11/9/2006
Ready to settle in
"I look forward to being here for the next five years. I really like the area so I was happy with the offer, my family is happy and we're excited to be a part of this organization." Wells said the contract extension solidifies the role he has assumed this year as the anchor of the young interior of the offensive line. Wells has had two rookies amongst the group of Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll starting alongside him at the guard spots all season. "I anticipated staying here for a while, I really wanted to, and I was excited when they came to say we want you for five more years," Wells said. "I would say that would make me the anchor."Day off beneficial
Running back Ahman Green, who is probable on this week's injury report with his knee injury, missed practice on Wednesday but should return soon. Sitting out the first full practice of the week is becoming a helpful pattern as Green tries to get his body in top condition for each game. "I think it keeps the stress off his knee," McCarthy said. "We went to it after he came back from the hamstrings, and I'm pleased with the way he responds because he's fresh on Thursday and Friday and has two excellent days of practice." McCarthy said that may be the schedule they keep Green on for the rest of the season. It's hard to argue with the results - since returning from the hamstring troubles that forced him to miss two games, Green has surpassed 100 yards in each of his last three contests.
Other injuriesWide receiver Greg Jennings (ankle) and cornerback Charles Woodson (knee) are both listed as questionable on this week's injury report and missed practice on Wednesday. McCarthy said both would likely continue to rehab on Thursday with the goal of getting back to practice on Friday.
Safety Nick Collins (back bruise) is probable and practiced on Wednesday, while tight end Bubba Franks (wrist) is also probable but missed practice. Nick Barnett also missed practice for personal reasons and is expected back on Thursday.
Packers Add Safety To Practice Squad
The Green Bay Packers Wednesday signed safety Alvin Nnabuife to the practice squad and placed defensive end Dave Tollefson on practice squad/injured. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson made the announcement. Nnabuife, a 6-foot, 210-pound rookie from Southern Methodist, originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a non-drafted free agent this past spring. A native of Houston, his last name is pronounced "na-BOO-fee."
Big day for defense gets lost in defeat
Bills got nothing . . . but victory
By RICK BRAUN / Packer Plus writer
Posted: Nov. 8, 2006
A unit that had been maligned for six weeks played one of its best games in years on Sunday. But when the final ballots were counted, the Green Bay Packer defense had nothing to show for one of its best performances in quite some time. The numbers were kind of staggering. Packer defenders allowed the Buffalo Bills just 82 yards through three quarter. The Packers sacked Buffalo quarterback J.P. Losman five times for 38 yards in losses. And a unit that was giving up an average of six passes of 20 yards or more per game through four games allowed just one of those on Sunday. And yet the Packers were looking at a bitter 24-10 defeat on Sunday because of mistakes made on the other side of the ball. "Anytime you lose a game, it's frustrating," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "We just didn't get any turnovers, and we let them out the back there toward the end. That was very, very frustrating." While the Packer offense did nothing in the first half, the defense kept the Packers within striking distance. "I thought they did a great job keeping us in the football game in the first half with the turnovers there and only a 10-0 ball game," Packer coach Mike McCarthy said. "When you sack the quarterback, those are big plays for the defense. That was a big part of maintaining the momentum the second half." -- MoreFour-Quarter Commitment To Run Makes Difference
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 11/08/2006
Head Coach Mike McCarthy has spoken often this season about making a four-quarter commitment to the running game. Judging by Ahman Green's rushing statistics during his current streak of three straight 100-yard efforts, that game-long commitment is paying off. The past three weeks against Miami, Arizona and Buffalo, Green's carries have been split nearly equally between the two halves of each game, with 33 carries in the first half and 29 in the second half. But the production early in the game compared to later is quite different. In these last three games, Green has 115 yards in the first half, a modest average of 3.5 yards per carry. In the second half, the production jumps to 231 yards and 8.0 yards per rush. Those second-half numbers are somewhat inflated by the season's biggest play, Green's 70-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter at Miami. But even if you take that play out, Green's 161 second-half yards is still 5.8 yards per carry, or more than 2 yards better than in the first half. "Anytime you're starting, everything is not going to work out perfect," offensive guard Jason Spitz said. "If you keep at it, you're going to start to get bigger runs. "You know when you're moving the ball or you're not, but you can tell when we're starting to run it in the second half a little better. It's something we're expecting." -- More
Will Packers use Patriots' plan of attack?
