TRAINING CAMP PREVIEWS, BATTLES & UPDATES

[Brohm]

I had a dream last night the Bubba was traded for a couple high picks in next years draft with TT saying somone was going to step up huge this year at TE It was so convincing I checked JSO in the morning

[TopHat]

WSJ PREVIEWS: OL, DL, LBS....

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202532&ntpid=4

Packers preview: Offensive line zones in on improvement

The family sitcom "Growing Pains" followed the Seaver family's travails for 166 episodes in the late 1980s and early '90s, and had NFL Films done a reality show based on the Green Bay Packers' offensive line in 2006, Steve Sabol probably would have begged for permission from ABC to borrow the title. After all, with rookies Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll each starting at least 10 games last season, there were plenty of growing pains on the line. "It was a growing experience. More than we ever could've expected," Colledge said. "But it definitely leaves us in a position to grow (even more)."

The good news is, the Packers figure to have considerably fewer rough patches in 2007, as they enter training camp Saturday secure in the knowledge that their starting five - Chad Clifton at left tackle, Colledge at left guard, Scott Wells at center, Spitz at right guard and Mark Tauscher at right tackle - will arrive intact after two years of uncertainty in the middle of the unit. In 2005, the free agent departures of Pro Bowl guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle left what was once one of the NFL's elite lines in shambles. Last season, in addition to the three rookies seeing extensive playing time, Clifton battled knee problems all year and Tauscher missed five games with a torn groin muscle. Now, though, Clifton is pain-free, Tauscher is healthy and the best thing that can happen to rookies has occurred: They're second-year players, not the virtual unknowns they were entering last season, despite the coaching staff's best efforts to prepare them during minicamp and organized team activity practices.

"Obviously the OTAs are great, the minicamps are great, because you get 'em exposed to a system and you see how they pick things up mentally, but you don't know if a) can they physically hang in there (and) b) you're never quite sure if they can play 75 plays in a game," said new offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who was promoted in part because of his work with the rookies as their offensive line coach last year. "So certainly there was a little bit of apprehension going into the year, a little bit of nervousness, because you weren't quite sure what you had." And what did they end up having? "I think they're three competitive guys, they're smart guys, they've responded well under fire, they don't panic, they have some poise and composure," Philbin replied. "We're pleased." That's not to say that the unit will be immortalized like the Lombardi-era line or even the early 2000s group anytime soon. Too often last year, the Packers had to keep a back and/or tight end in to help in pass protection, and there were plenty of missed assignments and cut-blocks in the team's new lead-zone run scheme.

Nonetheless, with the addition of fourth-round pick Allen Barbre, who had a strong spring, the Packers would seem to have seven solid linemen, with Moll and Barbre serving as the top backups. It all depends on how Mike, Carol and Ben - er, Colledge, Spitz and Moll - benefit from last year's growing pains. "When you have three offensive linemen that you draft, would it have been great if two guys had played (all) 16 games apiece and the other guy was a backup? Maybe," Philbin said. "But this way, they've all gotten into the mix, we know more about all three of 'em than we would have if we'd only have played two of them the whole year
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http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202607&ntpid=1

Packers preview: Jenkins the key on D-line

While it's true Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson did next to nothing during free agency to improve his team — hello, lonely cornerback Frank Walker — let's not forget what could turn out to be the club's most important offseason signing. Or re-signing, anyway. If Cullen Jenkins, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $16 million on Feb. 26, can come through with a breakout season the way Aaron Kampman did last year after getting his four-year, $21 million deal, the Packers' defense could go from being a decent outfit in 2006 to an elite group in '07. Of course, there are other issues — whether Marquand Manuel (or his replacement) can prevent receivers from constantly getting behind him tops the list — but Green Bay has a potentially outstanding front seven and better depth on the line than anywhere on defense.

Jenkins registered a career-high 6.5 sacks (despite missing two games with an ankle injury) last season, replacing high-paid pass-rusher Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila as the primary defensive end opposite Kampman for the final four games, starting three. The Packers won all four games, and the defense, much-maligned for most of the season, showed significant improvement. The Packers' plan is for Jenkins to continue to play end on early downs because he is a better run defender than KGB, then move inside to tackle on passing downs to allow the Packers to have their three best rushers on the field simultaneously in Jenkins, Kampman and KGB. Finding another edge rusher — Jason Hunter, perhaps? — would be a bonus. "Guys like Cullen are very hard to find," defensive ends coach Carl Hairston said. "He's good for us because we can use him at end or tackle and put someone else in because he can play two spots. That doesn't happen often. You don't usually find a guy who can play both positions effectively, which he can do. Once he's inside, he's pretty disruptive there."

