Training Camp 2008

[Patler]

and Spitz can squat with 700(!) pounds.

Heck, linemen have to be able to do that just to walk!

Squat is the most important # for a lineman...it shows a low center of gravity for setting up in pass or drive blocking, that is impressive.

I think this is make or break camp for TT's first draft. Guys like College, Coston, Blackman, Montgomery all need BIG camps to survive. They can't afford to miss time and need to impress to stay. All 4 have shown things, but college is inconsistent and coston and blackman can't stay healthy. Montgomery seems merely serviceable, but is stuck behind some real talent at DE. I think they all go if they can't stay healthy AND impress in a big way.

I was kidding about the linemen because of their size.

However, the ability to do massive weights in squats proves nothing as to the player's center of gravity, or whether he sets high or low in pass protection. It simply shows that if he does get low he can generate significant thrust with his legs. He can be amazingly powerful, but still set too high to be effective using the power he has available to him. A good example on the defensive side was Kenny Peterson. Set records at Ohio State in the weight room, and was a well-known lifter among the Packers. Never able to harness his power and strength to the same extent as Kampman does, for example.

I agree that many of the players you mentioned need good camps, especially two from TT's first draft, Coston and Montgomery. The others from his first draft (Rodgers, Collins and Poppinga) are pretty safe for this year, even if they are not starters for some reason. Colledge is probably safe to make the roster, Blackmon too unless he is injured again

[bobblehead]

and Spitz can squat with 700(!) pounds.

Heck, linemen have to be able to do that just to walk!

Squat is the most important # for a lineman...it shows a low center of gravity for setting up in pass or drive blocking, that is impressive.

I think this is make or break camp for TT's first draft. Guys like College, Coston, Blackman, Montgomery all need BIG camps to survive. They can't afford to miss time and need to impress to stay. All 4 have shown things, but college is inconsistent and coston and blackman can't stay healthy. Montgomery seems merely serviceable, but is stuck behind some real talent at DE. I think they all go if they can't stay healthy AND impress in a big way.

I was kidding about the linemen because of their size.

However, the ability to do massive weights in squats proves nothing as to the player's center of gravity, or whether he sets high or low in pass protection. It simply shows that if he does get low he can generate significant thrust with his legs. He can be amazingly powerful, but still set too high to be effective using the power he has available to him. A good example on the defensive side was Kenny Peterson. Set records at Ohio State in the weight room, and was a well-known lifter among the Packers. Never able to harness his power and strength to the same extent as Kampman does, for example.

I agree that many of the players you mentioned need good camps, especially two from TT's first draft, Coston and Montgomery. The others from his first draft (Rodgers, Collins and Poppinga) are pretty safe for this year, even if they are not starters for some reason. Colledge is probably safe to make the roster, Blackmon too unless he is injured again

I understood the joke, I quoted both of you cuz I was too lazy to scroll up futher, but your analysis is really good. Strength alone don't mean squat(coudn't resist) if you don't apply it correctly.

[Guiness]

Squat is the most important # for a lineman...it shows a low center of gravity for setting up in pass or drive blocking, that is impressive.

I think this is make or break camp for TT's first draft. Guys like College, Coston, Blackman, Montgomery all need BIG camps to survive. They can't afford to miss time and need to impress to stay. All 4 have shown things, but college is inconsistent and coston and blackman can't stay healthy. Montgomery seems merely serviceable, but is stuck behind some real talent at DE. I think they all go if they can't stay healthy AND impress in a big way.

While this may be a make it or break it year for the players from TT's first draft, the reason some of these guys go is good - it's because they were beat out, not because they weren't serviceable.

If Coston or Colledge go, it's because Barbre beat them out. Montgomery - Hunter or Thompson.

IMO When you see a guy get released so someone else can be brought in, that's when you know there's trouble. If he gets pushed out by someone else you already have, that shows depth.

Blackmon's the only one who would be a disappointment if we had to release him. And, it could be a guy who doesn't even play his position who pushes him out the door if he is healthy. If Jordy looks good returning punts, that was the one area Blackmon had an opportunity to shine.

[Guiness]

I understood the joke, I quoted both of you cuz I was too lazy to scroll up futher, but your analysis is really good. Strength alone don't mean squat(coudn't resist) if you don't apply it correctly.

I love to tell the story of an RB from the University I went to.

Guy was famous in the weight room - I personally saw him bench 540. However, it didn't as mean much as it should've come game time, because his arms were so short he couldn't use that power to hold off tacklers - by the time he could touch them, a long armed DE would have him wrapped up.

However did he EVER punish guys for tackling him, by giving them a straight shot to the chest/abdomen as they came in. Saw many a guy massaging those areas after taking him down.

[Freak Out]

Don't we need a long snapper?

[Chubbyhubby]

I am interested in seeing how Brian Brohm performs in TC and Preseason. He should get the bulk of playing time in Preseason. Flynn is either 3rd string if he pans out in TC or Practice squad. This team is pretty solid overall depth. I am skepitcal on Aaron Rodgers ability to stay healthy. Thats why Brohm needs to really shine and shine early. If doubt that a veteren will be signed unless either Brohm or Flynn yets injured in TC. Hopefully if Aaron Rodgers does get injured Brohm can step in at a moments notice.

[Gunakor]

I am interested in seeing how Brian Brohm performs in TC and Preseason. He should get the bulk of playing time in Preseason. Flynn is either 3rd string if he pans out in TC or Practice squad. This team is pretty solid overall depth. I am skepitcal on Aaron Rodgers ability to stay healthy. Thats why Brohm needs to really shine and shine early. If doubt that a veteren will be signed unless either Brohm or Flynn yets injured in TC. Hopefully if Aaron Rodgers does get injured Brohm can step in at a moments notice.

If Brohm is needed, then MM will simplify the offense. Example being last season when Rodgers was needed in Dallas. No more shots downfield, just simple high percentage short yardage passing plays that moved the chains. Nothing fancy. Our defense is good enough to keep us in games and allow Brohm a chance to be successful as a rookie, especially in a simplified offense that caters to his inexperience. I'm not worried.

[Chubbyhubby]

I not worried. The 2008 Packers are very similar to last years team. Except for the QB. The only question mark I see this year coming into TC is weather or not Aaron Rogers can take this club forward.

I am interested in seeing how Brian Brohm performs in TC and Preseason. He should get the bulk of playing time in Preseason. Flynn is either 3rd string if he pans out in TC or Practice squad. This team is pretty solid overall depth. I am skepitcal on Aaron Rodgers ability to stay healthy. Thats why Brohm needs to really shine and shine early. If doubt that a veteren will be signed unless either Brohm or Flynn yets injured in TC. Hopefully if Aaron Rodgers does get injured Brohm can step in at a moments notice.

If Brohm is needed, then MM will simplify the offense. Example being last season when Rodgers was needed in Dallas. No more shots downfield, just simple high percentage short yardage passing plays that moved the chains. Nothing fancy. Our defense is good enough to keep us in games and allow Brohm a chance to be successful as a rookie, especially in a simplified offense that caters to his inexperience. I'm not worried.

[bobblehead]

Squat is the most important # for a lineman...it shows a low center of gravity for setting up in pass or drive blocking, that is impressive.

I think this is make or break camp for TT's first draft. Guys like College, Coston, Blackman, Montgomery all need BIG camps to survive. They can't afford to miss time and need to impress to stay. All 4 have shown things, but college is inconsistent and coston and blackman can't stay healthy. Montgomery seems merely serviceable, but is stuck behind some real talent at DE. I think they all go if they can't stay healthy AND impress in a big way.

While this may be a make it or break it year for the players from TT's first draft, the reason some of these guys go is good - it's because they were beat out, not because they weren't serviceable.

If Coston or Colledge go, it's because Barbre beat them out. Montgomery - Hunter or Thompson.

IMO When you see a guy get released so someone else can be brought in, that's when you know there's trouble. If he gets pushed out by someone else you already have, that shows depth.

Blackmon's the only one who would be a disappointment if we had to release him. And, it could be a guy who doesn't even play his position who pushes him out the door if he is healthy. If Jordy looks good returning punts, that was the one area Blackmon had an opportunity to shine.

I sort of agree. I don't think they have to get flat out beat to lose the job. I say they need a BIG camp because with 3 TC's behind them if they aren't stepping UP then we will go with a young guy that is close, but might break out. you only give a guy so many chances to shine and if Hunter is close to Montgomery but monty hasn't shown that he is ready to excel you go with the younger guy who still might.