Ryan Wood
@ByRyanWood
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Packers beat writer, @USATODAY Network. Green Bay Nation co-host, @WFRVLocal5. Storyteller. Proud dad. From the cornfields of Indiana. When in doubt, YOLO.
Green Bay, Wisc.
Joined August 2013
I picked Arizona for the Final 4. My 3 children each picked Buffalo. Because they thought buffalos were cool. I hate March.
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#Packers were without their top 3 WRs, top 2 CBs, All-Pro LT, All-Pro pass rusher, starting center and defensive coordinator and just beat the NFL‘s last undefeated team 24-21. On the road. On a short week. Best win of the Matt LaFleur era.
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Just give me more halftime show. Forget the second half. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.
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Asked Aaron Rodgers if it was good having Allen Lazard back after missing all offseason: “Yeah, I mean, it’s always tough going from Hall of Famer to Hall of Famer.”. He’s apparently on board the comparison train.
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Starting for Iowa State at quarterback: Nic Cage in Con Air.
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Josh Sitton with funny anecdote on Mitch Trubisky: "We started to break the huddle early, and he said, ‘Get the f--- back in the huddle, and don’t break it until I break it.’ He kind of cussed at all of us linemen, and I was like, ‘Hell, yeah. I respect the s--- out of that.’.
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Brandon McManus, oldest #Packers player by 2 years, says teammates are already calling him “dad” and “uncle.” Not who you expect to try Lambeau Leap, but he made it work. “I always heard it was taller than you think, but this is a historic, historic place. I was super excited.”
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An incredible moment. LeRoy Butler, introduced by Brett Favre, cheered by Aaron Rodgers, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
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A.J. Dillon says he doesn't plan on leaving Green Bay no matter where his football career takes him in the future: "I'm going to be a Green Bay guy for life.".
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Aaron Rodgers on what the message is to his #Packers teammates as they set out on a bye: "Don't get COVID.". Sounds about right.
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Jaire Alexander smiled when asked about the type of comeback game Romeo Doubs had today. The #Packers CB had a special message for Doubs before kickoff:. “I told Doubs before the game he was going to have two touchdowns.”
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Romeo Doubs on scoring two touchdowns in his return, and the love he received from #Packers teammates after the scores. “It was a surreal moment.”
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Aaron Rodgers on what Brett Favre texted him: "He just said enjoy it, because it goes by so fast, and the next thing you know, it's over.". Rodgers says it reminded him of when Andy Bernard said in The Office he wished they told you about the good ol' days before you left them.
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Hard to not see something seriously wrong with this game when the hit Davante Adams took is not penalized, and Jaire Alexander's light blow on Jimmy Garoppolo gets 15 yards.
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Matt LaFleur asked if Aaron Rodgers will be back next season. LaFleur leaves nothing uncertain: "I sure as hell hope so. I mean, the guy is the MVP of this league. He's the heart and soul of our football team. So, hell yeah. He better be back here. He's our leader.".
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Malik Willis isn’t just winning games for #Packers. He’s auditioning to rest of the NFL. Asked him what he hopes this emergence in 2024 means for the rest of his career, Willis said he’s only thinking about this season. “Anything more than that is just pride.”
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Josh Jacobs almost got emotional when asked about getting another crack at postseason. “It’s hard to put into words.”. This is why he signed with #Packers. To finally play on center stage. That smile when I asked how different this December feels than the past says it all.
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What do #Packers need to improve for playoffs?. Xavier McKinney does not hold back:. “Everything. It is what it is. Same stuff every week. I think it’s the guys individually, everybody has to look at themselves and say, ‘Ok, what do we want to do? How far do we want to take it?’”
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Jordan Love's line: 6-9, 113 yards, TD, 146.8 rating. Awfully good.
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When he needs it, Jared Goff can throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Jalen Hurts has AJ Brown. Sam Darnold has Justin Jefferson. Baker Mayfield has Mike Evans. Matthew Stafford has Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Jayden Daniels has Terry McLaurin. Jordan Love doesn’t. That’s a problem.
