TopHat
08-26-2007, 07:29 PM
While on tour in the midwesten states, TOP HAT came across the Holy Grail Turtle at a mystic river near a green bay under a golden sun. The Turtle looked up seeing a "reflection" in the waters. He smiled asking TOP HAT, "Gee, things are getting pretty dull...You know how it is....I know you are now a major contributor to a Packer blog, but Bretsky, MP, Zool, GreenBay007, packers11, Rastak, GBRulz, Woodbuck, Ziggy, Packnut, Packerblues, HarveyWallbangers, CaliforniaCheez, JustinHarrell, Deputy "Mind boggling" Nutz, etc. are wondering about Sunday practice & roster battles updates...?" TOP HAT said, "HMMM, I will post them for the Packer Rats...." The Holy Grail Turtle smiled, looked away at a rising "lady of the lake" holding a "golden dark green hat" mysteriously appearing in the flowing river, and returned seeing TOP HAT gone.
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http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Practice wrap-up
Taking all the reps today for the first time in weeks, punter Jon Ryan average 49.06 yards and 4.6 seconds of hang time on 16 punts. Two of Ryan's punts traveled 60 yards, while only two went less than 40. He also had one blocked. The Packers released punter Ryan Dougherty on Friday.
Elsewhere ...
-- With Jason Spitz (calf) sitting out, Junius Coston played right guard with the first unit. Rookie Allen Barbre and Tyson Walter each rotated in for a series at left guard, while regular left guard Daryn Colledge got some work at left tackle.
-- Coaches shuffled players throughout the defense during opponent work. The most notable change was to the cornerback pairings. Starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris worked together as usual, but Will Blackmon -- not Patrick Dendy -- was paired with Jarrett Bush as the second pairing. Dendy, the No. 3 cornerback until Bush passed him last week, worked with Frank Walker.
-- Recently demoted safety Marquand Manuel spent a few plays alongside starting free safety Nick Collins but played mostly alongside soon-to-be-released reserve Alvin Nnabuife.
-- Rookie running back DeShawn Wynn, back at practice for the first time in nearly three weeks, had a simple swing pass go straight through his hands. He also struggled with the blocking sled because his pad level was too high.
-- The No. 1 offense's 2-minute drill included a long completion down the right sideline to rookie receiver James Jones, who'd beaten Walker. But the drive stalled after that, with two draws, a badly thrown fade from Brett Favre to Greg Jennings, and a bullet intended for Zac Alcorn with Desmond Bishop in coverage.
-- Rookie defensive end Larry Birdine left late in practice because of leg cramps.
-- Carlyle Holiday dropped two passes, while rookie David Clowney had a series of nice catches.
-- A bad drop by Chris Francies led to an easy interception for rookie linebacker Rory Johnson. Dendy also had an interception on a ball Paul Thompson threw to Francies.
-- Alcorn had the catch of the day, a one-handed stab on a high throw into the left flat. Ruvell Martin came in a close second with his leaping grab over Blackmon and Tyrone Culver.
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Favre could play at Tennessee
Going back on his hunch Brett Favre wouldn't play in the preseason finale, coach Mike McCarthy said today his starting quarterback could play one or two series Thursday at Tennessee, though no final decision has been reached. McCarthy said the starting offense likely would play a little more than the starting defense, though that will be dictated by practice.
INJURY REPORT
WR Donald Driver (foot) and RG Jason Spitz (calf), who left last week's game with injuries, will not play against Tennessee. But McCarthy said he's hopeful both will be ready for the season opener Sept. 9 against Philadelphia. McCarthy repeated he is hopeful RB Vernand Morency (knee) also will suit up for the opener. RB Brandon Jackson left practice and did not return after LB Brady Poppinga knocked him to the ground on a running play during the 2-minute drill. S Aaron Rouse sat out practice because of a tight hamstring and LB Spencer Havner a back strain. LB Abdul Hodge sat out because of knee tendonitis, which has plagued him throughout camp. McCarthy said the injury flared up again.CB Will Blackmon has a sprained thumb but practiced.
