Here is today's Green Bay Update from Jeff Ash. If you have any questions
or comments about the update, contact Jeff (mailto:jeffash@netnet.net).
--------------------------------------------------
Greetings from Green Bay, where everyone at our house is in various stages
of recovering from spring colds:
As in years past, I've waited until after the minicamp that follows the
draft to post an update, in the hopes of providing a better assessment of
the new players and how they fit into the picture. Thanks for your
patience.
-- The Packers' picks in a draft intended solely to restock the team's
depth, particularly at defensive back:
1. Antuan Edwards, CB, 6-0, 208, Clemson. He wears No. 24.
2. Fred Vinson, CB, 5-11, 177, Vanderbilt. He wears No. 31.
3. Mike McKenzie, CB, 6-0, 193, Memphis. He wears No. 34.
3b. Cletidus Hunt, DT, 6-4, 300, Kentucky State. He wears No. 97.
4. Aaron Brooks, QB, 6-4, 203, Virginia. He wears No. 2.
4b. Josh Bidwell, P, 6-3, 229, Oregon. He wears No. 9.
5. DeMonn Parker, RB, 5-10, 190, Oklahoma. He wears No. 30.
5b. Craig Heimburger, G, 6-2, 314, Missouri. He wears No. 75.
6. Dee Miller, WR, 6-0, 194, Ohio State. He wears No. 19.
6b. Scott Curry, T, 6-5, 294, Montana. He wears No. 61.
7. Chris Akins, S, 5-11, 194, Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He wears No. 29.
7b. Donald Driver, WR, 6-0, 174, Alcorn State. He wears No. 13.
-- The Packers' recently signed undrafted rookies and free agents, most of
whom are long shots to make the team:
Mike Newell, C, 6-4, 296, Colorado State. He wears No. 64.
Andre Dixon, CB, 6-1, 205, Northeastern. He wears No. 22.
Basil Mitchell, RB, 5-10, 179, Texas Christian. He wears No. 28.
Alphonso Collins, TE, 6-2, 274, East Carolina. He wears No. 40.
Zola Davis, WR, 6-0, 183, South Carolina. He wears No. 16.
Kevin McCullar, LB, 6-3, 241, Texas Tech. He wears No. 50.
Deon Humphrey, LB, 6-3, 233, Florida State. He wears No. 65.
Howard Burns, DT, 6-3, 290, Lane College. He wears No. 94.
Michael Vaughn, WR, 6-1, 195, Alabama. He wears No. 10.
-- 2 rookie free agents were cut after flunking their physicals: LB Aaron
Adams, 6-2, 227, from LSU; and G Todd Neimeyer, 6-4, 295, from Missouri.
-- Shortly before the draft, the Packers signed CB Keith Williams. He's 25,
5-11, 202, a 1st-year player out of St. Cloud State, where he was a RB. He
wears No. 38. He was an alternate on the U.S. 400-meter relay team at the
1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He was with the Broncos briefly in 1997 but was
cut before training camp. The Packers spotted him in NFL Europe preseason
games, where he had 4 interceptions and 6 blocked punts.
-- Generally, the Packers drafted as GM Ron Wolf suggested they would,
emphasizing the DBs. A quote from him: "As is the case with all the
sessions such as this, we're not going to be able to please everyone or
please ourselves, but these were quality players that we had an opportunity
to pick. And we felt, let's go pick them. We didn't want to go through what
we went through last year, experiencing what we did in the secondary."
The only surprises, if you could call them that, were not using a higher
pick for WRs, not drafting a LB and using a No. 4 for a punter. Only for
the latter was Wolf throwing people off the trail, saying before the draft
that he didn't think they'd draft a punter. Of the Bidwell pick, Wolf said:
"I know that you're going to ask me, is this any different than Brett
Conway? I certainly hope so."
