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Notes: Rookie turning heads with adaptation to fullback spot
Packers staff happy with converted linebacker Hall's instincts, progress
By BOB McGINN
Green Bay - Rookie Korey Hall, the Boise State linebacker converted to fullback by the Green Bay Packers, is dispelling the notion that he'd be a long way off from being able to contribute on offense this season.
If anything, the first week of training camp has shown that Hall isn't the project he was expected to be, given that he hadn't played in the backfield since his high school days in Glenns Ferry, Idaho.
Incumbent Brandon Miree remains the front-runner to replace the departed William Henderson, but there isn't much doubt that Hall is ahead of Ryan Powdrell, a rookie free agent from Southern California who received a $15,000 signing bonus in May.
Another undrafted rookie, Corey White of Alabama-Birmingham, has played more running back than fullback in camp and also remains in contention.
The main reason Hall was drafted in the sixth round was his proven ability on special teams. The Packers compared Hall to other pro fullbacks who were collegiate linebackers and made the move.
Hall started all 52 games at Boise State, made 394 tackles and intercepted 11 passes, an extraordinary number for a linebacker. Hall, according to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, has been far ahead of the curve on assignments almost since the day he arrived.
"If a guy has good football instincts, he can make transitions easier," Philbin said. "If a guy doesn't have that natural understanding of the game, boy, it's hard on either side of the ball. Korey is a bright guy. He knows what he's doing."
The Packers have not wavered on Hall, never once playing him on defense.
"Now I'm starting to grasp the playbook," Hall said Friday. "I'm starting to get the hang of it."
Perhaps the biggest question that Hall will have to answer in exhibition games is whether he's physical enough to block. Standing just a shade over 6 feet tall, Hall might be close to fully developed.
"He's very muscular and powerful," strength coach Rock Gullickson said. "He's just not structurally a big man. Structurally, he's a little bit limited. Of course, you'd like that guy to be 245 to 250. But he doesn't have that structure."
Hall weighed 240 pounds in the spring, 235 when he reported and is 232 now.
"I've been trying to get my weight back up," he said. "I feel I can be a good player at 240. I wouldn't be a lot over 240."
Powdrell, who was converted from linebacker to fullback in the spring of 2006, is off to a slow start. He reported too heavy at 258 and his blocking was rusty, understandable considering he suffered a broken ankle in Week 2 last year.
"I don't know about overweight, but he's not in the best shape," Philbin said. "We want him to be a little bit more nimble."
Nickel battle
Incumbent Patrick Dendy has worked as the No. 3 cornerback in the first week, but Jarrett Bush is challenging.
"Bush had an exceptional off-season and is off to an excellent start," coach Mike McCarthy said. "You're seeing his play come up a lot. He's a tough kid. Always liked him.
"Dendy is stronger this year and playing with more confidence. Frank Walker is in the hunt. Tramon Williams is a guy who just keeps getting better. That group will be very competitive."
Unmentioned by McCarthy was Will Blackmon, the fourth-round draft choice in 2006. He has been beat for a series of long completions and touchdown passes in the first week.
Quarterback roulette
Since the return of Favre on Thursday, the playing time for his backups has decreased significantly. Aaron Rodgers still gets some turns in team drills, with Ingle Martin getting one or two and Paul Thompson, a free-agent rookie from Oklahoma, getting none.
McCarthy and his staff made subtle changes in Thompson's footwork and ball carriage.
"Paul is definitely a prospect as far as the ability part of it," McCarthy said. "He's picked up the scheme very well."
Muscle men
Gullickson listed several players when asked who were the team's strongest, pound-for-pound.
"The guys that turn your head are the linebackers: (Brady) Poppinga, (Nick) Barnett, (A.J.) Hawk," he said. "All the safeties are very strong for their body weight. Scott Wells from the offensive line. (Robert) Ferguson and (Donald) Driver as receivers."
On the way back
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, who had to sit out four practices because he failed a conditioning run, still isn't in good shape, according to the coaches.
"Guys like Ryan, I don't know if there's an answer," Gullickson said. "You wish he was here more in the off-season but you just don't know his family situation. We just don't know what's going through his mind.
"When he's here he really does fine. He's a good guy. Very good. He's got a very positive outlook and will work hard. Just a work in progress."
