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Training camp report, Tuesday, Aug. 22
Thumbs up
Dave Rayner still has several more hurdles to clear before he will be awarded the kicking job when the Packers open the regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10, but he had one of his most impressive practices of training camp on Tuesday night.
Granted it came in the climate-controlled comfort of the Don Hutson Center, but Rayner went 8-for-8 on field goals during a special teams period.
Rayner, who is now the only kicker in camp after veteran Billy Cundiff was cut last week, got into a good groove and got stronger as the drill went on. With punter Jon Ryan holding, Rayner made field goals of 34, 39, 42, 46, 48, 25, 49 and 53 yards. His last two kicks – the 49- and 53-yarders – were strong boots that had plenty of room to spare. Rayner’s shakiest kick was the 48-yarder. It cleared by only a couple of yards. On the 46-yarder, Ryan did a good job handling a high snap.
Thumbs down
Picking up blitzes has been an issue for both running backs and offensive linemen throughout training camp.
Tuesday was no exception. During a team period, coach Mike McCarthy made the offense re-run several plays because of missed assignments on blitzes. On several drop backs, quarterback Brett Favre would have been sacked had the defenders been allowed to finish the play. In fact, it happened on consecutive plays and rookie right guard Tony Moll appeared to be the culprit.
McCarthy pulled Moll aside after the drill, and the two worked on Moll’s technique. After practice, McCarthy said it was a footwork issue.
Did you notice?
Daryn Colledge worked at left tackle for the first time in training camp, and it had nothing to do with the shortage of tackles. Josh Bourke (hip) and Todd Williams (knee) both sat out of practice, but McCarthy said the plan was to work Colledge at left tackle anyway. McCarthy said he wants Colledge to be a left-side guy, meaning he can play both left guard and left tackle. He wants Junius Coston to be able to do the same thing on the right side.
Receiver Carlton Brewster, acquired on Tuesday from the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Therrian Fontenot, took some reps as a punt returner.
Jon Ryan had one poor punt and several exceptional ones during two separate punting periods. Several of his kicks hit the Hutson Center’s roof, but he had two kicks (a 50-yarder and a 51-yarder) that had good hang time and were angled toward the corner.
Rookie Cory Rodgers mishandled another punt during the first of two punting period. He didn’t have any miscues in the second period.
Cornerback Antonio Malone, signed last week, made his first big play. He intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass that was intended for Chad Lucas.
Cornerback Charles Woodson had another interception, this one off Ingle Martin in a 7-on-7 period.
McCarthy said Tuesday’s evening practice was closed to the public because he wanted to work on things specific to the Chicago Bears. Reporters were allowed to attend but were barred from writing anything play-specific, just as they would be during the regular season if they were allowed to watch practice. The players and coaches played dodgeball on Tuesday morning instead of practicing.
-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
good to hear. TT and MM know how important the season opener is. sets the tone of the season, gain home field advantage, and sweet revenge
Thumbs up
Dave Rayner still has several more hurdles to clear before he will be awarded the kicking job when the Packers open the regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10, but he had one of his most impressive practices of training camp on Tuesday night.
Granted it came in the climate-controlled comfort of the Don Hutson Center, but Rayner went 8-for-8 on field goals during a special teams period.
Rayner, who is now the only kicker in camp after veteran Billy Cundiff was cut last week, got into a good groove and got stronger as the drill went on. With punter Jon Ryan holding, Rayner made field goals of 34, 39, 42, 46, 48, 25, 49 and 53 yards. His last two kicks – the 49- and 53-yarders – were strong boots that had plenty of room to spare. Rayner’s shakiest kick was the 48-yarder. It cleared by only a couple of yards. On the 46-yarder, Ryan did a good job handling a high snap.
Thumbs down
Picking up blitzes has been an issue for both running backs and offensive linemen throughout training camp.
Tuesday was no exception. During a team period, coach Mike McCarthy made the offense re-run several plays because of missed assignments on blitzes. On several drop backs, quarterback Brett Favre would have been sacked had the defenders been allowed to finish the play. In fact, it happened on consecutive plays and rookie right guard Tony Moll appeared to be the culprit.
McCarthy pulled Moll aside after the drill, and the two worked on Moll’s technique. After practice, McCarthy said it was a footwork issue.
Did you notice?
Daryn Colledge worked at left tackle for the first time in training camp, and it had nothing to do with the shortage of tackles. Josh Bourke (hip) and Todd Williams (knee) both sat out of practice, but McCarthy said the plan was to work Colledge at left tackle anyway. McCarthy said he wants Colledge to be a left-side guy, meaning he can play both left guard and left tackle. He wants Junius Coston to be able to do the same thing on the right side.
Receiver Carlton Brewster, acquired on Tuesday from the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Therrian Fontenot, took some reps as a punt returner.
Jon Ryan had one poor punt and several exceptional ones during two separate punting periods. Several of his kicks hit the Hutson Center’s roof, but he had two kicks (a 50-yarder and a 51-yarder) that had good hang time and were angled toward the corner.
Rookie Cory Rodgers mishandled another punt during the first of two punting period. He didn’t have any miscues in the second period.
Cornerback Antonio Malone, signed last week, made his first big play. He intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass that was intended for Chad Lucas.
Cornerback Charles Woodson had another interception, this one off Ingle Martin in a 7-on-7 period.
McCarthy said Tuesday’s evening practice was closed to the public because he wanted to work on things specific to the Chicago Bears. Reporters were allowed to attend but were barred from writing anything play-specific, just as they would be during the regular season if they were allowed to watch practice. The players and coaches played dodgeball on Tuesday morning instead of practicing.
-- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
good to hear. TT and MM know how important the season opener is. sets the tone of the season, gain home field advantage, and sweet revenge
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