The Packer Pundit

Defense shines in ugly victory
Favre sets completions record, but throws three interceptions
By Associated Press
Posted: Dec. 17, 2006
Brett Favre broke Dan Marino's career completions record, but the Green Bay Packers had to overcome three interceptions by the three-time MVP to hold on for a 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. It was only the second home victory all season for the Packers (6-8), who have won two in a row. Detroit (2-12) remains winless in seven games on the road. But they certainly had their chances. Favre connected on a 21-yard pass to receiver Carlyle Holiday just before halftime for his league-record 4,968th completion. But Favre threw his first two interceptions in the red zone, and the third nearly proved even more costly. Detroit starter Jon Kitna seemed to throw the game away by floating an interception to Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, then committing a face mask penalty on Woodson to give the Packers a first down on the Detroit 12-yard line with a 10-6 lead in the third quarter. It was Woodson's career-best sixth interception of the season. But Favre squandered the scoring chance by throwing an interception to former Packers linebacker Paris Lenon in the end zone. The Lions couldn't drive for a score, but punter Nick Harris downed the ball deep in Packers territory. Favre then threw a pass that bounced off the hands of Ahman Green and was intercepted by Dre Bly. The Lions took over at the Packers 12-yard line, but were forced to kick a field goal to cut Green Bay's lead to 10-9 with 9:33 remaining in the game. The Packers came back with an extended drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown run by Packers back Vernand Morency - Morency's second TD of the afternoon. -- Story



Second Home Win A Plus, Pretty Or Not
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/17/2006
The Green Bay Packers' 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Lambeau Field might have been an ugly win, or it might not have been, depending on whom you ask. To the offense, there was nothing pretty about it. The Packers hurt themselves with numerous mistakes, including four turnovers and a handful of dropped passes. Eight of the team's nine penalties came on offense or special teams, and it wasn't until late in the fourth quarter that the Packers finally executed the type of sustained drive they needed to put the Lions away. "It was dirty, it wasn't the way we pictured it at all," center Scott Wells said. "But all that matters is we came out with a win." On the defense, there were no complaints. Against a banged-up Detroit offense down to its fourth- and fifth-string running backs and other backups on the line, the Packers allowed just 142 yards and a 2-for-12 third-down conversion rate. In the big-play department, the defense generated three turnovers and linemen Cullen Jenkins, Aaron Kampman and Corey Williams combined for six sacks, helping to keep the Lions out of the end zone all day. "It was sweet for the defense, a sweet win," defensive tackle Ryan Pickett said. "Any win is good, especially when we haven't been winning at home. I don't think there's anything ugly about it." No matter the perspective, the Packers were able to accomplish a lot on Sunday in a sluggish, physical game. They won for just the second time at Lambeau Field this year, won consecutive games for just the second time this season, and improved to 6-8 to stay one game out of the final wildcard playoff spot in the NFC. -- More



Playoff Picture???
Amazingly the Packers are very much alive for the playoffs. Futility and his Big brother parody has left the NFC wide effin' open and there's a very good chance an 8-8 team could make the playoffs. The pack has a very winable game on Thursday versus the Vikes... but we still have to beat the Bears at Chicago and I don't think the Monsters of the Mid-way are going to lay down for us like the Seahawks did in last years finale'. Here are some articles and a graphic of the playoff picture --



Playoff hopes still have faint pulse
Team must win out to have a chance
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 18, 2006
You couldn't get Mike McCarthy or any of his Green Bay Packers players to talk playoffs Sunday, not after McCarthy brought it up after a Week 8 victory over Arizona and then watched as his team lost four of its next five. And given they haven't beaten a team with a winning record this year, they probably shouldn't have the right to talk about the playoffs. But the fact of the matter is that in a diluted National Football Conference, the 6-8 Packers have an outside chance of making the post-season for the first time since 2004. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? "I don't even like to think that far," linebacker Nick Barnett said after the Packers beat Detroit, 17-9, at Lambeau Field. If he or anyone else in the organization thought that far, they would realize a playoff berth isn't out of the question. Assuming it will take an 8-8 record to get into the playoffs - it appears it's possible for a 7-9 team to get in - the Packers would need to beat Minnesota at home Thursday night and Chicago at Soldier Field in the season finale. -- More



