Mike Holmgren, who is being considered for a position with the Oakland Raiders, won a Super Bowl with Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers in 1996.

Rumors and the National Football League go hand-in-hand as well as peanut butter and jelly, Laurel and Hardy, and Abbott and Costello – that’s why today’s most recent rumor about former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren going to Oakland to work in the Raiders’ front office is intriguing.

He would be joining Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie – they worked together in Green Bay before Holmgren moved on to be coach and general manager for the Seahawks. Holmgren just finished up a stint as the president of the Cleveland Browns.

Just exactly what role Holmgren would play in Oakland has not been released, and Raiders officials aren’t even saying Holmgren is being considered for a job.

Here’s what the Raiders had to say in a statement to NFL.com: ”as a general policy, the Raiders don’t comment on personnel matters, so the team isn’t able to confirm or deny the report. If the organization has more to say in the future, I will let you know.”

After leaving his job in Cleveland, Holmgren said that he was open to any offers from any team. This is the first offer that’s been presented or at least come to light involving Holmgren.

Most reports have indicated that Holmgren would be considered for a front office job in charge of football operations.

Mike Sherman talks with Brett Favre at training camp in 2004. It was 13 years ago today that Sherman was named the 13th head coach of the Green Bay Packers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

It was 13 years ago today that the Green Bay Packers got their new coach – Mike Sherman was announced as the franchise’s 13th head coach by then-general manager Ron Wolf.

This was after the failed one-year experiment that was Ray Rhodes.

Mike Sherman and Brett Favre at training camp.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Wolf was highly impressed with Sherman after interviewing him and making the announcement, saying, ”He just blew my socks off.” Sherman had been Mike Holmgren’s offensive coordinator in the first two years of Holmgren’s time in Seattle coaching the Seahawks. However, prior to that, Sherman coached in Green Bay as the team’s tight ends and assistant offensive line coach.

Sherman had a significant amount of success in Green Bay, winning three consecutive NFC North Division titles, 2002, 2003, and 2004 with Brett Favre as his quarterback. Under Sherman, the Packers had five straight winning seasons, and according to his Wikipedia page, “From 2000–04, he compiled a 53–27 record, and a .663 winning percentage, which was the second highest in Packers history, trailing that of Vince Lombardi‘s, who is one of the most successful coaches in the history of football. Additionally, Green Bay and the Philadelphia Eagles were the only two teams to make the playoffs for four consecutive seasons from 2001–04.”

While Sherman was successful as a coach, his downfall with the Packers began when he took over the general manager’s position from Wolf in 2002. He had some success in drafting players (Nick Barnett, Scott Wells and Cullen Jenkins) and had teams that were very successful in running the ball with Ahman Green, it was the team’s poor showing in 2005 that cost him his job. When Ted Thompson was hired as general manager in 2005, he fired Sherman at the end of that season after the Packers suffered their first losing season since 1991 under Lindy Infante.

In all, Sherman finished his stint with the Packers with a record of 57-39. He had a 2-4 records in the playoffs.

A couple of Sherman’s biggest failures occurred in the Playoffs. in 2002, his 12-4 team was beaten badly at home by Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons and then in 2003 and 2004, the Packers were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings. In 2003, the Packers lost to the Eagles in overtime in the famous “fourth and 26″ game. In 2004, the highly-favored Packers lost to the Vikings at Lambeau Field – a game where the Vikings’ Randy Moss “mooned” the crowd.

Since leaving the Packers, Sherman has spent time with the Houston Texans and was head coach at Texas A&M for four years before joining on with Joe Philbin, the former Packers’ offensive coordinator and now head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Sherman is that team’s offensive coordinator.

Lindy Infante

If there was one good thing about Lindy Infante, is that his public relations skills were top-notch. The press loved him.

As you can tell by the posting below from the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, he was always good for a quote and a one-liner.

Check it out. It will surely make you smile.

Lindy Infante Knocks ‘Em Dead at Packers Press Conference

August 8, 1988 – Lindy Infante’s first preseason game with the Green Bay Packers may not have gone as planned, but the first-year head coach maintains his sense of humor when facing the media the Monday following the 34-3 loss to the New York Giants. “Anybody got the autopsy back,” Infante asks reporters at the start of his press conference. “I expected to see the coroner out here instead of you guys.” Turning serious, Infante declares: “It’s still too early to proclaim us dead.” Green Bay opens the 1988 season with five straight losses before Infante secures his first regular-season win, a 45-3 dismantling of the New England Patriots.

