Tweet
PACKERS Team Report
By Tom Silverstein
For Sporting News
June 3, 2007
If minicamps and OTAs are any kind of barometer, MLB A.J. Hawk appears to be taking the necessary steps toward being a playmaker.
Hawk's biggest weakness last year was man-to-man pass coverage, so it's significant when he intercepts a couple of passes in practice and looks more comfortable in the defense. If Hawk can master man-to-man, he could add a tremendous boost to the pass defense.
Though he's not as tall and doesn't have the same wingspan as Brian Urlacher, he has the same kind of speed and that's something the club can exploit. Hawk has the body control to avoid pass penalties and the athletic ability to get in position for interceptions. He is being counted on this year to be more than just a solid player on defense. . . .
Rookie RB Brandon Jackson did not lose much ground as a result of missing rookie camp because of a mandatory NFL obligation. He came back the following week, buried his nose in the playbook and picked up where the team left off during his absence. Jackson, a low-to-the-ground runner with better quickness than speed and a strong lower body, has the best shot of unseating Vernand Morency for the starting running back job.
Morency put on 10 pounds during the offseason and has better open-field speed than Jackson. Morency has experience in the zone system, but Jackson also seems to be a good fit for it.
SCOUTING REPORT:
QB Aaron Rodgers has improved his overall body strength and as a result has a little more snap in his arm. The stronger he gets, the more confident he should be in the pocket.
But Rodgers has to prove he's not a system quarterback who can do more than paint by the numbers. He has to make quicker decisions and anticipate better where receivers are going to come open. He holds onto the ball too long and often pays the price. There is no strong evidence he has roll-out ability, but he hasn't really gotten a lot of chances to do that. He has a quick release and was very accurate in college, but he needs to show he can consistently complete 17-yard turn-ins and deep outs
IMPACT NEWCOMER:
DT Justin Harrell will receive every chance to start this season because of his size and athletic ability.
The team's first-round pick has long, powerful arms that he uses to move blockers out of his way, and has enough quickness to be more than a fire hydrant in the middle. Harrell must prove that a torn biceps is completely healed and that he can shake off the rust of missing most of his senior season at Tennessee.
He was drafted on potential, but the club thinks he can play right away.
If he can, he and nose tackle Ryan Pickett could block all traffic in the middle of the defense.
Tom Silverstein covers the Packers for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
GO PACKERS !!
Comment