Wolf conceded the Packers took a couple of risks, particularly on Edwards
and Vinson, both of whom fell on other teams' draft boards because of foot
injuries. A quote from Wolf on them: "There's a risk, but I have great
confidence that our (doctors) can fix Edwards and that we know what we're
doing in regards to Vinson." Another quote from Wolf: "I realize I could
have seriously damaged the franchise. I take that into consideration. ...
"I don't look at it like it's guts. I'm comfortable that when it was the
Green Bay Packers' turn to pick we took the 2 best players in the draft
available to us. Other people may dispute that, but I'm comfortable with
that." Other teams shied away from Edwards because of what they perceived
as his bad attitude and because Clemson has a reputation for producing head
cases. Wolf isn't buying either argument. Likewise, Miller fell because of
concerns about his knees and migraine headaches.
-- Shoulda, woulda, coulda: According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's
Bob McGinn, the only other player considered for the No. 1 pick was Ohio
State LB Andy Katzenmoyer, but Wolf decided to go with Edwards, whom they'd
rated higher. According to the Sporting News' Paul Attner, who was in the
Packers' draft room, the only other option was Syracuse WR Kevin Johnson.
Coach Ray Rhodes reportedly didn't think Katzenmoyer was tough enough. You
be the judge. ... Wolf said the Packers would have traded up only for a
speed WR, like Ohio State's David Boston, but he went quickly. ...
Offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis wanted Auburn WR Karsten Bailey in the
3rd round, but Mike Holmgren and the Seahawks grabbed him 6 picks before.
... The Packers also wanted to use a 7th-rounder on Michigan WR Tai
Streets, who tore an Achilles tendon playing basketball just before the
draft, but the 49ers took him in the 6th round. ... The Packers passed on
talented but troubled RB Cecil Collins of McNeese State in the 4th round.
He went to the Dolphins in the 5th round.
-- The Packers had no interest in RB Aaron Stecker, who played high school
ball in the Green Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon and his college ball at
Wisconsin and Western Illinois. He signed as a rookie free agent with the
Bears. ... Wisconsin T Aaron Gibson was drafted by the Lions, LB Tom Burke
by the Cardinals and FB Cecil Martin by the Eagles. ... UW-Stevens Point LB
Clint Kriewaldt, of Shiocton, went to the Lions. ... Northwest Missouri
State QB Chris Greisen, of Sturgeon Bay, went to the Cardinals.
-- Two of the Packers' picks changed the spelling of their 1st name on
draft day. Antwan Edwards became Antuan Edwards and De'Mond Parker became
DeMonn Parker, both for no apparent reason.
-- The Packers and Raiders made a draft-day deal for the 3rd straight year.
Green Bay got a 5th-rounder for a 6th-rounder and past considerations. Last
year's deal, in which Oakland traded up, allowed the Raiders to pick LB
Travian Smith, who made the team. The Raiders also traded up in 1997.
-- The Packers are so close to the $57.2 million salary cap that they'll
likely have to cut players or restructure some veterans' deals in order to
sign draft picks from the 1st 3 rounds. It will help if WR Antonio Freeman
signs, because his cap number for this season likely will drop in a new
deal.
Now, a look at the Packers by position after the minicamp.
-- QB: No. 4 pick Aaron Brooks clearly has the 2nd-best arm on the team
behind Brett Favre, but otherwise is raw. The Packers rated him as the
6th-best QB in the draft, behind only Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili
Smith, Daunte Culpepper and Cade McNown, all 1st-rounders. A quote from
Favre: "I told him, 'I may be getting old, but I can still throw with the
best of them.' But it's gradually dwindling. So one day, one of these young
punks is going to come in and blow it right past me." ... Not that he's
going to retire anytime soon, the 29-year-old Favre is starting to feel his
age, saying he was sore after the 1st day of minicamp. ... Rick Mirer had
more zip on his passes. ... Matt Hasselbeck improved his accuracy.
-- RB: Both RB Dorsey Levens and FB William Henderson looked terrific. The
big question is who will back them up, particularly at FB. ... No. 5 pick
DeMonn Parker showed good quickness, agility and instincts, and could be
Levens' backup. He isn't big enough to be an every-down player. ... Edwin
Watson is playing in NFL Europe, but is too small to be a pure FB. ...
