Carroll Dale in one of those 1960 promo shots.

Carroll Dale was one of the speed burning wide receivers who opened up the National Football League in the 1960s and changed the game forever – especially for the Green Bay Packers.

It was on this date in 1965 that he was traded to the Packers, a trade that would benefit the franchise for the next eight years. Though he did what so many other Green Bay Packers at the end of their careers have done, Dale finished his last season in Minnesota playing for the Vikings.

Dale scores against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams.

But prior to that, he played eight seasons and 111 games in Green Bay, catching 275 passes for 5,422 yards and an incredible 19.7 yards per reception. He also scored 35 touchdowns, the longest of which was 89 yards.

The Packers traded Dan Currie to the Los Angeles Rams for Dale – a pretty even trade at the time. Currie, who was the Packers’ first round selection in the 1958 NFL Draft, was a first team All-Pro between 1961-63, while Dale had been the Rams’ second leading receiver in the five years he was with the team. During that time, Dale played in 65 games, caught 149 passes for 2,663 yards (17.9 yard average), 17 touchdowns, with the longest being 80 yards.

“We lost our first-round draft choice [Larry Elkins of Baylor to Houston of the AFL],” Packers coach and general manager Vince Lombardi said. “And as a result we felt we needed a receiver with speed. Dale has that speed. He does 100 in less than 10 seconds.”

Carroll Dale in The NFL-AFL Championship Game later known as Super Bowl I.
Life Magazine photograph

Dale’s best season with the Packers came in 1968, 69 and 70. During those three seasons he caught 42, 45, and 49 passes. He also had over 800 yards in each of those seasons and averaged more than 19 yards per catch in two of the three.

During his 14 years in the NFL, he played in 189 games, had 438 receptions for 8,277 yards (18.9-yard average), and scored 52 touchdowns, the longest of which was 89 yards.

Dale was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1976, Packers Hall of Fame in 1979 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Indeed, one of the best trades Vince Lombardi pulled off.

Kregg Lumpkin running the ball in an exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans in 2008.

By P.J. Root

Special to Lombardiave.com

Imagine living day-to-day beside a telephone, waiting for the floor to drop out any second. Envision the daily weight of trying to maintain a job with a physical mortality rate of 10 years, with benefits that will not kick in until well into their third replacement hip surgery.

This is the life of a journeyman running back.

In recent memory, the Green Bay Packers have hosted numerous backs who have led their lives on borrowed time, but every now and then a gem emerges.

Samkon Gado

Samkon Gado in 2006 fresh from scrubs attending Liberty to become a doctor became the only silver-lining of an otherwise disastrous 4-12 campaign.

In exchange for a sixth round pick, Ryan Grant emerged from a near-death forearm injury to rumble toward a 1,000 yards and a Super Bowl ring.

Most recently, Dujuan Harris traded in slinging the metal at a Jacksonville car dealership to sell himself as the next feature back to come out of relative obscurity.

What does it feel like to walk the tight-rope of success and failure, with every opportunity laying at their feet?

On one brisk August night in 2008, my friends and I experienced a snippet of what this unique life had to offer while attending a preseason game at Lambeau Field.

Like any exhibition game, the waning moments of time create space and ample opportunity to grab a taste of the good life, or in my case, closer seats by the field.

Rummaging from one steel bench to the next, we  used each seat like a lilly-pad to each row until finally we had reached the  first two rows of seating on the 50-yard line behind the Packers’ bench.

Utter perfection.

Only a matter of 100 feet separated us from our previous seats, yet every sense had been enhanced.

We had become baptized in the gospel of Green Bay grandiosity.

Lumpkin working out with the Buccaneers.

Scouring the seats to see who else remained in the last seconds of the annual Bishop’s game against the Tennessee Titans, I discovered a striking red Georgia Jersey separating itself from the madrid of Green and Gold.

Inscribed on the back read, “Lump Lump,” with the number 28. The jersey had been tattered and faded from attendance and exposure to the elements of different stadiums across the country.

Inside of the jersey sat a stout black man of about 50 years old, concentrating with every fiber to the few remaining plays left in the forgettable game.

Using my Colombo detecting skills, I concluded that this man wearing a abnormally large bluetooth head-set had to be someone special.

Tapping his shoulder I asked politely if he happened to be who I had thought of and with a heavy sigh he confirmed his identity.

Beneath the faded Georgia hat and fine-drawn face sat Kregg Lumpkin’s father.

Lumpkin had been an undrafted free agent who had made quite an impact in his 2008 preseason, enough so that he challenged for a prominent role in the offense in Aaron Rodgers‘ inaugural starting season.

However, Lumpkin’s father explained to us that the road to this point had been long and troublesome.

Being a heralded high school prospect, Lumpkin chose his favorite school of  Georgia to display his talent, but unfortunately shredded his knee before his  dream of being drafted could  be realized.

Listening to Lumpkin’s father, a heavy sense of disappoint could be felt with each word recounting the experience of fate. A shared bond between father and son could be easily deciphered as he removed his weathered hat to reveal a forehead wrinkled with exhaustion.

Wiping the expression from his brow, Lumpkin’s father changed gears immediately and introduced us to his nephew, who after some conversation revealed that he was a 49ers fan (not an easy thing to do in 2008).

At the end of the game we all stood up to leave and say our goodbyes, but before I could utter the words, Lumpkin spoke.

“I have no idea where I am guys,” he began. “Could you fellas tell me  where to pick up my son.”

I was floored. We had become the personal guides for a professional football player’s family.

Taking the duty beyond normal terms, each one of our group coordinated a secret service-level mission.

Saving Private Lumpkin.

With two of us on each side of our precious cargo, we led Lumpkin’s family to the fenced-off parking lot. Surrounding the area were fans pressed close to the enclosure peeking for the players as they strode to their cars.

Walking toward the opening of the gate, security slowly paced from one spot to the next, vigilant of the crowd surrounding the lot.  One  by one, players exited the large glass doors to applause and fanfare. One player silently strolled out holding a duffle bag, visibly wanting anonymity.

“There he is,” Lumpkin’s father said. “They let him out early.”

Wearing a white oversized T-shirt and khaki shorts, Lumpkin reminded me of one of us.

Looking back, he was.

Twenty-four years old and experiencing early adulthood under the heavy weight of public perception along with bearing the cross of knee injuries that were out of his control.

Instead of being excited to meet a member of the Packers, I became protective. Lumpkin had no idea what would happen in the next 24 hours. He could be cut for all he knew, and with all that anxiety, I felt empathy for him.

Rushing up to Lumpkin, one of my friends asked for an autograph and picture to which Lumpkin responded quietly.

“Real quick,” Lumpkin said. “I don’t want a crowd.”

Pulling my friend aside, I said to let him and his family go. With a bewildered look my friend asked why, and without answering we came to a silent agreement that  they had bigger issues to deal with than being mobbed.

Leaving the game that night we recounted the conversation with the Lumpkin’s and how warm and welcoming they had all been.

The revolving image in my head was of Lumpkin’s father explaining his pride for his son. I imagined the miles logged and time spent chasing a dream together. The struggles and triumphs and tribulations fighting for a chance to play a game we all love.

Then I came to a comforting thought. No matter if Lumpkin achieved his dream or not, he had his family always by his side supporting him through each obstacle and phase.

Waking up the next morning, I expected the worst. The Packers at that point where loaded with running backs and even Lumpkin’s father had remarked that the crowded backfield had damaged his son’s chances on the field.

Flipping the phone open I  read the  short text.

“Lump Lump made it!!!”

Each game we saw that season, our group of friends remembered the experience of meeting the Packer HB, and each time we saw him  we cheered a little louder.  Lumpkin has stuck around the  league and made appearances on several other rosters but to my friends and I we will always remember being there.

Watching and for a short  time being part of the Lumpkin family taking a huge step

Together.

Najeh Davenport

Remember former Green Bay Packers running back Najeh Davenport?

Well, if you don’t, he’s the guy who claimed he “didn’t do it” – a claim that could have been used this week after it was alleged by Miami police that they had arrested Davenport following a police chase April 11.

When police saw a vehicle that allegedly matched one used in a robbery, they gave chase. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and was apprehended. He was believed to have been Davenport, but as it turns out, the man they took into custody was 36-year-old Damian Coleman who was in possession of Davenport’s identification. He gave the ID to police officers after being apprehended.

Davenenport was a Green Bay Packers running back between 2002 and 2005. Playing sparingly during that time, Davenport carried the ball 217 times for 1,068 yards, seven touchdowns and a 4.9 yard average. He was blessed with size and speed, but never became a number one back with any of the three teams with which he played – the Packers, the Steelers and the Colts.

