Packnut
06-24-2008, 10:25 AM
What's a team to do after its Hall of Fame quarterback retires? Go on a paintball expedition, naturally.
That's how coach Mike McCarthy filled one afternoon of minicamp last week, to help rewire the team's chemistry following the departure of Brett Favre. There was certainly a different feel in Titletown this spring, but one constant remained: The Packers still have lofty championship goals for this season -- despite the transition from Favre to untested Aaron Rodgers.
In fact, coach Mike McCarthy, after watching his team all spring, called it his most talented group yet in Green Bay and said it "has the ability to be something special."
What we learned in minicamp
Although he hasn't started a game since playing at Cal in 2004, Rodgers is earning the respect of the Packers' locker room. He hosted weekly gatherings at his home during much of the offseason and simply looks more like a football player after shaving his grungy beard and cutting back his shoulder-length hair.
"I really care about the relationships in this locker room," Rodgers said, "and I just wanted to really connect on a level outside of football, and let them see what kind of guy I am on the field but also off of it as well."
On the field, Rodgers appeared to be a quiet but decisive leader and clearly has a firm grasp of McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense. The Packers have total confidence in Rodgers, and there are no plans to bring in a veteran backup. Although they showed interest in free agent Daunte Culpepper earlier this offseason, Green Bay now plans to give rookie Brian Brohm every chance to be Rodgers' primary backup.
Still unresolved
A contract dispute left tailback Ryan Grant unable to participate in spring practice. The issue is likely to be worked out before training camp, but stranger things have happened.
After rushing for 956 yards in his first full NFL season, Grant refused to sign his free agent tender in hopes of prodding the Packers into offering him a more lucrative extension. Grant is considered a critical part of the offense as it transitions from Favre to Rodgers, and it's hard to imagine either side allowing the situation to degenerate into a holdout.
Grant demonstrated his good faith by taking the field for practice even though he could not participate in drills. Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency and Noah Herron took most of the repetitions, but there would be a drop-off if the Packers can't get Grant on the field full time.
Injury analysis
There is some concern about the state of the defensive line. The Packers practiced at times without Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Justin Harrell, Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly, all of whom were rehabilitating injuries.
Gbaja-Biamila's was arguably the most concerning: The Packers are counting on him to be their pass-rush specialist. McCarthy said everyone should be ready for training camp, although it's likely that Gbaja-Biamila will be limited as he recovers from knee surgery. His health status is probably one of the reasons the Packers inquired about Miami defensive end Jason Taylor.
Green Bay has been largely disappointed in Harrell, its first-round draft pick in 2007, who has made almost no impact because of a series of injuries.
Bringing the heat
The Packers took some criticism last season for its loyalty to a pressing, man-to-man pass defense at a time when most teams use some version of the Cover 2 concept. Cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson generally fare well in the Packers' scheme, but the Giants exploited it during the NFC Championship Game.
The Packers, however, have no plans to abandon the scheme and instead spent the offseason working to improve their pass rush and limit the time Woodson and Harris must spend in coverage. Green Bay certainly has the personnel to do so. Whether or not Gbaja-Biamila is on the field, left end Aaron Kampman remains one of the NFL's most consistent pass-rushers.
Linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk also perform well in blitzing situations, when necessary.
"The most important thing is to put pressure on the quarterback," McCarthy said. "We're a bump-and-run team. We challenge the receivers as soon as they get off the bus. That's the mind-set I wanted since the day I was hired. You are who you are."
Training camp start date: July 27
Kevin Seifert covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
That's how coach Mike McCarthy filled one afternoon of minicamp last week, to help rewire the team's chemistry following the departure of Brett Favre. There was certainly a different feel in Titletown this spring, but one constant remained: The Packers still have lofty championship goals for this season -- despite the transition from Favre to untested Aaron Rodgers.
In fact, coach Mike McCarthy, after watching his team all spring, called it his most talented group yet in Green Bay and said it "has the ability to be something special."
What we learned in minicamp
Although he hasn't started a game since playing at Cal in 2004, Rodgers is earning the respect of the Packers' locker room. He hosted weekly gatherings at his home during much of the offseason and simply looks more like a football player after shaving his grungy beard and cutting back his shoulder-length hair.
"I really care about the relationships in this locker room," Rodgers said, "and I just wanted to really connect on a level outside of football, and let them see what kind of guy I am on the field but also off of it as well."
On the field, Rodgers appeared to be a quiet but decisive leader and clearly has a firm grasp of McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense. The Packers have total confidence in Rodgers, and there are no plans to bring in a veteran backup. Although they showed interest in free agent Daunte Culpepper earlier this offseason, Green Bay now plans to give rookie Brian Brohm every chance to be Rodgers' primary backup.
Still unresolved
A contract dispute left tailback Ryan Grant unable to participate in spring practice. The issue is likely to be worked out before training camp, but stranger things have happened.
After rushing for 956 yards in his first full NFL season, Grant refused to sign his free agent tender in hopes of prodding the Packers into offering him a more lucrative extension. Grant is considered a critical part of the offense as it transitions from Favre to Rodgers, and it's hard to imagine either side allowing the situation to degenerate into a holdout.
Grant demonstrated his good faith by taking the field for practice even though he could not participate in drills. Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency and Noah Herron took most of the repetitions, but there would be a drop-off if the Packers can't get Grant on the field full time.
Injury analysis
There is some concern about the state of the defensive line. The Packers practiced at times without Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Justin Harrell, Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly, all of whom were rehabilitating injuries.
Gbaja-Biamila's was arguably the most concerning: The Packers are counting on him to be their pass-rush specialist. McCarthy said everyone should be ready for training camp, although it's likely that Gbaja-Biamila will be limited as he recovers from knee surgery. His health status is probably one of the reasons the Packers inquired about Miami defensive end Jason Taylor.
Green Bay has been largely disappointed in Harrell, its first-round draft pick in 2007, who has made almost no impact because of a series of injuries.
Bringing the heat
The Packers took some criticism last season for its loyalty to a pressing, man-to-man pass defense at a time when most teams use some version of the Cover 2 concept. Cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson generally fare well in the Packers' scheme, but the Giants exploited it during the NFC Championship Game.
The Packers, however, have no plans to abandon the scheme and instead spent the offseason working to improve their pass rush and limit the time Woodson and Harris must spend in coverage. Green Bay certainly has the personnel to do so. Whether or not Gbaja-Biamila is on the field, left end Aaron Kampman remains one of the NFL's most consistent pass-rushers.
Linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk also perform well in blitzing situations, when necessary.
"The most important thing is to put pressure on the quarterback," McCarthy said. "We're a bump-and-run team. We challenge the receivers as soon as they get off the bus. That's the mind-set I wanted since the day I was hired. You are who you are."
Training camp start date: July 27
Kevin Seifert covers the NFL for ESPN.com.