The Packer Pundit

Jagodzinski Accepts
head coach job at Boston College
Jeff Jagodzinski has accepted the job as Boston College’s new head football coach, a source familiar with the situation said Monday. Jagodzinski, the Packers’ offensive coordinator, traveled to Boston on Sunday night for an interview with Boston College’s president this morning. He was back in the Packers’ offices on Monday afternoon. The school will have a formal announcement on Wednesday.

Jagodzinski was offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Boston College in 1997 and ’98. The other finalist for the job, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple, also was scheduled to meet with Boston College’s president, Rev. William P. Leahy, on Monday, the source said. Jagodzinski had a strong interview last week in Green Bay with the school’s athletic director, Joe DeFilippo. DeFilippo began his tenure as AD in ’97, which was Jagodzinski’s first year on Boston College’s coaching staff, so the two have a prior relationship. Packers coach Mike McCarthy hired Jagodzinski as offensive coordinator in January to implement the Alex Gibbs zone run-blocking system into the Packers’ West Coast offense. Jagodzinski, 43, learned the zone scheme in two seasons as an assistant on the same staff with Gibbs with the Atlanta Falcons. No details were available on the terms of Jagodzinski’s contract.




My Opinion: The Packer Pundit
This does come as a complete shock. I mean who would have thought that an offensive coordinator for an NFL team with a losing record... would even be in consideration for a head coaching job. Especially when he has NO head coaching experience. Nobody in their right mind would hire an offensive coordinator for a loosing team... with no head coaching experience... to be a head coach.

*cough* Mike McCarthy *cough*

After hearing about Jags leaving the Packers for BC all I could think about is... WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN SANDERS!!???!!






No rest for weary
The Green Bay Packers face a tough, quick turnaround this week with a home game on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings, just four days after their 17-9 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Their biggest challenge is recovering physically. The players normally would have Monday off after a victory, then their regular day off on Tuesday. They would practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, have meetings and a walkthrough on Saturday and play Sunday. This week, they'll have a condensed schedule that includes film work and meetings today, practice and meetings Tuesday and extended meetings and a walk-through on Wednesday. "It's a challenge," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "But (the Vikings) have to do it, too."

The Packers have one advantage: They don't have to travel.

McCarthy worked some Minnesota game planning into last week's practices, in part because the Vikings run the same Tampa Cover-2 defensive scheme that Detroit runs. "You have to find a common ground between getting the players' bodies back and having enough time to prepare schematically for the game," McCarthy said. "Fundamentally, you really have to rely on your past week's preparation. With Detroit and Minnesota having similar schemes, particularly on defense, we'll have some carryover. "We prepared for that this week as we went into the Detroit game. We increased our volume this week. Maybe that's why we had some of the problems we did on offense (on Sunday). So, we tried to prepare for it ahead of time. We're going to focus on getting their bodies back. That's going to be the priority." One player who said he was looking forward to getting back on the field was quarterback Brett Favre, who threw three interceptions and finished with a season-low passer rating of 32.9 points against the Lions. "I'm ready to play now," Favre said. "I'm ready to get something going offensively. I'm thankful we're playing on Thursday. We can play (today) if they want to. I have no problems with that."

The dime is back
For the first time since the Oct. 15 bye week, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders used six defensive backs against the Lions. Shelved in favor of the nickel defense that would allow him to keep linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk on the field at all times, the dime alignment was used on a handful of plays. Safety Tyrone Culver, who was inactive last week against San Francisco, served as the dime, or sixth, defensive back. Barnett was the lone linebacker in that defense. Sanders used the nickel as the primary defense against multiple-receiver packages, but his use of the dime meant a decreased role for Hawk. "It was just to change things up on them and get some different looks in the blitz," Sanders said. "Nothing major, just some different looks."

