Packnut
07-31-2007, 08:33 PM
Insider Blog
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Franks, Jennings draw cheers
TE Bubba Franks drew the biggest cheer of the night with a deep catch over the middle and he showed some agility to avoid converging defensive backs.
Greg Jennings also drew cheers when he caught a deep crossing route from Rodgers. More cheers came when running back Jackson burst through a huge hole in the middle of the line.
Other observations from a team drill:
-- A.J hawk would have easily sack Rodgers on a blitz.
-- Receiver Chris Francies beat Patrick Dendy on a deep slant route.
-- Calvin Russell dropped a pass from Rodgers on a blitz drill with Aaron Rouse in coverage.
-- In a one-on-one receiver vs. defensive back drill, Jennings had a nice catch in the end zone over Al Harris. Jennings then later beat Harris on a crossing route over the middle. Donald Driver, who was the sidelines for the first two days of camp, caught a pair of passes over cornerback Charles Woodson.
-- A large color LED TV screen is located in the northwest corner of City Stadium. The 4 by 8 1/2-foot screen is displaying Packers highlights as well as training camp schedules and other information.
-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 8:28 PM | 0 Comments
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RB Jackson struggles again
For the third straight day, rookie running back Brandon Jackson struggled to pick up blitzing linebackers during the team drill. Jackson missed a block on Nick Barnett who would have sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In the same period, first-round draft pick Justin Harrell took a few snaps with the No. 1 defense.
Also in the blitz period, Rodgers connected with receiver Ruvell Martin for a deep sideline completion over Patrick Dendy.
-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 8:12 PM | 0 Comments
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Defensive backs finally get a chance to tackle -- a dummy
Defensive backs haven't been engaged in any live tackling during training camp, so tonight they took out their pent-up frustrations by diving at a tackling dummy placed on a thick-padded landing area. Charles Woodson didn't participate in that drill.
Committing drops during the pass-catching drill in the secondary were Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon.
In an unrelated item, the NFL Network is taping portions of tonight's practice and will air footage at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 7:37 PM | 0 Comments
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Rayner edges Crosby in kicking drill
Dave Rayner held a slight advantage over Mason Crosby in a kicking drill. The Packers kickers booted successful 42-yard field goals, but Rayner held the upper hand on kickoffs.
Rayner's five kicks went to the 4-yard line, the 6-yard line, the goal line, the 4-yard line and the goal line. His hang times were: 4.16 seconds, 4.25, 4.00, 3.87 and 3.85.
Crosby's kickoffs went the following distances: to the 7-yard line, the 13-yard line, the 17-yard line, 1 yard deep in the end zone and to the 9-yard line. His hang times were: 3.94 seconds, 4.31, 2.38, 3.62 and 4.18.
Lining up for one kick return unit: Shaun Bodiford and Ryan Powdrell.
-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com, and Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 7:19 PM | 0 Comments
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Packers start practice at City Stadium, Werner in uniform
The crowd, estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 people, greeted the Green Bay Packers tonight as they conducted their first practice in 46 years at the stadium, adjacent to Green Bay East High School.
Dressed in shorts for the start of the 6:30 p.m. practice and who did not participate in full-scale workouts: Vernand Morency, Brandon Miree, Daniel Muir, Juwan Simpson, Allen Barbre and Rory Johnson.
Newly signed tight end Joe Werner was in uniform, wearing No. 47.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 6:53 PM | 0 Comments
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Packers sign ex-basketball star Werner
The Packers have signed Chippewa Falls native Joe Werner and placed backup punter David Lonie on injured reserve.
Werner, a two-time Division III all-America basketball player at UW-La Crosse, hasn't played football since high school at Chippewa Falls McDonell. But he impressed Packers coaches with his athleticism while working out as a tight end at the team's rookie minicamp in May. He's 6-foot-6 and 252 pounds.
The Packers needed a tight end after Tory Humphrey broke a bone in his lower leg in Saturday's opening training camp practice. It's unclear whether he'll return this season.
Lonie was on crutches and had his injured left ankle in a cast this morning. He did not punt in training camp.
Werner was one of four tight ends who worked out today. The others were: former Tampa Bay Buccaneer T.J. Williams, Ryan Jones and Nate Lowry.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com, and Pete Dougherty, pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 4:34 PM | 0 Comments
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More morning notes
Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly worked as the No. 2 defensive tackle pairing in their first practice of training camp.
