The Packer Pundit

Jenkins has new position - Goal-setter
By Jason Wilde / madison.com
Posted: 8-13-2007 / Story Link
"It's not about getting a contract and being satisfied. It's about going out and trying to improve every year. I know I can be a whole lot better than I am. I'm just trying to reach that." -- Cullen Jenkins
GREEN BAY — Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins came into training camp with a few simple goals. The two biggest? Outperform his new four-year, $16 million contract, and shut up his brother. After what he the did in the Green Bay Packers' 13-9 preseason-opening victory Saturday night at Pittsburgh, Jenkins is off to a good start on both fronts. Against the Steelers, Jenkins recorded two sacks — on the first, he forced and recovered a Ben Roethlisberger fumble as he stripped the quarterback just as he was about to throw — and also stuffed former Packers halfback Najeh Davenport for no gain on a third-and-1 play on Pittsburgh's second offensive series. He also added one quarterback hurry. The performance was simply a continuation of camp for Jenkins — his coaches have been raving about him since the first practice July 28. Defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said last week Jenkins is having "an outstanding camp." Coach Mike McCarthy said he's off to "an incredible start."



Jones Counting His Blessings
Tough childhood puts NFL life in perspective
By Lori Nickel / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 12, 2007 / Story Link
"Growing up in shelters, that's the only thing you know, people around you selling drugs. That's the road you're expected to take, but I saw how hard my mom worked, and I wasn't going to take that road." -- James Jones
Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers' training camp meal table spilled over with food and yet someone said, "We have to eat that? Where are the scrambled eggs?" Then in the locker room, another player grumbled that his jersey wasn't clean enough. "They just don't know any different," James Jones thought. The comments yanked Jones back 10 years to San Jose, when he and his mother were evicted from their one-bedroom apartment because she couldn't pay the rent. Jones' only earthly possessions at the time were a backpack and a basketball. If he was lucky, the homeless shelter would have a decent meal and a few donated hand-me-down shirts in his size. It couldn't have been further away from this opulent life in the National Football League. There isn't even a hint of Jones' past in his piercing dark eyes and easy smile. The 23-year-old rookie receiver has been busy catching bullet passes in Packers training camp. He is getting praise from all corners. Life is good. But let's just get real here for a minute.



Harrell passes first test
Thompson says top rookie OK in debut
By Bob McGinn / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 12, 2007 / Story Link
Green Bay - Rookie Justin Harrell wasn't able to finish what he started for the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in Pittsburgh but general manager Ted Thompson still liked what he saw from his first-round draft choice. "He actually played pretty good last night," Thompson said Sunday after reviewing tape of the Packers' 13-9 exhibition victory over the Steelers. Harrell didn't take the field at defensive tackle until the 5-minute mark of the second quarter. By then, Ryan Pickett had played five series, Corey Williams three and Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly two apiece. After playing the final series of the first half, Harrell played from the 9-minute mark of the third quarter until the 2-minute warning. By then, Harrell's snap count was in the low 30s and he looked extremely fatigued.