OTA 4: JUNE 18-19 NEWS & PICS

[TopHat]

http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml

Gone with the wind With top receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings absent today, the Packers' remaining passing targets made an impression: They can't catch, at least not in the wind. There were at least nine drops in the team's final open practice before training camp. That included four drops in six plays during one brutal stretch in a 7-on-7 period. The performance could be blamed at least partly on the steady, stiff breeze blowing from the southwest corner of Ray Nitschke Field. But it still was a sloppy effort, especially for potential bubble players like Ruvell Martin and Calvin Russell, who had two drops each. Of the six receivers who did participate, only rookies James Jones and David Clowney did not drop a ball. Jones had a series of nifty grabs, including a catch between three defenders during the team period and a leaping reception in the end zone during 7-on-7.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McCarthy addresses Barnett's arrest The Packers have notified the NFL of linebacker Nick Barnett's arrest but had not heard anything back as of early this afternoon, coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. According to a police statement, Barnett was involved in a physical altercation about 2 a.m. Sunday at a downtown Appleton nightclub known as Wet, 344 W. College Ave. McCarthy said the team will monitor the situation closely and acknowledged it is a possibility Barnett could be punished regardless of what happens with the case. "Everybody knows the emphasis that's going on," McCarthy said, referring to the league's new player conduct policy. "At this time ... we'll just watch it closely. I can't control it."

Barnett was arrested for battery and was confined to the Outagamie County Jail a few blocks away. He was released from jail within an hour after posting a $500 cash bond. McCarthy addressed the team this morning regarding off-the-field conduct, as he also did Thursday after practice. "The lifestyle of being (an) NFL football player, you've got to be smart out there," McCarthy said. "First of all, you need to avoid that type of environment, and when you're in that type of situation ... defuse it." He added: "It's only one (incident), but I'm not going to sit here and justify one incident, because it shouldn't happen." Barnett, who signed a six-year, $35 million contract extension in April, did not participate in today's practice, which was mostly a review session. More than a dozen veterans did not attend and are not expected for Tuesday's final OTA practice either.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lots of absences today More than a dozen veterans are not at today's organized team activities, the last practice open to the media and public before training camp. Absent are: Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Bubba Franks, Robert Ferguson, Corey Williams, Ryan Pickett, Charles Woodson, Al Harris, Marquand Manuel, Nick Collins, Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett and Abdul Hodge. Not participating in all drills are Will Blackmon, Chris Francies, Tony Moll and Johnny Jolly.

Two NFL Europe players, Tim Goodwell and Carleton Brewster, are at practice today

[Bretsky]

Gone with the wind With top receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings absent today, the Packers' remaining passing targets made an impression: They can't catch, at least not in the wind. There were at least nine drops in the team's final open practice before training camp. That included four drops in six plays during one brutal stretch in a 7-on-7 period. The performance could be blamed at least partly on the steady, stiff breeze blowing from the southwest corner of Ray Nitschke Field. But it still was a sloppy effort, especially for potential bubble players like Ruvell Martin and Calvin Russell, who had two drops each.


Should be interesting to see if we can find two consistently competent WR's after Driver and Jennings

[TopHat]

PICS

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=U0&Date=20070618&Category=PKRCAMP&ArtNo=706180806&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Morency


TT and MM


Underwood


Offensive Line


Lee


Jolly


Harrell and Kampman


Brandon Jackson


Rodgers and KGB


Rodgers


A.J.Hawk

[OS PA]

Harrell and Kampman sure like playing Patty-Cake

[TopHat]

UPDATE

http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml

Down time The Packers wrap up their organized team activities with a closed session Tuesday. Rookies will remain in town through Friday. Reporters and fans won't see another practice until 2 p.m. July 28, when the team opens training camp at Hinkle Field. But Pete Dougherty, Rob Demovsky, Mike Vandermause and I will keep the blog updated daily with news, analysis and whatever other Packers-related material crosses our desks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More meaningless than usual Aaron Rodgers was running a No. 1 offense without its top receivers against a starting defense missing all but two starters. Oh, and the receivers who were there often looked like they were trying to catch greased pigs. Take the final OTA installment of mostly meaningless passing statistics with a shaker of salt (7-on-7 in parentheses):
Aaron Rodgers 14-for-26 (6-for-14)
Ingle Martin 9-for-15 (4-for-5)
Paul Thompson 1-for-1 (N/A)
Jerry Babb 0-for-2 (0-for-1)

