TRAINING CAMP PREVIEWS, BATTLES & UPDATES

[TopHat]

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/PKR01/707010586/1989

Ready for battle: Draft picks could vie for starting roles.

Last season, General Manager Ted Thompson's draft class turned out four full-time starters and another who was a part-time starter. This year, there's at least a chance the Green Bay Packers' latest class could match the 2006 contingent that saw linebacker A.J. Hawk, guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz and receiver Greg Jennings morph into full-time starters (when healthy) and another offensive lineman, Tony Moll, serve as a fill-in starter when injuries hit. When training camp opens in 27 days, the Packers will hold open competitions for no fewer than six starting positions, including kicker, and there's a strong possibility more than half of those will be filled by rookie draft picks.

"I think some of the rookies, by necessity, are going to have to play and play quite a bit," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said at the conclusion of last month's organized team activities. "A bunch of them, unless in pads they totally look different, look like they can really play." Based on how players lined up during the minicamps and OTAs, it appears the most unsettled positions are: fullback, running back and tight end on offense, defensive tackle and safety on defense and kicker on special teams. The battle at running back between third-year pro Vernand Morency and second-round draft pick Brandon Jackson from Nebraska likely will be the most intriguing. Perhaps only the competition at the kicking spot, between incumbent Dave Rayner and sixth-round draft pick Mason Crosby/b] of Colorado, will be more closely scrutinized because of the nature of the kicking position, which is purely a make-or-miss contest.

"That backfield group is a big group of young guys that's far from being settled," Philbin said. "The dust hasn't settled at all." The same could be said at fullback, where the only returning player with any NFL experience is Brandon Miree. A trio of rookies, including sixth-round pick Korey Hall (a converted linebacker from Boise State), could be in the mix. Only the full-contact nature of training camp will show whether Hall can make the switch from defense. A pair of undrafted rookies looked promising during the OTAs. Ryan Powdrell of Southern California and Corey White of Alabama-Birmingham might have a shot at not only making the roster but winning the starting spot. "Powdrell looks like he has some football in him," Philbin said. "Hall looks the same way, and Corey White has some skills athletically."

The other starting spot on offense that appears to be up in the air is tight end, where long-time starter Bubba Franks worked more often with the backups than the No. 1 offense this offseason. However, it appears unlikely that seventh-round draft pick Clark Harris of Rutgers is ready to be a starter. If Franks doesn't start, the best bet is fifth-year pro Donald Lee, whose best season was 2005, when he caught 33 passes and had two touchdowns. At least one rookie — and possibly two — will see significant playing time when Philbin and coach Mike McCarthy employ multiple-receiver sets. The pecking order behind starters Donald Driver and Greg Jennings is far from set. Thompson used a third-round pick on James Jones of San Jose State likely with the expectation that he can be a No. 3 immediately and an eventual starter. Fifth-round pick David Clowney of Virginia Tech also could contribute as a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver. "That's a tougher position to break into," Philbin said of the receiver spot. "But I like what they've done. It's been a good group so far."

The only open positions on defense, barring injuries, are at safety and defensive tackle. Thompson used a third-round pick on towering safety Aaron Rouse, who is 6-foot-4. Rouse could push Marquand Manuel, the 2006 free agent from Seattle who struggled last season. So could second-year pro Marviel Underwood, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury. At the defensive tackle spot next to Ryan Pickett, it's a good bet that first-round draft pick Justin Harrell will be the opening-day starter. However, Harrell was held out of most offseason drills other than a few individual periods because of his injury last year at Tennessee. He tore the biceps tendon in his left arm and missed all but three games. He's expected to be cleared before training camp opens. Fourth-year pro Corey Williams had been slotted in as the starter before the Packers picked Harrell and could beat him out if Harrell isn't recovered from his injury....
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http://pu2006.typepad.com/packer_update/2007/06/no-clear-frontr.html

NO CLEAR FAVORITE AT TIGHT END.

Tight ends Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey split snaps with the first-string offense throughout the offseason workouts, but it would be a mistake to read too much into that. According to a person familiar with the situation, veteran Bubba Franks is still very much in the picture. “Mike McCarthy wanted to give the young guys a chance,” said the source. “He doesn't know exactly what he has in Lee and Humphrey. On the other hand, he knows exactly what he has in Franks.” And that’s the problem. The former No. 1 draft choice is coming off back-to-back poor seasons, and at age 29, appears to be on his last legs.

McCarthy would love for one of the young tight ends to step up and claim the job, but based on the minicamps and the OTAs, that may be wishful thinking. “Neither Lee nor Humphrey really took advantage of the opportunity,” said a former scout who attended about 10 practices during the offseason. “They certainly look the part athletically, but they don’t seem to get much done. Based on what I saw in May and June, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with either player starting at tight end come September.” As for Franks, the three-time Pro Bowler lost quite a bit of weight during the offseason and looks like a different person. “I almost didn’t recognize him - until he started to run his routes,” said the scout. “Then, unfortunately, he looked like the same old Bubba. He’s just too slow to separate from defenders and too stiff to create anything after the catch. On the positive side, he didn’t drop many passes....”
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http://www.mytvisonfire.com/packersnation/?p=2016

Projected Depth Chart [PN'S VIEW]

Quarterback

Brett Favre-Brett Favre will be the starting quarterback for another season unless he gets hurt (lets hope not). I think Brett will have an above average year. No he will not play like the old Brett but I think he will still be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I think he will also break several passing records this season. First he will break the most career victories for a quarterback. (He only needs one. If we don’t get that the Packers are in serious trouble). Brett will also break the all time TD record (he needs 6 I believe). Brett will also break the INT record (he only needs 4 more). Finally he could break the passing yard record (I think he needs around 3,600 yards).
Aaron Rodgers-Aaron Rodgers will once again sit on the bench. I think he will show Packer fans in training camp and the preseason that he will be ready to take over once Brett retires. I am expecting that Rodgers will be an above average starting quarterback once Brett retires.
Ingle Martin-Ingle Martin will make the team by default. While I don’t think he is bad, I think he needs a lot of work. He has great arm strength but he needs to work on his accuracy if he wants to become anything more than a third stringer.

Running Back:

Vernand Morency-Last year Morency had an on and off season. This year I think he will be an average starter. He will start the first couple of games while splitting carries with Brandon Jackson. By midseason I think he will become the backup. Overall I think he will have around 600-700 and 5 touchdowns.
Brandon Jackson-I think Jackson will start as the backup and eventually become the starter. I think by the end of the season we will show us how good he can be. By looking at highlights I can see Barry Sanders qualities....By the end of the season I think he will have between 600-700 yards and 5 touchdowns. After this season he will be our starter for years to come.
Deshawn Wynn-I know he has work ethic and attitude problems but I think he will still make the team. I think he will start off slow but will eventually become a great compliment to Jackson in the future. He will be the power back while Jackson is the speed back.

Fullback:

Brandon Miree-Although he didn’t have a great season last year, I think Brandon Miree will still make the roster this year. With another year of experience under his belt I think he will be an average starter. I think he will eventually need to be replaced though.
Korey Hall-Since there is an roster spot left Kory Hall will make the team as a special teams player. He will also learn how to play the fullback position (he was a linebacker in college) and maybe will be good enough to start next year.

Wide Receivers:

Donald Driver-Donald Driver will have another big year. Donald Driver will make the Pro Bowl once again. I think he will have a bigger year this year since he will have a healthy Greg Jennings and Koren Robinson to help him out.
Greg Jennings-Greg Jennings will improve on last season. I think he will get 1,000 yards and will be a good #2.
James Jones-Even though a lot of people criticized his selection he has been showing his critics how good he can actually be. He has done great so far. He has caught every pass that has come close to him. I think he will be a good number 3 and number 4 once Koren Robinson comes back. He will be a good jump ball receiver in the very least.
Ruvell Martin-Ruvell Martin has been a solid receiver for the Packers. He will be a good pocession receiver. Once Koren Robinson’s suspension is over either Martin or Holliday will be cut.
Carlyle Holiday-Carlyle Holiday surprised a lot of people last season. Once Koren Robinson’s suspension is over either Holliday or Martin will be cut.
David Clowney-Although David Clowney is a project I think he will make the team. He will be the kick and punt returner and I think he will be a very good one since he is so fast. After 2 or 3 years I think Clowney could be a good number 2 or number 3 receiver.
After week 6 Koren Robinson will be added to the roster (once his suspension is over). I think the first couple weeks since being back he will be rusty but after that I think he will be our #3 receiver and will provide a good big play receiver for Brett Favre.

Tight End:

Bubba Franks-While I don’t think Bubba Franks will be good this year, I think he will rebound a little from last year. Bubba will still be a good blocking TE, and an average receiving TE.
Donald Lee-Donald Lee needs to step up this year or he probably won’t make the team next year. Lee had a horrible year last year. If he can show more of the flashes he showed in the 2005 season I think he will be our leading receiving TE.
Zac Alcorn-The coaching staff has been in love with this kid ever since he joined the team. I have heard from some reports that he has some of the best hands on the team. If Alcorn lives up to his potential he might be able to start before the year is over.

Offensive Line:

RT Mark Tauscher-Mark Tauscher returns for another year. Mark didn’t have his best year last year. I think he will rebound and have a good year. Hopefully he can finally get enough respect around the league and get the Pro Bowl invite he has deserved for years now.
G Daryn Colledge-I think this will be Daryn Colledge’s breakout year. The zone blocking scheme is perfect for him. He improved as a player every week last year and I think he will continue to improve. By the end of the year he will be an above average guard and after his third year he will be a great Guard.
C Scott Wells-Scott Wells was probably our best offensive lineman last year. I think he will have another good year this year.
G Jason Spitz-I think Spitz will have a pretty good year but he will be the weakness of the offensive line.
LT Chad Clifton-Clifton has been hurt a lot in the past couple of years. This offseason is very promising for him though. I have heard from several places he is the healthiest he has been in years at this point in the year. Lets hope Clifton avoids the injury bug this year.
Tony Moll-Tony Moll was one of the surprise players of last year. I think Tony Moll will be a great backup this year at both the tackle and guard position. I think Tony Moll will also be groomed to take over for either Tauscher or Clifton (probably Clifton because he is so injury prone).
Allen Barbre-Don’t expect to see much from him this year. Barbre is a huge project. He will sit on the bench for at least two years if not more before he can break the starting lineup (unless someone gets hurt).
Junius Coston-Coston will make the team by default. Unless one of the undrafted rookies can show something Coston will get the job. (Lets hope one steps up since Coston can’t seem to live up to his potential. Tony Palmer is the most likely too.)

Defensive

Defensive Line:

Aaron Kampman (DE Starter)-After last year expectations are high for Kampman. I think he will fulfill them. He has a great defensive line to go with him now so he shouldn’t get double teamed as much anymore. I think Kampman will put up very similar stats to last year.
Cullen Jenkins (DE Starter on running plays and starting DT on passing plays)-Cullen Jenkins had a great end to his last season which got him a huge payday this offseason. Once Jenkins got moved to DE last season he started to show how could he could actually be. On running downs Jenkins will play DE. Our run defense should be great this year because we will practically have 3 DTs on the field with Jenkins, Pickett, and Harrell. On passing plays Jenkins will move inside and play DT so KGB can come in on passing plays. I think we are going to have the best pass rushing defensive line in the league. We will have KGB and Kampman at DE, and Jenkins and Corey Williams at DT. We will have four sack masters on the field at the same time. How can you beat that.
Ryan Pickett-While Pickett didn’t get all the stats like other DTs in the league last year he was still one of the best DTs in the league last year. Pickett is a great role player. His job on the team is to open holes so linebackers can make plays, and stuff the run. I think Pickett will have another great year but will still not have the stats to back it up though.
Justin Harrell-Picking Harrell in the first round upset a lot of people. I think Harrell will turn out to be a great player though. This year I think he will only play on running downs as a run stuffer though. His biggest strength is his run stuffing anyways. Harrell is a mountain of a man and should do a great job clearing space in the middle to tackle the running back behind the line. Lets hope he stays healthy though. After this year I think we will use him more on passing downs.
Corey Williams-Corey Williams was hurt the most by the Harrell pick but he will still get a lot of playing time on this team. Williams won’t be playing on running downs. Williams will mostly be playing on passing downs. Last year even in his limited amount of playing time he was one of the leaders in sacks for DTs. I expect that to continue this year.
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila-This year KGB has been demoted to pass rush specialist. He should have always been a pass rushing specialist. I think he will get double digit sacks this year since he will only have to focus and use all of his energy just on pass rushing.
Colin Cole-Colin Cole has been a really good backup and situational player for the Packers.
Jason Hunter-I think Hunter will make the team again. I think the Packers will groom Hunter to be KGBs replacement as pass rushing specialist. Last training camp and preseason showed us that Hunter has enough speed. If he continues to improve his talent I think he could become a great pass rushing specialist.

Linebackers:

AJ Hawk-AJ started out a little slow last year but ended off the year on a high note. He showed why he was worth the #5 pick. This year I expect him to become one of the top linebackers in the entire league and would be shocked if he didn’t make the pro bowl. AJ will lead possibly the best linebacking crew in the NFL.
Nick Barnett-Nick Barnett got a big contract extension this offseason lets hope his play lives up to his new salary. I expect him to play at least as well as he did last season. I actually expect him to play a little better because I think Harrell will open up a lot of holes up the middle which will give Nick Barnett more opportunities to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Maybe this year Nick Barnett will finally make the pro bowl.
Brady Poppinga-How can you not like his enthusiasm. Poppinga had some problems in coverage last year but he seemed to improve throughout the season. I think his coverage skills will continue to improve.
Abdul Hodge-Abdul Hodge had a great training camp last year and many wanted to move him outside so he could start last season. I doubt he will be moved this year. He will be a great backup though and might get to play some on running downs.
Juwan Simpson-Juwan Simpson was one of our undrafted rookies. The main reason he wasn’t drafted was because of his attitude and he has some behavior problems. I heard somewhere that if he didn’t have character problems he probably would have been drafted around the third round. If Simpson can overcome his character problems he has enough talent to make this team.
Desmond Bishop-Desmond Bishop was the linebacker we chose in the sixth round this year that we are actually keeping at linebacker. I don’t think Bishop will get any time at linebacker this year unless several linebackers get hurt. Bishop will be a backup and a special teams master. In college he was amazing at special teams and I think that is where we will use him the most. I think he will eventually become an above average backup.

Cornerbacks:

Al Harris-Al Harris will have another great year and will be one of the best shutdown corners in the league. Hopefully he can finally make the Pro Bowl like he deserve to.
Charles Woodson-Charles Woodson started off a little slow last year but ended strong with 8 interceptions. I expect to have at least as many interceptions as he had last year.
Will Blackmon-If Will Blackmon can actually stay healthy I think he will be a very good #3 and will eventually be a starter. Will he stay healthy is the question though? Will we see him as the #3 or on the IR?
Frank Walker-Frank Walker was the only FA added this offseason. I think he will decent year.
Patrick Dendy-I have never been a big fan of Patrick Dendy but I though he did a pretty good job as the #3 corner last year.
Jarret Bush-Jarret Bush only played special teams last year but I think he could do pretty well as a CB. In the OTA practice I went to he had two really good INTS.

Safeties:

Nick Collins-I think Nick Collins will have a bounce back year. I think he will finally show how good he can really be. I think this will be his breakout year.
Marviel Underwood-If Marviel Underwood wouldn’t have gotten hurt last year I believe he would have started. He had a great training camp and showed that he could be a turnover machine. I think he will stay healthy and be the starter this year.
Aaron Rouse-I think Aaron Rouse has a chance to start part way through the year if either Underwood falters or he shows flashes of brilliance.
Tyrone Culver-I was pleasantly surprised by Culver last year. He was a good backup and spot starter last year.
Atari Bigby-The Packers have always been high on him, but I never have been.

Special Teams

Kicker:

Mason Crosby-I think Mason Crosby will get the job because he has as accurate and a stronger leg than Dave Rayner. In OTAs he consistently kicked the ball 5 yards further than Rayner. I expect this position will come down to the last week of training camp.

Punter:

Jon Ryan-Jon Ryan almost gets this position by default. He technically has competition but there is really no way that he can beat Ryan. The Packers are also working with Ryan in order to improve his hang time. This should make him a better punter.

Long Snapper:

Rob Davis-I have never thought the long snapper position was very important. The Packers have always thought it is though. Rob Davis will get the job unless Clark Harris can show that he is a good long snapper. The good thing about Rob Davis is that he provides veteran leadership.

[BallHawk]

If Marviel Underwood stays healthy, I think he has a realistic shot at getting the starting safety gig.

[Packnut]

If Marviel Underwood stays healthy, I think he has a realistic shot at getting the starting safety gig.

From your keyboard to God's ears......... :lol:

[Bretsky]

If Marviel Underwood stays healthy, I think he has a realistic shot at getting the starting safety gig.

I'd hope so

But a torn ACL is tough and takes most players two years to fully recover

Season one is often a lot of working through aches, pains, and mobility challenges

[TennesseePackerBacker]

I stopped reading when you said Brandon Jackson can be the next Barry Sanders, way too much kool-aid for me.

[TopHat]

http://www.packers.com/fan_zone/polls/2007/n71/

Which draft choice will make the biggest impact on special teams....?

James Jones 36%
Allen Barbre 7%
Korey Hall 22%
Mason Crosby 24%
Other 8%

Who's your pick to be the Packers' kick returner....?

Vernand Morency 19%
Shaun Bodiford 15%
Brandon Jackson 18%
David Clowney 39%
Other 8%

Which of these 2006 draft choices will make the biggest impact?

DT Johnny Jolly 12%
S Tyrone Culver 12%
CB Will Blackmon 39%
LB Abdul Hodge 36%


http://www.packerchatters.com/

Which rookie will contribute more in 2007? [RANKED BY VOTES]

1.RB Brandon Jackson [WIDE MARGIN]
2.K Mason Crosby
3.DT Justin Harrell
4.WR James Jones
5.S Aaron Rouse
6.WR David Clowney
7.RB DeShawn Wynn
8.TE Clark Harris

[Packnut]

If Marviel Underwood stays healthy, I think he has a realistic shot at getting the starting safety gig.

I'd hope so

But a torn ACL is tough and takes most players two years to fully recover

Season one is often a lot of working through aches, pains, and mobility challenges

Unless your name is Javon Walker :shock:

[retailguy]

If Marviel Underwood stays healthy, I think he has a realistic shot at getting the starting safety gig.

I'd hope so

But a torn ACL is tough and takes most players two years to fully recover

Season one is often a lot of working through aches, pains, and mobility challenges

Unless your name is Javon Walker :shock:


But that's because "he's a soldier"! :twisted: :wink:

[TopHat]

TOP HAT'S BONUS: REQUESTED ARTICLES ADDED TO BARNETT & PACK YEAR
THREADS TOO PER BRETSKY'S HOLY GRAIL TURTLE.


http://packers.scout.com/2/654161.html

Gazing into crystal ball. Prediction of which 53 players will begin 2007 season for Packers.

