Kicking Advice
To Manitowoc Woman
Looking to Cash In On Sunday
By Stephen Foshee / Packers.com
Posted 10/27/2006
When watching a professional football game, how many countless times have you heard a fellow fan scream out, "Oh, I could have caught that!" or, "Even I could have kicked that field goal!" Well, Tina Jacquart of Manitowoc, Wis, will get that chance this Sunday, when the Packers play host to the Arizona Cardinals. Jacquart will attempt a 40-yard field goal during a timeout of this Sunday's Packers-Cardinals game. If she happens to split the uprights she will have a check written in her name to the tune of $100,000. Jacquart was randomly chosen from five finalists in the 'Kick for Cash' contest sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, along with Johnsonville Sausage, Coca-Cola and Miller Lite and says she started practicing with her husband as soon as she learned that she had been chosen. "We went and bought a football right away and it came with a pamphlet that teaches you how to kick, so we went to our high school and started kicking," she said. Although Jacquart isn't getting her hopes up she says she is simply happy to have the opportunity. "The field goal is too far, but I'm glad to be able to go to my first Packers game," she said. -- More

Excuses won't fly with no-nonsense coach
By Mike Woods
Grab your milk and cookies, kids, and listen to this tale of two Packers. Meet Robert Ferguson. He's a guy who is failing. He's a guy who allows his agent to do his bidding for him. He's a guy, through his agent, who has no trouble locating excuses for his shortcomings. Now meet Mike McCarthy. He's a guy who, at least to a certain degree, is succeeding. He's a guy who does his own bidding. He's a guy who doesn't look for excuses when things go south but instead seeks — and expects — solutions to problems. If attitude is half the battle, then you can understand why Ferguson is on his way out of Green Bay and McCarthy — though it's too early to make any significant judgments — is making strides. Ferguson never lived up to expectations after the Packers made him their second-round draft pick in 2001 and after former Packers General Manager Mike Sherman stunningly gave him a $3.5 million bonus as part of a contract extension before the 2004 season. In his six seasons in Green Bay, Ferguson has been oft-injured. Only once has he played in 16 regular-season games. He has missed 11 of the past 54 games because of injuries, the latest of which, a foot injury, landed him on injured reserve for the rest of this season. The fallout has Ferguson's agent, Brian Overstreet, saying his client gets "worn down playing special teams.'' Go ahead, kids, insert your own joke here. -- More






Meet Elizabeth
Houston Texans
Cheerleader

Elizabeth began cheering for the Texans in 2003 and is now in her fourth year as a Houston Texans Cheerleader. She is ready for another exciting year with the Texans. Elizabeth was born and raised here in Houston. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio/ Television and now works for a local television station as the Interactive Coordinator.

Elizabeth enjoys many aspects of being of Texans Cheerleader. She, of course, has a passion for dance and football. She loves the excitement of game day! She enjoys having the chance to be involved in the community and share their excitement about the Texans. She is very proud to be a part of such a well respected group of ladies and serve as a positive role model for young girls. She is also very thankful for the great friends she has found in her teammates.

Elizabeth’s most memorable experience as a Texans Cheerleader was one of many visits to Fort Hood. A few of the cheerleaders were able to visit with the troops of the Texas National Guard just minutes before they left for duty in Iraq. Elizabeth says, “Having the chance to see their emotions and exactly what they are going through makes you have an even deeper gratitude for what our troops sacrifice for this country.” Elizabeth is grateful she had the chance to thank them.

When she is not at work or practice, Elizabeth loves to have something planned with family and friends. She loves to stay busy and rarely has a day with nothing to do. One of her very favorite ways to spend the day is at a baseball game with her family. She also loves skiing, going to the beach or floating the Guadalupe River during the summer.

Elizabeth is looking forward to another football season and is proud to say, “I’m a Texan!”