The Packer Pundit

Coston matures into top backup on line
By Pete Dougherty greenbaypressgazette.com
Posted 9-4-2007
Junius Coston has become the Packers' No. 6 offensive lineman and likely would play if any starter is injured after his performance took a major step forward in training camp this year. Coston, a third-year pro, can play all five positions on the offensive line and is the top backup at left guard, right guard and right tackle. Either he or, more likely Daryn Colledge, is the top backup at left tackle, but if starter Chad Clifton gets injured and Colledge moves into that spot, Coston would replace Colledge at left guard. Right guard Jason Spitz is the backup center (Coston is the No. 3), so if starter Scott Wells gets injured, Spitz probably would move to center, and Coston would replace Spitz at right guard. When the Packers drafted Coston in the fifth round out of the North Carolina A&T in 2005, they knew he'd be a project but nevertheless were disappointed when he failed to stay in the running for long with then-rookies Colledge and Spitz for a starting job at guard as a second-year pro last year. This year, however, Coston had by far his best training camp. "He fit into his body maybe a little bit," said Joe Philbin, the Packers' offensive coordinator and Coston's offensive line coach his first two seasons. "He's learning to play more explosively. He's got some natural power in the running game, very good athlete, very good feet, and his technique is coming. I think it's really been technique catching up with him, fundamentals. He's not there yet, but he's certainly made a lot of progress fundamentally. That's translating into better play on the field." Rookie Allen Barbre, a fourth-round pick, has shown good potential as a left guard and perhaps left tackle, but Coston moved ahead of him as training camp went on. Tony Moll, who is practicing only part-time while recovering from a shoulder-neck stinger, is the No. 3 right tackle. Tony Palmer is the No. 3 right guard. Coston ticked off several reasons for his marked improvement, such as reducing his body fat, gaining strength and improving footwork. "Kind of like a light went off, to be serious with you," he said. "Kind of like with most guys."

Rookie kicks
Mason Crosby, the Packers' rookie kicker, has similar requirements for holder Jon Ryan as Dave Rayner did last season, but not the precise instructions the meticulous Ryan Longwell had when he was the Packers' kicker. Crosby, like Rayner, prefers the ball to be tilted forward and perhaps a little to his left. Longwell wanted the ball tilted forward and noticeably to the right (away from the holder), and said a proper hold was essential to his accuracy. "I'm not real extreme with it," Crosby said. "I like it a little forward and a little towards the holder. If it's (straight) up and down that's fine with me, as long as it's on the spot and not leaning away from the holder, I'm good to go. I'm not super picky about it." Ryan said: "He's going to have to tell me to adjust if I need to, and he's just got to get comfortable with me." This training camp and final cuts were difficult for Ryan, the Packers' punter, because he and Rayner became close friends last season. The Packers kept the rookie Crosby over Rayner on final cuts Saturday. "I know it's the nature of the business," Ryan said. "But at the same time, I was pretty upset when I found out that he got cut. My girlfriend is good friends with him and she kinda had a tear in her eye when she found out. It's difficult, but this doesn't mean it's going to be the end of our friendship. We're not going to work together anymore, but we'll still be friends. "On the flip side, Mason's a great guy and he came in here and proved himself, and I have a ton of respect for him." Rayner worked out for the New York Giants on Monday but there were no immediate indications the Giants were going to sign him.

Big upset
Jason Hunter received regular updates from friends on Saturday afternoon as his college team, Appalachian State, was pulling off a major upset by defeating fifth-ranked Michigan 34-32 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Appalachian State won after kicker Julian Rauch made a 24-yard field with 26 seconds left, and teammate Corey Lynch blocked a 38-yard field goal in the final seconds to clinch the win. Hunter, a backup defensive end, made the Packers' roster as an undrafted rookie last year and survived final cuts this year. Appalachian State was a Division I-AA school, which now is called the Football Championship Series. "It shocked me," Hunter said. "I didn't see the game, but I'm having a friend mail me the game (on DVD). The momentum for our school to beat a school like that, that's beyond huge."

Returns
Special-teams coach Mike Stock said he will wait until late in the week to recommend to McCarthy whether Will Blackmon should return punts and kickoffs. Blackmon has a thumb injury and is wearing a protective brace that could make it difficult for him to catch the ball. Blackmon caught several punts in practice Monday, but Stock didn't see them because he was working with coverage and blocking teams. "He said he can catch the ball; I want to see him do that," Stock said. Charles Woodson, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Tramon Williams are potential punt returners if Blackmon can't catch the ball well enough. Williams will return kickoffs if Blackmon can't. Rookie DeShawn Wynn will be the secondary return man and blocking back for whomever is the primary kickoff returner.

Story Link >>