Quips, Quotes & Comments as the Packers Prep for Family Night
By CHRIS HAVEL
The Packers’ plan to employ a running back-by-committee approach took a hit this week with starter Vernand Morency’s knee injury. Morency is expected to miss a month with a sore patellar tendon, leaving rookie Brandon Jackson to carry the load.
Jackson has shown flashes thus far in training camp, but if another running back is sidelined by injury for an extended period it raises the question: When the position group meets does it have enough able-bodied players to constitute a quorum?
General manager Ted Thompson put a positive spin on the situation by suggesting that it affords the team time to evaluate its other backs. That is true, but it also is true that the Packers’ backfield – minus Ahman Green and William Henderson – needs time together to build chemistry and cohesiveness.
Brett Favre told it like it is upon his return from a family funeral.
When asked to speculate on his playing time during the preseason, Favre sounded like a quarterback that doesn’t intend to spend time on a rocking chair.
In fact, Favre sounded like a player that aims to give everything he has in what quite probably is his final season. Coach Mike McCarthy has said that he may want to rest Favre’s 37-year-old legs. Favre’s quizzical expression stated the obvious: Why?
Favre isn’t getting any younger, and if this is indeed his last NFL season, he doesn’t see the logic in pacing himself. Whether he takes a day off here or there is almost immaterial in the grand scheme. He’s still in the shadows of his career either way.
Bottom line: Favre didn’t return for a 17th NFL season to watch. If what Thompson said is true, and the Packers intend to win now, it makes sense to get the starting quarterback ready to play for the season opener. The Packers’ first six games are critical if they foster any hopes of being in playoff contention come December. If that means Aaron Rodgers must continue to be patient so be it. Speaking of Rodgers, if his improvement in practice translates on game day the future at quarterback may be better than many think.
The Packers may have hit draft gold in the form of third-round pick James Jones.
The receiver from San Jose State has been deceptively quick in his route running, strong against jams and confident when catching the ball in traffic. As good as Greg Jennings was a year ago, Jones has shown the potential to be as good. ** The best competition in training camp thus far has been among the kickers. Veteran Dave Rayner and rookie Mason Crosby have extremely strong legs, but the incumbent has been the more accurate of the two. Unofficially, Rayner has missed just one field goal attempt through five days of camp, and that occurred when Jarrett Bush blocked the try. Crosby has exceptional talent, but Rayner is proving there’s a lot to be said for experience.
Barring injuries or unforeseeable developments, the Packers’ offensive line looks as good as billed.
Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz and Tony Moll are considerably bigger, stronger and more confident than a year ago. Whatever strength coach Rock Gullickson has been doing with them appears to be working.
I laugh when fans suggest Thompson has done nothing to help Favre and the offense in his drafts. The fact that he selected not one, not two, but three offensive linemen that can play is nothing short of amazing. A quarterback’s best friend is a powerful offensive line, and this crew has the potential to be just that.
And considering the slow start by the running back-by-committee group, the offensive line is going to have to dominate to move the chains.
Chris Havel is a freelance writer, best-selling author and host of northeast Wisconsin’s top-rated sports radio talk show, Sports Line, heard Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 107.5 FM and 1400 AM THE FAN. He writes a weekly column exclusively for Packers Fan Tours’ Website throughout the 2007 season.
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