Packers Daily Links: Matthews Says Packers Will Dedicate Playoff Game to Philbins
Linebacker Clay Matthews said the Packers will dedicate Sunday's game against the New York Giants to the family of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. That and more in today's Daily Links...
In a nationally aired interview on ESPN Radio's The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews commented on the tragic death of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin's son, Michael. "The Packer organization is truly a family-first environment," Matthews is quoted as saying by Kevin Seifert, NFC North blogger at ESPN.com. "We feel for the Philbin family. I think it goes without saying that this game, and how we approach it, and how we play, will definitely be dedicated to him. Hopefully we do it the right way."
More on Clay Matthews' interview appears at JSOnline.
Police in Oshkosh officially confirmed the death of Michael Philbin on Tuesday. "Police Chief Scott Greuel on Tuesday identified Michael Philbin as the man dive crews pulled from the river Monday," reports Jeff Bollier of The Northwestern in Oshkosh. "Foul play has been ruled out in Philbin's death, he said. But it’s unclear what Philbin was doing in the hours before someone reported early Sunday that a man fell through the ice 30 yards offshore."
More on Michael Philbin including funeral arrangements comes from WTMJ, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, ESPNMilwaukee.com, Fox 11 and Packer Report.
Joe Philbin released a statement through the Packers organization on Tuesday. “We love Michael so much and will miss him dearly," said Philbin. "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."
More from Joe Philbin appears at PackersNews.com and JSOnline.
General manager Ted Thompson released another statement as well.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers addressed the tragic situation involving the Packers on his weekly radio interview on the ESPN Radio affiliates in Milwaukee and Madison on Tuesday. "It is unclear when Philbin will return to work," writes Jason Wilde, "but quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on his weekly radio show on ESPN Milwaukee and ESPN Madison Tuesday that the team is not expecting Philbin back this week, in advance of Sunday’s game. And if Philbin does not work on the offensive game plan this week, the best way for his players to show their support for him, Rodgers said, is to prepare for the Giants the way Philbin would want them to."
More on Aaron Rodgers' radio interview appears at JSOnline and ESPNMilwaukee.com.
Former Packers employee Andrew Brandt wrote a column over at the National Football Post about the supportive atmosphere in Green Bay that will embrace Joe Philbin and his family.
Former Packers personnel man Reggie McKenzie made waves on Tuesday as the new general manager of the Oakland Raiders when he fired head coach Hue Jackson. Attention quickly turned to the impact the Raiders job might have on the Packers. "Immediately, the names of several Packers assistants were put on the list of possible candidates," writes Jason Wilde. "Among them: Offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who interviewed for the Kansas City and Miami head-coaching jobs last week; quarterbacks coach Tom Clements; inside linebackers coach and assistant head coach Winston Moss, a former Raiders player; and safeties coach Darren Perry, who was a Raiders assistant in 2007 and ’08." I heard former Packers assistant Marty Morhinweg mentioned as a candidate as well.
More on Reggie McKenzie in Oakland is at JSOnline and ESPN.com.
Defensive lineman Ryan Pickett is featured in an article by Lori Nickel at the Journal Sentinel.
The success of the Packers over the past two decades is highlighted by Cliff Christl in a column at the Press-Gazette.
The absence of Brett Favre in the Packers' rematch of the 2007 NFC Championship game with the Gaints is noted by Paul Imig at Fox Sports Wisconsin.
Also looking back at the 2007 NFC Championship is Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette.
Scouting reports on the Giants come from the Journal Sentinel and Press-Gazette.
Clay Matthews answers questions at the Packers official website.
JSOnline has videos on the Packers-Giants game and how they're dealing with tragedy.
The New York Post has articles on the first meeting between the Packers and Giants this season, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Coughlin.
Clubhouse Live and guest Kareem Copeland previewed the Packers-Giants game.
Blog posts at PackersNews.com feature an interview with ESPN's Tedy Bruschi about the Packers and attention on playoff seeding.
An interview with former Packers offensive lineman Greg Koch is at ProFootballWeekly.com.
Home-field advantage is the topic of an article at Packer Report (subscription required).
Video: Green Bay is putting up Titletown banners around town...
Brian Carriveau is a writer for Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (6)
January 11, 2012 at 08:10 am
If the Packers Players are going to dedicate their performance Sunday to the Philbin Family, I sure am glad I'm not a Giant.
January 11, 2012 at 08:23 am
It's a lot to deal with. Lang's father and Philbin's son all passing away the same time.
I hope not but I could see it affecting the players. They're professionals, and quite good at it. If any team can do it, go through all of this and still perform at a high level, it's them. But they're human.
Any of us in their position would have a very hard time focusing for this game.
January 11, 2012 at 08:56 am
Or they can use football as an escape, and focus even more intensely than before.
January 11, 2012 at 11:35 am
Philbin will be hauted for years if the Packers lose this game, believing it is his fault for not being with them. Philbin has had there backs now it's time for them to watch his back!
January 11, 2012 at 01:46 pm
I think that's a little blown out of proportion.
January 11, 2012 at 06:15 pm
That Brandt piece is great.