More football!

While Fox has a strong sports lineup – the NFL, NASCAR and Major League Baseball – we are pleased that the network is adding significantly this year to its college football lineup. When combined with the college football slate on CW14, we’ve got three of the country’s best conferences – ACC, Big 12 and Pac 12 – on our stations.

The action starts this Saturday, Sept. 1. Start your day on CW14, with the ACC Blitz pregame show at 11am, followed by a game at 11:30am.

For much of the season, Fox 11 will have doubleheaders on Saturdays, with games starting at 3pm. That won’t happen the first few weeks, however, because we’ve still got the major league baseball game of the week

The schedule for the first three weeks is posted below. After that, games will be determined each week. We will post the games on our Facebook page and put the information in the ticker in the newscasts.

Sept. 1
11:30am – Elon at North Carolina on CW14
3pm – MLB: Cardinals vs. Nationals on Fox 11
6:30pm – Hawaii at USC on Fox 11

Sept. 8
11:30am – Ball State at Clemson on CW14
3pm – Baseball game of the week, teams TBA, on Fox 11
6:30pm – Nebraska at UCLA

Sept. 15
11:30am – Connecticut at Maryland on CW14
3pm  – Baseball game of the week, teams TBA, on Fox 11
6:30pm – USC at Stanford

Fox 11 will end the season with the Pac 12 Championship on Nov. 30, the Big Ten Championship on Dec. 1, and the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 4.

Thanks for watching. We hope you enjoy the coverage!

I’m not sure what this says about my reporter-ing skills, but today I asked a question that took more time and thought to answer than any I’ve asked in a while.  The question was: which Packers would make the fastest 4×100 relay team.  Hard-hitting stuff, but it inspired some thought.

Jordy Nelson’s team: himself (running the anchor leg), Sam Shields, Tramon Williams and Randall Cobb.  Cobb was his last addition to the team.

Jerron McMillian’s team: himself, Shields, Cobb and Aaron Rodgers.  Rodgers may be a bit outside the box, but he can pass the baton (GET IT???  Hard-hitting humor, too).

For what it’s worth, Shields was the first pick on both those teams, widely regarded for his speed.

So who do you think would make the fastest 4×100 relay team out of the current Packers roster?  Would they give Usain Bolt or Team USA a run for their money?

Absolutely gorgeous day as the Packers opened mini-camp.  Two more days out on the field, then the team is off for about six weeks before reporting for training camp.

Once again, happy to share some observations from the practice field and locker room.  If you have anything to add, leave a comment or send me a tweet, @Justin_Felder

From the field …

• Practice didn’t look different than the OTAs; it sounded different.  There were referees during the scrimmages, both sides didn’t waste their voices yelling for penalties.  The offense and defense were both vocal, joking around and getting loud after big plays.  During scrimmages, we stand behind defensive sideline, easy to hear them giving the offense a hard time.
• Fun to see Jordy Nelson and Tramon Williams going head-to-head on a few consecutive plays.  First, Aaron Rodgers threw a ball up into the end zone … maybe it was a blown play or some miscommunication, but Williams came down with an interception.  You could hear him yell, ‘pick’ before grabbing the ball.  Don’t know if that rankled Rodgers, but a few plays later, he found Jordy Nelson on a familiar front pylon-fade route for a pretty touchdown.  Watching the video, Rodgers had his eyes towards Nelson the whole way.
• Charles Woodson, back after not being on the field during the OTAs that were open to the media, did a lot of work.  During training camp, and even during practice weeks, the coaches sometimes take it easy on Woodson, heading into his 15th season.  Woodson was out there a lot, saying afterward he thinks that will be the plan for the week.  Day one, he played largely at the nickel and dime spots.

