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By Rob Demovsky
PackersNews.com
The Green Bay Packers didn’t address their running back needs in the draft, and the rookie free agent they signed appears to be a big-time long shot.
The Packers have agreed to terms with former Kentucky running back Arliss Beach, who never was a regular starter during his four years in college. The 6-foot, 200-pound Beach was the Wildcats’ backup to sophomore Rafael Little in 2005. He sat behind future NFL back Artose Pinner as a freshman and played sparingly because of various injuries as a sophomore and junior.
Beach probably wasn’t even on most NFL teams’ radar screens until he put together an impressive workout on his pro day in March. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and did 21 repetitions on the bench press (225 pounds). As a senior, Beach gained only 314 yards on 64 carries and scored six touchdowns. He also had eight receptions for 65 yards.
The Packers aren’t expected to have running backs Ahman Green (quadriceps tendon) and Najeh Davenport (broken ankle) for this weekend’s minicamp. Green’s injury was serious, especially for a player of his age (29), and Davenport has battled injury issues his entire career.
The Packers also agreed to terms with a pair of small-college tight ends, Zac Alcorn of Black Hills State and A.J. Cooper of North Dakota State. Alcorn (6-4, 260) caught 57 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns in 2005 for the NAIA school. Cooper (6-1, 239) caught 24 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns. He was an honorable mention Division I-AA all-American as a senior.
The Packers are expected to sign 12 undrafted rookies, but the team hasn’t released their list.
PackersNews.com
The Green Bay Packers didn’t address their running back needs in the draft, and the rookie free agent they signed appears to be a big-time long shot.
The Packers have agreed to terms with former Kentucky running back Arliss Beach, who never was a regular starter during his four years in college. The 6-foot, 200-pound Beach was the Wildcats’ backup to sophomore Rafael Little in 2005. He sat behind future NFL back Artose Pinner as a freshman and played sparingly because of various injuries as a sophomore and junior.
Beach probably wasn’t even on most NFL teams’ radar screens until he put together an impressive workout on his pro day in March. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and did 21 repetitions on the bench press (225 pounds). As a senior, Beach gained only 314 yards on 64 carries and scored six touchdowns. He also had eight receptions for 65 yards.
The Packers aren’t expected to have running backs Ahman Green (quadriceps tendon) and Najeh Davenport (broken ankle) for this weekend’s minicamp. Green’s injury was serious, especially for a player of his age (29), and Davenport has battled injury issues his entire career.
The Packers also agreed to terms with a pair of small-college tight ends, Zac Alcorn of Black Hills State and A.J. Cooper of North Dakota State. Alcorn (6-4, 260) caught 57 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns in 2005 for the NAIA school. Cooper (6-1, 239) caught 24 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns. He was an honorable mention Division I-AA all-American as a senior.
The Packers are expected to sign 12 undrafted rookies, but the team hasn’t released their list.
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