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WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2006, 7:10 p.m.
Camp Report, Aug. 23/06
THUMBS UP
General manager Ted Thompson has some building to do before the Packers figure to become serious Super Bowl contenders again. In fact, he may be no further along than pouring the basement. But kudos to Thompson for his personnel moves this summer. The days of starting a Michael Hawthorne, a player with no past and no future, at cornerback in a season opener appear over.
The NFL is a young man’s game. The late George Young, architect of the New York Giants’ Super Bowl champions, likened it to the Marines. And molding a roster with that in mind is a big part of a GM’s job, at least for one with as much power as Thompson.
Over the past two months, Thompson has waived Mark Roman and Marc Boerigter, two veterans who might have been serviceable in a pinch. But Roman wasn’t very good and wasn’t going to get any better. The same goes for Boerigter. It’s always better to gamble on young, untested players than to accept mediocrity.
Another good sign was when Thompson recently dumped journeyman kicker Billy Cundiff and draft flop B.J. Sander. Dave Rayner and Jon Ryan, who were handed the jobs of kicker and punter, might fail miserably. But, again, because they’re young and are blessed with strong legs, it’s worth the gamble. If they fail, Thompson can go out and find two stopgaps at any time.
It’s conceivable that the Packers could start the season with 17 rookies and first-year players, which would be almost a third of their roster. But even if it’s closer to 12 to 15, it would represent a huge turnover. Whatever, this youth movement might not produce a winning record this year, but it might lead to steady improvement over the course of the season and that would be a step in the right direction.
THUMBS DOWN
There comes a time when a team needs to weigh dependability much more so than talent. And that time might have arrived for the Packers as they evaluate Najeh Davenport and pare their running backs.
On the hoof, Davenport is bigger, more powerful and just as fast, if not faster than, Arliss Beach and Noah Herron, the other two backs competing for what figures to be one spot behind Ahman Green and Samkon Gado. Also Davenport has often produced when he has played. He rushed for 178 yards in his first pro start. His average per carry over his four years in Green Bay is 4.9. He has averaged 24.1 yards on kickoff returns.
But Davenport can’t seem to stay healthy.
He dropped out of practice Tuesday with a hip injury and missed again Wednesday. Earlier in camp, he missed six practices with a calf injury. Since joining the Packers in 2002, he also has missed 25 games.
What’s the old saying?
“You can’t make the club in the tub.†The Packers need to ponder that as they decide Davenport’s future.
ODDS & ENDS
During a special teams period, Rayner converted an extra point and field goals from 24 and 30 yards out, but missed on a 39-yarder.
Defensive tackle Colin Cole beat guard Mookie Moore with a bull rush in one-on-one pass blocking. That’s a drill where Moore has stood out.
Rookie guard Tony Moll won his battle with Corey Williams. But Moll had more trouble with Ryan Pickett.
Junius Coston hasn’t taken a single snap at guard since being moved to tackle the first week of camp.
Rookie safety Tra Boger intercepted a pass during a team defensive period. It was Boger’s second interception of camp.
The Packers practiced in the Don Hutson Center.
GO PACK GO ! PACKER FAN FAITH !!
Camp Report, Aug. 23/06
THUMBS UP
General manager Ted Thompson has some building to do before the Packers figure to become serious Super Bowl contenders again. In fact, he may be no further along than pouring the basement. But kudos to Thompson for his personnel moves this summer. The days of starting a Michael Hawthorne, a player with no past and no future, at cornerback in a season opener appear over.
The NFL is a young man’s game. The late George Young, architect of the New York Giants’ Super Bowl champions, likened it to the Marines. And molding a roster with that in mind is a big part of a GM’s job, at least for one with as much power as Thompson.
Over the past two months, Thompson has waived Mark Roman and Marc Boerigter, two veterans who might have been serviceable in a pinch. But Roman wasn’t very good and wasn’t going to get any better. The same goes for Boerigter. It’s always better to gamble on young, untested players than to accept mediocrity.
Another good sign was when Thompson recently dumped journeyman kicker Billy Cundiff and draft flop B.J. Sander. Dave Rayner and Jon Ryan, who were handed the jobs of kicker and punter, might fail miserably. But, again, because they’re young and are blessed with strong legs, it’s worth the gamble. If they fail, Thompson can go out and find two stopgaps at any time.
It’s conceivable that the Packers could start the season with 17 rookies and first-year players, which would be almost a third of their roster. But even if it’s closer to 12 to 15, it would represent a huge turnover. Whatever, this youth movement might not produce a winning record this year, but it might lead to steady improvement over the course of the season and that would be a step in the right direction.
THUMBS DOWN
There comes a time when a team needs to weigh dependability much more so than talent. And that time might have arrived for the Packers as they evaluate Najeh Davenport and pare their running backs.
On the hoof, Davenport is bigger, more powerful and just as fast, if not faster than, Arliss Beach and Noah Herron, the other two backs competing for what figures to be one spot behind Ahman Green and Samkon Gado. Also Davenport has often produced when he has played. He rushed for 178 yards in his first pro start. His average per carry over his four years in Green Bay is 4.9. He has averaged 24.1 yards on kickoff returns.
But Davenport can’t seem to stay healthy.
He dropped out of practice Tuesday with a hip injury and missed again Wednesday. Earlier in camp, he missed six practices with a calf injury. Since joining the Packers in 2002, he also has missed 25 games.
What’s the old saying?
“You can’t make the club in the tub.†The Packers need to ponder that as they decide Davenport’s future.
ODDS & ENDS
During a special teams period, Rayner converted an extra point and field goals from 24 and 30 yards out, but missed on a 39-yarder.
Defensive tackle Colin Cole beat guard Mookie Moore with a bull rush in one-on-one pass blocking. That’s a drill where Moore has stood out.
Rookie guard Tony Moll won his battle with Corey Williams. But Moll had more trouble with Ryan Pickett.
Junius Coston hasn’t taken a single snap at guard since being moved to tackle the first week of camp.
Rookie safety Tra Boger intercepted a pass during a team defensive period. It was Boger’s second interception of camp.
The Packers practiced in the Don Hutson Center.
GO PACK GO ! PACKER FAN FAITH !!
if that happened in this TC.
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