Author Archives: Karla Butler
Packers kick off rookie minicamp
Much to the relief of Green Bay Packer fans everywhere, GM Ted Thompson’s main focus during the draft was improving the defense. Although the players drafted were not ones who’s names we had been hearing for the past few months, Thompson gathered a talented group of individuals that were flying slightly under the radar. Now that the rookie camp has commenced, everyone’s eye will be on filling those roster spots for the upcoming season.
When Green Bay named their first pick in the draft, even TE Jermichael Finley wondered who he was (no worries, you were not alone). DE from USC, Nick Perry was named USC’s Defensive Lineman of the year after leading the Pac-12 in sacks for the 2011 season. Although Perry prefers the DE position, he will be competing for the starting spot to play opposite Clay Matthews as a linebacker.
Packers honor the uniform, pass on Nike designs
As Nike unveiled the new 2012 uniforms, a few of them appeared to be fairly unchanged. It’s not too surprising that the Green Bay Packers were the first of five teams to pass on Nike’s new designs. Their uniforms are rooted in their history and it would sadden the Packer’s allegiant fans to see anything but the simple, classic green and gold on Labeau Field.
The Packers beef up the offensive and defensive line
Thanks to concept of free agency, there is no off season for the NFL. Free agency has been more than just a little exciting this year, even for Green Bay Packers fans. The Packers may not have joined in “Tebow-Mania”, but they have been unusually active this season. Although GM Ted Thompson prefers to build from the draft, he has already started to beef up the defensive line with free agents. Thus far, they have signed Colts, C-Jeff Saturday, DT-Daniel Muir, and former Seahawks DL-Anthony Hargrove.
2012 NFL draft: 4 players the Packers should pounce on
As the 2012 Combine came to a close on Tuesday, several players boosted their prospects. Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson operates in stealth mode and it’s anyone’s guess as to who he’ll have his eye on come April. One thing that is certain is that the Packers fell more than a little short on the defensive end last season, and Thompson’s attention will be turned to correcting that.
Own a piece of the Packers before it’s too late
For the 5th time in the history of the Green Bay Packers, fans are invited to become legitimate NFL owners. The Packers are the only non-profit, publicly owned major league professional sports team in the U.S. 280,000 shares of common stock are being offered at $250 per share until February 29th or until the offering is fully satisfied. Since the first stock sale in 1923, a total of 4,750,937 shares have been bought by 112,158 stockholders.
The Packers Corporation was formed during a meeting at the local Elks Club in August of 1923. With the team headed towards bankruptcy, the community rallied to save the Packers. Every following sale continued to secure the team’s financial future. The last sale in 1997 helped to fund the 2003 Lambeau Field renovation.
Once again, the Packers are turning to their fans (and not the taxpayers) for assistance. This sale of shares, which began December 27th, is intended to help fund an expansion project. The expansion is designed to maintain crowd noise within the stadium and will add ~6,700 new seats as well as several other improvements. The continuous growth of Lambeau Field is something every Packers fan can get behind simply due to the fact that every game has been sold out since 1960.
As for the fine print… no dividends or distributions upon liquidation are paid to shareholders. You will not profit from purchasing shares and they are not tax-deductible. You cannot sell, or transfer shares in any way to a third-party. The only exception is to an immediate family member in the event of death or as a gift.
The benefits to owning a share in the Green Bay Packers will not appeal to the savvy investor. Benefits include being invited to shareholder meetings, voting rights, and exclusive merchandise available on the Pro Shop website. To a fan, the most significant perk of being an owner is being a part of not only an NFL franchise, but a legacy. The Green Bay Packers are a team that is not owned by a corporation or a member of the wealthy elite, but by their fans. Now’s the time to be a part of history and own a piece of the Pack.
Karla Butler is an NFL team writer for The Penalty Flag. She can be contacted at KButler@thepenaltyflagblog.com.
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Packers’ Ted Thompson: A necessary evil?
The echo of “Bring back Brett!” might still linger in the corners of Titletown, but it’s hard to argue that General Manager Ted Thompson was wrong in his decision. He is a firm believer in drafting and developing players, using free agents to address specific problems and has no qualms about releasing a veteran in order to re-sign a younger up-and-coming player. Now, many speculate that four time Pro Bowler and Green Bay Packers’ veteran Donald Driver might suffer such a fate.
Since he became GM in 2005, Thompson has worked on rebuilding and improving most of the roster. He may have released several veteran players, but he has acquired some pretty good talent to take their place. The first of which was Aaron Rodgers. Of the 53 players on the Super Bowl XLV Championship roster, Thompson acquired 49 of them. 19 of those 49 players were starters. In 2010, the Green Bay Packers had 8 players selected for the Pro Bowl, which is the most they have had since 1967. Thompson either drafted or signed 6 of those players. In 2008, he was recognized as the best in his field when he was named the George Young NFL Executive of the Year by Sporting News. He may not be sentimental towards the players, but he does what’s best for the team.
As for the beloved Driver, he was 5th in catches on the team this season, that is the lowest since 2001. He has made it know that he is not ready to hang up his cleats and he hopes to finish his career in Green Bay. Even though it would break the hearts of Packers fans everywhere to see him play for another team, it’s definitely a possibility. Driver is due about $5 million next season, and history would suggest that Thompson might want to spend that money elsewhere.
Driver is a packer to the core, and hopefully we’ll see his smiling face on the field again next season. As for those of us with #4 jerseys still hanging in our closets, keep in mind that although a team is only as great as it’s players, no player is greater than the team.
Karla Butler is an NFL team writer for TPF and can be contacted at KButler@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
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Green Bay Packers: After the Luau
Since Megan and her obvious lack of interest in football insisted on the sparkly nail polish, there will be no trip to Disneyland for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. So, the Pro-Bowl Packers are in the second most desirable location for an NFL player, Hawaii. This week is about relaxing and spending time with friends, family and the game on Sunday.
Clay Matthews was the first one in the pool at the Marriott Ihilani and spent most of the day soaking up the sun and having fun with his ever-present family. But what else fills the Pack’s time during the off-season?
For Scott Wells, it’s an honor to attend his first Pro-Bowl. Along with a few of his teammates, his future teeters as the end of his contract approaches. For now, he will put those thoughts aside and fly to Maui on Monday to enjoy a nice vacation with his family. The itinerary includes: relaxing, hanging out and recuperating. He also plans to enjoy a helicopter ride to view the volcanoes as well as get in some fishing. In past off-seasons he has participated in many charity events and has also been a volunteer wrestling coach at his high school.
Charity is a big part of the Green Bay Packers and it’s constituents. Last year Charles Woodson visited stroke patients in a Milwaukee hospital during the off-season in order to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms a stroke. He also supports a clinical research fund at the University of Michigan. These athletes have a number of varied interests in addition to football and charity. During his time with the Raiders, Woodson discovered an appreciation for wine. Along with two friends, he now produces wine under the label Twenty Four Wines. $10 of every bottle goes to CS Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voightlander Women’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
If the Hawaii sun isn’t enough for Clay Matthews, he has the California weather to look forward to in the off-season. There is also his inaugural Youth Football Camp- the Bellin Health Care Systems Clay Matthews Pro Camp. Matthews and his extraordinary hair will be on site to direct camp activities and provide instruction.
As for Aaron Rodgers, he will be attending the 3rd Annual “An Evening With Aaron Rodgers” to benefit Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer on May 22 at the Hyatt Regency in Down Town Milwaukee. His other interests include playing golf and the guitar. His appreciation of music lead him to start his own music label (Suspended Sunrise Recordings) which recently added new band The Make. Let’s hope he finds time this summer to cut a few more commercials. Discount Double Check Baby!
Karla Butler is an NFL team writer for TPF and can be contacted at KButler@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com
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