Cliff Christl Wed, Tues Camp Report
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2006, 7:08 p.m.
Camp Report, Aug. 16
THUMBS UP
Rookie wide receiver Greg Jennings isn’t Randy Moss. Certainly as a rookie and maybe for the duration of his career, Jennings isn’t going to have defensive coordinators breaking into cold sweats, fretting that he might score on any given play from anywhere on the field if they don’t gear their coverage to stop him. But Jennings looks to be about as ready-made as any rookie receiver the Packers have had since Hall of Famer James Lofton in 1978. And that includes first-round draft picks Sterling Sharpe and Javon Walker, who made big impacts but not until their second year.
Wednesday was the 22nd practice of camp and Jennings as he has done on more than occasion made the biggest play of the day: Catching a deep bomb from Brett Favre down the sideline. Jennings might not have been the biggest – he’s 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds – or fastest receiver – his 40-yard dash time was 4.42 – in last spring’s draft. But he’s quick in and out of cuts, blessed with natural hands and probably more able than most rookies to escape bump coverage. On top of all that, he already acts and plays like a seasoned veteran. “His greatest strength is maybe his poise and maturity,†said wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson.
If Jennings stays healthy and continues to improve, he could be a second-round steal and a productive receiver over a long career even if he never scares people like a Moss or Terrell Owens.
THUMBS DOWN
This is all hypothetical, but if 10 pro scouts had watched the Packers from day one this summer with no previous knowledge of the players, here’s a bet that if they were asked today to identify the best player on the team or at least the player who has had the best camp, one or more would name Jennings.
Preposterous you say? Brett Favre hasn’t sparkled the way he often has in the past. Charles Woodson has had a good camp, but hasn’t jumped out on as consistent a basis as Jennings. Donald Driver has a boatload of experience over Jennings, but he’s no more talented and probably hasn’t made as many big plays. A.J. Hawk hasn’t jumped out for a high No. 1 pick. And Ahman Green is just coming back from his injury.
Former general manager Ron Wolf, who has been in camp for two days, was asked that question Wednesday. He said he hadn’t seen enough to pick out one player, but that he could see where some scouts might pick Jennings. The good news for Packers’ fans is that it speaks well of the pick, to this point anyway. The bad news is that if an unheralded second-round draft choice sticks out as much as any player on the roster, it’s a team that it’s in dire need of stars or playmakers if you will.
INJURY REPORT
Cornerback Ahmad Carroll and rookie defensive linemen Dave Tollefson and Johnny Jolly dropped out of practice. Carroll had his left hamstring wrapped; Jolly, his right calf; and Tollefson, his shoulder or upper back.
Wide receiver Robert Ferguson returned to practice at least on a limited basis.
William Whitticker (hamstring), Samkon Gado (groin), A.J. Cooper (shoulder), Kenny Peterson (ankle), Kenderick Allen (abdominal), Kevin Schimmelmann (foot), Kurt Campbell (hamstring), Patrick Dendy (ankle) and Mike Hawkins (knee) continued to miss practice.
ODDS & ENDS
Cornerback Jerron Wishom intercepted a Favre pass intended for wide receiver Rod Gardner, who ran an out, in a team period. It was Favre’s eighth interception in 11-on-11 sessions and 14th of camp if 7-on-7 periods are included. Wishom showed a nose for the ball during the organized team activities in June when he intercepted three passes. But this was his first pick of camp. Too often he has given receivers too much cushion.
Free agent receiver Ruvell Martin continues to make a run at a roster spot. He caught a deep ball from Favre for his 23rd catch in 11-on-ll periods. Only Driver has caught more with 24 catches. Jennings has 22. Then, there’s a sharp drop-off to Gardner’s 13.
Upset with what started out as a sloppy practice, coach Mike McCarthy called the players together in midstream and gave them a dressing down.
Cornerback Therrian Fontenot was burned on both long passes to Jennings and Martin. Fontenot has repeatedly given up big plays throughout camp.
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2006, 10:04 p.m.
