12/6/2006
Packers Sign WR Holiday;
Release Francies
The Green Bay Packers Tuesday claimed wide receiver Carlyle Holiday on waivers from the Arizona Cardinals and released wide receiver Chris Francies. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transaction.
Money stolen from Favre's skybox
Several hundred dollars taken during Jets' game
Several hundred dollars was reported stolen from two purses in Brett Favre’s skybox during Sunday’s Green Bay Packers game. Green Bay police Capt. Lisa Sterr said that Packers’ corporate security staff called for police officers about 1:50 p.m. Sunday to report the that cash was stolen from purses belonging to two people seating in the box. Green Bay police confirmed one of the purses belonged to Deanna Favre, Brett’s wife. The exact amount of money missing was not disclosed Tuesday. The other purse belonged to a 25-year-old Green Bay woman who was not identified Tuesday. “Our officers did a number of interviews,” Sterr said. “The case is now in the hands of our investigation division.” Sterr said the private box level of Lambeau Field is a semi-restricted area, but is open to occupants of other privates boxes and service staff. Investigators will have to sort through the people who had tickets in the Favres’ box, those that may have visited the box and people in the service areas of the box level to identify potential suspects.Ryan Punts With Heavy Heart
Despite the passing of his father just two days earlier, Green Bay punter Jon Ryan never considered not taking the field on Sunday for the Packers. But that didn't make it easy to be out there. "Not playing didn't cross my mind once," Ryan said. "It wasn't even my decision. It was my dad's decision. "I knew my dad would want me out there playing today, but at the same time under the circumstances it was very difficult." Ryan performed admirably, averaging 39.5 yards on two punts. His first punt was a high 41-yarder that was caught at the New York 17-yard line, and the Jets' Leon Washington was tackled for no gain. "It hit me pretty hard before kickoff and again after that first punt," he said. "I kind of came off the field with a tear in my eye. It was very difficult and I was definitely feeling it a little bit." Sunday continued an emotionally trying season for Ryan, who found out during training camp that his father had terminal cancer. An avid Packers fan, Ryan's father was proud his son had made it in the NFL in Green Bay and had come here to see his son punt twice this season, in the preseason finale against Tennessee and again on a surprise visit on Oct. 29 vs. Arizona. Unfortunately, the elder Ryan's condition worsened quickly after that and Jon flew home to Regina, Saskatchewan, earlier this week to be with his father one last time. "It meant a lot to me," Ryan said. "It's a day that I'll never forget and it's something I'll have with me forever. I have no regrets and I'm definitely glad I went back home to see him." Ryan was planning to drive to Milwaukee on Sunday night with his girlfriend and then fly back to Canada Monday morning. Services for his father were scheduled for Monday night and he plans to be back at practice on Wednesday. Ryan said he felt his dad had the "best seats in the house" on Sunday. He also said quarterback Brett Favre talked with him briefly the other day, relating the story of how his father passed away on the eve of a late-season Monday night game in 2003. "He said my dad and his dad were probably up there joking around right now," Ryan said. "Things like that make me feel a little bit better, to think of that."Another pick
Cornerback Charles Woodson continued his solid play in 2006 with his third interception in the past two games. On the Jets' first play of the second half, Woodson intercepted Chad Pennington on a deep pass intended for Justin McCareins at the Green Bay 13-yard line. It was Pennington's first mistake on the day after completing 22 of 29 for 241 yards in the first half. Patrick Dendy then got another interception on New York's next series. "I guess (there was) better recognition of what was going on and putting ourselves in a position to make some plays," Woodson said. "We did a better job but it was way too late at that point." Woodson, who had two interceptions last week at Seattle, now has five on the season, tying his career high set as a rookie in 1998 with Oakland. (More on Woodson below)Streak alive
It took until the second half, but receiver Donald Driver did catch a pass to extend his streak to 76 straight games with at least one catch. Driver caught a 10-yard pass midway through the third quarter and seemed to come alive, adding a 20-yard TD reception later in the period to pull the Packers within 31-10. He finished with three catches for 41 yards. The franchise's longest reception streak belongs to Sterling Sharpe at 103 games from 1988 to 1994. The touchdown catch from Brett Favre was the 32nd for the duo, tying them for No. 5 on the franchise's all-time list with the Lynn Dickey-James Lofton and Favre-Robert Brooks tandems.
