Official Training Camp Thread

[HarveyWallbangers]

What is on Nitschke Field? DD Grassmaster or FieldTurf?

Not sure what DD Grassmaster is? I thought it was the same thing as Lambeau, and I thought that was FieldTurf. I could very well be wrong.

[Lurker64]

Not sure what DD Grassmaster is? I thought it was the same thing as Lambeau, and I thought that was FieldTurf. I could very well be wrong.

DD Grassmaster is what they have at Lambeau field: real grass reinforced with artificial fibers so the field doesn't go to shit towards the end of the season (c.f. Soldier Field.)

[Bossman641]

Regarding Sherrod, aren't there some coaches who think it's easier to make the transition from LG to LT than from RT to LT? I don't know how Campen feels but it's a thought. If they don't want to shuffle Bulaga to LG and Sherrod to RT, there is no harm in letting Sherrod take snaps for a week or 2 and see how he fares. Best case scenario, he wins the job and has an easier transition if/when Clifton hangs them up after this year. This also allows Newhouse to get more reps at LT as well.

If he's still struggling in a week I'd like to see them all the LG snaps to Lang/McDonald, but I can at least see the thinking in giving Sherrod a shot.

[Fritz]

Is it remotely possible that the coaches figure TJ Lang pretty much has the spot sewn up, so they want to cross-train Sherrod to play both tackle and left guard? And with Newhouse impressing so far at LT maybe they want to keep getting him reps as the primary backup LT and Sherrod as the primary backup LG. I dunno. Just wondering if this could be so.

[HarveyWallbangers]

This reminds me that somebody said Jones is 6'1 but plays 6'3" while Jordy is 6'3 but plays 5'11". I meant to call them on it--as I think Nelson makes plenty of catches along the sidelines where he go gets the ball. Does he play like Calvin Johnson? No. But to say he plays 5'11" is harsh. He's made plenty of plays where he's used his height to his advantage.

Nelson jumping out: One of the reasons the Packers spent an early second-round pick on Jordy Nelson in the 2008 draft was his ability to go over defensive backs for contested throws and come down with the ball.

They’re starting to see more evidence of that at the NFL level early in training camp this year.

During a two-minute drill in practice Wednesday night, Nelson caught a 25-yard fade pattern over cornerback Sam Shields, and then two plays later caught a 23-yarder over cornerback Pat Lee.

On both plays, Nelson played tall and was able to jump for the ball while the cornerbacks struggled to keep their feet.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Is it remotely possible that the coaches figure TJ Lang pretty much has the spot sewn up, so they want to cross-train Sherrod to play both tackle and left guard? And with Newhouse impressing so far at LT maybe they want to keep getting him reps as the primary backup LT and Sherrod as the primary backup LG. I dunno. Just wondering if this could be so.

This is a credible theory.

My guess is the position is totally up in the air, and they see Sherrod as a legitimate option for the starting job.

[smuggler]

Jordy!! He made some clutch catches for us last year, but he has had issues with drops as well...

[pbmax]

Is it remotely possible that the coaches figure TJ Lang pretty much has the spot sewn up, so they want to cross-train Sherrod to play both tackle and left guard? And with Newhouse impressing so far at LT maybe they want to keep getting him reps as the primary backup LT and Sherrod as the primary backup LG. I dunno. Just wondering if this could be so.

Yes, with one caveat. I doubt they take time away from Lang preparing to be a new starter if they were certain. So Sherrod is getting the reps that allow him to get experience and exposure (and put the five most talented on the line) but also allow Lang and Newhouse to get serious time at their more established positions.

I full expect, if Sherrod doesn't improve, for him to spend the majority of the rest of camp at LT with Lang and MacDonald at LG.

[Fritz]

So the coaches have never really decided if they like Lang as a tackle or guard? I thought they'd finally established that he's a guard.

