motife
08-15-2006, 02:40 PM
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Camp Report, Aug. 14
THUMBS UP
The Packers needed a lift after Saturday night’s debacle in San Diego and they got it Monday from running back Ahman Green’s increased workload in practice. Green ran a handful of plays in team sessions and it gave the running game some much needed vigor.
One play, in particular, stood out. It was an inside zone run and Green headed for the belly of the defense, saw daylight to the left, cut hard and burst to the outside for a big gain, although it was a no tackle session. “You see how quick that thing developed,†said offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski. “He’s a natural. He saw it and he saw it fast.â€Â
The Packers have been running plodders at the tailback position all camp. Green, if he fully recovers from his surgery and doesn’t suffer any relapses, could be the big-play back the Packers need to run a successful zone scheme. Monday was just one more test, but Green passed it and reported no ill effects in the locker room. “Very fast, explosive,†said Jagodzinski. “He didn’t look like he was coming off quad tendon surgery.â€Â
THUMBS DOWN
Jagodzinski refused to describe rookie guard Daryn Colledge’s removal from the first team a demotion. He suggested the Packers were just trying different combinations in the offensive line. But following Colledge’s poor play against the Chargers, fellow rookie Jason Spitz moved from right guard to Colledge’s spot on the left side and yet another rookie, Tony Moll, took over at right guard.
Spitz has outperformed Colledge, who might be the better athlete, going back to the off-season workouts. And Moll might just find a home at guard. He started out at left tackle in the first mini-camp, wasn’t comfortable and fell behind free agent rookie Josh Bourke. So the Packers moved Moll to right tackle and he has steadily improved.
Against San Diego, Moll lined up against last year’s NFL defensive rookie of the year Shawne Merriman in the second quarter and held his own. “He performed against a Pro Bowl player and it didn’t faze him,†said Jagodzinski. “He didn’t flinch.â€Â
Despite his early struggles, Moll might have the feet to eventually play left tackle. He might also have a future at right tackle. But he’s a former 250-pound tight end, so he might never be able to grow into the sort of full-sized road grader that most teams prefer at right tackle. Moll said he had never played guard before and Jagodzinski wasn’t about to say after one practice that Moll had found a home. But if it turns out to be a natural fit for Moll, Colledge might have his work cut out to get back in the lineup.
INJURY REPORT
Safety Marquand Manuel practiced for the first time after coming off the physically unable to perform list with a calf injury, but dropped out late as a precautionary measure. Safety Marviel Underwood has been lost for the season with a knee injury and didn’t practice.
Guard Wayne Lucier (presumably an ankle), running back Samkon Gado (groin), fullback A.J. Cooper (shoulder) and defensive tackle Kenderick Allen (abdominal) didn’t practice due to injuries sustained or aggravated in Saturday’s game.
Wide receiver Leo Bookman returned to practice.
William Whitticker (hamstring), Kenny Peterson (ankle), Kurt Campbell (hamstring), Patrick Dendy (ankle), Mike Hawkins (knee) and safety Atari Bigby (hand) continued to miss practice.
ODDS & ENDS
Cornerback Al Harris intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for Bookman in a team period. Rookie safety Tyrone Culver also intercepted a Rodgers’ pass on a late throw after a play broke down in seven-on-seven.
Rookie quarterback Ingle Martin might have thrown his best pass of camp in seven-on-seven, a deep strike to rookie wide receiver Calvin Russell. Rookie safety Tra Boger was in a deep zone, but didn’t get over in time. That said, Boger, who has flashed at times but also been inconsistent, worked with the No. 1 dime in the two-minute drill after Manuel had dropped out of practice.
Wide receiver Marc Boerigter had a deep ball slide off his fingertips and a drop in a short two-minute drill.
The second offensive line included Bourke at left tackle, Colledge at left guard, Chris White at center, Siitupe Peko and Mookie Moore at right guard, and Junius Coston at right tackle. It is Coston’s third position of camp.
Kickers Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner were both 5 for 5 in a field goal drill, converting from 22 yards out twice, and 26, 31 and 35 yards. … Both Jon Ryan and B.J. Sander were terribly inconsistent in a punting drill. Ryan had punts of 26 and 25 yards plus rolls, and Sander had three punts of 36 yards or less.
Rookie Cory Rodgers didn’t drop a punt, but dropped another pass.
