article on Junius Coston

[motife]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/14783691.htm

Coston makes big jump to lead role
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Junius Coston wasn't sure what the future held after enduring what was a lost rookie season all the way around.

The Green Bay Packers hit rock bottom with a 4-12 record.

Worse yet, Coston saw the field in only two games, both for cameo appearances.

"It was tougher than anything I ever did as far as football-wise," said Coston, who's played since he was a sophomore in high school. "Especially we didn't have that good of a season, so it makes it even worse. It was pretty bad."

The bad, though, brought out the good in Coston, a fifth-round draft pick out of North Carolina A&T. With the arrival of a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, who replaced a fired Mike Sherman, came a new approach on offense and a belated opportunity for the young offensive lineman.

After nearly three months of offseason workouts, Coston has emerged as the leading candidate to start for the Packers next season at right guard. He's been manning the spot with the No. 1 offense in practice.

"He's gotten better from the offseason program through the minicamps and now the OTAs (organized team activities). He's steadily improving," offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said. "What he's doing is he's stacking good practices on top of each other. That's how you get better."

The Packers have been searching for a capable replacement since Pro Bowler Marco Rivera bolted for Dallas in free agency last offseason. Coston, who incidentally has Rivera's old uniform number (62), has his sights set on taking over the position on a permanent basis.

Never mind that he lacks the all-important NFL game experience that makes him a 22-year-old "redshirt" rookie this year. He was summoned to line up at left tackle for the final three offensive plays of the Packers' 52-3 rout of New Orleans on Oct. 9 and was in on one special-teams play two weeks later at Minnesota.

"I really didn't know what to expect (after last season), to tell you the truth," Coston said. "I just knew I was going to be here in the offseason and try to do my best to put myself in the best position."

Coston's extensive time as a bench warmer all last season and the fact he played in the small-school Division I-AA college ranks didn't concern the new coaches. They pegged him as starting caliber from the start of the offseason program March 20.

"I'm kind of a fan of Junius. He's a versatile player, and I think he has a chance to be a good player," general manager Ted Thompson said. "For a lot of these fellas who never have been into the fray on the NFL level, it will be a new experience. (But) we feel pretty confident that he can play."

Thompson drafted Coston as a center, where he started his last two seasons in college. He also started at right tackle as a sophomore and played some at both guard spots his freshman year.

Moving to right guard on a full-time basis has opened Coston's eyes. Jagodzinski, though, hasn't been dissuaded in the least by the development of Coston at the position. Jagodzinski said that the 6-foot-3-inch, 312-pound Coston is the prototype for right guard in the Packers' newly implemented zone-blocking scheme, which requires the interior linemen to be relatively svelte.

"He's athletic. He can stay on his feet. He has power. He can redirect. He does a lot of the things we're looking for. He's what they're supposed to look like," Jagodzinski said.

Coston is in sharp contrast to 338-pound Will Whitticker, who was the starter at right guard as a rookie for most of last season but doesn't fit the new scheme. Whitticker has been working at left tackle in place of Chad Clifton, who's recovering from knee surgery.

Jagodzinski said he won't know until the preseason whether Coston can cut it as a starter.

Rookie Jason Spitz, a third-round draft pick, is Coston's top challenger. Daryn Colledge, a second-round draft pick this year, is the front-runner at left guard.

"I haven't seen him in pads yet," Jagodzinski said of Coston. "Some guys look great in shorts, and when you come in to pads, then some guys disappear. Some guys disappear during shorts and show up in pads. We just have to reserve judgment on the kind of performer he is until we see him going full go in pads. But, we really like the things he's doing right now."

Without getting ahead of himself, the soft-spoken Coston was forthright about what a place in the starting lineup would mean on opening day, Sept. 10, after a year of inactivity.

"I can't even explain it to you. It would mean the world to me," he said.

[BF4MVP]

Very nice article. I hope "Juice" does well.