[vince]

Here's Larry McCarren's trainiing camp report from last night.

http://wearegreenbay.com/trainingcamp-fulltext?nxd_id=7777

Like they say in hockey, the team is at full strength. Thanks to the ratification of the new CBA, the Packers had Mason Crosby, James Jones, John Kuhn, Spencer Havner and Brett Swain practicing for the first time tonight. As per the NFL's transition rules, they were held out after signing free agent contracts prior to the CBA becoming official.

The session itself included plenty of red zone work, another two-minute drill and offensively speaking, one not so pretty blitz drill. Too much penetration, too much pressure on the quarterbacks. There's technique involved in the actual blocking of a blitzer but that can be helped immeasurably by the proper mental approach: if you're assigned a potential blitzer on a play, plan on him COMING! You can always adjust if he doesn't but you best be more than ready if he does. Don't be the little league shortstop who's hoping the ball doesn't get hit to him. Anticipate the most demanding thing that can happen on a play and react to the rest.

Moving the focus to individual players, methinks James Starks has been the most impressive running back in camp to date. Tonight, he just powered his way through a Nick Collins tackle in the red zone. Tough to do.

Bryan Bulaga looks like he's ready to be a fixture at right tackle for the next decade. When he's doing 1 on 1's, he often works against Clay Matthews. Matthews is about as good as it gets flying in off the edge but Bulaga's been blocking him on a regular basis. Bulaga has all the physical tools but he's also very detailed in his technique. He's rapidly becoming a "first time, every time" type guy when it comes to proper technique.

During one of the special teams periods tonight, (there are several throughout a typical practice), the punt return team was being put through its paces. The Packers had several return men working, but when rookie Randall Cobb takes his turn, it's like he's on fast forward and everybody else is stuck in the mud. I know it's early, but that young man looks like he's got the mystical "it" when it comes to running back punts. Cobb may also be one of those guys who's as fast as he needs to be (think Greg Jennings). Tonight I saw him run away from Sam Shields on a crossing pattern, and Shields may be the fastest guy on the team.

One other note from tonight's workout: the first defense was in its base 3-4, but Ryan Pickett played nose tackle, with B.J. Raji at right end and Mike Neal at LE. It wasn't just a one time thing either, they lined up like that several times, so it wasn't just the guys screwing up. Perhaps something new and exciting from Dr. Capers. I'll keep you posted.

[Fritz]

Couple things:

First, I'm hearing so many positive reports on so many young players (Cobb, Bulaga, DJ Williams, House, Walden) that I'm getting a boner.

Secondly, I saw an "Insiders" headline from the GBPG that said something about Harrell signing with the Packers. Which Harrell? Isn't Graham a 2nd year guy who'd already be under contract? Or no? If so, did they sign another Harrell or could it be Justin?

[vince]

Here's one about a vet for you Fritz

On a line to Cobb. Whatever Rodgers did this offseason...worked.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I full expect, if Sherrod doesn't improve, for him to spend the majority of the rest of camp at LT with Lang and MacDonald at LG.

If Sherrod doesn't improve, I expect him to spend the year on the inactive list.

Sherrod has done a little better every day, if you believe the twits. I mean tweets.

Sounds like Newhouse built-up his body in past year and has earned the LT backup job.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Here's Larry McCarren's trainiing camp report from last night.

http://wearegreenbay.com/trainingcamp-fulltext?nxd_id=7777

Moving the focus to individual players, methinks James Starks has been the most impressive running back in camp to date. Tonight, he just powered his way through a Nick Collins tackle in the red zone. Tough to do.

Ding Ding Ding Ding!

If Larry McCarren doesn't want to be president of the James Starks Fan Club, I'll do it. I really think he will earn the majority of carries as the season proceeds.

[Fritz]

Here's one about a vet for you Fritz

Quote Originally Posted by Lori Nickel
On a line to Cobb. Whatever Rodgers did this offseason...worked.

What did he do in the offseason, anyway? I thought he was out there banging hot chicks.

And apparently it works.