the_idle_threat
08-27-2006, 04:48 AM
SATURDAY, Aug. 26, 2006, 2:31 p.m.
Camp Report, Aug. 26
THUMBS UP
On the one Hail Mary attempt in practice Saturday, Brett Favre let the ball fly from just inside the 50-yard line. On the receiving end, Rod Gardner said he caught it at least five yards beyond the end line. “It’s impressive, but you need to keep it in bounds,†coach Mike McCarthy said with a grin that suggested he was more impressed than displeased. “I thought it was going over the fence when he first threw it. He obviously has a lot of arm strength left.†The fence on the north end of the Ray Nitschke Field was another 10 yards or more away.
No matter the long or short of it, it was some fling for a 36-year old quarterback. For the first week or more of camp, Favre didn’t seem to be as sharp or as accurate as he was in other summers. And he had that one dreadful practice – on the fourth day -- where he threw five interceptions. But, lately, Favre has been throwing the ball better and the offense has been looking much more efficient, if not explosive.
Just this past week, the defenders were instructed during the offensive periods of practice to make the receivers work for receptions, but to back off when the ball arrived, just as they would during regular-season practices. As a result, the quarterbacks’ completion percentages took a jump. Whatever the rules, Favre had an impressive week of practice, completing 70.1% of his passes with only one interception in 11-on-11 sessions.
With 30 practices down and only one to go before the exhibition season ends, it appears once again that Favre is the one player who gives the Packers hope of exceeding expectations.
THUMBS DOWN
For someone picked off the scrapheap, Donald Lee was a productive player for the Packers last season, at least relatively speaking, with 33 catches. First-year man Tory Humphrey, in turn, has flashed the ability throughout camp to get deep down the middle, something which all teams covet in a tight end. From that perspective, tight end appears to be one of the deeper positions on the Packers’ roster and the competition for the third spot seems fierce.
But there are other days when it seems as though the Lee-Humphrey battle is going to be decided by default.
On Saturday, Humphrey dropped a pass in the back of the end zone in an 11-on-11 goal line period and another during a 7-on-7 red-zone period. Humphrey had his arm wrapped from wrist to elbow due to a bruised forearm, but that was hardly a good excuse. Lee didn’t catch a pass all day, at least during the offensive periods. On Friday, Lee dropped a pass right in his mitts over the middle. Both have their redeeming qualities, but both have been inconsistent catching the ball throughout camp.
INJURY REPORT
Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson and Humphrey returned to practice.
Josh Bourke (calf), William Whitticker (hamstring), Mookie Moore (shoulder), William Henderson (knee), Ben Brown (tailbone) and Atari Bigby (hand) continued to miss practice.
ODDS & ENDS
Cornerback Mike Hawkins, back this week after a bout with tendinitis in his knee, showed why his potential is so intriguing when he intercepted a pass in a defensive red-zone period. The receiver ran an up. Hawkins got a good bump and then accelerated to the ball with a gear that not even many corners possess.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk intercepted his fourth pass of camp during a defensive period. Cornerback Jason Horton also had an interception in a defensive period, but the official called him for holding.
Rookie cornerback Antonio Malone, a late camp addition, intercepted Favre in 7-on-7. It was Malone’s second interception in the past five days. He also made a nice play to break up a Favre to Ferguson pass Friday.
Other than the kicker, wide receiver Ruvell Martin and safety Tyrone Culver are the only non-veterans on the first kickoff coverage team.
Rayner kicked field goals from 39 and 44 yards out. Another try from the 39 was whistled dead first.
Rookie defensive tackle Johnny Jolly played better last week against Atlanta and seems to be making a move in his battle for a roster spot. But Monday night’s game figures to be big for him. “He needs to be more consistent and he has got to speed it up,†said defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn. “He can’t take a play off. He’ll have two or three strong plays, then a play where he doesn’t fire his gun.â€Â
ON THIS DAY
Aug. 27, 1979 – Defensive tackle Dave Roller, one of the Packers’ most popular players, was waived after four seasons with the team. “I wish they would have gotten rid of me two weeks ago so I could have hooked on,†said a hurt and unhappy Roller. “That’s really chicken s----.†The Packers also waived tackle Gerald Skinner and placed running back Walt Landers on injured reserve to trim their roster to 47, two over the league limit.
SCHEDULE SUNDAY
There will be no practice. The Packers play at Cincinnati Monday night. They will have Tuesday off and return to the practice field Wednesday, but it will be closed to the public. That will be their final practice of camp. They conclude the exhibition portion of their schedule against Tennessee Friday afternoon.