Vernand Morency had a chance to get in on the action, but he couldn't find anyone open for a would-be halfback pass during the final 7-on-7 period.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The blitz: OTAs Week 4 Rookie quarterback Paul Thompson (Oklahoma) hooked up with tight end Zac Alcorn for the offensive play of the day, maneuvering out of the pocket and throwing a bullet to a sprawling Alcorn in the front right corner of the end zone. Thompson, widely expected to try receiver in the NFL, continues to split reps with fellow undrafted rookie Jerry Babb (Louisiana-Lafayette). The Packers could go into training camp with five quarterbacks, especially with starter Brett Favre on a pitch count. But there's no question Thompson's athleticism makes him a more intriguing camp arm than Babb, who has done little to distinguish himself during the offseason.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elsewhere:
-- Coach Mike McCarthy was late arriving at the practice field, so offensive coordinator Joe Philbin relayed playcalls to the quarterbacks during team drills.

-- Vernand Morency took the first rep as kick returner, with rookie Ryan Powdrell as his wingman. Brandon Jackson, David Clowney and Noah Herron also worked in. Herron muffed one kick.

-- Safety Marviel Underwood (knee) continues to be held out of all contact drills, but he appeared to be moving well during a hip-swivel drill.

-- Rookie linebacker Desmond Bishop nearly pulled off Donald Lee's shorts after the tight end beat him over the middle during a red-zone drill. Being too clingy in coverage has become a bit of a knock against Bishop, a sixth-round pick out of California.

-- Cornerback Jarrett Bush couldn't haul in a potential interception after Ruvell Martin fell down trying to get to an ugly wobbler from Ingle Martin. The over/under on Martins making the roster remains 1 1/2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Practice squad With nearly every key defensive player absent, reporters and fans got a look at a first-team base defense that never, under any circumstances, will play together in a game. Defensive line: Daniel Muir, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Michael Montgomery and Colin Cole. Linebackers: Spencer Havner, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga. Secondary: Patrick Dendy, Frank Walker, Atari Bigby and Tyrone Culver.

A number of offensive players also were elevated on the depth chart, and increased opportunities with the first and second units seemed to produce unusually physical play for a June practice. Players hit the ground often near the line of scrimmage during team drills, and there were at least two 1-on-1 altercations.

The Oakland Raiders recently lost their final week of OTAs for violating the collective bargaining agreement because of excessive contact in practice, and Packers coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged it's a fine line."(Coaches) want the tempo, you want the intensity, but players (staying healthy) is at a premium," McCarthy said. "That's something we talk about all the time, especially in the spring, because we're only in helmets."

Today's first altercation ended with tight end Zac Alcorn grabbing and twisting rookie linebacker Rory Johnson's facemask as Johnson lay on the ground. The second occurred when, after end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila jumped offside, guard Daryn Colledge kept blocking first-year defensive tackle Devarick Scandrett, who lost his helmet before teammates jumped in. There also was at least one brief incident in a blocking drill, and Gbaja-Biamila nearly took out Vernand Morency with an inadvertent clothesline during a team period.

[HarveyWallbangers]

-- Safety Marviel Underwood (knee) continues to be held out of all contact drills, but he appeared to be moving well during a hip-swivel drill.

I guess that answers the question about whether McCarthy was lying about Underwood being ahead of schedule.

[Bretsky]

-- Safety Marviel Underwood (knee) continues to be held out of all contact drills, but he appeared to be moving well during a hip-swivel drill.

I guess that answers the question about whether McCarthy was lying about Underwood being ahead of schedule.

