The Packer Pundit

As Head Coach Mike McCarthy has reviewed the season-opening shutout loss to the Bears this week, one glaring offensive failure was inescapable. Short-yardage situations. The Sept. 10 opener was an exercise in frustration in that area for the Packers. On their first three possessions, they faced a pair of third-and-1's, a third-and-3, and a fourth-and-1. They failed to convert on all of them, as running back Ahman Green was stopped for no gain twice, quarterback Brett Favre was sacked once, and Favre was stopped on a fourth-down sneak. "The biggest breakdown on offense was our situational offense, starting with the third down," McCarthy said. "I thought we ran the ball particularly well early in the game, and that was the course we intended on taking going into that game, and the short-yardage was our breakdown there in the first half." The early struggles laid the groundwork for a combined 3-for-14 conversion rate on third and fourth downs, and the offense never crossed Chicago's 35-yard line the entire game. Obviously, the Packers are looking for a much stronger performance in the rematch on Sunday, both in short-yardage situations and in the red zone, where the offense hasn't maximized on its opportunities of late. "We're a better football team than we were back then," McCarthy said. "I think that's evident. We'll have a plan and we'll exercise that plan and stay the course, and hopefully play better in the key situations."

Milestones within reach
Green needs just 12 rushing yards to reach 1,000 on the season and become the first Packer in history to post six 1,000-yard seasons. He currently shares the team record of five with Jim Taylor. Green has 244 carries for 988 yards this season, pushing his career total as a Packer to 8,091. That leaves him only 117 yards from breaking Taylor's franchise mark of 8,207. Green has five 100-yard games this season, his last coming on Dec. 3 against the N.Y. Jets, when he had 14 carries for 102 yards.

Top ratings
Last Thursday's game between the Packers and Vikings at Lambeau Field on NFL Network was the highest-rated cable show that evening and the second-highest rated cable telecast of the week behind ESPN's Monday Night Football game between Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The game earned a 5.4 rating, the second-most watched NFL Network Thursday game telecast of the season, behind the Thanksgiving night match-up between Denver and Kansas City. All seven NFL regular-season games thus far on NFL Network have ranked No. 1 on cable for that night. The final broadcast is Saturday night, with the Giants taking on the Redskins in a game with NFC playoff implications.

Jenkins yet to receive offer
Defensive end Cullen Jenkins, the most attractive player on the Green Bay Packers' free-agent lists, said Friday that he had received no offer from the club on a new contract. Jenkins, 25, has been a revelation since assuming the right end job from Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila early in Week 13. His one-year contract, which includes a minimum base salary of $425,000, is expiring. If unsigned, he would become a restricted free agent in March. "I would like to stay here but it really doesn't matter to me," Jenkins said. "Me and my wife talked about that a few weeks ago. We've got our child in school and we own a duplex." If Jenkins makes it to restricted free agency, the Packers would give him one of three tenders. The low tender, which figures to be worth about $750,000, would give the team the right to match an offer but receive no draft-choice compensation if Jenkins, an original free agent, was let go. The middle tender (about $1.7 million) would give the Packers a first-round pick if they elected not to match. The high tender (about $2.2 million) would give the Packers first- and third-round picks, effectively keeping Jenkins off the market. "I'll tell you this," an executive in personnel for a National Football League team said this week. "I'll give up a first for him. He's their best DT and one of the better defensive linemen in the division."

Injury update
Over the past two days, the Packers have added defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (foot) and center Scott Wells (shoulder) to the injury report, but both are probable. Pickett missed practice on Thursday but returned on Friday. Wells sat out on Friday. But both are expected to play. Receiver Donald Driver (probable, shoulder) missed all of this week's practices, but McCarthy said he fully anticipates him playing. Tight end David Martin (ribs), linebacker Abdul Hodge (shoulder) and safety Atari Bigby (hamstring) remain questionable on the report, but all three practiced all week.