Though he was not involved in this most recent incident, Davenport has had run-ins with the law in the past – the most notorious being a stinky affair in July 2002 in Miami.

Here’s how the AP described the incident:

MIAMI, July 8, 2002 – Green Bay Packers fullback Najeh Davenport was arrested Monday, accused of breaking into a university dormitory and defecating in a woman’s closet.

According to police, Davenport crept into a dorm room at Barry University around 6 a.m. on April 1. A woman sleeping in the room, Mary McCarthy, told police she was startled by a strange sound and saw Davenport squatting in her closet. Davenport then allegedly defecated in a laundry basket, McCarthy told detectives.

Davenport eventually settled to serve community service and actually said afterward, “Where’s the evidence? Where’s the manure? I know I didn’t do it — I just wanted to get it over with.” His attorney also chimed in: ”Najeh wants to put this behind him like he does linebackers in the NFL.”

There are plenty of jokes in that story, but we’ll also leave it all behind, just like Najeh did.

Coach Bart Starr and Lynn Dickey were joined by other Packers from the 1982 team when they were honored at the Packers’ 2012 season-opener at Lambeau Field. They were joined by (players visible from the left) Del Rodgers (35), George Cumby (52), Ray Stachowitz (16), Johnny Gray (24), and Phillip Epps (85).
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I remember the first time I saw Green Bay Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey throw the football while warming up on the sidelines of the Metrodome in Minneapolis prior to a game against the Vikings in 1983 and thinking, ‘good God, that guy can throw!’

Lynn Dickey waves to the crowd at Lambeau Field after being introduced as an alumni player last September.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

His tight 30-yard spirals were caught on the other end by wide receiver James Lofton, who snared them out of the air with sticky, sure hands. I always enjoyed watching Dickey play. When given time by his line, he was one of the best at picking apart a defensive backfield and it was on this date, April 2, in 1976 that the Green Bay Packers traded quarterback John Hadl, cornerback Ken Ellis and two draft choices to the Houston Oilers for Dickey.

Dickey had languished for five years on the sidelines behind quarterback Dan Pastorini after being selected in the third round (#56 overall) by the Oilers in the 1971 NFL Draft. At the time, the Packers had been looking for a consistent quarterback who could amp up the team’s offense. Since Bart Starr had retired in 1972, the Packers had gone without a decent quarterback who could lead the team – team officials pointed to Dickey as the player who could carry the team into the future.

Lynn Dickey shares a laugh with Jan Stenerud at last season’s Packers season opener when the 1982 Packers team was honored.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Between the time Starr retired and Dickey became a member of the team, the Packers had under center these forgettable quarterbacks: Scott Hunter, Jerry Tagge, Jim Del Gaizo, John Hadl, Jack Concannon, and Don Milan – not your list of hall of famers. As you could guess, the team was looking for a player who could push the offense down the field. Dickey would do so for the next 10 years, though there were a couple of seasons of injury mixed in.

In 105 games over that stretch of time, Dickey completed 1,592 passes in 2,831 attempts (56.2 percent), for 21,369 yards, and 133 touchdowns. The only downside of Dickey’s time with the Packers was his overall record. Though the franchise had some decent talent on those teams during the late 1970s and early- to mid-80s, the Packers managed a record of only 45-56-2.

But Dickey was always positive. Upon arrival after the trade to Green Bay, here’s what he said: ”No, I don’t feel any pressure on me because of the price. There’s always pressure, but if you don’t like that, you’re in the wrong business.”

Dickey would lead the Packers to the Playoffs in 1982 – the strike-shortened season. The Packers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of that playoff series, but would lose in the second round in a wild shootout in Dallas.

Coach Bart Starr and quarterback Lynn Dickey share a moment.

His best season came in 1983 when he completed 289 passes in 484 attempts (59.7 percent), for 4,458 yards and 32 touchdowns. Those were numbers that stood for years as Packers bests – that was until Aaron Rodgers started throwing the ball around the yard and broke the yardage number in 2011.

