The Packer Page - Once a Packer always a Packer
July 22nd, 2008
The magic number is six, as in six days until training camp. I can feel the blood pumping already. Do you realize we are less than three weeks away from the first pre-season game. Never have we had so many questions to be answered. I am excited, I am prepared, I am ready for some Packer football.
Today, we will stay away from the Favre drama as much as possible.
Unfortunately, the biggest question I am getting concerns the rumor posted at Pro Football Talk that claims Favre will indeed stay retired. The author Mike Florio, states that an unidentified source told him that Brett Favre was offered a list of three teams in which to accept a trade with. Favre supposedly denied all three requests, and will now decide to hang up the gear for the season.
No one has either confirmed or denied this report, so we will let it stand as a rumor for now. It is a rumor that I personally hope is right on the money. We will have to wait and see.
There isn’t a whole lot of earth shattering material this morning, but I’ll pass on what I have, and thank the heavens for a quiet day.
Marco Rivera to Retire a Packer
Marco Rivera was always on of my favorite players. I was thrilled yesterday when he announced that he would sign an honorary contract and officially retire as a Green Bay Packer.
Rivera played for eleven years in the NFL, nine of them with the Green Bay Packers. He made three pro-bowls and was a consummate professional and leader throughout his stay in Green Bay.
Rivera attended this weeks Hall of Fame ceremony, and said that the choice to retire a Packer was a simple one.
“I played here the bulk of my career — nine years. We did a lot of good things here. It’s always nice to come back and see the family, as I call everyone, see the fans, and the other players. It’s a brotherhood. We stopped playing, but we never forget each other. That’s the great thing about football,” Rivera said.
“To retire as a Packer in my book is the greatest thing you can say as a football player in the NFL. It’s an honor and a privilege to retire and become a member of the Packers alumni with all the great players I played with and those that came before me.”
As a Packer fan I don’t think that there is a better compliment for the organization than that one. This makes two former players in the past couple of months who have endorsed this franchise as top notch.
I am honored to have watched Marco play, and equally a honored to have him as a Packer for life. Not to mention he was one hard nosed mean machine.
Welcome back number sixty-two.
Hundreds of Fans show their Support for Rodgers
Hundreds of fans turned out in Manitowoc to show their support for starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers yesterday. Swarms of people waited patiently in line to meet the future field general of the Green Bay Packers. There was electricity in the air as fans got to meet Aaron up close and personal.
“I think it’s definitely Aaron’s turn to step in and take the lead for Green Bay Packers,” said one fan who made a two hour drive to attend the event.
“I got pictures so (the drive) was totally worth it. I’m so excited I got to meet him. Besides the fact that he’s handsome, he’s a good football player. I just really like him a lot.”
Aaron thankfully refused to address the media, focusing all of attention on the fans. According to Steve Clark at the Herald Times, the most notable remark came from a fan who jokingly called Aaron out on his recent comments to fans.
“I told him that I had heard he said that Packer fans who aren’t on board need to get on board, and I told him that ‘We’ve been on board.’ … We want him here and I stuck by him 100 percent,” said the Rodger’s fan. “I told him all of that and he said he really appreciates hearing that from me, and he specifically said that he never said that Packer fans need to get on board.”
“Aaron’s going to get his opportunity regardless and I think he could definitely take them to a Super Bowl this year. He’s got the team around him.”
It’s nice to finally hear some news about the fans that are supporting Aaron Rodgers in what must be a difficult time for the heir apparent.
It is also important to note that almost three times as many Packer fans showed up to support Aaron than did at any of the previously held Favre rallies.
This young man has shown nothing but class this past couple of weeks, for this, I applaud him.
Linked Up
Here are some more pictures of this weekends Hall of Fame ceremonies.
If you missed it, you can catch an interview with Ryan Grant on ESPN dot com.
The Milwaukee Journal breaks down the wide receiver situation in Green Bay.
Greg Jennings throws his support to Aaron Rodgers.
Scout.com gives their take on both the defensive tackle and defensive end outlook for the Packers defense.
Cornerback Jarrett Bush has a blog.
Finally, if you’re looking for something to check out, how about the website of Al Harris?
The Packer Page Video Vault
I am hoping that next week we start to get some updated videos of current Packer players in action at training camp. For today, I have to work with what’s out there. Enjoy.
Aaron Rodgers on Favre returning
Laughter, the best medicine.
Favre’s speech at the ESPY’s
Just a good ‘ol boy, never meaning no harm. Pff.
The fan debate still rages on.
Please Please Please let the retirement rumor be true.
Favre’s MVP Speech
All things aside, he deserved that honor. It was a fantastic resurrection.
PFT Breaks down the tampering charges
Draft picks anyone?
The Ryan Grant Story
Now it’s time to get the paper, Ryan can sign it, and let’s play some ball.
That’s everything I have heard in a nutshell. I will keep the page updated today if any news of the Favre rumor comes to light. I would expect to see some signings take place in the very near future as well.
As always, The Packer Page will keep you updated as the information becomes available. Feel free to leave me a comment, or take a moment to sign our guestbook.
Oh yeah ladies, don’t forget to submit your bio for this weeks “Girl in Green and Gold.” It’s as easy as sending an email to thepackerpage@gmail.com.
That’s all I have, and as tradition goes, I leave you with one for the Purple.
Someone paid to see this
(Stay Tuned)
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maeva said:
Once things start going right, you could be asked to bring some proof.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:40 am #
PackOne said:
Some proof of what?
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:45 am #
John R said:
I had never heard of Packersgameday. It had some great tips for tickets. I’ve used Titletowntickets.com, which is not on their list (they’re way below stubhub or ticketking prices). Bush’s blog was interesting too. Thanks for the links.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 am #
Paul said:
I love hearing that news about Rodgers, what the guy said about always being on his ship is exactly what I want to say to him, I have faith in him to lead this team for the next 10-15 years.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm #