BEREA, Ohio — The Browns aren’t pursuing former Green Bay backup quarterback Matt Flynn and never exchanged contract proposals with his agent, a league source told The Plain Dealer.

A report in the (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun-Sentinel on Tuesday said the Browns and Dolphins were after Flynn and were set to make offers.

Instead, Flynn is visiting with the Seahawks and might draw interest from another team. The Seahawks were also interested in Chad Henne, but he signed with the Jaguars on Wednesday.

The Browns’ lack of interest in Flynn is consistent with what General Manager Tom Heckert said in his past two news conferences — the Browns were unlikely to find their starting quarterback in free agency.

It also throws the spotlight back on two quarterbacks in the draft, Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden. The Browns have the No. 4 and No. 22 overall picks in the draft and could select a quarterback in the first or second round.

The Browns have also said they believe Colt McCoy can be successful if he gets more protection and help at receiver.

As for Flynn, who’s made only two NFL starts, NFLNetwork’s Mike Lombardi said Wednesday “the vision of being a starter doesn’t exist.”

The Dolphins could still pursue Flynn if they can’t sign Peyton Manning.

More on Rucker: Former Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker, who agreed to terms with the Browns on Wednesday, was a third-round pick of the Bengals out of Southern Cal in 2006. In 2011, he started the final 11 games for the Bengals, making 44 tackles and four sacks. He split reps in those games with Michael Johnson, who is expected to take over the Bengals’ starting job.

The Bengals had hoped to re-sign Rucker, a seven-year pro, but he wasn’t slated for a starting job.

Adams visits Denver: Former Browns starting safety Mike Adams, whom the Browns have been trying to re-sign, traveled to Denver on Wednesday to visit the Broncos.

He Tweeted: “Headed to arpt clev fans . . . Unfortunately not to clev . . . I will visit DENVER.”

Adams, who will be 31 next week, started all 16 games for the Browns last season, making 61 tackles and three interceptions. He’s had interest from four teams, a source said.

Hicks visits Miami: Former Browns backup offensive lineman Artis Hicks visited the Dolphins on Wednesday. No word yet on a contract. He started three games last season in place of Tony Pashos.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

GREEN BAY, Wis. — One month after Jermichael Finley said he expected the Green Bay
Packers to use their franchise tag to re-sign him, the team has agreed
to terms with its 24-year-old tight end on what a source close to the
negotiations says is a two-year, $15 million deal.

“It’s TRUE!”
Finley posted on Twitter Wednesday night. “Thank you so much to the
Packers organization, all of my fans, and my beautiful wife. Happy Bday.
Let’s GO Packers!! … I could not be happier to have the privilege of
being a Packer for the next 2 yrs. Glad to be back with my team &
coaches for 1 common goal”

It’s a sharp turn from Finley’s feelings last month in an exclusive interview with FOXSportsWisconsin.com.

“Knowing
the Packers, I would say they would try to come with the franchise
tag,” Finley said on Jan. 19. “They like to get all their players cheap.
I (expect) the franchise tag, for sure. Hopefully, I can get a
long-term deal where I can get settled in one place. That’s my goal.”

At
$7.5 million per year, Finley found a middle ground in his
negotiations. Reluctant to settle for the $5.5 million he would have
received for 2012 if the Packers used the franchise tag and classified
him as a tight end, Finley said he was planning to make a case that he
should be paid as a wide receiver, which would have netted him $9.5
million with the franchise tag.

Based on data collected by Pro
Football Focus, Finley had a strong argument. Finley lined up wide for
403 snaps in 2011, while starting the play next to an offensive tackle
388 times. Plus, Finley was in a two-point stance 149 times more than he
was in a three-point stance. Finley also ran a pass route on 538 plays,
while pass blocking on only 39 plays.

At coach Mike McCarthy’s
season-ending press conference, his description of Finley seemed to make
a case that the fourth-year receiver is more than a tight end.

“He’s
a tight end, but he also plays the one receiver situation and the No. 2
slot sometimes and plays in the one slot to the three-man side,”
McCarthy said. “Those are the type of things when playing in a multiple
offense, we treat all the perimeter players the same, because it’s about
matchups. They have to play all the positions.”

