AtlPackFan
05-31-2006, 03:52 PM
WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2006, 2:43 p.m.
Ryan takes lead in punting duel
Jon Ryan, who spent his first two years in professional football with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, appears to have taken a clear lead over B.J. Sander in the battle to become the Green Bay Packers' punter. Not only did Ryan punt first and receive more opportunites on the first day of the Packers' organized team activities, he outpunted Sander by a landslide.
In team punting drills, Ryan averaged 43.9 yards on nine punts. Ryan shanked one -- a 30-yarder -- and didn't always get the best of hang time, but he had three punts of more than 50 yards. Meanwhile, Sander, the Packers' third-round draft pick in 2004, had a disastrous day. He averaged 31.3 yards on eight punts. His longest punt traveled only 37 yards and he hit three that traveled only 28 yards.
Earlier, the two punted with just a snapper and return men. During that session, Ryan averaged 38.2 yards on 13 punts. Sander averaged 31 yards on eight punts. In that session, Ryan had punts of 29, 30 and 29 yards; and Sander had punts of 28, 23, 17 and 25 yards.
The two punted into a stiff breeze that sometimes was coming directly into their face, and at other times from both the northwest and northeast based on the movement of the American flag that towers above the Veterans' Memorial across the street from Clarke Hinkle Practice Field.
Ryan, 24, set the CFL single-season record last season with a 50.6 average. As a rookie the previous season, he averaged 43.2 yards.
The OTA sessions are voluntary and there was a large number of players missing, including cornerback Al Harris, who has expressed unhappiness with his contract. Harris also missed the Packers' voluntary minicamp. Coach Mike McCarthy said he hadn't talked to Harris and offered no explanation for Harris' absence. Other missing veterans were safety Mark Roman, cornerback Charles Woodson, cornerback Ahmad Carroll, safety Nick Collins, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, wide receiver Donald Driver, wide receiver Rod Gardner, tight end Bubba Franks and defensive tackle Corey Williams. McCarthy said several players had personal conflicts, and that some would be arriving at later dates. For example, he said Woodson was out of the country, but would report later. He also said Roman, another unhappy player, would take part in at least some of the sessions.
Rookies and first-year men missing other than NFL Europe players included linebackers A.J. Hawk and linebacker Kevin Schimmelmann. Several injured players observed practice: running backs Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport and Arliss Beach; linebackers Brady Poppinga, Tim Goodwell and Byron Santiago; safety Jeremy Thornburg; and tackle Chad Clifton. But several other injured players were missing, including cornerbacks Jason Horton and Will Blackmon; running back Chaz Williams; and tackle Adrian Klemm.
McCarthy said Blackmon, a fourth-round draft pick who looked good in the first two minicamps, broke a bone in his foot. McCarthy said he was hopeful that Blackmon would be able to participate in training camp at some point. McCarthy also said tackle Kevin Barry had undergone quad surgery and was out for the year.
Safety Marquand Manuel and linebacker Kurt Campbell have been cleared to practice and participated in the workout. Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson left practice with an ankle injury.
NFL Europe players at practice included quarterback Brian Wrobel, cornerback Therrian Fontenot, tight end Tory Humphrey and defensive tackle Jerome Nichols.
Rookie safety Tra Boger made a nice play to intercept an Ingle Martin pass in a team session. . . . Brett Favre combined with Marc Boerigter on four passes in team and the seven-on-seven sessions.
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Why would anyone, for instance Gardner, who knows they are going to be competing for not only playing time but a spot on the roster miss these camps. Doesn't make any sense to me. Has to make Fergie and Boerigter happy. I guess there are always circumstances that come up that can't be avoided or plans that can't be changed. Still.....
Ryan takes lead in punting duel
Jon Ryan, who spent his first two years in professional football with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League, appears to have taken a clear lead over B.J. Sander in the battle to become the Green Bay Packers' punter. Not only did Ryan punt first and receive more opportunites on the first day of the Packers' organized team activities, he outpunted Sander by a landslide.
In team punting drills, Ryan averaged 43.9 yards on nine punts. Ryan shanked one -- a 30-yarder -- and didn't always get the best of hang time, but he had three punts of more than 50 yards. Meanwhile, Sander, the Packers' third-round draft pick in 2004, had a disastrous day. He averaged 31.3 yards on eight punts. His longest punt traveled only 37 yards and he hit three that traveled only 28 yards.
Earlier, the two punted with just a snapper and return men. During that session, Ryan averaged 38.2 yards on 13 punts. Sander averaged 31 yards on eight punts. In that session, Ryan had punts of 29, 30 and 29 yards; and Sander had punts of 28, 23, 17 and 25 yards.
The two punted into a stiff breeze that sometimes was coming directly into their face, and at other times from both the northwest and northeast based on the movement of the American flag that towers above the Veterans' Memorial across the street from Clarke Hinkle Practice Field.
Ryan, 24, set the CFL single-season record last season with a 50.6 average. As a rookie the previous season, he averaged 43.2 yards.
The OTA sessions are voluntary and there was a large number of players missing, including cornerback Al Harris, who has expressed unhappiness with his contract. Harris also missed the Packers' voluntary minicamp. Coach Mike McCarthy said he hadn't talked to Harris and offered no explanation for Harris' absence. Other missing veterans were safety Mark Roman, cornerback Charles Woodson, cornerback Ahmad Carroll, safety Nick Collins, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, wide receiver Donald Driver, wide receiver Rod Gardner, tight end Bubba Franks and defensive tackle Corey Williams. McCarthy said several players had personal conflicts, and that some would be arriving at later dates. For example, he said Woodson was out of the country, but would report later. He also said Roman, another unhappy player, would take part in at least some of the sessions.
Rookies and first-year men missing other than NFL Europe players included linebackers A.J. Hawk and linebacker Kevin Schimmelmann. Several injured players observed practice: running backs Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport and Arliss Beach; linebackers Brady Poppinga, Tim Goodwell and Byron Santiago; safety Jeremy Thornburg; and tackle Chad Clifton. But several other injured players were missing, including cornerbacks Jason Horton and Will Blackmon; running back Chaz Williams; and tackle Adrian Klemm.
McCarthy said Blackmon, a fourth-round draft pick who looked good in the first two minicamps, broke a bone in his foot. McCarthy said he was hopeful that Blackmon would be able to participate in training camp at some point. McCarthy also said tackle Kevin Barry had undergone quad surgery and was out for the year.
Safety Marquand Manuel and linebacker Kurt Campbell have been cleared to practice and participated in the workout. Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson left practice with an ankle injury.
NFL Europe players at practice included quarterback Brian Wrobel, cornerback Therrian Fontenot, tight end Tory Humphrey and defensive tackle Jerome Nichols.
Rookie safety Tra Boger made a nice play to intercept an Ingle Martin pass in a team session. . . . Brett Favre combined with Marc Boerigter on four passes in team and the seven-on-seven sessions.
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Why would anyone, for instance Gardner, who knows they are going to be competing for not only playing time but a spot on the roster miss these camps. Doesn't make any sense to me. Has to make Fergie and Boerigter happy. I guess there are always circumstances that come up that can't be avoided or plans that can't be changed. Still.....