The Packer Pundit

The look ahead
The Packers' schedule for 2007 will include the first appearance by the San Diego Chargers at Lambeau Field since 1996. Green Bay will play the Chargers (14-2) and Oakland Raiders (2-14) from the AFC West Division at Lambeau Field and the Denver Broncos (9-7) and Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) from the AFC West on the road. The Packers haven't played in Kansas City since '96. By finishing second in the NFC North, the Packers will play the Carolina Panthers (8-8) at home and the St. Louis Rams (8-8) on the road. The Panthers were second in the NFC South and the Rams were second in the NFC West. In addition, the Packers will play four intra-conference games against NFC teams. At home, they will play the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) and the Washington Redskins (5-11). On the road, they will play the Dallas Cowboys (9-7) and the New York Giants (8-8). In addition, they will play home-and-home sets against three teams from the NFC North. The Bears finished 13-3, Minnesota was 6-10 and Detroit was 3-13.

The Favre file
Brett Favre finished with a passer rating of 72.7, the third-worst of his 15-year career in Green Bay. He posted a 70.9 mark last year and 72.2 in 1993. Nevertheless, McCarthy said Favre not only played well but contributed in many other ways. "Clearly, his leadership is what stands out the most," McCarthy said. "The way he practices, the way he prepares. He's on the level of a coach as far as his interaction and communication with other players and game-planning. If anything, it's almost too much." Runner-up finish: Defensive end Aaron Kampman was held without a sack, leaving him second in the NFL with 15½. San Diego's Shawne Merriman was No. 1 with 17. The club record of 19½ was set by Tim Harris in 1989. Ezra Johnson had 20½ in '78 but that isn't recognized as the record because the NFL didn't consider sacks an official statistic until '82.

Draft possibilities
By winning, the Packers fell into the middle of the first round of the draft next April and appear to be picking 16th. The NFL has yet to release its draft order and the ranking is based on unofficial calculations. But based on a strength of schedule tie-breaker, the Packers are in the middle of the pack of the teams that finished 8-8.

Final outcome
The Packers effectively lost any hope of a playoff berth when the St. Louis Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. After the Giants' victory Saturday night, the Packers had only a slim hope of winning a strength of victory tie-breaker with the 8-8 Giants. First and foremost, they needed Minnesota to beat St. Louis and Detroit to beat Dallas. The Packers beat both the Vikings and Lions and would have benefited from them improving their record. The Lions upset the Cowboys, but St. Louis had no trouble with the Vikings.

Green watch
Ahman Green gained 72 yards against the Bears to finish with 1,059 for the season, marking the sixth time he had a 1,000-yard rushing season, a Packers record. "Being around as long as I have been, it's more of a pride factor to get over 1,000 yards," Green said. Green managed the productive season despite Favre throwing more than 600 passes; an offensive line that featured two and sometimes three rookies and a new zone blocking scheme; and Green coming off an injury that ended his 2005 season. "This whole season, for myself personally coming off the injury, I just wanted to come out and play and be healthy," Green said. Green said after the game that his agent and the Packers had been talking about another contract. His contract expires after this season. He fell just short of the 118 yards he needed to pass Jim Taylor's team-record total of 8,207, and he needed 162 against the Bears to earn a $500,000 contract incentive.



McCarthy must find new offensive coordinator
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 1, 2007
Now that the Green Bay Packers' season has ended and coaches are wrapping up their final evaluations, head coach Mike McCarthy will have a major decision to make in the coming weeks - choosing a new offensive coordinator. After just one year, Jeff Jagodzinski is leaving Wednesday to become head coach at Boston College. Jagodzinski was more than just a reliable confidant of McCarthy's. He brought inside knowledge of the zone blocking scheme, having learned it directly from one of the experts, Alex Gibbs. Jagodzinski also could have a fiery presence in practice that kept slacking players on their toes, and he knew how to push young players to improve. Under him, the Packers finished eighth in the NFL in total offense. The youngest team in the NFL, with most of the youth on offense, finished 8-8, four victories better than in 2005. If McCarthy were to consider promoting from his own staff, offensive line coach Joe Philbin and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements would be the logical leading candidates. On Monday, both coaches were extremely cautious in discussing the vacancy, even carefully guarding whether they're interested in the job. "We'll discuss that later on," said Clements. "We're just finalizing the season." It isn't known if they have approached or will approach McCarthy to campaign for the job. "There'd be some interest if Coach thought that was the best thing," said Philbin. "If he approaches me about it and there's mutual interest, we'll certainly talk about it." -- More


