Surprise: Harrell has back pain

[MickeyDavis]

Green Bay - Coach Mike McCarthy said defensive tackle Justin Harrell missed Tuesday's morning practice with back spasms that are related to his chronic back problems.

"He's just fighting through it and we're just treating it," McCarthy said. "So it's a little bit of a setback for him."

This is the third consecutive season Harrell has dealt with injuries since being taken 16th overall in 2007.

He did not participate in off-season workouts before his rookie season as he recovered from surgery to repair the bicep he tore in college. The Packers then brought him along slowly until he was finally active for a game on Oct. 7.

In '08, Harrell injured his back in off-season practices and underwent two surgeries. He was active for the first time on Nov. 2 but then missed the final three games with a hip injury that was related to his back problems.

Harrell thought his back issues were behind him this year after seeing an acupuncture specialist in the Green Bay area.

"On a personal note it's unfortunate," McCarthy said. "Justin's had a tough road dealing with his injuries but he's doing everything and more that we're asking of him. It's part of the game. It's something that as a coach you can't control."

Despite having 18-odd players out today -- some for rest -- McCarthy said after crunching the numbers, the amount of injuries the team has suffered so far is "in the middle of the road."

Clay Matthews was day to day but now may be a couple days depending on what Dr. Pat McKenzie tells McCarthy today.

Ted Thompson spoke after practice and, as is his custom, did not say much about the status of B.J. Raji's holdout and other issues.

On Raji: "(Negotiations are) ongoing. Frustrating for everybody, I'm sure. Certainly for us and I'm sure B.J. and his representatives. It's continual dialogue and it's ongoing."

On Harrell: "This game is about accountability and durability and all of that, and that has to factor in. Certainly we think a lot of Justin, we think he has a bright future as an NFL player. He has his share of bad-luck injuries and he's going to battle though something, and he has battled through. So we'll see, but at the end of the day you have to be able to line up and do your part. And he's giving it a go....I know it's easy to criticize him. It's not his fault. He's trying and trying to do the best he can and he's had some bad luck in that area."

On if the Packers are continuing to explore anything with Michael Vick: "No, we talked about going through the process that we always go through and that's what we have done. There's nothing new to report."

[El Duderino]

Back problems and interior line play in the NFL aren't a good match

I hope for the best with Harrell, but after reading earlier about just how severe his back problems were, i was skeptical that he'd be able to hold up.

[Ill-yasova]

Stun!

[MickeyDavis]

I find it funny that Thompson blames it all on "bad luck".

[trwi7]

See location.

[MikeIsGood]

Just amasing.

[Thunder Muscle]

I was cautiously optimistic with him this year. I just don't think its going to happen. It appears its something that won't ever be better and I think his career is definitely in jeopardy. Definitely disappointing and is gonna go down as one of Ted Thompson's worst draft picks, if not the worst. I've always been a Ted supporter, but his top draft picks have been 50/50. Rodgers is looking good, but Harrell has been a bust, Hawk hasn't been a stud, guys like Brohm has been disappointing, etc.

[MetroDrugUnit]

I think Harrell is just affraid to play pro football when it comes down to it. I played football for may years in my younger days and you see guys like this how are always down with a little injury. I didn't think that this would happen at this level.

[th87]

I think Harrell is just affraid to play pro football when it comes down to it. I played football for may years in my younger days and you see guys like this how are always down with a little injury. I didn't think that this would happen at this level.

Yes, that's it.

This is a guy who played with torn biceps in college until they made him stop. Tennessee gave him the number 92 for his incredible work ethic, determination, and production (for those not in the know, a certain Reggie White wore that number).

Packers coaches have said that he's gone above and beyond in order to get himself healthy again. His back injury was serious enough that it was possible that he might never play again. It got McCarthy's friend, Rock Gullickson fired - it's pretty evident that some weight room mishandling occurred.

This article shows how injured he really was: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/52391712.html

[th87]

I find it funny that Thompson blames it all on "bad luck".

Seriously - when we know the prime reason for this back injury is Gullickson's negligence.

His past injuries are due to bad luck - maybe his body wears down, and his muscles and bones don't absorb as much as the next guy. That would be bad luck.

But if the insinuation here is that he's lazy and doesn't care (as seems to be the general attitude), that would be off-base.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I find it funny that Thompson blames it all on "bad luck".

Seriously - when we know the prime reason for this back injury is Gullickson's negligence.

His past injuries are due to bad luck - maybe his body wears down, and his muscles and bones don't absorb as much as the next guy. That would be bad luck.

But if the insinuation here is that he's lazy and doesn't care (as seems to be the general attitude), that would be off-base.

Has this been stated here before? I have no idea what you are talking about.

[th87]

I can't remember if it was discussed directly, but strong indications are there.

There was an article where the weight room culture last year became more about lifting the most weight, rather than functional football conditioning. I think the article was about Redding being hired.

We know Harrell got injured for this very reason. A huge investment injured under Gullickson's watch. And Gullickson got fired shortly thereafter.

There is no problem with Harrell's work ethic. He put on some weight last offseason, but was here in March, VOLUNTARILY when he got hurt. How much weight could he have put on from late January to March anyway?

The press latched onto some off-hand quote and ran with it (much like Bogut's bling quote). Depicted him as being lazy, when the coaches all rave about his work ethic. The masses have wanted to make Harrell the scapegoat ever since he was drafted, and resulting from his injuries, the press was happy to oblige.

