The Packer Pundit

Rodgers looks sharp with first team
By Tom Pelissero / greenbaypressgazette.com

"It's" just a matter of challenging yourself in a number of different ways. This offseason was really physical, because mentally, I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of the offense." -- Aaron Rodgers

A strike to Chris Francies over the middle, a slant to Shaun Bodiford, then a perfectly threaded ball to Carlyle Holiday in tight coverage. It was only a blitz drill in the second practice of training camp, but Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers continued to make the most of his opportunities with the first-team offense Sunday. "My biggest … thing, besides trying to be as accurate as possible, is just trying to keep the tempo as high as … it is when Brett's in there," said Rodgers, who led the starters in veteran Brett Favre's absence during the morning session. "Keep the energy level, the enthusiasm level and the tempo high, so we're in and out of plays and getting a lot of reps and practicing at a high tempo." Rodgers completed 13 of his last 16 passes in competitive periods Sunday morning — two of the misses were drops by Holiday and Brandon Miree — and was 15-for-21 overall, including 6-for-7 in the challenging blitz period.

The performance was on par with Rodgers' play in most offseason practices that were open to the media this summer, showing off his improved arm strength and increasing comfort in the Packers' offense. "Aaron's at the point in his career he just needs reps," coach Mike McCarthy said. "(First) team reps are so important for a young quarterback, because you don't really get the opportunity being a No. 2 and 3 as you grow up the ladder." Rodgers needed 5½ months to recover from a broken foot sustained Nov. 19 against New England, the game in which he saw his most extensive action last season. His arm, however, has overshadowed any lingering concerns about his health since minicamp. Splitting the offseason between Green Bay and his home in Chico, Calif., Rodgers utilized stretching, resistance-band exercises and low-weight, high-rep lifting to build strength in his throwing shoulder. He also jumped rope often to improve strength and quickness in his wrists, forearms and calves.

"It's just a matter of challenging yourself in a number of different ways," Rodgers said. "This offseason was really physical, because mentally, I felt like I had a pretty good grasp of the offense." McCarthy had chided Rodgers in the past for his weight, which was 228 pounds in March 2006. By cutting out his favorite foods, pizza and ice cream, Rodgers weighed in Friday at 217 — his lowest weight since his sophomore year at the University of California — with roughly 9 percent body fat. All of which will mean little if Rodgers, who in five regular-season NFL games is 15-for-31 (48.4 percent) with an interception and a 43.9 efficiency rating, rides the bench another year. He'll lead the starters the next two days while Favre continues to deal with the death of his wife's stepfather, and potentially more later in training camp if Favre sits out some mornings during two-a-day practices. However, there's no telling when Favre will step away for good. Rodgers is in the third of the five-year, $7.655 million contract the Packers gave him as the 24th overall draft pick in 2005, and his best chance to become a starter might come elsewhere. "A lot of it depends on circumstance," General Manager Ted Thompson said. "Is he going to get that opportunity? Is Brett going to continue to play for several more years, and play effectively? I think that's the whole thing about the National Football League, is being prepared when your opportunity arises. "I think (Rodgers is) talented, I think he can play, and I think he has a mindset to be an NFL quarterback, and I believe he thinks he's an NFL quarterback. … But the proof is in the pudding." -- Story Link


Morency out with knee injury
By Tom Silverstein / journalsentinel.com
Posted: July 30, 2007
Green Bay Packers running back Vernand Morency will miss "a couple of weeks" of training camp with a knee injury, coach Mike McCarthy said this afternoon. McCarthy declined to elaborate on the injury that Morency suffered in the Packers' first practice Saturday. Yesterday, it was described as a bruised knee. "It's a little more serious than we thought," McCarthy said today. Morency opened camp as the de facto starter at running back, with rookie Brandon Jackson, practice squad pickup P.J. Pope and veteran Noah Herron behind him. Last season, Morency gained 421 yards in 96 carries (4.6-yard average) backing up Ahman Green, who signed in the off-season with Houston. He missed two games with a lower back injury. -- Story Link