Woodson starting to shine.....

[mraynrand]

Let's hope Woodson can stay healthy and play well--erasing the stigma of going to Michigan. I think Woodson was at Michigan the last time they were any good.

No shit. He almost singlehandedly won them a National Championship. Then again, they did get to play Cryin' Leaf in the Nat. Championship game. Giving the co-champ to Nebraska was a fraud. Stuff your 'Michigan stigma' where the sun don't shine, Harvey! Go Blue!!

[Partial]

Thanks for the camp report ND! I have been waiting for a good one all day today!!

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm glad to hear the defense looks good. McCarthy and Thompson seemed pretty confident (a quiet confidence) in them. Christl said these were the first interceptions that Favre threw in camp so far.

[Partial]

Harv, can you post the christl report?

[ND72]

One thing that I like from Brett, what i've seen so far, is he is looking for the TE a bit more again. The TE's just kept rotating so Bubba wasn't always with the 1st team. But Brett threw a lot of balls to Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey today, oh and 1 nice catch by Martin by Brett. So the McCarthy "old school" west coast seems to be bringing Brett back to the TE, which is what i thought made Brett so good at one time.

[Partial]

One thing that I like from Brett, what i've seen so far, is he is looking for the TE a bit more again. The TE's just kept rotating so Bubba wasn't always with the 1st team. But Brett threw a lot of balls to Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey today, oh and 1 nice catch by Martin by Brett. So the McCarthy "old school" west coast seems to be bringing Brett back to the TE, which is what i thought made Brett so good at one time.

That is wonderful news. So far, I am 100% on board with the decision for McCarthey. He seems to have a very good idea of what offensive/defensive philosophies are going to maximize our talent. I think the running game and very traditional WCO will maximize Favre's playmaking ability and minimize mistakes. I think the defense is going to be great, and the offense is going to surprise a lot of people.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Favre, good years or bad years, has always struggled a bit at the beginning of camp. I wouldn't read too much into the completion percentage either--as it's been reported that there's been an epidemic in dropsies among the receivers. Let's see where he's at halfway through camp.

Camp Report, July 31

THUMBS UP

There’s an old adage that interceptions often come in bunches. And they came in bunches Monday afternoon for cornerback Charles Woodson. He picked off Brett Favre three times: Once in the team sessions and twice in seven-on-seven.

Woodson was burned as much as any defender in the first two practices, but some of the Packers’ brass said they were anything but alarmed. “I just think he’s showing what he is,” said Reggie McKenzie, the Packers’ director of pro personnel, after Woodson’s three-pick day.

The Packers signed Woodson to a $40 million deal in the off-season with performances like this in mind. His interception in team drills came when he used his veteran savvy to read a route, drop back out of a short zone and intercept a pass along the sideline intended for wide receiver Marc Boerigter. On one of Woodson’s picks in seven-on-seven, he made a diving catch over wide receiver Robert Ferguson on a short out. “We feel he’s going to make plays on the ball,” said Kurt Schottenheimer, the Packers’ secondary coach. “He’s highly competitive.”

Woodson’s highest interception total during his eight years with the Raiders was 5 as a rookie in 1998.

THUMBS DOWN

Favre had one of those rotten, throw-it-up-for-grabs days that became all too familiar last season. He threw five interceptions: Two in team drills and three in seven-on-seven. In addition to Woodson’s three picks, safety Marviel Underwood intercepted a pass in the end zone in a red-zone session and cornerback Ahmad Carroll made an impressive break on a ball and cut under the tight end to swipe a Favre pass in seven-on-seven.

For the day, Favre was 7 of 13 with two interceptions in team drills and 8 of 13 with three interceptions in seven-on-seven. In Favre’s first three practices, he hadn’t thrown a single interception in 77 throws, including all the team and seven-on-seven sessions except for a brief early team period where the quarterbacks throw almost exclusively screen passes. But Favre had completed only 41 of his passes, or a mere 53%.

INJURY REPORT

Tackle Chad Clifton (knee) missed practice after dropping out late in Sunday night’s practice. … Rookie running back Arliss Beach also dropped out of practice Sunday night and didn’t practice again Monday. He apparently was hospitalized with a concussion.

Defensive tackle Kenderick Allen and guard Junius Coston were forced to drop out of practice with heat related issues.

Leo Bookman (ankle) and Patrick Dendy (ankle) continued to miss practice.

Ryan Pickett returned to team work.

ODDS & ENDS

Twenty minutes into the 2 p.m. practice, the Packers’ digital computer monitor showed that the heat index was 111 degrees and the temperature, 98 degrees. Pepper Burruss said it was one of the hottest days in his 14 years as the Packers’ trainer.

Second-year center Chris White had a good day in one-on-one pass blocking. He held his ground against Colin Cole and Jerome Nichols. … On the defensive side, tackle Ryan Pickett had a good day against rookie guard Jason Spitz and Coston.

