Tweet
Notes: Spitz steps into Moll's spot
Injured guard returns to practice
By TODD ROSIAK
trosiak@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 27, 2006
Green Bay - Jason Spitz returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a significant thigh bruise in the Green Bay Packers' season opener.
Jason Spitz hasn't played since a significant thigh bruise against the Bears in Week 1.
Where he lined up, though, was just as notable as his presence.
Spitz ran with the No. 1 offense at right guard, displacing fellow rookie Tony Moll, who was the starter at that position in first three games.
And while coach Mike McCarthy stopped short of naming his starters for Monday night's game at Philadelphia, if Spitz's condition continues to improve there's a good chance the third-round pick out of Louisville will get the nod against the Eagles.
"I'm not worried about that right now," said Spitz. "I'm just worried about getting back on the field, staying healthy and just playing some football."
Spitz opened training camp as the starting right guard but slid to the left side two weeks in when second-round pick Daryn Colledge was demoted.
Spitz remained there heading into the opener. But after taking a hit to his thigh against Chicago he was replaced by Colledge, who has regained his footing and shown steady improvement over the past two games.
With McCarthy committed to playing the two best of the four rookie guards on his roster each week, the odd man out for the time being is Moll, a fifth-round pick out of Nevada who was drafted as a tackle but was the surprise winner of the job at right guard coming out of camp.
"Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to start," Moll said. "That's the one tough thing - there's two positions and there's three, four guys trying to make it. But that's how it is, that's how we've always grown up playing football. Only 11 get to play.
"The two best guys are going to be able to get in there."
How Spitz's thigh responds today to his first padded practice looks to be the ultimate factor as to whether he'll start against the Eagles.
"It was a pretty distinct bruise, so we'll see how far he can push it the first time," said McCarthy, who'll make his decision no later than Friday. "It's different pushing on bags and going through rehab than it is getting in there and getting to the team drills. So we're just being smart with him."
Said Spitz: "I'm getting close. We're taking it day by day. Right now my main goal is to just get back to where I was."
This move would make sense. The Pack seemed to be a better running team with Spitz in there against the Bears. Colledge has probably earned the chance to start with his excellent pass-blocking against Shaun Rogers .
Injured guard returns to practice
By TODD ROSIAK
trosiak@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 27, 2006
Green Bay - Jason Spitz returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a significant thigh bruise in the Green Bay Packers' season opener.
Jason Spitz hasn't played since a significant thigh bruise against the Bears in Week 1.
Where he lined up, though, was just as notable as his presence.
Spitz ran with the No. 1 offense at right guard, displacing fellow rookie Tony Moll, who was the starter at that position in first three games.
And while coach Mike McCarthy stopped short of naming his starters for Monday night's game at Philadelphia, if Spitz's condition continues to improve there's a good chance the third-round pick out of Louisville will get the nod against the Eagles.
"I'm not worried about that right now," said Spitz. "I'm just worried about getting back on the field, staying healthy and just playing some football."
Spitz opened training camp as the starting right guard but slid to the left side two weeks in when second-round pick Daryn Colledge was demoted.
Spitz remained there heading into the opener. But after taking a hit to his thigh against Chicago he was replaced by Colledge, who has regained his footing and shown steady improvement over the past two games.
With McCarthy committed to playing the two best of the four rookie guards on his roster each week, the odd man out for the time being is Moll, a fifth-round pick out of Nevada who was drafted as a tackle but was the surprise winner of the job at right guard coming out of camp.
"Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to start," Moll said. "That's the one tough thing - there's two positions and there's three, four guys trying to make it. But that's how it is, that's how we've always grown up playing football. Only 11 get to play.
"The two best guys are going to be able to get in there."
How Spitz's thigh responds today to his first padded practice looks to be the ultimate factor as to whether he'll start against the Eagles.
"It was a pretty distinct bruise, so we'll see how far he can push it the first time," said McCarthy, who'll make his decision no later than Friday. "It's different pushing on bags and going through rehab than it is getting in there and getting to the team drills. So we're just being smart with him."
Said Spitz: "I'm getting close. We're taking it day by day. Right now my main goal is to just get back to where I was."
This move would make sense. The Pack seemed to be a better running team with Spitz in there against the Bears. Colledge has probably earned the chance to start with his excellent pass-blocking against Shaun Rogers .
)
Comment