Training camp has not even begun, but some of us are wondering who the Green Bay Packers will break camp with to open the 2007 regular season.
Lots of things can still occur. Ted Thompson may find a player or two that can help the Pack in 2007 on other rosters or via free agency. Also, lots of guys can look pretty good in shorts (mini-camps), but falter when the pads come on (training camp). Finally, the Packers will most likely bring back WR/KR Koren Robinson in late September when his suspension is over, if Commissioner Roger Goodell is satisfied with his penance. Nick Barnett might also be facing some sort of suspension due to his recent nightclub incident. Anyway, let's name the 53 players that will open up the season against Philadelphia at home on September 9:

Quarterback(3)
Brett Favre
Aaron Rodgers
Ingle Martin

Running Back(3)
Vernand Morency
Brandon Jackson
Noah Herron

Fullback(2)
Brandon Miree
DeShawn Wynn [?]

Wide Receiver(6)
Donald Driver
Greg Jennings
James Jones
Ruvell Martin
Carlyle Holiday
David Clowney

Tight End(3)
Bubba Franks
Donald Lee
Clark Harris

Offensive Line(9)
Chad Clifton
Daryn Colledge
Scott Wells
Jason Spitz
Mark Tauscher
Tony Moll
Tony Palmer
Allen Barbre
Junius Coston

Defensive Line(8)
Aaron Kampman
Ryan Pickett
Corey Williams
Cullen Jenkins
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
Justin Harrell
Michael Montgomery
Johnny Jolly

Linebacker(7)
A.J. Hawk
Nick Barnett
Brady Poppinga
Abdul Hodge
Korey Hall
Juwan Simpson
Desmond Bishop

Defensive Back(9)
Al Harris
Nick Collins
Marquand Manuel
Charles Woodson
Marviel Underwood
Aaron Rouse
Will Blackmon
Frank Walker
Patrick Dendy

Long Snapper(1)
Rob Davis

Kicker(1)
Mason Crosby

Punter(1)
Jon Ryan

One of the receivers will go when/if Robinson comes back. Clowney needs to beat out Shaun Bodiford, so he needs to show some kick return ability.

I think Hall will go back to linebacker as opposed to fullback. He makes the team because of his special teams prowess, as does some other linebackers.

There will be some veteran cuts like Robert Ferguson. I also have all 11 draft picks from 2007 making the team. My practice squad would include Bodiford, RB/FB Corey White, LB Rory Johnson, S Atari Bigby and TE Zac Alcorn among the squad.

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http://packers.scout.com/2/654903.html

Rating the rookies' roster chances

From first-round pick Justin Harrell to seventh-round pick DeShawn Wynn to everyone in between, PackerReport.com's Steve Lawrence breaks down the chances of the 11 draft picks making the final roster. The Green Bay Packers drafted 11 players this spring. The Packers had the youngest team in the NFL last year, so in many cases, it will be young player vs. young player to win a spot on the 53-man roster. That will make next month’s training camp all the more intriguing, since the salary cap won’t come into play in many of GM Ted Thompson’s decisions.

So, which of the 11 will make the final roster?

Locks:

Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, running back Brandon Jackson and safety Aaron Rouse. Harrell (first round) and Jackson (second round) are locks based on draft status alone. Rouse, taken in the third round at No. 89 overall, is an impressive-looking prospect. Given the shortcomings at safety, there’s no chance he won’t be on the final roster.


Almost a lock

Wide receiver James Jones was taken before Rouse with the 78th pick. He was impressive during the minicamps and is well on his way to making the team, but there’s a lot of competition at the position. Then again, of the 12 receivers on today’s roster (including Koren Robinson, who will miss the first four games of the season), only Donald Driver and Greg Jennings are locks.

Slightly better than a 50-50 chance

Offensive lineman Allen Barbre and kicker Mason Crosby. Barbre, the Packers’ fourth-round pick, played at Division II Missouri Southern State. If there are any signs he can adapt to the speed of the pro game, he’ll be fine. But it’s impossible to tell at this point, since there were no full-speed, full-contact drills during the offseason workouts. The Packers like incumbent kicker Dave Rayner, but Crosby will be given every chance to win the job. He’s got a huge leg, and he made a bunch of clutch kicks at Colorado.

Slightly worse than a 50-50 chance

Receiver David Clowney, the Packers’ fifth-round pick, would give the Packers’ a much-needed vertical threat, but if he was only good enough to start five games as a senior at Virginia Tech, what’s there to make you think he’s good enough to make an NFL roster? Again, the competition at receiver is stiff, especially after Robinson’s suspension ends after Week 4.

A decent chance

Tight end Clark Harris was the last of the Packers’ picks, going in the seventh round at No. 243. He’s a big kid who made a bunch of catches facing quality competition at Rutgers. I’m not breaking any news when I tell you the Packers’ tight end situation is a mess, so he’s got a chance if he proves he can block.

Shaky footing

Korey Hall, Desmond Bishop and DeShawn Wynn. Hall, the first of the Packers’ sixth-round picks (No. 191) is moving from linebacker to fullback. Fullback isn’t a strength on this team, but it’s asking an awful lot of a low-round pick to make that kind of move. He’s a definite practice-squad candidate, though. Bishop, taken at No. 192, looked terrible in pass coverage at the minicamps. Even if he plays well in training camp, though, he’s at a stacked position. Of all the picks, Bishop would be the most unlikely to make the roster. There are high hopes for Wynn, taken in the seventh round at No. 228. He did lead national champion Florida in rushing, after all. For someone of his size and speed, though, Wynn was remarkably unproductive, not to mention immature. Plus, the Packers are high on the running back trio of Vernand Morency, Jackson and Noah Herron. And this from the NFL.com pre-draft scouting report should give pause as the Packers consider moving him to fullback: “Doesn’t seem to have a taste for blocking.”
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http://packers.scout.com/2/655141.html

In depth: Wide receivers

Korth assesses the wide receivers and argues why the Packers should be able to get along just fine without Randy Moss. Packers fans will soon find out if Randy Moss would have been a curse or a blessing for the Green Bay Packers via New England. In the meantime, the Packers enter a training camp with a healthy blend of veteran and young wide receivers.
Predicting which five or six will make the Packers’ final roster is extra challenging this season. Like in past seasons, the Packers will probably go with five receivers, meaning they will have to make some tough decisions on whom to keep around. Unlike previous seasons, the top five are far from cut and dried.

From this scribe’s point of view, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Ruvell Martin, James Jones and David Clowney are Green Bay's top five receivers heading into training camp. That leaves some notable receivers out in the cold, including Robert Ferguson, Carlyle Holiday and Shaun Bodiford, all of whom have NFL experience, as receivers and on special teams. Others, like Carlton Brewster and Calvin Russell, have a lot to offer, but unless a chaotic situation among others ahead of them erupts in training camp, they have little chance of making the team.

Consider Driver, Jennings, Martin and Jones locks to make the team this year. Driver, a Pro Bowler, and Jennings, who had a strong rookie season last year with 45 catches, will be the starters. It would be a major surprise if either of those two lose their starting spots. Martin is an up-and-coming No. 3 receiver poised to make some big plays this season. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder gave the team snapshots of his ability last season by starting in three games. He averaged a team-high 17.0 yards per catch, making 21 catches in 439 offensive snaps. When Ferguson went down with a foot injury in early October, Martin made the most of his playing time, and deserves to remain among the top three receivers on the team.

Jones, selected in the third round of the recent NFL draft, has been lining up as a slot receiver this off-season, a position previously occupied by Ferguson. Jones has good hands and appears fearless going over the middle. As long as his attitude and ability to catch the ball in traffic doesn’t change any in training camp when the pads are on, he will retain that position. If he suddenly drops catchable passes, he will be headed for the practice squad, but don’t expect that to happen.

The fifth and final spot among receivers probably will go to Clowney because of his ability to stretch the field with his excellent speed, and to play on special teams. Ferguson, Holiday and Bodiford, however, will provide plenty of competition. In fact, the fifth spot will be up for grabs between those four receivers. However, Clowney was drafted by Green Bay in the fifth round this season, so he has that going for him. He will have to be better at catching passes consistently than he showed in off-season practices. If he does, he’ll make the team. If not, flip a coin between Ferguson, Bodiford and Holiday.

Moss certainly would have been an interesting addition to Green Bay’s receiving corp, but he only would have hindered the growth of up-and-comers like Martin and Jones. He's better off in New England, where the Patriots have loaded up Redskins-style in a Super Bowl-or-bust run. Also, general manager Ted Thompson has an ace up his sleeve in veteran Koren Robinson. If the Packers feel they need more veteran depth at the position, Robinson will be available to join the team after his league-mandated suspension for substance abuse expires near the end of September. In four games with Green Bay last year, Robinson gave the offense a spark. He has been living and working out in the Green Bay area this off-season, so he presumably is in good shape and eager to get back onto the field. The Packers will cross that bridge as the season is under way. For now, the Packers have receivers with the ability to complement Driver, who is coming off his third straight 1,200-plus yard receiving season, and produce much-needed big plays for the offense. The ability is there; now it’s a matter of execution.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________________

http://packers.scout.com/2/654922.html

In depth: Running backs, fullbacks

PackerReport.com’s Todd Korth continues his series on analyzing the depth at each position on the Green Bay Packers. Today, Korth rates the top candidates to make the 53-man roster in Green Bay’s offensive backfield. If there is one area of Green Bay’s offense to be concerned about, it is at running back. At this point, the Packers will enter the 2007 season with a backfield that is far less experienced than in previous seasons when Ahman Green and William Henderson were the dependable mainstays. Green is Houston. Henderson, released by the Packers in March, is adjusting to life after football, though, still keeping himself in shape and hanging around Green Bay ‘just in case’ another team comes calling, or the Packers need a fullback.

Unless the Packers swing a deal for a veteran running back like Larry Johnson or Corey Dillon, Green Bay will go with a young, untested backfield that features Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, and Noah Herron at running back, and Brandon Miree and DeShawn Wynn at fullback. All five players have a total of six starts in the NFL careers. Miree is the ‘veteran’ of the group with three NFL seasons under his belt. The others have two or less. All five players are not locks to make the 53-man roster, but they represent the leading candidates to fill the usually five backfield spots. Morency, Jackson and Herron are all one-cut backs who should be able to excel in Green Bay’s zone-blocking offensive scheme. Morency and Herron made the most of their opportunities to play last season, which is probably why general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy feel they can pick up where Green left off. In two games that Green missed with a hamstring injury, both Morency and Herron combined to average 100-plus yards per game. Morency also averaged a whopping 9.2 yards per carry while gaining 101 yards in a blowout win against the Arizona Cardinals a few weeks later.

Miree gradually took over for Henderson last year as the team’s top fullback, and Wynn has the ability to play both fullback and halfback in the offense. Morency Jackson and Herron will be challenged by second-year pro P.J. Pope. With a good training camp, Pope might be able to unseat Herron as the team’s No. 3 back, but that’s a longshot. Both Morency and Jackson possess the quickness and burst that should give them the ability to break off some big runs behind an offensive line that gradually improved during the 2006 season. The Packers selected Boise State linebacker Korey Hall in the sixth round of the NFL draft in April. Hall, a special teams demon, is in the process of learning the fullback position. If all goes well, he may be able to make the 53-man roster by beating out Wynn or Miree. If not, he may wind up on the team’s eight-man practice squad. It all depends on how Hall blocks and catches passes out of the backfield in training camp.

Rookie free agents Ryan Powdrell and Corey White will be trying to make the team at fullback, but their only chance of sticking with Green Bay will be on the practice squad. Here is an early bird prediction of the five positions that will be filled in Green Bay’s offensive backfield:

Running back
1. Vernand Morency
2. Brandon Jackson
3.Noah Herron

Fullback
1. Brandon Miree
2. DeShawn Wynn
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________

http://packers.scout.com/2/652132.html

Gazing into crystal ball for 2007: Predictions on Favre, Jennings, and other team positions.

For the Green Bay Packers to improve on their 8-8 performance of 2006 and to gain entrance to the playoff round, certain players or units will have to improve. I am not Nostradamus, but I will try to predict what players or units will be improved.

Brett Favre: The 2006 season was a big improvement for Favre compared to the 2005 season. But still, 18 touchdown passes compared to 18 interceptions is not a typical Favre season. Some say Favre will never have the type of year that he exhibited in the past. That would be 30-plus touchdown passes and around 16 or 17 interceptions. But I think Favre will be much better in 2007 as his offense gains maturity. Therefore, I feel Favre will statistically improve not only with TD passes vs. interceptions, but also improve his quarterback rating. Do not be surprised if Favre gets a Pro Bowl invitation.

Greg Jennings: Jennings was having a monster rookie year until he suffered an ankle injury against the Dolphins. Jennings was never able to return to form as the Packer offense suffered as well after his injury. Jennings adapted very well to the Packer offensive scheme as a rookie and looked like a veteran before his injury. Jennings is healthy in 2007 and expect a big year from No. 85. That added incentive, will only aid Pro Bowl receiver Donald Driver.

Running Back by Committee: For the first time in a long time, the Packers will be without Ahman Green. But it appeared to me that Green had lost a step in 2006 as he came back from a quad injury. Still, Green rushed for more than 1,000 yards. I believe the Packers will have an even better ground attack in 2007. First, the offensive line will be better in executing the zone blocking technique. Second, the committee that will rush the ball, Vernand Morency, rookie Brandon Jackson and Noah Herron will all have strong years.

The Offensive Line: The Packers at times started three rookies in their offensive line in 2006. The three rookies, Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll, all played very respectfully. The verterans of the unit, Mark Tauscher, Scott Wells and Chad Clifton were steady, although Clifton should be much healthier in 2007. The line also had to learn a zone blocking technique. Overall, the line performed well and will only get better as the the young players evolve.

The Defense: The Green Bay defense played well down the stretch in 2006. The unit should continue that in 2007. The defensive line will be strong again with Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins, and rush assistance from Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. The defensive tackles will be have a very nice rotation with Ryan Pickett, Corey Williams and rookie Justin Harrell. The linebackers are the stength of the defense with Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk. Brady Poppinga will need to be steady as others will vie for his job. The secondary should be better as well. Cornerback will be steady as usual, with Al Harris and Charles Woodson. The Packers are hopeful the secondary will also have an improved nickel back in either Will Blackmon or Frank Walker. The safeties should be improved as Nick Collins matures and Marquand Manuel is healthy for 2007, unlike 2006. Either way, expect Manuel to be pushed by Marviel Underwood and rookie Aaron Rouse.

Special Teams: These units need to improve for the Packers to see solid field position. That means better kick and punt coverage and a solid return game. The kickers need to be better as well, and the Packers now have a contest ongoing with incumbent kicker Dave Raynor and rookie Mason Crosby. Punter Jon Ryan has a strong leg, but needs to get more consistent. The coverage units should improve with the likes of rookies Korey Hall, Desmond Bishop and Rouse. The return game is still a mystery, but someone needs to step up. Perhaps Shaun Bodiford, Will Blackmon or rookie David Clowney.

Miscellaneous: There are still areas that need to improve, like tight end. The Packers aren't even starting Bubba Franks, at least now. Franks, or someone, has to solidify that position. The Packers also need more improvement in the other wide receivers. I like most observers, think Robert Ferguson is ripe for the waiver wire. But maybe he will FINALLY show something. Rookie James Jones has definitely shown the coaching staff ability. Carlyle Holiday and Ruvell Martin need to step up after decent auditions in 2006. All in all, the Green Bay Packers should be a better team in 2007 then they were in 2006. Time will tell.

[woodbuck27]

I stopped reading when you said Brandon Jackson can be the next Barry Sanders, way too much kool-aid for me.

Please explain more ???? :)

[CaliforniaCheez]

These are the ones I am watching:

Safety(4)
Likely to make roster: Collins, Underwood, Rouse
Camp battle: Peprah/Culver/Manuel
Roster Prediction: Collins, Underwood, Peprah, Rouse
Practice squad: Antari Bigby


D-Line(9)

Likely to make roster: (DE) Kampmann, KGB, Montgomery (DT ) Pickett, Jenkins, Harrell,

Camp Battle: 3 of 4 make teamWilliams/Jolly/Cole/Hunter a numbers crunch between Hunter/Cole
Roster Prediction: (DE) Kampmann, KGB, Jenkins, Montgomery, Hunter (DT) Pickett, Harrell, Williams, Jolly

Practice squad: ??



Wide Receivers (6)

Likely to make roster: Driver, Jennings, Jones

Camp battle: 3 of Clowney/Martin/Holiday/Bodiford/

Roster Prediction: Driver, Jennings, Jones, Martin, Bodiford, Clowney

Practice squad: 2 of Francies, Russell, Brewster

[TennesseePackerBacker]

I stopped reading when you said Brandon Jackson can be the next Barry Sanders, way too much kool-aid for me.

Please explain more ???? :)

I'm allergic to bullshit :D

[Rastak]

I stopped reading when you said Brandon Jackson can be the next Barry Sanders, way too much kool-aid for me.

Please explain more ???? :)

I'm allergic to bullshit :D


Maybe the original author meant the tackles behind the line like ole Barry had.....

[TopHat]

These are the ones I am watching:

Safety(4)
Likely to make roster: Collins, Underwood, Rouse
Camp battle: Peprah/Culver/Manuel
Roster Prediction: Collins, Underwood, Peprah, Rouse
Practice squad: Antari Bigby


D-Line(9)

Likely to make roster: (DE) Kampmann, KGB, Montgomery (DT ) Pickett, Jenkins, Harrell,

Camp Battle: 3 of 4 make teamWilliams/Jolly/Cole/Hunter a numbers crunch between Hunter/Cole
Roster Prediction: (DE) Kampmann, KGB, Jenkins, Montgomery, Hunter (DT) Pickett, Harrell, Williams, Jolly

Practice squad: ??



Wide Receivers (6)

Likely to make roster: Driver, Jennings, Jones

Camp battle: 3 of Clowney/Martin/Holiday/Bodiford/

Roster Prediction: Driver, Jennings, Jones, Martin, Bodiford, Clowney

Practice squad: 2 of Francies, Russell, Brewster


TOP HAT'S EDITORIAL: NOT BAD, ESPECIALLY WRS ALTHOUGH MANY PICK HOLIDAY OVER BODIFORD. THREAD IS ABOUT A VERY HOTLY DEBATED TOPIC IN PACKER NATION FORUMS WITH FASCINATING VIEWS.

[TopHat]

http://packers.scout.com/2/655948.html

In depth: Tight ends. Packers need more out of Bubba Franks, Donald Lee this season

Packers coach Mike McCarthy made it clear last season that the tight end position is a key part of the team’s offense. McCarthy often kept one more than the usual three tight ends on the team’s 53-man roster, and stashed others on the practice squad. The Packers used their tight ends often as extra backs to block for Ahman Green while the offensive line learned the new zone blocking scheme. The tight ends also were held back to protect Brett Favre on passing downs. However, when the Packers needed the tight ends most – in the red zone – they often fell short of pitching in with big plays. Improving the production this season at that position has been a point of emphasis for McCarthy, and the Packers are hoping to get a lot more out of veterans Bubba Franks and Donald Lee. Whether they will or not remains to be seen.

“We need to create more opportunities to winning inside because that's where the tight end position factors,” said McCarthy. “So, they will be given those opportunities, and we just need to increase the productivity of it.” McCarthy made a move this off-season by inserting Lee ahead of Franks, an eighth-year pro, with the first team offense during minicamp and Organized Team Activities practices. That’s not to say that Franks will not be the starter on opening day, but McCarthy made it clear that he needs more from that position and is open to change. Franks is coming off two of his worst seasons as a pro – a total of 50 catches and one touchdown in 2005 and ’06. To his credit, Franks lost some weight this off-season in an effort to improve his speed and appears ready to regain some of the Pro Bowl form and confidence in himself that he had from 2001 to ’03.

“I think Bubba is in much better physical condition than he was last year,” McCarthy said. “He looks leaner, I think he's moving a lot better. Once again, another veteran football player who has a lot of experience. We asked him to do some things a little different last year, and he has a better understanding of that now. We are adjusting some things as we move forward with the tight end position, and I think we have excellent competition. But Bubba Franks is a veteran football player, and we expect him to contribute to our football team.” Lee, 26, is two years younger than Franks and has a golden opportunity ahead of him in training camp to win a starting spot. He only had 10 catches last season and no touchdowns, one year after making a career-high of 33 catches and scoring two touchdowns. But he also played less behind Franks and the departed David Martin (Miami) in ’06 than in ’05 when Martin and Franks missed a number of games with injuries. With opportunity may come better production from Lee.

“I think he's done a very good job, and I think he really showed up in the vertical passing game which we obviously need,” McCarthy said of Lee’s off-season workouts. “It generates big plays particularly from the inside position. He's worked very had - that whole group has - as far as catching the football. They've been down here doing ball drills probably two or three times a week, and I think you're seeing the benefits of that show up in practice.” Clark Harris, selected in the seventh round of the draft by the Packers, has a chance to make the team, but he will have to demonstrate an ability to block in training camp. Zac Alcorn, who spent a lot of time on the team’s practice squad last year before he was promoted to the active roster on Nov. 18, is more likely to fill the No. 3 tight end spot. Alcorn is a solid special teams player and has impressed the coaches with his blocking, but he will be pushed by second-year pro Tory Humphrey, who played mainly on special teams in seven games last year and was slowed by a hamstring injury.

It would not be a surprise to see McCarthy keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster, but that is not likely because of the progress the offensive line made last year. Here is an early bird prediction of the three tight ends that will make the opening day roster:
1. Donald Lee
2. Bubba Franks
3. Zac Alcorn
Note: Clark Harris will be placed on practice squad.

[TopHat]

http://packers.scout.com/2/656246.html

Sleeper or longshot? Larry Birdine

When the Packers enter training camp later this month, a few undrafted free agents, usually longshots to land a roster spot, will have a good chance of making the team. PackerReport.com's Todd Korth takes a look at one of those longshots - defensive end Larry Birdine - who has a decent chance of earning a job. Larry Birdine is not exactly a household name for football fans outside of Oklahoma. But the defensive end, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers in May, has a good chance to make a name for himself in the National Football League when training camp begins in late July. At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Birdine has ideal size to play either strong- or weak-side defensive end in the NFL. After missing most of the 2005 season with a torn left biceps, Birdine started 13 games for the Sooners at strong-side defensive end where he earned All-Big 12 Conference first-team honors. Birdine had 39 tackles (17 solos), three sacks and 7.5 stops for losses. He also picked off a pass, deflected seven others and recovered two fumbles.

The Packers often inserted Birdine at the strong-side position during the team’s off-season mini-camps and Organized Team Activities practices. Aaron Kampman is the starter at the strong-side position and is backed up by Michael Montgomery, who finished last season on the team’s injured reserve list with hamstring and knee injuries. Green Bay’s top pass-rushing ends include Cullen Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Kampman, Jenkins and Gbaja-Biamila are locks to make the team, but Montgomery, an inch taller and the same weight as Birdine, will have to continue to show flashes of his play-making ability in order to serve at the fourth defensive end. He also has to show that he has overcome his injuries from last season. If he doesn’t, and Birdine shows flashes of his play-making potential, he’ll have a good chance to make the 53-man roster.

It will be close call between Montgomery and Birdine, and an interesting battle to watch in camp. The knock on Birdine is his work ethic, according to some draft analysts. If he can shed that label by working hard in the weight room and practices with the Packers, he will increase his chances of making the team. For a guy whose half-brother is linebacker Jason Gildon, chances are he knows what it takes to earn a job in the NFL. Birdine’s biceps injury in ’05 likely affected his draft status as well. Birdine is a longshot to make the team, but a sleeper who could eventually surface as a future starter in the same fashion as Jenkins.

__________________________________________________ _____________________________________

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/story/2007/7/3/012/48260

Larry Birdine is Making Friends

Last week, PackersNews.com reported that in a poll asking which undrafted free agent was most likely to make the team, a majority picked DE Larry Birdine. Birdine got some press last week when he questioned DT Justin Harrell's recovery time from a torn labrum. Otherwise he is a defensive end who had trouble staying healthy during his last two seasons at Oklahoma, which would not recommend him to making the team. However, Birdine is a pretty good choice, along with DE DeVon Hicks because the Packers should keep four defensive ends and incumbent backup DE Mike Montgomery hasn't shown much on the field the last two seasons.

[TopHat]

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=656472

Scout NFL Roundtable: Sleeper Picks

Who is the "sleeper" on your roster who will surprise fans in 2007? That's the question we asked our NFL team experts here at Scout.com. Find out who they picked that you should keep an eye on this year. Then go talk about it in your favorite team's fan forum!

Todd Korth, PackerReport.com Green Bay Packers

Running back Brandon Jackson was selected in the second round of the NFL draft out of Nebraska by the Packers. While Jackson is expected to begin the season behind third-year pro Vernand Morency, look for him to be starting near the end of the season. Jackson has better speed and burst than Morency in Green Bay's zone-blocking scheme
__________________________________________________ __________________________________

Justin Harrell or Bust

Rob Demovsky took a look at the rookies who have a chance to start in 2007. This is probably the biggest difference entering 2007 versus the 2006. Last season, it was obvious that the Packers were going to start rookies at key positions. The 2005 veteran free agents on the offensive line bombed, and two starters, G Will Whitticker and Grey Ruegamer, were not going to be with the team anymore. The Packers had spent two high draft choices on Gs Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz, and the jobs were theirs to lose. Also, veteran LBs Na'il Diggs and Paris Lenon were allowed to leave in free agency, and there was never an indication that LB A.J. Hawk wouldn't start.
In 2007, only rookie DT Justin Harrell has a legitimate shot at starting. Actually for him, it shouldn't be whether he starts, but whether he plays more snaps than DT Corey Williams. Harrell has some passing rushing skills, but it might be enough for him to stay on the field on 3rd downs when the pass rush would be better with Kampman, Williams, Jenkins, and Gbaja-Biamila on at the same time. The next best bet is RB Brandon Jackson, but he never started a full season in college and the Packers have to be reluctant to start him from week 1 and expect him to make through until the end of the season. He probably will be the starter at the end of the season, but not at the beginning. It would be a shock if WR James Jones managed to build off his only solid college season last year to overtake WR Greg Jennings, and he probably has little chance to overtake WR Ruvell Martin either. There might be a rookie starting at fullback, but which one of the four rookies has the best shot over the other ones is pure speculation for us at this point. Arguably K Mason Crosby has the best shot at starting as a rookie, but that's not the same as a rookie who has to learn the offense or defense.

NOTE: APC IS A LITTLE OFF. WFFL.COM REPORTS JJ WILL GET SERIOUS LOOK AT 3RD RECEIVER & PACKERSNEWS SAYS JH WILL GET ROTATION ROLE WITH DTS. ACTUALLY, ALL FAS ROOKIES WILL GET SERIOUS CHANCES IN TRAINING CAMP, ESPECIALLY FOR SPECIAL TEAMS, INCLUDING SLEEPERS. HALL WILL PROBABLY RETURN TO LB.

[GBRulz]

Unless your name is Javon Walker :shock:


But that's because "he's a soldier"! :twisted: :wink:[/quote]

HAHAHAHA !

[Harlan Huckleby]

I can't remember EVER the Packers starting a season with such an untested crew of offensive backs. Thompson will look like a genius if they have a decent running game.

[The Leaper]

David Clowney-Although David Clowney is a project I think he will make the team. He will be the kick and punt returner and I think he will be a very good one since he is so fast. After 2 or 3 years I think Clowney could be a good number 2 or number 3 receiver.

I don't really see any way that this kid makes the final roster in 2007. I think anyone who claims he will simply does not recognize how raw he is as a receiver. Sure, he fast as blazes...but so was Driver, who took awhile to come into his own despite having more experience coming out of college.

Clowney is 2-3 years away from making any real impact on this team. He's not going to make the roster merely as a returner considering the lack of experienced depth we have ar WR behind Driver and Jennings.

[TopHat]

http://www.packerchatters.com/op-ed/view.php?id=2448

Great Training Camp Battles Loom in the Packers’ Defensive Secondary

Three of the four starting positions in the Green Bay Packers’ secondary are locked down by veterans Harris, Woodson and Collins. And yes, short of injury all three will hold onto their jobs as starters. However, after those three locks to start, the competition should be wild and intense for the 4th starting spot and the two to three positions open in the nickel and dime packages that have become essential mainstay in today’s NFL defensive arsenals. For the moment Marquand Manuel is still penciled in as the starting strong safety, but after his dismal play last season, the young guys Atari Bigby, Tyrone Culver, Marviel Underwood, Aaron Rouse, and Charlie Peprah, all of whom have more physical talent than Manuel, are gunning for his spot. I am sure most of you will be surprised to learn that at the moment they are lined up just as I listed them above.

Atari Bigby has worked like a mad man throughout the off-season and turned coach’s heads in the mini-camps and OTA’s. This tough 5-11 and 210 lb Jamaican born safety has the speed to run side line to side line and is physically toughness to battle TE’s, blowup receivers and provide solid support for the run defense. This work has Atari running slightly ahead of last year’s rookie surprise Tyrone Culver Like last season, the 6-1 and 200 lb Culver used his head and instincts to get the every bit out of his athletic ability. Tyrone is a solid tackler, contains well in the open field and secures the ball carrier with solid wrap-up and tackling technique. Tyrone continues to be a film room freak and will not be caught under prepared in this sure to be intense playing time and roster spot battle.

Marviel Underwood was positioned to make his move last season in training camp when he shredded his knee in the first preseason game. When healthy this 5-10 200 lb youngster packs a wallop and has above average speed and quickness for a safety. I know some of you want to pencil him in as the starter; however Underwood’s freak injury will test his ability to overcome adversity and result in him entering the competition stiff and full of rust. Add to that this young man does not have years of experience to fall back on and you begin to see the substantial hurdles Marviel will have to overcome to emerge victorious in this cage match competition. Of course any discussion on the Safety position needs to factor in 3rd round draft pick Aaron Rouse, a 6-4 220 lb intriguing prospect from Virginia Tech. Aaron had a monster junior season, but struggled greatly in his senior season. Part of this could be attributable to the fact that he never settled into a single position at Virginia Tech (Rouse began as an outside linebacker at Virginia Tech but eventually shifted to safety) and partly because he played with a broken hand. His physical tools make him an exceptionally prospect with some pretty impressive raw measurable's - like being 6-4 220 and running a 4.37 40.

However, he will be competing in the big leagues and cannot afford to stumble like he did as a senior at VT. For many reasons I don't think Aaron has will be in the competition for serious playing time, but he should cash in on some very good physical tools and upside potential to make the team. If he is a quick learner he may have an opportunity to be a monster contributor on special teams as he uses his rookie season to learn the craft of playing safety in the NFL. Two long shots hoping for injury opportunities opening roster spots for them include Charlie Peprah and Alvin NNabuife. Charlie played in a big time program and Alvin is a sleeper who played in NFLE.

I would be remiss if I did not point out, while I have been down on Manuel from the moment the rumors of Thompson’s interest began, he is a veteran player who has survived to craft a NFL career and will not lie down without a fight. He will have to really turn up his game to hold off the young hungry pack gnawing at his heals and ready to pounce at even the slightest stumble. While the competition at Safety will draw a great deal of ink and much of the attention, the competition does not stop there. While there are only 4 starting positions, modern NFL defensive backfields frequently man the field with 2 to 3 more DB’s in their nickel and dime packages

Frank Walker is an aggressive, 25 year old, hard-hitting cornerback whose playing ability and experience should make him an ideal candidate for the nickel and dime job. Walker is a pretty straight-laced, "breath-sleep-and-eat" football guy who should thrive in a town like Green Bay. He is blessed with a true CB mentality, a short memory on the field (when plays don't go as planned) and loads of confidence, both are essential ingredients for success at CB in the NFL. Remember, Walker has started in this league, and as a 25 year old with 4 years experience, Frank still has plenty of upside to build on to that experience. Walker's got good speed (running in the low 4.4’s for the Packer workout) and he is fluid, with good burst and the flexible hips that are so essential for playing CB in the NFL. He is a strong tackler, which is always nice for nickel and dime packages, as is his superior ball awareness - especially playing zone defense. Areas of growth include: getting better at jamming receivers in press coverage and staying away from taking penalties of over-aggression. He has been relatively healthy, but did have some hamstring issues last season.

Of course Walker will have to compete with Will Blackmon, Jarrett Bush and Patrick Dendy for playing time at the CB position. Dendy is the one who grabbed the job of nickel back after Ahmad Carroll was released in week 5 or the '06 season and hopes to parlay that experience with hard work over the off season to hold the nickel job and first CB off the bench. Patrick Dendy, at 6' 190 lbs has the right mental makeup to play the corner and his 3 interceptions were impressive and timely, After suffering through watching Carroll’s flagatitus, even the casual observer had to be impressed by the fact that Dendy handled the top nickel job while only drawing one penalty all season long. Equally important to the defense was the fact that his teammates could count on him to be where he was supposed to be - Dendy studies hard and plays assignment sure for a young undrafted free agent corner.

Jarrett Bush 6 foot 200 lbs, on the other hand, is loaded with athletic ability, with a great size to speed ratio, who rarely got on the field as a defender last season as a free-agent rookie pickup. Last season Jarrett did provide the team with the Kamikaze special team player that most teams covet, and where he delivered big hits and impressive hustle as a gunner on the punt team. He also was a fixture on the kick-off coverage team. If the coaching staff can work with this kid on developing his ability as a corner, he might surprise some folks and leap-frog into the nickel position in 2007. He certainly has the size and strength and athletic ability to do the job, if he can just get it down between the ears, he should make a great press CB. He stood out at mini-camp and OTA’s with his marked improvement

Of course the biggest hopes at this position lie with the 6 foot 202 pound, Will Blackmon. Will watched his rookie season implode due to injuries right out of the gate - he broke his foot in mini-camp and as soon as he healed he fractured his ribs and ended up on the IR for the season. While there is no questioning Will Blackmon's athletic ability, there certainly are questions about his development. Blackmon was outstanding as a DB, but never settled into the position long enough to gather significant experience or learn the more subtle aspects of playing CB due to shifting to wide receiver to benefit his team in college. IF he can stay healthy, he has the athletic ability to not only grab the top spot off the bench, but to eventually be a talented starter in this league. Ah, but there is that BIG IF again. Like I said in the title of this piece “Great Training Camp Battles Loom in the Packers’ Defensive Secondary…” So pull up a chair, fasten your seatbelts and let the games begin – this should be fun to watch.

[deake]

It would be interesting to look at last years comments on the rookies and compare them to this set. Does anyone have them or a way to access?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't really see any way that this kid makes the final roster in 2007. I think anyone who claims he will simply does not recognize how raw he is as a receiver. Sure, he fast as blazes...but so was Driver, who took awhile to come into his own despite having more experience coming out of college.

Clowney is 2-3 years away from making any real impact on this team. He's not going to make the roster merely as a returner considering the lack of experienced depth we have ar WR behind Driver and Jennings.

I wouldn't say that he has little chance of making the final roster, but I agree with your sentiment. I don't expect much from him this year. Clowney played 3 years at Virginia Tech--while Driver played at Alcorn State, so I wouldn't say that Driver had more experience. One more year, but against low level competition.

[TopHat]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=630927

Line hopes to stay on the right path. Unit's youngsters think growing pains in past

Back in 2000, the Green Bay Packers threw rookie tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher on the field. The following year, center Mike Flanagan and guard Mike Wahle became full-time starters for the first time, as well. And by 2003, that youthful group along with guard Marco Rivera rivaled Kansas City as the NFL's best offensive line. Green Bay's line of today has light years to travel before coming close to the group assembled earlier this decade. But the blueprint for success is definitely the same. A year ago, rookies Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll all started at least 10 games. Scott Wells also became the starter at center for the first time. While the group - which includes holdovers Clifton and Tauscher - had its share of growing pains last season, it also showed great promise. Now, with everyone back in 2007, the Packers expect their line to continue growing into a strength. "They should because they're more experienced," Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "Everybody's been here, they know the system better. They didn't know squat about the NFL a year ago. They should take some strides, absolutely." If Green Bay's offense is going to improve, the line has to step up. A year ago, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy tried protecting the group by keeping seven blockers in on several passing downs. While that helped the Packers rank No. 3 in percentage of sacks allowed, it also meant they were often sending out just two receivers which limited the passing attack.

Things figure to be different this time around. McCarthy would like to employ far more three- and four-receiver sets, meaning the line won't be getting nearly as much help. "That seems to kind of be the plan," Spitz said. "And that's just fine. As we get more comfortable and experienced, we shouldn't need the same amount of help we had last year." The Packers' offense was a far cry from those that dominated through much of the 1990s and earlier this decade. But considering the line was cutting its teeth, things could have been worse. Green Bay ranked 23rd in rushing yards per game. But that was due largely to the fact the Packers ran the ball just 39.7% of the time. Green Bay was eighth in passing yards per game, but a far less impressive 17th in average gain per pass play. The Packers did virtually nothing to improve their skill positions this off-season, so if improvement is going to come on the offense, the line will be a major reason why. "I'm very encouraged," McCarthy said. "I spend a lot of time with those line coaches. They're the guys that are always there at night when you're leaving. When we first got together in February (of 2006), there were a lot of holes on that depth chart. "In just a short time, it's a credit to (general manager) Ted Thompson, the personnel staff and the coaches and their evaluation on the number of young guys we've taken and the quality of young players we have there. I think we have a very, very bright future starting this year with the offensive line." The greatest reason for optimism remains Clifton and Tauscher. Although both are entering their eighth seasons and are each on the wrong side of 30, they continue to form one of the top tackle tandems in football. Clifton has battled creaky knees the past few seasons, yet continues to be one of the best pass-blocking left tackles in football. Clifton gave up two sacks in 2006, just below his seven-year average of 2.14. Clifton isn't a natural in Green Bay's cut-blocking run game. But he improved as the 2006 season went on as he became more comfortable with the scheme.

