Blackmon back at practice

[bigcoz75]

From packersnews:
Comeback possible: Rookie cornerback Will Blackmon said the last time he played in a football game of any kind was the Senior Bowl in January.

Perhaps that's why he was so happy to participate in individual drills during Tuesday's practice.

Blackmon broke his foot during a minicamp practice on May 21 and hasn't taken part in a full practice since. He didn't participate in any team (11-on-11 activities), but he said that could happen as soon as next week.

The Packers kept Blackmon on the 53-man roster rather than putting him on the physically-unable-to-perform list because they thought he would be ready at some point during the first month of the season, but a setback during his rehabilitation delayed his comeback.

"This was a huge step," Blackmon said after Tuesday's practice. "Hopefully, I make the same progress I made a week ago."

Blackmon said he's holding out hope he could play after this week's bye when the Packers play at Miami on Oct. 22.


Stay healthy kid. I wanted this guy when I was looking at players before the draft, a DB who could also be a return man ala Rossum, And was very pleased when i saw his name come up on draft day. Glad yto see him back in the fold.

[bigcoz75]

Packers notes: Blackmon closer to debut

JASON WILDE 608-252-6176
October 10, 2006
GREEN BAY - Even though he did only individual drills, Will Blackmon was so encouraged by what he did in practice Tuesday the Green Bay Packers' rookie cornerback thinks he may actually play in the team's next game, Oct. 22 at Miami.

Blackmon, a fourth-round pick who broke his foot May 21 during an offseason minicamp and missed all of training camp, hadn't practiced since suffering a setback in his rehabilitation during the week leading up to the Sept. 10 opener.

"It's a huge step up," said Blackmon, who also did additional work inside the Don Hutson Center while the rest of the team went through 11-on-11 drills.

Asked if he could play against the Dolphins, Blackmon replied, "There's a chance. I'm out there preparing like I'm going to. So, hopefully."

Blackmon said he expects to play on special teams initially, but with Patrick Dendy, a former undrafted free agent, and Jarrett Bush, a waiver wire pickup following final training-camp cuts, as the top two options at nickel back, Blackmon could move into that role somewhat quickly. Dendy played OK in that position in Sunday's loss to St. Louis.

"We're encouraged, and hopefully he'll be able to come back and get in the mix here," secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer said. "He's a very bright young man. Mentally he's probably up on his stuff pretty good right now, I would think. But until you go out there and do it, that's the hardest thing."

Schottenheimer said the Packers could move either of their starting cornerbacks - Al Harris or Charles Woodson - inside to cover the slot receiver and put Blackmon on an outside receiver, lessening the burden of him learning multiple positions. Earlier this season, departed cornerback Ahmad Carroll played outside in the nickel package and Woodson moved inside.

Still, Blackmon has to show he's physically ready, given how long it's been since he played in a game.

"It's felt like a year," Blackmon said. "The last time I actually went full go with pads was probably the Senior Bowl. So it's been a really long time."•

[KYPack]

I've been bitching about this for some time.

I guess the kid's injury is legit, but shit, 5 months for that one bone? That's a long time.

Can't imagine who his rehab was screwed up.

I once busted my leg and went skiin' 6 weeks later. This guy can't get back on the field in 5 months?

He's got big time skills. They had film on him from college making an electric punt return. We can def. use Blackmon

[Rastak]

I've been bitching about this for some time.

I guess the kid's injury is legit, but shit, 5 months for that one bone? That's a long time.

Can't imagine who his rehab was screwed up.

I once busted my leg and went skiin' 6 weeks later. This guy can't get back on the field in 5 months?

He's got big time skills. They had film on him from college making an electric punt return. We can def. use Blackmon

A broken foot is a bad thing, it's very easy to rebreak and if you have a setback you may need to start over. A broken foot can easily sideline a guy for the year.

[swede]

I hold a concern that Blackmon is a fragile player, the kind that hangs on to a roster spot for several years because of his considerable potential as he waits for one injury after another to heal, a la Davenpoop.

