The Packer Pundit

Favre cancels club membership,
Fuels retirement speculation
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
Bob Harlan, the Green Bay Packers CEO, expressed no concern that quarterback Brett Favre’s recent cancellation of his membership to Oneida Golf & Riding Club was a sign he’s going to retire. Harlan confirmed that Favre cancelled his membership sometime in the last few weeks. Harlan hasn’t talked to Favre about it but said that with former teammates Ryan Longwell and Doug Pederson gone, Favre apparently rarely played golf last year and so the membership wasn’t worth it for him. When asked if he thought the cancellation suggested Favre was retiring this offseason, Harlan said, “No, not at all. It’s an expensive club. I don’t care how much money you’re making, it’s very expensive, and if you’re not using it, it doesn’t make a lot of sense, and I think that’s what happened to Brett.” Harlan said the Packers have a corporate membership for golf at Oneida in General Manager Ted Thompson’s name, so Thompson or any other Oneida member Favre knows could accompany him for rounds if Favre returns next season. Favre previously had been an avid golfer. “I’ve heard he doesn’t play at home (in Mississippi) anymore either,” Harlan said. “I’ve heard it’s not all that important to him all at once.”


Broncos hire former Packers
defensive coordinator
DENVER — The Denver Broncos hired former Green Bay defensive coordinator Jim Bates as assistant head coach/defense Thursday and promoted defensive backs coach Bob Slowik to defensive coordinator. Bates, 60, was defensive coordinator for the Packers in 2005 and for the Miami Dolphins from 2000 to 2004, including seven games as interim head coach in 2004. He has coached in the NFL for 15 years. Slowik, 52, was defensive coordinator for Green Bay in 2004, the Cleveland Browns in 1999 and the Chicago Bears in 1993-98. He coached the Broncos' defensive backs for the past two seasons. The Broncos fired defensive coordinator Larry Coyer on Tuesday and defensive line/tackles coach Andre Patterson on Wednesday after a disappointing 9-7 season. The Broncos had jumped to a 7-2 start, thanks in large part to a defense that didn't allow a touchdown over the first 11 quarters. But after injuries to key players, the defense fell apart, giving up an average of 27.7 points in its final seven games, including 83 points in two losses to San Diego.


Tight end Gonzalez,
Chiefs agree to new 5-year contract
Fans who were hoping the Green Bay Packers would make a run at signing Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez in the off-season will be disappointed. The Associated Press reported today that Gonzalez and the Chiefs have agreed in principle to a five-year contract. No terms were announced. Gonzalez, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, turned 30 this past season and was an unrestricted free agent who said he would take a chance to get to the Super Bowl over extra money. There was speculation the Packers, who are desperate for an offensive playmaker and are believed to be about $25 million under the 2007 NFL salary cap, might target Gonzalez in free agency.

Green Bay looking for more firepower
Offense lacks playmakers
By ROB REISCHEL / Special to Packer Plus
Posted: Jan. 10, 2007
Donald Driver was a constant all season long. Greg Jennings had his moments for half of a season. And others like Ahman Green, Vernand Morency, Ruvell Martin and even Koren Robinson flashed from time to time. For the most part, though, Green Bay's offense was devoid of playmakers. It's why the Packers finished 22nd in the NFL in scoring and 31st in red zone offense. Green Bay's 301 points were the second-fewest of the Brett Favre-era. Only the 2005 Packers had fewer points (298) since Favre arrived in 1992. Green Bay also scored just 27 offensive touchdowns. That tied the lowest mark of the Favre-era set in 1992 and was the Packers' fewest overall TDs since 1990 when they scored 25. As Green Bay heads to the off-season, Packers general manager Ted Thompson almost certainly needs to seek out offensive weapons the same way he looked for defensive difference-makers a year ago. "I think you're always looking for playmakers," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said at the end of the year. "I don't think you can ever just say we have enough playmakers. It's no different than the way Ted always talks about the draft. Anytime you have a chance to add a playmaker, or a good football player to your football team, you have to look into that. And that will always be the case here. I think our personnel department does a great job of staying on top of everybody that's available, who possibly can be available. Those are things we'll always look at, and we can point to red-zone production as a need, but there's other factors too involved in that. But we'll always try to upgrade our playmaking ability." -- More




Cheerleader of the Day --

Janelle
Oakland Raiders

Janelle is joining the Raiderettes for her rookie season. Currently attending both Evergreen Valley College and Gavilan College, she is working to get her Associate's of Arts degree and her Cosmetology license. She plans to later earn a degree in Business so that she can open her own salon. Janelle also aspires to be a performer, either as a backup dancer for a singer, or would like to star in a movie or commercial. While in high school, Janelle was the captain of her cheerleading and song team. She was also a member of the Associated Student Body, where she helped plan events and choreograph school rallies. She was an honor student and recognized for her academic achievements. She has been named "Well-Rounded Dancer of the Year" and was featured in three dance magazines.