Notes from first day of mini camp

[MickeyDavis]

From the guys at the Green Bay Press Gazette. Good to see Ferguson hasn't changed.
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-- Bubba Franks rotated in with the first-team offense during later 11-on-11 portions of practice today. Donald Lee, however, got the first rep in each series.

-- With Justin Harrell (arm) sitting out, Corey Williams got the lion's share of action alongside Ryan Pickett with the first-team defense. Colin Cole also rotated in. The absence of Aaron Kampman (knee) gave Michael Montgomery extended action at left end.

-- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (broken foot) sat out all team drills, but he looked confident throwing the football -- and moving in the pocket -- during other portions of practice. The most memorable throw was a spiraling strike to Carlyle Holiday that traveled 55 yards in the air. Rodgers rolled to his left on the play and did not appear to have any hesitation or difficulty setting his feet.

-- Not as impressive: third-string quarterback Ingle Martin, who could not have looked more uncomfortable running the starting offense while Rodgers and Brett Favre sat out the 11-on-11 periods. At various points, Martin hit Donald Driver in the back with a pass; was intercepted by Nick Collins on a pass off James Jones' fingertips; hummed another pick directly into the chest of Brady Poppinga, who returned it into the end zone; airmailed P.J. Pope on a simple route out of the backfield; and rolled directly into a blitzing Nick Barnett.

-- Favre threw an interception of his own during a 7-on-7 passing drill, underthrowing Donald Driver badly enough that Charles Woodson camped under the ball for a second or so before grabbing it.

-- Fullback Corey White could be the undrafted rookie to watch. After two catches, the UAB alumnus showed an impressive burst for a guy who stands 6-foot-1 and 239 pounds. And with only Brandon Miree seemingly certain to be in the rotation, White might carve out a niche in the coming months.

-- Perhaps in an attack on his "fake tough" image, tight end Clark Harris has shaved his head and face. The seventh-round draft pick also did some long snapping during a brief special teams period.

-- Allen Barbre is an offensive lineman, but that didn't stop Favre from razzing the rookie after drawing him offsides during an offensive drill. Barbre saw the majority of his action at left guard, the same spot the college tackle played for much of the rookie minicamp.

-- The No. 30 jersey looks strange when it's inhabited by Arliss Beach.

-- Robert Ferguson (foot) switched jerseys, from No. 89 to No. 87, but was in a familiar place: watching much of practice by himself from an end zone.

-- Jason Spitz grimaced as he tried to run after tweaking his back early in practice. It seems unlikely the coaching staff will let him do anything else this weekend if he feels any discomfort Saturday morning.

-- P.J. Pope fumbled in a crowd during one of the 11-on-11 periods.

-- Patrick Dendy got his first interception of camp on a bad-idea floater from recent pickup Paul Thompson.

-- Five players caught balls during a punt drill: Woodson, Will Blackmon, Shaun Bodiford, Greg Jennings and Jones.

-- The accidental hit of the day came courest of safeties Marquand Manuel and Nick Collins, who sandwiched tight end Zac Alcorn on a seam route.

-- Quarterback Jerry Babb drew cheers from his teammates by juking end Jason Hunter out of his shoes after scrambling toward the right sideline.

-- Running back Brandon Jackson wasn't the only rookie draft pick missing from practice. Linebacker Desmond Bishop was absent because California is on the quarter system. McCarthy said Bishop should practice Saturday.

[Ayt]

I'd love it if Lee could take over a lot of the TE duties from Franks. He showed a lot of potential as a receiver his first year here.

Its also nice they mentioned "weak arm" AR tossing a 55 yard strike. I still don't know how people think he has no arm considering some of the throws he's made in the preseason. 20 yard strikes on curls or outs along the sidelines aren't easy passes, folks. Look for those once the games start to see what I'm talking about.

[eagle13]

Great info MD thanx!

Its VERY early but my reaction to MD's rport -

Barbre at LG suggests Bourke is fully recovered from injury and playing well at OT. IF true that's super. Jason is BIG. Absent injuries expect backup OL to be Moll (RT-RG) Bourke (LT-RT) Barbre(LG-LT) and one guy who can play G and/or center - maybe one of rookie FAs - Bier or Murray or holdovers - Jones or Palmer - (Spitz can be reserve C if one isn't kept).

AT TE Lee is fastest guy we have but he dropped alot of passes last year.

At FB as good as Mirree looked last year he also got hurt so we need a solid backup. Its hopeful that White stands out at FB. Converted LB 6th pick Hall needs time to adjust.

[SugarRay34]

I didnt know we brought Paul Thompson in. Hes the QB from Oklahoma right. I liked watching him last year.

[MickeyDavis]

I'd love it if Lee could take over a lot of the TE duties from Franks. He showed a lot of potential as a receiver his first year here.

Its also nice they mentioned "weak arm" AR tossing a 55 yard strike. I still don't know how people think he has no arm considering some of the throws he's made in the preseason. 20 yard strikes on curls or outs along the sidelines aren't easy passes, folks. Look for those once the games start to see what I'm talking about.

Throwing well in drills and in a real NFL game is a huge difference. I'm not saying AR will suck, that remains to be seen. But there have been hundreds of QB's who look good in a mini camp/pre season and couldn't do squat when it was for real.

[Ayt]

-= original quote snipped =-



Throwing well in drills and in a real NFL game is a huge difference. I'm not saying AR will suck, that remains to be seen. But there have been hundreds of QB's who look good in a mini camp/pre season and couldn't do squat when it was for real.

That isn't the point. I was only talking about arm strength, which is obviously there. I was pointing out that I think its funny that people think he has a weak arm.

[ReasonablySober]

Especially when his arm was considered the strongest in his class.

[Neusch23]

No doubt, he has a good arm.....my issue with him is can he make the throw he needs when he is pressured.

Can he find the open man? Can he make a good decision? It is one thing to do it in a mini camp, or training camp, it is another to do it in the 4th quarter of a close game, while coming from behind.

[Ill-yasova]

Especially when his arm was considered the strongest in his class.

What class? Him and Alex Smith. What a joke. Would have been a third to fourth rounder last year, and a late second this year.

[trwi7]

-- Robert Ferguson (foot) switched jerseys, from No. 89 to No. 87, but was in a familiar place: watching much of practice by himself from an end zone.

So is there any reason for the number change? Trying to become Robert Brooks or something?

[Neusch23]

-= original quote snipped =-



So is there any reason for the number change? Trying to become Robert Brooks or something?

I believe he has wanted this number for some time, but didn't David Martin have it?