Chris McCoy remains in the Navy and may miss training camp. ... Brent Moss,
who was overweight and was made an even longer shot by Parker's arrival, is
wearing No. 27.
--WR: Robert Brooks worked out for 1 day and said his back was fine. No one
is convinced. ... The Packers hope Corey Bradford continues to emerge, but
he still is diving for too many balls. ... No. 7 pick Donald Driver is
another former track athlete who is a project despite having played 3 years
of football. Still, he impressed the coaches with nice catches. ... No. 6
pick Dee Miller looked like he should have been drafted earlier, showing
quickness, soft hands and good fundamentals. ... Rookie free agent Michael
Vaughn sprained a knee. ... None of the rookies is expected to contribute
much this season. ... Bill Schroeder (collarbone) and Tyrone Goodson (knee
scope) sat out. ... Freeman didn't attend the minicamp. ... Derrick Mayes
was in excellent shape. ... Brian Manning's experiment at CB is over, and
he's back at WR, again wearing No. 82. ... The Packers pondered, then
decided against signing Tony Martin, who was released by the Falcons and is
facing money-laundering charges but was signed by the Dolphins.
-- TE: Tyrone Davis again is about 10 pounds overweight. ... Rookie free
agent Alphonso Collins made nice catches but is about 15 pounds overweight.
-- OL: Marco Rivera has moved to RG, which he played in college, and
Raleigh McKenzie will take over at LG. For now, it's being called an
experiment to get more strength on the right side. It might also stabilize
the line, pairing the veteran McKenzie with LT Ross Verba and Rivera with
veteran RT Earl Dotson. ... C Frank Winters, recovering from a broken leg,
expects to be back at the June minicamp. He's running at about
three-quarters speed, but isn't allowed to make cuts yet. ... Mike Flanagan
was the No. 1 center. ... T John Michels also sat out, still recovering
from his knee injury. ... Mike Wahle is working as the backup at LT. He
spent the winter in Green Bay and is stronger, having bulked up 10 pounds
to 312. ... C Mike Newell, a rookie free agent, was rated among the top 5
centers, but went undrafted because he had back surgery to repair a
herniated disk earlier this year. He got a bigger-than-usual signing bonus
for a rookie free agent. ... T Scott Curry, a No. 6 pick, needs to get
stronger. ... Anyone who has a false start has to do 5 pushups on the spot.
A quote from line coach Larry Beightol: "If you're going to be dumb, you're
going to be big-armed and big-shouldered."
-- DL: As promised, Vonnie Holliday has moved to LDE, with Keith McKenzie
taking over at RDE. The new defensive strategy emphasizes quickness and
shooting through the gaps, so lighter linemen like the 266-pound McKenzie
aren't a problem. ... DT Cletidus Hunt, a No. 3 pick, could be a backup. He
flunked a drug test before the NFL combine in February (he got caught
smoking pot) and is in the NFL drug rehabilitation program. That means
he'll be tested regularly and is subject to a fine if caught again. The
Packers apparently knew this before drafting him. Hunt's agent concedes his
client is not exactly the brightest or most mature guy, but is working on
it. ... DT Jermaine Lewis, who missed all last season with a badly broken
right elbow, is making progress and has impressed coaches with his hard
work in Green Bay during the offseason. ... DE Jonathan Brown is down to
270 pounds, per the coaches' wishes. ... NT Gilbert Brown is in good shape
coming into the crucial last year of his contract.
-- LB: Brian Williams had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee just
before the minicamp and sat it out. The knee had been swelling and sore
after workouts, thus the surgery. ... The Packers are counting on Jude
Waddy and Antonio London to be the backups because they didn't draft
anyone. ... Waddy is still light at just 217 pounds, looking more like a
safety. ... London, who is coming back from knee surgery last season,
worked out on his own and should by ready for training camp. ... A quote
from GM Ron Wolf: "We're up against it (at LB). You can't fix everything."
