OTA WORKOUTS NOTES/PICS

[rpiotr01]

Thanks Woodbuck.

Beach looks like he has more than just 10 pound son Jackson. Looks to have a thicker mid section.

[BallHawk]

Brandon Jackson is an orthodontist's nightmare.

[TopHat]

POST OTA: UPDATES

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/PKR01/706010680/1989

Notebook: Jones' ouster has little effect on field

Though the ousting of chairman-to-be John Jones rocked the Green Bay Packers organization this week, the football side of the franchise probably feels the least impact in the short run. The Packers had their first two organized team activities practices this week — they will have 10 more such practices over the next three weeks — and Jones' unexpected departure shouldn't have any influence on how the football operations are handled by General Manager Ted Thompson, coach Mike McCarthy and the players. "We haven't felt any effect from what's gone on this past week," McCarthy said. "Once again, the leadership of our organization is intact, and the landscape of the National Football League changing is part of what goes on in our industry. During times like this, you look at leadership, and without a doubt, everybody has confidence in (Chairman and CEO) Bob Harlan and the executive committee."
The Packers' quarterly board of directors meeting on Wednesday was one of the more intriguing in recent history because Harlan and the executive committee explained their decision to put Jones on a leave of absence. But another part of that meeting was Thompson's state-of-the-team address to the board. "Football operations is fine," Harlan said. "I've talked to both Ted and Mike about it, I've visited with several members of our coaching staff and personnel staff over the last week. We're fine there. The bumps we hit, I think we've gotten over those bumps. I'd like to look back at the last four weeks of our (2006) season where we had a positive finish and think we're on the upgrade going into this season."
Family illness. Defensive tackle Corey Williams hasn't been at the Packers' voluntary organized team activities practices this week because he is in Arkansas with one of his sisters, who had a stroke over the weekend. Jeff Courtney, Williams' agent, said his client's sister essentially had raised Williams from when he was a child. Courtney said Williams' sister is improving but remains in intensive care. He didn't know her age or long-term prognosis. Courtney said he wasn't sure when Williams will return for OTAs, which run for three more weeks, but his absence has nothing to do with wanting a contact extension. "He would have been there (Thursday) but for his sister," Courtney said, later adding: "I know he's going to be there as soon as he can be there. It's tough for him."
MIA. The OTA practices are voluntary, so teams can't fine or penalize players for not showing up, and three prominent veterans — starting cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett — were not in attendance. Harris skipped the OTAs last year as a protest about his contract, but the Packers improved his deal with an extension this offseason. McCarthy didn't say why Harris and Pickett didn't attend, and Harris' agent, Jack Bechta, was unavailable for comment. Woodson, in the meantime, skipped the OTAs last year because he prefers to work out on his own in Houston in the offseason. McCarthy is trying to establish a culture in which all players show up for OTAs but suggested Woodson's absence, for instance, isn't a major issue because of the 30-year-old's health. When the Packers signed Woodson as a free agent last year, he was coming off a broken leg in 2005, and then he played through shoulder and knee injuries in 2006. "There are (different) training methods," McCarthy said. "I don't disagree with it, because there's more than one way to skin a cat."
Practice updates. Quarter-backs Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers took part in 11-on-11 drills this week for the first time this offseason. Favre is coming back from arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle, and Rodgers is coming off a broken foot. Both were held out of 11-on-11 work during the mandatory minicamp in mid-May. Justin Harrell, the Packers' first-round draft pick, is taking part in only limited drills after having surgery to repair a torn biceps last year. McCarthy said Harrell might not take part in 11-on-11 drills until training camp. "Time is important," McCarthy said. "If you watch (Harrell) go through the individual (drills) and watch him in the weight room and things like that, all that points to that he's about ready. Once again, we're just being cautious."
Team awards. Five players will be honored for their 2006 achievements during the Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet on July 21 at the Lambeau Field atrium. Wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive end Aaron Kampman will share the most valuable player award. Tackle Daryn Colledge and wide receiver Greg Jennings will share the award as offensive rookie of the year. Linebacker A.J. Hawk will be honored as defensive rookie of the year. Two retired players — wide receiver Robert Brooks and safety LeRoy Butler — will be inducted as the 135th and 136th members of the hall. This year's fan selection, Rich Barbera, also will be honored. The event begins with a cash bar at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 7 p.m. Tickets are $110. Tables of 10 are available and are assigned in the order they are purchased. Early reservations are recommended.
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Franks and KGB relegated to 2nd team. Tight end Bubba Franks and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila continue to fight to regain their status as former starters; both once again were relegated mainly to working with the second team," writes Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Franks seems to have take the demotion to heart. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette notes, "Before a reporter reached Franks' locker on Thursday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers' tight end offered this: 'I don't want to talk about being on the second team.'" Both Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey lined up with the first team before Franks got in some reps later in practice. Even though Franks may not want to talk about the demotion, he needs to be reminded that he put himself in this position.
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http://packers.scout.com/2/648108.html

