woodbuck27
07-31-2006, 11:29 AM
Jul 31, 2006 8:55 am US/Central
Rookie Jennings Stands Out In Packers Camp
Regarding Rookie WR Greg Jennings:
"I trust that he's going to be a special wideout, he's going to have a great career in the National Football League. Right now, he's showing it," veteran Donald Driver said.
(AP)
GREEN BAY - A.J. Hawk isn't the only Green Bay Packers rookie in a blissful mood early in training camp.
Like Hawk, the Packers' first-round pick in the April draft, Greg Jennings is married, owns a home in the Green Bay area and recently signed a lucrative first professional contract. What's more, Jennings and his wife of 13 months, Nicole, are expecting their first child in about six months.
"Life is good. It can't get any better," a smiling Jennings said this weekend.
All that's seemingly missing from Jennings' joyous life is joining linebacker Hawk and possibly rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz in the starting lineup.
The last time the Packers started a rookie wide receiver on opening day was in 1992, when Robert Brooks got the call in a loss to Minnesota at Lambeau Field.
Jennings, one of two second-round draft choices by the Packers, has the potential to end the long drought.
"I trust that he's going to be a special wideout, he's going to have a great career in the National Football League. Right now, he's showing it," veteran Donald Driver said.
The Packers' search to fill a glaring need and complement Driver at the receiver position could start and stop with Jennings the next five weeks.
While training camp is only three days old, Jennings has been up to the challenge in a crowded competition.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Saturday that Jennings has as good of a shot as veterans Robert Ferguson, Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter to emerge as the No. 2 receiver.
"I think he's put together two solid practices, so I haven't seen a decline in his speed or quickness," McCarthy said.
Jennings hardly received any national exposure playing college football at Western Michigan. Yet, he led the country with an average of 8.91 receptions last year and set numerous school records.
After they traded disgruntled receiver Javon Walker to Denver 15 picks earlier on the first day of the draft, the Packers chose Jennings 52nd overall. Jennings was just the fourth receiver off the board.
Since arriving in Green Bay in early May for minicamps and organized team activities, Jennings has been a quick study. He credits his coaches at Western Michigan for introducing last year a version of the West Coast offense similar to that employed by the Packers.
Thus, Jennings has been more at ease on the practice field, and the results have been to his and the Packers' liking.
"It's pretty much a game of making plays and being prepared mentally. I think if you're prepared mentally, then the rest will come," Jennings said. "Your physical talents will showcase themselves as long as you have the mental aspect of the game."
Standing 5-foot-11, Jennings doesn't measure up to the prototypical tall receiver first-year coach McCarthy prefers to have in his offense.
Jennings, though, has compensated by being as sure with his route running as he is sure-handed.
"Not too many wideouts have great hands. That's what he's shown me more than anything," Driver said. "He's really focused on the ball. He can catch really well."
Hanging on to the football is no easy task when the quarterback is Brett Favre, who's still slinging passes at 36.
Almost without fail, Jennings, 22, is gradually establishing a passer-receiver rapport with the future Hall of Famer.
"I thought two or three times (Saturday), they had a nice connection (on passes) over the middle, and (Jennings) has a good feel for that," McCarthy said. "For a receiver that young, that's exciting to see. I'm very pleased with Greg to this point.
"That's what training camp is all about - the receivers getting on the same page with the timing of the passers."
Jennings won't allow himself to revel in the strong start to the preseason, however. He admits he's a work in progress and isn't consumed with winning the No. 2 receiver job.
"I definitely want to be a starter. But, at the same time, it's not my primary goal," said Jennings, who went to the same high school (Central) in Kalamazoo, Mich., as New York Yankees star Derek Jeter. "My primary goal is to progress every day, show progress every day -- that's important -- and just get better and just let the vets teach me into that starting role.
"It's possible. If not, then I just want to be ready when my name is called and when my number is called at all times and help my teammates."
Rookie Jennings Stands Out In Packers Camp
Regarding Rookie WR Greg Jennings:
"I trust that he's going to be a special wideout, he's going to have a great career in the National Football League. Right now, he's showing it," veteran Donald Driver said.
(AP)
GREEN BAY - A.J. Hawk isn't the only Green Bay Packers rookie in a blissful mood early in training camp.
Like Hawk, the Packers' first-round pick in the April draft, Greg Jennings is married, owns a home in the Green Bay area and recently signed a lucrative first professional contract. What's more, Jennings and his wife of 13 months, Nicole, are expecting their first child in about six months.
"Life is good. It can't get any better," a smiling Jennings said this weekend.
All that's seemingly missing from Jennings' joyous life is joining linebacker Hawk and possibly rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz in the starting lineup.
The last time the Packers started a rookie wide receiver on opening day was in 1992, when Robert Brooks got the call in a loss to Minnesota at Lambeau Field.
Jennings, one of two second-round draft choices by the Packers, has the potential to end the long drought.
"I trust that he's going to be a special wideout, he's going to have a great career in the National Football League. Right now, he's showing it," veteran Donald Driver said.
The Packers' search to fill a glaring need and complement Driver at the receiver position could start and stop with Jennings the next five weeks.
While training camp is only three days old, Jennings has been up to the challenge in a crowded competition.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Saturday that Jennings has as good of a shot as veterans Robert Ferguson, Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter to emerge as the No. 2 receiver.
"I think he's put together two solid practices, so I haven't seen a decline in his speed or quickness," McCarthy said.
Jennings hardly received any national exposure playing college football at Western Michigan. Yet, he led the country with an average of 8.91 receptions last year and set numerous school records.
After they traded disgruntled receiver Javon Walker to Denver 15 picks earlier on the first day of the draft, the Packers chose Jennings 52nd overall. Jennings was just the fourth receiver off the board.
Since arriving in Green Bay in early May for minicamps and organized team activities, Jennings has been a quick study. He credits his coaches at Western Michigan for introducing last year a version of the West Coast offense similar to that employed by the Packers.
Thus, Jennings has been more at ease on the practice field, and the results have been to his and the Packers' liking.
"It's pretty much a game of making plays and being prepared mentally. I think if you're prepared mentally, then the rest will come," Jennings said. "Your physical talents will showcase themselves as long as you have the mental aspect of the game."
Standing 5-foot-11, Jennings doesn't measure up to the prototypical tall receiver first-year coach McCarthy prefers to have in his offense.
Jennings, though, has compensated by being as sure with his route running as he is sure-handed.
"Not too many wideouts have great hands. That's what he's shown me more than anything," Driver said. "He's really focused on the ball. He can catch really well."
Hanging on to the football is no easy task when the quarterback is Brett Favre, who's still slinging passes at 36.
Almost without fail, Jennings, 22, is gradually establishing a passer-receiver rapport with the future Hall of Famer.
"I thought two or three times (Saturday), they had a nice connection (on passes) over the middle, and (Jennings) has a good feel for that," McCarthy said. "For a receiver that young, that's exciting to see. I'm very pleased with Greg to this point.
"That's what training camp is all about - the receivers getting on the same page with the timing of the passers."
Jennings won't allow himself to revel in the strong start to the preseason, however. He admits he's a work in progress and isn't consumed with winning the No. 2 receiver job.
"I definitely want to be a starter. But, at the same time, it's not my primary goal," said Jennings, who went to the same high school (Central) in Kalamazoo, Mich., as New York Yankees star Derek Jeter. "My primary goal is to progress every day, show progress every day -- that's important -- and just get better and just let the vets teach me into that starting role.
"It's possible. If not, then I just want to be ready when my name is called and when my number is called at all times and help my teammates."