Sports - Feb. 20, 2009
Packers prepare to embrace change on defense
Ever since coach Mike McCarthy hired 3-4 expert Dom Capers as the team's new defensive coordinator on Jan. 18, the club has been emphasizing that the change in defensive philosophy isn't as overwhelming as one might assume. But based on what Pittsburgh Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert and new Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Thursday, it sure sounds like the change is going to be harder than the Packers have been willing to admit.
Tagged with: packers, 3-4 defense, capers, mccarthy, thompson, kampman

Sports - Dec. 19, 2008
Packers prepare to face the Bears and the elements
The folks who scheduled the Green Bay-Chicago matchup for "Monday Night Football" in late December knew it would be numbingly cold. Weather.com is forecasting a kickoff temperature between 7 and 12 degrees, with 16-mile per hour westerly winds creating a wind chill of -6 to -12. For last year's game on Dec. 23, the kickoff temperature was 16 degrees, and the wind chill was -2, with wind gusts of 40 miles per hour.
Tagged with: packers, bears, cold weather, mike mccarthy, lovie smith, soldier field, brady poppinga

Sports - Dec. 17, 2008
A double dose of good news for Packers' Collins
Packers' safety Nick Collins was at the hospital with his wife, Andrea, who was getting an ultrasound when secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer called and left a message. When Collins called back, he learned he had been selected to start at safety for the NFC in the Pro Bowl Feb. 8 in Hawaii. Moments later, he and his wife found out they'll have their second son in late April.
Tagged with: packers, pro bowl, nick collins, charles woodson

Sports - Dec. 4, 2008
Kapinos will get his kicks as new Packers punter
Given how badly Derrick Frost performed this season, the Packers have set the bar pretty low for new punter Jeremy Kapinos, whom the team chose over three other punters Wednesday. "I want him to punt the ball in the right direction," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I'm expected to win games. He's expected to punt the ball in the right direction. I'm not trying to be funny."
Tagged with: packers, punter, mccarthy, derrick frost, jeremy kapinos

Sports - Nov. 21, 2008
Packers secondary faces tough test in New Orleans
Green Bay safety Nick Collins and his teammates are excited about going up against the top-ranked passing attack in the NFL Monday night at the Superdome. But, they aren't looking to add extraneous hype to the matchup. "Don't get me wrong, it's going to be a great challenge for us," Collins said. "But we aren't going to try to hype it up. We're just going to play football. We don't care if they put up 500 yards on us. We just want to win the game."
Tagged with: packers, saints, nick collins, monday night football, drew brees

Sports - Nov. 14, 2008
Packers' Hawk moves to the middle of the action
With starting middle linebacker Nick Barnett sidelined by a season-ending knee injury, former top draft pick A.J. Hawk will move to the middle for the first time in his football career. Hawk will handle the defensive calls for Green Bay in a pivotal game against rival Chicago Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
Tagged with: packers, a.j. hawk, bears, brian urlacher, nick barnett, brandon chillar, desmond bishop

Sports - Nov. 7, 2008
Packers trying to "spread the wealth" on defense
With four linebackers, three safeties and three cornerbacks worthy of starting assignments, Packers and coach Mike McCarthy is exercising his options when it comes to doling out playing time. "It's a great problem to have," McCarthy said. "You cannot have enough good football players
Tagged with: packers, defense, woodson, hawk, barnett, mccarthy, wilde

Sports - Nov. 2, 2008
Rookie receiver Nelson works his way into the mix
Going into the Packers' game Sunday at Tennessee, rookie wide receiver Jordy Nelson, the team's top draft pick, has caught 16 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown, ranking him fifth in receptions on the team behind Greg Jennings (37), Donald Driver (29), tight end Donald Lee (19) and third-down back Brandon Jackson (18) and third in yardage behind Jennings (685) and Driver (330).
Tagged with: packers, jordy nelson, mark tauscher, ruvell martin, donald driver, james jones, greg jennings, joe philbin

Sports - Oct. 16, 2008
Packers veteran Harris is anxious to return to action
Sidelined since suffering a spleen injury Sept. 21, Al Harris took part in some light drills Wednesday and is talking about returning to action. Harris, who might not make it back until after the bye week, has been restless during his layoff, which has been marked by boredom, sleep and the discovery of a new favorite restaurant.
Tagged with: packers, al harris, tramon williams, urban frog, mike mccarthy

