John Kuhn thanks Packers, fans after signing with Saints

CLEVELAND – John Kuhn’s nine-year run with the Packers officially ended on Saturday when the three-time Pro Bowl fullback signed with the New Orleans Saints.

A beloved fan favorite, Kuhn took to Twitter on Saturday evening to thank the Packers’ organization and their fans for all of the support over the years.

Kuhn came to Green Bay from Pittsburgh as a waiver claim in September 2007 and proceeded to play in 154 of a possible 159 games (including playoffs) during his nine years with the Packers.

His 139 regular-season games played were the most by an offensive player on the team from 2007-2015. He had 196 carries for 601 yards, 81 catches for 557 yards and 23 touchdowns (15 rushing, eight receiving) during that span.

A former Division II running back at Shippensburg (Pa.) University, Kuhn’s humble football beginnings earned him a cult following in Green Bay with Lambeau Field crowds cheering “Kuuuuuuuhn” every time he touched the football.

The 6-foot, 250-pound fullback blocked for four 1,000-yard running backs during his time with the Packers and was a trusted pass-blocker for quarterback Aaron Rodgers during his two MVP seasons.

Kuhn became the first Green Bay fullback since William Henderson (2004) to be named to the Pro Bowl and earn first-team All-Pro honors in the same season (2014). He’ll wear No. 29 for the Saints.

Packers Pro Bowl selections join Team Rice together

Packers Pro Bowl selections found out which teams they were assigned to for Sunday’s Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Pro Football Hall of Fame WRs Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice, serving as team captains, built their rosters for the annual all-star game in a fantasy football-style draft.

LB Clay Matthews (six-time selection), FB John Kuhn (three) and G Josh Sitton (three) were pre-selected to Team Rice prior to the televised Pro Bowl draft. Julius Peppers (nine) joined his Green Bay teammates when Team Rice selected him and named him a starter.

QB Aaron Rodgers received Pro Bowl honors for a fifth time but will not participate due to injury. Raiders QB Derek Carr will replace him.

The Packers coaching staff was assigned to Team Irvin and will be facing off against their Green Bay players.

The Packers announced Wednesday that Head Coach Mike McCarthy will not attend the Pro Bowl in Hawaii because of a stomach illness. Associate Head Coach/Linebackers Winston Moss will assume McCarthy’s head-coaching responsibilities at the game.

Packers on Team Rice
*FB John Kuhn
*LB Clay Matthews
G Josh Sitton
*LB Julius Peppers

Packers on Team Irvin
Packers coaching staff

* Selected as starter

Bulaga, Burnett and Kuhn selected as captains vs. Panthers

As per team tradition, the Packers select game captains each week. Today’s captains will be T Bryan Bulaga (offense), S Morgan Burnett (defense) and FB John Kuhn (special teams).

Kuhn, Raji and Banjo selected as captains vs. Eagles

As per team tradition, the Packers select game captains each week. Today’s captains will be FB John Kuhn (offense), DT B.J. Raji (defense) and S Chris Banjo (special teams).

Packers FB John Kuhn attending Broadcast Boot Camp

Packers FB John Kuhn is among 24 current and former NFL players attending the ninth annual NFL Broadcast Boot Camp at NFL Films in New Jersey this week.

The four-day program features instructors from all the major sports networks and gives participants a thorough introduction to all areas of broadcast work. Some of the instructors include James Brown from CBS, Curt Menefee from FOX and Ron Jaworski from ESPN.

Former Packers who have participated in the boot camp in the past include T Mark Tauscher and LBs A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga.

Because of his participation in the camp, Kuhn is not attending OTAs this week in Green Bay.

Four Packers among leaders as Pro Bowl voting hits final week

Four Packers remain among the leaders at their positions in Pro Bowl voting with less than a week to go.

The fan vote counts one-third in the final selections for the Pro Bowl.

QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Jordy Nelson, G Josh Sitton and FB John Kuhn are ranked either first or second at their respective positions currently. Rodgers has earned the second-most votes overall, behind only Denver QB Peyton Manning, while Nelson ranks eighth in voting across the entire league.

Voting continues until Monday, Dec. 15. To vote, click here.

Five Packers among leaders in Pro Bowl voting

Five Packers players are currently ranked in the top two at their respective positions in the Pro Bowl voting that is ongoing on NFL.com.

Aaron Rodgers is the No. 2 vote-getter in the entire league and also No. 2 at quarterback behind Denver’s Peyton Manning.

John Kuhn leads the voting at fullback, while Jordy Nelson and Josh Sitton are second at receiver and guard, respectively. Jarrett Bush is also ranked second in the voting for special teams.

Nelson is No. 9 in overall votes at all positions, the only other Packers player in the league-wide top 10.

Fan voting continues until Monday, Dec. 15, and fans can vote by clicking here. Fan voting counts one-third in the selection process for the 2015 Pro Bowl.

For a look at the latest vote totals, click here.

Rodgers third in Pro Bowl fan voting; three Packers lead their positions

QB Aaron Rodgers has earned the third-most votes overall (280,394) in fan voting for the Pro Bowl. Rodgers trails only Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning (359,598) and Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck (284,575).

Three Packers lead their positions in fan voting: FB John Kuhn (78,995), G Josh Sitton (55,333) and ST Jarrett Bush (25,224).

Fan voting continues through Monday, December 15.

Voting by the players and coaches has not yet been tabulated. Fan voting counts one-third in the selection process for the Pro Bowl rosters, which will be announced on Tuesday, December 23.

See previous Packers Pro Bowlers here.

CAST YOUR VOTE!

Sunday’s Packers captains vs. Saints: Lacy, Hayward and Kuhn

As per team tradition, the Packers select game captains each week.  Today’s captains will be RB Eddie Lacy (offense), CB Casey Hayward (defense) and FB John Kuhn (special teams).

John Kuhn, B.J. Raji named to USA Football All-Fundamentals Team

Packers FB John Kuhn and DL B.J. Raji are two of 26 players who have been named to the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team for 2013.

FB John Kuhn & DL B.J. Raji

The fifth annual USA Football All-Fundamentals Team recognizes NFL players who employ proper technique, particularly when blocking and tackling, which fosters better on-field performance and inherent safety benefits.

A total of 11 players on offense, 11 on defense and four on special teams were chosen. Each player will receive a $1,500 equipment grant from USA Football to donate to the youth or high school football program of his choice. USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, is the official youth football development partner of the Packers, the NFL and each of the league’s other 31 teams.

A fan vote will determine the All-Fundamentals Team captains, one each for offense, defense and special teams. Voting is open until Jan. 29 and can be done by clicking here. USA Football will award each of the three captains a $3,000 equipment grant to donate and an All-Fundamentals Team helmet trophy.

2013 USA Football All-Fundamentals Team

Offense
QB: Peyton Manning, Broncos
RB: Frank Gore, 49ers
FB: John Kuhn, Packers
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; A.J. Green, Bengals
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys
T: Jermon Bushrod, Bears; Tyron Smith, Cowboys
G: Jahri Evans, Saints; Andy Levitre, Titans
C: Nick Hardwick, Chargers

Defense
DE: Chris Long, Rams; Muhammad Wilkerson, Jets
DT: B.J. Raji, Packers; Kyle Williams, Bills
LB: D’Qwell Jackson, Browns; Luke Kuechly, Panthers; Robert Mathis, Colts
CB: Brent Grimes, Dolphins; Richard Sherman, Seahawks
S: Eric Berry, Chiefs; Earl Thomas, Seahawks

Special Teams
Ret: Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings
K: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs
LS: Jon Dorenbos, Eagles