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Packers' Gurley makes a splash on practice squad
Wide receiver keeping defense on their toes
By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel
Green Bay - Wide receiver Tori Gurley, almost 10 pounds heavier and becoming more confident by the day, has spent nine impressive weeks on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.
"Some of the catches this kid makes in practice are amazing," wide receiver Donald Driver said Friday. "He's going against the No. 1 defense and he's making great catches. Could he play on this team? Sure."
Gurley gave up his final two seasons at South Carolina, signed with the Packers in April as a free agent and led them in receptions with nine during the exhibition season before being waived Sept. 3.
Signed to the practice squad the next day, Gurley has put on a show in workouts that are closed to the public and partially open to media members.
"He's a lot better. . . a lot better," wide receiver James Jones said. "He's a good player and he's getting a lot more confident."
Gurley, 6 feet 4 inches and 216 pounds at the combine in February, played most of August weighing 217. Now, after consultation with coaches and trainers, he has bulked up to 225.
"He'll have people draped on him and he'll still snag the ball," said safety Charlie Peprah. "Deep. Intermediate. Whatever role he's playing, he makes great catches. He made plays all preseason, too."
For now, Gurley is making $96,900 impersonating the opponents' wide receivers in practice. Any team could sign him to their 53-man roster, where his base salary probably would be the rookie minimum of $375,000.
Gurley said he hasn't had to decide whether to remain on Green Bay's practice squad against accepting an offer because no team has made one. It's almost a foregone conclusion, however, that he would leave if a roster berth was offered anywhere.
As the season goes on, the Packers might be tempted to secure their ties with Gurley by promoting him to their 53-man roster. If not, Gurley said he definitely would re-sign with Green Bay once his practice-squad contract expires after the season.
"Most definitely," he said. "I'm going to continue to work and get better and learn from the older guys, and have an opportunity to make this team.
"I'm ready to play. I'm just one play away. When that happens, I'm going to hit the ground running and I'm never looking back."
Coach Mike McCarthy and the coaches have made Gurley feel wanted by giving him occasional snaps with the No. 1 offense. Still, his main function is making the defense work.
"Man, I've gotten so much better," said Gurley. "I'm really giving the No. 1s a really good look, and they respect me for that. We get after it, and that's why it shows on Sunday. Every day I try to do something to wow the coaches."
Gurley isn't the only promising wide receiver on the practice squad. There's also Diondre Borel, a converted quarterback from Utah State who also was cut Sept. 3. He's also made some plays as an emergency cornerback on the scout team.
"He's a heck of a football player," said Peprah. "He can make it somewhere."
Wide receiver keeping defense on their toes
By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel
Green Bay - Wide receiver Tori Gurley, almost 10 pounds heavier and becoming more confident by the day, has spent nine impressive weeks on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.
"Some of the catches this kid makes in practice are amazing," wide receiver Donald Driver said Friday. "He's going against the No. 1 defense and he's making great catches. Could he play on this team? Sure."
Gurley gave up his final two seasons at South Carolina, signed with the Packers in April as a free agent and led them in receptions with nine during the exhibition season before being waived Sept. 3.
Signed to the practice squad the next day, Gurley has put on a show in workouts that are closed to the public and partially open to media members.
"He's a lot better. . . a lot better," wide receiver James Jones said. "He's a good player and he's getting a lot more confident."
Gurley, 6 feet 4 inches and 216 pounds at the combine in February, played most of August weighing 217. Now, after consultation with coaches and trainers, he has bulked up to 225.
"He'll have people draped on him and he'll still snag the ball," said safety Charlie Peprah. "Deep. Intermediate. Whatever role he's playing, he makes great catches. He made plays all preseason, too."
For now, Gurley is making $96,900 impersonating the opponents' wide receivers in practice. Any team could sign him to their 53-man roster, where his base salary probably would be the rookie minimum of $375,000.
Gurley said he hasn't had to decide whether to remain on Green Bay's practice squad against accepting an offer because no team has made one. It's almost a foregone conclusion, however, that he would leave if a roster berth was offered anywhere.
As the season goes on, the Packers might be tempted to secure their ties with Gurley by promoting him to their 53-man roster. If not, Gurley said he definitely would re-sign with Green Bay once his practice-squad contract expires after the season.
"Most definitely," he said. "I'm going to continue to work and get better and learn from the older guys, and have an opportunity to make this team.
"I'm ready to play. I'm just one play away. When that happens, I'm going to hit the ground running and I'm never looking back."
Coach Mike McCarthy and the coaches have made Gurley feel wanted by giving him occasional snaps with the No. 1 offense. Still, his main function is making the defense work.
"Man, I've gotten so much better," said Gurley. "I'm really giving the No. 1s a really good look, and they respect me for that. We get after it, and that's why it shows on Sunday. Every day I try to do something to wow the coaches."
Gurley isn't the only promising wide receiver on the practice squad. There's also Diondre Borel, a converted quarterback from Utah State who also was cut Sept. 3. He's also made some plays as an emergency cornerback on the scout team.
"He's a heck of a football player," said Peprah. "He can make it somewhere."
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