Partial
08-29-2007, 11:07 PM
The highs and lows of camp
ROB DEMOVSKY
With training camp practices coming to a close on Tuesday, here's a look at the highs and lows:
Thumbs up
James Jones: By far, the third-round draft pick was the star of camp. Within a week, he had solidified himself as the No. 3 receiver and ended up having a better training camp than Greg Jennings did as a rookie a year ago.
Aaron Rodgers: The third-year quarterback made the biggest improvement during his pro career. He showed an intimate understanding of the offense, improved arm strength, poise in the pocket, the ability to escape pressure and a chemistry with most of the receivers that came from spending most of the offseason in Green Bay.
Cullen Jenkins: The versatile defensive lineman was one of the best pass rushers in camp. He might not have had the top winning percentage in the one-on-one drills, but he won his share of the all-important reps against the starting offensive linemen. It looks like he's worth the four-year, $16 million contract extension he signed in the offseason.
Nick Barnett: While A.J. Hawk flashed, especially early in camp, Barnett was the most consistent linebacker.
Charles Woodson: He's prone to loafing his way through practice, but when he wants to crank it up, the guy can make big-time plays. After a slow first week, Woodson began picking off passes left and right.
Thumbs down
Justin Harrell: An argument could be made that the first-round draft pick was the sixth-best defensive tackle, behind even rookie free agent Daniel Muir. That's a significant fall for a guy who was listed as a starter on the depth chart when camp opened. It's hard to imagine that Harrell will be active for the Sept. 9 opener against Philadelphia. He has shown some power during the one-on-ones, but he lacks stamina.
Patrick Dendy: Another player who was listed high on the depth chart at the beginning of camp. Dendy opened as the No. 3 cornerback and worked in the No. 1 nickel defense for most of camp but gave up too many plays. Now, he's in danger of getting cut.
Ingle Martin and Paul Thompson: The rookie free agent Thompson will get one more chance in Thursday's preseason finale at Tennessee, but he's been horrific in practice since Martin was released. Neither proved worthy of the No. 3 quarterback job.
Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris: Both had legitimate shots at roster spots as the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end, but neither grabbed it. For all the talk about Alcorn's hands, he dropped several passes. Harris never made any eye-popping plays. There's a decent chance the No. 3 tight end will be acquired in a trade or a waiver claim.
DeShawn Wynn: Perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise that a guy with a reputation for being lazy and soft missed most of camp. He finally returned this week and could get a lion's share of the reps at running back on Thursday, but it might be too late for the rookie seventh-round pick to make it.
Did you notice?
Running back Vernand Morency, who injured his knee during the first training camp practice on July 28 and never again took part in a full practice, was more active on Tuesday than he has been since the injury. Morency took part in the ball security drill and caught some short passes from Brett Favre during a quarterback-center exchange period.
One of Thompson's three interceptions on Tuesday was so bad that Woodson could see it coming and yelled, "I'll take it," while the ball was in the air. The ball was thrown well behind receiver Ruvell Martin.
There was no field-goal kicking during the final practice, meaning rookie Mason Crosby finished camp with a better percentage than incumbent Dave Rayner. Crosby finished 98-for-115, while Rayner was 91-for-114.
ROB DEMOVSKY
With training camp practices coming to a close on Tuesday, here's a look at the highs and lows:
Thumbs up
James Jones: By far, the third-round draft pick was the star of camp. Within a week, he had solidified himself as the No. 3 receiver and ended up having a better training camp than Greg Jennings did as a rookie a year ago.
Aaron Rodgers: The third-year quarterback made the biggest improvement during his pro career. He showed an intimate understanding of the offense, improved arm strength, poise in the pocket, the ability to escape pressure and a chemistry with most of the receivers that came from spending most of the offseason in Green Bay.
Cullen Jenkins: The versatile defensive lineman was one of the best pass rushers in camp. He might not have had the top winning percentage in the one-on-one drills, but he won his share of the all-important reps against the starting offensive linemen. It looks like he's worth the four-year, $16 million contract extension he signed in the offseason.
Nick Barnett: While A.J. Hawk flashed, especially early in camp, Barnett was the most consistent linebacker.
Charles Woodson: He's prone to loafing his way through practice, but when he wants to crank it up, the guy can make big-time plays. After a slow first week, Woodson began picking off passes left and right.
Thumbs down
Justin Harrell: An argument could be made that the first-round draft pick was the sixth-best defensive tackle, behind even rookie free agent Daniel Muir. That's a significant fall for a guy who was listed as a starter on the depth chart when camp opened. It's hard to imagine that Harrell will be active for the Sept. 9 opener against Philadelphia. He has shown some power during the one-on-ones, but he lacks stamina.
Patrick Dendy: Another player who was listed high on the depth chart at the beginning of camp. Dendy opened as the No. 3 cornerback and worked in the No. 1 nickel defense for most of camp but gave up too many plays. Now, he's in danger of getting cut.
Ingle Martin and Paul Thompson: The rookie free agent Thompson will get one more chance in Thursday's preseason finale at Tennessee, but he's been horrific in practice since Martin was released. Neither proved worthy of the No. 3 quarterback job.
Zac Alcorn and Clark Harris: Both had legitimate shots at roster spots as the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end, but neither grabbed it. For all the talk about Alcorn's hands, he dropped several passes. Harris never made any eye-popping plays. There's a decent chance the No. 3 tight end will be acquired in a trade or a waiver claim.
DeShawn Wynn: Perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise that a guy with a reputation for being lazy and soft missed most of camp. He finally returned this week and could get a lion's share of the reps at running back on Thursday, but it might be too late for the rookie seventh-round pick to make it.
Did you notice?
Running back Vernand Morency, who injured his knee during the first training camp practice on July 28 and never again took part in a full practice, was more active on Tuesday than he has been since the injury. Morency took part in the ball security drill and caught some short passes from Brett Favre during a quarterback-center exchange period.
One of Thompson's three interceptions on Tuesday was so bad that Woodson could see it coming and yelled, "I'll take it," while the ball was in the air. The ball was thrown well behind receiver Ruvell Martin.
There was no field-goal kicking during the final practice, meaning rookie Mason Crosby finished camp with a better percentage than incumbent Dave Rayner. Crosby finished 98-for-115, while Rayner was 91-for-114.