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motife
06-06-2006, 06:07 PM
Former Packers fullback and assistant coach Harry Sydney provides his observations of what he has seen during Packers practices this off-season. Sydney provides his thoughts on various positions and where each stands at this point.

There has been a bunch of things that have happened with the Green Bay Packers this off-season. A new head coach, and in my opinion a very good draft on paper as well as some of the walking wounded seem to be getting very healthy. But what does that mean?
As I watched practice recently I saw Ahman Green at running back take a hand off and show some patience as he cut back taking advantage of the new zone blocking scheme. Don't get me wrong he wasn't running no where near full speed, but it was nice to see him practicing and working to get himself back to hopefully tip-top form - what ever that is at this point in his career. But I do believe that what they are trying to accomplish with the zone blocking will only help his cause.

Then I looked over and observed William Henderson talking with Vonta Leach about something that he noticed, and you could see William teaching because you could see him pointing and using hand gestures and Vonta nodding his head as if to say, 'I understand what you are saying.' Much more it was a look of 'Thank you, I appreciate you taking time even though I'm trying to take your job.'

Then I saw Donald Driver holding court because some of the young and hungry receivers had noticed how he ran a particular route, and they came over to asked him something. These guys were Leo Bookman and Greg Jennings, and I was impressed with how they communicated together because to me it showed how everyone wanted to be on the same page. And Donald, being the elder statesmen of the receivers, was willing to share his knowledge to help them get better because these guys are the future of this franchise at this position, but what does it mean? Then as I looked over to see the quarterback drills I saw something pretty awesome. I saw Brett Favre allowing himself to be coachable and working the techniques that the quarterback coach and Mike McCarthy were teaching. As you can tell I've been paying close attention to what's been happening on the edges. The important things, in my opinion, because without pads on you can only find out so much.

Then I looked over to see the technique work the offensive line was going through because all it can do is work with each other with things, like the guards and tackles working together on their steps. For example, Mark Tauscher and Junius Coston will work together on double teaming a defensive tackle, then sliding up to a linebacker. This takes a certain amount of communication and feel between the two and this is what this camp is all about. Just as Scott Wells is working on controlling the offensive line and trying to be the leader because the center is so vital for this unit. He has to know what everyone is doing. His responsibility is endless. He helps calling the pass protection as well as he helps make different calls when it comes to the run-blocking adjustments, but then again what does it all mean? There are a lot of questions with the offensive line because things haven't really changed. This staff is hoping that these young guys can come through. Talk about pressure on the middle of the line. Look at the youth that they have to count on: Wells, Daryn Colledge, Coston and Jason Spitz. This is the future because it doesn't look like Will Whitticker can get it done in this scheme. But again what does it mean?

On the other side of the ball my big interest has been more in how Bob Sanders will use his personnel this year. As I see it, the defense has the opportunity to be something special depending on how the players are used. I'm wondering if Sanders will stay conservative or turn this defense loose, because the signing of Charles Woodson changes things. As I see it the Packers have two shutdown corners with him and Al Harris, so now they can bring the safety down in the box to help on the run. Not only that, but I can see them blitzing more to put real pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Then I look at the youth and speed at linebacker and I'm wondering how will they be played and how will Sanders get them all on the field. He has A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Ben Taylor, Brady Poppinga, Abdul Hodge and Roy Manning. Talk about a solid foundation at the linebacker position.

Also I look at Mike Montgomery, who just might have the biggest role on the defense because if he can play on run downs and spare Kabeer and send him back to a pass rush specialist, there just might not be a weakness on the defense.

As you can see I have a lot of hope and I want this year to be outstanding. I've paid attention to what's happening and I like the draft picks as well as what they are trying to accomplish at camp. I like how the veterans are working with the rookies and young players, as well as how the coaches are coaching, but then again WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN????????

GoPackGo
06-06-2006, 06:20 PM
[quote="motife"]On the other side of the ball my big interest has been more in how Bob Sanders will use his personnel this year. As I see it, the defense has the opportunity to be something special depending on how the players are used. I'm wondering if Sanders will stay conservative or turn this defense loose, because the signing of Charles Woodson changes things. As I see it the Packers have two shutdown corners with him and Al Harris, so now they can bring the safety down in the box to help on the run. Not only that, but I can see them blitzing more to put real pressure on the opposing quarterback.[quote]

If this is true I hope we see some Pittsburg-esque Safety Blitzing this season!

red
06-06-2006, 07:21 PM
Then I saw Donald Driver holding court because some of the young and hungry receivers had noticed how he ran a particular route, and they came over to asked him something. These guys were Leo Bookman and Greg Jennings, and I was impressed with how they communicated together because to me it showed how everyone wanted to be on the same page. And Donald, being the elder statesmen of the receivers, was willing to share his knowledge to help them get better because these guys are the future of this franchise at this position, but what does it mean? Then as I looked over to see the quarterback drills I saw something pretty awesome. I saw Brett Favre allowing himself to be coachable and working the techniques that the quarterback coach and Mike McCarthy were teaching.





