MARTIN

VETERANS
RUVELL
MARTIN
Ht: 6-4
Wt: 220
Third NFL Season
Third Packers Season
WIDE RECEIVER
MISC.
LAMBEAU
FIELD
RECORDS &
HISTORY
2007 REVIEW
DRAFT &
FREE AGENTS
MARTIN
ADMIN. &
COACHES
COMMUNITY
SAGINAW VALLEY STATE
Still young and developing receiver who became
a productive part of the
Packers’ four- and five-wideout sets in 2007…Caught
only 16 passes, but four were for touchdowns, and 15
of 16 overall produced either a first down or a TD…
Also proved to be an effective downfield
blocker, throwing several key blocks on
long runs by Ryan Grant in the second
half of ’07…Picked up where he left off
after a strong finish to 2006, when he caught 12 passes
for 229 yards and a TD in three December games, to make
the roster for a second straight year…Finished 2006
with his first career 100-yard game (seven catches, 118
yards) and added his first two-TD game in 2007…Now
has 37 catches for 600 yards and five TDs in his two-year
career…Took the long road to an NFL job, finally landed
on the 53-man roster out of his third training camp in
2006 after being cut by San Diego in 2004 and 2005 and
spending the second half of ’05 on Green Bay’s practice
squad…Always an intriguing prospect because of his size
(6-foot-4, 210 pounds) and his All-NFL Europe honors in
2005, when he led the league with 679 yards receiving and
12 TDs for the champion Amsterdam Admirals…Entered
the NFL as a rookie free agent signed by San Diego after
the 2004 draft, and credits working with former Chargers
receivers coach and NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton for
two years for part of his development…Won his first
roster spot with a strong 2006 training camp that included
one TD catch in the preseason…A four-year starter at
Saginaw Valley State, finished his career there ranked second in school history in career receptions (152) and fifth
in yards (1,968) and touchdowns (18)…Earned All-Great
Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors twice and
academic all-conference recognition three times.
Born: Aug. 10, 1982
NFL Gm. Played/Started: 28/8
Acquired: FA-06
►►Name is pronounced roo-VELL.
►►15 of his 16 receptions in 2007
were for either a first down or
touchdown.
►►Had the first two-TD game
of his career, vs. Minnesota
(Nov. 11).
►►Made his first 53-man NFL ros- at a glance…
ter in his third training camp
(2006), having been cut by San Diego in 2004 and 2005.
►►Led NFL Europe with 679 receiving yards and 12 TDs for
2005 league champion Amsterdam Admirals.
►►Was an all-state quarterback as a senior at Muskegon
(Mich.) Catholic Central H.S.
PRO
career
2007 season
The biggest target among Packers’
wideouts, played in 15 of 16
games with five starts and made 16 catches for 242 yards
and four touchdowns…15 of his 16 catches produced a
first down or touchdown…Four of his five starts came
with Packers starting in multiple-receiver sets; final start
vs. Detroit (Dec. 30) was with Donald Driver and Greg
Jennings sitting out (coach’s decision)…Posted his first
two-TD game vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11) and caught his
other two TDs against another NFC North rival, Detroit…
Started vs. Philadelphia (Sept. 9), when the team opened
in a three-receiver set; made two catches for 14 yards…
At New York Giants (Sept. 16), did not have any catches,
but drew a pass interference call on CB Sam Madison
in the third quarter that moved the ball to the New York
2-yard line; Bubba Franks made a TD reception two plays
later for a 14-10 Green Bay lead…At Minnesota (Sept.
30), caught a 36-yard pass in the second quarter, the
Packers’ longest reception of the game and tied for longest
of Martin’s career (had 36-yard receptions twice in ’06).
Made a 16-yard catch on third-and-11 in the third quarter,
the drive ending with a field goal and a 13-6 Green Bay
lead…Vs. Chicago (Oct. 7), caught one pass for 18 yards,
and repeated that stat the next week vs. Washington (Oct.