It wasn’t until after he retired in 1985 that his Packers records were fully appreciated. He has the highest completion percentage in a single game with a minimum of 20 attempts – he set that record against the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 13, 1981, when he completed 19-of-21 for 90.48 percent. And it wasn’t until Matt Flynn – yes, that Matt Flynn – threw for 460 yards on Jan. 1, 2012, that Dickey’s record for most yards in a single game (418) was broken. Dickey accomplished that record on Oct. 12, 1980, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dickey also holds the highest average gain of 9.21 yards per attempt (400 or more attempts in a single season) – that’s an NFL record.

Had the Packers not swung the deal for Dickey in 1976, it’s difficult to say how far the franchise would have fallen. He brought consistency and an excitement back to Green Bay. Though the wins didn’t come while he was here, he was by far one of the top quarterbacks in franchise and league history during that span of time.

Keith Jackson was a key component to the Packers 1996 championship run.

There are many who say that the addition of Keith Jackson to the Green Bay Packers roster in 1995 was the tipping point toward their championship in 1996.

Adding the talented tight end to an already loaded offensive unit gave the Packers a one-two punch at the position the team had never seen before. With Mark Chmura, who had become a star in his own right, the Packers added Jackson’s speed, size and power to the lineup – and he turned into the player that general manager Ron Wolf and Head Coach Mike Holmgren believed he could be.

It was on this date in 1997 that Jackson retired from football after nine seasons and a Super Bowl XXI Championship with the Packers.

He was drafted 13th overall in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and was an immediate success. He led the Eagles in receiving, catching 81 passes for 869 yards (10.7 yard average), and six touchdowns. Pretty amazing statistics for a tight end – he was the man at the position who helped usher in a new era for pass-catching tight ends.

He followed that sensational rookie season with three more astounding years with the Eagles. In 1989, 1990, and 1991, he caught 63, 50, and 48 passes, respectively, continuing to rip up the league. He left Philadelphia after his fourth year there and moved on to play for the Miami Dolphins where he played the next three years, catching 48, 39 and 59 passes in each of those seasons from 1992-94 for a total of 1,880 yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Mark Chmura.

When he was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1995, Jackson balked. He did not want to play for Green Bay. But with cajoling and influence by none other than his friend and former teammate in Philly, Reggie White, Jackson finally made his trek to the frozen Tundra and didn’t look back. In fact, he said upon his retirement that his days in Green Bay were some of the best of his entire career.

“I was a little stubborn and bullheaded at first and didn’t want to come here, but it turned out to be an outstanding time in my life,” Jackson said on the day he retired from football.

“It was a great two years to not only make friends but see how an organization is supposed to be run.”

In all, Jackson played in 25 regular season games over the two seasons he was in Green Bay. Arriving midway through the 1995 season, Jackson played in nine games, catching 13 balls for 142 yards and one touchdown.

But it was in 1996 when he made his presence known. He caught 40 passes for 505 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coupled with the presence of Chmura who caught another 28 passes for 370 yards, the Packers’ tight ends caught 68 passes 875 yards that season.

Not only did he bring his experience and leadership to the Packers, but he helped lift the Packers over the championship hump to bring the Lombardi Trophy home  after decades without.

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Here is a video of the 1996 Championship game at Lambeau Field … just for fun.

Joe Heller, the cartoonist for the Green Bay Press Gazette, best captured the moment of Al Harris’s return of an interception off Matt Hasselbeck, the former Packer, Seahawk and now Titan. Hasselbeck was released today by Tennessee.
Joe Heller cartoon

According to profootballtalk.com, the Tennessee Titans had apparently been talking to former Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for good reason – the attempt by Titans officials to cut a deal with former Packer, former Seahawk and now former Titan Matt Hasselbeck fell through today.

The release of Hasselbeck, who was scheduled to make $5.5 million as a backup to Jake Locker, seemed like a no-brainer and leaves fans of the aging QB wondering if he will find a new home.

Matt Hasselbeck attempts a pass in a game at Lambeau Field in 2009.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Hasselbeck, the 14-year veteran who was traded from the Packers to the Seahawks way back when Mike Holmgren was Seattle’s head coach (2001), has played the past two seasons in Tennessee after a great run in Seattle where he and Holmgren appeared in one Super Bowl (2005, but lost to the Steelers).

He was drafted by Holmgren in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. He played two seasons in Green Bay as the backup to Brett Favre in 1999 and 2000. He was 13 of 20 for 145 yards before Holmgren traded for him to take over as his starting quarterback in Seattle. For 10 seasons on the West Coast, Hasselbeck completed 2,559 passes for 4,250 yards (60.2 percent) 29,434 yards, and 174 touchdowns.