Camp Report, Aug. 15
THUMBS UP
Stanley Bing wrote a book, “100 Bull---- Jobs,†and included those who “delve into the bottomless river of drivel†that is sports commentary. In our little neck of the woods, Bing could point to the current debate over whether the Packers erred in dumping Mark Roman following the season-ending injury to backup safety Marviel Underwood as a perfect example of what he had in mind.
Roman proved during his two-year stay with the Packers that he was a borderline player who was never going to get any better. Plus, sixth-round draft pick Tyrone Culver just keeps impressing.
In Tuesday morning’s practice, he made a subtle, but standout play in his own end zone in a team period. It was a play that Roman probably never could have made. Culver hid behind the outside linebacker, as if he was baiting quarterback Aaron Rodgers into thinking that tight end Donald Lee was open in the back of the end zone, then broke on the ball at the last second, leaped high and batted it down. “I was wide open,†said Lee. “I didn’t even see him. He had some hang time. That was a nice little play.†Culver also intercepted an Ingle Martin pass in the end zone in the same period. It was Culver’s fourth pick in the last seven practices. At night, Culver broke up a deep ball to tight end David Martin and almost intercepted another pass to Bubba Franks.
Culver wasn’t even invited to the NFL combine workout last winter and ran a 4.5 plus 40-yard dash on his pro day. That cost him in the draft. But against Southern Cal last season, Culver caught Reggie Bush from behind on a 65-yard run and it caught the Packers’ eye. Sure enough, based on early returns, Culver appears to play faster than his 40 time. Culver also carried close to a 3.5 grade-point average and played smart. At this point, Culver still has to make the team. But if he does, there’s an upside there that Roman didn’t offer. Keep in mind, too, that the Packers’ two best defenders last season might have been Al Harris and Aaron Kampman and neither one was invited to the combine.
THUMBS DOWN
Rookie free agent running back Arliss Beach got more carries than any other back in Tuesday night’s full-pads practice and even started out in the first 11-on-11 period running with the second unit. But Beach’s chances of making it hinge on more than just his running ability. And in a one-on-one blocking drill, he got beat twice by another free agent rookie, linebacker Tim Goodwell.
Beach also pulled up lame on his last carry of the night. Earlier, he was sidelined with a concussion. Another injury that keeps him out of practice more than a day or two might doom his prospects.
INJURY REPORT
Wide receiver Robert Ferguson (heel) missed both practices. Linebacker Kevin Schimmelmann (foot) missed for the second straight day. Cornerback Therrian Fontenot (hip) missed the morning practice, but returned at night.
William Whitticker (hamstring), Samkon Gado (groin), A.J. Cooper (shoulder), Kenny Peterson (ankle), Kenderick Allen (abdominal), Kurt Campbell (hamstring), Patrick Dendy (ankle), Mike Hawkins (knee) and Atari Bigby (hand) continued to miss practice.
Franks, Chad Clifton, Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, Brady Poppinga and Marquand Manuel rested in the morning.
Underwood remains on the roster, but is expected to be out for the year with a knee injury. Wayne Lucier (ankle) missed the morning practice before he was cut.
ODDS & ENDS
Linebacker A.J. Hawk beat fullback Vonta Leach with an inside burst in a one-on-one blocking drill and showed good reactions, intercepting a pass in a team period at night. Leach came back in the one-on-one drill to stop linebacker Abdul Hodge.
Cornerback Charles Woodson intercepted his sixth pass of camp. Brett Favre threw the pick, but there appeared to be a mix up with wide receiver Rod Gardner.
Guard Tony Moll struggled in one-on-one pass protection, getting beat on his first three turns.
Both Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner were 5 for 5 on field goals from 42 yards and in. On kickoffs, Cundiff averaged almost seven yards more in distance.
Rookie wide receiver Chris Francies beat Ahmad Carroll on a skinny post for a touchdown in the morning practice. But Carroll made a nice play to break up a Favre pass intended for wide receiver Greg Jennings on the final play of the evening practice.