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Allen Lazard said he contacted Aaron Jones last night to make sure he was OK. He said Jones kept apologizing for the fumble: "I was like, 'Look, you've got to realize we're not playing in this game, we're not in this position, without the efforts you've had all season long.'".
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Jaire Alexander effusive in his praise for Romeo Doubs. He remembers Doubs not being able to catch a pass on him in 1v1 as a rookie. Now he’s catching 50-50 balls. Alexander says Doubs is his second best WR in NFL. Here’s who he ranks as No. 1:
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Jordan Love walking into Lambeau Field wearing a Brett Favre jersey on the week Favre announced his recent diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease. Classy move from the current #Packers QB.
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Xavier McKinney said Matthew Stafford looked him off more than any QB this season. Byproduct of 4-game INT streak entering Sunday. Didn’t stop him from making the streak 5. “When I’m in the deep part of the field, if you’re throwing the ball up there, then I feel disrespected.”
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Thought most impressive part of #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ pass to Jake Kumerow, as seen with NBC’s football tracker, was how trajectory of the football curved away from coverage while in the air. Look at that thing slice outside the numbers. Bend it like Rodgers?
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Jordan Love on hearing “Go Pack Go” chants in Seattle: “That’s something I don’t anybody on this team will ever forget.”. Matt LaFleur said he was “shocked” to hear how loud #Packers fans were when defense was on field.
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Asked Tucker Kraft if he worried on TD catch Jordan Love’s pass might get picked. He said it was just a relief to hang onto it. “I’m willing to jump to any lengths to give the team success. Over people. Through people. On my head into the ground.”
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Aaron Rodgers unleashes a no-look pass to Amari Rodgers across the field, into the right flat. Rodgers flashes a smile to the rookie Rodgers after he catches it. The MVP is feeling it a bit today.
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Jordan Love’s impressions on Robert Saleh helping with the #Packers offense:. “Having a defensive mind talking offense and helping us with things he might be able to see, some of our scheme stuff, things the defense defense might be looking for, it helps.”
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You know what? Brian Gutekunst trading up to draft Jordan Love in the 2020 first round was a damn good draft pick.
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Davante Adams after 3 games with Raiders: 0-3. It’s a different world without a Hall of Fame quarterback.
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For. the. life. of. me. Just put Keisean Nixon back at punt returner. Not your best receiver. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
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#Packers QB Jordan Love shares a hug with Brown Gutekunst after the biggest win of his young career.
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Javon Bullard asked about his new home: "I'm going to be honest, I don't know too much about Green Bay. I'm a Georgia boy. But I'm going to learn everything about Green Bay. I plan on being there a long time.".
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Jordan Love's final NFL rankings from first season as #Packers' starter. Touchdown passes: 2nd.Passing yards: 7th.Completions: 8th.Passer rating: 9th.Games with 100+ passer rating: T-2nd. He's already a top 10 quarterback.
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Jayden Reed's final numbers as a rookie: 64 catches, 795 yards, 10 total touchdowns. More catches and yards than Sterling Sharpe's rookie season. More touchdowns than James Lofton's rookie season. Finest first NFL season for a receiver in #Packers history.
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If the #Packers beat the Bears at home tomorrow, they’ll go to the playoffs in Jordan Love’s first season. With the NFL’s youngest roster. A year after moving on from a HOF quarterback. Has anyone actually taken time to let that fully set in? It’s…kinda nuts.
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At the end of this #Packers drubbing, Za'Darius Smith jogged straight to the Vikings locker room. Didn't stop to talk to a single former teammate.
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Aaron Rodgers: 39 passes.Aaron Jones/AJ Dillon: 19 carries. That's your ballgame. It's irresponsible at this point for Rodgers to throw 20 more passes than Jones and Dillon have carries.