Related Story --


McCarthy targets offensive coordinator
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
Mike McCarthy has known he'd need a new offensive coordinator for two weeks. The question for the Green Bay Packers coach is whether he'll promote from within or hire a replacement for departing Jeff Jagodzinski from outside. Jagodzinski, who was officially named Boston College's new coach Dec. 20, said Monday he'll leave for his job Wednesday. If McCarthy chooses to promote from within, offensive line coach Joe Philbin and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements would be logical candidates. "We have two candidates in house already that could do the job," backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. Neither Clements nor Philbin wanted to discuss the possible promotion Monday, with Clements replying, "Why don't you ask Mike about that?" when asked about the position. McCarthy isn't scheduled to hold his first end-of-the-year news conference until Wednesday afternoon, when he could name Jagodzinski's replacement.
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Favre's teammates say don't jump to conclusions
By jason Wilde / wsj.com
Only 12 hours after their quarterback broke down on national television following their biggest win of the season, Brett Favre's Green Bay Packers teammates were clearing out their lockers just after 10 o'clock Monday morning, wondering the same thing as most of Packer Nation. Will Favre be back next season? "Obviously it'd be huge," veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "If he doesn't come back, the whole dynamic of this team is going to be completely different. And any of the momentum talk probably doesn't have as much weight because we're going to be starting with a new quarterback, and that's going to make a big difference." As the Packers entered the offseason riding a four-game winning streak following Sunday night's 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, Favre's tearful postgame interview with NBC certainly seemed like a sign he was ready to retire after 16 NFL seasons - although Favre was much more composed when he met with reporters a few minutes after his on-field comments. "If it is my last game, I want to remember it," Favre told NBC before choking up. "It's tough, it's tough. I'm going to miss these guys and miss the game. But I just want to let them know that. "Is this it? We'll see. I don't want to say anything right now. ... For us, it was a great win. I couldn't ask for a better way to go out." But Favre's would-be replacement, 2005 first-round draft pick Aaron Rodgers, warned Monday that Favre's emotional display isn't necessarily proof Favre is finished. "I wouldn't read too much into that," Rodgers said. "Yeah, he's an emotional guy, but there really weren't any tears or anything in the locker room. Lot of laughs actually, a lot of storytelling like we usually do after the games. It was a good time. Everybody was on Cloud Nine." Added veteran fullback William Henderson: "When I saw Brett (in the locker room), he was yapping it up with the boys. When I saw him on the bus and the plane, he was jovial, he was having fun, and he was enjoying himself." -- More



Holding pattern
Favre's ankle surgery postponed
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 1, 2007
As they cleaned out their lockers Monday morning, most Green Bay Packers players were under the assumption quarterback Brett Favre was getting ready to have his left ankle operated on. It turned out that they were wrong. The surgery was postponed, according to a club spokesman. No further information was given, so it's unclear if the surgery would be rescheduled this week. Favre said after the Packers' 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday night that he expected to have the ankle repaired in Green Bay on Monday. Team physician Patrick McKenzie was expected to perform the operation, which is being done to remove bone fragments that are causing him pain. However, general manager Ted Thompson and Packers coach Mike McCarthy both said after the game that surgery was only tentatively scheduled for Monday and that it could occur in the next couple of days. -- More



Rodgers: I'll be ready regardless
Favre or no Favre, he'll prepare to play
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
As Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre spends the next few weeks contemplating his future, Aaron Rodgers can just sit and wait. Rodgers doesn't have much choice. Since breaking his left foot during the Nov. 19 game against the New England Patriots, Rodgers has been letting that heal, which must happen before he can begin preparing for next season. In the wake of Favre's emotional comments after Sunday night's season-ending victory over the Chicago Bears, some believe Rodgers should be preparing to be the Packers' starting quarterback next season. "I wouldn't read too much into that," Rodgers said. "He's an emotional guy. But there really weren't any tears in the locker room." Rodgers knows his future is tied to Favre's, but he's not going to let Favre's uncertainty affect how he prepares for next season. "If (Sunday) night was his last game, or if he plays one or two more seasons, it's out of my control and out of my hands," Rodgers said. "When my time does come, I will be given the opportunity to perform and I'm going to need to perform." Rodgers completed six of 15 passes for 46 yards in relief of Favre in two games this season. Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements said he's certain Rodgers can be ready to be the starting quarterback if Favre decides to retire. "He obviously has all of the physical tools, and at some point, he's going to be the guy," Clements said. "He needs to do the same thing he did the last offseason. He was here for all of the workouts. He was here for the quarterback school and he took full advantage of it, and I'm sure he'll do the same thing this year." -- More






Optimism Reigns On Both Sides Of The Ball
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 01/01/2007
As the Green Bay Packers cleaned out their lockers on Monday to officially conclude the 2006 season, there was a hint of regret with narrowly missing an NFC playoff berth, particularly because the team was hot and may have had a chance to make a postseason run. But the predominant feeling was that of optimism, as the team takes a four-game winning streak into the off-season with the belief that the foundation has been laid for another step forward in 2007. "I would have loved to be in the playoffs," center Scott Wells said. "The momentum we were building with our four-game winning streak, the way the defense is playing right now, I think we'd have a good opportunity in the playoffs, but it wasn't in the cards for us. "The most important thing we could have done is finish 8-8, 5-1 in the division, which is huge, and really give us a boost in the off-season, give our fans something to be excited about." That they have, on both offense and defense. While the growth of a young offensive line was the overriding story on that side of the ball, an improving defense that played by far its best football in December and has the makings of a dominant unit in the future. -- More



McCarthy sees team's progress
Coach praises Packers' defense
By BOB McGINN and TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 1, 2007
The Green Bay Packers' 26-7 beating of the Chicago Bears Sunday night at Soldier Field didn't lead to a berth in the post-season but could lead to a bright future. At least that's the way coach Mike McCarthy saw it after his team finished with a four-game winning streak to end 8-8. "I wish we would have got in because we're doing a lot of positive things," McCarthy said. "We put our best football forward in December. It also shows the importance of starting fast, which we did not accomplish. This is something we feel will carry over into the off-season." McCarthy had high praise for his defense, which allowed merely 23 points in the last three games. "The last four, five games we played as good defense as anybody in the National Football League," McCarthy said. "Hell of a game. Right way to finish the season. Can't say enough positive things about our football team, especially the defense. Six takeaways today. It was great to see that group come together down the stretch." Six weeks ago, the tenure of first-year defensive coordinator Bob Sanders looked to be short-lived. Now, there doesn't seem to be any question that Sanders will be back. "You've got to start with Bob Sanders and the players," McCarthy said. "You guys were all over him at the beginning of the year. We had a number of explosive gains (but) they stayed the course. You can just see the continuity and confidence, especially in the last four weeks. I thought they dominated the game." -- Story






Should Favre stay or go?
It's not the only question he must answer for himself
By Mike Woods
There was no epiphany, but there was an emotional current that at the very least sent you back on your heels. If you believed Packers quarterback Brett Favre definitely was coming back for a 17th season, you may want a mulligan. If nothing else, Favre applied the brakes to that idea following an emotionally charged interview with NBC's Andrea Kremer after the Packers' season-ending 26-7 victory over the Bears at Soldier Field. Favre fought back tears more than once as he was asked whether this was his final game. His outpouring of emotion seemed to indicate it was something he had given serious thought to. But remember this: Favre admitted he thought last season's finale with Seattle was it, too. Time and thought, lots of thought, led him to change his mind. While he certainly sounded like a guy leaning toward checking out, until you actually see him standing at the podium at Lambeau Field clean-shaven and in nice clothes, there's no use fretting. Favre refused to answer any more retirement questions in his postgame press briefing, aware emotions would get the best of him again. He wasn't going down that path a second time. What we know for certain is Sunday was Favre's final game of the season. No one really knows whether it was the final game of his career. So, the annual speculation that has become as much a fabric of our winter as hideous headwear is on again. As the will-he-or-won't-he deliberation continues ad nauseum, we only can hope Favre stays true to his words after Sunday's game; the decision will come within a couple of weeks.
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Meet Anabel
Washington Redskins
Cheerleader

Dance/Cheerleading Experience:
I have been dancing for a total of 15 years. I have 10 years of studio training: jazz, tap, ballet/Pointe, lyrical, modern, and hip hop (Miss Starpower, Miss Starquest), three years on High School Dance Team (UDA All-Star, NDA All American, NDA Top Gun-kicks/leaps and turns), one year as a High School Cheerleader (UCA All-Star), four years on my College's nationally ranked Dance Team, UDA Staff Instructor/Judge, Dance Instructor in the Northern Virginia area.

Acting Experience: None

Pageant/modeling Experience:
FHM magazine, September 2006 issue

Why did you become a cheerleader?
My passion for dancing, performing and entertaining has always pushed me to incorporate and continue dancing throughout my life.

What do you like about being a cheerleader? Being a cheerleader has presented me with so many opportunities and experiences that I would not trade for the world. For me, performing for U.S. troops overseas is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is the most exhilarating, memorable, and rewarding experience that I am fortunate to have.

What was your most exciting moment as a Cheerleader? Running out on the field for the first time. Words cannot describe the feeling when you are hit by the roar of a stadium full of 92,000 diehard Redskins fans for the first time!

Countries visited as a Washington Redskins Cheerleader? Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Djibouti

Education: B.S. Economics, Minor in Business, and Minor in Information Technology, from George Mason University

Hobbies: Reading, cooking, traveling, shopping, kickboxing and dancing, of course!

Future Goals: To develop my professional career while also advancing my education by pursuing a JD/MBA degree from a reputable law school.

Favorites!

Food: Sushi/Seafood
Music: Reggae, R&B, Hip Hop
Band/Singer: Bob Marley
Book: "Freakonomics," by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner Redskins Player: Sean Taylor
Movie: "Coming to America"
TV Show: "The Simple Life" and "The Ultimate Fighter"
Cartoon: "Family Guy"
Saying/Quote: "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things"

Describe your perfect date: I love to laugh and joke around so my perfect date would definitely involve laughter and fun.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at practice? I love to work out and train at my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school.

Who is your role model and why? Warren Buffet is my role model because he has attained unparalleled success in all of his business ventures.