Swiss Cheezhead Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 FRIDAY, July 28, 2006, 10:39 p.m. Camp report, July 28 THUMBS UP Desperate for a dominant defensive lineman, the Packers have clung to the hope in the recent past that they could coax at least one last hurrah out of a string of broken down, out-of-gas veterans who more often than not brought little more than name recognition to the roster. Thus, from a prematurely descending and overweight Gilbert Brown to a dispassionate Joe Johnson to an indolent Cletidus Hunt to an aging and overweight Grady Jackson, the Packers have tolerated this parade of teases summer after summer. The Packers put up with them even though they all seemed bent on avoiding as much work as possible in training camp. A year ago, when new defensive line coaches Bob Sanders and Robert Nunn introduced a series of demanding drills at the start of most practices, Jackson and Hunt stood in shorts and observed without ever a hint that they were champing at the bit to join the action. On Friday night, the first night of training camp 2006, there were 14 defensive linemen on hand and every one participated in the up-tempo drills now being directed by Nunn and his new fellow defensive line coach, Carl Hairston. Not only did all 14 linemen participate, they all survived without their tongues hanging out. It only makes sense that if the Packers are going to make use of the drills that they have linemen who are able to handle them. Perhaps the best news of all was that defensive tackle Kenderick Allen reported at 321, four pounds under his prescribed weight and 20 less than he weighed at the first mini-camp. THUMBS DOWN Forty-million dollar cornerback Charles Woodson looked like just another rank-and-file player or at least someone who had skipped most all of the Packers' offensive workouts. Woodson said he was in tip-top shape, but Brett Favre repeatedly smoked him in seven-on-seven. Rookies Greg Jennings and Chris Francies caught hooks from Favre in front of Woodson. Free agent Ruvell Martin beat Woodson deep by a good step, but couldn't haul the pass in when their feet got tangled. Donald Driver climaxed the second 7-on-7 period by blowing past Woodson on a go pattern and catching a 75-yard touchdown pass from Favre. INJURY REPORT Wide receiver Leo Bookman and cornerback Patrick Dendy had to leave practice with injuries to their right ankles. Linebacker Nick Barnett had to be helped off the field at one point with a cramp. The eight players placed on the physically unable to perform list will be ineligible to practice until they are activated. Those players are wide receivers Robert Ferguson and Rod Gardner; running back Ahman Green; linebackers Brady Poppinga, Byron Santiago and Tim Goodwell; cornerback Will Blackmon; and safety Marquand Manuel. ODDS & ENDS The temperature at the start of practice was 95 degrees. ... Like his predecessor, Mike McCarthy is using local officials at the practices. ... The lights were turned on at 7:45 p.m., one hour and 15 minutes into the workout. Free-agent punter Jon Ryan drew applause throughout the night for some towering punts. In the first punting period, he averaged 64.3 yards on eight punts. In the second period, he averaged 58 yards on six punts. It should be noted that Ryan was punting with a wind to his back, lacked consistency with regard to hang time and sometimes appeared a shade slow getting the ball off. B.J. Sander averaged 58.8 yards in the first period and 49.4 yards in the second period. During the kicking session, Billy Cundiff made his extra point and field goals from the 24-, 29- and 34-yard lines. Dave Rayner missed from the 29 and didn't get a chance to kick from the 34. Samkon Gado ran with the No. 1 unit at tailback. ... With Marquand Manuel not ready to practice, Marviel Underwood lined up with the No. 1 defense at strong safety. ... Roy Manning took A.J. Hawk's place at weak-side linebacker. Free agent Josh Bourke, who looked better in the OTAs than draft pick Tony Moll, is continuing to practice at left tackle. Moll is at right tackle. ... With Adrian Klemm back from an off-season injury, William Whitticker is working with the second unit at right tackle. Safety Nick Collins stripped rookie wide receiver Cory Rodgers of a catch in a one-on-one pass coverage drill. ... Aaron Rodgers had a pass tipped at the line by Barnett. ... Cornerback Jerron Wishom was penalized for pass interference on a deep ball to Driver. ... Dendy intercepted a Rodgers' pass just prior to suffering his injury. It was the only pick of the day. ... Manning dropped an interception on a Favre pass. Free-agent receiver Calvin Russell showed flashes. He beat Dendy deep to catch a nice throw from Rodgers in 7-on-7. He also caught a deep ball from Favre and an out in a one-on-one drill vs. cornerbacks. Nothing too shocking yet, of course, but Woodson better learn the system QUICK or Packers nation will be very unhappy. One other note: reports out of the last minicamp had Noah Herron taking a lot of snaps with the #1 offense...at Samkon Gado's expense. However, on TC Day 1, even with Najeh Davenport cleared to participate, Gado was back with the starting unit. We will have to pay very strong attention to the RB situation every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Im at the point now that Im thinking Davenport, Gado, and Herron will all get plenty of reps in tc and in the regular season... java script:emoticon('', 'smid_5') Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Im at the point now that Im thinking Davenport, Gado, and Herron will all get plenty of reps in tc and in the regular season... java script:emoticon('', 'smid_5') Not me. After seeing what Gado could do last year, I think he gets the nod. If he fixes the fumble problem he had last year, I think that kid can be pretty good. He ran like he REALLY wanted to go somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Not me. After seeing what Gado could do last year, I think he gets the nod. If he fixes the fumble problem he had last year, I think that kid can be pretty good. He ran like he REALLY wanted to go somewhere. He is the only one that had "it" last season, inspiring the rest of the team. Until someone else shows the same life and spark I will agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 He is the only one that had "it" last season, inspiring the rest of the team. Until someone else shows the same life and spark I will agree. If he really does have it, why hasnt McCarthey bumped him above of spare Green? I havent read anything from MM about Gado that was positive. I've read that he takes too much time getting to the hole, and that he isnt comprehending the offense. Having "it" doesnt matter if you can't comprehend the offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.