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Hear me out…. #Packers win the Super Bowl in 2025. Jordan Love poses for a cover shot holding a football. He’s surrounded by Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave. Headline: Deja Vu.
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Judging from his reaction, Malik Willis was 1) unaware #Packers claimed Titans kicker Brayden Narveson and 2) awfully happy to be reunited with his teammate from this offseason.
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To me, Aaron Rodgers sounded like QB who knows his best chance at SB was ripped away today. He knows cap situation next year, and that #Packers will make tough calls that likely lessen the team. He also knows time is short. Not sure I’d look any deeper than that. Just my $.02.
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Matt LaFleur closes: “There’s a different energy about our team. It’s so much fun to come to work every day.”.
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Mark Murphy addresses #Packers fans directly at Lambeau Field: “Every NFL team says, ‘Our fans are the best.’ We’re the only team where that’s true. And you’re also the best owners in the NFL.”
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Not a photoshop: Jaire Alexander wearing a gigantic #Packers hat in the locker room. Elgton Jenkins gifted it to him. Asked Alexander how much he wanted to match Justin Jefferson today. “As bad as I wanted it Week 1,” he said.
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In second hottest game ever at Lambeau Field, Josh Jacobs became rare RB to hit 30 carry mark. Or was grueling, but even now Jacobs says he could take some more. “I feel like I could play another half.”
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Jayden Reed didn’t care one bit about not having a catch in his first playoff game in Dallas: “Man, we’re going to the next round. Whatever it takes for me to do, if I’ve got to block the whole game, it’s fine with me if we win. That’s all I care about.”.
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Davante Adams on Aaron Rodgers calling him the best player the #Packers HOF QB has ever played with: "It catches me off guard a little bit, because I feel like what we don't do enough as men in general is express how we feel about each other.".
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#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on Robert Quinn's championship-belt celebration after sack on second play: "It hasn't ended well for the most part.". He adds: "Imitation is the highest form of flattery.".
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Xavier McKinney knows teams aren’t throwing deep middle on him. Out of respect. For now. He’ll just make plays rushing off edge instead. “I can do it all. I can play middle of the field, I can play post, I can play a half, I can play the hook, I can play curl flat, I can rush.”
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The Bengals didn’t do any adjustments in the locker room. They just hung out on the sideline and got amped on the halftime show.
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The book is closed on Lambeau Field this season. Make it 32 straight seasons with a franchise quarterback.
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Not even 5 minutes into this OTA practice, and new #Packers ST coordinator Rich Bisaccia is barking at punt team about how to break the huddle. Drill sergeant mentality.
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In past 3 years, Brian Gutekunst…. Traded Davante Adams. Traded Aaron Rodgers. Released Aaron Jones and watched him sign with Vikings. Also…. Built maybe NFL’s best young WR core. Replaced Rodgers with Jordan Love. Replaced Jones with Josh Jacobs. He’s bold. It usually works.
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Matt LaFleur referred to the Skol horn at US Bank Stadium as that "annoying horn." Week 1 is so on.
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Jaire Alexander’s prediction for #Packers in 2024 season: “I see us hoisting that Lombardi Trophy on my birthday February 9.”
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How, in the name of all holy, did it take the #Packers two whole months to try Keisean Nixon as their punt returner?.
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#Packers DB coach Jerry Gray says never wear sleeves in the cold. It gives opponents the edge. I ask him why. "They think you're soft.". I ask if sleeves make you soft. "I don't know. I never wore them.". Touché, sir.
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Three years ago today, #Packers hired Matt LaFleur to be their head coach. He’s only gone on to win more games through first 3 seasons than any coach in NFL history, with a chance to grab his 40th victory Sunday in Detroit. Forty wins in 3 seasons. Stunning. Pretty decent hire.
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Josh Jacobs asked what he thought when Jordan Love dropped out, and #Packers essentially put game in his hands. “I just wanted to come in and make a statement that we can still win games running the ball.”. Jacobs finished 127 yards and 2 TDs on 25 carries, averaging 5.1 yards.