The Packers finished last season with 46 sacks, ranking them fourth in the NFL behind San Diego (61), Baltimore (60) and Miami (47), and if reducing Gbaja-Biamila's snaps allows him to recapture his form from 2001 through '04 (49 sacks), their pass rush could be formidable. But the run defense, which finished ranked 13th at season's end, must improve as well. The run defense will again rely on blocker-eating nose tackle Ryan Pickett, who came over from St. Louis as a free agent last year and, despite relatively unimpressive numbers (92 tackles, zero sacks, one fumble recovery, no fumbles forced) was a difference-maker. "I felt like I had a re-start to my career," Pickett said. "It was a great year. Next year will be even better."

Who'll line up alongside him depends on first-round pick Justin Harrell, who did not take a single offseason snap in 11-on-11 drills because of the ruptured biceps tendon he suffered in his final season at Tennessee. Harrell played only three games for the Volunteers but the club expects him to be ready when training camp opens Saturday. "We (were) just being smart with him," McCarthy said of the limitations placed on Harrell in minicamps and organized team activity practices. "As we all know when you get to training camp, we'll be playing real football with the pads. You learn a lot about the individuals (then). It's a different game when you put the pads on, so that will be the true test." Harrell augments an already deep interior line, where Corey Williams (seven sacks, 47 sacks) had been in line for a contract extension and could fend off the rookie to keep the starting job. Backups Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly will also factor in.
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http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202802&ntpid=1

Packers preview: Love those linebackers

It's always a little dangerous to look at a position and get all excited about it before a single training camp practice has commenced, but it's hard for the Green Bay Packers not to be downright giddy about how out-of-this-world good their starting linebackers could be in 2007. "Their potential is unlimited," said linebackers coach Winston Moss, who was promoted to the additional role of assistant head coach during the offseason. While Moss' opinion is understandably biased, it's hard to disagree. Last season's starting trio of A.J. Hawk at will (weak-side), Nick Barnett at mike (middle) and Brady Poppinga at sam (strong-side) linebacker combined for 372 tackles, 6? sacks, five interceptions, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 23 passes defended. Hawk led the team in tackles (155), Barnett was second (141) for the first time in his four-year career, and Poppinga (76) ranked seventh. Granted, your linebackers are supposed to lead your team in tackles — that's what they're there for — but there's no denying the improved production over the previous year, when the club started the likes of oft-injured Na'il Diggs, journeyman Paris Lenon and pedestrian Robert Thomas with Barnett.

And Moss expects considerably more from the unit in 2007. "There's going to be high expectations for that group, and they're going to have to stand and deliver," Moss said. "Hawk, you can't say enough about the potential he has. You just really appreciate the tenacity and warrior-type mentality and playmaking of Nick Barnett. And you have to be pleased with the process that Brady went through last year. Everything that he's done this offseason leads me to believe he's going to continue to ascend." Barnett, who signed a $35 million contract extension in April, was involved in a nightclub altercation in Appleton in June but remains one of the linchpins of the defense. Poppinga, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL late in December 2005, struggled early last season but had improved dramatically by year's end. Hawk, the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, was able to think less and rely more on his football instincts on a weekly basis. "I think anytime you're not quite sure what you're doing, it makes it a lot tougher. So just having one year under my belt helps a lot I think. I've seen everything before," Hawk said. "I'm not an old vet who's played in the league seven, eight years, but I think that one year helps more than I would've thought last year. "I just think experience helps more than anything else. I really believe that. Especially with the defense we have and the scheme we have. Playing with the same guys, we're pretty much all intact on the defensive side of the ball. I think that's the biggest thing that's going to help this year."

Behind the starting threesome, the Packers will strike a balance between players' potential from scrimmage and their immediate usefulness on special teams. Abdul Hodge, a third-round pick in 2006 who struggled in his one start in Barnett's place, missed most of the offseason after knee surgery. Tracy White was the leading special-teams tackler but might not be ideal as a from-scrimmage backup. Sixth-round pick Desmond Bishop was a first-team all-Pacific 10 pick as a senior last year with a conference-leading 126 tackles, and should upgrade the coverage units. Undrafted free agents Rory Johnson and Juwan Simpson came with character questions but could challenge for the final roster spots.

[Packers4Ever]

INSIDE TRAINING CAMP series

I didn't see where this had been posted by anyone, sorry if I missed it.


Milw. Journal/Sentinel Wed. July 25, 2007

The Green Bay Packers are one of six NFL teams that the NFL network will

cover in its "Inside Training Camp" series.

The report on the Packers is scheduled to air at 7 PM Wed., Aug. 1, 2007 with host Charles Davis and analyst Brian Baldinger.

The Network plans to place wireless microphones on players and coaches

and Packers' Head Coach, Mike McCarthy has agreed to wear one.

Each episode runs one hour.

Meanwhile Sirius NFL radio will visit all 32 teams in training camp..

The visit to the Packers is set to air from 9 AM to Noon on Tuesday,

August 14, 2007. with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt.

[Packers4Ever]

INSIDE TRAINING CAMP series

WHoops ! That is the title of my post regarding the NFL's plans to visit 6

NFL teams at their camps in August. It somehow got placed with wrong title.

The report on the Packers is scheduled to air Wed. August 1, 2007.

See rest of report under above title.

[TopHat]

PN ROSTER PREVIEW

http://www.packernet.com/blog/?p=11

Roster Preview

Defensive Line

The defensive line was already ok last season due to the likes of Aaron Kampman, Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins. Now with the drafting of Justin Harrell the line just got a little more stubborn against the run. The Packers were able to take a filer with Harrell because the defensive line was already ok but with the Viking getting Adrian Peterson and Chicago going full time with Cedric Benson, the Packers had to do something to off set those changes. But the inserting of Harrell will not happen until the Packers feel he is successfully recovered from biceps injury. The X factors are Corey Williams, Johnny Jolly, Colin Cole and Mike Montgomery. Unless there are injuries to the others Larry Birdine and Daniel Muir look to be practice squad players. Another attempted improvement is the shifting of KGB back to a stage in his career where he was successful at rushing the passer and not a full time defensive end. But soon to be 30 years old might be a telling sign to KGB and the Packers, that those days are over. This training camp will allow the coaches a early look see if KGB has it or not. The defensive line is more settled than the other two defensive areas but improvements were made. Will those improvements with Justin Harrell being added will be helpful this season or next. Again these gains will not be noticed until probably half way into the upcoming season. So Corey Williams will have to hold down the fort with Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole. So with that the Packers will keep defensive ends Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins, Jason Hunter and KGB. Now if there were to be a change and KGB was gone then either Mike Montgomery or Larry Birdine will have the position. The Packers will keep five defensive tackles, which should include Ryan Pickett, Corey Williams, Jolly, Cole and of course Harrell.

Linebackers

A lot of football experts say that the strength of Green Bay Packers 2007 defense will be the linebackers. They mention AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett, completely forgetting about Brady Poppinga. Last year Brady was coming of a similar injury that Marviel Underwood is coming off this year. So it took a while for Brady to gain confidence on the knee that he injured. By the end of the 2006 season, Brady was coming into his own. Now Brady is not as gifted as the other two linebackers but the fact that he wears his emotions on his sleeve will be a telling factor on how good this defense can be this year. Now an interesting piece of information that leaked out was that Abdul Hodge had a year long bout with a knee injury last year but didn’t go on the injured reserve. In the off season the injury knee didn’t require surgery, so the Packers are gaining an advantage there with Hodge coming back healthy. I am excited about the linebackers the Packers did get with and after the 2007 draft. See the linebackers may be the strength of the defense but there was no depth to speak of if one of the starters went down. The only decent replacement was Abdul Hodge for the three spots. Hodges top end speed was some where in the 4.87 seconds for a 40 yard dash, not good when you have to cover a tight end. So the only spot he could have backed up was middle linebacker. Now enter Desmond Bishop, Rory Johnson, and Juwan Simpson. Desmond Bishop is cut in the same mold as Abdul Hodge. Rory Johnson and Juwan Simpson have top end speed to cover the outside positions. All three would be an upgrade on the special teams as well. So how should this shake out. Believe it or not I have the Packers keeping seven linebacker on their squad this year. Why so many, that would be for the upgrade in the special teams coverage units. So Poppinga, Barnett and Hawk are the starters with Bishop, Hodge and Johnson and Simpson for depth.

Safeties

Now the scoop on the safeties are all over the place as to who will be projected as the starter and who will be the backups. There are opinions out there that have the rookie Aaron Rouse starting at strong safety. I am not one of them. I find that hard to believe because Aaron would have to understand the defense immediately and that usually never happens with a rookie. Aaron will make the team because of his ability on special teams. I feel everyone is not taking into consideration the fact that defensive coordinator Bob Sanders is on a short leash this year, because the defense was out coached several times last year and factor that in with Winston Moss, the linebacker coach, being elevated to assistant head coach. Meaning if the Packers defense comes out against Philadelphia flat that could mean the end of the line for Bob Sanders. Getting back to the topic, my thinking is that Bob Sanders will play it close to the vest this year with last years starter Marquand Manuel. That is unless Manuel is beaten out by either Tyrone Culver or Marvel Underwood. Those are the next two guy in line with the most experience in the current defensive system. I would have entered Atari Bigby in that mix, but it is always been a fact that Ted Thompson likes his draft choices to be on the team and limit the street free agents as much as possible. I give Atari a lot of credit because from reports he has done nothing but had the best off season in trying to gain the strong safety position this year. Safety position should shake out with Nick Collins at FS and either Marquand Manuel or Tyrone Culver or Marviel Underwood starting at SS. Then Aaron Rouse will back up the SS position and the winner of the Tyrone Culver and Marviel Underwood battle will back up Nick Collins at FS. If the Packers defense comes out on fire as expected then Aaron Rouse will get some playing time to gain experience, most notably on early running downs.

