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Notes: Bennett tells Green to get a grip
Coach emphasizes protecting ball
By LORI NICKEL
lnickel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 21, 2006
Green Bay - Green Bay running backs coach Edgar Bennett has known Ahman Green a long time, so Bennett feels like he can push Green pretty hard this week to cut down on the fumbles. So far Green has two fumbles, one lost, and Bennett said the proactive way to prevent another is to harp on the importance of ball security.
"We work on it every day and it's emphasized every day," Bennett said. "That is a big part of what we do. You always try to go out and win the give-away, take-away. We play a big part in that, we focus on that every day with a number of different drills, as well as just constant reminders."
Green looked generally off in every way last week in the loss to New Orleans. He ran poorly and dropped passes he normally makes. But his fumble in the fourth quarter against the Saints was a killer.
Tied at 20-20, the Saints had just scored to take the lead.
With plenty of time left, the Packers anticipated answering with their own touchdown. But Green fumbled on his own 23-yard line on the first play. Several of his teammates reacted with frustrated looks and Green's own body language gave away his disappointment as well.
Bennett said Green, who is making a comeback from a thigh injury last season, hasn't lost his confidence.
"I think his frame of mind is solid," Bennett said. "He's focused on what he has to get done as well as what we have to get done."
Green fumbled seven times each in 2003 and 2004.
Like the Bears: Shortly after Detroit lost to Chicago in humbling fashion last week, Lions coach Rod Marinelli declared: "That team is where I'm going with this one. They played hard and they played tough." It was a bold comment given that Chicago is the overwhelming NFC North favorite and Detroit hasn't had a winning season since 2000. But while there are some obvious differences, the Packers are expecting a physical matchup with the Lions' defense on Sunday.
"What Chicago does is base everything off of their best player, who is (Brian) Urlacher," Packers tackle Mark Tauscher said. "Detroit has a great defensive line, and for that you need a dominant three technique (Shaun Rodgers). They have that to get that started."
Tauscher said while Chicago is built more for speed and the Lions are more physical, both teams follow the Tampa Bay philosophy of building a defense around a top linebacker and a top defensive tackle. The Lions are also getting solid play from rookie Ernie Sims.
"Detroit, they drafted a linebacker first, who has been playing well for them, so I am sure that's what they're trying to do," said Tauscher.
Sunday afternoon Driver: Packers receiver Donald Driver has 15 receptions in two games and is the second-leading receiver in the NFL in yards (249). Only former Packers Ken Payne (17 in 1975) and Robert Brooks (16 in 1995) have had more in the first two games, while Dorsey Levens also had 15 in 1998.
How Lions' cornerbacks Frenando Bryant and Dre' Bly will attempt to stop Driver is anyone's guess.
"I don't know," said Driver. "I am not sure what they're going to do."
In the past when Driver has strung together several high-reception games, he noticed opponents double and triple teaming him to defend him.
"They have, but it hasn't worked," said Driver. "So I don't know what's on Detroit's mind. But I think I have two other guys (Greg Jennings and Robert Ferguson) that will be able to step up and take the pressure off me."
Injury update: Tackle Junius Coston, cornerback Will Blackmon and guard Jason Spitz missed practice again on Thursday. Coston attempted to test his injured knee Wednesday by dressing and participating in drills, but he dropped out and missed practice.
Coston is listed as doubtful for the game at Detroit and the other two are questionable. Coston said he wasn't ready for a full return this week and hoped to be ready next week. Cornerback Al Harris practiced again with his injured shoulder and tight end David Martin returned after missing Wednesday with an injured knee.
Detroit right tackles Barry Stokes and Rex Tucker both missed practice again Thursday and remain questionable for Sunday. Left guard Ross Verba practiced with an injured hamstring and remains listed as questionable.
The Lions removed defensive end Cory Redding and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers from their report today. Cornerback Fernando Bryant missed practice for personal reasons.
