Packnut
08-02-2007, 04:38 PM
Observation deck: O-line goes from weakness to strength
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: August 2, 2007
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GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Five observations from Green Bay Packers training camp, gleaned from the team's practices:
1. Jackson hoping to be a thriller
Brandon Jackson is an interesting choice at running back. He had a relatively unknown career at Nebraska and finished the season as a backup. Now he has a chance to get a starting job with a Packers team that lost Ahman Green through free agency. He's not tall and he doesn't have blazing speed, but he's a tough runner and a hard worker. During his first Packers practice, he had trouble catching the ball, dropping two. Vernand Morency is expected to be the starter, but he banged his shoulder at the start of camp and missed a few practices. Morency, according to coach Mike McCarthy, fits the Packers' zone blocking scheme because he's good at making one cut and going. What the team is missing, though, is the explosiveness at the position. That's where Green spoiled the Packers. On any given snap, he could break off a long touchdown run. Plus, he was a leader and one of the hardest workers on the team. Jackson can get to the outside, and when he does, can give a linebacker a hip move that might free him. What he appears to lack is the speed to break the long ones.
2. Reality bites
The Packers received a serious reality check when camp opened and Donald Driver couldn't pass his physical because of a shoulder injury. Though it is only a minor problem that was expected to keep him out only a few days, Driver showed the Packers just how potentially thin they would be at wide receiver. Driver, 32, is coming off a Pro Bowl season, but he suffered a minor separation to his shoulder late in 2006. The injury didn't heal up enough for him to pass the physical, so this could be a nagging injury all season. Without Driver, who is the team's No. 1 receiver and a personal favorite of Brett Favre, the offense could be in trouble. Greg Jennings looked like one of the best rookie receivers in football last season until he suffered a high ankle sprain that nagged him the final six weeks. Jennings still runs smooth routes, but he admitted he didn't recognize himself in the final weeks of the season when he looked at the game tapes. Robert Ferguson is still around, but he might not make the team. That would mean James Jones, the Packers' third-round choice, would have to step up as the third receiver. Jones uses his hands well and grabs balls out of the air instead of waiting for them to get to his body. Still, the Packers can't afford a serious injury to Driver.
3. Mr. Rodgers' neighborhood
This might not mean much, but word around Packers camp is Aaron Rodgers is ready to be a starting NFL quarterback. That doesn't mean much in Green Bay because Favre is the starting quarterback and he doesn't miss games. Rodgers looks comfortable behind center in practices, but that isn't new. He's looked that way in practices for the past three years. The key is managing the offense in game situations, and that's not happening while Favre is around. Rodgers has to make up the difference in the meeting room and on the scout teams. According to the coaches, Rodgers made the turn this offseason. He seems to be grasping the offense and executing it efficiently. He doesn't have the greatest arm strength, but he can make all of the throws. Should Favre retire after this season, McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson are convinced Rodgers could take over in 2008.
4. A former weakness is now a strength
A year ago, the offensive line was the team's biggest question mark. Now it's one of the team's strengths. In a move made out of desperation, the Packers developed three rookies along the interior of the offensive line last season. "I think there is a whole different mentality," right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "Two years ago it was different; when the rookies came in, it was kind of patchwork. Now it's like we are building something together." The taller Daryn Colledge is the better pass-blocker, which is why he's at left guard. Jason Spitz is perhaps a better athlete and combines both skills at right guard, and Scott Wells established himself as a solid center. There has to be some long-term concerns at tackle, with Tauscher now 30 years old and left tackle Chad Clifton 31. Of course, there is so much youth on the Packers, the last thing they should worry about is age. This line should be together for two or three more years, which could put it among the best in the league if the players continue to grow together.
5. Who's the new guy?
Little attention would be given to cornerback Frank Walker on any other team. Walker's name is known here because he's the only acquisition (other than draft choices) to join the Packers this offseason. He looks like a solid third corner. Thompson has taken a lot of local and national criticism for doing so little outside of the draft, but the logic is simple: He believes in building through the draft. "People say I don't like free agency, but I like it fine," Thompson said. "I think it's a decent tool, but just to go sign a guy if you don't think he's better than the guy you have just because of name recognition doesn't make any sense." His roster still includes 28 of the 31 draft choices he's selected since taking charge in 2005. Six are now starters, with linebacker A.J. Hawk being the one with Pro Bowl potential.