14)…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 11), had four catches for 57
yards and a career-high two TD receptions. In the third
quarter, caught an 8-yard touchdown on third-and-goal,
giving Green Bay a 27-0 lead. On his second touchdown,
caught a 17-yard pass in the fourth quarter; CB Cedric
Griffin and S Darren Sharper collided and the ball was
tipped into Martin’s hands for the final score of the game
in a 34-0 shutout. In the second quarter, caught a 25-yard
pass on third-and-8, leading to a 39-yard field goal…At
Detroit (Nov. 22), caught one pass, a 3-yard TD in the third
quarter that gave Green Bay a 31-12 lead…At Dallas (Nov.
29), started the game when the team opened with four
receivers, and caught one pass, a 13-yard reception on
the first offensive play of the game…Started at St. Louis
(Dec. 16), with the team opening five-wide…Started at
Chicago (Dec. 23, three-receiver set) and caught one pass
for 14 yards…Started vs. Detroit (Dec. 30) and made one
catch, a 32-yard TD on fourth-and-2 from Craig Nall in
the third quarter that gave Green Bay a 31-13 lead in the
34-13 victory. In the first quarter, provided a key block
downfield on Ryan Grant’s 27-yard touchdown run…
Played in both playoff contests…Vs. Seattle (Jan. 12),
on Grant’s 43-yard run in the third quarter, cracked down
on a DB at the line of scrimmage, allowing Grant to run
around left end.
2006
Played in his initial 13 NFL games, with three
starts, and was inactive for three contests…In
on 439 offensive snaps, made 21 receptions — including
several clutch catches — for 358 yards (17.0 avg.) and
one TD…Also returned a punt for minus-2 yards and
registered a pair of special teams tackles…Made his NFL
debut, playing on special teams in the season opener vs.
Chicago (Sept. 10)…Made his first career start, at Miami
(Oct. 22), with the team opening in a three-receiver set;
notched his first NFL catch, a 6-yard reception from Brett
Favre on fourth-and-1…Started vs. Arizona (Oct. 29) as
the No. 2 receiver in place of Jennings (ankle), and on
a first-half TD drive caught a 19-yard pass; later, drew
a pass interference call on CB David Macklin, setting
up Favre’s 1-yard TD run…In significant, 23-17 win at
Minnesota (Nov. 12), caught a 20-yard pass on thirdand-7, en route to a late field goal that produced a 23-14
lead…Had his first career punt return, vs. New England
(Nov. 19), in the fourth quarter…At Seattle (Nov. 27),
caught a 26-yard pass to help set up another TD…At
San Francisco (Dec. 10), made his first career touchdown
catch, a 36-yard first-quarter reception after Favre found
192
VETERANS
him wide open in the end zone; sustained a chest injury
in 49ers contest and stayed behind in an area hospital
under observation…Subsequently missed the next contest
vs. Detroit (Dec. 17)…Returned vs. Minnesota (Dec. 21)
and caught three balls for 69 yards, none bigger than a
36-yard catch on a fourth-quarter, go route that led to the
game-winning field goal…In spirited 26-7 win at Chicago
(Dec. 31), started again for Jennings (excused for birth
of his child) and enjoyed a game- and career-high seven
receptions for 118 yards, his first career 100-yard receiving
game, including catches of 33 and 34 yards, both coming
on third-and-2.
In 2005, earned All-NFL Europe
honors for the league champion
Amsterdam Admirals…Led the league with 679 yards
receiving and 12 touchdowns in the regular season.
2005
2004
A non-drafted free agent signed by San Diego,
April 30, was waived late in training camp.
DRAFT &
FREE AGENTS
2007 REVIEW
Garnered first-team All-Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors
as a senior at Saginaw Valley State following second-team
honors as a junior…A four-year starter, was named to academic all-conference team three times…Played alongside
Denver Broncos’ receiver Glenn Martinez all four years,
with the team winning two conference championships
(2000, ’03)…Finished his career ranked second in school
history in receptions (174), third in yards (2,313) and fifth
in touchdowns (21)…Was remarkably consistent statistically his final three years, when he started 37 of a possible
38 games…As a senior in 2003, caught 54 passes for 632
yards and five TDs, preceded by seasons of 47-732-9 in
2002 and 51-671-7 in 2001…Says the greatest game he
ever played in was that sophomore season, a 2001 playoff
game vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania…His team
was down 32-7 and won the game 33-32 as Martin caught
nine passes for 162 yards and three TDs…Got one start
in 12 games played as a freshman, catching 22 passes for
278 yards to begin his career…Majored in marketing.