From the locker room …

•  First time I got to talk to rookie QB BJ Coleman.  He talked a lot about how good of a teacher and mentor Aaron Rodgers is, how he tells Coleman and Graham Harrell what to look for on plays, in the film room.  He also mentioned that, before coming up for individual work and OTAs, people told him it would feel like a long time in Green Bay … now he says it feels like it’s flown by.
• Everyone’s happy to have Charles Woodson on the field.  While Woodson proclaimed himself ‘a little rusty,’ teammates and Coach McCarthy disagreed.  Casey Hayward, a rookie who was in elementary school when Woodson broke into the NFL, says he thinks Woodson is still a top-5 defensive back in the league, and is excited to pick his brain.  Woodson said he’s happy with what he’s seen of the defensive rookies so far.
• Woodson also emphasized the Packers need to get to the QB this season.  You can cover all you want in the secondary, “but if you need to cover a guy for 5, 6 seconds,” it’s tougher.  Woodson also talked about the team releasing safety Nick Collins.  It’s tough from a football standpoint, Woodson said, but “from a friend-standpoint it hurts even more.”
• Talked to Josh Sitton a about new center Jeff Saturday, getting used to the communication … and as importantly, his recent round at Pebble Beach.  Sitton said he only lost one ball in the ocean on the waterside course.  Not a bad way to spend some downtime during offseason work.

Gorgeous day.  Hope this sunburn doesn’t hurt too bad.  If you were in the stands and have comments of you’re own, add them below, and always feel free to send me a tweet @Justin_Felder

Two open OTA practices in the book, and I think we can just about all agree on the 53-man roster, right?

Just like the first week, happy to share a few observations from behind-the-viewfinder at practice and on the other end of the microphone in the locker room.  If you were there and want to contribute, or have questions, leave a comment here or tweet me @Justin_Felder.

• One guy who stood out: Jarrett Bush.  On two plays in the same series of offense-vs-defense drills, he made a great jump on an out-route throw from Aaron Rodgers to James Jones and nearly got the interception … then minutes later, he timed his jump on a blitz and tipped a pass intended for Jordy Nelson on a slant, nearly getting Sam Shields a pick of his own.  Bush was demonstratively upset at both missed-picks, but if he can become a reliable option at corner, he’ll look like a bargain as an offseason free agent signing.
• Bush also downed a couple punts near the end zone, but that’s old news.  Does that all the time.
• Speaking of bargains, I’m starting to think Andrew Datko may be one of those patented Packers draft-steals.  The 7th rounder looks the part … he’s big.  Played some left tackle with the first teamers.  Looks like a tackle.  No pads and I don’t know his medical situation (which is what caused him to drop in the draft), so no getting ahead of ourselves.

From the locker room …

• Donald Driver absolutely held court, as he tends to do.  I can’t imagine how many interviews this guy has done in the last few weeks; yet he immediately spoke to the throng of reporters once the locker room was open to media, and stuck around to talk for a while.  Everyone’s working in the dancing puns about how he avoided talking contract details … here’s a good one from FOX 6′s Jen Lada.
• Taking Mike Neal at his word, that he failed a drug test because of a prescription medication, you kind of feel bad.  Injuries have held the early part of his career back, now he’ll have to sit.  He was very candid talking to me, and very adamant he in no way took steroids.  Four games is a long time to sit out — Neal seems concerned as well with protecting his reputation.
• TJ Lang was told that new center Jeff Saturday singled out he and guard Josh Sitton as reasons he wanted to come to Green Bay.  TJ’s response: “That’s definitely a nice compliment from him … Definitely looking forward to playing with him.”  TJ said the o-line room has been helping Saturday for learn a new offense for the first time in a long time.
• Lang and Sitton are also well known on Twitter for occasionally poking fun at one another.  They secretly get along very well, and speak very highly of one another (not on Twitter).  Lang today, speaking about how linemen are helping Jeff Saturday learn the offense, said, “Josh, he’s one of the smarter guys we have on this team.”

Once again, if you were at Ray Nitschke Field and want to add your thoughts, have questions, leave a comment here or tweet me @Justin_Felder.

It’s way, way too early to jump to any conclusions or draw any depth charts.  But, it’s summer, I like football, you like football, so let’s talk about it.

The Packers practiced for a little under two hours, open to the public, as part of their first OTA of the offseason … first since the 2010 offseason, in fact.

Here are a handful of things I noticed from behind-the-viewfinder and on the other end of the mircophone…. and I’ll do my best to keep the logical leaps to a minimum.