From the Sept. 22, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Coach emphasizes protecting ball
By LORI NICKEL
lnickel@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 21, 2006
Green Bay - Green Bay running backs coach Edgar Bennett has known Ahman Green a long time, so Bennett feels like he can push Green pretty hard this week to cut down on the fumbles. So far Green has two fumbles, one lost, and Bennett said the proactive way to prevent another is to harp on the importance of ball security.
"We work on it every day and it's emphasized every day," Bennett said. "That is a big part of what we do. You always try to go out and win the give-away, take-away. We play a big part in that, we focus on that every day with a number of different drills, as well as just constant reminders."
Green looked generally off in every way last week in the loss to New Orleans. He ran poorly and dropped passes he normally makes. But his fumble in the fourth quarter against the Saints was a killer.
Tied at 20-20, the Saints had just scored to take the lead.
With plenty of time left, the Packers anticipated answering with their own touchdown. But Green fumbled on his own 23-yard line on the first play. Several of his teammates reacted with frustrated looks and Green's own body language gave away his disappointment as well.
Bennett said Green, who is making a comeback from a thigh injury last season, hasn't lost his confidence.
"I think his frame of mind is solid," Bennett said. "He's focused on what he has to get done as well as what we have to get done."
Green fumbled seven times each in 2003 and 2004.
Like the Bears: Shortly after Detroit lost to Chicago in humbling fashion last week, Lions coach Rod Marinelli declared: "That team is where I'm going with this one. They played hard and they played tough." It was a bold comment given that Chicago is the overwhelming NFC North favorite and Detroit hasn't had a winning season since 2000. But while there are some obvious differences, the Packers are expecting a physical matchup with the Lions' defense on Sunday.
"What Chicago does is base everything off of their best player, who is (Brian) Urlacher," Packers tackle Mark Tauscher said. "Detroit has a great defensive line, and for that you need a dominant three technique (Shaun Rodgers). They have that to get that started."
Tauscher said while Chicago is built more for speed and the Lions are more physical, both teams follow the Tampa Bay philosophy of building a defense around a top linebacker and a top defensive tackle. The Lions are also getting solid play from rookie Ernie Sims.
"Detroit, they drafted a linebacker first, who has been playing well for them, so I am sure that's what they're trying to do," said Tauscher.
Sunday afternoon Driver: Packers receiver Donald Driver has 15 receptions in two games and is the second-leading receiver in the NFL in yards (249). Only former Packers Ken Payne (17 in 1975) and Robert Brooks (16 in 1995) have had more in the first two games, while Dorsey Levens also had 15 in 1998.
How Lions' cornerbacks Frenando Bryant and Dre' Bly will attempt to stop Driver is anyone's guess.
"I don't know," said Driver. "I am not sure what they're going to do."
In the past when Driver has strung together several high-reception games, he noticed opponents double and triple teaming him to defend him.
"They have, but it hasn't worked," said Driver. "So I don't know what's on Detroit's mind. But I think I have two other guys (Greg Jennings and Robert Ferguson) that will be able to step up and take the pressure off me."
Injury update: Tackle Junius Coston, cornerback Will Blackmon and guard Jason Spitz missed practice again on Thursday. Coston attempted to test his injured knee Wednesday by dressing and participating in drills, but he dropped out and missed practice.
Coston is listed as doubtful for the game at Detroit and the other two are questionable. Coston said he wasn't ready for a full return this week and hoped to be ready next week. Cornerback Al Harris practiced again with his injured shoulder and tight end David Martin returned after missing Wednesday with an injured knee.
Detroit right tackles Barry Stokes and Rex Tucker both missed practice again Thursday and remain questionable for Sunday. Left guard Ross Verba practiced with an injured hamstring and remains listed as questionable.
The Lions removed defensive end Cory Redding and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers from their report today. Cornerback Fernando Bryant missed practice for personal reasons.
From the Sept. 22, 2006 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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