While Packers fans remember him as the backup to Favre way back at the turn of the century, he is best known for his “we want the ball and we’re going to score” exclamation during the coin toss of overtime in the 2003 playoff game at Lambeau Field. Hasselbeck then went on to throw the ball to Packers cornerback Al Harris whose interception was returned to the house for the game-winner.

It’s unclear as to what Hasselbeck’s future will be. He might be able to catch on as a backup with somebody, but the 37-year-old’s days in the NFL have got to be numbered.

Green Bay has been a pass first team over the last decades with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at the helm. However, during that time there have been a handful of receivers in Green Bay helping Favre and Rodgers eclipse numerous NFL records.

With Donald Driver retiring just a few short weeks ago and the recent news that the Green Bay Packers will not franchise tag wide receiver Greg Jennings, the 2013 Packers’ wide receiver group will look a bit different.

With the departure of Driver and Jennings, it got me to thinking: where do these two men rank on the Packers’ all-time wide receiver list?

Without further ado, here are your top 10 wide receivers in the history of the Green Bay Packers.

10. Caroll Dale

Stats: 275 receptions, 5,422 yards, 35 touchdowns, 19.7 yards per catch average

Carroll Dale is a bit of an unknown in Packers’ history, but his statistics speak for themselves.

Dale was brought to Green Bay in a trade in 1965 with the Los Angeles Rams. Prior to his days in Green Bay, Dale never was part of a winning team in L.A.

All that would change in Green Bay, however. Dale and the Packers won the three league championships and the first two Super Bowls, all within Dale’s first three seasons as a Packer.

Dale’s glory years in Green Bay came between 1968-70.

In 1968, Dale totaled 42 receptions, 818 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns all while being named to the All-NFL second team in 1968.

Dale left the Packers in 1972 to join the Minnesota Vikings, but only played one season in Minnesota before retiring in 1973.

9. Greg Jennings

Stats: 425 receptions, 6,537 yards, 53 touchdowns, 15.4 yards per catch average

It appears Greg Jennings has played his last down in Green Bay. With the team not franchise tagging him, and the Packers unwilling to shell out the reported $12 million a year Jennings wants, all signs point to both sides moving on.

Jennings has been a staple for the Packers the last seven seasons. His numbers stack up well against the best receivers the league has to offer since joining the Packers in 2006.

Jennings’ best season as a Packer came in 2010-11 when he caught 76 passes for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns. 2010-11, of course, was the year the Packers would go on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, 31-25. Jennings caught four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

In just seven seasons Jennings has climbed up the list for Packers’ all-time receiving records. If he were to stay in Green Bay, Jennings could have easily challenged any receiving record previously set in Green Bay.

However, if we have seen the last of Jennings in Green Bay, it was a great run that saw Jennings and the Packers hold up the Lombardi trophy.

8. Boyd Dowler

Stats: 448 receptions, 6,918 yards, 40 touchdowns, 15.4 yards per catch average

Boyd Dowler was a member of the Packers Glory Years in the 1960s. As a primary weapon in a historic offensive scheme, Dowler led the Packers to five championships, including Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II.

In 1963, Dowler had his best season as a pro. He caught 53 passes for a career-high 901 yards and six touchdowns.

Dowler’s career moment came in Super Bowl II when he caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bart Starr in a Packers’ victory. Dowler finished the game with two receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Of Dowler’s 11 seasons in Green Bay, he led the team seven times in receiving yards, which is third all-time in Packers’ history.

Dowler left the Packers after the 1969 season. He would sit out the 1970 NFL season, then join the Washington Redskins in 1971, but only played one season for the Redskins.

Dowler was a two-time Pro Bowler in 1965 and 1967. His 6,918 career receiving yards is good for fifth all-time in Packers’ history.

7. Billy Howton

Stats: 303 receptions, 5,581 yards, 43 touchdowns, 18.4 yards per catch average.

Billy Howton just missed the Packers’ dynasty years of the 1960s. In just seven short seasons as a Packer, Howton racked up an impressive career in the Green and Gold.

Howton was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 1952 NFL Draft.

As a rookie, Howton immediately made an impact on the field. He set a Packers’ record (which still stands today) with 1,231 yards receiving in his rookie season.