• In offense/defense drills, there were two very nice interceptions — first from MD Jennings, second from Sam Shields.  Shields caught an over-the-shoulder ball, near the end zone, in double-coverage with UDFA Sean Richardson on Jordy Nelson … Jennings caught a hard-thrown ball while sliding to the ground in the middle of the field.  Jennings got a lot of run with Charlie Peprah sidelined and Charles Woodson absent (so did rookie Jerron McMillian)
• Big cheer from the crowd for Tom Crabtree, maybe because they’re his Twitter followers … but he also made a very athletic catch on a ball away from his body.
• During position drills, Nick Perry and Clay Matthews were side-by-side a lot.  Don’t expect Clay to get all sentimental and talk about taking Perry under his wing, but it’s clear he’s already invested in Perry’s progress — not the least of which because Matthews stands to benefit if Perry can get some pressure.  I asked Perry about “Coach Clay,” he just laughed and said Matthews has been answering all his questions.
• We’ll be talking about which and how many wide receivers make the roster … Tori Gurley, Diondre Borel the returning guys with a chance to make it, obviously the questions hanging over Donald Driver … but rookie UDFA Dale Moss looks the part.  Tall and fast, former basketball player … will be fun to watch him develop.

From the locker room …

• Alex Green is itching to get back on the field.  Media pressed him to see if he would be ready by training camp … he took a deep breath, didn’t want to put a timetable on anything.  With Ryan Grant possibly-to-likely departed, Green could get some time.
• Aaron Rodgers likes to throw in little jokes when chatting with the media … today, he took sly aim at the defense, saying, ‘Defense likes to go pretty hard in these OTAs without pads on.’  Nothing to read into this — I just think Rodgers likes to try and slide jokes past the media.
• A lot of talk about Donald Driver on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’  Desmond Bishop said he’d definitely be watching, but wouldn’t be hosting a players-viewing party at his house.  Fair enough.
• Jeff Saturday was engaging with the media, talked about how schools in the area played a factor in his decision in coming to Green Bay.  Said he almost felt like a rookie, having to learn a new system for the first time in a while — plenty humble for a five-time Pro Bowl, two-time All-Pro player.

Those are a few of my observations … if you were in the stands, of have things to keep an eye on next time, let me know.  Comment or send me a tweet, @Justin_Felder

Green Bay isn’t known for forays into free agency, nor do they seem to be in the market for a veteran power back.  That said, Brandon Jacobs said last season he would welcome a chance to, one day, continue his career in the Green and Gold.  On Friday, New York Giants released Jacobs after seven seasons.  He’s the fourth-leading rusher in Giants franchise history.

After losing to the Packers in Week 16 of the 2010 season, Jacobs and the Giants were snowed in and forced to spent some extra time at the team hotel in Appleton.  FOX 11′s Ben Krumholz caught up with Jacobs the Monday after the Giants’ loss, and asked about if Jacobs would ever consider playing in Green Bay.

“If push came to shove and Green Bay offered me an opportunity to extend my career as a Packer, you know, count me in,” said Jacobs on December 27th, 2010.

According to the AP, Jacobs wanted to work out a new deal with the Super Bowl champion Giants, but couldn’t get a deal done.

“Out of every place we play, [Green Bay] is a place I actually respect the fans and the people the most,” said Jacobs back in December 2010. “You know, it’s just all-American people.”

The Packers are scheduled to visit the Giants in the upcoming season, and could be and appealing candidate to face the Giants in the NFL’s season opener.

Wrestling can take some extra motivation, and for Luxemburg-Casco, Aaron Rodgers is bringing it; or at least his touchdown dance.

The Spartans wrestling program caps off with their top-ranked high schoolers, but in what seemingly everyone called “The Program,” Luxemburg-Casco has a booming youth wrestling program with kids as young as four-years old.

That’s where the “Hardest Working Sucker” comes in, pictured to the right.  18-year-olds need not apply for the belt, it goes to the young wrestler who worked the hardest in practice.  Coaches make an effort to spread the honor around.

The “Sucker” award comes with, of course, a lollipop.