Tauscher showed just how tough he is last season when he suffered a torn groin in Game 9 that would have ended the year of most players. Tauscher missed the next five games, but refused to shut it down and returned for the final two games of the season. Tauscher is bright, has tremendous feet and is an underrated athlete who took well to the new blocking scheme. Tauscher's contract expires after the 2008 season, so this year could go a long way in deciding his future in Green Bay. "Just having those two bookends is such a fantastic starting point," said Philbin, who was Green Bay's offensive line coach in 2006. "There aren't many guys that pass block any better than Chad does. And Mark does everything pretty well. Those two are just as steady as they come." The key for Green Bay is to have the interior of its line rise to a similar level. Wells looks like the runt of a litter when lumped with the rest of the linemen. But he plays with the bite of a Doberman. Wells, a former wrestling standout, overcomes his lack of size with great strength and tremendous leverage. He earned himself a five-year, $15 million contract last November and figures to anchor Green Bay's line for years to come. The Packers also seem set at guard with Colledge on the left side and Spitz on the right. Both showed great promise during rookie seasons that were filled with as many ups as downs. Colledge lost his starting job after the first exhibition game when San Diego terrorized him. But he came back strong, reclaimed his job and was named to the all-NFL rookie team after starting 15 games. Colledge is as athletically gifted as any lineman you'll find, has Pro Bowl ability and is the ideal fit for Green Bay's zone-blocking system. Colledge's feet are so good that he would slide over to left tackle if Clifton went down, something he did at Miami a year ago. Philbin said Colledge met his off-season goal of improving his upper-body strength. Now, he'll embark on playing with greater consistency and beefing up his efforts in the run game. Strength isn't an issue for Spitz, who plays with tremendous toughness and doesn't back down from anyone. Spitz struggles in space and needs to improve his flexibility, though. Spitz's best long-term position could wind up being center. But for now, he's just what the Packers need at guard. "They look a little bit thicker and they're still moving as well if not a little better," Philbin said of Colledge and Spitz. "Maybe they're increasing their mass a little bit, they're not that much different looking guys than they were a year ago. But I think they're making solid progress."

The wild card in the whole picture is Moll, who was Green Bay's version of a Super Sub in 2006. Moll started five games at both right guard and right tackle when injuries hit, and surprisingly held his own. Moll's technique was shaky last season and he needed to get much stronger. But he's a fighter who doesn't carry bad plays with him. Moll dropped his body fat from 30% to 20% this off-season and has hopes of making a run at a starting spot. That could be tough, though, as the Packers say they'll leave him at primarily right tackle for now. "The coaches have stressed to me that things definitely aren't set," Moll said about the prospect of starting. "To me it's not really a big deal and I'm not really worried about that right now. I'm getting reps in with first-team, second team and third team, and it's not something I'm really focused on right now." After Moll, the depth is largely unproven.

Third-year man Junius Coston is likely facing a make-or-break training camp. Coston has seen the field in just three of 32 games, and all of those appearances have been extremely brief. Coston is one of the team's most athletic linemen, but seems to lack passion. He has alternated between guard and tackle his first two years, and will likely need to shine at one of those spots in training camp to stick around. "He's a very young man. He's younger than the rookie class last year," McCarthy said of Coston. "When I look at 'Juice' I just see a guy that's getting better. He's once again done a great job in the weight room. Just the techniques, it's a different run game than what they were asked to do here two years ago. So I think he's really improving." Rookie fourth-rounder Allen Barbre played mostly left tackle at Division II Missouri Southern, but will begin at guard in Green Bay. Barbre starred at the NFL combine in February, but still has to show he can consistently hold his own against top-flight competition. Second year wide body Tony Palmer played in six games a year ago, primarily on special teams. The Packers love Palmer's competitiveness, and unless he falls on his face in camp, he stands a decent chance of making the team as a reserve guard. Massive tackle Orrin Thompson was signed to Green Bay's practice squad last November. He had some impressive moments this spring, and has a chance to stick around depending on the number of linemen the Packers keep.

Sixth-year man Tyson Walter was signed last November after Tauscher went down. He offers flexibility by playing both tackle and guard, but has limited upside and could lose out to a younger player. Guards Travis Leffew, Pat Murray and Adam Stenavich are all extreme long shots, although Philbin said Leffew has shown as much improvement as anyone on the roster this off-season. "I think we're all pretty optimistic," Moll said. "Last year was a learning year in a lot of ways. This year, hopefully we can take a big step and the line can become a real strength here."

[TopHat]

http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2007/07/11/1/

Think You Know The Packers' Roster?

Between now and Sept. 1, the Green Bay Packers' 2007 roster will take shape, and when it's finalized with 53 names, it will certainly look different than it does now with 87 players. But one of the interesting aspects of the large, training camp roster is seeing how many different schools, conferences and levels of college football the players come from.

For the record, of the 87 players on the current active roster (not including newcomer Carl-Johan Bjork, who has been designated for the practice squad), 69 come from Division I-A college football programs, seven from Division I-AA schools, eight from Division II teams, and three from other programs, according to all current NCAA alignments. How well do you know the makeup of the Green Bay roster as it relates to the current college football landscape? Here are 10 trivia questions, some more difficult than others, to test your knowledge. Remember, this encompasses all 87 players coming to training camp, including those who returned from NFL Europa and did not participate in the spring mini-camps or OTAs. The answers are posted below the list of questions.

Questions

1. About those "three from other programs," the Packers have one player from a non-U.S. college, one from an NAIA program, and one from a two-year school. Who are they?

2. Of the 11 Division I-A conferences, the Packers have just one player from the Sun Belt Conference. Who is it?

3. The Packers have a team-high three players from five different schools. Which ones?

4. From which conference do the Packers have the most players?

5. Which conference has the most schools represented on the Packers' roster?

6. Of the NCAA's six BCS conferences, which is the least represented?

7. The Packers have just three players from the Mountain West Conference, but two are from the same school. Who are they?

8. Of the team's seven Division I-AA players, five come from just two of the 14 I-AA leagues. Which two?

9. Of the eight Division II players, two are from the same school. Where?

10. Also in Division II, strangely enough, the two players from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) play the same position, and the two players from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) also play the same position. Which positions?

************************************************** **********************

Answers
1. Punter Jon Ryan is from the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada; TE Zac Alcorn is from the NAIA's Black Hills State in South Dakota; and DE DeVon Hicks is from Northwest Mississippi Community College.

2. DT Corey Williams, from Arkansas State.

3. Ohio State (DT Ryan Pickett, LB A.J. Hawk and G Tyson Walter), Iowa (DE Aaron Kampman, DT Colin Cole and LB Abdul Hodge), Texas A&M (WR Robert Ferguson, DT Johnny Jolly and DE Michael Montgomery), California (QB Aaron Rodgers, P David Lonie and LB Desmond Bishop), and Tennessee (C Scott Wells, T Chad Clifton and DT Justin Harrell).

4. The Big Ten, with 11. Six are from Ohio State and Iowa (see answer No. 3), two are from Michigan (CB Charles Woodson and G Adam Stenavich), and there's one each from Michigan State (K Dave Rayner), Northwestern (RB Noah Herron) and Wisconsin (T Mark Tauscher).

5. Surprisingly perhaps, it's Conference USA, with seven schools - Southern Mississippi (QB Brett Favre), Central Florida (S Atari Bigby), Rice (CB Patrick Dendy), Alabama-Birmingham (FB Corey White), Southern Methodist (S Alvin Nnabuife), Memphis (LB Tim Goodwell), and Texas-El Paso (WR Chris Francies). There are six schools represented from the Big 10, Big 12 and Western Athletic conferences.

6. The Big East, with three schools and four players - Pittsburgh (FB Brandon Miree), Rutgers (TE Clark Harris) and Louisville (G Jason Spitz and G Travis Leffew).

7. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and S Marviel Underwood are both from San Diego State. The team's other Mountain West player is LB Brady Poppinga from BYU.

8. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference or MEAC (S Nick Collins of Bethune-Cookman, T Junius Coston of North Carolina A&T, and LB Tracy White of Howard) and the Southern Conference (QB Ingle Martin of Furman and DE Jason Hunter of Appalachian State).

9. Tuskegee (CB Frank Walker and WR Calvin Russell).

10. Offensive linemen Allen Barbre of Missouri Southern State and Pat Murray of Truman State are from the MIAA; Wide receivers Ruvell Martin of Saginaw Valley State and Carlton Brewster of Ferris State are from the GLIAC.

[TopHat]

It would be interesting to look at last years comments on the rookies and compare them to this set. Does anyone have them or a way to access?


http://www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=84

GENERALLY, AS AVERAGES GO, THE 2006 DRAFT IS GRADED B+ WITH 4+ STARTERS. THE 2007 DRAFT, ALTHOUGH WAY TOO EARLY, IS GRADED B- TO C. PACKERS' FANS HAVE STRONG DIVERSE OPINIONS ABOUT IT ACROSS THE SPECTRUM, BUT THERE IT IS.

[TopHat]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-07-15-nfc-north-preview_N.htm?csp=34


GREEN BAY PACKERS

1. Who's going to fill Ahman Green's cleats?


The Packers ranked 23rd in rushing last season, and they don't have an experienced candidate on the roster to make up for the free-agent departure of workhorse featured back Green to Houston. Indications in the offseason were that a back-by-committee approach will be in the offing, at least at the start of the season. Vernand Morency, in his third pro season, is the top incumbent and averaged 4.6 yards per carry when he occasionally spelled Green last season. Questions abound, however, on whether Morency, who isn't in Green's league as a punishing back, can carry a full load. As such, rookie Brandon Jackson stands a good chance of platooning with Morency. The second-round draftee, not unlike Morency, is quick and shifty but also lacks the credentials of being a full-time guy when he was at Nebraska.

2. The end zone isn't that far out of reach

Until the cloudy situation at running back is resolved, it will be incumbent on the offense to reverse its immunization of punching the football in the end zone from within 20 yards. The Packers ranked last in the NFC and 31st in the league last season with a red-zone touchdown efficiency of 32.7%. Brett Favre was done no favors by a mostly inexperienced receiving group and a bevy of dropped passes. The upgrades Favre wanted in the offseason (namely Randy Moss) didn't materialize. So, the "X" factors in any improvement being made from 2006 are a healthy Greg Jennings, Bubba Franks' remembering how to catch before breaking the goal line and possibly regaining the services of Koren Robinson early in the season after he finishes serving a one-year suspension.

3. Finding a safety valve that won't spring a leak

All 11 starters from the end of last season potentially could form the opening-day lineup this season, but the weakest link — strong safety Marquand Manuel— is in jeopardy of being replaced. Manuel was an unequivocal bust as a free-agent addition, getting turned around in zone coverage and proving lax with his tackling. Three possible replacements are lurking in the secondary — young returnees Marviel Underwood and Atari Bigby and rookie Aaron Rouse. The hard-hitting Underwood was pushing Manuel for the job last year before he suffered a season-ending knee injury early in the preseason. Bigby, a practice-squad guy most of last season, impressed coaches in the offseason. The 6-foot-4, 223-pound Rouse, a third-round draft pick, is imposing for the position.

[TopHat]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=634232

Publications showing Packers little respect. National pundits see Packers as average

They closed the year with four consecutive victories, their longest streak in more than two years.They played inspired defense. They showed signs of life on offense. And they left the 2006 season feeling pretty good about themselves. It's safe to say that feeling wasn't contagious. Despite closing the year strong, the Green Bay Packers aren't getting a whole lot of respect from the national pundits heading into 2007. Packer Plus surveyed the most credible pre-season publications to see what the so-called "experts" think of these Packers.

Here's a look at what others are saying about the Packers and their chances for success this fall.

Pro Football Weekly: This remains the grand-daddy of all national publications, although The Sporting News ranks a close second. PFW picks the Packers to go 7-9, finish second in the NFC North and miss the playoffs. The magazine picks New England to beat New Orleans in the Super Bowl. Wide receiver Donald Driver is projected as Green Bay's offensive MVP and linebacker A.J. Hawk is the defensive MVP. Wide receiver Greg Jennings is PFW's pick as a Breakthrough Player. Their position battle to watch is between Marquand Manuel and Marviel Underwood at safety. The publication has scouts, executives and coaches help form a list of the top players in football. On PFW's Top 50, there isn't a Packer to be found for the second consecutive year. Left tackle Chad Clifton is Green Bay's highest-rated offensive player, ranking No. 10 among all of the tackles in football. Driver is the No. 12 wide receiver and Brett Favre is No. 14 among quarterbacks. Defensively, middle linebacker Nick Barnett and cornerback Charles Woodson were both ranked 15th. That was the highest rating among any Green Bay defenders. PFW's summary of Green Bay is: "The front office did little to improve an offense lacking game breakers and a team that had to rally furiously to finish 8-8."

Sporting News: The magazine predicts Green Bay will go 8-8, finish second in the division and miss the playoffs. Their predicted Super Bowl has New England defeating Dallas. One of the finest things this magazine does is put numerical values on all of Green Bay's starters and break down their strengths and weaknesses. Clifton is the Packers' highest-rated starter on offense. Running back Vernand Morency is the lowest. Hawk has the highest grade on the entire team. Manuel is the lowest rated defensive starter. Left guard Daryn Colledge is named Green Bay's "Secret Weapon." Green Bay's 2007 draft is also given a B-. The magazine's bottom line says: "There will be considerable improvement in individual play, but as a team, there aren't enough pieces in place to win 10 games."

Street & Smith: This magazine picks Green Bay to finish second to Chicago in the NFC North. It doesn't predict the playoff teams, but gives 10 teams in the NFC a higher overall grade than the Packers. It also picks New England over New Orleans in the Super Bowl. The publication gives Green Bay's 2007 draft a "C" and picks Hawk as the Packers' breakout candidate. It also lists offensive line, quarterback and linebackers as the Packers' strongest positions, with special teams and running backs its weakest. The magazine also has an opponent breakdown the Packers and he says: "Ted Thompson is taking some heat for building his team slowly but surely. I know (Brett) Favre wanted (Randy) Moss, but Thompson loves draft picks more than anybody and has a philosophy of quantity creating competition, resulting in quality."

Athlon's: This publication also predicts the Packers to finish second in the NFC North, but doesn't list the six playoff representatives from the conference. In its two-minute drill, though, Athlon's writes: "If all goes according to plan, a final playoff run could be Favre's going-away present." The magazine has New England over Dallas in Super Bowl XLII. The magazine offers rather vanilla overviews of each positional group in which little fresh information is presented. It also had this to say in a segment titled "Outside the Huddle": "When Bob Harlan retired as Packers Chairman & CEO in May, it marked the end of an historic era in this storied franchise's history." For the record, Harlan didn't retire.

Lindy's: This magazine picks Green Bay third in the NFC North, behind Chicago and Detroit. It also puts numerical grades on every team, and under that format, the Packers are tied for 12th in the NFC. It picks Baltimore over New Orleans in Super Bowl XLII. The magazine lists Favre as the Packers' player "On The Hot Seat" and gives Green Bay's 2007 draft a "C". The magazine lists Mark Tauscher as the NFL's third best right tackle, Aaron Kampman as the No. 4 defensive end, Hawk as the No. 4 weak-side linebacker, Barnett at No. 9 among middle linebackers and Ryan Pickett as the No. 10 defensive tackle. It also lists Al Harris at No. 10 among No. 1 cornerbacks and makes Woodson the top-ranked No. 2 corner.

[TopHat]

LeRoy Butler still talks a good game

Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler will be inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame Saturday. Besides being a Pro Bowl-caliber player on the field, Butler was equally adept in the locker room dealing with the media. Butler never turned away from a tape recorder or microphone, and wasn't shy about sharing his opinions. Some things never change. In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Butler talked about a variety of topics:

On Brett Favre's longevity: "I was the first one to say I think he’ll play 20 years. That’s what I’m expecting. I think he can do it."

On his assessment of the 2007 Packers team: "I really feel like it’s a young team. It’s all built through the draft, with a few free agents here and there. History tells you if you build through the draft, you’ll have a pretty good team 3 or 4 years from now. The problem is, I don’t know if the fans will wait that long."

On why the Packers should have traded for receiver Randy Moss: "I agree with Brett (Favre). With (Greg) Jennings and (Donald) Driver, with Randy it would have been a 3-receiver set that could have been second to none. We could have ran the ball out of that set too. All 3 of those guys are capable of catching passes and taking it the distance."

[TopHat]

http://pu2006.typepad.com/packer_update/2007/07/questions-still.html

QUESTIONS STILL SURROUND SANDERS

Nobody is going to confuse the Green Bay Packers of 2007 with the St. Louis Rams of 1999. Unlike Dick Vermeil’s high-powered offensive juggernaut that outscored opponents on a weekly basis, Mike McCarthy’s bunch will have to win games by playing consistently good defense. In order for that to happen, one member of the unit will have to improve his performance dramatically from a year ago. And ironically, this person won’t make a single tackle all season. “They certainly could use better play from the Sam linebacker and the safeties, but none of that will matter if Bob Sanders doesn’t do a better job in his second year as coordinator,” said a former scout. “I never saw a pass defense look so ill-prepared. I know they finished strong against some weak offenses, but I still can’t forget what happened in November and early December against New England, Seattle and the Jets. The defense wasn't outtalented in those games; it was outcoached.”

With all 11 starters returning - plus the addition of top draft pick Justin Harrell - it’s hard to imagine too many offenses "outtalenting" this defense. The line is deep and athletic, the backers are young and fast and the starting cornerbacks are about as good as any duo in the league. If the safeties step up, even a little bit, this unit should reside in the top-10 from the first week in September until the last week in December. “I really like what Ted Thompson has done on that side of the ball,” said the scout. “This defense has a chance to be really good - as long as Sanders doesn't screw things up like he did last season.”

Sanders will be under intense scrutiny from the moment training camp begins, and it won’t take long to find out whether he's improved in his second season on the job. The opener against Philadelphia will provide the perfect litmus test. “Andy Reid, with very mediocre talent, has made Green Bay’s defense look really bad in two of the past three meetings,” said the scout. “He’s a lot like [Seattle coach] Mike Holmgren in his ability to create mismatches for his offensive playmakers - especially when going up against the league’s weaker defensive coordinators. Sanders will have a chance to show right away that he doesn’t belong in that group, but if he comes up small, it could be an ominous sign of what's ahead.”

[TopHat]

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070721/PKR01/707210471/1989

Packers by position: WRs thin on talent

The Green Bay Packers' receiving corps still is suffering from the Javon Walker debacle that forced the Packers to trade one of the league's best young receivers in the spring of 2006. It's no coincidence that without the dynamic Walker, two Internet scouting services — Scouts Inc. at ESPN.com and Football Outsiders on FoxSports.com — recently rated the Packers as the No. 28 receiving corps in the 32-team NFL going into this season. Scouts Inc. bases its rankings on subjective personnel evaluations of game videotape, whereas Football Outsiders uses the videotape study for a more statistically oriented evaluation. Both came to the same conclusion. They lauded warhorse Donald Driver (262 receptions the past three years) as a capable and productive player, and said second-year pro Greg Jennings appears promising, though his ankle injury last season raises durability concerns. But they decried the Packers' overall lack of talent at the position, where surprise third-round pick James Jones, young journeymen Ruvell Martin and Carlyle Holiday, and perennial tease Robert Ferguson are the top contenders for the unit's Nos. 3 and 4 spots. "We have some unproven (receivers) that aren't household names that we believe in, we think are good football players," said John Schneider, the Packers' personnel analyst to the general manager.

