Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings ended his season with a good run toward free agency. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Jennings, the soon-to-be-departed wide receiver of the Green Bay Packers, didn’t come right out and say it, but it sounds very much like he is leaning toward a move to the Miami Dolphins.

His comment about joining the Dolphins, ”I wouldn’t mind that at all. The weather’s definitely nice. They have an up and coming quarterback,” sure sounds like a very strong interest. In fact, on this Valentine’s Day, one might even think Jennings is infatuated with the idea. If it’s puppy love now, you can bet that within the next few weeks with the start of the free agency period, it will blossom into a full love affair and finally marriage.

Whether that marriage will then lead to a baby carriage with the birth of a Lombardi Trophy is yet to be seen.

But all kidding aside, Jennings is clearly leaning toward South Beach … but don’t count out the Vikings either. They play in a dome – in fact, a brand new dome in a couple of years or so. However, their quarterback is certainly not up-and-coming, nor do they have an offensive-minded coach and one with which Jennings is very familiar. Jennings would be able to jump into Joe Philbin’s system in a heartbeat and would give that team the go-to guy they need.

Not only that, but as a Packers fan myself, I certainly don’t want to see Jennings go to a division rival – especially the Vikings.

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Matt Flynn will join the Seattle Seahawks after agreeing to terms today with the team.Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The news that former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn signed with the Seattle Seahawks came as somewhat of a surprise, given that he had also visited the Miami Dolphins.

Well known for promoting from within, the Packers announced today that Tom Clements, the former Packers quarterbacks coach, will now take the reins of offensive coordinator under head coach Mike McCarthy and taking over for Joe Philbin who was recently hired as the Miami Dolphins’ head coach.

The Packers made the official announcement late this afternoon.

It was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Clements would get the job if he wasn’t hired away from the Packers organization by another team.

The story on the Packers official team website can be found here …

The team’s official press release can be found after the jump.

(more…)

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.

Clements is being bantered about as a possible replacement to Raheem Morris as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but if he doesn’t land there or take another coordinator’s position outside of Green Bay, speculation is that he will be promoted to the position by Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported today that because of their penchant to promote from within, Clements will take over the position vacated by Philbin who was named head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

“Your first intent is to look within,” McCarthy is quoted by the newspaper. “That’s where you start. But I don’t want to talk about that now. This is Joe’s moment. He deserves all the attention. You don’t replace people like Joe. I’m going to miss him personally a whole lot, forget as a professional. He’s someone I enjoy being around. He’s a great guy. This is a very good opportunity for him.”

But if McCarthy is going to keep Clements around, he most likely will have to act fast – that is unless Clements is offered the head coaching job in Tampa.

Coach Mike McCarthy has a tough job of getting his team ready to play football this week without his offensive coordinator.

Joe Philbin will be gone from the Packers scene for an indefinite period.

Everybody’s wondering just how that will affect the overall balance for the team, especially the coaching staff. I guess the only person who has the definite answer is Mike McCarthy because he runs the show.

But we would like to hear from you about this. Take the survey below and if you would like to add more, go to our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/apackphan and leave a comment. And while you’re there, like the page for us – you can also follow us on Twitter.

This is an important week in the history of the Green Bay Packers during an historic season. Let us know how you feel.

Joe Philbin

Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin issued a public statement within the past hour.

In his own words …

“We love Michael so much and will miss him dearly. He loved his family, friends and life. His memory will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. We are appreciative of the prayers and the support of our family, friends and the Packers family. We ask for continued respect and privacy for our family as we deal with our loss.

“Our family also wants to thank the Oshkosh Police Department, Winnebago County Dive/Rescue/Recovery Team and the Winnebago County Coroner’s office for their efforts and compassion during this difficult ordeal.”

We here at Lombardiave keep our thoughts and prayers with you and your family, Joe.

Keep the faith and stay strong. There’s an entire Packers Nation out there behind you.

Authorities officially confirmed this morning that it was the body of Michael Philbin, the son of Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, that was pulled from the Fox River yesterday.

Though the Green Bay Packers coaching staff and players will have to forge ahead starting tomorrow with practice for their upcoming Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants, it looks like they will most likely have to do it without their offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin.

Authorities this morning confirmed the body they pulled from the Fox River yesterday is that of Michael Philbin, the second oldest child of Joe and Diane Philbin.

According to a published report by Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this is what we know so far:

Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, has been recently named as a candidate to fill the Miami Dolphins' head coaching position. Today he has more important matters in which to address ... he son, Michael, was reported missing.

An update to this story as reported in the national press. This update comes from the New York Daily News:

The body of a male victim was recovered from the icy waters of the Fox River in Wisconsin Monday and is believed to be that of Michael Philbin, the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin.

