Mid-training camp discussion

[Tony Oday]

Kuhn plays big by the goal line and that is always fun...wonder if they will ever try, in short yardage, Quinn at FB and Kuhn at HB? That could be fun.

They ran that a few times in the Seattle game and Kuhn averaged 5 yards a carry yet never broke one over 8 yards.

I was talking about the regular season and also in situations where we need 8 inches not yards.

[vince]

Hasn't Lang been getting reps at RG behind Sitton so far? There was a lot of speculation on the internets about him competing with Colledge or Tausch this year but GB has him behind Sitton ATM. That strikes me as the toughest place on the line to compete for a starting gig.

I'd like to see him get some more RT reps.

That'll be starting soon, unless Giacomini shockingly turns it around and makes the squad. With Giaco gone, Lang becomes the back-up RT and RG, and Spitz (depending on whether there are any deals struck involving O-Linemen) has also played RG, so we could see Lang out at RT almost exclusively in the very near future.

Only 12 days remain until the final cuts must be made on September 4.

[pbmax]

Kuhn plays big by the goal line and that is always fun...wonder if they will ever try, in short yardage, Quinn at FB and Kuhn at HB? That could be fun.

They did run those two for a couple of plays in the second half.

Quinn Johnson had one nice checkdown reception before his drop. And his drop was a clear case of looking away too soon. Are we sure he has hands of stone or would experience help?

[mraynrand]

Kuhn plays big by the goal line and that is always fun...wonder if they will ever try, in short yardage, Quinn at FB and Kuhn at HB? That could be fun.

They did run those two for a couple of plays in the second half.

Quinn Johnson had one nice checkdown reception before his drop. And his drop was a clear case of looking away too soon. Are we sure he has hands of stone or would experience help?

I recall another bad drop - not in the Seattle game. What do you think? I'm leaning towards Quinn over Hall, even though I think Hall is a better receiver. I like the fact that Quinn Johnson seems to beat the hell out of anyone he runs into, and he seems reliable in picking up the pass rush. I just have no idea who is better on teams, but my recollection is that Hall is pretty good.

[Patler]

Quinn Johnson had one nice checkdown reception before his drop. And his drop was a clear case of looking away too soon. Are we sure he has hands of stone or would experience help?

I'm hoping the experience thing is part of it. As I recall, last year Johnson said catching a football was something he was never asked to do before.

[Patler]

I'm leaning towards Quinn over Hall, even though I think Hall is a better receiver. I like the fact that Quinn Johnson seems to beat the hell out of anyone he runs into, and he seems reliable in picking up the pass rush. I just have no idea who is better on teams, but my recollection is that Hall is pretty good.

That's one of the rubs, reports out of camp are that Johnson has been very disappointing on special teams. Too bad, he's big, fast enough, physical and a former linebacker. You would think he would be cutout for special teams.

My concern with Hall has been injuries. He has missed games every year so far due to injuries, and face it, he isn't even on the field for all that many plays each game.

[sharpe1027]

Quinn Johnson had one nice checkdown reception before his drop. And his drop was a clear case of looking away too soon. Are we sure he has hands of stone or would experience help?

First, how important is catching the ball? I mean, the threat is nice enough to have, but Hall and Kuhn are both better threats, so if they keep one of them, they and can rotate in. Also, an opposing defense can't just ignore him because he *might* drop it.

On the other hand, he's had a full year knowing it was his weakness. If that wasn't enough to make significant improvement, you have to wonder if he will ever figure it out.

[Joemailman]

Considering how much FB's are on the field, which is maybe 1/3 of the time, can you really justify keeping a 3rd fullback who doesn't excel on special teams?. Especially with the injuries at other positions?

[Fritz]

Interesting dilemma - Hall, who is hurt often, or Johnson, who does not appear to do well on special teams?

I'm a little disappointed with Lang. I truly thought he'd be starting somewhere on the line this year (at the beginning, not due to injiury. But I'm not panicked.

The Giacomini experiment seems over, as does the Barbre experiemt. I think this means if the coaches really like Newhouse he'll make the 53 but be inactive. Teams seem to sniff out the Packers' PS guys (Meredith, for one) so I don't think Newhouse would surive.

I keep hearing EDS is becoming indispensable on ST.

Lee seems to be coming on a little bit and may be ready to play the nickel.

I wish we knew more about how Brad Jones is or isn't progressing.

One of the things that was supposed to happen this camp is that CMIII was supposed to use it to work on new moves. Well, that didn't happen. Will that affect his ability to get to the QB this year?

