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Packers nab Malone
2007-12-12 13:08:00
The Green Bay Packers are hedging their bets with the addition of a defensive lineman to the practice squad on Tuesday.Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports, "They signed defensive tackle Alfred Malone to the practice squad and released tight end James Adkisson from the practice squad. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Malone played in four games with the Houston Texans in 2005 and 2006."With both Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole going on injured reserve, the Packers are likely looking to add a little depth to the position.Also, with Bubba Franks getting healthy once again, there is less need for a fourth tight end to stick around with the team.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Red Zone Report: Week 14, Late Games
2007-12-12 02:30:00
Seahawks 42, Cardinals 21 - The Seahawks might just be the quietest team in all of football. They never seem to get the press that the Patriots, Cowboys, or Colts, get but they still put play well just about every week. Their performance on Sunday was no exception as they dominated the playoff-aspiring Arizona Cardinals. Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner has had a pretty good season so far, but the Seahawks defense intercepted five of Warner's passes and sacked him five times as well. Offensively, the Seahawks have one of the league's top quarterbacks and game managers in Matt Hasselbeck. He had a great day throwing the ball with four touchdown passes in addition to leading the hawks to their fifth straight NFC West crown.Patriots 34, Steelers 13 - Steelers defensive back Anthony Smith won’t ever be talking smack about an opponant ever again, especially after getting burned three times on touchdown passes by Tom Brady (twice to Randy Moss and once to Jabar Gaffney). The Patriots...
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Brown and Winter join the HOF
2007-12-12 01:31:00
Welcome to the newest members of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame: Gilbert Brown and Frank Winter s.Both Brown and Winters (pictured) were integral parts to the 1996 Super Bowl winning team. Brown was a key run stuffer in the middle that was part of the league's top rated defense that year. Meanwhile, Winters earned a Pro Bowl berth in '96.Join ing them will be the team's longtime video director, Al Treml. Photo credit: PackersNews.comWelcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Out till Friday
2007-12-12 01:29:00
The word on the street is that both tackle Chad Clifton and cornerback Jarrett Bush are injured enough to keep them off the practice field until Friday . If then.But apparently their injuries aren't enough to keep them from playing on Sunday at the St. Louis Rams.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

A step up
2007-12-11 00:40:00
The Green Bay Packers defense has been solid all season long, but statistically speaking they've just been so-so.Hopefully an inspired performance against the Oakland Raiders will help boost their defense up the NFL ladder.Their run defense in particular was solid in a game coming against a hot running back in Justin Fargas."The Packers came into the game ranked 12th in the NFL against the run," reports Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "A solid game from the defensive line combined with support from the linebackers and safeties made for a strong showing. Safety Nick Collins tracked down Fargas on a counter-toss play on a fourth-and-1 play that went for a 2-yard loss in the first quarter. Linebacker Nick Barnett, who led the Packers with 10 tackles, stopped Jordan for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-1 play in the third quarter."Now that the game is over, the Packers have jumped one spot to 11th against the run in the NFL, but they're only about a yard per game average behi...
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Once a linebacker, always a linebacker
2007-12-11 00:31:00
Green Bay Packers fullback Korey Hall still has a little bit of linebacker left in him.The former Boise State middle linebacker had five special teams tackles on Sunday. Five tackles on defense is an active day. Five tackles on special teams alone is unbelievable.Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette also writes that Hall probably had his best game as a pro that also included six knock down blocks on offense.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

NFC North Champs
2007-12-10 13:15:00
With a win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers are officially NFC North champions.The next goal? Secure a bye during the first round of the playoffs.Read on for more Packer coverage.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Blackmon has career day
2007-12-10 13:10:00
Do you think Will Blackmon will be the NFC's special teams player of the week?He's all but a lock to win it after a day in which he scored two touchdowns with his special teams play.Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes of Blackmon's first return, "With the same sure hands and decisiveness that originally won Blackmon a return job in training camp, he hauled in Lechler's punt and weaved and bobbed his way to a 57-yard return for a touchdown, eluding even Lechler himself, who had not seen any of his previous 573 punts returned for a touchdown."One thing is for sure. The Packers don't have to worry about Charles Woodson getting injured on punt returns again. He's not going to go back there as long as Blackmon is healthy.Blackmon is not a regular player in the base defense so he should have more of an impact on special teams than Woodson.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Career

