Official Training Camp Thread

[RashanGary]

I said it the day we drafted him. He came from mississippi state. He does not have pro technique. He's more of a project than you like. Guard will teach him the ins and outs of the line calls. He'll end up at tackle, but right now he's not going to end up anywhere except the bench, practicing his hand and footwork so he can look like a pro out there.

[Scott Campbell]

I sort of agree. I think they are just seeing if he COULD play LG. However, if he turns out to be a better LG now than Lang or McDonald, why not roll with him? I don't think it would stunt his growth as a LT. I have a feeling that it's not going to be that easy, and he'll end up being on the bench. Thompson has drafted well, but let's remember that being the 32nd pick in the draft doesn't guarantee that he'll be any good. It looks like he's out of his element at LG. I would expect Lang and McDonald to get a long look. From the coaches comments before camp, I would not be surprised if McDonald end up being the guy. This season you could roll with Clifton-McDonald-Well-Sitton-Bulaga with Newhouse backing up at LT, Sherrod at RT, and Lang backing up at LG. Or substitute Lang for McDonald, and McDonald could be backing up at LG and C.

McCarthy has said in the past the best 5 linemen would play.

[swede]

I feel for a kid like that Theo Sherman. Has very little chance, and goes and gets hurt. That's pretty much a death knell, missing even two practices for a marginal guy.

Maybe his dad should call the coach and try to straighten things out.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Its not like Colledge was an all world run blocker. A dancing bear like Sherrod wouldn't be a step down IMO--especially in our scheme. I expect Lang to run away with the LG spot, he's a nasty run blocker and probably as good as Colledge was in pass pro.

People underrate Colledge. He is an average starting NFL lineman with a lot of valuable game experience. If Lang were as good as Colledge he would have beat him out.

Sherrod or McDonald may very well develop into an upgrade on Colledge, but it will take a couple years.

[Noodle]

On offense these so-so athletes can end up being elite. On offense you have the element of surprise so being fluid is more important that being fast.

Jerry Rice and Emmit Smith, among others, would agree with this astute observation.

[Lurker64]

People underrate Colledge. He is an average starting NFL lineman with a lot of valuable game experience. If Lang were as good as Colledge he would have beat him out.

Sherrod or McDonald may very well develop into an upgrade on Colledge, but it will take a couple years.

I'm not sure that Lang wouldn't beat out Colledge in this camp, were Colledge retained. The reason Lang didn't beat out Colledge last year was conceivably "he missed the whole offseason after having wrist surgery."

[mission]

I'm not sure that Lang wouldn't beat out Colledge in this camp, were Colledge retained. The reason Lang didn't beat out Colledge last year was conceivably "he missed the whole offseason after having wrist surgery."

Seems like not having full confidence in a wrist could be one of the worst injuries for an O lineman. I broke my wrist and even after I was supposedly recovered, I still used my other hand to open doors and that kind of thing. Has to be a huge part of the downswing last year... we were all so high on him early.

I'd like to see Lang actually win the job and have Sherrod backup at LT-- not because I have a problem with Serrod playing LG. I don't. Just that eventually he won't be there and finding the 8-year starter at LG now is a big thing itself. If Lang has a monster camp there wouldnt be any doubt about our OT/OG of the future.

[Noodle]

I guess I don't mind Sherrod getting some reps at LG, but I'd be more in favor of having him understudy and immerse himself in LT. Cliffy can't play forever, and odds are he will need to be spelled a few times this year. I'd rather have Sherrod start grooming himself for those opportunities.

How is playing around at LG, a position he hasn't played in forever, supposed to build his confidence and development as an LT?

Sherrod to me just isn't G material, does anyone think otherwise? If that's the case, why waste his time there?

[Scott Campbell]

I guess I don't mind Sherrod getting some reps at LG, but I'd be more in favor of having him understudy and immerse himself in LT. Cliffy can't play forever, and odds are he will need to be spelled a few times this year. I'd rather have Sherrod start grooming himself for those opportunities.

How is playing around at LG, a position he hasn't played in forever, supposed to build his confidence and development as an LT?

Sherrod to me just isn't G material, does anyone think otherwise? If that's the case, why waste his time there?

How do you know until you try him there?

[Noodle]

I suppose, SC, you have a point, but from scouting reports I have a sense of his strengths: terrific wingspan, good lateral movement, good quicks, good balance and can mirror well, and his weaknesses: light in the caboose, doesn't anchor great, and does not drive block with power. So his skill set seems far better suited to T than to G.

But if you want to see him get his butt kicked at LG, by all means, let's give him a go.

[vince]

Sherrod getting his butt kicked at LG isn't the worst thing that could happen for him. If he needs to beef up, what better way to internalize it for him. Trial by fire baby. Though, I'm guessing he's not the only new guy getting pushed off balance by guys like Pickett and Raji at this point.

[KYPack]

Football is back and the forum is rolling with this thread. I'm going with Nutz's thesis on this one. LT in the pro's takes some time to learn. Sherrod has not experienced anything close to NFL pass rushers while playing in the SEC. He needs to start learning that LT footwork and work on his pass pro. Cliffy is not the coaching type, but it's gotta help for the kid to be exposed to the old vet's tricks at that job.

We've got guys who can hang at the LG position, let's groom the kid to learn pass pro on the blind side

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm going with Nutz's thesis on this one. LT in the pro's takes some time to learn. Sherrod has not experienced anything close to NFL pass rushers while playing in the SEC. He needs to start learning that LT footwork and work on his pass pro.

One consideration is that Newhouse is getting rave tweets filling-in for Clifton. Not to read too much in, but maybe they got their best backup LT in place.

Giving Sherrod reps at LT for his long term development has value, but the top priority is getting the best understudy for Clifton ready. Sherrod can compete with Newhouse when the time comes.

By playing Sherrod at LG, they give the #1 pick maximum meaningful reps. Best case scenario for team is that he wins the job. Heck, lets take a shot at the best case scenario.

[Brandon494]

All they are doing is seeing if he can play guard. So far its clear that he can not and they will most likely end up moving him back to tackle. Its pretty clear Lang is going to win the starting LG job.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Nice!

I sure hope Francois doesn't make the team. Hopefully, the midget we drafted late can pull a Sam Mills for us.

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110802/PKR07/110802162/Eric-Baranczyk-analysis-Sherrod-Cobb-show-promise?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

D.J. Smith a fireplug
Sixth-round pick D.J. Smith physically looked like Sam Mills out there. Mills, who had an outstanding 12-year career in the NFL, was really short for a linebacker at 5-foot-9. Smith isn’t quite that small, but he’s only 5-10 1/4. Still, he showed a little something.