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Third string saga
2007-09-18 13:01:00
With wide receiver and emergency quarterback Carlyle Holiday out for the season on injured reserve, the Green Bay Packers have had to go another route in regards to finding another third string quarterback.Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, "Woodson always has wanted to play on offense, something he did in college, and he might get his chance. McCarthy on Monday mentioned Woodson, who played cornerback and receiver during his college career at Michigan, and receiver Ruvell Martin as possible emergency quarterbacks. With only two quarterbacks, the Packers had designated receiver Carlyle Holiday as their emergency quarterback. Holiday, a former quarterback at Notre Dame, was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday with a knee injury. Martin last played quarterback in high school. It's not clear when, or if, Woodson played quarterback."The Packers have a new quarterback on the practice squad in Dalton Bell, but he's only eligible to play if he's elevated...
More About: String , Saga , Tring , Third

Wynn impresses in win
2007-09-17 13:05:00
DeShawn Wynn could be the panacea for what ails the Green Bay running game. Wynn was one of the lone impressive items in what otherwise is a woeful running offense.Two stunning plays were what set Wynn apart from the rest of the pedestrian plays made from the running game."One was his 38-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, when he burst up the middle on a draw play, bounced a little to the outside and outran everyone for the score," according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "The second was a check-down reception on a third-and-9 deep in Packers territory late in the second quarter. The 232-pounder made a hard cut back to avoid a tackler and picked up 10 yards to keep the drive alive and nearly run out the clock to halftime. He also had a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter on another draw play."I'll admit I was very skeptical about Wynn especially during the preseason when he missed three games and many practices while nursing an injury.The Packers showed some foresigh...
More About: Impress

We're back
2007-09-17 12:59:00
Sorry for the delay as I just got back from my weekend trip to Tuscaloosa to see the Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in what could have been the finest college football game all weekend (photos forthcoming).Back to business as the Packers romp!Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Collins sits practice out
2007-09-13 13:14:00
Starting free safety Nick Coll ins sat Wednesday's practice for the Green Bay Packers.The reason for his absence is unknown, but head coach Mike McCarthy is quoted as saying that Collins's absence is related to a "positive personal matter.""Charlie Peprah likely is taking all the work in Collins' place, because rookie Aaron Rouse (hamstring) remains limited and left the practice field early," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.It doesn't appear to be an injury related absence, which is good news. The Packers would be razor thin at safety without either Collins or Rouse.Photo credit: Steve Apps for the Wisconsin State JournalWelcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Practice

Barnett not worried by charges
2007-09-13 13:10:00
Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnet t will be charged with two counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges stemming from an off-field incident at a nightclub this past June.Barnett is not likely to be suspended by the NFL despite the recent rash of suspensions sent down from new commissioner Roger Goodell."I'm poised to have a great year as a Packer," Barnett is quoted as saying in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I can't worry about that too much. I can only control what I control, and that's here playing football with my teammates."As long as Barnett plays like he did in week one, a great year will come to him. Perhaps even a Pro Bowl type of year.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Char , Worried

On the mend
2007-09-13 13:07:00
A handful of players for the Green Bay Packers appear to be healthier than they did just a week ago."Defensive end Michael Montgomery (knee) is the Packers' only player who definitely will miss this week's game, and running back Vernand Morency and receiver Greg Jennings have much-improved chances of returning after missing the regular-season opener," according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.The struggling Packer offense sure could be aided by both Morency and Jennings. Hopefully they'll provide more than just a band aid and more of a solution.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Packers work out James
2007-09-13 13:04:00
According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, "The Packers also worked out receiver Drisan James from Boise State. James is an undrafted rookie who was released by the Chicago before the season."James would have to be pretty good to get a chance by the Packers. They already have two wide receivers on their practice squad and another one waiting in the wings when Koren Robinson is reinstated by the NFL.Maybe fellow Broncos Korey Hall and Daryn Colledge will put in a good word for him.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Work

