motife
06-06-2006, 04:08 AM
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=86523&ntpid=3
TUE., JUN 6, 2006 - 1:28 AM
Packers: Martin intent on finally catching on
JASON WILDE 608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY - Marty Schottenheimer's rule when it comes to cutting players is simple: Tell the truth.
That's what the San Diego Chargers coach got back in the late 1960s and early 1970s during his playing career, and that's what he feels he owes his players today.
And so that's the environment wide receiver Ruvell Martin walked into when he entered Schottenheimer's office Aug. 31, 2004.
"He said, 'You know I'll never lie to you,' " Martin recalled during a break in the Green Bay Packers' organized team activity practices. "(Then) he told me he didn't think I was fast enough to play in the NFL. And he definitely didn't have a (roster) spot for me, (not even) on the practice squad. And he didn't know if there was anybody in the NFL that would have a spot for me on the practice squad."
Ouch.
Rather than giving up, Martin took the criticism as a challenge. He worked odd jobs for the rest of that football season - at a mortgage company and as a substitute teacher back home in Michigan - before the Chargers called just after Christmas, offering him a futures contract and the chance to play in NFL Europe.
Martin responded by leading NFL Europe in receiving yards and touchdown catches to help the Amsterdam Admirals to the league title. He then came back stateside and made a late training-camp push last August for a roster spot with the Chargers, only to be cut again, despite catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in preseason.
"So this time I go into coach Schottenheimer's office and he tells me, 'You know, you're a hell of a player. You'll definitely play in this league,' " said Martin, who then reminded Schottenheimer of his assessment from a year earlier. "To hear that change from him, it was like, 'Wow, OK.' "
Now, Martin is trying to catch on with the Packers, and through two minicamps and four OTA practices, he's positioned himself nicely. While Donald Driver is clearly the team's No. 1 receiver, Martin has been the second-most noticeable pass-catcher on the field, even more than the three veterans (Robert Ferguson, Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter) and two draft picks (second-rounder Greg Jennings and fourth-rounder Cory Rodgers) he's competing with.
"He's done nothing but positive things since we started - all through the off-season program (and) our individual position workouts - and I think it's shown up here in the team drills," coach Mike McCarthy said.
The 6-foot-4, 217-pound Martin, who signed onto the Packers' practice squad Nov.•15 and spent the final seven weeks of the 2005 season there, fits McCarthy's prototype for a big receiver, and he has made at least one standout play in about every practice.
"I tell you what, he flashes - flashes some talent out there," offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said.
Driver has been impressed with Martin.
"You know, some of those vets may not be here. Just because they're vets doesn't mean they're guaranteed a spot," Driver said. "Ruvell knows the odds are against him, (but) he's a great kid and he has the ability to be a great receiver in this league."
Martin believes the same thing, even though he knows he has a long way to go before he's there.
"As far as confidence in myself goes, I know I can play," said Martin, who wasn't recruited as an option quarterback in high school, entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Division II Saginaw (Mich.) Valley State and has yet to play in a regular-season NFL game. "I'm happy with what I'm doing so far. I'm just going to try to continue to do well."•
Extra points After McCarthy said Brett Favre would be participating in all four OTA practices this week, the quarterback wasn't at Monday's workout. A team spokesman said Monday night Favre worked out in the morning but was given the practice off by McCarthy. Cornerback Ahmad Carroll, whom McCarthy had also said would return after missing Friday's practice, was among the missing as well. ... Wide receiver Rod Gardner and safety Mark Roman arrived after missing all three practices last week. Gardner said he closed on a house and attended a graduation and McCarthy OK'd his absence, since he would have only been able to practice for one day. ... Fullback William Henderson was missing after practicing the last two days of last week. ... Cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, two of the team's big-name free-agent signings, remained absent. ... The team announced its annual Family Night Scrimmage will be held Aug. 5.
TUE., JUN 6, 2006 - 1:28 AM
Packers: Martin intent on finally catching on
JASON WILDE 608-252-6176
jwilde@madison.com
GREEN BAY - Marty Schottenheimer's rule when it comes to cutting players is simple: Tell the truth.
That's what the San Diego Chargers coach got back in the late 1960s and early 1970s during his playing career, and that's what he feels he owes his players today.
And so that's the environment wide receiver Ruvell Martin walked into when he entered Schottenheimer's office Aug. 31, 2004.
"He said, 'You know I'll never lie to you,' " Martin recalled during a break in the Green Bay Packers' organized team activity practices. "(Then) he told me he didn't think I was fast enough to play in the NFL. And he definitely didn't have a (roster) spot for me, (not even) on the practice squad. And he didn't know if there was anybody in the NFL that would have a spot for me on the practice squad."
Ouch.
Rather than giving up, Martin took the criticism as a challenge. He worked odd jobs for the rest of that football season - at a mortgage company and as a substitute teacher back home in Michigan - before the Chargers called just after Christmas, offering him a futures contract and the chance to play in NFL Europe.
Martin responded by leading NFL Europe in receiving yards and touchdown catches to help the Amsterdam Admirals to the league title. He then came back stateside and made a late training-camp push last August for a roster spot with the Chargers, only to be cut again, despite catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in preseason.
"So this time I go into coach Schottenheimer's office and he tells me, 'You know, you're a hell of a player. You'll definitely play in this league,' " said Martin, who then reminded Schottenheimer of his assessment from a year earlier. "To hear that change from him, it was like, 'Wow, OK.' "
Now, Martin is trying to catch on with the Packers, and through two minicamps and four OTA practices, he's positioned himself nicely. While Donald Driver is clearly the team's No. 1 receiver, Martin has been the second-most noticeable pass-catcher on the field, even more than the three veterans (Robert Ferguson, Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter) and two draft picks (second-rounder Greg Jennings and fourth-rounder Cory Rodgers) he's competing with.
"He's done nothing but positive things since we started - all through the off-season program (and) our individual position workouts - and I think it's shown up here in the team drills," coach Mike McCarthy said.
The 6-foot-4, 217-pound Martin, who signed onto the Packers' practice squad Nov.•15 and spent the final seven weeks of the 2005 season there, fits McCarthy's prototype for a big receiver, and he has made at least one standout play in about every practice.
"I tell you what, he flashes - flashes some talent out there," offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said.
Driver has been impressed with Martin.
"You know, some of those vets may not be here. Just because they're vets doesn't mean they're guaranteed a spot," Driver said. "Ruvell knows the odds are against him, (but) he's a great kid and he has the ability to be a great receiver in this league."
Martin believes the same thing, even though he knows he has a long way to go before he's there.
"As far as confidence in myself goes, I know I can play," said Martin, who wasn't recruited as an option quarterback in high school, entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Division II Saginaw (Mich.) Valley State and has yet to play in a regular-season NFL game. "I'm happy with what I'm doing so far. I'm just going to try to continue to do well."•
Extra points After McCarthy said Brett Favre would be participating in all four OTA practices this week, the quarterback wasn't at Monday's workout. A team spokesman said Monday night Favre worked out in the morning but was given the practice off by McCarthy. Cornerback Ahmad Carroll, whom McCarthy had also said would return after missing Friday's practice, was among the missing as well. ... Wide receiver Rod Gardner and safety Mark Roman arrived after missing all three practices last week. Gardner said he closed on a house and attended a graduation and McCarthy OK'd his absence, since he would have only been able to practice for one day. ... Fullback William Henderson was missing after practicing the last two days of last week. ... Cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, two of the team's big-name free-agent signings, remained absent. ... The team announced its annual Family Night Scrimmage will be held Aug. 5.