Costly penalties
The Packers' offensive line had four penalties, including an illegal formation by left tackle Chad Clifton and three false starts, one by left guard Daryn Colledge and two by right tackle Tony Moll. "You're more frustrated in yourself than getting embarrassed," Moll said. "I'm trying to play as hard as I can, and to get after a linebacker that's definitely quicker than I am, you try to get a jump on the ball. It's unfortunate, but at least it didn't hurt us."

Line changes
The Packers had to juggle some offensive linemen on a couple of series. When Clifton missed part of the final series of the first half with a stinger, the Packers moved Colledge to Clifton's spot and inserted Tyson Walter at left guard. Clifton returned in the second half. In the third quarter, center Scott Wells missed two plays because of an equipment problem. Right guard Jason Spitz moved to center, and Junius Coston came off the bench to play right guard.

Tauscher ready
Right tackle Mark Tauscher probably will be back in the lineup on Thursday, McCarthy said, after missing the past five games because of a groin injury. Tauscher practiced with the scout team last week and worked out hard before Sunday's game, but McCarthy made him a game-day inactive. "He feels good," McCarthy said. "We'll know once he goes through a full-blown practice Tuesday. That will be the last hurdle he needs to overcome."

Injury update
Backup tight end David Martin appeared to sustain the worst of the Packers' injuries against the Lions. Martin, who missed the last three games because of a rib injury, aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter and didn't return to the game. Two other starters who came into the game with shoulder injuries, receiver Donald Driver and cornerback Charles Woodson, aggravated those injuries but continued playing. Clifton sustained a stinger to a shoulder late in the first half and injured a hamstring but played the entire second half. Safety Nick Collins injured a shoulder and halfback Ahman Green injured an ankle, but both returned to the game.

Happy Holiday
The Packers have been pleasantly surprised by the play of receiver Carlyle Holiday, who's been with the team for only two weeks. He was the No. 3 receiver against the Lions because the injured Ruvell Martin didn't play. Holiday caught three passes for 36 yards. He also had a false-start penalty. "We had some pre-snap penalties. You can't have that," McCarthy said. "(But) for a guy who's been here two weeks, what can you say about Holiday?"




Playoff considerations
McCarthy said he was not poring over the numerous possibilities the Packers have for getting into the playoffs because more than likely it will take victories over the Vikings and Chicago Bears to even give the Packers a chance. As a result, he prefers to stay focused on the next game. "I talked about it a little bit in yesterday's press conference. We clearly need to focus on one day at a time," he said. "That's where we are as a football team and I think when we accomplish that, good things happen and that is our focus." There are a number of scenarios in which the Packers can get into the playoffs, including ones where they wind up in a three-way tie with teams from other divisions and win tiebreakers because of a superior conference record. But that's all predicated on them sweeping their last two games. The scenario that seems most likely should the Packers sweep their last two games would be the New York Giants losing twice, the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons losing once and the Seattle Seahawks winning once. It was incorrectly reported Monday that the Packers couldn't overtake the Seahawks because of a head-to-head loss. In fact, if they are involved in a three-way tie with Seattle and the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers or Atlanta Falcons for the final playoff spot (at 8-8), the Packers would enter the playoffs based on a better conference record than Seattle, one of the criteria for breaking a three-way tie. Seattle would have to lose its last two games against Tampa and San Diego. The Packers cannot overtake Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans or Philadelphia.






Offense isn't pretty,
but defense helps deliver a win over Lions
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
Winning is all that matters in the NFL. There are no bonus points for style or quality. But the Green Bay Packers on Sunday ground out one of the uglier victories imaginable with a 17-9 win over the battered and demoralized Detroit Lions on a mild 41-degree December afternoon at Lambeau Field. The Packers turned the ball over four times and led only 10-9 with 9½ minutes left against a Detroit team missing its top three running backs and three starters on the offensive line. Only a solid 7-minute touchdown drive thereafter gave the Packers a working margin to hold off the Lions, who were 5½-point underdogs. "I'm pleased we won the game," Packers quarterback Brett Favre said. "But if we think we can get in the playoffs playing like that — I'm just calling it like I see it. I'm as much to blame as anyone." Yes, incredible as it is, the Packers' two-game winning streak puts them at 6-8 and on the fringe of the playoff race in the watered-down NFC. If the Packers win their last two games, at home against Minnesota on Thursday night and at Chicago on New Year's Eve, they'll finish 8-8. The rest depends on how a handful of other teams do in the final two weeks, but the Packers will hold the tiebreaker over several clubs if they make it back to .500. -- More






