Wide receiver Antonio Freeman put his play where his mouth was Sunday afternoon.
Freeman created a bit of a stir when he complained last week that he wasn't seeing the ball enough, but he saw it nine times Sunday and made the most of his opportunities in the Packers' 31-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Freeman gained 138 yards on the nine receptions from quarterback Brett Favre and scored a touchdown. It was the 19th time Freeman has surpassed 100 yards in his career, which ties him for fourth on the Packers' list with Boyd Dowler.
"There was a lot more pressure and motivation after what was reported," Freeman said. "All I think is that if I get more involved in the offense we're a better football team."
Favre said he didn't object to Freeman's statements last week. "I defended Free last week," Favre said. "He wanted to get more involved, and we hadn't been getting him the ball enough lately. I told him that anybody on this team can be 'the guy' in any given game. Today, Free was one of those guys."
Sunday did not start well for Freeman. He failed to come up with a pass in the Packers' second series and was soundly booed by the critics in the crowd of 59,866 at Lambeau Field.
The fans might have shown a short fuse with Freeman in part because he had not had much of an impact until Sunday. Freeman had nine receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown going into the game. His longest gain had been 14 yards. He had only 31 yards in the three games leading up to Sunday.
That disappointing start, following a rather mediocre 2000 season for Freeman, had prompted fans and some in the media to question whether he was really the impact player he was paid to be.
Freeman also was frequently seen at Bucks games last season, at times when he should have been resting or preparing for a Packers' game. He is good friends with Bucks' guard Sam Cassell and loves NBA basketball.
Some brushes with the law over traffic violations also didn't help Freeman's reputation.
But, on Sunday, he looked focused, at least after the first pass to him. "I should have caught that ball," Freeman said. "It also was the play on which I suffered my latest concussion, so I had some alligator arms, didn't extend enough for the ball.
"But, that was good that it happened. After that, I was my own biggest critic and concentrated even more."
Freeman had six catches for 66 yards in the first half and scored on an eight-yard pass. He added three more catches for 72 yards in the second half.
Freeman capped his performance by coming up with an onside kick in the closing seconds. "That is the scariest moment in any football game," Freeman said. "You know the game is on the line, and that ball can take tricky bounces. I just tried to be aggressive and grab it. It was a good end to a good game."
Take That Ray
Ravens' all world linebacker Ray Lewis made some remarks about Favre having to prove himself against the Baltimore defense. Well, 337 yards on 27 for 34 provide pretty good proof.
"I didn't want to say anything and give him any additional incentive," Favre said of Lewis and his comments. "He's as good a linebacker as I have seen.
"But, I've played in this league for a while now. I think I've earned respect. I didn't think it was necessary to say anything in return."
{INSERT_RELATED}Favre is a 3-time MVP in the NFL and might have as much or more respect than any player in the league. Lewis had a great year last season, but had a mediocre five tackles and no sacks Sunday.
Best For 60 Minutes
Packers' coach Mike Sherman said the Ravens' defense might be "the best in history" but "I think today our offensive line was the best for 60 minutes."
Favre also praised the line for "giving me time to find our receivers and get them the ball." The Packers' line is very young and has been unheralded until recently.
Congrats George
Bucks' coach George Karl recently was named coach of the USA Basketball team for next year's world championship tourney in Indianapolis. Karl was genuinely happy about his selection to coach the American team that will take on the world.
"I'm just tremendously honored, humbled by it, excited about it, childlike about it," Karl said at a press conference. "As you all know, I can be very childlike. I've actually asked Jim Tooley and USA Basketball to have the job. I've always wanted to coach a USA team.
"I'd kidded I'd coach a girls team in Argentina, it didn't matter. I just wanted to coach a USA team and now to coach the best in the World Championships?"
By the way, Milwaukee fans can get two pre-season looks at Karl's Bucks when they play at the Bradley Center Monday night and hold the annual MACC Fund Fame Saturday night.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The Milwaukee Sports Buzz column every Monday on OMC.