Safeties step up
2007-12-10 13:02:00
Last week was dominated about talk of Aaron Rouse deserving to be inserted into the Green Bay Packer starting lineup.However, the two incumbent starting safeties in the Packers secondary put a big hush, hush to that scuttlebutt.Nick Collins's play was highlighted by a diving tackle on running back Justin Fargas that stopped the Raiders on fourth and one, which subsequently turned the ball over to the Packers.Atari Bigby had an even bigger day with an interception, several nice tackles, and he even generated a pass rush on a couple blitzes. He would have scored a touchdown on his interception had it not been called back by penalty.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Red Zone Report: Week 14, Early Games
2007-12-10 00:35:00
Packers 38, Raiders 7 - Too bad I missed a fun game here. Two special teams touchdowns from Will Blackmon (punt return and fumble recovery on a punt) helped to seal the victory and an NFC North title. Brett Favre’s arm appeared okay as he tossed two touchdowns and Ryan Grant had another 100 yard rushing game.Chargers 23, Titans 17 - Whatever happened to the Chargers actually being a fun team to watch? Oh ya, Norv Turner arrived. This was just an ugly game that went into overtime LaDainian Tomlinson scored to end it. Quarterbacks Phillip Rivers and Vince Young were both unable to complete the game was their backups Billy Volek and Kerry Collins each took snaps under center. The Titians had this one in the bag before falling apart.Bills 38, Dolphins 17 - Miami really, really sucks! Sorry but there is simply no other way to put it. I never thought that they would give up 38 points to an average Bills team. Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards threw four touchdown passes. Both Fred Jackso...
More About: Games , Report , Week , Early , Zone

Trap game
2007-12-09 18:15:00
The prediction from Railbird Central is that this is going to be a dangerous game for the Green Bay Packers. Expect low scoring, but expect the Packers to win. Barely.Combine the cold, winter weather with an ailing Brett Favre at quarterback, and the Packers will want to run early and run often against the Oakland Raiders.On the other side of the ball, expect the Raiders to stuff the box and do whatever they can to stop the run. Then when they get the Packers in 2nd and long and 3rd and long, don't be surprised to see them to blitz the hell out of a beat-up Favre.Of course, the Packers will counter with fewer "Big Five" formations to help protect the quarterback. And the returns of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Charles Woodson should help the defense. That should be the difference.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Why not Rouse?
2007-12-09 15:24:00
One of the topics du jour this week was the question of, " Why not put rookie safety Aaron Rouse in the starting lineup?"Both the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Green Bay Press-Gazette ran articles on the issue this week. And deservingly so.It's hard to deny Rouse's numbers. In three starts he has two interceptions and four pass break ups. That's better than either either Nick Collins or Atari Bigby.The question is, who would Rouse replace? The two local newspapers mused about Rouse subbing in for both of them.In Rouse's three starts, he replaced an injured Collins. However, Collins is the most experienced of all the safeties. He's been burned a couple times this season in the passing game, which makes him susceptible. Although he's kind of a player that you don't notice on the field most of the time. He doesn't play poorly play after play. And on the other hand, he's not making tackles sideline to sideline or creating turnovers either.Rouse fits more of your typical st...

Is Rodgers injury prone?
2007-12-08 18:09:00
Can it be that Green Bay Packers quarterback of the future Aaron Rodgers is injury prone?When it comes to be the time that Brett Favre actually does retire (and we're pretty sure it'll happen this century), can the Packers afford to have Rodgers be the franchise quarterback if he's battling injury?Last year Rodgers went on season ending injured reserve while filling in for Favre in the New England game with a broken ankle. Although you have to give him credit for breaking the ankle in the middle of the game yet finishing the game out.Now this year Rodgers pulls a hamstring the first practice after filling in for an injured Favre during the Dallas game. Granted, Rodgers is only supposed to be out for a week and maybe two. That's not entirely bad news. In fact, it will be interesting to see if Rodgers serves as the team's emergency No. 3 quarterback today.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Injury

Look for more of Kuhn
2007-12-08 16:49:00
The most overlooked player on the entire Green Bay Packers roster? It could be fullback John Kuhn.Fullbacks are always underrated. They often get less attention than offensive lineman. They rarely touch the ball, and they often come off the field for plays at a time.When he's played, though, Kuhn has looked good. For that matter, so has fellow fullback Korey Hall. No wonder the Packers implement a reverse wishbone with both players on the field."Kuhn's 2½-year transition from college lead back to NFL fullback has reached a point where the Packers are seeking more opportunities for him in the offense," writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "His lead block on Ryan Grant's 62-yard touchdown run was just one example of what he can offer."Kuhn has good size and is able to look up opponents. He has a single catch on the entire year, but that could change. Seeing as he's becoming more and more comfortable in the offense everyday combined with the fact that he was a...