Adjust the focus
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
If the NFC playoff picture was a snapshot on the LCD display of your digital camera, the Green Bay Packers certainly wouldn't be front and center. They'd be way out on the edge, or far in the background, like that random passer-by whom you notice only after you get your prints back and ask yourself, "Who's that guy?" But they are there - as ridiculous as that may sound and astounding as that may be - following a 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions that was far from picture-perfect Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. "As ugly as it was, it was a win, and I guess you can't be too choosy," said Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who had a role in all four of the Packers' turnovers - three interceptions and a fumbled exchange with center Scott Wells. "The bottom line is we were lucky to win the game. For us to be thinking playoffs - I heard that there has been playoff talk - we've got a long ways to go. I'm pleased that 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












Additional Game Stats -- Link






Favre Breaks Marino's Career Record
For Completions
When quarterback Brett Favre hit Carlyle Holiday on a slant route for a 21-yard gain late in the second quarter on Sunday, he became the NFL's all-time leader in pass completions. Not one to concern himself with records, Favre didn't know about it until referee Ed Hochuli quietly congratulated him on the field. "I said, 'I have no idea what you're congratulating me for, but thank you,'" Favre said. "So I did know because of him." The pass to Holiday was the 4,968th completion of Favre's career, surpassing Dan Marino's NFL record of 4,967. Favre finished the game 20 of 37 for 174 yards with three interceptions in Sunday's 17-9 victory over Detroit, putting his completion total at 4,974 with two games left this season. "I'm more concerned about the three I completed to their team and the fact that we won," Favre said. "I'm thankful I've had a chance to play this long and to have an opportunity to break a record that's been held by a guy like Dan Marino is quite an honor, but I'm more pleased that we won the game." It's somewhat fitting that Holiday would be the player to make the record-breaking reception. Acquired on waivers from Arizona less than two weeks ago, Holiday is one of many new faces the Packers have rotated through the receiver position this season due to injuries and other circumstances. Holiday finished the game with three catches for 36 yards and how has four catches as a Packer. He's the 16th different player to catch a pass from Favre this season. "It's amazing, really," said Holiday, a former quarterback at Notre Dame. "Two weeks ago I was in Arizona, and now I'm here catching passes from Brett Favre. "He's a Hall of Famer, and for me I just have to keep on taking advantage while I'm here." (See More on Favre's record below)

Green surpasses 8,000 yards
Ahman Green's 19-yard run in the third quarter put him over the 8,000-yard mark as a Packer, making him just the second running back in team history to reach the milestone. The other is Jim Taylor, the franchise's all-time rushing leader with 8,207. Green finished the game with 22 carries for 79 yards, and the 19-yard run was his longest of the day. Green now has 8,049 yards in his career in Green Bay, putting him just 159 yards away from breaking Taylor's franchise record. Green is also just 54 yards shy of 1,000 on the season. Should he get them, it will mark his sixth 1,000-yard season and break the tie he has in that category with Taylor.

Wacky punt play technically doesn't count
In a turnover-filled game, the ball bounced Green Bay's way on a critical punt in the second quarter, but statistically the most exciting part of the play never happened. With the Lions backed up to their own 1-yard line after Cullen Jenkins' third sack, the Packers were looking to get great field position in a 3-3 game. But Charles Woodson was hit in the back on the punt return by long snapper Don Muhlbach, forcing a fumble that Detroit's Alex Lewis scooped up. But Lewis was hit immediately by Donald Lee and coughed it up, with Green Bay's Charlie Peprah recovering at midfield. The Packers took advantage of the good fortune, driving 53 yards in nine plays for the go-ahead touchdown with 5:35 left in the first half. On the play, the Packers were called for an illegal block before the first fumble. With Green Bay ultimately retaining possession at the end of the play, the penalty was enforced from the spot of Woodson's initial fumble, and officially the fumbles were wiped from the scorebooks.

Walter, Coston sub in
Late in the second quarter, left tackle Chad Clifton left the game with a shoulder stinger, and the Packers had to shuffle their offensive line for one series. Left guard Daryn Colledge moved to left tackle to replace Clifton, while Tyson Walter came off the bench to play left guard. Two plays later Favre was sacked, though it was unclear exactly where the protection breakdown occurred. Clifton went to the locker room for treatment and returned for the second half. Then in the third quarter, center Scott Wells got stepped on and lost his shoe. He came out of the game to fix the footwear, and right guard Jason Spitz moved over to center while Junius Coston came in at right guard. "I wear high tops, and I lace them all the way up, but it came off anyway and I didn't want to mess up the tempo because they're always on us about the tempo," Wells said. "I think it took about three plays to get it back on because it was knotted up so many times." Wells was back in before the series ended.