McCarthy also made it no secret that he wanted Finley back in Green Bay.

“Jermichael
is a very talented young man, and I would emphasize young,” McCarthy
said. “I think he’ll continue to grow and be an outstanding football
player for us. With his talent level, that’s half the battle. I look for
him to continue to develop and establish himself definitely as one of
the Pro Bowl tight ends in this league.”

Amid the negotiations, Finley stated his desire to remain with the Packers long-term.

“Hands
down, I want to be a Packer for life, for sure,” Finley said. “It’s all
business, of course, but if everything is right and everything is
solid, I could be a Packer for my whole career.”

Finley is coming
off his best season since being selected by Green Bay in the third round
of the 2008 draft. He finished third among tight ends with eight
touchdown catches, behind only New England’s Rob Gronkowski and New
Orleans’ Jimmy Graham. Finley was 14th in receptions (55) and 12th in
total yards (767), but 10 other tight ends had more passes thrown to
them than Finley did, with Graham being targeted 56 times more in the
regular season.

One category that Finley led all tight ends in that didn’t help him: He had 12 dropped passes.

“I
had an average season,” Finley said last month. “(I have to) catch the
ball (better) and just take advantage of every mismatch opportunity I
have and try to dominate it. I don’t think I did that to my best.”

Finley’s
size (6-5, 247) and athleticism make him a mismatch, whether he’s lined
up wide or next to the line. But as his drops piled up, home crowds and
fans on Twitter started to attack Finley with boos and hateful tweets.
Finley knows that his personality contributed to some of that, but
following the Packers’ home playoff loss to the Giants, things got ugly
as Finley received multiple tweets — many of which he replied to — that
told him not to come back to Green Bay.

“I’m trying to fit in with
Green Bay,” Finley said of the NFL’s smallest city. “But it’s hard to
do it when people are talking so much stuff. I’ve got to be myself. I
try my best to do what they say, and I guess live the Green Bay Packer
motto, but I don’t know. There are some true, loyal Packers fans out
there, though.”

Finley missed all but four games in 2010 due to a
season-ending knee injury, but had he continued at his pace — he had 301
receiving yards in his limited action — Finley would have finished
among the top six receivers in the NFL. Though Finley didn’t stay on
that pace in 2011, McCarthy believes Finley accomplished what he wanted.

“If
you look at the history of players who have had a season-ending injury,
that first year back is their toughest,” McCarthy said in January.
“There’s that subconscious (feeling) there of getting through and
playing a whole season. I know early in the year and maybe even as far
back as training camp, Jermichael and I had a conversation and I clearly
told him, ‘The only goal you should have this year is to play in every
single football game. If you accomplish that, everything else will take
care of itself.’ I believe that.”

Follow Paul Imig on Twitter.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — One month after Jermichael Finley said he expected the Green Bay
Packers to use their franchise tag to re-sign him, the team has agreed
to terms with its 24-year-old tight end on what a source close to the
negotiations says is a two-year, $15 million deal.

“It’s TRUE!”
Finley posted on Twitter Wednesday night. “Thank you so much to the
Packers organization, all of my fans, and my beautiful wife. Happy Bday.
Let’s GO Packers!! … I could not be happier to have the privilege of
being a Packer for the next 2 yrs. Glad to be back with my team &
coaches for 1 common goal”

It’s a sharp turn from Finley’s feelings last month in an exclusive interview with FOXSportsWisconsin.com.

“Knowing
the Packers, I would say they would try to come with the franchise
tag,” Finley said on Jan. 19. “They like to get all their players cheap.
I (expect) the franchise tag, for sure. Hopefully, I can get a
long-term deal where I can get settled in one place. That’s my goal.”

At
$7.5 million per year, Finley found a middle ground in his
negotiations. Reluctant to settle for the $5.5 million he would have
received for 2012 if the Packers used the franchise tag and classified
him as a tight end, Finley said he was planning to make a case that he
should be paid as a wide receiver, which would have netted him $9.5
million with the franchise tag.

