Team Report

[HarveyWallbangers]

Packers Team Report
8/11/2006

By Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: QB Brett Favre hasn't mastered coach Mike McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense yet and continues to throw interceptions during camp at an alarming rate. Some can be attributed to Favre's transition to the offense and a host of new receivers, but the offense isn't that much different and he has made some bad decisions during the first two weeks of camp. Favre's arm looks fresh and he's moving around well enough. It will be his decision making that determines whether he has another interception-dominated season. . . .

Rookie WR Greg Jennings has hands down been the best player during camp. No one has consistently made plays the way Jennings has and it seems he's destined to become a starter opposite Donald Driver. Jennings runs precise, disciplined routes and rarely drops balls. He does most of his work over the middle, so he must prove he's strong enough to handle the punishment.

NEWCOMER REPORT: It's been an uneventful start for rookie LB A.J. Hawk. Most people thought his athletic ability would result in big plays from the very start, but Hawk has been very ordinary. In fact, third-round LB Abdul Hodge has made more plays than Hawk and is pushing to be a starter. Hawk hasn't been bad, but one would expect at least a big play or two from the fifth pick in the draft.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rookie G Jason Spitz will add toughness to the offensive line. Few rookies are as good with their hands as Spitz, who rarely gets them outside the opponent's numbers. He can move laterally and isn't afraid to punish people when he can. His biggest hurdle will be protecting the quarterback on a consistent basis. Spitz can anchor down on a bull rush, but is sometimes susceptible to finesse moves against quick defensive tackles.

TRAINING CAMP BATTLES: The race for the starting strongside linebacker position could become crowded when the club decides to move Hodge there. Up until now, Hodge has been strictly in the middle, but he will gradually be worked in on the strong side because Nick Barnett is entrenched in the middle. Hodge has better instincts and more explosiveness than veteran Ben Taylor or second-year pro Brady Poppinga. Taylor offers experience and steadiness, but if Hodge can master the position he'll start. He's quick in short bursts, but lacks refined coverage skills and needs to clean up his game before being considered a starter.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5865924

It seems the more the national experts see the Packers, the better they think they'll do. First Clayton. Now this guy. The guy seemed to like Jennings AND Hawk.

*****

GREEN BAY — "You've got to be kidding me," I yelled to Packers general manager Ted Thompson as the Packers ran onto the field in front of, get this folks, 62,000 fans for a practice. This was a practice! Not a scrimmage, not a preseason game. A practice! I found myself sounding much like Allen Iverson yelling, "Practice? It's practice! Practice! It's just practice!" These fans are as diehard as they come.

"Have you ever seen anything like this?" head coach Mike McCarthy rhetorically asked me later. "It's unbelievable how the fans are up here."

Unbelievable is an understatement. This is the first practice I had been to that had so many people it was televised locally, included the singing of the national anthem and had introductions for the players and coaches as they ran through the tunnel.

After watching their scrimmage and taking a look at the Packers' roster, I'm not sure I believe the Packers will be as bad as everyone predicts. Do I think they have a huge uphill battle in getting to the postseason considering their division? Yes. Do I think they'll stink like everyone else believes? Absolutely not. They've still got what could be a dangerous set of skill position players with Favre, Green/Gado/Davenport and Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson and Bubba Franks. Now they've also added young WR Greg Jennings, a second-round pick, to help out. If their offensive line can somehow keep the heat off of Favre, McCarthy's offense could cause some damage.

Defensively, first-rounder A.J. Hawk adds a much-needed boost to a team that has some studs such as DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and LB Nick Barnett. They added Charles Woodson and Marquandt Manuel via free agency among others. Call me crazy folks, but I just don't think it's as bad a roster as some people think heading into this season. Let's put it another way. Can they stink? Sure. Can they be good? Yes. It can go either way depending upon how quickly the team gels under McCarthy and whether they can stay healthy this year.

But the change in atmosphere is what makes me more of a believer in this team. I cannot stress this enough. Under former head coach Mike Sherman, the atmosphere, according to several people inside the building, simply became way too tense. Sherman also didn't take input from others well. Even before injuries ravaged the 2005 team, folks inside the building often had to walk on egg shells. As the season progressed, ridiculous things such as canceling a press conference because a cell phone went off began to pop up.

McCarthy can be tough on guys, but he's not petty; and those inside the building have fun coming to work again. Just like any corporation, if the people running the ship aren't enjoying entering the work atmosphere on a daily basis, it's just a matter of time before failure takes over.

Standing out

Second-round pick Greg Jennings was terrific in the one practice I saw. He excelled in and out of breaks as a receiver and seems to have a knack for the big play. He also took a kickoff back about 60 yards. Even though it was called back due to a penalty, Jennings showed a great burst through the coverage team. Losing Javon Walker no doubt hurts this club. Jennings showed the talent to offset some of that loss.

It was also interesting watching first-rounder A.J. Hawk. He doesn't look like that lost puppy so many other rookies get caught looking like.

"He's learning a lot in a little time," said linebacker coach Winston Moss. "But he works really, really hard. He's picking it. He'll be fine. He's such an easy guy to work with."

