Day 3 at Packer Training Camp

Today there was only one 2:00 p.m. practice in the sweltering 95-degree heat in Green Bay. Brett Favre was not on the field, as we specified earlier. He is in Mississippi for a family funeral. Or, as the Packers say, he has a “Bereavement Excuse.” Here are some of the things that a smaller group of sun-burned “railbirds” saw this afternoon along Oneida Street (courtesy of the Green Bay Press-Gazette):

• WR Robert Ferguson (who has switched from #89 to #87) was at least partly to blame for Aaron Rodgers' interception in the blitz period because of a sloppy route. Later, though, Ferguson had a nifty, leaping grab over Will Blackmon in the end zone that curiously drew congratulations from defenders on the sideline.

• TE Bubba Franks also had a fine touchdown grab in the final goal-line period.

• And today's passing stats (7-on-7 in parentheses): Rodgers 20-for-34, INT (10-for-13); Ingle Martin 12-for-16, INT (5-for-8, INT); Paul Thompson 1-for-4 (1-for-3); Brandon Jackson 0-for-1, INT.

• Running back Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today. Morency hasn't practiced since Saturday. McCarthy declined to discuss specifics of the injury, which was described Sunday by General Manager Ted Thompson as a contusion. The Packers' first preseason game is 12 days away, so Morency likely will miss that game.

• Rookie guard Allen Barbre sat out today's practice with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Daniel Muir left with a recurring ankle injury.

• McCarthy said he hopes defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, both of whom failed conditioning tests on Friday, will practice Tuesday.

• Wide receiver Donald Driver, who has a shoulder injury, also could practice in the next day or two, McCarthy said.

• On third-and-goal from the 5, quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to hit tight end Donald Lee on a quick slant, but LB A.J. Hawk perfectly read the play, stepped back and knocked down the pass, almost coming up with an interception. On third-and-goal from the 4, wide receiver James Jones caught a slant, but Hawk stopped him cold in his tracks and would have prevented a touchdown had they been doing full-tackling drills.

• Wide receiver Carlton Brewster caught a fade pass over cornerback Patrick Dendy on third-and-goal from the 8. The TD pass came from quarterback Ingle Martin.

• Fullback Corey White burst through the middle on first-and-goal from the 10 to score an easy TD. Rookie first-round draft pick Justin Harrell and Corey Williams were lined up as the defensive tackles on the play.

• Cornerback Charles Woodson made a nice diving interception of a Rodgers pass in a red zone drill. Rodgers was rolling right and his pass was intented for wide receiver Robert Ferguson.

• In a one-on-one receiver-vs.-defensive back drill, Ruvell Martin caught two long passes that would have gone for TDs. He beat cornerback Frank Walker, then safety Marquand Manuel. In the same drill, Jones ran a crisp route, came back for the ball and made a tough catch in tight coverage.

• Rookie kicker Mason Crosby showed off his big leg this afternoon with a booming kickoff that went 78 yards, or 8 yards deep into the end zone. On four kickoffs, Crosby averaged 71.5 yards. Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner wasn't far behind, averaging 70 yards on four kicks. In order, Crosby's kickoffs went 69, 78, 69 and 70 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.06 seconds to 4.31 seconds. Rayner's kickoffs, in order, went 67. 70, 74 and 69 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.22 seconds to 4.31 seconds.

• Quarterback Brett Favre is the only player not in attendance..

• Dressed in shorts and not taking part in full activities: guard Allen Barbre, running back Vernand Morency, wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly.

• Back in uniform after sitting out Sunday are linebackers Abdul Hodge and Juwan Simpson.

• Practices for tomorrow are set at 8:45 a.m. again on Clarke Hinkle Field, and at Old City Stadium on Baird Street (behind East High School) at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

Day 2 at Packer Training Camp

On Sunday, the Packers held two practices — one at 8:45 a.m., and the other at 6:30 p.m., when it was cooler. Brett Favre didn’t practice in the morning because of a death in the family (his wife’s step-father), but practiced last night. He will, however, miss practices until at least Thursday. Unfortunately, this means he’ll miss the practice to be held at the historic Old City Stadium on Tuesday night. That means that possibly the Packerville staff saw him for the last time in a Training Camp setting last night. However, this is his “Third Annual Final Training Camp,” so we’ll see.

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

After watching Brett Favre struggle to a four-interception performance in tonight's practice, coach Mike McCarthy said he could tell Favre had a lot on his mind. "It clearly wasn't his best practice," McCarthy said of Favre, who is expected to fly to Mississippi on Monday after the death of his wife's stepfather. McCarthy added: "It's got to be on his heart -- family first, and that's where his focus is."

Elsewhere tonight...

• In addition to Brett Favre's four interceptions during team drills, Aaron Rodgers threw a pair of picks during 7-on-7. Jarrett Bush got one on a high throw over Calvin Russell, and a few plays later, Will Blackmon ripped the ball from Greg Jennings' hands on a sideline route.

• Dropping 'em like they're hot: Carlton Brewster (twice), Shaun Bodiford, Brandon Jackson (twice) and Noah Herron.

• Favre also fumbled on an apparent pass fake during the next-to-last team period.

• CB Patrick Dendy continued to take all reps as the nickelback with the first unit.

• CB Charles Woodson spoke with McCarthy at length after practice about "a personal thing," according to McCarthy. "I think he'll be fine," McCarthy said.

• Mostly meaningless passing stats (7-on-7 in parentheses): Favre 20-for-31, 4 INTs (9-for-11); Rodgers 13-for-24, 2 INTs (3-for-10, 2 INTs); Ingle Martin 5-for-10.

Tight end Bubba Franks opened each team period with the starting offense tonight — a new twist in the veteran's battle for position on the depth chart. Franks, who has spent most of the offseason behind Donald Lee, was the lone tight end in a three-wide look on the first team play of practice with the No. 1 offense. When the unit took the field for the second team period, he was the lone tight end in a two-back set. He also joined Lee in several double-tight sets on the first plays of other periods.

The Packers finished practice with only three tight ends after Zac Alcorn dropped out, apparently because of cramps. Tory Humphrey, who broke his ankle Saturday, likely is out for the season.

• Linebacker Abdul Hodge is day to day because of a recurring knee injury and likely will be limited to one practice a day when he returns, coach Mike McCarthy said after tonight's practice. Trainers iced Hodge's problematic knee during practice Saturday, and the second-year pro from Iowa couldn't finish today's

During back-to-back drills — the first a team drill and the second a blitz drill — rookie receiver James Jones caught four passes, including beating nickelback Patrick Dendy on a deep in-route.

For the second day in a row, halfback Brandon Jackson got steamrolled during a team blitz drill. On Saturday, A.J. Hawk ran over Jackson on one play. On Sunday night, middle linebacker Nick Barnett did the same.