Based on data collected by Pro
Football Focus, Finley had a strong argument. Finley lined up wide for
403 snaps in 2011, while starting the play next to an offensive tackle
388 times. Plus, Finley was in a two-point stance 149 times more than he
was in a three-point stance. Finley also ran a pass route on 538 plays,
while pass blocking on only 39 plays.

At coach Mike McCarthy’s
season-ending press conference, his description of Finley seemed to make
a case that the fourth-year receiver is more than a tight end.

“He’s
a tight end, but he also plays the one receiver situation and the No. 2
slot sometimes and plays in the one slot to the three-man side,”
McCarthy said. “Those are the type of things when playing in a multiple
offense, we treat all the perimeter players the same, because it’s about
matchups. They have to play all the positions.”

McCarthy also made it no secret that he wanted Finley back in Green Bay.

“Jermichael
is a very talented young man, and I would emphasize young,” McCarthy
said. “I think he’ll continue to grow and be an outstanding football
player for us. With his talent level, that’s half the battle. I look for
him to continue to develop and establish himself definitely as one of
the Pro Bowl tight ends in this league.”

Amid the negotiations, Finley stated his desire to remain with the Packers long-term.

“Hands
down, I want to be a Packer for life, for sure,” Finley said. “It’s all
business, of course, but if everything is right and everything is
solid, I could be a Packer for my whole career.”

Finley is coming
off his best season since being selected by Green Bay in the third round
of the 2008 draft. He finished third among tight ends with eight
touchdown catches, behind only New England’s Rob Gronkowski and New
Orleans’ Jimmy Graham. Finley was 14th in receptions (55) and 12th in
total yards (767), but 10 other tight ends had more passes thrown to
them than Finley did, with Graham being targeted 56 times more in the
regular season.

One category that Finley led all tight ends in that didn’t help him: He had 12 dropped passes.

“I
had an average season,” Finley said last month. “(I have to) catch the
ball (better) and just take advantage of every mismatch opportunity I
have and try to dominate it. I don’t think I did that to my best.”

Finley’s
size (6-5, 247) and athleticism make him a mismatch, whether he’s lined
up wide or next to the line. But as his drops piled up, home crowds and
fans on Twitter started to attack Finley with boos and hateful tweets.
Finley knows that his personality contributed to some of that, but
following the Packers’ home playoff loss to the Giants, things got ugly
as Finley received multiple tweets — many of which he replied to — that
told him not to come back to Green Bay.

“I’m trying to fit in with
Green Bay,” Finley said of the NFL’s smallest city. “But it’s hard to
do it when people are talking so much stuff. I’ve got to be myself. I
try my best to do what they say, and I guess live the Green Bay Packer
motto, but I don’t know. There are some true, loyal Packers fans out
there, though.”

Finley missed all but four games in 2010 due to a
season-ending knee injury, but had he continued at his pace — he had 301
receiving yards in his limited action — Finley would have finished
among the top six receivers in the NFL. Though Finley didn’t stay on
that pace in 2011, McCarthy believes Finley accomplished what he wanted.

“If
you look at the history of players who have had a season-ending injury,
that first year back is their toughest,” McCarthy said in January.
“There’s that subconscious (feeling) there of getting through and
playing a whole season. I know early in the year and maybe even as far
back as training camp, Jermichael and I had a conversation and I clearly
told him, ‘The only goal you should have this year is to play in every
single football game. If you accomplish that, everything else will take
care of itself.’ I believe that.”

Follow Paul Imig on Twitter.

New England, the top seed in the AFC with a 13-3 record, and New Orleans, No. 3 in the NFC, haven’t lost in the second half of the schedule. Like Green Bay (15-1), both have dynamic, sometimes unstoppable offenses led by magnificent quarterbacks, bolstered by a deep and dangerous group of receivers.

All three also have so-so defenses that often require Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady to win shootouts. That’s a difficult way to prosper in the postseason, particularly when playing against a rugged, versatile defense such as the 49ers, Ravens and Texans possess.