Some of the fate of the Packers' passing game rides on whether Jennings can become a productive and occasionally dangerous player. Jennings showed he was far more advanced than most rookie receivers last year, and in the first five games, he had 19 receptions, including 75- and 46-yard touchdowns. Then he injured his ankle early in Week 6 against Miami, missed the next game and wasn't the same player the rest of the year. He missed all of the offseason practices this year while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, so the Packers haven't seen Jennings on the field since late last year. But they are counting on him to blossom in his second season. "I think you would have seen (60-plus catches) in Greg Jennings had he not been hurt, missed the time he missed and was limited when he was playing there in the second half of the year," said Jimmy Robinson, the Packers' receivers coach. "I think he would have been in that (productive rookie) category. I don't know how many catches he had, 40-some I think. I feel like he would have beaten the (rookie) odds on that had he stayed healthy." As big an issue is whether the Packers can put three- and four-receiver alignments on the field that will challenge defenses. To that end, they could use immediate help from Jones, though through the offseason practices, he hasn't been as precocious as Jennings was last year.

General Manager Ted Thompson surprised a number of teams around the league by selecting Jones out of San Jose State in the third round after a run on receivers depleted that position in the draft. Where many clubs saw a productive college receiver who lacked speed and quickness, Thompson and his scouts saw an unusually strong player for his position (6-foot-1, 207 pounds) who played faster than he timed, somewhat in the mold of Arizona's Anquan Boldin or Pittsburgh's Hines Ward. In offseason practices, Jones showed he's an extended-hands catcher — he plucks the ball in the air, away from his body, which is much preferred. But whether he has the quickness and speed to get open consistently, or at least the strength to regularly make tough catches in traffic, will remain unknown until the pads are on for a while. "I can't speak for other teams," Schneider said, "but what we saw was a power, old-school West Coast (offense) receiver. A guy that's strong, takes the ball out of the air; players bounce off him. He's got great run-after-the-catch ability. He may not be a huge threat down the field, especially when you look at his 40 speed, yet he still was catching balls down the field (in college). He's just a tough, competitive guy that fit the mold of the type of players we want to add to his team."

In the offseason workouts, Martin and Holiday worked ahead of Jones, though both are possession receivers with speed limitations. Martin, who made the roster as a street free agent last year, has size (6-4) and caught 21 passes last year in an increased role after Jennings was hurt. The Packers picked up Holiday after Arizona waived him Dec. 4, and he caught one pass in each of the Packers' final four games. In that brief audition, Holiday demonstrated strength (6-2, 217 pounds) and caught a couple passes that were off target, though at 25, he's a former college quarterback from Notre Dame still trying to make the adjust to receiver in the NFL. The Packers also continue to mention Ferguson as a possible No. 3 receiver, though the 27-year-old always seems to be held back by injury or circumstance. In his six seasons, the former second-round pick has only 116 catches and hasn't come close the breakout season the team had anticipated for several years. This will be his last shot in Green Bay.

David Clowney, a fifth-round pick this year, showed speed in offseason workouts but appears to be a project whose best chance of contributing this season is as a return man. "I feel good we'll come out with somebody we can count on," Robinson said. "It may also be where it's not one clear-cut guy but many. Who knows?" The Packers also could bring back Koren Robinson in October from his year-long substance-abuse suspension. However, the 27-year-old will have been away from football for a full year, and whether his career in Green Bay continues will depend in part on his physical conditioning. If the Packers put him in a prominent role quickly, it could be a sign that no one has come through among the backups. Unlike a handful of NFL teams such as San Diego and Kansas City, the Packers don't have an elite tight end to function as one of their top playmakers. Fifth-year pro Donald Lee worked as the starter all offseason ahead of the declining Bubba Franks.

Franks, who missed six games because of a knee injury two years ago and last season caught only 25 passes (none for a touchdown), returned to Miami this offseason to work out with former teammates at the University of Miami after staying in Green Bay last year. He came back in good shape but never was fast and, at 29, has lost a step from earlier in his career. Lee, who's the superior receiving threat, stands a good chance of beating him out for the starting job. "(Lee) is playing the best football he's played since he's been here," said offensive coordinator Joe Philbin of Lee's offseason. "Obviously that needs to translate onto the field next year on Sundays." Three others also will also vie for the three or four spots that will go to tight ends: Second-year pro Zac Alcorn, who has the best hands among the tight ends; second-year pro Tory Humphrey, who is the best athlete of the group but at 6-2 is a tad short for the position; and seventh-round draft pick Clark Harris of Rutgers.

Receivers:
11 David Clowney 6-0 188 22 R Virginia Tech
13 Carlton Brewster 5-11 208 24 1 Ferris State
17 Calvin Russell 6-0 190 24 1 Tuskegee
18 Carlyle Holiday 6-2 217 25 2 Notre Dame
19 Shaun Bodiford 5-11 186 25 2 Portland State
80 Donald Driver 6-0 190 32 9 Alcorn State
82 Ruvell Martin 6-4 210 24 2 Saginaw Valley State
83 Chris Francies 6-1 193 24 2 Texas-El Paso
85 Greg Jennings 5-11 197 23 2 Western Michigan
87 Robert Ferguson 6-1 210 27 7 Texas A&M
89 James Jones 6-1 207 23 R San Jose State

Tight ends:
44 Clark Harris 6-5 256 23 R Rutgers
49 Zac Alcorn 6-4 255 26 2 Black Hills State
84 Tory Humphrey 6-2 250 24 2 Central Michigan
86 Donald Lee 6-4 248 26 5 Mississippi State
88 Bubba Franks 6-6 265 29 8 Miami (Fla.)
__________________________________________________ _________________________________

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070722/PKR01/707220692/1989

Packers by position: Team is green at RB

The Green Bay Packers' charge at running back for 2007 isn't replacing the recently departed Ahman Green; it's replacing the Ahman Green of 2000 through 2004. The Ahman Green of 2007 is not the player who went to four straight Pro Bowls (2001 through 2004 seasons) and gave the Packers one of the top five running games early this decade. He'd shown decline in the second half of 2005, and coming off a severe injury (torn hamstring tendon) last year, averaged 4.0 yards a carry, well below the 4.6 yards he averaged in eight previous NFL seasons. So, it was hard to blame General Manager Ted Thompson when he drew a line in a free-agent bidding war that ended with the 30-year-old Green signing with the Houston Texans this offseason. Houston will pay Green $8 million in bonuses and salary this year and $12.5 million over the first two years, a steep price for an aging back.

The question for the Packers is whether the combination of second-round draft pick Brandon Jackson and third-year pro Vernand Morency can average in the range of 4.5 yards a carry and push the Packers well ahead of last season's 23rd-ranked running game. The Packers will be in their second season in the zone-blocking scheme coach Mike McCarthy installed, so they're counting on making a noticeable jump. "We played with a lot of young players last year, and that takes time," said John Schneider, the Packers' personnel analyst to the general manager. "And if there's one position you can say a guy can come in the league and be productive right away, it's running back." The Packers selected Jackson surprisingly high in this year's draft, the 63rd pick overall, even though he never was a full-time back at Nebraska and as a junior last year had a career-high 188 carries for 989 yards (5.3 yards a carry). At 5-foot-97/8 and 212 pounds, he's a little on the small side, but the Packers were looking for a good fit for the zone-running scheme.

"The one thing we're looking for is a guy that's decisive and has got some acceleration through the hole. That's probably the most important thing," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "They can't be a guy that dances and shuffles. They have to be decisive once they move off their initial read, they have to get their foot in the ground and get north and south." The Packers haven't seen Jackson in pads, but projected him at draft time to push for the starting job in their idiosyncratic scheme. When asked what sold the team on Jackson, Schneider said: "His foot quickness, his balance, his vision, his burst. He made long runs. With minimal opportunity, he really was productive when he played. Given the opportunity, he did some real nice things. He's one of those guys that always has his feet on the ground, has a real nice feel for the flow and cutback, can be a real sharp, one-cut-type back." Most likely, Jackson and Morency will share the workload at halfback, though one could end up outperforming the other and getting more carries.

The Packers acquired Morency last year in a trade with Houston for Samkon Gado that appeared to be a relatively minor move at the time. Morency (5-10, 212) is about the same size as Jackson and averaged 4.6 yards on 91 carries with the Packers. But whether he can perform at that pace playing regularly is another matter, because his size raises durability concerns. He missed two games last season because of a lower-back injury. "We feel like, from a talent standpoint and athletic standpoint, we feel like these guys can (provide what Green used to)," Philbin said. After Jackson and Morency, any of several players could end up as the No. 3 back. Noah Herron has held that role the past two seasons but has speed limitations, and P.J. Pope intrigued the team enough to pluck him off the Bears' practice squad last year. The Packers also used a seventh-round draft pick on Florida's DeShawn Wynn, an elite recruit coming out of high school who was a major underachiever in college because of a lack of toughness and dedication. Wynn, who has excellent size (5-10¾, 232 pounds), gained 630 yards and averaged 5.1 yards a carry last season. He sustained a strained calf in his first practice with the Packers at rookie orientation camp immediately after the late-April draft and didn't return to the field until June 7.

He might find a niche as a short-yardage back early, though undrafted rookie Corey White (6-1, 239) of Alabama-Birmingham showed at least as much promise in offseason practices. "DeShawn Wynn finished the offseason program on a positive note, and he's a big man. It could be him (on short-yardage downs)," Schneider said. "I'm not exactly sure. Someone in that group is going to step forward. And one thing about our staff, they're willing to try a number of combinations to make things work." William Henderson was a true professional as a fullback for the Packers for 12 years, but they cut ties with him this offseason because age rendered the 36-year-old an ineffective blocker. Brandon Miree, who played through a severe elbow injury last year, probably will be the starter. White is a halfback-fullback hybrid, and the Packers drafted Korey Hall from Boise State in the sixth round as a special-teams player and possible backup fullback. He played linebacker in college.

[BallHawk]

Well, I can see that New Orleans is certainly the sexy pick this year.

[TopHat]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=635830

A Fans' Guide to Green Bay Packers Training Camp

THE BASICS:

The Green Bay Packers' training camp will be at St. Norbert College in De Pere for the 50th consecutive summer, the longest stay at one location for any team in the National Football League. Forrest Gregg, the coach from 1984-'87, at the time attempted to convince the front office of the benefits of training at a more remote locale. The Packers investigated such sites as Whitewater, River Falls, La Crosse, Madison and Marquette, Mich., but were dissuaded by howls of protest from Green Bay fans, club employees and tourist officials. Previously, the Packers trained at Rockwood Lodge just north of Green Bay from 1947-'49, in Grand Rapids, Minn., from 1950-'53 and in Stevens Point from 1954-'57. Players again will be housed at Victor McCormick Hall on the St. Norbert campus until the check-out date of Aug. 17. Marginal players then will take lodging in a hotel near Lambeau Field for about two weeks until their fate is determined. The St. Norbert campus is about 6 miles south of Lambeau Field and the team's administrative-training complex. All practices are conducted at the team facility just as they are during the regular season. In the past, the Packers had an earlier reporting date for rookies and first-year players than for veterans. For the second straight year, coach Mike McCarthy has established a single reporting date for all players. It is Thursday. The first practice will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday. It will be conducted in full pads. The players will undergo a physical conditioning test Friday.

FAN INFORMATION

In 2005, the Packers launched a Web site, www.packerstrainingcamp.com, to provide more information for fans. The latest alterations in the practice schedule will be made available here. Fans also can obtain daily reports on practice times and transactions by calling (920) 569-7502. Daily reports also are available at www.packers.com. There also is a fan assistance kiosk located near the practice field. Fans also can be advised of practice times by looking at a portable matrix board on the west side of the Hutson Center. The team's guest relations desk in the atrium generally will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PRACTICE TIMES

The Packers have made radical changes in their practice schedule under coach Mike McCarthy. Gone are the days when they'd practice once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Last year, McCarthy eliminated about 25% of the practices by rotating days with two workouts followed by days with one workout. McCarthy hoped to keep the players more energized and to spend more time watching video with players after each daylight practice. This year, he has eliminated practice on the first three Wednesdays of camp. Players will eat breakfast and lunch at the stadium. The Packers will utilize St. Norbert College for meetings, dinner and an evening snack. Under coach Mike Sherman, the Packers had 51 open practices in 2000, 41 in '01, 49 in '02, 46 in '03, 37 in '04 and 38 (including 17 in pads) in '05. Under McCarthy, a total of 28 practices were open to the public last year, including 15 in pads. This year, a total of 24 practices, including 15 in pads, will be open to fans. Thus, in the span of six years, the number of open practices has been cut in half. In the past, the Packers generally practiced in pads in the morning and wore either "shells" (reduced-sized shoulder pads) or shorts in the afternoon. This year, most of the morning practices are in "shells" and the padded practices either are in the afternoon or at night. Several previous coaches in Green Bay conducted afternoon practices devoted entirely to special teams in which about half the players were excused. When McCarthy practices, every player is expected to participate.

PLAYER DAYS OFF

No practices are scheduled on days after the intra-squad scrimmage and the four exhibition games.

WHERE TO WATCH

In order to practice at night, the Packers have rented 11 lighting units and will install them on Clarke Hinkle Field this week. They will be removed soon after the final night practice Aug. 20. In good weather, the Packers will practice on the synthetic surface at Hinkle Field, which is located just west of the Hutson Center. The new surface was installed in 2005. One of the reasons for installing the synthetic field was to reduce drainage problems on the old clay-based grass field and reduce the number of practices that had to be held inside the Hutson Center because of wet grounds. When practice is inside, fans aren't able to watch. Some frustrated fans always mill around outside the Hutson Center on rainy days. In summer 2004, FieldTurf was installed at Ray Nitschke Field, the team's other outdoor practice field, which is located east on Armed Forces Drive across from the Resch Center. If necessary, it also will be used. The bleacher area at Hinkle Field has seating for approximately 600 fans. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are free. The Packers attempted to sell reserved seats at practice for the first time in 1999, but the practice was discontinued after one year. Aug. 28 is the last day for fans to attend practice. Canvas is drawn around the fields so the Packers can practice in privacy to prepare for the regular season. The NFL allows scouts from other teams to attend training-camp practices if admission is charged. Free practices are off limits to opposing scouts. Parking for practice is available in the Lambeau Field lot, where tailgating is welcome. Food and beverages will be available for purchase near the practice field. Food also will be available in the Lambeau Field atrium at seven restaurants. The restaurant at Curly's Pub, located on the second level, is open daily until late night. The Frozen in Time Ice Cream parlor opens at 8 a.m. during training camp. Curly's features an area with more than 50 interactive games. The pub stays open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

SCRIMMAGES

The Packers didn't hold a major intra-squad scrimmage in 1997 or '98. Before that, the so-called "Intra-squad Game" had been a fixture in Lambeau Field and was free to the public. The Packers then began charging $6 for the scrimmage in Lambeau Field. Attendance was 46,420 in 1999, 50,240 in 2000 and 48,898 in '01. It was canceled in 2002 and '03 due to renovation of Lambeau Field but returned in '04 with attendance of 60,216. It took seven weeks, but the event was considered a sellout. The event, now billed as the "Family Night" scrimmage, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4. Tickets for the scrimmage, priced at $8, sold out in June after three days. Attendance was 62,492 in '05 and 62,701 in '06. The appearance by the Buffalo Bills in 2005 was the first by an opposing team during a training camp in Green Bay since 1991. In '91, the Packers practiced against New Orleans in Stevens Point and then against New England in Green Bay. In '90, they practiced against Cleveland in Green Bay. The other red-letter date on the camp schedule will be a practice at 6:30 p.m. July 31 at Green Bay East High School. Also known as Old City Stadium, it was the Packers' home from 1925-'56.

PHOTOS / AUTOGRAPHS

The popular Fan Photo Day, which had been attracting about 15,000 fans to Lambeau Field, was eliminated in 1994. Citing safety risks, the Packers realigned their old parking lot in '97 to reduce the number of fans who could wait outside the administrative building for players and coaches after practice. Today, players and coaches use a reserved lot on the east side of Lambeau Field that is off limits to fans. At times, players will sign for fans that stand outside the fence. It has been a tradition in Green Bay for players either to walk or ride on kids' bicycles to and from practice. Mike McCarthy is encouraging it again this season. However, in the last decade, more and more starters and key players have begun jumping into vans driven by St. Norbert College personnel after each practice for rides from the field to the facility, making them inaccessible to fans. With the stadium renovation, the locker room was shifted from the north end to the east side. Thus, the biking tandems have less ground to cover in order to reach the locker room. The Packers instituted a program in 1997 to help fans obtain autographs by having some players and coaches sign at tables after the morning practice. The Packers did away with autograph tables last year and established a fenced-in "Kids Zone" just south of the Oneida Nation gate on the east side of Lambeau Field. Dubbed the "Future Lambeau Leapers" area, all kids ages 12 and under are allowed in to seek autographs. Last year, the area was open after the first practice of each day but never after a night practice. Eight to 10 players were shuttled from the field to the "Kids Zone" immediately after practice to mingle with fans and sign autographs for about 20 to 30 minutes.

ROSTER REDUCTIONS

All teams must reach a 75-man roster limit at 3 p.m. Aug. 28. This is the second season the first reduction was increased from 65 to 75 players because all NFL Europe exemptions will be expiring at the first cut rather than the final cut. The final cut to 53 players must be made by 5 p.m. Sept. 1. After 11 a.m. Sept. 2, teams may establish a practice squad consisting of eight players for the fourth straight year; for several years before that, there were five players on the practice squad.

HALL OF FAME/STADIUM

The Packer Hall of Fame is located in the Lambeau Field atrium. During camp, the 25,000-square foot facility will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., although hours vary on home game days. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and military personnel, $5 for ages 6-11 and free for 5 and under. Call (920) 569-7212 for information. One-hour tours of Lambeau Field will be conducted daily during training camp at 15-minute intervals starting most days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are available in the atrium on a first-come, first-served basis for each day's tours beginning at 8 a.m.. Groups of 20 or more can book private tours at least two weeks in advance, but there are no reservations for individuals. Tours begin in Harlan Plaza. Tours sell out on a regular basis. Ticket are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for ages 6-11 and free for 5 and under. Call (920) 569-7213 for information. Adults can buy a combination Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field tour ticket for $19. The Packers Experience, a free interactive training-camp playground, returns for a fourth summer at Lambeau Field but in a new location in the parking lot in front of the Oneida Nation Gate. Free to the public, it operates Saturday to Aug. 17. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to dusk on days with a morning practice and 11 a.m. to dusk on days with only an afternoon practice. It is closed Aug. 4. The Packers Pro Shop has various hours. Generally, it opens at 8 a.m. during the week and an hour or two later on weekends. During the week, it usually closes between 7-7:30 p.m.

[Bretsky]

http://pu2006.typepad.com/packer_update/2007/07/questions-still.html

QUESTIONS STILL SURROUND SANDERS

Nobody is going to confuse the Green Bay Packers of 2007 with the St. Louis Rams of 1999. Unlike Dick Vermeil’s high-powered offensive juggernaut that outscored opponents on a weekly basis, Mike McCarthy’s bunch will have to win games by playing consistently good defense. In order for that to happen, one member of the unit will have to improve his performance dramatically from a year ago. And ironically, this person won’t make a single tackle all season. “They certainly could use better play from the Sam linebacker and the safeties, but none of that will matter if Bob Sanders doesn’t do a better job in his second year as coordinator,” said a former scout. “I never saw a pass defense look so ill-prepared. I know they finished strong against some weak offenses, but I still can’t forget what happened in November and early December against New England, Seattle and the Jets. The defense wasn't outtalented in those games; it was outcoached.”