Colin Cole and Corey Williams continued to work with the starters. First-round draft pick Justin Harrell, who has struggled in the heat, played sparingly during team drills.
-- The Packers opened practice in shorts before switching to soft shells after extended position work.
-- Junius Coston got most of the work at left tackle with Chad Clifton sitting out as part of his one-a-day schedule. However, a false start on fourth down during situational work prompted coaches to replace Coston with Orrin Thompson.
-- Tony Moll replaced Mark Tauscher at right tackle with the starting offense for parts of team work.
-- Rookie Korey Hall, a converted linebacker and one of the Packers' three sixth-round draft picks, took the first rep at fullback with the No. 1 offense after Brandon Miree dropped out.
-- Shaun Bodiford and Ryan Powdrell took the first rep on kick returns.
Practice tonight is at City Stadium, next to Green Bay East High School. It's scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. to about 9, so we'll have more updates then.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 12:11 PM | 0 Comments
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Bring in the noise
The Packers pumped crowd noise through speakers during situational team drills this morning at Clarke Hinkle Field.
It had little impact on quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Ingle Martin and Paul Thompson, who were a combined 18-for-26 over two periods.
Highlights included:
-- Two great catches by rookie receiver James Jones. First, he elevated over Patrick Dendy for a ball from Aaron Rodgers in the front right corner of the end zone. Then, he fully extended to haul in a high Paul Thompson pass near the back of the end zone.
-- Donald Driver's first two receptions in team portions of camp: a sprawling grab on the sixth play of the second team period, and a wide-open grab in the end zone off a throw from Brandon Jackson.
-- A crisp, 8-for-11 performance from Ingle Martin, who ran the second unit. He got help from athletic catches by Donald Lee, Ruvell Martin and Zac Alcorn.
-- An across-the-body strike to David Clowney from Thompson, who recovered after bobbling the shotgun snap.
Rodgers finished 5-for-8, Thompson 5-for-7 and Jackson 1-for-1.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 12:02 PM | 0 Comments
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Driver, Pickett, Jolly finish first practice of 2007
Today's training camp practice ended at 10:31 a.m., and Donald Driver, Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly all finished their first practice of the 2007 camp.
Among players who did not finish was fullback Brandon Miree. Also sitting out were Allen Barbre (hamstring) and Daniel Muir (ankle).
Running back Vernand Morency watched practice from the sideline with ice on his knee. Quarterback Brett Favre missed his second straight practice because of the death of his wife's stepfather. He is expected to return for Thursday's morning practice.
Six players on a one-a-day schedule -- Chad Clifton, Aaron Kampman, Bubba Franks, Marviel Underwood, Robert Ferguson and Abdul Hodge -- sat out practice as expected.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 11:43 AM | 0 Comments
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Packers start the day in shorts
The Packers are practicing in shorts on this warm morning at Clarke Hinkle Field.
Though it's difficult to tell who's fully participating, wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly are taking part in the walkthrough portion of practice.
Driver is back after passing his physical on Sunday night. Pickett and Jolly are back after passing conditioning tests on Monday. All three were held out until doing so.
Among those not participating is backup punter David Lonie, who is on crutches with an air cast on his injured left ankle.
Temperatures were in the high 70s as practice started, and were expected to rise to 92 by this afternoon.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette
posted by PackersNews.com at 9:12 AM | 0 Comments
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Monday, July 30, 2007
Wrapping up Day 3
First off, we'll go with a wrestling-style wrap-up of today's 1-on-1 passing drills (offensive player in ALL CAPS) ...
(Note: Some defenders were bailed out by bad throws, but for the sake of brevity, we'll still give them the nod.)
Al Harris def. ROBERT FERGUSON
Charles Woodson def. GREG JENNINGS*
JAMES JONES def. Patrick Dendy
RUVELL MARTIN def. Frank Walker*
Will Blackmon def. SHAUN BODIFORD
Charlie Peprah def. CARLYLE HOLIDAY
Nick Collins def. CALVIN RUSSELL
Jarrett Bush def. DAVID CLOWNEY
FERGUSON def. Dendy
CARLTON BREWSTER def. Tramon Williams
Atari Bigby def. JAMES JONES
Woodson def. JENNINGS
BODIFORD def. Marviel Underwood*
MARTIN def. Marquand Manuel*
RUSSELL def. Aaron Rouse
Tyrone Culver def. HOLIDAY
*major decision
Elsewhere ...
