Observations from watching family night game

[BF4MVP]

Fergy hasn't shown up the past six seasons; why should he there there on Family Night as a tribute to the fans. Let him walk.

Rookie Greg Jennings said he was informed Friday by the coaches that he would start at split end because Robert Ferguson would be missing because of what was thought to be a death in his family.

Say what you will about his ability, but he would never miss this just for the sake of missing it.

[Bretsky]

I agree BF; I would not let him walk due to Family Night Absense; truth be told I'd have traded him to Phily last year for whatever we could get and am fine if they let him walk elsewhere this year for free.

[woodbuck27]

I was gone all day yesterday so didn't watch the scrimmage, but have been catching up on alot of articles. Of course, the ones the fans post are always the best. I like what i'm reading about Favre, Rodgers, Driver, jennings & Hodge...but not too much was mentioned about Hawk anywhere. Did he not participate in alot of the plays or just not do anything too spectacular? How did he do overall?

On one play Rogers scrambled and Hawk was there to touch him, no tackling QB's, but other than that it looked like he was thinking a lot about where he's supposed to be. Hodge was very instinctive and hard hitting. Nick Collins is ok, just a sore back thank God. They need to cover tha concrete in the corner with some foam padding.
Some players I give a thumbs up are:
Ingle Martin: Good arm, nice spirals, confident, a good leader.
Herron & Gado: Both played well, didn't fumble, & Gado pounded in a TD. Ben Brown & AJ Cooper are also interesting. Watching a zone play develop is weird, I keep looking for where the hole is supposed to be & it just develops somewhere.
Johnny Jolly: I love the 93 on him because he plays like a young, healthy Gilbert Brown. He had some push goin' on.
Jason Hunter, Michael Montgomery, & Jerome Nichols: All are high effort every snap.
Punt returns: Both Rogers & Jennings had a nice return. Improving.
Ruvell Martin & Chad Lucas: Both Showed some skills, should make the team.
Overall effort & intensity was very good: lots of chatter out there, better communication, & it's nice that McCarty isn't staring at a stupid laminated script, we watches what's going on & talks to the players & coaches.
Favre: the man's still got it and was communicating well as a leader.
Thumbs down:
Kicking: I'm a little horrified by the kicking game. I guess we were spoiled by Longwell, but both kickers really sucked. Kick offs were improved, but they were missing 39 yarders. Awful.
Catching the ball: A lot of WR/RB/TE's dropped balls that hit them in the hands. Driver & Jennings are good but the other guys need to step up too. I've about had it with David Martin, I want to see more of Zac Alcorn & Tory Humphrey. However, some of the passes were off too, the QB's need to be more precise.
Offensive line: It's going to take awhile, but no glaring issues, they have good players, they need more reps.

Very nice effort there packrulz.

Really liked what you saw in the OL - sounds encouraging.

Yup. Losing Ryan Longwell may cost us a couple of games.

Glad to hear "the Pro-active" is on with MM and the QB's.

Intensity up ! Very encouraging.

Thanks alot.

HOLD THE FAITH - GO PACKERS in 2006 !

[woodbuck27]

I read the packers already plan to use Hodge in short yardage and goal line situations.

It has to be hard these days getting through airport security with the name
Abdul Hadj

I'm hearing you.

Maybe, he should wear a Packer jersey on flights? A sign that says:

I work with Brett Favre.

[woodbuck27]

Some observations I had:

Clifton needs to get better....fast. The back up LTs need more reps and lot of work. I know they just switched Coston, but we are thinner then thin at LT and the entire tackle position.

Fergie....Personal commitment? What? Whoa? Somethings smells fishy here.

I noticed Chris White was playing LG on 2nd team and Lucier playing center....first I heard of this. After all the hype last year about White...why isn't he playing center? Is Lucier better? Maybe they were just trying something.

Carroll...well, at least he's not holding.

Underwood.....DAM, I was impressed....he was always around the ball. Manuel better get on the field soon or he's gonna being playing behind him.

I really wanted to see Bubba... I don't know why, but I did.

I felt that Chad Clifton - fell off alot last season. I am hoping it was a laclk of concentration due to never knowing who would line up to his right. His knee is a concern.

Marviel Underwood is a player. Solid in College and I've been hoping for big things from him. He was last season's Abdul Hodge or certainly Will Blackmon.

Clifton didn't play. He is an infinitely solid tackle and this system is taylor made for him. I suspect this season if Ahman returns to form, you start seeing Cliffy mentioned with the ranks of Pace, Jones, etc.

Partial:

I have serious concerns about Chad Clifton. I sure hope your right.

[woodbuck27]

Cundiff missed from 39, but then nailed one from 49 with plenty of distance left on it. Rayner hit his 39 yarder, then missed his 49 yarder wide left (plenty of distance), then nailed a 52 yarder.

I watched on TV and then both missed from 39. Cundiff then made a 49 yarder and missed a 52 yarder. Rayner missed the 49 yarder and made a 52 yarder, I believe.

Packers notes: Kickers are off the mark PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jason Wilde - Wisconsin State Journal
Sunday, 06 August 2006
GB LogoGREEN BAY - It was only a glorified practice and only 10 kicks. But you can bet more than a few of those folks in the record crowd of 62,701 were thinking about one man at the end of the Green Bay Packers' Family Night Scrimmage Saturday night.

Ryan Longwell.

The Packers let the franchise's all-time leading scorer walk as a free agent during the offseason - he signed with rival Minnesota - and his would-be replacements, Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner, did little to inspire confidence with their 3-for-5 field-goal performances.

Cundiff missed from 39 and 52 yards, while Rayner missed from 39 and 49 yards before nailing a 52-yarder to end the scrimmage. Still, coach Mike McCarthy tried not to sound alarmed.

"Tonight was their first opportunity with the lights on," McCarthy said. "We'll take this whole preseason to make sure we have the right guys."

Cundiff seemed disappointed but unfazed, saying, "You don't want to miss any inside 40, but I missed it. I want to blow off the miss(es), but I think it's important to take it for what it is. We've got lots of practice left."•

_______________

You're right, Harvey, Rayner missed his 39 yarder also.

I remember after both of them missed from that spot right after one another, the crowd started booing a little. I know I'm a softy, but I felt bad for them, although I really should be feeling bad for us, because it doesn't look so good right now.

By the way, another nice moment was when a young boy fighting cancer sang the national anthem. Again, another teary moment.

I appreciate your detailed repot. Fine job !

What a site we have to stay up on OUR team.

GO PACKERS !

[woodbuck27]

The biggest play Saturdat night, made by the No. 3 offense . . .

came when quarterback Brian Wrobel hit rookie receiver Cory Rodgers short over the middle and Rodgers broke free for a 64-yard gain. But Rodgers was caught from behind and didn't make it to the end zone, something his fellow receivers won't let him forget.

"I told Cory the next time he gets caught from behind I'm going to beat him up, or we're going to do something to him as a group," Driver said.

"But he knows now the next time he catches that ball down the middle of the field, he takes it to the house

Hey Donald "the Teacher" now . . also - He's da Man !

GO PACKERS !