March 2016 - Green Bay Packers Wiretap

Jared Cook Establishing Rapport With Aaron Rodgers

Aug 27, 2016 1:46 PM

Jared Cook is quickly establishing a rapport with Aaron Rodgers in his first season with the Green Bay Packers.

“I think he’s going to be a good part of our offense,” Rodgers said. “He made a lot of plays out there. Did a good job on the basic route on third down that I hit him on, made some contested catches tonight, which was nice to see, and he did a good job with the ball in his hands.

“He’s a big body who has some athleticism and did a good job with his stiff-arm on his catch on the sideline, that was impressive to watch. But it’s going to be fun for us to grow that chemistry over the season. We need him to stay healthy. But he made some really nice plays tonight.”

“We’re just still just trying to build our chemistry,” Cook said in a sideline interview during the game broadcast. “It’s communication, verbal and nonverbal, us talking through things and working together. It’s all about timing -- him knowing where I’m going to be and me knowing where he’s going to put the ball.”

The Packers gave Cook, an eight-year veteran, $2.75 million in a one-year contract because they think he can add a down-the-field dimension to their offense from the tight end spot not seen since Jermichael Finley’s neck injury in 2013.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers

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Three Players To Meet With NFL About Al Jazeera Report

Aug 23, 2016 6:48 AM

James Harrison, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers have agreed to meet with the NFL regarding performance-enhancing drug allegations stemming from a December report by Al Jazeera America.

The NFL previously cleared recently retired quarterback Peyton Manning, also named in the report. The NFL has been demanding that active players meet with investigators.

Ian Rapoport/NFL

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers

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Aaron Rodgers Says NFL Culture Discourages Speaking Out

Aug 16, 2016 8:10 AM

Aaron Rodgers believes NFL players should speak out on social issues more often, but says the league's culture discourages doing so.

Rodgers told ESPN Wisconsin's "Wilde & Tausch" last week that he read a story in which Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks said players need to speak out more often.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback was in the crowd at the ESPYS last month and praised NBA stars LeBron James, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade for opening the evening by calling on athletes to promote social change.

"It's got to be natural, it's got to be authentic, and I think those guys did a really good job. It was a great message," Rodgers said. "The thing I'll say in reference to speaking your mind, [I read] a piece on the Bennetts recently -- Michael and Martellus. And I turned to a friend and I said, 'Why do we have to say that it's refreshing when someone speaks their mind? Or is honest now?' I think that's kind of a societal issue that we have.

"We need more guys like that who feel comfortable speaking their mind."

Rodgers acknowledged that he has not been particularly outspoken.

"Those guys are doing it and they feel comfortable doing it," Rodgers said. "I think if more guys maybe did in our league, it would create a domino effect possibly."

Jason Wilde/ESPN

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Pro Football Hall Of Fame Only Refunding Game Tickets

Aug 9, 2016 7:18 PM

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced that the only refund that fans who bought tickets to Sunday's canceled game will receive is for the ticket itself.

The Hall of Fame said it is not responsible for any tickets sold on resale sites, but the big sites, including StubHub, refunded those who purchased tickets, including all fees, on Sunday night.

Some fans had believed that they might get more, including reimbursement of hotel or travel expenses. The game was canceled as a result of human error -- bad field conditions brought about by the way logo paint dried -- not an act of God.

The issue stemmed from the paint used on the midfield logo and in the end zones.

Darren Rovell/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts

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Kellen Winslow II Works Out For Packers

Aug 8, 2016 8:30 AM

After being out of the NFL for the last two seasons, Kellen Winslow II received a tryout with the Green Bay Packers.

Winslow's tryout, scheduled for Sunday, was first reported by the NFL Network. The tight end was the sixth overall pick in 2004.

He caught 31 passes, including two touchdowns, in 12 games for the New York Jets when he last played in 2013.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Free Agent Rumor

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Hall Of Fame Game Canceled Due To Poor Field Conditions

Aug 8, 2016 11:41 AM

Sunday night's Hall of Fame Game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts was canceled because of field conditions at Tom Benson Stadium.

Hall of Fame president/executive director David Baker called the decision to cancel the game "difficult," but he added that it was an "easy, ethical decision." He told ESPN's Lisa Salters the call was made after consulting with coaches Mike McCarthy and Chuck Pagano, as well as NFL COO Tod Leiweke.

Both teams remained at the stadium, which instead hosted a fan fest-type event. According to Baker, fans will be refunded their money.

ESPN.com

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Misc Rumor

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Saints To Sign John Kuhn To One-Year Deal

Aug 6, 2016 11:46 AM

John Kuhn has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.

The deal will be for the veteran's minimum and officially closes the door on a nine-year run with the Packers.

"He loved his time there, but he wanted to play," Gold said. "This was an opportunity, and coach [Sean] Payton was excited to know he was available and wanted to play. It's bittersweet, but it's also a great opportunity."

The Saints' primary fullback, Austin Johnson, suffered an unspecified injury in practice this week.

The Saints had only one other fullback on their roster: undrafted rookie Sione Houma.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Mike McCarthy Won't Relinquish Play-Calling Duties Again

Aug 5, 2016 9:06 AM

Mike McCarthy relinquished play-calling duties to start last season, but he has no plans to do so again with the Green Bay Packers.

When the offense sputtered, McCarthy took back the play-calling duties.

"I'll never do that again," McCarthy said.

Offensive coordinator Tom Clements was given the duties prior to last season.

Tom Pelissero/USA Today

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Jordan Rodgers Wins 'The Bachelorette'

Aug 2, 2016 8:25 AM

Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Aaron Rodgers, received the final rose on the finale of ABC's "The Bachelorette" on Monday night.

JoJo Fletcher picked the "former pro quarterback," as he's been identified on the show throughout the season.

Rodgers, 27, never played in an NFL regular-season game but had brief tours of duty with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers

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