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#Packers going to playoffs for 2nd time in 2 season with Jordan Love. Not sure anyone expected that at end of Aaron Rodgers' tenure. Fourth time in 6 seasons Matt LaFleur has taken this team to playoffs. Only 2nd time Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney are going to the postseason.
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Quay Walker in jubilated disbelief when informed #Packers drafted Georgia teammate Devonte Wyatt with the 28th pick: "You say we picked Devonte Wyatt? Noooo. Oh man, that's crazy. It's a reunion! Dang, that's crazy. I'm probably going to cry again.".
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Here’s a surprise: #Packers OLB Whitney Mercilus practiced today. Mercilus was thought to be potentially out for season after tearing biceps vs. Seattle, but an edge rush that consists is Rashan Gary and Preston Smith could add Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus for playoffs.
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These are the games Josh Jacobs signed with #Packers to play. The type of games he didn’t get enough of in 5 seasons with Raiders. No need to worry about his workload Thursday night in Detroit. “I can take as many (carries) as they need. I feel good.”
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#Packers QB Aaron Rodgers says the middle-finger display he got at Soldier Field is not unique to Chicago: "There's some places we've been that have some rowdy fans. Philly, I think, might be the best trash talkers.".
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Find someone who looks at you the way Matt LaFleur and Mike Pettine look at each other.
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Aaron Rodgers wasn't the only #Packers veteran who gutted it out. Pretty incredible David Bakhtiari stayed in game after pulling something in his right leg. "Twelve is out there," he said. "Like I say, if 12 is out there, I’m out there." That's a good left tackle.
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Asked Dontayvion Wicks what was going through his mind throwing block 50 yards downfield on Tucker Kraft touchdown. “You’ve got to keep blocking with Tuck. When Tuck gets the ball, I’ve never seen him go down on the first, second contact.”
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Not only does the #Packers backfield have two Aarons, but they share the same birthday. Aaron Rodgers turns 37 today. Aaron Jones turns 26. Both playing as dynamic as ever.
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BREAKING NEWS: The heavens opened, a ray of light beamed down, and Clay Matthews sacked Josh Allen without a flag.
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AJ Dillon just walked through #Packers locker room wearing a T-shirt that reads: “FOX owes Jordan Love a turkey leg.”. There may be some residual feelings about that.
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Jaire Alexander says #Packers pass rush was “on one” today. “I don’t know what they had for breakfast, but they need to keep eating it.”
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Only took 1 period. Jordan Love has heated up. Hits Jayden Reed on out in front of Xavier McKinney for 15. Hits Christian Watson on crosser vs McKinney for 20. Hit Romeo Doubs on crosser for 16. Avoided sack with check down to Josh Jacobs. Spreading it across field. Vintage.
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Jordan Love's INTs by start this season:. W1: 1.W4: 3.W5: 1.W6: 1.W7: 2.W8: 1.W9: 1.W10: bye.W11: 1. It's a problem.
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Before strip sack, Keisean Nixon caught Saints by surprise with corner blitz. He had free path to Spencer Rattler, but play was blown dead because of a false start. “I was sick,” he said. Nixon asked Jeff Hafley to call the play again next series. He did, and Nixon finished it.
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Aaron Rodgers closes with this: "I'll always be thankful for this season. Thank you.".
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So all the #Packers needed to do was beat Jimmy Garoppolo and Matthew Stafford at home — 2 teams they’ve already beaten this season — to reach the Super Bowl. A red carpet a team led by Aaron Rodgers absolutely should have been able to navigate. It’s stunning the Packers didn’t.
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I'm old enough to remember a #Packers kicker trying a 55-yard field goal anywhere, but especially in the freezing temperatures at Lambeau Field, was laughable. Brandon McManus made that with room to spare.
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Aaron Jones getting all kinds of love on the field in pregame, but he takes a moment to jog over to sideline so he can slap fives and give hugs to #Packers fans. Even stopped to sign a child’s jersey. That’s who he is.
