packers11
05-20-2007, 11:31 AM
Notebook: Blackmon will get his shot
By Tom Pelissero
tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Charles Woodson's absence during organized team activities will give cornerback Will Blackmon a long-awaited chance for extended action with the starting defense.
"That's very important, because I get to run with the (No.) 1s," said Blackmon, the Green Bay Packers' fourth-round pick out of Boston College in 2006. "Last year, I missed OTAs and I missed training camp, so when I started playing the season, I didn't have any kind of reps."
It was this time a year ago that Blackmon broke a bone in a foot during minicamp. He was sidelined nearly five months before making his debut in Week 7, then landed on injured reserve with a rib injury after playing only four games.
The Packers' only notable free agent signing this offseason was Frank Walker, who was projected widely as the team's No. 3 cornerback. But Blackmon has gotten significant time with the first-team nickel defense during this minicamp, and, with Woodson and Al Harris sitting out Saturday afternoon, he filled in at cornerback along with Patrick Dendy.
Woodson plans to work out in Houston rather than returning when OTAs begin at the end of the month, so Blackmon, Dendy and Walker should get plenty of work against the team's top receivers.
"(Blackmon)'s been in the whole offseason, hasn't missed a day on anything," secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer said. "No question, you can see it. He just has to keep working on technique. It's a tough job out there. He just has to keep working every day, and he's a great worker."
Blackmon said he is recovered from both injuries but doesn't feel like himself. Once he does, Blackmon also could make an impact in the return game, though he said his primary focus is contributing on defense.
"I'm preparing as if I want to be the starter," Blackmon said. "You just never know. God forbid something happens to Charles or Al, I could just step right in there without skipping a beat.
"It's hard to fill those shoes, but one of these days, I've got to feel I can fill those shoes."
Williams reacts
Corey Williams had the best season of his NFL career in 2006. He figured his chances of becoming a full-time starting defensive tackle in 2007 were good and, if things went well, a contract extension might be in the works.
That seemed to change when the Packers selected defensive tackle Justin Harrell with the 16th overall pick in last month's draft.
"I was kind of surprised," Williams said of the pick. "I'm quite sure any of the people on the D-line were surprised."
Williams, who had career highs in sacks (seven) and tackles (47) last season, is in the final year of his rookie contract and can become an unrestricted free agent in March. After Nick Barnett signed his contract extension this offseason, indications were Williams could be next in line for a new contract, but that never happened.
"I thought so, too, but it didn't happen," Williams said. "Hopefully, I can do something to catch their eye, and they'll want to go ahead and sign me."
While Williams says he wants to play out his career in Green Bay, his best chance to start might come with another team. Harrell hasn't participated in contact drills because he's recovering from the torn biceps tendon that prematurely ended his senior year at the University of Tennessee, but Williams has been splitting first-team reps with Colin Cole.
Williams said he reported to minicamp weighing between 325 and 327 pounds. He's listed on the roster at 313 pounds and said he will be closer to 320 for training camp.
"By the time I come back for training camp, I will be in tip-top shape," Williams said.
Injury update
Safety Marviel Underwood hopes to practice in some capacity during OTAs, though he probably won't be cleared for full contact until training camp.
"I'm just waiting for them to tell me I can pull the trigger," said Underwood, who missed all of last season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right knee. "I wanted to go out there bad (Friday). But I'm trying to be smart, do what the doctor says, and hope I come back ready to go."
Other players sitting out for the second straight day were: running backs Arliss Beach and DeShawn Wynn, linebackers Abdul Hodge and Marcus Randall, guard Tony Palmer, tackle Kevin Barry, receiver Robert Ferguson and defensive end Aaron Kampman.
Guard Jason Spitz (back) and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (bruised thigh) sat out a day after leaving practice with injuries. Tight end Zac Alcorn, sandwiched by two teammates during a 7-on-7 passing drill Friday, missed both sessions with a bruised right knee. Receiver Chris Francies sat out with a thumb injury.
Tackle Chad Clifton skipped the morning session as a precaution but practiced in the afternoon.
Quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers again participated only in non-contact drills.
Etc.
Prohibited from attending Friday's practice because the University of California is in session, linebacker Desmond Bishop arrived in Green Bay and participated Saturday. Running back Brandon Jackson, excused because he is attending the NFL's rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles, is the only draft pick not in camp. … Woodson was excused from the afternoon practice for personal reasons, a team spokesman said.
