Scott Campbell
08-10-2007, 08:38 AM
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/PKR01/708100610/1989
Posted August 10, 2007
Insider: Sixth-round picks shine By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thumbs up
It's starting to look like General Manager Ted Thompson struck gold in the sixth round.
All three of his sixth-round picks — fullback Korey Hall (the 191st overall pick in the draft) linebacker Desmond Bishop (No. 192) and kicker Mason Crosby (No. 193) — had big days on Thursday.
Bishop has taken advantage of the nagging knee problems that have limited second-year pro Abdul Hodge to one practice a day. With Hodge out in the morning, Bishop worked as the No. 2 middle linebacker. During a team (11-on-11) period, he intercepted an Ingle Martin pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Jason Hunter. With Hodge back for night practice, Bishop still got some reps with the second-team. Another indication of his progress was he moved onto the No. 1 kickoff return team. He lined up in a spot previously held by starting linebacker Brady Poppinga.
With Brandon Miree out with a stinger, Hall worked as the top fullback with the No. 1 offense and has made remarkable progress, especially considering he played linebacker during college at Boise State.
All indications are that Crosby is an NFL-ready kicker. The only question is whether he beats out incumbent Dave Rayner. Crosby built on his overall camp lead by making eight of 10 kicks in Thursday's two practices combined. Rayner went 6-for-10, including an 0-2 showing in the morning practice during which he missed wide right from 47 yards and wide left from 48. However, it should be noted Rayner worked with backup holder Aaron Rodgers, while Crosby had the more experienced holder, Jon Ryan. For the entire camp, Crosby has made 61 of 73 field goals (83.6 percent) and Rayner 60 of 75 (80 percent).
Thumbs down
Frank Walker, the only unrestricted free agent Thompson signed this offseason, might need to make a furious rally to make the team. With the competitive part of practices largely over — most from here on out will be heavy on game-planning for the preseason games — Walker is way behind.
Heading into Saturday's preseason opener at Pittsburgh, Walker looks like he's No. 6 on the depth chart at cornerback. With starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson sitting out on Thursday evening, Walker remained with the No. 2 defense behind Jarrett Bush and Patrick Dendy. When defensive coordinator Bob Sanders went to his nickel (five defensive backs) package, he used Will Blackmon as his third corner.
One of Walker's best plays of training camp came during the night practice, but it ended badly. He picked off Martin in the end zone during a team period, but then tried to lateral to cornerback Tramon Williams and the ball hit the ground. Fortunately for Walker, Williams recovered.
Thompson probably will keep five cornerbacks on the 53-man roster, so Walker might be on the outs.
Did you notice?
Rookie Justin Harrell had his best rep of camp during the one-on-one pass-rushing/pass-blocking drill in the night session. The defensive tackle used an inside move to beat right guard Tony Palmer. It was the first time in camp that the first-round pick won a rep with technique rather than pure power. Harrell also won a pair of reps by overpowering the camp whipping boy, Pat Murray. Harrell did lose one rep to fellow rookie Allen Barbre.
Offensive lineman Travis Leffew moved across the ball to take a pair of one-on-one reps as defensive tackle. He beat guard Adam Stenovich on his first try but then got stoned by Palmer.
After safety Tyrone Culver clotheslined running back Noah Herron during the morning practice, running back Corey White got revenge in the night session when he plowed over an unsuspecting Charlie Peprah. Both drills were supposed to be non-contact.
Rookie receiver David Clowney dropped another pass. This time, he was looking straight at the ball when he dropped a pass from Paul Thompson. Clowney ran a short route, turned to face Thompson and watched the ball hit him squarely in the hands.
Posted August 10, 2007
Insider: Sixth-round picks shine By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thumbs up
It's starting to look like General Manager Ted Thompson struck gold in the sixth round.
All three of his sixth-round picks — fullback Korey Hall (the 191st overall pick in the draft) linebacker Desmond Bishop (No. 192) and kicker Mason Crosby (No. 193) — had big days on Thursday.
Bishop has taken advantage of the nagging knee problems that have limited second-year pro Abdul Hodge to one practice a day. With Hodge out in the morning, Bishop worked as the No. 2 middle linebacker. During a team (11-on-11) period, he intercepted an Ingle Martin pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Jason Hunter. With Hodge back for night practice, Bishop still got some reps with the second-team. Another indication of his progress was he moved onto the No. 1 kickoff return team. He lined up in a spot previously held by starting linebacker Brady Poppinga.
With Brandon Miree out with a stinger, Hall worked as the top fullback with the No. 1 offense and has made remarkable progress, especially considering he played linebacker during college at Boise State.
All indications are that Crosby is an NFL-ready kicker. The only question is whether he beats out incumbent Dave Rayner. Crosby built on his overall camp lead by making eight of 10 kicks in Thursday's two practices combined. Rayner went 6-for-10, including an 0-2 showing in the morning practice during which he missed wide right from 47 yards and wide left from 48. However, it should be noted Rayner worked with backup holder Aaron Rodgers, while Crosby had the more experienced holder, Jon Ryan. For the entire camp, Crosby has made 61 of 73 field goals (83.6 percent) and Rayner 60 of 75 (80 percent).
Thumbs down
Frank Walker, the only unrestricted free agent Thompson signed this offseason, might need to make a furious rally to make the team. With the competitive part of practices largely over — most from here on out will be heavy on game-planning for the preseason games — Walker is way behind.
Heading into Saturday's preseason opener at Pittsburgh, Walker looks like he's No. 6 on the depth chart at cornerback. With starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson sitting out on Thursday evening, Walker remained with the No. 2 defense behind Jarrett Bush and Patrick Dendy. When defensive coordinator Bob Sanders went to his nickel (five defensive backs) package, he used Will Blackmon as his third corner.
One of Walker's best plays of training camp came during the night practice, but it ended badly. He picked off Martin in the end zone during a team period, but then tried to lateral to cornerback Tramon Williams and the ball hit the ground. Fortunately for Walker, Williams recovered.
Thompson probably will keep five cornerbacks on the 53-man roster, so Walker might be on the outs.
Did you notice?
Rookie Justin Harrell had his best rep of camp during the one-on-one pass-rushing/pass-blocking drill in the night session. The defensive tackle used an inside move to beat right guard Tony Palmer. It was the first time in camp that the first-round pick won a rep with technique rather than pure power. Harrell also won a pair of reps by overpowering the camp whipping boy, Pat Murray. Harrell did lose one rep to fellow rookie Allen Barbre.
Offensive lineman Travis Leffew moved across the ball to take a pair of one-on-one reps as defensive tackle. He beat guard Adam Stenovich on his first try but then got stoned by Palmer.
After safety Tyrone Culver clotheslined running back Noah Herron during the morning practice, running back Corey White got revenge in the night session when he plowed over an unsuspecting Charlie Peprah. Both drills were supposed to be non-contact.
Rookie receiver David Clowney dropped another pass. This time, he was looking straight at the ball when he dropped a pass from Paul Thompson. Clowney ran a short route, turned to face Thompson and watched the ball hit him squarely in the hands.