Official 2012 OTA/Minicamp Thread

[Joemailman]

Some notes from May 22:

http://blog.packers.com/2012/05/22/may-22-practice-notes/

–Depth chart: With CB Charles Woodson and S Charlie Peprah not practicing, CB Jarrett Bush and S M.D. Jennings were working with the No. 1 defense, with CB Sam Shields the nickel corner. Jennings and Shields had particularly strong practices. Jennings made a sliding interception of an Aaron Rodgers pass over the middle, while Shields ran stride for stride with Jordy Nelson on a deep ball and came up with the INT after just missing a couple of other picks earlier in practice.

First-round draft pick Nick Perry was with the No. 1 defense at left OLB, with starter Clay Matthews moving over to the right side. On the defensive line, the three-man base alignment featured B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett and C.J. Wilson with the first unit, while the two-man nickel package had Raji and second-round pick Jerel Worthy as the inside rushers.

–Position change: LBs Brad Jones and Jamari Lattimore, who had been outside LBs in the past, were getting their reps in position drills and full team (11-on-11) at inside LB.

–Nice grab: WR Diondre Borel, who spent last season on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie, made one of the nicer plays for the offense with a sliding grab over the middle, followed by a quick spin/pop-up move to keep running.

[Fritz]

Be still, my beating heart.

[Smidgeon]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/packers.html

--- M.D. Jennings made the play of the day, intercepting Aaron Rodgers. It was a low, difficult catch by Jennings, who could be a darkhorse candidate at safety. With Peprah out, Jennings got the first-team reps next to Morgan Burnett over rookie Jerron McMillian and Anthony Levine.

http://blogs.greenbaypressgazette.com/blogs/gpg/insider/2012/05/22/ota-practice-may-22-2012/

– First look at the nickel defense had BJ Raji and Jerel Worthy up front. Morgan Burnett and MD Jennings are the safeties so rookie Jerron McMillian isn’t being handed a job right away.

– MD Jennings will have something to say about the starting safety job. He picked off Aaron Rodgers in team blitz drill. Anthony Levine got brief turn with No. 1 defense at safety. Sam Shields intercepted Rodgers with over-the-shoulder catch on bomb to Jordy Nelson, not a common play by a DB.

– Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee reports that LB coach Kevin Greene has gotten a haircut. The mullet is gone. :|

[Joemailman]

I hope they're serious about moving Matthews to ROLB. Make opposing QB's worry about Matthews coming at then from their blind side. If Perry can handle the strong side run defense, this would be a good move.

[Bretsky]

no surprise about Brad Jones being tried on the inside
The dude is junk and if he's going to somehow make this team he has to play multiple positions since he's not good at any of them

[RashanGary]

MD Jennings is definitely a dark horse this year. If Burnett is playing SS, that's bad news for Peprah and good news for Jennings.

That's a really interesting camp battle.

I'm sort of rooting for Jennings and Burnett just because I like the speed in the secondary. Of course, they have to be good players, not just fast, but I'm hoping for the speed.

[ThunderDan]

I hope they're serious about moving Matthews to ROLB. Make opposing QB's worry about Matthews coming at then from their blind side. If Perry can handle the strong side run defense, this would be a good move.

At 270+ Perry should be able to handle the strong side. If he learns the proper technic, has the althleticism that they say he does and he has the desire opposing Os are going to be in for a long day.

[Gunakor]

First-round draft pick Nick Perry was with the No. 1 defense at left OLB, with starter Clay Matthews moving over to the right side.

Love it!

[Brandon494]

Nice to see that Jennings is playing well even though its early, I really don't want to see Peprah starting for us again next season.

[pbmax]

Unless its a special teams practice, Jarret Bush starting ahead of you is a message. A message that is the size of a billboard.

It apparently inspired Shields enough to collect an INT.

[pbmax]

Well see if he can handle it, but the photo gallery here: http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120522/PKR01/120522142/

suggests that Perry is simply a far larger man than Matthews and makes sense on the Left side. He would seem to be the Packers Lamar Woodley, drafted nearly in the same spots. The OLBs are in picture 7, pic 6 shows Jeff Saturday's dwarf arms.

[George Cumby]

I like #14, Ted with his WayFarers's on.

Lookin' good Chief!

[George Cumby]

I feel strange, yet vaguely familiar stirrings in odd parts of my body.

Is that odd?