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Crosby edges Rayner in field-goal drill
Rookie Mason Crosby held a slight edge over incumbent Dave Rayner as he has done for most of training camp. During a field-goal drill, Crosby booted 6 of 6 field goals, compared with Rayner's 5 of 6. Crosby made kicks from 27, 27, 34, 34, 44 and 50 yards. Rayner kicked from the same distances, and his one miss was wide left from 44 yards. He wasn't helped by a low snap from backup Clark Harris on the missed kick.
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Rouse, Havner miss practice
A couple of new faces were added to the injured list today. Safety Aaron Rouse and linebacker Spencer Havner did not practice at today's 10:45 a.m. workout on Clarke Hinkle Field. The nature of the injuries to Rouse and Havner was not immediately known. Also in shorts and not practicing were Abdul Hodge, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Tony Palmer, Orrin Thompson, Jason Spitz, Tony Moll and Vernand Morency. Not in attendance in practice today were Donald Driver, Shaun Bodiford, Ryan Powdrell and Mike Montgomery. All four of those players had suffered previous injuries in the last two weeks.
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http://packers.scout.com/2/672269.html
The Word: Training Camp Day 30: Packers begin ‘in-season’ schedule; Favre to play against Titans; Crosby edges Rayner
Though training camp is still in session, the Green Bay Packers began a practice schedule today as if it were the regular season. While the Packers are preparing for their preseason finale against Tennessee on Thursday, their practices this week are in accordance with their regular season practice schedule. The Packers returned to Clarke Hinkle Field this morning after receiving Friday and Saturday off. The team will practice once on Monday and Tuesday before traveling to Nashville on Wednesday prior to Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Titans. In Packers time, today was similar to a Wednesday practice during the regular season. Monday’s practice will be similar to a Thursday practice. McCarthy said some of the veterans are already preparing for the regular season opener against Philadelphia with their position coaches. In the meantime, the coach plans to use this week and the game on Thursday to see as much as possible players who are on the bubble, as well as some of the starters on the first-team offense and defense. McCarthy hinted last week that he might keep Brett Favre out of the final preseason game, but said today that he needs the veteran to continue to develop chemistry with some of the younger players on the offense. Favre will be followed by Aaron Rodgers against the Titans. Rookie quarterback Paul Thompson is expected to play the majority of the third and fourth quarters. The Packers have to reduce their roster to the NFL mandated 53 players by 3 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, Sept. 1.
Play of the Day
Wide receiver Ruvell Martin made an impressive one-handed catch while leaping over cornerback Will Blackmon to catch a pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a 45-yard gain during an 11-on-11 scrimmage. Martin, who will be battling for playing time with James Jones this season, ran a fly pattern along the right sideline. He jumped up over Blackmon to catch the ball, and cradled it with one arm while falling to the ground to cheers of the nearby ‘railbirds’ perched along Oneida Street.
Stock is up
Chalk one up for Mason Crosby. The rookie edged incumbent Dave Rayner by making all six of his field goal attempts from various distances today in practice while Rayner made 5 of 6 attempts. Rayner’s miss came from 44 yards when his boot sailed wide left. Rayner followed by making a 50-yard attempt, though, Crosby also made his 50-yard attempt that sailed much farther past the portable field goal posts. At this point, it appears that Crosby has the slight edge over Rayner in the competition for the place-kicking duties on the team. Crosby has made a few more of his attempts in practices, and his kickoffs have been a little deeper overall than Rayner’s kickoffs. McCarthy said that the decision on which kicker the team will keep won’t come until after the team’s final preseason game.
Stock is down
Neither Spencer Havner nor Abdul Hodge helped themselves in the battle for the sixth linebacker spot today. Both did not practice due to injuries. Havner has a strained back and Hodge’s knee tendonitis, which has bothered him all off-season, “flared up,” according to McCarthy. It is uncertain if both will return for Monday’s practice, but playing on Thursday against the Titans would be to their advantage. Outside linebacker Tracy White and middle linebacker Desmond Bishop seem to be locks as backups behind starters Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga. The versatile Havner has been playing with the second team defense throughout training camp, and Hodge has been with the third team.