New England won by passing on Vikings' strong run defense
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski face something of a dilemma as they prepare a game plan for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have a dominating defensive tackle duo in Kevin Williams and Pat Williams and the No. 1-ranked run defense in the NFL. But in the only game Minnesota's defense was scorched this season, in a 31-9 loss to New England, the Patriots deployed a spread passing offense with three- and four-receiver sets and often an empty backfield. Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-7 win. McCarthy has been committed to a run-first offense and lacks quality depth at receiver, with first-year pro Ruvell Martin and undrafted rookie Chris Francies behind starters Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Except on obvious passing downs, McCarthy has been inclined to go with two-tight-end sets rather than three- or four-receiver sets. So does McCarthy emulate the Patriots and play away from the Vikings' strengths, a substantial change from the principles he's held all season? Or does he stay with the run first? McCarthy equivocated when asked Wednesday, but also suggested that while the Patriots' success offers some ideas for tweaks in his play-calling, any game-planning changes will be smaller rather than bigger. "To sit here and say, 'Wow, we're going to go and be the New England Patriots,' I don't think that's probably in our best interests," he said. "But there are definitely things from that football game that you can learn from. They were very successful, and we reviewed the film, and it's a game that's part of our breakdown." Vikings coach Brad Childress had a similar reaction when asked what he expected of the Packers and future opponents. He conceded the Packers could go to an offense dominated by spread-passing formations but hinted at doubts they will do so. "Some people are set up for it and some people are not set up for it," Childress said. "Certainly everybody has some empty (backfield) looks in their package. New England majored in it. They've done it for a number of years. Can Brett Favre do that? Can Green Bay do that? Surely they can. They have the ability to do that. Whether they want to do that for a whole quarter or a whole game, Mike's going to determine that."-- More
Running into difficulty
Vikings have top-ranked rushing defense
By Tom Silverstein / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Nov. 8, 2006
Since running back Ahman Green came aboard, the Green Bay Packers' formula for attacking the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome has consisted of two things: a heavy dose of Green and 60 minutes of black and blue. Always fearing the crowd noise and the potency of the Vikings' offense, the Packers under coach Mike Sherman made it a point to pound the football with Green even though the defense knew it was coming. Sometimes it worked (three victories) and sometimes it didn't (three losses), but it was always the plan. Even with a new coach and a smaller, less-powerful offensive line, the Packers would like nothing better than to have Green punish the Vikings the way he did in his first four games against them in the Metrodome: 442 yards rushing, 5.9-yard-per-carry average, four touchdowns and a per-game average of 150 yards of total offense. But this is a new era for both teams and the Packers' plan for beating the Vikings very well could be a recipe for disaster. The once-explosive Vikings now rely on their highly rated defense - No. 1 in the NFL against the run - to win football games and the Packers rely on two rookies and a first-year starter on the offensive line to open holes for Green. "They're No. 1," tight end Bubba Franks acknowledged. "We take it as a challenge. You want to beat the best, you have to go through the best first. So they're No. 1 as far as stopping the run, then it's going to be mano-a-mano. You've got to do what you do. We're going to run; they know we're running. It's football." -- MoreKicker Could Decide Game With Vikes
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 11/08/2006
Recent history suggests this week's game against the Minnesota Vikings might depend on a kicker. The last four times the Packers and Vikings have met, the game has been decided by a field goal on the final play. In 2004, Packers kicker Ryan Longwell was the hero in both contests, while last year Minnesota's Paul Edinger did in the Packers twice. "I think when you play rival football games, I think that's a constant that happens," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think it's going to be a very physical football game. "I would not be surprised if it comes down to another field goal." If so, Longwell will be the kicker Minnesota calls upon. After nine seasons in Green Bay, Longwell signed with the Vikings as a free agent and is off to a good start there. He's made 14 of 17 field goals this season. Meanwhile the Packers have second-year pro Dave Rayner, who's 12 of 15 in his first season kicking field goals and taking over for Green Bay's all-time scoring leader. "It's always hard to step into a position where a guy has been so good for so many years," Rayner said. "But I'm not trying to replace Ryan Longwell, I'm just trying to start my own career, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job with it." Rayner hasn't been put in a game-winning situation yet, but he shrugs off the idea that there would be more pressure on him if he needs to kick a game-winner with the Packers' former kicker looking on from the other sideline. "I think winning is the biggest thing," he said. "We just need to get a win and if it comes down to a field goal, I just hope I make it."-- Story
Favre suffers a slip to bad old ways
QB accepts blame for costly turnovers
By RICK KLAUER / Packer Plus writer
Posted: Nov. 8, 2006
"I think, if you're asking me personally, yeah, it's me. I consider it me, and the lack of execution offensively. There were plays to be made and we didn't make them for whatever reason. Give Buffalo credit, but hey, either we execute or we find someone else who can execute." -- Brett Favre