A hurting unit
2007-12-08 15:07:00
It's a good thing the Green Bay Packers have some depth along the defensive line, because you can add another one to the list of those fighting through ailments."Corey Williams was limited in practice but McCarthy said Williams is just sore and they wanted to get him some rest for Oakland after he played a lot against Dallas," reports Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Williams should play on Sunday. He's just feeling the effects of a long season.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Blackmon is back
2007-12-07 13:18:00
Remember Will Blackmon? He's the backup cornerback that's always injured. But when he's healthy he shows as much potential as anyone on the entire Green Bay Packers squad.Yeah, that guy. Well, he's a candidate to return kicks once again now that he's recovered from an ankle injury."Blackmon is a candidate for punt- and kick-return duties, (special teams coach Mike) Stock said, but his contributions this week will depend in part on the makeup of the 45-man roster," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.If Charles Woodson is active against the Raiders, the Packers have a dearth of extra cornerbacks. It's likely one of them is going to have to sit."Blackmon returned to action last week after missing seven games with a broken foot, and has been alternating with Tramon Williams on punt returns and Williams and Koren Robinson on kickoffs," reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Blackmon's primary competition is Williams, because Robinson is going ...
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Focus on special teams
2007-12-07 13:12:00
When the Green Bay Packers got burned in kickoff coverage in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week, they realized they have to give a little more attention to special teams during practice.On Thursday, the Packers were practicing kickoffs full tilt inside the Don Hutson Center. And that's normally not the status quo."What happens when there's a breakdown in the one phase of one coverage one time, then somebody else says, 'Well, gee, maybe I better help out here,'" Packers special teams coach Mike Stock said to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Now, there's going to be a couple breakdowns, because now one guy's trying to compensate for whatever happens to the other guy."The Packers are looking to beef up their coverage units in preparation for Raiders return man Chris Carr on Sunday. But even more important might be the job they do in two weeks against Bears return specialist Devin Hester.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Teams , Special , Focus

Accolades for Crosby
2007-12-07 13:06:00
Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, "(Mason) Crosby was named NFC special teams player of the month for November. In five games, he converted 12 of 15 field-goal attempts and 18 extra points."Is anyone aware that Mason Crosby leads the entire NFL in scoring with 107 points? Surprisingly, that's been kept kind of hush-hush.Not bad for a rook, eh?On a related note, "Crosby and P Jon Ryan were scheduled to practice on Ray Nitschke Field today, their second outdoor practice this week," according to Pelissero.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Jolly headed for IR
2007-12-06 13:11:00
The Green Bay Packers will be looking for more help from rookies Justin Harrell and Daniel Muir as they season wears on because it looks like Johnny Jolly won't be suiting up anymore.Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, "With Jolly and backup defensive tackle Colin Cole out of commission, first-round pick Justin Harrell becomes the Packers' No. 3 defensive tackle and undrafted rookie Daniel Muir, who played so well in training camp that the Packers kept six players at the position instead of five, becomes No. 4 in the rotation."Look for Jolly to be placed on injured reserve as soon as a suitable replacement is found. Some options to replace Jolly include signing veteran defensive tackle Sam Adams. Another option would be to resign safety Marviel Underwood who was briefly signed but then released when the Packers had to add Craig Nall as their No. 3 quarterback.More on the Sam Adams situation below. Read on.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Olly

Practice intensity
2007-12-06 13:09:00
Coming off the Dallas loss, the Green Bay Packers seem motivated to move on with their playoff lives.Wednesday was a lively day at practice according to head coach Mike McCarthy"It was really a quality practice," McCarthy said. "We probably had too much energy at times. We had some extra-curricular activity after a few plays. That's a product of our players not practicing for some time. It's really a joy to coach this group.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Nothing new on Adams front
2007-12-06 13:05:00
The Green Bay Packers didn't put a waiver claim on former Denver Bronco defensive tackle Sam Adams , but they possiblility of signing him to a free agent contract isn't over just yet."Adams, listed at 6-3 and 350, was at one time a premier run stopper and might be able to help a team such as the Packers," writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Angelo Wright, Adams' agent, said the Packers were one of several teams that contacted the Broncos about Adams, but Wright said no team put in a waiver claim on his client. That means Adams is free to sign with any team."Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Front

