woodbuck27
08-15-2006, 10:48 PM
Posted August 15, 2006
Green continues to progress
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green has made a quick return by taking things slowly.
Green was cleared to practice a week ago, but the Packers were very careful with him, limiting him in drills and keeping him out of any team drills that require contact.
On Monday, Green worked in team drills for the first time during training camp, an important step in trying to get him back from a torn quadriceps that cost him much of last season.
"This was the first day for me taking a full practice," Green said. "Now we'll just continue to take more small steps with contact and getting ready for the regular season."
Green said he will practice in full pads during today night's practice. But while Green may not have any practice restrictions, that doesn't mean he's going to be seeing game action any time soon, something Green said he's fine with.
"I'm not anxious at all. I'm going to be patient," Green said. "It's going to be here before I know it, and I'll be out there. It'll possibly be Cincinnati, and if not then, I'll be ready by (the regular-season opener against) Chicago."
Green's return could mean big things for the Packers' offense. But what isn't known is if Green can play at the Pro Bowl level he did from 2001 to 2004 or if he will struggle as he did at the beginning of last season before he was injured.
"I think the level of practice goes up when you put a player of his magnitude in there," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We're going to practice him one a day this week and assess how he does and look at next week probably do a little more."
Running back Samkon Gado said he was surprised by how sharp Green looked in practice.
"He looked ridiculously good. It's good to have him back," Gado said. "As a young running back, that's what it's supposed to look like. That's what this cut is supposed to be, that's how you're supposed to carry the ball, that's how you're supposed to make this block, so it was good having him out there.
Green won't be the only running back who likely will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Gado injured his groin during the third quarter of Saturday night's loss to the San Diego Chargers.
"They didn't give me any time frame," Gado said. "They say it could be days or it could be weeks. You just never know with groins. It just all depends on how you attack the training and rehab."
With Green and Gado likely out for the next preseason game, running backs coach Edgar Bennett said Najeh Davenport would likely start. Davenport started against the Chargers, but struggled, gaining 12 yards on six carries.
"He had some good plays, but he also had some plays that he's got to get better at," Bennett said. "There were some areas that we've got to clean up."
Dylan B. Tomlinson writes for the Post-Crescent of Appleton. E-mail him a dtomlins@postcrescent.com
Green continues to progress
By Dylan B. Tomlinson
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers
Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green has made a quick return by taking things slowly.
Green was cleared to practice a week ago, but the Packers were very careful with him, limiting him in drills and keeping him out of any team drills that require contact.
On Monday, Green worked in team drills for the first time during training camp, an important step in trying to get him back from a torn quadriceps that cost him much of last season.
"This was the first day for me taking a full practice," Green said. "Now we'll just continue to take more small steps with contact and getting ready for the regular season."
Green said he will practice in full pads during today night's practice. But while Green may not have any practice restrictions, that doesn't mean he's going to be seeing game action any time soon, something Green said he's fine with.
"I'm not anxious at all. I'm going to be patient," Green said. "It's going to be here before I know it, and I'll be out there. It'll possibly be Cincinnati, and if not then, I'll be ready by (the regular-season opener against) Chicago."
Green's return could mean big things for the Packers' offense. But what isn't known is if Green can play at the Pro Bowl level he did from 2001 to 2004 or if he will struggle as he did at the beginning of last season before he was injured.
"I think the level of practice goes up when you put a player of his magnitude in there," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We're going to practice him one a day this week and assess how he does and look at next week probably do a little more."
Running back Samkon Gado said he was surprised by how sharp Green looked in practice.
"He looked ridiculously good. It's good to have him back," Gado said. "As a young running back, that's what it's supposed to look like. That's what this cut is supposed to be, that's how you're supposed to carry the ball, that's how you're supposed to make this block, so it was good having him out there.
Green won't be the only running back who likely will miss Saturday's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Gado injured his groin during the third quarter of Saturday night's loss to the San Diego Chargers.
"They didn't give me any time frame," Gado said. "They say it could be days or it could be weeks. You just never know with groins. It just all depends on how you attack the training and rehab."
With Green and Gado likely out for the next preseason game, running backs coach Edgar Bennett said Najeh Davenport would likely start. Davenport started against the Chargers, but struggled, gaining 12 yards on six carries.
"He had some good plays, but he also had some plays that he's got to get better at," Bennett said. "There were some areas that we've got to clean up."
Dylan B. Tomlinson writes for the Post-Crescent of Appleton. E-mail him a dtomlins@postcrescent.com