Cornerbacks

You probably have heard it a million times already that the starters will be. Well one more time will not hurt. Ted Thompson will be patting himself on the back over and over this year for signing Charles Woodson last season, then giving Al Harris his contract extension. Three reasons for that is Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams of Detroit then there is Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad of Chicago and finally the Vikings with the drafting of Sydney Rice. The other major concern going into this off-season from a secondary standpoint was the nickel and dime positions. Now based on what happened last year after the major collapse of “Batman” Carroll during the Philadelphia Eagles game. The nickel back position was taken over by Patrick Dendy and many felt that over all he did a fine job for the limited time at the position. But experts were saying that there is always room for upgrades in the nickel and dime position in the secondary. Well with the only upgrade came from the signing of Frank Walker from the Giants, as a unrestricted free agent, and the return of Will Blackmon from a foot injury, the experts felt that the Packers still didn’t improve enough. I would have to disagree due to it takes more experience than athletic ability to be successful at either the nickel or dime packages and knowledgeable in the defensive scheme. Frank Walker has four years as a defensive back for the Giants and for the nickel that is important. Than either Patrick Dendy, Jarrett Bush or Will Blackmon can handle the dime package. One of the big questions going into this training camp is will the injury bug that Will Blackmon has had ever since joining the Packers last season. Right now Will Blackmon is recovering from a groin injury and was on the sideline, which didn’t make Mike McCarthy to happy. If Blackmon is to keep a roster position with the Packers, then this training camp he will have to be on the field more than on the sidelines with injuries. Cornerback situation should shake out with Charles Woodson and Al Harris starting and Frank Walker the nickel back and a dog fight between Patrick Dendy, Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon for the final spot. Either Antonio Malone or Tramon Williams will be on the practice squad when it is finished.

Offensive Line

Well this area was being developed last year and is showing signs of life this year. The only new addition to the line this year was Allen Barbre. A tackle in college that will be project as a guard with the Packers, at least early on. Other than that, it’s the same as it was last year. Clifton, Colledge, Wells, Spitz, Tauscher as the starting line up. Backing them up should be Colledge, Barbre, Spitz, Palmer, Moll. The X factors for the line this year go to Orrin Thompson and Junius Coston. Possible practice squad players include Pat Murray and Travis Leffew.

Tight Ends

Bubba Franks still holds the hopes of the Packers in the upcoming season. The X factors to go Donald Lee, Zac Alcorn, Tory Humphrey and Clark Harris. This position needs as much upgrading going into 2008 draft as the cornerback position, due to the age of the starters. So here is my selections based on keeping three. Franks, Lee, Harris. But I hear that the Packers are thinking of using the tight end position more in their offensive philosophy. If that is the case then the Packers will keep four tight ends. Based on four would include, Franks, Lee, Alcorn, Harris.

Wide Receivers

With the drafting of James Jones and David Clowney to go along with rest of a collection of blue collar guys that reflect the image that the Packers want to put on the field in the upcoming season. Clowney is a special teams guy from Virginia Tech. Remember there was another Virginia Tech player drafted by the Packers and that was Antonio Freeman, he was 6-1,198 and had a 4.42 in the 40 when drafted. Clowney is 6-0, 188 and had a 4.35 in the 40 after being drafted. David will be effective this year for the Packers.

James Jones was drafted with someone else in mind, that player was Sterling Sharpe. Sterling was 6-0, 207 with 4.55 speed in the 40 yard dash. James Jones is 6-1, 207 with 4.59 speed in the 40 yard dash. Now with those to comparisons will see how effective they are when the season starts. I really believe Jimmy Robinson, wide receivers coach will have both ready, just like Greg Jennings was last year. We as fans already know about Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and their potential. The X factors go to Ruvell Martin, Carlyle Holiday, Koren Robinson. The other wide receivers are just camp bodies. The order that I see is Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Ruvell Martin, James Jones and David Clowney.

