Official Training Camp Thread

[MickeyDavis]

From Tyler Dunne (I think he's done a great job since he began covering the Pack). There won't be much/any Packers news for the next month, but here are a few things to discuss:

The pressure is on Sam Shields. After a rough 2011 season, the third-year cornerback will be pushed this summer. Veteran Jarrett Bush lined up ahead of Shields with the first-team defense at corner. No shocker, of course. But it is a sign that Shields -- after a season marred by missed tackles -- will need to be more aggressive this summer. In addition to Bush, 2011 fourth-round pick Davon House is a much more confident cover man and, oh yeah, the Packers drafted Casey Hayward in the second round of April's draft.

In 2011, defensive coordinator Dom Capers noted, Shields was in more run/pass situations. His lack of experience on defense was exposed. They'll be watching him closely at camp and this preseason.

"He had to play a lot more on first and second down and either/or run/pass situations, which involve your footwork, read run or pass, react," Capers said. "He was a little bit more of a specialist in 2010. We think that, going into his third year, with the work here in the off-season, hopefully it’s going to enable him to become more of a complete player where he can play on first, second or third down. He has made some progress there, but like all of these guys, you want to see him once we put the pads on in training camp because it becomes a different game."

Green Bay isn't flinching at quarterback... The Packers are prepared to head into training camp with Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman behind their MVP quarterback. Harrell added muscle. Coleman is a film nut. But this is all a risk for any team. Neither quarterback is proven. With such a talented, win-now offense, Ted Thompson easily could have signed a low-cost quarterback in free agency.

He did not. So this training camp, The No. 2 job will be Harrell's to lose. He appeared more comfortable outside the pocket at OTAs/minicamp and receivers say his ball does have more zip. The seventh-round pick Coleman called Green Bay's offense "very complex." He said he's trying to mimic Aaron Rodgers' footwork, pick up blitzes at a faster rate and continue to get the offense out of bad plays at the line.

"It takes time," Coleman said. "It’s fun. At this stage, we love to do this. This is what we signed up for. This is what we want to do. The biggest thing is, sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to be able to put it all in there. It’s coming, it’s coming. It’s one of those things that’s just a progression.”

...or running back. It's almost July and the team still has not given into Ryan Grant or any other free agent back. Time to panic? Maybe not. James Starks would be the top back. Alex Green's recovery from a torn ACL has been smooth and Brandon Saine endeared himself to coaches late last year. Life without Grant wasn't pretty most of 2010 but this is a much different backfield. It's a risk, but probably not as big as people think.

Rookies could play ASAP on defense. "Rookies," as in plural. Nick Perry (at OLB) and Jerel Worthy (in nickel) both saw first-team reps during OTAs and minicamp. They'll have every opportunity to improve Green Bay's last-ranked defense. The team was cautious with defensive end Mike Daniels (shoulder), who could be a factor with suspensions doled out to Anthony Hargrove (eight games) and Mike Neal (four games). Both safety Jerron McMillian and Hayward should have fair opportunities to compete in a secondary that allowed 71 pass plays of 20 yards or more. And undrafted Dezman Moses was the talk of minicamp at outside linebacker. Expect rookies to get plenty of first- and second-team reps at training camp.

Cornerback Charles Woodson assured "it's early," but he's encouraged with Green Bay's additions on defense so far.

"Just from looking at the film that I’ve seen, I’ve seen some good things," Woodson said. "I know the coaches have seen some good things. But you really never know until the season gets here and you start playing games. But I’m excited. I think we have some good young guys in here with good energy. Some high-motor guys that can hopefully help us get back to the quarterback and back to playing the aggressive style of football that we like to play.”

And it's a big summer for Jermichael Finley. In our recent sit-down, the Packers tight end expressed his desire to freestyle. As he said, one key to "freestyling" -- playing looser, with no worries -- is gaining more chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. He's thirsting for more practice reps with his quarterback and he'll get exactly that in training camp.

There is no shortage of opinions on Finley. But there's also no denying his talent. With a big camp, he expects big things in 2012. He wouldn't put himself in the class of Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham yet.

“Not really. Not really, man," Finley said. "I put a good season together last year — a full season — and came out with some ups and downs. If I could have caught the majority of the balls thrown to me, there’d be more of a comparison. I don’t right now. They had great seasons last year. I have a little bit more to prove than just being a ‘double-team threat’ and leaving other people open. I have to beat the double team now. I have to figure out a way to do what I can."

He added that Rodgers is "my guy."

"I’m here with him," he said. "What you see on the field and what goes on, that’s the chemistry part I’m talking about. ... "If I miss a ball, he says, ‘Hey big fella, I’m coming right back to you.’ I can’t do nothing but love him. That’s my guy, hands down. I’ll say that to anybody.”