“A lot of it is working on what we need to work on; working on things that have been a problem for us, that if they come up again we need to handle better,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said, not mentioning in particular a penchant for falling into deep holes. New England rallied from 17-0 and 21-0 deficits to win its past two games.

Remember, also, that New England has lost its past three postseason games, including at home to the Ravens and Jets the past two years.

Behind Brees’ record-setting performances, the Saints soared past all eight opponents at home, but if they can handle the Lions next Saturday night in the Superdome, then they must head to San Francisco. And if they get by the formidable Niners, who rode a stingy, big-play defense to a 13-3 mark, a date at potentially frigid Lambeau Field is likely.

That is, if the Giants don’t start partying like it’s 2007. They were seeded fifth that year, but closed the regular season with a close loss to unbeaten New England. Then the Giants knocked off division winners Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay before shocking the Patriots for the championship.

New York won three of its last four, including impressive defensive efforts in wins over the Jets and Cowboys to grab the NFC East title. Defense was an issue for much of the season, but with the pass rush suddenly reborn, the Giants can be dangerous.

“Different guys, different teams. I’d love to have the same ending as the ‘07 team,” Giants guard Chris Snee said. “We certainly have the capability of doing that, as we have shown. I’m happy just to be in the playoffs. We’ll take it from there. I don’t spend too much time reminiscing about that glorious time in our life.”

Baltimore, like New Orleans and Green Bay, went 8-0 at home and is an entirely different team on the road (4-4). Still, with some help from outside — ironically, the AFC North rival Steelers are the most likely to provide it — the Ravens might not have to leave the Inner Harbor to get to Indianapolis in February.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers will be without three key players on offense in Sunday’s game against Detroit.

Running back James Starks (knee/ankle), receiver/kick returner Randall Cobb (groin) and receiver Greg Jennings (knee), who has missed the last two games, won’t play in the regular-season finale.

Coach Mike McCarthy would not say Friday whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers will sit the game out.

“The most important thing with Aaron is he’s ready to play,” McCarthy said. “It’s important for the quarterbacks, we repped all three of them this week. So I’d like to see all three of them play in the game, is the initial plan as we started the week.”

Rodgers didn’t shed any light on whether he would play.

“I’m going to leave it up to Mike,” he said.

The Packers also listed right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) as doubtful. Linebacker Clay Matthews (ankle) and cornerback Charles Woodson (knee) are questionable.

McCarthy has been coy this week about his approach to Sunday’s game after the Packers (14-1) clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

While the playoffs-bound Lions (10-5) can gain the No. 5 seed in the NFC bracket by winning at Green Bay for the first time since 1991, the Packers don’t have anything riding on the final score against their longtime rivals.

“It ain’t the end of the world. We’ve still got them playoffs,” Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley said.

The Packers will have a first-round bye and won’t play again until the Jan. 14-15 weekend.

McCarthy shrugged off the suggestion that a loss would hurt his team’s momentum.

“I don’t ever worry about the outcome of the game,” he said. “I’m a firm believer in trusting the process. I truly believe we’re going to win this football game. So I’m more concerned with the process leading up to this game, and I’ll be just as much concerned as the process leading up to our next competition.

“Games are won, in my opinion, throughout the week. We fully expect to win this game.”

The Packers would be counting on a combination of Matt Flynn and Graham Harrell to lead the league’s No. 1-scoring offense if Rodgers doesn’t play for only the second time in his four seasons as the starter.

Flynn, a fourth-year player, made his only pro start Dec. 19, 2010, with Rodgers out because of a concussion. Flynn played well in the prime-time game on the road against the heavily favored New England Patriots, who hung on for a 31-27 win.

“I want to see Matt Flynn play like he did in New England, but take it a step further – win the game,” McCarthy said.

Harrell is anxious to get his first regular-season action since he signed with the Packers as a free agent in 2010.

“I’d love to get in, but we’re going out to win,” Harrell said.

And Harrell wouldn’t be surprised if Flynn, not Rodgers, makes the start Sunday.

