Notes 8/23/2007
Pack D-linemen confident they're for real
By Mark Long / Associated Press
"We've got all the confidence in the world. We feel like we can be the best D-line in the league this year, and that's what we're shooting for." -- Cullen Jenkins
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers think they might have the NFL's best defensive line. Now they need to prove it against a worthy opponent. And that might not happen again this week. After a dominant performance against an injury-depleted Seattle offense on Saturday, the Packers probably won 't get a true test from the banged-up Jacksonville Jaguars in tonight 's preseason game at Lambeau Field. Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins doesn't want to hear the Packers' defensive success in the preseason doesn't really count because it hasn't come against top competition. "I guess it fuels the fire a little bit, where you're ready to go out there and show people that this is real," Jenkins said. "It's not just something that's just a little fluke."
The Packers had seven sacks and forced six turnovers against Seattle, but the Seahawks were playing without their starting quarterback and both tackles. Tonight, the Packers will face a Jaguars offensive line that also is missing two starters. "With their front four, this is going to be our best test so far," Jaguars left tackle Khalif Barnes said. "I like challenges. It lets you know where you're at, where you stand in the league and what you have to do to get better. If you want to be the best, you have to go against the best."
The Packers' defensive line lacks marquee names, although end Aaron Kampman is beginning to earn national recognition after leading the NFC with 15 sacks and going to the Pro Bowl last season. Beyond Kampman, the Packers have a deep group of underrated players who could form a formidable front four. "We've got all the confidence in the world," Jenkins said. "We feel like we can be the best D-line in the league this year, and that's what we're shooting for."
Packers defensive line coach Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston, who went to one Super Bowl as a player and another as a coach, said this could be one of the best defensive lines he has ever been around. "I can see them working towards that," Hairston said. "And for them to say that, they've gotten together and decided that's what they want to be."
The Packers will start Kampman and Jenkins, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers star Kris Jenkins, at defensive end, with veteran Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila playing on passing downs. They go five players deep at defensive tackle, a talented logjam that has so far made first-round draft pick Justin Harrell an afterthought. That's a major concern for the Jaguars, who must try to protect oft-injured quarterback Byron Leftwich with a patchwork offensive line.
The Packers still have three major spots up for grabs. Atari Bigby is trying to unseat starting strong safety Marquand Manuel, Jarrett Bush is getting a chance to solidify his spot as the No. 3 cornerback and rookie Mason Crosby is attempting to outkick incumbent Dave Rayner. Packers coach Mike McCarthy will depart from conventional coaching wisdom and pull most of his starters well before the third quarter. The Packers are trying to rest several injured players.
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By Mark Long / Associated Press
"We've got all the confidence in the world. We feel like we can be the best D-line in the league this year, and that's what we're shooting for." -- Cullen JenkinsGREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers think they might have the NFL's best defensive line. Now they need to prove it against a worthy opponent. And that might not happen again this week. After a dominant performance against an injury-depleted Seattle offense on Saturday, the Packers probably won 't get a true test from the banged-up Jacksonville Jaguars in tonight 's preseason game at Lambeau Field. Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins doesn't want to hear the Packers' defensive success in the preseason doesn't really count because it hasn't come against top competition. "I guess it fuels the fire a little bit, where you're ready to go out there and show people that this is real," Jenkins said. "It's not just something that's just a little fluke."
The Packers had seven sacks and forced six turnovers against Seattle, but the Seahawks were playing without their starting quarterback and both tackles. Tonight, the Packers will face a Jaguars offensive line that also is missing two starters. "With their front four, this is going to be our best test so far," Jaguars left tackle Khalif Barnes said. "I like challenges. It lets you know where you're at, where you stand in the league and what you have to do to get better. If you want to be the best, you have to go against the best."
The Packers' defensive line lacks marquee names, although end Aaron Kampman is beginning to earn national recognition after leading the NFC with 15 sacks and going to the Pro Bowl last season. Beyond Kampman, the Packers have a deep group of underrated players who could form a formidable front four. "We've got all the confidence in the world," Jenkins said. "We feel like we can be the best D-line in the league this year, and that's what we're shooting for."
Packers defensive line coach Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston, who went to one Super Bowl as a player and another as a coach, said this could be one of the best defensive lines he has ever been around. "I can see them working towards that," Hairston said. "And for them to say that, they've gotten together and decided that's what they want to be."
The Packers will start Kampman and Jenkins, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers star Kris Jenkins, at defensive end, with veteran Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila playing on passing downs. They go five players deep at defensive tackle, a talented logjam that has so far made first-round draft pick Justin Harrell an afterthought. That's a major concern for the Jaguars, who must try to protect oft-injured quarterback Byron Leftwich with a patchwork offensive line.
The Packers still have three major spots up for grabs. Atari Bigby is trying to unseat starting strong safety Marquand Manuel, Jarrett Bush is getting a chance to solidify his spot as the No. 3 cornerback and rookie Mason Crosby is attempting to outkick incumbent Dave Rayner. Packers coach Mike McCarthy will depart from conventional coaching wisdom and pull most of his starters well before the third quarter. The Packers are trying to rest several injured players.
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Hall's talent translates in full By Lori Nickel / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 22, 2007
Green Bay - Even Korey Hall is a little disbelieving. Just a few months ago, he was preparing himself for the possibility that the draft would come and go and he would latch on somewhere as a free agent linebacker. Instead, the Green Bay Packers drafted him to be a fullback, a position he hasn't played since high school. More >>
Making cuts is tough for McCarthyBy Mike Vandermause / gbpressgazette.com
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy calls it the worst part of his job. In the next 10 days, the Packers must trim their roster from 87 players to 53. McCarthy isn't looking forward to telling 34 players they are no longer wanted in Green Bay. "It's really hard," he admits. To his credit, McCarthy insists on talking personally to every player that gets cut. "I think it's the least you should do as a head coach," McCarthy said. "I think I have a responsibility to that individual to tell them why. That's not the easiest thing to do sometimes. I think it's important as a man to tell them the reason why we're going in another direction." More >>
Packers may keep just two QBs on rosterBy Bob McGinn / journalsentinel.com
More and more National Football League teams are going with two quarterbacks on the roster. Will the Green Bay Packers be the next to join the crowd? "We haven't gotten to that stage of the game yet," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said earlier in the week. "But I think Mike (McCarthy) is committed to keeping the best 53 guys." More >>
Published by PackerPundit On Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 5:04 PM.
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