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08-01-2010, 06:56 PM
Starks still struggling with hamstring
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 1, 2010 4:54 p.m.
Green Bay - If there was one person on the Packers that absolutely didn’t want to start camp with an injury, it would have to be running back James Starks.
The sixth-round pick from Buffalo missed his entire senior season after needing surgery last August.
Now after tweaking his right hamstring in the conditioning test on Friday, Starks had to put off finally putting the pads back on.
“Yeah, it's frustrating but it's just a little unlucky,” Starks said. “I never had this many injuries in a row in my life. Hey, it happens to the best of them. Just got to get prepared and fight through it.”
Starks, who did not tear the hamstring, said he doesn’t know when he’ll be allowed to test again.
There is a chance this injury – more of a problem for speed players than others – could linger.
Starks was initially injured during an off-season practice on May 20. He didn’t practice again. Starks also said the injury wasn’t fully healed when he took the test more than two months later.
“It probably wasn't 100%,” he said. “Tried to see where I was at and did a little more than I should have.”
When Ryan Grant pulled his hamstring in camp after a contract impasse in 2008, he wasn’t up to speed until an Oct. 12 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Packers have high hopes for Starks. They are expecting him to bring give the running back position a breakaway speed threat. They are also hoping he grabs the kickoff return role. The longer he’s out, the less likely it is he’ll make much of an impact.
“He has a lot to learn,” coach Mike McCarthy said of Starks back on June 16. “He missed plenty of time in college, he's missed some time here. No. 1, he needs to focus on his availability, and just his ability to play injury-free. The second part of it is obviously just to catch up schematically and get into the technical things that we're asking our running backs to do.”
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Sunday morning practice breakdown
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 1, 2010 4:05 p.m.
Green Bay - Here are some notes and thoughts from this morning’s practice:
* OLB Brad Jones, who took a helmet in the back on Saturday, was held out and is day to day (bruised back). Brady Poppinga continued to fill in.
* Those getting rest: LT Chad Clifton, RT Mark Tauscher, LB Nick Barnett, S Derrick Martin and WR Brett Swain. Brandon Chillar filled in for Barnett. Bryan Bulaga and Breno Giacomini took over at LT and RT, respectively.
* Several players had trouble with cramps in the high humidity, including CB Jarrett Bush and C Evan Dietrich-Smith. Dietrich-Smith vomited several times and had to take to the cooling off tent off the practice field. He took an IV following practice.
* "Coach Mike McCarthy was not happy about the cramping: "It started yesterday. I don’t think we had some individuals on our football team that did a very good job hydrating. It’s not like it’s hot out here today."
* The offense did not have one of their better days. It was practice session that was heavy on blitzing by the defense. There were handful of missed blitz pickups, and some miscommunication between Aaron Rodgers and his receivers. Probably didn’t help that Clifton and Tauscher were out.
* Greg Jennings caused a little concern when he was slow after taking a shot to the knee after a pass. Rookie safety Anthony Levine kind of slipped trying to stop and kept going into Jennings’ leg (that play is in the video).
* Probably my favorite moment of the day was when Bulaga matched up with Cyril Obiozor in a one-on-one outside zone blocking drill. Bulaga hit Obiozor so hard with his forhead that Obiozor was momentarily stunned. That’s exactly what you want as an offensive lineman. Even OLB coach Kevin Greene gave Bulaga a fist bump for nailing one of his boys (that play is in the video).
* Rookie Marshall Newhouse was the second team LT with T.J. Lang at RT. Lang was much better today than the first day. Obviously did some filmwork on his technique.
* Daryn Colledge was the top LG for second-straight day. Spitz had to do a lot of center work after Dietrich-Smith dropped out.
Some notes from the practice video I shot (which kind of limits by Tweeting ability during practice):
* Josh Sitton whiffed on a block during a screen.
* Scott Wells did have a nice block on a screen.
* I know you guys love to hear this from McCarthy, but I’ll say it: Marshall Newhouse needs to work on his pad level. Too high come off the line.
* Clay Matthews was all over the field today, especially when it came to pursuing plays away from him. A great trait.
* The Bulaga hit aside, Obiozor seems to be doing a better job of being physical in shedding his blocks against the run.
* Spitz seems to be at his best against sluggo linemen (like Pickett) where he can match strength against strength. He struggles a bit with more mobile linemen.
* Is it just me or does Daryn Colledge end up on the ground more and/or just get off balance more than any Packers lineman? That’s his struggle. Don’t know why it’s a problem. The guy is built solid. He has a stronger lower body than Spitz. Colledge just has to get better at that area of his game.
* Watching another play, it’s possible Newhouse is just made to be a tackle where his high pad level isn’t quite a problem. He looks comfortable out there.
* Rodgers wasn’t the only one having some issues today. Matt Flynn sailed a few as well.
* Donald Lee did a poor job blocking down on Frank Zombo which led to a negative run from Ryan Grant.
* While Sam Shields was praised by McCarthy today, he’s going to have to improve his tackling. Corners have to tackle and tackle well in this scheme.