“It’ll be interesting,” Harrell said. “I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Aaron, he’s been healthy almost his whole career. He’s a smart player, and he obviously helps us win. So letting him get some action would be good for us, but if they decide to rest him, it obviously makes a ton of sense as well.”

Notes: DE Ryan Pickett and LT Chad Clifton are expected to play. Both veterans are probable for the game. Pickett missed the last two games because of a concussion. Clifton hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury Oct. 9 and then a back injury during his rehab work. Finley also is probable. He practiced the last two days on a limited basis after a sore knee kept him out Wednesday. . McCarthy said the team would practice Wednesday and Thursday and possibly Friday next week before an opponent is known for the divisional round of the playoffs. “We’re going to keep our players mentally and physically on the same time clock,” McCarthy said.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers will be without three key players on offense in Sunday’s game against Detroit.

Running back James Starks (knee/ankle), receiver/kick returner Randall Cobb (groin) and receiver Greg Jennings (knee), who has missed the last two games, won’t play in the regular-season finale.

Coach Mike McCarthy would not say Friday whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers will sit the game out.

“The most important thing with Aaron is he’s ready to play,” McCarthy said. “It’s important for the quarterbacks, we repped all three of them this week. So I’d like to see all three of them play in the game, is the initial plan as we started the week.”

Rodgers didn’t shed any light on whether he would play.

“I’m going to leave it up to Mike,” he said.

The Packers also listed right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) as doubtful. Linebacker Clay Matthews (ankle) and cornerback Charles Woodson (knee) are questionable.

McCarthy has been coy this week about his approach to Sunday’s game after the Packers (14-1) clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

While the playoffs-bound Lions (10-5) can gain the No. 5 seed in the NFC bracket by winning at Green Bay for the first time since 1991, the Packers don’t have anything riding on the final score against their longtime rivals.

“It ain’t the end of the world. We’ve still got them playoffs,” Green Bay tight end Jermichael Finley said.

The Packers will have a first-round bye and won’t play again until the Jan. 14-15 weekend.

McCarthy shrugged off the suggestion that a loss would hurt his team’s momentum.

“I don’t ever worry about the outcome of the game,” he said.

“I’m a firm believer in trusting the process. I truly believe we’re going to win this football game. So I’m more concerned with the process leading up to this game, and I’ll be just as much concerned as the process leading up to our next competition.

“Games are won, in my opinion, throughout the week. We fully expect to win this game.”

The Packers would be counting on a combination of Matt Flynn and Graham Harrell to lead the league’s No. 1-scoring offense if Rodgers doesn’t play for only the second time in his four seasons as the starter.

Flynn, a fourth-year player, made his only pro start Dec. 19, 2010, with Rodgers out because of a concussion. Flynn played well in the prime-time game on the road against the heavily favored New England Patriots, who hung on for a 31-27 win.

“I want to see Matt Flynn play like he did in New England, but take it a step further – win the game,” McCarthy said.

Harrell is anxious to get his first regular-season action since he signed with the Packers as a free agent in 2010.

“I’d love to get in, but we’re going out to win,” Harrell said.
And Harrell wouldn’t be surprised if Flynn, not Rodgers, makes the start Sunday.

“It’ll be interesting,” Harrell said. “I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Aaron, he’s been healthy almost his whole career. He’s a smart player, and he obviously helps us win. So letting him get some action would be good for us, but if they decide to rest him, it obviously makes a ton of sense as well.”

Notes: DE Ryan Pickett and LT Chad Clifton are expected to play. Both veterans are probable for the game. Pickett missed the last two games because of a concussion. Clifton hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury Oct. 9 and then a back injury during his rehab work. Finley also is probable. He practiced the last two days on a limited basis after a sore knee kept him out Wednesday. . McCarthy said the team would practice Wednesday and Thursday and possibly Friday next week before an opponent is known for the divisional round of the playoffs. “We’re going to keep our players mentally and physically on the same time clock,” McCarthy said.

Don’t write the Packers into the Super Bowl just yet. Just as Green Bay has finally shown some chinks in its armor in December, its primary challengers for NFC supremacy are looking more and more formidable.