Howton was best known for his tremendous speed and big play ability

Howton led the NFL in receiving yards twice (1952 and 1956) and led the Packers team in receiving for six straight years from 1952-57.

Vince Lombardi was hired to be the Packers’ coach in 1959 following a 1-10-1 season. One of Lombardi’s first moves as coach was trading Howton to the Cleveland Browns in 1959 in exchange for two players. The move was very controversial, but worked out for Lombardi as he went on to dominate the 1960s.

Like Jennings, if Howton would’ve been in Green Bay longer he would have had a great opportunity to break many Packers’ receiving records.

Howton broke the Packers’ single-game receiving record in 1956 against L.A Rams when he caught seven passes for 257 yards.

Howton was inducted into the Packers’ Hall Of Fame in 1974.

6. Max McGee

Stats: 345 receptions, 6,346 yards, 50 touchdowns, 18.4 yards per catch average

Max McGee was one of the longest-tenured receivers in Green Bay history playing 12 seasons for the Packers.

The Packers took McGee in the 5th round (51st overall) of the 1954 NFL Draft. McGee had a solid rookie season with 36 catches for more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns. His nine touchdowns as a rookie is good enough for second all-time in Packers’ history.

However, McGee would take the next two seasons off to join the Air Force before returning to Green Bay for the 1957 season.

McGee’s best season as a pro came in 1961 when he caught 51 passes for 883 yards and seven touchdowns.

McGee led the NFL in yards per catch in 1959 with 23.2. However, the Packers would have their worst season in team history with a 1-10-1 record.

McGee is fifth all-time in Packers’ history with 50 career touchdown receptions. He led the team in receiving for four times (1958, 1960-62).

McGee won five NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowls. He would retire following the Packers’ victory in Super Bowl II over the Oakland Raiders.

McGee was inducted into the Packers’ Hall Of Fame in 1975.

5. Antonio Freeman

Stats: 431 receptions, 6,651 yards receiving, 57 touchdowns, 15.4 yards per catch average

The Green Bay Packers selected Antonio Freeman in the third round (90th overall) in the 1995 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech.

In his rookie season, Freeman appeared in 11 games and only caught eight passes in an exclusive kick/punt returning role for the Packers.

In his second season, Freeman’s role would dramatically increase. He caught 56 passes for 933 yards and nine touchdowns. In the Packers’ Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, Freeman caught three passes for 103 yard and a touchdown in the victory.

The following year, the 1997-98 season, Freeman had his breakout year. Freeman started all 16 games for the Packers. He caught 81 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the Packers 1998 Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos Freeman caught nine passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. However, it was his drop on third-and-6 on the Packers’ final attempt at a game-tying drive that would do the Packers in.

Freeman’s best season came in the 1998-99 season where he caught 84 passes for 1,424 and 14 touchdowns. His 1,424 yards receiving in 1998-99 is good enough for the third most receiving yards in a season in Packers’ history.

Freeman was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection following his career season in 1998-1999.

Freeman became a member of the Packer’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

4. James Lofton

Stats: 530 receptions, 9,656 yards, 49 touchdowns, 18.2 yards per catch average.

The Packers selected James Lofton with the sixth overall pick in the first round in the 1978 NFL Draft out of Stanford.

In Lofton’s rookie season he caught 46 pass for 818 yards (second most by any Packers’ rookie) and six touchdown receptions.

From 1980-86 Lofton was practically impossible to defend. His unique mixture of size (6-3) and speed made him a matchup nightmare for defenses around the NFL.

In his nine seasons in Green Bay, Lofton was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and a member of the All-Pro team four times.

Lofton’s best season as a Packer came in 1981 when he caught 71 passes for 1,294 and eight touchdowns.

The only knock on Lofton’s tenure as a Packer was the late 1970s and 1980s were a stage of mediocrity for the Packers. The team struggled to win consistently, so the play of Lofton wasn’t always recognized, which is part of the reason he decided to leave Green Bay following the 1986-87 season.

Lofton holds the Packers’ record for most games of 100 or more receiving yards in a game at 32.

He is also third all-time in Packers’ history for total yards from scrimmage with 9,901.

Lofton is a member of the 1980s NFL All-Decade Team. He was selected to the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 1999.

