Week 4 TV Map

The initial Week 4 TV maps came out today, and shown above is the FOX late game map. The areas in RED will see the Packers take on the 49ers at 3:25 P.M. (CT). This can and probably will change, with more areas likely added before the weekend.
Map courtesy of 506 Sports

Chiefs at Packers

This past Monday, we were in Green Bay for the night game against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a beautiful day, and around Noon we went over to Lambeau Field to visit the Pro Shop. We saw NFL Hall of Fame (and former Green Bay Packers) RB Paul Hornung talking with current team president Mark Murphy. They were in an area that was cordoned off for pre-game access, so we weren’t able to get over and get a better photo or an autograph from The Golden Boy. Dang.

Well, shortly before the Lambeau gates opened two hours before the game, it started to rain. This, of course, puts a damper on us taking the nice camera and taking photos during the game. 

The national anthem, featuring a large flag and fireworks. 

One game image, as the rain continued off and on all night. 

Always good to see this graphic on the Jumbotron, yes? 

The final score... closer than it needed to be at the end. 

Monday night’s game program... focusing on the 50th anniversary of Super Bowl I. 

We forgot to post the game program from last week’s game with the Seattle Seahawks, so here it is.

1961 Championship Press

Digging around on the internet, we’ve pieced together these pages of the Milwaukee Sentinel from New Year’s Day 1962. It is the next-day coverage of the 1961 NFL Championship Game, in which the Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants by a score of 37-0. It was the first NFL title game played in Green Bay, even though the team had won six world championships before that day. The 1939 title game was played in Wisconsin, but down in Milwaukee.

Paul Hornung, on leave from the Army, tied a (then) playoff record with 19 points, keying the Packers’ rout of the Giants. On a 20° day, a (then) team-record 39,029 watched the Green and Gold erupt for 24 points in the second quarter. In all, the Packers scored seven times against the NFL’s top defensive team, amassing four touchdowns and three field goals. The defense, meanwhile, proved a devastating complement, intercepting four passes and recovering one fumble, while limiting New York to six first downs and 130 total yards.

      Two interceptions, by Ray Nitschke and Hank Gremminger, set up the team’s second and third touchdowns, while the fumble recovery (by Forrest Gregg) led to Hornung’s second field goal. Hornung’s final FG came after Jesse Whittenton’s interception. The victory would be the first of five NFL titles won in a seven-year span by the Packers and their coach, Vince Lombardi.

Sources: Google; Green Bay Packers Media Guide; Wikipedia

Opening Weekend

 

We spent last weekend in Green Bay, of course to attend the 2015 home opener against the Seattle Seahawks. These are some shots from the two days. We did not bring in the better photo gear, because taking photos at night is iffy at best. We’ll see whether we want to try to do so next Monday night.

The Shopko store down the street had their season banners up. And they had a big Packers sidewalk sale going on Sunday morning. A good place for lower-priced Packers clothing.

We took our guest to Allowez cemetery to visit Earl “Curly” Lambeau’s grave site (above and below).

The NBC Sunday Night Football bus.

What‘s a home opener without the cheese-carving lady?

This is the first time in several years that this view of Lambeau’s east side was not blocked by numerous construction trailers (now that the new Packers Hall of Fame is completed).

Some inside the stadium views in the two hours up to game time. This is when the gates open and fans are allowed inside.

Hey, isn‘t that QB Aaron Rodgers?

Pre-game warm-ups.

Lambeau is filling up closer to game time.

The concourse is bustling with activity.

A few phone-taken game shots.

Finally. After some nerve-wracking losses out in the northwest, we get a victory over our most recent nemesis at home.

These folks (of which there were a LOT), got to travel home after a loss that they paid many hundred (or thousands) to see. How’d you like that fellas?

Are You Ready?

Are you ready for Sunday night’s home opener against Seattle? We are. We will be there! Watch this video.

