motife
06-05-2006, 08:15 PM
Packers Team Report
6/4/2006
By Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: It appears the right guard position will come down to a duel between two greenhorns. Second-year pro Junius Coston, who was inactive for 14 games and played three snaps from scrimmage last year, has a leg up in the race to start. Coston moves his 317 pounds well and will give the team much more mobility than 2005 starter Will Whitticker, who has been switched to tackle. But Coston still has a lot to prove and there is a chance third-round pick Jason Spitz will beat him out. The 313-pound Spitz mostly played guard in college but also is considered a candidate to play center. For now, he'll get a chance to play a lot at right guard and show whether he has the quickness to play in the team's zone system. Come opening day, both starting guards could be rookies. Second-round pick Daryn Colledge has the inside track on the left guard spot. . . .
Rookie CB Will Blackmon suffered a broken foot in a recent minicamp and will be out at least until the start of training camp. That's a setback for a player who was making a transition back to cornerback after playing wide receiver his senior year at Boston College. Blackmon needs as much work as possible to get back to form on defense. He's also considered a top candidate to take on return duties.
SCOUTING REPORT: C Scott Wells is in position to solidify his place on the offensive line. Over the past two seasons, Wells has seen a lot of playing time because of injuries to former starter Mike Flanagan, so he's not a novice. Wells doesn't play bigger than his 6-2, 304-pound frame and struggles with big, quick defensive tackles, in part because his arms are short and he can't gain an advantage in close contact. However, he's very strong, knows how to use leverage and is fairly mobile. He should do better in this offensive system than he did in the last.
IMPACT NEWCOMER: CB Charles Woodson doesn't have to regain his youth to have an impact this season. If Woodson can be anything close to the reliable cover man he has been most of his career, he'll make a huge difference on defense. Woodson has the man-to-man skills the club demands of its corners, and, paired with Al Harris, he will make it easier for defensive coordinator Bob Sanders to blitz linebackers and safeties or play a blanket zone. Last year, the coaches couldn't count on the left corner to come through and were continually getting burned because of it. This defense requires having two capable corners, and the team now has them.
CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: B-plus. Charles Woodson and Al Harris make a terrific tandem, but there isn't much behind them.
INSIDE DISH: Harris is quietly making it known he would like to have his contract upgraded; he is not taking part in voluntary minicamps -- but don't expect the club to raise a finger to do it. Harris is in the third year of a five-year extension he signed in 2004, and it's unlikely the club will discuss doing anything until at least the end of the season.
6/4/2006
By Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: It appears the right guard position will come down to a duel between two greenhorns. Second-year pro Junius Coston, who was inactive for 14 games and played three snaps from scrimmage last year, has a leg up in the race to start. Coston moves his 317 pounds well and will give the team much more mobility than 2005 starter Will Whitticker, who has been switched to tackle. But Coston still has a lot to prove and there is a chance third-round pick Jason Spitz will beat him out. The 313-pound Spitz mostly played guard in college but also is considered a candidate to play center. For now, he'll get a chance to play a lot at right guard and show whether he has the quickness to play in the team's zone system. Come opening day, both starting guards could be rookies. Second-round pick Daryn Colledge has the inside track on the left guard spot. . . .
Rookie CB Will Blackmon suffered a broken foot in a recent minicamp and will be out at least until the start of training camp. That's a setback for a player who was making a transition back to cornerback after playing wide receiver his senior year at Boston College. Blackmon needs as much work as possible to get back to form on defense. He's also considered a top candidate to take on return duties.
SCOUTING REPORT: C Scott Wells is in position to solidify his place on the offensive line. Over the past two seasons, Wells has seen a lot of playing time because of injuries to former starter Mike Flanagan, so he's not a novice. Wells doesn't play bigger than his 6-2, 304-pound frame and struggles with big, quick defensive tackles, in part because his arms are short and he can't gain an advantage in close contact. However, he's very strong, knows how to use leverage and is fairly mobile. He should do better in this offensive system than he did in the last.
IMPACT NEWCOMER: CB Charles Woodson doesn't have to regain his youth to have an impact this season. If Woodson can be anything close to the reliable cover man he has been most of his career, he'll make a huge difference on defense. Woodson has the man-to-man skills the club demands of its corners, and, paired with Al Harris, he will make it easier for defensive coordinator Bob Sanders to blitz linebackers and safeties or play a blanket zone. Last year, the coaches couldn't count on the left corner to come through and were continually getting burned because of it. This defense requires having two capable corners, and the team now has them.
CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: B-plus. Charles Woodson and Al Harris make a terrific tandem, but there isn't much behind them.
INSIDE DISH: Harris is quietly making it known he would like to have his contract upgraded; he is not taking part in voluntary minicamps -- but don't expect the club to raise a finger to do it. Harris is in the third year of a five-year extension he signed in 2004, and it's unlikely the club will discuss doing anything until at least the end of the season.