[Brandon494]

Unless its a special teams practice, Jarret Bush starting ahead of you is a message. A message that is the size of a billboard.

It apparently inspired Shields enough to collect an INT.

I don't think they are trying to send a message to Shields, think they just want him to practice at his original spot which is the nickel corner.

[Joemailman]

I would think the real message to Shields was sent when they traded up to get Hayward.

[Upnorth]

God it feels good to read real packers football news. Ahhhhhhh!

How did worthy stand up in nickle? Any rats go?

Saturday looks hilarious streching in pic #6. I loved seeing Mathews point stuff out to Perry.

Is Hargrove allowed to practice with us while suspended?

[Smeefers]

God it feels good to read real packers football news. Ahhhhhhh!

How did worthy stand up in nickle? Any rats go?

Agreed and repped.

[Brandon494]

I would think the real message to Shields was sent when they traded up to get Hayward.

Once again don't think it was a message to Shields, Woodson is getting up there in age.

[denverYooper]

Saturday looks like a happy guy.

[Joemailman]

Saturday looks like a happy guy.

Probably has something to do with the fact he went from a 2-14 team to a 15-1 team. Or maybe he just likes beer and brats.

[pbmax]

If they were in nickel when Bush was on the field, then maybe. But if BUUUUUUUUSSSSSSCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHH was outside, that's a message. A message that you need to tackle like your life depends on it probably; except in OTAs, you can't.

We need Rand here to dissect this like a Pravda article.

[woodbuck27]

MD Jennings is definitely a dark horse this year. If Burnett is playing SS, that's bad news for Peprah and good news for Jennings.

That's a really interesting camp battle.

I'm sort of rooting for Jennings and Burnett just because I like the speed in the secondary. Of course, they have to be good players, not just fast, but I'm hoping for the speed.

Then it's like the terrific 'fast food':

Good and .................. Fast.

[Guiness]

No good shots of Saturday in his stance, I want to see that vaunted 'butt height' Rodgers was talking about!

Neale was in a shot, he's allowed to be around the team? Suspended for games only?

[Joemailman]

No good shots of Saturday in his stance, I want to see that vaunted 'butt height' Rodgers was talking about!

Neale was in a shot, he's allowed to be around the team? Suspended for games only?

Yes. Same as Hargrove. It will be interesting to see if they get reps when the preseason gets here.

[Freak Out]

Anyone else think Marc Tyler is going to be a good RB pickup for the Packers?

[smuggler]

Not sure. It seems like we have a guy with a similar skillset in Saine. Neither is remarkably fast. If Tyler can actually run between the tackles, he stands a decent chance to make the team over Saine, though.

[Upnorth]

Anyone else think Marc Tyler is going to be a good RB pickup for the Packers?

I think RB is where we have the worst line up right now, and Tyler is not going to make it worse at least.

[BobDobbs]

Not sure. It seems like we have a guy with a similar skillset in Saine. Neither is remarkably fast. If Tyler can actually run between the tackles, he stands a decent chance to make the team over Saine, though.

Saine clocked a sub 4.4 40 when he was drafted. He would smoke Tyler in a foot race. Gotta see em run in games though.
It seems like Ted is just saying fuck it we only hand the ball off like ten times a game anyway. Although I'm guessing they feel good about Alex Green.

[BobDobbs]

Saine clocked a sub 4.4 40 when he was drafted. He would smoke Tyler in a foot race. Gotta see em run in games though.
It seems like Ted is just saying fuck it we only hand the ball off like ten times a game anyway. Although I'm guessing they feel good about Alex Green.

Except he wasn't drafted. But whatever.

[BobDobbs]

If they were in nickel when Bush was on the field, then maybe. But if BUUUUUUUUSSSSSSCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHH was outside, that's a message. A message that you need to tackle like your life depends on it probably; except in OTAs, you can't.

We need Rand here to dissect this like a Pravda article.

Hard to tell because we couldn't see it. One thing we could see was the last game. Dom was playing Bush on 1st and second down. I thought it was nuts, but they had obviously lost faith in Shields. It's early so they are tinkering, but Shields is so much more physically talented as a cover corner than really everyone else on our team that I can't think they're serious about starting Bush over him.

Best case scenario is for T-Will and Shields to play outside every down and then Woodson comes in the slot in the nickel(which is really our base defense). If you want to keep Woodson on as a 3 down player then pull a safety and drop him off the line when we have 2CB on the field.

