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Packers camp update 7/31


PaulOttCarruth
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

 

RB Jackson struggles again

For the third straight day, rookie running back Brandon Jackson struggled to pick up blitzing linebackers during the team drill. Jackson missed a block on Nick Barnett who would have sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

 

TE Bubba Franks drew the biggest cheer of the night with a deep catch over the middle and he showed some agility to avoid converging defensive backs.

 

Greg Jennings also drew cheers when he caught a deep crossing route from Rodgers. More cheers came when running back Jackson burst through a huge hole in the middle of the line.

 

In a one-on-one receiver vs. defensive back drill, Jennings had a nice catch in the end zone over Al Harris. Jennings then later beat Harris on a crossing route over the middle. Donald Driver, who was the sidelines for the first two days of camp, caught a pair of passes over cornerback Charles Woodson.

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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

 

RB Jackson struggles again

For the third straight day, rookie running back Brandon Jackson struggled to pick up blitzing linebackers during the team drill. Jackson missed a block on Nick Barnett who would have sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

TE Bubba Franks drew the biggest cheer of the night with a deep catch over the middle and he showed some agility to avoid converging defensive backs.

 

Greg Jennings also drew cheers when he caught a deep crossing route from Rodgers. More cheers came when running back Jackson burst through a huge hole in the middle of the line.

 

In a one-on-one receiver vs. defensive back drill, Jennings had a nice catch in the end zone over Al Harris. Jennings then later beat Harris on a crossing route over the middle. Donald Driver, who was the sidelines for the first two days of camp, caught a pair of passes over cornerback Charles Woodson.

 

Oh, Morency's knee injury could not have happened at a worse time...

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Oh, Morency's knee injury could not have happened at a worse time...

 

Actually, it happened at almost a perfect time. It gets Jackson some extra reps - which he obviously needs, like most rookies. It also doesn't affect Morency's regular season availability.

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A bit more on the Packers running back situation . . . this from USA Today. Don't want to give the wrong impression about Jackson. It hasn't been all bad.

 

...Morency's injury will give McCarthy a chance to take a closer look at the Packers' other options.

 

That includes rookie Brandon Jackson, the team's second-round pick out of Nebraska. The Packers' running game has looked sluggish in the first few days of camp, but Jackson already is showing his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

 

"I think he's doing well," McCarthy said. "He's getting a lot of reps, which is only going to help him. He's a gifted young man physically. He has the power and the quickness. ... He's feeling his way on some things and he's only going to get better."

 

Jackson said his first few days in an NFL camp have been a "little rocky," but says he is feeling more comfortable every day.

 

"It's a better opportunity for me because he's down right now," Jackson said. "But I've just got to take advantage of my opportunities that I have."

 

While Jackson is bound to draw attention as a high draft pick, McCarthy has been impressed with returning veteran Noah Herron.

 

"Noah has been very solid," McCarthy said. "I think he looks great compared to where he was at last year, too. So I think Noah Herron is a guy we don't talk a whole lot about that's having a very good camp."

 

Herron said he has an advantage because he's familiar with the system, but he expects all the running backs to get a closer look before Morency returns.

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Adrian Peterson is having the same trouble at the Vikings camp. He has missed some pretty important blocks and he has fumbled a couple of times too.

 

I think that this can totally be expected at this early point in Training Camp for just about every rookie RB in the league. Of course everyone wants to see them step right in and be flawless, but its a big adjustment they are all making.

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  • 2 weeks later...

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel yesterday - it ain't goin' so hot:

 

THUMBS DOWN

 

Whatever you do, Mike McCarthy, don't let Brett Favre watch tape of blitz pickup Monday. Favre might not want to get under center again if Brandon Jackson is supposed to be protecting him. For only the third time this camp, the running backs squared off with the linebackers in the full-contact blitz drill. It was an absolute nightmare for Jackson, the Nebraska rookie. By subjective judgment, Jackson lost all eight of his matchups: three against free agent Rory Johnson, two against Tracy White and one each against Abdul Hodge, Tim Goodwell and Desmond Bishop. In the first two sessions, Jackson had a 2-4 mark but at least made some solid contact. This time, he kept lunging and he kept missing as his quarry raced past on one side or the other. Position coach Edgar Bennett stayed by Jackson's side, reminding him to stay with his technique. Then Jackson would blow another one and look skyward as if he couldn't believe this was happening. But it was, and the Packers have a major problem. They need Jackson to be like a bug on a bus, not roadkill. They need him to face people up, not duck and lunge. No question, it is a brutally difficult exercise for the backs. But this type of spectacle could ruin an offense come September. "There's no excuse for that," Jackson said. "I will get better." If he doesn't, he can't play.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=646223

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From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel yesterday - it ain't goin' so hot:

 

THUMBS DOWN

 