By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/29/2006

"We're going to watch the games because they're on and we have nothing else to do but relax and kick back and watch football, but we put ourselves in this position. We can't blame anybody but ourselves for having to worry about what else is going to happen. We just have to ride it out. The chips are going to fall where they may, and we have to do our job first and foremost. We're worried about beating the Bears." -- Daryn Colledge

The Green Bay Packers will know by the time their game with the Chicago Bears begins on Sunday night whether or not they're playing for an NFC Wild Card playoff spot. And while the hope certainly is that they are, Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his players insist there will be no letdown if they aren't. That's because even if there is no playoff bid on the line, there's still plenty to play for in the regular season finale at Soldier Field. Having completed season sweeps of NFC North foes Detroit and Minnesota the past two weeks, the Packers have a chance to finish 5-1 in their division. They could end a three-game losing streak to their arch-rivals and beat a team with a winning record for the first time all season. They could also finish 8-8 in McCarthy's first year, not only avoiding a losing record but also doubling their win total from 2005 when most outside analysts predicted the Packers might only match their four wins of a year ago. But perhaps more important than any of the aforementioned accomplishments, the Packers could finish 2006 with four straight victories and go into the off-season with the momentum and positive feelings that looked hard to come by when the team was 4-8 less than a full month ago. "What better way, if things don't go our way (with the playoffs), than to say, 'Hey, we finished up the season strong. We had a four-game winning streak,'" Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Kampman said. "There's plenty to play for. Any game you play, you play to win. Playoffs or no playoffs, that's the mentality. It's just how you finish. It's key for us to continue to keep this upswing and keep going. Now we've got the off-season which is a lot more involved, and you keep building and building, and growing." -- More







By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
For a position that was supposedly an area of strength entering the season, the tight ends are a major question mark for the Green Bay Packers entering Sunday night's regular-season finale at Chicago. Starter Bubba Franks, whose role has been limited all season, is coming off a horrendous two-fumble, two-drop performance in the team's Dec. 21 win over Minnesota, and the Packers might have to consider eating the remainder of the seven-year, $28 million deal he signed 16 months ago. And backup David Martin, who appeared to be on his way to a breakout season with 19 catches and two touchdowns in the first eight games, has played just one game in the last five weeks since suffering a rib injury Nov. 19 against New England and hasn't caught a pass since the team's Nov. 12 win at Minnesota. In the game he played, against Detroit Dec. 17, Martin dropped what should have been a 16-yard TD pass. Franks dropped two more passes in that game, too. Franks, the team's first-round pick in 2000, didn't want to talk about his situation this week. "I'm not going to reflect on the year," said Franks, who has 25 catches for 232 yards and no TDs. Pressed about his future, Franks said, "I'm not worried. The year's almost over." Asked if that's a good thing, he said, "We'll see." -- More



Rookies come of age
Class performs well in big roles
By BOB McGINN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 29, 2006
It was a great year for rookies in the National Football League and the Green Bay Packers' first-year contingent doesn't have to take a back seat to many teams. Next month, when the all-rookie squad is selected by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America, as many as four Packers have a legitimate shot of making it. "They've got to be proud of that draft," an executive in personnel for another team in the NFC North Division said at midweek. By trading down four times and dealing wide receiver Javon Walker to Denver, general manager Ted Thompson turned seven picks into an eventual 12. Of the 12, four have started almost all season, another has started 10 games and five have contributed as backups. "You try to identify quality core players that you want on your team going forward," Thompson said. "I think we have a number in this class that fit that bill. I think that speaks well." -- More







By ROB REISCHEL / Special to Packer Plus
Posted: Dec. 27, 2006
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy stood before the state media on Nov. 13. And he had this to say about Packers 37-year old quarterback Brett Favre. "I think he has plenty of gas in his tank, and he could play another couple years if he wants to," McCarthy said. At the time, it was hard to argue with McCarthy. Since then, though, Favre's tank has bordered on empty. Over the past six weeks, Favre has had five games where his quarterback rating has been below 60.0. Included is an atrocious mark of 32.9 against Detroit that was the sixth lowest during Favre's streak of 256 consecutive starts. Compare that to the first nine weeks of the year, where Favre's rating was below 60.0 just twice. Favre's quarterback rating after nine games was a healthy 81.3, which ranked 17th in the NFL. Today, Favre's rating has plummeted to 72.9 which ranks 24th. Favre's current rating is the third lowest of his career, behind only the 2005 (70.9) and 1993 (72.2) seasons. And if Favre plays like he has the past six weeks during the Packers' game at Chicago Sunday, he could set a career-low in passer rating. -- More



