The Packer Pundit

Decisions looming for Favre
QB to consider retirement, ankle surgery
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 6, 2006
As the weeks roll forward and the Green Bay Packers head for a second straight season without a post-season appearance, quarterback Brett Favre is facing decision time. The last four weeks could play a role in whether he comes back next season - probably more so in relation to how he plays than how the team plays - but he said he remains an eternal optimist who can put the past in the past and think about a brighter future. "I would hope our team would be a in a better situation (next year), but you know, the future, there are no guarantees in that and I'm no different than anyone else," Favre said. "When the season is over, when a game is over and you have a little bit of time to think about it, the optimism goes back up and you say, 'Hey, you know, we might be better.' Or, you know, 'I can play better than I did last week.' " Favre said he's dealing better with the challenges of being on a losing team than he did last year and is not trying to carry the team all by himself. He admits, however, that the fact he isn't carrying the team in its moment of need could be a factor with his future. -- More


Wait and see
Tight end David Martin took part in some seven-on-seven drills to see if his ailing ribs were getting any better. After the workout, he said things went pretty well, but he said he only did what the doctors told him he could do and nothing more. He said he couldn't say definitively whether he'll play against San Francisco on Sunday. He is listed as questionable. "It felt all right," said Martin, who has missed two straight games. "I just wanted to go out there and get a handle on it. I was able to handle what they asked me to do today." Martin said he does not have any fractured ribs and that the injury was to cartilage.

Roll out the carpet
As has become custom at Lambeau Field each year, the middle of the field from end zone to end zone was ripped out and replaced with new sod. The Packers have done that each of the last five or six years - this year at a cost of $30,000 - to make sure the field is playable. The middle of the field is worn out and with two home games left, the Packers weren't taking any chances. "It should be finished by tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon," president Bob Harlan said. "The field on the edges is fine. We're just concerned about the middle. We usually do it the first week in December."

Hello ... here's your helmet
New receiver Carlyle Holiday didn't get much of an introduction to his new coaches and teammates on Wednesday. There were some delays getting him through his physical and when he finished he rushed out to the practice field after the team had gone through stretching exercises and started catching passes in the receiver drills. "They just tell me what route to run," Holiday said. "It's like you're a redshirt freshman in college again." Truthfully, Holiday is a little more experienced than that. A former quarterback at Notre Dame who made the transition to receiver in his final year with the Irish, Holiday is one of many athletic quarterbacks in recent years who have taken their shot in the NFL at receiver. Jacksonville's Matt Jones, a quarterback at Arkansas, and Pittsburgh's Antwaan Randle-El, from Indiana, are two of the more successful examples. McCarthy, a former quarterbacks coach, feels that any player's knowledge of the quarterback position can only help in their understanding of the big picture on offense. Last year in San Francisco, he coached receiver Arnaz Battle, another former Notre Dame QB, and he's interested in seeing what Holiday can do for the Packers. "The one thing that's been constant in my experience is the best players are always the smartest players," McCarthy said. "You go back to great players I've been fortunate enough to be around, they not only knew their assignment, but they knew exactly how their assignment fit into that particular scheme, the anticipation of the defensive schemes they were going to encounter." McCarthy added he may take a look at Holiday as a punt returner, but the receiver's first job is to learn the playbook as quickly as he can and be ready to step in on offense if needed. Holiday spent most of 2005 on Arizona's practice squad and started two games for the Cardinals this season but did not catch a pass. "I was just wherever they needed me," Holiday said. "If a receiver got hurt, I was in there for his position. I had to pretty much learn every position on the team, and they just throw you in whenever they need you, so you have to be prepared."

Favre far from decision
Quarterback Brett Favre said he has yet to discuss his future with his wife Deanna and is simply concentrating on getting as many wins as possible out of the four games remaining in 2006. "We made it a point this year to just deal with things in the present right now," Favre said in his news conference on Wednesday. "I have nothing but great memories up to this point, and with these four games remaining, I'm going to get the most out of them, and if there's more after that, we'll do the same. That's just kind of how I'm handling it at this point. I would love for us to be in better situation, but it is what it is." Favre also said he's considering having minor surgery on his left ankle, the same surgery he had on it earlier in his career, but he gave no timetable for that process.

Injury update
Tight end David Martin (questionable, ribs) took part only in individual drills on Wednesday and is working his way back, though he's still sore and it's unclear whether he'll return to team drills this week. Right tackle Mark Tauscher (doubtful, groin) remains a long shot to play this week. McCarthy said Tauscher is feeling better but the tests indicate the injury isn't healed. There remains a possibility he could return to practice next week. Running back Ahman Green (probable, knee) missed practice Wednesday, as is his routine, and cornerback Charles Woodson (probable, shoulder) also missed practice, but both are expected to be ready on Sunday.

