Wynn #94 with a sack

Jarius “SlickWynn” Wynn, the 280lb DE was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 6th round of 2009 Draft. He didn’t see a lot of playing time as the Packers were stacked at that position at the time. Consequently, he was released by the Packers during the 2010 preseason.

But as all Packers fans know, we saw a lot of injured players in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, DE Justin Harrell was one of those. That was the beginning of  Wynn’s second chance to be part of greatness.

In a phone interview with Wynn today, I asked him how it felt to be released by the Packers then to get picked back up by them just weeks later. Wynn said

“When I was released, I used that as a learning experience. I wanted to always get better and better. I prayed about it and during half time of the Eagles game, I got the call”.

Wynn was happy to be back. He said,

“I want to prove something, I’m going to be ‘That Guy’”

Obviously, he is ‘That Guy’ and he proved it Thursday night against the Saints. Not only did he have 3 solo tackles and 1 assist, he was one of only two defensive players to get a tackle on the elusive Brees.

He was also a key player in the 3rd down 1 stop of Saints TE Thomas and again on the 4th and 1 when the Saints turned the ball over on downs.

I asked Wynn for a prediction for this year, which he gave me a very politically correct

“I won’t make predictions, we’ll continue to work hard and see where the season takes us”

Wynn want’s to continue to focus on his job, work hard, and be better so the Packers can keep on “Wynning”.

Be sure to follow him on Twitter @slickwynn94

Special to lombardiave.com

South Shore, Lake Tahoe, Nev. – A.J. Hawk turned his baseball cap backward and grabbed a handful of practice balls as he strolled off to begin his third round at the American Century Championship.

“I’m getting pretty low,”  the muscular Green Bay Packer middle linebacker said to a few of the other sports celebrities standing nearby. “Hopefully, I’ll bring them back later.”

Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk pounds the ball on the golf course and the ball carrier on the football field. Douglas Etten photograph

He grabbed his driver on the 425-yard first hole while the other players in the his group –quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Matt Schaub — went with long irons, just hoping to find the fairway on the dogleg right.

“They’re smart. That’s why they’re quarterbacks,” joked the 6’1”, 247-pounder before he blasted his drive over the tall pine trees guarding the right side of the fairway, leaving himself just a 130-yard approach that led to a par.

“I just hit it as hard as I can. I try not to think too much,” said the self-deprecating big man who plays with just one wood (a 10-degree driver) in his bag. “I have issues when I start thinking out there. I just like seeing how far I can hit it. I don’t mess with my clubs, and I don’t practice. I just like to play.” (more…)

Sterling Sharpe has gained a couple of pounds since his playing days with the Green Bay Packers, but one thing he hasn't lost is his sharp wit and love the Packers organization. Saying he has always considered himself a Packer for life, Sharpe still stays close to the organization and many of its current players. In this interview with Doug Etten, Sharpe has much to say about football in general, as well as the Packers. Douglas Etten photograph

EDGEWOOD TAHOE — The following for Chico, Calif., native Aaron Rodgers was large and loud in Lake Tahoe Thursday as some of the most recognizable names in sports gathered for the 22nd American Century Championship.
One of his biggest fans was on the course with him and knows a thing or two about Green Bay Packers quarterbacks.
Sterling Sharpe is a name most Green and Gold fans elevate to the top of their list when thinking about some of the greatest wide receivers in franchise history.
Sharpe came into the league a Green Bay Packer, retired a Green Bay Packer and 15 years after makes no room for debate that he’s still — above all — a Green Bay Packer.

“I’m not a former anything. Once you’re a Green Bay Packer, you’re a Green Bay Packer for life,” Sharpe said Thursday. “We’ve got a few organizations like that. The Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys — you’re never a former anything. You’re always going to be a Green Bay Packer.”

Sharpe’s career was cut short by a freak-spinal injury that put the all-pro on the shelf when many around the league thought he was still in his prime. He’s one of only a handful of receivers ever to lead the league in receptions, yards and touchdown catches in the same season, and says he’s not ashamed about anything he ever did or didn’t do through his years on the field.
Off the field he works with the NFL Network as an analyst, and says he still stays close to the current NFL champs. (more…)

Mason Crosby lines up for a an attempt at a 52-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings last season. The Packers surprised everyone when placeholder Matt Flynn took the snap and lofted a pass toward a wide open tight end Andrew Quarless. However, the rookie tripped on the play and the ball fell incomplete. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

EDGEWOOD TAHOE — Most NFL kickers are going to admit they want the ball and game in their hands in a crucial fourth down.
For Mason Crosby of the NFL Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, his wanting the ball came in a little different way one October night.
It was fourth-and-seven from the Vikings’ 37-yard line.
Inside a heated rivalry game, Green Bay was doing all they could to put the dagger deep in the chest of Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.
Green Bay and head coach Mike McCarthy wanted to put points on the board, and so they called on Crosby for a 52-yard attempt, easily within the range of the booming right-legged kicker. (more…)

Aaron Rodgers is a fan favorite and a champion. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Aaron Rodgers talked this afternoon about staying in shape, improving, winning another championship, the lockout, and of course, golf, during an interview with  media leading up to his participation in the 22nd annual American Century Championship golf tournament to be held in Lake Tahoe, Calif., in a couple of weeks.

While looking forward to playing golf in this great tournament, Rodgers also talked a lot about football and told reporters that the Packers are well positioned to possibly earn more than one more championship in the coming four to five years. He said that because of the team’s youth and experience, the sky’s the limit for a team that already has one championship under its belt. (more…)