Camp Report, Aug. 26
THUMBS UP
On the one Hail Mary attempt in practice Saturday, Brett Favre let the ball fly from just inside the 50-yard line. On the receiving end, Rod Gardner said he caught it at least five yards beyond the end line. “It’s impressive, but you need to keep it in bounds,†coach Mike McCarthy said with a grin that suggested he was more impressed than displeased. “I thought it was going over the fence when he first threw it. He obviously has a lot of arm strength left.†The fence on the north end of the Ray Nitschke Field was another 10 yards or more away.
No matter the long or short of it, it was some fling for a 36-year old quarterback. For the first week or more of camp, Favre didn’t seem to be as sharp or as accurate as he was in other summers. And he had that one dreadful practice – on the fourth day -- where he threw five interceptions. But, lately, Favre has been throwing the ball better and the offense has been looking much more efficient, if not explosive.
Just this past week, the defenders were instructed during the offensive periods of practice to make the receivers work for receptions, but to back off when the ball arrived, just as they would during regular-season practices. As a result, the quarterbacks’ completion percentages took a jump. Whatever the rules, Favre had an impressive week of practice, completing 70.1% of his passes with only one interception in 11-on-11 sessions.
With 30 practices down and only one to go before the exhibition season ends, it appears once again that Favre is the one player who gives the Packers hope of exceeding expectations.
THUMBS DOWN
For someone picked off the scrapheap, Donald Lee was a productive player for the Packers last season, at least relatively speaking, with 33 catches. First-year man Tory Humphrey, in turn, has flashed the ability throughout camp to get deep down the middle, something which all teams covet in a tight end. From that perspective, tight end appears to be one of the deeper positions on the Packers’ roster and the competition for the third spot seems fierce.
But there are other days when it seems as though the Lee-Humphrey battle is going to be decided by default.
On Saturday, Humphrey dropped a pass in the back of the end zone in an 11-on-11 goal line period and another during a 7-on-7 red-zone period. Humphrey had his arm wrapped from wrist to elbow due to a bruised forearm, but that was hardly a good excuse. Lee didn’t catch a pass all day, at least during the offensive periods. On Friday, Lee dropped a pass right in his mitts over the middle. Both have their redeeming qualities, but both have been inconsistent catching the ball throughout camp.
INJURY REPORT
Defensive lineman Kenny Peterson and Humphrey returned to practice.
Josh Bourke (calf), William Whitticker (hamstring), Mookie Moore (shoulder), William Henderson (knee), Ben Brown (tailbone) and Atari Bigby (hand) continued to miss practice.
ODDS & ENDS
Cornerback Mike Hawkins, back this week after a bout with tendinitis in his knee, showed why his potential is so intriguing when he intercepted a pass in a defensive red-zone period. The receiver ran an up. Hawkins got a good bump and then accelerated to the ball with a gear that not even many corners possess.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk intercepted his fourth pass of camp during a defensive period. Cornerback Jason Horton also had an interception in a defensive period, but the official called him for holding.
Rookie cornerback Antonio Malone, a late camp addition, intercepted Favre in 7-on-7. It was Malone’s second interception in the past five days. He also made a nice play to break up a Favre to Ferguson pass Friday.
Other than the kicker, wide receiver Ruvell Martin and safety Tyrone Culver are the only non-veterans on the first kickoff coverage team.
Rayner kicked field goals from 39 and 44 yards out. Another try from the 39 was whistled dead first.
Rookie defensive tackle Johnny Jolly played better last week against Atlanta and seems to be making a move in his battle for a roster spot. But Monday night’s game figures to be big for him. “He needs to be more consistent and he has got to speed it up,†said defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn. “He can’t take a play off. He’ll have two or three strong plays, then a play where he doesn’t fire his gun.â€Â
ON THIS DAY
Aug. 27, 1979 – Defensive tackle Dave Roller, one of the Packers’ most popular players, was waived after four seasons with the team. “I wish they would have gotten rid of me two weeks ago so I could have hooked on,†said a hurt and unhappy Roller. “That’s really chicken s----.†The Packers also waived tackle Gerald Skinner and placed running back Walt Landers on injured reserve to trim their roster to 47, two over the league limit.
SCHEDULE SUNDAY
There will be no practice. The Packers play at Cincinnati Monday night. They will have Tuesday off and return to the practice field Wednesday, but it will be closed to the public. That will be their final practice of camp. They conclude the exhibition portion of their schedule against Tennessee Friday afternoon.