Perhaps, though, this has been an unlucky start to a career that will go on to be productive and injury free. I get the unnecessary worrying gene from my grandmother.

[Partial]

I was in the pool! I was in the pool!

[Zool]

Help fight shrinkage. Keep all pools heated.

[MJZiggy]

Or at least put up a sign or something...."Cold water may cause shrinkage?" How else are we supposed to know? Anyway, glad to see the kid getting stronger.

[Astonishment]

Having him back should help, but he hasn't played in a while so we can't expect to much.

[FritzDontBlitz]

I've been bitching about this for some time.

I guess the kid's injury is legit, but shit, 5 months for that one bone? That's a long time.

Can't imagine who his rehab was screwed up.

I once busted my leg and went skiin' 6 weeks later. This guy can't get back on the field in 5 months?

He's got big time skills. They had film on him from college making an electric punt return. We can def. use Blackmon

i would love to have a link to that film?

[red]

i can't wait to see him play

[run pMc]

Must've been a bad break. With all the running, cutting, etc., the D-backs do, I'm not suprised the rehab took longer, but I agree that is a long time and injury-prone will be a label he needs to avoid.

Here's hoping you stay healthy, kid...and play better than Carrol!

[MadtownPacker]

Here's hoping you stay healthy, kid...and play better than Carrol!

Thats what Im saying!!!

He better or TT will have turned the ball over on this one.

[woodbuck27]

I hold a concern that Blackmon is a fragile player, the kind that hangs on to a roster spot for several years because of his considerable potential as he waits for one injury after another to heal, a la Davenpoop.

Perhaps, though, this has been an unlucky start to a career that will go on to be productive and injury free. I get the unnecessary worrying gene from my grandmother.

Yeaaa!

Will Blackmon's responds to your somewhat -ve assessment of him/doubts Swede.

Re:

** "I hold a concern that Blackmon is a fragile player, the kind that hangs on to a roster spot for several years because of his considerable potential as he waits for one injury after another to heal, a la Davenpoop. " Swede



Will Blackmon's... responds to Swede ...

" Whhhaaaaatt ? Meeee soft ? Well then...up your tailpipe Popeye. "

[woodbuck27]

I've been bitching about this for some time.

I guess the kid's injury is legit, but shit, 5 months for that one bone? That's a long time.

Can't imagine who his rehab was screwed up.

I once busted my leg and went skiin' 6 weeks later. This guy can't get back on the field in 5 months?

He's got big time skills. They had film on him from college making an electric punt return. We can def. use Blackmon

i would love to have a link to that film?

I have it for you FritzDontBlitz (and more):



Will Blackmon - WR

Full Name: Will Blackmon Born: October 27, 1984 Hometown: Cranston, RI
Height: 6-0 Weight: 202 lbs. Age: 21 Pos: WR/WR/KR Class: Senior

REC 51 | YDS 763 | TD 4 in his Senior year as he moved from CB > WR on the Boston College Team to do all he could to help them improve. Blackmon saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2002 both at cornerback and as a return specialist.

He started all 13 games at DC in 2003 and continued to handle a good majority of the return duties.

As a junior in 2004, Blackmon had 46 tackles, three interceptions and two broken up passes at DC, while also averaging 11.3 yards per punt return and 27.2 yards on the nation's fourth best kick return game.

He moved to the WR position as a senior in 2005 and quickly became Boston College's No. 1 target, finishing with a team-high 51 catches for 763 yards with four TDs.

Blackmon has explosive quickness and is one of the more impressive all-around athletes in the 2006 draft class. Blackmon showed flashes of developing into a Day 1 draft pick at the cornerback position and he's certainly versatile as he demonstrated in 2005 at WR and he has excellent potential in the kick/punt return game at the NFL level.

Prospect Profile from NFL.COM:

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/blackmon_will

View Video below to form your impressions of this exciting prospect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yZfqJZClzE

There is more I'm aware of and looking for to add here on Will Blackmon. A prospect I'm excited about.

The last time I was as excited about a Draft prospect?

The fella's name ...Donald "the MAN" Driver.

Will Blackmon will be just fine.