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Watching and waiting
Harrell yet to be activated
By GREG A. BEDARD
gbedard@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 26, 2007
Green Bay - In most NFL cities, every movement of the team's first-round pick is discussed and scrutinized.
Despite his status as a first-round pick, defensive tackle Justin Harrell has not played a regular-season snap for the Packers.
But with the Green Bay Packers off to a 3-0 start, the fact that defensive tackle Justin Harrell has yet to suit up for a game has barely been noticed.
That is, by everyone but Harrell.
"It's very disappointing," said Harrell, the 16th overall pick out of the University of Tennessee. "I feel like a freshman in college."
The last time Harrell watched this much football without being injured was when he redshirted with the Volunteers in 2002.
If Harrell needs to commiserate with other first-round picks about failing to make an immediate impact, he could call a couple of his former college teammates. Wide receiver Robert Meachem, the 27th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints, has been inactive for the first three games this season as well. And safety Jason Allen, taken in the same 16th spot by the Miami Dolphins in 2006, has never started a game.
Those Volunteers are hardly the only first-round selections to sit as rookies. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter was inactive for three of his first five games after being picked 18th last year. And Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson suited up once in his first eight games in 2003.
Harrell may be disappointed, but he insists he isn't frustrated. He understands that the Packers have four players in Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, Corey Williams and Colin Cole who would be hard for any rookie to supplant.
"It's one of the things about the NFL," Harrell said. "I'm a rookie and I just have to think of positive things and just keep working. I just have to keep getting ready for my shot."
When the Packers drafted Harrell, he was still recovering from the ruptured biceps tendon that ended his senior season at Tennessee after just three games. The injury precluded Harrell from participating in off-season workouts, but he didn't help himself by showing up to training camp out of shape. And when he did get into the first three exhibition games, Harrell had to ask out because his conditioning wasn't where it needed to be.
Just before the final game, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn pulled Harrell aside.
"He told me he was disappointed in me and that I needed to show more," Harrell said at the time.
While Nunn said Harrell misunderstood the message, it worked nonetheless. Harrell had four tackles (three solo) - the most by a Packers tackle - against the Titans and returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
"I talked to him about being patient," Nunn said. "I told him that we have to keep moving because expectations are there and rightfully so. I challenged him to respond and he's done that.
"He's done everything I've asked him to do, truly."
One of the players Harrell has relied on during this time is Williams, who was inactive for eight games his first two seasons with the Packers.
"I think he's been doing a great job of handling it," Williams said. "He hasn't been the kind to be pouting. He's just been keeping a positive attitude. It's frustrating, you get mad at times, but you just have to know when they call your name, you have to be ready. He's got his head right. He's going to be prepared for when they call his name."
Coach Mike McCarthy expects Harrell's time to come soon.
"I think it's just a matter of time for him to get his opportunity," McCarthy said. "I'd be very comfortable if he was in there."
Harrell yet to be activated
By GREG A. BEDARD
gbedard@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 26, 2007
Green Bay - In most NFL cities, every movement of the team's first-round pick is discussed and scrutinized.
Despite his status as a first-round pick, defensive tackle Justin Harrell has not played a regular-season snap for the Packers.
But with the Green Bay Packers off to a 3-0 start, the fact that defensive tackle Justin Harrell has yet to suit up for a game has barely been noticed.
That is, by everyone but Harrell.
"It's very disappointing," said Harrell, the 16th overall pick out of the University of Tennessee. "I feel like a freshman in college."
The last time Harrell watched this much football without being injured was when he redshirted with the Volunteers in 2002.
If Harrell needs to commiserate with other first-round picks about failing to make an immediate impact, he could call a couple of his former college teammates. Wide receiver Robert Meachem, the 27th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints, has been inactive for the first three games this season as well. And safety Jason Allen, taken in the same 16th spot by the Miami Dolphins in 2006, has never started a game.
Those Volunteers are hardly the only first-round selections to sit as rookies. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter was inactive for three of his first five games after being picked 18th last year. And Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson suited up once in his first eight games in 2003.
Harrell may be disappointed, but he insists he isn't frustrated. He understands that the Packers have four players in Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, Corey Williams and Colin Cole who would be hard for any rookie to supplant.
"It's one of the things about the NFL," Harrell said. "I'm a rookie and I just have to think of positive things and just keep working. I just have to keep getting ready for my shot."
When the Packers drafted Harrell, he was still recovering from the ruptured biceps tendon that ended his senior season at Tennessee after just three games. The injury precluded Harrell from participating in off-season workouts, but he didn't help himself by showing up to training camp out of shape. And when he did get into the first three exhibition games, Harrell had to ask out because his conditioning wasn't where it needed to be.
Just before the final game, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn pulled Harrell aside.
"He told me he was disappointed in me and that I needed to show more," Harrell said at the time.
While Nunn said Harrell misunderstood the message, it worked nonetheless. Harrell had four tackles (three solo) - the most by a Packers tackle - against the Titans and returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
"I talked to him about being patient," Nunn said. "I told him that we have to keep moving because expectations are there and rightfully so. I challenged him to respond and he's done that.
"He's done everything I've asked him to do, truly."
One of the players Harrell has relied on during this time is Williams, who was inactive for eight games his first two seasons with the Packers.
"I think he's been doing a great job of handling it," Williams said. "He hasn't been the kind to be pouting. He's just been keeping a positive attitude. It's frustrating, you get mad at times, but you just have to know when they call your name, you have to be ready. He's got his head right. He's going to be prepared for when they call his name."
Coach Mike McCarthy expects Harrell's time to come soon.
"I think it's just a matter of time for him to get his opportunity," McCarthy said. "I'd be very comfortable if he was in there."
Even Rodgers is looking like the future starter he should be. And lets not forget losing a 2nd and 4th rounder to injuries 
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