motife
06-05-2006, 06:23 PM
MONDAY, June 5, 2006, 3:02 p.m.
Cundiff wins round one
http://x6e.xanga.com/7eca256435d3558406709/b39150799.jpg
The kickers practiced with the full squad for the first time this year during a special teams session Monday and Billy Cundiff showed more leg strength than Dave Rayner on kickoffs. Cundiff and Rayner each kicked off six times from the 20-yard line. Cundiff averaged just over 75 yards a kickoff. Rayner averaged just under 70 yards.
Had they been kicking from the 30-yard line, all six of Cundiff's kickoffs would have traveled into the end zone. Two of Rayner's kickoffs would have reached the end zone; two others would have reached the goal line; and two would have landed between the 5-yard line and the goal line. Cundiff, in fact, kicked one into the end zone from the 20. The kickers had a breeze to their back.
Cundiff was with Dallas the past four seasons. Rayner was the kickoff specialist for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Cundiff had gotten increasingly better on kickoffs during his time in Dallas. And for him to fare better than Rayner at what Rayner does best made it a good day for Cundiff. "I was very happy the way I kicked the ball," he said.
Safety Mark Roman practiced for the first time in the OTAs and worked with the first unit ahead of Marquand Manuel, the free agent picked up last winter from Seattle. Roman said he missed last week's practices for personal reasons, but refused to elaborate. And he said he wasn't surprised to find himself lining up with the first unit. But he didn't necessarly think that gave him the inside track on the job heading into training camp. "It's a competition," said Roman. "That's how I'm approaching it." Manuel declined comment on the situation.
Cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, the Packers' two key defensive signings during the off-season, continued to miss the workouts. Also absent for the fourth straight day was cornerback Al Harris. Brett Favre and William Henderson, the Packers' two most seasoned players, also were missing after practicing last week. Wide receiver Rod Gardner reported to practice after missing last week for business reasons. He said he had to be at a closing for some lots he was selling in Georgia. Injured offensive line Adrian Klemm also was back observing practice. Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson returned to practice after dropping out with an injured ankle last week. Cornerback Ahmad Carroll was missing for the third time in four days.
Without Favre in camp, Aaron Rodgers ran the first unit and was 1 for 9 in the two team sessions. He was 7-for-9 in seven-on-seven, but only one of the seven completions was thrown any distance downfield. Rodgers' best throw of the day might have been his first: A deep ball to wide receiver Marc Boerigter. But the bal fell in between Boerigter's outstretched arms. On his only other deep pass, Rodgers badly overthrew a wide open Robert Ferguson, who had a run go pattern down the sideline.
Rookie left tackle Tony Moll was twice yanked for false start penalties. ... Unrestricted free agent linebacker Ben Taylor made a nice play to break up a Rodgers' pass to tight end Bubba Franks in a team session. ... Cornerback Mike Hawkins also made a nice play on a ball, but couldn't come up with the interception. ... Running back Noah Herron dropped a pass in the flat that couldn't have been better thrown.
Although Reggie McKenzie was passed over for the job of general manager of the Houston Texans, he appreciated the opportunity. It was his first interview for a job of that stature. "First and foremost, it was a great experience for me," said McKenzie. "It was my first interview. I felt I was in a win-win situation. I'm glad to be back here."
Cundiff wins round one
http://x6e.xanga.com/7eca256435d3558406709/b39150799.jpg
The kickers practiced with the full squad for the first time this year during a special teams session Monday and Billy Cundiff showed more leg strength than Dave Rayner on kickoffs. Cundiff and Rayner each kicked off six times from the 20-yard line. Cundiff averaged just over 75 yards a kickoff. Rayner averaged just under 70 yards.
Had they been kicking from the 30-yard line, all six of Cundiff's kickoffs would have traveled into the end zone. Two of Rayner's kickoffs would have reached the end zone; two others would have reached the goal line; and two would have landed between the 5-yard line and the goal line. Cundiff, in fact, kicked one into the end zone from the 20. The kickers had a breeze to their back.
Cundiff was with Dallas the past four seasons. Rayner was the kickoff specialist for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Cundiff had gotten increasingly better on kickoffs during his time in Dallas. And for him to fare better than Rayner at what Rayner does best made it a good day for Cundiff. "I was very happy the way I kicked the ball," he said.
Safety Mark Roman practiced for the first time in the OTAs and worked with the first unit ahead of Marquand Manuel, the free agent picked up last winter from Seattle. Roman said he missed last week's practices for personal reasons, but refused to elaborate. And he said he wasn't surprised to find himself lining up with the first unit. But he didn't necessarly think that gave him the inside track on the job heading into training camp. "It's a competition," said Roman. "That's how I'm approaching it." Manuel declined comment on the situation.
Cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, the Packers' two key defensive signings during the off-season, continued to miss the workouts. Also absent for the fourth straight day was cornerback Al Harris. Brett Favre and William Henderson, the Packers' two most seasoned players, also were missing after practicing last week. Wide receiver Rod Gardner reported to practice after missing last week for business reasons. He said he had to be at a closing for some lots he was selling in Georgia. Injured offensive line Adrian Klemm also was back observing practice. Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson returned to practice after dropping out with an injured ankle last week. Cornerback Ahmad Carroll was missing for the third time in four days.
Without Favre in camp, Aaron Rodgers ran the first unit and was 1 for 9 in the two team sessions. He was 7-for-9 in seven-on-seven, but only one of the seven completions was thrown any distance downfield. Rodgers' best throw of the day might have been his first: A deep ball to wide receiver Marc Boerigter. But the bal fell in between Boerigter's outstretched arms. On his only other deep pass, Rodgers badly overthrew a wide open Robert Ferguson, who had a run go pattern down the sideline.
Rookie left tackle Tony Moll was twice yanked for false start penalties. ... Unrestricted free agent linebacker Ben Taylor made a nice play to break up a Rodgers' pass to tight end Bubba Franks in a team session. ... Cornerback Mike Hawkins also made a nice play on a ball, but couldn't come up with the interception. ... Running back Noah Herron dropped a pass in the flat that couldn't have been better thrown.
Although Reggie McKenzie was passed over for the job of general manager of the Houston Texans, he appreciated the opportunity. It was his first interview for a job of that stature. "First and foremost, it was a great experience for me," said McKenzie. "It was my first interview. I felt I was in a win-win situation. I'm glad to be back here."