Streak against Detroit reaches 15 years
The Packers have now beaten Detroit every time the teams have met in the state of Wisconsin for the past 15 years, a streak of 16 games. This includes a 13-0 mark at Lambeau Field, with the 1994 Wild Card playoff game the only postseason meeting, and a 3-0 record at Milwaukee County Stadium. The last time Detroit won a game on Wisconsin soil was in 1991, a 21-17 decision on Dec. 15 of that year at Lambeau.

Holiday cheer
Holiday, whom the Packers claimed off waivers from Arizona on Dec. 5, played extensively as the No. 3 receiver with Ruvell Martin (bruised lung) inactive. Holiday also played when the Packers used heavier packages - two or three tight ends, or two fullbacks - because of his blocking. He wasn't aware that his 21-yard catch was historically significant. "Two weeks ago, I was in Arizona. Now, I'm here catching passes from Brett Favre," said Holiday, who played about 35 snaps and finished with three catches for 36 yards. "It's exciting."

Quick turnaround
With another game only four days away against Minnesota, the coaches will go back to work today while the players are off. The team will practice on Tuesday, then go through a lighter, shorter workout on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday night's game against the Vikings. "It's a challenge, but they have to do it, too," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "You have to kind of find the common ground between getting the players' bodies back and also having enough time to prepare schematically for the game. With Detroit and Minnesota having very similar schemes, particularly on defense, we will have some carryover. We prepared for (both the Lions and Vikings) this week as went into the Detroit game, (and) maybe that's why we had some of the problems we did on offense."

Badger pride
Jamar Fletcher said he loves playing in Wisconsin. Alex Lewis said to say hello to everyone in Madison. The former University of Wisconsin athletes and current Lions could have easily just let their play do the talking. Fletcher recorded an interception, giving him a career-high three on the season, while Lewis had five tackles and recovered Woodson's fumble on a punt return - though Lewis fumbled the ball right back to the Packers. "Everything's been pretty good except for the win-loss record, but this organization is on the come-up, definitely," said Fletcher, in his first season in Detroit after five seasons with Miami and San Diego. "We've got good players, a good coaching staff and a lot of good things going on around here. We can see it, we just have to put it together."






Passing up a chance
Favre, receivers off the mark in ideal throwing conditions
By BOB McGINN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 18, 2006
Mid-December games at Lambeau Field aren't supposed to be fit for passing the football, but with the temperature in the mid-40s and wind not much of a factor, Sunday was ideal for throwing. Unfortunately for the Green Bay Packers, both Brett Favre and his receivers turned in one of their poorest performances of the season in a 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions. Favre's passer rating of 32.9 ranked as the sixth lowest during his streak of 255 straight starts, counting playoffs. Meanwhile, his receivers didn't help him any by dropping a subjective total of four passes, the team's highest total since Week 9 in Minnesota. "We had way too many drops," offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. "I don't know how many we had. A half dozen? Maybe more than that. "I know that's frustrating for everyone, but especially Brett. He's trying to keep the chains going and keeping the rhythm going, and when there's dropped passes that makes it difficult to get that accomplished." Dropped passes were an issue in the first nine games when the Packers had 26. In the last four games, however, they had a total of just four. -- More


Record Breaker
Despite the Packers inability to close both hands around the football (has anybody seen Bubba Franks???) Brett Favre managed to set the record for most completions. Here's to Brett for another record setting career performance --






Harris, Woodson Cage Lions
By Nathan Hager / Packers.com
Posted 12/17/2006
If anyone with a Pro Bowl vote didn't pencil in Al Harris or Charles Woodson to represent the league's elite in Hawaii, chances are they'd rethink that stance after watching Sunday's win versus the Lions. Though the voting has closed and the Pro Bowl rosters will be revealed on Tuesday afternoon, Harris and Woodson performed as if they wanted to prove that they are as good as any cornerback combo you'll find in the entire league. If that indeed was their goal, it's safe to say the case is now closed. Of course to Packers fans, that's not a startling revelation. Nor is it anything new to Lions wide receiver Roy Williams, who has faced Harris annually for three seasons now. In fact, Williams makes no bones about just how good he thinks Harris is. "Everybody asks me who I think the best corner is in the NFL, and Al Harris is the best corner in the NFL," Williams said earlier in the week. After Sunday's game, it's doubtful Williams changed his mind as Harris held the big-play receiver to just one catch for 11 yards. By unofficial count, quarterback Jon Kitna only threw Harris' way three times. Besides the lone incompletion, Harris also accounted for an interception and a pass defensed. -- More