Quarterbacks

Well another season with Brett Favre will not be so bad. Couple of reasons, one we get to see him break some more of Marino and Elway records. Two, I like Brett in this scenario because he can calm down a young team and help guide the team as it still gets its feet under control. Three, continue development of Aaron Rodgers to keep coming along slowly so that he will be able to immediately step into the position when Brett calls it a career. Ingle brings more of the conventional pocket passer to the table more than anything else. I like Ingle Martin but I am also intrigued with Paul Thompson. One of the main things that Mike McCarthy is trying to do this year differently from last year is based on rollouts away from the protection. Paul Thompson has caught the eye of the Packer coaches in that offensive phase of the game. Another thing that Paul Thompson does is that he was a wide receiver at Oklahoma as well. Now Thompson has to remind Mike McCarthy of Carlyle Holiday. Holiday was the QB at Notre Dame then turned WR when drafted by Arizona Cardinals. McCarthy has already stated that he loves QBs that can play other positions because they understand offensives quicker. If Thompson is not on the final 53, then expect him to be on the practice squad this year.

Running Backs

Finally the running backs position. Everyone fells there is great unrest at this position. Yeah we have inexperience working against the Packers at the moment. But both Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson, will be ok after about four games into the season. Both will have successful seasons in the zone blocking scheme the Packers are running. Barring any major injury both of those running back should be at or near 1000 yards each. Now the major question is who will be the third halfback kept on the roster. The general experts are saying Noah Herron will keep his job. But if Green Bay is to keep a sound rushing attack throughout the season there needs to be a better runner than Herron in the backfield and that player is DeShawn Wynn. Wynn will be able to give the running game a new dimension that Herron couldn’t. That dimension is speed, something that Herron doesn’t have. At the full back position, I look for Brandon Miree to be backed up by Korey Hall. Only reason why Hall will be on the team is for his special teams ability. If Korey Hall wasn’t drafted I could easily see Ryan Powdrell being Miree’s backup instead. The players that are looking at practice squad are Corey White and Ryan Powdrell.

Overall this years team should be better at special teams, more of an overall defensive dominance, and just enough of a balance offense to control the clock in order to win games. We will have to see if that become true. Let training camp begin!!

[TopHat]

PN LBS AND SAFETIES PREVIEW

http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/PKR01/707260545/0/theme

Packers by position: Great expectations surround Hawk, LBs

The next three to five years will show whether General Manager Ted Thompson was right to choose linebacker A.J. Hawk with the fifth pick in the 2006 draft rather than tight end Vernon Davis. The Packers think Hawk's promising rookie season suggests they have a perennial Pro Bowler in the making. Though it's likely a stretch to project Hawk as an MVP-type defensive player similar to Chicago's Brian Urlacher, the Packers think Hawk has the tangible and intangible talents to be better than, say, Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking, who has gone to five Pro Bowls in his six NFL seasons. "This guy (Hawk) can run, he knows how to play, he's very strong, he's dedicated," Thompson said. "He works his tail off, and I think he sees himself as a player. So, yeah, I think he's a heck of a player."

As a rookie starter at weak-side linebacker, Hawk didn't jump out early in training camp but improved throughout camp and the season. He beat out middle linebacker Nick Barnett for the team lead in tackles (155 to 141), had 3½ sacks, defended nine passes and had a hand in five turnovers (two interceptions and fumbles recovered, one fumble forced). Making the Pro Bowl should be a realistic goal for Hawk, even early in his career. Brooking made his first Pro Bowl as a rookie, and DeMarcus Ware, an outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, made it as a second-year pro last season. The NFC's other two outside linebackers in last year's Pro Bowl were San Francisco's Julian Peterson and Tampa Bay's 34-year-old Derrick Brooks. Chicago's Lance Briggs would have been one of the three but couldn't play because of an injury. "I don't have a crystal ball to say (he'll be a perennial Pro Bowler)," said Bob Sanders, the Packers' defensive coordinator.


"But certainly, he's a guy that definitely you try to build around because he's very instinctive, a hard worker, he's a very physical player. He leads by just the way he plays. Certainly, the expectation level for him to be in and around big plays is there." With Hawk and Barnett, the Packers potentially have one of the best linebacker pairings in the NFL. The two almost never come off the field — Sanders plays a nickel defense, with Hawk and Barnett on the field, on many downs in which other teams would use a dime defense (one linebacker, six defensive backs). To ensure keeping the pair together for the next several years, the Packers signed Barnett to a five-year, $35 million contract extension that includes about $11.5 million in first-year bonuses and salary. Barnett, who had nine passes defended last year, won that extension in part because of his durability. He's missed only two games in his four-year career, one in 1993 because of an ankle injury and one last year because of a broken hand.

Third-year pro Brady Poppinga, meanwhile, recovered from a handful of costly pass-coverage errors early last season and held onto his job as strong-side linebacker, less than a year removed from knee-reconstruction surgery. The converted college defensive end never might be anything but OK in coverage, but he plays with abandon and adds a physical dimension. Though he had only one sack, he's an option as an occasional outside rusher or blitzer on passing downs. "I think he did OK (in coverage last year)," Thompson said. "You've got to remember he was a down lineman in college, so he's still learning the position a little bit. As you know, he'd run through a wall to do good. He plays hard, he's physical, and we'll work on him for that other stuff." The Packers are excited to see second-year pro Abdul Hodge in training camp to see if he's rebounded from a knee injury. One of their biggest disappointments last season was the third-round pick's fade after an excellent start as a run defender in the first two weeks of training camp.

