The Packer Pundit

BOOKMAN,
LUCIER RELEASED
PACK SIGNS TWO OTHERS
Jacked From Packer Report / Linkage

The Green Bay Packers released wide receiver Leo Bookman and offensive lineman Wayne Lucier today. To take their roster spots, the Packers signed rookie free agent defensive backs Antonio Malone and Jeremy Modkins.

Malone (6-0, 188-pounds) was a three-year starter at cornerback for Toledo. He originally signed with the Detroit Lions in May. Along with his 38 tackles (20 solo) last season, Malone returned his lone 2005 interception 60 yards for a touchdown. The Packers have assigned him jersey No. 20.

A safety, Modkins (6-0, 197) earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior at Texas Christian, helping the Horned Frogs to a victory in the 2005 Houston Bowl over Iowa State. With Modkins contributing 67 tackles (44 solo) and three interceptions, TCU finished ninth in the final coaches poll and No. 11 in the Associated Press rankings. A three-year starter and four-year letterman at TCU, Modkins was a quarterback in high school. He originally signed with the Cleveland Browns but was released in June. Modkins is No. 42 on the Packers’ roster.

Bookman had been out of football the last three years while competing in track at the University of Kansas. He was signed as a free agent in April by the Packers. Bookman has excellent speed (4.2 40-yard dash in workouts), but he had trouble catching the football in practices. It didn't help that he sustained a sprained right ankle on the first day of training camp, causing him to miss a number of practices.

Lucier signed a free agent contract with the Packers in February. He was out of football last year, but spent his first two seasons in the league with the New York Giants. He sustained an ankle injury late last week and did not play in Green Bay's exhibition game Saturday against San Diego.

INJURY UPDATE
A number of players were held out of the morning practice for precautionary reasons. Safety Marquand Manuel (calf), tight end Bubba Franks (knee), running back Ahman Green (quad), linebacker Brady Poppinga (knee) did not practice, but are expected to practice tonight. Wide receiver Robert Ferguson (heel) also did not practice. He injured his heel Saturday in the preseason game against San Diego, then aggravated it in practice on Monday.

Others who are not expected to practice tonight include linebacker Kevin Schimmelmann (foot), cornerbacks Will Blackmon (foot / Duh! That and we just cut his ass! Speaking of cuts... I cut and pasted this right off the PR web site so I think they may be looking to hire a new editor and proof reader. I'm just saying), Mike Hawkins (knee) and Patrick Dendy (ankle), running back Samkon Gado (groin), defensive tackle Kenderick Allen (abdominal), safety Atari Bigby (hand), and cornerback Therrian Fontenot (hip).

Additional Bio's on Malone and Modkins Courtesy of Packers.com

Antonio Malone, a 6-0, 188-pound cornerback from Toledo, was a three-year starter and four-year letterman for the Rockets who originally signed with the Detroit Lions in May. Along with his 38 tackles (20 solo) last season, Malone returned his lone 2005 interception 60 yards for a touchdown. The Packers have assigned him jersey No. 20.

Jeremy Modkins, a 6-0, 197-pound safety out of Texas Christian, earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior, helping the Horned Frogs to a victory in the 2005 Houston Bowl over Iowa State. With Modkins contributing 67 tackles (44 solo) and three interceptions, TCU finished ninth in the final coaches poll and No. 11 in the Associated Press rankings. A three-year starter and four-year letterman at TCU, Modkins was a quarterback in high school. He originally signed with the Cleveland Browns but was released in June. Modkins is No. 42 on the Packers' roster.