Sports - Oct. 9, 2008
Packers veteran Clifton tackles the tough questions
Chad Clifton has drawn criticism from reporters, fans and even his coaches in recent weeks, but he's not making excuses. "The past few games, yeah, I've struggled. I haven't had my best games," Clifton said. "No question about that. I definitely need to play better... Point-blank, it boils down to this: I need to play better. I have to step up my game."
Tagged with: packers, chad clifton, mike mccarthy, james campen

Sports - Sept. 25, 2008
Williams takes a long, strange trip to starting lineup
Packers coach Mike McCarthy admits he's "surprised" by the path of cornerback Tramon Williams, who went to Louisiana Tech as a walk-on, wasn't drafted coming out of college, bounced around from tryout to tryout and has gone from practice-squad afterthought to key contributor during his time in Green Bay.
Tagged with: packers, tramon williams, al harris, mike mccarthy, jon gruden, aaron rodgers, joe philbin

Sports - Sept. 19, 2008
Packers' Harris faces tough match-up against Dallas
Al Harris wouldn't say what the Packers' defensive game-plan is for the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night -- he chose a more cryptic wait-and-see tease -- but the veteran cornerback wanted to be clear on one thing. "I can say this: I think this is a much better game plan (this week)," Harris said. "This is the best game plan that we've had since I've been here, in this scheme. I honestly think that. And you can quote me on that."
Tagged with: packers, al harris, cowboys, sunday night football, Cris Collinsworth

Sports - Sept. 11, 2008
What will Rodgers do for an encore?
Aaron Rodgers made a good first impression. Now, the Green Bay Packers' new starting quarterback must replicate it against the Detroit Lions Sunday at Ford Field.
Tagged with: packers, rodgers, mccarthy, wells

Sports - Sept. 8, 2008
Milwaukee Talks: Packers GM Ted Thompson
As the Packers prepare to open the post-Favre era with a nationally-televised game against rival Minnesota tonight at Lambeau Field, Jason Wilde discusses a range of topics with the man in charge, Ted Thompson.
Tagged with: packers, ted thompson, brett favre, jon ryan

Sports - Sept. 3, 2008
Packers update: DT Pickett is cleared for duty
Ryan Pickett worked overtime during Labor Day weekend, but he'll be ready for the opener against the Vikings.
Tagged with: packers, pickett, mason crosby, aj hawk, scott wells, derrick frost, mike mccarthy

Sports - Sept. 2, 2008
In surprise move, Packers give punter Ryan the boot
Seeking more consistency in the kicking game, the Packers released Jon Ryan and brought in Derrick Frost. They'll open the season with a new punter, holder and long-snapper.
Tagged with: packers, jon ryan, derrick frost, abdul hodge, ted thompson, mason crosby, brohm, colledge, peprah

Sports - Sept. 1, 2008
Packers camp report: Replacing Jansen is a snap
The Packers' final roster wasn't really final. The team scrambled to replace injured long-snapper J.J. Jansen. Brett Goode is in and someone else will have to go.
Tagged with: packers, brett goode, ted thompson, longsnapper

Sports - Aug. 31, 2008
Rookie running back Lumpkin makes the cut
Kregg Lumpkin crossed a major personal goal off his list when he made the Packers' 53-man roster. But, the running back from Georgia says he's just getting started.
Tagged with: packers, lumpkin, noah herron, vernand morency, giacomini

Sports - Aug. 30, 2008
Lumpkin reaches for a spot on Packers' roster
If the Packers opt not to keep undrafted rookie free agent running back Kregg Lumpkin when they make their final roster cuts Saturday, they can essentially kiss him goodbye.
Tagged with: packers, lumpkin, mccarthy, brohm, flynn, philbin

Sports - Aug. 28, 2008
Milwaukee Talks: Packers DT Justin Harrell
In 16 months in the NFL, the Packers' 2007 first-round draft pick has known frustration and disappointment. Now, facing back surgery, he knows it's not going to get better soon.
Tagged with: packers, justin harrell, aaron rodgers