Partial
08-28-2007, 01:01 PM
Offense strikes in red zone
ROB DEMOVSKY
A day after struggling during the 2-minute drill, the starting offense rebounded with a strong showing during a red-zone period.
In what was the only non-scripted, starters-against-starters period of Monday's practice, Brett Favre and Co. needed only five plays to score a touchdown after starting at the defense's 18-yard line. Favre completed 3-of-4 passes, and rookie running back DeShawn Wynn converted a fourth-and-1 from the 9-yard line. On the next play, Favre threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings on a crossing route.
Favre also completed passes to backup tight ends Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris. His only incompletion during the short period was a dropped screen pass by Wynn.
The series could be an encouraging sign considering that a year ago, the Packers ranked dead last in the NFC in touchdown percentage (32.7 percent) when inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
But it would be a mistake to put too much stock in the brief success, because it was during a non-pads practice. With training camp practices coming to a close today, there won't be too many more live opportunities for the starters to get that kind of work done. Most of the practices will be game-plan specific.
Thumbs down
The path has been cleared for Paul Thompson to be the No. 3 quarterback, but performances like Monday's won't help him win that job.
Thompson has taken all the third-string reps since Ingle Martin was released on Friday and likely will play a good portion of the second half on Thursday at Tennessee, but he'll need to play better to convince anyone he's worthy of a roster spot.
He threw three interceptions during team (11-on-11) periods on Monday. Backup safety Charlie Peprah intercepted Thompson on a deep ball intended for Calvin Russell. Later, cornerback Patrick Dendy picked off Thompson twice — once in the end zone after cornerback Frank Walker tipped the ball and again on a pass intended for James Jones.
If Thompson, a rookie free agent from Oklahoma, doesn't show some improvement the rest of the week, General Manager Ted Thompson might strongly consider keeping only two quarterbacks or bringing back Martin.
Did you notice?
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed consecutive deep balls to Jones and Ruvell Martin on sideline go routes. Martin beat Dendy, while Jones got behind Jarrett Bush.
Martin jammed a finger when he tried to catch a Rodgers pass that was tipped by a defensive player. He said after practice that it was swollen, discolored and painful.
For the second straight day, rookie Mason Crosby held a slight edge during a kicking period. Crosby made 6-of-7 field goals, converting from 23, 37, 42, 47, 47 and 52 and missing wide right from 52. Dave Rayner was 5-of-7, missing once from 47 (wide left) and once from 52 (wide left). A day earlier, Crosby went 6-for-6 while Rayner went 5-for-6. Crosby holds the training camp lead at 98-of-115, while Rayner has made 91-of-114 kicks.
Monday was supposed to be the final pads practice of camp, but because of several injuries, especially at the running back position, coach Mike McCarthy opted to practice in shells. The workout was moved inside The Don Hutson Center because of a morning rain shower. Fans were allowed inside for a portion of the practice. Today's practice, also scheduled for shells, is the last summer workout open to fans.
Rookie linebacker Desmond Bishop is finishing strong. On Monday, he returned a Rodgers interception for a touchdown.
Linebacker Carl-Johan Bjork worked at tight end for the second straight day and caught about a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers.
ROB DEMOVSKY
A day after struggling during the 2-minute drill, the starting offense rebounded with a strong showing during a red-zone period.
In what was the only non-scripted, starters-against-starters period of Monday's practice, Brett Favre and Co. needed only five plays to score a touchdown after starting at the defense's 18-yard line. Favre completed 3-of-4 passes, and rookie running back DeShawn Wynn converted a fourth-and-1 from the 9-yard line. On the next play, Favre threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings on a crossing route.
Favre also completed passes to backup tight ends Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris. His only incompletion during the short period was a dropped screen pass by Wynn.
The series could be an encouraging sign considering that a year ago, the Packers ranked dead last in the NFC in touchdown percentage (32.7 percent) when inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
But it would be a mistake to put too much stock in the brief success, because it was during a non-pads practice. With training camp practices coming to a close today, there won't be too many more live opportunities for the starters to get that kind of work done. Most of the practices will be game-plan specific.
Thumbs down
The path has been cleared for Paul Thompson to be the No. 3 quarterback, but performances like Monday's won't help him win that job.
Thompson has taken all the third-string reps since Ingle Martin was released on Friday and likely will play a good portion of the second half on Thursday at Tennessee, but he'll need to play better to convince anyone he's worthy of a roster spot.
He threw three interceptions during team (11-on-11) periods on Monday. Backup safety Charlie Peprah intercepted Thompson on a deep ball intended for Calvin Russell. Later, cornerback Patrick Dendy picked off Thompson twice — once in the end zone after cornerback Frank Walker tipped the ball and again on a pass intended for James Jones.
If Thompson, a rookie free agent from Oklahoma, doesn't show some improvement the rest of the week, General Manager Ted Thompson might strongly consider keeping only two quarterbacks or bringing back Martin.
Did you notice?
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed consecutive deep balls to Jones and Ruvell Martin on sideline go routes. Martin beat Dendy, while Jones got behind Jarrett Bush.
Martin jammed a finger when he tried to catch a Rodgers pass that was tipped by a defensive player. He said after practice that it was swollen, discolored and painful.
For the second straight day, rookie Mason Crosby held a slight edge during a kicking period. Crosby made 6-of-7 field goals, converting from 23, 37, 42, 47, 47 and 52 and missing wide right from 52. Dave Rayner was 5-of-7, missing once from 47 (wide left) and once from 52 (wide left). A day earlier, Crosby went 6-for-6 while Rayner went 5-for-6. Crosby holds the training camp lead at 98-of-115, while Rayner has made 91-of-114 kicks.
Monday was supposed to be the final pads practice of camp, but because of several injuries, especially at the running back position, coach Mike McCarthy opted to practice in shells. The workout was moved inside The Don Hutson Center because of a morning rain shower. Fans were allowed inside for a portion of the practice. Today's practice, also scheduled for shells, is the last summer workout open to fans.
Rookie linebacker Desmond Bishop is finishing strong. On Monday, he returned a Rodgers interception for a touchdown.
Linebacker Carl-Johan Bjork worked at tight end for the second straight day and caught about a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers.