Miree to start at FB; Morency may start at RB

[Scott Campbell]

mraynrand, was that pic Brandon Miree? If so, he's looking kind of cute.

Maybe I'm gay. Or maybe I just don't know enough about Star Trek to get the picture. Or maybe both.

I'm so confused...

Are you getting a little too old to be conflicted about your sexuality?

[falco]

If packers have any chance to win monday, Brett Favre has to have a superb game, and we have to have better coaching. As a matter of fact, if we are to do anything the rest of the year, we are going to need to outcoach a lot of our opponents.

[BooHoo]

Just hoping it's not a blow out.

[Rastak]

As a fan of classic Trek, I heard this new fullback was starting, and I couldn't help but think....

I figured you for more of a Mr. Spock type guy.

Funny thing is Kirk would go for anything that moved and wore a skirt.....
I remember that episode (yea, yea, I know...nerd nerd nerd) and I laughed out loud when Kirk gave the little kid the "eye". I was like, damn, have you no shame? I know it was the typical Shatner overact...but I actually liked Shatner in Star Trek....

[mmmdk]

If Ahman Green is out, GB has no chance unless McNabb goes out with an injury.
Starting a new HB & FB is a scary proposition in a non-exhibition game...especially with the OLine being what it is.

It's not the good'ole Green we're seeing but I tend to agree; with a new HB & FB it's gonna be even harder just to get close to a win.

[MJZiggy]

If Ahman Green is out, GB has no chance unless McNabb goes out with an injury.
Starting a new HB & FB is a scary proposition in a non-exhibition game...especially with the OLine being what it is.

It's not the good'ole Green we're seeing but I tend to agree; with a new HB & FB it's gonna be even harder just to get close to a win.

I'm not so sure. I have a feeling that if the new duo doesn't perform well early in the game, they may end up abandoning the run sooner than they might normally (which would be never). Maybe this is the game where they need to set up the run with the pass.

[Tarlam!]

It all comes down to the O-line developing the crease and the RB cutting back into it.

If we leave the Philly defenders on their feet, we won't gain rushing yardage. So basically, our OT's need to embrace and execute the cut blocks at last, which they have not been doing till this point.

I think the middle of our O-line has almost gotten it, it's the exterior that concerns me....

[Fritz]

Supposedly the o line gets better every week. So let's hope for some improvement. They're gonna need to run so the Eagles can't tee off on Favre.

[Tarlam!]

Posted October 3, 2006

Morency's talent proves raw

Running back shows spark, but mistakes negate gains

By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com


PHILADELPHIA — The Green Bay Packers found a running back with some explosiveness, but in the end, a couple of blunders left them wondering whether Vernand Morency can be a suitable replacement for banged-up starter Ahman Green.


Morency, who was acquired from the Houston Texans in the Sept. 13 trade for running back Samkon Gado, made his first start for the Packers because of injuries to Green's hamstrings.


Morency showed some burst, found some holes and looked quicker than Green did in the first three games of the season.


He finished a yard short of the 100-yard mark, but he made a couple of major mistakes that contributed to the Packers' 31-9 loss to the Eagles on Monday at Lincoln Financial Field.


"I thought we did some better things running the football," Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "But we're still not where we need to be."


Whatever production Morency provided, his miscues might be hard for the Packers to overlook.


In the second quarter, he practically handed the Eagles a touchdown when he botched a handoff on second-and-9 from the Packers' 9-yard line. Though the fumble was officially credited to quarterback Brett Favre, it was Morency's mistake because he mishandled the exchange on what should have been a routine handoff.


"I just closed by pocket a little too soon," Morency said. "I saw a hole and tried to move before I had the ball."


The Eagles recovered, and two plays later, scored the game's first touchdown.


Then, with the game within reach in the third quarter, Morency couldn't catch a dump-off pass from Favre. Though the pass was thrown hard, it was catchable. It hit Morency in the hands and chest, bounced into the air and was intercepted by Eagles defensive tackle LaJaun Ramsey. Two plays later, the Eagles scored to go ahead 24-9.


"I was chip blocking and once I blocked, I turned my head and the ball was up on me already," Morency said.


Morency would have posted a 100-yard day had he not been stuffed for no gain on three straight carries from the Eagles' 1-yard line in the game's final minute-and-a-half. Instead, Morency finished with 99 yards on 26 carries, a 3.8-yard average, and the Packers were held without a touchdown for the second time this season.


"That was definitely disappointing," Morency said. "You want to leave here with a touchdown and something to build on. We didn't get that, so it's definitely frustrating."


Morency learned he would get the start when he arrived at the stadium a few hours before the game. Green said he worked out Monday afternoon but couldn't go. He didn't know his availability for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams at Lambeau Field.