Notes from practice:

• Dave Rayner held the upper hand over rookie Mason Crosby in a kicking drill. Rayner booted 6 of 6 field goals while Crosby made 5 of 6. Ruvell Martin was the holder for all of Rayner's kicks, while Jon Ryan held for Crosby. Rayner's successful kicks came from 25, 25, 30, 33, 38 and 43 yards. Crosby made good on kicks from 25 and 25 before missing wide right from 30 yards. He then booted three successful kicks from 33, 38 and 43, although the last one was kicked above the right upright and was barely good.

• Will Blackmon made a spectacular interception of an Aaron Rodgers pass when he stole the ball out of receiver Greg Jennnigs' hands. It was the second interception of the night for Rodgers, who was also picked off by cornerback Jarrett Bush.

Veteran quarterback Brett Favre and rookie free agent cornerback Antonio Malone have very little in common. But the two had a lot in common on three on consecutive plays druing a team drill. On the first play, Malone intercepted a Favre pass intended for Robert Ferguson. On the next play, Favre beat Malone on a deep pass to James Jones. But Malone won the rubber match on the next play by intercepting a badly underthrown Favre pass. Final score, Malone 2, Favre 1.

Some observations during team drills:

• Cornerback Charles Woodson made a nice diving interception of a Brett Favre pass intended for Greg Jennings. Favre was working out of the shotgun formation and was under heavy blitz pressure.

• First-round draft pick Justin Harrell moved up to the second-team defense. Harrell played on the No. 3 unit on Saturday.

• Tight end Bubba Franks lined up with the No. 1 offense during team drills. Franks had been working behind Donald Lee in prior practices.

• During a punt-return drill, receiving kicks were:Woodson, Will Blackmon, James Jones, Jennings and Shaun Bodiford.

In one of the more unique drills in training camp thus far, a Packers lineman was given the ball, and two smaller players -- usually wide receivers and/or running backs -- converged to strip the ball away. Presumably, if an opposing lineman ever gets his paws on a ball in a game situation, the Packers will be prepared to force a turnover.

Day 1 at Packer Training Camp

2007 Packers Training Camp got underway today under sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 80’s. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, there were an estimated 10,000 people over at the Clark Hinkle Field along Oneida Street. Your “Packerville” reporter got to town a little too late (2 hours before practice!) to get a seat in the middle of the practice field, so he spent the session down on the end where the defense spent a majority of the time before the scrimmage near the end of the 2-1/2 hour workout.

One of the oddest sights was seeing linebacker A.J. Hawk wearing a knit stocking hat in the 88-degree heat. To our reporter, #1 draft pick Justin Harrell (#91) seemed to be winded more than his colleagues on the defensive line, taking a “knee” quite often. Harrell did not participate in the team’s offseason workouts.

Here’s a practice wrap-up from today, courtesy of the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly and DeShawn Wynn were on the non-football injury list today, and receiver Donald Driver failed his physical because of a shoulder injury, coach Mike McCarthy said after practice.
Pickett and Jolly were placed on the list because of conditioning, and McCarthy said he was “not happy.” Wynn has an illness. Tight end Tory Humphrey, who was hurt during practice, has an ankle injury and was taken for X-rays, according to McCarthy.

There was no advantage gained in the first field goal period. Dave Rayner went five-for-five, making two field goals from 27 yards, one from 32 yards and two from 37. Jon Ryan was his holder. Rookie Mason Crosby went four-for-four with all of his field goals from 32 yards. David Lonie and Ruvell Martin each held for two of Crosby's kicks.

Two notable items from a team blitz drill:

— Linebacker A.J. Hawk ran over rookie running back Brandon Jackson on his way to what would have been a sack of quarterback Brett Favre.

— Rookie receiver James Jones showed an ability to come back hard for the ball and make a tough catch in heavy traffic from Brett Favre.

Tight end Tory Humphrey went down during team drills about an hour and 20 minutes into practice. Humphrey slumped on his side and then rolled over on his back while medical personnel attended to his left leg. Humphrey was carted off the practice field with his leg heavily wrapped from the knee all the way down to his foot.

Former Packers offensive coordinate Jeff Jagodzinski was in attendance today. Jagodzinski, who is the head coach at Boston College, was wearing a Boston Red Sox baseball cap and standing on the field with other Packers coaches.

Although first-round draft choice Justin Harrell was listed as a starter on the preseason depth chart at defensive tackle, veteran Corey Williams was working with the No. 1 unit during drills. Colin Cole was filling in at the other defensive tackle spot in place of Ryan Pickett.

Greg Jennings fumbled an end-around handoff from Brett Favre during team drills.

Punter Jon Ryan consistently was booming kicks with hang times over 4.5 seconds. Ten of Ryan's 19 punts went 50 yards or longer, with a long of 57. Free agent David Lonie didn't participate in the punting drill.

Rookie safety Aaron Rouse stripped the ball from tight end Bubba Franks during a ball-protection drill.

We thought you’d enjoy some photos from today’s practice, so we’ve provided a few from our sideline photographer.

The Season is Upon Us!

We are taking a break from the series we’ve been featuring on the Green Bay Packers’ Yearbooks through the years so that we can bring you first-hand accounts from Packers’ Training Camp 2007. We will be “broadcasting” from the Midway Best Western Hotel just down the street from the practice field from Saturday (tomorrow) through Thursday. We hope to bring you some news and sights that can only be gathered in the middle of it all.

Practice begins Saturday at 2:00 p.m., which means that NFL season 2007 is officially here, and we will all be treated to Packers news every day from now until February (hopefully).

If you’ve never been to Packers Training Camp, it’s your loss. And, with this possibly being Favre’s last year, you’ll regret not being there for at least one warm Summer day watching him laugh and joke around between all the football action. It’s been a pleasure for these last 19 years that we’ve been attending Training Camp. Stay tuned this week for “Packerville” on location in Green Bay!

Stockholder’s Meeting

Yesterday, the Packerville staff attended the 2007 Green Bay Packers Stockholders’ Meeting which was held in Lambeau Field. On a beautiful sunny day, we heard the football and business reports, and then were free to explore Suites, Skyboxes, Club Seating, the T.V. broadcast booth, and the Lee Remmel Press Box. Team president Bob Harlan and general manager Ted Thompson were on hand in the Atrium Club Seating Level to answer stockholders’ (fans’) questions. Stockholders also had free admission to the Packers Hall of Fame all day.

A few quotes from Ted Thompson during his “football report”:

“We've always said the best way to build a team is to build it from within, because you have these players already... Just to turn guys over, over and over, every year doesn't make sense. So what we've tried to do is improve our guys that we have, and we think that's again going to add to our competition in training camp."

“Our veteran players were the core of our team... they were the ones who set the attitude, set the locker room, and kept us going when things were tough.”