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Dontayvion Wicks on #Packers offense through five games: “I don’t think anybody can really stop us. We stop ourselves with penalties.”.
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Richard Rodgers, 2015. Jeff Janis, 2015. Randall Cobb, 2016. Allen Lazard, 2024. Aaron Rodgers, now 40 years old, still king of the Hail Mary.
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Jordan Love just used his hard count to get someone to jump during team drills. Wonder where he learned that from. 🤔.
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Matt LaFleur on Jayden Reed: “He is a dog. He’s a war daddy.”.
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Jordan Love through 16 games in his first season as #Packers starter: 345-547 (63%), 3,843 yards, 30 TD, 11 INT, 93.8 rating. Aaron Rodgers in 16 games as first-time starter in 2008: 341-536 (63.8%), 4,038 yards, 28 TD, 13 INT and. a 93.8 passer rating.
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Jordan Love: 24-33, 220 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT, a 95.5 rating. C.J. Stroud: 10-21, 86 yards, 58.8 rating. #Packers won one of the most anticipated QB duels of the 2024 season. Didn’t let Stroud throw a TD pass. Didn’t even let him get 100 yards.
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Sixteen years later, the 49ers still don’t get Aaron Rodgers in the first round of the NFL draft.
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Matt LaFleur asked about practicing in cold weather this week. He deadpans:. "Was it cold out there?". It was single digits today. The field was literally frozen. "I don't know," LaFleur says. "It felt like Green Bay for me.". That's a #Packers coach.
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Josh Jacobs sounds awfully happy in his life after the misery of perpetual losing with Raiders. All this winning with #Packers is new to him. “Every week,” Jacobs said, “I feel better and better about the decision.”. On how pleased Jacobs is with his new home:
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Romeo Doubs says he addressed his teammates among returning this week. The #Packers receiver explains why he skipped practice before LA. “I had some things going on mentally.”
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Make no mistake: Xavier McKinney wanted that Hail Mary at end of half. Would’ve been NFL-leading 8th pick. Even checked Lambeau Field big screen to see if he got 2 feet in, but they didn’t show replay. “I caught it. It was caught. I’ve just got to see where my feet were at.”
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So an illegal hit that caused a fumble video replay showed #Packers recovered, and Eagles offense got to touch the football first anyway. That’ll sit well this offseason.
The NFL fined #Eagles LB Oren Burks $8,333 for unnecessary roughness (use of helmet) — his hit on #Packers KR Keisean Nixon that caused a fumble on the opening kickoff last week. No flag was thrown.
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Aaron Rodgers went off on Bears, increasing his 2020 passer rating to 121.5. That’s the 2nd highest ever, eclipsing Peyton Manning’s 121.1 from ‘04. Only higher rating ever? Aaron Rodgers’ 122.5 from ‘11. That’s right. Rodgers has 2 highest passer rating seasons in NFL history.
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The good news: Nothing wrong with #Packers that getting Aaron Rodgers back won't fix. The bad news: Their future.
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The hardest story I’ve ever written: my own. Four years ago, my wife had a mental breakdown. What followed was a cycle of suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalizations, then rock bottom. It felt hopeless. It wasn’t. Our journey through the abyss.
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#Packers ST coordinator Rich Bisaccia's opening statement: "Sorry I'm coming in, it's late. Aaron Rodgers just caught me and wanted me to go through the hand signals. I got four of them wrong, and he wasn't happy about that. But I got eight of them wrong in training camp.".
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Jordan Love said he watched film of #Packers loss to 49ers in NFC divisional round three times this offseason. Didn’t back away from that loss being a motivating “factor” this week. “Just knowing that’s the team that knocked us out, we’re definitely hungry for this game.”
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Aaron Rodgers on #Packers new WR group: “I like production over potential. There’s some production, and a lot of potential. So we need to temper expectations, and heighten accountability.”.
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