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Mark your calendars – Aaron Rodgers Day is 12-12-12

On November 11, 2011 Jennifer Brilowski of Stevens Point created a Facebook page starting a movement to name December 12, 2012 (12-12-12) Aaron Rodgers Day in Wisconsin. On Thursday, the official resolution was presented to Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field.

Relating to: declaring December 12, 2012, Aaron Rodgers Day.
Whereas, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback playing in the National Football League and wears jersey #12; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers in just a few years as a starter has established himself as a great leader of the Green Bay Packers and confidently takes the trust his teammates and coaches have placed in him to lead his team to further greatness; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLV; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers was named Most Valuable Player of the 2011 season, winning 48 out of 50 possible votes; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers on a 19-game winning streak between the 2010 and 2011 seasons; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers became the only player in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards in each of the first two seasons as a starting quarterback; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers played the best season of his career in 2011, throwing for 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions, good for a passer rating of 122.5, which is now the best single-season passer rating in NFL history; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers earned the National Football Conference Offensive Player of the Month award for September, October, and November, and FedEx Air Player of the Week six times (Weeks 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 13); and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers currently holds the record for all-time consecutive games with at least two touchdown passes at 13; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers’ performance on November 24, 2011, during the annual Thanksgiving Day Classic earned him the coveted Galloping Gobbler Most Valuable Player award; and
Whereas, the Green Bay Packers finished the 2011 regular season at the top of their division with a record of 15-1, thanks in large part to Aaron Rodgers; and
Whereas, Aaron Rodgers is actively involved in the charitable organization Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (the MACC Fund); now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That in appreciation of Aaron Rodgers’ athletic accomplishments and humanitarian activities, the Wisconsin legislature hereby commends Aaron Rodgers on his accomplishments and declares that December 12, 2012, is proclaimed “Aaron Rodgers Day” in Wisconsin; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall transmit a copy of this joint resolution to Aaron Rodgers.

Double dance, double partner for Double D

Dancing first this week on “Dancing with the Stars,” the duo of Packers WR Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd delivered the tango without apology, scoring 27 out of 30 points, the same score for the fifth straight week.

Similar to the couple’s first successful tango weeks earlier, the couple again seemed to gratify all three judges.

“Ding dong Donald, a first round knockout,” said Judge Len Goodman.

Judge Bruno Tonioli, in his usual lively approach, praised Donald and Peta as well. “You were going for it like there’s no tomorrow.”

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was the first to give Donald and Peta a perfect 10 for their tango a few weeks ago, but only offered 9 points for this week’s version (along with the other two judges). Inaba also served a side of criticism, hoping for a little more “drama” with their dance.

The Tango was the first of two dances team “Driving Miss Peta” completed on Monday’s Week 8 episode. All six remaining dancing pairs were slotted to complete a “Trio Dance” which involved each ‘star’ dancing with both their typical counterpart and an additional practiced cast member. Driver’s Trio included that of professional dancer and “DWTS” regular, Karina Smirnoff, along with his usual partner, Murgatroyd.

The Driver/Smirnoff/Murgatroyd trio successfully completed their version of the Jive, which featured high-energy moves and quick-paced music.

Judge Inaba provided a much-needed 10 points for the trio while the other judges provided collective 9’s for their second performance of the night, bringing Driver’s total to 55 points.

Taking the score in stride and always with a smile, Driver did reflect with host Brooke Burke. “It hurt,” said Driver. “We thought we made it.”

“Double” must be the theme for this week’s show as double partners, double dances and this week’s contest features a “double elimination” on Tuesday, taking the pool of six couples down to a mere four.

Based on scoring alone, it seems the “Double” theme is working for Double D. Will he get through with his dancing scores and the votes needed to bring him to the next level?

Eliminations continue on “Dancing with the Stars.” Viewers are encouraged to vote via phone and text message for Donald only on the night he performs; online voting ends at 10 a.m. CT the following day. Log on to abc.com to vote.