"We had some tough moments. We especially had some tough moments here at Lambeau Field. I think it's a credit to our veteran players that our team held together."

"I've been asked this by a couple of our media guys that I look at this as some sort of rebuilding thing, that we want to win three or four years down the road... but let's make this clear, and I want you guys to be clear on this because you're my bosses — we want to win, and we want to win now.”

"We like where we are, we are getting better. Through the individual growth of our team and some new additions, and just toughness, I think we're going to be fine. We're going to win some games."

From team president Bob Harlan:

"I've gotten the impression this winter in talking to fans, even after the draft, they can see his (Ted Thompson’s) system and what he's going to do. They can see that the system has worked in the past obviously with Seattle, and I think they're comfortable that it's going to work with the Green Bay Packers. So let's move ahead, give him a chance. We've hit the bump we knew we'd hit in the salary cap era, now let's see where we go."

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1984

Today brings us to the 1984 Green Bay Packers Yearbook, and a change in ownership for the publication. John M. Wemple took over the reigns from longtime owner Art Daley, and would continue to publish the Yearbook into the new century. On the cover of the 1984 edition is new coach and former Packer offensive lineman Forrest Gregg. He replaced nine-year coach Bart Starr — the man he used to block for during so many championship seasons.

Starr was fired after the final game of the 1983 season, when the Packers lost to the Bears in Chicago 23-21. The next morning, Packers president Judge Robert Parins fired Starr as he was planning to attend a planning and review meeting with his coaches. According to Starr’s 1987 autobiography, “At 8:00 a.m. the day after our Bears game, Judge Parins walked into my office. ‘I want to talk to you, Bart,’ he said. ‘The coaches are waiting for me. Is this going to take long?’ I asked. ‘Not long at all,’ he replied, ‘You don’t have to worry about your meeting, because as of this moment I am relieving you of your coaching position.’ He didn’t thank me for my efforts, didn’t say a word about my twenty-six year contribution to the Green Bay Packer organization. He didn’t even express any regret about having to make the decision. He sounded as though he were delivering a cold, unemotional sentence in his circuit court. His words burned in my mind as I as he quickly turned around and walked out. I was furious about his lack of support. Finally, I felt shock, and I realized my relationship with the Packers was over. I closed the door to my office and cried.”

In the 1984 season, the Packers would equal the 8-8-0 record that got Starr fired the year before, placing them second again in the NFC Central Division. Quarterback Lynn Dickey started all but one game (rookie Randy Wright started the other game). Dickey passed for 3,195 yards, 25 TD’s, and 19 INT’s. James Lofton again led the receiving corps with 62 receptions for 1,361 yards and 7 TD’s. Tight end Paul Coffman also contributed 562 yards and 9 TD’s. Gerry Ellis was also once again the leading rusher with 581 yards on 123 carries, with 4 TD’s.

Some of the stories in the 1984 Yearbook were: “The Packer Fan — By Far the Best”... “Forrest Gregg’s Coaching Philosophy”... “Forrest Gregg — A Personal Look”... “Interceptions Bug Dickey”... “Packers Will Be Stronger”... “MO: Defense will be tough, aggressive”... “Yearbook Smacks of Silver — It’s the 25th Issue”... “Running Backs — ‘A Real Good Group’ ”... “Lofton: I’ll Stay in Green Bay”... “The Unforgettable Monday Nighter — No. 2”... “The 1983 Season in Statistics”... “The Draft — Emphasis Placed on Defense”... “Your 1984 Packers”... “Record Clip: 429 Points For, 439 Against”... “Thanks, Bart”... “Thanksgiving Day in MoTown”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1983

After the strike-shortened season in ’82, the Packers returned to a full season in today’s feature — the 1983 Green Bay Packers Yearbook. This year, the Packers worked their way back to an even .500 season, finishing 8-8-0, which placed them second in the NFC Central Division. This is the best won-lost (not including seasons with ties) record that coach Bart Starr would be able to muster in his stint on the sidelines.

Once again, quarterback Lynn Dickey was the starter for all 16 games, throwing for 4,458 yards, 32 TD’s, and 29 INT’s. As in the previous season, James Lofton and John Jefferson were the leaders amongst the receivers (Lofton: 58 catches, 1,300 yards, 8 TD’s; Jefferson: 57 catches, 830 yards, 7 TD’s). But tight end Paul Coffman also had good numbers — 54 catches, 814 yards, and 11 TD’s. Gerry Ellis lead the rushing department with 141 carries for 696 yards and 4 TD’s.

Some of the stories featured in the 1983 Yearbook were: “Something REAL BIG in 1983?”... “Bart: Facilities Set Standard”... “Bob Schnelker: Making the Offense Go”... “Tim Huffman and Randy Scott: All They Needed Was a Chance”... “Professionalism Describes Lofton, Jefferson, Coffman”... “The Green Bay Blues” (formerly Packers)... “United Front Helped Pack”... “John Anderson: A Quiet Man on the Hot Seat”... “Your 1983 Packers”... “Playoff Wait Worthwhile”... “Ezra: ‘I’ve Matured As An Athlete And A Man’ ”... “Tim Lewis: A Valuable Commodity”... “The 1982 Season in Statistics”... “Three Monday Nighters”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1982

Our journey through the Packer Yearbooks brings us today to the strike-shortened 1982 season. The 16 game season was reduced to nine games, with a gap of no games between September 20, 1982 and November 21, 1982. The games that were not played that year were versus Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago (twice), Tampa Bay (twice), and Minnesota. But, ironically, this mixed-up season resulted in the Packers finishing 5-3-1 for third place in the NFC Central Division, and appearing in the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 1972.

On the cover, we have a shot of receivers John Jefferson and James Lofton as they “happily jog off the field in unison after Lofton caught a touchdown pass against Seattle in Green Bay November 1.” The Packers won that game 34-24. This was the first of two seasons when the duo led the team in receptions, combining for 62 catches for 1,148 yards and 4 TD’s. Quarterback Lynn Dickey again started all the games and passed for 1,790 yards, 12 TD’s, and 14 INT’s. Eddie Lee Ivery led the running backs with 453 yards on 127 carries — resulting in 9 TD’s.

As mentioned before, the Packers qualified for post-season play, as all teams were grouped together as the “National Conference” standings. Washington was 8-1-0 and Dallas was 6-3-0. The Packers were next with their 5-3-1 record. In the NFC First-Round Playoff, Green Bay beat the St. Louis Cardinals at home, 41-16 on January 8, 1983. The following week, they travelled to Dallas and lost there, 37-26.

