TRAINING CAMP: TUESDAY SESSIONS & REVIEWS

[The Leaper]

Ryan's numbers aren't good. He needs to stop kicking the ball 60 yards down field and start kicking it 60 yards high. He is extremely prone to giving up big returns because he outkicks his coverage.

I would much rather see him kicking the ball 50 yards with 5 seconds of hang time. He has the leg to do it, so get it done.

[GBRulz]

He can't. He wears cutoff jerseys in practice. Gotta keep the EC girls happy.

I think the EC Gals are paying more attention to Zac Alcorn's facial hair then Donald Driver's abs.

I'm not Alcorn's biggest supporter in here for nothing!!!

[TopHat]

TUESDAY REVIEW

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070808/PKR01/708080651/1057/PKR&located=RSS

Insider: Colledge has come a long way

Thumbs up

Maybe life without Chad Clifton wouldn't be a total disaster after all. When Clifton missed the Miami game last season with a game-day illness, the offensive line struggled to protect quarterback Brett Favre. At the time, rookie Daryn Colledge moved over to Clifton's left tackle spot from left guard and couldn't block Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor one-on-one. Less than a year later, Colledge appears to be better prepared for such a task. With Clifton out on Tuesday to rest his sore knees, Colledge once again moved over from his regular left guard position and more than held his own during practice. To be sure, he wasn't going against any players of Taylor's caliber, but he looked far more prepared to handle the left tackle assignment. He was solid in protection during the team blitz period and showed the nasty streak necessary to play left tackle during a one-on-one pass blocking rep against Johnny Jolly.

Rookie Allen Barbre filled in at Colledge's left guard spot with the No. 1 offense and also held up well. Barbre, a promising fourth-round pick, also handled Jolly during the one-on-one drill and had a strong showing against first-round draft pick Justin Harrell. Cullen Jenkins did smoke Barbre during the one-on-ones, but Barbre hasn't been the only lineman to get beat by Jenkins during this camp.

Thumbs down

The coaches look like they want to be thorough in their evaluation of both kickers, but there's a possible dangerous situation brewing. Dave Rayner, the incumbent, and rookie Mason Crosby might be beginning to suffer from fatigue. Though neither is likely to admit it, it's a strong possibility their legs are tiring, given that both have missed more kicks in the past few days than they did early in camp. History should tell the Packers that overkicking in camp could be a big problem. In 1997, rookie kicker Brett Conway was overworked and pulled a thigh muscle. He ended up missing the season. But the kickers went at it again on Tuesday night. Rayner made 4 of 6 field goals, and Crosby 6 of 7. Rayner missed wide left from 43 yards and wide right from 47. Crosby missed wide right from 47. He also had a 47-yarder blocked, but the defense was offsides, so it was wiped off the books. That came after a brief kicking session on Tuesday morning in which Rayner made a 40-yarder, and Crosby missed from 40. There hasn't been a preseason game played and both kickers are well into the 60s in terms of number of attempts during team periods in practice. Rayner is 54-for-65 (83.1 percent), while Crosby is 53-for-63 (84.1 percent).

Did you notice?

Donald Driver made the catch of training camp during an 11-on-11 drill near the end of the night practice. On first-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Driver made a diving, one-handed grab for a touchdown on a corner route with Charles Woodson covering him.

Jon Ryan executed perhaps the perfect punt during a special teams period in the night practice. With the ball on his 35-yard line, Ryan hit a towering kick that hung in the air for 4.56 seconds and sailed toward the right sideline. Woodson tried to catch it without going out of bounds, but his momentum carried him out at his 5-yard line. Overall, Ryan averaged 59.3 yards and 4.671 seconds of hang time, while Ryan Dougherty averaged 51.3 yards and 4.67 seconds of hang time during the drill.

The defense showed a dime alignment for the first time. It was 3-2 front with the six defensive backs, featuring three cornerbacks (Woodson, Al Harris and Patrick Dendy) and three safeties (Nick Collins, Marquand Manuel and Atari Bigby).

Rookie Desmond Bishop worked ahead of second-year linebacker Abdul Hodge in the middle with the No. 2 defense.

For the second straight day, backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers took some reps as a holder on field goals. Previously, Ryan and receiver Ruvell Martin had handled the holding duties.

[BallHawk]

Re: TUESDAY REVIEW

Rayner is 54-for-65 (83.1 percent), while Crosby is 53-for-63 (84.1 percent).

Talk about neck and neck. This is going to come down to kickoffs.

