Rastak
07-25-2006, 05:49 AM
• In addition to being a few pounds lighter and a half-step faster after training in Arizona this offseason, Kevin Jones made notable improvement as a receiver with diligent pass-catching work. Jones wants to be a more well-rounded back and relegate Arlen Harris and rookie Brian Calhoun to limited roles.
• RBs Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport won't be practicing with the Packers when camp opens but should return in the near future. Second-year RB Samkon Gado, who must improve making reads in the new zone-blocking system, has a chance to nail down a significant role -- even if he's not the starter -- if Green isn't on the field by early August. General manager Ted Thompson said he expects Green back by mid-August.
• WR Robert Ferguson might be a good fit at split end in the Packers' offense, which promises to be more vertical than the traditional West Coast system. Ferguson isn't a great route runner and drops too many balls going underneath. But he can run in the open and has more experience than rookie Greg Jennings, who the team privately hopes can win the job.
• One league source says the Lions aren't married to Jon Kitna as their starting quarterback. Kitna was initially signed as Joey Harrington's backup and thrust into the top job only after Harrington was sent packing. Josh McCown, signed to a two-year deal, might become the answer if Kitna falters.
• The Bears paid special attention to their special teams in the offseason and believe the additions of DB Dante Wesley, WR Alex Bannister and rookie returners Danieal Manning and Devin Hester give them one of the best "teams" in the league. "We put a lot of teeth into special teams," GM Jerry Angelo told PFW. "Most defensive-minded teams do, and we feel we'll have pretty good special teams."
• RBs Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport won't be practicing with the Packers when camp opens but should return in the near future. Second-year RB Samkon Gado, who must improve making reads in the new zone-blocking system, has a chance to nail down a significant role -- even if he's not the starter -- if Green isn't on the field by early August. General manager Ted Thompson said he expects Green back by mid-August.
• WR Robert Ferguson might be a good fit at split end in the Packers' offense, which promises to be more vertical than the traditional West Coast system. Ferguson isn't a great route runner and drops too many balls going underneath. But he can run in the open and has more experience than rookie Greg Jennings, who the team privately hopes can win the job.
• One league source says the Lions aren't married to Jon Kitna as their starting quarterback. Kitna was initially signed as Joey Harrington's backup and thrust into the top job only after Harrington was sent packing. Josh McCown, signed to a two-year deal, might become the answer if Kitna falters.
• The Bears paid special attention to their special teams in the offseason and believe the additions of DB Dante Wesley, WR Alex Bannister and rookie returners Danieal Manning and Devin Hester give them one of the best "teams" in the league. "We put a lot of teeth into special teams," GM Jerry Angelo told PFW. "Most defensive-minded teams do, and we feel we'll have pretty good special teams."