The Packer Pundit: 11/8/2006

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11/8/2006

Packers lock up Wells
Center signs contract extension
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 7, 2006
wells The Green Bay Packers view Scott Wells as one of the top young centers in the National Football League and rather than risk losing him in free agency next year or the year after, they signed him to a five-year, $15 million contract extension this week. Agent Brian Parker confirmed Tuesday what a source had told the Journal Sentinel earlier in the day: The Packers and Wells had hammered out a long-term deal that would not only keep Wells under contract through 2011, but also help them eat up some of the excess salary cap money they're carrying this season. The ball got rolling on the deal last week when vice president of finance Andrew Brandt called Parker to see if he was interested in talking. "He informed us Green Bay was interested in securing Scott with an extension," Parker said. "Talks heated up later that afternoon and through the weekend. Andrew stayed in Green Bay for the weekend and we worked throughout it to get a deal. He's a tough negotiator but he did a great job getting the deal done." With more than $7 million of salary cap room available, the Packers moved to get Wells signed to a long-term deal before the end of the business day Monday, which was the deadline for applying a big chunk of the contract to the 2006 salary cap. -- More

Defense Kept Packers In Game,
Continues Improvement
By Mike Spofford, Packers.com
Posted 11/07/2006

"Whenever we go out there, wherever we're at, our job is to stop them and the guys started fast. That's what we asked them to do, and I thought they had a good first half." -- Defensive Coordinator Bob Sanders

defense Almost nothing went right for the Packers early on last Sunday at Buffalo. In the first half alone, the offense started three possessions at its 12-yard line or worse, fumbled two snaps, and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Yet while such a list of mis-steps in just two quarters can let a game get out of hand, the Packers still had a chance to beat the Bills primarily because the Green Bay defense was playing some of its best football. "To be down 10-nothing after that first half I thought was a real credit to our defense, keeping us in that game," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. The defense had to stand tall three times against difficult field position in that first half, including on the game's first possession. Buffalo's Terrence McGee returned the opening kickoff to the Green Bay 29, but the Packers allowed just one first down. They stopped the second series when defensive tackle Colin Cole blew through the hole and stuffed Willis McGahee for a 3-yard loss on third-and-1, forcing a field-goal attempt. On two other possessions before halftime the defense was even stiffer. With Buffalo taking over on its own 41 late in the first quarter, a third-down sack by Corey Williams gave the Bills a net minus-2 yards in three plays and they punted. Then in the second quarter, taking over on the Green Bay 49 after the Packers' first botched snap, the Bills went three-and-out again, hurting themselves with a false start penalty on second down. To Buffalo those were blown opportunities to give itself a cushion on the scoreboard, but to Green Bay they were key defensive stands to keep the deficit a manageable 10 points at intermission. -- More

Franks moves to end of the block
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
Franks What Bubba Franks is going through right now is essentially the grown- up, NFL version of your kid being demoted in the elementary school play. Before, the Green Bay Packers' three-time Pro Bowl tight end had a key role. If the Packers' offense was "The Three Little Pigs," maybe he wasn't the big, bad wolf, but at least the second pig. And now? He's a tree. Which is still a role, but the kind that only your own parents really care about. Franks enters Sunday's game at Minnesota not having caught a pass since the closing minute of the first half of the Packers' Oct. 22 victory at Miami. He was reception-less in their Oct. 29 win over Arizona and last Sunday's loss at Buffalo - where he dropped two passes. He has 12 catches for 123 yards and no touchdowns midway through the season. That puts him on pace for a career-low 24 catches and 246 yards, one year after he caught 25 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown in only 10 games in 2005. Rather than catching passes - remember, this is the same guy who caught 27 touchdown passes from 2001 through 2004 - he's primarily serving as a blocker in the run and pass games. -- More

The Maestro
Amateur musician has become leader on Packers defense
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 7, 2006
Barnett03 There's a difference between being popular and being a leader and, no, this isn't an election-day story. But back when Nick Barnett joined the Green Bay Packers as a first-round draft pick in 2003, he was content with building a bond of trust between himself, his teammates and his coaches. But he always believed that one day he would lead the linebackers and then the entire defense. Now in his fourth season, he has managed to remain well-liked by the team as well as respected by his peers. "You know he's going to work hard, give his whole body up for the team, and everybody likes that in a guy," said Barnett's road-game roommate, Nick Collins. "And he's going to go out there and pump up the guys. He is a great leader." Just not at first. In 2003, when the Packers' defense was struggling, Barnett was surrounded by veterans and was hesitant to speak up. He was also told to tone down his on-the-field theatrics. Still, his 134 tackles led not only the Packers but all National Football League rookies. He also pulled down three interceptions and defended nine passes in addition to being a special teams body. Yet even then, a casual survey of the Packers already had Barnett pegged as a future leader. -- More