[Harlan Huckleby]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/?id=348760

Whitticker the surprise of training camp
Rookie poised to start at guard
By ROB REISCHEL
August 18, 2005

Green Bay - Two short years ago, Will Whitticker was wondering whether his football future was a thing of the past.

Will Whitticker has impressed coaches in camp and could be the starting right guard when the season opens.

Set to enter his junior year at Michigan State, the Spartans' coaching staff was down on Whitticker. They didn't think he worked hard enough off the field. And they didn't always care for his effort on it, either.

So despite the fact Whitticker had started 19 games during his first two years, the MSU coaches stripped him of that privilege. And Whitticker spent the 2003 season backing up Paul Harker, a little-used player before that.

"They thought I was slacking off and he just won the job over me," Whitticker said. "I guess it was kind of a wake-up call."

Whatever it was, it worked. Today, Whitticker would have to qualify as perhaps the greatest surprise in the Green Bay Packers training camp.

Whitticker was Green Bay's starting right guard last Thursday in the Packers' exhibition season opener against San Diego and figures to draw the start Saturday when Green Bay travels to Buffalo. And if Whitticker continues to hold his own, he could very well be Green Bay's starter at that position when the Packers open the regular season Sept. 11 at Detroit.

"It's all taking me by surprise," said Whitticker, who regained his starting job during his senior year at MSU. "You're grateful when you're given that opportunity to go out there. What's going on right now, I wouldn't ever have imagined it."

Whitticker was taken in the seventh round of April's draft and began training camp as a good bet to spend the year on the practice squad.

Now, it would be a surprise if he didn't make Green Bay's final 53-man roster.

"He's emerged," Packers offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said. "You always have rookies that come in and surprise you and he's been one of those guys."

Whitticker certainly doesn't look the part. He's baby-faced and has more than his share of baby fat on that 6-foot-5 3/8 frame.

But the 320-pound Whitticker is a better athlete than he appears.

Whitticker was a basketball center at Marion (Ind.) High School, where he and current Portland Trail Blazers standout Zach Randolph led their school to a state championship in 2000.

Whitticker has ideal size to anchor against bull-rushers. He has good feet, decent quickness and the ability to maneuver in space, which could make him a good fit for a Green Bay offense that asks its guards to pull and trap.

Against San Diego, Whitticker did a nice job getting to the second level and introduced himself to Chargers linebacker Randall Godfrey several times. He was also assignment-sure in the passing game, giving quarterback Brett Favre ample time to throw.

"I'm just grateful to be playing," Whitticker said. "They entrusted me and believed I could come in here and play and contribute and I think I showed that (against San Diego).

"It didn't matter if I was a free agent or got drafted in the first round. I've just got to make the most of my opportunities."

If those opportunities are to continue, Whitticker must continue to erase several knocks against him. Coming out of MSU, scouts ripped his lack of consistency. They didn't think he was powerful enough in the run game and didn't play to his ability all the time.

In Green Bay, though, that hasn't been the case. And while the Packers say nothing is settled at right guard, Whitticker could have a slight edge.

"You've just got to take it day by day and go out there and play hard that day, that play, that practice," Whitticker said. "I've just got to concentrate on that because Sept. 3 is far away when they make the final cuts. And Sept. 11 is even father away."

Still, when that date arrives, Whitticker could become the Packers' first rookie guard to start a season opener since Bill Bain in 1975.

Veteran Matt O'Dwyer was expected to win the job. But he was slowed by a recent neck stinger, then hurt himself against San Diego with holding and off-sides penalties.

"Missing those few days kind of put me in a hole, not knowing if I could even go or not," O'Dwyer said. "With a good week of practice and that game feel, which I haven't had for a long time, it'll be a lot better. But I have work to do."

Atlas Herrion, who spent last year on the practice squad, started at right guard during Green Bay's scrimmage with Buffalo on Aug. 5. But he's been running with the third team of late.

Veteran Grey Ruegamer might be another option at right guard. But if Las Vegas were picking a favorite, it might just tab Whitticker.

"I didn't think this would be happening," Whitticker said. "I just wanted to go out there and play hard and show that I can improve every day. That's the No. 1 thing you've got to do and that's what I've been trying to do."

Which is why his future appears brighter than ever.

[Patler]

Harlan, it you read articles about the two, the difference is attitude. The article you quoted clearly raised questions about Whittikers drive, motivation, effort. If you read more about Coston it is the opposite, plus they often refer to his "mean streak" when he just keeps after opponents.

That said, I wasn't as down on Whittiker as some last year. But he probably won't fit their new system and will be gone. I would not be surprised to see him surface elsewhere.

[Patler]

Motife;
Out of curiosity, why is the newspaper in Fort Wayne Indiana carrying an article about a Green Bay packer from North Carolina? Is there some tie to the Fort Wayne area, or Indiana? I can't believe they cover all of the NFL to that extent, an article about a reserve who never played!

[mraynrand]

That said, I wasn't as down on Whittiker as some last year. But he probably won't fit their new system and will be gone. I would not be surprised to see him surface elsewhere.

It looks like it will depend on whether he has the feet to be a Tackle. He certainly has the size. What up with Clifton, anyway? Is that surgical knee coming along, or is there a problem there?

[Harlan Huckleby]

Harlan, it you read articles about the two, the difference is attitude. The article you quoted clearly raised questions about Whittikers drive, motivation, effort.

Oh come on. They both are glowing puff-pieces. The criticism of Whittiker was a background caveat, not an emphasis. You are the spin meister!

I'm trying to rain on a parade and all you can do is bring sunshine.

EVERY year there are TONS of training camp rags-to-riches stories. Last summer it was Mike Hawkins and Roy Manning. There will be more this summer. I'm not being cynical, the players may turn out fine, but the stories mean nothing. The real season, against top competition, is all that counts.

Oh ya, and I also am not down on Whittiker. He remains an unknown, he could still be really good with more development.

[Bretsky]

A wise man named Patler really liked a OL named Atlas Herion, who got some nice press/hype for being on the practice squad all year and working out in GB etc..................

Now Coston certainly deserves more attention since he was a 5th round pick, but I'd point out like HH that at this point the hype doesn't mean a lot to me.

When looking at our interior OL you either believe we're going to be really good using blind faith evidence or you think we'll struggle due to limited or no experience.

And one of the biggest keys to our season will be which side ends up being correct.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The big problem with Shamler is that he is such a good debator, and so often wrong. These persuasive types can be very dangerous. Hitler in the 1930's comes to mind.

[Patler]

Oh come on. They both are glowing puff-pieces. The criticism of Whittiker was a background caveat, not an emphasis. You are the spin meister!

That's why I reserve comment until reading numerous articles about them, and I put more stock in the pre-draft analysis articles than team articles after the draft. If you read those, Whittikiers motivation is questioned, though his size/athleticism is not. Coston's experience is questioned along with the large step up he must make in competition level. His atleticism and motivation are not question.

After just two years, you can start to see a difference in the personalities of players drafted by Sherman and Thompson. Sherman took a lot of guys with superior athletic abilities and questionable motivation; like Lee, Washington, even Joey Thomas; and impressive physical specimens whose performance was not up to par like the aforementioned and Chris johnson, Brennan Curtin even Kenny Peterson. He took a few "football guys" like Kampman and Wells, but he was more intrigued by atleticism, like Barnett, Carroll. In reading predraft evaluations of his selections you seldom see descriptions like "tough" "over-achiever" or "mean".

Thompson is a bit the other way. He has drafted a few atletes with less than stellar backgrounds, like Hawkins, and somewhat afterthoughts like Whittiker, but a lot more of the guys reputed to be "tough", "mean" or "football guys", including Collins, Underwood, Poppinga, Coston, Hawk, Colledge, Jennings, Hodge and Spitz. "Tough", "mean" etc. are words used often in their descriptions.

