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We’ve all known Green Bay Packers free agent safety Anthony Smith to be a guy that exudes confidence. After speaking with him on Wednesday, I can tell you that nothing has changed.

He’s still the same player who four years ago guaranteed a Steelers win in the week leading up to a key matchup with the 12-0 Patriots. Pittsburgh lost that game, partly due to a couple of touchdown passes Smith gave up, and even Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick took their respective shots at the then two-year safety.

The Patriots mild-mannered quarterback went face-to-face with Smith after one of his touchdowns, screaming who knows what at Smith, and post-game, the normally reserved Belichick said, “We’ve played against a lot better safeties than [Smith], I’ll tell you that.”

But that mishap hasn’t taken anything away from the sureness Smith still feels. Despite being an unrestricted free agent, Smith has plans to stay in Green Bay for next season, and he wants to make his mark on this group of Packers.

When asked about his free agent status on Wednesday, Smith was quick to respond that he has a tentative deal in place with the Packers for when the lockout ends. Smith couldn’t confirm any details, but he said he plans to “finish” his career with the team.  Read more... (1170 words + 1 image, estimated 4:41 mins reading time)

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Weekly Green Bay Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Jayme Joers (As heard on Cheesehead Radio 6/15/11 ).

To listen to the Daryn Colledge interview, click one of the links at the end of this post. I have to say, he gave a great answer to my question about dealing with criticism.

Packer News 6/15/11

Al: Thanks to the NFL lockout, Packers players have had plenty of free time lately. While OTAs and minicamps would normally occupy their days, they’ve been making the rounds at charity events, awards shows and other functions. Other NFL teams have been holding player-led practices, but the Packers don’t see the urgency – something that apparently bothers ESPN’s Teddy Bruschi.

Jayme:    Bruschi went on record questioning the Packers leadership, specifically calling out Aaron Rodgers and Donald Driver for not organizing workouts and extending their Super Bowl celebration for too long. Coach Mike McCarthy addressed the topic and not surprisingly, sided with his players, questioning the value of practices without coaches.  Read more... (788 words + 1 image, estimated 3:09 mins reading time)

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Weekly Green Bay Packers News from Twitter and other Sources by Al Bracco and Holly Phelps. (As heard on Cheesehead Radio 3/31/11 )

Al: Well, the last time we got together here, it was Thursday March 10. As we know now, the next day would bring the de-certification of the NFL Players union and a lockout by the owners. Much frustration was expressed by fans, and the two sides commenced with the expected posturing. Press releases, letters, emails, and tweets were exchanged, all trying to convince fans who was right and who was wrong. Of course, to most fans, it didn’t matter, they were ALL wrong for letting this happen.

Holly:     And speaking of wrong, how about that Johnny Jolly. After being suspended from the NFL for a year — but avoiding jail time — one might have expected Jolly to keep his nose clean and put his life on the right path. Instead, Jolly returned to his old haunts and old friends and, once, again got caught up in the seedy underbelly of the world of drugs. This time Jolly can expect little latitude from the Texas judicial system.  He’s already been denied bond by a judge in Houston, and will await his next court appearance from a cozy 10×10 cell.  Read more... (863 words + 1 image, estimated 3:27 mins reading time)

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The Washington Redskins surprised themselves and definitely their fan base by pulling out a win against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. And that’s not just my opinion.

Perusing comments on the game from the Redskins’ perspective, it quickly become evident they have a healthy respect for the Packers and are tickled pink they manage to pick up a win against them.

Here’s just a quick sampling of comments I’ve read:

Mike Shanahan:  ”The defensive line we played against is probably the best in the NFL. If they’re not, I don’t want to play the team that has better personnel than they do.”

That’s a pretty high compliment from a veteran coach like Shanahan. And that was without Ryan Pickett, the Packers’ best run-stopper. What that translates to is a very good sign that Mike Neal was indeed a fantastic choice by Packers GM Ted Thompson.

Guard Artis Hicks: “It was the best and most active front we’ve faced.”  Read more... (742 words + 1 image, estimated 2:58 mins reading time)

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Mike McCarthy has addressed the 800 pound gorilla in the room. In public. At a press conference.  Two press conferences, actually. Yes… I’m talking about Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

I’ll be honest. I usually find Mike McCarthy press conferences to be rather entertaining. Not because they’re any good, but more because I derive some sick pleasure in seeing how many ways McCarthy can say the same thing – usually nothing.

And then there are the flat out jaw-dropping comments, like after the Bears debacle when he claimed that he thought the run game had been productive.

But this week has been different. Never one to be too forthcoming in his comments to the media, especially regarding the psyche of his team, McCarthy talked about the Packers players and what could perhaps be a wave of  unrealistic expectations in the locker room. It’s something I’m sure no Packers player would want to admit, but have they fallen prey to all the Super Bowl talk? Are they looking ahead and not focusing on being their best week to week?

In his post-game press conference on Sunday, when asked if he was happy with HOW his team played, McCarthy said the following:  Read more... (960 words + 1 image, estimated 3:50 mins reading time)

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Green Bay Packer Superfan Steve Tate, aka “The Owner”, is a ubiquitous presence in Green Bay. Go to just about any Packers-related event and you’ll see Steve there in full Packers uniform wearing his “The Owner” cheesehead. Here is his story:

When did you first become a Packers fans and what is the background story behind it?
I have been asked this question a number of times and I have two basic answers.
1) As long as I can remember I have been a big Green Bay Packer fan. I think it all goes back to that we were fairly poor when I was young and there was not a lot of entertainment or trips and my dad was gone working long hours. But every time the Packers were playing we would listen, or watch them. In the 60s the Packers were the NFL’s best team and they became the first and real America’s team.
2) From this background I have tracked back to when I first became a Packer fan and that goes back to April of 1957. I was born in January of 1958.  Read more... (2330 words + 4 images, estimated 9:19 mins reading time)

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Every Green Bay Packers fan worth his/her salt knows St. Vince.  Wearing his holy garb, he can be seen in his low-level end-zone seats, along with his cheese-bra wearing wife, “Cheese Louise.”  St. Vince has become synonymous with Lambeau Field and is almost as a big a celebrity in Green Bay as the players are.

Before every home game, he is mobbed by Packer fans wanting to take pictures, get autographs and kiss his Super-Bowl ring. St. Vince truly shows the patience of a saint, obliging every request, and blessing fans with his cheerful personality. I am always fascinated by people who take their Packers fandom to a “higher” level, so I just had to get to know a little about this “Paragon of Packers Piety:”

When did you first become a Packers fans and what is the background story behind it? Also, what are your earliest memories of the Packers?  Read more... (2096 words + 3 images, estimated 8:23 mins reading time)

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