March 2011 - Green Bay Packers Wiretap
Dietrich-Smith: Suh Called To Apologize After Thanksgiving Stomp
Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith said Ndamukong Suh called him to apologize a few days after the Lions defensive lineman's infamous Thanksgiving Day stomp.
"He's cool, he apologized, and there's no hard feelings and that's pretty much it," Dietrich-Smith said.
With the Lions coming to Lambeau Field for Sunday's regular-season finale, Dietrich-Smith doesn't expect anything out of the ordinary to happen between him and Suh if they're on the field together.
"I think we've all moved past it," Dietrich-Smith said. "It's a big learning experience for everybody. I think everyone in the league can take note of everything that happened and I think every player is going to take a step forward to move past that kind of stuff."
Even in the heat of the moment, Dietrich-Smith said he wasn't tempted to snap back at Suh.
"Stuff happens," Dietrich-Smith said. "It's football. It's an emotional game. Sometimes you get carried away and you learn from those kinds of things, and that's about it."
McCarthy Undecided On Playing Starters Against Lions
The Packers have little to play for in Week 17 against the Lions and coach Mike McCarthy is undecided about how he'll game-plan for the season finale.
"We're going to play to win the game next week," McCarthy said. "I'm not real comfortable with a division opponent coming in here and not thinking we're going to play to get win No. 15."
McCarthy then added he wanted players to be healthy for the postseason.
"I think we need to get healthy," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "That's the main thing. Now that we have the top seed sewed up, the priorities may shift a bit."
Packers Nail Down NFC's Top Seed
The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21 on Sunday night to lock up the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers threw five touchdowns passes for the first time in his career as Green Bay won at Lambeau Field.
"Yeah, this one's pretty special," Rodgers said.
The win also knocked the Bears out of the playoff chase.
"We wanted the path to go through Lambeau," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.
Packers Confident They'll Have Jennings For Playoffs
The Packers are confident that wide receiver Greg Jennings will play in the NFC divisional playoff game the weekend of Jan. 14-15 at Lambeau Field.
Jennings apparently has made a strong recovery from the sprained medial collateral knee ligament that he suffered 13 days ago against Oakland.
"Greg Jennings will be challenged to play next week against Detroit," coach Mike McCarthy said.
"But I don't think there will be any question that he will play in the playoffs. That's the early diagnosis based on talking to the medical staff."
Devin Hester Could Sit Against Packers
Bears kick returner/wide receiver Devin Hester is questionable to face the Packers because of a nagging ankle injury.
Chicago running back Marion Barber is doubtful as well.
"I'm concerned. [He] hasn't practiced all week; hasn't done much," coach Lovie Smith said of Hester.
"Of course Marion Barber, too. Two key players for us [could be out]. [We] have a little bit of time still before the game, but it's not looking real good."
Matthews Wants To Help Keep Bears Out Of Playoffs
The Packers, having lost their first game of the season in Week 15, plan to play to win when they face the Bears this weekend.
"We're going to play this thing to win," linebacker Clay Matthews said.
The Bears, despite having homefield clinched throughout the playoffs, did not let up even a little in Game 16 last season.
Green Bay won 10-3, getting them into the playoffs despite the Chicago's efforts.
"You throw in the rivalry and bad blood between the two teams, and why would they want to see us in the playoffs?" Matthews said. "At the same time, I don't think there was another team with as much momentum as we had going into that last few weeks.
"It was going to be tough for them to see us again and maybe that played a part."
Bears Will Start McCown Against Packers
The Bears will start Josh McCown at quarterback Sunday night against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
"I'll tell you what, you can't be anything but excited," McCown said.
"(Coach Lovie Smith) put that up there this morning about the oldest rivalry. To get to be a part of that in this atmosphere, I'm very excited. I'm very thankful. It's a great opportunity to go play and have fun; to play on Christmas and all that. Absolutely it's neat."
Since 2007, McCown has attempted only eight passes, completing two.
AP Names Rodgers Top Male Athlete Of 2011
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, chosen by members of The Associated Press.
Rodgers took home the honor after he turned in an MVP performance in the Green Bay's Super Bowl victory over the Steelers in February and then went on to lead his team on a long unbeaten run this season.
He received 112 votes out of the 212 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations that make up the AP's membership. Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander finished second with 50 votes, followed by tennis standout Novak Djokovic (21), Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton (6) and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart (5).
Rodgers Leads All Players In Pro Bowl Voting
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers led all players in fan balloting for the Pro Bowl, receiving 1,581,982 votes, the NFL announced Wednesday.
The Pro Bowl teams will be announced Dec. 27 after players and coaches vote this week.
In all, five players received over 1 million votes. Saints quarterback Drew Brees finished third with 1,188,893 votes, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was fourth (1,180,777) and Patriots receiver Wes Welker fifth (1,133,787).
Source: Bears May Start McCown Against Packers
The Bears are giving recently acquired quarterback Josh McCown a chance to win the starting job against the Packers on Sunday, according to multiple sources.
If McCown performs well enough during practice this week, he will get the start, according to the sources.
"I have no idea," McCown said. "I'm just gonna get myself ready like I've done every week, and then we'll see what happens."
Chiefs Stun Packers With First Loss
The Chiefs shocked the Packers 19-7 on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium, handing the defending Super Bowl champions their first loss of the 2011 season.
RealGM Staff Report
Montana: I Never Had A Season As Good As Rodgers
Many believe Joe Montana is the best quarterback in football history, but he says he never had a season like the one Aaron Rodgers is having in 2011.
Raji: Packers Are Going To Go For 16-0
Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji says that coach Mike McCarthy is going to keep his foot on the gas and go for a 16-0 season.
Greg Jennings Will Miss 2-3 Weeks
The Packers dodged a huge bullet on Monday when they learned that wide receiver Greg Jennings will miss just two-to-three weeks.
Packers Remain Perfect, But Jennings Is Hurt
The biggest concern for Green Bay was an apparent left knee injury to wide receiver Greg Jennings in the third quarter.
Report: Packers Will Franchise Finley If No Deal Is Reached
The Packers and tight end Jermichael Finley haven't made progress on a contract extension.
Andrew Quarless Could Miss All Of 2012
Packers tight end Andrew Quarless suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.
Packers Sell 185,000 Stock Shares
Green Bay began a stock sale on Tuesday morning.
More Than 1,000 Packers Shares Sell In 11 Minutes
The Packers kicked off a rare stock sale Tuesday to help pay for another round of renovations at Lambeau Field.
Photo Indicates Refs Missed Call In Packers-Giants Game
Tom Coughlin is upset because of a photo that appeared to show his tight end scoring a touchdown on a play in which referees ruled him out of bounds.
RealGM's Week 13 Rundown
The Texans beat the Falcons thanks to their defense, the Raiders stumble in Miami, the Steelers dominate an AFC North showdown and the Packers outlast the Giants.
Angry Fewell Rips Giants Defense
Giants D-Coordinator Perry Fewell says the Giants defense will show up against the packers this weekend.
Sources: Suh's Appeal Hearing Scheduled
Ndamukong Suh's appeal of his two-game suspension for stomping an opponent will be held Thursday afternoon.