The Packer Pundit

Beating Bears Brings Season Full Circle
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/31/2006

"We wanted to come out and prove that the last three games we played, it wasn't just some type of luck, that this is how much we have improved," defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins said. "It's unfortunate we missed out (on the playoffs) by one spot, but it gives us a lot to look forward to next year." -- More



Favre Farewell?
Packers Close out season with win over Bears
Associated Press
Brett Favre had his way. Rex Grossman looked lost, and the Chicago Bears bore little resemblance to a No. 1 playoff seed.

The opening drive ended with a 9-yard strike to Donald Driver. -- More











Additional Game Stats -- Link





Favre's Decision Could Come Soon
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/31/2006

Favre was taken out of the game with 1 minute, 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter and replaced by third-string quarterback Ingle Martin. As he walked over to the sideline, Favre received high-fives from several teammates, and receiver Donald Driver picked him and began to carry him, much like Favre has done after a couple of their touchdown passes this season. Favre also had some pictures taken on the sidelines with teammates, which he said they wanted to do. -- More



One 4 the road?
By Jason Wilde / wsj.com
Afterward, Brett Favre wouldn't say.

After shredding the Chicago Bears’ first-team defense in an otherwise meaningless 26-7 victory for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, Brett Favre certainly sounded like a man who was ready to leave the game.

Standing on the 20-yard line with a group of teammates, Favre got choked up during a TV interview, saying he would decide “soon” whether he would return next season. “It’s tough. It’s tough,” Favre said. “I’m going to miss these guys and miss the game.” Still, Favre stopped short of saying he would retire. And the prevailing sentiment seems to be, why wouldn’t he return? After a fairly successful season in which he helped the Packers rebound from last year’s 4-12 fiasco — their first losing season with Favre under center — to win their final four games and finish 8-8, teammates, opponents and even Favre’s own family have said that they see no reason why he should retire. He still has milestone to pursue: After completing 21 of 42 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown Sunday, Favre is only seven touchdown passes shy of breaking Dan Marino’s career mark of 420. With the Packers’ victory, Favre tied Marino for No. 2 in career victories (147) and is only one away from tying John Elway for the record. And unlike last offseason, Favre won’t have to decide whether he wants to play for a new coach and learn a new offense. But while Favre maintains that he still enjoys loves to play, he doesn’t seem quite as convinced as everybody else that he should keep playing. He exchanged handshakes and hugs with teammates before he was pulled in favor of backup quarterback Ingle Martin with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Favre’s left ankle has been bothering him since before the beginning of training camp and likely will require surgery in the offseason. He has hinted that the weekly grind of practices are beginning to wear him down. Beyond that, Favre has said that he isn’t pleased with the way he played this season, and doesn’t buy the idea that the Packers have made as much progress as their late-season success might indicate. On Friday, Favre said the Packers still have “a long ways to go, and I don’t have that much time.” Favre has said that he knows the team would like to have a decision as soon as possible, but maintains that he won’t rush things. Favre waited until late April to inform the team that he was returning for this season. Under first-year coach Mike McCarthy, Favre played more conservatively, cutting his interception total from a career-worst 29 last season to only 18 this season. -- More



Favre leaves lasting impression
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 1, 2007
It almost makes you wonder what all the big deal is about. Brett Favre retire? Why?

Give the Green Bay Packers credit for this: They played inspired football on Sunday night despite knowing they were out of the playoff race, and they sent their archrival Chicago Bears into the NFL playoffs on a major downer.

Nevertheless, the Packers' dominating 26-7 win over the Bears, capping a fine finish to the season, was secondary to the question on everyone's mind after the game: Was it quarterback Brett Favre's final NFL game? If it was, the 37-year-old went out in style, slipping and sliding around in the pocket, buying time while throwing for 285 yards and leading a convincing win with a performance much better than his 70.0 passer rating suggests. Afterward, Favre sounded like a player who's seriously considering retiring after 16 years in the NFL. That could change — Favre said he'll decide in about two weeks — but only he knows whether he'll be quarterbacking the Packers in 2007. "That was our Super Bowl," Favre told a large media gathering. "If this is the last game, what a great way to go out." Maybe the Packers' impressive performance will have no bearing on what happens to them and the Bears. In two weeks, when the top-seeded Bears play their NFC playoff opener at home, all will be forgotten if they play the tough defense and run-control offense that won 13 games this season. Maybe the Packers won't have any carryover into the offseason, even though the win gave them an 8-8 record, four games better than 2005. But Packers coach Mike McCarthy doesn't see it that way, given his team finished 5-1 in the NFC North in his first season as coach. "I'll clearly remember the stretch," McCarthy said, "because you saw vision, you saw plan and you saw people stay to that plan and play very good football in those last four games." -- More






Don't shed a tear: Expect Favre to return
By Mike Vandermause

It's possible Brett Favre played the final game of his illustrious NFL career Sunday night at Soldier Field.

