Christmas Gifts For The Packers On Your List
By Chris Havel
Christmas is a time for giving, and it is difficult to imagine the Packers giving more excitement, enjoyment and exhilaration to fans this season.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, here are suggested gifts for the Packers on your Christmas list:
- Bob Harlan: A retirement as rewarding as his career was successful.
- Ted Thompson: Draft picks. The more the merrier.
- The personnel department: Occasional days off and as many “I told you so!” buttons as necessary given the team’s recent draft success.
- Mike McCarthy: A “can’t miss” play call in the clutch, a timeout when the game’s waning moments require it, a challenge when a blown call demands it and a dry towel for that Gatorade bath still to come.
- Bob Sanders: The ability to put serious heat on the opposing quarterback when his defense rushes four.
- Brett Favre: An unlimited supply of refills to go with that fountain of youth the Packers’ quarterback has been drinking from all season.
- Donald Driver: The chance to match his season total of touchdown receptions (two) in an NFC Championship Game victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
- Greg Jennings: A career’s worth of single coverage. The Packers’ fabulous second-year receiver will take it from there.
- James Jones: A pair of touchdown receptions Sunday to replace the two fumbles that proved costly against the Chicago Bears earlier this season.
- Aaron Rodgers: The health to match his patience.
- Ryan Grant: This is difficult because Grant merely needed an opportunity and he already has received – and taken full advantage – of that.
- Donald Lee: The capacity to continue to grow and expand his role as a legitimate pass-catching tight end.
- The offensive line: Congratulations on a job well done, but far from finished.
- Koren Robinson: The inner strength required to continue down his current path.
- Will Blackmon: The courage to return punts with a vengeance, and the wisdom to know that every one isn’t going to go for six points.
- Aaron Kampman: A defense wise enough to follow his example.
- Corey Williams: Sustained consistency in between the flashes of brilliance.
- Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila: That extra tenth of a second whenever he comes oh so close to getting to the quarterback.
- Justin Harrell: A starter’s pistol to remind him the race is on.
- Ryan Pickett: Groins that never are injured, a scale that weighs 20 pounds light and a fan base that truly appreciates his importance to the defense.
- Nick Barnett: A heartfelt congratulations on having the finest season thus far in what is becoming an exceptional career.
- Brady Poppinga: The ability to bottle and sell his boundless energy and enthusiasm for the game.
- Charles Woodson: Half of Al Harris’ Pro Bowl award.
- Al Harris: A pat on the back for accepting the challenge of covering the opponent’s top receiver, and for meeting that challenge more often than not.
- Atari Bigby: Controlled aggression.
- Nick Collins: A dash of reckless abandon, a sprinkle of good health and a smidgeon of trust (in his own ability).
- Aaron Rouse: Seasoning to go with the spice he brings to the defensive secondary.
- Jon Ryan: Copies of the video “Fourth and (What Must Have Seemed Like) Forever” – that improbable but magnificent first-down scamper of the Packers’ punter at Minnesota against the Vikings. Running time is approximately 90 minutes.
- Mason Crosby: Jan Stenerud’s longevity, Chester Marcol’s leg strength, Ryan Longwell’s work ethic and Chris Jacke’s ability to block out potential distractions.
- A Merry Christmas to all my readers on the Packer Fan Tours’ website.
Chris Havel is a freelance writer, best-selling author and host of northeast Wisconsin’s top-rated sports radio talk show, Sports Line, heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 107.5 FM and 1400 AM THE FAN. He writes a weekly column exclusively for Packers Fan Tours’ Website throughout the 2007 season.
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