Oshkosh police issued a statement Monday that said a positive identification of the victim had been made, but that the identity would not be released until Tuesday, so family members and next of kin could be notified. The statement added that no foul play was suspected and the investigation of the matter was ongoing. WTMJ Radio and several Wisconsin media outlets reported that the body recovered was that of Michael Philbin, citing sources.

This was published earlier today when the news broke:

Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator, was in the middle of preparing a game plan for the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Giants.

Clearly, his plans are on hold …

His son, Michael, has gone missing.

According to an Associated Press report released in the last hour, police in Oshkosh have mounted a search for the young man.

Here is the report that was published earlier today from the AP:

Police in Oshkosh say 21-year-old Michael T. Philbin of Ripon was last heard from around 2 a.m. Sunday. He had been visiting friends in Oshkosh that evening. He was reported missing on Sunday evening.

A police spokesman did not immediately return a message left Monday seeking additional comment.

A Brown County judge sentenced Michael Philbin to six months in jail in 2009 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls and two counts of battery.

His disappearance comes as the Packers prepare to face the New York Giants in an NFC playoff game Sunday in Green Bay.

Michael Philbin, the son of Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, has been reported missing.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy briefly addressed the matter with reporters Monday, saying, “the Philbin family is obviously going through a tough time right now. As we always have, we’re a family-first philosophy with the organization. We’ll hold out hope this comes to a positive conclusion.” McCarthy said Joe Philbin was in Oshkosh Monday.

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson released this statement this afternoon:

“The Packers organization is aware of the missing person report regarding Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family during this difficult time. We ask anyone with information about Michael to contact the Oshkosh Police Department.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Philbin family and hope there is a resolution to this in short order.

Could Packers executive Reggie McKenzie be headed to Oakland? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With the news that Green Bay Packers executive Reggie McKenzie was interviewing today by the Oakland Raiders for a front office position, it becomes even more clear that success brings more success for those members of a coaching staff that is successful.

Talk not only about McKenzie being eyed by other teams is sure to extend to other coaches and executives now working for the Packers.

The question is how many will leave the successful program that they have helped build. No doubt there will be a few. But who will they be and how many?

Consider today’s poll …

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These OTAs mark a change for the Packers as they try to rediscover the magic they had in 2007, when they went 13-3 and were an errant pass from the Super Bowl. The team comes in with a new defensive coordinator (Dom Capers), new defensive scheme (3-4), new special teams coordinator (Shawn Slocum), and two new, high draft picks (B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews). The Packers are trying to rebound from the dismal 2008 season and keep up with the reloaded Chicago Bears, always dangerous Minnesota Vikings, and the making-an-attempt-at-being-a-football-team Detroit Lions.

So what should we watch for with these OTAs?

First, the obvious: the 3-4. With Capers, Raji, and Matthews coming in, change is happening. How long it takes that change to happen remains to be seen. The only new members of the Packer defense are the two rookies and safety Anthony Smith, who was signed away from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. Raji will compete with the incumbent Ryan Pickett for the nose tackle job, where the the team will look to them as space-eaters to free up the linebackers. Both men are listed at over 330 pounds, something absolutely necessary for the scheme to succeed. Pickett has performed solidly in his time with the Packers, but it remains to be seen if he has the athleticism to be more than serviceable in the 3-4. Raji is expected to become an impact player over the course of his career on the defensive line.

Joining Raji and Pickett on the defensive line is the competition for defensive end. Defensive end is a thankless job according to many who have worked with it. Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel of Pittsburgh are regarded as two of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league, and I’m willing to bet the casual fan hasn’t heard of them. The Packers are hoping that Justin Harrell can make the transition to the 3-4 DE successfully, or else his time in Green Bay will most likely be up. Also expected to have big impacts in the defense are Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins. However, any of the numerous defensive ends on the Green Bay roster currently have the potential to win the job, as nearly everyone is learning something new.

Talking about the Packers defense is like beating a dead horse, so something else to consider: Ryan Grant.

Last year, Ryan Grant rushed for over 1,200 yards, good for ninth in the league. However, we have no idea what Grant can do. After all, he only played half a season in 2007 and in 2008 missed all offseason activities before promptly hurting his hamstring the first week of training camp and never really being at 100%. The backups in Green Bay (Brandon Jackson, DeShawnn Wynn) have shown flashes of brilliance, and I’d expect Mike McCarthy and Joe Philbin to use them to put some pressure on Grant during these offseason workouts. While Grant’s total yards were good for someone who missed time, his yards per game (75.4) and yards per carry (3.9) could definitely use some improvement.

Grant’s performance ties in with the offensive line, obviously. The Packers offensive line in 2008 was banged up and inconsistent. As the younger guys continue to mature and develop, it takes some pressure off of the aging Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton. The trenches are definitely the place to watch for the Packers during these OTAs.

Stay tuned.