It's all business to Green
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
If the Green Bay Packers decide not to re- sign halfback Ahman Green after the season, Green will walk away knowing he did everything he could to convince them. "I don't think they should be worried about (signing me to) a long-term deal. If they're worried, then there ain't much else I can do," said Green, who enters Sunday night's regular- season finale at Chicago needing 12 yards to reach the 1,000- yard mark for the sixth time in his career and 117 yards to break Hall of Famer Jim Taylor's franchise career rushing record of 8,207 yards. "I've done about everything a person could do to say, 'Look, I'm here for a while.'" Indeed, Green has completed a remarkable recovery from the ruptured quadriceps tendon he suffered in his right leg Oct. 23, 2005, in Minnesota, rushing for 988 yards on 244 carries (4.0-yard average) despite missing two games earlier in the month with hamstring problems. Asked if he doubted himself at any point during his comeback, Green replied, "I had no doubt. None. I thought about (a potential season-ending injury) a lot, even when I was healthy. You see other guys get hurt, and I thought, 'If it does happen to me, am I going to be depressed and all woe-is-me, or am I going to hit it head on?' "I never once thought, 'I'm done. It's my eighth year, I can't come back.' Instead, I'm like, 'Let's hit this thing head- on. If I can't do it, I can't do it, but at least I can look at myself in the mirror and say I did everything I could.' I did it, and I'm out there, and I did what I did this season." -- More



Jagodzinski puts BC on hold
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
While an NFC playoff berth would delay him from starting his new job as head coach at Boston College for at least a week, Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski wouldn't mind a bit. For one thing, it's a recruiting "dead" period until Jan. 14, so he wouldn't be missing out on that. More important, though, he figures a Packers postseason run would be good for his program. "Nobody else can talk to (recruits), either," Jagodzinski said Thursday, as he and the rest of the staff prepared for Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. "To be honest with you, I think (making the playoffs) would help us more than anything. You'd get a lot of exposure. So I think that would be a good thing. Players get to see that and see what you're all about." Jagodzinski hasn't had much time to do BC-related work since he was introduced on Dec. 20 in Boston, and unlike then-Packers running backs coach Sylvester Croom, who went back-and-forth between Green Bay and Mississippi State after getting that job in 2003, Jagodzinski has spent most of his time in Green Bay. Nevertheless, Jagodzinski said he has made headway in putting together his staff, but he wants to interview all his candidates face-to-face before formally offering them jobs. "I had a list of guys I had in mind that I wanted to talk to. And for the most part, I think most of them are going to come with me," he said. "But I can't get that solidified until I get a chance to talk to all of them. I'm not going to do all that stuff over the phone." For that reason, Jagodzinski figures he'll head to Boston "a day or two" after the season ends, whether that's Sunday night or in a week or two. "I'm looking forward to that challenge, but I really want to do the most I can here to help us win and get into the playoffs," Jagodzinski said. "I promised Mike (McCarthy) I would do everything I could to help us win. And any extra time I have, that's when I do some BC stuff. It's been a balancing act, but more front-loaded on this end." -- More



Poppinga plugged in
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
As impressive as Ahman Green's comeback has been this year, he's not the only one who rebounded from a severe season-ending injury. Linebacker Brady Poppinga returned from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered on Dec. 11, 2005, just like he lives his life: At warp speed. "A lot of times in the offseason, when I don't have a lot going on physically, I have a lot of pent-up energy. So I'm always moving around, I'm never sitting down," said Poppinga, who was able to participate in most of training camp and start the Sept. 10 season opener against Chicago. "My wife (Brooke) will bring it up. 'Why don't you sit down and relax?' And I sort of think back on the last 10 minutes, and I'm like, 'You're right, I haven't done anything but just go crazy.' It's just how I'm wired." While Poppinga struggled early in the season, especially in coverage, he has steadily improved. He enters Sunday night's regular-season finale at Chicago with 74 tackles, one interception and one sack - and plenty of room for improvement next year. "I look at where I started and where I'm at now, I've made up a lot of ground. So it's nice to see that my hard work's paid off," said Poppinga, a fourth- round pick last year who was making his first NFL start when he was injured. "And to see what I can become is motivation for me to continue to work hard." Indeed, as cornerback Al Harris - the guy who nicknamed Poppinga "Stifler," because of his resemblance to "American Pie" actor Sean William Scott - pointed out, "It's all right to go fast, but sometimes you've got to go fast and be in the right spot." And Poppinga hasn't always been in the right spot this year. "He's made a very big improvement," linebackers coach Winston Moss said. "Considering he started out with virtually no offseason, to learn on the run and progress under fire, I'm pleased. He hasn't been perfect, but I'm very pleased with what he's been able to do." -- More