-- DB: CB Antuan Edwards, the Packers' top pick, had surgery Monday to
repair minor ligament damage to the big toe on his right foot. He
hyperextended the toe last September and aggravated it at the Senior Bowl
in December. Everything went well, and he's expected back for training
camp. Rhodes spent quite a bit of time with Edwards, reminding him how hard
he must work to make it in the NFL. Edwards is expected to become the No. 3
CB and the nickel back, or 5th DB in pass coverage. ... CB Fred Vinson, the
No. 2 pick, is coming off surgery for a torn ligament in his left foot and
can't run, but he should be ready for training camp. He was hurt last
October and had surgery in December. He's expected to become the No. 4 CB
and the dime back, or 6th DB in pass coverage. ... CB Mike McKenzie, the
No. 3 pick, pulled a hamstring. ... S Chris Akins, a No. 7 pick, struggled
with the move up to the NFL. ... McKenzie also can play S and Akins also
can play CB. ... The coaches liked rookie free agent Andre Dixon, a big CB.
... CB Craig Newsome looked terrific, showing good explosiveness from his
left knee. ... CB Tyrone Williams was sharp, too. He and the Packers have
resumed talks on a long-term deal. ... SS LeRoy Butler, coming off ankle
surgery, says he'll be ready for training camp, but may not play much in
the preseason games on artificial turf. ... FS Darren Sharper is being
given more freedom to change coverages without relying on Butler, who will
be used more in coverage and blitzes. A quote from Sharper, who is being
tutored accordingly: "This year, I'm going to have a little more leeway to
do what I want to do. ... This year, I'll go on how I feel the game is
going and make certain calls."
-- Special teams: It looks as if No. 4 pick Josh Bidwell will be the punter
and the holder for K Ryan Longwell. They worked out together in Oregon
before the draft. Bidwell is a big guy with a strong leg, and is accustomed
to playing in bad weather. The Packers wouldn't have used a No. 4 on him
had they not expected him to start. ... Mirer and Hasselbeck also worked as
holders. ... Waddy and Bradford are the leading candidates to become the
top cover man on kickoff and punt coverage, replacing Travis Jervey. ... WR
Jahine Arnold, Parker and Bradford are the top kick return candidates. ...
Arnold, Parker and Edwards are the top punt return candidates.
-- Practices will be different for the Packers under Rhodes. They'll be
longer, 2 to 2.5 hours during camp; Holmgren's usually ran 1 hour, 45
minutes tops. Players will do more hitting and will be in better shape.
After the last minicamp workout, an 80-minute practice, Rhodes convened a
conditioning workout that was closed to reporters. It reportedly was a
series of sprints totaling 2,100 yards, followed by 10 minutes of jogging.
A quote from Rhodes: "It's not a walk in the park." He didn't have a
problem with the players' conditioning, but conceded: "They've been a
championship, Super Bowl team for 3 years. When you have to set a certain
intensity level year in and year out, there's a burnout factor."
-- Ken Herock, 57, has joined the Packers as vice president of player
personnel. He is Wolf's best friend, and they worked together with the
Buccaneers and Raiders. Herock also was the Falcons' top personnel guy from
1987 to 1996 and drafted Favre over the objections of the Atlanta coaching
staff. Herock will oversee pro and college scouting. Ted Thompson, the
director of player personnel, remains the top national college scout.
Reggie McKenzie remains as director of pro personnel, or the top pro scout.
Herock's son, Shaun, scouts Midwest colleges for the Packers.
Herock left the Raiders after a spat with owner Al Davis, reportedly over
the release of QB Jeff George, which Herock opposed. The Raiders vaguely
threatened tampering charges, saying Herock and Wolf had a deal before
Herock left the Raiders, but it doesn't look as if they will be filed.