MARTIN
college
ADMIN. &
COACHES
Re-signed in January by the Chargers, who
allocated him to NFL Europe, was waived in San
Diego’s final preseason roster reduction…Signed to the
Packers’ practice squad Nov. 15, spent the balance of the
season in Green Bay.
‘Ru’…Born in Muskegon, Mich.…Married to Michelle, the
couple has two daughters, Kennedy, 3, and Jumana, 1…
Sister, Kendra, played basketball at Central Michigan…A
three-sport athlete at Muskegon (Mich.) Catholic Central,
earned three letters in football and basketball and one
letter in tennis and baseball…As a quarterback twice
earned all-conference honors and received all-state recognition his senior year…Also received all-state and
all-conference accolades in basketball…Got involved in
several community events and projects in his first two
NFL seasons…Helped demonstrate skills at two local
football clinics, including one for children from the nearby
Oneida Nation reservation…Helped assemble a storage
shed, hand out bicycles and serve dinner to residents at
the NEW Community Shelter…Rang bells for the Salvation
Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign over the holidays…
In 2007, held an autograph session at his local high
school, also donating a jersey to be auctioned off…Also
has participated in the local United Way kickoff event, in
the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game, the Edgar Bennett
Celebrity Bowl-A-Thon, an event to benefit the Donald
Driver Foundation, the Donald Driver Celebrity Softball
Game, the Greg Jennings Celebrity Golf Tournament and
the TRIFECTA Golf Tournament…In the offseason visited
troops at a military base in Alaska for a week…Was the
captain of the Packers’ ‘Green Machine’ basketball team
that went across the state of Wisconsin to help areas communities raise money for different charities…Would like
to own his own business following his football career…
Enjoys playing the guitar, golf and basketball…His favorite
TV show is 48 Hours: Mystery…Residence: Muskegon,
Mich.
COMMUNITY
NFL EUROPE
name Ruvell Martin…First name
personal Given
is pronounced roo-VELL…Nicknamed
RECORDS &
HISTORY
Sports Illustrated’s Top 20 venues of the 20th Century (June 7, 1999)
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
193
Fenway Park, Boston
Saratoga Race Course, New York
Pebble Beach, California
Wembley Stadium, London
The Pit, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Boston Marathon Course
Camden Yards, Baltimore
Lamade Stadium, Williamsport, Pa.
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.
St. Andrews, Scotland
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
MISC.
Yankee Stadium, Bronx
Augusta National, Augusta, Ga.
Michie Stadium, West Point
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, N.C.
Bislett Stadium, Oslo, Norway
Wrigley Field, Chicago
Roland Garros, Paris
Lambeau Field, Green Bay
In Green Bay, where the local time is always
1963, the citizens worship their Packers with
religious fervor, and Lambeau Field is their
ageless cathedral. The benches are aluminum,
the grass (when not iced over) is resplendent,
and the fans are rabid but realistic without
being rude. No wonder Packers players leap
into the stands after scoring touchdowns. On
a truly cold day you can feel the spirit of Vince
Lombardi — even if you can’t feel your toes.
LAMBEAU
FIELD
VETERANS
Ruvell Martin’s Pro Statistics
RECORDS &
HISTORY
2007 REVIEW
DRAFT &
FREE AGENTS
MARTIN
ADMIN. &
COACHES
COMMUNITY
RECEIVINGRUSHING
Year Team
GP GS
No Yds Avg Lg TD
Att Yds Avg Lg TD
2006 Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3
21 358 17.0 36t
1
0
0 0.0
0 0
2007 Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5
16 242 15.1 36
4
0
0 0.0
0 0
NFL totals (two years) . . . . 28 8
37 600 16.2 36t
5
0
0 0.0
0 0
PLAYOFFSRECEIVINGRUSHING
Year Team
GP GS
No Yds Avg Lg TD
Att Yds Avg Lg TD
2007 Green Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
0
0
0 0.0
0
0
0
0 0.0
0 0
Additional statistics: Returned punt for -2 yards vs. New England, 11/19/06. Special teams tackles — 2 in 2006.
Miscellaneous tackles — 2 in 2006.