Kampman lines up with best in NFL
Defensive ends sacks first trip to Pro Bowl
By ROB REISCHEL / Special to Packer Plus
Posted: Dec. 27, 2006
Aaron Kampman had a nasty case of the flu last Tuesday. Green Bay's standout defensive end was sick all day, and the way he put it "a little out of it." Well, how's this for a cure? As Kampman was in a defensive line meeting, Packers rookie head coach Mike McCarthy told Kampman he had been selected to his first Pro Bowl. Now that certainly beats Sudafed or TheraFlu, doesn't it. "I knew it was definitely a distinct possibility, and didn't try to get my hopes up one way or the other," Kampman said. "And when it came, obviously yeah, I was definitely excited about it. Still am." Kampman went out and celebrated with another monstrous performance last Thursday. In Green Bay's 9-7 victory over Minnesota, Kampman equaled his career-high with three sacks in one game. Kampman has 15½ sacks and shares the lead in the NFL with San Diego's Shawne Merriman. Kampman has a chance to become the first Packers player to win a sack title. -- More






Meet Stephanie
Denver Broncos
Cheerleader

Best thing about being a Broncos Cheerleader?
Performing in front of 76,000 Broncos fans as well as the opportunities to help and serve others in the community.

Most memorable experience as a Cheerleader?
I’ll never forget visiting a boy at Children’s Hospital dying from Leukemia with a last wish to meet the Broncos cheerleaders. His strength and courage has inspired me ever since.

How do you spend your time off of the field?
Studying, traveling, and staying active. I also visit high schools with Alive at 25 to speak to students about the importance of responsible driving.

Most memorable game?
The Divisional Playoff game last season against the New England Patriots. The game, the players, the fans: I’ll never forget any of it!

Occupation and how does Broncos cheerleading affect your work?
I am majoring in Communications, and as a Broncos cheerleader I am provided with many opportunities to build relationships and connect with others in the community.

Who do you admire the most in the sports industry?
John Lynch- It has been a privilege to be able to witness not only his talent and work ethic on the field, but also his dedication to serving the community in so many ways.

Favorite books?
The Message by Lance Richardson, and The Potter and the Clay by my grandfather, Reed Moss.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Graduated from college, enjoying my career, and hopefully married to a wonderful man!

What is the best thing about Broncos fans?
Their enthusiasm for the game and absolute dedication to the team.

What do you do in your spare time to relax?
I love both yoga and swimming; these activities help me relax by relieving my mind from daily stresses.

Best advice for kids? Build a close relationship with your parents and siblings.
They are the ones that will always be there for you.

Best gift ever received?
My family of course. Without them I would not be where I am today. They inspire me to stand tall and stand up for what I believe in.

Your most important goal in life?
To do all I can to save lives by speaking out to teens about safe driving.

How does cheerleading fit into that goal?
Being a Broncos cheerleader gives me opportunities to tell my story and let people know the real life consequences of reckless driving.

Place you would most like to visit?
Fiji! (Thanks to The Truman Show!)

Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My mother. Despite losing her only son in a tragic car accident, she continues to wear a smile and put others’ needs before hers.

What are the things you value most in life?
My religion and the blessings and peace it brings to my life.

Toughest thing about being a cheerleader?
Time management!

Two people you would like to have dinner with?
I have two answers. First: Jesus Christ and my brother Brian. Second: Dane Cook and Robin Williams.

Favorite thing to do in Denver?
Camping, hiking, going to Water World, Six Flags, and all Colorado sports games.

Three words that best describe me are:
Enthusiastic, driven and conscientious.

Most prized possession?
My camera and my collection of photos.

Greatest accomplishment?
Becoming a cheerleader for the best team in the NFL!