woodbuck27
08-15-2006, 10:26 PM
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2006, 10:04 p.m.
Camp Report, Aug. 15
By: Cliff Christl
THUMBS UP
Stanley Bing wrote a book, “100 Bull ---- Jobs,†and included those who “delve into the bottomless river of drivel†that is sports commentary. In our little neck of the woods, Bing could point to the current debate over whether the Packers erred in dumping Mark Roman following the season-ending injury to backup safety Marviel Underwood as a perfect example of what he had in mind.
Roman proved during his two-year stay with the Packers that he was a borderline player who was never going to get any better. Plus, sixth-round draft pick Tyrone Culver just keeps impressing.
In Tuesday morning’s practice, he made a subtle, but standout play in his own end zone in a team period. It was a play that Roman probably never could have made. Culver hid behind the outside linebacker, as if he was baiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers into thinking that tight end Donald Lee was open in the back of the end zone, then broke on the ball at the last second, leaped high and batted it down. “I was wide open,†said Lee. “I didn’t even see him. He had some hang time. That was a nice little play.†Culver also intercepted an Ingle Martin pass in the end zone in the same period. It was Culver’s fourth pick in the last seven practices. At night, Culver broke up a deep ball to tight end David Martin and almost intercepted another pass to Bubba Franks.
Culver wasn’t even invited to the NFL combine workout last winter and ran a 4.5 plus 40-yard dash on his pro day. That cost him in the draft. But against Southern Cal last season, Culver caught Reggie Bush from behind on a 65-yard run and it caught the Packers’ eye. Sure enough, based on early returns, Culver appears to play faster than his 40 time. Culver also carried close to a 3.5 grade-point average and played smart. At this point, Culver still has to make the team. But if he does, there’s an upside there that Roman didn’t offer. Keep in mind, too, that the Packers’ two best defenders last season might have been Al Harris and Aaron Kampman and neither one was invited to the combine.
THUMBS DOWN
Rookie free agent running back Arliss Beach got more carries than any other back in Tuesday night’s full-pads practice and even started out in the first 11-on-11 period running with the second unit. But Beach’s chances of making it hinge on more than just his running ability. And in a one-on-one blocking drill, he got beat twice by another free agent rookie, linebacker Tim Goodwell.
Beach also pulled up lame on his last carry of the night. Earlier, he was sidelined with a concussion. Another injury that keeps him out of practice more than a day or two might doom his prospects.
ODDS & ENDS
Linebacker A.J. Hawk beat fullback Vonta Leach with an inside burst in a one-on-one blocking drill and showed good reactions, intercepting a pass in a team period at night. Leach came back in the one-on-one drill to stop linebacker Abdul Hodge.
Cornerback Charles Woodson intercepted his sixth pass of camp. Brett Favre threw the pick, but there appeared to be a mix up with wide receiver Rod Gardner.
Guard Tony Moll struggled in one-on-one pass protection, getting beat on his first three turns.
Both Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner were 5 for 5 on field goals from 42 yards and in. On kickoffs, Cundiff averaged almost seven yards more in distance.
Rookie wide receiver Chris Francies beat Ahmad Carroll on a skinny post for a touchdown in the morning practice. But Carroll made a nice play to break up a Favre pass intended for wide receiver Greg Jennings on the final play of the evening practice.
Camp Report, Aug. 15
By: Cliff Christl
THUMBS UP
Stanley Bing wrote a book, “100 Bull ---- Jobs,†and included those who “delve into the bottomless river of drivel†that is sports commentary. In our little neck of the woods, Bing could point to the current debate over whether the Packers erred in dumping Mark Roman following the season-ending injury to backup safety Marviel Underwood as a perfect example of what he had in mind.
Roman proved during his two-year stay with the Packers that he was a borderline player who was never going to get any better. Plus, sixth-round draft pick Tyrone Culver just keeps impressing.
In Tuesday morning’s practice, he made a subtle, but standout play in his own end zone in a team period. It was a play that Roman probably never could have made. Culver hid behind the outside linebacker, as if he was baiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers into thinking that tight end Donald Lee was open in the back of the end zone, then broke on the ball at the last second, leaped high and batted it down. “I was wide open,†said Lee. “I didn’t even see him. He had some hang time. That was a nice little play.†Culver also intercepted an Ingle Martin pass in the end zone in the same period. It was Culver’s fourth pick in the last seven practices. At night, Culver broke up a deep ball to tight end David Martin and almost intercepted another pass to Bubba Franks.
Culver wasn’t even invited to the NFL combine workout last winter and ran a 4.5 plus 40-yard dash on his pro day. That cost him in the draft. But against Southern Cal last season, Culver caught Reggie Bush from behind on a 65-yard run and it caught the Packers’ eye. Sure enough, based on early returns, Culver appears to play faster than his 40 time. Culver also carried close to a 3.5 grade-point average and played smart. At this point, Culver still has to make the team. But if he does, there’s an upside there that Roman didn’t offer. Keep in mind, too, that the Packers’ two best defenders last season might have been Al Harris and Aaron Kampman and neither one was invited to the combine.
THUMBS DOWN
Rookie free agent running back Arliss Beach got more carries than any other back in Tuesday night’s full-pads practice and even started out in the first 11-on-11 period running with the second unit. But Beach’s chances of making it hinge on more than just his running ability. And in a one-on-one blocking drill, he got beat twice by another free agent rookie, linebacker Tim Goodwell.
Beach also pulled up lame on his last carry of the night. Earlier, he was sidelined with a concussion. Another injury that keeps him out of practice more than a day or two might doom his prospects.
ODDS & ENDS
Linebacker A.J. Hawk beat fullback Vonta Leach with an inside burst in a one-on-one blocking drill and showed good reactions, intercepting a pass in a team period at night. Leach came back in the one-on-one drill to stop linebacker Abdul Hodge.
Cornerback Charles Woodson intercepted his sixth pass of camp. Brett Favre threw the pick, but there appeared to be a mix up with wide receiver Rod Gardner.
Guard Tony Moll struggled in one-on-one pass protection, getting beat on his first three turns.
Both Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner were 5 for 5 on field goals from 42 yards and in. On kickoffs, Cundiff averaged almost seven yards more in distance.
Rookie wide receiver Chris Francies beat Ahmad Carroll on a skinny post for a touchdown in the morning practice. But Carroll made a nice play to break up a Favre pass intended for wide receiver Greg Jennings on the final play of the evening practice.