By Tom Pelissero
tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Charles Woodson's absence during organized team activities will give cornerback Will Blackmon a long-awaited chance for extended action with the starting defense.
"That's very important, because I get to run with the (No.) 1s," said Blackmon, the Green Bay Packers' fourth-round pick out of Boston College in 2006. "Last year, I missed OTAs and I missed training camp, so when I started playing the season, I didn't have any kind of reps."
It was this time a year ago that Blackmon broke a bone in a foot during minicamp. He was sidelined nearly five months before making his debut in Week 7, then landed on injured reserve with a rib injury after playing only four games.
The Packers' only notable free agent signing this offseason was Frank Walker, who was projected widely as the team's No. 3 cornerback. But Blackmon has gotten significant time with the first-team nickel defense during this minicamp, and, with Woodson and Al Harris sitting out Saturday afternoon, he filled in at cornerback along with Patrick Dendy.
Woodson plans to work out in Houston rather than returning when OTAs begin at the end of the month, so Blackmon, Dendy and Walker should get plenty of work against the team's top receivers.
"(Blackmon)'s been in the whole offseason, hasn't missed a day on anything," secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer said. "No question, you can see it. He just has to keep working on technique. It's a tough job out there. He just has to keep working every day, and he's a great worker."
Blackmon said he is recovered from both injuries but doesn't feel like himself. Once he does, Blackmon also could make an impact in the return game, though he said his primary focus is contributing on defense.
"I'm preparing as if I want to be the starter," Blackmon said. "You just never know. God forbid something happens to Charles or Al, I could just step right in there without skipping a beat.
"It's hard to fill those shoes, but one of these days, I've got to feel I can fill those shoes."
Williams reacts
Corey Williams had the best season of his NFL career in 2006. He figured his chances of becoming a full-time starting defensive tackle in 2007 were good and, if things went well, a contract extension might be in the works.
That seemed to change when the Packers selected defensive tackle Justin Harrell with the 16th overall pick in last month's draft.
"I was kind of surprised," Williams said of the pick. "I'm quite sure any of the people on the D-line were surprised."
Williams, who had career highs in sacks (seven) and tackles (47) last season, is in the final year of his rookie contract and can become an unrestricted free agent in March. After Nick Barnett signed his contract extension this offseason, indications were Williams could be next in line for a new contract, but that never happened.
"I thought so, too, but it didn't happen," Williams said. "Hopefully, I can do something to catch their eye, and they'll want to go ahead and sign me."
While Williams says he wants to play out his career in Green Bay, his best chance to start might come with another team. Harrell hasn't participated in contact drills because he's recovering from the torn biceps tendon that prematurely ended his senior year at the University of Tennessee, but Williams has been splitting first-team reps with Colin Cole.
Williams said he reported to minicamp weighing between 325 and 327 pounds. He's listed on the roster at 313 pounds and said he will be closer to 320 for training camp.
"By the time I come back for training camp, I will be in tip-top shape," Williams said.
Injury update
Safety Marviel Underwood hopes to practice in some capacity during OTAs, though he probably won't be cleared for full contact until training camp.
"I'm just waiting for them to tell me I can pull the trigger," said Underwood, who missed all of last season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right knee. "I wanted to go out there bad (Friday). But I'm trying to be smart, do what the doctor says, and hope I come back ready to go."
Other players sitting out for the second straight day were: running backs Arliss Beach and DeShawn Wynn, linebackers Abdul Hodge and Marcus Randall, guard Tony Palmer, tackle Kevin Barry, receiver Robert Ferguson and defensive end Aaron Kampman.
Guard Jason Spitz (back) and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (bruised thigh) sat out a day after leaving practice with injuries. Tight end Zac Alcorn, sandwiched by two teammates during a 7-on-7 passing drill Friday, missed both sessions with a bruised right knee. Receiver Chris Francies sat out with a thumb injury.
Tackle Chad Clifton skipped the morning session as a precaution but practiced in the afternoon.
Quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers again participated only in non-contact drills.
Etc.
Prohibited from attending Friday's practice because the University of California is in session, linebacker Desmond Bishop arrived in Green Bay and participated Saturday. Running back Brandon Jackson, excused because he is attending the NFL's rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles, is the only draft pick not in camp. … Woodson was excused from the afternoon practice for personal reasons, a team spokesman said.