The Packer Pundit: News and Notes 8/18/2006

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News and Notes 8/18/2006

Jacked from GB Press Gazette / By Dylan B. Tomlinson
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Thompson secretive on punting battle

All it took for Ted Thompson to become a little flustered was being asked if there was a leader to win the Packers' punting job. "I don't know … well, I guess I know," the Packers' general manager said with a laugh during his Thursday news conference. "I'm just not going to say. We're still in competition. The race isn't over until it's over." While Jon Ryan appears to have an early lead over incumbent B.J. Sander, neither player has stood out. Ryan had a net average of 41.0 yards on four punts while Sander averaged 33.7 yards on three punts during Saturday's preseason loss to San Diego.

Carpet coming

After safety Nick Collins injured his back on Family Night when his cleats slipped on the concrete that surrounds the field, Thompson vowed he would make sure carpet was placed around the field to better protect the players. Thompson said the carpet should be installed before Saturday night's game against Atlanta. "I forgot to check on that. It's supposed to be (Wednesday or today)," Thompson said. "I think that's the timetable. But rest assured, if I have to put it down myself, it'll be out there."

Favre might play first half
Quarterback Brett Favre may play "potentially two quarters" during Saturday's game against Atlanta, coach Mike McCarthy said, before Aaron Rodgers, Ingle Martin and Brian Wrobel finish the game.

Veterans off

McCarthy gave 12 veteran players the morning practice off: Favre, cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson, running backs Ahman Green and William Henderson, offensive linemen Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton, long snapper Rob Davis, defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, receiver Donald Driver and tight end Bubba Franks.

Ferguson, Gado ready to go
After Thursday night's practice, McCarthy said wide receiver Robert Ferguson and running back Samkon Gado were likely to play against Atlanta. Ferguson had missed practices this week due to a back injury, and Gado had missed time due to a groin injury. McCarthy said safety Marquand Manuel, who is coming back from a calf likely will not play.

Injury list

New: None.

Returned: Running backs Samkon Gado (groin) and A.J. Cooper (shoulder), defensive end Johnny Jolly (calf) and receiver Robert Ferguson (back).

Still out: Cornerbacks Ahmad Carroll (hamstring), Mike Hawkins (knee), Atari Bigby (hand), Will Blackmon (foot) (Edit: For crying out loud guys... they cut his ass... get with the program!) and Patrick Dendy (ankle), defensive end Dave Tollefson (rib), offensive lineman Will Whitticker (hamstring), defensive tackle Kenderick Allen (abdominal) and Kenny Peterson (ankle) linebackers Kurt Campbell (hamstring) and Kevin Schimmelmann (foot).

Sanders brings own style to defense
New coordinator isn't as 'wild' as his mentor, Jim Bates
By Rob Demovsky / GB Press Gazette. com

If there was anything memorable about last season for the Green Bay Packers, it's the image of defensive coordinator Jim Bates running around the field during training camp, chasing plays and high-fiving or chastising players after almost every rep. In his first — and only — season with the Packers, he was the most noticeable and dominant personality on the practice field. Though the rest of the 4-12 season largely was forgettable, Bates left a lasting mark — so much so that when General Manager Ted Thompson fired coach Mike Sherman, Bates was the overwhelming replacement choice among the players, especially those on the defensive side.

Bates didn't get the job, and shortly after Mike McCarthy took over, Bates was gone. Left behind to take his spot was his understudy, Bob Sanders. Sanders plans to run the same defensive scheme Bates did a year ago, when the Packers jumped from 25th in total defense in 2004 to seventh. What won't be known until at least several regular-season games is whether Sanders has Bates' deep understanding of the system and his uncanny ability to reach the players. After three weeks of training camp, one thing is clear: Sanders doesn't have the same on-the-field presence that Bates did. But who does?

"Both are fiery guys, but he's not like Bates," said linebacker Nick Barnett, who has played for four defensive coordinators in his four NFL seasons. "I think they're both great people and great coordinators, but they have different personalities. Do I think his personality is going to work as well as Bates'? Yes. I just think it's going to be a little different." MORE>>