* On one of the few opportunities he got, third QB Graham Harrell had a ton of time but threw a worm burner at the feet of Nelson.
* Pretty simple pressure by the defense showed the difference from having Bulaga in there instead of Clifton. Packers showed four-man rush with Poppinga standing up, and Pickett, Raji and Jenkins on the line. Just before the snap on a well-timed rush, Matthews came flying out of nowhere. Bulaga blocked down on Jenkins and Spitz had no one to block. He just doesn’t have enough time to get out there on a speed rusher. Bulaga should have seen Matthews coming and adjusted. At the last blocking inside out is better than letting an inside rusher free. Rodgers had to throw the ball into the crowd.
* All three fullbacks did a nice job today.
* By the way, McCarthy seems to be taking a much harder line with the players this year. Not too many smiles given out. And he’s glaring at guys after mistakes. I like to see that. I think it will do some good with this bunch.
* Kregg Lumpkin gave a great smack on a blitz pickup to DE Mike Neal.
* OK, Korey Hall whiffed on a blitz pick up and Rodgers had to throw the ball away.
* Finley catches everything.
* Morgan Burnett popped Brandon Jackson.
* On the interception Flynn threw to Desmond Bishop, it was a poor read and throw by Flynn. He should have seen Bishop underneath Driver, who was essentially double-covered.
* LB Alex Joseph had a nice open-field tackle.
* Bulaga blew an assignment against Matthews, who would have gotten a sack.
* Brandon Jackson seems to be the most impressive back right now. There hasn’t been much there for Grant.
Some notes on one-on-ones:
* Giacomini did a nice job vs. Pickett but would have been called for holding.
* Nick McDonald got pushed back by Raji twice. At the end of the day, don’t know if McDonald has enough strength. Technique is there but he’s being exposed against the vets a bit.
* Jenkins got Colledge
* Bulaga an easier winner over Jarius Wynn.
* Spitz and Harrell had a draw.
* Lang is having trouble with his punch after the wrist surgery. Kind of collapsed against Neal.
* Dietrich-Smith pancaked Toribio.
* Barbre handled C.J. Wilson.
* Newhouse sloppy against Wynn but a draw.
* Pickett made McDonald look bad as the big man danced around him, causing a near whiff.
* It’s only a matter of time before Neal and Giacomini come to blows. Those guys get after it.
* Chris Campbell did OK against Cullen Jenkins.
* Lang was very solid against Poppinga. Against a speed guy, punch and strength isn’t supremely important. Technique is. Second time around, Poppinga ran around him.
* Jenkins blew around Colledge with little problem.
* Bulaga false-started against Matthews and then had a win.
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 1, 2010 4:54 p.m.
Green Bay - If there was one person on the Packers that absolutely didn’t want to start camp with an injury, it would have to be running back James Starks.
The sixth-round pick from Buffalo missed his entire senior season after needing surgery last August.
Now after tweaking his right hamstring in the conditioning test on Friday, Starks had to put off finally putting the pads back on.
“Yeah, it's frustrating but it's just a little unlucky,” Starks said. “I never had this many injuries in a row in my life. Hey, it happens to the best of them. Just got to get prepared and fight through it.”
Starks, who did not tear the hamstring, said he doesn’t know when he’ll be allowed to test again.
There is a chance this injury – more of a problem for speed players than others – could linger.
Starks was initially injured during an off-season practice on May 20. He didn’t practice again. Starks also said the injury wasn’t fully healed when he took the test more than two months later.
“It probably wasn't 100%,” he said. “Tried to see where I was at and did a little more than I should have.”
When Ryan Grant pulled his hamstring in camp after a contract impasse in 2008, he wasn’t up to speed until an Oct. 12 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Packers have high hopes for Starks. They are expecting him to bring give the running back position a breakaway speed threat. They are also hoping he grabs the kickoff return role. The longer he’s out, the less likely it is he’ll make much of an impact.
“He has a lot to learn,” coach Mike McCarthy said of Starks back on June 16. “He missed plenty of time in college, he's missed some time here. No. 1, he needs to focus on his availability, and just his ability to play injury-free. The second part of it is obviously just to catch up schematically and get into the technical things that we're asking our running backs to do.”
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Comments (10) View Comments »
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Sunday morning practice breakdown
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 1, 2010 4:05 p.m.
Green Bay - Here are some notes and thoughts from this morning’s practice:
* OLB Brad Jones, who took a helmet in the back on Saturday, was held out and is day to day (bruised back). Brady Poppinga continued to fill in.
* Those getting rest: LT Chad Clifton, RT Mark Tauscher, LB Nick Barnett, S Derrick Martin and WR Brett Swain. Brandon Chillar filled in for Barnett. Bryan Bulaga and Breno Giacomini took over at LT and RT, respectively.
* Several players had trouble with cramps in the high humidity, including CB Jarrett Bush and C Evan Dietrich-Smith. Dietrich-Smith vomited several times and had to take to the cooling off tent off the practice field. He took an IV following practice.
* "Coach Mike McCarthy was not happy about the cramping: "It started yesterday. I don’t think we had some individuals on our football team that did a very good job hydrating. It’s not like it’s hot out here today."