[TopHat]

TUESDAY SCOUT REVIEW

http://packers.scout.com/2/666100.html

The Word: Training Camp Day 11

Alcorn deals with aching feet; offensive and defensive plays of day; Jolly steps up Zac Alcorn is attacking his blistered feet harder than a defensive back. But caking them with gauze, rolling them in tape and adding rubber padding is only half the battle. The future is brightening for the second-year pro fighting for a roster spot at an injury-riddled position. And his feet are healing.“They’re starting to get callused over,” Alcorn said. “I’ve had everything on them. I’ve made patches, tape, toe glides, tape over the top of that, two socks on, I cut the end of my shoes out and put a cast over the end of them. I’ve had everything on my feet. They’re like ten pounds. I’m feeling better now.” Alcorn put together solid morning and evening practices Tuesday, and he appears to be solidifying a roster spot behind Donald Lee and Bubba Franks. In the morning Alcorn caught several passes from Aaron Rodgers, and then snagged a laser from Brett Favre in the nightcap during red zone work. “It feels really good to develop chemistry,” he said. “It’s good to develop chemistry with the first team guys when I’m out there.”

Last season Alcorn was on the team's practice squad before making the team’s active roster in Week 11. Now his knowledge of the game matches his talent - a satisfying development. “I can’t even tell you how much of a difference my knowledge is of the offense compared to last year,” he said. “Last year at this time I was having a really hard time just lining up as the Y tight end, which is the strong side tight end. Now I know the Y, the U and the V positions. I know them and I know them well. Sometimes you get out in the heat of the battle and get all of those positions scrambled together. But now I’m really comfortable. I can’t even tell you the difference.” In Tuesday night’s practice during the red zone segment, Alcorn replaced Franks as the number-one tight end most of the time. Lee was given a day off after not missing a practice throughout camp. He may know all three tight end positions as well as verses from the Bible (which he reads regularly), but Alcorn also realizes his strength.

“I will probably be playing a lot of the U tight end,” said Alcorn. “It’s the backside tight end when we’re in double tight. That is the tight end that is usually involved in the passing game.” Several other players sat out of practice Tuesday night. Chad Clifton was in shorts due to sore knees, Greg Jennings is still reeling from a hip flexor, and four players dropped out of the night practice: Justin Harrell (groin), DeShawn Wynn (quadriceps), Clark Harris (hip flexor) and Ryan Pickett (knee) each bowed out at some point. McCarthy is hopeful that Clifton will return Thursday, after Wednesday’s day off.

Here are some more notes from Tuesday’s practice:

Offensive Play of the Day

They’ve done it 34 times. But it never gets old. On his very last pass of the night, Favre fired a bullet to the right side of the end zone. It appeared like a sure overthrow, but receiver Donald Driver got past Charles Woodson and hauled in the pass with one hand. While Favre is set to shatter some major NFL records this season, Driver could make his mark on team history this year in multiple categories. With eight touchdowns, he’ll pass Sterling Sharpe on Favre’s all-time TD connection list. Antonio Freeman has a comfortable lead with 57 scores. With another 1,000-yard season, Driver will tie James Lofton and Sharpe as the Packer receiver with the most 1,000-yard campaigns. With his career peaking, Driver may also flirt with Robert Brooks’ 1995 record of 1,497 receiving yards. After signing a contract extension Monday, Driver is set to be a Packer for life and continue to make his mark on the franchise. A healthy Jennings and an emerging James Jones will definitely delay his aging process.

Defensive Play of the Day

Early during practice, Favre rolled to his left and threw a pass to wide receiver Ruvell Martin, which was tipped and intercepted by safety Nick Collins. Collins is quietly having a very productive training camp. At Family Night he read Favre in the red zone perfectly, picked off a pass, and returned it 60 yards and during practice he has taken command of the defensive secondary. That’s a good sign considering the coverage problems Green Bay’s secondary had early on last season.

Stock is Rising

Johnny Jolly showed up at training camp out of shape and failed the running portion of his physical. But now that’s irrelevant. Jolly has lined up on the starting defensive unit next to Pickett on several occasions this past week and he has taken full advantage of the valuable reps. Tuesday, Jolly knocked down a Rodgers pass and routinely showed a strong push at the point of attack. Jolly leverages his 6-3, 312-pound frame properly, coming up and through offensive lineman. If the season started today, Jolly would easily play ahead of top pick Justin Harrell, who is still struggling. Keep an eye on Jolly Saturday at Pittsburgh. He could be another draft gem uncovered by general manager Ted Thompson.