Jan 15, 1967; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the first ever meeting of the AFL vs NFL World Championship. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-US PRESSWIRE

Though the general rule of thought is that the “flak jacket” for National Football League quarterbacks didn’t come around until Houston Oilers’ QB Dan Pastorini made a sensation by wearing one in the 1970s, it seems the protective garment was around long before that.

In fact, the Green Bay Packers’ great Bart Starr joined a growing number of quarterbacks in the late 1960s who were turning to a vest-like garment to help protect sore ribs.

Today’s Day in Packers’ History offered by the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame documents that in 1969 Starr, his coach and medical personnel with the team decided that it was the best way to protect the Super Bowl Champion.

It’s an interesting piece of nostalgia. Click here to go to the website or scroll down for a look at the article.

Bart Starr to Wear Vest in 1969

June 25, 1969 – Though out of town on business, Packers quarterback Bart Starr is not forgotten as coach Phil Bengtson’s rookie camp moves into its third day. Starr, who missed 28 quarters in 1968 because of injury, will be better protected in 1969 according to Bengtson. “Bart never thought he needed a protective vest,” Bengtson says. “But he’ll wear one now. A rib injury is very slow to heal and every little jar affects sore ribs more than any other injury.” Starr, 35, plays in 12 of 14 games in 1969.

It involves everything from championship rings to team-signed footballs from 1937 and even a game jersey worn by one of the greatest Packers of all – Don Hutson.

So, what do you think sold for the most? How much do you think it sold for? Here is the link for your viewing pleasure.

http://en.wikicollecting.org/top-10-most-expensive-green-bay-packers-memorabilia

It’s no secret what these two meant to the Green Bay Packers organization, so it’s fitting that they both joined the team on days so close to one another – both coming to the team after some of the worst seasons the Packers had ever experienced.

Lombardi Joined the team after the 1958 team coached by Ray “Scooter” McClean went 1-10-1. Favre came to the Packers after the Lindy Infante season came to a close and the Ron Wolf/Mike Holmgren tenure was just getting under way.

Lombardi and Favre both made immediate impacts on the team, helping the storied franchise to two separate decades-plus that were filled with wins.

The Green Bay Press Gazette posted stories this weekend memorializing the two former Packer leaders. Just a run through the photographs is worth the trip to the website.

Check out the Lombardi link here

Check out the Favre link here

And when you’re done there, check out Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Mike Sherman will get a second interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new head coach to take over for Raheem Morris, who was fired after a disappointing 2011 campaign.

After Oregon coach Chip Kelly decided he wasn’t interested in the job, the Bucs have amped up the search with a second round of interviews – at the top of their list is former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman.

According to profootballtalk.com, Sherman, with his second interview, is being considered a finalist for the job. There has also been talk that should Sherman not earn the job in Tampa Bay, new Miami Dolphins head coach and former Packers offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin, may consider Sherman for a job as a member of his staff – possibly as his offensive coordinator.

Sherman, who is the head coach at Texas A&M, was one of the first candidates to interview with the Buccaneers who hope to make a selection sometime soon.

Could Mike Sherman be headed to Tampa Bay?

Josh Hill over at The Pewter Plank today blogged about the possible coaching candidates to consider for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coaching position – placing current Texas A&M and former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman at the top of his list.

Interesting.

I was never a Mike Sherman fan, especially after the Packers debacle in the Sunday, Jan. 11 , 2004, playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles … can you say 4th and 26?

Though Sherman did have a successful run in Green Bay up until his draft decisions finally caught up with him, he hasn’t been considered for another NFL head coaching gig for a reason.

But what do I know. Maybe The Pewter Plank’s bloggers knows what the Bucs need more than I do.

To read the post, check it out here.

And while you’re at it, Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

If you dare relive one of the worst memories in Packers history:

Well, the program was held and thanks to Taryn Parker, a regular reader of this blog, a video of some of the highlights have been made available here.

“it’s a great glimpse of how the community embraced and honored this legendary Hall of Famer and we hope you’ll consider posting this to share with fans who didn’t get a chance to attend in person,” Parker said.

We are honored to provide this short glimpse into the event honoring Starr, still one one of the greatest players and most revered Packers ever to be affiliated with the franchise.