* The offense did not have one of their better days. It was practice session that was heavy on blitzing by the defense. There were handful of missed blitz pickups, and some miscommunication between Aaron Rodgers and his receivers. Probably didn’t help that Clifton and Tauscher were out.
* Greg Jennings caused a little concern when he was slow after taking a shot to the knee after a pass. Rookie safety Anthony Levine kind of slipped trying to stop and kept going into Jennings’ leg (that play is in the video).
* Probably my favorite moment of the day was when Bulaga matched up with Cyril Obiozor in a one-on-one outside zone blocking drill. Bulaga hit Obiozor so hard with his forhead that Obiozor was momentarily stunned. That’s exactly what you want as an offensive lineman. Even OLB coach Kevin Greene gave Bulaga a fist bump for nailing one of his boys (that play is in the video).
* Rookie Marshall Newhouse was the second team LT with T.J. Lang at RT. Lang was much better today than the first day. Obviously did some filmwork on his technique.
* Daryn Colledge was the top LG for second-straight day. Spitz had to do a lot of center work after Dietrich-Smith dropped out.
Some notes from the practice video I shot (which kind of limits by Tweeting ability during practice):
* Josh Sitton whiffed on a block during a screen.
* Scott Wells did have a nice block on a screen.
* I know you guys love to hear this from McCarthy, but I’ll say it: Marshall Newhouse needs to work on his pad level. Too high come off the line.
* Clay Matthews was all over the field today, especially when it came to pursuing plays away from him. A great trait.
* The Bulaga hit aside, Obiozor seems to be doing a better job of being physical in shedding his blocks against the run.
* Spitz seems to be at his best against sluggo linemen (like Pickett) where he can match strength against strength. He struggles a bit with more mobile linemen.
* Is it just me or does Daryn Colledge end up on the ground more and/or just get off balance more than any Packers lineman? That’s his struggle. Don’t know why it’s a problem. The guy is built solid. He has a stronger lower body than Spitz. Colledge just has to get better at that area of his game.
* Watching another play, it’s possible Newhouse is just made to be a tackle where his high pad level isn’t quite a problem. He looks comfortable out there.
* Rodgers wasn’t the only one having some issues today. Matt Flynn sailed a few as well.
* Donald Lee did a poor job blocking down on Frank Zombo which led to a negative run from Ryan Grant.
* While Sam Shields was praised by McCarthy today, he’s going to have to improve his tackling. Corners have to tackle and tackle well in this scheme.
* On one of the few opportunities he got, third QB Graham Harrell had a ton of time but threw a worm burner at the feet of Nelson.
* Pretty simple pressure by the defense showed the difference from having Bulaga in there instead of Clifton. Packers showed four-man rush with Poppinga standing up, and Pickett, Raji and Jenkins on the line. Just before the snap on a well-timed rush, Matthews came flying out of nowhere. Bulaga blocked down on Jenkins and Spitz had no one to block. He just doesn’t have enough time to get out there on a speed rusher. Bulaga should have seen Matthews coming and adjusted. At the last blocking inside out is better than letting an inside rusher free. Rodgers had to throw the ball into the crowd.
* All three fullbacks did a nice job today.
* By the way, McCarthy seems to be taking a much harder line with the players this year. Not too many smiles given out. And he’s glaring at guys after mistakes. I like to see that. I think it will do some good with this bunch.
* Kregg Lumpkin gave a great smack on a blitz pickup to DE Mike Neal.
* OK, Korey Hall whiffed on a blitz pick up and Rodgers had to throw the ball away.
* Finley catches everything.
* Morgan Burnett popped Brandon Jackson.
* On the interception Flynn threw to Desmond Bishop, it was a poor read and throw by Flynn. He should have seen Bishop underneath Driver, who was essentially double-covered.
* LB Alex Joseph had a nice open-field tackle.
* Bulaga blew an assignment against Matthews, who would have gotten a sack.
* Brandon Jackson seems to be the most impressive back right now. There hasn’t been much there for Grant.
Some notes on one-on-ones:
* Giacomini did a nice job vs. Pickett but would have been called for holding.
* Nick McDonald got pushed back by Raji twice. At the end of the day, don’t know if McDonald has enough strength. Technique is there but he’s being exposed against the vets a bit.
* Jenkins got Colledge
* Bulaga an easier winner over Jarius Wynn.
* Spitz and Harrell had a draw.
* Lang is having trouble with his punch after the wrist surgery. Kind of collapsed against Neal.
* Dietrich-Smith pancaked Toribio.
* Barbre handled C.J. Wilson.
* Newhouse sloppy against Wynn but a draw.
* Pickett made McDonald look bad as the big man danced around him, causing a near whiff.
* It’s only a matter of time before Neal and Giacomini come to blows. Those guys get after it.
* Chris Campbell did OK against Cullen Jenkins.
* Lang was very solid against Poppinga. Against a speed guy, punch and strength isn’t supremely important. Technique is. Second time around, Poppinga ran around him.
* Jenkins blew around Colledge with little problem.
* Bulaga false-started against Matthews and then had a win.