Free agent left tackle Josh Bourke held his own in one-on-one pass blocking against rookies Dave Tollefson and Montez Murphy. But when Bourke moved up in class, he was beat to the outside by veteran Kenny Peterson.

Ferguson made a leaping catch over cornerback Therrian Fontenot for a touchdown in the red zone period and rookie receiver Calvin Russell also caught a touchdown in the same session on a corner route. Aaron Rodgers threw both passes.

In addition to his interception, Underwood also tipped a Favre pass on the next play.

Dave Rayner missed another field goal out of three ties: This time from 28 yards.

The Packers worked on kickoff returns with a No. 1 deep tandem of Greg Jennings and Samkon Gado. Ferguson and Cory Rodgers comprised the No. 2 unit. … Woodson, Rodgers, Jennings and Ferguson have worked as the punt returners in that order.

ON THIS DAY

Aug. 1, 1963 – The Packers and Washington Redskins moved their upcoming exhibition game, scheduled for Sept. 7, from Columbus, Ga., to Cedar Rapids, Ia. There was to be segregated seating in Columbus and both clubs were fearful of demonstrations. Before the 1962 game in Columbus between the Packers and Redskins, both teams stayed at Fort Benning, just outside the city, rather than in a segregated hotel, which would have forced the black players on the two teams to stay elsewhere. The West Side Civic Club will sponsor the game in Cedar Rapids.

SCHEDULE TUESDAY

The Packers will practice twice: At 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The players are scheduled to wear full pads only during the evening practice.

[HarveyWallbangers]

McCarthy's Version Of West Coast Offense Fills Favre With Optimism
by Mike Spofford, Packers.com

Brett Favre may not be able to feel 10 years younger, but he indicated Monday he's going to be running an offense that more closely resembles the one he ran a decade ago.

At his first training camp news conference, Favre said Mike McCarthy's version of the West Coast offense feels a lot like the one Mike Holmgren ran here earlier in his career, with a greater emphasis on short passes and careful selection of when to go for the big play.

"I think we will go down the field, but I think we're reverting back more to when Holmgren was coaching and that philosophy is the 3- and 4-yard passes are like runs," Favre said.

"If you get a 40-yard touchdown pass or run, that's a bonus. They will come, but they only come if you continue to get first downs, so don't try to bite off too much initially. You pick your spots and matchups to take those chances."

Favre didn't specifically say so, but that sounds like an offense that should reduce the career-high 29 interceptions he threw in 2005.

He said he's perfectly willing to "play the percentages," and with that mindset is an optimism about the players around him who can help the offense reach that level of execution.

Favre recognized the offensive line is the biggest unknown, with two rookies in Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz potentially starting at guard and another young player in Scott Wells starting at center. But that doesn't make him second-guess his decision to come back in 2006 any more than the sore ankles, feet and hips he feels when he gets up in the morning.

Favre likes what he sees in running back Ahman Green, even though he hasn't practiced yet.

"He looks as good as he's ever looked, and there's no doubt he has a chip on his shoulder," Favre said. "He wants to play even better than he has in the past."

He's also excited about his tight ends, calling the addition of Donald Lee "a gem" to go with a healthy Bubba Franks and David Martin. The possibilities with that group also had him thinking about the Packers offense of the mid-1990s.

"It reminds me a little bit of 'Chewy' (Mark Chmura) and Keith Jackson and how we were able to use those guys and spread the field," Favre said.

At receiver, Favre knows what he has in Donald Driver, and though he's not worried about whether his No. 2 target ends up being Robert Ferguson, Rod Gardner, rookie Greg Jennings, or any of the other receivers in camp, he put the onus on all the contenders to seize the opportunity.

"The competition is there for our guys to step up," Favre said. "History has shown the ball will be thrown to you. There's a lot of touchdowns to be caught, so you have to be eager if you're one of our pass-catchers."

Favre is particular intrigued by Jennings, the second-round draft choice out of Western Michigan. In describing that receivers reveal very quickly whether they "have it" or don't, Favre said Jennings just may have it.

"Just watching him, I can see why he had success in college and I can also see maybe why he was overlooked," Favre said. "Sometimes size and speed play such a big part in decisions from NFL teams that you overlook the intangibles. Can he get open? Can he catch? Can he catch in traffic?

"Some of those things remain to be seen, but I feel like he's kind of a natural at what he does."

Time will tell whether the new components combined with the old philosophy can help make up for eight losses by a touchdown or less in 2005. Favre is certainly optimistic, praising the level of talent on the team but qualifying that with how unproven and inexperienced that talent is.

"It really is going to come down to guys making plays," he said. "No one really is ever wide open in pro football. There's not really any big holes to run through, and I don't see that changing. So it's going to come down to guys making tough plays.

