GREEN BAY PACKERS THRILLED TO GET ROOKIE DATONE JONES SIGNED
All outdoor practices are expected to be held on Ray Nitschke Field (across from the Resch Center). Type of practice (pads or shells) is subject to change without notice. All times indicated are Central. Thu., Aug. 01, 2013 8:20AM - 10:20AM CDT *Public practice *Any practices moved inside to the Don Hutson Center due to inclement weather, poor field conditions or for any other reason will be closed to the public due to space limitations. All outdoor practices are expected to be held on Ray Nitschke Field (across from the Resch Center). Type of practice (pads or shells) is subject to change without notice. All times indicated are Central. Fri., Aug.
PACKERS HALL OF FAME TO HONOR CLAY MATTHEWS AS MVP
The defensive end is set to make $7.7 million over four years with a team option for a fifth year. He will receive roughly $4 million in terms of a signing bonus while he is guaranteed $6.3 million. Hopefully, Jones will become the player everyone in and around the organization knows he can be so that he can earn a much bigger contract, such as what Clay Matthews accomplished this summer. His personal success will immediately transition over to the team, as he will be a critical piece to get the defense performing at a high level. It may take some time to get going, but there is no question he must turn into an elite player over the next few years in order for the Packers to get back on top. Green Bay needs him to be a top-notch pass rusher to go along with Matthews and outside linebacker Nick Perry. They also need him to be effective in the run game. Jones posted 62 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while suiting up for UCLA in 2012. The Packers will need him to put up monster numbers in his rookie season, while he will have to consistently attack the quarterback with the same intensity that Matthews does. There is a lot riding on what Jones will be able to do along the defensive line, which certainly puts on added pressure. However, if he wants to help Green Bay win another Super Bowl he will have to be everything the Packers expect right out of the gate.
VIDEO: TEXAS A&M'S JAKE MATTHEWS
Clay was so controversial so misogynistic, angry detractors said that his 1990 appearance as Saturday Night Live host prompted boycotts by series cast member Nora Dunn and scheduled musical guest Sinead OConnor. He hasnt lost his onstage edge, still essaying the Diceman persona that he calls the ultimate rock and roll standup comedic hero, one thats equal parts swagger, black leather and middle-age pompadour. But Clay suggests that the culture is so altered that its caught up with him, putting him in a different light. Women have become the aggressors, he said. When I say theyre the most aggressive piglets ever, I dont say that with disrespect. I waited for this generation. In conversation, Clay is so polite that before he introduces a racy thought he assures the listener that its part of his onstage material, not rudeness. Hes eager to talk about his sons, Max, 22, and Dylan, 18, who Clay says took center stage in his life after he went through a divorce about a decade ago. Both boys are pursuing entertainment industry careers and, together, have a band called L.A. Rocks. I felt it was really more important to raise my sons properly than make career moves, Clay said. I did the clubs, did theater, but didnt make any kind of moves to have this resurgence until they were old enough. The Diceman as devoted dad?
I didnt get to play with him, but I did get to befriend him. Long ball Packers Hall of Fame inductee Chris Jacke ranks No. 3 on the Packers all-time list for field goal accuracy behind Ryan Longwell and Jan Stenerud. Jacke still holds Packers records for most field goals of 50 or more yards in a career (17) and season (6 in 1993). I have no explanation why I could kick them from 50 and beyond, said Jacke, who grew up in Texas and learned to deal with cold weather. I tried to have the attitude on every kick, Just go out and kick it. Pitchers in baseball, when you start getting in a slump in pitching, you try to aim the ball. Just go out there and throw it. I use that analogy for kicking the football. When I would miss, I would look at film, I found myself trying too hard instead of going out there and letting the body do what the body knows how to do. Jackes has a theory for why current Packers kicker Mason Crosby fell into a slump last season. I know Mason went through some problems, Jacke said. Thats what I felt he was doing, he was actually thinking himself into a miss instead of just letting his body, and what his body knows how to do from doing it for so long, just to go do it. Award winners Matthews was honored at the induction banquet as the Packers MVP for the 2012 season, and Casey Hayward was named rookie of the year.
CLAY MATTHEWS WILL BE FILLING THAT LEADERSHIP VOID
Thu., Aug. 01, 2013 8:20AM - 10:20AM CDT *Public practice *Any practices moved inside to the Don Hutson Center due to inclement weather, poor field conditions or for any other reason will be closed to the public due to space limitations. All outdoor practices are expected to be held on Ray Nitschke Field (across from the Resch Center). Type of practice (pads or shells) is subject to change without notice. All times indicated are Central. Fri., Aug. 02, 2013 4:00PM - 6:00PM CDT PPCC Annual Reception Packers Partners Club of Champions Annual Reception Fri., Aug. 02, 2013 7:00PM - 9:00PM CDT *Public practice *Any practices moved inside to the Don Hutson Center due to inclement weather, poor field conditions or for any other reason will be closed to the public due to space limitations. All outdoor practices are expected to be held on Ray Nitschke Field (across from the Resch Center). Type of practice (pads or shells) is subject to change without notice.
ANDREW DICE CLAY ON A CAREER ROLL WITH WOODY ALLEN FILM, AUTOBIOGRAPHY, TV SHOW
Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more . RECENT UPDATES ABOUT THIS BLOG David Ubben Ubben joined ESPN.com in March 2010 after covering Big 12 football for two seasons at the Columbia Missourian and The Oklahoman. Ubben, a native of Springdale, Ark., lives in Dallas. Send questions and comments Richard Durrett Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. A co-host of Fitzsimmons and Durrett on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, Richard also writes about the Rangers, Cowboys, Mavericks, colleges, golf and motorsports. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools. Send questions and comments Tim MacMahon Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. A co-host of ESPN Dallas GameDay on 103.3 FM, Tim also covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He covered the local sports scene from high schools to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. He is a UNT graduate.
GREEN BAY PACKERS SIGN SAFETY MORGAN BURNETT TO LONG-TERM EXTENSION
Related Stories Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driverannounces retirement at Super Bowl GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have locked up another defensive starter, signing safety Morgan Burnett to a long-term extension. Burnetts extension, reported by NFL.com to be worth $24.75 million over four years, follows earlier offseason deals with linebackers Clay Matthews and Brad Jones. Burnett had been due to be a free agent following the 2013 season. With Charles Woodson missing most of last season with a broken collarbone, Burnett took charge of the Packers secondary. He led the team with 123 tackles, and was one of only two defensive players in the NFL to play every snap. Burnett also had two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions both against the Minnesota Vikings. In three seasons with the Packers, Burnett has 244 tackles and six interceptions.
NOTEBOOK: GBAJA-BIAMILA EXPECTS TO HAND SACK CROWN TO MATTHEWS
Obviously the more comfortable I am in the scheme, which I very much am, the longer Im here, the more tenured I am, the more I have to take that leadership opportunity. In light of what has happened in the off-season with Charles Woodson departing, the new contract shows trust in my leadership and ability on the field. So youre going to see that, especially in light of the last few years for our defense. Were trying to turn it around and get this thing back to where we were when we had the Super Bowl run. Matthews has always been a good player, but youve never seen him being overly vocal in the locker room or on the field. He just kind of fit in and let his play speak for him. That low-key demeanor appears to be a thing of the past. Matthews was reportedlymuch more vocal than in the past during minicamp and OTAs. He also worked extensively with the younger guys on the defense, who now look up to him. I think its definitely something natural as you get more comfortable in the system, being a leader, Matthews said. A lot of these young guys look up to you, especially having some personal success myself. Im going to do everything I can to help this defense get to where we need to go.
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