The Packer Pundit

Martin Will Back Up Henderson At FB
David Martin has successfully learned yet another position as an NFL player. A wide receiver at Tennessee six years ago, Martin made the switch to tight end immediately when the Packers drafted him in the sixth round in 2001. He's been a backup tight end ever since, and now he's added backup fullback to his duties as well. With the expected return of William Henderson from injury this week and the release of Vonta Leach, Martin will be the No. 2 option at fullback to go along with his tight end responsibilities.

Learning curve
New receiver Koren Robinson isn't going to predict how much he'll play Sunday or what impact he might have. For now he's simply focused on learning the offense, which is similar to the systems he played in at Seattle and Minnesota, but he said the terminology and some of the formations are different.

First NFL start?
Rookie offensive lineman Daryn Colledge will get his first NFL start on Sunday at left guard if fellow rookie and good friend Jason Spitz isn't able to play. Spitz sustained a thigh bruise in last Sunday's game and did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. McCarthy, who called the bruise "significant," said Spitz is hopeful he can be ready, but said he'll have to practice on Friday in order to play. Otherwise, the job goes to Colledge, a second-round draft pick as a left tackle out of Boise State. He began training camp as the starting left guard but was demoted after the preseason opener and has been working as the backup left guard and left tackle since.

History sinking in
New running back Vernand Morency said finding out Wednesday he had been traded to the Packers came out of the blue. But upon arriving in Green Bay, he had the jitters just waiting to hit the practice field. "It's just the whole atmosphere, the rich tradition," Morency said. "I walk in the building, and it's a different aura. Legends walked through this building, and I'm excited to go out there and contribute."

Recovery setback
Rookie cornerback Will Blackmon, who had returned to practice last week for the first time since breaking his foot in May, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and has experienced some complications with his injury. McCarthy said Blackmon is still day-to-day and did not specify when he might be able to play in a game.

Robinson works on kick returns
If Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy decides to suit him up for the active roster, wide receiver Koren Robinson will probably be back on special teams as a kickoff returner Sunday against New Orleans at Lambeau Field. Picked up by the Packers on Monday, Robinson worked out with the kickoff team Thursday. Special teams coordinator Mike Stock said there was a good chance Robinson would get kick-return opportunities against New Orleans.

A need filled
The Packers released fullback Vonta Leach on Tuesday to open a roster spot for Robinson. New Orleans, which had two injured fullbacks, picked up Leach on Thursday. It is possible that Leach will face the Packers on Sunday.

Down to Henderson
William Henderson is the only true fullback left on the Green Bay roster. Henderson, who has missed only three of 193 games as a pro, including playoffs, sat out against Chicago with a knee injury. He participated in the entire practice Thursday and is listed as questionable. His backups are the tight ends, David Martin and possibly even Tory Humphrey, Donald Lee or Bubba Franks. "They're all interchangeable. That's why we carry as many as we do," offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said.

Morency's first day
Running back Vernand Morency took his physical exam with the Packers on Thursday morning and practiced soon after with his new team. The 5-foot-10, 212-pound second-year running back was acquired by the Packers on Wednesday in a trade with Houston for Samkon Gado. As a result of the late Gado-for-Morency swap, the Packers could be down to just backup running back Noah Herron if anything happens to starter Ahman Green. General manager Ted Thompson said Wednesday that he didn't think that was putting the coaches in a bind.

So long Gado
Gado, meanwhile, tried to get used to his third team. He played for Kansas City on the practice squad before his big splash with the Packers last season. A backup while in Green Bay, Gado is suddenly fighting Ron Dayne and rookie Wali Lundy for a starting job. With his new team, he is reunited with former Packers center Mike Flanagan and former Packers coach Mike Sherman, who is the assistant head coach with the Texans.

Injury update
Tackle Junius Coston (knee) is out. Cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) and guard Jason Spitz (thigh) have a 50-50 chance to play against the Saints. Both missed their second consecutive practice Thursday. Robinson was added to the injury report with a knee problem and is listed as questionable.






Packers stay the course
Green Bay vows to stick to the run
By Lori Nickel / journalsentinel.com
Even with a team as young as Green Bay's, it was stunning when the Packers were shut out against Chicago on Sunday, coming no closer than 35 yards to the end zone and converting just one of 11 third downs. Although the 26-0 loss to the Bears was a near total disaster for the Packers on offense, it was not cause to throw out the playbook and start over. -- More






Morency Provides Change Of Pace
Good Fit For Offense
By Mike Spofford / Packers.com

"He's got a quick twitch, he runs hard. He's been described as a one-cut guy, he doesn't fool around much, and I think he catches the ball very well out of the backfield." -- Ted Thompson

In Vernand Morency, Packers General Manager Ted Thompson believes he's acquired a change-of-pace running back who will be a good fit for the offense's zone-blocking scheme. Morency became a Packer on Wednesday when Thompson traded running back Samkon Gado to the Houston Texans for him. One of the keys to running behind a zone scheme often mentioned by the Packers offensive coaches is to be decisive, to make one cut and go. Morency appears to be that type of back. -- More


The New Guy just 'excited'
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
Vernand Morency said all the things you'd expect The New Guy to say Thursday. The Green Bay Packers' newest running back said six times in a 150-minute interview that he was "excited." Four times, he said he just wants to contribute. "Wherever the coach wants me to be at, I'm there," said Morency, acquired in a trade with the Houston Texans Wednesday for Samkon Gado. "I'm just excited to contribute." But realistically, how much will he contribute Sunday against New Orleans? And how much will the team's other new acquisition, wide receiver/kick returner Koren Robinson, play? At this point, it looks as if Morency's contribution will be limited. He worked with the scout team in practice Thursday, and even offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski admitted it's hard to envision Morency being ready to do more than serve as an emergency third back behind starter Ahman Green and backup Noah Herron. -- More






Green will miss first game in five years
Portis doesn't practice, expects to play
Jags CB Williams enters 'no contest' plea
Roaf says he is finished playing football
Cadillac sits out practice with back spasms


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