Friday, September 30, 2011

Not Everyone Remembers Jeter

Here’s a fine photo of Packers’ DB Bob Jeter, who is for some reason not remembered by many fans. Playing during the Lombardi Era, he was part of the all-star backfield with Herb Adderley and Willie Wood. To read a bit of biographical history, see this post from last year on Packerville, U.S.A.

We also found this clip on the league’s website that spotlights Adderley and Jeter as the #4 best defensive backfield of all time. To watch, please click here.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

• Rodgers makes 'hard count' count
• Matthews' play hasn't declined; numbers have
• Finley responds to Rodgers’ comments
• Packers to recognize 1961 champions
• McCarthy says five sacks 'too many'
• Rodgers named NFC Offensive Player of the Month
Mike Neal hopes to be back in 4-5 weeks
• Grant eager, but unlikely to play vs. Broncos
• Grant feels 'fine,' wants to play
• Starks hoping to bounce back
• Thursday practice report
• Lambeau an unfamiliar place for most Broncos
• McCarthy, Rodgers prepping for unfamiliar foe
• Packers Notes
• Packers Notebook
• Walden fined for roughing penalty
Ten things to beat the Broncos
• First-round pick Sherrod making progress

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Football During Wartime

Today’s photo of Packers’ great WR Don Hutson is from the 1943 season, when the world was engulfed in World War II. But Americans needed football to take their mind off the dire situation, and to provide an entertainment alternative to the long hours of work in Wisconsin’s war factories. In ’43, the Packers finished with a 7-2-1 record for second place in the Western Division. Hutson caught 47 passes for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns. His longest was a 79-yard scoring play. Because players played “both ways” in those days, he also intercepted 8 balls with 197 yards of returns, including one for an 84-yard touchdown. Green Bay would win it all the next year, and Hutson would retire at the end of the 1945 season.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

Morgan Burnett has his eye on the ball
• Ryan Grant may miss game against Broncos
• Packers Notes
• Wells' value increasing as contract winds down
• Nine held out of practice
• Wednesday practice report
• Run “D” tops in the league
• Packers Notebook
• Newhouse stepped in and the show went on
• Fox tries rebuilding hand in Denver
• A different look at the Lambeau Field expansion project
• Rodgers praises, prods Finley after 3 TDs
Denver Broncos eyeing... Green Bay Packers
• Pre-game stats match-up
• A test against the best
• Most oppose Vikings stadium tax in Minnesota
• Book says Walter Payton abused drugs

Here’s a video with Aaron Rodgers from an NFL.com segment titled “The Next Dynasty?” To see the video, please click here.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Boy, That’s a Long Time Ago...

This is what the typical Green Bay Packers game program looked like in 1924. It looks more like what you might be handed after entering a high school football game now. Well, the N.F.L. still had a lot of growing to do back in only the League’s third year. This is from the October 19th game against the Milwaukee Badgers, which the Packers won 17-0 in front of 4,150 fans in Green Bay’s Bellevue Park. The Badgers played in the National Football League from 1922 to 1926, playing their home games at Athletic Park, later known as Borchert Field, on Milwaukee's north side. The team was notable for having a large number of African-American players for the time. The Badgers folded following the 1926 season (largely due to being left broke because of a $500 fine by the NFL for using four high-school players in a 1925 game against the Chicago Cardinals).

PACKERVILLE NEWS

Increased security coming at Lambeau Field
• Jermichael Finley took the hard road back
• Cliff Christl: Packers take risk with vets in key roles
• Broncos Scouting Report
• Ryan Grant downplays kidney injury
Offensive analysis: Jennings and Finley
• Tuesdays With Wilde: Josh Sitton
• Cheesehead creators upset with anti-cheese use
• Broncos could get some key players for Sunday
• NFL power rankings 2011: Packers still on top

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Back to the Bleak Years

Getting back to why this blog was created in the first place, today we’re featuring a look at how some of the Green Bay Packers’ facilities looked in the late 1980s-early 1990’s. Above is a somewhat rare look inside the previous indoor training facility, nicknamed affectionately(?) “The Barn.” It sat on the same site as the current Don Hutson Center, which opened in 1994. If we remember correctly, the Packers held their mini-camps in Arizona while the Hutson Center was being completed that year.