[emunney]

I have to admit it's good to hear Finley speak with a hint of humility, not that it really matters.

[ReasonablySober]

Jolly is seeking immediate reinstatement.

[MickeyDavis]

Johnny Jolly is a free man, says he has been sober for eight months and is now looking for work.

Indefinitely suspended by the NFL, Jolly has applied for reinstatement and is hoping to prove he is a changed man, writes Brad Biggs of the National Football Post. Jolly hasn't played in the NFL since 2009. After multiple arrests for possession of the drug codeine led to Jolly eventually spending six months in jail. Last month, Jolly was released early from his six-month sentence after applying for "shock probation."

He is on probation for the next 10 years.

Now, the 29-year-old is aiming to resume his pro career.

“I know that the NFL doesn’t need me,” Jolly told Biggs. “I need it way more than it needs me. I really want to be a part of it and I am hoping to go back and show that I am a good reliable citizen that the league and others can depend on and trust.”

To stay clean, Jolly said he is taking "regular drug tests" and attending "extensive meetings," the article states. He adds that he is at 332 pounds and would like to lose about 10 pounds. Inmates were allowed to work out two times per day and three times when daylight savings time began, Jolly said.

Green Bay owns Jolly's rights if he is reinstated. Jolly hopes the Packers give him another chance and thinks they would.

“I think they would,” he said. “I am dedicated to really make a change in my life and come back and be a positive role model. I think I have a great shot at going back to those guys. They’re a great organization. The coaches are very good, the players are good. I know they have supported me 100 percent.

“I want to say that would be a dream come true, but I made it in the NFL before. So, I would say it would be like another dream. It would be a journey and going back to do the things I love and showing everybody you can make mistakes but it’s the way you correct the things you’ve done wrong. I want to make the Packers look good if they want to take me back or not."

Currently, the Packers have two suspended defensive ends on their roster in Anthony Hargrove (eight games) and Mike Neal (four games). Rookies Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels were brought in, but maybe the Packers at least explore this all if Jolly is reinstated. As a full-time starter all season in 2008 and 2009, Jolly had 61 tackles

[MickeyDavis]

Jolly was very good his last season. No way TT would sign someone like him if he had played for another team but since he was a Packer I see no reason he shouldn't get a shot. Nothing to lose.

[Balls2TheWalls]

If Jolly looks like a candidate to play, we should bring him in. We definitely have bust potential on the defensive line. Obviously Ryan Pickett, BJ Raji, Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels are locks to make the team. However, Lawrence Guy, CJ Wilson, Jarius Wynn, and eventually Mike Neal are all busts potentially. Give Jolly a look in camp, and see if he can still anchor the line like he did in his last season with us. He really has no bargaining position to get back a large contract coming out of prison.

[MickeyDavis]

Right. Likely a one year minimum deal and then get paid next year if he performs. Little risk/high reward.

[eagle13]

An in-shape Jolly is easily >>> Merling, Muir, Wilson, Wynn and probably >>> Hargrove & Guy

[RiotPunch]

I think Ted would most definitely bring in a changed Johnny Jolly. I would love it, too.

[Balls2TheWalls]

I think that a healthy Jolly is likely our 3rd or 4th best lineman on the roster depending on if Worthy pans out at the pro level like he did at the college level.

[th87]

What a great story it'd be if Jolly got his life back (and became successful) as a Packer.

[trwi7]

Johnny Jolly is a free man, says he has been sober for eight months and is now looking for work.

Tough to drink and do drugs when you're in prison.

[Bucksfans1and2]

I was trying to figure out how any of this has to do with the Vikings qb. i'm tired

[BUCKnation]

Im disappointed passing wasnt a point to ponder.

[RiotPunch]

I was trying to figure out how any of this has to do with the Vikings qb. i'm tired

Can't wait until Clay Matthews points to Ponder pre-snap, before ripping his head off?

[zmanishere11]

I'd love me some Johnny Jolly, but I think any expectations that he does anything this year are ridiculous.

Bring him into camp, give him a year on the practice squad, get him back into an NFL team atmosphere with guys who actually care about him, and see if he can make a difference next year.

His ability to get into the backfield is exactly what this team needs right now - I just can't imagine after 3 years of partying / jail the guy can step onto an NFL field and still do it right now.

On the plus side - dlinemen seem to be able to play deep into their 30's, so there's definately hope for JJ.