MARTIN’S SINGLE-GAME
CAREER HIGHS
NFL debut: vs. Chicago, 9/10/06
First start/reception: at Miami, 10/22/06 (B.Favre)
First touchdown: at San Francisco, 12/10/06 (B.Favre)
Receiving
Receptions . . . . . . . . . 7, at Chi. (12/31/06)
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Yards . . . . . . . . . . . . 118, at Chi. (12/31/06)
u2004 Signed by San Diego Chargers as non-drafted free Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36, three times:
agent, April 30…Waived by Chargers, Aug. 31.
(last: at Min., 9/30/07)
u2005 Re-signed by Chargers as reserve/future free agent, Touchdowns . . . . . . 2, vs. Min. (11/11/07)
Jan. 7…Allocated to NFL Europe, Jan. 24…Waived
by Chargers, Sept. 3…Signed by Green Bay Packers
to practice squad, Nov. 15.
u2006 Re-signed by Packers as reserve/future free agent, Jan. 2.
u2008 Re-signed by Packers as exclusive-rights free agent, March 31.
CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRATION: After 2008
Ruvell Martin Game-by-Game
2006, GREEN BAY
2007, GREEN BAY
Date Opp GPGS No Yds Avg Lg TD
09/10 Chi-L 1 0 0 -
- - 09/17 NO-L 1 0 0 -
- - 09/24 atDet-W(inactive)
10/02 atPhi-L(inactive)
10/08 StL-L 1 0 0 -
- - 10/22 atMia-W 1 1 2 25 12.5 19 0
10/29 Ari-W 1 1 2 26 13.0 19 0
11/05 atBuf-L 1 0 0 -
- - 11/12 atMin-W 1 0 3 47 15.7 20 0
11/19 NE-L 1 0 0 -
- - 11/27 atSea-L 1 0 1 26 26.0 26 0
12/03 NYJ-L 1 0 1 5 5.0 5 0
12/10 atSF-W 1 0 2 42 21.0 36t 1
12/17 Det-W(inactive — chest)
12/21 Min-W 1 0 3 69 23.0 36 0
12/31 atChi-W 1 1 7 118 16.9 34 0
‘06 TOTALS 13 3 21 358 17.0 36t 1
Date Opp GPGS NoYds Avg LgTD
09/09 Phi
1 1 2 14 7.0 10 0
09/16 atNYG 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
09/23 SD
1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
09/30 atMin 1 0 2 52 26.0 36 0
10/07 Chi
1 0 1 18 18.0 18 0
10/14 Was 1 0 1 18 18.0 18 0
10/29 atDen 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
11/04 atKC(inactive)
11/11 Min 1 0 4 57 14.3 25 2
11/18 Car
1 0 1 11 11.0 11 0
11/22 atDet
1 0 1 3 3.0 3 1
11/29 atDal
1 1 1 13 13.0 13 0
12/09 Oak 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
12/16 atStL 1 1 1 10 10.0 10 0
12/23 atChi
1 1 1 14 14.0 14 0
12/30 Det
1 1 1 32 32.0 32 1
‘07 TOTALS 15 5 1624215.1 36 4
01/12 Sea 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
01/20 NYG 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
PLAYOFFS 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
1
2
MISC.
LAMBEAU
FIELD
1
Green Bay’s unique training-camp experience
The Packers are one of a growing number of teams who do not leave their regularseason practice facility during training camp.
But beyond practice and meetings, the team does use a college setting to sleep, bunking at St. Norbert College in De Pere, a 10-minute drive from Lambeau Field.
The Packers’ 51-year training-camp relationship with St. Norbert, launched in 1958
by head coach Scooter McLean, is the longest in league history. The Vikings (Minnesota
State-Mankato, 44 years); Steelers (St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., 41 years); and
N.Y. Jets (Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y., 40 years) are the only other teams with
comparable training camp tenures. The Packers’ full list of training camp sites, since
Curly Lambeau launched the tradition in 1946:
1946-49 . . . . . . . . . . Rockwood Lodge (Bayshore area, north of Green Bay)
1950-53 . . . . . . . . . . Grand Rapids, Minn.
1954-57 . . . . . . . . . . University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
1958-present . . . . . . St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis.
194
NFC Divisional Playoff, 2NFC Championship