2013 Publications Galore

It’s time to share some of the additions to the Packerville, U.S.A. archives that we’ve gathered in the last couple of weeks. First off, we have the 2013 edition of the Green Bay Packers Media Guide. It is made up of 608 pages of just about anything you’d want to know about the team. Statistics-wise, it has no equal. We have every Media Guide back to the 1965 edition. 

This year’s Green Bay Packers Yearbook features LB Clay Matthews on the cover. We have every issue back to 1961, and also have a printout of the 1960 version, which is one of the rarest and most difficult to find. In our opinion, the yearbooks have lost something since they were taken over by the team instead of being prepared by an outside party. But maybe they’ll get better over time.

This is the 2012-2013 Green Bay Packers Annual Report, of which we request a printed copy each year for the collection. It usually is sent out after the Annual Shareholders Meeting, in late July.

This 2013 Green Bay Packers Training Camp Guide is being handed out free of charge during camp practices each day. This is Edition: 1, but we’re not sure how many editions will be produced through the last public practice on August 27th.

All of the pro football preview magazines are out this time of year, as usual. Athlon Sports Pro Football is up first. Their prediction for the Packers in 2013: NFC North Division champions, losing in the NFC Divisional Round Playoffs.

Oh yes... we also found the official program for the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Canton, Ohio. We don’t usually pick this up each year, but we did because Packers LB Dave Robinson was inducted this past Saturday. 

Back to the preview publications. Lindy’s Sports Pro Football has this prediction for the 2013 Green Bay Packers:  NFC North Division Champions, NFC Champions, losing to Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII.

The 2013 Pro Football Weekly Preview is the final publication (along with their Fantasy Football Guide) from this group, as they have closed the business after 46 years. Their predictions for this year’s Packers: NFC North Division Champions at 10-6, losing somewhere in the postseason. They have the 49ers defeating the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

2013 Sporting News Pro Football has this last prediction for the Green Bay Packers: NFC North Division Champions, beating Dallas in the NFC Wild Card Round, beating Atlanta in the NFC Divisional Round, and losing to Seattle in the NFC Championship game.

Last but not least is this stellar, outstanding, and gorgeous Sports Illustrated Special Issue which is all about the history of the Green Bay Packers. It is filled with awesome photography and numerous historical articles from the magazine’s archives. By all means, pick this issue up at a magazine stand or book store near you!

Dave Robinson in Canton

Former Green Bay Packer Dave Robinson was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio today. He is the latest player from the Lombardi era to go into the esteemed institution, and the 12th overall. We congratulate Robinson and his family on this momentous day!

Robinson speaks to the gathered crowds. 

An honor long overdue, but sweet. 

Robinson during his playing days in Green Bay. 

Robinson was presented by his son. You can watch that video segment here. 

Dave Robinson’s acceptance speech can be viewed here.

Visit Robinson’s official Pro Football Hall of Fame page to view his speech transcript, stats from his career, and more.

Thursday Practice

There couldn’t have been a more perfect day to watch a Packers’ Training Camp practice than Thursday morning. By the time it was over, the temperature had settled at 70 degrees with a light wind. The players who have ended up in Green Bay have certainly hit the jackpot as far as weather goes so far. 

Some of the punt return candidates this year. Rookie RB Johnathan Franklin (#23) makes a catch here. He dropped more than a few in the practices we saw. 

K Giorgio Tavecchio works with a staff member on running the “jugs” machine, which simulates punts without overly stressing the leg of P Tim Masthay.  

QB’s Aaron Rodgers (#12) and Graham Harrell (#6) about ready to get their practice started. 

Rodgers pitches one out to an unidentified RB. 

The TE’s are lined up for some “ball drills,” which stress keeping control of the football. 

G T.J. Lang is in his fifth season in the NFL, but even veterans can still receive some pointers about their stance, as he finds out here with offensive line coach James Campen. 

Offensive linemen working amongst themselves. 

Above and below, more tackling drills involving the offensive and defensive linemen. 

Rodgers works with his offense in some scrimmaging action. 

Rodgers takes the snap, and with some protection provided by FB John Kuhn (#30) and others,... 

... he is able to set and fire the ball off for a completion. 

Rodgers clowns around on the sideline with Harrell (right), and B.J. Coleman and QB’s coach Ben McAdoo.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy (all in green with white hat) and GM Ted Thompson (foreground) watch their team. 

Starting WR’s Jordy Nelson (#87) and James Jones (#89) enjoy a light moment, looking towards the crowd. 

LB’s coach Kevin Greene talks with Nick Perry (#53), Clay Matthews (#52), and Andy Mulumba (#46). 

Offensive linemen — T Kevin Hughes (#68), seen here — working against the LB’s, one-on-one. 

More scrimmaging action. 

The trenches.

You know we love these kinds of shots. 

Rodgers looks for an open receiver. 

RB Johnathan Franklin gains some yards. 

Rodgers getting ready to let a long one fly. 

One-on-one drills pitting a defensive lineman against one offensive lineman, who is protecting an imaginary QB.  

Super Gatorade® cart. 

The first field goal kicking drill that we’d seen all week took place later in practice. 

Some of the RB’s take a break while the kickers were showing their wares. 

The Green Bay Press-Gazette said that K Mason Crosby (#2) made all of his attempts. From our angle, we could not tell this at the time.

His rival, K Giorgio Tavecchio (#7) has also had a good camp as far as field goals go, but has not matched Crosby in the kickoffs department. 

Another “TV Timeout” break towards the end of practice. Wet towels on the head seem to be popular this year, even though the temps have been unseasonably mild so far.

Practice is over and McCarthy gathers his troops for some last words. 

Because of some drops and fumbled snaps during practice, McCarthy mandated that there be extra ball-handling work done afterwards. Here, the QB’s work with their coach. 

That’s it for our practice reports from the 2013 Green Bay Packers Training Camp. We had planned to be in town through Saturday morning, but a situation came up that ended our visit two days early. We do have more to share from our stay there, however, so stay tuned. Thanks for checking out our photos from this year’s camp!