Some of the stories in the 1982 Yearbook were: “Packers on Verge of Somethign BIG”... “Lofton and Jefferson/Jefferson and Lofton”... “Don Hutson and James Lofton”... “Meet the New President — Judge Robert J. Parins”... “Linebackers — Heart of Defense”... “The Great Fan Comeback of 1981”... “A Good Feeling at Quarterback”... “Bart Starr Says: Players’ Motivation Unchanged”... “Eddie Lee (Ivery): I’ll Be a Smarter Runner”... “Your 1982 Packers”... “Jan (Stenerud)’s Secret: Concentration”... “Greg Koch: Thy Name is Loyalty”... “The Biggest First Choice” (Ron Hallstrom)... “James (Lofton), Jan (Stenerud) Set Records”... “The 1981 Season in Statistics”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1981

Today we have the 1981 Green Bay Packers Yearbook as our focus, which has a photo of Gerry Ellis and Eddie Lee Ivery on the cover celebrating a 25-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Bloomington, MN on November 23, 1980. In the 1980 season, the Packers finished with a 8-8-0 record, good enough for third place in the NFC Central Division.

Quarterback Lynn Dickey was the starter for all but three games that year, with David Whitehurst starting the others. Dickey passed for 2,593 yards, 17 TD’s, and 15 INT’s. In the rushing department, Gerry Ellis was the leader, with 860 yards on 196 carries and 4 TD’s. James Lofton led the team in receptions, with 71 for 1,294 yards and 8 TD’s.

Some of the stories featured in the 1981 Yearbook were: “Packers Seek Consistency”... “Money and the Packers”... “You Have to Get Better Every Year — Gerry Ellis”... “No Kicking Surprises — Please!”... “Davis, Ringo Enter Canton”... “Lynn Dickey Stuck on Football”... “Campbell a Pure Passer”... “Bart Starr’s 25 Years in Green Bay”... “The Packers Won It All in Green Bay Twenty Years Ago”... “Dickey Breaks Seven Records”... “Mike Douglass: When I Get a Check, My Mom Gets a Check”... “The 1980 Season in Statistics”... “Lofton Silences Critics”... “Your 1981 Packers”... “Packer Schedule Difficult, Challenging”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1980

We begin the decade of the Eighties today with the 1980 Green Bay Packers Yearbook. On the cover is a close head (helmet) shot of linebacker Rich Wingo during the Packer-Bear game in Green Bay on December 9, 1979. The Bears won that game 15-14.

In 1980, the Packers would stumble to a 5-10-1 record, for last (fifth) place in the NFC Central. Quarterback Lynn Dickey would be the starter for the whole season, passing for 3,529 yards, 15 TD’s, and 25 INT’s. Running back Eddie Lee Ivery was the team’s leading rusher, with 831 yards on 202 carries and 3 TD’s. James Lofton led the receivers with 1,226 yards on 71 completions for 4 TD’s. This season started off on a wacky note when, in overtime against the Bears, kicker Chester Marcol’s game-winning-attempted field goal was blocked right back into his hands and he scampered to the left for the wining touchdown.

Some of the stories featured in the 1980 Yearbook were: ““Packers Are Optimistic”... “Tale of Two QBs” (Whitehurst and Dickey)...“A New Look on Defense”... “Rich Wingo — Hard Part’s Over”... “Pack Progressing Via Draft — Bart”... “Packers Put Draft Emphasis on Defense”... “The Only Winning Coaches”... “A New Decade — And a Look Back”... “The Pack’s First Six Decades — A Capsule”... “Yearbook Builds Tradition”... “Sports Illustrated Covers”... “45 Years of Packer Team Statistics”... “The Unforgettable Monday Nighter”... “Herb (Adderley) Gains Canton Berth”... “Coffman Finds Security”... “Running Backs Healthy and Experienced”... “Your 1980 Packers”... “Changes in the Packer Family“... “Packer Schedule Tough Despite Foes’ .476 Record”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1979

We close out the Seventies today with the 1979 Green Bay Packers Yearbook, which features an image with the moment of handoff between quarterback David Whitehurst and running back Terdell Middleton behind the blocking of center Larry McCarren and guard Mel Jackson. The cover photo was taken during the Packers-Seahawks game in Milwaukee County Stadium on October 15, 1978. The Packers won that game 45-28.

In 1979, Lynn Dickey was back with the team, but David Whitehurst was the starter until the last three games. The team ended up 5-11-0 that season, putting them in last place in the NFC Central Division. Whitehurst passed for 2,247 yards, 10 TD’s, and 18 INT’s. In his three games as a starter, Lynn Dickey passed for 787 yards, 5 TD’s, and 4 INT’s. Terdell Middleton led the team in rushing, gaining 495 yards in 131 attempts, and scoring 2 TD’s. Tight end paul Coffman led in receptions (56 for 711 yards; 4 TDs), while James Lofton was the second leading receiver (54 for 968; 4 TD’s).

Some of the stories in the 1979 Yearbook were: “Packers a Contender”... “James Lofton — ‘I Don’t Think I Did Enough’ ”... “Wide Receivers, Passer, Virtually All Rookies”... “The Intangibles — ‘Character Will Win Every Time’ — Bart ”... “The Offensive Line Returns Intact”... “Terdell — ‘Things Never Come Easy for Me’ ”... “Thunder and Lightning at Defensive End”... “Halls of Fame”... “David Whitehurst — This is His Year”... “The Longest Game”... “The 1978 Season in Statistics”... “The Record Book Looks at the Top 20”... “Your 1979 Packers”... “Steve Odom — A Tribute”... “Packers Get Strength from Strength”... “Sideliners Veterans Now”... “A Monday Nighter in Green Bay”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1978

Today we look at the 1978 Green Bay Packers Yearbook, with a photo of defensive back Johnnie Gray on the cover — taken during the Bears game at Lambeau, which the Packers lost 26-0. That makes two covers in a row where the photo was taken during a Packers’ blowout loss the year before.

But, in 1978, the team worked their way to an 8-7-1 record, which placed them in second place in the NFC Central Division. That was twice as many wins as the year before, and perhaps coach Starr was beginning to turn things around — some began to think. Lynn Dickey was gone as quarterback, and David Whitehurst became the starter for the whole season. He produced 2,093 yards through the air, with 10 TD’s and 17 INT’s. Running back Terdell Middleton became the first Packer to rush for more than 1,000 yards since John Brockington five years earlier. New to the receiving corps, (future Hall-of-Famer) rookie James Lofton led the team in receptions with 46 for 818 yards and 6 TD’s.

Looking at the final standings for the Division, Green Bay tied Minnesota, who also had a record of 8-7-1. But, in the two head-to-head games, Minnesota won the first 21-7, while the two teams tied the second meeting 10-10. Therefore, the Vikings held the statistical advantage and won the Division.

