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Excellent draft. The two offensive linemen are both potential starters. The fullback they got was the top ranked one in the whole country. He looks a lot like William Henderson. They might start newcomer Raji along with Ryan Pickett and Justin Harrell. They have a lot of other nose tackles on the roster, so they might just play two or three nose tackles at the same time, making them a lot better against the run than they were last year. Clay Matthews should move right in the starting lineup at one outside linebacker, with Aaron Kampmann the other. Both of these guys should be able to rush the passer, along with Raji. The Packers second outside linebacker they drafted from Colorado also is an excellent pass rusher, with seven sacks last year, so he could help too. Free agent center addition Duke Preston is huge and could challenge for a starting center job. Overall the Packers should have a much improved defense and improved offensive line too. If Quinn Johnson develops into an outstanding blocking fullback the Packers could be a playoff contender again!

GREEN BAY, Wis. (CNS)- Most wins by a starting quarterback. Most consecutive games played by a quarterback. Most touchdown passes thrown. Fans of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre relish counting the number of NFL records their hero owns. But Favre's wife Deanna, a breast cancer survivor, finds comfort in counting her blessings.

The football star's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She spent four months undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. The following year, after her last radiation treatment, Deanna was declared cancer-free. She says the life-changing experience brought her closer to her husband and her Catholic faith.

"I just feel like, with faith, it helps me see the good in everything," Deanna said in a telephone interview with The Compass, diocesan newspaper of Green Bay.The Favres are members of St. Agnes Parish in Green Bay during football season and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Hattiesburg, Miss., during the off-season. Brett and Deanna both grew up in Kiln, Miss.

Since overcoming breast cancer, Deanna has become a spokeswoman for breast cancer prevention. She founded the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation in 2005, which provides grants for uninsured and underinsured women battling breast cancer.

Deanna's latest fundraising effort is the Oct. 1 release of an autobiographical book, "Don't Bet Against Me: Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer and in Life," which she wrote with Angela Hunt.According to Deanna, stepping into the media spotlight wasn't something she wanted to do but she believes it was part of God's plan.

At the time she was diagnosed, she and Brett were dealing with several family tragedies, including the death of her younger brother and Brett's father.Deanna also quickly learned that dealing quietly with her personal struggles wouldn't be possible. She resented the fact that her diagnosis made front-page headlines but she also came to understand that good could come from the publicity.

She began receiving letters of encouragement from women around the country. She also received letters from women saying they were motivated to get breast examinations after hearing about her.She said for that reason alone she thinks her story was meant to be public.

Today, Deanna said her views on life have changed. She no longer takes life or relationships for granted, and she cherishes every day with Brett and daughters Brittany, a college freshman, and 8-year-old Breleigh.

To date, her foundation has raised about $500,000. Part of the book's proceeds will go to the foundation. The book, "Don't Bet Against Me," released during breast-cancer-awareness month, not only details her battle with cancer but tells how she coped with other life challenges, including a pregnancy at age 19, single motherhood and a rocky relationship with Brett because of his addiction to prescription painkillers.

Their Catholic faith was a key factor in Brett and Deanna's decision not to have an abortion when she became pregnant out of wedlock following her second year of college."We were always totally against (abortion)," she said, adding that putting their baby up for adoption was also not a consideration.

Deanna said she "knew premarital sex was wrong, but for whatever reason" did it anyway. "I knew I would keep the baby," she said. Having Brittany meant that Deanna had to put her career goals on hold, but she said she was determined to do whatever she could to bring her up.

During Deanna and Brett's on-again, off-again relationship during college and his early NFL career, Deanna said she often turned to prayer. The couple married in July 1996.

Today, Deanna describes her relationship with Brett as stronger than ever."All the stuff we've been through over the years has molded us into two different people. It's awesome to think where we started and where we are now," she said. "Our relationship has gotten to a much stronger point, a deeper love; we have so much respect and love for each other."

"Brett is a completely different person and I can see the power of prayer in just that. It's changed our lives, our family."

Deanna said she still prays for her husband for a lot of different reasons and in particular she prays for his protection on the football field each week.
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Contributing to this story was Maryangela Layman Roman in Milwaukee.

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Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
From www.catholicnews.com

Should Brett Favre Return To Play For The Minnesota Vikings? Yes, he should. I'd like to see the big guy playing in Lambeau Field again, even if for a competitor to the Packers. I watched him playing for the New York Jets last year and he was having a great season until he got injured. He took a team that had been very weak the previous year and turned them into a playoff contender. I think he can still play professional football at a high level, and as long as he can, even if for a couple more years, I think that he should. There's plenty of time for retirement later.

Did you know that Brett Favre is part Choctaw Indian? Did you know that Brett Favre was in a near fatal car accident in college, that he lost part of his intestines, and that the first thing he asked his mother was would he be able to play football again? Did you know that some of Brett Favre's coaches in college wanted him to play safety? Did you know that Brett Favre's coach his first year for the Atlanta Falcons didn't want him drafted and swore he would never play Brett Favre? Did you know that Brett Favre started for the first time in his fourth game with the Green Bay Packers and then started every game from then on in his 16 year career with the Green Bay Packers? See Brett Favre Biography!

Here's a link to the Green Bay Packers Official Website, with latest news, roster, depth chart, schedule, etc.
Visit Green Bay Packers Official Website!

Here's a link to the online version of the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel Sports Page with the latest articles about the Green Bay Packers: Visit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Page!

Here's the link to the Wikipedia online encyclopedia article on the Green Bay Packers: Visit Green Bay Packers Wikipedia Article!

If you are a supporter of athletics in your community as I am, I guess you could call us athletic supporters, you should definitely be an owner and reader of Vince Lombardi's great book, "Run To Daylight," in which coach Lombardi gives his philosophy of life and coaching, including that you should put God first, your family second, then the Green Bay Packers third. Order Run To Daylight
Another great Green Bay Packers book is Jerry Kramer's "Instant Replay." No library should be without this book. Order Instant Replay
"Champions Through Christ" is a book that refers to Packers' former great quarterback Bart Starr, and is another book no real football fan should be without. Order Champions Through Christ

Show your support for the Green Bay Packers with your very own Green Bay Packers bumper sticker. Green Bay Packers Bumper Stickers

Here's a link where you can buy Green Bay Packers clothing, Green Bay Packers apparel, and Green Bay Packers sweatshirts: Click Here!

Order from a wide selection of Green Bay Packers gifts from this link: Click Here!

These can be expensive, they ain't cheap, but if you want your very own autographed Green Bay Packers footballs or other items autographed by Brett Favre and others, here's where you can get them: Green Bay Packers Autographed Items

Here's a link where you can get some great Green Bay Packers statistics, matchups, and a sports pick for the upcoming game! Visit Free Green Bay Packers Statistics, Matchups, & Sports Pick!