With all 11 starters returning - plus the addition of top draft pick Justin Harrell - it’s hard to imagine too many offenses "outtalenting" this defense. The line is deep and athletic, the backers are young and fast and the starting cornerbacks are about as good as any duo in the league. If the safeties step up, even a little bit, this unit should reside in the top-10 from the first week in September until the last week in December. “I really like what Ted Thompson has done on that side of the ball,” said the scout. “This defense has a chance to be really good - as long as Sanders doesn't screw things up like he did last season.”

Sanders will be under intense scrutiny from the moment training camp begins, and it won’t take long to find out whether he's improved in his second season on the job. The opener against Philadelphia will provide the perfect litmus test. “Andy Reid, with very mediocre talent, has made Green Bay’s defense look really bad in two of the past three meetings,” said the scout. “He’s a lot like [Seattle coach] Mike Holmgren in his ability to create mismatches for his offensive playmakers - especially when going up against the league’s weaker defensive coordinators. Sanders will have a chance to show right away that he doesn’t belong in that group, but if he comes up small, it could be an ominous sign of what's ahead.”


This deserves a topic of its own. The defensive personnell seems to be pretty close to in place. Over the course of 16 games last year, Bob Sanders was subpar.

If you want to break it down I think he deserves a D from weeks 1-12 and a
A- weeks 13-16. At a time when some of the JS guys felt it was very likely Sanders was over his head and would get replaced, Sanders fell into three very terrible offenses and an apathetic Bears team.

Now one can rightfully argue Sanders defense was heads and heels better after Jenkins went to DE. That is accurate.

But I still have memories of players running on and off the field as the offense was ready to snap the ball, and players going the wrong way.

I hope this is all settled. We have some very good personnel on defense; I hope the DC and Secondary Coach are up to task this year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Legit question, and it's impossible to know if he'll pan out. My gut says no, but who knows. It was his first opportunity at doing it. Hopefully, he learned. I know a lot of players appreciated the way he handled the ups and downs of the season and stuck with things. Hopefully, that will be a small benefit for this season. That the players have a belief in his system, and more importantly, him.

[Harlan Huckleby]

preseason can't start soon enough. how many ways are there to say that the packer wide recievers and running backs are gonna stink?? well, maybe they will stink ... but then again, maybe not.

the packers are chock-full of young players on offense that nobody has a solid fix on. Cooledge, Morecy, Miree, Tory Humphrey, Moll .... the predictions this year seem especially pointless. we'll just have to wait and see.

[The Leaper]

I wouldn't say that he has little chance of making the final roster, but I agree with your sentiment. I don't expect much from him this year. Clowney played 3 years at Virginia Tech--while Driver played at Alcorn State, so I wouldn't say that Driver had more experience. One more year, but against low level competition.

Driver STARTED far more frequently in college and logged far more playing time. That was my point. It has nothing to do with the level of competition or number of years in college. Driver played more than Clowney did...A LOT more. Even so, he wasn't anywhere near ready to contribute his first year in Green Bay.

Neither will Clowney.

[The Leaper]

I hope this is all settled. We have some very good personnel on defense; I hope the DC and Secondary Coach are up to task this year.

Those last 4 wins last year could prove very costly. The defensive coaching leaves a lot to be desired, and would've been changed without such a finish...and the additional wins cost us a chance to grab an impact RB in the draft.

However, maybe those wins were what kept Favre around another year. Who knows?

[woodbuck27]

I hope this is all settled. We have some very good personnel on defense; I hope the DC and Secondary Coach are up to task this year.

Those last 4 wins last year could prove very costly. The defensive coaching leaves a lot to be desired, and would've been changed without such a finish...and the additional wins cost us a chance to grab an impact RB in the draft.

However, maybe those wins were what kept Favre around another year. Who knows?

What would it be like if we lived in a perfect world?

On defense. The objective is to go 3 and out and get turnovers to allow the offense the ball.

On offense.The plays have to be designed to suit a particular defense and then executed.

The team that is best prepared for the game, with the best overall talent and players generally with a solid attitude and brains will outdo the competition.

[Bretsky]

I hope this is all settled. We have some very good personnel on defense; I hope the DC and Secondary Coach are up to task this year.

Those last 4 wins last year could prove very costly. The defensive coaching leaves a lot to be desired, and would've been changed without such a finish...and the additional wins cost us a chance to grab an impact RB in the draft.

However, maybe those wins were what kept Favre around another year. Who knows?

I noted all of the above last year after we won our 2nd game in a row. I was very convinced Bob Sanders needed to be relieved of his duties. Nottenheimer, gosh I don't even want to start on my view of that guy.

[TopHat]

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070724/PKR01/707240521/1057/PKR&located=RSS

Packers by position: With year to build on, OL should improve

General Manager Ted Thompson has touted improvement from within as one of his reasons for disdaining the free-agent market this offseason, and the one area where he's most justified in that projection is the offensive line. For two reasons, the Packers' front five should be better than last year and possibly ready to make a significant jump. First, they're in their second season in the zone-blocking scheme that coach Mike McCarthy and former offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski introduced last year. Second, guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz are second-year pros who showed promise during invaluable on-the-job training last year as rookie starters. This year, the Packers should begin bearing the fruit after enduring the rocky times that go with changing an offensive scheme and starting two, and sometimes three, rookies on the line.

"I think we have a chance to have a pretty darn good offensive line," Thompson said this week. "We've been able to add some depth and some players there, and I think our coaching staff at this particular position do an outstanding job." Besides being more proficient in the techniques and reads required in the zone-blocking scheme, the offensive line should work better as a group, and the young guards should need less help protecting quarterback Brett Favre with six- and seven-man protections. McCarthy erred on the side of ensuring quarterback Brett Favre was protected last year, so he often kept in a running back, tight end or both on passing plays, thus limiting the number of receiving options for Favre. "We anticipate them playing better, no question about it," said Joe Philbin, Jagodzinski's successor as offensive coordinator and the offensive line coach last year. "I think they will, I'm confident they will. How big a jump, how it's reflected in our won-loss record and points per game, it's part of their job and part of the guys around them."

The early returns look good on Thompson's drafting of three offensive linemen in 2006. Colledge struggled through training camp in his move from left tackle at Boise State to left guard with the Packers, losing the starting job early in training camp. He won it back because of injury and played well enough to start the final 15 games, including one at left tackle in place of the injured Chad Clifton. Though far from a finished product, Colledge (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) didn't give up a sack last season. "That says a lot," Philbin said. "When you talk about most teams, or even nickel teams or third downs, they're typically going to cover a guard up and create some one-on-ones there. So I think he did a nice job in pass protection, and he's coming along as a run blocker."

Spitz, a third-round pick, played better than Colledge through training camp, but sustained a bruised thigh in the opener that sidelined him for two weeks and slowed him for several games thereafter. He's not as athletic as Colledge or Tony Moll, the third rookie lineman in last year's draft class, but he has a nasty, Frank Winters-type mentality that can carry an offensive lineman a long way. "We've got two guys that should be capable players for us here," Philbin said.

The Packers surround their two young guards with three veterans – two accomplished tackles in Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, and underappreciated center Scott Wells. Clifton and Tauscher have been starters since their rookie season of 2000, and though both have had a serious injury — Clifton a separated pelvis, Tauscher a torn anterior-cruciate ligament — they remain good performers who haven't shown decline. Clifton had post-arthroscopic knee trouble last season that probably is a byproduct of his pelvic injury and likely will bother him on and off for the rest of his career. But he was surgery-free this offseason and heads into camp as healthy as he's been in years. "I think he's ahead of where he was a year ago, no question about it," Philbin said. "I don't see a drop-off, to be frank with you. I think the guy gets out of his stance — he's big time when talking about getting vertical and setting on a defensive end (while pass blocking)."

The Packers consider the smallish Wells (6-2, 295) an excellent fit for the zone-blocking scheme and proved it last November by signing him to a five-year contract extension worth as much as $15 million and including $5 million in guaranteed pay. He's mobile and smart as quarterback of the line. "I think Scott Wells provides outstanding leadership from the center position," said John Schneider, the Packers' personnel analyst to the general manager. "You have veteran tackles in Tauscher and Clifton, and then we have a bunch of young guys we're excited about that can play a number of different positions."

The young, but somewhat raw, depth starts with Moll and fourth-round pick Allen Barbre, a left tackle at the Division II level who played left guard during offseason practices. Moll (6-5, 304), a tight end until his senior year in college at Nevada, started five games at right guard and five at right tackle last season. He's working primarily as Tauscher's backup at right tackle, but could move at any time. "If you asked me right now, I think (right tackle) is going to be his best spot," Philbin said. "He seems a little more comfortable out there and doesn't have people on top of him as quickly as he does at guard. He can use his athleticism a little more out there."

Barbre (6-4, 300), who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.88 seconds and played as a gunner on punt coverage at Missouri Southern, is an intriguing athlete. He, along with Colledge, are potential left tackles for the future. "We really think highly of his athleticism," Philbin said. "He's a good fit body wise for the offense we're running. We think he has a lot of potential. Obviously, he has a lot to learn. We'll see how his pad level is once the pads get on."

Guards

58 Pat Murray 6-3 310 22 R Truman State
61 Travis Leffew 6-4 292 24 1 Louisville
64 Tony Palmer 6-2 311 24 2 Missouri
68 Adam Stenavich 6-4 308 24 1 Michigan
70 Tyson Walter 6-4 300 29 6 Ohio State
72 Jason Spitz 6-3 300 24 2 Louisville
73 Daryn Colledge 6-4 305 25 2 Boise State
78 Allen Barbre 6-4 300 23 R Missouri Southern State

Tackles

62 Junius Coston 6-3 313 23 3 North Carolina A&T
65 Mark Tauscher 6-3 315 30 8 Wisconsin
69 Orrin Thompson 6-6 322 24 1 Duke
75 Tony Moll 6-5 304 23 2 Nevada
76 Chad Clifton 6-5 320 31 8 Tennessee

Center

63 Scott Wells 6-2 295 26 4 Tennessee
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http://packers.scout.com/2/660967.html

Three to keep an eye on in camp

1. Marviel Underwood

The first of a three-part series on players that will be worth monitoring in the Packers 2007 training camp, which opens on Saturday in Green Bay, beginning with third-year cornerback Marviel Underwood. One common melody filled the air at the 37th Annual Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Induction. And it had the 1,000-plus in attendance howling.
Honorees Robert Brooks and LeRoy Butler credited the team’s strong family bond as the catalyst for its mid-1990s dominance by sharing several knee-slapping stories. Egos were set aside and camaraderie flourished, leading to hundreds of spilled beers in the front row of both end zones. Brooks’ presenter, Antonio Freeman, recalled dinners the team’s wide receiver unit held, with the bill alternating each week. On Freeman’s night to pay, Brooks ordered multiple entrees, jacking the price up to $1,200 for the not-quite-rich rookie Freeman. That night Brooks told a ticked Freeman that such an amount wouldn’t seem like much soon - that he was on the verge of stardom. The two became great friends, quickly becoming the league’s top receiving tandem. Saturday night Brooks referred to Freeman as his ‘little brother.’

Butler told a story of the veterans switching the MEN and WOMEN signs on the bathroom doors to trick a newcomer. The newbie waltzed in the restroom, only to see no urinals. He yelled and tried to fight his way out, but Butler and company held the door in, laughing hysterically before letting go and watching their new teammate hit the deck. That new guy was Brett Favre. An indescribable cohesive quality blended that team off the field, leading to wins on it. General Manager Ted Thompson is working diligently to create a similar atmosphere by building from within. Instead of lavish free agent spending, he has quietly rewarded his own players in hope of sending a positive message throughout the locker room. Training camp is where that mid-1990s attitude develops. Before Brooks broke out in 1995 for a team-record 1,497 receiving yards he needed to gain Favre’s trust as a number one wideout in August. Before Butler became such an unsuspecting blitz specialist, defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur needed to experience with that wild notion in practice. Now it’s time to monitor future developments. Despite returning 20 of 22 starters from last season, plenty of questions blur the team’s playoff hopes. To seriously contend, many young guns must step up.

There are three players worth monitoring on the roster....First:

Marviel Underwood

Last off-season, safety Marquand Manuel was given a five-year, $10 million contract to serve as an upgrade over Mark Roman. That didn’t stop Marviel Underwood, who makes less than one-fourth of that amount, from emerging as a starting candidate next to Nick Collins in training camp. It was short-lived. Against San Diego in the 2006 preseason opener, Underwood tore his ACL and MCL knee ligaments, ruining his season. But the hard-hitting, 2005 fourth round pick’s hunger only grew. Underwood spent the 2006 season in Green Bay to train with the team’s medical staff and attend positional meetings, exactly as Brooks did a decade ago. It was a decision that surely helped Underwood gain the respect of his teammates and coaches. Mentally, he’s up to speed with Bob Sanders’ defensive system. Physically? We’ll see.

Some torn ACLs permanently affect an athlete’s speed. Burst subsides and sudden quickness tailors off. Hesitant running back Willis McGahee has experienced this effect. Whereas many like Brooks, the 1997 NFL Comeback Player of the Year recipient, return to nearly 100 percent. This summer Underwood’s recovery will be exposed. Can he sell a stunt close to the line and quickly reverse direction into the secondary at the snap of the ball ala Troy Polamalu? Will Underwood’s repaired knee hinder his closing speed? Psychologically, will he approach the game with less abandon? These questions will be answered in shells and in pads each practice. In his third NFL season, Underwood’s career is at a pivotal junction. At full health he has the skills to start over Manuel and rookie Aaron Rouse. But if his speed is visibly diminished, then Underwood may be released. Strong safety is one of three positions completely up for grabs this summer. After a productive off-season, Underwood should enter camp on pace with Manuel and Rouse.
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http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=661146&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f 661146.html

Three to keep an eye on: Part II

Dave Rayner. Dunne weighs kicker Dave Rayner's chances of remaining with the Packers.
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http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=661438&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f 661438.html

Three to keep an eye on: Part III

Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson are the favorites to compete for the Packers starting running back job in training camp. Dunne states his case for Herron in the third part of his series on players to keep an eye on in training camp.

[TopHat]

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070725/PKR01/707250511/1989

Packers by position: Defensive line are a 'pretty strong group'

Just two years ago, the defensive line looked like the Green Bay Packers' Achilles' heel. But after two seasons of decent play by committee, the emergence of Aaron Kampman as a Pro Bowler, the move of ascending Cullen Jenkins to defensive end late last season and the drafting of defensive tackle Justin Harrell in the first round this year, this front line is becoming the anchor for the defensive identity that General Manager Ted Thompson is building for his team. "I think we've got a pretty good group (of defensive linemen), but I've felt that way since I got here," Thompson said. "We've made a few changes, but there's a lot of the same fellas here. We've moved some guys around, and I think one through nine, one through 10, however you look at that, it's a pretty strong group." Several developments on the line especially are important to the Packers' defense, which finished 12th in the NFL in yards allowed but only tied for 25th in points given up, in Bob Sanders' rookie season as NFL defensive coordinator.

The most obvious and stunning was Kampman's blowout year in 2006 after signing a four-year, $21 million contract in 2006. He proved himself one of the most complete strong-side defensive ends in the NFL. Kampman finished second in the league in sacks with 15½ and topped the 100-tackle mark (113) for the second straight season. But whether the defense makes a big move up league rankings this year depends more on not only Harrell's performance as a rookie, but whether moving Jenkins to defensive end three plays into the Week 13 game at San Francisco makes as big a difference as the numbers in the final four games suggest. At San Francisco, after Frank Gore ran to the Packers' right side for 78 yards on the 49ers' first two plays, Sanders replaced Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila with Jenkins at right defensive end. From that point on, the Packers allowed only 68 yards rushing to the 49ers, who finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game. Excluding those first two plays, the Packers in the final four games gave up an average of 84.5 yards rushing per game, 206 yards in total offense per game and 10.5 points per game. The defensive coaches say they didn't move Jenkins earlier because of an ankle injury in Week 5 that sidelined him for two weeks and hobbled him for several weeks thereafter. But the staff also might have been reluctant because the defensive scheme allows for smaller defensive ends to play wider and force plays inside even on early downs.

Regardless, the Packers will get a full season to find out how big a difference the 295-pound Jenkins makes replacing the 247-pound Gbaja-Biamila on early downs. The Packers are loathe to say Jenkins was the biggest reason for the late-season defensive surge and prefer to share that credit with good play elsewhere, but Jenkins' new contract suggests otherwise. Just before the start of free agency this offseason, the Packers kept Jenkins off the open market by signing him to a four-year deal worth $16 million, including $6 million in signing and roster bonuses. That's a handsome deal for a player who flashed talent as an inside rusher but became an every-down player for only the final four games. "(Jenkins) has that unique ability that he can play all four spots along the defensive line and you wouldn't feel like you're giving up anything," Thompson said. "He's remarkably gifted, God blessed him with outstanding quickness, balance and agility that's remarkable for someone that big. He's comfortable (at right end). It helps us a little bit against base running packages, and as we've done in the past, he'll be used inside in passing situations some." Kampman, in the meantime, faces a major challenge matching his 2006 season statistically, but at 27 he's in his physical prime, along with having the intangibles such as work habits and instincts that coaches covet. Robert Nunn, one of the Packers' two defensive line coaches, recalled when he was an assistant coach for Miami, defensive end Jason Taylor went to the Pro Bowl in 2000 with 14½ sacks but had a better season the next year, when he missed out on the Pro Bowl and had only 8½ sacks. "Who knows?" Nunn said when asked if Kampman possibly can match his 2006 season. "I know he'll be prepared to have another year like that, because he works so hard at it, studies the game so well. I'm not sure he can have 16 sacks, but he may have more — he had the opportunity to have more last year. It's funny how that stuff works. Sometimes they just fall your way and sometimes they don't."

The Packers drafted Harrell to work into their three- or four-man rotation at defensive tackle immediately and at some point early in the season surpass Corey Williams as the starter opposite Ryan Pickett. The Packers still haven't seen Harrell work against an offensive lineman in a practice setting, because he sat out all but individual drills during offseason practices while recovering from the torn biceps tendon that ended his senior season at Tennessee. He'll be 10½ months removed from surgery when training camp opens Saturday and is expected to be ready for full contact. Thompson drafted Harrell (6-4, 310) as a pillar to build the defense around. "I think he can (help immediately)," Nunn said. "He's got to get in there and get into live team situations and get out there in pads and show them. The guy is so big and strong, a tough player. When he was healthy, he showed a lot of toughness in there and a lot of range. I think he could make a difference. He's such a big body in there." From top to bottom, defensive line probably is the Packers' deepest position. With Gbaja-Biamila they have a situational pass rusher who has 64½ sacks in seven NFL seasons, though only 14 the last two years combined. At 29, he's not shown the explosion of earlier in his career and doesn't have the range of counter moves that top rushers possess, but he might benefit from playing fewer snaps. Second-year pro Johnny Jolly and third-year pro Colin Cole should battle for the fourth defensive tackle spot, and third-year pro Michael Montgomery is the top candidate for the fourth defensive-end position. Undrafted Jason Hunter made the roster last year because of his pass-rush potential and will need to be game ready this season to win a roster spot.

