The Packer Pundit

Spitz working his way back
Rookie guard Jason Spitz returned to practice on Wednesday but only on a limited basis. He has been out since the beginning of Week 2 with a severely bruised thigh suffered against the Bears on Sept. 10. Spitz is listed as questionable on the injury report, and McCarthy said he'll pick the best two of the three rookie guards to put in the starting lineup, with a final decision to be made Thursday or Friday. With Spitz out, the last two weeks the Packers have gone with Daryn Colledge at left guard and Tony Moll at right guard.

Spitz steps into Moll's spot
Jason Spitz returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a significant thigh bruise in the Green Bay Packers' season opener. Where he lined up, though, was just as notable as his presence. Spitz ran with the No. 1 offense at right guard, displacing fellow rookie Tony Moll, who was the starter at that position in first three games. And while coach Mike McCarthy stopped short of naming his starters for Monday night's game at Philadelphia, if Spitz's condition continues to improve there's a good chance the third-round pick out of Louisville will get the nod against the Eagles. "I'm not worried about that right now," said Spitz. "I'm just worried about getting back on the field, staying healthy and just playing some football." (Edit: See 'Team Analysis' story below for additional information)

Drama department
McCarthy was asked about the play of cornerback Al Harris and said, "Not as consistent as he would like. It just needs to be more consistent." Harris, who threatened a holdout this summer because he wants a new contract, was asked if that assessment was fair. "If he feels that I'm the problem, then getting me out of here may be the way they need to go," Harris said. "If that's what he thinks, then that's the way they need to go. I'm pretty sure there's somebody out there that would like me to play for them."

A first for Favre
For a quarterback who seemingly has accomplished everything, Brett Favre broke new ground these past two weeks. Throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns against both the Saints and Lions, Favre for the first time in his career put together consecutive 300-yard games in which he threw for three touchdowns and no more than one interception in each game. Favre has just one interception in the last two weeks, against New Orleans. The only two-game stretch in his career that comes close statistically to his 680 yards, six TDs, and one INT the past two weeks was in December of 1995 in games at New Orleans (308-4-0) and vs. Pittsburgh (301-2-0), in which he totaled 609 yards, six TDs, and no INTs.

Injury list Packers
Listed on the injury report as questionable were Spitz, tackle Junius Coston (knee) and cornerback Will Blackmon (foot). Coston took part in a full practice for the first time since suffering his injury three weeks ago. He tried practicing last week but was not yet ready. Running back Ahman Green (rib) and defensive end Aaron Kampman (head) were listed as probable. Only Green practiced. "It was just a precautionary measure, to make sure that everything's fine up there," said Kampman of being held out. "I'll be out there as soon as I can. It's nothing too major." Kampman said he suffered his injury early in the Lions game. "It was before the first half was over," he said. "I was able to continue to play and then afterward felt some of the effects of it."

Injury List Eagles
The Eagles didn't practice on Wednesday. Among the notables on their injury report were cornerbacks Roderick Hood (heel) and Lito Sheppard (ankle), who were listed as doubtful and safety Brian Dawkins (concussion), wide receiver Donte' Stallworth (hamstring) and running back Brian Westbrook (knee), who were listed as questionable.

Extra points
McCarthy said linebacker Tracy White, cut Tuesday when fullback Brandon Miree was promoted from the practice squad, became expendable because of the improved special-teams play of tight end Tory Humphrey and defensive end Jason Hunter. ... McCarthy said the Packers asked about Eagles wide receiver Donte Stallworth before New Orleans traded him to Philadelphia. "You always inquire about people you think positive of," said McCarthy, who was Stallworth's offensive coordinator his first three years with the Saints. ... Quarterback Brett Favre was named NFC offensive player of the week. Favre completed 25 of 36 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns (127.1 rating) at Detroit to earn his 10th such award, his first since 2004. ... The Packers brought in linebacker James Davis, linebacker Spencer Havner and wide receiver Burl Toler for workouts earlier this week.






Depth At DT Needed This Week
by Mike Spofford / Packers.com

"Corey Williams was our defensive player of the week this past week, so he had an excellent game, and he will start this week," Coach Mike McCarthy said. "With Cullen Jenkins and Colin Cole, and like I said Johnny Jolly is coming along, we feel like we have excellent depth there, and they will all play."