"Appearing to move well during a hip swivel drill answers that question ? I wish you were my teacher; you'd believe everything I said too

[Noodle]

I'd like to hear how Rodgers looked throwing the ball with all that wind -- any idea whether he was able to zip the ball? I hear it can be kind of windy in Lambeau come November.

[Iron Mike]

And of course the proper "Caption This" comment has to be.........

"Did'ja see that pic of me last year layin' the wood to Grossman?"

[rpiotr01]

Jones already looks locked in as our #3 guy. Good to hear he didn't have any drops, and his impressive off-season continues.

[run pMc]

I agree the news of Jones seeming pretty sure-handed is good to hear. I also like that Harrell is working with Kampmann...can't think of a better guy on the DL to learn from. With all the starters sitting out, that's gotta be good for getting the young and unproven guys more reps.

[packinpatland]

Harrell looks alot like Glibert.

[TopHat]

GREAT NEWS!

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/19/packers-marviel-underwood-returns-to-practice/

Packers' Underwood Returns to Practice

After sitting out all of last season with a torn ACL, Green Bay Packers safety Marviel Underwood returned to the field much earlier than expected. Safety Marviel Underwood, who wasn't expected to participate in any team (11-on-11) drills until training camp, slipped into the defensive backfield for a few snaps during the team red zone sequence on Monday. The former fourth-round draft pick (2005) practiced yesterday [as noted] for the first time since the preseason of last year and by all accounts, looked pretty good. At one point he actually went one-on-one with a receiver in the red zone and came away with a deflection. This is great news for the Packers, who have been dealing with all sorts of little, annoying injuries this offseason. And while they are not exactly thin at safety, this just adds another quality talent to the battle for the starting job.

[Merlin]

Only 9 drops? WOW what an improvement! Or should I say WOW, I told you so. It doesn't matter if it's windy, snowing and - 40 degrees. If you want to make an NFL roster you catch the damn ball. Thanks TT for only getting us guys that can catch in Miami.

[TopHat]

ENDING

http://www.packersnews.com/includes/newspaper/blogs/insider/index.shtml

The great unknown and other odds and ends

The Packers' offseason program ended Tuesday with the final session of organized team activities (OTAs), meaning the next time reporters and fans see the players on the field will be for the opening practice of training camp on July 28. Never in my 10 years covering the Packers have I had less of a feel for the team's No. 1 draft pick going into training camp than this year. Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, the 16th pick in April's draft, did next to nothing on the field during the minicamps and OTAs. Coming off the torn biceps tendon injury that limited him to only three games during his final season at Tennessee last fall, the Packers were extremely cautious with Harrell. He took part in only a handful of individual drill but got no work during any team (11-on-11) or one-on-one passing rushing drills. Coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that team doctors should clear Harrell to return in a couple of weeks. However, there are no on-the-field sessions scheduled until training camp begins.

By all accounts, Harrell was an impact football player in college football when he's on the field. However, at this point, there's no way to know how he'll assimilate into the NFL game. Given that he has yet to go head-to-head against an NFL offensive linemen, it'll be a critical training camp for the rookie.

Odds and ends: At first glance, McCarthy's training camp schedule looks a bit on the soft side. Never do the Packers practice more than four straight days and during what is usually a grinding time leading up to the first preseason game, the Packers have three days off. However, it's hard to blame McCarthy for changing things up given the way the Packers have started seasons recently. Last season, the Packers started 1-4. Before McCarthy arrived in 2006, the Packers started 0-4 in 2005, 1-4 in 2004 and 1-2 in 2003. ...
Though very little kicking took place during the OTA sessions open to reporters, Dave Rayner added a little spice to the kicking battle by missing a pair of 46-yard kicks. Rookie Mason Crosby, a sixth-round pick, nailed his only attempt, also from 46 yards. It'll be an interesting battle to watch in camp.

Is anyone else starting to wonder if Will Blackmon is just one of those guys who can never stay healthy? The cornerback, who is the leading candidate to become the nickel defensive back, missed most of the OTAs due to a groin injury. Last year, he missed all of training due to a broken foot and then when he finally returned, he lasted only a month before he sustained a season-ending rib injury.