Stock is Falling

It could be hard for P.J. Pope to re-enter the running back sweepstakes when he returns in 2-4 weeks from arthroscopic knee surgery. Pope has had his moments at training camp, flashing potential as a goal line back. But unless two backs out of Brandon Jackson, Noah Herron, DeShawn Wynn, and Corey White totally bomb in the preseason, Pope could be the odd man out. Remember, the Packers will be getting Vernand Morency back too. Pope’s chances are slim.

[Freak Out]

Ryan's numbers aren't good. He needs to stop kicking the ball 60 yards down field and start kicking it 60 yards high. He is extremely prone to giving up big returns because he outkicks his coverage.

I would much rather see him kicking the ball 50 yards with 5 seconds of hang time. He has the leg to do it, so get it done.

He really needs to start forcing more fair catches and forcing the ball out of bounds. The dude does have a cannon leg though...he just needs to develop that touch.

[Freak Out]

Re: PICS

[quote="TopHat"]http://www.packersnews.com


BRET: "CLIFTON & TAUSCHER KNOW SOMETHING."


You forget just how big those two are until you see a picture like this.

[TopHat]

Camp Overview

http://packers.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=666119

Thoughts on Colledge at tackle; holders; leader in kicking battle


Colledge the future at tackle

It appears that guard Daryn Colledge is not only Green Bay's starting left guard, but the team's backup left tackle, and probably the future at that position. Coach Mike McCarthy sat veteran starter Chad Clifton out of both practices in a precautionary measure to rest his knees on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Colledge, who made an emergency start in place of Clifton last season at Miami, took on a number of reps at left tackle in both practices. Colledge, entering his second season, played tackle at Boise State, so it seems natural that he will be moved over when Clifton, who is entering his eighth season moves on. Clifton's current contract expires after the 2009 season. "It's an excellent opportunity for me to get out there and look at the defense in a different way," said Colledge. "The tackle has a whole different opinion on how a defense looks compared to a guard. I think it makes me a better guard to see what the tackle is going through against different defenses, and allows me to think of what the guard needs to do."

On hold

Punter Jon Ryan and wide receiver Ruvell Martin have served as the holders on field goal and extra point attempts for kickers Dave Rayner and Mason Crosby. This week, however, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has entered the mix as a holder. Martin served as a holder at Saginaw Valley State and as the Packers' backup holder last season. Ryan is the team's primary holder.

Moll steps in at tight end

Due to injuries to a few tight ends during the first week-plus of training camp, offensive lineman Tony Moll has lined up at the tight end during some of the practices. Moll played tight end while at the University of Nevada before he moved to tackle. Moll is currently the backup tackle to Mark Tauscher, but played some tight end in the team's intra-squad scrimmage last Saturday night. Zac Alcorn (foot blisters) and Bubba Franks (eye) were kept out of some practices last week. Both Alcorn and Franks have returned to practice this week.

Crosby has slight edge

The race for the kicking job between Dave Rayner and Mason Crosby is very close, but if the coaches had to make a decision today, Crosby probably would get the nod. Crosby has made a few more field goal attempts than Rayner, especially from longer distances, and also was selected in the sixth round of the recent NFL draft by the Packers. Both kickers will be employed in the NFL this season, but only one in Green Bay. The true test will be the upcoming preseason games, and it might come down to the final kick of the final game, but for now, Crosby has the lead in the race. "I'm taking every kick as an opportunity every time I step on the field, but I'm looking forward to the preseason games," said Crosby. "Different stadiums, different venues and being able to show some stuff. Game situations obviously are going to be different. Every kick, every practice is important. That's what they're stressing. I'm going to take every kick and see where it pans out in the end."

Sleepers

Here are three free agents that were longshots at making the final roster at the beginning of camp, but now have a decent shot of making the roster:

1. Offensive tackle Orrin Thompson. He has been filling in behind Chad Clifton at the tackle position with the first-team offense on a number of occasions in training camp. He also did the same in off-season minicamps and Organized Team Activities practices.

2. Cornerback Tramon Williams. He is having a great camp, but in a position where there is an abundance of talent. He's up against Will Blackmon, Frank Walker, Jarrett Bush and Patrick Dendy for the two backup spots behind Al Harris and Charles Woodson.

3. Running back Corey White. He is part fullback and part running back, but has mainly played running back in practices due to injuries to Vernand Morency and P.J. Pope. White has been getting more and more reps and will have a great opportunity in the first two preseason games to show that he's worthy of making the roster.