Just don't bet on it. Favre's tearful interview on national television following the Packers' 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears gave a hint the veteran quarterback is strongly considering retirement. But Favre wouldn't give a definitive answer, and said he probably would decide on his future in the next two weeks. If it was his final game, Favre went out with a bang and once again showed he owns the Bears. He passed for 285 yards and a touchdown, and improved his record against Chicago to 22-7, including an unthinkable 13-2 on the road. Favre has nothing left to prove, which is why it wouldn't be a surprise if he decided to walk away. He is a lock to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He doesn't need the $11 million salary. He wouldn't miss the monotony of another year of minicamps, practices and meetings. He owns a Super Bowl championship ring. After giving Packers fans the best years of his football life, he owes them nothing. Favre could fade into the sunset and not look back. Then again, he just as easily could return, with no regrets. In fact, why wouldn't Favre want to come back? Forget about the money and the NFL passing records he could break. Those are nice fringe benefits, but deep down, the only reason Favre would play again is his passion for the game. Favre is healthy, having extended his starting streak to a superhuman 257 games (including playoffs). The prospect of undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his sore left ankle (bone spurs) today should have no bearing on his football future. Neither should his playing ability. Despite being 37, which is ancient by pro football standards, Favre has what it takes to lead an NFL team. Favre has expressed frustration over the Packers' offensive struggles this season. Nevertheless, his interception total fell from 29 last year to 18. His 343 completions and 3,885 passing yards this season rank among the top six in the NFL. It's been said the legs are first to deteriorate in an aging player, but Favre remains one of the best in the league at using his footwork in the pocket to avoid sacks. -- More






Defense Dominates With 6 Turnovers, 2 Touchdowns
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com
Posted 12/31/2006

"I'm capable of doing that every week," said Collins, who never lacks for confidence and nearly had a third interception in the game as well. "Once I get in the flow of things, and they just let me play, you'll see a whole lot of that." -- More



Defense rockin' on New Year's Eve
Several individuals
stand out in season finale
By LORI NICKEL
journalsentinel.com
Posted: Jan. 1, 2007
Tackles sent northbound runners south. Big hits blew up receptions. Sacks, tipped passes and pressure messed with the quarterback's head. This wasn't the work of the NFC North champion Chicago Bears' defense on New Year's Eve at Soldier Field. It was the final hurrah from the Green Bay defense in a 26-7 victory to close out the 2006 season.

Rookie receiver Greg Jennings was unavailable on Sunday night while tending to his wife and newborn daughter back in Green Bay.

Later in the first half, Martin had catches of 33 and 34 yards on separate possessions, but unfortunately neither drive resulted in points. He then added an 18-yard catch to begin a drive that ended in a field goal in the final minute of the first half. -- More

2007 Draft order
The 2007 NFL draft will be held April 28-29 in New York. This is a preliminary order; the Super Bowl champs will pick No. 32 and the Super Bowl loser will pick No. 31.

1. Oakland (2-14)
2. Detroit (3-13)
3. Cleveland (4-12)
4. Tampa Bay (4-12)
5. Arizona (5-11)
6. Washington (5-11)
7. Minnesota (6-10)
8. Houston (6-10)
9. Miami (6-10)
10. Atlanta (7-9)
11. San Francisco (7-9)
12. Buffalo (7-9)
13. St. Louis (8-8)
14. Carolina (8-8)
15. Green Bay (8-8)
16. Pittsburgh (8-8)
17. Jacksonville (8-8)
18. Cincinnati (8-8)
19. Tennessee (8-8)
20. N.Y. Giants (8-8)
21. Denver (9-7)
22. Seattle (9-7)
23. Dallas (9-7)
24. Kansas City (9-7)
25. New Orleans (10-6)
26. New York Jets (10-6)
27. Philadelphia (10-6)
28. New England (12-4)
29. Indianapolis (12-4)
30. Chicago (13-3)
31. Baltimore (13-3)
32. San Diego (14-2)

Meet Erica
Houston Texans
Cheerleader

Erica is considered a Rookie this year, but has past history with the Texans. Since the first tryout in 2001, Erica has tried out for the Texans Cheerleading team every year (except one). She even worked for the Texans during Super Bowl XXXVIII.

But it wasn't until 2004 that all the hard work and dedication paid off. I guess you could say her third time was a charm! In 2004, Erica made the final cut and was privileged to be a Houston Texan Cheerleader. As fate would have it she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy in the Spring of 2005 and took a year off from cheerleading. After that, it was back to the gym with her mom and working towards yet another tryout for the 2006-2007 season.

Dance has been apart of Erica’s life since she was a young girl. She grew up listening to Madonna and Prince. She knew all their songs by heart and would hold her own little concerts in her room. Erica’s extracurricular activities have included dance, gymnastics, band, choir, and PALS. The PALS Organization allowed her to work with children with learning disabilities and gain knowledge in helping others in need. She has trained competitively in gymnastics for seven years. She has also enjoyed taking dance classes like jazz, tap, hip hop and was a member of her high school cheerleading, pom, and brigade teams. She's lived in Illinois, Michigan, and the Great State of Texas.

After graduating from Cy-Fair High School, Erica went on to attend Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University and declaring her major in Exercise Sports Science with a minor in dance. At Texas State she joined Orchesis, a dance club. She also helped at AWARE, a horse therapeutic program designed for disabled children.

It was after working with the amazing children at AWARE that Erica decided there might be something else out there for her. She has since gone on to pursue a career in nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Erica's other priorities consist of taking care of her baby boy, hanging out with her family, and working. All while trying to enjoy any free, fun time that she can fit in. Erica has never met a roller coaster or amusement park ride that she didn't like.

She would especially like to thank her family for all they have done for her. And she would like to dedicate all her accomplishments to a very special boy, her brother Weston. “I’d like to thank my family for helping me, guiding me, and always telling me to keep trying. I love you. WDS always and forever.”