Packers staff happy with converted linebacker Hall's instincts, progress
By BOB McGINN
Green Bay - Rookie Korey Hall, the Boise State linebacker converted to fullback by the Green Bay Packers, is dispelling the notion that he'd be a long way off from being able to contribute on offense this season.
If anything, the first week of training camp has shown that Hall isn't the project he was expected to be, given that he hadn't played in the backfield since his high school days in Glenns Ferry, Idaho.
Incumbent Brandon Miree remains the front-runner to replace the departed William Henderson, but there isn't much doubt that Hall is ahead of Ryan Powdrell, a rookie free agent from Southern California who received a $15,000 signing bonus in May.
Another undrafted rookie, Corey White of Alabama-Birmingham, has played more running back than fullback in camp and also remains in contention.
The main reason Hall was drafted in the sixth round was his proven ability on special teams. The Packers compared Hall to other pro fullbacks who were collegiate linebackers and made the move.
Hall started all 52 games at Boise State, made 394 tackles and intercepted 11 passes, an extraordinary number for a linebacker. Hall, according to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, has been far ahead of the curve on assignments almost since the day he arrived.
"If a guy has good football instincts, he can make transitions easier," Philbin said. "If a guy doesn't have that natural understanding of the game, boy, it's hard on either side of the ball. Korey is a bright guy. He knows what he's doing."
The Packers have not wavered on Hall, never once playing him on defense.
"Now I'm starting to grasp the playbook," Hall said Friday. "I'm starting to get the hang of it."
Perhaps the biggest question that Hall will have to answer in exhibition games is whether he's physical enough to block. Standing just a shade over 6 feet tall, Hall might be close to fully developed.
"He's very muscular and powerful," strength coach Rock Gullickson said. "He's just not structurally a big man. Structurally, he's a little bit limited. Of course, you'd like that guy to be 245 to 250. But he doesn't have that structure."
Hall weighed 240 pounds in the spring, 235 when he reported and is 232 now.
"I've been trying to get my weight back up," he said. "I feel I can be a good player at 240. I wouldn't be a lot over 240."
Powdrell, who was converted from linebacker to fullback in the spring of 2006, is off to a slow start. He reported too heavy at 258 and his blocking was rusty, understandable considering he suffered a broken ankle in Week 2 last year.
"I don't know about overweight, but he's not in the best shape," Philbin said. "We want him to be a little bit more nimble."
Nickel battle
Incumbent Patrick Dendy has worked as the No. 3 cornerback in the first week, but Jarrett Bush is challenging.
"Bush had an exceptional off-season and is off to an excellent start," coach Mike McCarthy said. "You're seeing his play come up a lot. He's a tough kid. Always liked him.
"Dendy is stronger this year and playing with more confidence. Frank Walker is in the hunt. Tramon Williams is a guy who just keeps getting better. That group will be very competitive."
Unmentioned by McCarthy was Will Blackmon, the fourth-round draft choice in 2006. He has been beat for a series of long completions and touchdown passes in the first week.
Quarterback roulette
Since the return of Favre on Thursday, the playing time for his backups has decreased significantly. Aaron Rodgers still gets some turns in team drills, with Ingle Martin getting one or two and Paul Thompson, a free-agent rookie from Oklahoma, getting none.
McCarthy and his staff made subtle changes in Thompson's footwork and ball carriage.
"Paul is definitely a prospect as far as the ability part of it," McCarthy said. "He's picked up the scheme very well."
Muscle men
Gullickson listed several players when asked who were the team's strongest, pound-for-pound.
"The guys that turn your head are the linebackers: (Brady) Poppinga, (Nick) Barnett, (A.J.) Hawk," he said. "All the safeties are very strong for their body weight. Scott Wells from the offensive line. (Robert) Ferguson and (Donald) Driver as receivers."
On the way back
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, who had to sit out four practices because he failed a conditioning run, still isn't in good shape, according to the coaches.
"Guys like Ryan, I don't know if there's an answer," Gullickson said. "You wish he was here more in the off-season but you just don't know his family situation. We just don't know what's going through his mind.
"When he's here he really does fine. He's a good guy. Very good. He's got a very positive outlook and will work hard. Just a work in progress."
...tell him we want a playa.....as in a RB stud. Produce or keep your sig!! Times are getting tough! 
So unless this guy also doubles as a TE or RB, as far as I can tell, you are stuck with that signature for another year or two. :P
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