Lofton became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

3. Donald Driver

Stats: 735 receptions, 10,137 yards receiving, 61 touchdowns, 15.6 yards per catch

The Green Bay Packers took a flier on Donald Driver in the seventh round (213th overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft.

Driver was the longest-tenured receiver in Packers’ history before retiring last month.

Being an undersized wide receiver from a little school and being drafted in the seventh round, Driver always played like there was a chip on his shoulder.

Driver’s breakout year came in 2002, his fourth NFL season, when he caught 70 passes for 1,064 yards and a career-high nine touchdown receptions.

For 14 seasons Driver was the definition of durability, missing only four games in his career.

Driver helped finish the career of Bret Favre and launch the career of Aaron Rodgers in his time in Green Bay.

His trademark smile and love for the Packers fans have made him arguably the most liked Packer of all-time. As great a player as Driver was on the field, he was even a better person off the field.

In his time in Green Bay Driver set numerous Packers’ receiving records including most seasons of 1,000 or more yards receiving (7) most career receiving yards (10,137) most seasons of 50 or more receptions (9) and most receptions in a career (735).

Driver and the Packers’ won their first Super Bowl in 14 seasons in 2010-11.

2. Sterling Sharpe

Sharpe was an outstanding player and contributed to the Packers’ offense right away. His rookie season he caught 55 passes for 791 yards and a touchdown.

The following season, 1989-90, Sharpe broke out and caught 90 passes for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Sharpe’s best season came in 1992 when he broke Art Monk’s record of 106 receptions in a season (since broken by Marvin Harrison’s 143 in 2002). Sharpe finished that season with 108 receptions for 1.461 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, Sharpe’s brilliant young career was cut short in 1994 after he suffered a neck injury. Sharpe’s injury put him in the same class as Bo Jackson and Gale Sayers as great talent cut short by injury.

Sharpe was a five-time Pro Bowl selection in just seven NFL seasons in Green Bay. He was also a three-time All-Pro selection in 1989, 1990 and 1992. He led the NFL in receptions three times (1989, 1992, 1993). He led the NFL in touchdown receptions twice (1992 and 1994).

One of only seven players in the history of the NFL to hold the NFL’s receiving version of the “Triple Crown” which entailed leading the league in receptions, touchdowns, and yards.

Sharpe holds the following Packers’ receiving records: most receptions in a season (112) and most receptions in a rookie season (55).

Sharpe is a member of the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame, but not of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

1. Don Hutson

Hutson was able to put up numbers in the 11-game schedule at the time that players would struggle to accomplish in the 16-game schedule now played in the NFL. For example, in 1942 Hutson caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns all while only “starting” four games that season.

Forget Packers’ receiving records for the moment, Hutson still owns a number of NFL records. These records include most seasons leading the league in receptions (8) most seasons leading the league in receiving yards (7) most seasons leading the league in touchdown receptions (9) and most seasons leading the league in scoring (5).

In his day, Hutson wasn’t just a star receiver, he was a defensive back and punter. In 1943 he intercepted eight passes and had 30 for his career.

Hutson was an eight-time All-Pro (1938-45), three-time NFL Champion, a member of the 1930s All-Decade team, according to NFL.com he is rated as the No. 9 NFL player of all-time.

Don Hutson holds the following Packers’ records: most seasons leading team in receiving (10) most receptions in a game (14) most games of 200 or more yards receiving (4) most touchdown receptions in a career (99) most consecutive games with 100 or more yards receiving (4) among others.

He is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Green Bay Packers’ Hall of Fame.

His No. 14 jersey is retired by the Green Bay Packers.

He is your No. 1 receiver in the history of the Green Bay Packers.

Cullen Jenkins (left), Johnny Jolly (center), and Aaron Kampman (right) formed a formidable line for the Green Bay Packers. Jenkins was released Monday by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Nine-year National Football League veteran and former Green Bay Packers defensive end Cullen Jenkins was released today by the Philadelphia Eagles after having been with the NFC East team for the past two seasons.

Jenkins was a star defensive end for the Packers and helped them to the 2010 NFC Championship and Super Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before moving on to the Eagles. During his time with the Eagles, Jenkins started all 32 games and recorded 9.5 sacks, 56 tackles and 11 assists. He also had two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

“I had a chance to speak with Cullen today and let him know of our decision,” general manager Howie Roseman was quoted as saying in published reports. “It’s one of the most difficult parts of the job. He has been a very productive player in this league for a long time but we felt it in our team’s best interests that we go in a different direction. By releasing him at this point, it gives he and his agent more time to sign on with another team. We wish Cullen and his family all the best as he continues his NFL career.”

