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Packers Team Report
7/2/2006
By Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The club is keeping a close eye on rookie LB Abdul Hodge because he might wind up being the third-best linebacker on the team. Hodge plays the middle and saw very little action on the strong side in mini-camps which suggests he'll be a backup to Nick Barnett. But if Hodge performs better than Roy Manning and Ben Taylor, the top two candidates for the strong side, Barnett could be moved outside to accommodate the rookie. Hodge lacks leg strength, but he sheds blockers well, is always around the ball and is a decent tackler. With A.J. Hawk slated to start, it is uncertain whether the coaches will want to go with two rookies at the linebacker position. . . .
The wide receiver position remains wide open going into training camp. No one has made a strong pitch to be the starter opposite Donald Driver. The club would really like to see Robert Ferguson or Rod Gardner establish himself as a starter, but that hasn't happened yet. As a result, rookie Greg Jennings has a chance to crack the lineup. But Jennings has to be more consistent catching the ball and show he can get off the line of scrimmage against top cornerback talent.
SCOUTING REPORT: Scott Wells has solidified his position as the starting center, but he still has some hurdles to clear before he can be considered a lock for his position. Undersized and lacking great arm length, Wells is a battler who relies on his wrestling background to gain leverage on opponents. He's a better fit for this offense because he can move laterally and get under a defender's pads. But he can be knocked off-balance at the line and beaten with quickness in pass protection. He'll have to be near perfect in technique to handle the NFC North's outstanding defensive tackles on a down-by-down basis.
COACH UNDER PRESSURE: Considered one of the brightest members of the staff, Joe Philbin is making the transition from tight ends to offensive line. It's a big challenge. There's a good chance that the club will start rookies at both guard positions, which means it will be up to Philbin to get them ready during training camp. Quarterback Brett Favre's health might depend on it. Philbin and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski are installing a zone blocking system, which differs greatly from the power gap scheme the team used the past six seasons. The veterans probably won't have difficulty adjusting, but with an interior offensive line lacking experience, Philbin will have to be on top of everything to make this system work.
TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: B. Bubba Franks has been to the Pro Bowl, but keep an eye on Donald Lee. He could be the deep receiving threat the team has lacked.
7/2/2006
By Tom Silverstein
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The club is keeping a close eye on rookie LB Abdul Hodge because he might wind up being the third-best linebacker on the team. Hodge plays the middle and saw very little action on the strong side in mini-camps which suggests he'll be a backup to Nick Barnett. But if Hodge performs better than Roy Manning and Ben Taylor, the top two candidates for the strong side, Barnett could be moved outside to accommodate the rookie. Hodge lacks leg strength, but he sheds blockers well, is always around the ball and is a decent tackler. With A.J. Hawk slated to start, it is uncertain whether the coaches will want to go with two rookies at the linebacker position. . . .
The wide receiver position remains wide open going into training camp. No one has made a strong pitch to be the starter opposite Donald Driver. The club would really like to see Robert Ferguson or Rod Gardner establish himself as a starter, but that hasn't happened yet. As a result, rookie Greg Jennings has a chance to crack the lineup. But Jennings has to be more consistent catching the ball and show he can get off the line of scrimmage against top cornerback talent.
SCOUTING REPORT: Scott Wells has solidified his position as the starting center, but he still has some hurdles to clear before he can be considered a lock for his position. Undersized and lacking great arm length, Wells is a battler who relies on his wrestling background to gain leverage on opponents. He's a better fit for this offense because he can move laterally and get under a defender's pads. But he can be knocked off-balance at the line and beaten with quickness in pass protection. He'll have to be near perfect in technique to handle the NFC North's outstanding defensive tackles on a down-by-down basis.
COACH UNDER PRESSURE: Considered one of the brightest members of the staff, Joe Philbin is making the transition from tight ends to offensive line. It's a big challenge. There's a good chance that the club will start rookies at both guard positions, which means it will be up to Philbin to get them ready during training camp. Quarterback Brett Favre's health might depend on it. Philbin and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski are installing a zone blocking system, which differs greatly from the power gap scheme the team used the past six seasons. The veterans probably won't have difficulty adjusting, but with an interior offensive line lacking experience, Philbin will have to be on top of everything to make this system work.
TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: B. Bubba Franks has been to the Pro Bowl, but keep an eye on Donald Lee. He could be the deep receiving threat the team has lacked.
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