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Nine former Packers on Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees list

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Charles Woodson

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a total of 130 modern-era nominees for the 2021 class on Wednesday.  That list includes a total of nine former Green Bay Packers.

Safety LeRoy Butler, who was a finalist last year, is on the ballot again this year, while Charles Woodson is one of 14 first-year nominees.

Woodson played 18 years in the NFL.  Seven of those seasons came in Green Bay, where he helped the Packers win the 2010 Super Bowl.  During his time with the Packers, Woodson registered 38 interceptions and 11.5 quarterback sacks.

The other former Packers on the list of nominees are:  WR Donald Driver (1999-2012), kicker Ryan Longwell (1997-2005), TE Keith Jackson (1995-96), TE Wesley Walls (2003), safety Nick Collins (2005-11), cornerback Allen Rossum (2000-01) and center Jeff Saturday (2012).

 

Packers Hall of Fame to Induct Driver and Lee

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Donald Driver

Donald Driver

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. announced Tuesday that it will induct former Packers players Donald Driver and Mark Lee at the 47th Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held Saturday, July 22.

Driver was selected in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft, played in 205 games during his 14-year Packers career, the second-most in franchise history behind only quarterback Brett Favre.  He is the Packers all-time leader in receptions with 743, and receiving yards with 10,137.  Driver also scored 62 career touchdowns, tied for fifth-most in team history.

The four-time Pro Bowler helped the Packers win Super Bowl XLV in 2010.

Lee, who played 11 seasons in Green Bay (1980-90), had 31 career pass interceptions during his career, [Read more…]

Ryan, Driver to be inducted into Wisconsin Hall of Fame

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Bo Ryan (Photo by David Stluka)

Bo Ryan (Photo by David Stluka)

Two of Wisconsin’s all-time greats, Wisconsin Badger basketball coach Bo Ryan and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver were announced as the 65th anniversary class to be inducted into the revitalized Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

The two will be inducted April 30 at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, which is also the site of the first Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony back in 1951.

For Ryan, it’ll mark his second Hall of Fame induction after entering the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame last year.

The Chester, Pa. native coached at UW-Platteville where he won four national championships.  After spending two seasons at UW-Milwaukee, Ryan came  to Madison, leading the Badgers to back-to-back Final Four appearances over the last two seasons.  The Badgers lost to Duke 68-63 in the title game earlier this year.

Ryan won 353 games at Platteville and 357 more at the University of Wisconsin.  He is a four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and has led the Badgers to 14-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. [Read more…]

Nelson is in the fold, will Cobb be next?

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Randall Cobb - UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Randall Cobb – UPI/Bill Greenblatt

When it came time to deciding which of the receivers to sign first, the Green Bay Packers gave Jordy Nelson a four-year contract extension worth nearly $40 million.

One would assume that Randall Cobb would be next.

But Cobb said he has a lot to prove.

Following Sunday’s practice, Cobb said, “I don’t believe I’ve done enough, and I think that’s on me.”

Cobb missed 10 weeks last season with a leg injury (broken leg).  In 2012, he caught 80 passes for 954 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cobb returned to catch the game-winning touchdown pass at Chicago in Week 17, but one wonders if the Packers want to see more from Cobb before they back up the truck and give him a big contract.

AUDIO: Cobb is asked if last years injury might be a reason for the team to wait :22

There doesn’t appear to be any serious talks between Cobb’s agent and the Packers.

AUDIO: Cobb asked if there’s any contract talks going on now :21

Cobb has seen how the business side of professional football can go with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones.  He said, “I don’t believe any of us are deserving of anything.  So I’m going to continue to be the person I am, do what I’m supposed to do and when that time comes, if it comes, it’ll be a blessing.”

Sharpe elected to College Hall of Fame

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Former Green Bay Packers receiving great Sterling Sharpe was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame on Thursday, highlighting a class of 14 players.

Sharpe held several receiving records when he left South Carolina after the 1987 season.  He went on to become one of the top receivers in the history of the Green Bay Packers.

Sharpe ranks second in career receptions as a Packer with 595.  He’s 3rd in yards at 8,134, but set those numbers in just seven seasons.  Donald Driver is the all-time leader in receptions (743) and yards (10,137), but he took 14 years to put up those numbers.