Some of the stories in the 1978 Yearbook were: “Packers Start No. 60 (season); Rushing, for Against, Big Key”... “The Young Nucleus of a Team on the Rise”... “Nitschke in Hall of Fame”... “Dave Roller Plays Football Because He Loves It”... “Barty Smith — Coming Off Best Season”... “Larry McCarren — The Strong Silent Type”... “Lisle Blackbourn — The Hall of Fame Drafter”...“The (Dick) Corrick Personnel”... “Whitehurst Surprised Himself”... “Bart Starr Takes a Look at the Expanded Schedule”... “The Safety, Zany Game”... “Your 1978 Packers”... “The Record Book’s Wide Open”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1977

It’s time for the 1977 version of the Green Bay Packers Yearbook, which has a photo of quarterback Lynn Dickey on the cover, set up to pass during a game with the St. Louis Cardinals on the road on September 19, 1976. The Packers lost that game 29-0.

After posting a record one win better than Starr’s first year, the Packers fell back to a 4-10-0 record in the Starr Regime Year No. 3. This placed them again in last place in the NFC Central Division. Dickey would start the first nine games at quarterback, throwing for 1,346 yards, 5 TD’s, and 14 INT‘s. Rookie David Whitehurst took over for the last five games, putting up 634 yards of passing, 1 TD, and 7 INT’s. On the rushing front, Barty Smith led in yards gained (554), with 2 TD’s. Next was Eric Torkelson with 309 yards and 1 TD. Barty Smith also led in receiving, with 37 catches for 340 yards and 1 TD, followed by Steve Odom with 27 catches for 549 yards and 3 TD’s. The team was consistent in one respect that year, putting up a 2-5 record both home and on the road.

Some of the stories featured in the 1977 Yearbook were: “Enter Competition — Within Family”... “Bart Starr and the Art of Concentration”... “Johnnie Gray — An Exceptional Tackler”... “Lambeau Field — 20 Years Later”... “Mark Koncar Remains the Hub”... “The Packers — A Goldmine of Lore, Trivia, and Tradition”... “Gary Weaver — More Sure of Himself”... “Lynn Dickey — ‘He is Going to Be a Nucleus’ ”... “42 Years of Packer Team Statistics”... “The Jim Carter Story”... “Starr and Gregg Enter Canton”... “The Green Bay Packers and YOU”... “The 1977 Draft”... “How the Packers Were Built”... “Your 1977 Packers”...“The 1976 Story — In Statistics”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1976

The 1976 version of the Green Bay Packers Yearbook is our subject for today — a yearbook which features linebacker Fred Carr on the cover after tackling (with another unidentified Packer) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw for no gain on October 26, 1975 in Milwaukee. Carr, drafted by Lombardi in his one year as general manager only, played in Green Bay from 1968-1977.

In coach Bart Starr’s second year at the helm of the team, they managed to win only one more game than the previous year for a 5-9-0 record — and last place in the NFC Central Division. This was also quarterback Lynn Dickey’s first year with the team, and he was the leading passer after starting the first ten games (1,465 yards/7 TD’s/14 INT’s), before he was injured for the rest of the season. Willard Harrell was the leading rusher (435 yards/3 TD’s to Brockington’s 406 yards/2 TD’s).

Some of the featured stories in the 1976 “BiCentennial” Yearbook were: “1976 Outlook: Improvement”... “Lynn Dickey — I Feel I’m As Good As Anybody”... “Fred Carr Starts With Optimism”... “Punting — It’s Now a Team Effort”... “The Offensive Line — A Team Game”... “Jim Taylor Leads Dynasty Into Hall of Fame”... “Bart Starr — First, A Positive Attitude”... “Your 1976 Packers”... “The Record Book”... “The BiCentennial and the Green Bay Packers”... “The Draft”... “Ken Payne — How Lucky Can a Guy Get”... “1975 — A Positive Finish”... “Rushing — A Strong Point”...“The Year of Expansionin the NFL” (Tampa Bay and Seattle)...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1975

On Christmas Eve — December 24, 1974 — former Packers quarterback Bart Starr was announced as the new coach in Green Bay. At the press conference, Starr said, “I’m absolutely ecstatic about this opportunity and I want to thank the Executive Committtee for giving it to me. I’m humbled by it, but I’m not awed by it. I’m not as qualified as I’d like to be, but I’m willing. I ask for the prayers and the patience of all Packer fans. We will earn everything else.” Not long afterwards, bumper stickers that said “A Fresh Start With Bart” started appearing in Green Bay as optimism came over fans who were anxious to get back to the winning ways that had ended with Lombardi’s retirment in 1968.

But, in Starr’s first season, the team he put together managed only a 4-10-0 record, tying for third place in the NFC Central Division. With John Hadl and Don Milan behind center, the Packers were simply not very good. Hadl, for instance threw for 2,095 yards and 6 TD’s... but he also threw 21 interceptions. Running back John Brockington’s best days seemed behind him, with his 434 yards leading the team.

Some of the stories featured in the 1975 Yearbook were: “A Mean Job — Scoring Points”... “Bart Starr — The Art of the Unexpected”... “December 24, 1974 — A Memorable Day”... “Cherry Starr Takes a Look at Bart”... “The New Staff”... “Your 1975 Packers”... “Defense Plays as a Unit”... “The Offensive Line Can Be a Mighty Force”... “QB”... “John Hadl — A Brand New Arm”... “Jorgie’s All Psyched Up” (Long-time Trainer Bud Jorgenson)... “Chester (Marcol) Would Like More Work”... “The Running Game”... “The Record Book”... “A Permanent Hall of Fame in Green Bay”... “Draft: The Essence of Competition”... “Farewell to 1974”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1974

After a day off, today we present the 1974 Green Bay Packers Yearbook for review. This year was coach Dan Devine’s last in Green Bay. After the season, he left to become the head coach at the University of Notre Dame. This is also the season that the Packers gave up so much for worn-out veteran quarterback John Hadl, a trade which affected the team for years to come. In 1974, the Packers finished with a 6-8-0 record, good only for third place out of four teams in the NFC Central Division.

On the cover of the yearbook is the pride of Green Bay West High School, quarterback Jerry Tagge, who would be gone by 1975. Hadl and Tagge split time behind center throughout the season, with unimpressive results, obviously. Tagge started the first six games, then journeyman Jack Concannon for two games, then Hadl starting the last six games. Hadl threw for 1,072 yards with 3 TD’s and 8 INT’s. Tagge threw for 709 yards for 1 TD and 10 INT’s. John Brockington didn’t make it over 1,000 yards (883 total), and he was also the leading receiver — for no TD’s. Things were not well in Packerville.

Some of the stories featured in the 1974 Yearbook were: “A New Season — A New Game”... “Rich McGeorge Wants the Ball”... “McCoy — A Critical Season”... “Dan Devine — Not Looking Back”... “Brockington — Super Bowl, That’s No. 1”... “A Return Specialist” (Steve Odom)... “Linebackers Make Defense”... “Tagge — A Winner”... “No. 15 Retired”... “Tradition at Center”... “Hall of Fame Opens for Canadeo”... “Quarterback Coach”... “Willie Buchanon — A Good Place to Start”... “1973 in Statistics”... “Your 1974 Packers”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1973

Well, the winning resurgence in Green Bay lasted only for the 1972 season, as the team plodded through the next year to a 5-7-2 record, good (or bad) enough for third place in the NFC Central. Scott Hunter — the quarterback that led the team to the Playoffs in ’72 — would be gone after the season, and the hometown passer Jerry Tagge (Green Bay West High alumnus) played about as much as Hunter. Neither was stellar, each throwing only two TD’s all season. Also playing at the position that year was Jim Del Gaizo, who also threw two TD’s. Considering that running back MacArthur Lane also threw a TD, the quarterback play was anemic. At Lambeau, the Packers were 3-3-2, treating the home crowd to two ties — to Detroit and Kansas City. By 1974, none of this season’s quarterbacks would be on the roster.

Some of the stories featured in the 1973 Yearbook were: “A Championship Identity — Title Defense”... “Dan Devine — We Still Have a Long Way to Go, Talent-Wise”... “Brock and Mac” (Brockington and Lane)... “Packer Foes Held to 16.1 Average”... “The Playoffs”... “(Scott) Hunter and (Jerry) Tagge”... “Farewell to a Legend” (Bart Starr)... “The New Central Division Champions”... “Your 1972 Packers”... “We Love Chester (Marcol)”... “Receivers — Better Balance”... “The 1973 Draftees”... “The Offensive Line — More Flexibility, Gilly’s Back”... “1972 in Statistics”... “Packers in National TV Spotlight”... “The Record Book”... “The Great Muff”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1972

In 1972, his second year as head coach, Dan Devine’s Packers achieved the kind of “return to glory” success on the field that eluded his predecessor. The cover of the 1972 Yearbook depicts one reason for that success — the rushing attack of John Brockington (#42) — who was paired with MacArthur Lane (#36). With Scott Hunter (#16) behind center, Green Bay rode to a 10-4-0 record, which won them the NFC Central Division title. In the Playoffs, they traveled to Washington, D.C. to take on the Redskins, and were unfortunately stopped cold offensively, losing 16-3 on Christmas Eve.

Some of the stories featured in the 1972 Yearbook were: “A New Identity”... “I’m Certainly Not Discouraged” (Dan Devine)... “John Brockington — A Peaceable Man”... “MacArthur Lane — A Love of Hitting”... “Defense” (a seven-page section)... “The Defensive Line — Steal of the Year”... “The Linebackers — No Soft Spots”... “The Defensive Backs — Room for Improvement”... “(Scott) Hunter Becomes A Pro”... “The Three Best” (Willie Buchanon, Jerry Tagge, Chester Marcol)... “The 1972 Draftees”... “The Black and Blue Division”... “Special Attention to Special Teams”... “Your 1972 Packers”... “The 1971 Season in Statistics”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1971

After a 6-8-0 losing season in 1970, Phil Bengston was relieved of his coaching duties after three years. The Packers replaced him with University of Missouri coach Dan Devine, who is pictured on the cover of the 1971 Yearbook. Devine accepted the Packers' head coaching position on January 14, 1971. While acknowledging the pressure of the position, Devine had the benefit of not following Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi — unlike his predecessor, Phil Bengston, who had endured three years of lofty expectations. In 1971, the Packers compiled a 4-8-2 record which placed them last in the NFC Central Division.

Some of the featured stories in the 1971 Packers Yearbook were: “Packers Must Score”... “Meet Dan Devine — He Defies Type Casting”... “Head Coaches — Historic Turnover in the NFL”... “Dan’s Plans for the Pack”... “(Willie) Wood and (Doug) Hart — Two Guys Nobody Wanted”... “Donny Anderson — My Main Goal (is to) Help Restore Winning Tradition of Packers”... “Bart Starr Figures to Pass Football... Not Put It”... “Pure Starr”... “Robert Brown Finally Found a Home”... “Rich McGeorge Learned His Lessons Well”... “Mike McCoy, Ken Ellis, Jim Carter — An Extra Seasoning of Youth”... “The Offensive Line — Confidence, Intense Pride”... “The 1970 Season in Statistics”... “A Workhorse — John Brockington”... “The Draftees”... “Changes at 1265 Lombardi Avenue”... “The Largest Camp”... “Your 1971 Packers”... “Dollars and Cents”... “The Record Book”... “36 Years of Packer Team Statistics”... “Lombardi — Gone, But Not Forgotten”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1970

Moving out of the Sixties today, we come to the 1970 edition of the Green Bay Packers Yearbook. This issue features running back/kick returner Travis Williams on the cover “running for a big gain against the St. Louis Cardinals last December... he had his best season in ’69.” Williams, from Arizona State, played only from 1967-1970 for the Packers. His post-football life — homelessness, poverty, and alcoholism — has been chronicled here in an earlier blog. Known as the “Roadrunner” at the time, Williams returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in his rookie season with the Packers in 1967, setting an NFL record that still stands. He returned two in one game that season against the Cleveland Browns to tie a league record.

Some of the featured stories in the 1970 Yearbook were: “The Packers Grow Younger”... “Green Bay — Champion of the Decade”... “Ken Bowman — The Offensive Line’s Elder Statesman”... “Phil Bengston — Contender? ‘I Would Certainly Hope So”... “Lionel Aldridge Casts A Big Shadow”... “The Thousand Yard Banquet”... “Bart Starr Keeps Gaining Confidence”... “Lambeau Field — A Complete Bowl”... “Meet the Packer Fan”... “Running Backs — An Ample Supply”... “Boyd Dowler — ‘I’d Still Be Avis to Don Hutson’ ”... “The Mighty Macs — McCoy and McGeorge”... “The Draftee Corner”... “Your 1970 Packers”... “The Eight Plays of the Week”... “The 1969 Season in Statistics”... “The Annual Search for a Kicker”... “Starr, Horn Provide Record Fireworks”... “Packer Team Statistics”... “Start of a New Era” (the NFL merger)”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1969

Today we continue our journey through the Phil Bengston years with the cover of the 1969 Green Bay Packers Yearbook. Pictured on the front we have a photo of running back Donny Anderson trying to elude a Detroit Lions’ defender during the previous year’s 23-17 loss in Green Bay. Anderson played for the team from 1966 to 1971, playing in 84 regular season games. In 1972 he moved to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played his final three seasons in the league. In 1969, the Packers would finish with a 8-6-0 record, but it was only good for third place in the NFL Central Division. 1969 was the first year since 1958 that Bart Starr was not the leading passer for the team, as quarterback Don Horn led in passing statistics.

