Packers Daily Links: Reggie White Cited in Federal Court Filing

Information on incentive program run by the Packers in 1996 has been turned over to the federal court. That and more in today's Daily Links...

According to a report from the Associated Press, "The NFL Players Association filed papers in federal court pointing out that the NFL permitted a 1996 incentive program for big hits funded by then-Green Bay defensive lineman Reggie White." White helped fund a "smash-for-cash" program that reportedly paid $500 for big plays and big hits. The Packers' incentive program is cited as an argument against the NFL and their suspensions handed down to several New Orleans Saints players from 2009 to 2011 and the now infamous "Bountygate" program.

Two big name Packers players returned to practice on Thursday in advance of their upcoming game on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. "On Wednesday, B.J. Raji didn’t practice and Aaron Rodgers essentially didn’t practice," writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. "On Thursday, Raji (ankle) returned in limited fashion and Rodgers (calf) was a full participant." The Packers are obviously better with Rodgers and Raji in the lineup than without, but Raji remains the more serious injury of the two. Rodgers will play on Sunday without question, but Raji's status still might be up in the air. Either way, Raji's practice participation was at least a step towards getting healthy.

More on the injury situation comes from Fox Sports Wisconsin, JSOnline, twice and ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Head coach Mike McCarthy had words of praise for tight end Jermichael Finley on Thursday. "First off, for Jermichael even to play in the game I think says a lot about him," McCarthy is quoted as saying by Tom Silverstein of JSOnline. "I know the training staff didn’t think he was going to be able to play after his exam Sunday and even Monday morning (prior to the Houston game)." Kudos to Finley for coming back from injury. That is certainly admirable. As for his drops and his diarrhea of the mouth, that's another matter.

More on Jermichael Finley comes from ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Abbreviated version today.

Video: Pat Kirwan of CBS Sports helps analyze the Packers-Rams game...

Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and an editor at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (7)

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Evan's picture

October 19, 2012 at 10:15 am

Two things about the '96 case.

1. While still not appropriate, cash for big hits is vastly different than cash for injuries and cart-offs.

2. Just because a different commissioner didn't catch or punish players 16 years ago has no bearing on the Saints case today.

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Evan's picture

October 19, 2012 at 10:15 am

Also, thank you for ignoring the Shannon Sharpe nonsense.

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Brian Carriveau's picture

October 19, 2012 at 01:16 pm

I didn't ignore it. I just already linked to it earlier this week in the Daily Links.

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Evan's picture

October 19, 2012 at 01:23 pm

I guess I missed that. I take my 'thanks' back!

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Derek in CO's picture

October 19, 2012 at 10:16 am

MM might have nice things to say about Finley's ability to play through pain, but I pray TT is watching his antics, bad attitude, and simply not living up to his potential and decides to cut him loose. Find me one Packer fan who likes Finley.

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Chip Soup's picture

October 20, 2012 at 09:16 am

OK, I'll take the bait. The key drops have been maddening, and he talks about lack of leadership while demonstrating the same trait himself. Also, for there to be leaders, there need to be followers, and he can get a lot better at that. BUT. He's is a weapon, I think he's entertaining when he's playing well, and he's highly motivated, which can't be taught. Look at all the players who have all the talent in the world but fall out of the league in a couple of years because they don't put in the effort. If anything, he's just trying to do too much, which eventually can be cured.

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BrianD's picture

October 19, 2012 at 11:03 pm

"The Packers are obviously better with Rodgers and Raji in the lineup than without"

The Dline sure looked much improved last week with an absent Raji.

Regarding Reggie: players are already rewarded by performing big hits. It's called getting a second contract in the NFL.

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