New Orleans has been the best team in the league of late, with a seven-game win streak that includes victories over playoff teams in the Falcons (twice) and the Lions as well as a 25-point blowout of the Giants. Drew Brees, who broke Dan Marino’s single-season passing yardage record with one game to spare, has his offense operating with head-turning efficiency. The streaking Saints have averaged 498 yards in their last five games.

The Packers’ other main NFC roadblock excels on the other side of the ball.

The 49ers, who showed their playoff chops with a 20-3 pounding of Pittsburgh two weeks ago, the Steelers’ lowest scoring output in more than four years, boast a punishing defense the likes of which Aaron Rodgers & Co. haven’t seen this year. San Francisco allows 13.5 points per game, the best mark of any team in the last five years, and leads the league in turnover margin at +26, four better than Green Bay.

Meanwhile, the Packers have shown in the last month that they may not be the slam-dunk Super Bowl team that their white-hot start indicated.

First, the Giants gave the defending champs all they could handle, succumbing only after Rodgers’ final-minute heroics lifted the Packers to a 38-35 triumph. Then two weeks later, Green Bay suffered a surprising stumble at then-5-8 Kansas City, losing 19-14 to suffer its first blemish.

Even the seemingly invincible Rodgers came back to earth a bit, registering his season low in passer rating and completion percentage in three straight games before responding with a five-touchdown gem against Chicago.

The Packers’ invincible aura is certainly gone.

The New York game showed Green Bay could be vulnerable in a shootout — just the type of affair it would likely have if it meets New Orleans in the NFC Championship game. Yes, the Packers prevailed 42-34 at Lambeau in the teams’ season-opening matchup. But the Saints’ versatile rushing attack and Brees’ pyrotechnics in the passing game mean New Orleans (12-3) is uniquely positioned to grapple with Green Bay in a high-scoring affair.

Then the Kansas City defense did what appeared impossible, dictating pace and style to the NFL’s top-scoring offense, albeit a shorthanded Packer unit. The Chiefs’ harassment of Rodgers in a four-sack showing now stands as the blueprint for teams that would favor forcing Green Bay into a grind-it-out, ball-control game — otherwise known as the San Francisco special.

The 12-3 49ers have mastered the art of dismantling opponents’ offensive flow. Teams have all but given up trying to run on San Francisco’s stone wall of a front seven — the runaway league leader in run defense became the first team in NFL history not to allow a rushing touchdown through 14 games before Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch finally broke through for a score last week. Forcing opponents into a one-dimensional game plan allows an opportunistic secondary and disciplined pass rush to wreak havoc.

A potential Green Bay-San Francisco showdown in the NFC Championship would be the most anticipated playoff matchup of the year. The best offense (the Packers average 34.3 points) against a historically stout defense. Rodgers, who is threatening to break Peyton Manning’s single-season passer rating mark, facing a 49er defense that has amassed 36 takeaways, including at least three in eight games.

While it’s easy to foresee a Packers-Saints matchup as another pinball-like game in which points pile up at a dizzying rate, it’s a mystery how Green Bay would fair against San Francisco. The Packers haven’t faced a single team ranked in the top 14 in scoring defense.

At this juncture, it appears that Green Bay would have its hands full against either the Saints or the 49ers. But the saving grace for the defending champs is that they would only have to face one of those challengers — in an NFC Championship matchup at Lambeau.

That the 14-1 Packers have positioned themselves to have an easier divisional round game is why they still have to be considered the favorite to reach the Super Bowl. But make no mistake, what earlier seemed a Green Bay stranglehold on NFC preeminence has loosened considerably.

 

ALLEN PARK — Green Bay has already ruled out Greg Jennings for Sunday’s game against Detroit, but Lions head coach Jim Schwartz won’t sleep any better with the knowledge.

Not many teams can absorb the loss of the former Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver, who had 67 catches for 949 yards and nine touchdowns before suffering a knee injury in a Week 14 game against Oakland.

The Packers are still loaded with weapons.

