Donald Driver update

[Randall]

Driver expected to return by opener

 

GM says receiver should be available to face Eagles

 

By BOB McGINN

bmcginn@journalsentinel.com

 

Posted: Aug. 24, 2007

 

Green Bay - A relieved Ted Thompson left the distinct impression Friday that wide receiver Donald Driver would be available in 15 days when the Green Bay Packers open the regular season against Philadelphia.

 

Driver, who did not meet with reporters, was wearing a boot to protect his sprained right foot. He was examined by team physician Patrick McKenzie, whose best guess is that Driver will play against the Eagles, according to the general manager.

 

"That's what we think will probably happen," Thompson said. "You never know, but we feel pretty good right now. We're lucky."

 

Driver had to be driven off in a motorized cart Thursday night after he was dragged down by safety Sammy Knight late in the second quarter in the Packers' 21-13 loss to Jacksonville. The injury occurred at the end of his 12-yard reception.

 

On Friday, Driver was feeling well enough to attend meetings with his fellow wide receivers. One of them, Chris Francies, didn't feel comfortable even approaching him.

 

"Nope, I didn't want to," Francies said. "He just looked too sad."

 

Thompson appeared to confirm the comments made after the game by coach Mike McCarthy that Driver didn't suffer a dreaded Lisfranc injury.

"I talked to Pat this morning, and he said everything looks good, and they were going to do some additional scans just to make certain," Thompson said. "But (Driver) was feeling better today in terms of pain. He's a remarkably tough player that was also blessed with remarkable genetics. Fortunately, we think we dodged something here."

 

Injury list: Thompson said running back Vernand Morency, who has been out since July 28 with a patellar strain, will sit out another week of practice.

 

Meanwhile, defensive end Mike Montgomery underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair medial collateral ligament damage in his right knee.

 

"It was in a lot better shape than what Pat thought it would be because of his (previous knee) injury," McCarthy said. "I'd say four to six weeks."

 

The only other injury suffered in the game was guard Jason Spitz's recurring calf problem. Spitz was at least partially responsible for three runs by Brandon Jackson totaling just 3 yards. He missed two blocks against defensive tackle Marcus Stroud and another against linebacker Mike Peterson.

 

"I'm OK with the running game," Thompson said. "That was a pretty good defense we were playing last night."

 

The Jaguars' defense, according to Peterson, "didn't even watch film of Green Bay. We are preparing for our opener."

 

Standing strong: Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, Thompson's selection with the 16th pick in the draft, was credited with one tackle and no pressures in five series of playing time.

 

"He played slow and looked sluggish," one scout said. "Poor reactions. He stalled out on the line of scrimmage rushing the passer. He got knocked back too far one time on the goal line. He really picks his spots."

 

Thompson said he wouldn't attempt to influence things if the coaches decided that Harrell was the fifth-best tackle and shouldn't be active against the Eagles.

 

"I guess it's happened before," Thompson said. "We'll see. We've got some pretty good defensive tackles.

 

"There's a lot of speculation on No. 1 picks and people saying what about this, what about this. I think he's going to be a fine player. I'm sure he'd probably like to have a little more success, but he's had his moments in preseason games. We're not disappointed in Justin."

 

In three games, Harrell has two solo tackles, three assisted tackles, one sack and one batted pass.

 

Pitched battle: Kicker Dave Rayner acknowledged that rookie Mason Crosby, a sixth-round draft choice, had done well.

 

"True, but have I done anything to lose my job?" Rayner said. "That's kind of how I look at it."

 

Rayner, the incumbent, said in no way did he feel like the underdog against the draft pick.

 

"I had a little spell where I didn't hit the ball well but we were kind of moving holders and snappers in and out," he said. "Now, I'm kicking better than I did last year at this time. I'm hitting the ball really, really well. Everything they've asked of me I've done. I have no idea what they're going to base their decision on."

 

In practice against a rush, Crosby has made 85 of 100 field-goal attempts whereas Rayner has made 81 of 100. In three games, each kicker is 3 for 3.

 

Both have kicked off eight times in games. Rayner has averaged 73.6 yards and 4.03 seconds of hang time compared with Crosby's marks of 70.8 and 4.12.

 

"I can't say enough about those guys," McCarthy said. "They're automatic. We've got a tough decision to make."

 

Neither Thompson nor McCarthy has ruled out the possibility of keeping both on the 53-man roster.

 

Journal Sentinel correspondent Rob Reischel contributed to this report.

[SteelerMurf]

On Friday, Driver was feeling well enough to attend meetings with his fellow wide receivers.

 

Geeze I hope he was OK to go sit in a meeting.

[The Holy Roller]

On Friday, Driver was feeling well enough to attend meetings with his fellow wide receivers.

 

Geeze I hope he was OK to go sit in a meeting.

 

At least he didn't try to take a nap in his car.