Joining Sharpe in the class of 2014 are such stars as LaDainian Tomlinson, Tony Boselli and the late Derrick Thomas.

Injuries hit young Packers receivers

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Just two practices into Green Bay Packers Training Camp, three different receivers have gone down with injuries, including 7th round draft picks

Donald Driver

Donald Driver

Charles Johnson and Kevin Dorsey.

Undrafted rookie Sederrick Cunningham hurt his wrist on Friday and underwent surgery that same day.  He is out indefinitely.

Johnson suffered what’s been described as a minor knee injury and he could return to the field soon.  Dorsey appeared to have suffered a hamstring injury.  His status is unknown at this time.

Current Injury List

S Sean Richardson (neck), RB DuJuan Harris (knee), CB Casey Hayward (hamstring), LB Jamari Lattimore (illness), OL JC Tretter (ankle), OT Derek Sherrod (leg), DL Jerel Worthy (knee), CB Davon House (illness), S Chaz Powell (foot), DL Mike Neal (abdominal), WR Sederrik Cunningham (wrist), WR Charles Johnson (knee – dropped out), WR Kevin Dorsey (lower body – dropped out).

Donald Driver

Veteran wide receiver James Jones said he spent some time with recently retired Donald Driver down in Houston and reported that Driver is apparently having second thoughts about his retirement.  Driver has yet to file his retirement papers with the league.

It’s unlikely the Packers would want to bring Driver back after he hardly figured into their plans last year, catching just 8 passes for 77 yards.

Driver goes out a Packer

By

Donald Driver

Donald Driver

Donald Driver entered the NFL as a 7th round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1999.  Fourteen years later and Driver has officially retired, also as a member of the only team he’s known his entire career.

The retirement news came out at the Super Bowl in New Orleans last week, and Driver made it official during a one-hour ceremony at Lambeau Field’s Atrium today.

Driver thanked all of those responsible for allowing him to get where he is today, starting with former GM Ron Wolf, who drafted him out of Alcorn State.  It ended with a thank you to the fans.

More than 1,000 fans stood in line early to get into the ceremony when the doors opened this morning.  Driver was amazed at those that stood in line last Friday in the cold to snap up the limited amount of free tickets that were available to the public and were gone in less than 15 minutes. [Read more…]

Driver makes retirement official today

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It’ll be an emotional day for Donald Driver today as he officially announces his

Donald Driver (2010) Super Bowl

Donald Driver (2010) Super Bowl

retirement at a Lambeau Field news conference (11am) today.

Driver played his entire 14-year playing career with the Green Bay Packers and leaves as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and 1,000 yard seasons.

Driver saw limited playing time this past season with the Packers and could have gone on to play elsewhere.  But Driver said at the Super Bowl that it was important for him to play his entire career with one team.  That’s one of the things that makes Driver special, his deciding to hang it up and make the Packers organization the only organization that he has played for. [Read more…]

Player reaction to Donald Driver’s retirement (AUDIO)

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Donald Driver

Donald Driver

Donald Driver announced Thursday that the 2012 season was his last.  The 14-year veteran is hanging up his cleats as the Packers all-time leader in the receptions and receiving yards.  Here is some reaction to Driver’s announcement:

AUDIO: Mason Crosby called Driver was a great teammate :20

AUDIO: Ryan Grant said Driver was always someone to lean on :17

AUDIO: Tom Crabtree on Donald Driver :44

AUDIO: Antonio Freeman says retirement for a player is never easy :16

AUDIO: 49ers receiver Randy Moss on Driver :23

Wednesday, Driver will have an official announcement/celebration at Lambeau Field at 11:00 AM.  The even is open to the public with free tickets available at the Lambeau Field box office starting at 9:00 AM Friday morning.

Driver says he’s retiring after 14-years (Updated) (Audio)

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Donald Driver still believes he can play in the NFL, but if that chance isn’t going to

Donald Driver

Donald Driver

come with the Packers, then he’s calling it quits.

Driver initially made the announcement this morning and will return to Green Bay to make the retirement official at a Lambeau Field Atrium ceremony next Wednesday.

A limited number of tickets, free of charge, will be available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis in person at the Packers’ ticket office, starting at 9am on Friday morning.  The maximum number of tickets is four per person. [Read more…]