The Packer Pundit

Punter Jon Ryan Named Recipient Of
'The Ed Block Courage Award'
P Jon Ryan on Friday was named the Packers' recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. Recipients from each NFL team are selected by their teammates for displaying commitments to the principles of courage and sportsmanship, while serving as inspirations in their locker rooms. Ryan performed admirably vs. the Jets (Dec. 3), despite the passing of his father just two days earlier, averaging 39.5 yards on two punts. "Not playing didn't cross my mind once," Ryan said following the game. "It wasn't even my decision. It was my dad's decision. I knew my dad would want me out there playing, but at the same time under the circumstances it was very difficult." Each player will receive an Ed Block Courage Award at the 29th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards on Tuesday, March 20th at Martin's West. The accolade has become one of the most esteemed honors bestowed upon a player in the NFL, especially since the recipient is selected by his peers. Recipients are often players who have overcome devastating injuries or tragedies in their personal lives to return to the top level of competition that is the NFL.


Brett Favre Voted
FedEx Air Player Of The Week
Quarterback BRETT FAVRE of the Green Bay Packers and running back TIKI BARBER of the New York Giants are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on December 30-31, the NFL announced Thursday. Favre threw for 285 yards, completing 21 of 42 attempts with one touchdown pass in the Packers' 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears. Playing in what could have been his final NFL game, Favre threw a nine-yard TD pass to Donald Driver to open the scoring and led the Packers to a win over their division rival. Barber rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries in the Giants' 34-28 victory over the Washington Redskins. He scored on touchdown runs of 15, 50 and 55 yards. Favre and Barber were selected from among finalists in air and ground categories through 157,610 fan votes on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service. The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were quarterbacks A.J. FEELEY of the Philadelphia Eagles and JON KITNA of the Detroit Lions, while running backs STEVEN JACKSON of the St. Louis Rams and LARRY JOHNSON of the Kansas City Chiefs were the other finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week. Favre received 66 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week, while Feeley received 22 percent and Kitna received 11 percent. Barber's 74 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week beat out Johnson's 14 percent and Jackson's 12 percent.







RECOVERY CASES
Packers hoping players develop despite injuries
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 5, 2007
Over the next six months, the Green Bay Packers will be reshaping their team, looking for talent that can augment and, in some cases, upgrade areas of their football team. Some of that talent might come from within. The Packers finished the season with 12 players on injured reserve, some of them young and unproven who team officials think have a promising future, even though their seasons never got off the ground. Of that group, perhaps none is more intriguing than wide receiver Shaun Bodiford, who was claimed off waivers on Oct. 23 from the Detroit Lions. Bodiford had played in six games with the Lions, mostly on special teams, and when released was told by offensive coordinator Mike Martz that it was not a move he was in favor of making. Sources said Martz was extremely high on Bodiford and was reminded of Isaac Bruce when he watched Bodiford with the ball. -- More



Collins makes impact plays at safety
Bears victims of his big game
By RICK BRAUN / Packer Plus writer
Posted: Jan. 3, 2007

"It was just from studying film and studying Rex and his mechanics. It paid off for me tonight. I was reading his eyes and had nice breaks. I had a pick for a touchdown and a couple of pass breakups. It was nice." -- Nick Collins

Nick Collins stepped out of the "solid" category and into the "playmaker" category Sunday night, and the Chicago Bears paid a heavy price. Collins, the Green Bay Packers' second-year safety, played his best game as a professional and picked a national television game to do it in. Simply put, Collins was all over the field harassing the Chicago offense in the Packers' 26-7 victory to close the season. Collins' biggest play came with 50 seconds left in the first quarter. Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman telegraphed a pass to the left flat intended for tight end Desmond Clark, and Collins read the play perfectly. He followed Grossman's eyes and easily stepped in front of Clark for the interception. Collins never had to shift into anything higher than second gear as he waltzed 55 yards to the end zone for his first career touchdown. "It felt great," Collins said of his first touchdown as a pro. "I'm used to being in the end zone from college and high school, so my first time as a pro, it felt great." Two plays before that, Collins made a strong play when running back Thomas Jones bounced outside for a potential big gainer. Instead, Collins raced up from his safety position and ran down Jones for a harmless 2-yard gain. After a 6-yard pass to Rashied Davis left the Bears in third and 2, Collins made his interception to give the Packers a 13-0 lead. -- More







Meet Ashley
Arizona Cardinals
Cheerleader

Years on Team: Rookie
Birthday: March 7th
Birth Place: Chandler, Arizona
College/Major: Arizona State University/Business
Occupation: Dance instructor
Hobbies: Shopping and dancing
Most fulfilling accomplishment(s): Becoming an AZ Cardinals cheerleader
One word to describe me: Exciting
Favorites
Quote: “Dance like no one is watching.”
Food: Ice cream
Restaurant: The Melting Pot
Movie(s): How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days
TV Show(s): Simple Life
Color(s): Pink