Give Brett Favre credit, for most of the season he's been nothing close to the erratic, interception-prone quarterback of a year ago. This season, the 16-year veteran has mostly thrived in the Green Bay Packers' short, quick passing game installed under Mike McCarthy. The Packer head coach has essentially asked Favre to manage the game efficiently and not allow the destructive turnovers. On Sunday, however, the shadow of Favre's former self came creeping back to life under the mostly cloudy skies in Orchard Park, N.Y. Favre had a role in four turnovers - two interceptions and two fumbles - committed by the Packers in a 24-10 loss to the Bills. Aside from maybe one of the interceptions, there was blame to be shared among each of the other miscues. Favre, however, was shouldering most of the responsibility for the turnovers, as well as the loss. -- MoreLongwell's departure was bittersweet
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
Ryan Longwell had a pretty good idea as last season was winding down that he wouldn't be back. Then, he says, the Green Bay Packers essentially told him, "Don't let the elevator door hit you on the way out," and he knew for sure. It was the day after the season ended, a few hours after coach Mike Sherman's firing, and one of the Packers' front- office people told Longwell to stop to see general manager Ted Thompson and the personnel department before he left town to join his wife, Sarah, and the couple's two children in Florida. So, after packing up his locker, the free-agent-to-be hopped on the elevator and headed upstairs. When the doors opened, personnel analyst John Schneider was in the hall. "I literally had my hand in the elevator on the fourth floor and stepped out and John Schneider said, 'Hey, it's been great, you had a good run here.' And that was it," Longwell, now the Minnesota Vikings kicker, said at the team's Winter Park facility Wednesday as he prepared to face the Packers Sunday at the Metrodome. "So I stepped back in the elevator - the door never closed, it was so quick - and I went outside, got in the car, called Sarah and said, 'We're done. They don't want us back here. We're going to hit free agency.'" And that was the end of the Packers career of the franchise's all-time leading scorer. -- More
Woulda, coulda, shoulda
By The Sports Xchange
Receiver Donald Driver reiterated a declaration he had made a week earlier that the Packers, presumably an afterthought following a 1-4 start, were in the hunt for a berth in the NFC playoffs. Yet, after literally throwing and fumbling away a game that they otherwise dominated Sunday at Buffalo, the Packers are in catch-up mode again with half of a schedule to play. They failed to even their record for the first time by losing 24-10 to the hapless Bills. "Our focus was to get to 4-4 because the second half of the season is where all the slotting (for the playoffs) starts to occur," head coach Mike McCarthy said. Had Green Bay not gift-wrapped the victory for Buffalo with four turnovers, the Packers would be tied with Minnesota for second place in the NFC North. The rivals meet for the first time Sunday in Minneapolis. The Vikings are among five NFC teams in a logjam at 4-4, which is the sixth-best record in the league. Thus, a hotly contested race is shaping up for the two wild-card spots - Atlanta is out in front for the other with a 5-3 mark. It's not lost on McCarthy and his players that the Packers should be ahead of the pack and possibly nipping at the heels of firmly entrenched NFC North leader Chicago (7-1). Besides Sunday's implosion, Green Bay had late-game meltdowns against conference foes New Orleans and St. Louis at home. Of the eight NFC teams that are 4-4 or 3-5, the Packers are the only one with four losses (2-4) in NFC games, putting them in a hole for possible tiebreaker scenarios. -- More
Meet Michae'
Washington Redskins Cheerleader
Dance/Cheerleading Experience: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Summer Intensive Program; Dance Theater of Harlem Residency Program; University of Maryland Dance Team; High School Pom Pom Squad.
Acting Experience: Featured extra in the feature film "Step Up," released in August 2006
Why did you become a cheerleader? I have always loved to perform. I grew up staying active in dance and cheerleading and knew that even though I was getting older, I would never abandon my hobbies and talents.
What do you like about being a cheerleader? I love being a role model. So many young girls look up to us, as I did to the Redskins Cheerleaders when I was younger. I want to be a positive role model for all young cheerleaders and a true example that dreams do come true!
What was your most exciting moment as a Cheerleader? The first game that I ever performed was at the American Bowl in Osaka, Japan. That was truly one of the best times of my life!
Countries visited as a Washington Redskins Cheerleader? Japan, Italy, Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic
Education: B.A. in Communications, University of Maryland, College Park
Hobbies: Dancing, watching movies, downloading music to my iPod Nano!
Future Goals: To become successful in my career and to raise a family some day.
Favorites!
Food: Italian or Mexican
Music: R&B, Hip-Hop
Band/Singer: Mariah Carey, Tamia
Book: "The Coldest Winter Ever"
Redskins Player: Santana Moss
Movie: "The Color Purple"
TV Show: "Sex and the City"
Cartoon: The Proud Family
Saying/Quote: "What goes around comes around."
Describe your perfect date: My perfect date would be taking a long walk in a park somewhere by the water, followed by dinner. It's very important to me that we have a connection whether it is through meaningful conversation or simply by staring in each other's eyes! By the way, I'm a hopeless romantic. Can't you tell!
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at practice? When not at practice, I love to decorate and spend time at my new condo!
Who is your role model and why? My mom. She is the strongest and bravest woman that I know. She has never let me down and always has my back. She is beautiful and I strive to be that kind of mother one day.
Published by PackerPundit On Thursday, November 09, 2006 at 6:20 AM.
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