Now that receiver Greg Jennings has been handsomely rewarded by the organization, Nick Collins is left to wonder whether a hefty bump in pay will be coming his way.
As Jennings savored the three-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $30 million he received during the team's June 22-24 minicamp, Collins had his doubts about what the future holds for him. The Pro Bowl safety, who skipped most of the offseason workouts before showing up for the mandatory minicamp, left the door open for staging a holdout at the start of training camp to protest the absence of a new deal from the Packers.
"We'll see," said Collins, when asked whether he would be in attendance for the first day of camp practices Aug.
Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings has a three-year, $27 million contract extension and he didn't have to boycott the offseason program or training camp to get it.
Shawn Slocum is taking the Green Bay Packers back to basics on kick returns, and why shouldnt he No team has fared worse recently than the Packers, who had the worst return average in the NFL last year.
Football coach Ed Thomas was someone who always saw the best in everyone, and knew exactly what his purpose was in life, mourners were told this morning during a 90-minute funeral.
All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or any number of other factors.
Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.
Winning a championship has never gotten old to Quinn Johnson.
The bruising fullback and fifth-round draft choice out of LSU not only won one in high school, but he followed it up with one at his home-state college, when the Tigers beat Ohio State 38-24 in the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7, 2008, in front of mostly home-state fans at the Louisiana Superdome.
G-Force - you know who you are Packers fans -- join the fun and celebrate Disney's newest film, G-FORCE at a Tailgate Party at Lambeau Field on Saturday, July 11. Directly following the party will be an advance 3D screening of the film at Bay Park Cinemas.
Hurry to gofobo.com to secure your spot at the G-FORCE Tailgate Party. The event is open to the first 500 fans to enter RSVP code GFFC038762. Be one of the first 250 fans to arrive at Lambeau field on July 11 and receive a wristband to attend the advance 3D screening.
G-FORCE is a comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, these highly trained guinea pigs discover that the fate of the world is in their paws.
For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five years, Lambeau Field is ranked No. 1 in stadium experience in all of professional sports in ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings.
The publication ranks all 122 North American professional sports franchises in stadium experience based on cleanliness, parking, security and promotions. Lambeau Field first hit the top spot in 2005 and stayed there in 2006 before dropping to second in 2007. Last year it climbed back to No. 1 and remained there this year.
"We're proud of the fact that fans continue to enjoy their experiences at Lambeau Field," Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. "We're always looking at ways to enhance the fan experience, to keep things fresh while also maintaining the traditions inherent to Lambeau Field. We work hard to make it a great visit for all of our fans."
Stadium experience is one of eight categories ESPN The Magazine uses to create the Ultimate Standi..
Like almost all players in the trenches after five weeks of OTAs and mini-camp practices, rookie offensive lineman T.J. Lang is eager to put the pads on in training camp, so the physical element returns to the game.
But Lang is also looking forward to the mental side of things changing in camp as well. Specifically, knowing what he's doing every snap rather than having to stop and think about it.
"That was the biggest challenge throughout the first couple weeks of OTAs -- every day we'd have a new install, so it was like every day you're learning a new playbook," Lang said during the team's mandatory mini-camp last week. "It definitely will start to slow down a little bit, now that we have all the plays in."
Lang, the fourth-round draft choice out of Eastern Michigan, has been lauded by the coaching staff for how quickly he has picked up the offensive scheme and shown that he belongs at the NFL level. But that doesn't mean the work has been as easy as Lang ..
It's still a little too soon to tell just how much cornerback Pat Lee's performance on the field will improve from his rookie season to his second year. Training camp will be the best barometer there.
But cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. saw a different Lee in the meeting room during the recently concluded offseason program, and that bodes well for the former second-round draft pick's chances of taking a big step forward in 2009.
"His attention has been better, and he's more professional in the classroom," Whitt said early on during OTAs. "He had a little bit of the college lackadaisical style last year.
"But this year you can see (the change) in his whole approach this offseason. The way he asks questions, and the questions that he asks in meetings. His understanding of what's going on is at a higher-detailed level. He's becoming a professional and he's detailing his work."
There are multiple reasons for Lee's more thorough approach. One is simple ..
Who were the offseason standouts and the top rookies, and what are the major injury and contract situations? We have the answers for the Packers and their NFC North rivals.
Unlike last year, when the rookie class failed to make much of an impression, this year?s group will hit the ground running with perhaps three starters in Week 1. We highlight all eight draft picks and tell you who will make the roster and who will make an impact.
There are still some quality defensive backs left in free agency. In fact, there are probably six to eight total safeties/cornerbacks that could still contribute in a major role.
The receiver position is still pretty deep in free agency. While it's certainly questionable whether or not there are any starters still out there, teams looking for quality backups can still find some.
Who were the offseason standouts and the top rookies, and what are the major injury and contract situations? We have the answers for the Packers and their NFC North rivals.
--Aaron Kampman went through an offseason that, on the surface, appeared trying for the Pro Bowl defensive end as he made the conversion to outside linebacker in the team's new 3-4 defensive scheme.
The offseason ended on a more difficult note for Kampman on a personal level. He was informed by head coach Mike McCarthy shortly before the Packers' final minicamp practice June 24 that Kampman's legendary high school football coach, Ed Thomas, was killed earlier that morning.
Players were excused for about five weeks after the three-day minicamp finished June 24.
Their reporting date for training camp is July 31, and the first workout at the team's practice facility in Green Bay is Aug. 1.
Head coach Mike McCarthy expects all players to be ready for the start of camp, though a few players who didn't participate in offseason drills for medical reasons could be on a limited schedule.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
Now that receiver Greg Jennings has been handsomely rewarded by the organization, Nick Collins is left to wonder whether a hefty bump in pay will be coming his way.
As Jennings savored the three-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $30 million he received during the team's June 22-24 minicamp, Collins had his doubts about what the future holds for him.
Turnovers usually are the difference between winning and losing, but the Packers blew a plus-7 ratio in 2008 en route to a 6-10 record. We take a historical look to show just how badly the Packers defied the odds last year.
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