"That's what this game is all about....It comes down to one or two plays, that's all. Those one or two plays can make you 4-12, 8-8, 10-6, whatever."

[Partial]

Anyone think Arliss Beach got his concussion from the massive hit that Hodge evidentally layed on him last night?

[woodbuck27]

One thing that I like from Brett, what i've seen so far, is he is looking for the TE a bit more again. The TE's just kept rotating so Bubba wasn't always with the 1st team. But Brett threw a lot of balls to Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey today, oh and 1 nice catch by Martin by Brett. So the McCarthy "old school" west coast seems to be bringing Brett back to the TE, which is what i thought made Brett so good at one time.

Yes that souds good. Did you see any screen plays or running back option pass plays utilized today ND72?

Maybe I shouldn't ask such a question? LOL Spies !

Thanks so much for being there for us.

[ND72]

I don't think i saw any screens, but i did see a HB option pass today, went incomplete.

[RashanGary]

I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but after mini-camps, I was saying Jennings was very natural and fluid. Favre is a little mis informed if he though Jennings had poor measurables though.

Amazing 40 yd dash = 4.40, Jennings *4.46* CLICK FOR SOURCE LINK
Amazing Vertical leap = 40 inches, Jennings *36"*

Those are the two most telling stats for explosiveness and game breaking ability. Jennings is not off the charts, but he is near the top. His height is one thing that could be better, but with the rule changes smaller WR's have been thriving, in some cases the quickness is starting to be more important than size with the no touch defense making size less important. The thing I notice more than anything CLICK FOR JENNINGS VIDEO is that he combines all of the measurables with an amazing feel for the game of football, the coordination and body control that cannot be measured and hands that are as good as can anyones. He was overlooked, maybe because he was from a small school, maybe because he didn't have jaw dropping speed like Chad Jackson. I'm not trying to be a homer here, but I've watched as much video of Jennings as could be found and seen a 5 or 6 hours of his practice and I would be very surprised if Chad Jackson is this good. Jennings is likely to be similar to Antonio Freeman. I never saw that much skill in Chad Jackson.

[Partial]

I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but after mini-camps, I was saying Jennings was very natural and fluid. Favre is a little mis informed if he though Jennings had poor measurables though.

Amazing 40 yd dash = 4.40, Jennings *4.46* CLICK FOR SOURCE LINK
Amazing Vertical leap = 40 inches, Jennings *36"*

Those are the two most telling stats for explosiveness and game breaking ability. Jennings is not off the charts, but he is near the top. His height is one thing that could be better, but with the rule changes smaller WR's have been thriving, in some cases the quickness is starting to be more important than size with the no touch defense making size less important. The thing I notice more than anything CLICK FOR JENNINGS VIDEO is that he combines all of the measurables with an amazing feel for the game of football, the coordination and body control that cannot be measured and hands that are as good as can anyones. He was overlooked, maybe because he was from a small school, maybe because he didn't have jaw dropping speed like Chad Jackson. I'm not trying to be a homer here, but I've watched as much video of Jennings as could be found and seen a 5 or 6 hours of his practice and I would be very surprised if Chad Jackson is this good. Jennings is likely to be similar to Antonio Freeman. I never saw that much skill in Chad Jackson.

I don't think Jennings is an exceptional sprinter/jumper, but then again some of the best players in the leagues aren't. Jackson is a burner and thats about it. Like all the other Florida receivers drafted high, he'll bust.

[RashanGary]

Hawk didn't have amazing #'s either but they were just high enough to be top notch.

Jenning is no Hawk becuase I think Hawk is the best player in GB since #4, and #92 as far as my memory is concerned. I think Jennings has the tools to be #86 or #80. Sure it's not Randy Moss, but it's just enough to be a borderline probowl NFL player. We could use a few more of those

I'm not saying his #'s are exceptional, that is why I put exceptional #'s to compare his to. I said they were close and definitly not fair to call him an over achiever who doesn't have physical talent like some seem to be wanting to paint him as. He's a gifted athlete who has a special knack for the game, not a poor athlete with a knack for the game. I just wanted to clarify that.

[Partial]

Hawk didn't have amazing #'s either but they were just high enough to be top notch.

Jenning is no Hawk becuase I think Hawk is the best player in GB since #4, and #92 as far as my memory is concerned. I think Jennings has the tools to be #86 or #80. Sure it's not Randy Moss, but it's just enough to be a borderline probowl NFL player. We could use a few more of those

I'm not saying his #'s are exceptional, that is why I put exceptional #'s to compare his to. I said they were close and definitly not fair to call him an over achiever who doesn't have physical talent like some seem to be wanting to paint him as. He's a gifted athlete who has a special knack for the game, not a poor athlete with a knack for the game. I just wanted to clarify that.

Definitely. I am thinking about going to a practice sometime in August, want to meet up up there?