Calling an audible.....

[Partial]

Nobody is painting him as a savior. That's laying it on a bit thick, isn't it? He was just a good pickup when the team needed one. Kind of a "right place at the right time" situation. I might even call it a "terrific" pickup given the circumstances and the result. You might not, but then it's a matter of opinion and there's no right or wrong answer.

Rison was a known quantity as a talented veteran receiver. He was not a mere Taco Wallace. (Speaking of whom ... if we remember a guy like Taco Wallace so many moons later, why might we not remember "Bad Moon" Rison?)

There was concern about his issues 'tween the ears, but his pre-existing friendship with Favre seemed to make that less of a concern. Obviously Wolf and/or Holmgren didn't see things the same way.

Because Andre's name is not Taco.

[the_idle_threat]

Nobody is painting him as a savior. That's laying it on a bit thick, isn't it? He was just a good pickup when the team needed one. Kind of a "right place at the right time" situation. I might even call it a "terrific" pickup given the circumstances and the result. You might not, but then it's a matter of opinion and there's no right or wrong answer.

Rison was a known quantity as a talented veteran receiver. He was not a mere Taco Wallace. (Speaking of whom ... if we remember a guy like Taco Wallace so many moons later, why might we not remember "Bad Moon" Rison?)

There was concern about his issues 'tween the ears, but his pre-existing friendship with Favre seemed to make that less of a concern. Obviously Wolf and/or Holmgren didn't see things the same way.

Because Andre's name is not Taco.

Perhaps, but "Bad Moon" Rison is a pretty memorable nickname. And Rison was a much better player.

[Partial]

I am with Patler. Can anyone remember another decent play that he made beyond the big touchdown catch? I sure as heck cannot.

He was cut by the Jags. I think it was right after Left Eye burned his house down, but I am not positron.

[the_idle_threat]

Can anyone remember any specific play that Beebe made that year, or any other receiver for that matter? I can't.

People remember the biggest plays, and the rest kind of fade.

But it so happens that Rison did make a huge and memorable play in the Super Bowl. Funny how some wanna discount that and say "other than that huge play he made in the Super Bowl ...." Well, IMO, the big play he made in the Super Bowl would make him a terrific pickup as scrapheap reclamations go even if that was all he did.

What I remember about him is that he was a very talented player who had been to the Pro Bowl more than once (I just looked it up to confirm how many---it was 4 straight Pro Bowls from 1990 to 1993) but he had some character questions. He was kind of like the Randy Moss of his time, although not quite so dominating on the field as Moss.

When he was on the field, teams still needed to account for him, even if he didn't get the ball. He brought this element to the Packers right away. And I also distinctly remember that he and Favre had a great chemistry, which came in part from their time together as teammates when Favre was a rookie in Atlanta. My memory is fuzzy on why he didn't produce bigger numbers, but my recollection is that he just couldn't learn the playbook fast enough to make a huge instant impact, and IIRC a lot of his production in the first few games was based upon sandlot-type improvisation between him and Favre.

Rison went on to make the Pro Bowl again the very next season with Kansas City.

I just wonder what might have been if he had been brought back and had gotten the chance to truly learn the offense and play.

[hoosier]

I am with Patler. Can anyone remember another decent play that he made beyond the big touchdown catch? I sure as heck cannot.

I can. Rison saved their ass early in the Carolina game, when they were trailing 10-7. It was 2nd and forever after a penalty, and he hauled in one of Favre's rockets in between a bunch of Carolina defenders for a 20+ yard gain. That made it 3rd and short, the Pack converted and scored a TD, putting them ahead for the first time. They never trailed after that. I have a vivid mental image of one of Carolina's DBs cursing up and down after Rison caught that ball.

[Partial]

Can anyone remember any specific play that Beebe made that year, or any other receiver for that matter? I can't.

People remember the biggest plays, and the rest kind of fade.

But it so happens that Rison did make a huge and memorable play in the Super Bowl. Funny how some wanna discount that and say "other than that huge play he made in the Super Bowl ...." Well, IMO, the big play he made in the Super Bowl would make him a terrific pickup as scrapheap reclamations go even if that was all he did.

What I remember about him is that he was a very talented player who had been to the Pro Bowl more than once (I just looked it up to confirm how many---it was 4 straight Pro Bowls from 1990 to 1993) but he had some character questions. He was kind of like the Randy Moss of his time, although not quite so dominating on the field as Moss.

When he was on the field, teams still needed to account for him, even if he didn't get the ball. He brought this element to the Packers right away. And I also distinctly remember that he and Favre had a great chemistry, which came in part from their time together as teammates when Favre was a rookie in Atlanta. My memory is fuzzy on why he didn't produce bigger numbers, but my recollection is that he just couldn't learn the playbook fast enough to make a huge instant impact, and IIRC a lot of his production in the first few games was based upon sandlot-type improvisation between him and Favre.

Rison went on to make the Pro Bowl again the very next season with Kansas City.

I just wonder what might have been if he had been brought back and had gotten the chance to truly learn the offense and play.

Yes. He caught that one button hookish play, fell down, and got right back up and housed it.

I'm not saying he didn't have a huge impact on that game, but I am saying that is all he is remembered for.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Can anyone remember any specific play that Beebe made that year, or any other receiver for that matter? I can't.

I think people are crapping on Rison because he had reputation as a trouble maker.

He was only with the pack for a few months a very long time ago, jeez.

I can't remember a single block that Tootie Robbins made.

[the_idle_threat]

I can't remember a single block that Tootie Robbins made.

Me neither.

[Zool]

Can anyone remember any specific play that Beebe made that year, or any other receiver for that matter? I can't.

I think people are crapping on Rison because he had reputation as a trouble maker.

He was only with the pack for a few months a very long time ago, jeez.

I can't remember a single block that Tootie Robbins made.

I remember when she blocked Blair and Natalie from Joe, when Joe was trying to get at them cause she was mad. Mrs Garrett had to come in and calm everyone down.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

"Rison played 5 more years and was very productive for 5. Not going to discuss the 2 more in the CFL."

Tyrone, ya freakin' cracky.

Rison played TWO more seasons. He was very productive for us and helped out a lot that year. Andre did a lot of work with the young recievers and brought a lot of energy to his job. His gig was to run routes the DB's respected to leave room for our twin terror TE's, Chew and Keith Jackson. 13 grabs was just a bit of his contributions.

One thing he did for the team may have lead to his demise. At the end of the season, Holmgren was worrying aloud to his coaches on how to fire the team up before an upcoming game. An assistant told Mikey that he had heard Rison could deliver a king hell pre game pep talk. Rison was approached and agreed to give his firey speech, knowing it was fresh material to the Pack.

Rison did a great job, getting the team all fired up, but combining humor. All observers said it was the best pre game pep talk they'd ever heard. Him and Holmgren even worked a bit out that would allow MH to make a joke at Rison's expense, kidding him about the hip hop delivery.

Rison did every thing he was asked and expected to be back next year. The Pack never made him an offer. Andre signed with the Chiefs. He was their top reciever with 72 catches for 1000+ yards. He was pissed and was never told why the Pack let him go.

The scuttlebut of the time was that Wolf & Holmgren were impressed with Rison's quick hold on the team, but paranoid that it could backfire. Rison had a rep as a clubhouse lawyer & Packer mgt didn't want to deal with his alleged dark side.

That read him and Brett made in the Super Bowl is how I remember Dre. He could read secondaries like a QB. He read that hot seam and ran the route. The Gunslinger saw it too, & put that baby right in there. He should have played for us in '97.

I made a mistake, but mine is way closer than yours. Rison played 4 more seasons and 2 in the CFL.

Pro football reference lists: 97,98,99 with KC and 00 with Oakland.

But, we are in agreement. It was a poor decisions to let him go.