Here is an aerial image of Lambeau Field as it appeared through the Mike Holmgren/Ron Wolf era when the franchise was resurrected from years of mediocrity. Of course, things look quite different now following the redevelopment phase of 2001-2003. At upper center/right, you can see “The Barn” where the Don Hutson Center now sits. Notable as well in the photo are the Packers’ administrative offices extending off of the North end of the stadium (lower left corner). These are the offices that were built in 1963 during Vince Lombardi’s reign, and greatly expanded in several phases afterwards. They no longer exist in this form, and now take up a few floors of the Atrium facility.

This photo depicts the Packers’ corporate offices in the former administrative building that was mentioned above. This area was remodeled a few times after this photo was taken, even before the total remodeling of the latest phase. The Packers Pro Shop started out as a tiny alcove off this lobby behind the reception desk at upper right. It now takes up the first floor of the Atrium’s building/tower facility. That is the Super Bowl II Lombardi Trophy on display in this photo, in case you were wondering.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

• Packers are perfect only in record
• Packers Notes
• Packers' business side reaping Super Bowl benefits
• Packers Team Report
• Marshall Newhouse shows he's ready
• Peprah seems rusty, but coaches are confident
• Packers Notebook
• Packers hope to get lucky with Bulaga
• Packers stock report: Week Three
• Packers' offense still deserves center stage
• Free Head Exam: Green Bay Packers
• Rodgers lacks glitz, but he is the man
• Bulaga dodges a bullet
Peter King: Monday Morning QB
• Packers know they can improve; bad news for the NFC

Monday, September 26, 2011

Packers Survive By the Lake

Here are a few reasons why the Packers held off the Bears on Sunday in Chicago’s Soldier Field. QB Aaron Rodgers had another good day — 28 or 38, for 297 yards and 3 TDs.

The Packers’ defense, while bending here and there, held the Bears to 13 yards rushing in 12 attempts.

RB Ryan Grant finally looked again like the player they’re paying him to be — 92 yards on 17 attempts.

And what can we say about TE Jermichael Finley? Seven catches for 85 yards and 3 TDs. It certainly was good to get out of that place with a win, knocking the Bears to 1-2. The Vikings are 0-3, but those improved Lions are also 3-0, tied with the Packers. It’s going to be an interesting year.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

REGULAR SEASON GAME #3 WRAP-UP:
Game Story: Green Bay Press-Gazette
Game Story: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Game Story: Packers.com
Game Story: ESPN Milwaukee
Game Story: Chicago Tribune
Game Story: Chicago Sun-Times
Game Story: Associated Press
• Official Statistics
• Official Box Score
• Official Play-By-Play Summary
• Scoring Summary
• Game Highlights (Video)
• Post-Game press conferences (Video)
• Photo Galleries: Here, here, here, and here
• Packers Replay
• Packers Notes
• Packers Notebook
• Game Notes
• Packers Insider
• Packers-Bears Rants ’n Raves
Instant Analysis: Packers 27, Bears 17
• Packers wore look of dominance
• Defense dominates ground game
Woodson moves to safety; has quiet day
Mike Vandermause: Good isn’t good enough
Finley scorches Bears’ coverage
Finley leads the way in Chicago
Finley makes it look easy in Packers win
• On call, Marshall Newhouse delivers
• McCarthy post-game highlights
• Wacky punt return almost makes it close
• Ryan Grant carries the load for Packers
Tom Oates: What's new? Packers let Bears hang around

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Bears Game Preview Central

**NEW LINKS ADDED TO NEWS SECTION BELOW**
Big game coming up on Sunday, especially for those of us who live among Bears fans 24/7/365. We’re posting all of the game preview material a day earlier, and then we will add news to the links in the “Newsroom” as they become available through Sunday morning.

Here is a game preview from Bears.com. To watch, please click here.

Here’s the same N.F.L. Network game preview that we posted yesterday. If you missed it, please click here.

Bears play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak’s game preview can be watched here.

Bears’ coach Lovie Smith’s comments on the Packers can be watched here.

Some comments from Aaron Rodgers can be seen in this “Rivalry Reloaded” video here.

The N.F.L. Network’s Packers/Bears “Playbook” can be seen here.