While with the Packers, Anderson originated the concept of hang time in punting. Until Anderson, punters typically strived for maximum distance, with the NFL's leaders usually averaging 45 or more yards a punt. Punt returns varied, with an average of perhaps 5 yards per return. In 1967, Anderson worked instead at punting the ball higher, shortening the distance traveled but increasing the ball's time in the air, allowing better coverage by his team on the punt return. Green Bay punted 66 times that year, 63 of them by Anderson; opponents were able to return only 13 of them, for a total of 22 yards or about 1/3 yard per punt. It was Anderson's coach, Vince Lombardi, who explained the concept to sportswriters who questioned why Lombardi didn't try to find a better punter than Anderson, who averaged only 36.6 yards per punt that year. Lombardi pointed out the lack of return yardage. Other punters soon followed Anderson, working for greater hang time. Eventually the NFL changed its rules governing punt coverage, to restore the ability to return punts.

Some of the stories in the 1969 Yearbook (“The Packers’ 50th Season — and the Yearbook’s 10th!) were: “The Pack Will Be Back”... “Green Bay’s Finest Hour”... “Phil (Bengston) Takes Over”... “The Day Lombardi Left Green Bay”... “The Greatest Packer Games in 50 Years”... “(Donny) Anderson & (Jim) Grabowski”... “Willie Wood — Safety First”... “Gale Gillingham — Just Another Farmer?”... “Bart Starr — The Grand Daddy of All Packers”... “Honor Roll of 615 Players Who Competed for Packers in NFL since 1921”... “Don Horn — The Next Bart Starr”... “Year-Round Football”... “The 1968 Story in Statistics”... “A Year of Transition — The 1968 Packers”... “Your 1969 Packers”... “That Kicking!”... “Merger Complete — NFL Takes on New Look in 1970”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1968

And then the decline began. On February 1, 1968, head coach Vince Lombardi announced (after much speculation in the media) that he would step down as coach and retain the general manager position. His longtime defensive coordinator, Phil Bengston, was Lombardi’s choice to succeed him.

Today’s Packer Yearbook is from that 1968 season when the success that the team and the fans had become used to — and had taken for granted — came to a screeching halt. The players from the “Glory Years” were becoming old, and they struggled through the 1968 campaign to a 6-7-1 record, good for only third in the NFL Central Division. Lombardi would instantly regret his decision to stop coaching, and would be in Washington by the time the next season rolled around.

Some of the featured stories in the 1968 Yearbook were: “Double Barreled — Challenge” (the attempt at a fourth straight NFL championship and to continue winning in general)... “Vince Lombardi — He Came and Left in Triumph — on the Shoulders of His Players”... “Vince Lombardi Career Retrospective”... “Phil Bengston — Instant Image”... “Three Straight”... “Starr Didn’t Tell Anybody He’d Keep Ball on Winning TD”... “13 Below — What This Team is All About”... “Third Straight in a Nutshell”... “The Second Super Bowl”... “The First Two — Central and Western Titles”... “Meet the First Choices — Fred Carr and Bill Lueck”... “Travis Williams — The Road Runner”... “Here’s the Team That Made It Three Straight”... “Your 1968 Packers”... “The Artful (Boyd) Dowler”... “Ray Nitschke — A Survival Type of Thing”... “The 1967 Story in Statistics”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1967

We close out the Lombardi era today by featuring the 1967 Green Bay Packers Yearbook. On the cover, as described on the contents page: “Quarterback Bart Starr slides back for a pass while Elijah Pitts moves out as a possible blocker or receiver, and the offensive line stiffens to protect Starr in the World Championship game against the Chiefs in Los Angeles, Jan. 15, 1967.” In more detail, from left to right on the Packers’ side of the ball, we have #81 TE Marv Fleming, #76 LT Bob Skoronski, #63 LG “Fuzzy” Thurston, #15 QB Bart Starr, #22 RB Elijah Pitts, #57 C Ken Bowman, #64 RG Jerry Kramer, and #75 RT Forrest Gregg. Wouldn’t you like to have that line today? Unfortunately, by today’s standards, they’d all be too undersized to make probably any NFL roster.

As mentioned, 1967 would be coach Vince Lombardi’s last on the sidelines for Green Bay. That year, an aging but experienced Packers team finished with a 9-4-1 record, good enough to win the newly-formed NFL Central Division. They then played the Los Angeles Rams for the Western Conference Championship on December 23rd in Milwaukee, winning 28-7. This earned them the right to face the Eastern Conference Champion Dallas Cowboys in the NFL title game to be played in Green Bay on New Year’s Eve. The game would be the immortal “Ice Bowl,” and our Packers came out on top, 21-17, to conclude their “three-in-a-row” championship string. Two weeks later, they also repeated as Super Bowl Champions by defeating the AFC’s Oakland Raiders 33-14 in Miami, Florida.

Some of the stories featured in this edition of the Yearbook were: ““The Greatest Challenge” (the quest for three straight titles)... “Meet the First Choices — Horn & Hyland”... “Championship Explosion from Coast to Coast” (their Western Conference, NFL, and World titles)... “Once Again — Green Bay turns back challenge of Baltimore” (1966 Division Championship)... “This Game Had Everything” (League Championship)... “The Historic Super Bowl”... “How’s That, Fellas?” (Max McGee’s Super Bowl performance)... “Farewell to Green Bay” (Paul Hornung)... “Two Different Horses” (Carroll Dale and Marv Fleming)... “The Year of the Super Starr”... “Doubting Dave (Robinson)”... “The Best Viewed Team” (Packers’ national television viewership)... “Your 1967 Packers”... “The 1966 Story in Statistics”... “Seven TD’s on Runbacks Set Record”... “Elijah Pitts — From No. 2 to No. 1”... “(Emlen) Tunnell in Hall (of Fame)”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1966

The Packers’ Yearbook for 1966 is our subject for today — with Hall of Famer defensive end Willie Davis on the cover taking a breather on the sidelines during a game. 1966 would be the year that the Packers repeated as NFL Champions by defeating the Dallas Cowboys in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day (January 1) 1967 by a score of 34-27. Afterwards, they played the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I in Los Angeles later in January 1967.

Some of the stories featured in the Yearbook were: “A Team of Character and Dedication”... “Eli Strand and then Taxi Squad”... “Two Sundays in Titletown” (1965 Playoff games)... “The Unforgettable Sudden Death Drama”... “The Championship Kick”... “Anatomy of (Championship #) Nine”... “Halftime — A Well Organized Affair”... “Arnie Herber — The Greatest Long Passer”... “(Donny) Anderson and (Jim) Grabowski”... “Five Times the Population” (Game attendance)... “Your 1966 Packers”... “Badger Packers”... “Chandler, Hornung Set Records”... “Defense — A Matter of Instinct and Reaction”... “Forrest Gregg — Guard or Tackle”... “Zeke (Bratkowski) to the Rescue”... “1965 Season in Statistics”... “The New National Football League”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1965

For Independence Day, we are presenting the 1965 edition of the Green Bay Packers Yearbook. On the cover is a photo of two legends in Green Bay — Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi. The story behind the cover is very interesting and often-told. Art Daley, sportswriter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette and publisher of the Yearbook, decided to use this photo against the wishes of Lombardi. We don’t recall the circumstances of why the image was taken in the first place, but after Daley went ahead and used it on the cover, Lombardi was so incensed that he refused to speak to Daley for months.

It seems that the issue might have been that the straight-laced “God, Family, and the Green Bay Packers” head coach/general manager did not like to share the spotlight with the former coach known for his drinking and womanizing. Also at issue was the fact that Green Bay’s “City Stadium” had recently been renamed “Lambeau Field” prior to the 1965 season. Lombardi, whose ego was not small, was thought to have wanted the stadium named in his honor after he was done coaching the Packer teams to world championships. Whatever the case, after not speaking to Daley for months, he eventually came up to Daley one day and said, “I can’t keep being mad at you.”

After the Packers did not make the playoffs in 1964 (Cleveland defeated Baltimore 27-0), they regained their winning form in ’65, posting a 10-3-1 record in the Western Conference, which meant a tie with the Baltimore Colts. A “Western Conference Championship” had to be played in Green Bay, which was the famous game in which the Packers’ Don Chandler kicked a disputed field goal to tie the game. The Packers went on to win in overtime, 13-10. To this day, then-Baltimore head coach Don Shula maintains that Chandler’s game-tying kick was wide. This incident was instrumental in the goalpost uprights being lengthened.

The next week, on January 2, 1966, the Packers met the defending champion Cleveland Browns for the NFL title game, also in Green Bay. In what was to be Cleveland Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown’s final NFL game, Green Bay slipped and slid to victory on a muddy, sloppy “Lambeau” field, 23-12, in front of 50,777 fans. This re-established the Packers as NFL Champions, setting them off on their quest for “three-in-a-row.”

Some of the highlights in the 1965 Packer Yearbook are: “The New Effort” (1965 preview)... “Meet Allen Brown” (Packers’ fourth-round draft choice)... “The Amazing Jerry Kramer”... “A Coach and His Aides”... “Packer vs. Packer” (intrasquad scrimmage history)... “Fourth and 51” (a situation that the Packer defense forced the Detroit Lions into in 1964)... “City Stadium Grows”... “Kicking”... “The Football Life of Willie Davis”... “Post-Season — Five Straight”... (about the three NFL championship games, plus two ‘Playoff Bowls” — the third-place contest — that the Packers played in from 1960-1964)... “Your 1965 Packers”... “Third and Two” (Starr’s ability to gain first downs)... “The 1964 Season in Statistics”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1964

The posting for today is the 1964 Green Bay Packers Yearbook publication, which features an image of quarterback Bart Starr behind center during a game against the Los Angeles Rams (the Packers won this October 6, 1963 contest in Green Bay, 42-10).

In 1964, the Packers would finish with an 8-5-1 record, tying them with Minnesota for second place in the Western Conference. This was hailed to be a “comeback” year for both the team (after narrowly missing the 1963 NFL title game) and for running back Paul Hornung who returned from his one-year suspension for gambling. But it was not to be. They were beaten by Baltimore (twice), Minnesota, Los Angeles, and San Francisco — and then they tied the Rams in the final game of the season.

Some of the stories in the 1964 Yearbook: “Double Comeback — The Packers and Paul Hornung”... “The Option Play”... “The Medics” (the Packers’ medical staff)... “Bart Starr Has Changed”... ““Five Years Later” (Lombardi’s first five years — which contained two NFL championships)... “Introducing Lloyd Voss” (first draft choice)... “Platoons” (the kicking teams)... “Cal (Hubbard) Named Packers — Passed the Hat”... “The Birth of (Run to) Daylight” (Lombardi’s book)... “Three Ends — A Unit” (the receiving corps)... “The Longest TDs”... “Bishop’s Charities” (the annual Green Bay preseason game)... “Milwaukee”... “Two Interception Leaders (Bobby Dillon and Irv Comp — both of whom only had one “good” eye)... “.846 — and Still LOSE”... “The 1963 Story in Statistics”... “Your 1964 Packers”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1963

Today we spotlight the Green Bay Packers’ 1963 Yearbook, which has a cover image of running back Jim Taylor being tackled by four members of the Minnesota Vikings’ defense. While the Vikings were the menace when the cover game photo was taken, the Packers’ main nemesis in the 1963 season were their neighbors to the South — the Chicago Bears.

In 1962, the Packers won their second consecutive NFL title by beating the New York Giants in Yankee Stadium 16-7. They looked to be the favorites in ’63 as well, and indeed posted a 11-2-1 record in the Western Conference. But, the two losses that year were to the Bears — 10-3 in Green Bay in the opener, and again in November at Wrigley Field, 28-7. The Bears also won 11 games that year, lost only one, and tied two — and since they had beaten the Packers twice, they won the Conference and beat the Giants in the title game 14-10 in Chicago.

In the 1963 Yearbook, some of the stories were: “Three Straight”... “Masters and Skoronski”... “I’ll Be Back” (Hornung’s suspension)... “The First Year Men”... “The Best Team Won” (1962 championship)... “Hall of Fame” (the Canton, OH Hall opened in 1963)... “Lombardi and (Paul) Brown”... “Taylor Isn’t Human” (quote from Giants’ linebacker Sam Huff)... “Jerry Kramer Kicks”... “Defense — The Magnificent Eleven”... “Nearly a Million — 20 and 1”... “Thumbnailing the Packers”... “Meet Dave Robinson” (First Draft Pick)... “22 New Records in the Book”... “Loyalty — To a Husband — To a Cause” (Packer wives)... “The 1962 Story in Statistics”...

Green Bay Packers Yearbook — 1962

The yearbook spotlighted for today is the 1962 Green Bay Packers Yearbook, featuring a cover with coach Vince Lombardi being carried by his players after the 37-0 NFL Championship win over the New York Giants in Titletown, U.S.A. on December 31, 1961.

Some of the stories in this year’s edition of the Yearbook are: “The Packers’ Year of Challenge”... “Meet Earl Gros” (First Draft Choice)... “All-Starr”... “The Defensive Line — Four Darned Good Men”... Green Bay’s Guardian Angels” (Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston)... “In-VINCE-able”... “Championship Game Section”... “Record Breakers”... “He Came to Play” (Arnie Herber)... “Packers in the All-Star Game”... “The Big Steal” (Jesse Wittenton)... “The Big Oaf” (Ron Kramer)... “Fresh From Success” (the coaching staff)... “The Packers’ 1961 Story — In Statistics”...