Crosby wins award
2007-09-13 04:40:00
Green Bay Packers rookie kicker Mason Crosby was named the NFC special teams player of the week by the NFL after kicking three field goals in the season opening win over the Philadelphia Eagles.One field goal was the game winning 42 yard kick with just seconds remaining. Another field goal was good from 53 yards, just one yard shy of the team record."Crosby became the first rookie since Matt Bahr in 1979 to kick a game-winner on the season's opening weekend," writes Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Crosby, whose first kick was good from 53 yards, is the first player in league history to kick a 50-yard field goal and a game-winning field goal with under a minute remaining in his NFL debut."Here's to the best Crosby since David.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Award , Wins

Coston steps up
2007-09-13 02:50:00
Green Bay Packers starting right guard Jason Spitz did not participate in Wednesday's practice at all."Spitz has been battling a calf strain since minicamp, and coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week Junius Coston would open today's practice with the starters," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Barring a change of heart by the coaches, it seems almost certain Coston will start Sunday's game against the New York Giants."It would be Coston's first ever NFL start. The third year player is still very young by veteran standards.The way things are going, Spitz had better watch his back. Coston seems to be making more of a name every day. It's possible that Coston could hold on and never let go. Things like that tend to happen in the NFL.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Steps

Bad news for Giants helps Packers
2007-09-12 12:47:00
The New York Giants are hurting more from injuries than probably any team in the entire NFL right now.The Giants also just so happen to be the Green Bay Packers ' opponent on Sunday.One thing seems for certain, Giants starting running back Brandon Jacobs will be out of the game on Sunday and is out for three to five weeks."Jacobs' injury hurts, but the Giants have fine alternatives in Derrick Ward, who rushed for 89 yards on 13 carries Sunday, and veteran Reuben Droughns," writes Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.There seems to be some controversy surrounding highly touted quarterback Eli Manning's injury. Manning sprained his shoulder on Sunday and some outlets say he'll miss at least a month. The Giants, meanwhile, are saying Manning is only day to day.It could merely be a ploy, but Manning's status is uncertain at best right now. Supposedly Manning is seeing highly regarded specialist to evaluate his shoulder."The Giants' backup is the plus-sized Jared Lorenzen, w...
More About: News , Bad News

Packers miss Jennings
2007-09-12 12:40:00
The Green Bay Packers are setting quite a precedent. The Green Bay Packers coaches are saying the loss of Greg Jennings this past Sunday was a reason the offense stalled against the Philadelphia Eagles."If you had watched us practice, Greg was a big part of the game plan," coach Mike McCarthy is quoted as saying in the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "I think Greg and Brett (Favre) are really starting to develop that connection in Year 2 that you like to see between a quarterback and a receiver. We had planned on him potentially having a big day but that's no excuse for the way we played on offense at all."Fans hope McCarthy is right, but what if he's not? There's only so many excuses to be made for playing abysmal on offense.If the Packers can't move the ball against the New York Giants on the road this week, who's to blame then?"That's part of football," wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said. "We've been through that before and guys have stepped in and done a fine job for us. T...
More About: Miss

Pack adds 2 to practice squad
2007-09-12 01:14:00
The Green Bay Pack ers signed quarterback Dalton Bell (pictured) and guard Cameron Stephenson to their practice squad on Tuesday.The additions were made possible by releasing quarterback Paul Thompson and tight end Clark Harris."The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Bell, 24, was in Carolina’s training camp as an undrafted free agent, but didn’t play in any preseason games," reports the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "He played at West Texas A&M, where he had 7,779 passing yards and 62 touchdowns in his career.""The 6-4, 305-pound Stephenson, 24, was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fifth-round draft pick," according to the Press-Gazette. "He played on the defensive line as a junior at Rutgers, then switched to the offensive line and played right guard as a senior. He and Harris were teammates at Rutgers."Photo credit: Panthersgab.comWelcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Practice , Squad