McCarthy mulls redrawing line
Limiting 'KGB' snaps an option
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 6, 2006
Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila has been a step too slow getting to the quarterback this season and it has caught the eye of Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. Gbaja-Biamila trails team leader Aaron Kampman by only five in hits on the quarterback (31 to 26) but when it comes to sacks, Kampman has double the amount (10 to five). Last Sunday against the New York Jets, a poor pass-rushing performance was shared equally among the defensive linemen, but it was a game in which the Packers really needed Gbaja-Biamila to win a one-on-one battle. "I'd like to get more productivity out of him in third down and pass rush," McCarthy said Wednesday. "Him and I have spoken about that." Throughout his entire career, coaches have debated whether limiting the 6-4, 250-pound Gbaja-Biamila's snaps on rushing downs would leave him fresher for the times he's asked to get after the quarterback. McCarthy and his staff appear to be asking the same question and could be moving in that direction. Gbaja-Biamila and defensive tackle Corey Williams both said that Williams got work at defensive end in practice, a sign that a change might be in order. Given McCarthy said this week that he will be looking at altering some of the roles on the team, it's possible Gbaja-Biamila will become more of a situational player and be forced to let Williams take his starting spot. -- More



Williams might make a move
By Rob Demovsky / greenbaypressgazette.com
The Green Bay Packers are toying with the idea of playing defensive tackle Corey Williams at defensive end on early downs in an effort to bolster their struggling run defense. Williams, a third-year pro who has started seven of the Packers' 12 games at left defensive tackle, is having his best NFL season. He has matched his career high with 34 tackles and has five sacks, two more than he posted in his first two seasons combined. If the Packers change Williams' role, it likely will be at the expense of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. "I don't know what's going to happen," Williams said after Wednesday's practice. "They just said something to me about it this morning. I'm just going to get out there and play." Limiting Gbaja-Biamila's snaps on obvious run downs has been discussed on an almost annual basis since he became a full-time starter in 2002. The theory has been that fewer snaps on obvious run downs, where he is less effective, might make him more effective when it comes to his specialty, pass rushing. Gbaja-Biamila, who twice in his career has had seasons with 13½ sacks, has only five sacks this season. He has not had a multiple-sack game this year. "It's just a change," Gbaja-Biamila said. "They're trying something. It may work. I don't know. You won't know unless you try it. But being a competitor, of course I'd like to be in there. I think I can do the job. The coaches want to make a change or try something. They're the coaches. They have that say." Gbaja-Biamila said the coaches have told him he has been doing "OK" against the run. "Not doing anything bad," Gbaja-Biamila said. "There may be little techniques here and there. They have some technical stuff. If there's anything that they've done to make an awareness, it's that Corey's in there right now. That's the biggest communication I've gotten that they want to try something different." -- More






Green's light turns to yellow
Packers cautious with running back
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 6, 2006
Ask the Green Bay Packers coaches and they'll tell you that Ahman Green is running the way he once did. But if that's true, why haven't they found more ways to get their franchise back the ball, especially in light of the problems they've had running behind an offensive line featuring three rookies? Now that he's more than a year removed from the ruptured thigh tendon that cost him most of last season, Green's strength in his legs appears completely back, and when he gets some running room he seems to make the most of it. But in the last three games, his touches have been down significantly, especially compared to early in the season. Not being able to run the ball is a factor, as is getting behind early against the New York Jets and New England Patriots, but given Green's ability to supplement his numbers with receiving yards, the Packers don't seem to be maximizing his ability. What's more, Green's endurance seems to be playing a factor because he continually comes out of the game after three or four plays during any given drive. "You're trying to get him the ball so many times, but you're trying to keep his rep(etition)s to a certain number," coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday. "But also (Vernand) Morency and Noah (Herron) have been productive players for us, so we're keeping them involved, too. It's not just go in there and go until you can't go anymore. That's not the approach." -- More



Rookies Still Going Strong
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/06/2006
It's a phrase bandied about often in NFL circles - the 'rookie wall.' Players fresh out of college have spent their careers playing 12- and 13-game seasons and sometimes struggle physically to push through the final contests of their rookie year. They're not conditioned for the 16-game NFL grind, and their performance starts to suffer in the season's latter stages. But despite starting as many as five rookies in several games this season, Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't see his young players hitting that wall. In fact, he believes the rookie wall is a product of a bygone era. "As I've been in the league, I think the strength and conditioning programs in college, particularly (at) the bigger schools that have the resources and the structure in place, you're seeing the college athlete, in my opinion, better conditioned," McCarthy said. "People want to talk about the rookie wall, I don't think you see that as much as you may have years ago." Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk, known to all his teammates as a workout fiend, doesn't feel that he's wearing down physically at all. He recognizes that the season is significantly longer than any he's played previously, but he's taken that into account with the conditioning work he does on his own. "I'm fine. My body feels good, I feel good mentally," Hawk said. "Obviously all of us would like to have more wins, but as far as physically and everything, my body feels great. I think our coaches did a good job of getting us ready. "Everybody has their own little way of how much you need to lift, when you need to lift, how to do all that kind of stuff to stay healthy for this long of a season." Hawk admits it helps that he hasn't sustained any injuries. Rookie receiver Greg Jennings has, and that has made his first NFL season an even greater physical challenge. Jennings posted two 100-yard games in his first five NFL contests but then injured his ankle against Miami on Oct. 22. He missed one game and has played every game since, but he hasn't reached 60 yards in a game since returning and only twice in the five games since has he topped 40 yards. -- More