-- Ferguson was at least partly to blame for Aaron Rodgers' interception in the blitz period because of a sloppy route. Later, though, Ferguson had a nifty, leaping grab over Will Blackmon in the end zone that curiously drew congratulations from defenders on the sideline.
-- TE Bubba Franks also had a fine touchdown grab in the final goal-line period.
-- And today's passing stats (7-on-7 in parentheses): Rodgers 20-for-34, INT (10-for-13); Ingle Martin 12-for-16, INT (5-for-8, INT); Paul Thompson 1-for-4 (1-for-3); Brandon Jackson 0-for-1, INT.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 8:40 PM | 0 Comments
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Morency to miss 2 weeks with sore knee
Running back Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today.
Morency hasn't practiced since Saturday. McCarthy declined to discuss specifics of the injury, which was described Sunday by General Manager Ted Thompson as a contusion.
The Packers' first preseason game is 12 days away, so Morency likely will miss that game.
Other injury updates:
-- Rookie guard Allen Barbre sat out today's practice with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Daniel Muir left with a recurring ankle injury.
-- McCarthy said he hopes defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, both of whom failed conditioning tests on Friday, will practice Tuesday.
-- Wide receiver Donald Driver, who has a shoulder injury, also could practice in the next day or two, McCarthy said.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 4:41 PM | 0 Comments
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Hawk's back at it, disrupting the offense
Linebacker A.J. Hawk was impressive in a red-zone blitz drill this afternoon.
On third-and-goal from the 5, quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to hit tight end Donald Lee on a quick slant, but Hawk perfectly read the play, stepped back and knocked down the pass, almost coming up with an interception.
On third-and-goal from the 4, wide receiver James Jones caught a slant, but Hawk stopped him cold in his tracks and would have prevented a touchdown had they been doing full-tackling drills.
-- Wide receiver Carlton Brewster caught a fade pass over cornerback Patrick Dendy on third-and-goal from the 8. The TD pass came from quarterback Ingle Martin.
-- Fullback Corey White burst through the middle on first-and-goal from the 10 to score an easy TD. Rookie first-round draft pick Justin Harrell and Corey Williams were lined up as the defensive tackles on the play.
-- Cornerback Charles Woodson made a nice diving interception of a Rodgers pass in a red zone drill. Rodgers was rolling right and his pass was intented for wide receiver Robert Ferguson.
-- In a one-on-one receiver-vs.-defensive back drill, Ruvell Martin caught two long passes that would have gone for TDs. He beat cornerback Frank Walker, then safety Marquand Manuel. In the same drill, Jones ran a crisp route, came back for the ball and made a tough catch in tight coverage.
-- Pete Dougherty and Mike Vandermause, sports@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 3:48 PM | 0 Comments
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Crosby, Rayner about even on kickoffs
Rookie kicker Mason Crosby showed off his big leg this afternoon with a booming kickoff that went 78 yards, or 8 yards deep into the end zone.
On four kickoffs, Crosby averaged 71.5 yards. Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner wasn't far behind, averaging 70 yards on four kicks.
In order, Crosby's kickoffs went 69, 78, 69 and 70 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.06 seconds to 4.31 seconds.
Rayner's kickoffs, in order, went 67. 70, 74 and 69 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.22 seconds to 4.31 seconds.
-- Rob Demovsky and Mike Vandermause, sports@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 2:52 PM | 0 Comments
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Hodge, Simpson practice; temperature nears 90
Today's training camp practice began at 2 p.m. under sunny skies. The official temperature was 89 degrees just before 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Ashwaubenon.
Quarterback Brett Favre is the only player not in attendance..
Dressed in shorts and not taking part in full activities: guard Allen Barbre, running back Vernand Morency, wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly.
Back in uniform after sitting out Sunday are linebackers Abdul Hodge and Juwan Simpson.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 2:30 PM | 0 Comments
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About this blog
Press-Gazette reporters Rob Demovsky (above from left), Mike Vandermause, Pete Dougherty and Tom Pelissero give PackersNews.com readers some insight on what's happening with the Green Bay Packers.
Previous
Franks, Jennings draw cheers
RB Jackson struggles again
Defensive backs finally get a chance to tackle -- ...
Rayner edges Crosby in kicking drill
Packers start practice at City Stadium, Werner in ...
Packers sign ex-basketball star Werner
More morning notes
Bring in the noise
Driver, Pickett, Jolly finish first practice of 20...