“It doesn’t change their schemes,” said Schwartz. “Jordy Nelson – (it means) more balls for Jordy Nelson. You know, they have a lot of good wide receivers. …

“I said it before a couple weeks ago about some teams: they’re not going to run out of anybody to hand the ball to. The Packers aren’t going to run out of anybody to throw it to – that’s the way they’re built and they play to their strength that way.”

Aside from Nelson – who is third in the NFL in both touchdowns (12) and yards per catch (18.7) – quarterback Aaron Rodgers can look to veteran Donald Driver, the Packers’ all-time leading receiver; tight end Jermichael Finley, whose athleticism makes him more of a wideout; and James Jones, who has seven touchdowns on the season, including a pair in last week’s win over Chicago.

“You know, you can fall into a trap if you pay too much attention to one player,” said Schwartz. “Whether it is Jennings, even though he’s not going to play, whether it’s Jordy Nelson, whether it’s Donald Driver, you know, Jermichael Finley. You pay too much attention to one – they have a lot of other weapons that can make big plays down the field.”

How much of an impact does Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett have on the Packers’ run defense? We’re about to find out.

Pickett had missed the past two games (Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears) after he suffered his second concussion of the 2011-12 NFL season. This injury occurred when Pickett’s head smashed into the knee of Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush. Pickett had experienced headaches, dizziness and a lack of concentration for the past two weeks.

Pickett returned to the practice field on December 28, 2011. Pickett claims that he “Feels great.” He’s also grateful that the organization was looking out for his long-term health. There’s a possibility that Pickett will play in the Packers’ regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions on January 1, 2012. He should definitely be available for the NFC divisional playoff game that comes two weeks after that.

The Packers’ run defense has struggled without Pickett. The Packers lost their only game of the season when the Chiefs rushed for 139 yards. That was without Jamaal Charles, who was previously lost for the season with a torn ACL. Kyle Orton used a strong running game to his advantage as he had 299 passing yards, many of which came off play-action passing.

The run defense was worse on Christmas night. The Bears rushed for 199 yards despite having a third-string quarterback who hadn’t started a game since 2007 and a third-string running back. The Packers couldn’t contain the Bears’ ground game even with eight-in-the-box. Kahlil Bell and Armando Allen were both running wild on the Packers’ defense.

The combination of B.J. Raji and Pickett will hopefully protect the linebackers and allow them to make plays and control their gaps. The Bears were often picking linebackers up with their offensive lineman. Raji and Pickett must keep the opposing offensive line preoccupied.

If at all possible, Pickett shouldn’t play more than a half. He does need some playing time so he isn’t completely raw as he enters the playoffs. It’s probably better to exude caution on this injury since it’s a concussion. Concussions are unpredictable.

The Packers may be without Jermichael Finley in the regular-season finale. Finley missed practice on December 28 because his left knee has started bothering him. Finley sounds like he wouldn’t be against being benched for this game as it has no playoff implications. That would give him additional time to recover for the divisional playoff matchup.

Greg Jennings will also rest his knee for another week. However, there’s nothing to suggest that he won’t be ready for the playoffs.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. His favorite Packer moments include Super Bowl XXXI, XLV, and Al Harris interception return following Matt Hasselbeck’s “We’re gonna score” comments. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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To purchase shares of the Green Bay Packers, go to www.packersowner.com or call 855-846-7225 to receive materials to order by mail.
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JANESVILLE, Wis. — A Janesville man is hoping to make history by becoming the 14th member of the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.Joe Kuhar is one of 10 finalists selected, and it only takes one look at his basement to understand why he made the cut.”I just love football,” Kuhar said.His love of football, specifically the Green Bay Packers, has taken over his basement, which his friends and family have nicknamed the Packers Hall of Fame South.”Every day, things change down here (in the basement). Monday after a football game, I’m on my computer,” Kuhar said.He spends several hours keeping statistics and creating handmade photo rosters, which now cover his ceilings.