Mending their business
Underwood, Allen endure rehab together
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 5, 2006
Every day, whether he's feeling OK or dragging his bones, Marviel Underwood drives to Lambeau Field and heads for the weight room. There, Underwood runs into linebacker Brady Poppinga, the human alarm clock, and Poppinga begins blaring: "Keep going, keep going, keep GOING. You're going to be so much better! You know how Brady is," Underwood said. "He's so excited. He keeps on me every single day. A lot of times, A.J. Hawk comes by too and says, 'You can come back stronger.' The guys in the training room every day, they'll say I'm getting better. "It helps a lot." That's because after a season-ending injury, like Underwood's blown-out knee, players are on their own. The NFL Players Association will be there for an injury settlement or any legal questions, but as far as dealing with the challenges of monotonous rehabilitation, frustration over the injury and the disconnected feeling from work, the player has himself and whatever support he can find from his team, if he wants it. "At first, the first month, I was pretty down," Underwood said. "I was, like, 'I should be playing.' You see your team on TV and you're, like, 'Aw, I wish I was playing.' " One is the loneliest number. Two is a little better. Underwood is thankful to have Kenderick Allen and vice versa. -- More



Niners have nothing but praise for McCarthy
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
Though Mike McCarthy was an obscure head-coaching candidate last offseason, he came highly recommended by the Green Bay Packers' next opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. Most notably for General Manager Ted Thompson was the opinion of Scot McCloughan, the 49ers' vice president of player personnel since 2005, and before that, Thompson's trusted confidante as his director of college scouting with the Seattle Seahawks. McCloughan, who was a college scout with the Packers from 1994 through 1999, spent two seasons around McCarthy: in 1999, when McCarthy was the Packers' quarterbacks coach, and 2005, when McCarthy was the 49ers' offensive coordinator. McCloughan said Thompson called him about McCarthy as part of his background research during his coaching search, and that he wasn't surprised when Thompson hired McCarthy as his coach in January. "The thing I respect about (McCarthy) is he's a no-nonsense guy, football through and through," McCloughan said Wednesday. "He's very passionate. No one's going to outwork him. The layout is there for him to be a good coach. Now, the whole idea with a good coach is that you have good players around you. I know they're in the process, kind of like we are, trying to get more players in there." The Packers and 49ers meet Sunday in a game that features rebuilding franchises. McCloughan drew a parallel between judging McCarthy's performance this year and 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who went 4-12 last year in his first season as coach. Both coaches took over rebuilding teams that went with exceptionally young rosters in their first season. McCloughan hasn't seen videotape of the Packers since the first half of the season but is aware of their two blowout losses at home to New England and the New York Jets in the last three weeks. "The way I think you judge him, and the way I think Coach Nolan is judged right now, is do you keep the team together, do you see guys keep battling?" McCloughan said. "One thing I respect about Mike (McCarthy) is he's got that Pittsburgh background, and he's a tough guy and he's not going to give in on anything. "Personally, I think he's going to be an excellent head coach when it's all said and done. He's highly intelligent, especially when it comes to an offensive scheme. He knows how to attack defenses in the right way." Nolan knew McCarthy in passing before hiring him as offensive coordinator in 2005. Nolan said he chose McCarthy for that key post — Nolan had a defensive background, so his offensive coordinator would be in charge of his offense — because of McCarthy's work as New Orleans' offensive coordinator the previous five years. He liked the quality of McCarthy's mentors, including Marty Schottenheimer and Paul Hackett. Nolan said that while working with McCarthy last year, he saw head-coaching material because of McCarthy's commanding presence in front of players. "I know the disappointment (among Packers fans) in the hiring last year to a great degree was that the 49ers were not a very good team last year," Nolan said in a conference call with reporters in Green Bay. "Certainly, record wise, we were not. But that shouldn't take away from an individual's ability to do the job. Because too often, as we all witness, everybody hires the pretty girl, the hot candidate, and it doesn't work out that he's prepared for the job. In Mike's case, they went with the guy they thought was the best guy to do the job. He wasn't the prettiest, but I think he's the right guy." -- More



