Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Packer Training Camp

I had the opportunity to attend a Packer practice last Thursday night for the first time since I was a wee little child (7-9 years old). Some observations:


Randall Cobb may be having a big training camp as a returner and route runner, but he had two drops and ran the wrong route on one occasion during passing drills. However, it is understandable since he is a young player and is still digesting a large NFL playbook.

Jermichael Finley reportedly has lost 10 pounds this offseason and he looks the part. He is a lean, athletic machine. If he is still big enough to hold blocks, he will be even more of a matchup nightmare in the passing game this season.

Whether or not he did or didn't, Josh Sitton also looks like he has lost considerable weight this offseason and will be looking to improve upon a Pro-Bowl caliber 2010 season.

With Chad Clifton nursing an injury, Marshall Newhouse earned reps at left tackle. Last year's 5th round pick made big improvements last season and has found himself in a key backup role. This year's first rounder Derek Sherrod lined up as the starting left guard, even though he has not played guard before and was drafted as a tackle of the future. One thing's for sure: you can never have enough solid lineman on your roster.

Matt Flynn impressed me with his accuracy in the passing drills (especially out patterns) and during quarterback agility drills. Looks the part of a starter in the coming seasons and is a free agent after this season.

Meanwhile, 3rd-string quarterback Graham Harrell was picked up as an undrafted free agent last season and looked impressive. Reporters raved about the strides he made during the season last year and Harrell showed his own agility skills during practice and decent accuracy, even though he threw too high to a receiver a few times.

Alex Green looks like a tough between the tackles runner with the ability to get to the outside. He has also been tried in the return game.

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