Defensive ends

No. Players Ht. Wt. Age Yr. College
57 Jason Hunter 6-4 250 23 2 Appalachian State
67 DeVon Hicks 6-1 265 22 R Northwest Mississippi
74 Aaron Kampman 6-4 270 27 6 Iowa
77 Cullen Jenkins 6-2 295 26 4 Central Michigan
93 Larry Birdine 6-4 265 23 R Oklahoma
94 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila 6-4 247 29 8 San Diego State
96 Michael Montgomery 6-5 265 23 3 Texas A&M

Defensive tackles

No. Players Ht. Wt. Age Yr. College
79 Ryan Pickett 6-2 322 27 6 Ohio State
90 Colin Cole 6-1 315 27 3 Iowa
91 Justin Harrell 6-4 310 23 R Tennessee
95 Daniel Muir 6-2 298 23 R Kent State
97 Johnny Jolly 6-3 312 24 2 Texas A&M
99 Corey Williams 6-4 313 26 4 Arkansas State

[TopHat]

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=660364&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f 660364.html

Training camp battles to watch. Competition will be heated at a number of positions.

[4and12to12and4]

Tight ends Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey split snaps with the first-string offense throughout the offseason workouts, but it would be a mistake to read too much into that. According to a person familiar with the situation, veteran Bubba Franks is still very much in the picture. “Mike McCarthy wanted to give the young guys a chance,” said the source. “He doesn't know exactly what he has in Lee and Humphrey.

Umm, shoudn't he know by now what "exactly he has in Lee"?

[Zool]

Tight ends Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey split snaps with the first-string offense throughout the offseason workouts, but it would be a mistake to read too much into that. According to a person familiar with the situation, veteran Bubba Franks is still very much in the picture. “Mike McCarthy wanted to give the young guys a chance,” said the source. “He doesn't know exactly what he has in Lee and Humphrey.

Umm, shouldn't he know by now what "exactly he has in Lee"?Lee is inconsistent. They're still hoping for that mythical light to go on where a player just gets it. His time has to be running out though.

[Brohm]

I had a dream last night the Bubba was traded for a couple high picks in next years draft with TT saying somone was going to step up huge this year at TE :shock: It was so convincing I checked JSO in the morning :oops:

[TopHat]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202532&ntpid=4

Packers preview: Offensive line zones in on improvement

The family sitcom "Growing Pains" followed the Seaver family's travails for 166 episodes in the late 1980s and early '90s, and had NFL Films done a reality show based on the Green Bay Packers' offensive line in 2006, Steve Sabol probably would have begged for permission from ABC to borrow the title. After all, with rookies Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll each starting at least 10 games last season, there were plenty of growing pains on the line. "It was a growing experience. More than we ever could've expected," Colledge said. "But it definitely leaves us in a position to grow (even more)."

The good news is, the Packers figure to have considerably fewer rough patches in 2007, as they enter training camp Saturday secure in the knowledge that their starting five - Chad Clifton at left tackle, Colledge at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Spitz at right guard and Mark Tauscher at right tackle - will arrive intact after two years of uncertainty in the middle of the unit. In 2005, the free agent departures of Pro Bowl guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle left what was once one of the NFL's elite lines in shambles. Last season, in addition to the three rookies seeing extensive playing time, Clifton battled knee problems all year and Tauscher missed five games with a torn groin muscle. Now, though, Clifton is pain-free, Tauscher is healthy and the best thing that can happen to rookies has occurred: They're second-year players, not the virtual unknowns they were entering last season, despite the coaching staff's best efforts to prepare them during minicamp and organized team activity practices.

"Obviously the OTAs are great, the minicamps are great, because you get 'em exposed to a system and you see how they pick things up mentally, but you don't know if a) can they physically hang in there (and) b) you're never quite sure if they can play 75 plays in a game," said new offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who was promoted in part because of his work with the rookies as their offensive line coach last year. "So certainly there was a little bit of apprehension going into the year, a little bit of nervousness, because you weren't quite sure what you had." And what did they end up having? "I think they're three competitive guys, they're smart guys, they've responded well under fire, they don't panic, they have some poise and composure," Philbin replied. "We're pleased." That's not to say that the unit will be immortalized like the Lombardi-era line or even the early 2000s group anytime soon. Too often last year, the Packers had to keep a back and/or tight end in to help in pass protection, and there were plenty of missed assignments and cut-blocks in the team's new lead-zone run scheme.

Nonetheless, with the addition of fourth-round pick Allen Barbre, who had a strong spring, the Packers would seem to have seven solid linemen, with Moll and Barbre serving as the top backups. It all depends on how Mike, Carol and Ben - er, Colledge, Spitz and Moll - benefit from last year's growing pains. "When you have three offensive linemen that you draft, would it have been great if two guys had played (all) 16 games apiece and the other guy was a backup? Maybe," Philbin said. "But this way, they've all gotten into the mix, we know more about all three of 'em than we would have if we'd only have played two of them the whole year
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http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202607&ntpid=1

Packers preview: Jenkins the key on D-line

While it's true Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson did next to nothing during free agency to improve his team — hello, lonely cornerback Frank Walker — let's not forget what could turn out to be the club's most important offseason signing. Or re-signing, anyway. If Cullen Jenkins, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $16 million on Feb. 26, can come through with a breakout season the way Aaron Kampman did last year after getting his four-year, $21 million deal, the Packers' defense could go from being a decent outfit in 2006 to an elite group in '07. Of course, there are other issues — whether Marquand Manuel (or his replacement) can prevent receivers from constantly getting behind him tops the list — but Green Bay has a potentially outstanding front seven and better depth on the line than anywhere on defense.

Jenkins registered a career-high 6.5 sacks (despite missing two games with an ankle injury) last season, replacing high-paid pass-rusher Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila as the primary defensive end opposite Kampman for the final four games, starting three. The Packers won all four games, and the defense, much-maligned for most of the season, showed significant improvement. The Packers' plan is for Jenkins to continue to play end on early downs because he is a better run defender than KGB, then move inside to tackle on passing downs to allow the Packers to have their three best rushers on the field simultaneously in Jenkins, Kampman and KGB. Finding another edge rusher — Jason Hunter, perhaps? — would be a bonus. "Guys like Cullen are very hard to find," defensive ends coach Carl Hairston said. "He's good for us because we can use him at end or tackle and put someone else in because he can play two spots. That doesn't happen often. You don't usually find a guy who can play both positions effectively, which he can do. Once he's inside, he's pretty disruptive there."

The Packers finished last season with 46 sacks, ranking them fourth in the NFL behind San Diego (61), Baltimore (60) and Miami (47), and if reducing Gbaja-Biamila's snaps allows him to recapture his form from 2001 through '04 (49 sacks), their pass rush could be formidable. But the run defense, which finished ranked 13th at season's end, must improve as well. The run defense will again rely on blocker-eating nose tackle Ryan Pickett, who came over from St. Louis as a free agent last year and, despite relatively unimpressive numbers (92 tackles, zero sacks, one fumble recovery, no fumbles forced) was a difference-maker. "I felt like I had a re-start to my career," Pickett said. "It was a great year. Next year will be even better."

Who'll line up alongside him depends on first-round pick Justin Harrell, who did not take a single offseason snap in 11-on-11 drills because of the ruptured biceps tendon he suffered in his final season at Tennessee. Harrell played only three games for the Volunteers but the club expects him to be ready when training camp opens Saturday. "We (were) just being smart with him," McCarthy said of the limitations placed on Harrell in minicamps and organized team activity practices. "As we all know when you get to training camp, we'll be playing real football with the pads. You learn a lot about the individuals (then). It's a different game when you put the pads on, so that will be the true test." Harrell augments an already deep interior line, where Corey Williams (seven sacks, 47 sacks) had been in line for a contract extension and could fend off the rookie to keep the starting job. Backups Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly will also factor in.
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http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202802&ntpid=1

Packers preview: Love those linebackers

It's always a little dangerous to look at a position and get all excited about it before a single training camp practice has commenced, but it's hard for the Green Bay Packers not to be downright giddy about how out-of-this-world good their starting linebackers could be in 2007. "Their potential is unlimited," said linebackers coach Winston Moss, who was promoted to the additional role of assistant head coach during the offseason. While Moss' opinion is understandably biased, it's hard to disagree. Last season's starting trio of A.J. Hawk at will (weak-side), Nick Barnett at mike (middle) and Brady Poppinga at sam (strong-side) linebacker combined for 372 tackles, 6? sacks, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 23 passes defended. Hawk led the team in tackles (155), Barnett was second (141) for the first time in his four-year career, and Poppinga (76) ranked seventh. Granted, your linebackers are supposed to lead your team in tackles — that's what they're there for — but there's no denying the improved production over the previous year, when the club started the likes of oft-injured Na'il Diggs, journeyman Paris Lenon and pedestrian Robert Thomas with Barnett.

And Moss expects considerably more from the unit in 2007. "There's going to be high expectations for that group, and they're going to have to stand and deliver," Moss said. "Hawk, you can't say enough about the potential he has. You just really appreciate the tenacity and warrior-type mentality and playmaking of Nick Barnett. And you have to be pleased with the process that Brady went through last year. Everything that he's done this offseason leads me to believe he's going to continue to ascend." Barnett, who signed a $35 million contract extension in April, was involved in a nightclub altercation in Appleton in June but remains one of the linchpins of the defense. Poppinga, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL late in December 2005, struggled early last season but had improved dramatically by year's end. Hawk, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, was able to think less and rely more on his football instincts on a weekly basis. "I think anytime you're not quite sure what you're doing, it makes it a lot tougher. So just having one year under my belt helps a lot I think. I've seen everything before," Hawk said. "I'm not an old vet who's played in the league seven, eight years, but I think that one year helps more than I would've thought last year. "I just think experience helps more than anything else. I really believe that. Especially with the defense we have and the scheme we have. Playing with the same guys, we're pretty much all intact on the defensive side of the ball. I think that's the biggest thing that's going to help this year."

Behind the starting threesome, the Packers will strike a balance between players' potential from scrimmage and their immediate usefulness on special teams. Abdul Hodge, a third-round pick in 2006 who struggled in his one start in Barnett's place, missed most of the offseason after knee surgery. Tracy White was the leading special-teams tackler but might not be ideal as a from-scrimmage backup. Sixth-round pick Desmond Bishop was a first-team all-Pacific 10 pick as a senior last year with a conference-leading 126 tackles, and should upgrade the coverage units. Undrafted free agents Rory Johnson and Juwan Simpson came with character questions but could challenge for the final roster spots.

[Packers4Ever]

I didn't see where this had been posted by anyone, sorry if I missed it.


Milw. Journal/Sentinel Wed. July 25, 2007

The Green Bay Packers are one of six NFL teams that the NFL network will

cover in its "Inside Training Camp" series.

The report on the Packers is scheduled to air at 7 PM Wed., Aug. 1, 2007 with host Charles Davis and analyst Brian Baldinger.

The Network plans to place wireless microphones on players and coaches

and Packers' Head Coach, Mike McCarthy has agreed to wear one.

Each episode runs one hour.

Meanwhile Sirius NFL radio will visit all 32 teams in training camp..

The visit to the Packers is set to air from 9 AM to Noon on Tuesday,

August 14, 2007. with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt.

[Packers4Ever]

WHoops ! That is the title of my post regarding the NFL's plans to visit 6

NFL teams at their camps in August. It somehow got placed with wrong title.

The report on the Packers is scheduled to air Wed. August 1, 2007.

See rest of report under above title.

[TopHat]

http://www.packernet.com/blog/?p=11

Roster Preview

Defensive Line

The defensive line was already ok last season due to the likes of Aaron Kampman, Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins. Now with the drafting of Justin Harrell the line just got a little more stubborn against the run. The Packers were able to take a filer with Harrell because the defensive line was already ok but with the Viking getting Adrian Peterson and Chicago going full time with Cedric Benson, the Packers had to do something to off set those changes. But the inserting of Harrell will not happen until the Packers feel he is successfully recovered from biceps injury. The X factors are Corey Williams, Johnny Jolly, Colin Cole and Mike Montgomery. Unless there are injuries to the others Larry Birdine and Daniel Muir look to be practice squad players. Another attempted improvement is the shifting of KGB back to a stage in his career where he was successful at rushing the passer and not a full time defensive end. But soon to be 30 years old might be a telling sign to KGB and the Packers, that those days are over. This training camp will allow the coaches a early look see if KGB has it or not. The defensive line is more settled than the other two defensive areas but improvements were made. Will those improvements with Justin Harrell being added will be helpful this season or next. Again these gains will not be noticed until probably half way into the upcoming season. So Corey Williams will have to hold down the fort with Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole. So with that the Packers will keep defensive ends Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins, Jason Hunter and KGB. Now if there were to be a change and KGB was gone then either Mike Montgomery or Larry Birdine will have the position. The Packers will keep five defensive tackles, which should include Ryan Pickett, Corey Williams, Jolly, Cole and of course Harrell.

Linebackers

A lot of football experts say that the strength of Green Bay Packers 2007 defense will be the linebackers. They mention AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett, completely forgetting about Brady Poppinga. Last year Brady was coming of a similar injury that Marviel Underwood is coming off this year. So it took a while for Brady to gain confidence on the knee that he injured. By the end of the 2006 season, Brady was coming into his own. Now Brady is not as gifted as the other two linebackers but the fact that he wears his emotions on his sleeve will be a telling factor on how good this defense can be this year. Now an interesting piece of information that leaked out was that Abdul Hodge had a year long bout with a knee injury last year but didn’t go on the injured reserve. In the off season the injury knee didn’t require surgery, so the Packers are gaining an advantage there with Hodge coming back healthy. I am excited about the linebackers the Packers did get with and after the 2007 draft. See the linebackers may be the strength of the defense but there was no depth to speak of if one of the starters went down. The only decent replacement was Abdul Hodge for the three spots. Hodges top end speed was some where in the 4.87 seconds for a 40 yard dash, not good when you have to cover a tight end. So the only spot he could have backed up was middle linebacker. Now enter Desmond Bishop, Rory Johnson, and Juwan Simpson. Desmond Bishop is cut in the same mold as Abdul Hodge. Rory Johnson and Juwan Simpson have top end speed to cover the outside positions. All three would be an upgrade on the special teams as well. So how should this shake out. Believe it or not I have the Packers keeping seven linebacker on their squad this year. Why so many, that would be for the upgrade in the special teams coverage units. So Poppinga, Barnett and Hawk are the starters with Bishop, Hodge and Johnson and Simpson for depth.

Safeties

Now the scoop on the safeties are all over the place as to who will be projected as the starter and who will be the backups. There are opinions out there that have the rookie Aaron Rouse starting at strong safety. I am not one of them. I find that hard to believe because Aaron would have to understand the defense immediately and that usually never happens with a rookie. Aaron will make the team because of his ability on special teams. I feel everyone is not taking into consideration the fact that defensive coordinator Bob Sanders is on a short leash this year, because the defense was out coached several times last year and factor that in with Winston Moss, the linebacker coach, being elevated to assistant head coach. Meaning if the Packers defense comes out against Philadelphia flat that could mean the end of the line for Bob Sanders. Getting back to the topic, my thinking is that Bob Sanders will play it close to the vest this year with last years starter Marquand Manuel. That is unless Manuel is beaten out by either Tyrone Culver or Marvel Underwood. Those are the next two guy in line with the most experience in the current defensive system. I would have entered Atari Bigby in that mix, but it is always been a fact that Ted Thompson likes his draft choices to be on the team and limit the street free agents as much as possible. I give Atari a lot of credit because from reports he has done nothing but had the best off season in trying to gain the strong safety position this year. Safety position should shake out with Nick Collins at FS and either Marquand Manuel or Tyrone Culver or Marviel Underwood starting at SS. Then Aaron Rouse will back up the SS position and the winner of the Tyrone Culver and Marviel Underwood battle will back up Nick Collins at FS. If the Packers defense comes out on fire as expected then Aaron Rouse will get some playing time to gain experience, most notably on early running downs.

Cornerbacks

You probably have heard it a million times already that the starters will be. Well one more time will not hurt. Ted Thompson will be patting himself on the back over and over this year for signing Charles Woodson last season, then giving Al Harris his contract extension. Three reasons for that is Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams of Detroit then there is Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad of Chicago and finally the Vikings with the drafting of Sydney Rice. The other major concern going into this off-season from a secondary standpoint was the nickel and dime positions. Now based on what happened last year after the major collapse of “Batman” Carroll during the Philadelphia Eagles game. The nickel back position was taken over by Patrick Dendy and many felt that over all he did a fine job for the limited time at the position. But experts were saying that there is always room for upgrades in the nickel and dime position in the secondary. Well with the only upgrade came from the signing of Frank Walker from the Giants, as a unrestricted free agent, and the return of Will Blackmon from a foot injury, the experts felt that the Packers still didn’t improve enough. I would have to disagree due to it takes more experience than athletic ability to be successful at either the nickel or dime packages and knowledgeable in the defensive scheme. Frank Walker has four years as a defensive back for the Giants and for the nickel that is important. Than either Patrick Dendy, Jarrett Bush or Will Blackmon can handle the dime package. One of the big questions going into this training camp is will the injury bug that Will Blackmon has had ever since joining the Packers last season. Right now Will Blackmon is recovering from a groin injury and was on the sideline, which didn’t make Mike McCarthy to happy. If Blackmon is to keep a roster position with the Packers, then this training camp he will have to be on the field more than on the sidelines with injuries. Cornerback situation should shake out with Charles Woodson and Al Harris starting and Frank Walker the nickel back and a dog fight between Patrick Dendy, Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon for the final spot. Either Antonio Malone or Tramon Williams will be on the practice squad when it is finished.

Offensive Line

Well this area was being developed last year and is showing signs of life this year. The only new addition to the line this year was Allen Barbre. A tackle in college that will be project as a guard with the Packers, at least early on. Other than that, it’s the same as it was last year. Clifton, Colledge, Wells, Spitz, Tauscher as the starting line up. Backing them up should be Colledge, Barbre, Spitz, Palmer, Moll. The X factors for the line this year go to Orrin Thompson and Junius Coston. Possible practice squad players include Pat Murray and Travis Leffew.

Tight Ends

Bubba Franks still holds the hopes of the Packers in the upcoming season. The X factors to go Donald Lee, Zac Alcorn, Tory Humphrey and Clark Harris. This position needs as much upgrading going into 2008 draft as the cornerback position, due to the age of the starters. So here is my selections based on keeping three. Franks, Lee, Harris. But I hear that the Packers are thinking of using the tight end position more in their offensive philosophy. If that is the case then the Packers will keep four tight ends. Based on four would include, Franks, Lee, Alcorn, Harris.

Wide Receivers

With the drafting of James Jones and David Clowney to go along with rest of a collection of blue collar guys that reflect the image that the Packers want to put on the field in the upcoming season. Clowney is a special teams guy from Virginia Tech. Remember there was another Virginia Tech player drafted by the Packers and that was Antonio Freeman, he was 6-1,198 and had a 4.42 in the 40 when drafted. Clowney is 6-0, 188 and had a 4.35 in the 40 after being drafted. David will be effective this year for the Packers.