i absolutely love everything about this paragraph


Also I look at Mike Montgomery, who just might have the biggest role on the defense because if he can play on run downs and spare Kabeer and send him back to a pass rush specialist, there just might not be a weakness on the defense.

this is the first time i've heard someone outside of a message board mention this. we can only hope it happens

FritzDontBlitz
06-06-2006, 07:27 PM
i never read a sydney column with more insight. much more fascinating than his rants from the past. thanks mo

Oscar
06-06-2006, 07:36 PM
Great thread guys. I have high hopes for Mike Montgomery. He has a real opportunity this season. Hope it works out for him and the Packers. I'm really looking forward to seeing how some of these guys do when they put on the pads. :smile:

OKC PackerFan
06-06-2006, 07:47 PM
Great article motife. I really liked this quote-
Then as I looked over to see the quarterback drills I saw something pretty awesome. I saw Brett Favre allowing himself to be coachable and working the techniques that the quarterback coach and Mike McCarthy were teaching.

I think Farve will prove some people wrong this year.

woodbuck27
06-06-2006, 07:59 PM
Harry Sydney's observations make me feel alot more positive about OUR Team. A few more articles like that and I'll feel like I'm from Texas.

It's like Brett Favre said.

Get some players to play solid roles in the draft, to go along with the additions of the acquired FA's that already made OUR "D" better on paper before the draft.

LBer's AJ Hawk and Abdul Hodge and and O-Lineman Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz and WR Greg Jennings all should contribute in 2006.

Get the role players like Ahman Green and Bubba Franks and Robert Ferguson back and close to 100% healthy for the Season.

Maybe the pass comes back as a weapon again, after the run is re-established behind a smoother operating OL in the ZBS.

Maybe we look and play like a team on the same page with real purpose and a solid positive attitude.Playing to win is good but that comes from playing your best, and contributing ALL positive to the team.

You don't need alot more AND's then . . . that . . .

The Leaper
06-06-2006, 08:08 PM
Actually Favre is going to prove people right...

If he plays SMART, DISCIPLINED football...he is going to be one of the top 5 QBs in the NFL this year. He still has all the ability in the world necessary to be a phenominal QB.

Driver is worth every penny we are paying him.

So far, it sounds like this group is coming together well as a team...which was something that was lacking at the end of the Sherman era. Sherman did a great job early on, but the McKenzie and Walker sagas really took a lot of wind out of the team's sails prior to the last 2 seasons.

Here's to hoping Al Harris straightens up.

The Leaper
06-06-2006, 08:13 PM
I also buy in strongly with the notion that this team is going to generate a pass rush by blitzing the LBs and safties. The front 4 simply does not get enough push on their own...and with the quality of the starters at CB, the team has the advantage to be able to open up the playbook a little.

Last year, Collins and Carroll needed to be protected.

This year, Collins has a year under his belt, Carroll is going to be a dime back...and we have depth at LB and safety to allow guys to run around like banshees.

Mark my words...you won't see the QB sitting back there all day this year without the defense trying other options prior to the 4th quarter.

MJZiggy
06-06-2006, 08:50 PM
I'm so glad Harry's been taking that Prozac I sent him...

MadtownPacker
06-06-2006, 09:10 PM
Great to hear the vets are schooling the youngsters. Big Willy & DD's knowledge is pure gold for the team. This is the kinda stuff I felt M3 would bring to the team after hearing him interviewed. He understands team is much more the Xs and Os. He wants one body, one mind. The GM and head coach setup in GB is very good and has me raising my expectations for the season.

swede
06-06-2006, 09:21 PM
Oh if you think that teaching one another and helping one another and sharing a common goal and rooting for each other is teamwork than I guess you can be happy with this report. Me--I'm waiting to hear that coach has chartered a bus so they can go paintballing together.

RashanGary
06-06-2006, 11:33 PM
Oh if you think that teaching one another and helping one another and sharing a common goal and rooting for each other is teamwork than I guess you can be happy with this report. Me--I'm waiting to hear that coach has chartered a bus so they can go paintballing together.

God, I hate Mike Sherman.

BallHawk
06-07-2006, 07:48 AM
I think Donald Driver and William Henderson are huge in younger player's development. Even though Henderson is s fullback, his reach extends to every man on the team. His leadership and dedication to this team is just what these young players need to learn. Driver is just about my favorite Packer Wide Receiver ever. Not only does he perform on the field, he reaches out to other players to make them better. This article has got me really excited about our team this year.

BlueBrewer
06-07-2006, 08:05 AM
Oh if you think that teaching one another and helping one another and sharing a common goal and rooting for each other is teamwork than I guess you can be happy with this report. Me--I'm waiting to hear that coach has chartered a bus so they can go paintballing together.

God, I hate Mike Sherman.

Be careful or you might stir Tank and start a string of homophobic TT threads.

Fritz
06-07-2006, 08:19 AM
Wow. Harry's been taking Vicadins by the handful, I think. When did he go Buddha on us?

I do disagree with him about the way to "use" the defense. It's not in the scheme to do the sorts of things he's talking about, and Sanders is a Bates guy.