Packers start the day in shorts
Archives
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Franks, Jennings draw cheers
TE Bubba Franks drew the biggest cheer of the night with a deep catch over the middle and he showed some agility to avoid converging defensive backs.
Greg Jennings also drew cheers when he caught a deep crossing route from Rodgers. More cheers came when running back Jackson burst through a huge hole in the middle of the line.
Other observations from a team drill:
-- A.J hawk would have easily sack Rodgers on a blitz.
-- Receiver Chris Francies beat Patrick Dendy on a deep slant route.
-- Calvin Russell dropped a pass from Rodgers on a blitz drill with Aaron Rouse in coverage.
-- In a one-on-one receiver vs. defensive back drill, Jennings had a nice catch in the end zone over Al Harris. Jennings then later beat Harris on a crossing route over the middle. Donald Driver, who was the sidelines for the first two days of camp, caught a pair of passes over cornerback Charles Woodson.
-- A large color LED TV screen is located in the northwest corner of City Stadium. The 4 by 8 1/2-foot screen is displaying Packers highlights as well as training camp schedules and other information.
-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 8:28 PM | 0 Comments
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RB Jackson struggles again
For the third straight day, rookie running back Brandon Jackson struggled to pick up blitzing linebackers during the team drill. Jackson missed a block on Nick Barnett who would have sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In the same period, first-round draft pick Justin Harrell took a few snaps with the No. 1 defense.
Also in the blitz period, Rodgers connected with receiver Ruvell Martin for a deep sideline completion over Patrick Dendy.
-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 8:12 PM | 0 Comments
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Defensive backs finally get a chance to tackle -- a dummy
Defensive backs haven't been engaged in any live tackling during training camp, so tonight they took out their pent-up frustrations by diving at a tackling dummy placed on a thick-padded landing area. Charles Woodson didn't participate in that drill.
Committing drops during the pass-catching drill in the secondary were Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon.
In an unrelated item, the NFL Network is taping portions of tonight's practice and will air footage at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 7:37 PM | 0 Comments
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Rayner edges Crosby in kicking drill
Dave Rayner held a slight advantage over Mason Crosby in a kicking drill. The Packers kickers booted successful 42-yard field goals, but Rayner held the upper hand on kickoffs.
Rayner's five kicks went to the 4-yard line, the 6-yard line, the goal line, the 4-yard line and the goal line. His hang times were: 4.16 seconds, 4.25, 4.00, 3.87 and 3.85.
Crosby's kickoffs went the following distances: to the 7-yard line, the 13-yard line, the 17-yard line, 1 yard deep in the end zone and to the 9-yard line. His hang times were: 3.94 seconds, 4.31, 2.38, 3.62 and 4.18.
Lining up for one kick return unit: Shaun Bodiford and Ryan Powdrell.
-- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com, and Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 7:19 PM | 0 Comments
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Packers start practice at City Stadium, Werner in uniform
The crowd, estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 people, greeted the Green Bay Packers tonight as they conducted their first practice in 46 years at the stadium, adjacent to Green Bay East High School.
Dressed in shorts for the start of the 6:30 p.m. practice and who did not participate in full-scale workouts: Vernand Morency, Brandon Miree, Daniel Muir, Juwan Simpson, Allen Barbre and Rory Johnson.
Newly signed tight end Joe Werner was in uniform, wearing No. 47.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 6:53 PM | 0 Comments
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Packers sign ex-basketball star Werner
The Packers have signed Chippewa Falls native Joe Werner and placed backup punter David Lonie on injured reserve.
Werner, a two-time Division III all-America basketball player at UW-La Crosse, hasn't played football since high school at Chippewa Falls McDonell. But he impressed Packers coaches with his athleticism while working out as a tight end at the team's rookie minicamp in May. He's 6-foot-6 and 252 pounds.
The Packers needed a tight end after Tory Humphrey broke a bone in his lower leg in Saturday's opening training camp practice. It's unclear whether he'll return this season.
Lonie was on crutches and had his injured left ankle in a cast this morning. He did not punt in training camp.
Werner was one of four tight ends who worked out today. The others were: former Tampa Bay Buccaneer T.J. Williams, Ryan Jones and Nate Lowry.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com, and Pete Dougherty, pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 4:34 PM | 0 Comments
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More morning notes
Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly worked as the No. 2 defensive tackle pairing in their first practice of training camp.