To make it work Shields has to show and prove and make some moves. But it's there if he wants it.

[Packers4Glory]

Anyone else think Marc Tyler is going to be a good RB pickup for the Packers?

No.

not even a little.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm intrigued by Saine. I think he could become a decent all around back. He can catch, he's a decent runner, and he has the size to be a good pass blocker.

[Packers4Glory]

I'm intrigued by Saine. I think he could become a decent all around back. He can catch, he's a decent runner, and he has the size to be a good pass blocker.

Saine looks like a serviceable 3rd RB. I'd still like to see grant back, but even if he's not Starks, Kuhn, and Green should be able to handle the bulk of the load.

Tyler just looks like a camp back to take some carries in the first few preseason games.

I guess if there is one thing I'd like to see is a big bruising back who can come in and get a yard when we need to move the sticks or on the goal line. With Starks and Green, we could afford to have a specialist like that in the backfield to pair w/ Kuhn in short yardage situations considering the fact that the offense doesn't revolve around the running game. But I'm tired of seeing them get in short yardage situations and getting stuffed.

starks your primary back
Green your 3rd down and speed guy
??? short yardage hammer
Kuhn doing what Kuhn does.

[George Cumby]

I'm intrigued by Saine. I think he could become a decent all around back. He can catch, he's a decent runner, and he has the size to be a good pass blocker.

I remember a few of his runs of his last year where he showed some moves and a hard-nosed running style. I'm with you, he could be more than ok.

[rbaloha1]

Nice to see that Jennings is playing well even though its early, I really don't want to see Peprah starting for us again next season.

Yes, sir. Peprah overestimates his athletic ability.

[pbmax]

Actually the only thing I am worried about for the RBs is finding one who can pass block. ARod took a few too many shots last year on loose protection.

[woodbuck27]

Yes, sir. Peprah overestimates his athletic ability.


http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/peprah-says-hes-ready-to-step-up-for-packers-6v5fac4-152182895.html

Peprah vows to elevate play (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/peprah-says-hes-ready-to-step-up-for-packers-6v5fac4-152182895.html)

Green Bay Packers safety Charlie Peprah, fresh off a rocky 2011 season and digesting the news that Nick Collins is gone, is aiming high.

Please Click on LINK for story.

GO PACKERS !

[Joemailman]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/peprah-says-hes-ready-to-step-up-for-packers-6v5fac4-152182895.html

Peprah vows to elevate play (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/peprah-says-hes-ready-to-step-up-for-packers-6v5fac4-152182895.html)

Green Bay Packers safety Charlie Peprah, fresh off a rocky 2011 season and digesting the news that Nick Collins is gone, is aiming high.

Please Click on LINK for story.

GO PACKERS !

He has a chance to make the team.

[Fritz]

Sounds like the old days of easing rooks into the rotation is long since over. Perry's the starter, no matter how many steroids and creams Walden/Zombo/Jones can do between now and training camp.

[MJZiggy]

Sounds like the old days of easing rooks into the rotation is long since over. Perry's the starter, no matter how many steroids and creams Walden/Zombo/Jones can do between now and training camp.

We'll see. He may be called the starter now, but he still needs to outperform those guys consistently all summer to keep the spot. M3 does not give gifts where starting positions are concerned.

[Fritz]

But Perry's got a lot longer leash than any of the others...

[smuggler]

Hopefully he doesn't abuse it!

[woodbuck27]

Saine clocked a sub 4.4 40 when he was drafted. He would smoke Tyler in a foot race. Gotta see em run in games though.
It seems like Ted is just saying fuck it we only hand the ball off like ten times a game anyway. Although I'm guessing they feel good about Alex Green.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1198647-2012-nfl-free-agents-15-biggest-names-that-could-go-unsigned#/articles/1196030-breaking-down-each-nfl-teams-most-intriguing-training-camp-battles

Running Back: Brandon Saine vs. Alex Green

"James Starks ascends to the rank of full-time starter after Ryan Grant's departure, leaving Saine and Green to battle it out for the backup role.

Saine has the edge in experience—particularly after Green was shelved for the season with an injury in 2011—but the second-year running back out of Hawaii brings electrifying speed and pass-catching ability to the table." Fr. LINK

There is more here RE: Position competitions in Green Bay. Please click on LINK for that.

[Fritz]

I really like Alex Green. If he stays healthy and is fully recovered, I predict that my mid-season he'll be the third down back.