Here’s where all the action will be starting at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. If you aren’t at the game being abused by Chicago fans, we hope you’ll be watching at home in glorious HD.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

REGULAR SEASON GAME #3 INFO:
• PACKERS-BEARS DOPE SHEET
• PACKERS 2011 MEDIA GUIDE
• PACKERS TEAM REPORT
• GAME PREVIEW #1
• GAME PREVIEW #2
• GAME PREVIEW #3
• PACKERS 2011 ROSTER
• PACKERS 2011 DEPTH CHART
• BEARS 2011 ROSTER
• BEARS 2011 DEPTH CHART
• INJURY REPORT/GB vs. CHICAGO
• INJURY REPORT/NFL
• CHICAGO WEATHER
• NFL T.V. COVERAGE MAP
*****
NEW UPDATES:
• Press Box Notes
• Former Packer Grabowski keeps Green Bay loyalty
Wayne Larrivee: Both teams face vulnerabilities
• Tougher road through NFC North
• History not lost on current players
• Packers gaining ground in rivalry with Bears
Three keys to the game
• Packers-Bears not usually shootouts
• Ditka: Still no respect for Forrest Gregg
• Packers-Bears: 5 things to watch
Packers, Bears... they’re at it again
Painful memories in Bears-Packers series
• The NFL This Week
*****
• Bears, Packers resume NFL's oldest rivalry
• Defensive draft likely to fill Packers’ coverage gaps
• Matthews, Woodson among Packers' nicked defenders
• Starks keeps past behind him; working to improve
• Defense must be at top of game (Chicago Tribune)
• Cobb gives Packers another threat (Chicago Tribune)
• Bears have antidote for Rodgers (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Pass rush should get chance to shine against Bears
• Packers Notebook
• Packers Notes
• Packers Insider
Friday Notes: Peppers still a threat; Green is fine
• Tramon Williams expects to start
• McCarthy's historical film festival
• Brett Favre is coming back
• Starks brings long run back to the Pack
• Packers' focus is on stopping Forte
• Banged-up defense gets good news
• Billboard features cheesehead Grim Reaper

Friday, September 23, 2011

A Cutler Sandwich

Wouldn’t you just love to see this happen about ten times on Sunday? With the Bears’ offensive line troubles, it just may happen. The above image, from the N.F.C. Championship game, was a nice collaboration between LB Clay Matthews and former DL Cullen Jenkins. Keeping the heat on Cutler will help the secondary that is adjusting to the loss of Nick Collins for the season.

Here is a short video preview from the N.F.L. Network before Sunday’s game in Chicago. To watch the preview, please click here.

We knew you’d like to refresh your memory of the two teams’ last meeting in January, so we’re presenting the complete highlights of the 2010 N.F.C. Championship game. To watch the video, please click here.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

• Packers utilizing Nelson’s speed more
• Fontenot seeks yards after contact
• Packers hope Masthay finds rhythm for Bears
• Packers Notes
• Packers Notebook
• Packers prepare for ultimate challenge
• Peprah takes center stage again
• Defense must be at top of game
• Urlacher: Patience pays when playing Packers
Ten things Packers have to do to beat Bears
• Change came quickly for Shields
• Breaking down the Bears-Packers
Tom Oates: Packers' defense not alone in struggles
• McCarthy: Bishop’s hit on Newton was ‘perfect’
• Nelson Makes His One Chance Count
• In NFL, always open season on hurt guys
• Bears defend Aaron Rodgers differently
• New book links Bart Starr, rise of NFL
• Is Favre, Hutson or Starr the greatest Packer?

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Shields Robs One from Knox

In our second installment of looking back at the 2010 N.F.C. Championship game in Chicago, we feature CB Sam Shields getting one of his two interceptions of the day against Bears’ WR Johnny Knox. How about getting three this Sunday, Sam?

PACKERVILLE NEWS

• Offense bogs down, defense tightens up in red zone
• The impact of losing Nick Collins
• Peprah applying his own set of safety measures
• Demystifying the Packers' play-action
• Wednesday practice report
• Packers one of 7 unbeaten teams
• Packers Notes
• Packers Notebook
• NFL by the numbers
• Expect to see tweaks in each team's plans
• Bears bring most trouble to Rodgers and offense
• McCarthy: Matthews, Woodson should play vs. Bears
• Jay Cutler endures hits, criticism
• Cutler not very talkative to Wisconsin media
• Team with fewest goofs will probably win
• Bears to wear orange jerseys Sunday
• Rodgers scratches to third in poll of NFL players
• Packers sign DL Jones to practice squad
• Why the Packers Will Not Sign Sharper
Dorsey Levens producing movie about price NFL players pay
• Man fired for Packers tie lands on feet
• Packers-Bears Preview
• NFL memo warns teams on faking injuries

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

On to Chicago

The Packers are 2-0 and it’s on to the Windy City on Sunday to the site of the N.F.C. Championship game last year, when they triumphed over the Bears to advance to — and win — Super Bowl XLV. Over the next few days, we’ll feature some great photos from that game here. Above, QB Aaron Rodgers scores a TD on a 1-yard run in the First Quarter.

