The Packer Pundit

Packers plan 2 weekend minicamps in May
The Green Bay Packers have started setting up their offseason schedule, with a pair of three-day minicamps scheduled for May. The first minicamp, for rookies and first-year players only, will be May 4-6 at the Don Hutson Center. That's the weekend after the NFL draft. The second minicamp, which all players must attend, will be May 18-20. No dates have been set for the organized team activity period, formerly known as the early June minicamp, or for training camp in July and August. The Packers' offseason workout program and quarterback school begin March 19.



Raiders grab Tollefson from practice squad
Defensive end Dave Tollefson, whom the Green Bay Packers selected in the seventh round of last year's NFL draft, has been signed by the Oakland Raiders, according to the NFL Players Association. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Tollefson, 25, spent the first half of last season on the Packers' practice squad. In early November, he went on the practice squad/injured list with a back injury that had lingered since training camp, ending his season. He is only the second of General Manager Ted Thompson's 12 draft choices from 2006 who no longer is with the Packers. Fourth-round pick Cory Rodgers was cut after training camp, then spent three weeks on the 49ers' practice squad in September before being released by San Francisco.




Driver needs helping hand
Team hoping someone steps up
By ROB REISCHEL / Special to Packer Plus
Posted: Jan. 24, 2007
Jimmy Robinson, Green Bay's wide receivers coach, is used to working with dynamic duos. In 1991, Atlanta's Andre Rison and Michael Haynes combined for an NFL-leading 23 touchdown catches. The following season, Rison and Mike Pritchard combined to lead the league in TD catches. When Robinson was with the New York Giants from 1998-2003, the pair of Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard broke several team records. And when Robinson was in New Orleans (2004-'05), Joe Horn and Donte' Stallworth developed into a terrific twosome. Perhaps Robinson has been spoiled. But he's learned full well if a team doesn't have two dangerous pass catchers, an offense can completely bog down. That's why Robinson knows the Packers have to get Donald Driver some help. Perhaps it's someone emerging internally. Maybe it comes from free agency or the NFL Draft. But Driver, who's on his way to his second Pro Bowl next month, could use a worthy partner on the other side. "We want to get better. We want improvement," said the 54-year old Robinson. "We want a better group from top to bottom and we want the situation to be very, very competitive because that's what brings out the best in guys." -- More