Favre’s presence sets tone in OTA’s. Veteran quarterback begins meshing with young offense

Let’s start with the not-so-good news, then the good news: The usual suspects were nowhere to be seen in the first of four opportunities that the public was given Thursday to watch the Green Bay Packers conduct an Organized Team Activities practice at Ray Nitschke Field. The Packers began the first of 12 voluntary OTA workouts on Wednesday. Like last year, cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris, and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett were not present. It is unclear whether either of the three will attend any of the OTA practices, but don’t hold your breath. Woodson, like last year, is training in Houston and doing well, according to coach Mike McCarthy. Harris is in Florida and training, though, unlike last year, content with his current contract. Pickett, who skipped the OTA’s last year, appears to be taking the same approach this year by training at his off-season home in St. Louis.
The good news: Woodson, Harris and Pickett all played well last season for Green Bay, despite missing the OTAs. While it would be good for them to be in Green Bay around their teammates, it is better that they report to training camp in top shape and the right frame of mind. Even better news: many of the team’s veterans have plans to attend as many of the practices as possible, including Brett Favre. With an offense surrounded by questions, it is imperative that Favre be on hand.
Favre will be participating in 9 of the 12 practices, according to McCarthy, which can only help the Packers’ offense. Unless some veteran free agents are signed soon, the Packers will enter this season with a very young offense around Favre. Though he sat out of team drills during the team’s mandatory minicamp less than two weeks ago, Favre began participating in team drills this week. McCarthy has been impressed with Favre’s overall physical condition as well as his commitment to the team. “He's full go,” said McCarthy. “He's in excellent shape for this time of year. We have the body scan that we do on every player, and in talking to the trainers during practice, they haven't read the full report but they felt this is the best one they've seen on him yet. So, I think that illustrates what he's been doing and his preparation physically to get ready.”
Favre’s presence also will help players around him understand his tendencies, whether it is part of the play or not, in a setting that is not as cut-throat as training camp. Wide receiver Ruvell Martin provided an example of a ‘Brett-ism.’ “Brett came out there today and started doing some of his little Brett things that he does, making different checks at the line, where nobody else would make that check,” Martin explained. “Not that Aaron (Rodgers) can’t make the check, it’s just coach might say something to him if he does it, rather than if Brett does it. But it’s realistic. It’s not that he’s making up stuff that we’re not doing. It’s stuff that’s in, but we may not have gotten to it yet. It’s just review. When Brett comes in, you’re right up to speed and you’re right where you left off.”
The Packers will try to improve an offense that struggled to score points in the red zone last year, so with Favre and veteran wide receiver Donald Driver and the entire offensive line attending the voluntary practices, it’s a step in the right direction. “The most important thing for Brett is to get the individual timing with the players that he has played with, and the newer players, and to go through the adjustments we've made schematically and just get the little details cleaned up,” McCarthy said. “The other thing that's going on with Brett is, I've done this process every year with the quarterback that was the starter in every offense that I've coordinated, you go through this time of year, and if there's anything you absolutely don't feel you need, it's time to throw it out. As I've walked through this business, reducing is a constant. The more you can reduce I think it gives your players the opportunity of doing less and being more comfortable, so we'll go through that whole process and that's why it's important for him the nine of the 12 days, we're going to go through all nine installations with him and get it cleaned up and tightened up, ready for training camp.”

[The Leaper]

This off season is getting me drunk on kool aid. Why do I like seeing these guys together? I don't know, but for some reason I just think we are in for a special year on defense.

I agree for the most part. Thompson is right to focus on defense, and we have a nice balance of veterans and youth there. That unit should strengthen going forward.

However, I still can't forgive Thompson for ignoring offensive weaknesses and providing a one year starter/2nd team WAC WR as the top upgrade to the receiving corp which was mostly responsible for a horrific red zone efficiency in 2006.

[The Leaper]

Beach looks like he has more than just 10 pound son Jackson. Looks to have a thicker mid section.

I think Jackson may have more muscle though...that kid is a rock.

[Joemailman]

This off season is getting me drunk on kool aid. Why do I like seeing these guys together? I don't know, but for some reason I just think we are in for a special year on defense.

I agree for the most part. Thompson is right to focus on defense, and we have a nice balance of veterans and youth there. That unit should strengthen going forward.

However, I still can't forgive Thompson for ignoring offensive weaknesses and providing a one year starter/2nd team WAC WR as the top upgrade to the receiving corp which was mostly responsible for a horrific red zone efficiency in 2006.

I will respectfully disagree with your assessment that the receiving corp was mostly responsible for the poor red zone efficiency last year. The biggest failure was the Packer's inability to get decent yardage on 1st down running plays, which I feel was mostly due to a OL that was starting 2-3 rookies, plus the fact that the ZBS was new to everybody. The other big factor was the poor performance of the TE's, although perhaps you were including them when you said receiving corp.

[BallHawk]

Good point, Joe.