We also found a great gallery of classic N.F.L. shots from the Sports Illustrated archives, and below you’ll see the images that pertain to the Packers:

Packers 37, Giants 0
City Stadium, Dec. 31, 1961
Packers linebacker Tom Bettis, sporting the scars of a gridiron gladiator, gets a hero's escort off the field from fans overjoyed at the 37-0 triumph.

Packers 37, Giants 0
City Stadium, Dec. 31, 1961
After winning his first NFL title, an overjoyed Vince Lombardi is carried off the field by three of his players: (left-right) Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung and Forrest Gregg.

Packers 16, Giants 7
Yankees Stadium, Dec. 30, 1962
Ray Nitschke grabs Giants running back Alex Webster by the head, prepared to flip him over if necessary. Nitschke was the Most Valuable Player in this game, recovering two fumbles, both leading to Packers scores, in harsh wintry conditions. He called it "the most brutal football game that I have ever been in."

Packers 35, Chiefs 10
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Jan. 15, 1967
With the offense backed up to their goal line, the Chiefs are forced to punt. Jerrel Wilson (#44) was the busiest man on the team, punting seven times as the Packers stifled the Chiefs' offensive line.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

Stock sale to start by end of 2011 if NFL approves
• Packers will need Morgan Burnett to step up
• A lot of wham with Packers' B.J. Raji
• Rodgers says Urlacher is his “favorite” competitor
• Chicago Bears scouting report
• How big is this Sunday's game?
• Jaguars sign WR West off Packers practice squad
• Packers' Nick Collins out for season (Video)
Jordy Nelson a force for Packers (Chicago Tribune)
• Excerpts from Chester Marcol autobiography, Chapter 1; Chapter 9

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

New on the Bookshelf This Fall

There’s a couple of new Packers-related books out on the market, as there always are for each new season. The first, “Alive and Kicking,” is an autobiography by former kicker Chester Marcol. If you’re not aware, old No. 13 has had quite a struggle with many issues after football, substance abuse being one of them. At one point, he drank battery acid. He has turned his life around, and perhaps his story will help someone else.

The other book that is out is an official Packers publication — entitled “One” — documenting the Super Bowl championship season of 2010. We will be picking this one up, along with the 2011 Green Bay Packers Yearbook and the 2011 Media Guide when we head up for the Denver game on Sunday, October 2nd. The yearbooks and media guides weren’t ready during Training Camp, due to the lockout delaying everything.

PACKERVILLE NEWS

• Packers Team Report
• Nick Collins lost for the season with neck injury
• Packers lose Collins for the season
• Collins out for season with neck injury
• Neck injury ends Collins' season
• Nick Collins: Early gut punch for Packers
• Could Darren Sharper return?
• James Starks leads productive running game
• Packers Notes
• Packers Notebook
• Can the Packers do it again?
• Packers won't have Collins to help fix pass-defense
• LB Frank Zombo close to returning
• Donald Driver to fans: “THANK YOU”
Peter King: Monday Morning QB
• Is Brett Favre the answer for the Indianapolis Colts?

Monday, September 19, 2011

Packers Fight Off Panthers

2-0 sounds good at this point of the season — a lot better than what the record could be if the ball had bounced a couple of different ways in the first two games. Charles Woodson (above) had a very good day. with two INT’s and a fumble recovery. The defense did what it needed to do when it needed to do it, and the Packers sealed the win, despite an attempted comeback from the pesky Carolinians.

Rodgers also had a decent day, 19 out of 30 for 308 yards and no INTs.

Rodgers celebrating with Greg Jennings after one of the TDs.

Donald Driver set the Packers’ career receiving yardage record with his lone 10-yard catch.

Coach Mike McCarthy (right) hoping his team can seal the deal.

Jordy Nelson assured the Packer victory with his single catch for an 84-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Check out the links below for all the info you might want on Sunday’s victory.