James Jones was drafted with someone else in mind, that player was Sterling Sharpe. Sterling was 6-0, 207 with 4.55 speed in the 40 yard dash. James Jones is 6-1, 207 with 4.59 speed in the 40 yard dash. Now with those to comparisons will see how effective they are when the season starts. I really believe Jimmy Robinson, wide receivers coach will have both ready, just like Greg Jennings was last year. We as fans already know about Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and their potential. The X factors go to Ruvell Martin, Carlyle Holiday, Koren Robinson. The other wide receivers are just camp bodies. The order that I see is Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Ruvell Martin, James Jones and David Clowney.

Quarterbacks

Well another season with Brett Favre will not be so bad. Couple of reasons, one we get to see him break some more of Marino and Elway records. Two, I like Brett in this scenario because he can calm down a young team and help guide the team as it still gets its feet under control. Three, continue development of Aaron Rodgers to keep coming along slowly so that he will be able to immediately step into the position when Brett calls it a career. Ingle brings more of the conventional pocket passer to the table more than anything else. I like Ingle Martin but I am also intrigued with Paul Thompson. One of the main things that Mike McCarthy is trying to do this year differently from last year is based on rollouts away from the protection. Paul Thompson has caught the eye of the Packer coaches in that offensive phase of the game. Another thing that Paul Thompson does is that he was a wide receiver at Oklahoma as well. Now Thompson has to remind Mike McCarthy of Carlyle Holiday. Holiday was the QB at Notre Dame then turned WR when drafted by Arizona Cardinals. McCarthy has already stated that he loves QBs that can play other positions because they understand offensives quicker. If Thompson is not on the final 53, then expect him to be on the practice squad this year.

Running Backs

Finally the running backs position. Everyone fells there is great unrest at this position. Yeah we have inexperience working against the Packers at the moment. But both Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson, will be ok after about four games into the season. Both will have successful seasons in the zone blocking scheme the Packers are running. Barring any major injury both of those running back should be at or near 1000 yards each. Now the major question is who will be the third halfback kept on the roster. The general experts are saying Noah Herron will keep his job. But if Green Bay is to keep a sound rushing attack throughout the season there needs to be a better runner than Herron in the backfield and that player is DeShawn Wynn. Wynn will be able to give the running game a new dimension that Herron couldn’t. That dimension is speed, something that Herron doesn’t have. At the full back position, I look for Brandon Miree to be backed up by Korey Hall. Only reason why Hall will be on the team is for his special teams ability. If Korey Hall wasn’t drafted I could easily see Ryan Powdrell being Miree’s backup instead. The players that are looking at practice squad are Corey White and Ryan Powdrell.

Overall this years team should be better at special teams, more of an overall defensive dominance, and just enough of a balance offense to control the clock in order to win games. We will have to see if that become true. Let training camp begin!!

[TopHat]

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/PKR01/707260545/0/theme

Packers by position: Great expectations surround Hawk, LBs

The next three to five years will show whether General Manager Ted Thompson was right to choose linebacker A.J. Hawk with the fifth pick in the 2006 draft rather than tight end Vernon Davis. The Packers think Hawk's promising rookie season suggests they have a perennial Pro Bowler in the making. Though it's likely a stretch to project Hawk as an MVP-type defensive player similar to Chicago's Brian Urlacher, the Packers think Hawk has the tangible and intangible talents to be better than, say, Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking, who has gone to five Pro Bowls in his six NFL seasons. "This guy (Hawk) can run, he knows how to play, he's very strong, he's dedicated," Thompson said. "He works his tail off, and I think he sees himself as a player. So, yeah, I think he's a heck of a player."

As a rookie starter at weak-side linebacker, Hawk didn't jump out early in training camp but improved throughout camp and the season. He beat out middle linebacker Nick Barnett for the team lead in tackles (155 to 141), had 3½ sacks, defended nine passes and had a hand in five turnovers (two interceptions and fumbles recovered, one fumble forced). Making the Pro Bowl should be a realistic goal for Hawk, even early in his career. Brooking made his first Pro Bowl as a rookie, and DeMarcus Ware, an outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, made it as a second-year pro last season. The NFC's other two outside linebackers in last year's Pro Bowl were San Francisco's Julian Peterson and Tampa Bay's 34-year-old Derrick Brooks. Chicago's Lance Briggs would have been one of the three but couldn't play because of an injury. "I don't have a crystal ball to say (he'll be a perennial Pro Bowler)," said Bob Sanders, the Packers' defensive coordinator.


"But certainly, he's a guy that definitely you try to build around because he's very instinctive, a hard worker, he's a very physical player. He leads by just the way he plays. Certainly, the expectation level for him to be in and around big plays is there." With Hawk and Barnett, the Packers potentially have one of the best linebacker pairings in the NFL. The two almost never come off the field — Sanders plays a nickel defense, with Hawk and Barnett on the field, on many downs in which other teams would use a dime defense (one linebacker, six defensive backs). To ensure keeping the pair together for the next several years, the Packers signed Barnett to a five-year, $35 million contract extension that includes about $11.5 million in first-year bonuses and salary. Barnett, who had nine passes defended last year, won that extension in part because of his durability. He's missed only two games in his four-year career, one in 1993 because of an ankle injury and one last year because of a broken hand.

Third-year pro Brady Poppinga, meanwhile, recovered from a handful of costly pass-coverage errors early last season and held onto his job as strong-side linebacker, less than a year removed from knee-reconstruction surgery. The converted college defensive end never might be anything but OK in coverage, but he plays with abandon and adds a physical dimension. Though he had only one sack, he's an option as an occasional outside rusher or blitzer on passing downs. "I think he did OK (in coverage last year)," Thompson said. "You've got to remember he was a down lineman in college, so he's still learning the position a little bit. As you know, he'd run through a wall to do good. He plays hard, he's physical, and we'll work on him for that other stuff." The Packers are excited to see second-year pro Abdul Hodge in training camp to see if he's rebounded from a knee injury. One of their biggest disappointments last season was the third-round pick's fade after an excellent start as a run defender in the first two weeks of training camp.

For a short time, it looked like Hodge might force his way into the starting lineup, perhaps precipitating moving Barnett to strong-side linebacker. But Hodge leveled off as camp went on, and when he got his chance to play in the regular season — against Seattle in November when Barnett was out with a broken right hand — he flopped. Seattle rushed for 235 yards and averaged 4.9 yards a carry, in part because of Hodge's struggles. However, Hodge had missed five games earlier in the season because of a knee injury and had to sit out all offseason while his knee healed — it didn't require surgery — so it's unclear how much it affected his performance in that game. Hodge will have to follow up his offseason layoff with a superb training camp to convince the Packers he should displace Poppinga in the starting lineup and justify moving Barnett. Hodge probably isn't fast enough to start anywhere but at middle linebacker, so if he's one of the best three, Barnett probably would have to move to Poppinga's strong-side spot. "He didn't play his best game (at Seattle)," Thompson said, "but he's been a good player for a long time (in college). We don't worry about that too much." Thompson is trying to build the Packers' depth at linebacker, especially for special-teams play.

He re-signed Tracy White, a fifth-year pro who was a special-teams core player last year. He used a fifth-round draft pick on California's Desmond Bishop (6-foot-2, 241), who lacks straight-line speed but impressed the scouting staff with his instincts. He also signed undrafted rookie Rory Johnson (6-0, 237), who has big-league speed but tested positive for marijuana twice while at Mississippi and enters the league one positive drug test away from a four-game suspension. "(Johnson) was a really good football player at Ole Miss," Thompson said. "(He) ran all over the field, made tackles everywhere, has speed, quickness, loves to play, has instincts. And we saw that this spring. He looks fine. You don't know how it's going to work, but we're glad we've got him right now." First-year pro Spencer Havner had a good offseason, and with standout special-teams play could win one of the likely six spots that will go to linebackers.
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Position-by-position: Who will fill safety gap?

The Green Bay Packers have had a safety problem for about five years now. During that time, one of their starting safeties has been a liability, whether it was Marques Anderson, Antuan Edwards or Mark Roman from 2002-05, or free agent Marquand Manuel last season. The Packers yet again will try to solve that problem this season by upgrading the strong safety opposite Nick Collins, whom they hope will blossom into a top player in 2007. They haven't written off the 28-year-old Manuel, who had groin and calf injuries last year, but they have at least two young players who have a decent shot at beating him out for the starting job: third-year pro Marviel Underwood and third-round draft pick Aaron Rouse. "It came as a surprise to me that (Manuel) is moving better now than at any time I've been around him," said defensive backs coach Kurt Schottenheimer of Manuel's play at offseason practices. "Coming off the injury in the Super Bowl (with Seattle) affected his groin, and later on, favoring that he pulled a calf muscle and missed a lot of time. So I'm excited about that part. But there's a couple young kids that are very, very talented, so there will be competition."

General Manager Ted Thompson signed Manuel early in free agency in '06 to a five-year deal that included $2 million in bonuses because he knew him from his time as head of Seattle's personnel and thought the former backup would be the solid quarterback the team had lacked for several years at strong safety. But Manuel's calf injuries sidelined from the offseason through the first three weeks of training camp, and he never performed as Thompson projected. Though Manuel tried to be the leader of the secondary, he was at fault for several blown assignments early in the season that cost big plays, and though he was a good tackler near the line of scrimmage, had his problems playing in space all season. There's a decent chance Underwood, a fourth-round draft pick in 2005, would have displaced him sometime during the season, but after a good start in training camp, Underwood blew out his knee in the preseason opener at San Diego and missed the rest of the year. He didn't take part in any offseason practices while recovering from knee-reconstruction surgery, but should be ready for the start of camp.

Like most players coming off serious injury, he probably will take part in only one practice on the days when the team practices twice. The Packers won't know until a few weeks into training camp whether the third-year pro is close enough to full strength to win the job. "I know he's doing everything he possibly can to get himself ready to go," said Bob Sanders, the Packers' defensive coordinator. Rouse, in the meantime, is an unusually big safety (6-4, 223) with a reputation as a big hitter. Thompson picked him late in the third round, No. 89 overall, projecting he at least could challenge for a starting job as a rookie and immediately improve special-teams coverage. Rouse did nothing in the offseason to suggest he can't pick up the defense in his first season, and the Packers also like his ability to match up with top-tier tight ends because of his size. But to win the starting job, Rouse will have to play big when the pads go on. "We're looking for a guy that's 6-4 and 230 pounds to hit like a guy that's 6-4 and 230," Schottenheimer said. "So we'll let that play out and find that out on the field."

The Packers also are looking for Collins' talent to show up on game day more than it did in his first two years as a starter. The second-round pick from 2005 is their fastest defensive back, and his ability to run and tackle never was more evident than last year against New Orleans, when he played a key role in holding Reggie Bush to only 5 yards rushing in six carries and 68 yards receiving in eight receptions. Collins finished fifth on the team in tackles (102) last season and had three interceptions, 16 passes defended and two fumbles forced. All were improvements over his rookie year (96 tackles, one interception, nine passes defended and one forced fumble), but the Packers are desperate for difference-making players, and Collins' physical talent puts him among their best hopes to become one.

"He's special," Schottenheimer said. "He's got a great feel for the system and what his responsibilities are. And later on (last) year he started to become more instinctive, where he can go get involved in a play. He was playing cautiously, so to speak, as it related to coverages." Second-year pro Atari Bigby, who was promoted from the practice squad after nine games last season, showed good range in the offseason and could be a long-shot candidate to push for a starting job. Second-year pro Tyrone Culver probably is the team's smartest safety, and second-year pro Charlie Peprah, picked up after final cuts, also has a shot at one of the four roster spots at safety. Another of the important battles in training camp will be for No. 3 cornerback, where incumbent Patrick Dendy, free agent Frank Walker and second-year pro Will Blackmon will contend. The nickel back usually is on the field for about half of the defense's snaps a game. Dendy has a slight edge after offseason practices, but there are questions about whether the 190-pounder is physical enough to hold the job in camp. "Pat Dendy has made as much improvement from the end of the season to now as anybody that we have," Schottenheimer said. "He's done an excellent job, playing with a lot more confidence. He's doing things that winning performers have to do to play at a winning level."

Walker (5-11, 196), a fifth-year pro who was a backup for the New York Giants last season, was the Packers' only free-agent signing this year. Blackmon missed most of his rookie season last year because of a slow-healing broken foot sustained in the offseason and then a rib injury four weeks after his return that landed him on injured reserve. The Packers are sound, if aging, at starting cornerback, where 31-year-old Al Harris and 30-year-old Charles Woodson return for their second year in tandem. Harris, a pro's pro, usually covers the opponent's best receiver each week and had as good a season as ever in '06 (three interceptions, 20 passes defensed). Early last season, Woodson looked like a possible free-agent bust after Thompson paid him $10.5 million in first-year pay. But he picked up his play as the season went on and finished tied for third in the NFL in interceptions with eight.

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Packers preview: Secondary a primary concern

If the Green Bay Packers' defense is going to be as good as its members think it'll be in 2007, then the team will have to see significant improvement in two crucial areas: At safety and at the third cornerback spot. For while the Packers like their depth on the defensive line and are excited about the play-making possibilities of their linebackers, the secondary is a primary concern. Although the unit boasts two of the NFC's top cornerbacks in veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson, and the coaching staff still believes third-year safety Nick Collins has the makings of an elite player, free-agent signing Marquand Manuel was a major disappointment at the other safety spot last season, and the nickel job is wide open entering training camp, which begins Saturday. Manuel will face challenges from Marviel Underwood, who missed last season with a torn ACL suffered in the preseason opener; rookie Aaron Rouse, a third-round draft pick; Atari Bigby, an under-the-radar player with a better shot at the job than some might think; and Tyrone Culver, a sixth-round pick last year who saw limited playing time as a rookie.

The third cornerback job, which came open when 2004 first-round pick Ahmad Carroll was jettisoned four games into last season, will be hotly contested as well. The competition for that job will include Frank Walker, the team's lone free-agent signing this offseason; Will Blackmon, a fourth-round pick last year who's rookie season was derailed by foot and rib injuries; Patrick Dendy, who assumed the No. 3 corner job after Carroll's departure; and Jarrett Bush, whom the team claimed off waivers from Carolina and played in all 16 games on special teams. Secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, who came under fire early last season for the unit's many breakdowns, said the starting safety spot alongside Collins remains Manuel's to lose and cautioned that some of the glaring mistakes made in the back end weren't entirely Manuel's fault. Nevertheless, there were too many moments like the one in the regular-season opener against Chicago, when Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian got behind Manuel for a 49-yard touchdown less than 3 minutes into the game.

"We don't talk much about it, but there were some things (Manuel) was blamed for that really weren't his problem," Schottenheimer said. "But again, early in the season, the first six ballgames, we had so many mistakes, so many breakdowns. Whether it was a lack of communication, a lack of understanding (of the scheme), as a coach, it's your responsibility to make sure they understand everything. We just were not playing well at that time." Underwood, who went down in the preseason opener at San Diego, worked with the No. 1 unit throughout the first two weeks of training camp last year while Manuel recovered from a calf injury. He could be cleared in time for Saturday's first practice but if not, he should be ready to go shortly thereafter. "I liked what I saw in Marviel in the time we had him before the injury in San Diego," Schottenheimer said.

As for the third cornerback spot, Schottenheimer said the team used its nickel (five defensive backs) alignment on 503 of its 1,002 defensive snaps last season, meaning the Packers had at least with three cornerbacks on the field on more than half their snaps. "There's no question, we have at the very least 12 starters, if not more," Schottenheimer said. "You have to have that many. That (No. 3) guy's going to play a lot." Cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington said he's confident that whoever emerges from the Walker-Blackmon-Dendy-Bush group will be an upgrade over last season, when Carroll was a marked man and Dendy was learning on the fly. "The good thing about it is, all those guys have gotten better from last year. You can see the improvement," Washington said. "They're using their hands better, they understand the game itself better. That's going to allow them to play better, have a better feel for the game. Those guys have stayed here all offseason and worked their butts off. And it's showing right now. Hopefully they can continue to work hard."

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McCarthy notes

Player physicals were conducted this morning, and running tests were ongoing as coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media for about 24 minutes this afternoon. Without final results from those physicals, McCarthy provided minimal insight on the status of players who missed time during organized team activity practices with injuries. But he did say everyone expected to report today had reported with the obvious exception of first-round pick Justin Harrell, who has not signed a contract. Team doctors still must examine Harrell, who is recovering from a ruptured biceps tendon, before he gains final clearance for contact portions of practice, McCarthy said.

Other notable items from McCarthy's remarks:

-- Players will have meetings from 2 to 4 p.m. today, followed by dinner at St. Norbert College, where players will stay during training camp.

-- The first 10 days of practice will focus on review, then transition to gameplanning for the preseason opener Aug. 11 at Pittsburgh.

-- Quarterback Brett Favre said in a phone call last week that he continues to recover well from ankle surgery. He may be held out of one practice on days when the Packers take the practice field twice. Favre, who also battled shoulder fatigue during OTAs, has been throwing.

-- Tight end Zac Alcorn "has the best hands on the team," and the team will continue to experiment with a number of players at that position in different offensive sets.

-- Safety Marviel Underwood (knee) was expected to be cleared at least for one practice a day, pending the results of his physical.

-- There has been no decision on live tackling during training camp. It only will be considered for goal-line drills.

-- To make up for roughly 150 lost repetitions in the new camp schedule, there may be more competitive periods, including red zone, and it's possible practices will run a little longer than a year ago.
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Harrell listed as a starter

First-round draft pick Justin Harrell is listed as a starter on the Packers' "unofficial" depth chart, distributed to media members this morning. UPDATE: Coach Mike McCarthy said he approved the depth chart, adding that if the season began today, Harrell would be the starter and Williams would play in the first sub-package. There are no other surprises, though it's worth noting Donald Lee is listed as the No. 1 tight end.

Here are your starters ...
OFFENSE
WR Greg Jennings, LT Chad Clifton, LG Daryn Colledge, C Scott Wells, RG Jason Spitz, RT Mark Tauscher, Lee, WR Donald Driver, QB Brett Favre, RB Vernand Morency, FB Brandon Miree.

DEFENSE
LE Aaron Kampman, LDT Ryan Pickett, Harrell, RE Cullen Jenkins, SLB Brady Poppinga, MLB Nick Barnett, WLB A.J. Hawk, LCB Charles Woodson, RCB Al Harris, SS Marquand Manuel, FS Nick Collins.

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Dave Rayner, P Jon Ryan, PR Charles Woodson, KR Vernand Morency, LS Rob Davis.

And your second team offense and defense ...

OFFENSE
WR Ruvell Martin, LT Orrin Thompson, LG Allen Barbre, C Tyson Walter, RG Junius Coston, RT Tony Moll, TE Bubba Franks, WR Robert Ferguson, QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Ryan Powdrell.

DEFENSE
LE Michael Montgomery, LDT Corey Williams, RDT Colin Cole, RE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, SLB Spencer Havner, MLB Abdul Hodge, WLB Tracy White, LCB Patrick Dendy, RCB Jarrett Bush, SS Atari Bigby, FS Aaron Rouse.
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Unofficial opening of training camp

Packers coach Mike McCarthy's pre-training camp media address is scheduled to begin at noon. It will be McCarthy's first formal visit with reporters since organized team activity practices ended in the middle of last month.