Desmond Bishop is what he is.

Cross your fingers that Justin Harrell holds up.

Jarius Wynn has been mildly disappointing.

Mike Neal, by all accounts, is going to play some snaps this year based on what he's shown.

The 7th round pick Wilson looks like practice squad fodder.

Bulaga seems a pleasant surprise, seeming ready to play right away - at least until Campen coaches him for a while. Hey, maybe that's what happened to Lang! He got coached by Campen!

Blackmon - we still don't know if he can play safety.

B-Jack seems most improved.

[pbmax]

Kuhn plays big by the goal line and that is always fun...wonder if they will ever try, in short yardage, Quinn at FB and Kuhn at HB? That could be fun.

They did run those two for a couple of plays in the second half.

Quinn Johnson had one nice checkdown reception before his drop. And his drop was a clear case of looking away too soon. Are we sure he has hands of stone or would experience help?

I recall another bad drop - not in the Seattle game. What do you think? I'm leaning towards Quinn over Hall, even though I think Hall is a better receiver. I like the fact that Quinn Johnson seems to beat the hell out of anyone he runs into, and he seems reliable in picking up the pass rush. I just have no idea who is better on teams, but my recollection is that Hall is pretty good.

Its an odd thing, learning to catch. Backs who have never before been asked to block LBs seem to be able to learn it. Remember that Wynn (I think it was Wynn) had an edge on BJack earlier in their careers because Wynn was the better blocker? Now Jackson tatoos people.

But catching a ball seems to elude some players. If the coaches think its a matter of experience, I think you have to keep Johnson and live with the Special Team dropoff if you have to release Hall.

By the way, the best 3rd down back I remember, short of a future starter playing behind a vet was Calvin Hill. He got the job in Cleveland because he could block and catch and had the brains to know when to do each. He was unstoppable on 3rd down even though my Grandmother was faster.

[Fritz]

I think he played for the Cowboys, didn't he?

[The Shadow]

I havie a sneaking suspicion that Donald Lee may find himself an odd man out this year.

[Joemailman]

Some notes from Monday Night's practice.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/101339119.html

Justin Harrell is practicing

Colledge takes first LG rep in 40 min corrections period

Chillar working inside in nickel.

Spitz mixing in a little more a center. He played very well there the other night

Looks like Shields took Jarrett Bush's spot on KO. Beginning of the end? Could just be looking at different people.

Bulaga had left the field. He's back but not sure if he's going back into drills. He's walking pretty slow

It appears Bulaga has dropped out of practice. He's just watching.

Looks like Cullen Jenkins has dropped out with a left calf injury. Being iced up now

Shields also on 1 PR. Looks like Jarrett Bush has demoted on all special teams

[wist43]

We're mid-way thru camp, and I'm more concerned now than I was 3 weeks ago.

I have serious reservations as to what is happening the defensive side of the ball... I don't expect them to come out and play a 2-5 front very often; but still, what we've seen of the defense has been distressing.

Harrell is a non-factor; Raji is sleepwalking; we've flopped multiple players to different positions - universally bad moves IMO; Lee?? Bush?? Underwood?? those guys are going to be seeing a lot of playing time - what are the odds they all hold up??; we have 2 proven NFL DL (Jenkins and Pickett), and a bunch of unproven young guys; our LB'ing situation as a whole is a mess, such a mess in fact that the coaches biggest dilemma is trying to find playing time for Brandon Chillar, or possibly starting Zombo

Then there is my nagging distrust of Capers

I hope they pull it together, but I haven't seen much to be encouraged about on the defensive side of the ball.

[Tony Oday]

We're mid-way thru camp, and I'm more concerned now than I was 3 weeks ago.

I have serious reservations as to what is happening the defensive side of the ball... I don't expect them to come out and play a 2-5 front very often; but still, what we've seen of the defense has been distressing.

Harrell is a non-factor; Raji is sleepwalking; we've flopped multiple players to different positions - universally bad moves IMO; Lee?? Bush?? Underwood?? those guys are going to be seeing a lot of playing time - what are the odds they all hold up??; we have 2 proven NFL DL (Jenkins and Pickett), and a bunch of unproven young guys; our LB'ing situation as a whole is a mess, such a mess in fact that the coaches biggest dilemma is trying to find playing time for Brandon Chillar, or possibly starting Zombo

Then there is my nagging distrust of Capers

I hope they pull it together, but I haven't seen much to be encouraged about on the defensive side of the ball.

Skeptical Rat? I am saying Chicken Little Rat