http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/53 Recent articles about the Green Bay Packers en-us After quite a game of telephone tag, I finally got ahold of former NFL head coach-turned-ESPN analyst Jon Gruden on Friday afternoon. Among other things, we talked about Monday's game and what he's seen from the Packers since their last "Monday Night Football" appearance on Oct. 5 at Minnesota. Here are some excerpts:On Monday's game: "I think it’s a big game, there’s no question. Baltimore, that AFC playoff picture is going to clear up here pretty soon — they need ... Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:55:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Gruden_sees_Packers_making_the_playoffs/1688307 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Gruden_sees_Packers_making_the_playoffs/1688307 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Gruden_sees_Packers_making_the_playoffs/1688307 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/d/edea46d979c23fd6b094913d379f9ce871abdc5a/small/Green_Bay_Packers_4e2e.jpg Packers linebacker Jeremy Thompson should experience a "full recovery" after suffering a scary neck injury at practice Friday, according to coach Mike McCarthy.Thompson was released from a Green Bay hospital Saturday morning and is "doing pretty well . . .... Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:40:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_expect_full_recovery_for_Thompson/1686866 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_expect_full_recovery_for_Thompson/1686866 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_expect_full_recovery_for_Thompson/1686866 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/0/30f00094f74c9d7e615705b4712b237cbce88c3c/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89630920.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1937481C04F04AA2143A37D3AC1A9DD88A4.jpg It’s a bit of a slow day, but here are a few links from this morning worth passing along… Green Bay might have some trouble keeping the Ravens off of QB Aaron Rodgers on Monday night, with several offensive linemen missing practice this week. G Allan Barbre may see some time at left tackle, but OT [...] Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:22:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Hits_Packers_Rhodes_Brees/1686862 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Hits_Packers_Rhodes_Brees/1686862 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Hits_Packers_Rhodes_Brees/1686862 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/7/572950be1d07c5612e2393ecd475f9356cf1f0c9/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f93075249.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0038DF5BFC716AD5A54B6BC483E20A3EBF54F05A8180F30B3.jpg Coach Mike McCarthy is set to speak shortly here in the Lambeau Field media auditorium. We'll post the newsy stuff as it comes, so refresh for the latest.* First, here's the injury report from Packers media maven Jeff Blumb: T Allen Barbre (ankle, full participation, probable)LB Brandon Chillar (hand, full, probable)T Chad Clifton (hamstring, limited participation, probable)RB Ryan Grant (shoulder, full, probable)RB Ahman Green (groin, full, probable)LB Aaron Kampman (knee, out, out)F... Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:07:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Injury_report_Clifton_is_probable_for_Monday/1686789 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Injury_report_Clifton_is_probable_for_Monday/1686789 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Injury_report_Clifton_is_probable_for_Monday/1686789 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/c/cc3b39d092359a065711dd252c479f216075cb3e/small/Green_Bay_Packers_1061.jpg Chad Clifton only did jog-through reps and T.J. Lang did nothing during the portion of practice open to reporters this morning, leaving the Packers' left-tackle situation cloudy.Clifton (hamstring) has participated in some portion of practice all week and seems like a decent bet to start on Monday night against Baltimore. But if he can't, it also looks like the Packers may be without Lang (concussion), who was injured on Thursday and hasn't practiced since.Lang did attend practice... Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:25:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_notes_Left_tackle_situation_still_cloudy/1686618 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_notes_Left_tackle_situation_still_cloudy/1686618 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_notes_Left_tackle_situation_still_cloudy/1686618 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/e/6e68706402ad381429b5698a813f18cbff0de993/small/Green_Bay_Packers_ba4e.jpg by Tony Ding - AP View full size photo » The SB Nation writers week 13 NFL picks expect a win for the Green Bay Packers, but our consensus pick on Thursday night was the Bills. Maybe we're like the Tennessee Titans: after our initial losing streak, we then go unbeaten!  The Packers remain at No. 12 in the week 13 NFL Power Rankings, the worst ranking for any 7-4 team (behind even the 6-5 Steelers) and... Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:00:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/The_SB_Nation_Week_13_NFL_Picks_and_Rankings/1685924 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/The_SB_Nation_Week_13_NFL_Picks_and_Rankings/1685924 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/The_SB_Nation_Week_13_NFL_Picks_and_Rankings/1685924 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/0/b00bf5f0b075914d29ef8607e74925aa86829f33/small/Green_Bay_Packers_9e7f.jpg Green Bay Packers OL T.J. Lang was absent from Friday's practice because he suffered a concussion during Thursday's practice, according to Mike McCarthy.  The more serious injury was the neck stinger suffered by LB Jeremy Thompson on a hit during practice. An ambulance responded to the practice facility. Mike McCarthy didn't have any further information during his press conference, but the Journal-Sentinel reported that Thompson wi... Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:00:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Friday_Injuries_TJ_Lang_and_Jeremy_Thompson/1685925 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Friday_Injuries_TJ_Lang_and_Jeremy_Thompson/1685925 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Friday_Injuries_TJ_Lang_and_Jeremy_Thompson/1685925 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/0/30f00094f74c9d7e615705b4712b237cbce88c3c/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89630920.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1937481C04F04AA2143A37D3AC1A9DD88A4.jpg Packers linebacker Jeremy Thompson will stay overnight at a Green Bay hospital after suffering a scary neck injury during practice Friday."Jeremy Thompson suffered a neck sprain near the end of Friday's practice," the Packers said in a statement. "There was... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:28:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_linebacker_Thompson_injures_neck_at_practice/1682589 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_linebacker_Thompson_injures_neck_at_practice/1682589 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_linebacker_Thompson_injures_neck_at_practice/1682589 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/0/30f00094f74c9d7e615705b4712b237cbce88c3c/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89630920.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1937481C04F04AA2143A37D3AC1A9DD88A4.jpg The Packers just issued the following statement on linebacker Jeremy Thompson, who was taken to the hospital after injuring his neck in practice today:"Packers linebacker Jeremy Thompson suffered a neck sprain near the end of Friday’s practice. There was no loss of consciousness and no paralysis at any time."Packers medical staff took customary precaution in treating the injury, including transport of Thompson to St. Vincent Hospital for a full battery of tests."He will be kept... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:54:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_has_neck_sprain_will_stay_in_hospital_overnight/1682387 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_has_neck_sprain_will_stay_in_hospital_overnight/1682387 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_has_neck_sprain_will_stay_in_hospital_overnight/1682387 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/0/30f00094f74c9d7e615705b4712b237cbce88c3c/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89630920.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1937481C04F04AA2143A37D3AC1A9DD88A4.jpg Several teammates said Packers outside linebacker Jeremy Thompson had movement in his arms and legs before being taken to St. Vincent's Hospital after sustaining a neck injury during practice.The injury occurred when Thompson collided with practice squad running back Kregg Lumpkin during a team (11-on-11) period near the end of practice."I heard a big scream of 'aaahhh,' and he was just laying there," linebacker Brady Poppinga said. "But he was talking and moving. T... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:52:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_has_movement_in_arms_legs/1681327 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_has_movement_in_arms_legs/1681327 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_has_movement_in_arms_legs/1681327 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/9669d76bacf4e5514d2b181afb107da339ae4c72/small/Green_Bay_Packers_3277.jpg Packers linebacker Jeremy Thompson has been taken to the hospital with a neck stinger.Coach Mike McCarthy said Thompson was conscious but had no other information on the injury, which occurred near the end of practice today. An ambulance was called to The Don Hutson Center about 12:30 p.m. and took Thompson to a local hospital as a precaution.Thompson has had several neck stingers since he arrived in Green Bay as a fourth-round draft pick in 2008, most recent in training camp this year. He wa... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:59:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_taken_to_hospital_with_neck_stinger/1680952 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_taken_to_hospital_with_neck_stinger/1680952 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Thompson_taken_to_hospital_with_neck_stinger/1680952 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/6/9669d76bacf4e5514d2b181afb107da339ae4c72/small/Green_Bay_Packers_3277.jpg Taking a quick spin through the headlines as the Packers practice inside The Don Hutson Center ...WORTH READING* Packers coaches have to hope this isn't the same old song and dance -- the offensive is showing improvement, but LT Chad Clifton's hamstring injury apparently has him iffy for Monday's game. (Note: If I were a betting man, I'd bet on Clifton playing, perhaps splitting reps. That he's taking the jog-through reps and has more than 72 hours remaining to get healthy... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:42:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Roundup_Offensive_line_improving_but_Cliftons_status_shaky/1680486 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Roundup_Offensive_line_improving_but_Cliftons_status_shaky/1680486 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Roundup_Offensive_line_improving_but_Cliftons_status_shaky/1680486 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/0/5001a960ecf44606fc0ac76ee5758a991acfd938/small/Green_Bay_Packers_0c34.jpg by Tony Dejak - AP View full size photo » This is going to be a good game. On paper, the Green Bay Packers seem to be the better team, but it's not a huge advantage. The Packers are favored by 3, but it's probably a pick if this were played on a neutral site. Every play is going to count, and any missed opportunity might be the reason someone loses.  The official team rankings (based on yardage) from NFL.com: ... Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Preview_Ravens_at_Green_Bay_Packers/1679115 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Preview_Ravens_at_Green_Bay_Packers/1679115 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Preview_Ravens_at_Green_Bay_Packers/1679115 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/c/1cc8fe72c6b36c56b7dfaffc7507fae16cadeae1/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89992182.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D097C3BA4DFBBEFC272E30ED0BC5C145A2A4136CCC1E2E7CCB.jpg Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn't talking about the injury to his ribs that landed him on today's injury report."I have an injury that is not going to keep me out of ... Monday's game," he told reporters after practice.Asked whether it happened in the collision last Thursday at Detroit after which he came off slowly, Rodgers said, "Possibly."Bottom line, Rodgers was a full participant in practice today and will start against the Ravens.-- Tom Pelissero, t... Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:03:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Rodgers_not_talking_about_his_ribs_expects_to_start_Monday/1675106 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Rodgers_not_talking_about_his_ribs_expects_to_start_Monday/1675106 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Rodgers_not_talking_about_his_ribs_expects_to_start_Monday/1675106 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/4/b499aa72362a9ce8471fe4a2eeac6be4993aaa57/small/WI_Dallas_Cowboys_a33d.jpg The Green Bay Packers look healthy with the extra time off after playing on Thanksgiving Day last week.Aside from outside linebacker Aaron Kampman, who's still on the roster but out for the season because of a torn ACL, two other players did little or nothing in practice Thursday: cornerback Charles Woodson and left tackle Chad Clifton, though both look like sure bets to play this week.Woodson has been missing some practice time early each week in recent weeks because of a hip injury but ... Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:24:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_report_Thursday/1674487 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_report_Thursday/1674487 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_report_Thursday/1674487 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/3/630e159390d1ba68a351eaa2a1a56a105e2e1ddd/small/Green_Bay_Packers_555c.jpg by Carlos Osorio - AP View full size photo » The awards keep coming in for CB Charles Woodson. He's already been named NFC defensive player of the week, and it's been reported by the Journal-Sentinel and the Press-Gazette, that he'll be named NFC defensive player of the month too.  Pro Football Talk reported that the Green Bay Packers wanted CB Mike McKenzie too, but he chose to sign... Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:00:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Cornerbacks_Charles_Woodson_and_Mike_McKenzie/1672791 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Cornerbacks_Charles_Woodson_and_Mike_McKenzie/1672791 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Cornerbacks_Charles_Woodson_and_Mike_McKenzie/1672791 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/7/1777574192d6951de0d64ab3da7a0eaac44588f2/small/New_Orleans_Saints_684b.jpg There was not a lot going on during the Green Bay Packers first practice since their game against the Lions. Rob Demovsky did a good job complying some quotes from players re: the news that they have the No. 1 ranked defense. And yes, the defense really is that good, so agrees Football Outsiders. It's funny about the rankings at FO: they have a nearly identical ranking against the pass (-16.3%, No. 3 overall) as against the run (-16.5%, No. ... Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:00:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_Tuesday_Practice_and_No_1_Ranked_Defense/1666308 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Packers_Tuesday_Practice_and_No_1_Ranked_Defense/1666308 The Green Bay Packers just announced the signing of TE Tom Crabtree to the practice squad.  The big news here is that they didn't sign a cornerback to replace CB Trevor Ford, who was recently promoted to the active roster. Despite the loss of CB Al Harris, the other recent signing of CB Josh Bell meant they didn't need another DB. There was a rumor about them bringing back CB Joe Porter, but apparently that came to nothing.  As f... Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:16:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_Squad_Packers_Sign_TE_Tom_Crabtree/1665574 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_Squad_Packers_Sign_TE_Tom_Crabtree/1665574 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Practice_Squad_Packers_Sign_TE_Tom_Crabtree/1665574 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/d/9d1816ef9300baf8bedb23300a622cbd6fff09bd/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f71341300.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D00EB6B54BE6A9BE31.jpg The Packers' unofficial second bye week is unofficially over, as coaches return to work and players come back in town today. Practice resumes on Tuesday and hits full swing on Thursday as preparations intensify for next Monday's game against Baltimore (6-5).As Pete Dougherty pointed out in his story today, the Packers' 7-4 record would put them in the playoffs if the season ended today. But to seal their spot, they'll likely have to win three of their last five games -- a stre... Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:05:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Roundup_Packers_go_back_to_work/1652871 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Roundup_Packers_go_back_to_work/1652871 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Roundup_Packers_go_back_to_work/1652871 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/5/9501f4cbe43c625235c9e0b599d6e4e08d444cd9/small/Green_Bay_Packers_64a9.jpg