Rodgers on SI Cover... Again

Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers will be on this weeks’s Sports Illustrated cover. Be sure to pick up a copy at your local newsstand, or look in your mailbox in the next few days! For the record, G Josh Sitton, G T.J. Lang, and T David Bakhtiari also appear on the cover with Rodgers.

Jordy Nelson Ads

Unfortunately, you won’t see him on the field in Chicago tomorrow, or on the field anywhere this season, due to his torn ACL injury. But WR Jordy Nelson has popped up in a couple of ads we’ve come across in recent issues of Sports Illustrated. Above, he’s advertising fishing, and below, NFL apparel. Well, he needs something to do this year.

Week 1 TV Map — UPDATE

The Week 1 TV Map has been updated. As before, the RED areas will see the Packers vs. Bears at Noon (CT).
Map courtesy of 506 Sports.

The First Post-9/11 Game

On this 14th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we pause to look at the first game that was played following the week of cancelled games. The Packers were scheduled to play the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football, and it became a super patriotic evening. Packers LB Chris Gizzi, an Air Force Academy graduate, was asked to lead the team out of the North end zone tunnel while proudly carrying an American flag. It was an emotional moment that we were privileged to experience first-hand that night. We did not know, while sitting in a steady rain two weeks earlier watching the Packers beat the Lions on opening day, 28-6, that everyone’s world would forever change two days later.

Here is the archived USA Today web article about the game from the next day. The box score can be found here.

Though out of the league for quite a few years, Gizzi was later honored by the Packers and carried the American flag on to the field during pregame ceremonies for the NFL season-opener between the Saints and Packers held at Lambeau Field on September 8, 2011. He is now the Packers’ Strength and Conditioning Assistant, having been hired in 2014. 

The program cover from that game.

Saints at Packers

    

The 2015 NFL season is upon us tonight, but Packers fans will have to wait until Sunday at Noon (CT) to see this year’s team in action against the Chicago Bears. In the meantime, here are some images from last Thursday night’s final preseason game with the New Orleans Saints. Above, we see the game’s program cover.

Looking along the Packers’ sideline before the game.

The Saints warm up on the north end of the field prior to the game.

Backup QB’s Scott Tolzien (left), and Brett Hundley get in some throws before the game. Both would play extensively since Aaron Rodgers was inactive.

The scoreboard greets the fans.

P Tim Masthay gets some punts going early on in the pre-game.

QB Aaron Rodgers may not have played in the Saints game, but he was out for a while warming up with some throws to his receivers. 

The Saints hang around the north end zone, home to our seats in both the Green and Gold Season Ticket packages.

The Green Bay Packers are introduced as a unit as they come out of the huddle. During the regular season, the offensive and defensive units alternate being introduced prior to each home game — offense one game, defense the next. 

The coin toss ceremony, complete with the winner of a contest for kids.

Special teams huddle.

The kick-off, with Saints’ K Dustin Hopkins slipping and falling down afterwards.

The QB Scott Tolzien-led offense in the huddle to start the game.

A hand-off to RB Rajion Neal, who would wind up with the Miami Dolphins when the dust settled from the final roster cuts.

WR Jared Abbrederis’ second-ever play from scrimmage for the Packers. Anybody can capture the first play.

Saints QB Luke McCown leads his offense down for a early score.

The New Orleans bench area.

The Green Bay bench area.

The Packers’ defense stops a Saints ballcarrier.

LB Nate Palmer hopes to have that club off of his hand for the season opener.

Trying to keep the Saints out of the end zone again.

RB Rajion Neal hits the hole for some good yardage.

A close-up of QB Scott Tolzien with some light from the setting sun.

The Packers’ defense stops the Saints while heading away from us in the north end.

QB Brett Hundley takes over from Tolzien for the rest of the night.

QB Brett Hundley heaves a long one.

RB John Crockett makes some good yardage, and has found himself a spot on the Packers’ practice squad.

Just another image of a bunch of big guys beating on each other.

The final score. A much better game and outcome than the week before.

And now, it’s on to the regular season!