In addition to Morency, the Packers were training a new fullback.


Brandon Miree, who was elevated from the practice squad on Tuesday, replaced declining veteran William Henderson and appeared to block well.


"I thought we ran the ball fairly decent," Miree said.


"There were some opportunities for big plays that we probably didn't capitalize on. Then, we got behind a little bit, and it was a tough situation."


If Green can't go Sunday against the Rams, the Packers have little choice but to stick with Morency.


The only other running back on their roster, Noah Herron, probably isn't suited to handle a 26-carry workload like Morency got against the Eagles.


First, Morency will have to address his mistakes.


"There's definitely a lot to improve on," Morency said. "Every day it's a learning experience. At least now I've got some film to look at and improve on."

[vince]

Posted October 3, 2006

Morency's talent proves raw

Running back shows spark, but mistakes negate gains

By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com


PHILADELPHIA — The Green Bay Packers found a running back with some explosiveness, but in the end, a couple of blunders left them wondering whether Vernand Morency can be a suitable replacement for banged-up starter Ahman Green.


Morency, who was acquired from the Houston Texans in the Sept. 13 trade for running back Samkon Gado, made his first start for the Packers because of injuries to Green's hamstrings.


Morency showed some burst, found some holes and looked quicker than Green did in the first three games of the season.


He finished a yard short of the 100-yard mark, but he made a couple of major mistakes that contributed to the Packers' 31-9 loss to the Eagles on Monday at Lincoln Financial Field.


"I thought we did some better things running the football," Packers right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "But we're still not where we need to be."


Whatever production Morency provided, his miscues might be hard for the Packers to overlook.


In the second quarter, he practically handed the Eagles a touchdown when he botched a handoff on second-and-9 from the Packers' 9-yard line. Though the fumble was officially credited to quarterback Brett Favre, it was Morency's mistake because he mishandled the exchange on what should have been a routine handoff.


"I just closed by pocket a little too soon," Morency said. "I saw a hole and tried to move before I had the ball."


The Eagles recovered, and two plays later, scored the game's first touchdown.


Then, with the game within reach in the third quarter, Morency couldn't catch a dump-off pass from Favre. Though the pass was thrown hard, it was catchable. It hit Morency in the hands and chest, bounced into the air and was intercepted by Eagles defensive tackle LaJaun Ramsey. Two plays later, the Eagles scored to go ahead 24-9.


"I was chip blocking and once I blocked, I turned my head and the ball was up on me already," Morency said.


Morency would have posted a 100-yard day had he not been stuffed for no gain on three straight carries from the Eagles' 1-yard line in the game's final minute-and-a-half. Instead, Morency finished with 99 yards on 26 carries, a 3.8-yard average, and the Packers were held without a touchdown for the second time this season.


"That was definitely disappointing," Morency said. "You want to leave here with a touchdown and something to build on. We didn't get that, so it's definitely frustrating."


Morency learned he would get the start when he arrived at the stadium a few hours before the game. Green said he worked out Monday afternoon but couldn't go. He didn't know his availability for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams at Lambeau Field.


In addition to Morency, the Packers were training a new fullback.


Brandon Miree, who was elevated from the practice squad on Tuesday, replaced declining veteran William Henderson and appeared to block well.


"I thought we ran the ball fairly decent," Miree said.


"There were some opportunities for big plays that we probably didn't capitalize on. Then, we got behind a little bit, and it was a tough situation."


If Green can't go Sunday against the Rams, the Packers have little choice but to stick with Morency.


The only other running back on their roster, Noah Herron, probably isn't suited to handle a 26-carry workload like Morency got against the Eagles.


First, Morency will have to address his mistakes.


"There's definitely a lot to improve on," Morency said. "Every day it's a learning experience. At least now I've got some film to look at and improve on."

Morency helped give the running game a shot in the arm. Timing was a little off yet, which led to both costly errors, but his production could be the beginning of the end for Ahman Green. Ahman is showing no signs of getting - and staying - healthy. Further, his performance needs to improve, and he's on the wrong side of his career to expect too much in that area.

Miree also was a definite improvement in the ZBS.

[mission]

i thought both backs looked good last night if you take away the fumble and the interception, which are obviously big mistakes to just "take away". morency had a spark, didnt wanna go down on the first hit and reminded me of those old denver backs who made the cut and ran hard. nothing flashy but you could see the spark...

poor miree kept getting pounded on that 1 yard flat safety route they kept running. i almost chuckled a little bit after the third one.

[MJZiggy]

The Green Bay Packers found a running back with some explosiveness, but in the end, a couple of blunders left them wondering whether Vernand Morency can be a suitable replacement for banged-up starter Ahman Green.

Wonder what his source is for this statement...