Two rules for the wrestler who wins, a youth coach told me: whom ever wins has to wear the belt to class the next day.  Helps bring up enrollment and, come on, it’s a sweet belt.  The other rule?  When you win and put on the belt for the first time, you have to do Rodgers’ “Discount Double Check”-belt move.

During practice, as you see in the picture, the belt watches over the young wrestlers from a padded post in the middle of the wrestling room.  Luxemburg-Casco head coach Bob Berceau credits the school’s youth program with his team’s consistent success.

The Phoenix women are experts … professionals, at deflecting praise.  Record win streak?  No biggie.  Ridiculous rankings?  Meh.

Not that perfection needs motivation, but Green Bay’s star might have it — forward Julie Wojta was not included on the Wooden Award Midseason list, the top 20 candidates for the top women’s player in the nation.

Wojta’s having a crazy all-around year: 19.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, also leads the Phoenix in steals (3.8/game), blocks … Wojta is even tied for second on the team in assists.

Only two of the 20 players on the midseason list come from non-BCS teams (Delle Donne, Delaware and Shante Evans, Hofstra).

Wojta’s all around game boasts stats comparable to those on the list, and only Brittney Griner’s (on the list) Baylor Bears are, like Green Bay, undefeated.

I asked Phoenix head coach Matt Bollant earlier this season if he thought Wojta deserved to be considered for All-America honors, he said absolutely.  If these kind of individual awards are important … and, I’m just guessing, Wojta would be among the first to say they’re not … it might take a well-within-reach perfect record to escalate Wojta’s notoriety.

The Phoenix media relation folks say they don’t believe a Phoenix player has ever been named to the Wooden Award midseason list.  The award itself is given out April 6th.

You can find the complete list of players on the Wooden midseason list here: http://www.woodenaward.com/?p=1154

The phone is starting to ring for one of the top prep basketball players in the area — including some long distance, and increasingly high profile calls.  Little Chute forward Turner Botz is getting attention from a number of colleges, including Green Bay and some schools from BCS conferences.

“A lot of Horizon League schools, Boston College, Missouri Valley (conference teams), a lot of mid-majors, starting to get some more high-major looks,” said Botz.

Botz said Boston College first contacted him about three weeks ago, though there has not been a scholarship offer yet.

The 6’6 forward averages nearly 21 points and over 6 rebounds per game for the undefeated Mustangs, currently top-ranked in the FOX 11 Top 11.

“When the lights are really bright and the game is really huge, that’s when he plays his best,” said Mustangs head coach Mickey Martin.

Green Bay appears to be in play for Botz as well, who said he was going to meet with coaches Monday evening after practice.  There’s a possibility of a “5/4″ scholarship offer, where Botz would be asked to redshirt his freshman year, then become a scholarship player his second season at Green Bay when more scholarships open up.  Scott Venci of the Green Bay Press Gazette reports Pulaski’s Cody Wichmann received a similar “5/4″ offer.

Before talking on-camera, I spoke with Botz off-camera about the current Phoenix team, whom he’s been keeping up with.

“I gotta keep my options open,” said Botz.

Good situation to have.  Botz is just a junior, he can shoot, play inside, handle the ball.  At 6’6, he can be a physical, down-low presence in high school play (especially Division 3), but has the handle and outside shot to translate into a collegiate small forward.

Botz isn’t the only Mustang getting collegiate attention: fellow junior Kenneth Lowe told me he’s getting some contact from smaller schools, and visited UW-Stevens Point this past weekend.

Two solid weeks in the books in the Big Ten season and a very interesting Week 3 lies ahead.  Here are my picks!

Saturday:
(17) Ohio State vs. Miami (FL)
Penn State vs. Temple
Pittsburgh vs. Iowa
S.E. Missouri St. vs. Purdue
(7) Wisconsin vs. N. Illinois
Washington vs (11) Nebraska
South Carolina St. vs. Indiana
Miami (OH) vs. Minnesota
Northwestern vs. Army
Arizona State vs. Illinois

Upset Special:
(15) Michigan State vs. Notre Dame

Blowout Game:
Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan

Season Record: 28-8