Head Coach Mike McCarthy said during training camp and again on Wednesday that the Packers have more depth at defensive tackle than at any other position on the roster. That depth is going to get a serious test this week. On the Packers' injury report for Monday night's game at Philadelphia, Kenderick Allen is out with a sprained foot and Ryan Pickett is doubtful with a sprained ankle, which he sustained in the Detroit game. Pickett fought through the injury during the game, but apparently the ankle swelled considerably afterwards. That leaves Cullen Jenkins, Corey Williams and Colin Cole to handle the workload, along with rookie Johnny Jolly, who may be active on game day for the first time this season. Pickett will be the toughest to replace if he's not able to play. McCarthy said he's been the most consistent interior defensive linemen against both the run and the pass thus far. But even with two of his top five defensive tackles likely out, McCarthy feels the Packers have quality players to pick up the slack. -- More




Gimpy Pickett
might miss tough test
By Pete Dougherty
greenbaypressgazette.com
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett's unassuming but effective play has made him General Manager Ted Thompson's best offseason free-agent signing for the Green Bay Packers. That makes Pickett's "doubtful" status for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles' top-ranked offense a concern for the Packers, who are 11-point underdogs. Pickett is doubtful (at least a 75 percent chance he won't play) because of an ankle injury sustained Sunday at Detroit. Pickett has put up decent numbers through three games — he's second among the defensive linemen with 13 tackles and has no sacks — but that doesn't tell the whole story. He has been worth the $5.5 million in bonuses and salaries the Packers paid to lure him from the St. Louis Rams this past offseason because of his ability to hold the point of attack, chase plays down the line of scrimmage and get some inside pressure on the passing pocket. -- More

(Edit: See more on Defensive Tackle Corey Williams in 'Feature Stories' articles below)




McCarthy guarded about plans for line
By Rob Demovsky / greenbaypressgazette.com
Jason Spitz practiced on Wednesday for the first time since he sustained a deep thigh bruise in the season opener against the Chicago Bears, but Packers coach Mike McCarthy gave no indication whether Spitz would return to the starting lineup. Spitz opened the season as the starting left guard, but there's no guarantee he will return to that spot. Though he did only individual drills on Wednesday, the work he got came at both guard positions. That was an indication the coaching staff hasn't decided whether to break up the starting offensive line from the last two weeks or, if they do play Spitz, whether to play him in place of left guard Daryn Colledge or right guard Tony Moll. "With tomorrow being the last padded practice of the week, we'll probably make a decision tomorrow or no later than Friday," McCarthy said after Wednesday's practice. "I really don't want to get into that right now." -- More




End of an era?
Young fullback Miree
might step in
for Henderson
as Green Bay's starter
By Tom Silverstein
journalsentinel.com
Still looking for the right combination in their running game, the Green Bay Packers quietly made a move that could signal a changing of the guard. On Wednesday, the Packers promoted practice squad fullback Brandon Miree to the 53-man roster and appear ready to get him on the field right away, possibly in the starting position William Henderson has held for the last 10 seasons. The transaction was minor on paper, but with the running game still off-kilter and the combination of Henderson and tight end David Martin shaky Sunday blocking against the Detroit Lions, Miree's promotion to the active roster could signify a change. The 6-foot, 236-pound Miree shared the fullback snaps with Henderson Wednesday and said it was his understanding he might be in the lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles Monday night if he shows enough this week. -- More




Changing of the fullback guard?
Miree could unseat veteran Henderson in starting lineup
By Rob Demovsky / greenbaypressgazette.com
The Green Bay Packers could have a new starting fullback on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. In what could be the beginning of the end for veteran William Henderson, the Packers promoted Brandon Miree from the practice squad on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Miree said the coaching staff told him he has a shot to be the starter. "I'm looking at possibly getting out there early and often, and possibly even starting," Miree said after Wednesday's practice. "It's a possibility, depending on how things go in practice this week. They told William and me to just get out there this week in practice, and whoever does better will start." Henderson, 35, seemingly has been on the verge of being replaced for several years, but has managed to keep his job. It appeared Vonta Leach was the heir apparent when he was signed in 2004, but he didn't fit the Packers' new zone-blocking scheme and was released after Week 1. -- More




Packers pay for secondary issues
By Tom Oates / madison.com
Coach Mike McCarthy didn't hesitate Wednesday when asked if defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, who received a four-year, $14 million free-agent contract from the Green Bay Packers, has been worth the money. "He's clearly been our most consistent inside player," McCarthy said. "And as far as the money, I'm happy he's here." One can't help but wonder how McCarthy feels about the other two big-ticket free agents the Packers brought in to improve last year's overrated defense. Cornerback Charles Woodson and safety Marquand Manuel were signed to solidify the secondary, but an inability to defend the pass has been the Packers' biggest flaw. Woodson (seven years, $39 million) and Manuel (five years, $10 million) have allowed more plays than they've made and holdovers Al Harris, Nick Collins and Ahmad Carroll have played worse than they did last year. -- More







Packers notebook
By Todd Korth / Packer Report
Somewhere Donovan McNabb must be licking his chops. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is leading the league’s top-ranked offense, and look who is up next: The Green Bay Packers and their not-ready-for-prime-time secondary. The two teams meet for the fourth straight season Monday night at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles (2-1) have won four straight against the Packers, including a playoff game after the 2003 season. McNabb, healthy this season after sustaining a sports hernia that caused him to miss the final seven games last year, is off to a hot start. The eighth-year pro has had a pair of 300-yard passing games thus far and has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 960 yards. That makes him the third-ranked quarterback in the NFL with a passer rating of 105.3 and best in the NFC ahead of Chicago’s Rex Grossman. -- More