Jagodzinski bound for BC
He'll lead Boston College next year;
Zone-blocking scheme will remain
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 18, 2006
As far as Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is concerned, the zone-blocking system he has installed this season will remain. It's just that someone else will have to be the conductor next year. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, a West Allis native who rejoined McCarthy in Green Bay this season, will be moving on to Boston College to become the school's head coach. Two Boston newspapers first reported Monday that Jagodzinski had been offered the job and would be introduced as head coach on Wednesday. Jagodzinski will finish out the season with the Packers and isn't expected to be in attendance when Boston College plays in the Meineke Car Care Bowl Dec. 30 in Charlotte, N.C. The Packers play their final regular-season game Dec. 31 against the Chicago Bears and could still be in the hunt for the playoffs. McCarthy probably will allow Jagodzinski some time to work on putting his staff together at BC, perhaps at the end of this week after the Packers play Minnesota on Thursday night. The players have Friday through Monday off, and presumably McCarthy will give his assistants the weekend off as well. -- More


Related Article --

Jagodzinski leaving,
But not zone-blocking scheme
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
The Green Bay Packers are losing offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, but they'll be keeping the zone-blocking scheme he brought with him. Jagodzinski was offered and accepted the coaching position at Boston College on Monday, two sources confirmed, and the school plans to introduce him at a Wednesday news conference at the university's Chestnut Hill campus. Jagodzinski replaces Tom O'Brien, who left for North Carolina State after 10 years with the Eagles. Jagodzinski was O'Brien's offensive coordinator and line coach in 1997 and '98. Packers coach Mike McCarthy was unwilling to discuss Jagodzinski's impending departure Monday, one day after the team's 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field and in the middle of the club's preparations for Thursday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. "As far as Jags' situation, we're game-planning for Minnesota. Frankly, I'm not comfortable talking about what will or what could (happen). That's not my place," McCarthy said. "But like I've said before, the Green Bay Packers organization fully supports him." But McCarthy did say the zone-blocking style run game Jagodzinski learned during two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and installed this season will remain the team's approach. "Our zone blocking is what we are running the football," McCarthy said. "That's what we'll be this week, and that's what we'll continue to do in the future." -- More






Corners hope to hula together
If Harris or Woodson earns a spot on NFC Pro Bowl team,
the other will go, too
By Dylan B. Tomlinson / Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
Posted December 18, 2006
Green Bay Packers cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson have an agreement. The Pro Bowl selections will be announced Tuesday, and if either player is selected, the other will go with him to Hawaii to as a sign of support. "If he goes, I'm going," Harris said. "(We're) pretty tight. I go, he's got to go. No choice. I'm going to support him." Woodson said he thinks both he and Harris should be selected, but acknowledged that probably won't happen. Woodson, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times, but said Harris doesn't get the kind of respect he should around the league. "The voting is so funny," Woodson said. "I was talking to a few guys that I know and they were talking about (Philadelphia's) Lito Sheppard and (Atlanta's) DeAngelo Hall and me. There was no mention of Al." In most games this season, Harris has had the daunting task of shutting down an opponent's No. 1 receiver, and for the most part, has done an outstanding job. Even though Woodson may be considered the second-best cornerback on his team, he has the statistics Harris lacks. Each had an interception on Sunday. Woodson has a career-high six. Harris has three, tying his best seasons with the Packers (2003 and 2005). He posted a career-high four interceptions while a backup in Philadelphia in 1999. Harris has dropped three potential interceptions and admits that probably will prevent him from making the NFC Pro Bowl team. "If I don't drop those three, we both definitely would be going," Harris said. (Edit: Yeah... and 2 of those drops probably cost us 2 games in the standings... how nice would it be right now to be sitting at 8-6 instead of 6-8?) -- More