Survival instinct
Defense helps Packers avoid a crushing loss
By BOB McGINN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 17, 2006
Relentless pressure by defensive ends Cullen Jenkins and Aaron Kampman coupled with relentless coverage by Al Harris drew most of the plaudits Sunday for the Green Bay Packers' dominant defensive showing at Lambeau Field. But the passing game was so atrocious that, if Ryan Pickett hadn't been able to reach into his memory bank to make the defensive play of the day, the Packers probably would have suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of the broken-down Detroit Lions. Instead, Pickett intuitively blunted the fourth-quarter quarterback sneak by Jon Kitna and the Packers repulsed the Lions, 17-9, to live another day as a pretend contender in the NFC post-season picture. Now 6-8, the Packers are competing with no fewer than six other teams for the final wild-card playoff berth. Tied for the 11th-best record at sunup, they were tied for eighth best at sundown and might very well get in if they can defeat Minnesota and Chicago. "The bottom line is, we were lucky to win the game," said quarterback Brett Favre, whose awful passer rating of 32.9 would have been much higher if tight ends David Martin and Donald Lee hadn't dropped touchdown passes. "We'll take it." -- More







Jenkins shows staying power
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
Three years ago, Cullen Jenkins was just one of the faceless, nameless guys in training camp, the ones Al Harris didn't even bother to get to know. Had Harris not been within conversational distance of guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle in the Green Bay Packers' locker room, he wouldn't have known who Jenkins was. "'Jenk?' No memory at all," Harris said following the Packers' 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. "I just knew (of him) from hearing Marco and Wahle (saying), 'Hey, that dude's pretty good.' But he came up big today." Jenkins, whose late-season emergence led to a starting assignment Sunday at right defensive end, had a career-high three sacks and was credited with five more quarterback hits. He also recovered a fumble to lead a defensive line that sacked Lions quarterback Jon Kitna six times and hit him on eight other occasions. "Outstanding," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Jenkins, who was cut by the Packers in 2003 as an undrafted rookie free agent, then scraped his way onto the roster in 2004 and '05. "Three sacks. A fumble recovery. He's really taken full advantage of his opportunities, particularly the last two weeks. I'm very happy with the production we're getting from Cullen." -- More



Inside Or Out,
Jenkins Causing Problems For Opponents
By Nathan Hager / Packers.com
Posted 12/17/2006
Before Sunday's game, Cullen Jenkins hadn't started at defensive end since his college days at Central Michigan. But judging by the way he looked there on Sunday afternoon, one could have mistaken him for someone who's played the position regularly since he was a youngster in pee-wee football. Jenkins, the Packers third-year man who normally plays defensive tackle, started the game in place of right defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, a move that was made in part to give "KGB" more rest for passing downs, but also to give the Packers a little more bulk against the run. However, the move paid dividends not only on running downs, but against the pass as well. The 290-pound Jenkins appeared to hold up strong at the point of attack and also got to quarterback Jon Kitna for three sacks as well as a fumble recovery. Despite such a strong performance in his first full-time duty at defensive end, Jenkins admitted that he had one regret. "I still wish I could have gotten a couple more sacks early on in the game," the soft-spoken Jenkins said. "There were at least a few times when I let him get away. So I will have to look at the film, and make sure it doesn't happen again." While he's doing that, other teams will undoubtedly be trying to figure out a way to stop Jenkins from getting to the quarterback with such regularity. Though he may seem like a relatively new threat to his opponents, his teammates know better. -- More



Jenkins leads defense's six-pack sack attack
He has big day in his first start at end
By GARY D'AMATO journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 18, 2006
After Cullen Jenkins turned his debut as the Green Bay Packers' starting right defensive end into a decent impersonation of Reggie White, he blinked into the bright lights and television cameras crowding his locker and spoke the honest truth Sunday. "I didn't really feel," he said, "like something like this would happen." Who knew? Jenkins, an undrafted free agent and career overachiever, had three sacks and recovered a fumble in the first half of a 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions. He led a six-sack mauling of quarterback Jon Kitna by a new-look defensive line that helped limit the Lions to 142 net yards. Jenkins also had five quarterback "hurries" and spent most of the afternoon in Kitna's face mask. Left end Aaron Kampman added two sacks, and tackle Corey Williams had one sack and deflected a pass. -- More