Desmond Bishop chat transcript

Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop chatted live with fans on packers.com on Thursday, May 3. Read the chat transcript to see what Bishop said.

Driver keeps stride with Waltz

WR Donald Driver and his dancing partner Peta Murgatroyd scored 27 points out of 30 for the fourth consecutive week on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Likely unsurprising to Packers fans, Donald easily kept rhythm with his swift and agile footwork during the Viennese Waltz and received a post-dance standing ovation from the full audience in the ABC ballroom.

Costumed like true royalty, the pair received praise from the judges and modest critique along with 9 points from each.

Len Goodman who has judged Driver both hot and cold in previous weeks told the couple they did a great job and that their dance was well done.

“I thought it was terrific,” said Judge Len Goodman.

This 7th week of competition provided Driver with the probable security that he will see Week 8. But will it be enough for this royal duo?

Eliminations continue on “Dancing with the Stars.” Viewers are encouraged to vote via phone and text message for Donald only on the night he performs; online voting ends at 10 a.m. CT the following day. Log on to abc.com to vote.

Meet the Packers’ 2012 draft class

#53 NICK PERRY • LINEBACKER • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Drafted: 1st Round (#28 overall)
Ht: 6-3   Wt: 265

• Story: Perry ready to take game to next level
  
• Editorial: Packers turn to USC, again, for pass rusher
  
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Perry on stage at NFL Draft
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Perry
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on Perry
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Perry’s USC Bio

#99 JEREL WORTHY • DEFENSIVE END • MICHIGAN STATE
Drafted: 2nd Round (#51 overall)
Ht: 6-2   Wt: 308

• Story: Packers favored Worthy’s quickness
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Packers trade up for Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy
• Video: Scout Shaun Herock on Worthy
• Video: D-Line Coach Mike Trgovac on Worthy
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 2nd round picks
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on the 2nd round picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Worthy’s Michigan State bio

#29 CASEY HAYWARD • CORNERBACK • VANDERBILT
Drafted: 2nd Round (#62 overall)
Ht: 5-11  Wt: 192

• Story: The Packers defense rests with Hayward
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Packers move up again, take CB Casey Hayward
• Video: CBs Coach Joe Whitt Jr. on Hayward
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 2nd round picks
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on the 2nd round picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Hayward’s Vanderbilt bio

#76 MIKE DANIELS • DEFENSIVE TACKLE • IOWA
Drafted: 4th Round (#132 overall)
Ht: 6-0   Wt: 291

• Story: Daniels uses hustle to reach higher
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 4th round picks
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Saturday’s picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Daniels’ Iowa bio

#22 JERRON McMILLIAN • SAFETY • MAINE
Drafted: 4th Round (#133 overall)
Ht: 5-11   Wt: 203

• Story: Maine safety addresses need for a tackler
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Def. Coord. Dom Capers on the 4th round picks
• Video: Safeties Coach Darren Perry on McMillian
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Saturday’s picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• McMillian’s Maine bio

#56 TERRELL MANNING • LINEBACKER • NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Drafted: 5th Round (#163 overall)
Ht: 6-2   Wt: 237

• Story: Manning believes he belonged at top
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: Inside LBs Coach Winston Moss on Manning
• Video: GM Ted Thompson on Saturday’s picks
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Manning’s N.C. State bio

#77 ANDREW DATKO • TACKLE • FLORIDA STATE
Drafted: 7th Round (#241 overall)
Ht: 6-6   Wt: 315

• Story: Tackle, QB give offense two for the road
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Datko’s Florida State bio

#9 B.J. COLEMAN • QUARTERBACK • TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA
Drafted: 7th Round (#243 overall)
Ht: 6-3   Wt: 231

• Story: Tackle, QB give offense two for the road
• Photo Gallery
• Conference Call Audio
• Video: McCarthy on the draft
• Coleman’s Tennessee-Chattanooga bio

McCarthy comments on Clifton, Collins

Just as GM Ted Thompson did on Friday, Head Coach Mike McCarthy addressed the release this past week of veterans Chad Clifton and Nick Collins when asked by the media. Here is a transcript of McCarthy’s remarks:

“I tell you, it’s something I will never get used to. That was a hard week, starting with Chad on Monday, and Nick, both obviously medical situations that led to that decision.