Favre sets record but INTs spoil fun
He passes Marino on completion list
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
When referee Ed Hochuli congratulated Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre in the second quarter of Sunday's 17-9 win over the Detroit Lions, Favre had no idea what the fuss was about. Favre had just completed a 21-yard pass to Carlyle Holiday. The completion was the 4,968th of Favre's career, breaking the record held by Hall of Famer Dan Marino. "I said, 'I have no idea what you're congratulating me for, but thank you.'" Favre said. When Favre was informed of the record, he admitted he was humbled. "I'm thankful that I've had a chance to play this long and have an opportunity to break a record that's been held by a guy like Dan Marino," Favre said. "That's quite an honor." Also feeling honored was Holiday, who was playing his second game with the Packers. "He's a Hall of Famer, and I'm really honored to be linked to him," Holiday said. "It will take a little while for it all to sink in." In a game when Favre broke one record, he inched closer to a more dubious one. With three interceptions on Sunday, Favre moved into second place on the all-time list with 270. He passed John Hadl — who threw 29 of his 268 interceptions while with the Packers in 1974 and 1975 — and is seven behind George Blanda's record 277. -- More



Jenkins rampaging to big payday
With restricted free agency ahead, he collects 3 sacks
By Rob Demovsky / greenbaypressgazette.com
The Green Bay Packers almost certainly were hoping they could keep defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins for the bargain-basement price that comes with the lowest possible tender offer to a restricted free agent. That's probably not possible after what he did in Sunday's 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Thanks to a career day, Jenkins is perhaps the best candidate for a contract extension over the final two weeks of the regular season, when teams can absorb some of the money on this year's salary cap. The third-year player made his first career NFL start at right defensive end and wasted little time making a major impact. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive end/tackle twice sacked Lions quarterback Jon Kitna in the first quarter, added a third sack before halftime, had five quarterback hits and recovered a fumble. Not a bad day's work for an obscure player thrust into a high-profile job. Jenkins' big day was part of a season-best six-sack performance by the Packers. They all came from the defensive line. End Aaron Kampman increased his season total to 12½ with a pair of sacks, and tackle Corey Williams had the other. -- More



Morency proves he's back
Healthy again, Green's backup runs for two TDs
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
After a promising start to the season, a back injury made Vernand Morency a forgotten member of the Green Bay Packers' backfield. Morency had rushed for 99 yards in a Monday night loss at Philadelphia and 101 yards in a win over Arizona. Morency injured his back in that game, was on the inactive list for the next two weeks, then was limited to 11 carries and 27 yards in the following three games. "When you're dealing with a back injury, it can be serious," Morency said. "I felt like I was ready to go, but the doctors were holding me out." It wasn't until last week's win at San Francisco when Morency got a chance to prove he was ready to contribute. He made the most of that opportunity, with seven carries for 69 yards. It's a safe bet the impression Morency left with the coaching staff on Sunday will be a more lasting one. Morency rushed seven times for 54 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers' 17-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Morency broke a 14-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and the game-clinching 21-yard scoring dash in the fourth quarter. -- More










Even at 6-8, don't rule out playoffs
By Mike Vandermause
Forget for a moment the Green Bay Packers are two games under .500. Forget that their 17-9 victory on Sunday at Lambeau Field over the Detroit Lions, arguably the worst team in the NFL, was no work of art. Forget the NFC is as weak as it's been in years. Then admit that anyone who predicted in September the Packers would be in playoff contention with two games left in the regular season either was laughed out of the bar or fell off a stool in a drunken stupor. Even two weeks ago, such a statement would have been considered ludicrous. How things change quickly in the parity-driven NFL. The Packers earned their second victory in a row on Sunday and boosted their record to a mediocre 6-8. As unbelievable as it sounds, they stand a decent chance of qualifying for the playoffs if they find a way to win their final two games and finish 8-8. Two NFC wild-card berths are up for grabs, with the Eagles (8-6), Giants (7-7) and Falcons (7-7) having the inside track. But the Packers are still in contention at 6-8, tied with the Panthers, Vikings, 49ers and Rams. Brett Favre, frustrated by the Packers' offensive struggles against the Lions and by his poor performance, didn't want to entertain the thought of the playoffs. "For us to be thinking playoffs – and I heard that there has been playoff talk – I mean, we got a long ways to go," he said. "I'm pleased we won the game, but if we think we can get into the playoffs playing like that … I'm just calling it like I see it." -- More



