Bretsky
01-03-2008, 11:00 PM
BY GB Gazette---HERE ARE CLIPS OF IT; FULL STORY IN LINK
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200801020417/PKR01/801020590
Top 10 stories of 2007: Transition, celebration mark year
By Mike Vandermause
mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
A shakeup at the top of the organization and a surprising resurgence on the field highlighted the top stories of 2007 for the Green Bay Packers. Of course, no year would be complete without quarterback Brett Favre grabbing some major headlines.
Here are the top 10 Packers stories of the year, according to a vote by members of the Green Bay Press-Gazette sports staff.
1. Murphy, not Jones, replaces Harlan
After a search that lasted several months, the Packers announced the hiring of Northwestern athletic director Mark Murphy on Dec. 3 as Packers president and CEO. Murphy was a Pro Bowl safety for the Washington Redskins and team captain of a Super Bowl championship team. His resume also included stints as a lawyer with the U.S. Justice Department, vice president of the NFL Players Association and athletic director at his alma mater, Colgate.
2. Packers post 13-3 record, earn first-round playoff bye
Under second-year head coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers shocked the NFL world by capturing the NFC North Division title, tying a franchise record with 13 regular-season victories and grabbing the No. 2 NFC playoff seed, which earned them a first-round postseason bye for the first time in 10 years.
The success is a credit to General Manager Ted Thompson, who in less than three years on the job revamped the roster through the draft, signed some key free agents and replaced Mike Sherman with McCarthy as coach.
3. Brett Favre enjoys record-breaking success
The Packers' quarterback announced he was returning for a 17th NFL season in early February, then endured more personal tragedy in August when his stepfather-in-law died unexpectedly.
Favre proceeded to turn in one of the best regular seasons of his Hall of Fame career. In the process, he broke several all-time NFL career records, including most touchdown passes and most passing yardage.
Favre started every game for the 15th straight season and extended his NFL-record streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback to 253.
4. Offseason both quiet and noisy
The Packers added just one free agent during the offseason — backup cornerback Frank Walker — which generated criticism of Thompson by fans and media. But the most controversial decision came when Thompson failed to trade for Oakland Raiders receiver Randy Moss, who instead was shipped to the New England Patriots on draft weekend.
Thompson's failure to give the Packers' offense a boost drew criticism from an unlikely source — Favre. However, Thompson and Favre patched up their differences, and the Packers boasted one of the deepest receiving corps in the league with holdovers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and the addition of Koren Robinson and rookie James Jones.
Some still wonder how much better the Packers might be with Moss, who posted a record-breaking season with the Patriots.
5. Justin Harrell drafted in first round
With supposed needs on offense, the Packers surprised many by selecting defensive tackle Justin Harrell with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the draft. The defensive line was one of the team's deepest positions, and Thompson was booed by fans when he announced the pick in the Lambeau Field Atrium on draft day.
Harrell was coming off a biceps tendon injury as a senior at Tennessee and couldn't earn a spot on the Packers' active roster early in the season. Injuries to defensive linemen Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole helped Harrell see more playing time as the season progressed.
6. Max McGee dies
The former Packers receiver and radio broadcaster died at age 75 after falling off his roof in suburban Minneapolis in October. McGee, who was beloved by fans, was part of the Vince Lombardi dynasty in the 1960s when the Packers won five NFL championships. McGee was best known for coming off the bench to replace an injured Boyd Dowler in Super Bowl I and catching a pair of touchdowns.
7. Running back saga
Longtime starter Ahman Green left in free agency to sign a big-money contract with the Houston Texans, leaving the Packers with virtually no experience at the running back position. It got worse when projected starter Vernand Morency injured his knee in the first practice of training camp. After injuries felled rookies Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, the Packers finally settled on Ryan Grant as their starter. Grant, who was acquired in September from the New York Giants for a sixth-round draft choice, didn't receive significant playing time until late October, yet almost reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
8. Packers lose showdown in Dallas
It was billed as the biggest NFC regular-season game of the season. The Packers and Cowboys both sported 10-1 records when they met in Dallas for a Thursday night clash on Nov. 29. The Cowboys' 37-27 victory served as the tiebreaker for homefield advantage in the playoffs after both teams finished 13-3, meaning the Packers must return to Dallas if both teams qualify for the NFC championship game. The Packers stayed in contention despite not having the services of the injured Charles Woodson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and losing Favre to injury in the first half.
9. Lambeau Field celebrates 50th anniversary
Lambeau Field is the longest continuously occupied NFL stadium, and only Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago have longer active homefield tenures in professional sports. Home of the Packers since 1957, Lambeau has a seating capacity of 72,928. It is viewed as a pro football shrine and is a year-round destination for fans. Although the stadium turned 50 on Sept. 29, a $295 million renovation completed four years ago makes it one of the most modern facilities in the league. It has kept the small-town Packers competitive in a big-business world.
