Partial
08-16-2007, 08:06 PM
Insider: Clifton the model of consistency
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovs@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thumbs up
Every offensive line prospect who comes into training camp from here on out should be required to watch film of Chad Clifton in the one-on-one pass blocking drill.
What each one will see is pure dominance.
The next time a defensive lineman beats Clifton in the spirited camp drill will be the first of this camp.
The starting left tackle has been the model of consistency during one-on-ones throughout training camp. The coaches don't put the cagey veteran through that rigorous drill every day because they know resting his aging body is important, but they do it enough for Clifton to remind everyone that he's the team's premier pass blocker.
At 31 years old and entering his eighth NFL season, Clifton remains a franchise left tackle. By unofficial count, he has taken eight reps during the one-on-one drill so far in 2007, and he's won every time — most with ease.
Late in Tuesday's night practice, Clifton again showed who's the boss. He easily pushed back pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. It was the sixth straight time during this camp Clifton has edged KGB during the drill. Cullen Jenkins and Larry Birdine also had turns against Clifton earlier in camp and met the same fate.
Thumbs down
For a guy who supposedly has the best hands of the tight end group, at least according to some of the coaches, Zac Alcorn hasn't been showing it of late.
A day after he dropped at least two passes, the second-year pro who once seemed like a good bet to make the team showed hands of stone during Tuesday's night practice, dropping at least two passes and missing another.
Two of his drops came during a four-play stretch and helped stall a 2-minute drive for the No. 1 offense. Trailing 14-10 with 1:31 to play, the No. 1 offense started at its 40-yard line. The first play was a short pass from Brett Favre to Alcorn, who couldn't handle it. Then on fourth-and-5 at the 45, Favre fired a strike that would have been a first down had it not gone through Alcorn's hands and was almost intercepted by safety Marquand Manuel.
Then, during a 7-on-7 period, Favre whizzed a pass that went right past Alcorn, who never saw it coming.
Alcorn has faded at the wrong time. The coaches desperately need a third tight end to emerge behind Donald Lee and Bubba Franks.
Did you notice?
Linebacker A.J. Hawk made two big plays during the morning practice, and they came on consecutive snaps. One play after tipping a pass that was intended for rookie receiver James Jones, he batted another Favre pass into the air and intercepted it.
# Defensive tackle Corey Williams also picked off Favre in the morning practice. He showed quick reactions when he snatched away a short dump-off pass intended for running back Brandon Jackson.
# Rookie linebacker Desmond Bishop got his most extensive work to date with the No. 1 defense in the morning, when starter Nick Barnett (back) and Abdul Hodge (knee) were held out. Both returned for the night practice.
# Coach Mike McCarthy moved the morning practice inside the Don Hutson Center after a rain shower hit Clarke Hinkle Field. It marked the first time since camp opened on July 28 that practice was held indoors.
# Cornerback Will Blackmon got the first crack at the punt return duties during the night practice and promptly muffed his first attempt. Jones also bobbled a punt during the same period.
# Just when it looked like rookie punter Ryan Dougherty was going to have his best practice of camp, he began to struggle. After booting a 58-yarder with 4.8 seconds of hang time — one of his best punts of the summer — he followed with kicks of 26 yards (4.0 hang time) after a high snap, 37 yards (3.1 hang time) and 30 yards (4.3 hang time). In eight punts form his own 15-yard line, Dougherty averaged 40 yards and 4.22 seconds of hang time. Incumbent Jon Ryan averaged 46.0 yards and 4.43 seconds of hang time during the same drill.
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovs@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thumbs up
Every offensive line prospect who comes into training camp from here on out should be required to watch film of Chad Clifton in the one-on-one pass blocking drill.
What each one will see is pure dominance.
The next time a defensive lineman beats Clifton in the spirited camp drill will be the first of this camp.
The starting left tackle has been the model of consistency during one-on-ones throughout training camp. The coaches don't put the cagey veteran through that rigorous drill every day because they know resting his aging body is important, but they do it enough for Clifton to remind everyone that he's the team's premier pass blocker.
At 31 years old and entering his eighth NFL season, Clifton remains a franchise left tackle. By unofficial count, he has taken eight reps during the one-on-one drill so far in 2007, and he's won every time — most with ease.
Late in Tuesday's night practice, Clifton again showed who's the boss. He easily pushed back pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. It was the sixth straight time during this camp Clifton has edged KGB during the drill. Cullen Jenkins and Larry Birdine also had turns against Clifton earlier in camp and met the same fate.
Thumbs down
For a guy who supposedly has the best hands of the tight end group, at least according to some of the coaches, Zac Alcorn hasn't been showing it of late.
A day after he dropped at least two passes, the second-year pro who once seemed like a good bet to make the team showed hands of stone during Tuesday's night practice, dropping at least two passes and missing another.
Two of his drops came during a four-play stretch and helped stall a 2-minute drive for the No. 1 offense. Trailing 14-10 with 1:31 to play, the No. 1 offense started at its 40-yard line. The first play was a short pass from Brett Favre to Alcorn, who couldn't handle it. Then on fourth-and-5 at the 45, Favre fired a strike that would have been a first down had it not gone through Alcorn's hands and was almost intercepted by safety Marquand Manuel.
Then, during a 7-on-7 period, Favre whizzed a pass that went right past Alcorn, who never saw it coming.
Alcorn has faded at the wrong time. The coaches desperately need a third tight end to emerge behind Donald Lee and Bubba Franks.
Did you notice?
Linebacker A.J. Hawk made two big plays during the morning practice, and they came on consecutive snaps. One play after tipping a pass that was intended for rookie receiver James Jones, he batted another Favre pass into the air and intercepted it.
# Defensive tackle Corey Williams also picked off Favre in the morning practice. He showed quick reactions when he snatched away a short dump-off pass intended for running back Brandon Jackson.
# Rookie linebacker Desmond Bishop got his most extensive work to date with the No. 1 defense in the morning, when starter Nick Barnett (back) and Abdul Hodge (knee) were held out. Both returned for the night practice.
# Coach Mike McCarthy moved the morning practice inside the Don Hutson Center after a rain shower hit Clarke Hinkle Field. It marked the first time since camp opened on July 28 that practice was held indoors.
# Cornerback Will Blackmon got the first crack at the punt return duties during the night practice and promptly muffed his first attempt. Jones also bobbled a punt during the same period.
# Just when it looked like rookie punter Ryan Dougherty was going to have his best practice of camp, he began to struggle. After booting a 58-yarder with 4.8 seconds of hang time — one of his best punts of the summer — he followed with kicks of 26 yards (4.0 hang time) after a high snap, 37 yards (3.1 hang time) and 30 yards (4.3 hang time). In eight punts form his own 15-yard line, Dougherty averaged 40 yards and 4.22 seconds of hang time. Incumbent Jon Ryan averaged 46.0 yards and 4.43 seconds of hang time during the same drill.