He said it
“I’m just trying to go one day at a time and trying to get out there as soon as possible. I’m a competitive guy. I want to be out there sweating and bleeding and fighting with my teammates. It pains me not to be out there.”
-- running back Vernand Morency on when he thinks he’ll return.
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________
http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Practice wrap-up
Taking all the reps today for the first time in weeks, punter Jon Ryan average 49.06 yards and 4.6 seconds of hang time on 16 punts. Two of Ryan's punts traveled 60 yards, while only two went less than 40. He also had one blocked. The Packers released punter Ryan Dougherty on Friday.
Elsewhere ...
-- With Jason Spitz (calf) sitting out, Junius Coston played right guard with the first unit. Rookie Allen Barbre and Tyson Walter each rotated in for a series at left guard, while regular left guard Daryn Colledge got some work at left tackle.
-- Coaches shuffled players throughout the defense during opponent work. The most notable change was to the cornerback pairings. Starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris worked together as usual, but Will Blackmon -- not Patrick Dendy -- was paired with Jarrett Bush as the second pairing. Dendy, the No. 3 cornerback until Bush passed him last week, worked with Frank Walker.
-- Recently demoted safety Marquand Manuel spent a few plays alongside starting free safety Nick Collins but played mostly alongside soon-to-be-released reserve Alvin Nnabuife.
-- Rookie running back DeShawn Wynn, back at practice for the first time in nearly three weeks, had a simple swing pass go straight through his hands. He also struggled with the blocking sled because his pad level was too high.
-- The No. 1 offense's 2-minute drill included a long completion down the right sideline to rookie receiver James Jones, who'd beaten Walker. But the drive stalled after that, with two draws, a badly thrown fade from Brett Favre to Greg Jennings, and a bullet intended for Zac Alcorn with Desmond Bishop in coverage.
-- Rookie defensive end Larry Birdine left late in practice because of leg cramps.
-- Carlyle Holiday dropped two passes, while rookie David Clowney had a series of nice catches.
-- A bad drop by Chris Francies led to an easy interception for rookie linebacker Rory Johnson. Dendy also had an interception on a ball Paul Thompson threw to Francies.
-- Alcorn had the catch of the day, a one-handed stab on a high throw into the left flat. Ruvell Martin came in a close second with his leaping grab over Blackmon and Tyrone Culver.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favre could play at Tennessee
Going back on his hunch Brett Favre wouldn't play in the preseason finale, coach Mike McCarthy said today his starting quarterback could play one or two series Thursday at Tennessee, though no final decision has been reached. McCarthy said the starting offense likely would play a little more than the starting defense, though that will be dictated by practice.