“The obvious is how good a player that Chad has been throughout his career, and I look at Nick Collins, I think Nick and Chad will both without a doubt be in the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame. But Nick Collins, if you look at the beginning of his resume, he had a heck of a chance to go to Canton, just the way he was starting in the first half of his career.

“But that really was not the tough part at all, because it wasn’t a professional decision. It was clearly a personal decision, specifically with Nick Collins. Just based on the information as an organization, Ted Thompson and I sat down, and the final question that’s asked is, ‘If Nick was your son, would you let him play?’ And that’s why we made the decision we did.

“The same with Chad. Chad Clifton is going to be missed around here. You’re talking about two great guys in the locker room, wonderful human beings, excellent teammates, two men that we classify as core players. They’re a big part of the way our locker room is. We take a lot of pride in the culture and the way we go about things, and Chad Clifton and Nick Collins exemplified that to the max.”

QB caps Packers 2012 draft class

The Packers capped their 2012 draft class by selecting quarterback B. J. Coleman of Tennessee-Chattanooga with the 243rd overall pick, one of two compensatory picks by the Packers in the final round.

Draftnik Mel Kiper had projected Coleman to be a fifth or sixth-round prospect. The Packers, of course, are in the market to develop a young quarterback, after having lost Matt Flynn in free agency.

Coleman originally went to Tennessee but played just three games there and transferred to Chattanooga, where he started 29 contests over three seasons. He missed five games last season with a shoulder injury but returned to start the final game of his college career. He threw 52 TD passes against 31 interceptions in his three seasons at Chattanooga.

“He’s got the arm and he’s got the size,” Kiper said. “You look at him at 6-3 and change and at 235 pounds, and you look at what he was able to do during his career at Chattanooga. I thought he ran a little hot and cold and had an accuracy issue here and there, but the long-range possibilities are evident.”

Tackle first offensive player picked by Packers

It took seven rounds, but the Packers finally turned away from defense and gave new offensive coordinator Tom Clements a player for his side of the ball, Florida State offensive tackle Andrew Datko.

Datko, 6-6, 315,  was a starter in the first four games of last season before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. He had been a starter at FSU since his true freshman season.

Veteran Packers tackle Chad Clifton was released by the team on Monday and last year’s first-round pick, tackle Derek Sherrod, is recovering from a late-season fractured leg.

Datko was selected with the 241st overall pick. The Packers have one pick remaining, at 243.

Packers trade up to pick N.C. State linebacker

North Carolina State linebacker Terrell Manning made it six defensive players in a row and threatened to make this an all-defense draft for the Packers, as the Packers traded a sixth-round pick and two seventh-round picks to the Patriots to move up to pick 163 in the fifth round and select Manning, 6-2, 237.

Manning made 10 sacks in the last two seasons. He’s run in the 4.7′s, but speculation is the Packers view Manning as more of a prospect to play inside linebacker.

Manning recorded 10 sacks and 25 tackles for loss over the last two seasons as a starter. He’s an early entry, having redshirted in 2008 and playing three seasons for the Wolfpack. He posted numbers all over the state sheet, adding eight forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, nine deflected passes and five INTs in his career.

He earned honorable mention All-America honors from the NFL Draft Report and second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition.

After the selection of Manning, the Packers now have just two picks remaining in this draft, both seventh-round compensatory selections, at Nos. 241 and 243 overall. Those picks cannot be traded.

Maine safety is fifth straight on defense

Defense, defense.

Yeah, for a fifth consecutive pick, the Packers stayed on the defensive side of the ball, selecting Maine safety Jerron McMillian, 5-11, 203. McMillian was picked with the 133rd overall selection, the second of back to back picks by the Packers in the fourth round.

McMillian is a second team All-America. He started each of the last three years and recorded three interceptions over the last two seasons. In those last two years, he also made 16 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.