For a short time, it looked like Hodge might force his way into the starting lineup, perhaps precipitating moving Barnett to strong-side linebacker. But Hodge leveled off as camp went on, and when he got his chance to play in the regular season — against Seattle in November when Barnett was out with a broken right hand — he flopped. Seattle rushed for 235 yards and averaged 4.9 yards a carry, in part because of Hodge's struggles. However, Hodge had missed five games earlier in the season because of a knee injury and had to sit out all offseason while his knee healed — it didn't require surgery — so it's unclear how much it affected his performance in that game. Hodge will have to follow up his offseason layoff with a superb training camp to convince the Packers he should displace Poppinga in the starting lineup and justify moving Barnett. Hodge probably isn't fast enough to start anywhere but at middle linebacker, so if he's one of the best three, Barnett probably would have to move to Poppinga's strong-side spot. "He didn't play his best game (at Seattle)," Thompson said, "but he's been a good player for a long time (in college). We don't worry about that too much." Thompson is trying to build the Packers' depth at linebacker, especially for special-teams play.

He re-signed Tracy White, a fifth-year pro who was a special-teams core player last year. He used a fifth-round draft pick on California's Desmond Bishop (6-foot-2, 241), who lacks straight-line speed but impressed the scouting staff with his instincts. He also signed undrafted rookie Rory Johnson (6-0, 237), who has big-league speed but tested positive for marijuana twice while at Mississippi and enters the league one positive drug test away from a four-game suspension. "(Johnson) was a really good football player at Ole Miss," Thompson said. "(He) ran all over the field, made tackles everywhere, has speed, quickness, loves to play, has instincts. And we saw that this spring. He looks fine. You don't know how it's going to work, but we're glad we've got him right now." First-year pro Spencer Havner had a good offseason, and with standout special-teams play could win one of the likely six spots that will go to linebackers.
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http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/PKR01/707270511/1989

Position-by-position: Who will fill safety gap?

The Green Bay Packers have had a safety problem for about five years now. During that time, one of their starting safeties has been a liability, whether it was Marques Anderson, Antuan Edwards or Mark Roman from 2002-05, or free agent Marquand Manuel last season. The Packers yet again will try to solve that problem this season by upgrading the strong safety opposite Nick Collins, whom they hope will blossom into a top player in 2007. They haven't written off the 28-year-old Manuel, who had groin and calf injuries last year, but they have at least two young players who have a decent shot at beating him out for the starting job: third-year pro Marviel Underwood and third-round draft pick Aaron Rouse. "It came as a surprise to me that (Manuel) is moving better now than at any time I've been around him," said defensive backs coach Kurt Schottenheimer of Manuel's play at offseason practices. "Coming off the injury in the Super Bowl (with Seattle) affected his groin, and later on, favoring that he pulled a calf muscle and missed a lot of time. So I'm excited about that part. But there's a couple young kids that are very, very talented, so there will be competition."

General Manager Ted Thompson signed Manuel early in free agency in '06 to a five-year deal that included $2 million in bonuses because he knew him from his time as head of Seattle's personnel and thought the former backup would be the solid quarterback the team had lacked for several years at strong safety. But Manuel's calf injuries sidelined from the offseason through the first three weeks of training camp, and he never performed as Thompson projected. Though Manuel tried to be the leader of the secondary, he was at fault for several blown assignments early in the season that cost big plays, and though he was a good tackler near the line of scrimmage, had his problems playing in space all season. There's a decent chance Underwood, a fourth-round draft pick in 2005, would have displaced him sometime during the season, but after a good start in training camp, Underwood blew out his knee in the preseason opener at San Diego and missed the rest of the year. He didn't take part in any offseason practices while recovering from knee-reconstruction surgery, but should be ready for the start of camp.

Like most players coming off serious injury, he probably will take part in only one practice on the days when the team practices twice. The Packers won't know until a few weeks into training camp whether the third-year pro is close enough to full strength to win the job. "I know he's doing everything he possibly can to get himself ready to go," said Bob Sanders, the Packers' defensive coordinator. Rouse, in the meantime, is an unusually big safety (6-4, 223) with a reputation as a big hitter. Thompson picked him late in the third round, No. 89 overall, projecting he at least could challenge for a starting job as a rookie and immediately improve special-teams coverage. Rouse did nothing in the offseason to suggest he can't pick up the defense in his first season, and the Packers also like his ability to match up with top-tier tight ends because of his size. But to win the starting job, Rouse will have to play big when the pads go on. "We're looking for a guy that's 6-4 and 230 pounds to hit like a guy that's 6-4 and 230," Schottenheimer said. "So we'll let that play out and find that out on the field."