Colin Cole and Corey Williams continued to work with the starters. First-round draft pick Justin Harrell, who has struggled in the heat, played sparingly during team drills.
-- The Packers opened practice in shorts before switching to soft shells after extended position work.
-- Junius Coston got most of the work at left tackle with Chad Clifton sitting out as part of his one-a-day schedule. However, a false start on fourth down during situational work prompted coaches to replace Coston with Orrin Thompson.
-- Tony Moll replaced Mark Tauscher at right tackle with the starting offense for parts of team work.
-- Rookie Korey Hall, a converted linebacker and one of the Packers' three sixth-round draft picks, took the first rep at fullback with the No. 1 offense after Brandon Miree dropped out.
-- Shaun Bodiford and Ryan Powdrell took the first rep on kick returns.
Practice tonight is at City Stadium, next to Green Bay East High School. It's scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. to about 9, so we'll have more updates then.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 12:11 PM | 0 Comments
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Bring in the noise
The Packers pumped crowd noise through speakers during situational team drills this morning at Clarke Hinkle Field.
It had little impact on quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Ingle Martin and Paul Thompson, who were a combined 18-for-26 over two periods.
Highlights included:
-- Two great catches by rookie receiver James Jones. First, he elevated over Patrick Dendy for a ball from Aaron Rodgers in the front right corner of the end zone. Then, he fully extended to haul in a high Paul Thompson pass near the back of the end zone.
-- Donald Driver's first two receptions in team portions of camp: a sprawling grab on the sixth play of the second team period, and a wide-open grab in the end zone off a throw from Brandon Jackson.
-- A crisp, 8-for-11 performance from Ingle Martin, who ran the second unit. He got help from athletic catches by Donald Lee, Ruvell Martin and Zac Alcorn.
-- An across-the-body strike to David Clowney from Thompson, who recovered after bobbling the shotgun snap.
Rodgers finished 5-for-8, Thompson 5-for-7 and Jackson 1-for-1.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 12:02 PM | 0 Comments
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Driver, Pickett, Jolly finish first practice of 2007
Today's training camp practice ended at 10:31 a.m., and Donald Driver, Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly all finished their first practice of the 2007 camp.
Among players who did not finish was fullback Brandon Miree. Also sitting out were Allen Barbre (hamstring) and Daniel Muir (ankle).
Running back Vernand Morency watched practice from the sideline with ice on his knee. Quarterback Brett Favre missed his second straight practice because of the death of his wife's stepfather. He is expected to return for Thursday's morning practice.
Six players on a one-a-day schedule -- Chad Clifton, Aaron Kampman, Bubba Franks, Marviel Underwood, Robert Ferguson and Abdul Hodge -- sat out practice as expected.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 11:43 AM | 0 Comments
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Packers start the day in shorts
The Packers are practicing in shorts on this warm morning at Clarke Hinkle Field.
Though it's difficult to tell who's fully participating, wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly are taking part in the walkthrough portion of practice.
Driver is back after passing his physical on Sunday night. Pickett and Jolly are back after passing conditioning tests on Monday. All three were held out until doing so.
Among those not participating is backup punter David Lonie, who is on crutches with an air cast on his injured left ankle.
Temperatures were in the high 70s as practice started, and were expected to rise to 92 by this afternoon.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette
posted by PackersNews.com at 9:12 AM | 0 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, July 30, 2007
Wrapping up Day 3
First off, we'll go with a wrestling-style wrap-up of today's 1-on-1 passing drills (offensive player in ALL CAPS) ...
(Note: Some defenders were bailed out by bad throws, but for the sake of brevity, we'll still give them the nod.)
Al Harris def. ROBERT FERGUSON
Charles Woodson def. GREG JENNINGS*
JAMES JONES def. Patrick Dendy
RUVELL MARTIN def. Frank Walker*
Will Blackmon def. SHAUN BODIFORD
Charlie Peprah def. CARLYLE HOLIDAY
Nick Collins def. CALVIN RUSSELL
Jarrett Bush def. DAVID CLOWNEY
FERGUSON def. Dendy
CARLTON BREWSTER def. Tramon Williams
Atari Bigby def. JAMES JONES
Woodson def. JENNINGS
BODIFORD def. Marviel Underwood*
MARTIN def. Marquand Manuel*
RUSSELL def. Aaron Rouse
Tyrone Culver def. HOLIDAY
*major decision
Elsewhere ...
