Maybe the Hammer isn't on the outs?

[Smidgeon]

From JS's "Thumbs Up":

The first one-on-one pass-blocking drill of training camp matching the running backs and linebackers usually is a rip-snorting affair. There was contact aplenty Tuesday night, and one brief skirmish between RB Alex Green and LB Robert Francois. In 14 jousts, the unofficial tally was seven victories for the backs, six for the linebackers and one draw. Francois was king of the hill for the defense, going 3-0 with decisions over Ryan Grant, Jon Hoese and Green. Francois ran roughshod over Green, the rookie who stuck his nose in and beat hard-charging LB Elijah Joseph in his other turn. The signature moment for the backs was authored by FB Quinn Johnson, who controlled Joseph twice by moving up close to the line and enveloping him with his massive body. "If you win here, you can win on Sundays," RB coach Jerry Fontenot told his players before the drill. "It's mano-a-mano. Quinn is a big man and it's tough to bull rush him."

For the record, I seem to be a bigger fan of The Hammer, God's Gift, and Brad Jones (he suddenly needs a nickname) than I get the impression others are. I read in forums that people are just expecting the first two to be cut and the third to be just a small-role backup. I like all three. Not Quarless over Finley, but definitely as a #2 TE.

[Smidgeon]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/127418108.html

Since when is Taylor a roster lock? :S

[Patler]

GBPG report from last night:

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110809/PKR01/110809213/Insider-Longshot-receivers-Smithson-Gurley-make-their-cases?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

Three drops, eight sacks and a penalty.

All of that happened in a 20-play stretch during a team, third-down period.

The three drops came in the first seven plays, prompting offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to plead, “C’mon guys!”

The drops stopped, but the sacks were just beginning.

The defense went into blitz mode, and the quarterbacks were ducking. To be fair, the offense was playing with a patchwork line because starters Scott Wells and Chad Clifton were part of the veteran group that was given the night off, but the blitz pickup by the running backs was atrocious.

On back-to-back plays, cornerback Pat Lee sacked Matt Flynn. Running back James Starks failed to pick up Lee, who has never had a sack in an NFL game, on at least one of them.

On another sack of Flynn, rookie running back Alex Green picked up linebacker Desmond Bishop, but no one blocked cornerback Tramon Williams, who also was blitzing.

Oh, and for good measure, at the end of the drill, Harrell mishandled a snap that was recovered by rookie fullback Jon Hoese.

[Smidgeon]

Q: Trevor, Saint Paul - Bob, has Quinn Johnson looked like he deserves a roster spot so far this summer, and does he really just need to not be awful in order to make the team now that Korey Hall is gone?
A: Bob McGinn - Trevor: There are six competent TEs in camp. There are two competent FBs in camp. Johnson reported too heavy but it doesn't seem to be an issue. He was outstanding in the live blitz pickup drill last night. In some ways, he isn't competing against Kuhn. He is competing against young TEs. It's possible that his work on ST will decide his fate.

[Smidgeon]

GBPG report from last night:

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110809/PKR01/110809213/Insider-Longshot-receivers-Smithson-Gurley-make-their-cases?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

But it goes on to mention Alex Green and Starks specifically...

[bobblehead]

I like Jones. Hammer doesn't fit with this team really. God's gift is sort of make or break this camp. I think he makes it, but he needs to earn playing time as well or it will hamper his chances in the future.

[Deputy Nutz]

When the Packers have to run the ball in a regular formation I want Johnson as the lead blocker and certainly not John Kuhn. Hall was the better blocker between him and Kuhn, and Hall is gone. If Johnson is cut the Packers short distance running game will be dreadful.

[Brandon494]

I think we'll keep Finley, Quarless, Williams, Taylor, Kuhn, and Q Johnson. Honestly I like both rookie TE more than I do Quarless.

[Packers4Glory]

In my opinion Quarless needs to have a great camp because I was really really not impressed at anything he did last season. Really nothing he did gave me any hope that he can be a legit TE in this lg.

I also don't see Q making the roster...esp if they decide to keep a bunch of TE's.

[ThunderDan]

I hope Q Johnson makes it. He is a great point of attack blocker. Watching the Stark highlights, that someone else posted in another thread, most of those runs turned into big gains when Quinn was able to win the 1-on-1 with the free LB. He moved the LB out of the hole for Starks and didn't just tie the LB up.

I am so-so on Quarless. He is supposed to be this increadible receiving TE and yet the majority of balls that were thrown to him he let get to his pads for the catch or drop. He needs to catch the ball away from his body to be that elite pass catching TE that he is billed as.

[pbmax]

If he could figure out a special teams role he would be set. I wonder what the holdup is?

[Guiness]

Everyone is writing off Crabtree. He stuck with the team against all odd last year - the Pack kept a 4th TE so he could be on the roster.

He put in a lot of work this offseason, there was a workout video on gbpg

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=U0&Dato=20110414&Kategori=PKR01&Lopenr=104140806&Ref=PH

I don't think he's going anywhere...

[sharpe1027]

I hope Q Johnson makes it. He is a great point of attack blocker. Watching the Stark highlights, that someone else posted in another thread, most of those runs turned into big gains when Quinn was able to win the 1-on-1 with the free LB. He moved the LB out of the hole for Starks and didn't just tie the LB up.

I am so-so on Quarless. He is supposed to be this increadible receiving TE and yet the majority of balls that were thrown to him he let get to his pads for the catch or drop. He needs to catch the ball away from his body to be that elite pass catching TE that he is billed as.

I agree with your assessment of Quarless. He has great combine numbers, but he simply does not look natural on the field. His adjustments to the ball and the way he catches balls do not inspire confidence. I think drafting of two TEs in addition to bringing Crabtree and Havner back suggests that the Packers are also not convinced. He did a pretty good job last year in a tough situation, but I still give him a 50/50 chance of being cut.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I thought Quarless looked pretty good for a late round, rookie TE. I thought he looked better than Crabtree, and they were both in the first years. Crabtree does little for me. To me, Quarless looks like a guy that could be really good given a couple of years. Crabtree looks like somebody with a limited ceiling. The problem is: neither Finley, Quarless, or Williams (from TC reports) are very good blockers. Maybe Crabtree makes it as the 4th because of his blocking. Who knows. I have no idea if Taylor is a viable option.

[HarveyWallbangers]

For what it's worth:

TE Andrew Quarless had a bad-looking drop in a move-the-ball drill, but then a couple of plays later made a diving catch over the middle to redeem himself. Later he caught a red-zone touchdown from Rodgers on a nicely executed corner route.