Enjoy clip … And as an added bonus, we’ve added another video, the award-winning NFL Network’s “America’s Game” featuring the 1966 Packers.

Forrest Gregg was considered by Vince Lombardi the best player he ever coached. Vernon Biever photograph

Packers coach Vince Lombardi called him the best player he ever coached and he played in 188 straight games, a record at the time. But now Forrest Gregg, 78, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – a condition that has left the iron man with  symptoms that include hand tremors, stooped posture, a shortened stride and a softened voice.

Many remember Gregg as the hardened soul who was a part of the championship offensive lines that protected Bart Starr and blew holes open for Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung. He also coached the Packers in the 80s and was always known as a tough man. His distaste of opposing teams, especially the Chicago Bears and their coach, Mike Ditka, are legendary.

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Bart Starr will be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday, Nov. 16, as part of “Hometown Hall of Famers™,” a national program honoring the hometown roots of the sport’s greatest players with special ceremonies and plaque dedication events in local communities.

A two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and former Sidney Lanier High School standout from 1949 to 1953, Starr will be presented with his “Hometown Hall of Famer™” plaque during a special ceremony at 2:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Sidney Lanier auditorium, where the plaque will live permanently to serve as an inspiration for the school’s student-athletes.

This program is about celebrating the hometowns that helped pave the way for future Hall of Famers to become the legendary football players we all know and love,” said George Veras, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises president and CEO. “Together with Allstate we are proud to recognize Bart Starr with his ‘Hometown Hall of Famer™’ plaque where it all began here in Montgomery.”

In addition to the plaque, a commemorative Bart Starr “Hometown Hall of Famer™” road sign will be on display in Montgomery, Ala.

In his junior year at Sidney Lanier High School, Starr became the starting quarterback and led the team to an undefeated season before becoming an All-State and All-American quarterback his senior year. After high school, Starr committed to play at the University of Alabama and became the starting quarterback his sophomore year. Starr battled a football-related back injury his junior and senior years, however, that did not hinder him as a prospect for the Green Bay Packers leading into the 1956 NFL Draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected Starr as the 199th pick in the 1956 NFL Draft and he began as the backup quarterback to Tobin Rote until 1959 when Vince Lombardi took over head coaching duties and positioned Starr as the starting quarterback. Starr led an electric Packers team to back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1966 and 1967 where he was named Super Bowl MVP both years. He holds the second highest playoff passer rating of any quarterback in NFL history, only behind current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Starr also holds a playoff record of 9-1.

Starr was voted to the NFL Pro Bowl four times during his career and is one of only five Green Bay Packers to have his number – No. 15 – retired by the team. After his 15-year playing career ended, Starr remained with the team and took on the role of head coach from 1975 to 1983. Starr was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

“Hometown Hall of Famers™ presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate” is the Hall of Fame’s first nationwide plaque program and will lead into the celebration of its 50th anniversary in August 2012.

For more information on the program, fans can visit www.profootballhof.com. Also, Allstate’s website ishttp://www.allstate.com.

Taryn Parker, an Account Coordinator with Taylor and a fan of lombardiave.com, provided us with this information. We are grateful and happy to let all our readers know about The honor being bestowed upon Mr. Starr.

Like lombardiave.com on Facebook.

Dan Devine, who spent four forgettable years in Green Bay as the Packers head coach, will be honored for his accomplishments at Notre Dame. This fall, a statue of him will be unveiled in South Bend. Here he leads his Fighting Irish onto the field.

The late Dan Devine, former Green Bay Packers coach, University of Notre Dame coach and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, will be honored in stone this coming October … In South Bend, not Green Bay.

His likeness in stone will be unveiled Friday, Oct. 7 (the day before Notre Dame’s home football game against Air Force), at Notre Dame Stadium.

The statue dedication will be at Notre Dame Stadium’s Gate A, which in 2010 was designated the Devine gate.

At that time, sculptures of Knute Rockne (north tunnel), Ara Parseghian (Gate B), Frank Leahy (Gate C) and Lou Holtz (Gate D) were placed outside the stadium. Rockne, Parseghian, Leahy, Holtz and Devine are the five former Irish football coaches – all of them Hall of Fame inductees – who have won one or more national titles at Notre Dame.

We all remember how Devine went from a highly successful program at Missouri to Green Bay where he failed miserably and then on to national prominence by leading the Irish to a national title in 1977. (more…)