Thompson and Harris gone from practice squad
2007-09-12 01:11:00
The Green Bay Packers have parted ways with quarterback Paul Thom pson and tight end Clark Harris from their practice squad.Even though Thompson had been on the practice squad, he was in effect the team's No. 3 quarterback and likely would have been called up had there been an injury.Harris was the second of the Packers' two seventh round draft picks. He also doubled as a long snapper, but apparently he didn't show the Packers that he had enough potential.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Practice , Squad

Experienced tackles regress
2007-09-11 13:14:00
The veteran bookend offensive tackles for the Green Bay Packers didn't exactly hold up well in pass protection on Sunday.Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher were partially responsible for the Philadelphia Eagles sacking Brett Favre four times."The most startling part off the performance was the off-day by starting tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher in protecting quarterback Brett Favre," writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Clifton gave up a sack and a half, including one that caused Favre to get hit from behind and lose the ball, and Tauscher shared responsibility on two others."Photo credit: Scout.comWelcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Peri , Erie , Experienced

Going deep on third and short
2007-09-11 13:10:00
Green Bay Packer fans scratched their heads this past Sunday when Brett Favre threw a deep ball to rookie James Jones on a third and short play in the second half.Why go deep when you only need a couple yards for a first down?"(Head coach Mike) McCarthy said the deep throw that went incomplete to James Jones on a third-and-1 play in the fourth quarter was a designed play," reports Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette."There was a particular defense I was looking for, and we got it and took the shot," McCarthy is quoted as saying.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Deep , Short , Going , Third , Goin

Players and coaches deserve blame
2007-09-11 02:03:00
In interviews on Monday, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy took the blame for some of his teams shortcomings on Sunday, but he also dished out some blame as well."Asked about the Packers' problems running the football in Sunday's 16-13 win over Philadelphia, coach Mike McCarthy on Monday spoke for nearly 90 seconds and rattled off a number of issues, topped by a game plan that might have been too extensive," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Three rookies started on offense for the Packers on Sunday in Brandon Jackson, James Jones and Korey Hall. So maybe a scaled back game plan might have been the best idea. Another rookie, DeShawn Wynn, also contributed heavily in the third down back role."I need to look at the volume of offense that we took into that game," McCarthy is quoted as saying. "We took in a little more than you normally do. ... In hindsight, I thought we did too much."McCarthy didn't suit up, though, and can't take all the blame. He point...
More About: Players , Blame , Coaches , Lame , Layer

Improvement needed in special teams
2007-09-11 01:57:00
The Green Bay Packers generally had their "A" game on special teams in a season opening win over the Philadelphia Eagles it would seem to the casual fan.So, head coach Mike McCarthy, since you're the expert, where could the Packers have done better?"Atari Bigby played 'good' in his first game as the starting strong safety, but 'did not play as well on special teams,'" writes Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette while quoting McCarthy. "Bigby collided with Al Harris on the punt return that left Harris with a sprained elbow."Better communication needed perhaps."Punter Jon Ryan 'didn't punt particularly well' -- one of several issues on an otherwise strong day for the Packers' special teams," added Pelissero.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Teams , Special , Improvement , Improv , Prove

Count Blackmon out
2007-09-11 01:22:00
After a promising preseason, Will Blackmon didn't return any kicks for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and it doesn't look like he will this week either."Will Blackmon still doesn't appear to be catching the ball comfortably with a cast on his broken left thumb, so it's unlikely he'll be available to return punts or kicks this week against the New York Giants," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Thankfully Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams have done an admirable job in Blackmon's absence.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Count , Lack

Holiday injured in Eagles aftermath
2007-09-11 01:18:00
Reports out of Green Bay today have wide receiver Carlyle Holiday as recovering from an injury sustained in Sunday's game."Receiver Carlyle Holiday has the only other new injury, with swelling in his knee," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "He'll be limited in practice this week, (head coach Mike) McCarthy said."No word yet on whether he'll be available for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. We probably won't know until later in the week.Holiday's injury is especially noteworthy in that he currently serves as the team's No. 3 quarterback, and he'd been elevated to the No. 4 wide receiver with an injury to Greg Jennings.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Eagles , Eagle , Term , Injured