Nall moves up ladder
2007-12-06 01:12:00
Newly acquired quarterback Craig Nall is going to have to be Brett Favre's primary backup on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.Aaron Rodgers sustained a hamstring injury on the last play of Tuesday's practice, which could keep him out a week or two."No. 3 quarterback Craig Nall, who was signed on Saturday, got the bulk of the work," reports Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette on Wednesday's practice. "No. 2 quarterback Aaron Rodgers left the practice field after the stretching period and did not return before reporters were kicked out."And with the health of Favre the way it is currently, it's not inconceivable that Nall could be playing on Sunday despite just being picked up this week.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Injury report
2007-12-06 00:25:00
Here's the official injury report from Wednesday's practice.Limited participationLT Chad Clifton (knee)QB Brett Favre (right elbow, left shoulder)DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (ankle)WR Koren Robinson (knee)QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring)RT Mark Tauscher (ankle)CB Charles Woodson (toe)Did not participateTE Bubba Franks (knee)LB Tracy White (ankle)OutDT Johnny Jolly (shoulder)Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Injury , Report

Wells battles pneumonia
2007-10-31 12:12:00
Green Bay Packers center Scott Well s was originally diagnosed with a sinus infection that led him to being inactive for Monday night's game at Denver. Unfortunately, his illness goes beyond a sinus infection.Wells has pneumonia and may not play Sunday at Kansas City either."He's struggling to get over the illness, and he doesn't have a lot of strength," head coach Mike McCarthy told the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "I always play the high end of those as far as caution, so we'll see how his week goes."Expect Wells to be limited early in the week, receive treatment and practice more as the week goes on if he gets healthier.Photo credit: Mark Hoffman for the Milwaukee Journal SentinelWelcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Battles , Neum

LeRoy Butler, Hall of Famer?
2007-10-31 12:10:00
"Packers Chairman Bob Harlan, former General Manager Ron Wolf and former safety LeRoy Butler are among 124 modern-era players, coaches and contributors on the preliminary list of nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Voters will choose 25 candidates from that group as semifinalists; that list will be announced late in November."Those three are definite Packer Hall of Famers. Now are they good enough to take the next step up?Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Robinson is no guarantee
2007-10-31 12:06:00
Despite being added to the Green Bay Packers' active roster on Tuesday, wide receiver Koren Robins on isn't guaranteed to be playing Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.His surgically repaired right knee was a little sore after his last several days of practicing."It's the first, as close to live action that he's had, the ability to practice," Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is quoted as saying in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He had five practices last week. That's a lot of work for someone that's just coming here for the first time. (It) may take a couple weeks to get that under control. It's just something you have to watch and see."Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Emergency man
2007-10-31 12:04:00
The Green Bay Packers are short a running back now that rookie DeShawn Wynn has gone on injured reserve.So who's takes his spot on the depth chart?According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "(Packers head coach Mike) McCarthy said fullback John Kuhn, a tailback in college, will be available if there are any more injuries."Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Emergency , Emerge

Speak up
2007-10-31 12:01:00
"Brett Favre, not RB Ryan Grant, was responsible for a botched play that resulted in a 7-yard loss for Favre and helped stall a drive in the third quarter Monday, McCarthy said," according to Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Favre flipped the play to go to the left — which Grant and the line did — but Favre went right and had no one to hand off to."Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Wynn out, Robinson in
2007-10-31 00:52:00
The Green Bay Packers added Koren Robins on to the team's 53 man active roster by today's deadline by placing rookie running back DeShawn Wynn (pictured) on injured reserve ending his season.Wynn is the team's leader in rushing yardage and touchdowns, but has gained more criticism week by week for being injury-prone and "soft." There's plenty of potential in Wynn, but there's a chance it could never be realized.The shoulder injury sustained Monday night by Wynn was the straw that broke the camel's back. Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, through head coach Mike McCarthy, compares it to "a more serious version of the shoulder stinger that sidelined tackle Tony Moll for a large chunk of August and September."Wynn will have an entire offseason to think about his future. In the meantime, Ryan Grant has taken over starting running back duties for the Packers after a 100+ yard performance last night.For the moment being, the Packers have six wide receivers on the roster no...

Favre goes deep
2007-10-30 12:09:00
Less than a week ago, our headline here at Railbird Central trumpeted, "Deep ball absent from arsenal."Is there now any doubt that Brett Favre can still sling it with the best of the 'em?The highlight and the play people are going to remember was the game winning bomb on the first play of the overtime session, an 82 yard touchdown to Greg Jennings. That wasn't the only one, though."It was the second time Favre displayed his arm strength," reminds Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "One game after the 38-year-old quarterback came up short on four deep throws against the Washington Redskins — two of which were intercepted by safety Sean Taylor — Favre connected down the field with rookie receiver James Jones for a 79-yard touchdown less than 6 minutes into the game. Though it wasn't as deep a throw as some of the ones he underthrew against the Redskins, Favre did put it in the air for at least 40 yards, and Jones did the rest."Favre for the Pro Bowl.Welcome to the Rai...
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