Check out the smarmy tone from the supposedly impartial Press Gazette:

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/art ... er-setback

[LeopoldStotch]

Harrell is done. A Jamal Reynolds style bust. Let's be honest, in the little he's played he's shown next to nothing anyway. He was a reach pick and a huge injury risk from the get go. Terrible, terrible pick by Thompson.

Looking back, he passed on Michael Griffin, Dwayne Bowe, Jon Beason, Greg Olson and Anthony Gonzalez. Not to mention we were less than 9 picks away from the likes of Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch and Darrelle Revis.

Let's hope they get Raji signed to help rectify this mistake, as bleak as that situation currently appears.

[th87]

Actually, at the end of 2007, he played pretty well. Racked up the tackles (for a lineman), and held up at the point of attack.

If he'd stayed healthy, he would've been an impact player. The quickness and athleticism for his size is phenomenal. And a reach according to whom? Denver (the next pick) seemed to want him as well. And Greg Jennings was also considered a reach according to the couch dwellers.

So TT took a risk on someone with injury issues. If it worked out, we would have had one of the best DLs in the league. It unfortunately appears that it may not (though I still have hope), but I don't blame TT for trying to hit a home run on a player who seemed at the time to be afflicted by a statistical oddity (being injured that much).

I hope the injury's not a big deal though.

[jakecronus8]

Harrell is done. A Jamal Reynolds style bust. Let's be honest, in the little he's played he's shown next to nothing anyway. He was a reach pick and a huge injury risk from the get go. Terrible, terrible pick by Thompson.

Looking back, he passed on Michael Griffin, Dwayne Bowe, Jon Beason, Greg Olson and Anthony Gonzalez. Not to mention we were less than 9 picks away from the likes of Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Marshawn Lynch and Darrelle Revis.

Let's hope they get Raji signed to help rectify this mistake, as bleak as that situation currently appears.

Throw Reggie Nelson in that mix too. I remember that draft being one of my worst sports experiences ever. I went to the 1250 draft party at Spirits, and when that pick came up the place was absolutely stunned. Everyone was kinda looking around not saying anything, as if to silently ask the other patrons, "did that JUST happen?" Doug and Mike were frantically searching through their scouting reports to find something on Harrell. I think Thompson was confident Lynch was gonna be on the board and panicked when he wasn't.

What I remember most was Washington picked 6, only had like 3 or 4 picks in the whole draft, and were supposedly desperately trying to move down and acquire more picks. Ah, what could've been. Also, Ted made a huge mistake in not doing the Brady Quinn trade. Cleveland offered their pick the following year and swapping of all their remaining picks in the draft, and apparently Ted never even called back with a counter offer. I wish I could remember what he said in the presser afterwards about not making a deal but it was something typically idiotic.

[LeopoldStotch]

Actually, at the end of 2007, he played pretty well. Racked up the tackles (for a lineman), and held up at the point of attack.

I'm not sure I'd classify 16 tackles in 7 games (0 sacks) as "racking up."

And a reach according to whom?

Well, pretty much everyone since no one knew who the guy even was. That's rarely the case with the 16th overall pick.

So TT took a risk on someone with injury issues. If it worked out, we would have had one of the best DLs in the league.

Seriously? That's quite an assumption.

[jakecronus8]

And a reach according to whom? Denver (the next pick) seemed to want him as well.

I've never bought this argument. If true, all it says to me is two GM's made the same mistake.

[Ayt]

Well, pretty much everyone since no one knew who the guy even was. That's rarely the case with the 16th overall pick.

You are right. No one had ever heard of Harrell before we picked him 16h.

And a reach according to whom? Denver (the next pick) seemed to want him as well.

I've never bought this argument. If true, all it says to me is two GM's made the same mistake.

I've never bought the argument that fans are in much of a position to be talking about reaches.

[th87]

Actually, at the end of 2007, he played pretty well. Racked up the tackles (for a lineman), and held up at the point of attack.

I'm not sure I'd classify 16 tackles in 7 games (0 sacks) as "racking up."

And a reach according to whom?

Well, pretty much everyone since no one knew who the guy even was. That's rarely the case with the 16th overall pick.

So TT took a risk on someone with injury issues. If it worked out, we would have had one of the best DLs in the league.

Seriously? That's quite an assumption.

1. DTs don't get sacks. I believe he led the line in tackles per snap down the stretch, and showed good burst and quickness.

2. He was touted as a top 10 pick before his biceps injury. And I'm sure these guys at the bar are more qualified in these decisions that bona fide football professionals.

3. He was considered an athletic freak with off the charts athleticism for someone his size, a hard worker, and football smart. The only red flag was his injury history. TT, a professional, thought it was worth the risk.

[rilamann]

The few times Harrell has been on the field and healthy he has indeed played pretty well. I don't watch much college ball and never saw Harrell play in college but the impression I got from him when healthy playing with the Pack is that he is a big run stuffing DT who is also very athletic,which is pretty much what they said about him coming out of college.

That's what makes Harrell so frustrating,if he could stay healthy and stay on the field he would be pretty damn solid and make our D-line pretty damn solid.

If Harrell could stay healthy and then you throw in Raji,Pickett,Jenkins our d-line in the 3-4 would be rock solid with depth.