Elbow injury nagging to Harris
2007-09-10 13:16:00
You have to admire the tenacity that Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris brings to the game.Harris offered his services on special teams for the Packers, a place where an elite player like Harris doesn't usually play. Harris, in turn, injured his elbow blocking on a punt return."He missed one defensive series and part of another because he was taken to the locker room for X-rays, but returned late in the second quarter," reports the Green Bay Press-Gazette. He finished the game wearing a restrictive wrap that went almost the entire length of his arm."Harris returned to the game in the middle of a defensive series despite acute pain in his arm.The best news of all is that Harris said he plans to play Sunday against the New York Giants.Update:The official word is that Harris has a sprained elbow."The team is waiting for MRI results, McCarthy said, and Harris is receiving treatment," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Based at least in part on the injury, which ...
More About: Injury , Elbow

Coston finishes game
2007-09-10 13:10:00
Junius Coston trotted out on offense in the middle of the third quarter and finished the game for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.Coston replaced starter Jason Spitz at right guard."Coston may have played his way into some additional playing time and perhaps a starting job ahead of Spitz, who was part of a struggling offensive line," according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Spitz did have a calf cramp, although that is not usually enough to keep a player from playing."We kind of talked about getting Coston some work," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is quoted as saying. "I don't know if that's necessarily a reflection of Jason, as we know it's a long year, and we thought Coston had a good preseason camp. You're never sure what you have until you get a guy in a game, and last year we were forced to play guys, so we're being a little proactive. We'll look at the tape and see how each one of them did."Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Game , Finish , Nish

False alarm
2007-09-10 13:03:00
If you were at the game yesterday, you know all about the eerie alarm and evacuation signal that sounded shortly before the game."The official word is exhaust fans weren't turned on in a concession stand in Section 116, which caused overheating and set off the alarms," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.It was a surreal experience when the alarm went off. It first started when the Philadelphia Eagles took the field before the game, so fans weren't exactly sure if it was part of the festivities or not.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Alarm

Podcast is up!
2007-09-10 04:24:00
The Sunday September 9th edition of the Railbird Central podcast is ready for your listening pleasure. Listen as your hosts Eric Jefcoat and Brian Carriveau break down the Green Bay Packers' season opening victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Also on tap, the game's blue chip and cow chip players along with quick peek into next week's tilt against the New York football Giants.Click here to listen to the podcast. And make sure to subscribe. It's the best thing you could possibly listen to this side of a Phish concert at Alpine Valley. Weekapaug Groove! Woot!Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
More About: Podcast

Reasons for optimism
2007-09-09 03:44:00
Admit it. You want to believe that the Green Bay Packers are good enough to be a playoff team. But you just can't find the proof right now. All the prognosticators are picking the Chicago Bears to win the NFC North, and you can barely stomach it.Well, this article's for you.The Packers are good enough to have a winning record. The Packers are good enough to make the playoffs. The Packers are good enough to make a deep run for the George Halas Trophy.The Kool Aid might be on draught here at Railbird Central, but we think it's possible. And it will be possible because all three phases of the game will be improved in Northeastern Wisconsin this season.The defense will be the cornerstone to the Packers success this season. Everyone knows that. But this is a defense that will be among the best in the NFL this season.Look how much the defense improved a season ago once Cullen Jenkins moved into the starting lineup. And just imagine how good it could have been all season long if that ha...
More About: Reasons , Optimism

Jennings catches injury bug
2007-09-08 23:59:00
Somewhat surprisingly, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings sat out Friday's practice and was listed on the team's injury list as questionable for Sunday's season opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles."Jennings walked with a limp Friday morning after suffering a hamstring injury Thursday in practice," reports Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Rookie James Jones would replace Jennings and Ruvell Martin would move up to No. 3. Jones said the coaches were confident he could play split end as well as flanker."If there's some good news at the wide receiver position, it's that Donald Driver appears healthy and is probable for Sunday. Reports out of Green Bay have him at near full speed.Martin has experience as the No. 3 receiver as he played the position most of last season. But can a rookie handle being a starter? Jones will carry a big load.Of course, all of this is speculation. Players listed as questionable usually play. It will just take until Sunday...
More About: Injury

Morency questionable for Sunday
2007-09-08 16:09:00
Green Bay Packers halfback Vernand Morency sat out of Friday's practice and as listed on the team's injury report as questionable for Sunday 's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.A questionable status means the player has about a 50% chance of playing in the game."Morency, who missed all of training camp with a knee injury, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday before being withheld Friday," reports Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Rookie Brandon Jackson will start, rookie DeShawn Wynn appears set to play on third downs and newcomer Ryan Grant, who returned Friday after pulling a hamstring Monday, looks like the No. 3."Grant is also is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. Between Morency and Grant, whoever is the most healthy will probably play on Sunday, and the other will be inactive.This prediction is based upon head coach Mike McCarthy's comments regarding Morency. "I'm hopeful this is probably the last week, or the last...

Harrell will sit for Sunday
2007-09-08 16:03:00
Green Bay Packers first round draft choice Justin Harrell is likely to be inactive for Sunday 's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.Many people will gripe about a first round draft pick not even being able to crack the 45 man active roster on game days, but not head coach Mike McCarthy."There's a good chance he's going to be down," McCarthy is quoted as saying in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I know how it is for a No. 1 but this is a different situation. I'd be very comfortable if he played Sunday. It's not that. It's just what's in front of him. Those guys are playing well."It appears as if Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly will get the start at defensive tackle slots as they will play on running downs. Then it will be up to Corey Williams hop in and Cullen Jenkins to slide over from defensive end on passing downs.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Moll and Rouse are doubtful
2007-09-08 15:21:00
Don't expect to see either Tony Moll or rookie Aaron Rouse suiting up on Sunday for the Green Bay Packers in their season opener."Backup tackle Tony Moll (neck) and rookie safety Aaron Rouse (hamstring) received only limited work all week and are listed as "doubtful" (25 percent chance of playing)," reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Regardless of health, the Packers have to have seven players inactive for Sunday's game and Moll and Rouse are almost assured of being two of them.Defensive end Michael Montgomery is out as he recovers from a knee injury. That makes three out of seven.Either Ryan Grant or Vernand Morency will be inactive depending on their health by Sunday. That makes four.One of the Packers' cornerbacks, either Tramon Williams, Will Blackmon or Frank Walker will be inactive. That makes five.Justin Harrell will be inactive. That's six.The last one? Your guess is as good as mine. Greg Jennings? Tony Palmer?Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.

Podcast is up
2007-08-25 21:28:00
The Saturday August 25 edition of the Railbird Central podcast is ready for your listening pleasure. Listen as your hosts Eric Jefcoat and Brian Carriveau break down the Green Bay Packers' most recent game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Also on tap, the recent cuts made by the Packers, and positional breakdown of the wide receivers and the specialists.Click here to listen to the podcast. And make sure to subscribe. It's the best thing you could possibly listen to this side of the Grateful Dead's Dick's Picks Vol. 1.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
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Packers release Ingle Martin
2007-08-24 23:03:00
If there was one surprise among the 11 players released by the Green Bay Packers on Friday, it was quarterback Ingle Martin .Martin had a largely forgettable preseason. In the exhibition opener at Pittsburgh, he had leave after one series due to a minor injury. Then on Thursday's game against the Jaguars, Martin threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown in the last minute of the game with the Packers only down by one point.The Packers have decided to go with Paul Thompson as their third quarterback, at least for the time being. It is unknown whether the Packers will keep three quarterbacks on their 53 man roster or put Thompson on the practice squad to develop him. It's also possible that the Packers may raid a quarterback from the waiver wire once final cuts are made around the NFL.The other cuts were center C.J. Blomvall, wide receiver Carlton Brewster, fullback Erryn Cobb, punter Ryan Dougherty, defensive end DeVon Hicks, cornerback Antonio Malone, guard Pat Murray...
More About: Release