Overhead

One of the great things in camp is the story-telling that occurs on the sideline as practice goes on. It was great to hear story after story of Reggie While by ex-teammates who happened to be at practice, as well as team employees. I didn't realize he was that much of a prankster. Former LB George Koonce, now with the Packers as their Player Programs guy, laughed in recalling how White, completely serious, informed Koonce that Ron Wolf had just traded him to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for a seven-man blocking sled and a pooch punter. Oh, that is classic!

[BananaMan]

Stop posting all this good stuff! It gives me tingles!

Seriously though, I think the future's bright. I don't care how the media looks at us. Saying we have "holes" on defense. Yeah right.

Unlike other people, I'm being patient with Hawk. Give him his time. He'll excel sooner rather than later, I'm sure of it. But he still needs time to learn the NFL game and the defensive scheme.

Formula for success this year:

Good defense + strong running game + efficient passing = 10+ wins.

[esoxx]

I think Green Bay's defense surprises the league this year. I really do. Deep solid line, two veteran CB's that know how to play, riser in Collins at safety, big upgrade in the LB'ing crew. Defense is the first step to success and I think we finally have that.

[HarveyWallbangers]

There's real potential there, but there's a lot of new bodies, so it might take time to gel.

I feel they have players you can win with at all but two positions (SS, SLB), and those even have potential to be solid with Taylor and Hodge fighting it out at SLB and Manuel, Underwood, and Culver fighting it out at SS. A lot is going to depend on the health of Woodson, Manuel, and our DEs.

[Lare]

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: QB Brett Favre hasn't mastered coach Mike McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense yet and continues to throw interceptions during camp at an alarming rate. Some can be attributed to Favre's transition to the offense and a host of new receivers, but the offense isn't that much different and he has made some bad decisions during the first two weeks of camp. Favre's arm looks fresh and he's moving around well enough. It will be his decision making that determines whether he has another interception-dominated season. . . .


If Favre starts having as many turnovers as last year there's going to be a great deal of pressure to pull him and let Rodgers play. I'm hoping we're not going to see that he's playing a couple of seasons too many. For all he's done for the Packers he deserves to go out on a better note than that.

[woodbuck27]

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: QB Brett Favre hasn't mastered coach Mike McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense yet and continues to throw interceptions during camp at an alarming rate. Some can be attributed to Favre's transition to the offense and a host of new receivers, but the offense isn't that much different and he has made some bad decisions during the first two weeks of camp. Favre's arm looks fresh and he's moving around well enough. It will be his decision making that determines whether he has another interception-dominated season. . . .


If Favre starts having as many turnovers as last year there's going to be a great deal of pressure to pull him and let Rodgers play. I'm hoping we're not going to see that he's playing a couple of seasons too many. For all he's done for the Packers he deserves to go out on a better note than that.

Rest assured that Brett Favre will be fine. I have every confidence in him. :mrgreen:

Favre has appeared to me by all reports to be close to Head Coach M3 and he'll get the play calling down. I just pray that there are no DAM politics afoot to skuttle him. He make's some good coin. :mrgreen:

Lare - My Avatar - hit Esc. OK?

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH !!

[BallHawk]

Great article.

There is no question in my mind that this team has the pieces to make the playoffs, the big question is how fast they can get it together. They need to gel. If that happens, than watch out.

[Scott Campbell]

If Favre starts having as many turnovers as last year there's going to be a great deal of pressure to pull him and let Rodgers play.


I think there will be way more pressure to leave him in and play through it. If his consecutive start streak ends with a benching, the locals will turn on McCarthy pretty quick.

[fan4life]

Where did that personnel analysis come from? I can't find it posted anywhere.

[Patler]

If Favre starts having as many turnovers as last year there's going to be a great deal of pressure to pull him and let Rodgers play.


I think there will be way more pressure to leave him in and play through it. If his consecutive start streak ends with a benching, the locals will turn on McCarthy pretty quick.

I think the question might arise more with if he is left in for the entire game, or if Rodgers comes in for a second half.

The only way Favre will not start is if he is injured. If he is not playing well, a not real serious injury might keep him on the bench, however.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Where did that personnel analysis come from? I can't find it posted anywhere.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/packers/index.html

[fan4life]

Thanks, Harvey. I found it, too. I got caught up looking for it at JSOnline.

For the record, I predict Favre will be fine. Granted, its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but he'll figure it out.

[red]

one thing to remember about for those who are woried about the rookies starting this year, or saying that the rookies might not be that great this year because they are, well rookies and rookies always take time

on draft day, when you looked up each one of the guys we drafted their reports almost said the same thing for all of them.

hard worker and
team leader

we didn't go out and draft a bunch of guys that have huge possible potential. we drafted the guys that were fast lerners and NFL ready right out of the gate. they might not have the huge possible upside of a lot of other draft picks. but there going to be damn good pros, and they might have already reached their potential, or ae very close to it

i'm thinking hawk as been kind of sitting back and taking it all in up until this point, just making sure he gets everything right, and at some point in the near future (maybe today), we're going to see him flip the switch and become the beast he was at OSU

[OKC PackerFan]

Great post RED, you hit the nail on the head, and your right about Hawk. I'm excited. Lets get this season started.