Jenkins spent the first seven years of his career in Green Bay as a productive defensive end. During that time he played in 93 games, starting 66 of them. He posted 29 sacks, 132 tackles, 61 assists, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 16 passes defensed. Those were solid statistics for the 6-2 305-pounder, but like most aging players (31), he became a victim of the Eagles’ salary cap. He was scheduled to make $5.5 million this year from the Eagles, who will be looking to rebuild its defense after a horrendous season last year.

At this point, it was unclear if Jenkins would look to move on or whether the Packers might even have an interest, but that’s highly unlikely.

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Jenkins career statistics are below:

Nick Barnett, pictured here before a Packers game in 2008, tweeted today that he would be cut by the Buffalo Bills today.

Buffalo Bills and former Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett tweeted today that he will be released by the Bills today, Monday, Feb. 11, after two years playing for the team.

The Bills didn’t waste much time as they announced a short time later that indeed Barnett had been released.

Barnett was drafted by the Packers 29th overall in the 2007 draft. He played eight years with the Packers and started 107 games with nearly 800 tackles. His “tomahawk” celebration became famous (or for some, infamous) among Packers fans. It was after he was injured early in the 2010 season that he lost his job. When he was one of the injured Packers who complained about not being included in the Packers Super Bowl team picture he fell out of favor among fans.

The Packers cut ties with him after the 2010 season and he signed with the Bills.

Here is Barnett’s tweet:

I was told I’ll be released today by the Buffalo Bills. Thanks to all the great Fans and friends I have met in Western New York.. It was

— NickBarnett (@NickBarnett) February 11, 2013

After Packers Nation sat outside for hours in negative degree weather last week hoping to get the “golden ticket” to Donald Driver’s retirement party, they once again showed up in full force to show their support.

The Lambeau Field Atrium was packed the moment the doors opened at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Fans, Lambeau employees, media, and everyone between nudged, clawed and fought their way to the front of the barricade-separating Driver from his fanatics.

The ceremony kicked off at 11 a.m. with host and former Packers great Larry McCarren, who introduced the first speaker, president Mark Murphy. Murphy congratulated Driver and praised Driver’s wife, Betina Driver. He then continued to praise Driver in a short three-minute speech. Next up was the man of very few words Ted Thompson. In an awkward fashion, as only Thompson can pull off himself, he also congratulated Driver and reminisced about being in the draft room in 1999 when the Packers selected Driver in round seven of the NFL Draft. Thompson kept his speech short, but was effective in driving home his personal feelings for Driver, which was evident to the crowd.

An emotional Driver took the microphone teary-eyed and began his farewell to the Green Bay Packers. Driver thanked former manager Ron Wolf, who was responsible for bringing Driver to Green Bay, all of his former position coaches, McCarthy, his teammates and finally the fans.

Driver thanked his wife and his family as tears rolled down his cheeks. Driver stated that his career wouldn’t have been possible without his “soul mate” Betina. Driver than directed his attention to the fans. “I signed my first major deal with the Packers 12 years ago.” Driver said. “I vowed then and there that I would not put on another jersey in my career.” The fans erupted in a loud ovation for Driver’s impeccable show of devotion for the organization that took a chance on him more than 14 years ago.

The ceremony ended in a media question and answer session. One media member asked Driver, “how have you changed since the first time you walked into that Packers locker room over 14 years ago until last week when you cleaned out your locker for one final time?” Driver simply smiled showing his supporters his trademarked ear-to-ear smile that has lit up every room he has walked into over the past 14 years and said, “ I haven’t; I am the same man, the same skinny kid that walked into that locker room 14 years ago. Success has never changed me.”

Driver walks away arguably the Packers greatest receiver of all time holding the record for most receptions in a career (743) and most receiving yards (10,137).

On and off the field Driver was the perfect symbol of  what it means to be a Green Bay Packer. He went out on his own terms, retiring with the team that took a chance on him rather than playing somewhere else.

Driver’s impact on the city of Green Bay has been profound and will never be duplicated.

Today we said goodbye to an all-time great Green Bay Packer.