The Packers also are looking for Collins' talent to show up on game day more than it did in his first two years as a starter. The second-round pick from 2005 is their fastest defensive back, and his ability to run and tackle never was more evident than last year against New Orleans, when he played a key role in holding Reggie Bush to only 5 yards rushing in six carries and 68 yards receiving in eight receptions. Collins finished fifth on the team in tackles (102) last season and had three interceptions, 16 passes defended and two fumbles forced. All were improvements over his rookie year (96 tackles, one interception, nine passes defended and one forced fumble), but the Packers are desperate for difference-making players, and Collins' physical talent puts him among their best hopes to become one.

"He's special," Schottenheimer said. "He's got a great feel for the system and what his responsibilities are. And later on (last) year he started to become more instinctive, where he can go get involved in a play. He was playing cautiously, so to speak, as it related to coverages." Second-year pro Atari Bigby, who was promoted from the practice squad after nine games last season, showed good range in the offseason and could be a long-shot candidate to push for a starting job. Second-year pro Tyrone Culver probably is the team's smartest safety, and second-year pro Charlie Peprah, picked up after final cuts, also has a shot at one of the four roster spots at safety. Another of the important battles in training camp will be for No. 3 cornerback, where incumbent Patrick Dendy, free agent Frank Walker and second-year pro Will Blackmon will contend. The nickel back usually is on the field for about half of the defense's snaps a game. Dendy has a slight edge after offseason practices, but there are questions about whether the 190-pounder is physical enough to hold the job in camp. "Pat Dendy has made as much improvement from the end of the season to now as anybody that we have," Schottenheimer said. "He's done an excellent job, playing with a lot more confidence. He's doing things that winning performers have to do to play at a winning level."

Walker (5-11, 196), a fifth-year pro who was a backup for the New York Giants last season, was the Packers' only free-agent signing this year. Blackmon missed most of his rookie season last year because of a slow-healing broken foot sustained in the offseason and then a rib injury four weeks after his return that landed him on injured reserve. The Packers are sound, if aging, at starting cornerback, where 31-year-old Al Harris and 30-year-old Charles Woodson return for their second year in tandem. Harris, a pro's pro, usually covers the opponent's best receiver each week and had as good a season as ever in '06 (three interceptions, 20 passes defensed). Early last season, Woodson looked like a possible free-agent bust after Thompson paid him $10.5 million in first-year pay. But he picked up his play as the season went on and finished tied for third in the NFL in interceptions with eight.

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WSJ PREVIEW: SECONDARY CONCERNS

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/index.php?ntid=202967&ntpid=1

Packers preview: Secondary a primary concern

If the Green Bay Packers' defense is going to be as good as its members think it'll be in 2007, then the team will have to see significant improvement in two crucial areas: At safety and at the third cornerback spot. For while the Packers like their depth on the defensive line and are excited about the play-making possibilities of their linebackers, the secondary is a primary concern. Although the unit boasts two of the NFC's top cornerbacks in veterans Al Harris and Charles Woodson, and the coaching staff still believes third-year safety Nick Collins has the makings of an elite player, free-agent signing Marquand Manuel was a major disappointment at the other safety spot last season, and the nickel job is wide open entering training camp, which begins Saturday. Manuel will face challenges from Marviel Underwood, who missed last season with a torn ACL suffered in the preseason opener; rookie Aaron Rouse, a third-round draft pick; Atari Bigby, an under-the-radar player with a better shot at the job than some might think; and Tyrone Culver, a sixth-round pick last year who saw limited playing time as a rookie.

The third cornerback job, which came open when 2004 first-round pick Ahmad Carroll was jettisoned four games into last season, will be hotly contested as well. The competition for that job will include Frank Walker, the team's lone free-agent signing this offseason; Will Blackmon, a fourth-round pick last year who's rookie season was derailed by foot and rib injuries; Patrick Dendy, who assumed the No. 3 corner job after Carroll's departure; and Jarrett Bush, whom the team claimed off waivers from Carolina and played in all 16 games on special teams. Secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, who came under fire early last season for the unit's many breakdowns, said the starting safety spot alongside Collins remains Manuel's to lose and cautioned that some of the glaring mistakes made in the back end weren't entirely Manuel's fault. Nevertheless, there were too many moments like the one in the regular-season opener against Chicago, when Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian got behind Manuel for a 49-yard touchdown less than 3 minutes into the game.