-- It still looks as if the new Lambeau Field will be built in the east
parking lot of the existing stadium. The village of Ashwaubenon, which
borders the stadium to the east and south, has come up with an initial plan
to link the new stadium to the new arena (to be built just east of the
existing arena) by skywalks and to create parking for more than 10,000 cars
to the east and south of the Packers' practice field. For now, just a trial
balloon, though.
-- The Broke Spoke, the only Packers bar in Favre's hometown of Kiln,
Miss., burned down last week, and all of its Packers memorabilia was lost.
A faulty air-conditioning unit was blamed. They're open again and will
rebuild. Co-owner Mabel Haas says: "Just tell 'em in Green Bay to come on
down because we'll be here. And remember to bring some stuff for us to put
on the walls."
Now, a little viewer mail
-- Brian in Milwaukee asks what the procedure will be for buying tickets to
the Aug. 23 preseason game against the Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium in
Madison. I haven't heard yet. Last time, Packers tickets were offered first
to UW football season ticket holders, then to the public. If anyone knows
this year's procedure, drop me a line and I'll pass it along next time.
-- Loren in Superior is seeking a video copy of last year's NFC title game
between the Vikings and Falcons. He's at lerickso@staff.uwsuper.edu
As always, your comments and questions are welcome at jeffash@netnet.net
This week's sources: Green Bay Press-Gazette
(http://www.greenbaypressgazette.packersnews.com), Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel (http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/) and Packers
(http://www.packers.com) web pages.
This week's soundtrack: "Dread Don't Die: The Best of Peter Tosh" and "For
the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson."
-- Recent adventures with Evan: The weather is getting nice enough that
Evan wants to go to the park every day. He has started a T-ball class at
the Y and loves to play baseball on the front lawn. This also will be a
summer to work on bike riding, to introduce him to rollerblades and to
pitch a little tent in the back yard for adventures. ... Evan is just
getting over a badly sprained ankle. As he was getting ready to go to
preschool 2 weeks ago, he was playing in the car and fell out onto the
driveway, landing awkwardly. He couldn't walk for a couple of days, but was
motivated to start practicing because The Big Event was coming up on
Saturday. That's a day full of kids' activities at the local expo center,
with trucks and diggers and buses and cars to explore, a fundraiser for
Evan's child care centers. Their mascot, a clown named Huggles, arrived in
a helicopter, which Evan really got a kick out of. ... Janet's birthday was
Tuesday, and Evan really got excited about it. She was off at work when we
got up Tuesday, and Evan was telling me which of his friends was invited to
Mom's birthday party. He'd put out paper cupcake holders the night before
for each one. When we got back from the Y, Janet was at lunch with friends.
Grandpa had dropped off a present for her. So Evan took it and couple of
other presents and hid them in the kitchen until she got home, then took
great delight in digging them out and presenting them to Mom. Evan's
present to Mom was a package of Starburst candy from the Y.
-- The expatriates among you may be interested to know that last week
someone torched the Leicht warehouse along the river just north of the Main
Street bridge and next to Titletown Brewing Co. (the old North Western
depot). A spectacular nighttime fire. The building was full of rolls of
paper pulp and is still not out more than a week later. Firefighters caught
breaks when it rained on the 2nd day of the fire, and because they were
able to pump water right from the river. Damage is estimated at more than
$6 million. Because the fire was so costly, and because it involved goods
shipped overseas, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is
helping the investigation.
That's it.
As usual, if you wish to show your appreciation for these Packers updates,
volunteer or make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Thanks, Jeff
To subscribe to the free e-mail list, send an empty e-mail message to
SouthEndZone-subscribe@ONElist.com. More details and instructions are
available at the South End Zone: southendzone.com
Look for the most recent update at
southendzone.com
Be sure to check out all the other features of the South End Zone at
southendzone.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
South End Zone Mailing List: <http://www.southendzone.com/list/>
Subscribe : <mailto:SouthEndZone-subscribe@ONElist.com>
Unsubscribe: <mailto:SouthEndZone-unsubscribe@ONElist.com>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
=*= 2,000 subscribers in 10 countries. Tell all your friends! =*=
|