Playoffs? Gimme a break
By Mike Woods
Before we get to the meat of the matter today, a word from your coach: "I'm very pleased with the victory,'' an obviously pleased – or was that relieved? – Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after his team proved beyond a reasonable doubt it is only slightly better than the worst team in football following Sunday's hard-on-the-eyes 17-9 victory over Detroit at Lambeau Field, a sight not seen in these parts since late October. "Our fans definitely deserve it.'' Honestly, that would depend on what kind of fan you are. Some of you would have opted for a double root canal rather than sit more than 3 hours through an exhibition that was woefully short on skill but long on ineptitude. Some of you probably would have just preferred your money back. But there always are those of you who will gleefully point out that at 6-8, the Packers are still in it. It, as in playoffs. We respectfully decline to put those two words in the same sentence because, much like Howard Stern at a Christian Fellowship Convention, some things just don't belong together. I mean, where's Jim Mora Sr. when you need him? But we have a more than capable stand-in for the former Colts coach. Hey, Brett Favre, you've been a part of 20 playoff games, c'mon over. First, you finally won another game at Lambeau. Pretty good stuff, huh? "I have to remind myself this is a win,'' said a less-than-giddy Favre, sporting that deer-in-the-headlights look after a three-pick performance and 32.9 quarterback rating, the lowest he's put up in his 16-year career in a game won by the Packers. Yeah, but you did win. "They've been hard to come by. As ugly as it was, it is a win. I guess you can't be too choosy.'' Like it or not, you're a playoff contender. Just one game out of the mix. Despite the fact you've been shut out twice at home and haven't beat a team with a winning record, you could be playing in January. How cool is that? -- More






Meet Jennifer
Oakland Raiders
Cheerleader

The Oakland Raiders would like to congratulate Jennifer N., one of Football's Fabulous Females, for being named the "Raiderette of the Week."

In her second season as a Raiderette, Jennifer has continued to perform at the high level the Raider organization expects.

"Jennifer is a young woman with great direction and focus," Raiderette Director Karen Kovac said "She works hard at everything she does from reaching for her career goals to striving to be an incredible member of the Raiderettes. Her poise, talent and warm personality are all wonderful qualities that make her so special to our fans and our many charity clients she assists throughout the year."

A busy individual off the field, Jennifer N. keeps herself active not only within the Raider organization, but with school and extra-curricular activities as well. A student at St. Mary's College of California, Jennifer N. is preparing to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Before attending St. Mary's, she attended the University of Hawaii, where she studied psychology.

Her high academic achievements have earned her spots in several organizations as well. She is a member of Gamma Chi Sigma Sorority, the National Honor Society and also the National French Society.

"Being educated allows me to interact with fans during promos by discussing current events and other liberal studies subjects," Jennifer said. "Also, having training with public speaking helps as well. The discipline received in a classroom setting extends into my performance during rehearsals and games."

A Bay Area-native, Jennifer N. attended Westmont High School in Campbell, Calif., where she was a member of the French and Honor societies. She hopes to attend law school and study entertainment or sports law. In addition to these activities, Jennifer was also involved in athletics. She played field hockey and softball and was named to the area's first team all-league field hockey team.

In high school, she was a member of the Student Action Committee for a Congressman, where she worked on improving diversity and tolerance amongst high school students. She is also fluent in Vietnamese and French.