-- Ferguson was at least partly to blame for Aaron Rodgers' interception in the blitz period because of a sloppy route. Later, though, Ferguson had a nifty, leaping grab over Will Blackmon in the end zone that curiously drew congratulations from defenders on the sideline.
-- TE Bubba Franks also had a fine touchdown grab in the final goal-line period.
-- And today's passing stats (7-on-7 in parentheses): Rodgers 20-for-34, INT (10-for-13); Ingle Martin 12-for-16, INT (5-for-8, INT); Paul Thompson 1-for-4 (1-for-3); Brandon Jackson 0-for-1, INT.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 8:40 PM | 0 Comments
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Morency to miss 2 weeks with sore knee
Running back Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today.
Morency hasn't practiced since Saturday. McCarthy declined to discuss specifics of the injury, which was described Sunday by General Manager Ted Thompson as a contusion.
The Packers' first preseason game is 12 days away, so Morency likely will miss that game.
Other injury updates:
-- Rookie guard Allen Barbre sat out today's practice with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Daniel Muir left with a recurring ankle injury.
-- McCarthy said he hopes defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, both of whom failed conditioning tests on Friday, will practice Tuesday.
-- Wide receiver Donald Driver, who has a shoulder injury, also could practice in the next day or two, McCarthy said.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 4:41 PM | 0 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawk's back at it, disrupting the offense
Linebacker A.J. Hawk was impressive in a red-zone blitz drill this afternoon.
On third-and-goal from the 5, quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to hit tight end Donald Lee on a quick slant, but Hawk perfectly read the play, stepped back and knocked down the pass, almost coming up with an interception.
On third-and-goal from the 4, wide receiver James Jones caught a slant, but Hawk stopped him cold in his tracks and would have prevented a touchdown had they been doing full-tackling drills.
-- Wide receiver Carlton Brewster caught a fade pass over cornerback Patrick Dendy on third-and-goal from the 8. The TD pass came from quarterback Ingle Martin.
-- Fullback Corey White burst through the middle on first-and-goal from the 10 to score an easy TD. Rookie first-round draft pick Justin Harrell and Corey Williams were lined up as the defensive tackles on the play.
-- Cornerback Charles Woodson made a nice diving interception of a Rodgers pass in a red zone drill. Rodgers was rolling right and his pass was intented for wide receiver Robert Ferguson.
-- In a one-on-one receiver-vs.-defensive back drill, Ruvell Martin caught two long passes that would have gone for TDs. He beat cornerback Frank Walker, then safety Marquand Manuel. In the same drill, Jones ran a crisp route, came back for the ball and made a tough catch in tight coverage.
-- Pete Dougherty and Mike Vandermause, sports@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 3:48 PM | 0 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crosby, Rayner about even on kickoffs
Rookie kicker Mason Crosby showed off his big leg this afternoon with a booming kickoff that went 78 yards, or 8 yards deep into the end zone.
On four kickoffs, Crosby averaged 71.5 yards. Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner wasn't far behind, averaging 70 yards on four kicks.
In order, Crosby's kickoffs went 69, 78, 69 and 70 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.06 seconds to 4.31 seconds.
Rayner's kickoffs, in order, went 67. 70, 74 and 69 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.22 seconds to 4.31 seconds.
-- Rob Demovsky and Mike Vandermause, sports@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 2:52 PM | 0 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hodge, Simpson practice; temperature nears 90
Today's training camp practice began at 2 p.m. under sunny skies. The official temperature was 89 degrees just before 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Ashwaubenon.
Quarterback Brett Favre is the only player not in attendance..
Dressed in shorts and not taking part in full activities: guard Allen Barbre, running back Vernand Morency, wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly.
Back in uniform after sitting out Sunday are linebackers Abdul Hodge and Juwan Simpson.
-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
posted by PackersNews.com at 2:30 PM | 0 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About this blog
Press-Gazette reporters Rob Demovsky (above from left), Mike Vandermause, Pete Dougherty and Tom Pelissero give PackersNews.com readers some insight on what's happening with the Green Bay Packers.
Previous
Franks, Jennings draw cheers
RB Jackson struggles again
Defensive backs finally get a chance to tackle -- ...
Rayner edges Crosby in kicking drill
Packers start practice at City Stadium, Werner in ...
Packers sign ex-basketball star Werner
More morning notes
Bring in the noise
Driver, Pickett, Jolly finish first practice of 20...
Packers start the day in shorts
Archives