McCarthy savors victory
First one brings relief to rookie head coach
By ROB REISCHEL
Special to Packer Plus

"It's great to get the first one and I'm looking forward to many more, but it's really a tribute to the players and coaches. I thought they had an excellent week of preparation and then to go out there and cash in on their performance . . . so I'm very happy for everybody involved." -- Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy didn't want to keep chasing Lindy Infante. He didn't want to make a run at Bart Starr or Lisle Blackbourn, either. That's why late Sunday afternoon, Green Bay's first-year coach was breathing an enormous sigh of relief. The Packers' 31-24 victory at Detroit contained far more drama and suspense than McCarthy or his team would have liked. But afterward, McCarthy wasn't arguing about his first victory as a head coach, one that gave Green Bay a 1-2 record heading to its game at Philadelphia Monday night.
-- More




Williams hits the daily double on defense
By Jason Wilde / madison.com

"Oh yeah, it means a whole lot more (than a game ball). Now I know the attitude to have going into this game." -- Corey Williams

Corey Williams is still waiting for his football, but he got something even better Wednesday: the starting nod. The Green Bay Packers' third-year defensive tackle was named the team's defensive player of the week for his two-sack, three-pressure performance in Sunday's victory at Detroit. To commemorate his accomplishment, he said he's supposed to get "a game ball, or whatever." Until then, the news he'll start Monday night's game at Philadelphia will have to do. Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement during his usual Wednesday news conference, and Williams learned of his starting assignment from reporters afterward. -- More




Ready to serve
as a middle man
Injuries at defensive tackle
open the door for Williams
By Tom Silverstein
journalsentinel.com
The Packers' two biggest defensive tackles - 6-2, 322-pound Ryan Pickett and 6-5, 328-pound Kenderick Allen - will probably both be rendered inactive. Pickett (ankle) was listed on the injury report as doubtful and Allen (foot) was listed as out. Under normal circumstances, the Packers would have plenty to worry about, but the performance of defensive tackle Corey Williams Sunday against the Detroit Lions has them breathing a little easier. Williams came off the bench and registered five tackles and two sacks of quarterback Jon Kitna, validating the coaches' opinion that he was ready for a breakout game. "Corey had his best game as a professional," defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn said. "He's been gradually getting better and better and he's continuing to get better. Not only did he make big plays, but when he wasn't making big plays he was playing solid. "A lot of times you see a guy that will have big stats and really didn't play that well. He played well. He played solid throughout." -- More




The 400 Club: Favre joins Marino's class
Legendary quarterback hits Jennings, history
By RICK BRAUN / Packer Plus writer

"What can I say? We needed a win a lot more than I needed 400 touchdown pass. That's icing on the cake." -- Brett Favre

On a dreary Sunday in Ford Field in what might otherwise have been a ho-hum matchup of 0-2 teams, Brett Favre added to his legend. Already a certain Hall of Famer and the holder of numerous passing records and one very amazing durability mark, Favre reached a milestone that only one other player has achieved. Favre joined a club of two when his 5-yard slant pass to rookie Greg Jennings turned into a 75-yard touchdown play, giving him 400 touchdown passes in a legendary career. For good measure, he added two more touchdown passes on a day where he would complete 25 of 36 throws for 340 yards and lead the Packers to a 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions.
-- More




Jennings makes most of Favre's short pass
Rookie grabs 400th TD toss
By RICK BRAUN
Packer Plus writer
When training camp opened for the Green Bay Packers, one of the leading questions was this: Other than Donald Driver, who would Brett Favre have to throw the ball to. Greg Jennings has emphatically answered that question. The rookie wide receiver returned home to Michigan on Sunday and nearly stole the show. As he's done throughout the pre-season and continued to do through the first three weeks of the regular season, Jennings has shown a penchant for turning small plays into huge ones. On Sunday he became the star of highlight reels by turning a simple 5-yard pass for a first down into a 75-yard scoring play that just happened to be Favre's 400th career touchdown pass. -- More







Hearing a cheer for Carroll over chorus of boos
By Brad Zimanek
greenbaypressgazette.com
Ahmad Carroll did something good Sunday. He made the play of the game in the Packers' first win of the season. Yeah, he could have been called for one of his many pass interference penalties, but he wasn't. And, because of his tight coverage on Corey Bradford, the ball popped out of Bradford's hands and into the arms of Marquand Manuel, who returned it for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead en route to a 31-24 victory.

Good for him. Usually in this profession, you don't "root" for players. Rules of objectivity discourage it. But human nature being what it is, you sometimes can't help it. I root for Carroll to succeed. The noise you just heard wasn't a tornado, but the air being sucked out of Wisconsin by gasping Packers followers questioning my intelligence and screaming: "You do what?!" -- More





You will note the lack of TO news because quite frankly...
I don't care

Alexander's foot is still broken, so he's still out
NFL extends Thurman's suspension
Green: Warner is the right guy
Everything going right for Saints ... so far
Manning pleads no contest to assault




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Arizona Cardinals
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