Starr says Favre needs a stronger team
By Mike Lopresti
Gannett News Service
The news from Green Bay gets worse and worse. A 26-0 loss to the Chicago Bears ... 35-0 to the New England Patriots ... 38-10 to the New York Jets. Scores so sour, even the cheese heads have gone bad. Lambeau Field is hallowed NFL ground. Lombardi's house. The current occupants are 4-8, and 1-5 at home. These guys ought to turn the pictures of the old Packers to the wall. It seemed a good time to talk to one of those old Packers. "Obviously as an alumnus, you're hurting for them,'' Bart Starr said over the phone. "They're a young team. They're growing.'' Starr, the cool driver of the Lombardi dynasty, retired as a quarterback when he was 37. Same age as Brett Favre this season. Favre must be the great dilemma for the Green Bay faithful. It is always painful to see champions go, but also anguishing to see them fade. Nothing lasts forever, no matter how hardheaded and stouthearted the competitor. Some have suggested time has run out for Favre. Bart Starr is not one of them. "Brett needs a stronger team, a consistent team,'' he said. "When he's had that, they've won some games. When they haven't, they don't. The only thing missing this year is the lack of team around him. When I saw him early in the season, he looked great. He looked healthy.'' But did he look like a guy who should be fishing on the weekends instead of ducking defensive ends? "No.'' Starr is 72 now, retired in Alabama, still the model of stability. The 17th-round draft pick who played 16 years with the same team has been married 52 years to the same woman. -- More



Lombardi Solved Packers' West Coast 'Problem'
By Lee Remmel / Team Historian
Posted 12/05/2006
For the Green Bay Packers of today, this weekend's airborne excursion to California will be, essentially, what has become a routine trip to the West Coast. But, historically, it will be something more than that. The Green and Gold may not even be aware of it as they take to Monster Park's turf, but as an organization, they will be marking the 56th anniversary of their first-ever appearance in San Francisco. That, for the record, would have been on Dec. 10, 1950 - exactly 56 years ago Sunday - and, frankly, a day of which the Packers would rather not be reminded. With good reason. Their initial visit to the "City by the Bay" was hardly a success. The 49ers, hosting the Packers in Kezar Stadium, departed the premises with a 30-14 victory while closing out their first season in the National Football League. It thus became a highly unprofitable road trip for the Packers, who had fallen to the Rams in Los Angeles a week earlier, 51-14. It also was a precursor of things to come. For the next dozen years, the Packers would annually close out their regular-season schedule with a trip to the West Coast for back-to-back games with the Rams and the 49ers - taking on one or the other the first weekend, then practicing in California for a week at some plush "facility" before taking on the other team on the second weekend. Unfortunately for the Packers, it was a customarily painful process, more often than not resulting in back-to-back losses - in the early years of the arrangement. That was the case, at least, until Vincent Thomas Lombardi arrived in Green Bay in 1959 to resuscitate the Green and Gold...and essentially put an end to the persistent "problem" with the Rams and 49ers, who won an astounding 17 of 18 year-end games against Green Bay from 1950 through 1958. In Lombardi's first year on the job, however, his Packers swept the back-to-back games, downing the Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 38-20, and following that conquest with a 36-14 victory over the 49ers in San Francisco a week later. Proving that it was no accident, Lombardi presided over another such sweep the following year, Green Bay blanking the Niners at muddy and rain-soaked Kezar Stadium, 13-0, and then turning back the Rams in L.A., 35-21. He did settle for a split the third time around, losing to the 49ers, 22-21, before rebounding to dispose of the Rams, 24-17, to close out the '61 season. Lombardi then went on to sweep those season-ending "doubleheaders" in 1962 and 1963 for an overall 9-1 record before NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle took professional pity on the Packers and changed the scheduling formula to avoid such a burden falling upon any one team annually. -- More

Meet Ashli
Indianapolis Colts
Cheerleader

As a rookie, Ashli is thrilled to contribute to a prestigious organization and group of amazing Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders! She has an extensive background in dancing, cheerleading and modeling. Ashli was a member of a performing dance troupe for over thirteen years and won numerous 1st place regional and national titles.

She was a junior varsity and varsity cheerleader throughout high school, a member of the MIC competition cheer squad, and a member of a college co-ed competition cheer squad.

Ashli has appeared in television commercials, posters, brochures, calendars
and magazines as well.

Ashli’s fascination with the medical beauty industry led her to become a licensed aesthetician. Ashli brings her passion, confidence and dedication in performing her highly skilled non-invasive procedures under the direction of a physician. Ashli loves her career because she enjoys helping people look and feel their personal best! She continues her education by attending seminars, workshops and classes at a local university. Ashli says “being a Colts’ cheerleader is an incredible experience and I will always cherish the friendships and memories I have made.”