John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: August 2, 2007
Comment
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Five observations from Green Bay Packers training camp, gleaned from the team's practices:
1. Jackson hoping to be a thriller
Brandon Jackson is an interesting choice at running back. He had a relatively unknown career at Nebraska and finished the season as a backup. Now he has a chance to get a starting job with a Packers team that lost Ahman Green through free agency. He's not tall and he doesn't have blazing speed, but he's a tough runner and a hard worker. During his first Packers practice, he had trouble catching the ball, dropping two. Vernand Morency is expected to be the starter, but he banged his shoulder at the start of camp and missed a few practices. Morency, according to coach Mike McCarthy, fits the Packers' zone blocking scheme because he's good at making one cut and going. What the team is missing, though, is the explosiveness at the position. That's where Green spoiled the Packers. On any given snap, he could break off a long touchdown run. Plus, he was a leader and one of the hardest workers on the team. Jackson can get to the outside, and when he does, can give a linebacker a hip move that might free him. What he appears to lack is the speed to break the long ones.
2. Reality bites
The Packers received a serious reality check when camp opened and Donald Driver couldn't pass his physical because of a shoulder injury. Though it is only a minor problem that was expected to keep him out only a few days, Driver showed the Packers just how potentially thin they would be at wide receiver. Driver, 32, is coming off a Pro Bowl season, but he suffered a minor separation to his shoulder late in 2006. The injury didn't heal up enough for him to pass the physical, so this could be a nagging injury all season. Without Driver, who is the team's No. 1 receiver and a personal favorite of Brett Favre, the offense could be in trouble. Greg Jennings looked like one of the best rookie receivers in football last season until he suffered a high ankle sprain that nagged him the final six weeks. Jennings still runs smooth routes, but he admitted he didn't recognize himself in the final weeks of the season when he looked at the game tapes. Robert Ferguson is still around, but he might not make the team. That would mean James Jones, the Packers' third-round choice, would have to step up as the third receiver. Jones uses his hands well and grabs balls out of the air instead of waiting for them to get to his body. Still, the Packers can't afford a serious injury to Driver.
3. Mr. Rodgers' neighborhood
This might not mean much, but word around Packers camp is Aaron Rodgers is ready to be a starting NFL quarterback. That doesn't mean much in Green Bay because Favre is the starting quarterback and he doesn't miss games. Rodgers looks comfortable behind center in practices, but that isn't new. He's looked that way in practices for the past three years. The key is managing the offense in game situations, and that's not happening while Favre is around. Rodgers has to make up the difference in the meeting room and on the scout teams. According to the coaches, Rodgers made the turn this offseason. He seems to be grasping the offense and executing it efficiently. He doesn't have the greatest arm strength, but he can make all of the throws. Should Favre retire after this season, McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson are convinced Rodgers could take over in 2008.
4. A former weakness is now a strength
A year ago, the offensive line was the team's biggest question mark. Now it's one of the team's strengths. In a move made out of desperation, the Packers developed three rookies along the interior of the offensive line last season. "I think there is a whole different mentality," right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "Two years ago it was different; when the rookies came in, it was kind of patchwork. Now it's like we are building something together." The taller Daryn Colledge is the better pass-blocker, which is why he's at left guard. Jason Spitz is perhaps a better athlete and combines both skills at right guard, and Scott Wells established himself as a solid center. There has to be some long-term concerns at tackle, with Tauscher now 30 years old and left tackle Chad Clifton 31. Of course, there is so much youth on the Packers, the last thing they should worry about is age. This line should be together for two or three more years, which could put it among the best in the league if the players continue to grow together.
5. Who's the new guy?
Little attention would be given to cornerback Frank Walker on any other team. Walker's name is known here because he's the only acquisition (other than draft choices) to join the Packers this offseason. He looks like a solid third corner. Thompson has taken a lot of local and national criticism for doing so little outside of the draft, but the logic is simple: He believes in building through the draft. "People say I don't like free agency, but I like it fine," Thompson said. "I think it's a decent tool, but just to go sign a guy if you don't think he's better than the guy you have just because of name recognition doesn't make any sense." His roster still includes 28 of the 31 draft choices he's selected since taking charge in 2005. Six are now starters, with linebacker A.J. Hawk being the one with Pro Bowl potential.
John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.