packers11
08-04-2006, 11:28 AM
Just trying to share a little information :D
Updated: Aug. 4, 2006
Preseason is proving ground for RodgersBy John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Here are five observations on the Green Bay Packers, based on camp practices of Aug. 3:
1. Aaron Rodgers' practice play might help stop some of the rampant criticism the second-year quarterback has been facing. He looks so much better than last summer. He's more confident stepping into throws and appears more in control this summer. He knows the preseason will be important because it likely will be his only playing time.
Now that Brett Favre is back, pro football's ironman isn't expected to open up any playing time for Rodgers unless there is an injury or a blowout. Rodgers waits, and it's a painful wait. He's bothered by the national criticism and has little opportunity to change those opinions. All he has is four preseason games and maybe six quarters of action to show improvement and potential. Veterans around the locker room aren't sold Favre will retire at the end of this season. Some think he may have another season in him after this year. To quiet some of the critics, Rodgers needs to play well in the preseason games.
2. Ahman Green is a week or two away from returning from his ruptured quad injury. Those are tough injuries for running backs to come back from. Some backs think those injuries are trickier than ACL tears. Naturally, the organization is cautious in making sure it doesn't put Green out there too early. Head coach Mike McCarthy was convinced to give Green another chance because of his character and hard work. Green spent the entire offseason in Green Bay rehabbing and training.
"Soon enough I will be out there running and getting tackled," Green said.
Green can't wait to be back on the field, and his return is important. Without a running game, the Packers were one dimensional.
"You still need to run the ball to win games and championships," Green said. "You saw how tough it was on us last year."
Green fits well into the running adjustments that are similar to systems used in Denver and Atlanta. But the Packers also need him for his leadership. Because the team is so young, leaders are hard to find. Green has been one of the team's best leaders, and they need him desperately.
3. McCarthy believes the Packers are five deep at tight end, and there is no doubt he will use them more. McCarthy is big on using tight ends. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski is a former Packers tight ends coach. Bubba Franks has Pro Bowl skills, Donald Lee led all Packers tight ends with 33 catches last year and David Martin is a big target who can get downfield.
Favre likes to get rid of the ball quickly if there is a rush, and often, he'll dump it to a running back. Tight ends will probably get more involved in those situations. It's not known if the Packers will use less three-receiver sets than last year, but the return of the tight end is a given for this offense.
4. Wide receiver Greg Jennings is the talk of training camp. The second-round pick from Western Michigan is running routes with the efficiency of a veteran. He's catching everything. Jennings caught 74 and 98 passes, respectively, in his past two seasons in college. He's already jumped ahead of veterans like Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter. Some believe he will eventually challenge Robert Ferguson, but that's for a later time. Jennings is one of the players to watch during the preseason.
5. Whatever happened to all that talk about the Packers using the Cover 2? Al Harris and Charles Woodson are lining up in press man-to-man coverage and are having a ball. Harris has always loved being on an island covering man-to-man. He's one of the best in the league at it. In recent years, Woodson has been more versatile. The Raiders even had him playing some safety last year to take advantage of his playmaking ability. Now he can line up on a receiver and have some fun.
The Packers are carrying over the aggressive defensive system of former defensive coordinator Jim Bates, and the revitalized speed on defense has everyone thrilled. The man-to-man approach should help Ahmad Carroll, who has been hampered by penalty flags the past two seasons. Carroll uses his hands too much on receivers, but he's even worse when he's playing off in zone coverage. Now that Carroll's just a third corner, there is less pressure on him, and the man-to-man approach may improve his play.
Updated: Aug. 4, 2006
Preseason is proving ground for RodgersBy John Clayton
ESPN.com
Archive
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Here are five observations on the Green Bay Packers, based on camp practices of Aug. 3:
1. Aaron Rodgers' practice play might help stop some of the rampant criticism the second-year quarterback has been facing. He looks so much better than last summer. He's more confident stepping into throws and appears more in control this summer. He knows the preseason will be important because it likely will be his only playing time.
Now that Brett Favre is back, pro football's ironman isn't expected to open up any playing time for Rodgers unless there is an injury or a blowout. Rodgers waits, and it's a painful wait. He's bothered by the national criticism and has little opportunity to change those opinions. All he has is four preseason games and maybe six quarters of action to show improvement and potential. Veterans around the locker room aren't sold Favre will retire at the end of this season. Some think he may have another season in him after this year. To quiet some of the critics, Rodgers needs to play well in the preseason games.
2. Ahman Green is a week or two away from returning from his ruptured quad injury. Those are tough injuries for running backs to come back from. Some backs think those injuries are trickier than ACL tears. Naturally, the organization is cautious in making sure it doesn't put Green out there too early. Head coach Mike McCarthy was convinced to give Green another chance because of his character and hard work. Green spent the entire offseason in Green Bay rehabbing and training.
"Soon enough I will be out there running and getting tackled," Green said.
Green can't wait to be back on the field, and his return is important. Without a running game, the Packers were one dimensional.
"You still need to run the ball to win games and championships," Green said. "You saw how tough it was on us last year."
Green fits well into the running adjustments that are similar to systems used in Denver and Atlanta. But the Packers also need him for his leadership. Because the team is so young, leaders are hard to find. Green has been one of the team's best leaders, and they need him desperately.
3. McCarthy believes the Packers are five deep at tight end, and there is no doubt he will use them more. McCarthy is big on using tight ends. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski is a former Packers tight ends coach. Bubba Franks has Pro Bowl skills, Donald Lee led all Packers tight ends with 33 catches last year and David Martin is a big target who can get downfield.
Favre likes to get rid of the ball quickly if there is a rush, and often, he'll dump it to a running back. Tight ends will probably get more involved in those situations. It's not known if the Packers will use less three-receiver sets than last year, but the return of the tight end is a given for this offense.
4. Wide receiver Greg Jennings is the talk of training camp. The second-round pick from Western Michigan is running routes with the efficiency of a veteran. He's catching everything. Jennings caught 74 and 98 passes, respectively, in his past two seasons in college. He's already jumped ahead of veterans like Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter. Some believe he will eventually challenge Robert Ferguson, but that's for a later time. Jennings is one of the players to watch during the preseason.
5. Whatever happened to all that talk about the Packers using the Cover 2? Al Harris and Charles Woodson are lining up in press man-to-man coverage and are having a ball. Harris has always loved being on an island covering man-to-man. He's one of the best in the league at it. In recent years, Woodson has been more versatile. The Raiders even had him playing some safety last year to take advantage of his playmaking ability. Now he can line up on a receiver and have some fun.
The Packers are carrying over the aggressive defensive system of former defensive coordinator Jim Bates, and the revitalized speed on defense has everyone thrilled. The man-to-man approach should help Ahmad Carroll, who has been hampered by penalty flags the past two seasons. Carroll uses his hands too much on receivers, but he's even worse when he's playing off in zone coverage. Now that Carroll's just a third corner, there is less pressure on him, and the man-to-man approach may improve his play.