INJURY REPORT
WR Donald Driver (foot) and RG Jason Spitz (calf), who left last week's game with injuries, will not play against Tennessee. But McCarthy said he's hopeful both will be ready for the season opener Sept. 9 against Philadelphia. McCarthy repeated he is hopeful RB Vernand Morency (knee) also will suit up for the opener. RB Brandon Jackson left practice and did not return after LB Brady Poppinga knocked him to the ground on a running play during the 2-minute drill. S Aaron Rouse sat out practice because of a tight hamstring and LB Spencer Havner a back strain. LB Abdul Hodge sat out because of knee tendonitis, which has plagued him throughout camp. McCarthy said the injury flared up again.CB Will Blackmon has a sprained thumb but practiced.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crosby edges Rayner in field-goal drill
Rookie Mason Crosby held a slight edge over incumbent Dave Rayner as he has done for most of training camp. During a field-goal drill, Crosby booted 6 of 6 field goals, compared with Rayner's 5 of 6. Crosby made kicks from 27, 27, 34, 34, 44 and 50 yards. Rayner kicked from the same distances, and his one miss was wide left from 44 yards. He wasn't helped by a low snap from backup Clark Harris on the missed kick.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rouse, Havner miss practice
A couple of new faces were added to the injured list today. Safety Aaron Rouse and linebacker Spencer Havner did not practice at today's 10:45 a.m. workout on Clarke Hinkle Field. The nature of the injuries to Rouse and Havner was not immediately known. Also in shorts and not practicing were Abdul Hodge, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Tony Palmer, Orrin Thompson, Jason Spitz, Tony Moll and Vernand Morency. Not in attendance in practice today were Donald Driver, Shaun Bodiford, Ryan Powdrell and Mike Montgomery. All four of those players had suffered previous injuries in the last two weeks.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________
http://packers.scout.com/2/672269.html
The Word: Training Camp Day 30: Packers begin ‘in-season’ schedule; Favre to play against Titans; Crosby edges Rayner
Though training camp is still in session, the Green Bay Packers began a practice schedule today as if it were the regular season. While the Packers are preparing for their preseason finale against Tennessee on Thursday, their practices this week are in accordance with their regular season practice schedule. The Packers returned to Clarke Hinkle Field this morning after receiving Friday and Saturday off. The team will practice once on Monday and Tuesday before traveling to Nashville on Wednesday prior to Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Titans. In Packers time, today was similar to a Wednesday practice during the regular season. Monday’s practice will be similar to a Thursday practice. McCarthy said some of the veterans are already preparing for the regular season opener against Philadelphia with their position coaches. In the meantime, the coach plans to use this week and the game on Thursday to see as much as possible players who are on the bubble, as well as some of the starters on the first-team offense and defense. McCarthy hinted last week that he might keep Brett Favre out of the final preseason game, but said today that he needs the veteran to continue to develop chemistry with some of the younger players on the offense. Favre will be followed by Aaron Rodgers against the Titans. Rookie quarterback Paul Thompson is expected to play the majority of the third and fourth quarters. The Packers have to reduce their roster to the NFL mandated 53 players by 3 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, Sept. 1.
Play of the Day
Wide receiver Ruvell Martin made an impressive one-handed catch while leaping over cornerback Will Blackmon to catch a pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a 45-yard gain during an 11-on-11 scrimmage. Martin, who will be battling for playing time with James Jones this season, ran a fly pattern along the right sideline. He jumped up over Blackmon to catch the ball, and cradled it with one arm while falling to the ground to cheers of the nearby ‘railbirds’ perched along Oneida Street.
Stock is up
Chalk one up for Mason Crosby. The rookie edged incumbent Dave Rayner by making all six of his field goal attempts from various distances today in practice while Rayner made 5 of 6 attempts. Rayner’s miss came from 44 yards when his boot sailed wide left. Rayner followed by making a 50-yard attempt, though, Crosby also made his 50-yard attempt that sailed much farther past the portable field goal posts. At this point, it appears that Crosby has the slight edge over Rayner in the competition for the place-kicking duties on the team. Crosby has made a few more of his attempts in practices, and his kickoffs have been a little deeper overall than Rayner’s kickoffs. McCarthy said that the decision on which kicker the team will keep won’t come until after the team’s final preseason game.
Stock is down
Neither Spencer Havner nor Abdul Hodge helped themselves in the battle for the sixth linebacker spot today. Both did not practice due to injuries. Havner has a strained back and Hodge’s knee tendonitis, which has bothered him all off-season, “flared up,” according to McCarthy. It is uncertain if both will return for Monday’s practice, but playing on Thursday against the Titans would be to their advantage. Outside linebacker Tracy White and middle linebacker Desmond Bishop seem to be locks as backups behind starters Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga. The versatile Havner has been playing with the second team defense throughout training camp, and Hodge has been with the third team.
He said it
“I’m just trying to go one day at a time and trying to get out there as soon as possible. I’m a competitive guy. I want to be out there sweating and bleeding and fighting with my teammates. It pains me not to be out there.”
-- running back Vernand Morency on when he thinks he’ll return.