Camp Report, Aug. 14
THUMBS UP
The Packers needed a lift after Saturday night’s debacle in San Diego and they got it Monday from running back Ahman Green’s increased workload in practice. Green ran a handful of plays in team sessions and it gave the running game some much needed vigor.
One play, in particular, stood out. It was an inside zone run and Green headed for the belly of the defense, saw daylight to the left, cut hard and burst to the outside for a big gain, although it was a no tackle session. “You see how quick that thing developed,†said offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski. “He’s a natural. He saw it and he saw it fast.â€Â
The Packers have been running plodders at the tailback position all camp. Green, if he fully recovers from his surgery and doesn’t suffer any relapses, could be the big-play back the Packers need to run a successful zone scheme. Monday was just one more test, but Green passed it and reported no ill effects in the locker room. “Very fast, explosive,†said Jagodzinski. “He didn’t look like he was coming off quad tendon surgery.â€Â
THUMBS DOWN
Jagodzinski refused to describe rookie guard Daryn Colledge’s removal from the first team a demotion. He suggested the Packers were just trying different combinations in the offensive line. But following Colledge’s poor play against the Chargers, fellow rookie Jason Spitz moved from right guard to Colledge’s spot on the left side and yet another rookie, Tony Moll, took over at right guard.
Spitz has outperformed Colledge, who might be the better athlete, going back to the off-season workouts. And Moll might just find a home at guard. He started out at left tackle in the first mini-camp, wasn’t comfortable and fell behind free agent rookie Josh Bourke. So the Packers moved Moll to right tackle and he has steadily improved.
Against San Diego, Moll lined up against last year’s NFL defensive rookie of the year Shawne Merriman in the second quarter and held his own. “He performed against a Pro Bowl player and it didn’t faze him,†said Jagodzinski. “He didn’t flinch.â€Â
Despite his early struggles, Moll might have the feet to eventually play left tackle. He might also have a future at right tackle. But he’s a former 250-pound tight end, so he might never be able to grow into the sort of full-sized road grader that most teams prefer at right tackle. Moll said he had never played guard before and Jagodzinski wasn’t about to say after one practice that Moll had found a home. But if it turns out to be a natural fit for Moll, Colledge might have his work cut out to get back in the lineup.
INJURY REPORT
Safety Marquand Manuel practiced for the first time after coming off the physically unable to perform list with a calf injury, but dropped out late as a precautionary measure. Safety Marviel Underwood has been lost for the season with a knee injury and didn’t practice.
Guard Wayne Lucier (presumably an ankle), running back Samkon Gado (groin), fullback A.J. Cooper (shoulder) and defensive tackle Kenderick Allen (abdominal) didn’t practice due to injuries sustained or aggravated in Saturday’s game.
Wide receiver Leo Bookman returned to practice.
William Whitticker (hamstring), Kenny Peterson (ankle), Kurt Campbell (hamstring), Patrick Dendy (ankle), Mike Hawkins (knee) and safety Atari Bigby (hand) continued to miss practice.
ODDS & ENDS
Cornerback Al Harris intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for Bookman in a team period. Rookie safety Tyrone Culver also intercepted a Rodgers’ pass on a late throw after a play broke down in seven-on-seven.
Rookie quarterback Ingle Martin might have thrown his best pass of camp in seven-on-seven, a deep strike to rookie wide receiver Calvin Russell. Rookie safety Tra Boger was in a deep zone, but didn’t get over in time. That said, Boger, who has flashed at times but also been inconsistent, worked with the No. 1 dime in the two-minute drill after Manuel had dropped out of practice.
Wide receiver Marc Boerigter had a deep ball slide off his fingertips and a drop in a short two-minute drill.
The second offensive line included Bourke at left tackle, Colledge at left guard, Chris White at center, Siitupe Peko and Mookie Moore at right guard, and Junius Coston at right tackle. It is Coston’s third position of camp.
Kickers Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner were both 5 for 5 in a field goal drill, converting from 22 yards out twice, and 26, 31 and 35 yards. … Both Jon Ryan and B.J. Sander were terribly inconsistent in a punting drill. Ryan had punts of 26 and 25 yards plus rolls, and Sander had three punts of 36 yards or less.
Rookie Cory Rodgers didn’t drop a punt, but dropped another pass.