Final 4 games bring a time for tryouts
At 4-8, Packers will look at little-used players
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn't likely to admit it, but the last four games of the 2006 season may have more to do with 2007. After three straight losses, the Packers are 4-8 and have little to play for other than pride and draft picks. But that doesn't mean what happens over the next four games won't be crucial for the Packers. McCarthy is likely to take a long look at several players who have been used sparingly or not at all this season to find out whether they're worth keeping. The only way McCarthy can find out whether they can play is to let them. "It's all about opportunities. It's about creating opportunities for people that deserve to have opportunities, and it's about opportunities created that people haven't taken full advantage of their opportunities," McCarthy said Monday. "You have two things you're really looking at. So with that, whether it's a role, increase somebody's role, decrease." McCarthy wasn't specific about which players may see a decreased role over the next four games. "We will be looking at opportunities created for some of our other players, or how we use certain people," McCarthy said. On Monday, McCarthy singled out defensive end Jason Hunter for his good play. "He's a young man that may deserve an opportunity," McCarthy said. "We talked about him today and also about his specific role on special teams. He's done some very good things. He's got great energy. He's a force, particularly on the coverage schemes." -- More 
Amid chaos, Pickett stands ground
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
"I'm just playing my role. Everybody has their role on the team, and I have mine. That's all I'm trying to do. This was definitely the right play for me. We've struggled lately, but I enjoy my job, I enjoy coming to work everyday, I enjoy my teammates, my coaches. It's been good." -- Ryan Pickett
As bad as things have been for the Green Bay Packers' defense, nose tackle Ryan Pickett has more than held up his end of the bargain. Even with the defense having hemorrhaged big plays, and the once-No. 7 ranked run defense having allowed 413 rushing yards the past two games to fall to No. 17 in the 32-team NFL, Pickett constantly has been steady. The way things have been going lately on defense, it's nice that someone can be described that way. "He's been very, very solid," said defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, whose unit as a whole has been anything but. "He's been an excellent addition. I would say the most consistent grader each week." When the Packers signed the 27-year-old Pickett to a four- year, $14 million free-agent deal in March (including $5 million in bonus money up front), they knew exactly what they were getting: a reliable, run-stuffing nose tackle who would be strong at the point of attack, play through injuries (64 consecutive starts from 2001 through '05 in St. Louis) and be a professional. But when Pickett missed most of the voluntary organized team activity practices this offseason, then had a relatively quiet training camp - except for the Lombardi Avenue car accident he was involved in while pulling out of the Lambeau Field parking lot - there was reason to wonder whether he would deliver. No more. "I think Ryan Pickett is having a heck of a year." coach Mike McCarthy said Monday. -- More An Instinctive Veteran,
Woodson Forging Fine Season
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/05/2006
New York Jets receiver Justin McCareins is streaking down the far sideline with Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, back turned, in a dead sprint to keep up. Chad Pennington's pass is lofted toward McCareins, who's waiting for the ball to drop over Woodson's shoulder and into his arms for a big gain. But at the last possible moment, Woodson turns his head, picks up the flight of the ball and hauls in a spectacular interception while crashing to the Lambeau Field turf. A lucky grab? Far from it. Sunday's interception by Woodson, his fifth this season, was just another example of what coaches refer to as "ball skills," or the instincts that separate defensive backs who can run and cover from those who know how to react to a ball in flight, even when they can't watch it the whole time. "I think I've been pretty blessed in that department," Woodson says. Few would disagree. A lot of NFL quarterbacks have made a living throwing over defensive backs who have their back to the play and never know where the ball is. But the split-second reaction and timing required to not only break up a throw like the one to McCareins but also pick it off simply can't be coached. "Some people are just instinctive and they have a feel for the game, and he has as good a feel as anybody I've been around," Packers secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer said. "He just goes, 'Hey, I'd better look. It's time to look.' It's a mechanism some people are gifted with and he has that ability." -- More 
1-5 at home? No wonder fans boo
Slump started with Sherman, but McCarthy must reverse it
By Mike Vandermause
Charles Woodson was taken by surprise when the Green Bay Packers were booed off the field at halftime on Sunday. "You hear so many great things about Lambeau Field and playing here in Green Bay," Woodson said, "and that's the one thing I've never heard before I came here is Green Bay being booed. It's never fun to get booed. When your home crowd is fed up with what's going on on the field and they boo you, that's a little disappointing." The Packers cornerback understood the fans' frustration. "With the performance we had (Sunday), if I was a fan, I probably would have booed too," Woodson said. It was arguably the worst first-half performance in the history of the franchise, and the resulting 38-10 beatdown at the hands of the Jets left the reeling Packers with the worst home record in the National Football League. Remember when opponents hated the thought of coming to Lambeau Field, especially in December? Remember when the Packers were virtually unbeatable at home? Now teams are lining up for a chance to play here. Not only are the Packers 1-5 at home, they haven't been competitive in three of those five losses. The Bears, Patriots and Jets have combined to pummel the Packers 99-10 at Lambeau. It's beyond embarrassing. The Packers have sunk to depths not seen in Green Bay since the 1950s. Even the Packers' lean years in the 1970s and 1980s look good compared to what has been on display at Lambeau lately. Dan Devine and Bart Starr had rocky coaching stints in Green Bay, but both posted winning home records. Devine was 14-11-3. Starr was 35-30-1. Forrest Gregg (13-18-1) and Lindy Infante (13-19) were far less successful at home, but their winning percentages are positively glowing compared to the Packers' pathetic 4-12 record in their last 16 home games. Is it any wonder the fans were booing on Sunday? -- More
Meet JillCarolina Panthers
Cheerleader
TopCat Season: 1st
Hometown: Oregon, OH
Education: Ohio State University
Occupation: Physical Therapist
Future Goal: Obtain infant massage certification and become a certified yoga instructor
Hobbies: Reading, running, yoga, going out to eat, and playing with my children
Favorite Charity: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Favorite TV Show: American Idol, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Music: Top 40 and hip-hop
Favorite Quote: I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.
Most Important Thing In Life: Family
Achievements: Graduating with honors with bachelor's degree in physical therapy, Ohio State University Dance Force team member, and making the TopCats
Published by PackerPundit On Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 6:16 AM.
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