"We don't talk much about it, but there were some things (Manuel) was blamed for that really weren't his problem," Schottenheimer said. "But again, early in the season, the first six ballgames, we had so many mistakes, so many breakdowns. Whether it was a lack of communication, a lack of understanding (of the scheme), as a coach, it's your responsibility to make sure they understand everything. We just were not playing well at that time." Underwood, who went down in the preseason opener at San Diego, worked with the No. 1 unit throughout the first two weeks of training camp last year while Manuel recovered from a calf injury. He could be cleared in time for Saturday's first practice but if not, he should be ready to go shortly thereafter. "I liked what I saw in Marviel in the time we had him before the injury in San Diego," Schottenheimer said.

As for the third cornerback spot, Schottenheimer said the team used its nickel (five defensive backs) alignment on 503 of its 1,002 defensive snaps last season, meaning the Packers had at least with three cornerbacks on the field on more than half their snaps. "There's no question, we have at the very least 12 starters, if not more," Schottenheimer said. "You have to have that many. That (No. 3) guy's going to play a lot." Cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington said he's confident that whoever emerges from the Walker-Blackmon-Dendy-Bush group will be an upgrade over last season, when Carroll was a marked man and Dendy was learning on the fly. "The good thing about it is, all those guys have gotten better from last year. You can see the improvement," Washington said. "They're using their hands better, they understand the game itself better. That's going to allow them to play better, have a better feel for the game. Those guys have stayed here all offseason and worked their butts off. And it's showing right now. Hopefully they can continue to work hard."

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NEWS & UPDATES: HARRELL LISTED AS STARTER?

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

McCarthy notes

Player physicals were conducted this morning, and running tests were ongoing as coach Mike McCarthy addressed the media for about 24 minutes this afternoon. Without final results from those physicals, McCarthy provided minimal insight on the status of players who missed time during organized team activity practices with injuries. But he did say everyone expected to report today had reported with the obvious exception of first-round pick Justin Harrell, who has not signed a contract. Team doctors still must examine Harrell, who is recovering from a ruptured biceps tendon, before he gains final clearance for contact portions of practice, McCarthy said.

Other notable items from McCarthy's remarks:

-- Players will have meetings from 2 to 4 p.m. today, followed by dinner at St. Norbert College, where players will stay during training camp.

-- The first 10 days of practice will focus on review, then transition to gameplanning for the preseason opener Aug. 11 at Pittsburgh.

-- Quarterback Brett Favre said in a phone call last week that he continues to recover well from ankle surgery. He may be held out of one practice on days when the Packers take the practice field twice. Favre, who also battled shoulder fatigue during OTAs, has been throwing.

-- Tight end Zac Alcorn "has the best hands on the team," and the team will continue to experiment with a number of players at that position in different offensive sets.

-- Safety Marviel Underwood (knee) was expected to be cleared at least for one practice a day, pending the results of his physical.

-- There has been no decision on live tackling during training camp. It only will be considered for goal-line drills.

-- To make up for roughly 150 lost repetitions in the new camp schedule, there may be more competitive periods, including red zone, and it's possible practices will run a little longer than a year ago.
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Harrell listed as a starter

First-round draft pick Justin Harrell is listed as a starter on the Packers' "unofficial" depth chart, distributed to media members this morning. UPDATE: Coach Mike McCarthy said he approved the depth chart, adding that if the season began today, Harrell would be the starter and Williams would play in the first sub-package. There are no other surprises, though it's worth noting Donald Lee is listed as the No. 1 tight end.

Here are your starters ...
OFFENSE
WR Greg Jennings, LT Chad Clifton, LG Daryn Colledge, C Scott Wells, RG Jason Spitz, RT Mark Tauscher, Lee, WR Donald Driver, QB Brett Favre, RB Vernand Morency, FB Brandon Miree.

DEFENSE
LE Aaron Kampman, LDT Ryan Pickett, Harrell, RE Cullen Jenkins, SLB Brady Poppinga, MLB Nick Barnett, WLB A.J. Hawk, LCB Charles Woodson, RCB Al Harris, SS Marquand Manuel, FS Nick Collins.

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Dave Rayner, P Jon Ryan, PR Charles Woodson, KR Vernand Morency, LS Rob Davis.

And your second team offense and defense ...

OFFENSE
WR Ruvell Martin, LT Orrin Thompson, LG Allen Barbre, C Tyson Walter, RG Junius Coston, RT Tony Moll, TE Bubba Franks, WR Robert Ferguson, QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Ryan Powdrell.

DEFENSE
LE Michael Montgomery, LDT Corey Williams, RDT Colin Cole, RE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, SLB Spencer Havner, MLB Abdul Hodge, WLB Tracy White, LCB Patrick Dendy, RCB Jarrett Bush, SS Atari Bigby, FS Aaron Rouse.
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Unofficial opening of training camp

Packers coach Mike McCarthy's pre-training camp media address is scheduled to begin at noon. It will be McCarthy's first formal visit with reporters since organized team activity practices ended in the middle of last month.