Most of the memorabilia is autographed by Green Bay legends.”This is an autographed helmet with Brett Favre and Bart Starr,” Kuhar said.Kuhar even asked to try out for the team in 1960. The day he met Bart Starr in Janesville in 2010, he said they shared a laugh over his rejection letter.”I told him how I could have been a teammate of his because he was playing for the Packers at that time, and he got a big kick out of that,” Kuhar said.Four of Kuhar’s five children are Packers fans.”I invite people over even when he’s not here. I say, ‘Do you want to see my dad’s basement?’” said his youngest daughter, Larae Kuhar.She wrote the letter nominating her father for the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.”I think he deserves to win, not just because of what he has but because of his dedication. He deserves it,” she said.Kuhar said he’s proud of his collection and that it would be one of the highlights of his life to be honored by his favorite team.”As soon as I found out, I started calling everyone in my family and all my friends, giving them the heads up to vote for me,” Kuhar said.Joe and his wife are celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary on Tuesday, and he said she supports his “Hall of Fame South” as long as it doesn’t creep up the staircase and into the rest of the house.Voting for the Packer Fan Hall of Fame begins on Jan. 1, 2012, on Packers.com. The winner will be announced at an event at Lambeau Field on Valentine’s Day.

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers reported Tuesday that nearly 250,000 shares of stock have been purchased in their latest offering.In response to the demand, the Packers organization announced it will expand the stock sale by adding 30,000 shares to accommodate the interest.“The support from our fans has been outstanding and we appreciate their enthusiasm,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “We continue to receive interest in the offering, and this increase in the number of available shares will help ensure that we are able to accommodate all those who want to become shareholders.”This is the fifth time the Packers have offered stock in the organization. This latest offering will continue until Feb. 29, 2012 or until the maximum number of shares has been sold.Proceeds from the offering will go toward the expansion of Lambeau Field, a $143 million project that includes 6,700 seats and new video boards and will be complete for the 2013 season.

Just one month ago, we wondered whether Aaron Rodgers would shatter every significant single season quarterback record in NFL. Back then, the Green Bay Packers gunslinger was on pace to surpass Marino’s passing yards mark, Brees’ completion rate, Manning’s passer rating clip and Brady’s TD record.

Now, just four increasingly human performances later, and not only are those records out of reach, but Rodgers has also opened the door for what once seemed like an inconceivable MVP debate.

Rodgers’ numbers in that last four Packers’ games:

11/24 @ DET—CMP%: 68% QB RAT: 117

12/4 @ NYG—CMP%: 61% QB RAT: 106

12/11 vs. OAK—CMP%: 57% QB RAT: 97

12/18 @ KC—CMP%: 47% QB RAT: 80

Meanwhile, Drew Brees has elevated his play, eclipsing Rodgers in a few statistical categories and even gaining supporters for his own MVP bid in the process.

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith, for instance, made the case for Brees when he said: “Drew’s having in my mind an MVP season, there’s no doubt about that. … He’s distributing the ball extremely well. They’re a top 10 team in running the football, the No. 1 team in total yards, No. 2 in points. Just to watch him operate, he looks very comfortable back there running the offense. It’s just amazing to watch him go out and run that offense. I hope he’s at his highest level because if he plays any better I don’t know if there’s any way to stop him.”

Similarly, ESPN columnist and MVP voter, Ashley Fox, echoed Smith: “If New Orleans wins its last two regular-season games, against Atlanta and Carolina, and—as expected—Brees obliterates Dan Marino’s 27-year-old record for passing yards in a season, I will be hard-pressed to vote for Rodgers over Brees.”

Personally, I agree with Smith and Fox that Brees’ gaudy stats are nearly impossible overlook, but Rodgers’ are equally as freakish. Particularly, I think that the fact that Rodgers scores more, while turning the ball over less, gives him the edge.

But, what do you think?

Here are the numbers:

Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers (13-1)

2011-12 – Passing Yards: 4360 Yds/Gm: 311 TD: 40 INT: 6 QB RAT: 120 COMP%: 68%

Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints (11-3)

2011-12—Passing Yards: 4780 Yds/Gm: 341 TD: 37 INT: 11 QB RAT: 109 COMP%: 72%

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