[Patler]

A wise man named Patler really liked a OL named Atlas Herion, who got some nice press/hype for being on the practice squad all year and working out in GB etc..................

In fairness to Patler, his belief in Atlas Herrion was based on much more than a few puff articles. If I recall correctly (and I am positive that I do!), one thing that stuck out in his mind about Herrion was the fact that GB did NOT designate him for NFL-E while including him near the top of their guard candidates list. They seemed to have some confidence in his ability after having watched him in practices the previous year. He seemed a logical candiated for NFL-E, like Rivera had been.. By not sending him, it seemed to show they wanted him fresh for the season. That is why Patler listed him as a strong darkhorse candiate for guard.

Besides, as Patler stated several times, every team should have a lineman named "Atlas"!

[Bretsky]

A wise man named Patler really liked a OL named Atlas Herion, who got some nice press/hype for being on the practice squad all year and working out in GB etc..................

In fairness to Patler, his belief in Atlas Herrion was based on much more than a few puff articles. If I recall correctly (and I am positive that I do!), one thing that stuck out in his mind about Herrion was the fact that GB did NOT designate him for NFL-E while including him near the top of their guard candidates list. They seemed to have some confidence in his ability after having watched him in practices the previous year. He seemed a logical candiated for NFL-E, like Rivera had been.. By not sending him, it seemed to show they wanted him fresh for the season. That is why Patler listed him as a strong darkhorse candiate for guard.

Besides, as Patler stated several times, every team should have a lineman named "Atlas"!

Hmmm; you sure do remember what Patler stated pretty well; must have some insider knowledge. It's a complement to Patler, wherever he is, that I recall this so well (who would ever think I'd remember a debate about Atlas Herion or how one defended Matt ODwyer) ; I get into several debates in here and the ones I remember the most are points made by the individuals whose knowledge I respect.

[Patler]

The big problem with Shamler is that he is such a good debator, and so often wrong. These persuasive types can be very dangerous. Hitler in the 1930's comes to mind.

A typical Harlan "comeback". Plays to the emotions, with no facts, substance or basis whatsoever! A bald, unsupported statement intended to incite and not inform; to appeal and not advise.

Hitler? Pretty low of you HH. But, the intelligent posters of those board will not be swayed. You can not fool them!

[wist43]

A wise man named Patler really liked a OL named Atlas Herion, who got some nice press/hype for being on the practice squad all year and working out in GB etc..................

Now Coston certainly deserves more attention since he was a 5th round pick, but I'd point out like HH that at this point the hype doesn't mean a lot to me.

When looking at our interior OL you either believe we're going to be really good using blind faith evidence or you think we'll struggle due to limited or no experience.

And one of the biggest keys to our season will be which side ends up being correct.

Of course they're going to struggle... I don't think even the most optmistic among us would try to argue that they're going to come out as a well-oiled machine.

You're looking at basically starting 3 rookies in the interior of your line - the talent level of everyone of them an unknown.

That said, I have high hopes for Coston and Colledge... I'm not too high on Wells, although he I think he has a chance. I'd rather see Spitz win the Center job.

Add to that a new blocking scheme, and not much of a threat in the passing game, and there can be no doubt that they're going to struggle.

[Patler]

Hmmm; you sure do remember what Patler stated pretty well; must have some insider knowledge. It's a complement to Patler, wherever he is, that I recall this so well (who would ever think I'd remember a debate about Atlas Herion or how one defended Matt ODwyer) ; I get into several debates in here and the ones I remember the most are points made by the individuals whose knowledge I respect.

Some how, the things Patler has said just seem to stick with me!

Regarding O'Dwyer - a good pickup by GB, not because he worked out, but because he was a proven, longtime starter who was brought in at no cost and given a chance to fill a hole in the lineup. It wasn't successful, but the Packers were none the worse for having done it. It worked several times in the past with players who were supposedly over the hill.