10. Players rewarded with new contracts
The Packers continued to focus on retaining and rewarding key players on the roster. Nick Barnett and Cullen Jenkins signed new contracts before entering the free-agent market, while Driver and Al Harris were given contract extensions. The Packers are positioned well for 2008 with nearly $25 million in projected salary cap room.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200801020417/PKR01/801020590
Top 10 stories of 2007: Transition, celebration mark year
By Mike Vandermause
mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
A shakeup at the top of the organization and a surprising resurgence on the field highlighted the top stories of 2007 for the Green Bay Packers. Of course, no year would be complete without quarterback Brett Favre grabbing some major headlines.
Here are the top 10 Packers stories of the year, according to a vote by members of the Green Bay Press-Gazette sports staff.
1. Murphy, not Jones, replaces Harlan
After a search that lasted several months, the Packers announced the hiring of Northwestern athletic director Mark Murphy on Dec. 3 as Packers president and CEO. Murphy was a Pro Bowl safety for the Washington Redskins and team captain of a Super Bowl championship team. His resume also included stints as a lawyer with the U.S. Justice Department, vice president of the NFL Players Association and athletic director at his alma mater, Colgate.
2. Packers post 13-3 record, earn first-round playoff bye
Under second-year head coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers shocked the NFL world by capturing the NFC North Division title, tying a franchise record with 13 regular-season victories and grabbing the No. 2 NFC playoff seed, which earned them a first-round postseason bye for the first time in 10 years.
The success is a credit to General Manager Ted Thompson, who in less than three years on the job revamped the roster through the draft, signed some key free agents and replaced Mike Sherman with McCarthy as coach.
3. Brett Favre enjoys record-breaking success
The Packers' quarterback announced he was returning for a 17th NFL season in early February, then endured more personal tragedy in August when his stepfather-in-law died unexpectedly.
Favre proceeded to turn in one of the best regular seasons of his Hall of Fame career. In the process, he broke several all-time NFL career records, including most touchdown passes and most passing yardage.
Favre started every game for the 15th straight season and extended his NFL-record streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback to 253.
4. Offseason both quiet and noisy
The Packers added just one free agent during the offseason — backup cornerback Frank Walker — which generated criticism of Thompson by fans and media. But the most controversial decision came when Thompson failed to trade for Oakland Raiders receiver Randy Moss, who instead was shipped to the New England Patriots on draft weekend.
Thompson's failure to give the Packers' offense a boost drew criticism from an unlikely source — Favre. However, Thompson and Favre patched up their differences, and the Packers boasted one of the deepest receiving corps in the league with holdovers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and the addition of Koren Robinson and rookie James Jones.
Some still wonder how much better the Packers might be with Moss, who posted a record-breaking season with the Patriots.
5. Justin Harrell drafted in first round
With supposed needs on offense, the Packers surprised many by selecting defensive tackle Justin Harrell with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the draft. The defensive line was one of the team's deepest positions, and Thompson was booed by fans when he announced the pick in the Lambeau Field Atrium on draft day.
Harrell was coming off a biceps tendon injury as a senior at Tennessee and couldn't earn a spot on the Packers' active roster early in the season. Injuries to defensive linemen Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole helped Harrell see more playing time as the season progressed.
6. Max McGee dies
The former Packers receiver and radio broadcaster died at age 75 after falling off his roof in suburban Minneapolis in October. McGee, who was beloved by fans, was part of the Vince Lombardi dynasty in the 1960s when the Packers won five NFL championships. McGee was best known for coming off the bench to replace an injured Boyd Dowler in Super Bowl I and catching a pair of touchdowns.
7. Running back saga
Longtime starter Ahman Green left in free agency to sign a big-money contract with the Houston Texans, leaving the Packers with virtually no experience at the running back position. It got worse when projected starter Vernand Morency injured his knee in the first practice of training camp. After injuries felled rookies Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, the Packers finally settled on Ryan Grant as their starter. Grant, who was acquired in September from the New York Giants for a sixth-round draft choice, didn't receive significant playing time until late October, yet almost reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
8. Packers lose showdown in Dallas
It was billed as the biggest NFC regular-season game of the season. The Packers and Cowboys both sported 10-1 records when they met in Dallas for a Thursday night clash on Nov. 29. The Cowboys' 37-27 victory served as the tiebreaker for homefield advantage in the playoffs after both teams finished 13-3, meaning the Packers must return to Dallas if both teams qualify for the NFC championship game. The Packers stayed in contention despite not having the services of the injured Charles Woodson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and losing Favre to injury in the first half.
9. Lambeau Field celebrates 50th anniversary
Lambeau Field is the longest continuously occupied NFL stadium, and only Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley Field in Chicago have longer active homefield tenures in professional sports. Home of the Packers since 1957, Lambeau has a seating capacity of 72,928. It is viewed as a pro football shrine and is a year-round destination for fans. Although the stadium turned 50 on Sept. 29, a $295 million renovation completed four years ago makes it one of the most modern facilities in the league. It has kept the small-town Packers competitive in a big-business world.
10. Players rewarded with new contracts
The Packers continued to focus on retaining and rewarding key players on the roster. Nick Barnett and Cullen Jenkins signed new contracts before entering the free-agent market, while Driver and Al Harris were given contract extensions. The Packers are positioned well for 2008 with nearly $25 million in projected salary cap room.