[Marley2Hendrix]

Green Bay Packers WR James Jones said he feels he often goes unnoticed on the team because of the depth they possess at the wide receiver position. 'At times - I ain't going to lie to you - it does get frustrating - for all of us,' Jones said. 'And I'm sure it gets frustrating for our quarterback (Aaron Rogers). He's got five, six good receivers to throw to, a tight end to throw to, so I'm sure it gets tough.'
Huddle Up: On one hand, Jones is right. His raw skills are very obvious at times. On the other hand, Jones tends to disappear and/or drop crucial passes when it's clutch-time. And who's to say Rogers doesn't make Jones look better to begin with? The task at hand for Jones in training camp is to hold off second-year WR Randall Cobb for the No. 3 spot. Otherwise Jones will continue to go "unnoticed."

We've been talking about the Driver/Gurley/Borel situation, but, given that it seems to be a very real possibility that james jones would be receiving the 4th most snaps at WR behind Jennings, Jordicai, and Cobbinance, I do worry if he will suffer from unhappy camper syndrome.

[Mags FTW]

Johnny Jolly is a free man, says he has been sober for eight months and is now looking for work.

Tough to drink and do drugs when you're in prison.

Not really.

[MickeyDavis]

Three weeks until camp opens. Tyler Dunne has 10 camp questions:

10. Brett FAVRE. Now that we have your attention, let's go...

9. Which undrafted rookie stands out? The early money's on outside linebacker Dezman Moses. The pass rusher from Tulane made noise without the pads on and has a chance to leapfrog veterans Erik Walden and Frank Zombo. The Packers aren't afraid to give UDFA's a shot. On offense, Marc Tyler landed in a good spot. After a tumultuous collegiate career -- never living up to his high school hype -- Tyler joins a green backfield.

8. Will A.J. Hawk be pushed? Most likely. His position is overcrowded with two more players bumping inside. Assistant coach Winston Moss doesn't believe Hawk had a down year in 2011 and reiterated his confident in him. Through each ebb and flow, the Packers have stuck with Hawk since taking him fifth overall in 2006. But as Moss noted, Hawk didn't make many big plays last season. D.J. Smith, and even Brad Jones, could put the heat on.

7. Does Sam Shields respond? Jarrett Bush was ahead of Shields at corner during minicamp. Shields must clean up his tackling woes to stay on the field. Problem is, training camp only allows for so much contact. Gameday will be vital for Shields. Maybe coaches don't leave Bush isolated on receivers but in year two, Davon House is playing with a lot more assertiveness. And Casey Hayward was a second-round pick.

6. How many wide receivers does Green Bay keep? Who knows. Just remember this -- Jermichael Finley lines up everywhere. As Pro Football Focus noted after last season, Finley was in a two-point stance 60% of the snaps last season and he lined up away from the offensive tackle 51% of the time. So even though Mike McCarthy employs so many multi-receiver sets, would he realistically keep six or seven wideouts? That could leave the offensive line or backfield short. For now, the early guess is five here.

5. Is the running game a concern? Could be. In July, it's far from code red. James Starks is healthy and will enter camp as the No. 1 back. Alex Green's recovery from a torn ACL is important and Brandon Saine could play a larger role. But as we've said, Green Bay doesn't need much of a running game. The 2011 Packers were much different than the Ryan Grant-less 2010 Packers. A repeat of last year would be sufficient. They'll face many a nickel defense again.

4. What happens at safety? Charles Woodson won't be making a full-fledged move to safety, but he will play some there this season. He'll remain a key slot cover man. Still, Charlie Peprah, M.D. Jennings or Jerron McMillian will need to emerge. Peprah's gusto after such a rocky season is admirable, but Jennings or McMillian could leapfrog him with a big camp.

3. Is Marshall Newhouse the answer at left tackle? In relief of Chad Clifton, he was good enough for the Packers to score the second-most points ever last season. That can't be underestimated. But Newhouse's baptism at left tackle was anything but smooth. He didn't fare well against Jason Pierre-Paul, Jared Allen, Tamba Hali -- the league's premier ends. On Pro Football Focus' grading scale, Newhouse ranked last overall amongst offensive tackles. The job is his to lose.

2. Should Green Bay be worried with Graham Harrell as the No. 2 QB? Possibly, but his progress seems tangible so far. Harrell underwent a clear physical transformation. In Tyler, Texas, he added 14 pounds of muscle in 18 weeks. His arm is much stronger. With trainer Bobby Stroupe -- the same person who trains Chicago White Sox pitcher Philip Humber -- Harrell emphasized shoulder training. His ball has a lot more velocity. He has steadily broken bad habits on the field. Now, Harrell must produce.


1. How fast can Nick Perry transition to OLB? Above all, the Packers must generate a better pass rush this season. Someone opposite Clay Matthews needs to step up, and the best bet is the first-rounder Perry. The move from defensive end to outside linebacker is something Perry has been asked about since the NFL Combine. Now, the Packers will see if he can make the switch.

[chuckleslove]

One month from yesterday for the first pre season game, can't wait.