Morency runs with chances
Running back lifts stagnant offense
with first two touchdowns of season
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Dec. 17, 2006
On a night when not much was going well offensively, the Green Bay Packers needed someone to get into the end zone. Who was going to do it? Donald Driver? Ahman Green? David Martin? How about Vernand Morency? He was not a likely choice given the reserve running back had not scored a touchdown all season and had carried just 18 times in the four games since he returned from a back injury. But there was Morency on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, doing what no one else could seem to do in an offensively challenged game between the Packers and Detroit Lions. Using the burst and sharp cutting ability that appealed to the Packers when they traded Samkon Gado to Houston for him on Sept. 13, Morency broke off touchdown runs of 14 and 21 yards in the Packers' 17-9 victory. As usual, it was Ahman Green carrying the load - 22 carries for 79 yards - but it was Morency who turned out to be the finisher. He carried seven times for 54 yards, scoring for the first time since Houston's season finale last year. "I didn't do it on my own," Morency said. "We all did it, all 53 players on the squad. We all looked at each other and said, 'Let's grow up because we need this win at home.' Our offensive line did an outstanding job." -- More



Leaps and bounds
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
It is not meant as a put-down. When people say Vernand Morency is a change-of-pace back, it's because the Green Bay Packers No. 2 running back's quick, shifty style is decidedly different than that of starter Ahman Green. But after Morency's two-touchdown performance in Sunday afternoon's 17-9 victory over the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field, coach Mike McCarthy wanted to make it clear: Morency is more than just a fill-in for Green. "He just has an innate ability to make people miss, especially on the second level," McCarthy said, referring to the way Morency dekes and jukes linebackers and safeties after breaking through the line of scrimmage. "Everybody keeps calling him a change-of-pace back. He's a pretty good running back. He takes full advantage of the opportunity he's given week in and week out." After breaking off a 39-yard run as part of a 69-yard performance on seven carries in last week's win at San Francisco, Morency scored the Packers' only two touchdowns Sunday: A 14-yarder 5 minutes, 35 seconds before halftime on which he faked out safety Terrence Holt and carried cornerback Stanley Wilson into the end zone, and a 21-yarder with 2:48 left in the game that sealed the victory. -- More






Meet Tiffany
Washington Redskins
Cheerleader

Dance/Cheerleading Experience: I have danced, cheered and performed gymnastics for 21 years. I was captain of the Georgetown University Varsity Cheerleading Team and have now been a professional cheerleader for five years.

Acting Experience: Having grown up in the Los Angeles area, I had an acting and a dance agent and was cast in a few roles.

Pageant/modeling Experience: I modeled for five years in California. I also placed third in the Miss Teen America Pageant.

Why did you become a cheerleader? I became a cheerleader because I loved to dance and wanted to promote school spirit. Since then, my passion for dancing has only increased--it's my therapy and release from the little stresses of life. I also continue to cheer because of the wonderful bond and friendship that exists among the girls. They are my dearest friends. And lastly, I've enjoyed defying the stereotypes that exists about cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are not only genuinely friendly people and positive role models, but intelligent and successful women who work incredibly hard at all that they do.

What do you like about being a cheerleader? Cheering for the best team in the NFL and getting to work with a group of talented and caring women who I also consider my best friends.

What was your most exciting moment as a Cheerleader? Each year, hearing my number called after final auditions. And each year walking out onto the field for the very first game of the season.

Countries visited as a Washington Redskins Cheerleader? Mexico, Greece, Italy and the Dominican Republic

Education: Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service

Hobbies: Spending time with my family (especially my niece Hailey) and friends, dancing, eating, working out and going out.

Future Goals: I'd love to run a successful advertising agency one day, and also be a successful mother and wife.

Favorites!




Food:Everything! I love food!
Music: Dance, hip-hop, Top 40, 80s music, reggae
Band/Singer: Madonna
Book: "The Da Vinci Code"
Redskins Player: Clinton Portis
Movie: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"
TV Show: "Lost"
Cartoon: Care Bears
Saying/Quote: "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."

Describe your perfect date: Going on vacation with my boyfriend Mike, to somplace sunny and beautiful where we can relax, play on the beach and eat great food.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at practice? I love spending time with my family, just relaxing with my boyfriend, or going out with my friends.

Who is your role model and why? My older sister Bernadine. She's intelligent, honest, kind, loving, sharing and caring and simply beautiful inside and out.