Whatever you do, Mike McCarthy, don't let Brett Favre watch tape of blitz pickup Monday. Favre might not want to get under center again if Brandon Jackson is supposed to be protecting him. For only the third time this camp, the running backs squared off with the linebackers in the full-contact blitz drill. It was an absolute nightmare for Jackson, the Nebraska rookie. By subjective judgment, Jackson lost all eight of his matchups: three against free agent Rory Johnson, two against Tracy White and one each against Abdul Hodge, Tim Goodwell and Desmond Bishop. In the first two sessions, Jackson had a 2-4 mark but at least made some solid contact. This time, he kept lunging and he kept missing as his quarry raced past on one side or the other. Position coach Edgar Bennett stayed by Jackson's side, reminding him to stay with his technique. Then Jackson would blow another one and look skyward as if he couldn't believe this was happening. But it was, and the Packers have a major problem. They need Jackson to be like a bug on a bus, not roadkill. They need him to face people up, not duck and lunge. No question, it is a brutally difficult exercise for the backs. But this type of spectacle could ruin an offense come September. "There's no excuse for that," Jackson said. "I will get better." If he doesn't, he can't play.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=646223

 

Yikes. When is Morency scheduled to be back & up to speed?

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Couple of weeks for sure...despite what I read above, I'd be shocked if Jackson wasn't the opening day starter, simply because Morency won't be healthy.

 

And frankly, I don't think he's all that big an upgrade on Jackson as a starter, so he may not start even when he's healthy. Especially if Jackson can get a small clue as a blocker.

 

Just likely to be a little rough early on I think.

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And frankly, I don't think he's all that big an upgrade on Jackson as a starter, so he may not start even when he's healthy. Especially if Jackson can get a small clue as a blocker.

 

Just likely to be a little rough early on I think.

 

it's not just that he can't block....

 

it's the fact that he appears completely horrible at it and isn't making progress..

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And frankly, I don't think he's all that big an upgrade on Jackson as a starter, so he may not start even when he's healthy. Especially if Jackson can get a small clue as a blocker.

 

Just likely to be a little rough early on I think.

 

He's been decent blocking, which sounds like a huge upgrade over the trainwreck that is Jackson right now.

 

This RBBC has cluster written all over it for fantasy.

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They'll just have to hand him the ball every time he's in the game, that's all. :D

 

how is he at catching?...I mean he could just only catch and have a FB in there to block when he plays...

 

he obviously has no chance at being able to handle blocking in the regular season unless his performance changes drastically..

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how is he at catching?...I mean he could just only catch and have a FB in there to block when he plays...

 

he obviously has no chance at being able to handle blocking in the regular season unless his performance changes drastically..

 

Catching has been okay, nothing to write home about in camp. He dropped an easy six yarder in the PIT game because he started to turn without the ball.

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That, or we can enjoy the max-protects for another season... :wacko:

Well, that's about all Franks seems to be good for anymore, so why not?

 

Oh wait...he had some amaziing catch in camp yesterday! :D

 

Bubba used to be so money. Argh.

 

Tangent, sorry: uh...Jackson...yeah...he'll come around.

 

He appears to be reasonable at catching the ball. He also seems to get 1 passing rep almost every 11 on 11 drill. :D

 

Edit: Where he throws a pass I mean.

Edited by Sturphy
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Catching has been okay, nothing to write home about in camp. He dropped an easy six yarder in the PIT game because he started to turn without the ball.

 

hmm..I was kinda hoping he could at least be a good receiving back.....

 

his fantasy production could be adequate if he could catch and they slid in a FB to help block..

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hmm..I was kinda hoping he could at least be a good receiving back.....

 

his fantasy production could be adequate if he could catch and they slid in a FB to help block..

 

I can't imagine he'll have more than 900 total yards and 6 TDs.

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Brandon Jackson just went for $33 in a $500 auction (20 man rosters; 12 team league). I kept Morency from the previous season for $17.

 

My opinion: Jackson gets a load of reps the next two weeks and shows he can run but not block very well. Morency comes back in a week or two (in time for the last one or two preseason games). If he looks good running and pass blocking, then Ted Thompson stands pat. If it looks bad, look to see GB try to get an unsigned vet to come in to help out (maybe Corey Dillon or even Stephen Davis) ... possibly even try to trade for an experienced vet on the cheap (Priest Holmes after LJ signs?). Not sure any of those vets will want to go to a team that will be a middle-of-the-road type team or not, though... So, the best bet is that BJ is suddenly able to do something at a very high level that he has shown absolutely no ability at whatsoever ... or Morency comes back feeling and looking good.

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I hate to say it, but Fatman has probably nailed it.

 

Oh and add 3 or 4 passing TD's. :D

 

see...those numbers over 16 games are ehhhh...

 

but if he has a strong couple of games coming in reserve for when Morency gets hurt....then that is different...

 

but 900 yds over the course of the entire season is just ehhh....

 

I wanted to draft him and hope he pans out....along with Marshawn Lynch....but I am not sold on either of these 2 right now at all when it comes to drafting at all......

 

unless they slide down to a reasonable draft spot..

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I wanted to draft him and hope he pans out....along with Marshawn Lynch....but I am not sold on either of these 2 right now at all when it comes to drafting at all......

 

unless they slide down to a reasonable draft spot..

That's where I'm at with both of those guys. And I'm a homer.

 

Do I have to turn in my homer badge now? :D

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